Chapter 104: The Shipyard (5000 words)

  The seventh day of the first month has passed, and the Spring Festival is considered over.

  Su Cheng first took Lao Wu to visit the factory and gave him a brief introduction. In Su Cheng's impression, Lao Wu from his uncle's family was a representative of cleverness. When he was young, he knew how to take grain to the neighboring village to exchange for highland barley, use highland barley to exchange for wine, and use wine to exchange back for grain... Every time he made a deal, he could earn three melons and two dates as snacks.

  It seems that he can grow a body of tangled muscles, perhaps also cleverly coming out. Without the skill of eating and occupying more, it's impossible to get the grain to raise meat.

  Lao Wu listened very seriously, and occasionally encountered repetitive things, he also understood to learn from one another, making Su Cheng feel much more at ease. To say the least, since Su Cheng could be admitted to Peking University, as a cousin, Lao Wu naturally had no reason to be foolish, and the difference in their fate could only be attributed to the difference in education.

  After visiting Dahua Industrial, Jinan Power Machinery Factory and Oil Well, Su Cheng asked Lao Wu: "Do you still want to open a tofu factory now?"

  Lao Wu's neck bone crackled with a series of loud cracks.

  Su Cheng nodded and said, "Now I'll give you two options. First, you can be a worker. With your physical strength, it's easy to become a good worker. Once you're familiar with the situation, I'll promote you and let you settle down in the city, where making a living won't be a problem. This is also what your uncle would have hoped for. Second, you can learn to do business and help me out when the time comes. If you do well, I'll lend you capital to start your own factory. However, in the world of business, anything can happen, and I can't guarantee whether you'll succeed or how big you'll become."

  "Can I work for a period of time and earn some money before learning how to do business?"

  Su Cheng thought: Being able to say something like this, he really has the makings of a businessman.

  He shook his head and said, "If you want to do business, then don't be a worker. At the beginning, follow others to learn, and there is also money to be made."

  Lao Wu hesitantly said: "Brother Biao, is it because the apprentice's pay is too low?"

  Su Cheng smiled and said, "You're still quite inquisitive, don't worry about your salary, it's the same as ordinary workers. If there's no problem, start working at the sales department tomorrow, first go with me to Qingdao to take a look at the shipyard situation."

  "Oh." Lao Wu had intended to ask about the household registration, but in the end didn't say a word. He thought to himself: It's too difficult to get an urban household registration, I won't bother my brother-in-law for now. After saving money for a few years, maybe I can scrape together 3,000 yuan and think of a way to buy a household registration when I go back home.

  Su Cheng went to make a phone call.

  He had high hopes for Lao Wu, who was the first outsider he brought out of his hometown. If successful, he could bring more people from his hometown in the future. Later generations of China have the Wenzhou Gang, the Zhejiang Business Gang, and similarly, there can be a Jing Shan Gang. People from the same hometown know each other's roots and don't need to be too close to help each other out, which is the best way to expand one's power and lay foundations.

  Su Cheng did not intend to establish a family business, nor did he plan to let Lao Wu and others work in his own company for a long time. He just wanted to support a batch of different types of Jing Shan people's enterprises, form an enterprise alliance, to counter the future 'fierce' competition.

  These companies will surround Suzhou City like the current parts factories, growing and supporting each other. The difference is that parts factories are centered around factories, while Jing Shan Gang is centered around people.

  After settling Old Wu down, Su Cheng went to the third carriage house.

  Even from far away, you can hear all sorts of mechanical noises coming from inside.

  Su Cheng took a deep breath. The three-car space was equipped with the best equipment in the entire factory, specifically used to produce some high-end precision parts. Due to the fact that domestic equipment investment is generally insufficient, they have started undertaking component production for some large enterprises.

  This is a profitable and beneficial thing for the country and its people. Many large state-owned enterprises often suspend production or research due to a few unqualified parts. Dahu Industrial makes up for their shortcomings, and everyone doesn't mind a small processing fee.

  As for researchers like Liu Qiu, they directly lived in the Dahua Industrial building. During the Spring Festival, they only took a two-day break and couldn't wait to come to the workshop to 'feel' the machines.

  "How is everyone doing!" Su Cheng entered the separate glass room and loudly asked.

  "Not bad."

  "It's okay."

  "Busy."

  Various sounds intertwined, also suppressing some of the workshop's noise.

  Su Cheng walked around in a circle, casually took a look at a group of tech nerds' work, and then came to Liu Qiu's side.

  Now, the fastest to produce results is definitely the 190 diesel engine modification. Of course, although it's just a modified version of an existing diesel engine, the workload is still not small. In Suzhou's memory, after CNPC took over Jinan Power Machinery Factory, it took two years to launch the first marine diesel engine. By that time, the best opportunity had already passed, and foreign diesel engine manufacturers, like locusts, swept across China's coastal areas, establishing a bunch of valuable brands with mediocre technology.

  Su Cheng station behind Liu Qiu, just see the paper on top of dense formulas and numbers.

  What surprised him slightly was that Liu Qiuyong's methods were all empirical formulas.

  Generally speaking, powerful tools such as finite element calculations are indispensable in modern mechanical design. There are countless experts who have become academic leaders by improving finite elements a little bit and working hard for many years.

  No papers would be worthy of publication without these modernized calculation methods.

  In contrast, empirical formulas are old-fashioned antiques that in many cases have not even been formulated theoretically but are based on experimental data.

  Suzhou as a pure and proper college student, from the beginning of school, has always treated finite element analysis and other algorithms as golden rules. Now looking at Liu Qiu's approach, it is simply unthinkable.

  "How's it going?" Su Cheng asked, leaning forward.

  "Almost done." Liu Qiu raised her head, finished writing the last few numbers, and then took out a stack of draft paper, saying: "I plan to change the cooling method to seawater cooling, which is more economical. The other parts are almost the same."

  "Let me take a look." Su Cheng actually just wanted to see how it was done. He only used the experience formula, and he wondered how this complex mechanical design could be completed.

  Facts are often sad.

  Liu Qiu's design is flawless. This is purely the result of rich experience. Many of the calculation formulas are obviously incomplete, but the results are all accurate and consistent, with little difference from those calculated by computers.

  Su Cheng thought: Take someone like Liu Qiu to the World Expo and put them in a glass case, that's also an exhibit.

  Liu Qiu quickly calculated with an abacus in his hand and asked after two minutes: "Director Su, is there anyone who wants to use our boat with a diesel engine?"

  "The customs side has already been booked. I'll go to Qingdao tomorrow, and even if I have to spend money, I can get a bunch of ships out, so you guys don't have to worry." Su Cheng said this mainly to the other researchers.

  Liu Qiu this 'hairy' middle-aged man, whatever he says is nonsense.

  Li Xiangxiang raised his eyelids slightly and went about his own business. He had a general interest in diesel engines, but remained focused on petroleum machinery.

  Liu Qiu murmured and lowered her head to continue calculating the formula.

  Su Cheng coughed and said, "Liu Qiu, come with me."

  "What am I supposed to do about sales?"

  "Take care of the technical side."

  "'Waste' time, a few small boat factories, what technical issues can there be." Liu Qiu snorted.

  Su Cheng thought for a moment, changed his strategy and said: "Don't you understand ships? It's okay if you don't, understanding ships that use diesel engines is also fine..."

  Even if a man with messy hair is not allowed to be said no. Liu Qiu stood up with a whoosh, saying: "As long as it's related to diesel engines, there's nothing I don't know about, you'd better not provoke..."

  "Go or not go?"

  Liu Qiu stared for half a day and said, "Go."

  The next day.

  A group of people set off in two cars and headed straight for Qingdao.

  Su Cheng sat in one car, while others sat in another car.

  Arrived at the seaside, you can see the forest of shipyards standing upright.

  They drove along a narrow road, along the coast, and every few hundred meters, they could see a factory building small boats. The workers were busy making one or two small boats at a time.

  Huo Chang had already come to test the waters once, parking his car in a simple earth yard of a shipyard and walking down.

  Su Cheng raised his head and saw that the name of this shipyard was quite impressive, called "Jinghai" Shipyard. However, the ships being built on the dock were at most 150-160 tons, Jinghai was impossible, near sea was certain.

  "Now, the state-owned shipyard in Shanghai is the largest. The shipyards within Shandong province are generally smaller and their business performance can't compare to those small shipyards in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, making it relatively harder for them to survive. However, with the recent fishing boat craze, fishermen have been making money, so this fishing boat has been selling well."

  "Does this shipyard intend to expand?"

  "Yes. The boss is called Xie Tiange, from Fujian Province. He wanted to borrow money from the bank but didn't succeed, so now he borrowed tens of thousands of yuan from a local foundation with high interest rates, which isn't very useful. Last time I came to ask him questions, he was the most enthusiastic."

  Accounting and Lao Wu Guang were listening.

  "Take a look around at these small shipyards," said Su Cheng. "If he's willing, we'll do our best to support him and set an example. In the future, if one or two of these small shipyards can survive, it will be considered lucky. It's not suitable for us to cooperate with more than three shipyards."

  He Chang nodded, and anyone with discerning eyes knew that this kind of crazy investment in fishing boats wouldn't last for many years. Especially when the ship owners' demands for the quality of the fishing boats are getting higher and higher, the shipyards that don't strive to improve will eventually not be able to survive.

  As soon as I entered the shipyard and registered, a man wearing overalls came out of a ship, wiping machine oil off his hands with a rag while shouting: "Director Huo has arrived."

  He had to shout, surrounded by the sounds of welding and cutting machines, noisy to death.

  "Thanks boss, this is our Director Su, the person in charge." Director Huo also shouted out the introduction.

  "Director Su is really young." Xie Tiange's face was square and upright, sizing up the group of people in front of him.

  "Thanks boss is also in his prime." Su Cheng flattered and said, "Thanks boss, I'm here this time to finalize the diesel engine installation issue, what do you think?"

  "As long as you are willing to lend, I naturally have no problem." Xie Tiange agreed very readily.

  He Chang didn't expect it to be so smooth and laughed happily: "Thank you, boss, you won't regret it."

  "Don't rush." Xie Tiange looked at Su Cheng and said, "The diesel engine of Jichai, we have never used it before, whether it can be used or not, let's discuss it again."

  "Then just take a look." Su Cheng also didn't make any explanations.

  Although in theory, ships should be modified according to the type of diesel engine. But for small shipyards, on the one hand, they do not have this technology, and on the other hand, they are unwilling to pay for this cost. The safest way is to find a suitable design and produce certain types or models of ships.

  Su Cheng pulled Liu Qiu who was still admiring the scenery and said, "It's time for you to take action. Look at other people's boats, how can we install our diesel engine on it."

  Liu Qiu helplessly glanced at him and said: "Anyone from the technical department can handle this, but you specifically came to find me."

  A few people talked about it, and the bosses of several nearby shipyards and machinery factories also heard the news. Some came themselves, while others sent someone over. Everyone stared at Su Cheng and the others.

  Some people heard Liu Qiu's words and thought he was bragging, so they started whistling.

  Su Cheng spread out his hands and said, "This time it's not me who's being 'impulsive' again, right?"

  Liu Qiu didn't say a word and boarded the unfinished boat.

  He didn't go down to the hold either, but looked at the drawings on the ship's frame and then used a pencil to heavily draw several lines on it.

  "Just change it like this, it's much better than your current design." He threw down his pen and left the shipyard, getting back into his car with an air of a superior being who didn't want to talk.

  Xie Tiangui hesitantly went up to the dock to take a look. The other bosses below were whispering among themselves.

  It's been a long time since Xie Tiange came down.

  Then someone shouted: "Old Xie, what's going on?"

  "Let me take another look," said Xie Tiange, and he crawled under the bottom warehouse to take a look. After a while, he climbed up again, his face red and white.

  He wiped his oily hands on his pants and then grasped Su Cheng's hand, shouting: "Director Su, we've got a deal. Let's stick to the original agreement."

  "Is the installation okay?"

  "No problem at all, I measured it, the center of gravity is exactly the same, this trick really isn't just talk!" He raised his thumb and said: "With such a capable person under Director Su's command, Jichai will definitely rise."

  At this point, the others in the shipyard also fell silent, looking at Su Cheng with a reverent expression. They were all masters of their craft, otherwise they wouldn't be able to keep the workers in line. At this moment, when they looked at Su Cheng, they subconsciously felt that his skills must be exceptional.

  Su Cheng calmly accepted it and slightly nodded at Huo Chang.

  Huo Chang understood his meaning and said in front of the other bosses, "Thank you, boss. As we previously discussed, we will lend you 10 million yuan in three installments with an interest rate of 2%. All your ships must use diesel engines from our Jinan Power Machinery Factory."

  "Only two minutes' rest?" The shipyard was in an uproar. Immediately, someone ran outside, obviously to call for help.

  Su Cheng smiled but didn't speak, the diesel engine from the power plant was originally going to be sold for 50,000 yuan, but with this kind of "exchange" method, it would have to be sold for 100,000 yuan. Jinghai Shipyard only needs to sell two ships to make up for the loan interest, selling four ships is already high-interest, and if they sell eight or more ships, the additional money can be considered usury.

  Moreover, the 2% interest is calculated based on a monthly rate, equivalent to an annual interest rate of 24%, meaning that for every NT$1 million borrowed, NT$240,000 must be repaid. It was only under the special circumstances of 1988 that bosses felt it was cheap.

  The current situation is that banknotes are depreciating wildly, but people who need cash still can't get their hands on it.

  Xie Tiange didn't lose out either, he invested 1 million in production and soon made a profit of 240,000. Although the price of diesel engines was higher, the profit from the ships was substantial, as long as the output increased, the profits would only be greater.

  In a little while, at least four or five bosses came over and asked about this borrowing money thing.

  Su Cheng handed over all the reception work to Huo Chang and went to visit Xie Tiange's shipyard.

  When he came out again, the three shipyards had been selected.

  Everyone returned to the city together and signed an agreement and transferred money within the bank.

  After a while, the cash arrived, and Xie Tiange and others all let out a sigh of relief.

  Although many companies have seen a lot of money, it is rare for someone to take out 3 million yuan in this market. It's no longer at the level they can touch.

  Xie Tiange lowered his body and asked: "Director Su, where should we start expanding our production?"

  "You can acquire the hulls from other shipyards and install our diesel engines, taking a shortcut. I can help with that." Su Cheng paused for a moment before saying, "We've already obtained the orders for 4 ships from the customs office. Whichever of your three companies produces the ships first will get the order."

  A coastal fishing boat can earn at least 300,000 to 400,000 yuan. The three of them looked at each other, both excited and on guard.

  The old fat man in the middle smiled and said: "Director Su, rest assured, I will go back to update the equipment immediately, and two months later you can come and see that six ships have been launched at the same time."

  "That's great, of course. But... " Su Cheng took a deep breath and smiled: "It's better to make big ships after all. Once this order is done, our production line will be debugged too, and then we can produce 600kw diesel engines, which can push 100-ton fast boats or 300-ton slow boats."

  "This... an order for a ship of over 200 tons, seems 'pretty' rare."

  "It will be even more profitable, the first batch of fishermen who made money, would they still buy an 80-ton ship? They must go all out and buy a big one. I estimate that after operating a 300-ton fishing boat for a year, we can move towards developing a 500-ton one. The 190 diesel engine can be upgraded to 1200kw, which is still feasible." Su Cheng said this much and stopped talking, leaving the task of adjusting the atmosphere to He Chang.

  Turning his head, he saw Lao Wu staring intently at the sea.

  Su Cheng patted his shoulder and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

  Lao Wu was taken aback and said with a blush: "I thought, you all say that buying ships makes money, why do you only buy ships but not build them?"

  "Being a ship owner is a mind-boggling job. A fishing boat needs to know how to catch fish, transportation needs to find cargo sources, and also manage the crew well, and deal with the demons on the dock." Su Cheng glanced at Lao Wu's physique and smiled: "Your body isn't bad, can you swim?"

  "Okay."

  "Do you want to be a shipowner?"

  Lao Wu's eyes lit up, but he shook his head and said, "Brother-in-law is the ship owner, I'll take you to see the boat."

  In the 80s and 90s, ship owners really made money. Su Cheng thought for a moment and said: "How about this? I'll register a company, no matter how much money you make, when you want to be your own boss in the future, I'll lend you half of it as capital without interest. How's that?"

  Lao Wu kept nodding vigorously.

  Su Cheng then took him to meet Xie Tiange, the boss of these small shipyards, who understood the 'door' way better than half of the old captains.

  ……