Chapter Thirteen: You'd Better Keep Playing in the Fields

  Now on the desktop, it is Coca-Cola that Ge Tai specially let people transport from Yangcheng. Although he himself feels a bit like drinking Chinese medicine, since Americans like to drink with them, why not?!

  As expected, Nelson and Hol were drinking happily. Coming to China, although Coca-Cola can also be bought, it is extremely difficult to see at wine parties. Suddenly being able to drink the taste of his hometown, Nelson almost burst into tears.

  "Mr. Nelson, our country has already begun to change. Our leaders have put forward a new national policy of 'reform and opening up', which means that there will be many opportunities for cooperation between us in the future..."

  Li Sanping stared at Ge Tai in shock, but after a moment's thought, he understood what Ge Tai was getting at. Ge Tai must have received some inside information that the country would soon be establishing its first batch of special economic zones.

  These special zones will definitely be the focus of high-level attention in the future, which means that the heads of these special zones will have unprecedented opportunities and space for advancement.

  Liang Sanping thought of this and let out a sigh. In his previous life, he was also a rolling stone in the officialdom, and after thinking about it for a moment, he knew what Ge Tai had in mind. This is going to be a gamble!

  "Yes! Mayor Ge, I believe there is indeed a lot of room for cooperation between us..." Nelson said with a smile, but muttered to himself.

  I'm in agricultural machinery, and isn't our only possible cooperation selling agricultural machinery to you?! Is there any other aspect of cooperation between us?!

  Ge Tai smiled slightly and didn't say much, only expressing his willingness to expand cooperation with major US companies, such as setting up a factory in Qiongzhou Port.

  At the same time, it mentioned the history of Qiongzhoukou. In the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty, according to the Tianjin Treaty, it became a port for foreign trade; in the first year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty, the Qiongzhoukou Customs was established, and foreign trade began to take shape and develop gradually.

  The unique advantage of maritime transportation, and the iron ore resources within the island are also very good. For example, Shilu Iron Mine is one of China's large open-pit mines. The reserves of Shilu Iron Mine account for about 71% of the country's rich iron ore reserves, ranking first in the country in terms of grade.

  "The advantages of sea transportation, wages are not high but technically excellent skilled workers. There is also a nearby iron ore mine, I think if your company sets up a factory here, then your costs will be greatly reduced."

  Ge Tai's words made Liang Sanping jump in surprise! He had not expected that this county party committee secretary, who looked so unassuming, would have such a deep understanding of economics.

  Obviously, Nelson was a bit moved. During their time in China, they also visited Chinese factories for inspection.

  Indeed, China's technical workers have a solid foundation in technology. However, the machinery they use is too outdated. If new equipment can be provided and they receive simple training, they can become excellent technical workers.

  Although the salary is not very clear, Nelson and others can be sure that it will definitely not be low. In this way, the salary completely offsets the transportation costs brought by sea transportation.

  Nelson and others' interest was suddenly hooked up.

  "Mr. Nelson, we actually invited you over to discuss the matter of the hot fog machine." At this time, Old Liu suddenly spoke up and immediately pulled the topic back to the issue of purchasing agricultural machinery.

  Ge Tai didn't get angry either, and lightly laughed as he started serving dishes.

  "Oh! Of course, Mr. Liu! I don't know how many humidifiers you want to buy?! Fifty units?! One hundred units?!" Nelson smiled at Old Liu and said: "If you buy three hundred units, I can apply for some discounts from the company for you."

  Nelson was completely in his usual business manner, but Liu Lao was embarrassed. Fifty units?! One hundred units?! Where did he have so much money to buy?!

  Liu Lao actually wanted to bring back all those things to the island of Qing once and for all, and then spread them out in various farms. But at this price, not to mention him, even the General Bureau and the Ministry couldn't afford it...

  "No, no, no... Mr. Nelson, you misunderstood. We are not discussing the purchase of a humidifier, we want to talk to you about a business cooperation."

  Liu Lao's English is good enough for a conference speech, and although Liang Sanping can't speak English, don't forget that he has Xia Zhendong by his side! On the way here, Liang Sanping was thinking about how to deal with similar situations.

  Liu Lao and others are doing scientific research, not business. Especially lacking experience in dealing with such large enterprises. But Liang Sanping is different! He has been dealing with this type of enterprise for a long time, it's not just one or two days.

  Thinking of the big company, Liang Sanping couldn't help but think of his own son. That little brat is indeed a master of this way. Unfortunately, that little turtle egg hasn't been born yet!

  The child's mother is now just helping her parents in the company, barely making a living for her several younger brothers and sisters.

  "Oh? Business cooperation? Can you be more specific?!"

  Can't help but admit, Xia Zhendong's salesmanship is excellent. Wearing a short-sleeved white shirt, he naturally has a scholarly temperament. It makes people feel a sense of trust without realizing it.

  Nelson asked Xia Zhendong, but Xia Zhendong was not in a hurry. He just smiled lightly and said: "This is a business secret, I think it's better to wait until the banquet is over before telling you in detail!"

  Hol on the side put down his knife and fork slowly, looking at Xia Zhendong: "Mr. Xia, forgive me for speaking straightly. In my opinion, there is nothing good to cooperate between us..."

  "Your country currently has a huge gap with us in terms of agricultural technology. Even if we sell some farm machinery to you, I'm afraid that using and maintaining it will also be a big problem for you."

  Huo's words made everyone's face change color! What is this huge problem with usage and maintenance?! This bastard was clearly saying: Even if I sell it to you for use, your brains can't handle it!

  "This agricultural machine, the hot fog machine, I think is not suitable for you to use at present. To be honest, perhaps using a sprayer to spray sulfur powder would be more suitable for you."

  The engineer named Hall said, shrugging his shoulders: "Please forgive me for not liking to tell lies. This is my most genuine thought in my heart."

  Liu Lao and Xia Zhendong were shaken by Hol's words. No one had expected that this bastard would dare to say such things in this place, in front of so many people.

  "Hall, that's enough! Do you know what you're saying?! These words shouldn't be coming out of your mouth!" Nelson suddenly turned his head and growled at Hall in a low voice.

  Holl was yelled at by Nelson, and he didn't say anything. But he also didn't show any intention of apologizing. He sat in the chair with an expressionless face, occasionally stirring his food.

  "I'm sorry! Gentlemen, perhaps Hall isn't quite used to flying. That's why he's talking nonsense, please don't take it to heart..."

  Is this an apology? Liang Sanping sneered, "We've been researching the humidifier for years. It's just that due to material and technical limitations, we can't use it directly now."

  It all boils down to the white man's superiority complex at play. Or more directly put, they are being discriminatory!

  Even Nelsen showed this kind of discrimination. He didn't even suggest that Hall should apologize, but instead tried to cover it up with the excuse of "not being used to flying".

  But anyone with eyes can see that from Nelson to Hall, no one has shown the slightest bit of apology.

  "Haha... indeed! I'm still a bit dizzy from the plane ride!" Gou Jufeng chuckled and stepped out to smooth things over, but then he bowed his head and smiled at Nelson and Hol, "Since you're feeling a bit more comfortable, would you two like to take a rest first?"

  Gou Jufeng's words made everyone present change their faces. What are you doing?! Are you covering for them?! Don't be too shameless!

  Not to mention Liu Lao and Xia Zhendong, even Ge Tai's face changed abruptly. The eyes staring at Gou Jufeng were like those of a fierce wolf.

  Gu Youfei also felt this change and couldn't help but hesitate, not daring to continue speaking.

  "Haha... indeed it's uncomfortable! To be honest, I felt quite uncomfortable when I hitched a ride with Bao Ting to come over. So there are some things I want to talk about with both of you!"

  Listening to Xia Zhendong's translation, Liang Sanping's explosive temper suddenly came up! Who is Liang Sanping? He was a militia who had been on the battlefield of self-defense counterattack war and had blood on his hands, had he ever been afraid?!

  But he suddenly stood up coldly and grabbed the translator next to Ge Tai, saying in a chilly tone: "Translate it for me word by word!!"

  As he spoke, Liang Sanping, who had been silent throughout the banquet, suddenly emanated a fierce and brutal aura. Even Nelson and Hol, standing opposite him, felt a hint of fear.

  This young-looking guy seems to be a bad-tempered person. At this time, Hol felt regretful. In those days in the Imperial City, they were treated like honored guests.

  Even when there were conflicts with others, the Chinese personnel would try to appease them and shift the blame to the other party. This created an illusion for Hol that even if he did something out of line or said something out of line, they wouldn't do anything to him.

  To be honest, Hall really looked down on the country he was promoting from the bottom of his heart. The streets were full of bicycles and everyone wore simple and pitiful clothes.

  The car that came to pick up the mayor and others is said to be his. But it looks no better than a car owned by an ordinary American family. And when Nelson mentioned buying fifty to one hundred fog machines, the rubber expert's face turned strange.

  It can be seen from these halls that they simply do not have the funds to make purchases. More importantly, on the way, Hall saw fellow countrymen farming, still using cattle to plow fields...

  It's already the 1970s! This farming method has long been extinct in Europe and America, right?! But it actually still exists here, which makes Hall think that staying here any longer is just a waste of time. He might as well speak his mind and leave.

  "If you can't accept this statement, then I'll change it." However, Hol's forehead was sweating slightly as he gritted his teeth and said.

  "Your agricultural machinery and understanding of agricultural machinery differ from ours in the US by not just a little bit, but by decades or even eras. This gap is fundamentally one that you cannot catch up with."

  But then Hol saw Liu Lao, Liang Sanping and even Ge Tai and others say: "I'll give you a suggestion!"

  "You'd better keep the current 'pastoral scenery', which can be used as a museum for us to visit and reminisce in the future. As for technology-based agriculture, it's not suitable for you. At least from what I've seen, you don't even understand what technology-based agriculture is."

  "This traditional way of plowing fields with oxen may be more suitable for you. At least I saw many such farming methods along the way. I think it will be a great historical tour in the future..."

  Liu Lao and others heard this, their faces suddenly turned bright red! This is a slap in the face, a naked slap in the face! Except for Ge Tai and his group, everyone present was an agricultural expert.

  Soil, breeding, pest control... and so on. But it's ironic that this group of people was told: "Your country is better off with ox-drawn plows, you can't handle mechanized farming." Just be a cow herder, and maybe one day we'll come visit you as a tourist attraction.