Meng Hao was chatting with Zhang Weimin when they were suddenly interrupted by the sound of numerous car horns outside. The two, their conversation broken, walked out towards the source of the noise.
"Whoa."
"Impressive."
Seven or eight civilian vehicles were escorting three heavy-duty trucks, which were slowly entering the Huayong Technology factory complex square. Fortunately, Cheng Hua had expanded the Huayong Technology factory grounds in later stages; otherwise, the place, already full of military helicopters and vehicle convoys, wouldn't have had enough space.
"Hello."
"May I ask if you are Meng Hao?"
"Indeed, seeing is believing. You are truly a formidable young man, a formidable young man indeed!"
Director Ren was the first to spot Meng Hao, who had come out upon hearing the commotion. He had seen photos of Meng Hao, and at that moment, he grasped Meng Hao's hand with a smile full of emotion.
"You are Director Ren from Hua Wei?"
Director Ren was an extremely famous business celebrity in Great Xia. Not only Meng Hao, but almost all citizens of Great Xia were familiar with this private entrepreneur who had so many wrinkles when he smiled.
"That's me."
"Your development of a domestically produced lithography machine for Great Xia is simply astonishing. You have made outstanding contributions to our country's semiconductor research and development!"
Indeed. Meng Hao's contributions were evident to all. However, for Director Ren of Hua Wei, a company with trillions in assets, to engage in such overt commercial flattery upon meeting him felt a bit excessive.
Meng Hao scratched his head. Being praised so highly by an elder, and one known to everyone in Great Xia, made him blush despite his thick skin.
"Director Ren."
"You flatter me."
"But, why… why such a grand display!"
Director Ren did not answer Meng Hao's question directly.
"There's no helping it!"
"Lithography machines are highly sought-after items… the folks at Blue-Green Mobile, Xia Xin International, and the By Automobile company are all watching closely!"
"If I don't bring enough people, we might be at a disadvantage if a bidding war breaks out."
Good heavens. Looking at the over a hundred well-trained men in black disembarking from the civilian vehicles, Meng Hao was somewhat speechless. He couldn't tell if Director Ren was praising his cautious and steady approach or implying he was being ostentatious with such a grand entrance.
Seeing Meng Hao's gaze land on the hundred men standing in formation, Director Ren introduced them with a hint of pride.
"You know, I served in the military back in the day!"
"So, I still prefer to employ former military personnel!"
"Not for any other reason, they just look the part, and I feel more at ease using them!"
Then, Director Ren changed the subject.
"By the way."
"Young friend Meng Hao, is my lithography machine still in good condition?"
"Hasn't any stray cat or dog from other companies snatched it up?"
Good heavens. No wonder Director Ren had been so effusive with his praise earlier. His true intentions were only revealed now. After all, although Director Ren had seen Meng Hao's photograph at the Commercial Headquarters meeting, this was their first private meeting and collaboration. He had no idea what kind of person Meng Hao was. While he knew Meng Hao wouldn't be swayed by foreign temptations or the offer of fifty billion from the US, and that in terms of patriotism, Meng Hao was impeccable and would never do anything to harm national interests, as a businessman himself, Director Ren understood the principle of self-interest. Meng Hao wouldn't sell the lithography machine to foreign countries, but there were many companies in China worth over a trillion… he wasn't sure if Meng Hao would resell it to someone else if offered a higher price.
"Uh."
"Director Ren."
"You're really joking."
"For businessmen, reputation is crucial. I won't destroy my own reputation for trivial gains!"
A few hundred million, a billion or two in profit? That was considered trivial gains? This young friend Meng Hao had much larger ambitions! However, upon hearing that Meng Hao hadn't resold the lithography machine he had reserved to companies like Blue-Green Mobile or Xia Xin International, which were also industry giants, Director Ren's uneasy heart finally settled down. Just as he was about to expedite the loading of the lithography machine onto the trucks to avoid any further complications, a voice interrupted him.
"Old squad leader, calling us former soldiers, your subordinates, a bunch of stray cats and dogs, is a bit much."
Zhang Weimin, who had appeared behind Meng Hao at the entrance of Huayong Technology after watching the lithography machine for a moment, walked towards Director Ren with a smile, even with a hint of respect. Director Ren, who had served in the military, had been a company-level officer in a military research institute decades ago. Because of this military background, he particularly liked to employ retired military personnel. Hearing the familiar voice, Director Ren looked curiously behind Meng Hao. Zhang Weimin, a major general, with a beaming smile, jogged up to Director Ren. He immediately shook his hand.
"Old squad leader, you remember me, right?"
Director Ren scrutinized Zhang Weimin. His dormant memories instantly awakened.
"Zhang Weimin… Little Zhang… I remember you were the soldier responsible for fighter jet testing… I didn't expect that after nearly thirty years, you've transformed into a major general."
Major general. That was already a high-ranking officer in Great Xia's military. However, even though Director Ren had only been a captain and company commander when he left, once a superior, always a superior. Zhang Weimin had been Director Ren's soldier, and thus Director Ren would always be his old squad leader.
"If you hadn't left the military back then, your rank and title would likely be much higher than mine now!"
"However, Hua Wei Technology, which you founded, has contributed more to our country than a dozen generals combined."
This was not commercial flattery. Furthermore, Zhang Weimin's character dictated that he was not good at sycophancy. Director Ren nodded, a hint of tears in his eyes. Reuniting with an old friend after decades brought about a mix of emotions. After a brief exchange of pleasantries and reminiscing about old times, the two finally returned to the present.
"General Zhang, why are you here at Huayong Technology… and with such a large entourage, a sterile temporary tent, and even a military transport helicopter?" Director Ren glanced curiously at the bustling activity in the Huayong Technology factory square and asked instinctively.
"Old squad leader, you are too kind… please continue to call me Little Zhang… This boy Meng Hao developed a lithography machine, and our military secured two units. I was afraid of any unforeseen issues, so I hurried over to collect the goods."
Good heavens. As expected from former subordinates. As a soldier trained by Director Ren, Zhang Weimin's thought process was remarkably similar to his old squad leader's.
"Oh?" Director Ren raised an eyebrow and asked thoughtfully, with a significant undertone.
"So, those two lithography machines from the military were taken by you."
"Since when did the military learn our civilian companies' tactic of mass purchasing!"
"So it was you, young man, you've really made something of yourself!"