"He Dao? How are they involved again?"
Wang Yu was taken aback. The relationship between this country and his own Yuan Federation... well, everyone understood it, no need to say more.
There were still many retired old workers who had fought with them back in the day. Saying too much would really lead to a fight...
"This goes back ten years. It's really not something many people know."
Old Director Li Weiwei sighed. "Back then, our country was just starting and urgently needed to import advanced technology. We could only rely on opening up the market and attracting overseas enterprises to invest and develop. This was the so-called 'market for technology'."
Hearing this, Wang Yu nodded slightly. He had heard of this before. Although the end result of "market for technology" was still being controlled by others, it was very passive.
But it bought them a glimmer of hope and a chance to breathe in the initial stage. In that specific era, it was hard to say who was right or wrong with such a desperate measure.
Li Ming continued, "He Dao provided our country with a large amount of loans and technical assistance.
However, it wasn't free. The interest rates on their loans were even harsher than usury, and the technology... it was all outdated and obsolete. Not only that, but they also demanded astronomical transfer fees.
Some factories couldn't afford the high transfer fees but desperately needed the technology to develop – even though this technology was considered scrap by He Dao.
In the end, these factories had no choice but to sign a wager agreement with them."
"A wager agreement? Does the steel plant have a similar situation?"
Wang Yu mused.
"Exactly. The steel plant imported production lines from He Dao's largest steel enterprise, Tianyi Steel Company, and signed a wager agreement," Li Ming said, nodding.
"According to the agreement, the two parties had a ten-year limit. Ten years later, they would compete in technology. If the steel plant won, they wouldn't have to repay any fees, including the exorbitant transfer fees.
But if Tianyi Steel Company won, the steel plant would not only have to compensate them tenfold but also pay corresponding interest. This interest would be calculated according to their rates, which were even more terrifying than usury!"
"No way? They agreed to such harsh terms? Were the leaders of the steel plant idiots back then?"
Wang Yu was speechless. They jumped into such an obvious trap. Were the people who agreed to this kind of agreement kicked in the head by Zhao Tao?
He Dao's technological level was decades ahead of them. Without people, money, or resources, did they really think they could defeat them by just importing an outdated production line?
Confidence is a good thing, but they shouldn't be so clueless about their own capabilities!
Seeing Wang Yu's indignant expression, Li Ming sighed slightly. "I actually thought he was an idiot too. You know him, he's the former director of our automobile factory.
The steel plant developed rapidly after importing He Dao's production lines, and he was promoted to be in charge of our automobile factory for his contributions. And then... you know the rest."
"Forget it, I'll pretend I didn't ask!" Hearing the old director's words, Wang Yu sighed helplessly.
So it was the work of his predecessor. No wonder such a bizarre operation looked so familiar.
It seemed there was a reason why this guy managed to run the automobile factory almost into the ground. At least this "mysterious confidence" was truly terrifying!
"Because of the ups and downs of the steel plant over the years, most of the old employees have left, so not many people know about this wager agreement now. But the people from He Dao will definitely not forget."
Li Ming earnestly advised Wang Yu, hoping to dissuade him.
"The ten-year period is almost up. If we get involved and take over now, we'll truly be the ones left holding the bag, and there'll be nowhere to cry then!
If you, the young director, want to expand the factory's production, there are plenty of struggling factories in Jiangyang County. We don't need to wade into this mess."
"I see."
Wang Yu nodded. Indeed, having an elder at home was like having a treasure. The old director knew about things that few people were aware of, and his presence could indeed help him avoid many detours.
"However... I still think it's necessary to take over the steel plant."
Wang Yu changed the subject and insisted.
"After all, the steel plant is very important to us!"
"But young director, that wager agreement is about to expire!" Li Ming sighed again, speaking earnestly.
"The people from He Dao are not easy to deal with. If they come knocking, no matter our level or scale, we are far behind them!
At that time, this huge debt will fall on us!"
That was right, it was indeed a huge debt!
Not only tenfold compensation but also extremely high interest rates.
Who knew how ridiculous the interest would be after ten years of compounding?
It was probably worse than Huang Shiren!
"Don't worry, Uncle Ming, I've got this."
Wang Yu remained silent for a while, then spoke, "If the people from He Dao come, it's just a technology competition. If we win, it will be fine."
"Win? Young director, I admit you are an absolute genius. I've never met anyone as capable as you in my life. And I personally hate the people from He Dao. I almost died under their bayonets when I was a child. But undeniably, without inflating their ego or belittling ourselves, their technology is indeed very advanced."
The old director looked at Wang Yu as if he were looking at a madman. "Especially in steel technology, they are almost at the forefront of the world. Among the ten steel metallurgy experts in the world, six are from their country, and at least three others have studied there. Even the Hans country, known for its rigorous and diligent industrial technology, bows down to He Dao in this field and publicly admits to being at least ten years behind them.
And Tianyi Steel Group is their country's largest and strongest steel company! It's no exaggeration to say that even the Eagle Country places a large number of orders with them every year, including many for military applications! For example, the materials used in their super warships and bomber aircraft are all imported from them!
The so-called technological competition is just an excuse for them to harvest us, a complete act of seeking humiliation!"
As he spoke, Li Ming sighed.
Although he disliked them, he had to admit that those guys were truly skilled. Years of accumulation were not so easily overcome.
After explaining everything, Li Ming looked at Wang Yu, clearly believing that after his explanation, the young director would understand what kind of formidable enemy he was about to face.
He should also understand how powerful the opponent was and the gap between their small factory and theirs.
This kind of act of a mantis trying to stop a chariot was simply...
However, to Li Ming's surprise, Wang Yu showed no sign of dejection. Instead, he was full of fighting spirit.
"At the forefront of the world? That's great, I'm here to challenge the forefront of the world!"
Wang Yu spoke directly and unceremoniously, "I am definitely going to interfere in the steel plant's affairs! Uncle Ming, please help me contact their person in charge and tell them that I have an order to discuss with them."
"An order?" Li Ming was slightly taken aback. Wasn't he talking about taking over?