A guttural roar, filled with immense anger and helplessness, echoed.
Turning his head, he saw Du Mosheng, the vice-general manager of the Guanghui Automobile Factory, the industry's behemoth, renowned as the eldest son of the federation!
Yet, this magnate, usually greeted with parades and showered with praise wherever he went, was now utterly disgraced in front of a young girl!
No, it was more than just losing face. Her demands were exorbitant, a sky-high price!
It was more exaggerated than cutting flesh and bone! It was practically a surrender of sovereignty. If he agreed, wouldn't he be at their mercy?
"Impossible! I absolutely cannot agree to your demands! You little girl, don't push too far!"
Du Mosheng's furious voice resounded in everyone's ears, making Wang Yu and the others falter slightly. What was happening? Did Wu Lingling make some unreasonable request? Would they end up flipping the table in disagreement?
"Let's arrange the matter of Taiping Village for now. Old Feng, you find some time later to have Boss Zhao and his people use their connections to reach out to those disabled individuals. Tell them I want to meet and talk. Let's sort out the immediate issue first."
Wang Yu instructed Feng Daochun and quickly got up, walking towards Wu Lingling.
"Heh heh, when have I ever bullied you? I didn't force you to agree to the terms. You can simply refuse."
Wu Lingling shrugged at Du Mosheng, mimicking Wang Yu's usual elongated tone. She spoke in a seemingly calm yet infuriating manner,
"It's a willing buyer, willing seller. If you're unwilling to accept, you can give the opportunity to someone else! Just like your current position, you're quite old. Why cling on and not move, making way for younger people isn't better?"
Wang Yu listened to Wu Lingling's words with a helpless expression.
Don't hit someone's face when you fight, and don't expose their shortcomings when you scold. Why must you bring up these topics in front of an elder? Don't they know that the older they get, the more they cling to power?
Aren't you afraid he'll get angry with you?
As expected, upon hearing Wu Lingling's words, Du Mosheng exploded as if he had been ignited. He was instantly furious, trembling as he pointed at Wu Lingling.
"You... you... aren't you afraid I'll fall out with you? At worst, we'll go our separate ways. Our Guanghui Automobile Factory can just do without your engines. I'll mobilize all my resources to crush your small Jiangyang County Automobile Factory! Wang Yu, you've arrived just in time. Do you believe me, I..."
Seeing Wang Yu approaching, Du Mosheng immediately spoke to him, his voice laced with immense threat and anger.
"I don't believe you, you wicked old man!" Wang Yu pouted. "Want to crush our automobile factory? Have you asked them first?"
Wang Yu was referring to the other automobile factories and machinery companies present. With him holding the engine technology, they wouldn't stand by and watch him be dealt with or swallowed by Guanghui Automobile Factory!
As expected, as soon as Wang Yu finished speaking, someone stepped forward righteously.
"Du Mosheng, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're the head of Guanghui Automobile Factory! Trying to monopolize engine technology... Bah! I mean, trying to frame our best friend Wang Yu, you're opposing us, Beifeng Automobile Factory!"
The head of Beifeng Automobile Factory stood up. They had always been at odds with Guanghui Automobile Factory. In terms of strength and influence, they were second only to Guanghui Automobile Factory, known in the industry as the second son of the federation.
Normally, the two sides were constantly testing each other. Now that an opportunity had arisen, they naturally wouldn't let it pass.
You want to deal with Wang Yu? Then as long as we protect him, his engines will be ours!
This was what the head of Beifeng Automobile Factory was thinking, and so were others. They all stepped forward, denouncing and condemning Du Mosheng, as if he were an unforgivable villain!
"You... you guys..." Du Mosheng trembled with rage. Before, he was respected and the leader of their alliance. Now, in an instant, he had become the target of everyone's criticism? Didn't these people have any shame?
"I say, what exactly were your excessive demands that made them so angry?"
Wang Yu looked at the scene before him. To support him, people from Beifeng Automobile Factory had stepped forward to confront Du Mosheng, even bringing other big shots into the fray.
And he, the person involved, had actually become idle.
"It's nothing much, not overly excessive or difficult demands," Wu Lingling said with a smile. "I just asked him for 5 production lines and 20 million in technology transfer fees for engine supply."
"And you call this not excessive?"
Wang Yu was stunned. A production line alone would cost at least two to three million, plus the 20 million in so-called technology transfer fees... In reality, wasn't it just protection money?
This would amount to a cost of 30 million! Even if Guanghui Automobile Factory was wealthy, they wouldn't be so careless with money!
"It's nothing much! The production lines might be their old ones that are being phased out, and funding isn't a problem. After all, if they were to supply to Hetao, they'd give even more."
Wu Lingling said with a smile. "My demands aren't high... Oh, right, I have one small request: for them to exchange a batch of 200 senior technical workers. Aren't you always complaining about lacking senior technical personnel?"
"What? Senior technicians, and 200 of them? It's good that he didn't beat you on the spot!"
Upon hearing Wu Lingling's words, Wang Yu finally understood why Du Mosheng was so furious!
If it were about money or material things, it would be manageable. Money could be earned again. But senior technical workers were an incredibly valuable asset!
The workers here weren't like those in later generations who only tightened screws and turned wrenches, mere cheap labor.
These were skilled individuals capable of working independently, masters of their craft!
These people were treasures that couldn't be bought, no matter the price!
Take Wang Yu, for instance. Old Director Li Ming, and that Lin Jianguo, they were his absolute aces! He wouldn't trade them for any amount of money!
For a manufacturing enterprise, these senior workers represented absolute foundation and wealth.
Wu Lingling's demand was practically digging up the roots of Guanghui Automobile Factory! How could they possibly agree?
If it were him, he might have already unleashed his hounds!
"Can't be helped, they are the ones who need us now, aren't they? If we don't fleece them heavily, wouldn't that be letting ourselves down?"
Wu Lingling's eyes narrowed into slits as she smiled, revealing an incredibly cunning glint.
"They can also choose not to accept. After all, Hetao's demands will likely be even more stringent!"
"You! Aren't you afraid they'll come looking for trouble and beat you to death later?"
Wang Yu smiled and shook his head, then walked directly to the center of the crowd. He stood between Du Mosheng and the arguing individuals, raising his hands to stop them.
"Everyone, please let me say a few words."
Wang Yu spoke loudly.
"Our current perspective is too narrow. I have a very good suggestion. Would everyone be willing to consider it?
Perhaps we can start harvesting Hetao?"
As Wang Yu's words fell, all eyes turned to him.