Chapter 58: The Number One Steel Mill in Shencheng

“Director Xu, please speak freely!” Shen Guodong asked with curiosity.

“Shencheng No. 1 Steel Plant—you’ve heard of it, haven’t you?” Director Xu said.

Shencheng was a city not far from Fengcheng, currently ranked among the top ten in national GDP—a vast and highly developed metropolis. The straight-line distance from Fengcheng was just over a hundred li.

“I’ve heard of it. It’s probably the largest state-owned enterprise in the country right now,” Shen Guodong replied.

Director Xu mused, “Their plant director actually came from our factory. This time, I want to assign you a task: go negotiate with them. I’ve heard they plan to establish a branch in Fengcheng. See if you can secure all of their orders for our factory!”

“When do I depart?” Shen Guodong agreed without a moment’s hesitation. The reason was simple—he was approaching the deadline for his wager with Yuan Junfeng. If he managed to clinch such a major contract, it would be a once-and-for-all solution, saving him the trouble of negotiating with countless other clients.

Moreover, landing such a significant contract would undoubtedly benefit the factory.

“In ten days,” Director Xu said. “Go and assess the situation first. Strive to conclude the negotiation within ten days. I’ll apply to the old director for some special authority for you and give them advance notice. The outcome of the talks will depend on your abilities. And it’s not just our factory—Fengcheng’s Second and Third Lathe Factories will also be sending people. Now that Shencheng No. 1 Steel Plant has made it clear they’re opening a branch here, those factories see the opportunity and won’t let it slip away.”

“Understood,” Shen Guodong replied at once.

Ten days to prepare, then ten days to negotiate. If he succeeded, the wager would be resolved perfectly—a double victory.

“Go prepare, then. I’ll submit the application and let you know in the next couple of days. This is a rare opportunity. Wang Chenliang is also sending someone to negotiate, which means they’ll have some leverage too. But I trust you more—especially after you secured the Fengtian Zhonggang deal. You have the advantage here,” Director Xu said.

These were the facts. If Shen Guodong could win the contract, his prestige in the factory would rise dramatically. When reform came and orders were up for grabs, he’d have a distinct edge.

After saying goodbye to Director Xu, Shen Guodong found Zhou Meiniang and told her about the matter. He definitely wanted her to accompany him. Zhou Meiniang was now wholly devoted to Shen Guodong; being able to go with him was a wish come true.

…

In Wang Chenliang’s office.

These days, Wang Chenliang’s situation was far from ideal. Once, his voice carried the most weight, but now his influence was waning, replaced by Xu Shihui’s growing authority—something Wang found hard to accept.

A look of helplessness crossed his face. This was all because of Shen Guodong, and the recent Fengtian Zhonggang deal had only intensified the problem.

But he hadn’t given up yet. The Shencheng No. 1 Steel Plant branch contract was his chance to turn things around.

Given the sheer scale of the company, even a branch was many times bigger than Fengtian Zhonggang. The factory would certainly receive top-level investment to expand the production line, and if he was the one to secure it, future responsibilities would undoubtedly fall to him.

Thus, Wang Chenliang saw this as his absolute opportunity to make a comeback—there was no way he would let it fall into Shen Guodong’s hands. Otherwise, Xu Shihui’s position would become unassailable, and Shen Guodong would bask in favor from above. Wang himself would become obsolete, forever stuck as deputy director, waiting out his days. And if Xu Shihui were promoted, he certainly wouldn’t leave Wang around to covet his seat.

That was out of the question.

With Xu’s current prestige, he would make sure Shen Guodong’s path was cleared. Wang needed only to focus on his own preparations.

So Shen Guodong began making his arrangements and conducting research. Director Xu also provided him with plenty of materials.

The person in charge at Shencheng No. 1 Steel Plant was named Wang Dayou, who had previously served as deputy director at Fengcheng’s First Lathe Factory—a senior to Xu Shihui.

But Wang Dayou had been transferred away after seizing an opportunity. Still, he maintained some ties with the old director, who had reached out to him about this matter.

Shen Guodong believed that such a connection was far from enough to secure a contract of this scale. Ultimately, it would depend on whether he could present a compelling advantage. Only if he managed to move Wang Dayou could he win the contract.

Wang Dayou?

Shen Guodong pondered in silence. The name was familiar.

Shencheng No. 1 Steel Plant?

If memory served, Wang Dayou eventually rose to the top as plant director—a man known for his upright character, not one for playing games.

That meant everyone would be starting on equal footing, with no hidden variables.

Shen Guodong continued his research into the other factories: Fengcheng’s Second, Third, and Fourth Lathe Factories. The Second was the largest in scale; the Third boasted the most advanced equipment, imported at great expense from abroad.

No matter how he looked at it, the First Factory had no clear advantage. Even if they promised to add production lines, why would the client choose them over the larger Second Factory or the better-equipped Third?

Thus, this negotiation trip would be extremely difficult. The old director’s connections were nearly negligible—a fact beyond dispute.

Shen Guodong felt a headache coming on. Perhaps even Xu Shihui had no real hope, only sending him because he’d managed to land the Fengtian Zhonggang deal and thought he might as well give it a shot.

That was more than likely.

Thinking of this, Shen Guodong sighed helplessly. Little did they know, his recent success was just a lucky break—he had stumbled upon Wang Zhongshan’s weakness and leveraged it. In a real negotiation, he would have had no chance.

But since he’d already accepted the task, he had to give it his best effort.

Besides, all of Shen Guodong’s hopes now rested on this. He had to win the contract; otherwise, according to the terms of the wager, he’d have to resign and pay Yuan Junfeng two thousand yuan.

Resigning wasn’t the issue—but he couldn’t stand the thought of that fellow gloating over his defeat.