"It's so hot!"

Sitting in a rickshaw, Nikolayev, who was sweating, wiped his sweat with a handkerchief. The tropical sun and scorching heat were undoubtedly a form of torture for a person like him who was accustomed to Russian summers.

.

"For business..."

Indeed, for the sake of business, he would not let alone the sun, but even the sea of ​​​​fire.

In the past ten months, Nikolayev, who was employed by Far Eastern Corporation, has been traveling all over the world. In order to promote the "forward steam locomotive" produced in Lianyungang, he lobbied the Minister of Railways in St. Petersburg, and finally won the approval of each locomotive.

With a kickback of 70,000 rubles, the Minister of Railways imported 50 forward steam locomotives at the same time. This was the largest business he had ever completed. As for the 30,000 tons of rails produced by Hanyeping, it was just a small business.

A month ago, he was still selling canned meat to the French team in Lyon, France. After completing an order of 1.5 million francs, he came to Hanoi in south-central France. Why did he come here? It was just because he was in

Cruise saw a report that the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway Company was preparing to purchase 15 locomotives.

Motorcycles are the most profitable products!

"No matter how small a mosquito is, it's still meat!"

As the rickshaw pulled towards the hotel, Nikolaev, holding a cigar between his fingers, frowned and thought about how to "conquer" the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway. Unlike Russia's state-owned railway, the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is a private railway, and they focus on price.

and quality, so it is simply impossible to conquer this French company with kickbacks alone.

"Japan……"

Thinking of the unique "meter gauge" of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, Nikolayev understood that the biggest competitor for this medium-sized order was Japanese companies, not European companies. The reason is very simple. Both Japan and Taiwan are

Using meter rails, their products are undoubtedly more convincing.

"We have to find a way!"

Suddenly, a light flashed before his eyes, and a light flashed in his heart.

"What, price reduction!"

Yamamoto Tenichi looked at Leglis, his eyes widened as big as an ox.

He was currently in the conference room of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway Company. According to the originally agreed procedure, today should be the time for both parties to sign the contract. He had even written his speech after signing.

Regarding the locomotive order from the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway Company, Chuanqi Corporation has no doubt at all. The Japan National Railways' 9600 locomotive is the most advanced meter-gauge locomotive in the world. It was purchased from Bosch, Germany for reference by the Ministry of Railways.

It is an improved design after the Type 50 steam locomotive and the Type 950 steam locomotive. Due to its large-diameter boiler and small-diameter driving wheel, although the output is high, the axle load is light.

Japanese trains are most suitable for meter gauge, and are most suitable for the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway that crosses mountains. Even before coming to Hanoi, Yamamoto Tengichi had already compared the 9600 locomotive with locomotives from other countries. The 9600 locomotive has great advantages, whether it is

Price or performance, and just as he expected, it had only been two weeks since he arrived in Hanoi. After a brief expression of "meaning", the two parties signed an intention. Today was originally the day to finalize the contract.

Who would have thought that as soon as the two parties sat down, Leglis made a request to Yamamoto Tengichi, hoping that Chuanqi Company would reduce the total quotation of the motorcycle by 10%, that is, to the level of 100,000 yen. In Yamamoto Teng

At first glance, this is a completely ridiculous request.

Leglis said with a straight face.

"Yes, after we reported it to the board of directors, the board of directors believed that the price of 15 motorcycles was too high, and they hoped to lower it. Otherwise, they would not agree to purchase the motorcycles from your club."

"No, that's impossible."

Yamamoto Teng shook his head and said.

"The machine we provide is already the lowest price, how can it be lowered further? Mr. Leglis, you have learned about the relevant price in advance, and you should know that what I said is the truth. Including every coal water truck.

The price of Japanese yen is already the lowest. Each motorcycle we export to Russia is as high as 150,000 yen. I think you need to explain it to the board of directors."

Leglis just shook his head slyly.

"Mr. Yamamoto, we have just learned that the price quoted by your company is still on the high side in the market. There are other companies willing to provide us with the same type of meter gauge at a lower price that is no less inferior to your company's 9600 locomotive.

The locomotive has greater power, greater traction capacity and stronger passing ability."

Yamamoto Tengichi looked into Leglis's eyes, trying to see if he was deceiving him. But Leglis's eyes were full of calmness, and it didn't look like he was deceiving anyone, but rather that he was being deceived.

Then came the awakening of righteous indignation.

After much thought, Yamamoto Teng couldn't figure out who was trying to undermine him.

"Who could it be?"

In Tōichi Yamamoto's view, perhaps Japan is inferior to advanced countries such as the United States and Germany in terms of design level and manufacturing technology of large locomotives, but when it comes to meter-gauge trains, Japan claims to be second, and no other country dares to say that it is third.

One, but now a Cheng Yaojin happened to come out.

In the small courtyard of Towa Trading Company, Yamamoto Tengichi and Matsui Jiro were sitting facing each other.

"This is often the case in business, business competition is inevitable!"

Taking a sip of wine, Yamamoto still had a look of reluctance on his face, but Hao's words of comfort only made the reluctance deep in his heart even stronger.

Putting down the wine glass, Yamamoto Teng kept looking at Matsui and said.

"No matter what, we must get this contract!"

At this time a clerk came over.

"Section Chief, the telegram has been drafted. Please take a look at it."

As he spoke, he held out a telegram with both hands.

Yamamoto took it and looked at it, nodded, and then handed it to Matsui.

"I have decided to accept the French conditions!"

"oh?"

This didn't surprise Matsui. Yamamoto was never one to admit defeat.

"Matsui-kun, for Japan, in the past few decades, we have relied on exporting raw silk, cotton yarn, lamps, and toys in exchange for valuable foreign exchange, which is used to import machinery and equipment from European and American countries. After decades of development and accumulation,

We have initially been able to produce a lot of machinery and equipment. If Japan wants to become a truly powerful country, it must export machinery instead of exporting raw silk and cotton yarn. What's more, now cotton yarn, raw silk, and the impact from China and India!"

"yes!"

Lift your head and take a look, Matsui said seriously.

"Yamamoto-kun, last fall, at the raw silk exchanges in New York and Lyon, due to competition from Chinese raw silk, the price per pack of raw silk was 52 yuan higher than in previous years, and sales volume decreased by 7%. Today's price is expected to be 5% lower than last year. Japanese raw silk

Sales volume may decrease by about 20% due to the increase in China's raw silk exports. It can be said that China after the Republic is following the path of prosperity that Japan did in the past, using raw silk exports to obtain gold and silver currency, and importing machinery to develop its own industry!"

Putting down the chopsticks in his hands, Matsui, who originally looked worried, smiled.

"Fortunately, it is difficult for China to catch up with Japan for the time being. They are just following the path we have taken before. We still have an advantage!"

Smiling briskly, Matsui did not seem worried that China would catch up with Japan in the short term. Japan had already begun exporting high-margin machinery a few years ago, but now China needs to import Japanese machinery. In this case, as China

With its development, Japan will only become stronger and stronger.

But at this time, the smile on Yamamoto's face disappeared.

"The situation is not as optimistic as you think. Last year, China started exporting motorcycles!"

"What?"

Jiro Matsui could hardly believe his ears. Has China exported motorcycles?

Yamamoto, who felt a little heavy, nodded.

“In the Russian market, the Germans and the Americans are fighting over the order of Russian units. We are like dogs, picking up the leftovers eaten by the Germans and the Germans. But last year, Russia once again supplied Chinese car manufacturers.

The company has ordered 50 locomotives, and the unit price is higher than that of Japan and lower than that of Germany and the United States. Judging from the performance data we have, the performance of China's forward-looking locomotives is even better than that of German large locomotives. It can be said..."

At this time, Yamamoto suddenly stopped talking. What he had been unable to figure out seemed to be figured out at this time!

"It's Chinese! Baga!"

At this time, he finally figured out where the sudden competitor came from. Maybe the forward locomotive was a standard-gauge train, but it could be converted to meter gauge. But why did they keep the price down?

compete!

Selling at low prices has always been the simplest means of competition! It is also the most effective means of competition!

"Are they Chinese? They..."

Yamamoto raised his hand to ask Matsui to stop.

"This time, no matter what, I have to get this order. I would rather not get a profit than give the transaction to the Chinese!"

"why is that?"

Matsui couldn't help being surprised. He didn't want profits. Is he crazy?

"Matsui-kun, the Chinese have already received an order for 50 locomotives from Russia. If they get an order for 15 more locomotives from the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, the income will be close to 10 million yuan. The most important thing is that they will get enough

With orders, factories and workers can be fully utilized, so they will soon grow into a successful motorcycle manufacturing company!"

At this time, Yamamoto's face looked extremely serious.

"Matsui-kun, the biggest market for Japanese motorcycles in the future will be in China, not Russia. If this motorcycle company grows up, then the domestic market alone will be enough for them to become the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Asia. By that time

…”

Taking a sip of wine, Yamamoto Tengichi seemed unwilling to imagine that future.

"So, no matter what, I have to win this contract. Besides, you know that Japan's monthly foreign debt interest payment has left the country with almost no gold and silver coins, but this contract can bring

Nearly three million yuan in foreign exchange, such a transaction is meaningful and worthwhile for us! Moreover, there are government subsidies, I believe the board of directors will agree!"
Chapter completed!