After Divorce, I Can Hear the Future
Chapter 608: Cooperation, Material-Only Theory

Li Xiang remained silent, noticing that Lu Liang was pretending to be clueless.

But there was no funding for Li Xiang now, nor the energy to develop car machines independently, let alone laser radar technology.

He sighed quietly and had to start the conversation: "Mr. Lu, maybe there’s still room for further cooperation between us."

"Mr. Li, it would be best if we can further cooperate, but please wait while I make a phone call to check if that’s the case."

Lu Liang apologized, stepped aside, and called Zheng Yaowen. To put on a full show, at least to make Li Xiang feel better.

After all, the customer should be given face as it should be.

Half an hour later, Zheng Yaowen hurried over, along with Qin Siyuan and several colleagues from the business department.

Originally, Qin Siyuan was recruited as a technical talent, but BYD clearly didn’t utilize his true potential.

Fortunately, Wang Xiaofeng knew how to employ people, discerning his talent in management, and kept adding responsibilities to him.

From liaising with DiDi, to then overseeing all of DiDi’s business, up to now he can already stand-in as an acting manager.

General Manager Wang Xiaofeng, Deputy General Manager Hu Weiwei, and Chief Financial Officer Liu Pei, in their absence, he is in charge.

"Mr. Lu, shall we find a place to eat, and let them chat first?"

Li Xiang turned and gave a few instructions, smiling at Lu Liang. As leaders, they just need to grasp the big picture, leaving the details to their subordinates to manage.

Moreover, they might be the first car company to discuss cooperation with Tianxing. It would probably take ten to fifteen days to finalize any agreement.

If the price is too high, they won’t be happy, and competitors will blame them. If the price is too low, Lu Liang definitely won’t be happy.

Furthermore, Li Xiang also intended to use this as a delay tactic, by bringing in a few competitors tomorrow or the day after, to increase negotiation leverage.

"I seldom come to Zhongguang Village, any restaurant recommendations?" Lu Liang smiled with squinting eyes, immediately understanding Li Xiang’s intention but unable to stop it.

Although there’s the saying of big stores bullying customers,

But their store is evidently not big enough yet.

By the end of the first quarter this year, the total number of new energy vehicles in the country was approximately 3.1455 million units.

The Tianxing car system’s load was 317,200 units, with a market share just over 10%, so the arrogance is premature.

"I remember there’s an Italian restaurant by Dazhong Temple that’s quite good. Mr. Lu, do you have any dietary restrictions?"

"None, I’m open to anything."

Back and forth, it took two hours.

When Lu Liang and Li Xiang returned from dining, both parties had already concluded their discussions.

"Mr. Li, thank you for the hospitality."

Lu Liang bid farewell, intending to leave with Qin Siyuan and Zheng Yaowen.

"Mr. Lu, sorry for the inadequate hospitality, how about a cup of tea before you go?"

Li Xiang hesitated, pretending to be formal in trying to retain them, but only saw them off as they left.

"Meeting!" His smile gradually disappeared as he led the relevant department heads to the conference room.

Meanwhile,

A black Maybach headed towards SOHO Building.

Qin Siyuan and Zheng Yaowen did not sit in the back of the business car, one sat next to Lu Liang, and the other in the passenger seat.

"How did the talks go with them?" Lu Liang looked down at his phone screen, smiling as he saw he could go home tonight.

Zheng Yaowen frowned hard, after thinking for a long time: "It’s a bit strange, they seem to want to talk, but then again, not really."

"All were skirting around the topic, just gathering information, at least they didn’t want to talk tonight." Qin Siyuan chimed in.

"Siyuan, what do you think is the reason?"

Lu Liang chuckled lightly, turning to look out the window.

There was a flower shop by the street, and he patted his cousin’s shoulder, asking him to stop and buy a bouquet of roses.

It had been some time since they’d seen each other, and a little romance was needed to keep the relationship pure.

"Mr. Lu, could it be they’re stalling for time?" Qin Siyuan cautiously asked, uncertain himself.

"Go on."

Lu Liang chuckled, almost laughing to death at his cousin.

A giant man over six feet and weighing over 200 pounds, so shy even buying a bouquet of roses.

Seems like, when there’s time, it’s necessary to let him cut loose, and find a few young ladies to give him some experience.

"Last time you mentioned that Li Xiang has been wanting to develop car machines independently, just lacking the funds and energy. I think now they’re only cooperating with us as a last resort."

Qin Siyuan watched Lu Liang’s expression while expressing his guess: "Li Xiang definitely doesn’t want to be bound too deeply with us, so this time they’re merely understanding the situation first, then bringing in some allies to gain negotiation leverage."

"This also indirectly proves Yaowen’s words, that they want to cooperate, but not completely."

Upon hearing Qin Siyuan’s analysis, Zheng Yaowen was full of envy, as he knew that technically skilled managers were highly sought after.

It’s like he may have some technical know-how, but lacks management skills and social insight; if nothing unexpected happens, he’ll remain a coder for life.

In contrast, if Qin Siyuan has managerial skills aside from the technical expertise, his career will advance rapidly.

Whether it’s Lu Liang, Hu Weiwei, or Wang Xiaofeng, their understanding of technology is rather superficial.

Sometimes, the way they express things externally, their understanding of technology, is far less insightful than Qin Siyuan’s.

Just like many leaders in large companies were originally techies, such as Little Ma, Lei Jun, Zhang Yiming, Ding Lei and others.

In fact, tech company leaders like Old Ma and Lu Liang, who don’t understand technology, are extremely rare.

"What should we do next?"

Lu Liang asked with a smile, his eyes filled with appreciation.

Qin Siyuan furrowed his brow, thinking for a very long time: "Perhaps I still don’t fully understand, please guide me, Mr. Lu."

Having worked for over a decade, he clearly knew that as a subordinate, he should leave space for the leader to play their role.

Just like when he was at BYD, sometimes when writing mid-year and end-year summary reports, he intentionally made a few obvious mistakes to give the leader a chance to criticize.

Lu Liang glanced at him and chuckled: "Let’s wait for Tianshu’s feedback, we are what they need now. Moreover, it’s time to take the initiative, and try to gain more market share this year."

"The foundation of the large companies is deeper than ours, this year is crucial, the longer it drags on, the more opportunities they have to catch up."

What Tesla can do, they must surpass. What Tesla can’t do, they need to lead in.

"Thank you, Mr. Lu, for your guidance." Qin Siyuan suddenly realized, feeling enlightened, as if he understood everything.

It’s said that hearing enlightening words from a sage is worth ten years of reading, and these two sentences are worth a combined bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degree.

Soon, his cousin returned with the flowers, the car continued forward, arriving at the base of SOHO Building.

Lu Liang called Qin Siyuan over, reminding him: "Moderation is key, the company needs pragmatic people."

Qin Siyuan looked flustered, trying to explain: "Mr. Lu..."

Lu Liang smiled calmly, interrupting with a hand wave: "Whether it’s the company or me, it’s all about meritocracy, no need for needless efforts. If you have capability, the company will nurture you, but consequently, if the decision you advocate falls through, you bear the full responsibility."

Qin Siyuan appeared solemn and serious: "Mr. Lu, I hope you entrust me with this matter, I’ll take full responsibility if any issues arise."

Lu Liang was amused, suddenly speaking coldly: "What responsibility can you bear? If the company loses tens or hundreds of millions, can you afford it?"

Qin Siyuan was stumped, unsure what to say, as Lu Liang suddenly laughed: "This matter will be entrusted to you, looking forward to your performance."

Qin Siyuan stood there bewildered, unable to comprehend Lu Liang’s intentions.

Giving a stick and then a sweet date, felt unlike either.

"Let’s go."

Lu Liang extended his hand out the car window, waving: "We just had dinner with Mr. Li outside, won’t invite you for dinner, settle it yourselves."

Qin Siyuan suddenly understood, hurriedly bowing in gratitude: "Thank you, Mr. Lu, for your generosity, I definitely won’t disappoint your trust."

While assuring him to proceed boldly, Lu Liang was also giving him a knock, if the helmet doesn’t fit, don’t wear it.

But if the helmet fits, it will always be his, unaffected by seniority or age, nor by ingratiating flattery.

Lu Liang chuckled, closing the car window, and said to his cousin: "Head to the Acalis Hotel at North Third Ring."

In ancient times, Meng Mu relocated thrice, Yu the Great passed by his home three times without entering, and now he had three homes to choose from in Beijing.

He wondered what day it was,

Zhang Tian’ai, Pang Di, and Yang Mi were all on vacation, leaving him troubled, and finally the rooster pointed to Pang Di.

Pang Di didn’t have real estate in Beijing, perhaps learning from Yang Mi’s workaholic attitude, she had been staying in a hotel all along.

Leaving from Zhongguang Village, it took less than 20 minutes to arrive at Acalis Hotel at North Third Ring.

According to the room number information, Lu Liang hid the flowers behind him, and gently knocked on the door.