The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 928 - 897: Guidance, Opportunity

Chapter 928: Chapter 897: Guidance, Opportunity

So, during lunch, Old Master Tang said to his son, who had been silently eating, "Xiao Si, are you interested in the car business?"

"Well, the car business does have a bright future, but imported cars are too expensive. I lack both the capital and the international supply channels. Plus, with the current economic level in the country, there’s just no profit in it right now. Maybe in five years, there might be a possibility." Tang Qian sighed as he recalled the tremendous effort it took to get his Mercedes-Benz, which now belonged to someone else. The thought alone was depressing.

Now that Fourth Young Master Tang had to either ride a bicycle or walk whenever he went out!

Having gotten used to driving, walking or cycling felt extremely uncomfortable.

"Import cars are expensive, but what about domestically produced ones?" Old Master Tang said with a slight smile. He had heard some news during lunch and after his return, he looked up some information and did some research. It was then that he remembered in Nan City, where Huo Zhekun was in charge of economic development, there was an investment project that included a large joint-venture car project.

That was two or three years ago, and cars from that project should be on the market by now.

"The domestic cars, you know as well as I do that those factories are too self-satisfied, lacking in ambition. Their cars aren’t comfortable to sit in, they’re not cheap, and the key point is, you can’t buy them just because you have the money!" Tang Qian had no fondness for those established car manufacturers.

"What about the joint-venture car factories?" Old Master Tang said again, almost at the point of giving it away, yet his son still hadn’t caught on.

He began to doubt his son’s business acumen.

Hearing this, Tang Qian grew curious, not understanding why his father was bringing this up out of the blue. But then, remembering his father’s nickname "Tang the Fox," he knew his father often spoke in roundabout ways. Sometimes, if one didn’t think carefully, they wouldn’t even grasp his meaning.

Tang Qian didn’t respond immediately, but he carefully considered his father’s words, then sifted through anything related to domestic cars.

Suddenly, the word "joint-venture" led him to the answer.

"Dad, are you talking about that investment project in Nan City? That was the biggest project of the year, over a billion US dollars!" Tang Qian said. "Dad, why are you asking about this?"

Old Master Tang felt reassured hearing his son’s response–the boy had the makings of a businessman and hadn’t disappointed him.

"Huo Yingjie’s father, Huo Zhekun, oversees the economy in Nan City and attracted that project. I visited the Huo family today to play chess and saw two young men visiting, speaking to Huo Yingjun about automotive sales and investment recruitment. After I got back, I thought it over and figured the joint-venture cars must be ready. You’ve been wanting to find a good project, and I think this might be it, so I wanted to discuss it with you. If you’re interested, you could learn more about it." Old Master Tang explained. He had said all that needed to be said; the rest was up to his son’s abilities.

Tang Qian’s eyes lit up and he nodded, "Father, no wonder people say, ’Having an elder in the house is like possessing a treasure.’ You can deduce so much from a few words from others—it’s really impressive. There’s still so much I need to learn from you."

"Heh, it’s nothing but trifles," said Old Master Tang. "They are indeed recruiting investors, but since the factory is in Nan City and there is local protectionism in Yanjing, they need strong local influences. This request would at most require the Huo Family’s Main Wife to handle policy matters, but I think the actual dealings will fall to the Huo Family’s Second Wife."

"Father, doesn’t that mean it has nothing to do with our Tang family?" Tang Qian asked eagerly.

Old Master Tang squinted at his son and said with weight, "While I can give you some pointers, sometimes you need to think for yourself. Don’t be in a hurry. Think it over and then tell me, is there an opportunity for us? Why would there be an opportunity for our Tang family?"

Feeling embarrassed under his father’s gaze, Tang Qian realized he may have been relying too much on his father.

With that in mind, Tang Qian focused and thought hard.

After a while, Tang Qian finally grasped the concept and said, "Father, I think I understand why you said it would be up to the Huo Family’s Second Wife and why our Tang family might have some opportunities."

"Good, tell me, I’m all ears," said Old Master Tang, looking at his son, hoping he wouldn’t be disappointed.

"First, the Huo Family’s Main Wife is involved in politics. Business ventures could have a big impact on them, which is why it will fall to the Huo Family’s Second Wife. However, since Huo Zhekun personally oversees the project and Huo Yingjie is a civil servant, the responsibilities will fall on He Tiantian—as her grandmother has shares in the project, it benefits them to have her participate without any loss to the Huo Family’s Second Wife." Tang Qian elaborated. "Additionally, as far as I’m aware, He Tiantian is a university lecturer with her own job and shop to run, which keeps her very busy. She’s bound by her limited time and will inevitably need to cooperate with other capable local players."

"Good, what else?" Old Master Tang replied with an approving smile.

"Lastly, I’m the only one in the Tang family who is a successful businessman, with quite the reputation in Yanjing. Our family ranks prominently here. Moreover, due to that incident, we’ve handled ourselves well and have grown closer to the Huo family. With all these factors, I stand a fair chance to proactively seek a partnership."

"But you don’t have money now, do you?" asked Old Master Tang. "Do you have a way to solve that?"

"Money is important, but connections, strength, and my own abilities are as well. If I approach them earnestly, I believe they’ll give me a chance." Tang Qian said. "Although I’ve lacked money before, the five hundred thousand I lent to Wei Ning was paid back yesterday, with interest. With that money, I can definitely take on the dealership for Yanjing and the surrounding areas."

"Ah? When did you lend money to Wei Ning?" asked Old Master Tang, puzzled. "Why don’t I know about this?"

Tang Qian smiled and said reflectively, "Thank goodness I lent Wei Ning five hundred thousand at the time, otherwise I’d be completely broke now. The year before last, Wei Ning mentioned that the fur business with Old Maozi was good, so he took some outdated light industrial products from home to trade there and made quite a bit. That’s why he repaid me six hundred thousand; at least I have some money now."

"Heh, I see!" Old Master Tang nodded. "Off you go then, I was thinking, if you didn’t have money, we still have some items at home you could mortgage or sell for starting capital."

Tang Qian was touched, knowing those items were his father’s prized possessions. That his father would even consider selling them to help him bounce back filled him with emotion.

Ah, how could he have thought so poorly of his father before?

What a fool—he clearly had a good father!