2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 572 Graduation Season

If you come to Chuzhou, how can you not go to Luzhou?

During graduation season, Anhui University invited Tan Jincheng to attend a graduation ceremony, which he accepted.

In the past two years, he has not only invested a lot in supporting impoverished students, but also in donating to universities. Among them, the largest donations were to Ningbo University and several engineering universities in Luzhou.

Of course, donating to these universities is different from donating to impoverished students. Both are for better cooperation. In addition to obtaining more outstanding talent resources, we can also cooperate to develop some technological achievements needed by major companies.

The power battery factory in Luzhou is under construction, and the first phase is nearing completion. The construction speed is in line with expectations, and Tan Jincheng is quite satisfied with it.

Currently, FlashCheer has many projects under construction across the country, including the Tianjin factory, which is expected to be fully completed by the end of this year, the Wangjiang Industrial Park, which is also a first-phase factory that will be put into operation this year, and the Luzhou power battery factory.

In addition, there are the Beicang Automobile Factory, which is still under construction. These three are the major projects. Besides these, there are some smaller projects, such as building a warehousing center in a certain place. We also need to prepare for the construction of several new production lines. There are quite a few other miscellaneous projects as well.

In addition to the construction of these factories, there are also commercial and residential building projects in Beicang and the planned headquarters building of Orange Technology.

Unbeknownst to him, Tan Jincheng had accumulated a considerable amount of fixed factory investments and land holdings of all sizes.

"Has the land for the dormitory buildings in Luzhou been approved?"

"Yes, it has been approved, and we are currently arranging the design and bidding process."

Zhang Xuhui accompanied the boss on a tour of the factory area, pointing to the area marked with a red line on a map.

These days, it's very easy for large factories to acquire land for substantial investments, whether in big cities or small towns.

Given the current size of the Flash Group, acquiring land in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen wouldn't be difficult, as long as it's not in an absolutely prime location.

"Let's slow down the pace and start construction at the end of the year. Commercial and residential buildings are not our core projects, so there's no need to rush. We should focus our funds on factory construction. Headquarters doesn't have much funding to provide for you at the moment."

According to last year's plan, starting this year, in the next few years, the headquarters will no longer provide funding for the infrastructure and technology upgrades of lithium batteries. Instead, the funding will mainly come from Hangxin New Era's own financing.

Currently, Dexian Electronics' production capacity and performance have not yet fully taken off. Hangxin Times' funding mainly relies on loans from several local banks in Luzhou and a series of subsidies, and its cash flow is still relatively tight.

"Understood. The plan here also prioritizes residential buildings last, otherwise we wouldn't be able to afford it."

"I will try to bring in some new financing shareholders for Hangxin later, which will alleviate the funding problem. It's not sustainable to always rely on bank loans."

Both the power battery and automobile sectors require very high capital investment. In the long run, Tan Jincheng prefers the power battery sector, but there must be a priority. Currently, he is definitely focusing his funds on the automobile industry.

If the automotive industry is developed well, it can achieve a breakthrough in output value within two or three years, and Weilai Auto may even be able to turn a profit. However, if the power battery project wants to make big money, it will have to wait until at least 2014.

"Take it one step at a time. Within three years, the headquarters' funds will be more inclined towards Weilai Auto. You're under a lot of pressure, but you can only try to overcome it."

Zhang Xuhui smiled and said, "Actually, one phase of the factory is basically enough for now. I think it would be better to use more of the money raised to buy some mineral resources, so that we can control our costs from the source."

"The fact that you realize this shows that you are still growing. No wonder the principal said that you have changed a lot and made great progress this year compared to last year."

"It's all thanks to President Tan for giving us the opportunity; he's been so forgiving of the mistakes we made at work."

"Making mistakes is okay, as long as the general direction is right. We can correct the minor mistakes. I don't know everything either, so let's figure it out together."

Zhang Xuhui's words are absolutely correct. Tan Jincheng has always been very tolerant of all employees, big and small, in Flashpoint and even Orange Technology, whether they are professional or not. If you feel that something is not right, you can bring it up.

However, raising this issue shouldn't just be a matter of empty talk. You need to have a solution or the courage to solve it. If you do well, there will be a reward; if you don't, it's okay, just cut your losses in time.
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After spending a few days in Luzhou, Tan Jincheng returned to Ningbo. Due to his tight schedule, he did not go back to his hometown.

Besides, there's no one back in my hometown.

"Come on, let's take a group photo together. Brother Li, you take the photo for us, and make sure it's a good one."

"Got it."

Tan Lihua laughed and said to Gu Hongshun, "Let's go, in-law. I'm only able to attend a university graduation ceremony because of you. I was thinking I would have to wait at least 20 years."

"Haha, that's true. We're all in the same boat; it's our first time attending a university graduation ceremony."

Gu Qingqing has also graduated, and Tan Jincheng came back to attend her graduation ceremony.

President Gu's graduation ceremony was very grand. The Tan Jincheng and Gu Qingqing families, as well as the Gu Yanning family, and even Zhang Xupeng, who had just returned from a short trip back to China, rushed back from out of town. The size of the family group alone was extraordinary.

Even Zhao Jinsheng made an appearance.

Not to mention the school leaders who occasionally show their faces, as well as the executives from Flash and Orange, Gu Qingqing is probably the undergraduate with the most relatives and the highest level of relatives since the establishment of the School of Foreign Languages.

"What's it like to attend your wife's graduation ceremony?" After the two families finished taking photos, Zhang Xupeng leaned close to Tan Jincheng's ear and teased him mischievously.

"Haha, you'll know once you find a senior in college to be your girlfriend."

"How can that be the same? This is your wife, while even if I had one, it would only be a girlfriend. There's a big difference."

Amidst the playful banter, Tan Jincheng glanced around and asked in a low voice, "How is your daughter with Nie Yunlai?"

Zhang Xupeng blushed slightly, not wanting to discuss this with Tan Jincheng. But how did Tan know about this? He hadn't been to Jinpeng Trading much, and why was he so fixated on his girlfriend-hunting nonsense?

In fact, Tan Jincheng already knew that Nie Yunlai had this intention when he arranged for his daughter to work at Jinpeng Trading.

He followed Tao Qinian and had some local power. His daughter was a college student. If he didn't have ulterior motives, why would he leave his hometown to send his only daughter to work in a private company in Ningbo?

Although she wasn't Zhang Xupeng's wife from his previous life, Tan Jincheng didn't try to stop it. In reality, it was impossible for Zhang Xupeng to meet his wife from his previous life again. He had married through an arranged marriage, which was forced upon him by his family.

Even if Zhang Guolong and his wife were anxious, they could no longer force Zhang Xupeng to go on blind dates at this time.

Some things change and can never be undone.

Tan Jincheng chatted with all sorts of people and dealt with various leaders before finally getting some peace and quiet.

At this moment, Zhao Xianbo, Qin Siyu, and Gu Qingqing's three former roommates, Xu Manli, Zhao Wenjia, and Chen Yanan, walked over together, seemingly having been waiting for a long time.

The five students, dressed in their graduation gowns, exuded the same youthful energy as everyone else on the playground.

"Boss Tan, Boss Zhang, General Manager Gu."

Zhao Xianbo was the first to greet me.

Several years have passed, and things have changed. Zhao Xianbo is no longer the student who worked hard from dawn till dusk to earn 200 yuan. To be honest, Zhao Xianbo is quite grateful to Gu Qingqing. If Gu Qingqing hadn't chosen him to be a fashion model, he would probably be like most students now, struggling to find a job.

Given his family background and circumstances, attending university was already a huge struggle for him, and his family couldn't offer much help with his job prospects.

Now, he not only had a girlfriend when he graduated, but he and his girlfriend also became full-time employees of Orange Technology. When Orange Technology went public, they both received shares.

Programmer Zhao Xianbo received 1000 shares, while administrative staff member Qin Siyu received 500 shares. Based on Orange Technology's current share price of $13.19, the two of them together hold shares worth nearly 14 yuan.

14 yuan! He had just graduated. Two years ago, Zhao Xianbo wouldn't have dared to even dream of it. He wouldn't have dared to dream of 1.4 yuan!

"None of you are planning to pursue graduate studies?" Tan Jincheng replied with a smile.

Gu Qingqing had mentioned this to Tan Jincheng. None of the classmates he knew were planning to pursue graduate studies anymore. Zhao Xianbo and Qin Siyu were already full-time employees of Orange Technology, and given their family circumstances, the chances of them pursuing graduate studies were slim.

However, the other three all come from relatively well-off families. Even Zhao Wenjia, whose family is the most ordinary, is only relatively well-off compared to Gu Qingqing and Chen Yanan.

"I'm not going to study anymore. I'm planning a graduation trip. But don't worry, Mr. Tan, I'll definitely be back for your wedding with Qingqing." Xu Manli was as straightforward and free-spirited as ever.

"Thank you. I'll have Qingqing send the invitations to your home later."

Xu Manli said nonchalantly, "No need, we're all good sisters, so there's no need for these formalities."

Throughout her four years of university, even when facing a billionaire like Tan Jincheng and the rapid changes in her roommates' identities, Xu Manli remained largely unchanged. This mindset was truly rare, and Tan Jincheng began to question her parents' professions.

As for Chen Yanan, she will work for her family's company after graduation. With the help of Tan Jincheng, their auto parts factory has expanded significantly. Now that Shanchi has started manufacturing cars, Zhao Wenjia's father is full of ambition.

This daughter is a blessing; she's born with good fortune. It's better to keep her by our side; she's more reliable.

"Mr. Tan, can I work at Weilai Auto?"

"Huh? Not going to Orange Technology? Didn't we agree on that with Qingqing?"

"Yes, I want to go to Weilai Auto and challenge myself, and Qingqing agrees."

Zhao Wenjia mustered up her courage, which was a rare occurrence.

"Sure, Weilai Auto needs a lot of talent right now, and you're very welcome. If you join, Qingqing will mentor you; she's not busy lately."

Boss Tan really doesn't have time to deal with these trivial matters. He's currently busy with equity financing, and Shen Nanpeng has also returned to China and has arranged to meet Tan Jincheng in the capital.

P.S.: Just a quick transition, and a brief introduction to some of the supporting characters from the previous text.

(End of this chapter)