Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, leading the technology war

Chapter 604 Huayao AI Chip Strategy Finalized, Hu Jiangshan Easily Resolves Cash Flow Issues

Of course, the two sides then had more in-depth communication on some specific details of the cooperation.

The primary task is to finalize the cooperation details for the next generation of artificial intelligence chips.

The process is actually not complicated; the core steps are still the industry standard practice: first, the chip needs to be taped out and trial-produced.

Once the tape-out is successful and has undergone rigorous testing and verification, proving that its performance, power consumption, and stability meet or even exceed the expected targets, Huayao will not hesitate to initiate a formal large-scale procurement process.

Judging from the information revealed in the conversation between Wang Chengdong and Xu Zhijun, Huayao's demand for AI chips this time must be considerable, and it is by no means a small-scale operation.

Judging from their tone, the group seems to have made up its mind to elevate artificial intelligence-related projects to an unprecedented strategic level, which is a clear signal that it is going to concentrate resources, invest heavily, and prepare to make a big splash in this field.

Just as the macro framework for chip cooperation was basically clear, Wang Chengdong seemed to suddenly remember something. He gently put down his coffee cup and said, "By the way, Brother Hu, you called me last time, it wasn't just to ask for coffee, was it? Was there something else you wanted to talk about? If so, just say so. What's there to be shy about with us?"

Hu Jiangshan didn't beat around the bush and explained the situation directly: "President Wang, to be honest, there is indeed a small matter. Our company has been experiencing a slight tightness in cash flow recently. This is mainly because we recently invested heavily in a large-scale equipment upgrade to improve production capacity and technology. At the same time, we also built a lot of supporting infrastructure in several important areas. These items combined have been very costly and have indeed tied up a lot of working capital in the short term."

"So, the reason I came here this time is to see if I can discuss with Huayao whether... whether we can get a partial advance payment for the remaining goods to help alleviate our current pressure."

After hearing Hu Jiangshan's explanation, Wang Chengdong and Xu Zhijun were slightly taken aback at first, then almost simultaneously burst into laughter, instantly making the atmosphere more relaxed.

Xu Zhijun chuckled and joked, "Oh, I thought it was some huge problem, but it's just a small matter! Brother Hu, you're too kind! Next time you encounter this situation, just send Lao Wang a WeChat message explaining the situation. Why bother calling to arrange a meeting? Lao Wang will definitely arrange for the finance department to handle it as soon as he sees your message. You don't need to worry about a single extra word."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengdong quickly waved his hand and took over the conversation, saying to Xu Zhijun with a somewhat serious tone, "Hey, Mr. Xu, you can't say it like that. It's good that Brother Hu is willing to make a phone call or take some time to meet and chat like today, to discuss the situation and strengthen our relationship. Business cooperation shouldn't be so cold and impersonal, just cold terms and numbers. If everything is just a cold text message, it seems too distant and impersonal. It's not good, really not good."

Watching the two banter back and forth, Hu Jiangshan smiled, picked up his coffee, took a sip, and understood what was going on.

It seems that, in the eyes of Wang Chengdong and Xu Zhijun at their level, the matter of advance payment for goods is not a problem at all, and can even be considered a trivial matter.

Upon closer reflection, this is actually quite normal.

With its strong financial resources and stable cash flow, Huayao Group has no worries about funding.

For them, as long as Hu Jiangshan can provide them with the key goods they urgently need in a stable, high-quality and sufficient manner, the payment settlement is always very quick and efficient. Even if Hu Jiangshan's price is slightly higher than the normal market level, as long as it is within a reasonable range, Huayao will not make too much of a fuss.

As for this kind of operation of prepaying part of the payment for goods based on a deep foundation of mutual trust, it is even less of a problem for executives like Wang Chengdong and Xu Zhijun.

They have the full right to make a decision directly within their approval authority through a relatively simple and quick reporting process.

Wang Chengdong picked up his coffee cup, took a slow sip, and then said to Hu Jiangshan, "Brother Hu, you don't need to worry about the funds at all. It's not a problem. When I get back to the company this afternoon, I'll arrange for the finance department to handle it and transfer the funds to you as soon as possible."

Wang Chengdong paused, then asked again, "By the way, Brother Hu, how much capital do you specifically need to get things moving? Do you have a rough estimate?"

Hu Jiangshan thought about it carefully for a moment, and then answered quite honestly: "President Wang, I don't really have a very precise figure for how much is needed. It mainly depends on the payment milestones of the subsequent projects... How about this, you can decide on the other end. Based on the procedures, whatever amount can be approved for advance payment, just transfer that amount first."

After hearing this, Wang Chengdong nodded decisively: "Okay, I understand. Don't worry, I have it in mind and I will arrange it properly."

After discussing the important matters, Hu Jiangshan chatted casually with Wang Chengdong and Xu Zhijun for a while about recent industry trends and some interesting anecdotes about mutual acquaintances.

Seeing that it was almost time, the two agreed to have a casual meal together that evening and continue their conversation.

At this moment, Wang Chengdong seemed to suddenly remember something and added, "By the way, Brother Hu, don't bother looking for anywhere else to stay tonight. Just stay at the Ampuple Hotel. I've already arranged it. You can just go there in a bit. When you get to the front desk, just mention my name, or you can say that it was arranged by General Manager Xu. You can choose any room you like. As for food, drinks, and lodging, you don't need to worry about any of the expenses. We will handle all the settlement."

Hu Jiangshan felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this and quickly declined, saying, "Ah, Mr. Wang, this...isn't that a bit inappropriate? It's too much trouble for you. I'll arrange the accommodation myself."

Wang Chengdong waved his hand dismissively, his tone leaving no room for argument: "What's wrong with this? It's just letting you stay comfortably for one night. It's not like we're giving you this room or the whole hotel for free. Don't be so polite with us. Do we need to haggle over these things between us?"

Hu Jiangshan thought about it again and realized that what Wang Chengdong said made sense.

After all, Wang Chengdong and Xu Zhijun were already partners who had cooperated many times and were very familiar with each other. Being too polite and declining would only make them seem distant and pretentious.

So he stopped insisting and accepted the offer with a smile: "Thank you very much for the arrangement, Mr. Wang and Mr. Xu."

The three chatted for about fifteen minutes, finished the rest of their coffee, and then Wang Chengdong and Xu Zhijun got up and hurriedly said goodbye.

Both of them are core executives of Huayao, with extremely busy daily affairs and full schedules. They must rush back to the company immediately to deal with important documents and tasks that await their decisions.

After the two bigwigs left, Hu Jiangshan was free to move around.

This is actually a good thing for Hu Jiangshan.

After all, he hadn't been to Guangzhou and Shenzhen for quite some time, so he could take this opportunity to wander around the city and relax his tense nerves.

Of course, in Hu Jiangshan's view, in highly modernized international metropolises like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the commercial districts are actually quite homogeneous, and there doesn't seem to be much that is particularly novel or must-see.

It's nothing more than strolling through those large shopping malls with huge scale and a wide variety of brands, or going to some famous pedestrian streets to experience the local atmosphere.

However, Hu Jiangshan decided to complete the check-in procedures and settle in first.

Hu Jiangshan first went to the Ampuple Hotel, which Wang Chengdong had mentioned, to confirm his room, put down the few pieces of luggage he had brought with him, and then went out for a leisurely stroll.

Hu Jiangshan had stayed at the Ampuple hotel brand a few times in his previous life.

As far as I can recall, it was mainly when he needed to come to Huayao Group to discuss important cooperative projects that Huayao's reception department would usually arrange for him to stay at this hotel.

The AMP brand has a presence in almost all major first-tier cities and provincial capitals in China, and even has branches in special administrative regions such as Hong Kong Island and Macau, with a very wide coverage.

Anpu Hotel Group is a key investment by Huayao to enhance its business travel ecosystem. The "Anpu Polai" series, in particular, is a high-end boutique hotel brand specifically designed to cater to Huayao's important business partners, industry experts, and VIPs. Given that it's endorsed by a company of Huayao's stature and explicitly defined as "high-end," its facilities, service standards, and overall experience are undoubtedly top-notch, reflecting Huayao's consistently rigorous approach.

Hu Jiangshan strolled leisurely and soon arrived at the Ampulai Hotel, located in the bustling city center.

Upon entering the spacious, bright, and modernly designed lobby, he was immediately greeted by well-trained, well-dressed staff who greeted him with smiles and inquired about his needs in a warm and professional manner.

Hu Jiangshan briefly explained the situation, informing the other party that Wang Chengdong, the general manager of Huayao, had arranged the accommodation for him.

Sure enough, as soon as the waiter heard the name "Wang Chengdong," his expression became even more respectful, and his service became even more attentive and meticulous.

This wasn't because they were treating people differently based on their status, but because Wang Chengdong held an extraordinary position within Huayao Group, being a key member of the core decision-making team.

Since the guests were personally arranged by Wang Chengdong, the hotel naturally dared not neglect them in the slightest and would do its utmost to provide the highest standard of hospitality.

Moreover, Ampple is a subsidiary of Huayao Group, and it is impossible for the hotel's managers and employees from top to bottom not to know the names of Wang Chengdong, Xu Zhijun and other core executives of the group.

On weekdays, these senior executives often arrange for VIPs to stay at the hotel, so the front desk staff are already very skilled at handling such reception tasks and have formed a standardized and efficient service process.

Moreover, Wang Chengdong is extremely reliable and thorough in his work. He must have notified the hotel front desk in advance and should have already registered Hu Jiangshan's basic information in the reservation system.

Therefore, the front desk staff only need to do a quick check in the system to confirm that Hu Jiangshan's identity information matches the booking record perfectly.

The staff warmly led Hu Jiangshan to a sofa in the nearby rest area and served him a cup of warm tea. They respectfully explained that all Mr. Hu needed to do was provide his ID for a simple registration process, and they would arrange his check-in quickly and smoothly.

A moment later, a staff member came over and handed the room key to Hu Jiangshan.

"Sir, your room has been arranged. We have someone here who can take you upstairs."

Hu Jiangshan waved his hand: "No need, I'll sit here for a while and go up by myself. I don't have much luggage."

"Okay, then, please feel free to make yourself at home, sir. Just call us anytime if you need anything."

Hu Jiangshan thanked him.

To be fair, the hotel's service is truly excellent, comparable to a five-star hotel, and even surpasses it in some aspects of service details.

Huayao is actually quite accomplished in the service industry, but they only handle this type of business internally and not externally, and they don't focus on developing such businesses.

Just then, there was some noise outside.

A car pulled up in front of the door.

It was a Toyota Alphard, with sunshades drawn on the windows, so you couldn't see inside.

Hu Jiangshan was stunned. In mainland China, people who usually ride in this kind of car are mostly celebrities. For example, Chen Yifei rides in this kind of car.

However, Chen Yifei's car was black, while this one was white, so it wasn't Chen Yifei who came.

Two hotel staff members immediately went to greet them, and hotel security also went over.

It seems that the person in the car is indeed an important figure, or at least a public figure.

The car door opened.

Surrounded by the crowd, a girl came down from inside.

The girl, wearing sunglasses and a light trench coat, walked briskly into the hotel.

Hu Jiangshan glanced at him curiously and recognized who it was.

Because its characteristics are too obvious.

She has fair skin, a tall figure, and her face has an exotic beauty.

Oh, it's Dilraba!

He's definitely a big star; no wonder he's making such a big fuss.

However, at this time, Dilraba's fame and influence were probably not as high as they would be in the following years; she had just entered the ranks of first-tier actresses.

Dilraba hurried through the lobby and was then led by staff to another room, presumably a lounge.

Curious, Hu Jiangshan approached a service staff member.

"That must be the big star Dilraba, right?"

The waiter smiled and said, "Sir, you have a good eye. It really is Dilraba."

"Strange, why is Dilraba staying at this hotel?"

The staff member didn't try to hide anything, replying, "Because he's going to shoot an advertisement for the Huayao brand."

Hu Jiangshan nodded. Of course, Huayao's advertisements should feature top-tier celebrities; that's what makes it impressive.

(End of this chapter)