My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 68 Joint Venture
The car was parked in front of a slightly old-fashioned guesthouse near the Qiulin Food Factory.

Section Chief Wang warmly arranged for Qin Yuan and his party to check in, and repeatedly assured them that he would pick them up early the next morning to go to Qiulin Company headquarters for formal negotiations.

Qin Yuan stood in the somewhat cramped room of the guesthouse. He could still see the sky to the southwest, reddened by the firelight, and there seemed to be a faint, sweet smell of burning in the air.

But at that moment, his mind was no longer on the fire.

The chaotic situation of the three powers vying for power in Qiulin unfolded in his mind like a clear strategic map.

The goal is crystal clear.

Qiulin Candy Factory!
The key figure was Zhong Zhaomin, the deputy factory director who dared to publicly criticize Qiulin Company for "profiting from the situation" in the newspapers and ultimately led the candy factory to independence!

Qin Yuan immediately called out to Section Chief Wang, who was about to leave.

"Section Chief Wang, please wait a moment." Qin Yuan said with a sincere smile, "I have benefited greatly from your introduction to the history and current situation of Qiulin today."

"Especially the deputy factory director Zhong Zhaomin you mentioned, she is bold and decisive, and her abilities are truly admirable."

"If it's convenient for you, could you tell me more about Director Zhong? I have great respect for such a charismatic entrepreneur."

When Section Chief Wang heard that Qin Yuan was interested in Zhong Zhaomin, and saw his sincere attitude, plus he had drunk some wine, he became even more enthusiastic about the conversation.

"Director Zhong? She's a big shot in our Harbin!" Section Chief Wang pulled up a chair and sat down, launching into a long explanation. "She's a native of Harbin. She was a sent-down youth who returned to the city in '78 and joined Qiulin Candy Factory. Back then, it was just a small workshop!"

"She started with the hardest and most tiring tasks: boiling and scooping sugar!"

"This woman is amazing!" Section Chief Wang gave her a thumbs up and praised, "Competitive and hardworking!"

“I heard from people at the food factory that she arrives at the factory half an hour early every day to do all the preparations so that she can start work immediately when the experienced workers arrive. And she is always the last one to leave!”

"With that kind of hard work, he rose from an ordinary worker to a team leader, then to a workshop director, and finally to a deputy factory director! He earned it all through hard work!"

Qin Yuan nodded inwardly upon hearing this.

These pragmatic individuals who rise through the ranks from the bottom and rely on their genuine abilities are the type of people he admires most and needs to associate with.

"Section Chief Wang, thank you for your introduction," Qin Yuan said politely, "I am even more confident about this cooperation!"

After seeing off the still-talkative Section Chief Wang, Qin Yuan stood by the window, took off his frameless glasses, closed his eyes, and rubbed his brows.

These glasses were, of course, meant to conceal his original demeanor and add a touch of scholarly pretense.

He was used to wearing glasses in his previous life, so he doesn't find it difficult to get used to them now.

However, when he opened his eyes again...

His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's.

This Zhong Zhaomin might be the biggest gain from this trip, who knows?

Qiulin Kvass, Lidaosi Red Sausage.
These products not only have a certain consumer market in Northeast China, but also in the Far East and throughout the Soviet Union.

Perhaps, they all have enormous potential to be tapped!
The following day, at the headquarters of Qiulin Company.

Accompanied by several leaders from Qiulin Company (Department Store) and Qiulin Food Factory, Qin Yuan and his delegation received a warm welcome.

The atmosphere inside the meeting room was harmonious.

When Qin Yuan, representing the Far East Kvass Food Company, proposed to introduce Qiulin Kvass production technology and a complete set of filling equipment, and emphasized that this was "the return of technology to the Soviet Union" and "promoting friendly cooperation between China and the Soviet Union," the leaders all showed satisfied smiles.

"Advisor Qin, Commander Ivan, rest assured!" A vice president of Qiulin Company waved his hand. "Supporting international friendly cooperation and promoting technological exchange is the responsibility of our state-owned enterprise!"

"Kvas technology originated in the Soviet Union, and we are delighted to see it return to its homeland!"

"We fully support technology import and equipment procurement!"

Deputy Director Sun of Qiulin Food Factory nodded repeatedly: "Yes! No problem! We will definitely provide the most comprehensive technical support! We will ensure that your company's kvass production line in Khabarovsk goes into operation smoothly!"

Price negotiations also went exceptionally smoothly.

Qin Yuan's proposed combination of US dollars and rubles caught the attention of several leaders.

Foreign exchange earnings! A tangible achievement and revenue for the government!

The two sides quickly reached a preliminary agreement.

Just as the meeting was about to conclude successfully, Qin Yuan changed the subject and smiled, saying, "Thank you very much for your support, leaders! In order to gain a deeper understanding of the kvass production process and ensure that the technology is presented in its original form after being introduced, our delegation would like to visit the actual kvass production workshop. Would that be convenient?"

"Convenient! Of course, convenient!" Deputy Factory Director Sun immediately agreed. "Kvass is produced at Qiulin Candy Factory. We'll arrange a car right away to take you there for a visit!"

This is exactly what Qin Yuan wanted!

"In addition," Qin Yuan added, with a touch of just the right amount of respect in his tone, "I've heard that your factory's Deputy Director Zhong Zhaomin, who is in charge of kvass production, is highly skilled and experienced."

"If it's convenient, we'd like to ask about some technical details in person." "Director Zhong?" Deputy Director Sun was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "No problem! Director Zhong is a technical expert; she'll certainly be happy to receive our colleagues from the Soviet Union!"

Qiulin Candy Factory.

Compared to the rather grand headquarters of Qiulin Company and the food factory, the candy factory area was significantly smaller, and the buildings were much older.

The air was filled with the aroma of baking bread and the sweetness of candy.

Qin Yuan and his group were led to a small reception room.

A moment later, the door was pushed open.

A woman in her thirties or forties, wearing dark blue overalls and with her hair neatly tied back, walked in.

She was of medium height, with a slender face and bright, sharp eyes that conveyed a sense of seasoned competence and composure.

His brows revealed an air of quiet authority and a hint of weariness.

It was Zhong Zhaomin, the deputy director of Qiulin Candy Factory.

Her gaze swept quickly across everyone in the reception room, lingering for a moment on the taciturn Commander Ivan, who was dressed in a suit, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly before settling on Qin Yuan, who had a composed demeanor and wore glasses.

"Welcome, guests from the Soviet Union, to Qiulin Candy Factory." Zhong Zhaomin's voice was calm, with a slight Northeastern accent, neither humble nor arrogant. "I am Zhong Zhaomin, the deputy factory director, in charge of production and technology."

Qin Yuan immediately stood up, extended his hand, and said in fluent Chinese, "Hello, Director Zhong! I am Qin Yuan, senior consultant and chief translator of Far East Kvass Food Co., Ltd."

"This is our company's regimental commander, Ivan Petrovich."

He deliberately avoided the introduction by the leaders of Qiulin Company and directly pointed out his relationship with the candy factory.

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhong Zhaomin's eyes.

This young consultant's Chinese was excessively good, and... his attitude seemed somewhat unusual.

She reached out and gently shook hands with Qin Yuan; the touch was cool yet firm.

"Consultant Qin is indeed young and promising," Zhong Zhaomin replied casually, his gaze still scrutinizing. "I heard your company is interested in our kvass technology?"

“Yes, Director Zhong.” Qin Yuan got straight to the point, meeting her scrutiny with an open gaze. “Our company is registered in Khabarovsk and is dedicated to bringing traditional Russian beverages back to the market.”

"Your kvass is made with exquisite craftsmanship, has a unique flavor, and perfectly preserves the essence of tradition."

"We hope to introduce your factory's technology and equipment to recreate this classic in the Soviet Union."

He deliberately emphasized phrases such as "Slavic national characteristics," "traditional essence," and "bringing back to the Soviet Union."

Zhong Zhaomin listened quietly, his face expressionless.

These kinds of decisions made by higher-ups are not something a deputy factory director like her can influence.

Although Qiulin Candy Factory has become independent, Qiulin Company still has jurisdiction over this state-owned enterprise factory.

"Technology import requires approval at the company level," Zhong Zhaomin said businesslike. "However, since your company is sincere, I can show you around the production workshop."

"Thank you very much, Director Zhong!" Qin Yuan said immediately.

The group then entered the workshop where Qiuling Kvass is produced.

Qin Yuan knew nothing about technology, but that didn't stop him from observing.

Aside from cleanliness and tidiness, the production order is also extremely important.

Everything is in order.

Most importantly, even the workers' spirit and energy were not the kind that indicated they were just getting by.

Qin Yuan toured the Qiulin Candy Factory in a cursory manner, becoming increasingly certain of the value of Deputy Factory Director Zhong Zhaomin.

Stepping out of the factory, Qin Yuan casually remarked, "Director Zhong."

"When I arrived in Harbin, I saw that there was a fire at the Acheng Sugar Factory. I heard that there has been a lot of turmoil about restructuring there recently."

He turned to look at Zhong Zhaomin and said without any pretense, "If Director Zhong is interested in restructuring to gain greater autonomy, perhaps you can cooperate with me."

"Nowadays, joint ventures are springing up everywhere in the south. A joint venture between a Soviet food factory and a sugar factory in Northeast China is not particularly noticeable!"

His voice trailed off, his gaze intense.

How could he not see what he had seen and heard along the way?

What burning ambition lies hidden in the heart of this heroine?

(End of this chapter)