Dreaming back to 1949, the great powers were there to deceive us

Atlan took the microphone and said excitedly,

"Gentlemen, TA has a huge demand for raw materials. The list in your hands is our purchase details. There are two types of purchases. The first is to purchase at a fixed price. The price is already marked on our list. We will take as much as we can as long as it can be shipped within two weeks!"

"The second form is a forward contract, with a delivery date of three years in the future! Interested companies, please submit your bids to us after the meeting. The deadline is tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.!"

There are three main types of bidding: open bidding, invited bidding and negotiated bidding.

Open bidding means that the tenderer invites unspecified legal persons or other organizations to bid in the form of a tender announcement. This method is also called unlimited competitive bidding.

TA's forward contract uses this bidding method, but in reality, due to the tight time schedule, only a handful of suppliers participated.

This bidding is more like an invitation to bid!

Invitation to tender means that the tenderer invites specific legal persons or other organizations to bid in the form of a bid invitation letter. This method is also called limited competitive bidding.

As for the third bidding method: negotiated bidding, also known as non-competitive bidding or designated bidding, generally only one or two contractors are invited to directly negotiate.

The negotiations between TA and BHP Mining can be understood as bidding.

As soon as Atlan finished speaking, a loud shout filled the entire place.

"Mr. Atlan, why is there no iron ore on the list? Don't you own two steel mills?"

Hu Zhenhua looked over and saw that the person who said this was Descartes, the representative of the US Steel Company.

Atlan was a little embarrassed, but still told the truth.

"Our company has already reached a purchase agreement with BHP Mining, so..."

Descartes did not wait for Atlan to finish and shouted,

"This is deception! This is deception! You have reached an agreement, why do you still want me to participate!"

Carter's face also turned dark. He looked at Hu Zhenhua and asked,

"Hu, don't you have anything you want to tell me?"

This attitude made Hu Zhenhua very unhappy.

Who our TA company chooses as a supplier is none of your business!

Do you really think that you can do whatever you want to me just because the industrial zone is financed by you?

Hu Zhenhua said nonchalantly,

"Carter, I want to tell you that B&H Mining is a really great partner!"

The corners of Carter's mouth twitched twice, and he realized that he was meddling too much.

If it were in the past, he would definitely let Hu Zhenhua know the consequences of offending American capital, but now, let's just put up with each other for the sake of the country!

Carter looked away.

Hu Zhenhua called over a staff member and asked him to pass the message to Atlan. After receiving the instructions, Atlan immediately said,

"Mr. Descartes, to express our apology, our company will increase its purchase of 50 tons of iron ore. If you are interested, please send us your quotation!"

The international iron ore price is US$35/ton, 50 tons, worth 1750 million euros.

Such a rich cake made Descartes' anger disappear and he no longer had any objections.

Carter was also very satisfied. He stared at the copper on the purchase list and asked blankly,

"Hu, why is your demand for copper so strong?"

Hu Zhenhua's procurement plan calls for his company to purchase up to 200 million tons of copper over the next three years, considering the international copper price is around $500 per ton.

200 million tons, worth 10 billion euros.

In the past year, global copper production was only 300 million tons.

Hu Zhenhua said cheerfully,

"A cannon shot is worth a fortune. Who knows how long this war will last? It's always a good idea to have more supplies!"

This explanation is reasonable.

In fact, Hu Zhenhua had bad intentions here.

It is conceivable that once TA Company purchases large quantities of non-ferrous metals on the international market, the price of copper will inevitably rise sharply.

When the Korean Peninsula War breaks out, TA Company will not only make a fortune, but also increase the war costs of the US military.

Kill two birds with one stone!

Wonderful!

Cameron suddenly remembered something and asked immediately, regardless of the unpleasantness with Hu Zhenhua.

"Hu, there are several arsenals in the list of factories you're building. Do you need any other weapons production lines?"

Lao Hu immediately turned sideways and said with a smile,

“I wonder which production lines they are?”

In the past, Hu Zhenhua’s only option was the United States, because they were the only ones who provided loans, and TA’s company had almost no room for maneuver.

When doing business, there are two buyers and they can raise the price!

And the seller has two, so he can lower the price!

Introducing a new supplier is beneficial to TA company.

Cameron was very excited when he heard there was a play, and immediately replied,

"There are production lines for everything, including rifles, artillery pieces, tanks, airplanes, and so on. Many of them are 80% to 90% new."

Hu Zhenhua was about to speak when Carter interrupted him.

"Hu, do you have that much money? Don't be too ambitious. Get the industrial zone ready first!"

Lao Hu gave Cameron an apologetic look and then turned around.

On the stage, Atlan was answering questions from various businesses, covering all aspects. He was really well trained and could handle it with ease.

Suddenly, a sound like a huge bell resounded throughout the venue.

"Mr. Atlan, at 515 yuan per ton, no matter how much copper we ship in, can TA Company afford it?"

This price is equivalent to a 3% increase on the current international copper price.

Hu Zhenhua looked around and found that the person asking the question was George, the manager of Lloyd Metal Trading Company!

Lloyd's Metal Trading is a company from the Gentleman's Country.

In the field of metal futures, companies in the Gentleman Country have a unique advantage because the world's largest metal exchange is located in the Fog City, abbreviated as: LME.

Since the early 20th century, the LME has publicly published its transaction prices, which have become widely used as a benchmark for global metals trading. A significant proportion of the world's copper production is traded based on the official prices published by the London Metal Exchange.

LME's metal varieties include copper, tin, lead, zinc, aluminum, nickel, silver, etc.

Almost all of these varieties are purchased by TA company.

Atlan held the microphone and said loudly,

"That's right! We want as many as you can get!"

"Excuse me, do you have so much money?"

Atlan did not hesitate at all and shouted,

"Mr. George, if you can confirm the exact quantity you're shipping, I can pay you a 30% deposit right now. If TA Company fails to fulfill its contract when the deadline comes, this 30% deposit will belong to Lloyd's Trading!"

Charlie's eyes were full of brilliance. He lowered his head and thought for a moment, then immediately stood up and said loudly,

"Gentlemen, Huifeng is willing to provide TA company with a credit line of no less than 3000 million RMB!"

TA company was able to pay the full amount for the goods, which shows that they have strong financial reserves.

Such a wealthy sponsor is the favorite of major foreign companies.

Even if his company is not short of money, Charlie will still lend him money.

Foreign banks are so realistic. The less you lack money, the more likely they are to grant you credit. The more you lack money, the less likely they are to lend you money.

With Charlie's proof, the heads of other foreign companies also expressed their willingness to grant credit to TA's company!

Atlan walked down from the podium, shook hands with everyone personally and expressed his gratitude.

Hu Zhenhua also stood up and greeted everyone.

No matter whether they are being insincere or fake, at least their attitude is worthy of recognition.

People carry people in sedan chairs.

Face is given to each other.

After some pleasantries, Atlan returned to the podium and said with a smile,

"TA Company and the foreign company are a model of partnership. We have been through thick and thin together in the past, and we will continue to work hand in hand in the future!"

At this moment, there was thunderous applause.

While Atlan was answering questions, Charlie squeezed next to Hu Zhenhua to discuss the loan matters.

We must grab market share while that annoying guy Morris is away.

Cameron cooperated and made room for Charlie.

Although the consuls of other countries around were unhappy, they couldn't say anything.

Charlie held Hu Zhenhua's hand and said with a cheerful face,

"Hu, thank you for helping Huifeng during the banknote crisis!"

This is a bit insincere.

It is impossible to say that Charlie has no hatred towards Hu Zhenhua.

TA Company did provide funds to the foreign bank, but that was at the cost of Huifeng's real estate.

But Charlie did not have much hatred because Hu Zhenhua did not take advantage of the situation at that time, but instead made the deal at a fair market price.

After TA company acquired the property, the price of the property dropped by half again.

Looking back now, the company made a profit, but at that time, they took a huge risk.

Hu Zhenhua has a great liking for Charlie.

If I were to use one thing to describe Charlie, it would be a candle: burning itself to light up others.

Hu Zhenhua's enthusiasm was almost undisguised. He smiled and said,

"Mr. Charlie, do you have time at noon? How about having a quick lunch together?"

"I couldn't ask for more!"

Chinese people like to talk about things at the dinner table, but Charlie is not used to this. After a brief greeting, he immediately said,

"Hu, Huifeng hopes to reach a strategic cooperation with TA company?"

"What kind of strategic cooperation?"

"If TA can give us half of the financing and fund settlement, Huifeng can promise that your loan interest rate will never exceed 3.5% in the future!"

Hu Zhenhua was very tempted by this interest rate. After hesitating for a while, he finally refused.

"Mr. Charlie, I'm very sorry. If I sign this agreement with you, I will offend too many foreign companies!"

The big tree behind TA company is Mi Capital, so Hu Zhenhua can still tell which is more important.

After hearing Hu Zhenhua's answer, Carter showed a faint smile on his face.

Just now, he hinted to other American foreign companies to come over, but they were blocked by Kenny, Leo and others.

Charlie was disappointed when he heard this, but he also knew that Hu Zhenhua was an American citizen and the interests of American capital must be given priority.

Charlie's mind raced, and he came up with another idea. He said,

"Then can the metal settlement business be handed over to Huifeng?"

In his opinion, this request is reasonable.

In the field of metal trading, the Gentleman's Country is still the boss.

No matter who wants to make bulk purchases, it is impossible to bypass British trading companies.

Rome was not built in a day. Although the United States has become the leader of the free world, it still has a long way to go before it can completely replace the Gentleman Country.

After all, the accumulation of one or two hundred years of the Gentleman Country is such that a lean camel is bigger than a horse!

Hu Zhenhua was helpless. It was impossible to agree to Charlie's request because other British companies were also very powerful.

However, Hu Zhenhua couldn't refuse. After a brief thought, he smiled and said,

"Mr. Charlie, let's put it this way. TA company has borrowed 3000 million RMB from Huifeng. As for the settlement business, I'm happy with whatever suppliers you can convince to accept it!"

Charlie was certainly not satisfied, but he could not ask for anything more, because unilateral demands would arouse Hu Zhenhua's disgust.

Fortunately, a 3000 million loan is not a small amount. If we mix it with some banknotes...

Charlie shook Lao Hu's hand and continued chatting enthusiastically.

When the other foreign bank heads saw that Huifeng had obtained the loan, they were excited and had no interest in listening to Atlan answering his questions. They surrounded Hu Zhenhua and said that they could also provide loans.

There was no other way. With foreign friends being so enthusiastic, Hu Zhenhua really couldn't bear to refuse, so he had to treat them equally and "reluctantly" accepted the "goodwill" of the major foreign banks.

After the last loan was settled, Lao Hu kindly reminded me,

"Please manage your risks. Banknotes are a double-edged sword. They can earn you excessive profits, but they can also trigger bank runs!"

The speaker is earnest, but the listener is indifferent.

Perhaps because Hu Zhenhua was too talkative, many heads of foreign companies had their eyes drooped, as if they were asleep.

Who wants to listen to your preaching!

Hu Zhenhua has no self-awareness at all and keeps on talking on and on.

He spoke for a full ten minutes, so much so that some people began to quietly leave.

Hu Zhenhua finally realized that empty talk had no persuasive power. He shook his head and walked away.