Kang Tengda's proposal implied that they weren't unwilling to sell, but simply had no available quota.
In the reception room, Ling Tian sat calmly, eyes closed in meditation, while Wang Kun and Lu Kai paced restlessly.
Finally, after more than two hours, Kang Tengda arrived at the reception room with two assistants.
"Oh, Mr. Wang, why didn't you inform us in advance of your visit so I could arrange for someone to pick you up?
Unfortunately, we had a meeting that was scheduled a long time ago..."
"No matter, Director Kang, it was our impolite intrusion.
Allow me to introduce Mr. Ling Tian, a major shareholder and independent director of our Bing Tian Pharmaceutical Company!"
Kang Tengda was greatly surprised. He hadn't expected Ling Tian to be so young.
A young man who looked no older than twenty was the chairman of a company worth tens of billions. It seemed like something out of a fantasy novel, like "The Dragon King Returns."
Of course, Kang Tengda didn't believe Ling Tian had become chairman through his own merit; it was most likely inherited wealth.
"Hello, Mr. Ling, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
Kang Tengda offered a polite, albeit insincere and forced, greeting to Ling Tian.
After they were seated, Ling Tian got straight to the point.
"Director Kang, we didn't travel all this way for anything else. We are here to purchase our company's quota of Snow Lotus.
Our Bing Tian Pharmaceutical Company is an old client of yours, having procured Snow Lotus from you for many years.
However, you've reduced our quota without any prior notice, which will cause significant trouble for our company!"
"Ah, Mr. Ling, it's unavoidable. We don't wish for this either.
But the market for Snow Lotus is as it is now: supply is limited, while demand is constantly increasing.
Your company is not the only one whose quota has been reduced; several others have also seen their allocations cut."
"It's normal for commodity prices to follow market trends. If you're earning less, we can accept a price increase!
However, shouldn't we discuss the supply volume again?" Ling Tian said patiently.
"I apologize, but this matter has been decided, and there's no room for negotiation.
The other party is making a large-volume purchase at a very favorable price, and we have no reason to refuse their order."
"Could you please think of another way? Besides, we're not opposed to a price increase. Since they can afford that price, we can too.
How about this: we're willing to add 10% on top of the price the other party is offering. Can you help us increase Bing Tian Pharmaceutical Company's quota?" Lu Kai interjected.
Upon hearing Lu Kai's words, Kang Tengda feigned contemplation once more.
"Well, if it's at the price you just promised, I might be able to increase your allocation somewhat."
Lu Kai and Wang Kun's faces lit up with a hint of joy, seeing that the other party's attitude seemed to have softened.
However, Ling Tian's expression remained unchanged; he continued to watch the performance.
"Then, how much of an increase can you give us?" Wang Kun asked.
"I can't promise a specific amount, but our Snow Lotus Pharmaceutical Company expands its production every year, with an increase of 3% to 5% annually.
If you are willing to accept the price you just promised, I can authorize the allocation of all our increased production for next year to you!"
Wang Kun and Lu Kai's expressions changed instantly. This was practically mocking them. The slight increase in supply was like a drop in the bucket compared to Bing Tian Pharmaceutical Company's massive demand for Snow Lotus.
As Wang Kun was about to say something more, Ling Tian raised his hand and stopped him.
"Manager Kang, it seems there's no room for negotiation then."
"None at all. It's unavoidable. After all, I am the general manager of the company and must be responsible to the shareholders and the company's interests!"
"Very well, then we won't waste any more time. Goodbye!"
Ling Tian said, then stood up directly. He showed no business etiquette, didn't even shake hands, and left.
Wang Kun and Lu Kai exchanged bewildered glances. They couldn't understand why Ling Tian, usually so refined and capable, was acting so amateurish and impatient at the negotiation table today.
But since he was the major shareholder and independent director, they had no choice but to follow suit and bid farewell, exiting the Beijing office of Snow Lotus Pharmaceutical.
"Director Ling, regarding today's matter..."
"You two go back to the hotel first and then carefully calculate how much Snow Lotus we need annually.
Of course, this quantity must include the Snow Lotus required for our new product and the amount for our increased production!"
"But... Mr. Ling, if that Kang Tengda doesn't budge, won't our compilation of these figures be useless?"
"Who says it's useless? If Kang Tengda won't budge, then we'll help them replace their general manager!"
"Ah?" Wang Kun and Lu Kai were stunned. They didn't understand what Ling Tian meant.
Ling Tian said no more, but urged the two to get into the car and return to the hotel. Then, Ling Tian made a phone call.
About ten minutes later, a luxurious Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of Ling Tian.
The car door opened, and a man in his late thirties appeared before Ling Tian.
"Young Master, I am Gu Jiafu, CEO of Tian Xi Group. Please excuse my tardiness!"
The man bowed respectfully, addressing Ling Tian as Young Master, which made Ling Tian a little uncomfortable.
"You're too kind. Please just call me Ling Tian, and I'll call you Brother Gu."
"Certainly, Young... Ling Tian, please get in!"
Gu Jiafu personally opened the car door for Ling Tian to get in. His accompanying driver was somewhat dumbfounded, as this was the CEO of Tian Xi Group, which held stakes in dozens of Fortune Global 500 companies.
In fact, Gu Jiafu was an orphan, abandoned by his parents when he was still an infant.
Fortunately, he met Gu Tianxi. Seeing how pitiful the child was, Gu Tianxi adopted him and raised him.
Gu Tianxi had no children of his own, so he treated Gu Jiafu and several other orphans with similar fates as his own children.
When these individuals grew up, they all became talents in their respective fields. Gu Jiafu displayed extraordinary ability in business, so Gu Tianxi decided to groom him as his successor and put him in charge of Tian Xi Group, while he himself retreated to the background, becoming a behind-the-scenes magnate.
Gu Jiafu was aware of the existence of this junior disciple and knew very well how much his adoptive father, Gu Tianxi, doted on Ling Tian.
Gu Tianxi had repeatedly instructed him that if Ling Tian needed his help, he must do so with all his might.
This "all his might" even included deploying the entire assets of Tian Xi Group!