With the battery patented, the next step was to build a factory for mass production.
Establishing a battery factory, from constructing the building and installing production lines to hiring and training workers, would be a lengthy process, taking at least six months.
Time waits for no one, and Long Xiao didn't want to wait half a year. Zhao Tongxiang felt the same.
"Little brother, how do you plan to produce these batteries?" asked Luan Jiping.
Long Xiao shared his ideas: he intended to buy an existing factory or collaborate with others.
Luan Jiping smiled and said, "Little brother, I don't do new energy vehicles. Otherwise, I'd give you a battery factory."
"Sister, do you know anyone who does new energy vehicles, preferably with both a battery factory and an electric car factory?"
Luan Jiping looked at Long Xiao and said, "Xiao Hong does. But her electric car factory has been facing trouble lately."
"What kind of trouble?"
"For the past half month, there have been accidents every day, resulting in several worker deaths. Both the battery production line and the car production line have been forced to halt."
"Could someone be sabotaging it?" Long Xiao asked.
Luan Jiping nodded. "It's likely Long Nian is behind it, but we haven't found any evidence."
Long Nian had many skilled subordinates, making it difficult to find evidence of their sabotage.
"Sister, please call Sister Hong. I'll help her resolve this."
Luan Jiping called Ban Jianghong. Upon hearing that Long Xiao could help and that he possessed super batteries, Ban Jianghong happily said, "Ask Long Xiao to wait at your place. I'll be right over."
Ban Jianghong was under forty, still attractive and full of charm. Every time she met Long Xiao, Luan Jiping guarded him like a thief.
If not for her electric car factory being the most suitable, Luan Jiping wouldn't have called her.
When Ban Jianghong arrived at Luan Jiping's residence and understood the situation, she said joyfully, "Welcome to invest in my electric car factory. We'll do it like Baojia Pharmacy: you'll contribute your technology and hold eighty percent equity."
Long Xiao was stunned by Ban Jianghong's offer. He didn't understand why she was doing this.
"Sister Hong, aren't you giving me too much equity?"
Ban Jianghong chuckled, "Isn't it good to have more equity? I believe that with you managing the electric car factory, even with only twenty percent, I'll earn more than before."
Long Xiao nodded. "I can guarantee that with Tongxiang's batteries, our electric cars will surely be a bestseller."
"If we also produce a batch of dedicated charging piles and launch them alongside our high-end electric cars, the effect will be even better."
Zhao Tongxiang chimed in, "Exactly. This way, users won't have any worries. I've already designed a fast charging pile that can fully charge in thirty minutes."
A thirty-minute full charge that lasts for a year, such a battery was incredibly enticing. Once these electric cars were launched, they would undoubtedly be snapped up.
Speaking of electric cars, Zhao Tongxiang had many ideas. He told Long Xiao and the others that the current electric cars' weaknesses were their batteries and safety. With the battery issue resolved, his next focus was on the safety of autonomous driving.
Ban Jianghong added, "Tongxiang, until you can ensure the safety of autonomous driving, can you design a safe automatic power-off system?"
Zhao Tongxiang pondered for a moment and replied, "That's no problem."
The three conversed with growing excitement. Ban Jianghong directly called her lawyer, asking him to come over immediately with the share transfer contract to have Long Xiao sign it.
Luan Jiping sat on the side, feeling a pang of unease, as if Long Xiao had sidelined her.
Soon, Ban Jianghong's lawyer arrived. The share transfer contract was quickly prepared, and Long Xiao and Ban Jianghong signed it.
After the lawyer left, Long Xiao planned to visit Ban Jianghong's electric car factory to help her resolve the current issues.
"Boss, you owe me twelve roast ducks. Isn't it time to settle up?" Xiao Ming rubbed his belly.
"Let's go to the electric car factory first and finish our business, then we'll go shopping for roast ducks."
Luan Jiping interjected, "Little brother, you can't skimp on employee benefits. I think we should go shopping first."
Seeing Luan Jiping's genuine desire to go shopping, Long Xiao agreed to go shopping first and then visit the electric car factory afterward.
Zhao Tongxiang, carrying the batteries, got into the car. He believed that as long as he stayed close to Long Xiao, the batteries would remain safe.
Xiao Ming also got into Luan Jiping's car with Long Xiao. In his eyes, Long Xiao was equivalent to roast duck and delicious food.
Ban Jianghong, swaying her alluring hips, approached Luan Jiping's car and said, "Little brother, why don't you ride in my car?"
Luan Jiping glared at Ban Jianghong and retorted, "Get lost. My little brother must ride in my car."
Ban Jianghong chuckled, "Heh, the infamous Black Widow of the martial world is actually getting angry. This is a rare sight."
Luan Jiping floored the accelerator, and the Mercedes roared ahead. Ban Jianghong quickly got into her car and followed behind.
Even though winter was approaching, the commercial street in Donghai City was still bustling. People were everywhere, and various snacks attracted passersby, both men and women.
Two beautiful women walked on either side of Long Xiao. Zhao Tongxiang, holding the batteries, followed closely behind Long Xiao, just like Xiao Ming.
After a while of browsing, Zhao Tongxiang found himself holding several bags filled with clothes that Luan Jiping and Ban Jianghong had bought for Long Xiao.
The roast ducks Long Xiao had promised were also delivered, carried by Xiao Ming in two bags. His backpack was bulging with snacks bought by the two ladies.
Only Zhao Tongxiang seemed indifferent to the various delicacies and clothing. In his eyes, nothing compared to the four batteries he held.
After shopping, as dusk began to settle, Long Xiao and his companions followed Ban Jianghong to the electric car factory.
The factory had ceased production, and the entire premises were eerily silent.
The security guard on duty recognized Ban Jianghong's car and quickly opened the electric gate to let them enter.
After getting out of the car, Long Xiao said, "You all go inside and rest. I'll take a walk around the factory grounds."
"Little brother, I'll accompany you. There have been quite a few accidents recently; you need to be careful."
Seeing Ban Jianghong approach Long Xiao, Luan Jiping stepped forward and said, "I'll go too. Xiao Hong, your strength is no match for mine, so I can protect my little brother's safety."
Xiao Ming, trailing behind, pouted, sighed, and whispered, "Boss has it really tough."
Zhao Tongxiang followed silently, unwilling to leave Long Xiao's side for a moment. He felt that only Long Xiao could ensure his safety.
They toured the factory grounds until it was completely dark. Long Xiao suddenly turned and asked, "Xiao Ming, did you notice anything?"
Xiao Ming shook his head without hesitation. "I didn't notice anything. When are we eating?"
Long Xiao had always been intrigued by the vital energy within Xiao Ming, knowing he must possess some special cultivation technique, otherwise, the life energy within him wouldn't be stronger than his own.
Upon entering the factory, Long Xiao had already realized that this area had been tampered with. Once the buried objects were removed, there would be no more unexplainable accidents.
After the tour, they returned to the security booth. Long Xiao picked up a shovel leaning against the wall and said, "Let's go. We'll dig out the things."