The Guanghui Automobile Factory is in complete chaos. This is a period of rapid national development and construction, a time when all kinds of automobiles and construction machinery are in high demand.
Originally, the Guanghui Automobile Factory was working overtime every day, with all its products in short supply. As soon as they were produced, they were snapped up!
To meet demand, the Guanghui Automobile Factory had set up three assembly lines and six shifts of workers in the production workshop, ensuring continuous operation by rotating personnel rather than stopping the machines. The assembly lines were always running.
However, today, the once busy assembly lines suddenly ground to a halt.
All the workers were thrown into disarray by this unexpected break.
A piece of news, like a bolt from the blue, spread through everyone's ears: the Igarashi engines from the partnered Igarashi Company of He Island, which had been cooperating smoothly, had stopped supplying.
The reason? An earthquake yesterday had caused the company to halt production. The supply contract clearly stipulated that such natural disasters caused by uncontrollable external forces allowed He Island to suspend supply.
As for when production would resume, it would depend on the actual disaster situation. This was the official reply from He Island: it could be as short as one or two weeks, or as long as three to five months! They would be notified once the situation became clearer!
What a joke!
Everyone knew that earthquakes were frequent in He Island, happening every few days. Yesterday's was just a magnitude 2 tremor, not even strong enough to kill an ant at the doorstep, yet it caused a production halt?
And even if production was halted, surely they wouldn't have zero inventory, would they?
To just cut off supply like this, one might think their island had sunk into the sea due to the earthquake!
Everyone at the Guanghui Automobile Factory was furious. They knew those bastards in He Island were clearly making excuses, but they were powerless to do anything!
They were the ones in need. The halted production lines were due to a lack of engines, causing immense losses!
Suddenly, the entire Guanghui Automobile Factory became a hive of activity. Some people went to actively communicate with the He Island representatives, hoping to find out the real reason.
Others began lobbying, hoping to find a way to get some engines to tide them over. Some even used their wits and networks, trying to procure spare engines through other manufacturers, peers, or parts suppliers.
However, to everyone's despair, as they communicated and gathered information, they discovered that this situation was not unique to them!
Beifeng Automobile Factory, Nanwan Automobile Factory, Tianma Automobile Factory, Longchuan Automobile Factory... all major automobile manufacturers, the well-known ones, had also had their engine supply from He Island cut off!
Whether it was the Sanyuan engines for sedans and passenger cars, or the Igarashi engines for commercial trucks, even large machinery factories like Beifang Machinery Company and Jinyang Shipbuilding plant were all experiencing engine shortages!
Engines!
Suddenly, they became the nightmare of countless people!
As everyone was desperately trying to find answers, someone finally managed to glean a clue from a low-level supervisor within the Igarashi Engine Company.
This He Island national, who had drunk too much and become inebriated, let slip two very brief names: Jiangyang County Automobile Factory, Wang Yu!
Instantly, all attention and suspicion turned to Guanjiang Province, and an invisible storm descended upon the small Jiangyang County!
...
In a private room with a strong He Island style, a table laden with a sumptuous feast was placed in the center.
Takemoto and Watanabe knelt at their respective tables, a small pot of sake in front of each.
Watching Watanabe leisurely eating and drinking, Takemoto's chopsticks hovered in mid-air for a long time before he grudgingly opened his mouth and said,
"Mr. Watanabe, I still can't understand. Why was that Wang Yu so arrogant and dismissive of us, yet you showed no anger at all?"
To Takemoto's words, Watanabe slowly chuckled,
"Anger? Why be angry? Takemoto-kun, you are still young and cannot see the essence of things. When I came here, I never expected this Wang Yu to agree to our terms. So those conditions were just for show, to sound good!"
"Ah? Then why did you do it? Why come all the way here for nothing, and even endure Wang Yu's insults?"
Takemoto was even more confused. In his eyes, a big figure like Watanabe should be extremely busy, so why would he do something so meaningless and time-consuming for no reason?
"Heh, it's because I'm putting on a show for others, to demonstrate to everyone how eager we in He Island are for talent and the generous treatment we offer.
Even if no one spreads the word about today's events, we can find ways to make sure it gets out. Do you understand? Even if this Wang Yu refuses to join us in He Island, other talents will join us in the future!
Besides, if we don't make such a move, how can we exert pressure on Wang Yu later and use him as a pawn to have their domestic big companies take him down?"
Watanabe smiled sinisterly and maliciously, "Only after our visit will it be more effective!"
"But... Mr. Watanabe, is such an insignificant person worth this much attention?"
Takemoto hesitated before speaking with some distress.
"He is just a nobody. For us to create such a commotion, even to resort to cutting off engines as a way to kill him indirectly, isn't that making a mountain out of a molehill?
Moreover, cutting off engine supplies in our country is a great harm to ourselves, isn't it?
Even if there's a decision from the behind-the-scenes council, would the Sanyuan and Igarashi engine factories agree? Their losses must be immense, right?"
To Takemoto's words, Watanabe smiled faintly, "Yes, the losses for both of those factories are indeed immense, the lost orders and profits are substantial, but... they both wholeheartedly agreed, and even actively pushed for it from behind the scenes."
"Ah? Why is that?" Takemoto looked perplexed.
"Because it is most important to nip the enemy in the bud before they grow! Even if it means killing three thousand enemies to harm yourself eight hundred!"
Watanabe said leisurely, "Industry is the backbone of a nation, the foundation upon which it stands. And engines are the undisputed heart of the industrial sector!
Although this kid Wang Yu appears insignificant, don't forget that he was able to independently research and design a fuel engine!
Although it is a micro-sized model, with a basic technical framework, countless types and models can be rapidly developed and derived from it, do you understand?
It's laughable that no one in their country recognizes its importance, and instead, a group of bicycle factories are fighting over it, like mistaking a gem for a stone! Therefore..."
"I understand! So, we must eliminate Wang Yu at all costs before he has a chance to grow!"
Takemoto suddenly realized.
"Yes, that's precisely the reason," Watanabe smiled slightly and drained his sake,
"Next, arrange for people to spread rumors that Wang Yu of Jiangyang County Automobile Factory has stolen numerous technologies and formulas from He Island. To resume engine supply, they must hand over Wang Yu!"
"Uh, Wang Yu stole our technology and formulas? Will people believe that when we say it?"
"Whether they believe it or not doesn't matter. We just need to give them an excuse to act. We believe it. Also... I'm genuinely quite interested in Wang Yu's small appliances and plan to sell them on the shelves of our Dongbai Group!"
A deep smile appeared on Watanabe's face.
"As you command!"
...
The next day, another piece of news spread among all the manufacturers experiencing engine supply disruptions...