Chapter Thirty: Stabbing in the Back

In this day and age, the domestic automotive industry is indeed quite weak. The three most common cars on the streets are the Volkswagen Santana, the Citroën Fukang, and the Toyota Camry, which Toyota has just introduced to the domestic market this year.

However, vehicles classified as luxury cars are almost exclusively imports. Most are brought in by various automotive trading companies in Guangdong, Hainan, and other provinces using official approval documents—though whether some of those companies, which may or may not have had legitimate permits, were also smuggling in cars is anyone’s guess. Either way, all sorts of luxury vehicles were being trafficked into the country.

These luxury cars would pass through layers of dealers, with the price jumping at every step. A vehicle that might be an ordinary commuter car abroad would transform into a million-yuan luxury status symbol once it reached the domestic market.

"Tomorrow, go to the station to pick someone up, then we’ll head to the auto trading company together," Li Dongling instructed Gao Peng.

In the Pingyang municipal government housing complex, Yao Luoying, with her fair, slender calves exposed, was leafing through a fashion magazine from Hong Kong with great interest, swinging her legs from time to time.

A woman nearby was nagging her: "It’s fine if you don’t want to enter a proper government agency, but you also refuse to work for state-owned enterprises like the power, oil, or telecommunications bureaus. You just have to go to some private company. How many private firms are stable these days? They’re open today, but who knows if they’ll still be around tomorrow!"

Yao Luoying kept her eyes on the magazine, but her tongue didn't stop moving. "I kept my promise to you both. I didn't stay to work in another city. As for where I work now that I’m back, I never promised anything about that!"

"You little brat, are you playing word games with us?"

Upon hearing this, Han Liuping raised her hand, feigning an intent to discipline her. Yao Luoying let out a cry, tossed the magazine aside, and hid behind Yao Zhengru, who was sitting on the sofa. "Dad, you have to be reasonable. We all agreed back then that as long as I came back, that was it. There was no ‘three-chapter pact’ regarding anything else!"

Hearing this, Yao Zhengru ruffled Yao Luoying’s fluffy hair and smilingly blocked Han Liuping’s hand. "We really didn't tell Yingying anything about her job after she came back."

Seeing Yao Zhengru taking Yao Luoying’s side, Han Liuping became a bit anxious. "Now, Comrade Lao Yao, you need to be clear about where you stand. Are you siding with this brat again? You’re just spoiling her..."

Yao Zhengru chuckled and waved his hand, saying to Han Liuping, "The founder of Dongling High-Tech, the company Yingying joined, is quite an interesting character. He graduated from Hanxi Jiaotong University and returned to Pingyang. After not being given important responsibilities at the Xicheng Radio Factory No. 1, he went to the Shangguan Town Component Factory and helped them develop the satellite dish project.

"Now, thanks to that project, the Shangguan Town Component Factory has become the fastest-growing state-owned enterprise in Pingyang in the second half of this year—none other. Li Dongling’s Dongling High-Tech also receives a significant share of the dividends. It might not be a bad thing that Yingying went there!"

"Comrade Lao Yao, no wonder you agreed to let me interview at Dongling High-Tech! You’d already investigated them!" Yao Luoying playfully punched Yao Zhengru a few times before starting to knead his shoulders.

Yao Zhengru enjoyed his daughter’s pampering, but he shook his head, a look of worry appearing on his face. "This wasn't entirely for your sake. I’m in charge of industry and commerce in Pingyang. The economy here hasn't been good since the beginning of the year. With the sudden turnaround of the Shangguan Town Component Factory, I naturally have to pay it more attention. I’m actually hoping Li Dongling can stir things up in this stagnant pool of Pingyang!"

He sighed. "However, I’m afraid the satellite dish project won't stay hot for much longer."

"What do you mean?" Yao Luoying, who had been listening intently, couldn't help but ask.

Yao Zhengru glanced at her. "Don't you dare repeat this; the repercussions would be bad. Other leaders in the city want to force other companies and manufacturers in Pingyang to launch satellite dish products as well."

"On what grounds?!" Yao Luoying exclaimed, feeling a sense of injustice. "The satellite dish project was developed by Li Dongling and the Shangguan Town Component Factory. The brand and the patents are theirs. Why should other companies be allowed to do it?"

"You child, have some respect! Is that any way to talk to your father?" Han Liuping tapped Yao Luoying on the head.

Yao Luoying stuck out her tongue and grabbed Yao Zhengru’s arm. "I’m just so angry!"

Yao Zhengru didn't get angry. "You don't understand the domestic situation very well yet. I know this is reckless, but the performance of other state-owned enterprises in Pingyang is truly abysmal; too many have halted production.

"Do you know how many workers' families haven't received a paycheck in months, or even half a year? Forcing those factories to produce satellite dishes is a last resort. Even if our local factories don't produce them, factories elsewhere will sooner or later jump on the bandwagon and launch knock-offs!"

Seeing the concern on Yao Luoying’s face, Yao Zhengru flicked her nose. "What? You haven't even started working yet, and you're already worrying about your boss?"

"I am not!"

Yao Zhengru’s words gave her some insight into the Li Dongling she had seen in the meeting room that day. Yao Luoying protested, "I’m just worried that if the satellite dish project fails and Dongling High-Tech's new project doesn't pan out, wouldn't I be out of a paycheck at my very first job?"

Yao Zhengru merely said calmly, "That depends on whether Li Dongling can make something of himself!"

Borrowing a Fiat, Gao Peng arrived at the Pingyang station, holding a sign that read "Yang Zhigao."

A moment later, a tall man, around thirty-eight or thirty-nine, approached him. "I am Yang Zhigao."

"I'm Gao Peng. Brother Li sent me to pick you up!"

As Gao Peng shook Yang Zhigao’s hand, he felt the man’s palm was covered in calluses, especially around the web of his thumb. Yang didn't seem to be using much force, but Gao Peng felt a sharp pain from the grip.

"Where are you coming from, Brother Yang?" Gao Peng tossed him a cigarette, trying to strike up a conversation.

"From the neighboring city."

Yang Zhigao was taciturn; he said nothing more after that, and Gao Peng couldn't pry anything out of him.

After arriving at Dongling High-Tech, Li Dongling was very welcoming to Yang Zhigao, personally pouring him a cup of tea.

"Was the journey smooth?" Li Dongling asked.

It was a casual question, but Yang Zhigao frowned. "I took a long-distance bus. There were too many pickpockets and petty thieves on board, and road bandits had set up checkpoints along the way. I had to hand over several groups of them to the local police station before I could make it here."

Gao Peng felt his eyelids twitch. He liked to consider himself a local tough guy in Pingyang and had been in his fair share of fights, but he knew his own limits. Dealing with street punks was one thing, but he had no chance against thieves armed with knives, or road bandits carrying short-barreled shotguns.

Yang Zhigao had been recommended to Li Dongling by Zhang Xiaocheng. He had heard from Zhang that Yang had served with him during the war against Vietnam. After being demobilized, he was assigned to a state-owned enterprise.

However, Yang was blunt and didn't know how to flatter his superiors. After working there for a few years and offending many people, he was subjected to petty harassment until he quit, unable to find suitable work afterward.

According to Zhang Xiaocheng, Yang was incredibly skilled, having won first place in his battalion’s martial arts competition, and was also exceptionally talented with vehicles and machinery.

When Li Dongling mentioned he needed a driver, Zhang immediately thought of Yang and called him to Pingyang.

"Brother Zhang should have already told you: here, in addition to your monthly salary, there are bonuses, year-end rewards, and full insurance coverage.

"Furthermore, you can bring your wife over. She can work at Dongling High-Tech, or I can arrange a position for her at another company. Your children can also enroll in local schools here. If they get into university, I will cover their tuition!"

Li Dongling was entrusting his safety to Yang Zhigao, so he couldn't afford to be stingy. To be stingy with him would be to treat his own life as a joke.

Hearing Li Dongling’s words, Yang Zhigao, who had kept a stern face the entire time, couldn't help but be slightly moved. The terms Li Dongling offered were enough to make anyone willing to risk their life.

"I can only promise that as long as I am alive, no harm will come to you."

Li Dongling nodded. Coming from a man who had survived the slaughter of the battlefield, this was the most solemn vow he could make.

In the afternoon, Li Dongling, Gao Peng, and Yang Zhigao went to the automotive trading company.

The dealership’s customer manager had been waiting for them. As soon as he saw them, he rushed over, grabbed Li Dongling’s hand, and said, "Boss Li, right? Truly young and promising!"

"Whatever car you need, Boss Li, if I don't have it here, you won't find it anywhere else in Pingyang!

"This right here is this year’s most popular Nissan Cedric. It features a 160-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 naturally aspirated engine, velvet seats, and adjustable lumbar support, windows, mirrors, and seats. This car even comes with a built-in refrigerator and can play cassette tapes..."

The manager first led them to a Nissan Cedric. It was the most popular model among the wealthy in China at the time; the name "Cedric" spoke for itself.

After the Cedric, Li Dongling looked at other vehicles also classified as luxury cars: the Cadillac Fleetwood, Toyota Crown, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Bentley Arnage. At that time, Cadillac wasn't the "bathhouse-navigation" punchline it would become in later generations; its prestige was on par with Mercedes-Benz. As for BMW, which had just officially rebranded, it was still relatively unknown.

Li Dongling looked at the models before him. Compared to later generations, the designs were undoubtedly retro, but each had its own distinct character and style. Back then, major car brands took pride in maintaining their own unique design language. "Borrowing" a bit from another brand was something that would be spat upon by enthusiasts and the media. In later generations, such care would disappear; if you placed two cars side-by-side, you might not be able to tell them apart if you removed the badges.

"How much for the Mercedes?" Li Dongling asked.

"One million!" The manager was delighted, immediately calling out a sky-high price.

Li Dongling shook his head, pointing at the Mercedes and then at the nearby Audi 100. "One million for both cars. If you agree, I can pay today. If not, we’ll head to Shenzhen or Hainan to buy them."

"That price is too low! Our cost price is higher than that. If I sell at that price, I’ll be losing money!" the manager complained, feigning poverty.

After some haggling, seeing that Li Dongling was unmoved and even prepared to leave, the manager quickly stopped him. "One million, fine, one million. Seven hundred thousand for the Mercedes, three hundred thousand for the Audi. As long as you pay, I can handle the paperwork today. Also, the license plates and driver’s licenses, we can..."

"Don't worry about the plates and licenses, we can handle that ourselves," Gao Peng interjected to show his presence. At this time, the vetting process for plates and licenses wasn't strict; as long as you knew the right people and had the money, you could get them.

The two cars were settled: the Mercedes for Li Dongling’s personal use, and the Audi as a reception vehicle for Dongling High-Tech.