If Tang Wen possessed mind-reading abilities, he would certainly tell the Village Chief that he wasn't taking a wrong path, but rather a magical one.
Today happened to be the agreed-upon delivery date. Tang Wen drove to the Agricultural Machinery Store in town and already saw the people who had paid the Deposit last time, with several more added to the group.
Seeing the four-unlike-anything figures, they immediately surrounded the truck bed, smiling as they looked at the fully packed Diesel Engines.
Wu Lao Er pushed aside the people blocking the way and hurried over to help Tang Wen greet everyone.
"Everyone, have your money ready! On-site inspection, cash on delivery!
The ones who paid the Deposit the day before yesterday, come wait over here first!"
After speaking, he came to Tang Wen's side, having gained a bit more understanding of this former town hoodlum:
"Brother Tang, how is this small batch? You managed to get eight units so quickly, almost as many as my store has.
It's strange, why won't anyone buy my Tractors?"
Bystanders immediately chimed in:
"Wu Lao Er, your five Horsepower machine costs three thousand five, that's highway robbery.
A 25 Horsepower boat Tractor can also be used, and it can even tow a Harvester. Why don't you stock the cheap, high-horsepower ones?"
Wu Lao Er instantly broke out in a cold sweat, but upon clearly seeing who spoke, he immediately fought back:
"Then don't buy my Tractor. I won't sell you that 'Taishan 25' one."
"No, no, I was just joking."
Seeing the two bickering, Tang Wen asked doubtfully:
"What 'Taishan 25'?"
Wu Lao Er quickly pointed to a four-wheeled Tractor in the Corner whose Appearance was somewhat Rusting and said:
"That one I took in for refurbishment. It's also 25 horsepower, can mount four-wheel drive. I took it in as Scrap Metal after it was submerged in water.
I said if I used your new Diesel Engine to fix it, someone would buy it immediately for thirteen thousand, with half going to you.
The remaining two units also sold, bought by people from other towns; they moved fast."
Tang Wen looked at the battle-damaged appearance of the 'Taishan 25' and almost thought it was just a pile of Scrap Metal, so he asked Wu Lao Er:
"When was this Tractor manufactured?"
"It's an '85 model, still sturdy."
Good heavens, a ten-year-old piece of junk could sell for over ten thousand after repairs. This gave Tang Wen a deeper understanding of the current Lag Behind productivity.
When industry is underdeveloped, the preciousness of industrial products is beyond imagination.
The Appeal of the 25 Horsepower Diesel Engine was also very strong. Gasoline Engines of the same Horsepower were all two-stroke, not only consuming too much fuel but also prone to breaking down, far less sturdy and durable than Diesel Engines.
There were several other people from other towns in Wu Lao Er's store, all having come to check out the high-horsepower Diesel Engines after hearing the news.
Once all the Diesel Engines were started and tested successfully one by one, Tang Wen smoothly received the entire Final Payment, and even secured Orders for four more units.
But what excited him most was that the total amount earned from selling the Diesel Engines had reached over fifty-three thousand, which translated to over one thousand one hundred Silver Coins!
This was enough Silver Coins for an Upgrade; he could soon possess a real Shipyard!
Tang Wen was impatient to go back and Upgrade, but after working for several hours, everyone was exhausted. Wu Lao Er voluntarily took him and the Village Chief out for a meal at a restaurant.
Wu Lao Er, who had also earned quite a bit, was exceptionally generous, ordering only the best dishes at the teahouse.
Today, besides Guo Panpan, there was a gentle woman at the store. Guo Chenliang was nowhere to be seen again; the large and small figures were both busy in the Kitchen.
Three full tables were set for the three men. The Guo mother and daughter were both excellent cooks. Tang Wen hadn't eaten meat in a long time, so he ate heartily without speaking.
But the old Village Chief and Wu Lao Er were not far behind; eating was like fighting a battle, and the three of them managed to finish every dish.
Only after licking the last bowl clean did Wu Lao Er pat his stomach and say:
"Brother Tang, I've already asked around. The 25 Horsepower Diesel Engine is only available in the city for Motors, and one unit costs over ten thousand. Our business here can continue.
I feel I can sell at least twenty units just in the surrounding area, but they sell better if they are fitted with a Drive Shaft and Propeller to become an Outboard Motor. Can you procure those?"
The thought flashed through Tang Wen's mind, and he Nodded. Research and Development for these accessory parts only cost 2 Silver Coins—not a Problem at all.
"No Problem, but it will cost an extra thousand."
"That's great!"
Wu Lao Er slapped his thigh hard:
"I'll go find ways to promote them immediately. If I take the goods from you at six thousand per unit, how about cash settlement?"
Assembling them into Motors for only six thousand was too Cost-effective; it completely crushed the goods from the city. Wu Lao Er immediately became ambitious.
He now had the capital; he could turn a profit of at least several thousand instantly.
But before Tang Wen could answer, the Village Chief immediately scolded:
"Go to hell! Are you trying to bully a kid who doesn't know any better? Selling to Xiao Tang for six thousand is fine, but if you want exclusive dealership rights, it'll be seven thousand per unit!"
"Seven thousand? I have costs for stocking inventory and running errands!"
"Talking nonsense! Xiao Tang, don't listen to his rubbish. He'd be secretly happy selling them for eight thousand.
If you don't sell to him, plenty of others will. At worst, we'll sell them ourselves!"
"No, no, no. Brother Tang is doing Big Business; how can he bother with such trivial matters? Seven thousand it is. Only I can sell them in Goose City, deal?"
"Goose City? You have quite the appetite!"
"Uncle."
Tang Wen nudged Chen Yonggui. Although the latter was still displeased, he frowned and said no more.
Wu Lao Er was overjoyed, thinking Tang Wen's appetite was satisfied, and quickly said:
"Then it's settled! Wait for me; I'll go back immediately to get the seal and ink pad. We'll write a Contract; words are not proof!"
After Wu Lao Er ran off In a Frenzy, the Village Chief frowned and said:
"Why did you stop me? That whole area of Goose City—you're losing out too much.
Xiao Tang, each unit is a lot of money; you can't treat it lightly."
"Village Chief, I'm only selling him the 25 horsepower ones; that doesn't mean all of them."
"You have more?"
Tang Wen Nodded:
"Not only do I have more, but they are even bigger and more expensive good items. You'll see soon enough."
A mere 25 horsepower—if he sold 250 horsepower, wouldn't that be five thousand? It would be at least fifty thousand!
Chen Yonggui's expression finally relaxed, softening considerably.
Then he saw Tang Wen pull out a large stack of cash from his embrace and directly stuff it into his own.
"Xiao Tang, what are you doing? It's my duty to Help you, Uncle; I can't take your money."
Tang Wen quickly persuaded him:
"I rely on your Help for all my business in the village. Today was a whole day of hard work; this is what you deserve."
Chen Yonggui still demurred:
"This meal alone is worth it; how can I take your money!"
"How about this, can you Help me with something?"
Tang Wen changed his approach:
"You know my father's workshop doesn't have any Procedures. I want you to Help register a proper Shipyard and approve a plot of land for me; I plan to expand further.
This money is partly to thank you, and the rest can be used as goodwill."
He spoke sincerely. As the Shipyard expanded in the future, it couldn't continue growing so wildly; it needed an official title at least.
Chen Yonggui wavered slightly, but then instantly became excited:
"You want to open a factory in the village? Does that mean you need to hire people?
This is great news! I'll approve as much land as you need. It can also provide jobs for the villagers.
I think I saw the Village Head in town today. Wait here; I'll go talk to him right away."
Wait, the Magic Shipbuilding factory can't hire people!
Tang Wen underestimated the impact of opening a factory on the Village Chief. Even a small Shipyard at the village or town level could provide over a dozen job openings, which was quite good for a village.
Following Wu Lao Er, the Village Chief also vanished in a flash, leaving Tang Wen alone facing the messy table.
At this moment, An Yu, Guo Panpan's mother, came forward to clear the table. Seeing the cash in Tang Wen's arms, her Big Eyes widened, and she almost dropped the plates.
She had heard her daughter mention Tang Wen's Diesel Engine business, but she thought he was just messing around to earn a little money. Who knew it would be this astonishing?