The opportunity to go to Avaré to participate in the celebration of the commissioning of the 1700 mm hot rolling mill was actually won by Feng Xiaochen himself. Last year, when he was invited by his uncle Feng Fei to help Dongxiang Machinery Factory solve its business difficulties, he mentioned this matter to Dong Lao, who was inspecting Dongxiang Factory, and his reason was that he could find buyers of self-propelled guns and ultralight howitzers for Dongxiang Factory in Africa, and what Dong Lao needed to help him do was to ask the "relevant departments" to approve his application to Africa.

As for the invitation from the Avaré side, it is even simpler. A few years ago, during negotiations with the Ministry of Industry of Avaray on the hot rolling mill project, Feng Xiaochen met the then Deputy Minister of Industry of Avare, Gai Zhan, and also signed a "consulting" agreement with Gai Zhan, paying a consulting fee of $360,000 to a consulting firm recommended by Gai Zhan as the purchase of road money to break through the obstacles of the project. After that, although the two did not meet again, every time Gai Zhan came to China, he would still call Feng Xiaochen to say a few words, so the relationship between the two has always been maintained. This time, Feng Xiaochen wanted to go to Africa, and it was too easy to ask Gai Zhan to help him issue an invitation letter.

"I want to explore Africa and see if there are any opportunities to enter the African market. ”

When Luo Xiangfei summoned Feng Xiaochen to inquire about this, Feng Xiaochen said to Luo Xiangfei.

"It seems like you've been planning this for years. Luo Xiangfei recalled.

Feng Xiaochen said with a smile: "It's not surprising that China's equipment manufacturing industry will go to the world sooner or later, and Asian, African and Latin American countries are our first step." ”

"However, I always feel that we should do what we can, and there is still a big gap between our technology and Western countries. Under such circumstances, it is too hasty to participate in the competition in the international market, right?" Luo Xiang said. Regarding Feng Xiaochen's idea, he also couldn't say whether he supported or opposed it. Feng Xiaochen said that China's equipment manufacturing industry should go to the world, which Luo Xiangfei agreed. But to say that he wants to open up the market now, he thinks it's a little too early. China is still importing a large amount of advanced equipment from abroad, and it always feels a little absurd to mention equipment exports at this time.

Feng Xiaochen said with a smile: "Director Luo, how can this be considered too hasty? Isn't this hot rolling mill project of Avaray a successful case?"

"It doesn't count. Luo Xiangfei gave himself a reason, "There are more political factors in Avare's project, mainly because Avaray hopes to get China's support in international affairs, so he expressed this goodwill to China." In terms of technical level, the production line undertaken by Qin Zhong is nearly a generation behind the German production line introduced by our Nanjiang Iron and Steel Plant, and we beat Western manufacturers purely by price. ”

"The price advantage is also an advantage. Feng Xiaochen said, "Isn't it also by virtue of our price advantage that we OEM for Western manufacturers? In terms of manufacturing level, we can't compare with the original supporting suppliers in Japan." ”

"That's a fallacy. Luo Xiangfei finally admitted defeat, in fact, he was not absolutely against Feng Xiaochen's idea, so arguing with Feng Xiaochen like this was just to consider the problem more comprehensively. It is true that China's equipment technology is still inferior to that of the West, but the cost advantage is obvious. Feng Xiaochen took entering Asian, African and Latin American countries as the first step for the equipment industry to go out, and presumably also took this factor into account, because for poor countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, low prices are still very attractive.

"Who are you going to go with?" Luo Xiangfei asked.

"I'd better tie up with Director Wang, besides, it would be better if Director Wu could go together, he is a technical authority, if you want to talk about some technical things, you have to go out of the way." Feng Xiaochen said.

In this way, a delegation to Avaré to participate in the commissioning ceremony of China's 1700 mm hot rolling mill project was established, including Feng Xiaochen, Wang Genji, Wu Shican, three heavy equipment office personnel, as well as officials from the Ministry of Machinery and the Ministry of Foreign Trade, and two staff members who claimed to be "Chengfeng Material Trading Company", namely Zhang Heping and Feng Fei.

"Xiaochen, you've made me miserable. ”

On the plane to Africa, Feng Fei and Feng Xiaochen sat together, he looked nervous and excited, and complained to Feng Xiaochen from time to time.

"Second uncle, this is what your factory sent you out, what's the matter with me?" Feng Xiaochen replied with a smile.

"It's not because of your idea. Feng Fei said, "Also, the factory knows the relationship between you and me, and said that it is more convenient to send me out, and it is easier to ask you for help when something happens." ”

"Uh......" Feng Xiaochen was speechless, who is who's uncle, how can there be a reason for an uncle to ask his nephew for help when something happens.

This time I went to Avarey, so I needed to send someone from Dongxiang Factory to participate, completely because Feng Xiaochen bragged to Dong Lao last year, and he claimed that he could find some orders for artillery in Africa to help Dongxiang Factory. Dong Lao heard about Feng Xiaochen's magic from Meng Fanze, and had high expectations for this matter. Hearing that Feng Xiaochen was going to Africa, Dong Lao instructed Dongxiang Factory to send a person who knew technology and Comrade Feng Xiaochen so that he could answer questions about artillery at any time.

The Dongxiang factory had a lively discussion on the question of who to send to Africa. An opportunity to go abroad is very rare for a factory like them in a ravine. In the end, the biggest reason why Feng Fei became this lucky person was that he was Feng Xiaochen's uncle, and the leaders of Dongxiang Factory thought that it was the most appropriate to send Feng Fei out.

In recent years, the state has changed its previous policy of not participating in international arms transactions and has begun to make efforts to promote the export of weapons and equipment in exchange for foreign exchange, and at the same time, it is also to help some under-employed military enterprises to obtain business. In terms of arms exports, China lacks experience, especially since the military has never engaged in market operations at all, and does not even have the slightest sense of operation. This time, Dong Lao strongly asked Feng Xiaochen to help sell artillery, and he also wanted to explore the way to use the civilian system to promote military sales.

"Xiaochen, do you have a spectrum for selling artillery?" Feng Fei lowered his voice and asked Feng Xiaochen for confirmation.

"For the first time. Feng Xiaochen said with a smile.

"Nonsense, of course I know you're the first time!" Feng Fei rebuked angrily, "If you do this often, it's weird." ”

Feng Xiaochen said: "Second uncle, my feeling is that there is no difference between selling artillery and selling equipment, it is nothing more than negotiation, compared with technology, quality, and price, these have advantages, of course, they can be sold." ”

"I don't think it's that simple. Feng Fei muttered, "If it's so simple, why can't we sell it in the past?"

"That's because you haven't sold anything at all. Feng Xiaochen said, "In the early years, you produced according to the national plan, how much you produced, how much was transferred by the state, and you didn't even know what customers were." In the past few years, the military production system has changed, and the military is no longer passively receiving equipment, but has to pick and choose the quality and price. ”

"You say that...... , it seems to make some sense. Feng Fei admitted. Before Feng Xiaochen went to Dongxiang Factory, Dongxiang Factory also sent many people out to run business, trying to improve the business situation by making civilian products, but nothing was achieved. Later, everyone also reflected on this problem and came to the conclusion that Dongxiang Factory did not do business.

"Second uncle, this trip to Africa, I have other business to do, selling artillery is just a favor for you by the way, you don't have too many expectations. Feng Xiaochen gave Feng Fei a preventive shot. He knew from the experience of later generations that China's arms exports were still in good shape, but he didn't dare to guarantee whether he could make any gains in this era and this trip to Africa, and this point needed to be explained to Feng Fei in advance.

Feng Fei was anxious when he heard this, glared at Feng Xiaochen and said, "Xiaochen, how can you say that? This time it is something that Dong Lao specially advised, if you mess up, how will you explain to Dong Lao when you go back in the future? Also, the factory sent me out because of you, if you don't get things done, what will the factory think of me, and what will it think of you?"

"Wouldn't it, second uncle, if I just say something casually, you will lie to me?" Feng Xiaochen was dumbfounded, he had never promised Dong Lao that he would be able to succeed, but when he heard Feng Fei's meaning, it seemed that he couldn't do it if he didn't do it.

"Why are you being blackmailed?" Feng Fei did not give in, "Didn't you come out this time just for this matter?"

"Who said I was here for this?" Feng Xiaochen was full of lawsuits, "Second uncle, I came out on behalf of the heavy equipment, and I came to talk about the export of equipment, is it okay for you to bring this artillery by the way?"

Feng Fei said: "It's you who have reversed the relationship, you came out this time because Dong Lao arranged, and the main task is to sell artillery, and by the way, sell your equipment." So you have to focus on artillery, otherwise, don't say that Dong Lao doesn't let you go, I won't let you go. ”

"Uh...... Second uncle, I understand why Dongxiang Factory sent you out. Feng Xiaochen said with a bitter face. This is clearly to send a person to supervise himself, and he also said that he should ask himself for help.

If it were someone else, I am afraid that he would not be qualified to blackmail Feng Xiaochen like this, but Feng Fei is different, he is Feng Xiaochen's uncle, and he can speak to Feng Xiaochen unscrupulously. Arrange such a person to keep an eye on Feng Xiaochen, Feng Xiaochen is really inconvenient to put aside the affairs of the military.

"Second uncle, this way, I will do my best to help you sell the artillery. However, there are routines for doing business, especially arms trading, which has to be roundabout and not straightforward, do you understand?"

"I don't understand this, in short, I have to complete the things that have been explained by the factory. As for how to do it, that's up to you. No, no, I'm jet lag, I need to get some sleep. ”

Feng Fei said proudly, then closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. Feng Xiaochen could only sigh when he looked at Feng Fei's eyes closed, but his eyelashes kept flickering.

Alas, this is a false accusation......