Past ten in the morning.

Under Boss Jiang's arrangement.

Lu Li, Peng Erping, and others sat down with the seller to discuss details.

In the café, Lu Li and Peng Erping sat on one side, while the seller and Boss Jiang sat on the other.

As for Xiaozhao and Xiaoqing, since they were just tagging along, they sat at another coffee table.

Lu Li was observing the sixty-something well-dressed yet emaciated elderly man in front of him; this man was the seller, Ren Yan.

After a brief introduction, Ren Yan asked, "Mr. Lu, are you satisfied with the factory?"

"It's not bad," Lu Li complimented and then asked, "I see your factory looks quite new. It should have been in use for not long, right?"

Ren Yan seemed troubled and sighed helplessly, "Yes, it was only completed at the beginning of last year and officially put into use in the latter half. If it weren't for some changes, I wouldn't really want to sell the factory."

Peng Erping asked on behalf of Lu Li, "Sorry, President Ren, can we know what changes?"

Lu Li nodded slightly at the side.

Such things need to be clarified.

Who knows if someone died in the factory or something like that?

He immediately activated his telepathy to listen to the other's response.

"It's nothing that can't be said," Ren Yan said with a bitter smile, "Mainly, I was recently diagnosed with late-stage cancer; it's hopeless. My two sons are not good at running the factory. They lost all the capital in a small factory I set up for them before. After much thought, I decided not to let them mess around anymore, but to turn the equipment and the factory into cash to leave for my wife and sons to live prudently for the rest of their lives. That's why I'm planning to sell."

The thoughts transmitted by telepathy almost matched Ren Yan's words.

Lu Li didn't expect Ren Yan to be quite frank.

Negotiating business face to face, and he dared to reveal his cards?

If someone else were negotiating with him and knew this information, they would definitely exploit the situation to push the price down like crazy.

Peng Erping seemed to think the same way.

He looked for faults with sparkling eyes, "This factory area of yours is indeed nice, but it's a bit too remote."

Ren Yan laughed and said, "If it weren't remote, it wouldn't be 86 million. Look at the industrial park over there; can their prices compare to mine? Moreover, if you're just engaging in industrial production, setting the factory here isn't too far. It's just over twenty kilometers from the city, and there are dorms in the factory, so you don't have to worry about the accommodation of employees."

Lu Li had considered this before, "President Ren makes a good point. So, I won't beat around the bush with you. What's the lowest price you can offer me? If it's suitable, we can sign the contract right away."

Peng Erping was speechless; who negotiates prices like that?

He didn't know that after learning about Ren Yan's situation, Lu Li didn't intend to press the price too hard.

Lu Li doesn't take advantage of others' misfortunes.

The evaluation of the factory area.

Is indeed around 86 million.

So, just follow the market price.

Of course, if the other party is willing to make some concessions, he's all for it.

Ren Yan was stunned, then smiled, "Mr. Lu, to be honest, I originally stuck to the price of 86 million, but you are the most sincere person I've met, so I'm willing to step back a bit, and can lower it to 82 million."

Peng Erping wanted to negotiate further on behalf of Lu Li, "President Ren, I'm not trying to find fault, but your factory area, even though it was only put into use in the latter half of last year, does have quite a few problems..."

Lu Li suddenly interrupted, "Alright, let's settle on 82 million."

Peng Erping was taken aback, not understanding why Lu Li didn't seize the opportunity to push the price down.

Sitting not far away, Xiaozhao and Xiaoqing also seemed somewhat puzzled.

Ren Yan seemed surprised at Lu Li's straightforwardness, feeling moved and said, "Mr. Lu, you're indeed sincere. To be honest, I do have other buyers, but they're all trying to exploit the situation to push the price down. This 82 million was actually offered by one of the buyers trying to push it down, but I'd rather keep the factory on hand than sell it to him. You understand what I mean, right?"

Lu Li smiled and said, "I understand."

Others are arranging their affairs after death, and taking advantage of the situation is really asking for trouble.

He's not exactly a gentleman, but he can't do such things.

After reaching an agreement, the two then casually chatted for a while and agreed to sign the contract this afternoon.

There will certainly be a lot to do by then, such as contract details, funds in place, and so on.

...

Noon.

The four found a nearby restaurant for lunch.

In the private room, they had just ordered.

Lu Li looked at Peng Erping and asked, "President Peng, what equipment does the laboratory need?"

Peng Erping took out a cigarette and held it, "Firstly, there are basic items like conventional machine tools, parts processing equipment, and testing equipment. These are the basics, and then there are performance development test benches, engine test benches, internal combustion engine test stands, high-performance computers, and some other equipment. It sounds rather complicated."

Lu Li nodded slightly, "Then how much do you estimate all these equipments will cost?"

Peng Erping didn't immediately say a number, "It depends on how large you want the scale to be. If it's like Nanyun's internal combustion engine key laboratory, I estimate the renovation of the factory, decoration, and equipment will require at least two to three billion in funds. For example, currently, a state-of-the-art engine test stand costs about 4 million each, getting fifteen or sixteen of them would be fifty to sixty million, and there are other equipments too. Two to three billion is on the low side."

Xiaozhao and Xiaoqing listened, secretly amazed.

They thought spending 82 million to buy a factory was a lot before.

They didn't expect the major expense to come afterward.

Two to three billion.

They have never seen so much money in their lifetime.

They were chatting when the waiter came in with the dishes.

Lu Li glanced over and continued, "Two or three hundred million is no problem, but I'm not very familiar with this area, so I'll have to trouble President Peng to help contact the equipment manufacturers. Also, please advise on how the factory should be reconstructed."

"You don't have to be so polite," Peng Erping quickly said. "For factory reconstruction, we can find a team specializing in this area. The lab at my previous factory was done by another team, and I'll introduce them to you later. As for manufacturers, honestly, there's no need for you to handle it personally. Just hire some professionals to negotiate. If you have to do everything yourself, what's the point of being the boss?"

Lu Li thought this made sense and turned his head, "Xiaozhao, why don't you meet with President Peng later and talk to the construction team, discuss the factory reconstruction, and update me afterwards."

Xiaozhao promptly replied, "Sure, boss."

Lu Li then looked further away, "Xiaoqing, later you should listen carefully to President Peng about the type of people we need to hire. Post some recruitment requirements online and go to the job market to recruit in person. The details are your responsibility."

Xiaoqing nodded repeatedly, "Okay, I'll tell you about the interviewees."

Peng Erping chimed in at the right moment, "Engine development and design engineers, process engineers, and the like, it's best to contact those who are quite reputable. Although their salary is relatively high, their technical level is solid, and they won't delay the engine development."

Lu Li asked, "Do you have any recommended candidates?"

Peng Erping blinked and said, "Engineer Fu's senior is quite famous; he's a genuine engine design expert named Wang Jun. Currently, he serves as the Deputy Chief Engineer at the FAW Group's Technology Center. Really, based on his expertise, he could be a Chief Engineer, even more than capable; the main issue is his somewhat foul temper, so he's not well-liked. But FAW is reluctant to let such talent go elsewhere, so they arranged for him to be the Deputy Chief Engineer. If you can lure him over, it's equivalent to having an entire engine design team."

Lu Li's eyes lit up, and he probed, "What's Engineer Wang's approximate annual salary?"

Peng Erping replied, "Probably around 1.5 to 1.6 million annually. Actually, the annual salary is secondary; the main point is that he's well settled at FAW, making it difficult to lure him away."

Lu Li agreed on this point.

FAW is a state-owned enterprise.

He's the Deputy Chief Engineer at the Technology Center, with a considerable annual salary.

Typically, using money to entice someone like this is indeed quite difficult.

As Lu Li pondered, since Peng Erping recommended Wang Jun, this person must surely be highly capable.

If he could get such talent to oversee the lab, he could definitely design other engines besides the core E. coli engine, which would solve his "product" gap.

Otherwise, investing so much for just one E. coli engine really seems a bit wasteful.

Lu Li contemplated for a moment and said, "It's all about human effort; is it possible for Engineer Fu to make an introduction, so I can sit down and chat with Engineer Wang?"

Peng Erping immediately responded, "No problem, I'll have Engineer Fu make a call and ask?"

Lu Li said, "Great, thanks."

Peng Erping graciously agreed, then immediately took out his phone to contact Engineer Fu for the introduction.

Lu Li took the opportunity to discuss salary packages with Xiaozhao and Xiaoqing.

They came to join him unconditionally; he certainly wouldn't offer a poor package.

At this stage, Lu Li offered them a monthly salary of fifteen thousand.

If the company thrives in the future, the compensation will continue to increase.

Xiaozhao and Xiaoqing didn't expect Lu Li to be so generous.

Initially, they thought getting something comparable to Vox would be good.

After all, Lu Li's company hasn't officially started yet.

Who would have thought he'd offer them a high salary of fifteen thousand right away?

The two were immediately thrilled and thanked him repeatedly.

Soon, all the dishes were served.

Peng Erping also received a response from Engineer Fu.

Lu Li asked, "What did Engineer Fu say?"

Peng Erping, who had just hung up the phone, looked helpless and said, "Engineer Fu called Engineer Wang; when he heard about poaching, he hung up right away without a word."

Lu Li couldn't help but laugh.

Talented people usually have a bit of character.

It seems with Wang Jun, he still needs to step in personally.

He said, "Have Engineer Fu accompany me to Chang Chun tomorrow, I'll try to persuade Engineer Wang to join us."

Peng Erping replied, "Alright."

...

In the afternoon.

Lu Li and Peng Erping found a commercial lawyer and finalized the details with Ren Yan and the agency, ultimately signing the contract.

Along with spending 820 million instantly, Lu Li truly owned his first venture.

Now with the business established, all that's left is to complete the recruitment.

The other personnel are relatively easier to deal with.

Except for the chief designer.

Luring him seems to require a personal touch.

From Engineer Fu's call getting immediately hung up by Engineer Wang earlier, Lu Li could infer that the person indeed has no intention of switching jobs.

This means, even if he steps in personally, persuasion might not be guaranteed.

Despite that, Lu Li just can't be content without trying.

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