Chapter 22: The Bent Frame Motorcycle and the Four-Goat C100

"Xiao Zhao, do you have any different opinions?" Liang Hongjun asked with a smile.

Zhao Guoyang replied politely, "Minister Liang, Minister Wang, I am naturally grateful that your factory has placed greater trust in our Hongda Machinery Factory."

"However... I believe you have underestimated our production capacity. In fact, our factory can produce up to 800 frames a month, which is more than enough to supply your factory with other types of frames."

Hearing Zhao Guoyang's words, Ma Jian, sitting nearby, felt a chill run through his heart.

As the deputy factory director in charge of sales, Ma Jian was a veteran of the industry, able to boast without batting an eye. Yet he never expected that this young Zhao could outdo him in exaggeration.

Eight hundred frames? He really dared to say it.

He knew his own factory best. In Ma Jian's mind, Hongda Machinery's monthly output of frames absolutely never exceeded three hundred—this was already the maximum, assuming all other products were abandoned.

But here was Guoyang, claiming eight hundred at once. Even if they dropped everything else, they simply wouldn't have time to produce that many. If they really accepted such an order, it would be a disaster.

Despite his inner anxiety, Ma Jian kept a straight face, letting Zhao Guoyang perform freely.

After all, years of running sales had trained him to keep a poker face and a thick skin.

Wang Hongxi was somewhat dissatisfied with Zhao Guoyang's attitude, thinking: This young man may have some technical skills, but his boasting is too much.

Shunxin Machinery Factory, such a large enterprise, produces only a thousand to eighteen hundred frames a month. How could your small third-tier factory in Ninghai reach such numbers?

If I agree to this, and you fail to deliver what we need, delaying our production schedule, who will I turn to for explanation?

Unlike Wang Hongxi, Liang Hongjun grew increasingly interested in Zhao Guoyang.

He raised a hand to stop Wang Hongxi from speaking, then turned to Zhao Guoyang and said, "Comrade Xiao Zhao, production capacity is not something to be exaggerated. Once it's settled, there will be contracts, and if you breach them, Hongda Machinery will have to pay compensation."

Zhao Guoyang smiled calmly, "Minister Liang, I certainly understand that. In fact, I'm not making empty claims."

"If we go by normal circumstances, our monthly production capacity at Hongda Machinery is indeed short of eight hundred frames."

Ma Jian maintained a smile but inwardly grumbled: Guoyang, that's not just a gap—it's a chasm.

Zhao Guoyang continued, "Leaders, although our current capacity doesn't quite reach eight hundred, it isn't far off. If we implement three shifts in the workshop, we can meet this output."

"Moreover, before we came to Yangcheng, our factory leaders had already planned to purchase new pipe-bending and welding machines. If we upgrade our equipment, I guarantee that reaching eight hundred frames a month will be no problem."

"Good! If you're willing to give a written guarantee, I'll personally grant your factory another frame order," Liang Hongjun said, slapping the table.

"No problem, I can give that guarantee!" Zhao Guoyang replied immediately.

Wang Hongxi seemed surprised by Liang Hongjun's straightforward acceptance, staring at his leader in disbelief.

Liang Hongjun waved him off with a smile, turning to Zhao Guoyang, "Your word is enough for me, Xiao Zhao."

"But let me say this first. The additional order will be for a new model. Take a look, and if you think you can't handle the production, that's no concern of mine."

At this, Wang Hongxi suddenly realized that Minister Liang was setting a trap for the young man.

This new model was none other than the Four Sheep Group's recently developed and soon-to-be-mass-produced underbone motorcycle, the Four Sheep C100.

The Four Sheep C100 was a secret project of the group.

Early this year, Four Sheep Group reached a cooperation agreement with Yamaha, the vehicle giant from Japan, investing heavily to introduce the Yamaha C100 underbone model, its production technology, and the original manufacturing line. They gained exclusive rights to produce and sell the Four Sheep C100, modeled after the Yamaha C100, in China.

After eight months of trial production and development, the Four Sheep C100 finally succeeded in trial production at the beginning of last month.

Its arrival, to a certain degree, marked the dawn of a new era for underbone motorcycles.

Although Four Sheep Group had not officially announced their partnership with Yamaha, the countdown had already begun.

The delay was deliberate—Four Sheep Group aimed to make a splash, using the C100 to seize the domestic mid-displacement motorcycle market.

The frame for the C100 underbone motorcycle was far more complex than that of ordinary straddle-type motorcycles. Even Shunxin Machinery, a veteran manufacturer, took a long time to complete the trial production.

And even then, their initial monthly output was only about five hundred—far below Four Sheep Group's projected two thousand units per month.

Recently, the technical and procurement departments had been worried about finding a suitable new frame supplier. Who would have thought Hongda Machinery would deliver itself to their door?

Thinking of this, Wang Hongxi's face flushed with excitement, admiring Liang Hongjun's cunning.

After all, they weren't shortchanging Hongda—they gave them the order. If Hongda couldn't deliver, it wouldn't be their responsibility.

While Wang Hongxi was lost in thought, Zhao Guoyang spoke up.

He addressed Liang Hongjun with confidence, "Minister Liang, please rest assured. As long as you give us the order, we can handle it—no matter the model."

"Yes, yes, no problem at all," Ma Jian chimed in, swept up by the promising future Zhao Guoyang had painted.

Ma Jian thought, since the acquisition of new equipment was already on the agenda, riding the wave of this order would likely prompt Director Mu to push it through immediately.

Besides, Zhao Guoyang was right—three shifts would indeed boost productivity, and if necessary, they could hire more workers. That would solve any issues.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

With these considerations, Ma Jian's anxiety vanished, replaced by proactive enthusiasm.

Seeing Ma Jian's support, Liang Hongjun said to Wang Hongxi, "Alright, since Director Ma has no objections, Old Wang, bring out the frame design for the Four Sheep C100 underbone motorcycle and show it to Xiao Zhao. That way, they can be mentally prepared."

"Underbone motorcycle?" Ma Jian, not technically minded, was hearing the term for the first time and was momentarily confused.

Zhao Guoyang, on the other hand, seemed fully prepared. He simply nodded, his expression calm and composed.