**Chapter 213: Ally with Wu to Resist Wei**
This Audi A6 was directly exchanged by Li Fanyu using points to acquire skills and convert currency to accumulate enough research points. To showcase his capital to the fullest extent, after redeeming the blueprints, he used a super production line to produce a prototype and brought it over.
It can be said that Xue Yaoguo was the second person to witness the A6 after Li Fanyu. Despite his extensive experience, Xue Yaoguo couldn't help but be amazed by such a low-key yet luxurious car. His amazement was twofold; the car itself was one aspect, and Zhengxin's research and development capabilities were another.
X-Power, A4, and now this one... In other words, Zhengxin, a company not even as large as one of his own subsidiaries, had successfully developed three models in just six months! And this doesn't even include the XpowerGT sold overseas. Xue Yaoguo had long known that Zhengxin's R&D capabilities were extraordinary, but he never imagined they were this extraordinary...
Li Fanyu removed the key and smiled, "Chairman Xue, why don't we step out and take a look at the exterior?"
Xue Yaoguo shook his head, "No rush, let's discuss your proposal first."
According to Lu Heming's plan, the new model could be developed in cooperation with Guangqi. Zhengxin would design it, but the model would be branded under Guangqi. Guangqi would then compete for the Shengshi C-class project orders, while Zhengxin would reap the technical benefits. It's complicated yet simple—a strategy of allying with Wu to resist Wei. This would make it a state-owned enterprise vs. state-owned enterprise scenario, allowing Zhengxin to quietly profit from its technology.
In the office earlier, Li Fanyu had already presented his proposal to Xue Yaoguo. Initially, Xue Yaoguo wasn't inclined to get involved. Although Guangqi didn't fear competition from Beiqi, he didn't want to interfere from a broader perspective. But that was half an hour ago. Now, looking at the somewhat cheeky Li Fanyu and considering Guangqi's future direction, Xue Yaoguo made up his mind within minutes.
"I can't take the Shengshi C project from Beiqi, that's for sure. But that doesn't stop you from winning the order. I'll fight for an opportunity for Zhengxin to compete fairly with Beiqi. Before that, I have one condition."
Through the rearview mirror, Li Fanyu looked at Xue Yaoguo's serious expression and clenched his fist in excitement. With this assurance, half the plan was already accomplished. Everyone knows your father is... ahem, yes, the old man in charge of this matter?
Now that he had the A6 ready, as long as he had an opportunity, why should he fear Xu Guangsheng, who overturned his own R&D results?
However, on the surface, he remained calm, "What condition, Chairman Xue? Feel free to ask. As I mentioned earlier, if we secure this project, it will be a collaboration between our two companies. Whether it's profit sharing or production quotas, you can set the terms."
Xue Yaoguo waved his hand, "No need. While this order is tempting, I'm not at the point where I have to take a bite of every piece of meat I see."
Li Fanyu was surprised. Someone willing to help without asking for money? So he asked, "Then what's your condition?"
"Help me build a research and development team, that's my only request."
Li Fanyu took a deep breath. This wasn't difficult, but it wasn't easy either. Managing one sheep is the same as managing a flock, but integrating Guangqi's R&D team into his own automotive lab posed challenges, especially concerning proprietary X technology. Moreover, Zhengxin's current R&D model was heavily dependent on himself. The existing R&D teams in the lab were far from capable. Zhengxin was already struggling, let alone helping others.
After contemplating for a moment, Li Fanyu said, "Chairman Xue, building an R&D team isn't something that can be done overnight, you know that."
"You don't need to overthink. I'm not asking you to directly train Guangqi's engineers. Most of Guangqi's current R&D staff were there when I took over the group. The talent mechanism in state-owned enterprises isn't flexible, so I need an influx of new technology and talent. This is my main concern and what I want to address. Once we introduce platform technology and develop a new model, I will need your full support to train our R&D team. If you can meet this condition, I will do my best to help you with the project."
Seeing the deep frown on Xue Yaoguo's face, Li Fanyu reluctantly shrugged, "Alright, no problem. When you need to develop a new model, I'll bring my best team to help elevate Guangqi's R&D capabilities."
Xue Yaoguo nodded, "Deal!"
Working with smart people is effortless. Convincing Xue Yaoguo took less than two hours. Once the matter was settled, Li Fanyu took a flight back to Tiancheng that afternoon.
…
Xu Guangsheng had been quite troubled lately. The Shengshi project was progressing vigorously under his "brilliant" leadership. To show their determination, he even announced the cancellation of the Red Flag R&D team's annual leave. Despite the widespread complaints, the generous overtime pay prevented any major issues.
What troubled him were the few foreign designers they had hired for millions. Beiqi had previously made efforts in the civilian car market, but their technology and design couldn't keep up with the market trends after years of relying on old assets. Their SUV models had either failed to launch or received poor market response, eventually leading to discontinuation.
After several failures, Xu Guangsheng decided to start afresh with the Shengshi C-class project, beginning with the design. So, he spent millions to hire the French Arnault team. Though not top-tier in the industry, the Arnault team had designed a successful sports car for Alfa Romeo. While this car sold modestly in Europe, it unexpectedly became popular in the Chinese market due to its design that resonated with Eastern aesthetics. This success made the team famous in China.
Upon arriving at Beiqi, Arnault and his team put on airs. But this high-handed attitude actually impressed Xu Guangsheng. Under his instructions, Beiqi treated these "foreign masters" with utmost care, providing personal translators, private offices, and star-rated hotel accommodations. They even hired a chef skilled in Western cuisine for the designers' dietary preferences.
Despite such hospitality, Arnault was slack in his work. Drinking wine and chatting all day in the office, he wasn't making substantial progress. Beiqi's R&D team was eagerly waiting for the design sketches to proceed with the next phase. With the New Year approaching, they couldn't afford to wait for these grand masters who celebrated Christmas while they needed to prepare for the Spring Festival!
This delay was driving Xu Guangsheng crazy.
NEXT