Chapter 46 (1/2)

The first two weeks of June was a big test for Li Shenggang. The electrolytic aluminum factory consumed 500,000 kWh of electricity each day before its formal operation. As Huang Xuan's agent and the only person he could order around at home, Li Shenggang had been demanded to guarantee the electricity supply at any cost. He didn't know why Huang Xuan had made such a demand. Maybe it was because of some business secret. Whatever it was, the most important thing for him was to hold on to this big shot. Then he would have nothing to worry about.

However, the daily consumption of the factory had increased to as much as 1.8 million kWh, a new record and nearly the utmost output of the transformer. On the other hand, since it was the boiling summer when the electricity for civilian use had reached its peak, the factory had been asked to reduce its productivity and limit its electricity consumption, which had kept Li Shenggang busy. He almost burst into tears when Huang Xuan asked him to increase the electricity supply.

”Boss, I can't! The director of the factory has been suspecting me of embezzlement. Some people from the government came and asked us to stop stealing electricity. They thought that we were supplying electricity for other factories, to which I didn't dare to respond and invited them to dinner twice. Since the electricity for civilian use is so tight, the electricity consumption of the factory will be limited soon if it keeps increasing,” he cried on the phone.

”OK. Just keep on guaranteeing the electricity supply. I will reimburse your treatment bills. Remember, I am your boss, not some director,” Huang Xuan said.

That was what Li Shenggang would like to hear. He kept saying yes and nodding his head and then hung up the phone. ”Lao Lin, no matter how powerful you are, do you know the boss's phone number?” he said to himself and smiled.

Neither Huang Xuan nor Rolin cared about the productivity of the factory. Huang Xuan would consider himself lucky if the factory wasn't losing money with such backward equipment. So he wouldn't waste much time on it while Rolin worried that the production would affect his energy supply.

”With another 12 million kWh, the base will be able to be upgraded and moved to Brazil,” Rolin said to Huang Xuan.

Huang Xuan sighed. He had little money left now.

”Rolin, we are running out of money,” Huang Xuan turned off his computer and said, shaking his head.

”We will have money soon.” Rolin turned on the computer himself and had some materials printed.

”A j.a.panese named Nakajima Jiro wants to buy our whale meat. We will have money after we sell the meat.”

”I hope so.” Huang Xuan stretched himself. Sometimes he wondered whether he was using Rolin or Rolin was using him. The money he had earned with so much effort had all been spent on the energy for Rolin, but he had received little help. He would be so embarra.s.sed if he got fooled by a stupid machine.

The j.a.panese were world cleaners. They not only wandered around the Strait of Malacca but also hoped to benefit from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Nakajima Jiro was a small tradesman who had only three employees, but he did import and export across Latin America and dealt in anything profitable.

His customers were always pleased with his business, but he was not pleased with the profits, He was craving more, always more. Sometimes, he even demanded to take 60% of the revenue. Since the dealing was very profitable in itself to Huang Xuan, he was willing to give up a part of the profit.

Besides Nakajima, two more j.a.panese and an American joined in the compet.i.tion. Huang Xuan didn't need to meet with them. The development of science and technology guaranteed the efficient cooperation between business partners. When one kg of whale meat was delivered to the other party's apartment, the cordiality was much elevated.