Chapter 90 (1/2)

At full employment, Beta factory could produce 10 tonnes of banknotes each day. Incidentally, each $100 USD note weighed 1 g. $1,000,000 USD worth of banknotes weighed 10 kg. By a rough calculation, this factory was could produce $1,000,000,000 worth of banknotes each day. At that time, US currency was referred to as the ”Federal Reserve Notes”. In fact, the US government had not introduced similar coins or banknotes.

At this time, with only Rolin working and only Huang Xuan doing the physical labor, Beta factory couldn't even produce one ton of banknotes. Due to the uniqueness of the green notes, the production rate was further reduced. Nevertheless, the factory could still easily produce $20,000,000 every 12 hours. With regards to the cost, it would normally cost the government's ma.s.s production four cents per note, but the printers retrofitted by Rolin were much more expense, needing at least 20 cents. However, this didn't really affect them much.

As he sat behind a new, improved and heavy printing machine, Huang Xuan looked at the information on the energy screen and said: ”Rolin, contact Li Qing for me again, actually, contact Li Shenggang first.”

”It is currently 3 am in P112.”

”Do it now. Time is precious.”

Li Shenggang probably had not gone to sleep yet. There was even some background noise. Huang Xuan didn't like to interfere. In this way, he was very similar to his mother. He kept work and private life separate, and prioritized the completion of his tasks.

”I'm sorry for bothering you,” Huang Xuan apologized energetically. ”Is it convenient for you to talk now?”

”It's convenient.” Li Shenggang was now managing four factories. Although each factory was making a loss, he was satisfied with himself.

”Hmm, how are the factories?” Huang Xuan asked, even though he already knew the answer. He understood the factory's situation better than anyone. The cost of s.h.i.+pping aluminum ingots was rising every day, yet the factory lost ten thousand each day. If not for Huang Xuan's financial support, the company would have gone bankrupt long ago.

Naturally, Li Shenggang had to pour out his grievances. He talked about the retiring employees, the factory elders' problems, the supply problem... Huang Xuan listened patiently for over ten minutes and then he interrupted, ”I know, this period has been hard for you, but the factory cannot close now. Do your best and think of a way to apply for a higher energy quota.”

”Well...” Li Shenggang looked hesitatingly at friends, who were having fun. He hardened his heart, thumped his chest and said: ”Boss, don't worry about it.”

”I like that you're not worried,” Huang Xuan encouraged him in his unique way. ”How's the cash flow? Are there any problems?”

Since Huang Xuan asked, Li Shenggang answered, ”Boss, the factory's energy usage has been over the roof lately. I checked the facilities and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. I even asked the elders if it was due to our old machinery. We used to only need slightly more than 10,000 kWh. Now, we need at least 25,000 kWh. If this goes on, we'll incur even more losses.”

That's necessary loss, Huang Xuan thought. Because they returned home, they've already used up all their petroleum in Brazil. They could only improve these electrolytic aluminum plants if they wanted to ease their needs. Huang Xuan softly replied, ”You don't have to worry about these problems anymore. Do as I said before, s.h.i.+p all of the aluminum ingots to Brazil and then look for a delivery company to handle it from there.”

”Understood, understood.” Although Li Shenggang didn't fully understand, he nodded profusely.

”That's good. Work hard.” Huang Xuan hung up.

Rolin, who was plugged into an energy source, worked tirelessly. He quickly contacted Li Qing, who had been sleeping deeply. Huang Xuan called out to him twice before he said, ”Big Brother Qing, thank those professionals for me first thing tomorrow morning. Then, ask them to do something else for me. I need the same thing as the last time, except this time its for the car models from the '20s and '30s. I don't need all of them, I just need whichever ones are convenient to draw, but the more the merrier.”

Li Qing was shocked awake by this request. He had seen for himself how the professionals had done their research and edited the diagrams. Before he could reply, Huang Xuan continued, ”At the same time, ask if any of them know how to draw diagrams of aircraft’s. I want models from the '20s and '30s as well. I just need one for now. If none of them know, look for other professionals, you can ask my mother for help.”

This time, Li Qing was fully awake. Although he hadn't studied aeros.p.a.ce engineering, he knew that aircraft’s were far more complex than cars. Once again, before he could reply, Huang Xuan hung up.

Li Qing stared at the receiver, glanced at the clock above-head, and knitted his eyebrows.

________________________

Leslie arrived at the factory very early. His hair, which he had carefully styled using lard, reflected the light. Just like his slightly protruding belly, it displayed the man's joyful mood. Behind him, two trucks carrying different types of chemicals followed.

Hans called Huang Xuan into the workshop. Huang Xuan was rubbing his temples. He had been running tests the whole of the previous day. Although there were no more problems, background noise couldn't be avoided. The new and improved printer looked no different. Rolin changed the main controlling part into an electronic counterpart. People from that age likely would not be able to understand the difference.

Leslie beamed as he looked at Huang Xuan. He took out two telegrams and happily said, ”You actually know Mr. Ford and Mr. Sloan. I received a telegram from Ford and GM, they're both addressed to you.” When he said ”Mr. Ford”, he was referring to Edsel Ford.

Huang Xuan smiled as he retrieved the telegrams. They had obtained the address from the Fighting Veterans Security Company. As he exchanged pleasantries with Leslie, he tore open the telegrams. They were largely similar. Ford had invited him to Hilton Hotel for a meeting. GM had invited him to Peters Hotel instead. They even added that they had ”something” he'd be ”interested in”.

It looked like the Citroen TA was more desirable than the V8. Huang Xuan thanked Leslie once more, before he walked him out of the factory. This old Californian was talkative, especially with people who could pay him cash. His mouth moved as fast as an F1 racing car, and it worked endlessly.

After he walked Leslie out, Huang Xuan stood by the factory gate. He tilted his head and recalled the information he had seen previously. He thought hard.

According to his plan, selling a second diagram, or more diagrams, was not to earn more money. With his factory, he could manufacture bank notes that looked no different from the genuine ones. However, to avoid trouble, especially with huge deals that went through the bank, one needed to report a reasonable source of the income.

Of course, the source of the diagrams was problematic. However, they were hidden behind Ford. Unless Ford's father and son were willing to risk being accused of stealing them, they were going to find an excuse for themselves. Huang Xuan was familiar with the way business worked - it was similar to the way Huang Family Fund worked.

He only needed to lay low for a week. He hoped that the authorities would not cause trouble for him during that time. The way he saw it, it was worth sacrificing a little more or benefiting a little less.

”Hans!” After he recovered from his thoughts, Huang Xuan looked up and shouted. The lieutenant's reaction was quick. He stood upright immediately, causing Huang Xuan to have to stifle his laughter. Some tension left Huang Xuan's body.