443 The Exhibition !
Huahai City, a bustling port, stretched its arms toward the vast sea like a welcoming host.
On this bustling pier, under the gentle embrace of the ocean breeze, a group of high-level executives, including Liu Yong and Qiu Yang, gathered, engrossed in animated conversations. Their eyes intermittently wandered towards the boundless horizon.
After a brief interlude, a voice erupted with sheer jubilation, cutting through the hum of chatter. "Our ship is approaching, everyone, look!"
All heads turned skyward, and there it was—a fleet of ships emerged as if conjured by the sea gods themselves. Leading the procession was the mighty "Blue Whale," flanked by four colossal cargo vessels, the "Shiwang" among them.
Cheers erupted. "It's indeed our ship!"
"Come on, come on, they're almost here!"
The once-serene pier metamorphosed into a cacophonous hubbub of excitement. In a show of camaraderie and eagerness, not only Liu Yong but also twenty to thirty middle and high-level personnel, alongside relevant staff, converged at the dock to welcome the triumphant return of the "Blue Whale" and her companions.
Ten minutes passed, and the ships drew nearer, progressively more discernible against the expanse of the sea. Animated figures on the pier waved exuberantly at the advancing vessels, and their maritime comrades responded with unbridled elation.
This expedition had been no ordinary odyssey; it had lasted more than half a month and nearly fallen prey to the relentless pursuit of Country M's fleet. Their safe return was an achievement forged through trials and tribulations.
Finally, they had returned unscathed.
Liu Yong, his eyes fixed on the approaching vessels, heaved a sigh of relief. A wave of tranquility washed over him. His gaze drifted to the colossal bulk carriers, each laden with tens of thousands of tons of gray-black metal fragments—a sight that filled him with profound satisfaction.
"Wow, such an abundance of gray and black metal fragments!"
"All four large ships are brimming; we've got at least 200,000 to 300,000 tons!"
"Now that's a substantial reward!"
The pier had transformed into a jubilant spectacle, every face radiating joy. Even Qiu Yang and other middle and high-level executives couldn't contain their exuberance.
In time, Ren Ziquan and several other captains approached with purposeful strides, eventually standing before Liu Yong.
Liu Yong extended his hand in a gesture of camaraderie, and one by one, Ren Ziquan and the captains reciprocated with a heartfelt handshake.
"Your hard work hasn't gone unnoticed," Liu Yong commended. "In recognition of your exemplary performance, the ordinary crew members shall receive a reward of 30,000 yuan each, while the captains will be granted 100,000 yuan each."
"What! Such a generous reward!"
"This is an unexpected delight!"
Ren Ziquan and his fellow captains wore expressions of astonishment, their hearts brimming with joy. A 100,000-yuan reward for a captain, and 30,000 yuan for the crew members—such munificence was unprecedented. Other personnel, such as chief engineers, bosuns, and first mates, would also receive substantial bonuses in the tens of thousands.
"Boss, thank you!"
"Boss, your generosity knows no bounds."
"If word gets out about this reward, there'll be thunderous applause for sure."
Liu Yong, his smile reflecting the jubilation of the moment, replied, "You've all worked tirelessly. This journey was far from easy; consider it a small token of gratitude from the group."
Five ships, each smoothly docked, and soon, the massive cranes at the port swung into action, transferring the precious metal fragments from the vessels back to the Global Special Materials Group.
Meanwhile, at the Huahai Branch of the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group, Han Guang, donned in overalls and a hard hat, found himself surrounded by a group of colleagues. Together, they meticulously examined a fresh batch of blades fresh from production.
A week ago, over 20 tons of black alloys had arrived at the facility. Utilizing this bounty of raw materials, they'd embarked on the meticulous crafting of various knives and blades.
A majority of these creations were alloy blades—inserts for turning tools, alloy inserts for milling cutters, and drill bits, with the smaller ones boasting all-alloy inserts. Mass production was in full swing, thanks to their state-of-the-art equipment and mature technology.
As another batch of alloy blades was rolled out, Han Guang couldn't help but express his elation. He picked up one of the boxes of alloy blades, scrutinizing it intently.
The more he gazed upon them, the more enamored he became. The quality of these black alloy blades was nothing short of astonishing; one could argue that a single piece was worth fifty imported alloy blades.
"Mr. Han, these black alloy blades are truly remarkable, a sight to behold!"
"They're like a dream come true."
"The only downside is that we've exhausted all the black alloys; every last bit has been transformed into blades or knives."
Echoing the sentiments of his colleagues, Han Guang nodded. There was an undeniable tinge of regret in the air—black alloys were an exceptional find, but their limited supply had been entirely repurposed into these remarkable creations.
However, Han Guang's spirits were soon lifted when he received a WeChat message notification on his phone. His face lit up with glee as he read the message.
"Everyone, fret not about the ferrous alloys; Global Special Materials Group currently has 2,000 tons in stock!"
A collective gasp of surprise filled the room.
"2,000 tons in stock!"
This announcement triggered thunderous applause, reverberating with enthusiasm.
It was indeed a revelation!
Han Guang wasted no time. "Immediately arrange for a team to head over to Global Special Materials Group and retrieve our remaining 70 tons of black alloy."
At a rate of 10,000 yuan per kilogram, Han Guang had initially ordered a total of 100 tons, with a total value of a staggering 1 billion yuan.
With this matter settled, Han Guang's focus shifted to the 11th International Cutting Tool Exhibition, set to open the following day.
After inspecting the newly manufactured alloy blades, Han Guang made his way to the expansive exhibition hall dedicated to the event.
Upon entering, the largest and most prominent booth belonged to none other than the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group.
"Hey, Brother Yong is here too," exclaimed Han Guang, spotting Liu Yong within the exhibition hall. It was Xin Feiwen who had invited him.
Global Special Materials Group was among the exhibitors, showcasing two types of alloy materials—
gray-black alloy and black alloy.
Their booth, positioned strategically close to Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group, exuded an air of prominence.
Xin Feiwen eagerly briefed Liu Yong on the preparations. "Boss, we're all set; we're just awaiting the start of tomorrow's exhibition."
Apart from cutting tool companies, various allied enterprises were participating in the exhibition, such as suppliers of tool alloys, like Global Special Materials Group.
Liu Yong examined the setup with satisfaction. The display at Global Specialty Materials Group's booth was comprehensive, boasting vivid visuals and informative posters introducing the two alloys.
An array of physical samples of the two alloys, including bars
, sheets, and alloy ingots for the gray-black alloy, were showcased. For the black alloy, smaller bars weighing over ten kilograms each were featured.
"Brother Yong!"
With unabated enthusiasm, Han Guang approached Liu Yong, greeting him from afar with a spirited call. Liu Yong turned, a warm smile gracing his face.
"Han Guang, what a pleasant surprise. Your preparations seem to be in full swing."
Han Guang responded, "We're nearly there. Brother Yong, if you have some time, please visit our booth and provide us with your guidance."
Liu Yong contemplated the invitation. The prospect of seeing how Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group had utilized the black alloy for blade production intrigued him.
"No need for guidance; I'll simply pay a visit," Liu Yong replied.
And so, the anticipation for the grand opening of the 11th International Cutting Tool Exhibition grew, with both Global Special Materials Group and Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group poised to unveil their groundbreaking innovations.
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