Chen Pingjiang's birthday is August 5th.
August 5th, 2011, was Chen Pingjiang's 23rd birthday.
This also made him feel that time passed quite quickly; in the blink of an eye, he was already 24 by traditional age reckoning.
Chen Pingjiang didn't really care much about birthdays, but Yan Yan was quite thoughtful and insisted on preparing an exquisite gift for Chen Pingjiang.
Good news also arrived on this day.
News finally came from ASML: the lithography machine Huaxin needed was approved.
This somewhat relieved Chen Pingjiang; with the lithography machine settled, any remaining issues would be minor.
Huaxin International's factory construction was unusually fast, and employee recruitment was already underway.
Just one day later, on August 6th, Chen Pingjiang left Dongjiang again.
The destination for this trip was Shenzhen, where he estimated he would stay for a week.
Not only was he going to meet BYD's Wang Chuanfu, but also visit Huawei.
Wang Chuanfu had wanted to meet Chen Pingjiang for more than just a day or two.
Ever since BYD became an OEM for Orange Phone and a part of the Orange Chain, Wang Chuanfu had wanted to meet Chen Pingjiang.
However, Chen Pingjiang only recently found the time.
In between, there was the Orange Phone S2 launch, running around for Huaxin International, matters with the entertainment group, and mobile payment issues; he only now had some free time.
After boarding his Gulfstream G550, Chen Pingjiang noticed that Yin Hui was looking at him strangely.
He could clearly discern both shyness and anger in Yin Hui's eyes.
Yin Zhen, on the other hand, showed considerable joy after seeing Chen Pingjiang, even winking at him from time to time.
Ever since their relationship advanced, this girl had become bolder and bolder, even daring to flirt with Chen Pingjiang while delivering his meal.
Her fingernail lightly scratched Chen Pingjiang's hand, making him a little distracted and unconsciously reminding him of the flight attendant uniform and black stockings from that day.
Yin Zhen was now increasingly glad that she had gone to see Chen Pingjiang that day; otherwise, she would have regretted it terribly.
When broke, one always fantasizes about the joys of the rich, but it wasn't until she sat inside a Ferrari 430 that Yin Zhen finally understood what kind of joy the rich experience.
Although Yin Zhen's monthly income was quite substantial before, it was still too far from that of a truly wealthy person.
A car like the Ferrari 430 might be something she couldn't afford in her entire life.
But now, not only did she drive her sports car to take her sister Yin Hui for rides during her time off, but she also bought whatever luxury goods she desired.
This made Yin Hui stop saying her sister was depraved.
Because the joy of the rich is truly joyful.
Yin Zhen never felt she was depraved; she only believed she was bravely dedicating herself to love.
"Does your sister have a problem with me? Why is she looking at me strangely?"
Chen Pingjiang asked with a smile.
Yin Zhen chuckled, then her face flushed slightly, without thinking much.
"Perhaps she knows about us and doesn't know how to face it or feels awkward?"
After Yin Zhen left, Chen Pingjiang muttered to himself suspiciously,
"Is that so?"
But it still couldn't explain why there was shyness in Yin Hui's eyes.
It's just that telepathy is too mysterious; how could an ordinary person think of it?
Two hours later, the group arrived at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport.
When disembarking, Yin Zhen subtly made a phone call gesture towards Chen Pingjiang, who nodded, understanding her meaning.
Only after Chen Pingjiang left did Yin Hui nudge her sister.
"What kind of gesture did you just make? I saw it clearly. Are you still going to see him?"
Yin Zhen said matter-of-factly,
"Why not? Or perhaps Big Sister would like to join me."
After saying this, Yin Zhen quickly left the dumbfounded Yin Hui, jogging away and leaving behind a peal of silver-bell-like laughter.
The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it to heart.
Yin Hui instantly felt both shy and anxious, her face flushing crimson.
Damn it, she remembered that alluring yet hateful feeling again.
What made it even harder for Yin Hui to face was that she was almost 100% certain that her sister Yin Zhen would go to Chen Pingjiang's place once or even multiple times in the coming days.
What should she do? Should she see a doctor? She couldn't possibly be affected by this strange telepathy forever, right?
If both sisters got married in the future, how would they live their lives?
Moreover, Yin Hui was certain that if she had sexual relations, Yin Zhen would inevitably feel it too...
The thought gave her a headache.
She couldn't tell her sister about this; she could only keep it to herself.
As soon as he got off the plane, Chen Pingjiang was surprised to see Wang Chuanfu:
"Oh, Mr. Wang, you're too kind. You even came to pick me up personally?"
Chuanfu Ge waved his hand with a smile:
"For an important guest like Chairman Chen, what's picking you up? Besides, you and I are from the same hometown."
This made Chen Pingjiang a bit reluctant to act.
Chuanfu Ge was so polite; if he were to venture into new energy vehicles later and become his sworn rival, wouldn't it upset him?
On the way to BYD headquarters, Chuanfu Ge introduced his entrepreneurial journey all the way, his eyes reddening when he spoke of the hardships.
Chen Pingjiang patted his shoulder with emotion:
"Hasn't everything gotten better for you now? And you've already repaid them."
In Chen Pingjiang's impression, perhaps no other successful entrepreneur in China had as difficult a fate as Wang Chuanfu.
Even now, hearing his story still moved him.
If Wang Chuanfu hadn't mentioned it today, Chen Pingjiang wouldn't have known the story behind it, because later generations were mostly shocked by his prominent status and were unaware of the hardships hidden beneath.
Wang Chuanfu had 8 siblings, and there was also a disabled person in the family.
His youngest sister was sent to relatives to be fostered.
He lost his father at 13 and his mother at 15.
His mother passed away on the day of his middle school entrance exam.
This was basically a hellish start.
As his older sisters got married one after another, only Wang Chuanfu and his older brother were left to depend on each other.
Due to family difficulties, his older brother voluntarily gave up his studies, making a sacrifice to leave the only opportunity for schooling to his younger brother, Wang Chuanfu.
Wang Chuanfu felt that with his parents gone, continuing his studies had lost meaning for him.
So he told his brother that he didn't want to go to school and wanted to work.
Wang Chuanfu had been pampered by his family since childhood, and no one had ever laid a finger on him.
But that day, because of one sentence, he was slapped by his older brother Wang Chuanfang.
His older brother tearfully told Wang Chuanfu that the reason he chose to drop out was so that they could have an educated person in the family, because only by studying could they change their family's destiny.
Moreover, Wang Chuanfu's grades were so good, it would be a real pity if he didn't continue his studies.
His sister-in-law didn't despise the Wang family's poverty, willingly married into the family to take care of Wang Chuanfu, and even sold her dowry to fund his university tuition.
After Wang Chuanfu went to university, his older brother and sister-in-law directly moved to Changsha and set up a small stall near the school, solely to take care of their younger brother.
Later, Wang Chuanfu also lived up to expectations, rising to a division-level cadre in a public institution.
After being transferred to Shenzhen, he was responsible for founding Bige Battery Company.
It was at this time that he resolutely gave up his stable job and started his own business.
His older brother and sister-in-law also came to help at this time.
Initially, BYD was very small.
The couple didn't complain, eating boxed lunches with Wang Chuanfu every day, and a dozen people sleeping together in a small room at night.
They worked on the assembly line during the day and served as warehouse security guards at night, sometimes even handling logistics.
What was even more commendable was that when Wang Chuanfu asked his sister-in-law to be a leader and work in the office, she refused, making excuses that she was uneducated and others wouldn't respect her in an office setting.
After hearing this story, Chen Pingjiang slowly exhaled.
Compared to Wang Chuanfu, he truly had a smooth path every step of the way, encountering almost no setbacks during his entrepreneurial journey.
In contrast, Wang Chuanfu truly turned a terrible hand into a perfect win.
However, apart from being criticized by everyone for being a bit harsh on employees, Chuanfu Ge didn't seem to have any major flaws.
Wang Chuanfu introduced:
"In my vision, BYD's four major industries in the future should be OEM for smartphones and tablet computers, followed by rail transit, then batteries, and finally, and most importantly, automobiles."
Chen Pingjiang chuckled:
"Mr. Wang, you're so optimistic about new energy vehicles?"
"Yes, I plan to go all-in, betting everything on new energy."
The boldness and confidence in Wang Chuanfu's words made Chen Pingjiang click his tongue in admiration.
Truly incredible.
It was only 2011, and his vision was already so far-reaching.
The strategy was incredibly precise!
Upon arriving at BYD headquarters, Wang Chuanfu chuckled as he pulled Chen Pingjiang along and said,
"Mr. Chen, let me show you something good."
With that, he led Chen Pingjiang to an enclosed parking lot.
As soon as they entered the parking lot, Chen Pingjiang immediately saw the pure electric buses displayed.
"Mr. Wang, are you talking about the buses?"
"No!" Wang Chuanfu pointed to a small car not far away:
"That's the one, our BYD E6, which will be launched in November."
Chen Pingjiang didn't have a deep impression of this car; it seemed he had only seen taxis using it.
But it was normal.
In those years, let alone domestic new energy vehicles, even domestic traditional cars were just starting out.
Chery QQs were still running all over the streets.
Yet, just ten years later, China's automotive industry underwent earth-shattering changes, which could only be described as a miracle.
Unable to decline Wang Chuanfu's enthusiastic invitation, Chen Pingjiang also got into the BYD E6 and drove two laps.
He could only say it was mediocre.
However, Chen Pingjiang was still very polite:
"I believe this car should sell well."
To Chen Pingjiang's surprise, after he finished speaking, even Wang Chuanfu and other accompanying BYD executives themselves laughed.
"Mr. Chen, please don't just say pretty words. We know our products ourselves."
This put Chen Pingjiang in an awkward position; he didn't expect his flattery to backfire.
After the group finished touring BYD headquarters, Chen Pingjiang was finally led to a spacious reception room.
And there were only a few people here.
Chen Pingjiang knew at a glance that the main event was about to begin.
Wang Chuanfu had repeatedly and enthusiastically invited Chen Pingjiang to visit BYD.
Was it merely because of the cooperative relationship between BYD and Orange Technology?
Obviously not.
"Mr. Chen, are you optimistic about new energy vehicles?"
Wang Chuanfu asked after thinking for a moment.
Chen Pingjiang nodded without hesitation:
"Of course. The national strategy was announced long ago, with strong support from top to bottom. I remember that starting last year, several cities had already launched subsidies for private purchases of new energy vehicles, right?"
"That's right, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Feicheng, Changchun."
Chen Pingjiang said:
"In terms of fuel-powered vehicles, we have too much ground to cover to catch up with Western countries, and many paths are blocked; the patent rights are all in the hands of Japanese, European, and American companies. When building a car, they earn all the money. Therefore, it's definitely correct for the country to use new energy vehicles as a path for leapfrogging. After all, Elder Qian Xuesen suggested vigorously developing new energy vehicles in '92; that was truly farsighted."
Wang Chuanfu looked at Chen Pingjiang with some surprise,
"I really didn't expect, Mr. Chen, that you know so much about new energy vehicles?"
"Haha, I like to know a bit about technological matters, especially things that aren't available domestically. For example, the wafer fab I'm setting up in Shanghai."
Wang Chuanfu laughed heartily:
"Yes, I was also surprised when I heard that news. Mr. Chen, you really have great courage to even dare to touch such things."
Chen Pingjiang's heart stirred, and he gradually began to understand why Wang Chuanfu was so eager to meet him and insisted on him coming to Shenzhen to inspect his factory.
Immediately, he spoke:
"Personally, I believe new energy vehicles are the future trend. Tesla in the US has already started to emerge, and we in China should also plan early. Many people in society have already talked about other advantages of new energy vehicles, but I don't think the biggest advantage of new energy lies there."
Looking at Wang Chuanfu's puzzled gaze, Chen Pingjiang continued:
"First, autonomous driving is the future direction of development, but fuel-powered vehicles cannot achieve autonomous driving. Mainly, from pressing the accelerator to the car moving, a second might pass; the speed is too slow to meet the requirements of autonomous driving. In comparison, electric vehicles are much better; the torque goes directly from the motor to the wheels, in just a few milliseconds for fast ones, and at most tens of milliseconds for slower ones."
"Second, intelligent control is also a future direction for automobiles. Fuel-powered vehicles have too many parts, making precise control very difficult. However, new energy vehicles can achieve both speed and accuracy."
As Chen Pingjiang finished speaking, BYD executives beside him began to applaud.
Wang Chuanfu also exclaimed,
"I've met a true expert. Mr. Chen, these two points you mentioned are the greatest advantages of new energy vehicles. Those external experts simply don't know, or have never even heard of them. In their eyes, new energy vehicles are just cheap to use."
At this point, someone else asked,
"Mr. Chen, what do you think of the hydrogen energy vehicle solution?"
Chen Pingjiang chuckled:
"Naturally, it's not good. Toyota has been researching hydrogen energy since the 90s and has acquired many patents. If we jump in now, are we supposed to be the one who takes over a problematic situation and pay patent fees?
Wouldn't that be like jumping from one pit into another? The little country has acquired many hydrogen energy patents for automobiles, but they haven't developed anything regarding transportation, storage, or safety, just waiting for us to do the supporting work and wipe their butts."
"Hydrogen energy cars, apart from hydrogen itself sounding advanced, have only disadvantages and won't be popularized for decades. Hydrogen storage tanks take up so much space in the car, leaving little room. Furthermore, there are few hydrogen refueling stations now, and even fewer high-pressure ones, and due to safety concerns, they are mostly in the suburbs.
Do consumers have to drive for an hour or so every time they refuel with hydrogen? Moreover, I have a superficial understanding of how it works: it's completely using electricity to produce hydrogen, then adding hydrogen to the car, and finally converting it back to electricity to drive the car. Isn't that like pulling down your pants to fart, doing something unnecessarily?"
"Haha!"
"Well said, Mr. Chen."
Chen Pingjiang felt that he had certainly shown off his capabilities in front of everyone.
Chuanfu Ge, why don't you quickly reveal your trump card?
"I wonder..." At this point, Wang Chuanfu pondered for a moment before finally speaking. "Mr. Chen, are you interested in developing new energy vehicles together?"
"Huh?"
Chen Pingjiang never would have thought that Wang Chuanfu would make such a request.
He thought it would be to attract investment or hope to use Chen Pingjiang's publicity channels, but he didn't expect Chuanfu Ge to be so direct?
"Uh, Mr. Wang, what do you mean by 'doing it together'? Am I acquiring BYD shares from the secondary market, or...?"
"We establish a new joint venture company, separate from BYD, and start from scratch."
Chen Pingjiang thought he had misheard!
What kind of bizarre request is this?
Your BYD electric cars are doing well, why would you have such a strange idea?
It couldn't be that Chuanfu Ge could read his mind or was afraid he would also venture into new energy vehicles, so he wanted to tie him down preemptively, could it?
If that were truly the case, then Chen Pingjiang could only say that Chuanfu Ge was incredibly impressive.
"Mr. Wang, you're doing very successfully. Why do you have such an idea? And even if you start a new venture, what about BYD Auto?"
Wang Chuanfu cleared his throat, adjusted his sitting posture, and then continued:
"I've had this idea for a long time. In my vision, BYD Auto will mainly focus on electric buses and mid-to-low-end sedans, SUVs, and MPVs. Our joint venture company will fully focus on high-end cars priced at over one million yuan. BYD has car factories, complete production lines, and decent battery technology, but we are almost blank in the software and autonomous driving parts, and these happen to be your strengths, Mr. Chen."
Now, Chen Pingjiang finally understood.
"You're hoping my side will be responsible for developing the intelligent cockpit?"
Wang Chuanfu nodded blankly:
"Ah, is the software part called the intelligent cockpit? But the description is indeed apt."
In fact, Wang Chuanfu himself currently didn't know what future intelligent driving would be like, and the concept of an intelligent cockpit wouldn't be proposed for several more years.
Chen Pingjiang explained with a smile:
"An intelligent cockpit actually transforms the interior of a car into a digital platform. A traditional car cockpit can only be used to display various driving conditions, while the key features of an intelligent cockpit are reflected in the very notion of 'intelligentization'."
Everyone present's eyes lit up.
Wang Chuanfu was even more moved, perking up his ears like a primary school student listening to a teacher.
He felt that his decision to strongly bring Chen Pingjiang to BYD was truly brilliant!
(End of chapter)