Haifeng was preparing for expansion.
The ¥20 billion interest-free loan from the state was about to hit the account, and the land acquisition was already settled. That meant Phase IV of the Audi Motors factory could finally begin construction.
But first? They needed people.
Haifeng went to Xu Zhilin, hoping she could help recruit skilled assembly-line workers—just a few hundred, maybe a thousand.
The moment she heard that number, Xu Zhilin almost exploded.
"You think experienced techs grow on trees?" she snapped. "A thousand? Eight hundred? If I can get you a hundred, you're lucky!"
Haifeng laughed. He had expected worse. Getting even a hundred trained workers was more than he dared hope for.
With that settled, he headed back to the company and told HR to publish listings on every specialized recruiting platform. Skilled veterans were rare, but fresh grads? A dime a dozen.
And with Audi Motors now crowned the creator of China's first independently developed engine, Haifeng was confident that applications would flood in when those listings went live. Every automotive major in the country wanted in.
Construction on the Phase IV plant would take time, which meant now was the window to lock in talent. The plan was simple: bring in recent grads now, embed them in existing production lines at the first and second factories, and train them under veteran supervision. By Phase IV's opening, they'd be ready to hit the ground running.
The groundwork was in motion.
But what truly thrilled Haifeng was the speed of the funding. The ¥20 billion loan had already been wired. Faster than he expected.
On cue, Luo Feng from Huaxing Technology's construction division knocked on his door.
"President Lu," he said politely, "you called for me?"
Haifeng waved him in. "Old Luo, appreciate you coming on short notice. Sit—let's talk."
The two dove into the factory blueprint. Haifeng laid out his specifications—cost no object. Luo Feng nodded.
"If budget isn't an issue, we can have the Phase IV factory and power grid operational by April."
Industrial construction didn't need elaborate finishings. It was fast work, though trial production would be another matter.
Haifeng nodded. "You're in charge. Coordinate with the teams and push it forward."
Luo Feng left with the plans and was ready to report back.
As for the factory's mission? Haifeng had that mapped out.
Phase III and IV would specialize in Audi's high-end models: the A6, A8, and TT.
His goal wasn't just production—it was positioning. These weren't cars for the masses. They were status symbols. He wanted them side by side with BMWs and Benzes.
And to get there, he needed one thing: prestige.
The shortcut? Make Audi the official vehicle brand of China's government.
It had worked before.
In his previous life, Audi had clawed its way back from bankruptcy by becoming the go-to car for Chinese officials. The A6L—the so-called "God Car"—saved the company. That state recognition opened the floodgates, catapulting Audi into the global luxury tier.
Now, Haifeng was about to pull the same lever.
Audi Motors had already caught the eye of Beijing. After all, it wasn't just a car company anymore. It was a national tech symbol—the first Chinese firm to develop a complete engine IP from scratch and win internationally.
The government had taken notice.
And the market? It was begging for a homegrown alternative. The current pool of official-use sedans was a mess—brands from everywhere, but none domestic.
Audi was poised to fill that gap.
The first A6 batch was about to roll off the line. Once they did, Haifeng planned to personally take a unit to Yanjing to visit Grandpa Ye and Second Uncle Ye Guohua.
If he remembered correctly, Uncle Ye still held a senior post in one of the central departments.
Just as he was plotting that visit, the phone rang.
It was HR. Someone from Jinling University of Technology had contacted them and asked for Haifeng's direct number.
He gave the okay.
A few minutes later, his phone buzzed again.
"Hello, President Lu?" said a warm, familiar voice. "This is Deng Wen, Vice President of Jinling University of Technology. Apologies for the direct call."
Haifeng smiled. He remembered Deng clearly—he'd once been a regular faculty member.
"I didn't expect you to be VP now. Congratulations!"
Deng chuckled. "Thank you. I'm calling about your recruitment notice. Some of our students saw it online. We've got many automotive majors eager for a chance. Would it be possible for them to apply—or even intern with your company?"
He paused, waiting nervously for a response.
Haifeng leaned back, grinning. Now that was a win-win.