Chapter 2404
The Fish That Can't Escape
Director Wu, who was in charge of technology, picked up the videotape, looked at it over and over, and didn't say anything.
Director Zhang then asked with a cold smile, "Then why did the Commodity Inspection Bureau say that when this batch of equipment was declared as 'scrap equipment' with a declared value of only 120,000 yuan?"
Xiao Lan's mind had already gone blank at this point; it was normal for these people to consult the Commodity Inspection Bureau.
But given the current efficiency of the process, he didn't believe the Commodity Inspection Bureau would reply the next day.
Yesterday, those two country bumpkins never mentioned this issue.
In such cross-border communication, it takes at least half a month to get any feedback.
Thinking of this, Xiao Lan suddenly felt relieved. He figured these two country bumpkins were probably bluffing him.
"Director Zhang, as you know from your experience in import business, the declared value is the declared value, and the actual value is the actual value."
People who are not good at accounting tend to understate their taxes in order to pay less tax.
This does not mean that the equipment itself is worthless.
We sell it for 800,000 because the benefits this line can generate in China are worth 800,000.
Go ask around and see which factory in China can buy a semi-automatic flat knitting machine line with the same production capacity for 800,000 yuan.
How much does a brand new domestically produced flat knitting machine cost, just the main unit?
As if provoked, Xiao Lan stood up, looking like she was about to see the guest out at any moment.
This is what he excels at – using information asymmetry to create a sense of authority.
Director Zhang took out a small blue booklet from his briefcase.
He turned to a page and read a passage: "'The technical performance of imported second-hand equipment should not be lower than the current standards of similar domestic equipment.'"
The wear and tear on the main components of the equipment must not exceed 50% of the original design allowable value.
Mr. Lan, have you measured the wear of the needle plates on this batch of equipment?
Xiao Lan immediately nodded and replied, "It has been tested. A comprehensive test was conducted before the shipment, and the test report was sent with the ship."
He was planning to deceive people, so he definitely had to prepare these technical indicators in advance.
Where is the original report?
"on board."
"What about the photocopy?"
Xiao Lan paused for a moment.
He didn't expect the other party to ask this many questions.
He smiled, took a Japanese document from his briefcase, and handed it over, saying, "This is the test summary issued by the Japanese side. You can take a look first."
"Once the original arrived in China, I sent it over immediately."
Fortunately, he was prepared.
These days, being a business con artist isn't so easy.
Director Wu took the paper, glanced at it, and put it aside.
He neither said he believed nor he didn't believe.
He simply stacked the paper and the little blue booklet together and pressed them down.
Director Zhang glanced at his watch and suddenly said, "Mr. Lan, how about this, let's not sign it today."
We'll pay the balance after the equipment arrives, we'll unpack and inspect the goods.
Xiao Lan's heart sank.
The Japanese contract states "payment upon arrival at port"!
Once the ship arrives at the inland port, the knitting factory will receive the bill of lading and have to pay the remaining 500,000.
If it were changed to require customers to open the box and inspect the goods before paying, then everything would be over.
Because once the box is opened, the true nature of that pile of scrap metal is revealed, and no one would give it to them, let alone 500,000 or even 150,000.
“Director Zhang, I’m afraid that won’t work.” Xiao Lan’s tone remained calm, but her speech was a little faster. “Our company’s rule is that payment is required before delivery. I’ve tried to negotiate for a long time and talked myself hoarse.”
That's how we managed to get you to pay the balance upon arrival in Hong Kong.
If payment isn't made upon arrival at the port, who will bear the costs of cargo transportation, demurrage, and storage?
"We'll take responsibility," Director Zhang immediately replied. The truth had already been revealed; there was no need for him to pretend any longer.
The Japanese contract, the translation contract, and the data reports that Xiao Lan provided to prove her innocence are enough for this side to file a case against Xiao Lan.
If a professional business translator were to translate the contract provided by Xiaolan and compare it with the Chinese version, Xiaolan would definitely be in trouble.
You know, that small well is a small business, and they can still argue with them about the contract not being signed.
But Xiao Lan's life is anything but ordinary.
This evidence is enough to convict him of fraud.
They don't need to keep acting.
Xiao Lan was stunned.
He looked at the two men opposite him and saw that the smiles on their faces had disappeared, and their eyes were filled with hatred as they looked at him.
The two directors had every right to hate him.
After all, if Ran Qiuye hadn't found them in the middle and exposed Xiao Lan's scam, it would have been much better.
They used the 800,000 yuan they got from selling everything in the factory to buy a pile of scrap metal from over ten years ago.
Then, besides committing suicide, the only options for those two are to spend their lives in prison.
Of course, the law might not be that strict, but Director Zhang and his colleagues felt that if that happened, being punished with peanuts would be too lenient.
At this age, they dare to spend so much money to import a top-of-the-line production line.
It should be clear that these two leaders are ambitious.
Otherwise, they could continue to stay in the factory as bosses, and the factory's profits and losses wouldn't affect their monthly salary of one or two hundred yuan.
Xiao Lan was startled and got up to walk towards the door.
He knew the deal was over; all the pleasantries were now useless.
As long as you can get away, everything can still be explained and salvaged.
As I reached the door, it was pushed open from the outside.
A comrade in a Zhongshan suit stood at the door, followed by two men in large red hats.
“Comrade Lan XX,” the man in the Zhongshan suit flashed his work badge and said sternly, “According to the Regulations on Import and Export Commodity Inspection, your company is suspected of passing off used goods as new, falsifying equipment quality, and fraudulently obtaining foreign exchange…”
We are now conducting an investigation into you in accordance with the law.
Please cooperate.
Xiao Lan's hands finally stopped shaking.
He stood there, completely drained, as if all his energy had been drained away.
He didn't look back at Director Zhang and the others. From the moment the men in Zhongshan suits appeared at the door, he knew very well that he was finished.
The other party's preparations are so thorough that it's definitely not a cooperation method involving price negotiation or payment upon inspection.
Two large hats stood on either side of him.
The taller one said, "Let's go."
Xiao Lan nodded, but before extending her hands, she said to the man in the Zhongshan suit, "Comrade, may I call Comrade Xiao Jing, who is stationed here by ** Company? I am an employee of their company."
Xiao Lan still wanted Xiao Jing to save him.
The man in the Zhongshan suit gave him a half-smile, then nodded and said, "Okay, but you have to come to our place first before you can fight."
The corridor was long, and a strong wind blew in from the window at the end, ruffling his hair and obscuring his glasses, making it difficult for him to see the road ahead.
"Phew... Let's go!" In a black car parked by the roadside, Ran Qiuye, sitting in the back seat, watched as Xiao Lan was dragged into the car in a disheveled state.
Her heart suddenly felt relieved.
She let out a long sigh and told the driver to start the car.
Xiao Lan might struggle a couple more times, but for her, it's over. (End of Chapter)