78: Chen Liting visited

The next day, before Lu Fan could visit in person, the official document from the Salt Bureau was delivered to Feixia Manor.

Looking at the fresh appointment letter with ink still wet, it truly was a case of: money makes the devil turn the millstone.

The moment he received the appointment letter, the charming system notification sounded.

[Main Quest Two, completed. Reward: 20,000 Points, one Random Gem Card.]

[Quest completion 200%, Evaluation: S, Reward: 30,000 Points. One Random Equipment Card, one Random Supply Card.]

Lu Fan was very satisfied with the rewards; 50,000 Points were enough for a few days of expenses.

Opening the random cards, the items that popped out made him beam with joy.

His mood was like drinking an ice-cold Sprite on a hot day—refreshing and uplifting.

[Enhancement Crystal: Enhances technological items and improves item performance.]

[DB5 Sedan: Bond '64 combat-style sedan.]

[Five thousand tons of cotton]

Good stuff, all good stuff.

He nimbly went to the garage, and the moment he crushed the card, a Martin DB5 sedan appeared in the garage.

He never imagined he would acquire his first car in this time and space in such a way.

The '64 Martin DB5 had powerful performance, though compared to modern sedans, its appearance was slightly underwhelming.

However, the weapon system it was equipped with was something every man dreamed of.

Lu Fan sat in the sedan and opened the center console, where he found a panel filled with special function buttons.

After studying it for a while, he figured out the car's configuration.

Two 7.6mm machine guns hidden behind the headlights, and a retractable bulletproof steel plate hidden in the trunk.

Tire shredders that could extend from the axles, and taillights that could release smoke and caltrops.

There was also tracking radar and full-vehicle bulletproofing; it was packed with high-tech features.

Having figured out the details, Lu Fan was overjoyed.

This wasn't just a sedan; it was a mobile chariot.

In an instant, his blood boiled with excitement. He took out the Enhancement Crystal Card, crushed it, and wanted to enhance the chariot on the spot.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded along with an exclamation, "Boss! What a cool little car! When did you get this?"

Zhao Chengqiang ran into the garage and gently caressed the car.

"Boss, I used to think the Cadillac was impressive, but I didn't expect this car to be even more beautiful.

You won't find a second car this cool in all of Shanghai."

At this moment, Zhao Chengqiang forgot why he had come in; his heart and eyes were filled with nothing but the car.

As expected, no man could resist the temptation of a sedan.

Lu Fan's thought of enhancing the car was immediately extinguished.

This car was already very advanced, but still within the acceptable range of this era.

If it were enhanced further, it would likely be completely out of place for this time period.

The appearance of an epoch-making product would inevitably attract special attention, as it would be like hanging a sign saying 'nothing to see here' when there clearly was.

Lu Fan decisively gave up on enhancing the car.

But the crystal had already appeared; if he put it in his spatial storage, he was afraid it might accidentally be used on something else, which would be a waste of a good item.

He simply steeled himself, took off his multifunctional glasses, and prioritized enhancing them instead.

Watching the blue crystal flash and merge into the multifunctional glasses, he immediately stored them in his spatial storage, afraid of causing any unnecessary commotion.

"Boss, I almost forgot the important matter—there's a visitor!" Zhao Chengqiang suddenly remembered his purpose and quickly reported.

"The man's name is Chen Liting. He runs a dye factory and came specifically to thank you for saving his life."

"Understood. Bring him to the study!"

Lu Fan turned and left the garage. Just as he finished brewing the tea, the guest arrived.

Compared to the Chen Liting of five days ago, who was unconscious with a high fever and on the verge of death...

Although his face still bore the pallor of someone just recovering from a serious illness, his steps were steady and strong.

"Mr. Lu, no words can express my gratitude!"

As soon as they met, Chen Liting cupped his hands in greeting. His voice was loud, carrying the characteristic briskness of people from Shandong region, though his vital energy was still slightly lacking.

"You're too kind, please sit!" Lu Fan invited Chen Liting to sit and handed him tea. "A friend of Tianrong is a friend of mine."

"A small token of my appreciation!" Chen Liting took a sip of tea and slowly pushed a red envelope toward Lu Fan.

"If it weren't for your miraculous medicine, I, Chen Liting, would have likely lost my life."

Thinking back to when he was critically ill and felt like he was about to meet his ancestors, he still felt a lingering fear.

"It was nothing." Lu Fan smiled faintly and refilled the tea. "Seeing your complexion and how well you've recovered, I am relieved."

"Thanks to you, I've pulled through!" Chen Liting took a large gulp of tea.

As the warm liquid entered his stomach, his spirits lifted a bit more.

He praised sincerely, "Mr. Lu, you are so young yet your medical skills are so exquisite. I, Chen Liting, truly admire such ability."

Lu Fan waved his hand. "Boss Chen, you misunderstand. I am a businessman; I only know a smattering of medicine.

The reason the illness was cured this time was simply because the medicine I had happened to be the right one. It was purely a stroke of luck."

Chen Liting's curiosity was piqued, and he subconsciously asked, "I wonder what line of business Mr. Lu is primarily in?"

Lu Fan replied modestly, "I am in international trade, traveling both domestically and abroad."

"International trade... does that mean you're a comprador?" Chen Liting's eyes lit up.

As an industrialist, he naturally knew that foreign products were much more advanced than domestic ones.

In the industry he worked in, all good machinery had to be imported from abroad.

Lu Fan thought for a moment and said, "That's about right. Calling it a comprador is close enough. Anyway, I deal in whatever is in high demand.

I just want to bring advanced things back to the country and do my humble part for the nation's prosperity.

After all, only when the nation is strong can its businessmen be strong."

As the words fell, Chen Liting was deeply moved, and he couldn't calm down for a long time.

"Mr. Lu, those are words of wisdom."

Recalling the days when he ran a factory in Qingniao years ago, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

"Mr. Lu, to tell you the truth, I don't have much education and even started as a beggar. Fortunately, my parents-in-law's family took me in, and I entered the printing and dyeing industry.

Back then, when I ran a printing and dyeing factory in Qingniao, I clearly had the most advanced technology and the lowest costs in the industry.

The workers were all hardworking, and the sales channels were top-notch.

But in the end, I was squeezed out by japanese merchants until I had no place to stand and was forced to withdraw.

Because they had their country's backing, they could ignore losses and do whatever it took to seize market share.

Truly, only when the nation is strong can its businessmen be strong."

Chen Liting resonated strongly with Lu Fan's words and spoke eloquently from the heart.

And Lu Fan, listening to Chen Liting's impassioned narration of his own story, was also deeply moved.

"Indeed, a nation's strength is the most important thing for a businessman.

Only when the nation is strong can businessmen have the confidence and dignity to compete in the international market;

Only when the nation is prosperous can businessmen have more opportunities and a broader space for development."

The two shared a look of mutual understanding and felt a sudden bond of sympathy.

Just then, the system notification sounded in Lu Fan's mind: "Ding! Quest issued."

[Side Quest: Save the national textile industry at its moment of survival.]