241: Chapter 241 Technological Fraud? It's Inseparable from Us

The conditions weren't exactly difficult to meet, but each one was a slap in the face to Bosch.

The first condition was impossible to agree to.

Transsion demanded that Bosch publicly admit to malicious supply disruption and publish an apology in major national media outlets.

For an international corporation, this was essentially trampling their reputation into the dirt, although they didn't really have much reputation to begin with.

But admitting to malicious supply disruption would definitely cause investors to lose confidence; it was absolutely impossible to agree to.

The second condition wasn't particularly outrageous, but compared to the initial proposal, it left Fang Ping speechless—after all, Transsion was demanding 3.28 billion in compensation.

It was clearly 657 million in the initial lawsuit, then it became over 2 billion in the subsequent notice, and now it had turned into 3.28 billion.

He felt that Liu Fang across from him was treating him like an ATM; even loan sharks didn't hike up rates like this.

As for the third condition, that was even more damaging, as Transsion required them to report to the Automotive Association and accept an industry investigation...

Fang Ping held the document and looked at Liu Fang.

"General Manager Liu, we are here to negotiate a solution, not to be suckers and clean up your mess. We acknowledge our mistake, but we aren't fools; your company's losses are definitely not that large."

As he spoke, Fang Ping's tone became increasingly lower, trying to convey to Liu Fang that the price was negotiable... but a public admission and industry reporting were impossible.

"Then we'll see each other in court."

Liu Fang understood his meaning and stood up immediately.

"Lawyer Fang, you're the Vice President of Legal Affairs for Bosch; by now, you should be clear about what evidence we have in our hands. If we meet in court, it won't just be a matter of 3.2 billion."

After saying this, Liu Fang prepared to push the door open and leave, but she walked very slowly.

At the moment she pushed the door, Fang Ping hurriedly asked, "General Manager Liu, may I ask one question? What exactly do you want?"

Liu Fang looked at him and smiled simply, but the smile made him feel cold; he had a feeling they would have to pay an even greater price.

"Fairness!"

Fang Ping smiled instantly, though he was truly at a loss, so he returned to the hotel where he was staying and sent Han Ying's proposal to Bosch headquarters.

After reading it, Zhou Zhengping threw the proposal directly into the trash can. "3.2 billion, a public apology—they're insane."

At the same time, Hans Müller, who had just arrived, also felt it was unbelievable.

"Lawyer Fang, is there any room for maneuver in this matter?"

Fang Ping shook his head, a flash of exhaustion in his eyes. "Mr. Muller, when I went to negotiate today, I saw the evidence they had. Although they didn't show everything, the chain of evidence is complete and tightly linked; if we go to court..."

Hans Müller asked urgently, "What will happen?"

"The probability of us losing is very high." Zhou Zhengping no longer had his initial confidence. "Of course, the court will deliberate on the judgment, but the 3.2 billion compensation claim is still a bit high. It feels like they are treating the compensation as just a number."

The issue of the compensation amount did not make Muller feel any better; after all, once they lost, his position would be in jeopardy.

Although he had previously claimed it was for the sake of the company, Bosch was best at turning its back on people... they might even investigate his corruption issues.

"What about a settlement plan? Besides their proposal, is there any other possibility?"

Fang Ping and Zhou Zhengping exchanged a look; both of their faces were full of hesitation.

"It's possible. Increase the compensation to 500 million or even 1 billion, then skip the public apology and resume supply. This might be the best result we can strive for."

Hans Müller thought for a moment: "Go and negotiate."

...

The next afternoon, Fang Ping and Zhou Zhengping arrived at Transsion headquarters again.

The two of them placed Bosch's new proposal on the desk. "700 million, resume supply, no public apology. 40% reduction on the outstanding balance."

Zhou Zhengping said with a pained expression... this was truly at cost price now. But compared to earning 40% less, they were already losing a fortune.

Liu Fang glanced at the proposal. At the moment she picked up the pen, the corners of Zhou Zhengping's mouth curled up slightly; as expected, all that talk of exorbitant demands was just a tactic to threaten them.

But soon, his eyes widened, and his gaze became dazed.

"General Manager Zhou, Vice President Fang, I can tell you very clearly..." Liu Fang took the pen and drew a line across it.

"Why didn't you think about today back when you were strangling us? Now that we have our own self-developed alternatives, and the results are even better, why would we need your goods?"

Zhou Zhengping became anxious. "General Manager Liu, self-developed alternatives... that system from Huakong Intelligent Driving? That's a small company that was just founded; can its technology compare to Bosch?"

"That's right, General Manager Liu, our proposal is already very sincere." Fang Ping also joined the persuasion battlefield. "Their people all came from Bosch; we know their technical level very well... it's not just a one or two-generation gap."

As if to make them give up, Liu Fang took a report out of the drawer and threw it on the table. "Huakong ESP Pro has already passed the national standard certification. The performance test report is here; see for yourself."

Fang Ping hurriedly took the report, and the two of them huddled together to look at the introduction. Their expressions were uncannily identical, turning paler and paler.

The test data was right there; the performance of the Huakong ESP Pro not only met the standards, but some metrics even surpassed the Bosch 9.0.

"This is impossible..." Fang Ping's eyes were filled with disbelief.

Zhou Zhengping stared fixedly into Liu Fang's eyes: "General Manager Liu, this isn't based on our data for the tests, is it? We know their ESP; it is absolutely impossible to reach these metrics. Currently, only our 9.0 system in the world can achieve this level."

"Whether it's possible or not, the data speaks for itself." Liu Fang looked at him. "General Manager Zhou, Vice President Fang, I am not threatening you. I am stating facts: Transsion does not need Bosch's goods anymore. We are not suing to get goods; we are suing to get an explanation."

She looked at the two of them, already calculating how much effect this free publicity would bring, and finally, she didn't forget to land one last blow.

"An explanation that will let all foreign enterprises know: in the Chinese market, not following the rules comes with a price."

Zhou Zhengping and Fang Ping did not stop talking while Liu Fang was speaking, chattering away: "This is impossible." "This data is definitely fake." "Fraud!"

"Perhaps you might think this is a fake report we had the relevant departments create through connections just to deceive you. But to tamper with this kind of report, the ones who would pay the price wouldn't just be our startup. There's also Secretary Zhang, as well as the corresponding testing departments. This price is not something a company like Bosch could make us pay; we aren't that stupid."

After saying this, Liu Fang stood up and left the conference room, exactly the same as yesterday.

Half an hour later, Fang Ping and Zhou Zhengping walked out of the headquarters building. They had helped Bosch fight lawsuits for so many years, but this time, both of them had a premonition. Bosch might be doomed.