Chapter 22: AMG and Little Yu's Investment Promotion

There was indeed no stretched Hongqi available.

There was one newly released small Hongqi, but Yu Yang had no intention of buying what was essentially a rebadged Audi 100.

Seeing this, the sales consultant introduced a few more luxury models: the Lincoln Town Car, the Ford Taurus, the Cadillac...

Perhaps the auto mall in Liaoshi was too small, perhaps the man from the future had too discerning an eye, or perhaps he was simply suffering from decision paralysis. Yu Yang flipped through the promotional brochures again and again, but nothing caught his fancy.

It wasn't until a stout, middle-aged man walked briskly into the lounge that things changed.

The sales consultant introduced him: "Mr. Yu, this is the manager of our Liaoshi Auto Mall."

"Nice to meet you."

"Boss Yu, I have a suggestion."

"Go ahead."

"Our company has an S70 AMG at our branch in Dongshan Prefecture. Have you heard of this model?"

"I've heard a little. It's an upgraded version of the 'Tiger-Head Benz,' but it requires a custom order to acquire. Furthermore, the manufacturer and the seller aren't Mercedes-Benz, but AMG."

"You know your cars, so I won't beat around the bush or brag about it being a global limited edition or the only one in the country. 2.2 million, brand new, with all paperwork in order; you could drive it away today."

"Did the buyer back out after customizing it?"

"Yes."

Yu Yang picked up his teacup and fell into deep thought.

AMG originally referred to three men working on Mercedes-Benz engine research. Later, they left the company to enter the tuning industry, winning a series of consecutive awards in F1, the Spa endurance races, touring car races, and more. They formed the AMG company, selling high-performance cars they had modified. Because of their exceptional performance, they stunned racing fans worldwide for years. Their business exploded, and they eventually signed a partnership with Mercedes-Benz, transitioning into a formal enterprise.

For instance, the Mercedes 280 CE AMG looked exactly like a standard Mercedes and even bore the Mercedes badge, but it was equipped with an AMG engine. Its overall performance was far superior to the original, and its price was higher as well.

In another timeline, Mercedes-Benz certainly wouldn't have allowed a partner to be so formidable, so after several rounds of negotiations, they acquired AMG.

Of course, that was a story for the future.

For now, AMG remained an independent entity. After signing with Mercedes, they were responsible for creating high-performance products, including mass-producing the "Tiger-Head Benz" built on the W140 chassis.

There was the S600L, an exclusive model for Japan with a 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine, which sold hundreds of units. There was the AMG S65 L, exclusive to oil tycoons, with a 6.5-liter 12-cylinder engine. And then there was the S70 AMG, a global custom model with a 7.0-liter 12-cylinder engine, dual exhausts, and a wider, larger, and more luxurious body.

In the East, however, because AMG wasn't well-known, anyone who wanted their cars had to order them through special channels; thus, few wealthy people had heard of them. Even if someone was attracted to the imposing aesthetic of an AMG and paid for a custom build, they would feel deeply conflicted upon receiving the car. It was a Mercedes, yet not quite a Mercedes.

It was like buying an iPhone installed with a HarmonyOS system, only to have to use Huawei's after-sales service. Then, in a fit of pique, the buyer would abandon it.

That was likely how the auto mall came to possess this S70 AMG. Of course, it was also possible they were just helping a peer clear their inventory.

Yu Yang knew all this because, after he made his fortune in another timeline, the prodigal son of the old Yu family had spent over three million to buy a six-year-old AMG S70. There was no reason other than the fact that it was the unparalleled "Tiger King" in the hearts of every Tiger-Head Benz enthusiast.

It roared like an F1 car.

The reason for such a high price—besides Mercedes acquiring AMG and defining it as a high-performance luxury brand, much like Volkswagen's "letter-bearing" models—was that the W140 chassis had been discontinued. The Tiger-Head Benz was out of production; there would be no more high-performance Tigers in the future, only high-performance "Butterfly Benzes."

Furthermore, the "S70" designation was later used by another tuner, Lorinser. Because of the nature of their partnership, Lorinser could not use the Mercedes badge, thus the "Lorinser S70" was born.

In other words, this iPhone running HarmonyOS would, by next year, become a discontinued "iPhone 15 Porsche Design Collector's Edition"—with better specs, a stronger system, and the best official after-sales service.

*‘Though, as a farmer, would buying this car be too high-profile?’*

*‘Still, even if I don’t drive it, I’ll make a guaranteed profit if I sell it next year.’*

Yu Yang took out his bankbook on the spot, revealing a balance of over 1.7 million.

"To be honest, I don't have enough funds. I'm short 500,000."

The manager of the auto mall quickly replied, "That's no problem. You're a major client. I can make the call to delay the final payment by two days."

"But I need the car now."

"The S70 AMG is currently at our shop west of Jingshi Road in Dongshan Prefecture. If we take the highway, it will take at most an hour to have it transported here."

"Deal. By the way, aren't you afraid I won't pay the balance?"

"Mr. Yu, you're joking. If we had that concern, how could we ever run our car loan and installment business?"

"Makes sense. By the way, the standard items—GPS, floor mats, window tinting, gas cards, and so on—are included, right?"

"Don't you worry, I'll make sure you're satisfied. I'll even have the tank filled up for you before you leave. Of course, I'm really not making any profit on this, so I hope you can refer a few friends to us in the future. Consider it a favor. Here is my business card."

The big brother standing by his side stepped forward to accept it and returned a card of his own. This was something he had picked up from an advertising agency while wandering around the county seat after submitting the paperwork to register their company.

It had no company name, no address—only a name and contact information. The front was black with silver lettering, and the back featured a blood-red clover.

It was minimalist, striking, and grand.

So much so that the manager and the sales consultant were both momentarily stunned.

...

Two hours later.

The township head drove the unplated AMG Tiger-Head Benz out of the auto mall. Yu Yang sat in the back, and the big brother rode in the front passenger seat.

It must be said, this car was indeed more comfortable than a standard S-Class Benz. Especially the color scheme, the space, and the piano-key accents—if he didn't sell it, it probably wouldn't feel outdated even in thirty years.

It was nearly dusk by now. Pedestrians passing by stopped to stare at the extraordinary Tiger-Head Benz. Even the cars in front, behind, and in the opposite lane slowed down.

"Little Yu, a luxury car is a luxury car. I feel... this life has been worth it!"

"Then please don't cry, just focus on driving. I haven't lived enough yet."

"..."

The group arrived at their destination for investment attraction: the Sanxin Glass Factory.

The factory area was incredibly old; many of the iron-framed windows were rusted, leaving streaks of reddish-brown stains on the walls. From a distance, it looked abandoned. However, the faint sound of cutting and grinding coming from the workshops, and the smoke billowing from the furnaces further away, proved that it was still in operation.

When the AMG Tiger-Head Benz pulled up to the main gate, a group of old men and women were gathered on the ground outside. Between the greenery on either side, numerous white banners were hung.

*“If we aren’t settled, we’ll die here,” “If there’s no compensation, we’ll go to the capital to petition the Emperor,” “Give us back our thirty years of hard-earned money...”*

At this moment, two middle-aged men walked up to the car.

Seeing the Mercedes emblem, and especially the frame that was even wider than a standard Tiger-Head Benz, they hesitated to speak.

Yu Yang rolled down the window. "What's the matter?"

"Big boss, are you here for something?"

"Procurement."

"Procuring what?"

"Glass sheets. I bought 650,000 worth of stock last time, and it worked out pretty well, so I was thinking of ordering another batch. But looking at the state of things here, it seems like there’s trouble... Never mind, we'll try another factory."

Yu Yang signaled for the township head to turn the car around.

The middle-aged man who had stopped them hurriedly waved his hands. After all, if the factory had orders, the laid-off workers might finally have a chance to receive compensation. "Hey, big boss, there’s no trouble here. It’s just some internal squabbling among the staff. Come on in, please."

At the same time, the other middle-aged man ran to the guard booth, exchanged a few words, and together they pulled open the iron gate.

As the township head drove forward, he sighed, "Luxury cars really do command respect. The first time we came here, we were interrogated and doubted. The more we came, the more they realized we were here for investment, and they stopped letting us in entirely, forcing us to climb over the wall."

"They are innocent victims, too. After working here for most of their lives, suddenly losing their jobs, unable to afford coal, unable to afford grain and oil, with elderly parents and young children—who could bear that?"

"There's no other way."

During their conversation, three middle- and old-aged people rushed out of a two-story building covered in ceramic tiles ahead and waved at them.

Soon, the car came to a stop, and the rear door opened wide.

"A distinguished guest has arrived! Your presence brings honor to our humble abode. Welcome, big boss, welcome!"

The township head climbed out of the driver's seat and called out over the roof of the car, "It's me!"

"Township Head Huang?"

"Surprised? Unexpected?"

"..."

After mutual introductions, the group entered the conference room. After chatting for a long time, Yu Yang began to deliberate. The situation at the glass factory was much as he had understood before.

"When we took over the glass factory, we made it very clear to the city: we are only doing business, and past issues are not our concern. But after the factory became profitable, the laid-off workers who had been petitioning the city suddenly blocked the factory gates, demanding we pay compensation or resolve their resettlement. This 'resettlement' is because the glass factory used to have staff housing, which was later sold off separately. Since we took over the factory, the workers think we should be the ones to solve this."

Yu Yang understood. "It's nothing more than selling the same asset to multiple parties."

After saying this, he glanced at the township head.

The latter shook his head. "When we handed over the brick kiln to Old Yu, we didn't pull any of these cheap stunts."

Yu Yang: "Then let me ask you: do you all really want to move to Shiliying?"

"Definitely. We can't do any business here."

"Alright then, do as I say. Let's first sign a contract for a 1-million-dollar order. I'll use the Tiger-Head Benz outside as collateral. Then, you take the contract and apply for a loan from a local bank under the guise of needing funds for raw material procurement. Ask for 500,000. Remember, it must be a local bank—Liaoshi Bank or Liaoshi Commercial Bank. Do not go to the big banks, or we won't be able to handle them."

"And then?"

"And then you run away. What else?"

"What about the equipment in the factory?"

"Don't worry. Once you get the loan, I'll call some people over to move it out overnight."

The township head couldn't help but interject, "Little Yu, is this what you call investment attraction?"

"Isn't it? Bringing an enterprise over, and it even comes with its own capital—isn't this a job well done?"

"It's well done, but I feel like something isn't quite right."