Chapter 73 The Cannery

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Originally, the flavors of canned braised food were somewhat limited, and the target audience was mostly within the province. Now, the factory has added many more flavors, catering to both customers within and outside the province.

Having just returned from distributing goods in the province, Luo Zhiqiang hadn't even had a chance to go home and rest when he heard the good news. He immediately took some finished products to the factory manager's office.

"That's really intense, so exciting." After trying various new flavors such as spicy, pickled pepper, sweet and spicy, and sour and spicy, Luo Zhiqiang wiped the sweat from his forehead as he ate, making smacking noises.

"These flavors would definitely be very popular in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces." After trying all the flavors, Luo Zhiqiang gulped down several cans of the cool boiled water he had prepared beforehand before speaking.

As the sales director of the factory, Luo Zhiqiang spends 360 out of 365 days a year traveling all over the country, leading his employees to negotiate cooperation opportunities.

He has been to various provinces and cities, and has a general understanding of the taste preferences of different regions. Yunnan Province likes sour and spicy food, Ningxia Province likes numbing and spicy food, Guangxi Province likes fragrant and spicy food, and so on. The new braised food recipe provided by the She family this time is just right for the tastes there.

There are no canned products like these available outside of the province yet, and he is confident that he can capture the market outside the province.

"Grandma, I'm not going home. I'm going to take the samples and find sales channels right now." Full of energy and unable to sit still, Luo Zhiqiang rolled up his sleeves and deftly tidied up the empty canned food boxes on the table. He said to Wang Guihua, the factory director, who was sitting behind the desk.

The cannery is a family-run business, with Wang Guihua as the factory manager. Other management positions are also held by family members. Wang Guihua built up the Luo family from scratch, and within the Luo family, her word is law.

Under her leadership, the Luo family united as one, each fulfilling their duties and working hard to earn money.

Sales have been good lately, and the factory's profits have increased several times over, but the number of documents to be processed is also several times greater than usual.

Upon hearing Luo Zhiqiang's words, Wang Guihua, who was reading documents, took off her reading glasses. She reached out and pinched her tired brow before looking at Luo Zhiqiang at the tea table. "No rush, wait a moment."

"Mr. She will be coming over later to discuss some matters. You can listen in as well," she said.

"Is Boss She coming over?" Luo Zhiqiang was about to leave when he heard this and his eyes lit up. He immediately turned around and rushed to his desk to ask.

Despite being more than ten years older than She Ning, he completely admires her. Not only is Boss She a great cook, but she's also a skilled salesperson. Last time, she casually mentioned a method, and following her thinking, he successfully developed a new sales channel.

Her contribution is indispensable to the fact that braised food products sell so well in the province.

If She Ning comes up with another solution this time, they could sell their products not only in the province but also across the country. Luo Zhiqiang has an inexplicable confidence in She Ning.

Thinking about how his products are sold all over the country and that his canned goods can be found everywhere, Luo Zhiqiang's eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked at Wang Guihua.

“Sit down properly. You’re almost thirty years old, and you’re still acting so recklessly. You’ll see when the servants arrive.” Not wanting to look at him, Wang Guihua waved her hand and told him to sit back down.

"Grandma, I'm only 25, not almost 30!" He just looks a bit older because he's always out and about, exposed to the sun and rain.

But his grandma is right, he needs to be more mature, otherwise it won't be good if Boss She thinks he's unreliable.

"I'm steady, I'm very steady." With that, Luo Zhiqiang sat back down in his chair, placing his hands neatly on his knees, trying to appear composed.

Wang Guihua looked at him, a slight smile of doting on her lips.

She knew Luo Zhiqiang's personality well; his constant travels, braving wind and rain, had cultivated his decisive and efficient work style.

In front of clients, he is a shrewd and capable sales elite, but in front of his own family, he is like a big kid, always unable to help but show some eagerness and frankness.

"You're 25, and other people's kids are already old enough to run errands. When are you going to bring a boyfriend home for me to see?" she joked.

"Almost there, almost there..."

When is "soon"?

"It'll be soon, it'll be soon..."

Suddenly asked about his life's most important matter, Luo Zhiqiang was instantly embarrassed. His buttocks felt like they were being pricked by needles, and he couldn't sit or stand properly. He tried to laugh it off, but his eyes kept glancing towards the door, secretly praying that someone would come in and help him out of the predicament.

"Thump, thump..."

A voice as beautiful as heavenly music rang out from outside the door, and Luo Zhiqiang instantly sprang to his feet, rushed to the door, and opened it.

"Boss She, young Boss She, you've arrived! Come in, come in!" Luo Zhiqiang greeted them warmly as the door was wide open.

His gaze swept quickly over the two of them, finally settling on She Ning, his eyes filled with anticipation.

She Ning followed She Hongmei into the office, carrying a stack of documents in her hand.

"Director Wang, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." She Hongmei spoke first, her tone polite and composed. She handed the folder to Wang Guihua, "These are some details of this cooperation and an explanation of the new formula. Please take a look."

Wang Guihua took the folder, nodded, and gestured for Luo Zhiqiang to bring over a few chairs.

Luo Zhiqiang quickly arranged the chairs and poured tea for everyone. While he was busy, he kept glancing at She Ning with anticipation and excitement in his eyes.

His gaze was hard to ignore, and even though she had originally planned to remain in the background, She Ning couldn't resist.

Sitting on the sofa, she glanced up at Luo Zhiqiang with a teasing look in her eyes: "Brother Luo, why are you so enthusiastic today? Is there some big plan in store for you again?"

Luo Zhiqiang scratched his head and chuckled, "Little She, you're truly a prophet. I'm confident that this new flavor of canned food can open up markets outside the province, and maybe even reach the whole country!"

She Ning smiled slightly, not answering directly, but looking at Wang Guihua: "Director Wang, we've done a lot of research and adjustments to the flavor of this new recipe, and it should suit the taste preferences of different regions. However, we'll still need Brother Luo to put in more effort in terms of sales."

Wang Guihua put on her reading glasses and carefully reviewed the documents. She nodded and said, "We are very optimistic about this collaboration. The new flavor has great market potential. As long as we work together, we are sure it will be a great success and sell very well."

Luo Zhiqiang, listening with great enthusiasm, couldn't help but interject, "Grandma, don't worry, I will definitely live up to your expectations this time. I'll take the samples to the market right away and try to secure several big orders in the shortest possible time!"

Upon hearing this, She Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly deep in thought. She took out a small notebook from her bag, flipped to a page, and then looked up at Luo Zhiqiang: "Brother Luo, I have some ideas, I wonder if you've considered them..."

Luo Zhiqiang immediately leaned over, his eyes sparkling: "Tell me, Mr. She, I'm listening!"

She Hongmei and Wang Guihua, who were chatting nearby, were also watching her with great interest.

Facing the three people's piercing gazes, She Ning remained calm and said, "Last time I went to the province, I heard that the province had contracted to host the national trade fair."

"The trade fair not only showcases products but also allows for direct sales, combining 'exhibition' and 'sales.' We can apply to participate as an exhibitor to expand the cannery's visibility. It would be even better if we could sign a contract at the trade fair."

"This is one way, the second one..."

“Buy advertising space,” She Ning said calmly, meeting their eyes.

Since the reform and opening up, many people have become wealthier. Obviously, once their material needs are met, they will pursue spiritual fulfillment.

According to statistics, sales of home appliances such as televisions and refrigerators have increased significantly, and various television programs and movies have sprung up like mushrooms after rain in the past two years.

No one has advertised on TV or in movies yet; they can be the first to try it.

If you feel that television penetration is too low and it's not worth investing in for the time being, you can also try advertising in newspapers. Many Chinese people read newspapers every day, so the chances of your advertisement being seen are high.

Luo Zhiqiang's eyes lit up as he listened. He couldn't help but clap his hands and say, "Great idea! Boss She, that's fantastic! Why didn't I think of that sooner?"

He went to the provincial capital so many times, but he never received any news that the province had contracted the national trade fair. She Ning went twice and figured it out. Most importantly, she didn't even go there specifically to find out.

Indeed, people are different.

After listening, Wang Guihua nodded and smiled with satisfaction: "Xiao She, your two ideas are very good, we can definitely give them a try. Zhiqiang, this time you should follow Xiao She's ideas to understand and implement them, I believe we can definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Luo Zhiqiang immediately stood up and patted his chest: "Don't worry, Grandma! I will definitely take over the market this time!"

Looking at Luo Zhiqiang's spirited demeanor, She Ning didn't show it on her face, but she had great confidence in his success.

Luo Zhiqiang may seem a bit carefree, but he is enthusiastic and energetic. He is serious and responsible when it comes to professional matters, and he is willing to put in the effort to study them. He is also willing to change himself based on the correct opinions of others.

With such a work ethic, if he doesn't succeed, who will?

"You guys chat, I have something to do, I'll be going now." Eager to get the new products going, Luo Zhiqiang apologized to She Hongmei, She Ning, and Grandma Wang.

"Go ahead and do what you need to do, it's alright." She Hongmei said with a smile, as she was mainly there to see Director Wang. It didn't matter whether he was there or not.

On the other side, knowing his temperament, Wang Guihua also nodded.

After receiving permission, Luo Zhiqiang immediately reached for his briefcase on the chair, tucked it under his arm, and set off with a large bag of canned braised food samples in his hand.

Inside the office, She Hongmei continued discussing the braised food with Wang Guihua, while She Ning sat to the side listening to their conversation.

Occasionally, they would ask She Ning questions, such as whether there were any special methods for ensuring product quality.

She Ning pondered for a moment and then told them about several methods commonly used in later generations.

Some questions were beyond her comprehension, and She Ning didn't hide it, directly stating that she didn't understand.

After She Hongmei finished communicating with Factory Director Wang, they went to inspect the processing plant together, with She Ning following behind them.

As soon as you enter the factory gate, there is a row of eye-catching slogans.

#Food processing: safety first; quality assurance: health for all#

The factory is divided into several areas, such as the cleaning area, the processing area, and the braising area, and the people in each area are working diligently and attentively.

After their inspection, they ate lunch at the factory before returning to Xiahe Village.

"Sister Shengnan, what brings you here today?" Before even returning home, She Ning recognized the person standing at the entrance of the She family's courtyard.