Chapter 18
Sunday is here soon.
The family of three, dressed neatly, followed Wen Xu to see the venue and machinery.
Cheng Jun was recruited by Wen Xu as a driver, so Tao Zhi no longer had to bear the expenses, and she was happy to enjoy the benefits.
The factory, located in the suburbs, occupies a decent area, about 20 mu (approximately 15 acres), with no houses visible for a mile. It's well-equipped with a rotary cutter, dryer, pre-press, heat press, edge saw, sander, and more. It's a small-scale operation, ready to go right away. There's one minor flaw: the equipment looks quite old.
Cheng Hui looked around and asked the factory director how much the machinery cost.
The factory manager started up each machine and tested them one by one. He said, "The machines may look old, but they're not damaged at all. They're perfectly usable. We've been using them for so long, and some of them, even though they're old, have been broken in and are working better than new ones. The price is 200,000 yuan, and you can take all of them away."
Cheng Hui was very excited. He looked at Cheng Xiangqian. When it came to mechanics, his father was still the one who had to rely on him for expertise.
His father didn't look at him, instead patiently chatting with the factory manager. They discussed, among other things, factory site selection, raw material supply, hiring, sales channels, and environmental protection. As first-generation entrepreneurs, they felt like they'd met too late when it came to the pain of running a factory. Their complaints were so numerous they could have poured them out over three days and three nights.
Before leaving, Cheng Xiangqian expressed his admiration for the factory director and promised them to give him an answer after two days of consideration. He also honestly admitted to the problems of funding and lack of expertise. The factory director expressed his understanding and agreed to wait for three days. The two of them almost had a farewell ceremony.
It was the first time Cheng Hui saw his father like this. His eyes almost popped out of their sockets, he was so surprised.
Tao Zhi slapped him to bring him back to his senses.
After arriving home, Cheng Hui couldn't wait to ask, "Dad, what do you think?"
Cheng Xiangqian answered truthfully: "It is possible to do this business."
"But you're right that we can buy the equipment for 200,000 yuan if we grit our teeth. But how are you going to solve the other major expenses?" Before Cheng Hui could be happy, a basin of cold water was poured on him.
Cheng Xiangqian continued, "Where's the site? Where can I find the skilled craftsmen? Getting the raw materials is easy, but who's going to handle the sales? If you want to manage both production and sales, I advise you not to do this."
"Why? Didn't you go through this in the early days, Dad?"
"Because I know my stuff. Even if I close my eyes, no one can fool me."
Cheng Hui looked at Tao Zhi for help.
Tao Zhi shook his head at him, indicating that he could do nothing to help.
Cheng Xiangqian said of him: "You have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. If you just think you can do it and you can make money by doing it, and you rush into the industry on a whim, that's a big taboo in the business world. There's a saying: You can't make money beyond your knowledge."
"Dad, what should I do?"
"You should find a factory, either to work there or to learn from its masters. Get to know the industry a little better first. As the saying goes: laymen watch the excitement, experts watch the details. You're a complete layman right now."
"Then...then...will we miss the equipment we went to see today?"
"Do you have enough money?"
Cheng Hui lowered his head embarrassedly.
"You're going to the factory tomorrow, no matter what method you use. You're thinking of running away before you even learn to walk?"
Cheng Hui replied dejectedly, "Oh."
"Look, in two days, you write a business plan. If you can impress me, your mom and I will help you come up with a plan."
When Cheng Hui heard this, he immediately smiled.
The next day, he really went out to look for a job early in the morning. Cheng Mingcheng was now under Tao Zhi's care, so he had no worries at all and could concentrate on his own affairs.
Cheng Xiangqian also set aside a week and asked Cheng Jun to drive him around to visit people. Of course, this was done without Cheng Hui's knowledge.
When Cheng Hui returned home in the evening, he was covered in sawdust. Tao Zhi asked him to shake it off before entering the house.
He happily announced at the dinner table, "I became a cutter today."
Cheng Mingcheng asked: "Dad, what is a cutter?"
"It's just woodworking."
"Wow~" The whole audience cheered.
Before going to bed, Tao Zhi asked, "Old man, do you think Cheng Hui can do it?"
Cheng Xiangqian took off his reading glasses, put down his book, and rubbed his eyes: "Whether it works or not, we have to let him try."
She was a little worried: "But he didn't even get an apprenticeship."
"You just have too high expectations. Cheng Hui is not Cheng Jun. He has only six out of seven senses now."
Tao Zhi was unhappy: "How could you talk about your son like that?"
"What I mean is that Cheng Hui is honest, which is rare."
"Why is it so difficult?"
"Be sincere and down-to-earth."
Tao Zhi curled her lips: "I would rather he came to his senses sooner."
Cheng Xiangqian comforted her: "Don't worry, it's just a matter of time. Look at how much progress he has made now."
"Yes, the environment can destroy a person, but it can also make a person."
She changed the subject: "How was your inspection?"
Cheng Xiangqian laughed: "I've only been out for one day."
"You're all foxes with a thousand-year history. Stop hiding it. I guess you've had this idea for a long time."
"Money is not a big problem, and the venue is easy to find. I don't have to worry about sales now. The key is the price. I plan to buy the equipment."
"What about Cheng Hui?"
"Either he borrows money from us and goes it alone or forms a partnership. I won't go with him anyway. Or I'll give the opportunity to Cheng Jun. If that doesn't work out, I'll take it on myself."
Tao Zhi glared at him: "Don't you see how old you are? You're still taking on this responsibility? I don't agree with this."
"You have to trust your son. At least Cheng Jun is definitely willing."
Tao Zhi shook his head: "I don't think so. He's not interested in that. It was Cheng Jun who came up with this idea."
"Hey, this kid is really good. He can find business opportunities everywhere."
"Who said it wasn't true? If it was Cheng Jun, I wouldn't have to worry about it."
"It's not nice to say that in front of the kids."
Tao Zhi rolled her eyes: "Do you think I'm stupid? My palms and backs of my hands are all made of flesh, and every one of them is my treasure."
After saying that, she became worried again: "Cheng Hui has never done anything on his own..."
"Don't be afraid. The worst that can happen is a loss. Consider it a lesson learned."
"I've spent quite a bit lately."
"It's okay, just spend as much as you want. The machinery factory is still making money. I'll try my best to earn enough for you."
Tao Zhi laughed heartily. She thought the old man was still very cute.
They immediately got to work. Cheng Hui didn't provide a plan, and Cheng Xiangqian didn't wait for him. The same team was back, except Cheng Hui was also there, and Wen Xu was also there. They all sat down together to close the deal. Once the bank transfer was completed, the equipment would be under Cheng's name.
Cheng Xiangqian had previously inquired about the availability of subletting this factory, so he decided to rent this one as well, saving himself the trouble of looking elsewhere. He could simply let the factory director handle the industrial and commercial affairs, taxation, and environmental protection, saving him a lot of trouble.
Because Cheng Xiangqian knew that the money was life-saving, he didn't bargain for it and paid the full amount without hesitation. The factory director reciprocated by transferring his list of suppliers, workers, and customers to him.
Cheng Xiangqian didn't dare to accept it. He said, "Brother, when your situation gets better, you can always make a comeback with these resources."
The factory manager smiled bitterly: "I can't do that. I'm already this old, and the younger ones don't like this line of work. Otherwise, if I had gritted my teeth, I wouldn't have sold the factory."
Cheng Xiangqian was also filled with sadness after hearing this. "Then sell it to me at the market price. If you give it to me for free, I really don't dare to take it."
The factory director held his hand, tears welling in his eyes, and kept repeating, "Good people will be rewarded, good people will be rewarded."
Cheng Xiangqian patted him on the shoulder and said, "As a real man, everything is said without words."
Tao Zhi was also secretly touching her eyes. She was happy for the old man.
The factory was renamed, and Cheng Xiangqian only needed to change the name and hang up a new sign to resume work.
After returning home, Cheng Xiangqian found a handwritten plan on the desk in his bedroom.
He picked it up and said to Tao Zhi, "It's a day late, but I finally handed it in."
"Take a look before you comment."
Tao Zhi was actually a little upset. She had made many plans and was thinking about how to embezzle the money, but Cheng Hui was still holding her back.
The old man was concentrating, so she didn't disturb him and turned downstairs to find her granddaughter.
Cheng Jin, the little baby, is one and a half years old. After getting rid of the old hag from the Zhao family, he can finally call people in a baby voice.
As soon as she saw Tao Zhi, she shouted "Grandma, grandma..." and staggered over.
Seeing this, Aunt Li, who was taking care of her, hurriedly followed her and protected her.
Cheng Jin hugged his grandmother's thighs, tilted his head and smiled sweetly at her: "Hug me."
Apart from being taken to bed by her mother at night, Cheng Jin sees her aunt and grandmother the most.
Grandma was always smiling, so she became friendly to Tao Zhi as soon as she saw her.
Tao Zhi bent down, picked up the little cutie, and kissed her face.
"Baby, have you been good today?"
"Good boy~"
Tao Zhi's heart was about to melt.
She carried Cheng Jin into the kitchen and asked her aunt, "How was the baby's meal today?"
"At noon, I had half a bowl of porridge and half a bowl of vegetables. I ate them all by myself."
Tao Zhi was very exaggerated, her voice rising an octave, "Wow, baby, you are so great, you are so amazing, you ate all the food by yourself."
Cheng Jin burst into laughter at the praise, and she puffed out her chest proudly: "Awesome, I'm awesome."
My aunt was shaking with laughter.
"You did such a good job, grandma wants to reward you, what do you want, baby?"
Cheng Jin thought for a long time in distress, "Two candies."
"Why two?"
Cheng Jin pointed at himself: "Me, my mother."
Tao Zhi flattened her lips and pretended to be unhappy: "Ah, grandma didn't have it?"
Cheng Jin touched her face: "Grandma, it's a lot."
Tao Zhi immediately smiled and tapped her nose: "Little clever girl, luckily you are not like your mother."
After that, she took out two White Rabbit candies from the cupboard and gave them to Cheng Jin while teaching her to count, "This is one, this is two."
Cheng Jin also followed: "This is one, this is two."
After counting twice, the baby remembered it. She repeated: This is one, me; this is two, mom.
Tao Zhi just looked at her quietly, forgetting all his worries for a moment.
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