Chapter 72 Flying Together
The afternoon sun shone warmly on the courtyard. After the successful acquisition, Jiang Suining's tense nerves finally relaxed for a moment. There was nothing special going on at the company that day, so she deliberately left work early, planning to cook some of Lu Ye's favorite dishes for dinner to celebrate a little.
Just then, the sound of a jeep engine shutting off came from outside the courtyard gate, along with several familiar, hearty laughs.
Jiang Suining looked out the window and saw the tall, outgoing Commander Zhang walking side by side with Lu Ye. The two seemed to have just finished some work, and both had relaxed expressions on their faces. What touched Jiang Suining even more was that Commander Zhang's wife, Lian Jie, had also come along, carrying a net bag filled with several bright red apples.
Jiang Suining immediately went out to greet them, smiling and saying, "Commander, sister-in-law, what brings you both here today? Please come in and have a seat!"
"Xiao Jiang, don't bother, we just want to say a few words." Commander Zhang waved his hand, his face beaming with undisguised joy. He glanced at Lu Ye, who stood tall and composed beside him, patted Lu Ye's shoulder forcefully, and said to Jiang Suining in a loud voice, "I'm here to be your Lu Ye's 'good news bird'!"
Jiang Suining's heart skipped a beat, and a vague expectation rose in her mind.
Even her sister-in-law smiled and stuffed an apple into Jiang Suining's hand, saying, "Yes, Xiao Jiang, this is great news! The official order from the division headquarters has come down, appointing our Chief of Staff Lu as the division's Chief of Staff!"
Rumors of this matter had been circulating for several days, but Jiang Suining hadn't dared to take it seriously because the official appointment hadn't been issued yet. Although she was mentally prepared, hearing the definite news, personally announced by the regimental commander and his wife, still overwhelmed her with immense joy.
Jiang Suining took the envelope.
The envelope was ordinary, but the bright red military unit stamp in the lower right corner gave it extraordinary weight. She pulled out the document inside, her gaze quickly sweeping over the neatly printed text and the bright red official seal at the end.
She looked up, her eyes sparkling, a radiant smile spreading across her lips, her voice trembling slightly with excitement: "That's wonderful! Lu Ye! I knew you could do it!"
Lu Ye smiled, his face showing little emotion.
"Lu Ye has made outstanding contributions to our regiment!" Regiment Commander Zhang began to recount his achievements with pride and reluctance. "He was incredibly resourceful on the training field, daring to fight and rescue spies and hostages, never hesitating even when he was wounded! Not to mention his quick thinking; he planted roses to generate income and improve the lives of the entire regiment—that's a real contribution! The division's selection of him this time was a wise move!"
Commander Zhang's words were not only an affirmation of Lu Ye's past achievements, but also an explanation to Jiang Suining of the reasons for this promotion, and a representation of the organization's high level of recognition.
"Commander, you flatter me." Lu Ye spoke up at the right time, his tone as calm and humble as ever. "It's all thanks to your leadership and the hard work of my comrades."
"Don't give me that nonsense, kid!" Regiment Commander Zhang laughed heartily. "The orders have been delivered. After handing over your work in the next few days, you'll be reporting to the division headquarters. The responsibilities will be even heavier. From now on, you'll be a real leader! So, General Manager Jiang," he said humorously, turning to Jiang Suining, "isn't the pressure a bit with your family producing a leader?"
Jiang Suining had calmed down from her initial excitement and responded with a graceful smile: "Commander, sister-in-law, thank you for coming to tell us in person. There is definitely pressure, but I am even more proud of him. He manages his thousands of troops well, and I will take care of our little family and company. We support each other and will never hold the organization back!"
Her words were impeccable, expressing both gratitude and joy, while also demonstrating her awareness and responsibility as a military family member.
Upon hearing this, Commander Zhang and his wife's eyes showed even greater appreciation. After exchanging a few more pleasantries and giving Lu Ye some instructions on the handover and the precautions for his new position, Commander Zhang and his wife took their leave, leaving behind a joyous atmosphere in the courtyard.
After seeing off Commander Zhang and his wife, the courtyard returned to silence. The golden rays of the setting sun shone on the two of them, casting long shadows.
Jiang Suining turned around and looked at Lu Ye standing in the light and shadow. A new and heavier responsibility was about to fall on his shoulders, and she could almost see that invisible yet heavy weight.
She walked up to him, said nothing, but reached out and gently and solemnly straightened the already perfectly pressed collar of his military uniform.
"Chief of Staff Lu," she called softly, her eyes filled with a smile and a hint of barely perceptible moisture, "Congratulations."
Lu Ye grasped her hand, which she hadn't yet withdrawn, and enveloped it in his broad, warm palm. He looked into his wife's clear eyes, where he saw the pride that burned for him, as well as a deep understanding and support.
"I'll be even busier in the future," he said softly, with a hint of apology.
“I know.” Jiang Suining squeezed his hand back firmly, her tone resolute. “You just go and realize your ambitions. I’ll take care of things at home and at the company. We’ll each work hard and meet again at the top.”
There were no sweet words or worldly celebrations, but at this moment, a feeling that transcended ordinary marital affection flowed silently between the two of them.
The shadows of the couple nestled together, as if they were an inseparable whole.
This synchronized growth and achievement has made the bond between them even stronger.
Lu Ye's promotion was like the loudest and most inspiring clarion call before Jiang Suining launched her group-based campaign. They knew the road ahead was long and the challenges would be many more, but as long as they joined hands, they would be fearless.
The warmth of home is the most enduring motivation on the journey; each other's achievements are the most shining medals of love.
***
Lu Ye's appointment as division chief of staff is not only an affirmation of Lu Ye personally, but also a powerful boost, which has given Jiang Suining even greater confidence and strength.
The acquisition of the two factories marks the completion of Haifeng's crucial transformation from "brand operation" to "control of real industries." The original name "Haifeng Apparel" could no longer encompass its three major business segments: the booming apparel business, seafood processing, and the cold chain logistics business, which is poised for rapid growth thanks to its cold storage facilities.
In the bright and clean headquarters conference room, Jiang Suining convened a landmark strategic meeting. Attendees included veterans such as Zhao Zhenhai, Liu Hong, Zhong Caifeng, and Ma Xiangqian, as well as the newly appointed CFO Mei Li, an experienced accountant from the provincial capital, and Xie Mingjun, a professional manager responsible for market expansion.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Jiang Suining said calmly, her gaze sweeping over every face present, her voice clear and powerful, "today, we are here to formally establish 'Haifeng Group Co., Ltd.'"
Behind her hung a preliminary organizational chart: the group headquarters would include "Haifeng Garment Co., Ltd.", "Haifeng Marine Food Co., Ltd.", and the newly planned "Haifeng Cold Chain Logistics Co., Ltd."
"The establishment of the group is not just for the sake of sounding good, but to integrate resources, standardize management, and enable our ship to sail more steadily and further," Jiang Suining explained. "Especially for the logistics company, we must build our own cold chain fleet and open up logistics routes from the islands to major cities across the country to ensure that our seafood products reach consumers in the best condition. This is the lifeline for our marine food business to grow!"
This grand plan stirred everyone's emotions. However, it also stirred up some troubles.
The first step in group-based and standardized operations is to establish a unified and strict management system. After taking office, the new CFO, Mei Li, immediately set her sights on the financial approval and reimbursement processes.
In the past, as a core manager, Liu Hong could easily obtain cash from finance for emergency purchases or employee welfare expenses amounting to a few hundred yuan with just her signature; the process was simple. Now, all expenditures must be submitted with a standard application form, accompanied by invoices or receipts, and approved at each level, including the department head and the finance director. Expenditures exceeding a certain amount also require Jiang Suining's final signature.
That day, a long-time employee of the clothing company who had worked for Liu Hong for several years had an urgent family matter and wanted to get an advance on a month's salary. Liu Hong was about to sign for it as usual, but Zhang Haiyun, the accountant in the finance department, politely stopped her: "President Liu, according to the new 'Financial Management System,' employees need to fill out a loan form, explain the reason, and can only get an advance of half a month's salary at most. It also requires the signatures of their immediate supervisor and the human resources department."
Liu Hong's face instantly darkened. She felt she had lost face in front of her new subordinate and that the cold, impersonal system was inhumane. "I approved this! I'll take responsibility for any problems!" she said sharply.
"President Liu, this is a group regulation, not my personal opinion..." Zhang Haiyun was in a difficult position.
A similar situation occurred with Zhong the tailor. The new attendance management system required everyone to clock in and out, with penalties for lateness and early departure. Zhong, accustomed to his freedom, sometimes stayed late into the night in the sample-making room to work on a difficult technique, inevitably arriving late the next day. After being marked late twice, he took the penalty slip directly to Jiang Suining, his beard trembling with anger:
“Look at me! Look at me, at my age, I’m working day and night for the factory, and now,” he said angrily, pointing at the time clock, “I’m being controlled by this metal thing! I get fined for being a few minutes late? Is there no humanity left? When we started this business, who told us about these things?”
Meanwhile, Xie Mingjun, the newly appointed marketing manager, has overseas study experience and has worked in foreign companies. He is highly educated and experienced. When formulating new marketing plans, he bypassed Liu Hong and reported directly to Jiang Suining.
Although he did not do it intentionally, this "standard" practice of acting in accordance with the organizational structure made Liu Hong feel the sting of being marginalized once again.
The conflict erupted at a mid-level management meeting. When discussing the logistics company's vehicle procurement plan, Liu Hong, based on her experience, suggested purchasing a domestic brand with a high cost-performance ratio, while the newly arrived marketing manager, Xie Mingjun, cited numerous examples and strongly advocated purchasing imported vehicles that were more expensive but had more stable performance and a better brand image.
The two argued fiercely, and Liu Hong, in a fit of emotion, blurted out: "All you people know is how to look at reports and calculate data! You have no idea how we painstakingly built 'Haifeng' step by step, splitting every penny in half! Now that you have a little money, you start to spend it lavishly and show off?"
The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly plummeted to freezing point.
Jiang Suining did not express her support for either side on the spot. She listened silently, watching Liu Hong's eyes redden with grievance and excitement, watching the profile of Zhong the tailor smoking silently, and also watching the helplessness and slight resentment on the faces of the new managers.
That evening, instead of going home, she went to Jiang's mother and Zhong the tailor's place, waiting until her brother Jiang Fengnian and sister-in-law Liu Hong returned from night school.
The little girl was already babbling and waving her tiny hands in the cradle. Jiang Suining teased her niece and whispered to Liu Hong, who was quietly knitting a little sweater beside her, "Sister-in-law, don't take what happened at the meeting today to heart."
Liu Hong's tears fell instantly, landing on the yarn: "Sui Sui, I'm not fighting for power, nor am I targeting anyone. I just feel that this company has changed, it's become unrecognizable to me. We used to be like a family, but now all that's left are cold rules and reports."
“Sister-in-law,” Jiang Suining held her hand, her tone sincere, “the company has changed because it has grown up and wants to go further. Just like our little girl, she can’t stay in her swaddling clothes forever. She has to learn to walk on her own, and even run and jump in the future. Rules are the ‘footwork’ that we teach her. Without this footwork, she will fall and won’t go far.”
She paused, then continued, "But no matter how big the company gets, or how strict the rules become, its roots remain unchanged. Its roots are you and Uncle Zhong. It was you who stood by me through the most difficult times, stitch by stitch, pound by pound, supporting me every step of the way. This bond is irreplaceable by any rules. I'm bringing in new people not to replace you, but to provide you with more capable assistants, freeing you from tedious tasks so you can focus on more important matters."
The next day, she went to see the tailor, Zhong, alone, not in his office, but in the sample making room.
“Uncle Zhong,” she said, watching the master craftsman still skillfully wielding the scissors, “I know the new rules make you uncomfortable, but think about it, if there’s no strict attendance policy, young people will follow suit, discipline will break down, and how can we guarantee the quality of our products? Your craftsmanship can only be passed down and preserved through a strict system.”
She took out a red booklet and said, "The group has established a technical committee. You are the senior member and the chief technical advisor. From now on, all standards related to processes and quality will ultimately require your approval. Isn't that more important than you staring at the time clock every day?"
Jiang Suining's sincerity and clear division of responsibilities, like a gentle spring breeze, slowly melted away the knots in the hearts of the elders.
A few days later, Jiang Suining convened the group's first formal board meeting.
She announced several important appointments: Liu Hong was appointed as the group's deputy general manager, mainly responsible for production coordination and internal management, and directly responsible to her; Zhong Caifeng was appointed as the group's chief technical advisor and concurrently served as the director of the technical committee; at the same time, she also affirmed the importance of the new management system, requiring everyone to abide by it, but in practice, it could be refined and optimized by Liu Hong in conjunction with the actual situation.
This arrangement not only grants the elders a higher status and clearer rights and responsibilities, affirming their historical contributions, but also maintains the seriousness of the system.
After the meeting, Liu Hong took the initiative to find Xie Mingjun, the marketing manager, apologized for her attitude, and expressed her full support for his market research work.
Although Zhong the tailor still complained about the time clock being troublesome, he started to go to get off work and leave on time and demanded stricter standards from all the craftsmen under his technical committee.
***
When the invitation from the Republic of France to the "International Forum on New Energy Application and Development" arrived at Jiang Suining's desk across the ocean, it brought not only joy, but also a careful consideration of strategy.
The group has just been established and there are still many unresolved issues. At this time, the departure of the head coach is quite risky, and there were certainly doubts raised at the core team meeting.
"President Jiang, at this critical juncture, you're going to go personally? What if something goes wrong at the factory..." Liu Hong looked worried; she had just taken over production coordination and was under immense pressure.
Zhao Zhenhai also frowned: "Foreigners' exchange meeting sounds high-class, but can it really bring any real benefits? What if it's all for nothing and it delays things at home?"
She paused, then said firmly, "We can't just bury our heads in our work; we also need to look up and see where we're going. We have to venture into the international market!"
She defied public opinion and made a decisive deployment: Liu Hong took charge of internal production coordination, Zhao Zhenhai oversaw technical support, and Ma Xiangqian was responsible for new product development and quality control, forming a solid "iron triangle." At the same time, she still brought along her assistant Wu Yue, as well as lawyer Shen, who was an expert in international business.
At the same time, preparations were made, with careful selection of three flagship products under the "Haifeng" brand: individually frozen shrimp, original-flavor dried scallops, and the newly developed seasoned fish fillets. Exquisite multilingual brochures were designed and produced. Attorney Shen also prepared several templates for cooperation plans of varying depths, ranging from simple technical consultation and equipment output to more in-depth business model cooperation and brand licensing, in case of unforeseen circumstances.
However, the expedition encountered a setback in its very first battle.
Unexpected troubles were encountered when processing the customs and quarantine procedures for product samples. Since this was the first time that "Haifeng" had tried to export food samples, the procedures were complicated and the quarantine standards were strict, and the time was delayed again and again. With the forum approaching, the samples were stuck in customs and could not be moved.
Wu Yue was so anxious that she developed blisters on her lips, and Attorney Shen repeatedly communicated with relevant departments.
Finally, the samples were cleared through customs and shipped by air the day before the forum opened.
Jiang Suining and her entourage arrived in Paris-Ston almost at the last minute, on the morning of the forum's opening day. They were exhausted from their journey and didn't even have time to adjust to the time difference.
The forum venue was filled with elites, their elegant attire and graceful demeanor creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Jiang Suining wore a simple yet elegant dark suit and light makeup, but she couldn't hide the fatigue from her long journey, nor could she conceal the determined light in her eyes.
Her speech was scheduled for the afternoon, a time when people tend to get sleepy. The audience consisted of many internationally renowned energy experts and representatives of large corporations. Many people cast curious or scrutinizing glances at her, this little-known female speaker from the East.
Standing on the podium, Jiang Suining adjusted her breathing, her gaze calmly sweeping across the entire audience. Instead of immediately presenting the PowerPoint slides, she began with a vivid and evocative description:
She incorporated complex technical principles into her narrative of solving practical development problems. When she presented data on the stable operation of the tidal energy cold storage, as well as photos of the production line and busy workers at the "Haifeng" seafood processing plant, whispers began to circulate in the audience.
Especially when she released a set of comparative data: the proportion of local fishermen's storage costs that decreased after using tidal energy, and the sales channels opened up by "Haifeng" seafood due to its stable quality and the resulting job growth, many representatives from developing countries or island nations sat up straight.
However, challenges soon followed.
During the Q&A session, a professor from a well-known European research institute, with gray hair and an arrogant demeanor, bluntly pointed out: "Ms. Jiang, your story is very appealing, but the technology you presented, in my opinion, is at best a kind of opportunistic 'applicable technology,' lacking cutting-edge scientific content. Its reliability and large-scale promotion value are questionable. Moreover, isn't it somewhat unprofessional to link energy technology with food processing in your discussion?"
The disdain in her words made Wu Yue, sitting in the audience, break out in a cold sweat.
Jiang Suining remained composed, even offering a slight smile, and calmly replied, "Thank you for your question, Professor. I believe the value of technology lies not in whether it's at the so-called 'cutting edge,' but in whether it can genuinely solve problems and create value. Regarding the reliability you mentioned, our cold storage facility has been operating stably for over XX hours, and the data is verifiable. As for its promotional value," she shifted her tone, her voice firm, "there are thousands of similar coastal areas around the world. What they need may not be unattainable 'top-tier technology,' but rather a 'lighthouse solution' that is practical, affordable, and can truly drive their development. What we're solving is never just the energy problem, but how to transform resources into prosperous development. Isn't this a more universally applicable professional direction?"
Her rebuttal, delivered with composure and supported by solid data, earned her nods of approval from many in the audience. The professor shrugged and didn't press the matter further.
Tea break time arrived, and attendees headed to the rest area.
Instead of taking the exquisite Western-style pastries provided by the venue like the others, Jiang Suining quietly set up a corner of the rest area with Wu Yue.
Her booth was very simple: a large poster brought from China showcasing the exterior of the tidal energy cold storage and the clean processing workshop of "Haifeng". She had asked Mr. Renoir to help her rent a small refrigerated box in advance, which contained samples of uncooked "Haifeng" individually frozen shrimp and scallops, which were crystal clear and intact.
Most importantly, she contacted the restaurant next to the venue in advance, paid them to boil the frozen food and deliver it over.
At this moment, several waiters in neat uniforms brought over a series of clean white porcelain plates, which contained boiled shrimp and blanched scallops that had just been delivered from the restaurant next door and were still slightly warm.
Without any fancy marketing rhetoric, Jiang Suining simply smiled and said to the gathered crowd, "These are seafood products processed using tidal energy cold chain technology. They are cooked with just water and a little salt. Please try them and taste their most original flavor."
Initially, some well-informed European and American experts approached the product with a critical eye. A French seafood consultant picked up a shrimp, put it in his mouth, and slowly chewed. His previously indifferent eyes suddenly lit up: "This elasticity! This sweetness! It's unbelievable that this product was transported frozen! Its cellular structure is so well preserved!"
The European professor who had initially questioned the technological sophistication transformed his arrogance into serious inquiry after tasting the scallops. He turned to Jiang Suining, his tone becoming much more earnest: "Ms. Jiang, I must revise my previous opinion. To control product quality to such a level is itself a highly challenging technical feat. How efficient is your freezing process? What about its energy consumption?"
A trade minister from a Southeast Asian island nation eagerly asked, "Ms. Jiang, our country has abundant fishery resources, but lacks stable processing and cold chain logistics. Can you provide a complete solution, including technical design and equipment?"
A North African entrepreneur was more interested in brand partnerships: "Your seafood is of excellent quality. Could we act as your distributors in North Africa?"
The situation is very promising, but new challenges are also emerging.
A representative from a powerful European environmental technology company, "OK Energy," named Mr. DuPont, after carefully inquiring about the technical details, proposed a seemingly generous but actually treacherous cooperation plan: OK Energy would buy out the international patent license for tidal energy technology and be fully responsible for its promotion in overseas markets, paying "Haifeng" a considerable licensing fee.
“Ms. Jiang, with our global network, we can quickly promote this technology, and you can reap the benefits without lifting a finger,” Mr. DuPont said enticingly.
Attorney Shen immediately whispered in Jiang Suining's ear: "President Jiang, this plan seems convenient, but we will completely lose our technological autonomy and initiative in overseas markets, becoming a mere OEM manufacturer, and the bulk of the profits will be taken by the other party."
She smiled and said to Mr. DuPont, “Thank you for your attention, but we prefer a deeper and more equal cooperation model. For example, we can establish a joint venture, with you contributing technology and some capital to jointly develop specific markets. Alternatively, we can provide core equipment and overall solutions, while your company is responsible for localization and market operations. What we hope for is mutual growth, not a one-off transaction.”
Mr. DuPont had not expected Jiang Suining to be so clear-headed and tough, and the negotiations reached a stalemate.
Just then, Mr. Jean Renoir appeared and said with a loud laugh, "DuPont, I've said it before, Ms. Jiang is an entrepreneur with a very strategic vision, not just a simple technology holder." His arrival added to Jiang Suining's bargaining power.
Ultimately, with the professional assistance of Attorney Shen and the insistence of Jiang Suining, "OK Energy" reluctantly agreed to discuss technical cooperation on an initial demonstration project, temporarily shelving the buyout plan.
Meanwhile, Jiang Suining reached a preliminary agreement with the Southeast Asian Minister of Commerce to have Haifeng provide him with a comprehensive planning scheme integrating tidal energy cold storage and aquatic product processing; the agency agreement with the North African entrepreneur also entered the stage of negotiating specific terms.
When the forum closed, Jiang Suining took away not only exhaustion, but also a wealth of gains: several highly promising letters of intent for cooperation, a professional circle that highly recognizes Haifeng's technology and products, and more importantly, on the international stage, she used her strength and wisdom to win Haifeng a rare respect and the right to equal dialogue.
She knew this was just the first step for "Haifeng" to sail into the deep blue sea, a journey fraught with challenges, yet also one of boundless possibilities. This experience gave her and her team the confidence and strength to face an even wider world.
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