Chapter 57: Accumulating Funds and Discovering New Business Opportunities
In spring, Coconut Grove Village always exudes a lazy yet vibrant atmosphere.
Over the weekend, Jiang Suining and Lu Ye returned to Jiang's parents' home with fresh fish and a piece of pork belly they had just bought. In the courtyard, Jiang's mother was mending clothes while wearing her reading glasses, and Liu Hong was washing vegetables by the well. They greeted them with smiles when they returned.
When Liu Hong, who had just become a wife, saw Jiang Suining, a faint blush appeared on her face, and her eyes became more moist and gentle than usual.
Seeing her like this, Jiang Suining knew what was going on. She deliberately smiled and moved closer, saying, "Sister-in-law, please rest. Let me do these chores. If you get tired, my brother will worry about you."
He reached out to take the basket of vegetables from her hands.
"Get lost!" Liu Hong lightly slapped her hand away, but there was a smile in her eyes. "What's so tiring about washing vegetables? You're just teasing me."
Jiang Suining was just teasing her, so she let go of her hand and tilted her head with a smile, saying, "I was just worried that my brother wouldn't know how to be considerate."
"He...he's fine..." Liu Hong replied subconsciously, but immediately realized it was inappropriate. Her face turned even redder, and she quickly lowered her head to continue washing the vegetables, but she couldn't hide the sweet smile on her lips.
Seeing her brother's smug expression, Jiang Suining felt happy for him, but also found the sweetness of their newlywed bliss almost overwhelming, even for someone as experienced as her.
The aroma of the food quickly filled the air.
At the dinner table, everyone chatted about everyday things in a warm atmosphere. Liu Hong picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks, and as if suddenly remembering something, she said to Jiang's mother and Jiang Suining, "Mom, Suining, things haven't been peaceful at our factory lately."
"What's wrong? What happened?" Jiang's mother asked with concern.
Liu Hong sighed. She worked in the Women's Federation at the labor protection factory and was better informed than the average worker: "The factory is not doing well. Last month's wages were delayed by a few days, and this month's wages are in jeopardy again. I heard that there are a lot of labor protection gloves and work clothes stuck in the warehouse that can't be sold, and the cash flow is stuck."
Upon hearing this, Lu Ye frowned slightly: "Doesn't the labor protection factory always supply the military and various units? How could there be a backlog?"
“The competition is fierce,” Liu Hong explained. “I heard that a new factory was built in Ningzhou next door, and its prices are lower than ours. Our factory’s equipment is old, so we can’t come down the cost, and our designs are outdated. Apart from our old partners, we can hardly get any new orders.”
She lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "The factory leaders said in a meeting that there's a new policy from above that allows for some kind of 'contract responsibility system.' It seems like some workshops or production lines will be contracted out to individuals, who will be responsible for their own profits and losses. It's not clear how exactly it will be contracted out, but everyone in the factory is saying that if no one contracts out the work, production might have to be reduced, or even the factory might have to shut down and lay off workers." When she said the last few words, there was obvious worry in her voice.
Hearing his wife's words, Jiang Fengnian immediately put down his chopsticks, his dark face full of seriousness: "Ah Hong, don't think nonsense. The sky won't fall. If there are any changes in the factory, I'm still here. I have a stable job at the construction company, and my salary is enough for both of us to live on. Even if you don't work for a while, I can still support you and this family."
His words were simple, yet carried a reassuring certainty. Looking at his broad hands and sincere eyes, Liu Hong felt a warmth in her heart, and her anxiety dissipated considerably. She muttered softly, "I know you're capable, but I can't rely on you all the time."
“Then let’s take it slow and see, one step at a time,” Jiang Fengnian said in a softer tone. “No matter what, I’ll be there for you.”
What was said without malice may have been taken to heart by the listener.
Her cold storage construction is in full swing, but subsequent equipment procurement and maintenance require continuous investment of a lot of money. Although the cooperation with Hongqi Garment Factory can bring some revenue sharing, the output and style update speed there are limited, and the income is stable but not very generous. What if, what if she could contract the clothing production line of the labor protection factory?
The labor protection factory has existing factory buildings, equipment, and skilled workers, so its foundation is good. The problem lies in management and product design.
She possesses clothing design concepts ahead of her time, enabling her to not only design fashionable clothes but also improve the style and functionality of workwear. If she can revitalize this production line, she could not only open up a more stable and larger source of revenue to support the cold storage business but also save a factory on the verge of shutdown and solve the livelihood problems of many families.
This thought made her heart beat slightly faster.
“I want to talk to Director Song of the labor protection factory about the contract.” She looked up at her husband, her eyes sparkling, yet also carrying a hint of trepidation as she sought his support.
Lu Ye walked a few steps in silence. He didn't understand business, but he knew how to analyze the pros and cons, and he knew how to support his wife's ideals.
He stopped and faced Jiang Suining, saying calmly, "The risks are considerable. The contract fees, workers' wages, and raw material procurement all require money, and it could be a bottomless pit."
“I know,” Jiang Suining nodded, “but the opportunity is also great. The labor protection factory has the foundation, but it lacks ideas and management. I am confident that I can make the product successful. Moreover, this can help a lot of people, and my sister-in-law will not have to worry about losing her job. As for funding, we can always find a way.”
Lu Ye's heart skipped a beat, but seeing the familiar light in her eyes—the same light that had appeared when she decided to build the cold storage facility and draw clothing patterns—filled with wisdom and courage, he sighed slightly, squeezed her hand, and nodded, saying, "If you want to do it, go talk to them. If you need me to coordinate anything, or if you need to manage your funds, we'll figure it out together. However, when you talk to the factory, make sure the terms are clear and the accounts are settled. Don't act impulsively."
With her husband's affirmation, Jiang Suining's last trace of hesitation vanished. "Yes!" she nodded emphatically.
A few days later, Jiang Suining went to see Director Song in person. In the somewhat old director's office at the labor protection factory, Director Song was quite surprised to hear that Jiang Suining was interested in contracting the garment production line.
“Comrade Jiang, you used to work in our factory, so I know your situation. You have guts, but the situation on this production line is not optimistic.” Director Song pointed to the somewhat quiet workshop outside the window. “The equipment is outdated, the workers are not very motivated, and most importantly, the products are not selling.”
Jiang Suining remained calm and composed. She took out several blueprints she had prepared in advance, which included not only improved work clothes but also several work pants and jackets designed based on work fabrics, suitable for fishermen and ordinary people to wear daily. The styles were simple, elegant, and practical.
“Director Song, I see the problems, but there are always more solutions than problems. The equipment can be gradually repaired and upgraded. The workers’ enthusiasm lies in management and efficiency. As for the products,” she pushed the blueprints over, “I think the key is innovation. These are some of my ideas for improving the existing work clothes, as well as new styles developed using our existing fabrics. In addition, if I take over the contract, besides work clothes, I will first consider producing a batch of stylish summer women’s clothing for sale in other provinces. I believe that as long as the products are suitable, the sales channels will definitely open up.”
Factory Director Song picked up the blueprints and looked at them carefully. He noticed that the work clothes had added pocket designs and used more comfortable and durable fabrics. His eyes gradually showed surprise and interest. These designs were indeed novel and practical, exceeding the conventional thinking of the factory's designers.
Jiang Suining continued, "If I were to take over the contract, I would be willing to bear all the operating costs of the production line, including workers' wages, raw materials, equipment maintenance, and pay the agreed contract fee to the factory on schedule. I can pledge to ensure that the production line will turn a profit within six months, otherwise I will bear all the losses."
Her conditions were clear, she was full of confidence, and she hit the nail on the head regarding the factory's eagerness to get rid of its burdens and revitalize its assets.
Factory Director Song pondered for a long time, looking at the young woman in front of him with a determined gaze, and then at the eye-catching design drawings in his hand. The scales in his heart began to tip.
"Comrade Jiang, your idea is very bold. However, we still need to discuss the specific contracting plan in detail and submit it to the bureau for approval." Director Song's tone softened considerably. "Go back and write a detailed plan, including your contract amount, worker resettlement plan, and the market promotion strategy for the products you just mentioned."
"Okay, Director Song, I will send the plan over as soon as possible." Jiang Suining knew that half the battle was won. As she walked out of the labor protection factory, she took a deep breath and felt the burden on her shoulders grow heavier, but the road ahead became clearer.
This is another tough battle, but she is prepared.
After working overtime to write a detailed plan and submitting it to Factory Director Song, and waiting another four or five days, we finally received good news: after research by the factory leaders and higher authorities, it was decided to sign a contract with Jiang Suining.
This was within Jiang Suining's expectations, but the ink on the labor protection factory's contract was still wet, and the sense of urgency in Jiang Suining's heart grew heavier.
At night, she frowned as she looked at the household accounts and preliminary budget.
Lu Ye brought over a cup of hot water and placed it beside her, saying gently, "Worried about money again?"
Jiang Suining rubbed her temples and sighed, "Well, the labor protection factory is both an opportunity and a pressure. The initial investment is considerable, and the cold storage can't be shut down. Our savings, plus the money my brother paid back, probably won't last long after we invest it all." She looked up, a tentative glint in her eyes, "Lu Ye, I'm thinking, could we get a bank loan?" This was a decision she had made after careful consideration, and it was the best solution for their current situation.
"A loan?" Lu Ye was slightly taken aback.
In an era where most people are accustomed to living within their means and even regard debt as a monstrous threat, taking the initiative to borrow money from banks to engage in production is undoubtedly a rather bold and avant-garde idea.
He pondered for a moment, not immediately objecting, but rationally analyzing: "In terms of policy, it is indeed beginning to encourage loans for the individual economy and township enterprises, but in practice, it may not be so easy. Banks want to see collateral and repayment ability. What do we have?"
“We have a cold storage project, which has a policy support background; we also have a contract for a labor protection factory; and,” she pulled out several carefully drawn summer clothing design sketches, “these! This is our potential and repayment ability!” Her tone was filled with a do-or-die determination. “I want to give it a try. We can’t let the opportunity slip away and the project stagnate just because we’re afraid of difficulties.”
Looking into her eyes, Lu Ye knew her mind was made up, and he took her hand: "If you want to do it, I'll support you. Do you need me to go with you?"
“I’ll go and scout things out myself first,” Jiang Suining took a deep breath. “I can’t rely on you for everything.”
The next day, Jiang Suining dressed in her neatest and most tidy clothes, and carried the prepared materials: the contract, relevant approval documents for the cold storage project, clothing design drawings, and a brief feasibility report, before entering the People's Bank Savings Office.
She was greeted by a loan officer surnamed Li, who was about forty years old, wore glasses, and had a serious expression. After hearing her purpose and glancing at the materials she had brought, Loan Officer Li frowned.
A bucket of cold water was poured over his head.
Jiang Suining's heart sank, but she didn't panic. She tried to remain calm and explained clearly, "Comrade Li, the cold storage project is a key project supported by the island. It will solve a major problem in seafood storage, and its social and future economic benefits are evident. Contracting the labor protection factory will revitalize state-owned assets and create jobs for workers. My clothing design has already produced sample garments, which will be produced by the Hongqi Garment Factory on our island. It has gained market recognition, and as long as the funds are in place, it will quickly generate profits. The source of repayment is clear..."
However, no matter how she explained, the loan officer, Li, just shook his head, repeating over and over again that "the policy does not allow it," "the risk is too great," and "there is no precedent."
The first attempt ended in failure.
Over the next few days, Jiang Suining went twice more, even finding the director of the savings bank, but the results were still unsatisfactory.
Although the other party was polite, their reasons for refusing were deeply ingrained. She began to realize that it would be difficult to persuade these cautious financial professionals with just words and enthusiasm.
She was somewhat frustrated, but not discouraged. That evening, she discussed it with Lu Ye, who reminded her, "Perhaps we need to find a guarantor or endorser."
These words were a wake-up call for Jiang Suining. She reorganized her thoughts, and the next day, instead of going to the bank, she took her documents and went directly to the office of the Nan'ao Island Management Committee to request a meeting with the deputy director in charge of economic development.
She reported on the significance of the cold storage project and the contracted labor protection factory, elevating it to the level of solving employment, developing the island's economy, and exploring new paths for reform, and frankly explained the current funding bottleneck.
The deputy director had heard of Jiang Suining before, knowing that she was in the cold storage business and had now contracted the production line of a labor protection factory that was on the verge of shutting down. She was a young woman who dared to think and act.
He listened carefully to the report, looked at the impressive design drawings, and reviewed all the materials and plans she had brought. After a long pause, he said, "Comrade Jiang Suining, I understand your difficulties. What you are doing is in line with the current spirit of revitalizing the economy, and the management committee should support it."
That afternoon, a staff member from the Management Committee Office accompanied Jiang Suining back to the People's Bank Savings Office and directly to the director.
The staff, representing the management committee, clearly expressed their concern and support for the project. Although it was not an administrative order, the effect of this official endorsement was immediate.
The bank director's attitude softened considerably, and he carefully reviewed Jiang Suining's materials again, especially the detailed feasibility report and clothing design drawings.
"Comrade Jiang, I must say, you have great courage and have made many preparations." The director's tone softened. "How about this, we'll have a meeting to discuss it, and you can come back in a few days."
Jiang Suining had no choice but to wait patiently. Two days later, Lu Ye came with her.
The bank manager was surprisingly straightforward this time: "Given that your project does have promising prospects and has been approved by the management committee, we can consider granting you a small loan, but you will need to provide sufficient collateral, or find a guarantor with a stable income."
As for collateral, she really had nothing besides her meager belongings. As for the guarantor, Jiang Suining looked at Lu Ye, who had been silently supporting her all along.
Lu Ye immediately stepped forward and said decisively, "Director, I am a regimental-level cadre. I am willing to vouch for my wife, Comrade Jiang Suining, and I will use my salary as a guarantee."
In this era, military status carries extremely high credibility. The bank manager glanced at Lu Ye, who was dressed in military uniform and stood tall, and then at Jiang Suining, whose eyes were firm and who was well-prepared. Finally, he nodded: "Okay! With your guarantee, we can make an exception. We'll calculate the specific loan amount and interest rate in detail later."
A week later, the loan application was finally completed. Although the amount was not very large, it was a godsend for Jiang Suining at this time. When the substantial sum of money was transferred into her specially opened account, she breathed a long sigh of relief.
Stepping out of the bank, the island sunshine was exceptionally bright.
She clutched the savings book tightly, her palms burning. This wasn't just money; it was fuel for her business, a glimpse of society's initial, albeit difficult, acceptance of the new economic model. She knew the road ahead was still fraught with difficulties, but with more leverage, she felt more confident.
With funding secured and production lines in place, she needed a flagship product to open up the market. With early summer approaching, she immediately set her sights on the summer clothing market.
She locked herself in her room for several days, drawing pictures at her desk, relying on her memories from her past life and her research on popular Hong Kong and Taiwan pictorials and movie magazines.
Her designs are not just clothes, but more like a depiction of the 1980s women's initial awakening to beauty and fashion.
Fifteen summer sample photos were quickly released: some borrowed from the fitted, full-skirted dress worn by Hong Kong star Brigitte Lin in a movie, but she cleverly added a detachable faux pearl collar, adding a touch of sophistication; there was a knee-length A-line skirt similar to Teresa Teng's style, paired with a cotton top with slightly puffed sleeves, fresh and lively; there was also a modified Dacron shirt, abandoning the old-fashioned square neckline and creating a small V-neck with ribbons, paired with high-waisted straight-leg pants, neat and flattering; and several outfits even boldly incorporated later off-the-shoulder and ruffle elements, but the scale was perfectly controlled, showing charm without being too revealing...
She also ingeniously drew several matching jewelry designs: a necklace woven with colorful fishing line, a hair clip inlaid with seashells, and a bracelet made of smooth, colorful buttons, showing her thoughtful attention to detail.
After completing the drawings, the first person she contacted wasn't a safety equipment factory, but tailor Zhong. Now, tailor Zhong's relationship with Jiang's mother is becoming increasingly clear, and she has almost become an "unofficial member" of the family, paying more attention to Jiang Suining's affairs.
Holding this stack of never-before-seen patterns, his eyes lit up, and he clicked his tongue in amazement:
"The waistline is so well defined, it really accentuates her figure!"
"This ribbon idea is brilliant; it moves so gracefully when you walk on it!"
While praising the work, he also offered suggestions for improvement based on his experience as an old tailor. For example, he suggested simplifying a complex pleat to make it easier for mass production, or replacing a certain fabric with a more breathable and sweat-absorbent local cotton-linen blend.
Jiang Suining readily agreed, and the two of them repeatedly deliberated in the back room of the clothing store, finally settling on fifteen perfect samples that combined aesthetics and practicality.
Zhong the tailor and Wang Hai, along with several skilled workers, worked day and night to produce several sets of each of the fifteen sample garments using the fabrics carefully selected by Jiang Suining.
Sample garments and final design drawings were quickly sent to the labor protection factory. When Director Song and the experienced workers on the production line saw the actual products, their last doubts were dispelled, and the machines began to roar, working at full capacity to produce this batch of new summer products that embodied their hopes.
At the same time, Jiang Suining began another crucial task: recruiting salespeople.
Her goal was clear: she couldn't just focus on the island; she had to sell her goods to the wider provinces!
She posted job advertisements at the entrance of the labor protection factory and the clothing store, clearly stating the requirements: hard-working, adventurous, quick-witted, eloquent, with a base salary plus commission, and no upper limit.
Many people came to apply, but most of them were reserved and didn't open up. Jiang Suining became anxious. Could it be that such a huge island couldn't even find a salesperson?
That afternoon, Jiang Suining was a little tired from the interview and was about to finish when a young man in an old military uniform with lively eyes walked in. He introduced himself as Wang Weiguo, a salesman at the supply and marketing cooperative on the island.
"Boss Jiang, I heard you're hiring sales people?" Wang Weiguo spoke quickly, with a lively enthusiasm. "I worked at the supply and marketing cooperative for three years. Not to mention our island, even people from nearby provinces and cities who come to buy things, who doesn't say 'Little Wang knows how to handle things' when they see me? I'm not bragging, but there's nothing on our shelves that I can't sell!"
Jiang Suining became interested and asked him to simulate promoting the old-fashioned work clothes that the labor protection factory had stockpiled. Wang Weiguo picked up a piece of work clothes, and unlike others who only praised its sturdiness and durability, he changed the subject: "Comrade, look at this material, it's thick! It's a bit hot to wear now, but think about it, typhoon season is coming soon. When you go out to sea to patrol at night, wearing this will protect you from the wind and rain, which is better than anything else! Besides, this color doesn't get dirty easily, it's perfect for working. If your kid is naughty, he can roll around on the ground in this and you won't have to worry about it not getting washed!" His words were simple yet to the point, and even those listening nearby couldn't help but laugh.
Jiang Suining secretly praised him, thinking he was a promising sales talent! Since the supply and marketing cooperative's counter limited his potential, she extended an olive branch: "Comrade Wang Weiguo, the supply and marketing cooperative offers a secure job, but here I'm on my own. The base salary isn't high; it's mainly commission-based. It might involve exposure to the elements and frequent business trips. Are you willing to come?"
Wang Weiguo's eyes lit up, and he said almost without hesitation, "Boss Jiang, life is stable, but it's boring because you can see the end from the beginning! I want to do something challenging! I feel like I have a future working for you! If you think I'm good enough, I'll go back to the supply and marketing cooperative and submit a report tomorrow!"
Seeing the burning fighting spirit and undisguised desire in his eyes, Jiang Suining knew she had struck gold. She smiled and extended her hand: "Great! Welcome to the team! We can discuss the specific benefits and sales territories in detail."
Wang Weiguo's joining gave Jiang Suining hope of recruiting more talent and filled her with confidence for the future.
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