Chapter 456: Smuggling Cigarettes and Alcohol
PPT appeared in 1987, but in 1997, almost no companies in China used it.
After all, some of the Internet companies that have promoted this thing have not yet been established, and some are just in their infancy.
At this time, most domestic companies use paper reports or slides.
Even if domestic companies use computers these days, they only use documents and spreadsheets.
However, foreign-funded enterprises and multinational corporations should have already used this thing, so if you want to open up overseas markets, you must first make foreigners feel that you have already integrated with the international standards.
Zhou Yi explained to the two what "butt kick" was and why they had to show the PPT to foreigners.
He told Zhou Jianye that after returning to the south, he should find a company that could do this job and have someone make a packaging plan in pure English according to the requirements, which should be high-end and classy enough.
The purpose of this plan is not to achieve cooperation, because no samples can be produced at this stage. The purpose of the plan is to attract overseas business opportunities and get foreigners to take the bait.
Qian Hongxing immediately said, "I understand. This plan is actually market research. Once there is feedback from the overseas market, we can immediately establish a production line."
Zhou Yi nodded: "Yes, and we can decide the first phase of investment based on the feedback from market research."
“What if we can’t produce a product in the short term?”
"Mr. Qian, don't worry. We can't ship the goods for the time being. Don't tell them we're still producing. Instead, tell them that our orders are already scheduled for months and months. It's your fault for placing the order late, so you have to wait. And if you don't order now, you'll have to wait even longer later."
The two people in front of him were both businessmen. Although their ideas were not as advanced as Zhou Yi's, they were much more proficient in business than Zhou Yi.
The two looked at each other and laughed. Zhou Jianye said, "The harder it is to buy, the more we rush to buy it."
Qian Hongxing nodded: "Yes, create scarcity of products in the market to stimulate purchases."
Zhou Yi said, "That's right. Even if inland food factories have production capacity, they lack the awareness and channels to expand into overseas markets. Moreover, many local food factories have state-owned capital. Just making a decision and holding meetings for research on this matter can take months."
This is not a joke. Yigang and Ergang are the epitome of state-owned enterprises of this era.
"The south is mostly dominated by emerging electronics industries, because the coastal areas themselves lack the basic conditions for large-scale grain production."
Zhou Jianye nodded, and suddenly felt that Zhou Yi seemed to know the South better than he did.
Zhou Yi said: "So, you two, we have the advantage."
In fact, what Zhou Yi said was not something profound, it was just about expanding overseas markets and hunger marketing.
Twenty years later, this would have become a common business practice on the Internet.
But now it is 1997, the century is changing and the economy is about to take off. Just a little forward-looking view that is ahead of the times may turn into a huge business opportunity.
This is also the limit that an ordinary person like Zhou Yi can imagine.
He doesn't understand stocks, can't remember lottery numbers, and can't write songs. The most he knows is that he has to buy a house in the future.
Apart from those case files, all he had in his mind were some general trends of the times.
But without Zhou Jianye's ability to "speculate and profiteer" and Qian Hongxing's capital, management and industrial experience, he could do nothing.
After Zhou Yi finished speaking, he looked at the two people in front of him, looking forward to their feedback.
Qian Hongxing thought for a moment and said, "Officer Zhou, I think... this is feasible. Let's give it a try!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jianye immediately followed suit, saying, "If money means action, then I'll definitely give it my all. There's no shortage of business opportunities in the South right now, and the foreigners do have money, but what's lacking is business opportunities that can impress these foreigners. Zhou Yi, I think that fart kick you just mentioned is very good and awesome. Once we bring this out, we'll appear particularly international."
Zhou Yi thought of Tao Cong and Meng Qingtong who had been arrested before, and remembered the leaflets they had fraudulently printed, with Clinton giving a thumbs up. Isn't this just a homemade version of PPT?
"Of course. After all, there's still a huge gap between us and foreigners. Take the per capita GDP between China and the United States, for example. It's 34 times higher now. Foreigners have dozens of times more money in their pockets than we do, so this is a business opportunity."
Qian Hongxing knocked on the table and said, "So, Officer Zhou, Brother Jianye, if you're free tomorrow, come to my company. I'll call a few of my core members together, and we'll discuss this and come up with a business plan."
Zhou Yi patted his uncle's shoulder and said, "It's OK for my uncle to go. I'm just offering advice on this matter. I'm a public official and I can't be involved in this matter later. Of course, it's OK for him to take a look at the plan and PPT."
Qian Hongxing nodded to show his understanding, and also said that Zhou Yi's share of shares could be held by his father Zhou Jianguo.
Zhou Yi quickly waved his hand and said, "Boss Qian, my parents can just let them work in the factory when the time comes. Equity or something like that is out of the question. I don't have the money to invest, and I have to report to the regulations if my immediate family members are doing business. My third uncle can just take a share."
Qian Hongxing said, "Brother Jianye is indispensable. Without him to expand the market, this business wouldn't be possible. Officer Zhou, let me tell you, I'll give your share to Brother Jianye later. After all, you're family, so we can discuss anything."
Zhou Yi did not refuse anymore. Since this thing was going to be done, it would definitely be impossible to completely cut himself off from it.
"Zhou Yi, I have another question. You said before that the purpose of doing this business is to solve the livelihood problems of some laid-off workers in the steel mills. So when the factory opens, who will run it? This is a problem. You said that there are so many old acquaintances in Yigang and Ergang, and whoever you let come will offend others. What should we do?" Zhou Jianye asked.
This problem is indeed very realistic because this is human nature.
"Uncle San, this problem is easy to solve. I'll let my dad mobilize them when the time comes. The last incident has earned him a certain amount of prestige among his fellow workers. I do want to solve the livelihood problems of some laid-off workers, but recruiting workers requires a prerequisite."
"What's the premise?" they asked.
"We only pay the laid-off workers we recruit a minimum wage each month, enough to sustain their lives. Because the initial investment is quite large, we have to cut costs if we want to keep the business going for the long term."
When Zhou Jianye heard this, he immediately frowned and said, "Doesn't this...smell a bit like a black-hearted capitalist?"
Zhou Yi smiled and continued, "We only pay them basic wages, not to deduct them, but to facilitate screening."
"filter?"
"Yes, we screen those who are willing to trust us. We will pay wages according to market prices, but only the basics. The rest will be used as employee shares. When we turn losses into profits and start to make stable profits, we will compensate all workers in the form of dividends."
This answer addressed the concerns of Qian Hongxing and Zhou Jianye respectively.
Qian Hongxing certainly doesn't want to lose money, so reducing costs is naturally the best option. After all, repaying Zhou Yi and investing a large sum of money in business are two different things.
Zhou Jianye's worries were also resolved. To be frank, the best thing about this method is that it leaves job opportunities for those who really can't live happily.
If you tell a hundred people that you can invest the extra money and distribute it as dividends later, probably no more than three of them will believe it. Therefore, unless you are penniless, no one will be happy about it.
This move was just like the rumor that Heshen added sand to the porridge for disaster relief, directly screening out a large number of people.
Zhou Yi knew that he couldn't help so many people, so it was more important to help those who were truly desperate.
"Officer Zhou, how long do you estimate it will take for this business to break even?" Qian Hongxing asked.
Zhou Yi smiled helplessly and said, "I really can't estimate that. Professional matters should be handled by you two professionals. But if our business can persist, I dare to predict: in four years, there will be an opportunity for rapid development!"
Because we joined the WTO four years later, a company with a complete industrial structure, sufficient and stable production capacity, and overseas business experience will be at the forefront of the country.
What does it mean that opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared? This is it!
Qian Hongxing and Zhou Jianye exchanged a glance, and Qian Hongxing asked, "Officer Zhou, have you heard any rumors within your group?"
Zhou Yi wanted to deny it, but after thinking about it, he decided to use the old method to dispel their concerns, so he lowered his voice and said seriously: "Well, I recently met several leaders in the provincial department and heard some things from them, but I can't tell you the details, you know."
As soon as these words were spoken, Qian Hongxing and Zhou Jianye suddenly understood.
"Oh oh oh, I understand, I understand, I understand." Qian Hongxing nodded repeatedly.
Zhou Jianye said with a wicked smile: "You kid didn't realize that I have the same cleverness as I did when I was young."
Zhou Yi didn't know whether to laugh or cry, this trick had to work.
Qian Hongxing poured wine into the three people's glasses, picked them up and said, "Officer Zhou, Brother Jianye, let this drink be our agreement. Let's work hard on this business. If we can make money, that's great. If we can't, as long as we don't lose money, it's fine. We can consider it as a contribution to Hongcheng."
Qian Hongxing had actually already thought it through in his mind at this time. Since this business specifically recruited laid-off workers from steel mills, it was actually equivalent to solving the employment problem for the city. Moreover, it was his own initiative. This was the leading example that the leaders most wanted to see. At that time, he could apply to the city for tax exemptions and policy support.
If you calculate it this way, this business will definitely not lose money. If it is really as Zhou Yi said, there is an opportunity for rapid development in a few years, then his career will be able to reach a higher level.
Moreover, this matter can bind him and Zhou Yi more closely, so why not do it?
The three of them toasted and drank it all in one gulp.
…
Qian Hongxing and Zhou Jianye agreed that Zhou Jianye would go to his company tomorrow to discuss the future plans in detail. In the second half of the meal, the three of them did not talk about this matter anymore, but talked about all sorts of things.
When the discussion was almost over, Qian Hongxing asked tentatively, "Officer Zhou, should I tell you about the smuggling incident now?"
Zhou Jianye had just taken a sip of wine and hadn't swallowed it yet when he heard the word "smuggling" he was so shocked that he spat out the wine.
"Damn it Zhou Yi, you guys are still doing smuggling?"
Zhou Yi looked at his uncle as if he were mentally retarded and said helplessly, "It's almost done. Otherwise, how could I have eaten the meal if you had spit it out?"
Zhou Jianye was anxious: "No, I'm talking to you about smuggling. Don't change the subject."
"Hey, my clever Third Uncle, what are you thinking about? There's a smuggling case, and I asked Mr. Qian to get some information for me."
Qian Hongxing smiled and said, "That's right, that's right. It's my fault for not explaining it clearly. It's a case, a case."
Zhou Jianye then realized that he had made a mistake. He smiled awkwardly and picked up a tissue to wipe the table. As he wiped, he said, "This meal is on me, I'll treat you."
Having said that, he went downstairs to pay the bill without waiting for Zhou Yi to stop him.
Qian Hongxing said, "Officer Zhou, your third uncle is quite interesting."
Zhou Yi smiled and said, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you. But to be honest, when it comes to business skills, he definitely can't compare to you. But he went to the south alone when he was a teenager and made his living there. From being penniless, he now owns a car, a house, a company, and a family. When it comes to understanding the situation in the south, no one is more qualified than him."
"In his teens... So he went south right after the reform and opening up." Qian Hongxing gave a thumbs-up and said, "What courage and vision."
There were only two people left in the private room, and Zhou Yi asked Qian Hongxing what he had found out.
Qian Hongxing said that he did find out about a person whose surname was Du and whose name was Du Jun, but he was not sure if it was his real name.
This person not only smuggles cigarettes, but also foreign liquor. Moreover, it seems that this person's business is not in Hongcheng. Hongcheng only started to have large-scale smuggling of cigarettes and liquor last year.
Qian Hongxing said that he asked around, but no one knew Du Jun's background, and he was quite mysterious.
"Officer Zhou, do you know the Golden Phoenix Nightclub?" Qian Hongxing asked.
Hearing this name, Zhou Yi's heart skipped a beat: "What do you mean?"
"I heard from a friend that at least half of the smuggled cigarettes and alcohol that Du Jun brought to Hongcheng ended up in the Golden Phoenix Nightclub."
Zhou Yi's expression instantly became serious. In other words, the time when he and Jiang Biao accidentally raided the smuggling warehouse hidden in the chemical plant had actually affected Jiang Zhengdao's business.
So Jiang Zhengdao deliberately greeted me at the gate of Jianghai Mansion that day because he had been targeting me for a long time because of the smuggling of cigarettes and alcohol?
Indeed, the business of smuggling high-end cigarettes and alcohol is not for ordinary people to consume. It is mainly for high-end entertainment consumption venues, then for gifts, and finally for the bulk market.
The size of the Golden Phoenix Nightclub can actually take up half of it, which shows how good his business is.
But Hongcheng is just a city with a population of two million. Can it support such a scale?
"Mr. Qian, I have a question for you."
"you say."
"Have you ever been to the Golden Phoenix Nightclub?"
Qian Hongxing suddenly felt a little embarrassed. "I have been there before... but in the business world, sometimes you have to do whatever you want. You just have to go with the flow. But I haven't been there this year. At the end of last year, an out-of-town client got drunk and acted crazy inside. There was some unpleasantness at the time, so I didn't go."
"Don't be nervous. What I'm asking today is limited to this room. Once you leave this room, I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."
Hearing Zhou Yi's words, Qian Hongxing immediately relaxed because he was not sure what Zhou Yi meant.
Zhou Yi hesitated and asked, "Is there...prostitution going on here?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
