2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 108 Abundant Harvest
Zhang Xupeng's idea was actually quite simple: if he was going to do a good deed, he should do it in a good way. As for interest and such, that was just a pretext to make it easier for Xiao Tan to accept.

Even close brothers should keep clear accounts. Lending out a million-dollar sum and charging bank interest is perfectly reasonable, isn't it?

Tan Jincheng's reaction was exactly what Zhang Xupeng expected. Upon hearing that interest would be charged, his expression softened considerably. This was probably the tacit understanding that had developed over the years.

When we were kids, it was the same way. If you brought me something delicious, I would think of you the next time I had something delicious.

A relationship that involves give and take can last.

"Alright, stop hesitating, it's settled then. You're short of money anyway, so hesitating any longer would be a bit pretentious," Zhang Xupeng said decisively.

Ah, that feels so good! I don't know when it started, but it seems like Xiao Tan always makes the final decision on everything. Today it's finally my turn. I haven't felt this way in a long time.

Tan Jincheng smiled and said, "Alright, let's do it your way. But we need to sign a loan agreement when we get back."

There's really no need to be sentimental at this point. Sentimentality won't get you what you need. I thought that transferring shares would be a quick, easy, and trouble-free way to obtain some funds.

However, since Zhang Xupeng is willing to lend out the bulk of his share of the profits, the effect is the same.

"Write whatever you want, I'm not afraid you'll run away; but when are you going to take me to Dongguan? I've exceeded your expectations in completing the task you promised."

Zhang Xupeng didn't want to continue the topic, so he started to change the subject, but the transition was somewhat abrupt.

"How about May 4th? The exhibition ends on the 5th, so we can close a day early, relax, and we won't miss out on any orders from that one day."

“Sure, the 4th is a Saturday. We’ve been here for over a month, it’s time to relax. Shall we take the two of them with us?” Zhang Xupeng replied with a grin.

I was just trying to change the subject, but now that things have come to this point, I'm genuinely curious. Sun Yuming's descriptions are so captivating, I really want to see for myself what he's up to.

"Of course we'll bring them. There's no reason not to. It's safer for four people to go together."

"Didn't you say it was very expensive?"

"Spend where you should, save where you should. Consider this a reward for you. Brother Sun and Brother Liu have been doing well lately. When you get back, make sure to calculate their commissions carefully. It's better to give them more than less, so they'll have the motivation to take orders."

"In addition, Yan Ning and Jing Lan's basic salaries will be increased by 20% starting in May. I have already told them, and the finance department knows as well. I'm just letting you know now. Also, we need to recruit a few more order assistants. The business volume is large now, and one order assistant can't handle it all. I have already arranged for this. Go back and interview them."

Zhang Xupeng nodded: "No problem. By the way, are you going to bring people with you to your new company? It would be better to have someone you know help you, right? If you want to bring them, just bring them."

"That's a good suggestion," Tan Jincheng thought to himself.

"That depends on their willingness. If possible, it would be good to have Brother Sun with me. He seems a bit lacking in sales skills, but he's quite good at other things."

“Then you can talk to him yourself. I also think his sales skills are just so-so. He has taken on fewer orders than the other two of us.”

The establishment of the new company definitely needs someone to run errands, and Sun Yuming is indeed a good choice. He has a driver's license and is quick-witted. If he is willing, he would be a good fit.

Having talked for so long, neither of them could sleep. Tan Jincheng then went on to tell Zhang Xupeng about all sorts of big and small matters that had happened since they returned to the company, including Li Jinglan's job changes.

In addition, he was also put in charge of the newly recruited employees of Jinshang Clothing. Tan Jincheng's idea was to give them a commission as before, so that the employees' income would be higher and more stable.

Of course, you could hire another employee. Customer service staff are customer service staff, and package delivery staff are package delivery staff. By separating the job details, you can pay salaries normally without needing extra pay.

Both options and both business strategies are acceptable; it all depends on your choice.

Zhang Xupeng listened and nodded repeatedly; it must be said, Xiao Tan is quick-witted and can think of many things. If it weren't for him, he wouldn't have thought of this.

If Xiao Tan hadn't thought of these things, when Li Jinglan's salary reached over ten thousand a month, she probably wouldn't have felt comfortable adjusting her commission anymore. At that point, it seemed like she wouldn't have a better option than finding a reason to fire her.

Both of them were first-time bosses, yet Xiao Tan was so shameless and could even justify her actions by saying that learning a skill was for her future! What the hell is that about future? If I were just looking for a job, I'd be willing to earn over ten thousand a month, even if it was only for one month. Going to learn some kind of skill is just bullshit.

One month's salary equals two or even three months' salary, so why bother working hard!
But Xiao Tan just has the ability to fool people; I don't know where she learned that skill.

"Awesome, awesome! You're sure to make a fortune with that mouth of yours," Zhang Xupeng said, giving Tan Jincheng a thumbs up.

However, it must be said that Xiao Tan has indeed solved all her worries and also planned Jinpeng Trading's future business strategy. Judging from the performance of this Canton Fair, as long as orders continue to decline precipitously, she will never have to worry about anything in her life if she participates in two quarters of trade fairs a year.

I'll use the year-end bonus to buy a few more houses, and rent out the rest. Hahaha, awesome!

Xiao Tan said that house prices will rise, but he doesn't know exactly how much. Last year, the price increased by several hundred yuan per square meter, and he doesn't know what the price will be this year. He plans to buy a house in the same neighborhood when he goes back, and then he will be able to see the difference.

"Go to sleep. I've said everything I need to say. Figure out the rest on your own. If you don't understand anything, just ask me. The new company office is in Area B. I'll show you around when we get back."

"Okay, no problem, I'll send you a flower basket when we open."

"I think it would be better to just cash it out directly."
-
Silent all night.

It was another sunny day. Today is May 1st, the May Day holiday, and people all over the country are immersed in the holiday atmosphere. On the way to the exhibition hall this morning, there were significantly more pedestrians than usual.

For exhibitors, the arrival of the May Day holiday means that the end of the exhibition is approaching, and it also means that the most profitable period of the year is about to end, which does not seem like good news.

As the exhibition progresses, many exhibitors have already begun preparing to dismantle their booths. Some booths that originally had a large number of employees now have significantly fewer staff, presumably because they have already gone home.

After all, with such a large number of exhibitors, the cost of accommodation alone is considerable.

Tan Jincheng spent the entire morning wandering around the various exhibition areas, observing the flow of exhibitors and buyers. When he returned with his lunchbox at noon, he said to the three of them, "I see that the number of people is starting to decrease. If the orders are just so-so these next few days, then we should leave early. It's not good to eat takeout every day."

“Sure, it’s fine to leave early. We don’t have to rely on these few days to make money.” Zhang Xupeng nodded and said. Today is a holiday, but the number of buyers is not as high as in the past few days, which means that either everyone is taking advantage of the holiday to relax, or they have already gotten what they wanted.

Of the four, if we were to say who was the most frustrated, it would definitely be Zhang Xupeng. He only went out for a few hours to get some fresh air on the few nights when Tan Jincheng went back. The rest of the time, he stayed in the hotel watching TV.

If it weren't for making money, he would have been eager to leave as soon as possible. Now that he was also thinking about going to Dongguan, he was more than willing to accept Tan Jincheng's suggestion.

"Okay, let's observe again tomorrow. If the orders are so-so, we'll pack up the stuff and send it back on the 3rd, have fun for two days on the 4th and 5th, and then go back on the 6th."

The number of customers on the second day remained largely unchanged, and was even lower than the previous day. Jinpeng Trading only received one order of $3 today, which was negotiated personally by Tan Jincheng.

Things are different now. Since that's the case, there's no need to waste any more time. Let's pack our things and run away.

On May 3, Tan Jincheng did not go to the exhibition hall again. Zhang Xupeng took Sun Yuming and Liu Wenbin to handle the dismantling of the exhibition, while Tan Jincheng stayed in the hotel to sort out the results of this Canton Fair.

We also need to formulate some follow-up production plans, as some orders may not necessarily be shipped in five or six batches due to the different Mid-Autumn Festival.

This trip to the Canton Fair, from its official opening on April 15th to today, has lasted exactly 20 days. For Jinpeng Trading, these 20 days have been fruitful and a great success!
Aside from James's order, there were also two other clients who signed fixed supply agreements with Jinpeng Trading last year. However, these two clients are not as large as James, so the amounts change every month. Therefore, they only signed a preliminary fixed supply agreement, and the total amount is yet to be determined.

Excluding these three regular clients, we received a total of $183 million in individual orders over 20 days, averaging $9.15 per day, which is equivalent to nearly 75 RMB – a very impressive figure!

Including James's, there's a confirmed total of $783 million for the year, and a turnover of nearly 6500 million yuan. Jinpeng Trading's gross profit for the whole year is roughly over 3000 million yuan. These days, doing export business is really, really profitable as long as you have orders!
Those who haven't participated in foreign trade during this era can't imagine it. Besides, the company sent out nearly a thousand business cards and received several hundred from customers. After returning, Zhang Xupeng was asked to sort them out. Among these people, they could surely develop some customer groups.

While organizing various contract documents, he pressed the calculator to calculate the profits from May of this year to the end of the year. Even a reborn person would gasp in astonishment!
Assuming the exchange rate remains constant and no tax rate is applied, and assuming all orders are successfully completed, the cash dividends I can receive by the end of the year will exceed ten million yuan!
You can hardly believe that this is only the first calendar year since Jinpeng Trading was founded!

"Terrifying! Absolutely terrifying!"

The next chapter will be posted later.

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(End of this chapter)