2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 173 The Entrepreneurial Conflict
P.S.: This chapter is just a transitional chapter with little content and is only so-so. If you mind, you don't have to subscribe.

Women are generally drawn to strength, especially those who are independent and have their own thoughts. Gu Qingqing is no exception to this kind of mindset.

After spending two days there, I witnessed firsthand how Tan Jincheng communicated fluently with foreign businessmen and introduced products with confidence. Regardless of whether the order was ultimately signed, he remained calm and composed. It was truly amazing!
"Brother, you're amazing! How did you learn to speak English so well? I feel like no one in our class has your level of spoken English."

"It's different. My skills are self-taught, so I'm definitely not as good as you guys in terms of professional expertise."

Gu Qingqing's eyes flickered, and at the same time, she was thinking about what Tan Jincheng had said before: that English could only be considered a tool and not a profession. Now it seemed that this was indeed true. There were countless part-time students holding signs outside the exhibition hall asking for translation services. These were all her future competitors.

Not only these students, but even the salespeople at each booth can exchange a few words; by the time I graduate, it will be two years later, and by then English will probably be more widely spoken, right?

"It seems like I'm very likely to be unemployed after graduation," Gu Qingqing said with some emotion.

Different groups have different perspectives on issues. Tan Jincheng pays more attention to the changes at the Canton Fair. For example, this year, the number of private enterprises participating in the fair exceeded that of state-owned enterprises for the first time. The apparel industry is still in a state of fierce competition, while the export of electronic products remains very promising.

Gu Qingqing, on the other hand, observes more from his perspective, focusing on the translators who serve at the exhibition.

"Don't be so pessimistic. Our generation of college students is still in high demand. As for the future, it's really hard to say," Tan Jincheng said with a smile.

"Brother, I've noticed you have great taste! With electronics so popular, studying computer science definitely has a brighter future than studying English."

I've gotten used to calling him "brother," so it's not so hard to say anymore.

"Didn't I have the best taste in choosing a rich girl like you as my girlfriend?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingqing said proudly, "Well, I guess that counts too, though."

"Let's go, let's go look around somewhere else. I promised to show you around, I can't just leave you to keep me company while we talk about work."

"But can you leave here?"

"No problem, Lao Qin is quite experienced. My itinerary didn't originally include the Canton Fair. We'll go shopping for a couple of days and then go back."

Compared to inexperienced newcomers like Sun Yuming and Liu Wenbin at the beginning of the year, Qin Junchao had much more sales experience, had participated in the Canton Fair, and knew how to follow the procedures.

This is why most company job postings state that experienced candidates are preferred.

After giving Qin Junchao some instructions, Tan Jincheng left with Gu Qingqing. Before leaving the exhibition hall, they went to Jinpeng Trading for a stroll. When they got closer, they saw Zhang Xupeng, who had short hair, wore a polo shirt, had a name tag around his neck, and was dressed very formally. He was enthusiastically introducing the samples to the customers.

Of course, there are translators available nearby.

People say that money can cultivate one's character. As the company's performance improved and his personal wealth expanded rapidly, Zhang Xupeng transformed from Tan Jincheng's former follower into the leader of a company. Compared to six months ago, his demeanor was completely different.

This kind of temperament might not be easily noticed by people who are very familiar with it in daily life, but it will be immediately apparent in the workplace.

"Let's go, don't bother him."

Without continuing towards the booth, Tan Jincheng simply waved to Sun Wenbin, who had spotted him, and then left with Gu Qingqing.

Gu Qingqing had obviously noticed this as well, and as she walked, she glanced back and said, "Boss Zhang seems pretty capable too. Look at him, his mouth never seems to stop. I used to think of him as your subordinate."

"People change. Look at those emperors in ancient times. When they were crown princes, they were all timid and submissive, but once they ascended the throne, they became just as domineering."

How bad could the demeanor of the person in charge of a company with an annual turnover of over 100 million yuan be? If he hadn't transferred all the money out of the account this time, how high would his status be as the actual controller of Jinpeng Trading, whose account would be full of cash flow by the end of the year?
While banks seem to prefer companies like Flashpoint that can provide loans, those with accounts full of cash are equally enviable.

To some extent, most of the loans Shanchi received in its early stages were taken out because Tan Jincheng was a major shareholder of Jinpeng Trading; the banks weren't worried at all that this young upstart couldn't repay them.

This can be considered a benefit that Tan Jincheng receives from being a major shareholder of Jinpeng Trading.

However, after this Canton Fair, this identity will basically be no longer needed. Firstly, Flash has entered the fast lane and is about to take off. Secondly, with the end of the Canton Fair, Jinyi Industry's cash flow will also expand rapidly.

After leaving the exhibition hall, Tan Jincheng hailed a taxi and headed straight to the mall to have a meal first.

"I feel like I've gone bad."

"How to say?"

In a shopping mall, Tan Jincheng, who was ordering food, suddenly heard Gu Qingqing's sigh.

"What else can I say? It's all your fault for corrupting me. I never thought of taking time off to travel before, but now I've actually taken time off and come all the way to Guangzhou."

"Okay, okay, it's all my fault. Now that we're out here, we should have some fun."

"Yes! I want to eat delicious food, visit fun tourist attractions, and buy pretty clothes!"

"necessary!"

Having completely opened her heart, Gu Qingqing and Tan Jincheng visited many places over two days. Thanks to the improved security capabilities of the Canton Fair, the security situation in Guangzhou was not as bad as Tan Jincheng had imagined. Of course, it might also be related to the places they visited. Tuesday, October 18th.

That evening, Zhang Xupeng invited employees from the two companies that had participated in the exhibition to a farewell party for Tan Jincheng, as they would be returning to Ningbo the next day.

"Cheers, and have a safe journey."

"Cheers! Wishing Mr. Zhang a booming order volume at this Canton Fair!"

"Give me a break," Zhang Xupeng said, downing his beer in one gulp.

Tan Jincheng did the same; the two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

Sitting next to Tan Jincheng, Qin Junchao tactfully filled their glasses. Zhang Xupeng then raised his glass to Gu Qingqing and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, I've been a bit neglectful these past few days. Please don't take offense. I've just been too busy with work. I'll treat you two to a meal to make amends when we get back to Beicang. I'll drink this, you can drink as you please."

Gu Qingqing's cup contained a beverage. As for Zhang Xupeng's way of addressing her, he wouldn't change it even after correcting her several times, so she got used to it and didn't care much anymore.

"It's alright, work is important. I also wish Mr. Zhang a prosperous business."

"Haha, I accept your blessing. I think you're sincere, unlike Xiao Tan, who's definitely joking with me."

"Bullshit, I genuinely wished you well, okay?"

"Do you think I believe you or not?"

Although the roadside barbecue stall was simple, it was filled with laughter and joy. After eating and drinking for more than an hour, Zhang Xupeng was already a little drunk. Seeing this, Tan Jincheng asked Sun Wenbin and others to help him back, thus ending the farewell banquet.

"Damn, could this guy have deliberately gotten himself drunk to avoid paying the bill?"

Back at the hotel, Tan Jincheng lay on the bed and complained. Actually, he was a little dizzy at the moment. Even though it was beer, there were still so many people.

"Boss Zhang isn't as bad as you say. Go take a shower, you reek of alcohol," Gu Qingqing said with a laugh.

Lying on the bed, Tan Jincheng's eyes darted around, and he casually replied, "Go wash up first, I'll lie down for a while."

Gu Qingqing nodded and instructed, "Alright then, don't fall asleep. They say it's easy to fall asleep when you drink too much."

This was the first time she had seen Tan Jincheng drink so much, and she didn't know what he would do when he was drunk.

"That's hard to say. If you fall asleep, wake me up."

Silent all night.

The next morning, Zhang Xupeng waited for them in his car downstairs at the hotel. After dropping them off at the airport, he would continue to the Canton Fair exhibition area. For a trading company owner, the Canton Fair in spring and autumn is usually the busiest time of the year.

"Take it."

"What? A power of attorney?"

"Okay, I wrote you a letter of authorization. Go back and do whatever you can to avoid trouble next time."

"Wow, you've got guts. Aren't you afraid I'll use this to take out a huge loan?" Tan Jincheng teased, though he was secretly touched.

How much trust must one have to write the contents of a power of attorney?

"Go ahead, it's not like I can't pay it back. As long as you can get the loan, do you think I'm afraid of you?"

"Have the guts!"
-
After several hours of flying, the trip to Guangzhou officially came to an end. After sending Gu Qingqing back to school, Tan Jincheng drove back to Beicang without stopping. The production line introduced in the new factory this time was different from that of the old factory and was much more advanced.

This time, Flash Motors invested heavily, introducing a total of five automated production lines. The loan funds were mainly used for these production lines. The new factory is more advanced, and can produce a small electric scooter in as little as five minutes.

The introduction of automated production lines not only brings us closer to leading companies in the industry, but also takes into account the rising labor costs in the future. Although workers are easy to find now, this will not be the case in a few years.

Business owners often face a dilemma. When Tan Jincheng first started his factory, he believed that the more people he hired, the better. He thought this would not only bring him a certain status but also solve local employment problems and benefit the people.

However, in actual operation, it seems that this is not the case. Having more employees does not seem to mean anything. Some positions that can be replaced by machines seem to be better handled by machines, which is very frustrating.

If it were just about the electric vehicle industry, Tan Jincheng wouldn't mind making a big splash by hiring more entry-level employees. However, for the sake of his dream of building cars, he had to implement some automated equipment ahead of schedule.

With the addition of automated production lines, next year's output will be able to reach a new level, which is a great opportunity for the domestic market with huge demand.

Only with sufficient production capacity can you have the opportunity to dominate the national market; otherwise, it's all just empty talk.

(End of this chapter)