2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 184 Money and Career

Many inexplicable good things can often be attributed to "luck".

When his parents called to inquire, Tan Jincheng could only explain that the government's support must have had its own comprehensive considerations, but he could only speculate about the specific challenges involved.

Perhaps it was the right time and the right place that led me to appear, and I also had some ability, so I became that lucky one.

As for what to do next, the only thing to do is to run the business well.

After listening to their son's account for more than an hour, Tan Lihua and his wife remained silent during the call.

"So you're a real billionaire now?" Tan Lihua asked after a long while.

"Yes, definitely, but actually I don't have much money. I can't just spend the money from the share transfer on my own," Tan Jincheng replied with a smile.

"Sigh, your mother and I still can't quite accept it. This pace of development is just too fast," Tan Lihua sighed.

After getting ashore, Tan Jincheng never thought of hiding the details of his business from his parents, just because he was afraid that if he suddenly became rich one day, his parents would find it hard to accept.

Often, money is not just a number representing one's net worth, but also a process.

He usually lived a poor life, and then one day, like Charlotte, he suddenly told his parents, "I'm coming clean, I'm a billionaire now, I'm not pretending anymore."

For the parents, this was not a surprise, but a shock.

Fortunately, although Tan Lihua and his wife still found it hard to accept, they were not too frightened. After all, they knew what businesses their son owned. The only thing they couldn't understand was how quickly things had progressed.

"It is indeed a bit too fast, but time waits for no one. The electric vehicle industry is in its initial development stage these past few years. If I continue to operate on a small scale as before, I may be eliminated by the market in two or three years."

If we were to use a business case to describe the electric scooter industry from 2003 to 2005, or even in the past two years, it would have a bit of the flavor of the group-buying war.

Initially, some small factories operated on a small scale. However, after the implementation of the new traffic regulations, the number of factories nationwide increased exponentially. Companies like Xinri and Yadi have been making continuous moves in the second half of this year.

There are even rumors that some established motorcycle manufacturers that previously looked down on electric vehicles, such as Zongshen, are preparing to enter the electric vehicle industry.

If you don't have any ambitions, don't want to grow big, and just want to make some money, then staying at the current scale is actually not bad. You can make a little money and then close down or sell the factory.

If that's the case, there's no need for any marketing tactics. Distributing flyers locally or even opening two directly operated stores would be enough.

But for a reborn individual with ideals and a dream of owning a car, this is obviously impossible. There are many ways for a reborn person to make money, and buying a few houses is much easier than starting a factory.

Tan Jincheng dared not reveal his dream of building cars at this time, and had never mentioned it to anyone.

Manufacturing new energy vehicles in 2005, regardless of whether there was the capital or not, did not conform to market rules. It would be as useless as launching Douyin (TikTok) at that time. The technology was not supported, and consumers simply could not accept it.

Consumer habits need to be cultivated. In an era where traditional gasoline-powered cars are deeply ingrained in people's minds, it is difficult to get people to accept new energy vehicles. This is similar to the electric scooters of a few years ago. At the beginning of the century and in earlier years, consumers only recognized motorcycles.

Consumers only think of alternatives after the government begins a large-scale ban on motorcycles. The same applies to new energy vehicles. Even in 2023, when their popularity was already quite high, a large number of car buyers still did not approve of new energy vehicles.

As for the factors behind the policies, whether it's banning motorcycles or providing substantial subsidies for new energy vehicles, it's essentially a process of breaking through the blockade.

Tan Lihua realized that this kid had real ambitions and wasn't just after money. If he had to describe him in one word, it would be "building a career."

No matter how much money he earns, he invests it all directly, it seems like he wants to go big.

"Having ideals and ambitions is a good thing, but you should still be low-key, you know? Also, what was the point of spending so much money on this celebrity endorsement? Was it really necessary?"

"Haha, actually there aren't that many, but a new brand is still necessary. Our promotion will catch up in a while, and the samples will be off the production line soon. Dad, you can keep an eye on it then."

"Alright, we can't help you with your career right now. You need to be extra careful. Success is a good thing, but staying safe and sound is the most important thing."

"Yes, I understand, Dad. Things here aren't as complicated as you think."

At that moment, Zhang Suzhi's voice came from the other end of the phone: "Son, what's going on with your girlfriend?"

"Did your uncle tell you?"

"Of course! How could your uncle hide something this big from us? Why didn't you tell me you had a girlfriend? I was even asking around at home about girls waiting for you to come back for blind dates. Now I don't know how to explain this to them." "Mom, you're too hasty. I'm only 20 years old, okay? Even if I don't have a girlfriend, you don't need to arrange blind dates for me, do you?"

"What's wrong with being 20? You'll be 21 after the New Year. If you find someone through a blind date, you can date for a couple of years and then get married. You can have a child and raise it with Jin Yue. It won't be a problem."

Tan Jincheng smiled wryly. It really wasn't difficult. He had given birth to Jin Yue when she was four or five years old, and he was able to raise her together.

However, I have no intention of getting married so early, so I'm giving them a heads-up.

"Mom, I haven't thought about getting married too early. You and Dad don't need to worry about it. Besides, Qingqing is still a student. We don't even know if she'll go on to graduate school. So if we were to get married early, it would be at least four or five years from now."

"Alright, alright, we'll talk about this later. Anyway, I can't control you now. Tell me what kind of girl she is, what her family situation is like? Your uncle knows too little."

Last Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhang Qingliang was still in the hospital. The two of them stayed at the hospital for a while and then left. When his younger cousin came over for National Day, Tan Jincheng had already gone on a trip. Apart from knowing where Gu Qingqing was from and how old she was, Zhang Qingliang really couldn't provide much information.

"She's an only child, living in Yiwu. Her family is quite wealthy. Don't worry, even if your son goes bankrupt, he should still be able to live off his wife. As for her parents, I haven't met them yet. Let's talk about it after I meet them."

By now, Tan Jincheng knew that Gu Qingqing's family actually owned 35 stalls in the Yiwu International Trade City! Although each stall wasn't very large, this was the Yiwu International Trade City after all.

The rent for shops in Yiwu International Trade City has always been very stable. Even in 2023, when the real economy was not doing well, the annual rent was still around 10 yuan. It was just that it was difficult to rent them out, but the price was there.

With 35 stalls, in 2005, the peak of foreign trade, the annual rent started at least at 400 million yuan!

I knew she was a little rich, but I never imagined she was this rich! If I had known her a year earlier, I could have easily been living off her.

"Oh? An only child, and her family is wealthy. What if her family doesn't want her to marry someone from another place? Would they object to your relationship?"

"You're worrying about this too early. When the country develops well and transportation becomes more convenient, you can travel between Yiwu and Ningbo in a day. What's so special about being from out of town?"

I was referring to my hometown.

"Mom, do you think I'll still go back to my hometown often in the future?"

"."

Yes, her son's career is so successful now, will he still be able to come back to his hometown often in the future? Obviously not. Zhang Suzhi was happy and proud, but also a little sad.

After the son turned 18, he became increasingly distant from his parents.

"Alright, alright, I can't worry about your affairs anymore, let's leave it at that; by the way, see if you can arrange a job for your uncle. He did help you out after his car accident last time. If there are any easy jobs in your factory, please arrange one for him. Painting all the time isn't good for his health."

"Did your uncle tell you that?"

“Your uncle didn’t say it, but your aunt did hint at it, worried that he would rush to make money before his leg had fully recovered. You know your uncle’s personality.”

"Don't worry, I've thought about this a long time ago. I'll talk to him and let him rest for another month."

Ever since deciding to change the accident that happened to Zhang Qingliang, Tan Jincheng has prepared for all kinds of risks, and he wants to ensure that the same accident doesn't happen to him again during his renovation, leading to his death.

But ignoring it was obviously impossible. She was related to him by blood and had always been good to him. Tan Jincheng couldn't turn a blind eye to her, including when he bought imported milk powder for his sister.

The nationally sensational milk powder scandal is set to happen next year. In my previous life, my younger sister also drank domestic brands. The incident terrified the whole family. Fortunately, there were no problems in the end, but the incident remains fresh in our memories.

If you are powerless to change others, but have the ability to help those in need, even at the risk of doing so, you must do so.

Ever since Zhang Qingliang's car accident, Tan Jincheng had considered taking this opportunity to help him change careers. He planned to arrange for him to join the new factory once it officially went into production, so that he could learn from the basics and eventually become a junior manager.

There's no need to find a reason. You're my uncle, and you got into trouble while helping me with my work. Now that I have the ability to solve your job problem and make money more easily, there's nothing wrong with that.

I originally planned to tell him about it during New Year's Day or when I had some free time, but since my mother brought it up, I should reassure him first. Otherwise, given his hardworking nature, he won't be able to recover properly from his injury.

Looking through the calendar, November is already more than halfway over. The five automated production lines in the new factory have been almost installed, and the construction of the remaining workshops is also progressing steadily.

In terms of the construction period, it should be able to officially start production by the end of December, which is earlier than the expected New Year's Day.

(End of this chapter)