2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 87 Establishing a New Company

Zhang Xupeng was sullen and unhappy because Tan Jincheng was preparing to set up a new company, which was also why he was a few days late going to Guangzhou.

It's impossible that Tan Jincheng didn't inform Zhang Xupeng about using some of his shares in Jinpeng Trading Co., Ltd. as collateral for a loan; Zhang Xupeng must have known about it long ago.

However, he did not expect the loan procedures to be completed so quickly.

Just yesterday, Tan Jincheng received a bank loan of 50 yuan, with all procedures completed.

After receiving the loan, Tan Jincheng immediately told Zhang Xupeng, who was a little dazed at the time.

Since that conversation last year, Zhang Xupeng realized that his childhood friend, with whom he had grown up, studied, and even done bad things, would one day part ways with him and start a new life.

Zhang Xupeng arrived in Beicang last October, and it's been almost half a year since then. In these six months, he has grown a lot and is no longer so naive as to think that Xiao Tan's decision not to include him in his second startup is a disregard for brotherhood.

On the contrary, Zhang Xupeng was very grateful to Tan Jincheng. Jinpeng Trading is now on the right track. Tan Jincheng's courage to entrust him with the management of a company with great development potential and to choose to start his own business for the second time is truly admirable.

However, Zhang Xupeng did not expect this day to come so quickly, and the loan to be approved so quickly. Given Xiao Tan's efficiency in doing things, the new company would also be established soon.

I remember visiting Xiao Tan's house during Chinese New Year. The soap opera on TV featured characters, both the male lead and the second male lead, who were incredibly kind to the female lead without expecting anything in return. Aunt Zhang said it was very touching, but Xiao Tan called them "saintly hypocrites."

Although I don't quite understand what "saintly bitch" means, the word "bitch" is easy to understand literally, so "saintly bitch" doesn't sound like a good word.

Instead of making a steady income, Xiao Tan went and started a second company. Isn't that exactly what she did?
"Don't worry, I won't embarrass you. I'll send you a big flower basket when the new company opens," Zhang Xupeng said with a forced smile.

"What do you mean by not embarrassing me? We both need to have our own businesses. From now on, Jinpeng Trading will be your business, and my business is about to begin."

After a brief pause, Tan Jincheng looked intently at Zhang Xupeng and said, "Ten years from now, let's see who has built a bigger business."

Zhang Xupeng perked up upon hearing this: "Okay, what do you want to compete in?"

"I still owe you 8 yuan, right? Let's have a contest: ten years from now, the loser pays the winner 8 yuan, how about it?"

Ten years later, in 2015, Zhang Xupeng, having managed Jinpeng Trading for so long, must have been worth at least tens of millions. It wouldn't be unreasonable to swindle him out of 80,000 yuan.

“Okay, no problem; how about this, whoever gets married will give an 8 yuan red envelope?” Zhang Xupeng replied with a smile.

"Okay, no problem, it's settled then."

"Okay, you can go back now. I'll call you when I get there. If you don't understand anything, you can ask the staff that Uncle Cheng introduced or come to you. Don't worry."

"Yes, all of that is fine. You'll get the hang of it with more observation and learning. The most important thing is that the three of you must be careful."

"Damn, it's a provincial capital, after all. Is it really as exaggerated as you're making it out to be? You're just obsessed."

"Don't you know that safety comes first when you're out and about? What if you lose your wallet or ID? Don't come looking for me to save you later."

"Hurry up and leave, I'm not a child." Zhang Xupeng was getting impatient. Tan Jincheng smiled but didn't say anything, waved and drove away. Zhang Xupeng watched the car drive away until it was completely out of sight before turning around.

After a while, Zhang Xupeng slapped his forehead, causing both salesmen to look at him.

"Oh, it's nothing, let's go." Zhang Xupeng said casually when he saw the two looking at him.

Damn it, Xiao Tan's tone just now sounded exactly like, "You wait here, I'll go buy you a bag of oranges." No wonder I got more and more impatient the more I listened.

Could this guy talk to that female student named Gu Qingqing in the same way? Li Jinglan mentioned that after she kicked him out that day, the two of them talked in the office for the entire morning.
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After speeding all the way back to Beicang, Tan Jincheng went straight to the agency where Zhang Xupeng had rented the office space at Jinpeng Trading, intending to rent the office space first; as for the location, it should still be in this office building area, and it would be even better if it could be in the same building.

With money in our pockets, we can be more assertive. This time, we can rent a larger office space. The new trading company will follow the same asset-light model as Jinpeng Trading.

I'm already familiar with the process of designing samples, placing orders with the OEM, and connecting with clients.

The difference is that, compared to the clothing industry, electronic products involve more patents and components, making them more complex. Consequently, the employees required cannot be as careless as those at Jinpeng Trading.

Foreign trade salespersons, merchandisers, customs brokers, financial settlement clerks, technical support engineers, and after-sales trainers all need to be hired, which naturally requires a much larger space.

"I'd like to rent a place that's about 150 to 200 square meters. Can you help me choose one? Ideally, it would be near my old company."

"No problem, I guarantee Boss Tan will be satisfied." Xu Fujie said happily, a big job had come his way.

This Mr. Tan was introduced by Mr. Zhang from Jinpeng Trading, and he is also one of the owners of Jinpeng Trading. In just six months, this Mr. Tan is going to rent a new venue, and the area is even larger.

This is a very promising business. At this rate of development, they might even expand their office space next year. We need to hold onto this client and not let him slip away.

"Alright, thank you Mr. Xu. Please contact me as soon as possible if you find a suitable one, preferably before April 10th."

Today is the 29th, and there are 11 days left until the 10th. If the office space issue cannot be resolved before then, we will have to wait until after the Canton Fair ends.

Within ten days or so, finding suitable housing and a rental contract was no problem at all, and Xu Fujie agreed without hesitation.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Tan Jincheng stood up and said, "That's all for now. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay, Mr. Tan, take care." Xu Fujie saw Tan Jincheng to the door and watched him drive away before turning around and going inside.

"I want to drive a Passat too!" Back at his desk, Xu Fujie started dialing the phone repeatedly.

Tan Jincheng then visited the registration agency next to the tax bureau once again. Unlike last October, Tan Jincheng, who arrived by car, was still warmly received even though he was not recognized.

Tan Jincheng couldn't help but recall a joke that circulated in Ningbo in his previous life: "You can't do business in Ningbo without an Audi."

(End of this chapter)