Reborn in 1985: From Selling Braised Duck to Becoming the World's Richest Man

"That would be good, of course."

Liang Ming nodded, then said:

"I think the weather's nice today. How about we go check out the brick factory after lunch?"

Since the goal is to see the actual situation at the brick factory, a surprise inspection is necessary to uncover any problems.

Although Liang Ming agreed to Jiang Tongji's offer to acquire the brick factory, he was determined not to be taken advantage of.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tongji was taken aback: "Go see it today?"

As the head of the township, Jiang Tongji quickly guessed Liang Ming's meaning.

However, if Liang Ming wanted to go, he naturally wouldn't object.

"Okay, no problem, we'll be there in a bit."

Jiang Tongji said.

After lunch, the two set off together for the state-owned brick factory in Taoyuan Township.

When the two arrived at the state-owned brick factory, they found it bustling with activity.

The workers were working hard to produce red bricks, and each of them had a determined and serious expression on their face.

They didn't seem to realize that even if the brick factory was about to close down and go into bankruptcy liquidation, the workers would all be laid off.

"Gentlemen, is there anything I can help you with?"

The gatekeeper at the brick factory politely asked Liang Ming and his companion after seeing them.

When Liang Ming saw the factory, he found it interesting. He immediately took out a cigarette from his pocket, handed it to the gatekeeper, and then asked;

"Hey gatekeeper, I'd like to ask if your brick factory has received any big orders lately? The workers all seem to be working really hard to produce red bricks."

When the security guard saw the cigarette Liang Ming offered, he quickly waved his hand and politely declined, saying, "I'm sorry, smoking is not allowed during working hours. It's a factory rule set by our factory manager."

Liang Ming was taken aback when the security guard refused his cigarette.

The cigarettes he was holding were Peony cigarettes, which are very rare for ordinary people.

When he visited state-owned enterprises, he was always greeted by a cigarette as a way to get through the gate.

Surprisingly, this time, he didn't need to pave the way with cigarettes anymore.

At this moment, Liang Ming felt a bit more favorably disposed towards the red brick factory in Taoyuan Township.

Could it be that the brick factory was able to persist for several years despite losses, not only because of the support from the township, but also because of the factory manager's management style?

Just for this one rule—that gatekeepers cannot accept cigarettes—it surpasses the rule of 90% of state-owned enterprises of this era.

Just as Liang Ming was pondering, the security guard spoke up, saying:

"As for your question about whether our brick factory received a large order, which is why everyone is working so hard, the truth is quite the opposite."

"Our factory is about to go bankrupt."

"The factory is about to go bankrupt?" Liang Ming asked, feigning surprise. "What's going on?"

The security guard, seemingly wanting someone to confide in, saw Liang Ming's curious expression and became interested in speaking as well, saying:

"It's because in the past two years, the country has reformed and opened up, and many people have gone into business. Various brick factories and small workshops have emerged, constantly competing with our brick factory for business."

"The red bricks produced by these small workshops are of much lower quality than those from our factory, but they are cheaper, so many people love to buy their red bricks."

"The problem is that ordinary people can't tell whether the red bricks are good or bad. They only know whichever is the cheapest!"

“At first, our brick factory had some old customers, but as time went on and the price difference became apparent, many of them left.”

"Since other small workshops sell red bricks at lower prices, why doesn't your factory follow suit and lower its prices?"

Jiang Tongji asked.

Although he knew that the brick factory was not doing well, he did not delve into the reasons why.

When asked, the factory manager of the red brick factory simply blamed himself.

Now, he can finally learn some of the truth from these workers.

Sure enough, when Jiang Tongji asked this question, the security guard's smile became even more helpless:

"It's not that we don't want to lower prices, it's just that the actual costs are what they are, and if we lower prices, we'll lose even more money!"

"Aren't you exaggerating a bit? There's always room for cost reduction. Otherwise, why are the red bricks from small workshops outside cheaper than yours? Don't they have costs to cover?"

Liang Ming countered with a question.

Upon hearing Liang Ming's words, the security guard became even more agitated and said angrily:

"Can that be the same?"

"The red bricks from our brick factory are made with the best materials."

"And the small workshops outside use inferior materials in order to sell the red bricks."

"If our red brick buildings can last for a hundred years, theirs can only last for 70 years at most!"

“That’s the difference!”

At this point, the security guard cursed again: "But the common people don't understand, or rather, they don't care at all."

“They only care about the price of red bricks, so they won’t make them cheap.”

By the end, the security guard at the brick factory was choked up.

It's clear that he really loves this red brick factory.

After hearing the security guard's explanation, Liang Ming and Jiang Tongji also showed a sigh of regret on their faces.

Liang Ming also understood why the red brick factory had gradually declined.

Ultimately, the problem boils down to the fact that the bricks from the brick factory were of such high quality and so durable, and the factory manager was so conscientious.

If the factory manager of the red brick factory is willing to use some inferior materials to manufacture red bricks, thereby reducing the production cost of red bricks.

As a long-established brick factory, we have absolutely no worries about selling our bricks.

But the factory manager of the red brick factory had his own ambitions!

This also led to the brick factory soon becoming unsustainable and having to go bankrupt and be liquidated.

Are there few such cases?

Not a small number.

In his previous life, Liang Ming had seen many similar situations.

For example, a certain mobile phone brand produced phones of such high quality that they were indestructible and could even be used to crack walnuts, but ultimately withdrew from the domestic market because of their superior quality.

There is also a foreign company that invented a durable light bulb. Their light bulbs have been burning for a century without the filament burning out.

The foreign company that invented this durable light bulb went bankrupt after only a few decades.

Therefore, for ordinary people, product quality is not the most important factor.

A good product is one that is aesthetically pleasing, novel, unique, and provides emotional value in addition to its practical use.

"I never expected that the factory manager of the red brick factory would actually be such a conscientious manager!"

Liang Ming chuckled and said to Jiang Tongji, who was standing beside him.

He likes employees like that.

Upon hearing Liang Ming's words, Jiang Tongji's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "Boss Liang, if you think the factory manager of this brick factory is good, you can continue to employ him!"