People in the Republic of China era began to rise from industry.

Kong Yongzhi didn't believe for a second that Lin Yi could do anything to the prestigious Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the National Government.

But Fenghua Metallurgical Plant became a US-owned enterprise, and it was clear that he could no longer acquire it.

The Department of Industry ignores the other party's claims, and the Americans will not step in.

However, the Americans certainly wouldn't ignore the idea of ​​turning a US company that produces specialty steel into a Chinese company.

They were outmaneuvered by a nobody and their boat capsized in the gutter.

Kong Yongzhi became increasingly angry the more he thought about it.

So for the next two days, he was in a bad mood.

Then, we received a report from the textile industry that they wanted to establish the China Textile Federation.

He looked at the secretary who came to report with some surprise and asked two questions in a row: "When did this happen? Who brought it up?"

There were rumors before.

"Those who are known to have participated include Wu Rongsheng from Shanghai, Zhang Jingde from Tianjin, and people from Landao and Hanyang who also went to Shanghai."

"I suppose they were involved as well."

"As for who specifically made the suggestion, I have already sent someone to investigate."

Hearing the secretary's words, Kong Yongzhi narrowed his eyes: "You mean, they set up this association without reporting it to our Ministry of Industry?"

"No, I only heard about it because a businessman named Yu Xingmin in Shanghai told one of his friends in the ministry."

Snapped!

Kong Yongzhi slammed his fist on the table, furious: "They're lawless! Do they even respect the Ministry of Industry? Do they even respect the National Government?"

The secretary shrank back and didn't dare to say a word.

Obviously, there isn't one.

Otherwise, to establish such a national industry association, a group of shrewd businessmen would certainly need to consult with the Ministry of Industry, even if they didn't involve management departments like the Ministry of Industry.

At the very least, they will definitely contact you, the minister, privately to receive your instructions.

Now, several leading figures in the textile industry have gathered in Shanghai, and the Ministry of Industry has only just received the news... Clearly, the establishment of this textile association is probably aimed at the Nationalist government.

Over the past six months, almost all the prominent figures in the textile industry have visited the Ministry of Industry.

Although he did not meet Kong Yongzhi most of the time, he participated in the few meetings he did have.

Without exception, they all talked about the difficulties they faced after the tariff changes.

We hope the Nationalist government will reconsider its tariff policy.

In addition, they can provide some assistance with bank loans to help everyone get through the difficult times.

At the time, Minister Kong only promised to do his best to facilitate it, and then there was no further progress.

On the contrary, Madam Kong had set up several trading companies early on, specializing in the import of finished fabrics.

They probably made quite a bit of money.

Given how things have turned out, how could the textile industry possibly communicate with the Ministry of Industry when it's forming an industry association?

In that short time, Kong Yongzhi, who had cursed a few times, calmed down a bit.

He said angrily, "Immediately send a special envoy to Shanghai and tell them that without the National Government's permission, this is an illegal association!"

"It is permissible to establish an industry association, but it must be led by the Ministry of Industry."

"Yes."

The secretary acknowledged, then asked, "Minister, who should be appointed as the commissioner?"

Kong Yongzhi frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Have Wang Shiliang, the deputy director of the Commerce and Administration Department, come to see me."

"Yes."

The secretary turned and left.

I already knew the answer.

Everyone in the Ministry of Industry knows that Deputy Director Wang of the Commerce and Administration Department is an absolute confidant of Minister Kong.

Now that he's putting Wang Shiliang in charge of this matter, it's probably not as simple as him wanting the Ministry of Industry to take the lead in the Textile Federation...

Lin Yi has always been decisive and efficient in his work.

Once several industry leaders had arrived, he presented the prepared bylaws for discussion by the future executive directors of the association.

Negotiating with the Nationalist government to negotiate on tariff issues was a consensus among everyone.

He only said a few words, and the group of people immediately expressed no objection.

The same applies to establishing import/export companies and expanding into overseas markets.

Purchasing raw materials and distributing finished products in a unified manner under the name of an import and export company is definitely more advantageous than going it alone.

Several people rushed to Shanghai because they were optimistic about this matter.

Regarding the establishment of industry standards and the brainstorming of the best production model, several people spoke up.

We talked back and forth, and before we knew it, more than an hour had passed.

However, when Lin Yi mentioned establishing a 60 million yuan industry support fund, the once lively meeting room immediately quieted down.

Everyone agrees that it's acceptable to use one's own money to help peers.

Wu Rongsheng had already specifically mentioned this point in his telegram to the group.

This is also the basis for wanting to gain a position of influence within the association.

However, how much money to spend is a question that needs to be carefully considered.

Lin Yi is asking for 60 million right now. If the dozen or so people present split the cost equally, each of them would have to contribute at least 4 million.

Although thanks to Feng Hua's textile production lines, it's only a matter of time before everyone's factories escape the predicament of losses.

But even setting aside its own capacity expansion, the continued upgrading of its production lines would require a significant investment.

It wouldn't be right to neglect your own affairs just to help your colleagues, would it?

Seeing the atmosphere cool down, Wu Rongsheng and Lin Yi, who had become one of the initiators, exchanged a smile and were the first to speak.

"Gentlemen, this fund will certainly not be given to you for nothing."

"Mr. Lin and I had discussed this idea before."

"This fund is managed by the association, but ownership belongs to the import and export company that will be established later."

"As for the import and export company, in addition to the association taking 10% of the shares, the future dividends will be continuously injected into the support fund."

"The remaining 90 percent will be distributed as shares based on how much of the 60 million each person contributed."

After hearing what he said, the eyes of the few people who had been silent and were not willing to be the first to speak up suddenly lit up.

Zhang Jingde, who came from Tianjin, rolled his eyes and smiled, "If that's the case, then everyone will definitely support it."

"I just wonder what the profit margin will be once this import and export company is up and running?"

"Not high. My target is three to five points, and I'll try to keep it at three points."

Lin Yi answered him.

He looked at Zhang Jingde and smiled, "The purpose of establishing an import and export company is still to support industry. If we focus on profit margins, then it loses its meaning."

"But we need to look at this in the long run. Once we scale up, even if the profit is only three percent, that's still a considerable amount."

"Mr. Wu should have told everyone that the sales of Japanese textiles in the European and American markets reached approximately 2.2 billion last year."

"Even if we only manage to take half in the future, it will still be 1.1 billion."

"A three percent profit is thirty-three million."

"The import and export companies are backed by the association and have no capital costs in procuring goods, so for everyone, it should be said that it is a one-time investment with lifelong benefits."

After listening attentively to his words, Zhang Jingde couldn't help but nod.

If you consider it from this perspective, then the money was well spent.

He thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Lin, if that's the case, I'm definitely happy to pay."

"But it might be a bit difficult for everyone to raise 60 million right now."

"As Mr. Lin knows, everyone has been struggling for half a year, and life has been difficult for everyone."

"Brother Jingde, you don't need to worry about that."

Wu Rongsheng spoke with a smile.

“Mr. Lin had already decided that since he initiated the establishment of the association, he would be responsible for the majority of the funding, raising 40 million yuan.”

"As for the remaining 20 million, we will take care of it."

"I'll contribute five million, and you all can easily chip in the remaining fifteen million, right?"

Hearing this, Zhang Jingde was stunned.

Everyone else looked surprised as well.

Is there such a good thing?

It's true that in this kind of business where you invest once and benefit for life, the more you invest, the more you earn.

But if you can come up with 40 million at once, you'll make a profit no matter what business you do.

This also demonstrates that Lin Yi is absolutely capable of handling this matter all by himself.

It makes no sense to share these benefits with people like us...