1994: From a young man from a small town to a second-generation resident of Shanghai

Chen Yong cast a wide net, and his first customer was a zucchini cannery.

Factory director Guo Yougang personally brought 50,000 yuan for the activity.

We arrived at the office of the "China Center for Promoting the Development of Private Economy" located in Pudong New Area.

Seeing the spacious and luxurious offices here, I became even more convinced.

"Factory manager, why are there only two employees here?"

Chen Defa asked with a puzzled look.

"It's probably a newly opened branch. Didn't you receive this? Why are you asking me?" Guo Yougang glared at him, annoyed.

"The development of Pudong New Area was proposed in 90, and only four years have passed since then. I never expected it to have reached its current scale of development."

"It makes perfect sense for the Development Promotion Center to have a branch here."

Chen Yong greeted them in the reception room. "Xiao Hong, pour tea for Director Guo and Assistant Chen."

Xiao Hong's alluring figure made the young Chen Defa stare wide-eyed. He whispered in Guo Yougang's ear, "Factory Director, that female secretary is really beautiful!"

"Mind your image! We're here to receive an award, don't ruin things!"

"Mr. Chen, let me get straight to the point. When will we be issuing our prizes? We've also brought the event funds."

"Director Guo, don't worry. Your factory has such good products, it's no wonder you won awards. But you must have encountered some operational difficulties recently, right? Helping private enterprises solve real problems is also one of the tasks of our 'Development Promotion Center'."

"Does Mr. Chen also understand business?"

"I have some knowledge of it. When I was studying in the United States, I worked for a company there for a period of time and learned about the world's most advanced management systems and business strategies."

Guo Yougang's head was buzzing; the name had struck him like thunder. This guy was a returnee from overseas!

A returnee from overseas in 94—that's a very impressive title. Just by studying abroad, even a piece of scrap metal can be gilded.

So back then, studying abroad was called "gilding," and the meaning was quite clear.

To be honest, China's rapid development is indeed inseparable from the contributions of overseas students. At that time, a large number of people went abroad, both on government scholarships and at their own expense. Many returned on government scholarships. These government-sponsored students were the real elites, and the country's great development was precisely due to these government-sponsored students.

Do you really think you can get anything done just by relying on all this empty talk and meddling in China? That's wishful thinking.

As for self-funded international students, they are a mixed bag, and it is this group that has dragged down the overall quality of international students.

"Mr. Chen is a returned overseas student. I admire patriotic intellectuals like you very much. You traveled thousands of miles to the United States to study, where it is much more developed than China, but you still chose to come back to build the motherland. Just for this backbone and spirit, you deserve my admiration."

Guo Yougang's trust in him made Chen Yong feel guilty; he was just a nobody, a mere overseas student who hadn't even gone to university yet.

However, I do intend to teach them some real business skills and tailor a scientific management system to their specific circumstances.

As long as you can pay!

"Director Guo is too kind. It is precisely because of patriotic citizens like us that our country will get better and better. I have a clear vision for the future of our motherland. As long as we do our jobs well, we will not be worse than the United States in the future."

"Director Guo, let's move to another place and discuss the problems your factory is currently facing in detail. Let's try to resolve this by this morning."

After a long talk with Director Guo, Chen Yong found the crux of the problem in his factory.

"Your factory was taken over from a former state-owned cannery, and its production and management models are outdated. If this continues, it will easily be eliminated by the market."

Guo Yougang's face immediately tightened. "What should we do? If the factory is gone, all my employees will lose their jobs."

If they lose their jobs, so be it. It's not like they can't find new ones.

However, in front of Guo Yougang, Chen Yong said, "Now we must reduce production and operating costs, and at the same time motivate employees to create more value for the factory."

"I have the following three suggestions to help your factory:"

First, reform the company's equity structure and transfer some shares to employees;

Second, the no-responsibility full salary system will be abolished and replaced with a limited base salary system, with increased commissions;

Third: Open source markets; try to expand your product overseas.

Canned food exports have already been done by some manufacturers. In the end, domestically produced canned food was mainly supplied to overseas customers. There wasn't much domestic demand for these canned products, and the market has been shrinking.

Guo Yougang was still somewhat confused. His professional knowledge was limited, and he didn't know how to do it specifically. He felt that what Chen Yong said was too abstract and he couldn't understand it. "Please, Mr. Chen, teach me how to do it."

Chen Yong stopped and said, "Director Guo, our Shanghai branch of the Development Promotion Center has just opened and is still in the stage of self-sufficiency. If Director Guo can support the development of our center, we can help with many problems."

"I understand, I understand. You need money to operate, right? How about this, I'll contribute 10 yuan to support your development center's growth, is that alright?"

One hundred thousand yuan is enough. "Then thank you very much, Director Guo."

Chen Yong then explained to him in detail how to operate it. After listening, Guo Yougang showed a satisfied expression. Now he finally understood.

"Mr. Chen, your approach is indeed very much in line with the market."

"Also, regarding the management system you mentioned, could you please provide me with a detailed description?"

Chen Yong immediately became serious. "Director Guo, you know that the management system is also part of intellectual property rights. If you want to use it, you will definitely have to pay."

"I understand. You've studied for so many years, and you make money based on the knowledge you've acquired. Mr. Chen, name your price."

"Ten thousand yuan, and I'll customize a management system for your factory."

In the 1990s, Japanese companies were among the best-managed, and their management systems were also the most advanced.

Many prominent entrepreneurs at the time had worked for Japanese companies and brought their advanced management systems over to Japan. The most typical examples are big names like Liu Qiangdong and Jack Ma.

When Chen Yong studied management in his previous life, he researched the management systems of Japanese companies in the 1990s. With a few minor modifications, he could write one for Guo Yougang to use.

Guo Yougang agreed to buy his management system for 100,000 yuan, but he didn't bring enough money with him when he left. He'll transfer the money over when he gets back.

Chen Yong only wrote an empty shell for him, and said he would fill in the rest once the money arrived.

In this way, Chen Yong took out 25 yuan from this boss.

It was a great start.

After finalizing the deal, Guo Yougang didn't have much money left. He kept two thousand yuan, took out half of it, and planned to invite Chen Yong to dinner that evening, and also invite Xiao Hong to come along.

Chen Yong asked Xiao Hong for her opinion, and if she didn't want to go, he wouldn't force her.

"Mr. Chen, this is our branch's first client, we have to give him face no matter what."

Chen Yong reminded her, "Don't dress too nicely at night. I'm afraid they might get lustful. Girls need to know how to protect themselves."

Xiao Hong was touched. "Isn't there President Chen? With President Chen here, he won't let me be bullied, right?"

"It's better to play it safe. Listen to me."

Xiao Hong was very happy. President Chen cared about her so much and was very capable. What woman wouldn't be moved by such a handsome, rich and successful man?