Chapter 260 Receiving the mission and reaching the intention
"Mr. Smith, let me introduce to you. This is Mayor Zhou of the city government. Mayor Zhou is directly responsible for Mr. Smith's business inspection.
This is..." Zhang Junping is responsible for introduction and translation.
Zhang Junping is fluent in German and can translate simultaneously.
All the leaders attending the reception couldn't help but look at him sideways.
I thought he was just a lucky guy, but I didn't expect him to be really capable.
But if he speaks fluent German, he will definitely be put to good use if he works as a translator in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The reception was very boring, basically full of official clichés.
Big leaders don't negotiate directly.
The next step is to visit the BJ Automobile Factory first, then go to the Forbidden City and climb the Great Wall.
Only after all this is over will the investment negotiations begin. At the beginning, all the minor players will appear. When the minor characters are almost done talking, the big guys from both sides will appear.
The big boss came on stage, basically signed autographs, shook hands, and took photos.
On the first day, there was nothing much going on, just a meeting, a welcome party, and then a dinner.
The dinner was arranged at BJ Hotel, and the food was Tan’s cuisine.
The reason why Tanjia Cuisine is famous is that as long as there are foreign events or foreign receptions, people will basically come to Tanjia Cuisine to eat.
The next day we went to the BJ Automobile Factory for an inspection, and Zhang Junping still followed as an accompanying translator.
"Smith, the industrial level here is really backward, even worse than our level during World War II." A bald middle-aged Prussian man approached Smith and whispered in a low voice.
"This...well, Mr. Backus, although our industrial level is indeed very backward, I don't agree with your words.
The Volkswagen Group's World War II-style industrial level is indeed very high. The classic VW82 Jeep produced was very valued by the military and performed very well in World War II.
However, there is a big gap compared to the BJ212 produced by our automobile factory in terms of vehicle performance, comfort, and aesthetic appearance.
The two are not products of the same era at all." Zhang Junping couldn't help but retort.
Damn you, if you have an opinion, you go back and close the door to discuss it. Your voice is neither too loud nor too quiet, just enough for me to hear. What do you mean?
Who do you want to make ugly?
To confront Bacchus, Zhang Junping smiled and said to Smith: "Mr. Smith, our country's industrial level, especially the level of automobile manufacturing, is indeed lagging behind your country and your company.
But isn’t this an opportunity for your company?
When I was inspecting Europe, I heard such a story.
Two salesmen selling shoes arrived on an island.
The first salesman saw that no one on the island wore shoes.
So I felt that there was no business to do here, so I left disappointed.
When the second salesman saw that no one on the island wore shoes, he shouted in excitement that this was an opportunity to make a fortune.
The second salesman spent some time teaching the people on the island to wear shoes.
As a result, the second salesman’s shoes were sold out and he eventually became a great businessman.”
Zhang Junping's words were translated by other translators to the leaders of the same industry.
At first, Zhang Junping scolded Bacchus, which made some leaders in the industry frown, secretly saying that the young man was ignorant and talked casually.
This is a serious violation of discipline and must be dealt with seriously.
But after Zhang Junping's words to Smith were translated, all the leaders showed satisfied smiles on their faces.
This is well said and very accurate.
If I were better than you, what else would I need from you?
"Please also ask Mr. Zhang not to take Bacchus' words to heart.
I personally agree very much with Mr. Zhang’s point of view, and this is also the entry point for our cooperation.
I sincerely hope that we can cooperate in the future!" Smith clearly expressed his willingness to cooperate for the first time.
Although everyone knows that Smith came to China because of his sincerity in cooperation.
Otherwise, a senior executive of a multinational group would travel thousands of miles to take a group of people on vacation?
You know, you know, and hearing it with your own ears now makes you feel more at ease.
The group continued to visit the BJ automobile manufacturing plant.
After the group arrived at the assembly workshop, the director of BJ Automobile Factory proudly introduced to Smith and others: "This is the first car independently developed and produced in my country, a Jinggangshan brand car."
To be honest, the appearance of Jinggangshan cars is really good. Even in later generations, the appearance can still compete with the cars of the 21st century.
Jinggangshan brand cars are truly hand-made. Almost all the parts inside are made by lathes and are purely handmade bit by bit.
Zhang Junping was wondering whether he should get a Jinggangshan sedan or drive a BJ212?
This thing is also a collection if placed in a museum space.
However, there is no rush for this, let’s settle the joint venture with Volkswagen first.
After visiting the BJ Automobile Factory, we spent the next two days visiting the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and climbing the Great Wall.
Then formal negotiations begin.
Zhang Junping participated in the whole process.
However, his words became the protagonist in the negotiations.
Every time the Volkswagen Group mentions its poor industrial foundation to lower prices, the negotiating team will directly respond. It is because our industry is lagging behind that you have a chance. Otherwise, what else would you do?
Negotiations continued for a week and remained at a stalemate.
In fact, Zhang Junping knew that Smith, the person who could make the decision, had not yet made up his mind whether to form a joint venture with China or invest in India.
After another day of negotiations, the city government held a Western-style dinner and invited many foreigners in China to participate so that everyone could relax.
Zhang Junping held the wine glass and clinked it with Smith, "I heard that the latest military off-road vehicle developed by Mercedes-Benz is very beautiful and has received military orders from several countries."
Smith's face turned ugly for a moment.
Zhang Junping doesn't want to talk about this matter.
But Zhang Junping didn't care about Smith's expression when he changed his name, and continued: "Speaking of which, Toyota is still better, it is more fuel-efficient and has lower manufacturing costs."
Smith even had the urge to turn around and leave. You and I were negotiating a joint venture. You first praised Mercedes-Benz for winning a big order, and then praised Benzi's car. Is this polite?
"Actually, Bald Eagle's Chevrolet is also very good, with solid leather! The manufacturing cost doesn't seem to be very high, but it's still not as good as Toyota.
I heard that Bald Eagle and Europe are now having a headache with Toyota cars. Their low prices and superior performance have captured a lot of market share." Zhang Junping didn't look at Smith's face at all and continued to say the same thing.
"Mr. Zhang!" Smith interrupted Zhang Junping somewhat unbearably, wanting to remind him that it was rude to do so.
"Oh! By the way, Mr. Smith, has the issue of our Volkswagen Group's car engines burning oil been resolved?" Zhang Junping seemed to have not heard what Smith said, and asked another question with a smile.
Smith's anger was suddenly extinguished.
As a director and senior executive of the Volkswagen Group, I naturally know the performance and existing problems of Volkswagen.
What shocked Smith was not this, but the meaning behind Zhang Junping's words.
Don't take yourself too seriously, no one can live without you in this world.
If you don't want to cooperate, there are others who cooperate, such as Honda's Toyota, Bald Eagle's Chevrolet, and old competitor Mercedes-Benz.
There are still many competitors for Volkswagen in this world.
The next day, the negotiations went smoothly, and some of the small things that were stuck were no longer a problem.
A week later, BJ Automobile Factory and Volkswagen successfully reached a consensus and initialed a letter of intent for cooperation.
A letter of intent does not represent a final contract, but only represents the sincerity of both parties to cooperate.
After Smith's team returns, they will report to the board of directors and wait until the board of directors makes a final decision before signing a formal contract.
After seeing off Smith's inspection team, Zhang Junping breathed a sigh of relief.
Alas, the task is finally completed.
I don’t know what art companies are doing these days.
After Zhang Junping followed the farewell car back to the city hall, he held another summary meeting.
At the meeting, Zhang Junping was severely named and praised.
Zhang Junping listened with a smile.
I secretly murmured in my heart, is it of any use?
At most, it will be given to an advanced individual at the municipal level, but no promotion will be allowed.
He has reached the end of his age.
He also doesn't want to leave the art company.
After the meeting, the city government organized a celebration banquet.
The main leaders of the municipal government and municipal party committee also attended and toasted everyone with a glass of wine.
After dinner, Zhang Junping returned to the art company.
Today, the art company has moved to the Royal Granary at No. 22 Dongsishitiao.
The Royal Granary at No. 22 Dongshitiao, also known as Nanxincang or Dongmencang, had a total of seventy-six barns in its heyday.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the granary was called a barn, with five rooms in one barn. Each barn was about 24 meters long, 17 meters deep and 7 meters high.
That is to say, the area of each building is more than 400 square meters, which is one of the reasons why Zhang Junping chose this place.
With the decline of the Qing Dynasty, most of the warehouses in Nanxincang were demolished due to various reasons.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, there were still 17 warehouses left. Later, due to national construction, some seriously damaged warehouses were demolished.
There are only nine warehouses left, including the gantry, official hall, supervisory duty station, official duty station, department, lobby, watch room, alarm tower, Jitong warehouse, Taicang hall, water well, gate, and warehouse temple attached to the original warehouse.
and the Earth Temple were all demolished.
The remaining nine warehouses were allocated to department stores for use as warehouses.
Although there are only nine warehouses left, the area is large enough.
This area of warehouses, including the damaged warehouses and the remains of the warehouse management rooms, covers an area of more than 30,000 square meters.
The area of more than 40 acres of land is enough for a lot of work.
I have department stores to thank for this.
The department store is so awesome that it built a fence to enclose the more than 40 acres of land.
However, no matter how good the department store is, it will still outperform the art company in the end.
In fact, the department store is still not impressive enough. More than half of the Nanxincang site is occupied by the Military Region General Hospital.
In the compound of the Military Region General Hospital, until later generations, the wall foundation of a warehouse was still preserved.
After the department store enclosed Nan Xincang, it built a large iron gate on East Sishitiao Street to facilitate the entry and exit of cars.
Now there are three signs hanging on the wall next to the door: BJ Art Company, BJ Art Shop Magazine, and Chinese Art Appreciation Magazine.
The door was open, Zhang Junping was pushing the car, and when he was about to go in, he was stopped by someone.
"Comrade, who are you looking for?" an old man looked at Zhang Junping and asked.
Looking at the old man guarding the door, Zhang Junping smiled.
Who is this? It's so weird that he even arranged a communication room.
"Hello, uncle, I am the manager of this company." Zhang Junping said with a smile.
"Are you the company manager?" The old man looked at Zhang Junping in disbelief.
So you are a young man, who are you trying to fool?
He's not even hairy yet he dares to say he's the manager.
"Just call Lu Guozhong and you'll find out!" Zhang Junping saw the old man's distrust and said with a smile.
"Wait a minute!" The old man didn't rush Zhang Junping to leave directly.
Instead, go into the communication room and make a phone call.
After a while, the old man came out and said cautiously: "Manager, I...I didn't know you were the manager. Don't blame me."
"It's okay, can I go in now?"
"Okay, you can go in!" the old man said with a smile.
Zhang Junping nodded to the old man and pushed his bicycle into Nanxincang.
After just a few steps, Lu Guozhong trotted up to meet him.
"Manager, you are back!"
"Back!" Zhang Junping pushed his bicycle into the bicycle shed and parked it.
Lu Guozhong has been following Zhang Junping.
"Come on, come with me for a walk. I haven't been to Nanxincang yet." Zhang Junping said to Lu Guozhong with a smile.
Zhang Junping walked around the nine warehouses without saying a word the whole time.
Lu Guozhong was a little uneasy and didn't know what Zhang Junping meant.
When I came back, I didn't go into the office and just walked around in the yard.
Zhang Junping was thinking about how Nan Xincang could be better utilized.
In the days when Zhang Junping is away, the art company is basically at a standstill.
Every day, we provide training to newly recruited employees.
Invite teachers from the School of Foreign Languages to come over and teach them English.
Ask teachers from the Central Academy of Fine Arts’ Painting and Calligraphy Research Institute to tell them the history of calligraphy and painting.
In addition, the acquisition of calligraphy and paintings has not stopped, and the location is still over the BJ Painting Store.
There has been no progress at all else.
"Lao Lu, find someone to clean up the bricks and tiles in the yard tomorrow.
Find a quiet place and stack them neatly.
Also, all the foundations of the old building have been demolished." Zhang Junping didn't speak until he returned to the bicycle shed.
"Okay manager, I'll contact you right now." Lu Guozhong nodded quickly and agreed.
Just now, when Zhang Junping was thinking about a problem, his aura was unconsciously released, making Lu Guozhong breathless.
"Let's go to Hui's office and meet everyone.
I’ll treat you to dinner tonight!” Zhang Junping said with a smile.
"Manager, the office is over here!" Lu Guozhong quickly led the way.
"This terraced warehouse was transformed into an office after I asked the secretary for permission.
Your office is next to the secretary's office.
Considering that you and the secretary usually work on creations and receive guests, you and the secretary occupied a warehouse.
The secretary occupies two rooms and you occupy three.
Another warehouse is divided into five offices." Lu Guozhong quickly introduced the layout of the office.
"Lao Lu, I occupy three rooms and my master occupies two? Are you trying to scold me?" Zhang Junping stopped and asked.
"Manager, this was arranged by the secretary himself, saying that you are the core of the art company.
Your office represents the face of the company and must be decorated in a stylish manner.
Therefore, I arranged three rooms for you according to the secretary's instructions." Lu Guozhong explained quickly.
I heard that Wu Xinping arranged it, but Zhang Junping didn't say anything else.
It's useless to talk to Lu Guozhong about this matter.
"I'm going to say hello to my master. Please inform all department heads that there will be a meeting in my office in half an hour." After Zhang Junping finished his explanation, he walked into Wu Xinping's office.
Wu Xinping is standing in front of the painting table and creating.
Seeing Zhang Junping come in, he put down his brush, took a towel to wipe his hands and smiled at Zhang Junping: "Are you done?"
"I'm done! I just sent the Prussian people away this morning." Zhang Junping said with a smile.
"This warehouse is great. It's warm in winter and cool in summer, and the roof is high. You don't feel depressed at all when you stay in the room." Wu Xinping smiled and walked to the reception area to sit down.
"Master, I'm not like you. I haven't been back for a few days, so you put me on the fire to roast me." Zhang Junping didn't give in, he could only sit down opposite Wu Xinping and started to complain.
"Why did I put you on the fire to roast you?" Wu Xinping asked with a smile.
"A warehouse has five rooms. You give me three rooms and you occupy two."
You have taken good care of your apprentice. I know you are noble and upright.
If you don't know, don't scold me for not knowing how to respect teachers." Zhang Junping complained with a smile.
"You are the manager, and you are in charge of the art company. I report to you, negotiate business, etc. How can you do it without a bigger place?
Three are just right, an office plus a reception area, a studio, and a small conference room.
You can take a look for yourself later, and if there is anything you are not satisfied with, you can adjust it yourself." Wu Xinping said with a smile.
"Okay! Let's do this for now!
I plan to find the successor of Shi Lei to come and have a look.
The yard was sorted out again, and there was an open space on the north side, about three or four acres of land. There seemed to be an abandoned yard outside the courtyard wall.
I plan to take the abandoned yard and add these acres of land to build a modern office building and modern warehouse with more than five floors.
These warehouses are all used as art exhibition halls." Zhang Junping expressed his thoughts.
“Build modern office buildings and warehouses?
The company hasn't started making profits yet, so it's not appropriate to build a building now, right?" Wu Xinping reminded.
"Master, I don't mean to build it right away.
This is the plan, but the place must come first.
With the country's reform and opening up, both enterprise production and urban construction are accelerating.
The yard I just fell in love with just now, if I don’t come here quickly, someone else might take it away." Zhang Junping explained with a smile.
"Well! It's okay to come here first. But you have to take action in this matter. Your master and my old face are not as effective as your father-in-law." Wu Xinping joked.
"It's okay if I go, then I can be considered a meritorious service to the country.
If you want a poor yard, the city will probably agree." Zhang Junping said with a smile.
