Chapter 34 The Conversation between the Former Owner and the Former Buddy
Chapter 34 Conversation between the former boss and the former clerk
Ou Yaoting's mansion is located in the wealthy villa area between the southern foot of Yuexiu Mountain and Liuhua Lake. As soon as An Yi and Ou Chu'er got off the boat, they were picked up in a car and returned to Ou's mansion. As soon as the car drove into the beautiful Western-style courtyard gate, An Yi
At a glance, he saw Ou Yaoting and his wife waiting in front of the tall Western-style arched doorway.
The car passed through the large garden and had not yet completely stopped. An anxious An Yi hurriedly got out of the car and stood at attention and bowed: "I'm sorry! Mr. and Mrs. Ou, I kept you waiting for so long."
Ou Yaoting laughed, stepped forward to hold An Yi's arms and looked up and down: "I thought you were going to give a military salute, yes! So majestic! I can't believe you look so heroic in military uniform. You are indeed handsome and talented.
!”
Mrs. Ou looked at An Yi's face and nodded frequently: "You are so handsome. His whole temperament has changed. He has become more confident and tough than before. Come on, come in and sit down. I'm waiting for you to eat together."
"It's almost two o'clock. The husband and wife are still waiting. An Yi is ashamed." An Yi followed Ou Yaoting up the steps sheepishly.
Ou Yaoting saw his daughter walking in front of him angrily. He smiled at An Yi and asked, "Chu'er has been spoiled by me. Didn't I stop you from coming to the stage?"
"No, it's my fault. When I saw Miss Ou in the reception room of the military school, Vice Principal Li handed me a letter before I could say hello. I thought the school was asking me to drop out, and there was a misunderstanding.
The yelling scared the young lady. I wanted to apologize to the young lady all the way on the boat and in the car, but unfortunately I didn't have the chance." An Yi explained embarrassedly.
Ou Yaoting laughed: "So that's it. I'm afraid it's not that there is no chance, but that the unruly and willful Chu'er won't give you this chance, right? Haha, it doesn't matter. Come, sit down wherever you want... Xiaoyi, I understand how you left the trading company.
, I highly appreciate your brave behavior in helping the Whampoa Army, but there is one thing I don’t understand yet. Shopkeeper Chen has been making things difficult for you for a long time, giving you problems at every turn, and making it impossible for you to step down in front of the public. Why didn’t you tell me?”
An Yi was silent for a moment, and then decided to tell the truth: "It wasn't serious before, and I thought it would be fine if we got to know each other better. But then my husband was away, and I had no place to talk. When I think about it, Shopkeeper Chen's authority needs to be maintained even more.
Although I almost got angry on the spot several times and thought about beating him up, I still held back in the end. Because I felt that as long as I contradicted Shopkeeper Chen, many employees who usually harbor resentments would take the opportunity to attack or behind his back.
It would be even worse if the matter spread to other trading houses. The situation was chaotic at that time, everyone was in danger, and it was not clear whether their own lives could be saved. How many people could maintain a rational attitude? The eight major trading houses were not owned by shopkeeper Chen, but
Yours, sir. My husband cares for me, trusts me and values me, and I cannot do anything that would harm his interests."
Ou Yaoting was so moved that the wife beside him sighed excitedly: "Thank you, Xiao Yi! Without your help, it would be difficult to keep our business today. My unsatisfactory brother has always been sorry to you, but you treated him so generously.
In order to protect the business and everyone from harm, you took the risk and went with the Yunnan Army. After a narrow escape, he didn't even thank you when you came back. Instead, he ruthlessly drove you away for a mere truck. But you didn't complain. On the contrary, he often
If you go to the trading house in the dead of night and look around, and you can go back with confidence only when you see that the business is not in danger, in comparison... I feel very sad!"
"Don't be surprised, Xiaoyi, even though you don't say it, we all know that Shou Geng's uncle has old eyesight, but he has good ears and remembers everyone's footsteps. He told me that every time you walk around the backyard late at night
When he was young, he hid in the small room and refused to come out. He was worried that you would be thin-skinned, which would make him feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t until he couldn’t hear your footsteps for several nights in a row that his uncle couldn’t help but ask A Biao.
You have been admitted to Huangpu Military Academy."
Ou Yaoting explained sadly. The anger on Ou Chuer's face gradually disappeared after hearing this, and a pair of beautiful eyes drifted to An Yi's face from time to time.
An Yi lowered his head and said nothing, and Ou Yaoting stopped talking about these unpleasant things. The two couples enthusiastically advised An Yi to eat more food, saying that although the National Government controlled the entire Guangzhou, it would soon control the entire Guangdong, and the tax revenue would be lower than before.
It has increased by more than ten times. However, due to the high cost of another Eastern Expedition and the expansion of the army, the military academy will not be short of rice and food, but not much oil and water.
After finishing the belated lunch, it was already three o'clock in the afternoon. Ou Yaoting led An Yi to the second floor, walked through the spacious and elegant living room and walked into the study. The servant immediately brought tea and pastries, and the two sat at the big desk and began to discuss
Design drawings of military rubber shoes.
Ou Yaoting pointed to three different styles of shoes on the drawing: "The design is quite exquisite, the shoe shape and sole pattern are reasonable and beautiful, I can't put it down. Xiaoyi, you know that I am mainly engaged in the import and export of machinery.
The company does not sell many imported shoes and is not well-known among shoe merchants in Guangzhou. How could you have thought of giving me this picture?"
An Yi replied with a smile: "I know these things. I also know that in November last year, my husband helped businessmen from Jiangsu and Zhejiang import a British shoe molding machine. I also heard that my Hong Kong company has been doing re-export business of rubber and tires.
, we have very good relations with several British and American companies in Nanyang, so I thought, if Mr. could produce the drawings I designed, it would be great for China, a huge market. Nowadays, all the warlords in China plus the strength of our revolutionary army
The total is about 2.2 million. This is what I learned from the military academy’s promotional materials. This number does not include loosely armed local security forces. Just calculate that each person consumes one pair of shoes per year, which is more than 2 million pairs.
potential market, not to mention tens of millions of students and young people? Just simplify the design of the sole and upper on the basis of military shoes, and change the color of the upper, and you will have the best civilian lightweight shoes, which are easy to wear for anything.
.The American-made rubber-soled shoes I wore before entering the military academy were good. However, I feel that Americans and British people have not considered converting them into military products on a large scale. Their military shoes are generally made of rubber-soled leather uppers, which are expensive to produce.
They are also complicated and far less practical and economical than rubber-soled canvas shoes. Especially in the southern region of our country where there is a lot of rain and rivers and lakes, leather military shoes are very impractical and unbearably expensive. They are easily deformed and torn after being soaked in water."
"It makes sense. I have a clear understanding of the market. Among other things, there are currently hundreds of thousands of troops stationed in Guangzhou. These troops are easy to deal with. After I got the drawings, I asked two friends who own shoe factories for consultation.
, a rough calculation shows that the production cost is about three-fifths of the cost of imported shoes, which is very competitive. If we follow the simplified design targeting domestic young people as you just mentioned, the cost can be saved even more."
Ou Yaoting is worthy of being a successful businessman, meticulous and thorough in everything he does.
An Yi thought for a while and asked: "I have always had an idea, but I don't know if there is a common set of patent laws in the British and American countries?"
"They exist in all countries, but they are not unified yet. Xiaoyi, what do you mean..." Ou Yaoting seemed to have thought of something.
An Yi nodded: "I wonder if our design can be patented in European and American countries. Then we can only open a factory with final lamination and bonding equipment, and let other manufacturers produce soles and uppers for us.
For shoelaces and the like, we only need to take them back and go through the final process, assemble them into complete shoe packaging and put them on the market, or we can simply entrust the existing shoe factories in Nanyang to produce them according to the standards we provide, but in order to stand out
In order to maintain long-term business with good reputation, it is best to sell our products domestically and in Asian countries under our own brand, which will save a lot of investment."
Ou Yaoting's eyes widened. It was hard to imagine that An Yi had such a brilliant idea. This shrewd idea can be realized at present without investing a large amount of money in building a factory. It only needs to control the production quality and open up the market.
"Xiao Yi, you are so smart! How did you come up with such a brilliant strategy?"
What can An Yi say? He can only change the subject with a smile and point to another pattern on the picture: "This kind of mid-cut shoe with an upper that just wraps the ankle joint is very suitable for winter combat training. It has thickened soles and special soles.
The pattern is not only strong and wear-resistant, but also has anti-slip effect. The upper is made of khaki or green canvas, which is more beautiful and durable than the black canvas shoes with rubber soles we have today. I estimate that as soon as it is produced, it will be very popular. Sir, the battlefield of the Eastern Expedition
The frequent reports of good news are coming to an end soon. With the assistance of the National Government, the troops of Generals Li Zongren and Huang Shaohong of Guangxi are gradually advancing towards the west and north of Guangxi. The unification of Guangxi is just around the corner. It is estimated that our revolutionary army will soon go to the north after stabilizing Guangdong and Guangxi. Therefore, we
I believe that if a batch of these two low-cost military rubber shoes can be produced in June or July next year, your brand will soon be famous throughout China."
Ou Yaoting stood up excitedly, clasped his hands together and rubbed them alternately as he walked: "It's a good idea, and I have enough time. I just need to confirm it through a telegram and go to Malaysia and Luzon to finalize the contract. European and American countries and
There are not twenty but eighteen canvas factories, rubber refineries and shoe factories set up by overseas Chinese there. As long as we place an order and pay a full deposit, we will be able to produce the first batch within three months, with the quantity reaching at least 50,000 pairs.
, we will immediately set up our own factory for production as soon as the market is opened. The Chinese market is too important and must not be handed over to foreigners!"
An Yi pondered for a moment and made a suggestion: "Sir, you have a very good relationship with the two American commercial banks. Now the United States is getting stronger and louder in Asia. If you feel that there is no great guarantee, you might as well start a joint venture with the Americans.
Business, or my husband can take a stake in an American shoe factory in Nanyang. In this case, the risks in terms of transportation safety and property protection will be much smaller."
"Eh? Xiaoyi, what did you think of? Why didn't you mention the British? Or the Germans?" Ou Yaoting sat down again and stared at An Yi.
An Yi smiled: "I hate the British government. It's obviously already sunset, but it still points fingers at us. Germany has a very good industrial foundation. As far as I know, Germany was sanctioned because of its failure in the last world war. These two
The year has reached the most difficult time. At this time, cooperation with them may be cheaper and more effective. The German-made weapons that are constantly being shipped to our country are proof of this. However, this nation is very tough and disciplined. The British and French are very scary.
Countries such as Germany do not want to see Germany rise again and will definitely suppress it with all their strength. This can easily backfire and jump over the wall when the dog is anxious. What’s more, it is a country with a strong national character like Germany? Maybe the Germans will not be affected by this.
They will not rebel. The current influence of the Americans in the world is not comparable to that of several established empires such as Britain and France. Especially in Asia, they are pushed aside by Britain and France from time to time. Therefore, it is not necessarily known that they may be very willing to see Europe fight, haha...
This is just a random thought on my part, please don’t blame Mr. Ou.”
"No! This is definitely not some random thought."
Ou Yaoting, who has studied in Europe for many years and has been working in the field of international trade for more than ten years, is definitely not that simple: "Xiaoyi, you surprise me! You surprise me every time. You are definitely not as simple as you look on the outside.
These words not only have a unique and sharp assessment of the current world political situation, but are also very far-sighted and have a sense of crisis. Even if the future is completely different from what you said, it cannot deny your unique insight and political sense. You make me very
Shocked, even today’s National Government officials cannot say this."
"Sir, you complimented me. I just like to have random thoughts. I like to look at maps when I have nothing to do. After entering the military school, I like to listen to the instructors talking about the last world war, so I just follow the mentality of making peace with my friends when I was young.
Think about it, haha, sir, don’t laugh..."
The cunning An Yi turned to the small table, picked up the exquisite tea cup, and saw Chu Er's beautiful figure disappearing in a panic outside the study door. She had obviously been eavesdropping for a long time. She probably didn't expect An Yi to suddenly turn around and leave.
Come, shy and avoid it.
The former boss and ex-boyfriend sat down again and had a heated discussion over the design drawings. Sometimes they laughed loudly, sometimes they argued fiercely, and after a while they fell silent again without any sound.
In the living room downstairs, Mrs. Ou, who was knitting a sweater, looked at her daughter lovingly. Ou Chuer, who was helping her mother wrap the wool, had a blush on her pretty face, a smile on her lips, a calm expression, and her two white, tender and round ears were always listening to what was happening upstairs.
Every sound uploaded.
"Chu'er, what do you think of the colors and patterns that mom knitted?"
"Ah? Oh...it's pretty. Did you knit it for dad?" Ou Chu'er came back to her senses and carefully stroked the soft half of the sweater.
"No, your dad's sweater is not that wide."
"Who did you knit it for?"
"I knitted for Xiao Yi. I started knitting a few days ago. I always feel sorry for Xiao Yi. He kept so many people safe, saved our family's hundreds of thousands of goods, and saved our business worth hundreds of thousands. What about your business?
The selfish and ignorant uncle drove Xiao Yi away, causing Xiao Yi to join the army. Now I can’t even ask him to come back. Alas... Xiao Yi has no father or mother. It’s very pitiful to be alone. It’s cold now. Mom
Knitting him a sweater can be considered a way of thanking him."
"Don't knit for him, this guy is so bad. I have written him sixteen letters this year, but he has not replied a word. It's so hateful! Hmph..."
"Maybe Xiaoyi is busy. There was a lot of work in the trading company in the first half of the year. He was captured by the Yunnan Army for a long time. He survived in the hail of bullets and was admitted to the military academy not long after. I have been to Huangpu. Those students are so good.
You run and train before dawn, and you have to go to class until late at night, where do you have so much time? Chu'er, you are not young anymore, you have to learn to be considerate of others."
"But... okay, let's not talk about this. Can you teach me how to knit a scarf? Knitting a scarf is easier than knitting a sweater, and I will learn it faster."
"Oh! When my daughter is older, she knows that she has to learn to be a female influencer, haha... tell her mother, are you going to knit for yourself or for others?"