enjoyebooks Chapter 72: Trip to Tokyo
Chapter 72: Trip to Tokyo
The early morning was like springtime.
A soft glow slowly illuminated Victoria Harbour. Citizens gradually appeared on the streets.
Eighth floor of Hutchison Whampoa Building.
Li Jiagang returned to the company early in the morning. He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, an unlit cigar between his fingers, his gaze piercing through the glass as he pondered the neon lights that were still burning on the street.
"Knock knock knock!!!"
There was a knock on the office door.
"Young master, the master is here."
"Um!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Yongsen strode into his office like the wind.
"Hong Kong boy, you're up so early?"
"Uncle, I just arrived recently too."
"Has everyone else arrived?"
"Yes, they're waiting in the car."
"Alright, let's go."
Li Jiagang nodded, then looked at Huo Jianning and the other two.
"During my absence, Jianning has been in charge of all matters at the company and is now in your hands."
"Please rest assured, Chairman, I will manage the company well and will not let you down," Huo Jianning replied confidently.
"Of course I feel at ease with you looking after the company."
"Regarding those partners and material suppliers, remember not to be lenient. If they refuse to accept the company's proposal, then sue them."
"I understand, Chairman."
"You need to keep a closer eye on things at the group's expense," Li Jiagang patted Huo Jianning on the shoulder. "If this business goes smoothly, then the products will have to go overseas, and the business pressure will be immense."
"Don't worry, Chairman, the group's affairs will definitely be handled before you return."
"Okay, okay."
He then looked towards Chen Wenyu.
"Jianning, could you please look after her?"
Huo Jianning glanced at Chen Wenyu and said softly, "Ms. Chen is very professional. I believe she will adapt to the business quickly without my guidance."
"Alright, I'm leaving."
Li Jiagang gave Chen Wenyu a light kiss, left the company, and got into his car.
Today he and his uncle are going to Japan to discuss cooperation on product export and sales.
This time, he only brought a secretary, a few company security guards, and a few technicians to transport washing machine samples; he didn't bring anyone else.
Moreover, his uncle personally accompanied him on this business trip to Japan, so not many people were needed to go with him.
Kai Tak Airport at around 6 a.m.
One after another, airplanes took off from the ground like silver birds, tearing through the morning mist and soaring into the sky.
Kai Tak Airport is arguably the busiest airport in Asia.
It is also known as one of the world's ten most dangerous airports.
The reason is that Kai Tak Airport is located in the heart of Kowloon City, on the shore of Victoria Harbour, surrounded by mountains on three sides, and adjacent to the bustling Kowloon City area, making its airspace conditions extremely complex. When planes take off and land, they either brush past tall buildings or mountains.
Therefore, it is particularly demanding on the pilot's experience.
but…….
Although Kai Tak Airport is known as one of the world's ten most dangerous airports, it has never experienced any major accidents, hijackings, or facility malfunctions since its construction, and its operations have been stable.
It was 7:30.
Li Jiagang and the others all boarded the plane.
And just as they were boarding the plane.
A huge storm has erupted in newspapers across Hong Kong, all about yesterday's events involving Li Jiagang Legend Company, Mong Wai-man, and electrical appliance retailers.
The front page of the Sing Tao Daily prominently featured the headline: "The Clown Takes His Leave! Mong Wai-man Manipulates Public Opinion, Thirteen Electrical Appliance Dealers Arrested."
Ming Pao's headline was even colder: "There is no mercy in business warfare: The battle of Lijiagang cuts off the vital point, the old power of the Electrical Appliances Association collapses, and a new power rises."
Oriental Daily News used a photo of Meng Weimin being escorted into a police car as its main page, with his glasses shattered and his tie askew, captioned: "Former chairman, now a suspect."
The most ruthless article was published in the Xinhua Daily: "They thought they were hunting down a legend, but little did they know that they themselves were the hunted. Li Jiagang didn't kill a single person, but he destroyed their spirit and reputation. In this battle, he sealed their fate without bloodshed, and the new king of electrical appliances ascended to the throne."
Ta Kung Pao, however, used a more nuanced tone: "The chairman of Legend Electrical Appliances, single-handedly destroyed the Electrical Appliances Chamber of Commerce, established the Chinese Business Association, and boasted of surpassing global electrical appliance products—is this mere boasting or a prelude?"
all in all…….
Today, dozens of newspapers across Hong Kong reported on Li Jiagang's press conference yesterday, and even overseas newspapers stationed in Hong Kong participated in the reporting, relaying the news back to their headquarters in various locations.
Singapore Daily, Royal Daily News, British Daily News, Overseas Chinese Daily, etc...
They all publicized this matter extensively.
Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported: "Hong Kong is undergoing dramatic changes, Chinese businesses are rising, and Lijiagang may become the new leader of light manufacturing."
A brief news item from the Far East edition of The Times of London: "A bizarre business battle unfolds once again in the Pearl of the Orient, with a legendary company using public opinion as a weapon to sever old alliances."
Li Jiagang's name has once again become known throughout Hong Kong. In particular, after reading the report, many people have developed a sense of admiration for him.
He single-handedly turned the tide.
Eliminate the chamber of commerce group led by Meng Weimin and send them all to Stanley Labor Camp.
This incident made the young people admire him to the extreme, after all, at that time, due to the influence of the environment in Hong Kong, young people had a great admiration for the strong.
In a tea restaurant in Causeway Bay, several young girls were looking at the news report and discussing: "He's so cool, rich and handsome, and he's also brave and daring."
On a street in Mong Kok, a young man with a cigarette in his mouth stared at Li Jiagang in the newspaper with a light in his eyes and said to his friend, "Li Jiagang, he will be my idol from now on. He is so cool."
In one business class, the teacher pointed to a report and said, "You need to see clearly what it means to break through a predicament with wisdom and establish yourself with influence."
Unintentionally, Li Jiagang has not only become the best choice for countless young women in Hong Kong, but also a role model for young people.
They even become classroom specimens for teachers.
This was also unexpected for Lijiagang.
Meanwhile, they were on a flight from Lijiagang.
The plane pierced through the clouds and flew towards the East China Sea.
"Jiagang, you should first talk to your uncle to get some information," Li Yongsen said sternly, looking at him intently. "You need to let me know how you plan to negotiate cooperation with them, so that I can at least help you out."
Upon hearing this, Li Jiagang gestured to his secretary to bring over the file bag, and then he took out a document and handed it to his uncle, Li Yongsen.
"Uncle, this is my cooperation proposal."
Li Yongsen took the proposal and began to study it carefully. He wanted to give his nephew the best advice based on his years of experience working with overseas brands, so he looked at it very carefully.
"Establish a joint venture marketing company?"
Li Yongsen's eyes lit up when he saw the key points.
"Yes, Uncle."
Li Jiagang picked up the hot tea brought by the flight attendant, the steam rising from it. "I thought, the other party definitely doesn't have much confidence in a new brand, and will definitely not sign a general agency agreement."
"Me over there, I had no connections, no channels, no official relationships, and I was unwilling to cooperate on a sales-sharing basis; that would only waste precious time. Therefore, choosing a joint venture was the only way for us to get on the table."
Upon hearing this, Li Yongsen nodded in agreement.
"That's true..." He lowered his head in thought. "In that case, let's talk about it. Your uncle will fight for it for you."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"But in a joint venture, how do you calculate the investment, how much of a share do you plan to hold, and do you intend to manage it yourself or hand it over to your partner?" Li Yongsen asked.
"We'll talk about that later."
He had discussed this matter with Fok Kin-ning. It would be best if they had control of the joint venture. However, they both understood that since this was an overseas operation, it would certainly not be as convenient as having local control if they were in charge of the joint venture themselves.
So he really hasn't reached a conclusion on this matter.
He could only plan to talk first, act according to the situation, understand the other party's situation, and then make a decision.
Seeing his hesitation, Li Yongsen remained silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "Since you lack your own opinion, then your uncle suggests that you establish a wholly-owned company, with the partners providing the channels and connections. You can give them the lead, but the management rights must be in our hands."
"Give up control? In exchange for management rights?" Upon hearing this, Li Jiagang looked at Li Yongsen with suspicion. "Uncle, could you explain in more detail?"
"It means that the other party will hold a majority of the company's shares, and their local business status will facilitate their expansion. However, the management rights of the company will remain with you when the contract is signed, so that the company's future development will be within your control."
"You provide the money, they provide the labor," Li Yongsen patiently explained. "They can hold 60% or even 70% of the shares, and use their company's sales and advertising channels to build brand awareness."
At the same time, they used their status as local businesses to get through customs, resolve various official issues, and prepare for potential suppression from major electronics retailers.
However, company operations, personnel appointments and dismissals, technical standards, brand strategy, and advertising and promotion are all decided by our people.
He paused, lowering his voice as if imparting a lost secret technique: "I suggest you sign another betting agreement."
"A betting agreement?" Li Jiagang was taken aback.
"That's right." A cold smile appeared on Li Yongsen's lips. "Sales volume is tiered, and the profit sharing is variable. For example, if annual sales are less than 100,000 units, the profit sharing is based on equity ratio. If it exceeds 100,000 units, we get 60%, and they get 40%. If it reaches 200,000 units, we get 70%, and they get 30%."
"Do you understand now?"
Li Jiagang nodded hurriedly. Li Yongsen had explained it so clearly; if he still didn't understand, then he would be a fool.
After a moment's consideration, he concluded that his uncle's suggestion was very promising.
I've already made a decision in my mind.