Chapter 252: Provincial Leaders Come for Inspection

Throughout the weekend, Chen Yang kept reviewing the data and information about the online sales platform provided by Luo Hao and Zhong Feiyan.

Although they worked hard to promote the online sales platform, the total online sales for October were only six million, with a profit of just one hundred thousand.

If we also count the advertising expenses of the Commonfolk Agricultural Products Trading Company, we are actually still losing money.

With such data, Chen Yang would feel embarrassed to say if the provincial leaders asked about it.

"Anna Sister, why don't we tell the leaders to come back for an inspection after we achieve results next year?"

"The leaders said they don't look at performance; they just want to understand the e-commerce platform. Because this industry is still rare domestically, and even in our Dongjiangsheng it's unique."

Shen Anna felt helpless; she also understood Chen Yang's dilemma. But after all, they are merely merchants and cannot sway the leaders' thoughts.

Chen Yang sighed. At this point, we can only deal with things as they come. Without data to show the leaders, we can only draw up pie-in-the-sky plans.

He pondered hard all night and finally gained some insights.

On Monday morning, Chen Yang dressed up especially, then accompanied Shen Anna and the company's senior executives waiting downstairs at the Trust and Harmony Building for the provincial leaders to arrive.

Around 9:30, a black convoy slowly approached and finally stopped in front of Chen Yang and the others.

Shen Anna, having already dealt with them, stepped forward two steps. When the people got out of the car, she respectfully greeted them.

"Governor Liu, Director Huo, welcome to our company for guidance!"

These two leaders had also visited Qingshui City for research in their previous lives, and Chen Yang also had an impression of them.

The man is the incumbent Vice Governor of Dongjiangsheng, Liu Jianghua. Around fifty years old, tall and upright, his deep eyes reveal wisdom and decisiveness, and his brow bears an aura of unangered authority.

The woman is the Director of the Provincial State-owned Assets Commission, Huo Yunyan. In her early forties, dressed in a black formal suit, unsmiling, her whole person exudes a competent demeanor.

"Governor Liu, Director Huo, welcome to our company for guidance."

"You must be Chen Yang, right? Indeed, heroes emerge generation after generation, and new talent replaces the old!" Liu Jianghua carefully sized up Chen Yang. He had actually investigated Chen Yang's background in advance and knew that he had established several enterprises in Xingcheng and Qingshui City. Yet seeing him in person, he still found it hard to believe.

Such a young person actually built two enterprises famous across Dongjiangsheng in just a few months—this is simply unbelievable!

Chen Yang didn't expect the other party to praise him right away, feeling a bit overwhelmed. He humbly and respectfully said, "Thank you, Governor, for the praise. If we have any shortcomings, please feel free to point them out."

Liu Jianghua waved his hand and smiled, "I came today with Director Huo bringing only our eyes and ears, just wanting to know what's miraculous about your company's online sales platform. As for giving advice, we are laymen in e-commerce, so we won't show off our skills before an expert."

Chen Yang, together with Shen Anna, invited Liu Jianghua and Huo Yunyan to the online sales department of the Commonfolk Agricultural Products Trading Company. Then he had Zhong Feiyan introduce the platform's operational model to the two leaders.

After listening to Zhong Feiyan's introduction, Liu Jianghua's interest in e-commerce grew stronger.

He said to Chen Yang, "As far as I know, your company has run many advertisements promoting the online sales platform in Xingcheng. How effective are they?"

Chen Yang replied frankly, "Far from my expectations; currently we can only guarantee not to lose money."

Liu Jianghua nodded slightly. Chen Yang had not falsified or exaggerated the company's performance, which is already rare among the merchants he has seen. Moreover, a newly founded company pursuing a novel business model that merely breaks even is actually the best outcome.

He then asked Chen Yang, "If this business model can never be profitable, will you still persist?"

Chen Yang said, "Technology is advancing, society is developing, and e-commerce will surely become the mainstream of consumption. No matter how many difficulties we face now, we will persevere to the end."

Liu Jianghua looked at Chen Yang with curiosity and said, "You young man have big talk—can e-commerce really replace traditional industries to become mainstream? I find it hard to believe."

Chen Yang said to Liu Jianghua, "Governor, if one day the entire Dongjiangsheng and even the whole country are connected to online services, and our mobile phones, computers, and televisions can directly purchase goods with door-to-door delivery, would you choose to shop at physical stores, or simply call or open your computer to buy what you want?"

Liu Jianghua pondered. Given his status, shopping in physical stores would surely draw a crowd. If forced to choose one, he would definitely opt for the delivery-to-door sales model. However, he also had a worry: "Chen Yang, even if online shopping is a viable option, how do you guarantee product quality matches that of physical stores?"

Chen Yang said, "For our self-operated products, we have strict quality control procedures and related after-sales service. As for merchants attached to the platform, we also have relevant contractual constraints and consumer protection services, such as a seven-day no-reason return policy: as long as the customer dislikes a product and it does not affect resale, they can return it unconditionally."

Liu Jianghua nodded in satisfaction. If unwanted goods can be returned within seven days without reason, that is indeed something to look forward to.

At this moment, Huo Yunyan interjected, "Chen Yang, if a product has quality problems and the customer requests a return or refund but the merchant refuses, how would you handle it?"

Chen Yang said, "Director Huo, our platform currently only has a few partnered physical merchants; we have not yet opened operating licenses to other merchants. My idea is to first establish a third-party online payment platform before granting licenses to other merchants. When customers pay for purchases, the funds are temporarily held in this third-party payment platform, and only after they confirm receipt will the money be transferred to the merchant's account. This would maximize avoidance of shopping disputes."

Huo Yunyan's eyes lit up upon hearing this. She suddenly became more interested in Chen Yang's plan: "Can I learn more about this payment platform?"

Chen Yang said, "This third-party payment platform needs to have a close cooperative relationship with banks. Its funds will be fully entrusted to banks for custody, and the banks will handle settlement. Yet within the network, it remains an independent fund transfer platform. Merchants and customers gradually build mutual trust through this platform to achieve long-term trade relations."

Huo Yunyan couldn't help but give Chen Yang a thumbs up. "Your idea is somewhat ahead of its time, but indeed very attractive. If this third-party payment platform can actually be realized, I am very optimistic about your online sales platform."