Chapter 1465: The Gap

Zhou Andong had long anticipated the collapse of Jinghua; the radio incident was just a fuse.

The main reason was still that the shopping experience, price, environment, and service were too different.

In addition, in terms of business philosophy and management, this was not a gap problem, but a time problem.

Not to mention Jinghua, even Carrefour or Walmart at this time.

In terms of business philosophy and management, Darunfa was at least ten years ahead of them.

This was also the reason why Darunfa landed in Wanwan and could beat Carrefour until they had no power to fight back.

More than a month ago, Elder Jian talked to him about Jinghua's matter.

Jinghua wanted to sell 45% of its shares to Darunfa for 18 million yuan.

Zhou Andong refused on the spot, even if Elder Jian was building a bridge in the middle, it wouldn't work.

Cooperating with state-owned department stores, he didn't have time to engage in internal strife with that bunch of things.

But he knew very well in his heart why a small Jinghua department store would alarm Elder Jian.

That was because Jinghua Self-Selection Department Store was an experimental pilot project for traditional commercial business model reform suggested by the President of the Macau Chamber of Commerce.

Here, there was no need to queue for shopping, and there was no need to go through salespeople. Customers could pick goods from the shelves themselves. The fresh shopping method made customers gather for a while.

Major media reported it one after another, including the People's Daily and CCTV. From Jingcheng city leaders to central leaders, they went to inspect and visit one after another.

Self-selection department store—this was what people called it at that time, and it was considered the prototype of China's supermarkets. It opened on January 3, 1983, and achieved glory throughout the 1980s with its scale advantage.

Therefore, Jinghua's existence had more significance than value. It wasn't just Elder Jian; many leaders who supported Jinghua at the beginning didn't want Jinghua to fall like this.

But the old men also knew very well in their hearts that times were progressing and society was developing. Jinghua's management thinking was rigid and could no longer keep up with the pace of the times.

Even if they were allowed to draw the Jinghua gourd according to the Darunfa ladle, they wouldn't be able to draw it well. Because the thinking was too backward, if it were forcibly retained, it would eventually be submerged by the mighty torrent of time.

Therefore, after Zhou Andong refused, Elder Jian didn't say anything more.

So much time had passed, and Zhou Andong thought Jinghua wouldn't sell, but would raise funds for renovation itself.

He didn't expect that the district would personally find Darunfa to talk about cooperation. After being rejected, someone would definitely feel very unhappy.

This time was different from last time; last time Jinghua came to talk, and it didn't matter if they were rejected.

Zhou Andong sighed: "This time the district personally came to talk about cooperation, and we rejected their face. I reckon someone will feel very unhappy in their heart."

"That's for sure." Zhou Xiaoli nodded: "It is said that when the district held a meeting to discuss selling Jinghua to us, two guys strongly opposed it, and even slapped the table.

They said that a certain person didn't have a big picture view, their standing wasn't high, their vision was narrow, and their field of view was short. They spent all day promoting patriotism and family-country sentiments in the media, but were actually engaging in formalism.

Like such an egoist who has no responsibility, doesn't care about the big picture, and only cares about personal interests—even if Jinghua goes bankrupt and employees are dismissed, it cannot be sold to such a person."

Zhou Andong chuckled: "This certain person, they are talking about me."

Zhou Xiaoli said very sincerely: "We guessed it was you too."

Zhou Andong asked curiously: "Do you know how they decided to sell it to us again?"

"The ones who opposed it were those two, and other leaders still supported it." Zhou Xiaoli said: "Also, it seems that city leaders spoke up."

At this time, the dishes were all served, but no one at this table moved, all listening to Zhou Andong and Zhou Xiaoli chatting.

Although, except for Yuan Hongzhan, no one understood, they still listened with relish.

Zhou Andong said with a smile: "Come, come, come, eat. It's so late; eat after eating and go to sleep."

Only then did everyone move their chopsticks. Because it was too late, no one drank.

Zhou Andong picked up a piece of stewed pork ribs and said to Zhou Xiaoli: "When talking, you can make concessions on the price. You don't have to give face to others, but you have to give face to the city leader who spoke.

However, tell Tang Bei that concessions are concessions, but they must be made in the open. Let them understand that we are not stupid and rich, but that we are giving face to that city leader."

Zhou Xiaoli had eaten dinner, but now it was already early morning, and he was hungry after waiting until now.

He lowered his head and took a mouthful of rice, took a mouthful of vegetables, and then said.

"Are you not going to Darunfa to take a look in these two days?"

"Going!" Zhou Andong swallowed what was in his mouth: "Take Eldest Uncle and the others to stroll around."

Zhou Xiaoli said: "Then you tell Tang Bei yourself. If there is anything I don't explain clearly, it will delay things."

"Alright!" Zhou Andong asked again: "Have the old men gone to sleep?"

Zhou Xiaoli nodded: "They wanted to wait too, but they are so old, so they were persuaded to go to sleep."

Zhou Andong said with a smile: "Old Four also slept; this makes me very surprised."

Zhou Xiaoli also laughed: "She slept after eight o'clock. She told this one to do this, and that one to do that, and said you must call her up when you come back."

Without drinking, everyone was indeed tired, especially the children, who were wilting when eating.

In less than an hour, everyone put down their chopsticks, and Yuan Liying led everyone to the arranged rooms.

Only then did Yuan Hongdang and the others know that there were several large courtyards in the back.

"It's too late now; I'll take you to see the courtyard tomorrow." Yuan Liying introduced: "There are five entries in total, and there are side courtyards on the east and west sides. There is a large garden in the back, and the back door leads to the main street, not far from the vegetable market."

"Eldest Aunt!" Yuan Ying asked excitedly: "How far is our house from Tiananmen?"

"Did you see the red wall over there?" Yuan Liying said with a smile: "That is the Forbidden City, right next to our house. It takes a while to walk to Tiananmen."

At this time, Zhou Andong was arranging for Wu Chao and the others to unload the goods: "Put them all in the west side courtyard; I'll weld a few shelves tomorrow."

Wu Chao nodded: "I'll handle it tomorrow."

Zhou Andong took out cigarettes and handed one to Wu Chao: "Prepare yourself. Zhi Wanshan will arrive in Jingcheng on the third day of the New Year. I reckon you will have to go to Xiangjiang on the fourth day, and then go from there."

"I've been prepared for a long time." Wu Chao's spirit lifted: "Chen Bingliang sent news that they have already settled down over there. After we go over, we will go directly to find him."

(Chen Bingliang, Wu Chao's comrade-in-arms, the one who is mixing in society in Xiangjiang.)

Zhou Andong took a puff of his cigarette: "With them as the vanguard, after you go, you won't be in the dark."

"Brother, have the goods been unloaded?" Zhou Qianyi came out from inside.

"Almost!" Zhou Andong asked: "Are you going back to the hotel, or are you coming back?"

"It's this time, why would I come back." Zhou Qianyi shook her head: "I'll come over tomorrow morning."

Zhou Andong asked again: "When will Third Aunt and Uncle and the others arrive?"

"The day after tomorrow!" Zhou Qianyi said: "Get off the plane at past seven in the evening." ===== CHAPTER 1466 =====