Chapter 2134: Corporate Marriage

Zhou Andong looked out the window; the sky was growing increasingly overcast. He said with some concern, "Notify the guests that the evening's activities will be moved up by one hour, starting at 5:40, to avoid the rain."

Wu Huilin was also very worried. Upon hearing Zhou Andong's words, she immediately agreed, called the secretary in, and had her notify the invited guests that the event would be moved up by an hour to avoid the rain.

Watching the secretary leave, Zhou Andong asked, "How much was paid for the guests' attendance?"

Wu Huilin said, "Old Mr. Shi Zhongyuan, the former deputy director of the Provincial People's Congress, former chairman of the Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and former curator of the Provincial Museum of Culture and History, did not ask for money. The chairman of the Provincial Writers Association, the dean of the Provincial Academy of Literature, the editor-in-chief of the Provincial Daily, the president of the Municipal Normal University, and the director of the municipal television station also did not ask for money."

"In addition, there are several columnists from newspapers and magazines whose attendance fee is two thousand, which includes two advertorials published in their newspaper and magazine columns."

"It's easy to deal with those who want money; it's the ones who don't that worry me." Zhou Andong tapped his head. "Like this: for those who didn't ask for money, after the event ends, give each of them a case of the special-supply Yugong Liquor."

"Understood!"

Wu Huilin nodded. A case of special-supply Yugong Liquor contains six bottles. Because of strict control, very little circulates on the market, so each bottle has been speculated up to over nine hundred; it is a case of having a price but no market.

"The special-supply type is being speculated too high on the market right now, nearing one thousand. Should we release some stock appropriately to let the price drop a bit?"

"There is no need." Zhou Andong said thoughtfully, "The cold winter of the white liquor industry is coming, and we must be prepared."

Wu Huilin was startled. "The cold winter of the white liquor industry? What does that mean?"

Zhou Andong picked up the ashtray and placed it on his knees, flicking the ash. "I received news that at the end of the year, the state will issue a major tax adjustment policy, imposing a consumption tax on white liquor, with a tax rate as high as 25%."

"Added to the 17% value-added tax and some other taxes, the total tax on white liquor will account for more than 45% of white liquor sales."

"That high?"

Wu Huilin's expression changed, and she stood up abruptly. She did not have the slightest doubt about Zhou Andong's words.

For policy adjustments like this, with the network of relationships behind Zhou Andong, it was not strange at all to receive news in advance.

Zhou Andong nodded, his face showing no signs of anxiety. "According to investigations by relevant departments, there are now more than thirty thousand domestic brewing enterprises, with an annual production of about six million tons of white liquor."

"A seller's market has already formed, and coupled with the tax adjustments, the white liquor industry will usher in an unprecedentedly fierce brand war. By then, a pattern of monopoly by famous large liquor factories will inevitably form, so..."

Zhou Andong looked at Wu Huilin. "In this cold winter, it is both a crisis and an opportunity. What it comes down to is who has more money. Those with money will eat until they are stuffed; those without money can only wait to be eaten."

Wu Huilin sat down slowly, pondering for a long while before letting out a long breath. "As an important part of the fast-moving consumer goods industry, white liquor naturally cannot be separated from brand strategy."

"Unlike other industries, it is very difficult for fast-moving consumer goods to achieve differentiation in product functional attributes and technology, so market capability becomes the key success factor."

"And brand and channel are the key elements in forming market capability. Therefore, brand and channel capability, especially brand capability, will determine whether a product can remain invincible in the market."

"Correct!" Zhou Andong said with a smile. "Therefore, we must increase our investment in brand advertising and make Yugong Liquor even more deeply rooted in people's hearts. Of course, Jiang Xiaobai cannot be forgotten either."

Gu Bing sat with his legs crossed, looking very relaxed. "With the diversification of our group's industries, no matter how fierce the competition in the white liquor industry is, we are not afraid."

Wu Huilin nodded with a smile. "We are not short of money, so while increasing advertising investment, we can use our own strong brand status to marry local brands. This will not only increase our brand influence but also allow the interaction between enterprise operating scales to form a virtuous cycle."

Zhou Andong's eyes lit up. Isn't this the strategy of Wuliangye? At the beginning of the cold winter in the white liquor industry, many enterprises had not yet sensed the crisis, but Wuliangye had already begun to lay out its plans.

It rapidly married various local enterprises, launching more than a hundred brands such as Wuliangchun, Wufuyie, Jinliufu, Liuyanghe, Laozuofang, and so on.

The breadth of its extension, the quantity, and the speed were unprecedented, allowing Wuliangye to stand out alone in 1999, the most difficult period, amidst a chorus of wailing, to the point that even Moutai was no match.

"Understood!" Zhou Andong said. "Implement it as soon as possible. Rapidly extend our Yugong Liquor and Jiang Xiaobai brands. Don't be afraid to spend money. It's a marriage, after all; the dowry cannot be skimped on. It will be worth it if we produce a few more sons and daughters."

"Ding-a-ling..."

The bell for the end of the workday rang. Wu Huilin checked the time. "Let's go. The guests have all been arranged at the guesthouse. Let's go over and have a simple meal first; there is still a banquet after the event ends."

…………………………

Twenty minutes later, Zhou Andong, Wu Huilin, and Gu Bing arrived at the guesthouse. The person responsible for hosting the guests was Fang Qiao, the head of the group's propaganda department.

In over two years, Fang Qiao had grown up too fast. Previously in the labor union, she was just Jian Qiu's little follower; now she is a high-level leader of the group.

A white shirt, a skirt reaching below the knees, high heels, her hair meticulously coiled behind her head, and light makeup on her face, she had the image of a strong career woman.

"Chairman, Director Gu, President Wu!"

Fang Qiao timed it with the end of the workday, personally coming to the guesthouse lobby to welcome Zhou Andong and the others.

"The guests are already in the restaurant."

"Good!" Wu Huilin nodded and followed Fang Qiao into the elevator.

Arriving at the restaurant, a young girl from the propaganda department was standing in front of the door to Private Room No. 2.

Seeing Fang Qiao and the Chairman arrive, she raised her hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" A resonant voice came from inside.

The young girl turned the handle and pushed the door open.

Fang Qiao walked into the private room first, then stood by the door and said with a smile, "Teachers, our Chairman, President, and Vice Chairman have arrived."

Inside, there was a large table for eighteen people, and twelve were already seated. The moment Zhou Andong walked in, they had already stood up.

Because Wu Huilin and Gu Bing had already met them, Fang Qiao mainly introduced them to Zhou Andong. After a round of polite exchanges, everyone sat down.

"Old Shi!" Zhou Andong first said to Shi Zhongyuan beside him, then said to the others, "Editor-in-Chief Liu, President Zhao, Dean Li, Director Sun, and several writer friends, let's have a simple meal first. After the event ends, we will have a good drink."

"Chairman Zhou, you are too polite."

The one speaking was the editor-in-chief of the Municipal Daily, in his forties, wearing a light gray cadre suit, with his hair combed back and thick black-rimmed glasses.

"Little Zhou!" Shi Zhongyuan said with a smile. "You donated money to Project Hope and to the country's scientific and technological development. This old fellow has no use and cannot help you much, but within my power, helping you promote your enterprise is still possible."

"Because only when your enterprise develops and earns more money can it make more contributions to society. So, we came, and it's not just for eating and drinking." ===== CHAPTER 2135 =====