Chapter 730: The Business Path of the Younger Generation

Chen Xueru smiled dismissively: "How could it be so mysterious? My Xueru Clothing has been open for so many years, and I haven't seen any major changes."

He Yuzhu took up the conversation: "Do you know what Reform and Opening-up is? It means that in the future, those large foreign capitals will be introduced. Don't underestimate that capital; it is wealthy enough to rival nations. Your Xueru Clothing, at most, has assets of a few tens of millions. Compared to those foreign investments, it's merely a drop in the ocean. If they want to force you to close, it's a matter of minutes."

Hearing this, Lou Xiaoe felt quite moved. Having witnessed the power of those large foreign capitals in Hong Kong, she explained: "Xueru, Zhuzi is right. Those foreign capitals are different from us; they are massive and bloodthirsty. To open up the market, they can sell things below cost, and once they've defeated you, they'll raise the prices. They can also spend a lot of money to acquire your brand and then discard it... In short, they have plenty of tactics..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xueru immediately stopped talking. After a long silence, she said: "Zhuzi, I understand. Then let's increase the pressure on He Zheng and the others. No one is allowed to help them; let's see if those few have the ability!"

He Yuzhu said firmly: "It's not that we can't help. We can help with money, but we absolutely cannot point out the path or set the direction for them. These things must be figured out by themselves."

Chen Xueru suddenly changed the subject: "Zhuzi, do you feel that He Zheng, that kid, has been a bit different lately? He's been getting quite close to Qin Huairu's daughter, Tianzhen."

He Yuzhu was stunned: "There's such a thing? How many years apart are they?"

Chen Xueru replied: "Our He Zheng should be five or six years older than her. Tianzhen graduated last year and was assigned to the Northern Company, doing business with the Russians. She has looked for me a few times, wanting me to make a batch of down jackets, but I haven't done business with the Russians for a long time. Now even the supply channels are cut off, so it's not easy to handle for the time being."

He Yuzhu was startled. Could it be that He Zheng was planning to start from Tianzhen's side to do business with the Russians? But although the relationship between the two sides had begun to ease, it hadn't reached the point of free interaction.

However, he quickly dismissed this thought, not believing that He Zheng wanted to use Tianzhen to conduct trade with the Soviet Union. "As for the children's affairs, let's not interfere as parents. Let them develop on their own; whatever they become is their own business."

Chen Xueru sighed, "I actually quite like the child Tianzhen; her personality is especially gentle. I'm just particularly worried about He Jia. She's not young anymore, yet she's still like a child every day, only knowing how to play and not knowing how to date."

He Yuzhu asked: "So, does she have someone she likes?"

Chen Xueru shook her head: "Haven't heard."

He Yuzhu frowned: "She must have been led astray by her aunt He Yulu..."

Chen Xueru said helplessly: "Who's to say otherwise? Our mother is worried sick and is asking people everywhere to introduce her to someone."

In the Global Trading Company, He Zheng was taking Tianzhen around, introducing the company's situation.

He said with a smile: "Sister Tianzhen, your Northern Company mainly handles business with the Soviet Union, right? Can you tell me what exactly you do?"

Tianzhen replied: "We mainly engage in the export trade of light industrial products like textiles, food, and alcohol, and mainly import heavy industrial products from there."

He Zheng asked: "If I want to do business with the Russians, is there any opportunity now?"

Tianzhen thought for a moment and said: "He Zheng, I originally wanted your mother's company to produce a batch of down jackets, but she didn't agree. If you can persuade her, I guarantee you can make a lot of money."

"Isn't it said that private companies cannot export to the Soviet Union?"

"Why is your brain so inflexible? As long as you have the goods, I can have you affiliated under our company's name and sell the items to the Soviet Union."

He Zheng happily slapped his thigh: "That's great, it's a deal then. I'll have my mother's side produce the down jackets right now."

"He Zheng, if you can get cheap white liquor, the Russians there also like it very much; you can still make money," Tianzhen said with a smile.

"My second grandfather's Small Tavern deals with Niulanshan Erguotou liquor every day; I can help you ask. But I might not be able to get much. Besides, my father's student Liu Siman's third sister also produces liquor; I can get some, and I have the best relationship with Senior Sister Siman."

"That's great, then my future promotion and fortune will all depend on you," Tianzhen said, patting He Zheng's arm.

In the No. 95 Siheyuan, Xu Damao was humming a tune, holding his head high, wearing a Pierre Cardin suit, and swaying as he walked into the Houyuan.

Bang Geng was smoking at his door. Seeing Xu Damao return, he approached with a cheeky smile and said: "Uncle Xu, long time no see. I heard you've made a fortune again?"

Xu Damao glanced at him sideways: "Bang Geng, do you have something to ask me? You kid aren't usually this attentive to me."

Bang Geng chuckled, his eyes squinting into slits: "Uncle Xu, you are just smart. I've quit my job to go into business, and now I'm preparing to trade."

Xu Damao glared: "Are you sick? You were already a Section Chief, and in a lucrative position in logistics at that. You say you're quitting just like that? Then go tell the higher-ups, I'll go take your spot."

Bang Geng chuckled: "Uncle Xu, don't joke with me, I'm telling you the truth."

Xu Damao said with ill intent: "Learning to do business requires paying tuition. Treat me to a meal at Kaorouji today; I want two plates of roasted lamb and a serving of Braised Beef Strips."

Bang Geng said with a smile: "No problem, let's go."

Along the way, Xu Damao patted Bang Geng on the shoulder and said: "Were you instigated by someone? Such a good job, how could you just quit like that?"

Bang Geng thought for a moment and said: "Isn't it because I saw you lost hundreds of thousands before, and heard you paid off the debt in a few months? That's too amazing! I only make a hundred-something yuan a month; how many lifetimes would it take to earn hundreds of thousands? So I lost interest in working."

Xu Damao smiled proudly: "You can't compare to me; I was born to be a businessman. Not bragging, but when I was in my teens, I already had over twenty thousand Big Ocean. Your family hasn't seen that much money in generations, right?"

Bang Geng flattered: "That's for sure! My family can't even take out a few thousand to this day, let alone twenty thousand Big Ocean."

Xu Damao then became a bit more guarded: "He Yuzhu is your Siqiang; why aren't you learning from him, but instead coming to me for advice?"

Bang Geng chuckled and said: "My Siqiang opposes me quitting and won't even talk to me now, so how can I ask him for advice?"

Xu Damao sighed: "I watched you grow up, and you've changed a lot. To be honest, He Yuzhu taught you well; it's better than hanging out with your grandmother. If you really have no path, just come work with me."

Bang Geng chuckled and said: "If I work with you, wouldn't your business be exposed? You'd better just give me some pointers."

Xu Damao smiled: "Among the kids in our courtyard, you are indeed the most cunning. Yi Xiaotian, He Zheng, and Guoqing are all not as good as you."

Bang Geng shook his head: "Actually, He Zheng is quite smart, he just hasn't had his breakthrough yet."

Xu Damao nodded: "Indeed. His mother is an old fox with a belly full of tricks; she must have taught him plenty. You'll have to be careful when you cooperate with him in the future."

At Kaorouji, Bang Geng ordered a table full of dishes and even opened a bottle of Wuliangye liquor.

Bang Geng poured a glass for Xu Damao and said: "Uncle Xu, please show me a clear path. I want to do trade; what do you think sells for the most money?"

Xu Damao's face was a bit red from drinking. Out of showing off, he picked his teeth and said: "Bang Geng, you know I'm in the antique business. To tell you the truth, if you are diligent and can go to the countryside to collect things, especially around Tongzhou, you can definitely still find old furniture made of red sandalwood and yellow rosewood. If you go to Shanxi to collect, the price will be even cheaper, though the work is hard. As long as you collect the right pieces and find a master craftsman to repair them, the price can increase tenfold or dozens of times. If you can sell them to Hong Kong, that's a sky-high price; a single red sandalwood chair can sell for fifty thousand."

Upon hearing this, Bang Geng's eyes went straight: "Uncle Damao, can you really make that much money?"

Xu Damao said: "Of course. But your uncle here is getting old and can't travel far; you young people still can."

Bang Geng asked: "Then how can I transport them to Hong Kong?"

Xu Damao said: "Hey, you don't need to worry about that. You just need to collect the furniture and sell it to me. If I see the items are good, I'll pay you several times the price. For example, if you collect it for five hundred, selling it to me, I might give you several thousand."

Bang Geng's eyes lit up: "Uncle, since you said so, then I'll really go down and try. Then teach me how to recognize what is yellow rosewood and what is red sandalwood; I can't tell them apart!"

Xu Damao nodded and said: "Alright, tomorrow you go to my shop in Panjiayuan to take a look. I have a few red sandalwood chairs there, and a yellow rosewood side table."