Chapter 416: Supermarket Opening

Zhang Ping'an kept fifty-two Master Workers behind individually, and sent everyone else back to the workshop.

"Master Yu, and all other masters, I would like you to take on a batch of apprentices."

The few old fellows' expressions changed slightly upon hearing Zhang Ping'an's words; this was their bread and butter, and once they taught others who were not their own kin, what would they have to rely on for a living in the future?

"Of course, it won't be for nothing. As long as everyone teaches wholeheartedly, there will be ten thousand yuan for every one who completes their apprenticeship."

If Zhang Ping'an hadn't been afraid of damaging the bacterial colonies in the Old Cellar Pool, he would have brewed the wine himself long ago.

"Of course, if you have children or nephews working in the factory, then pretend I didn't say anything. However, your descendants surely have some who are unwilling to learn; we can't let this brewing technique be lost, can we?"

"Moreover, I can guarantee that these apprentices are all of good character and are truly sincere about taking you as their masters."

In fact, they were already tempted the moment Zhang Ping'an mentioned ten thousand yuan per student. Brewing wine seemed difficult, but as long as one mastered the technique, the rest just required time to hone.

They all basically had about ten years until retirement, so it wouldn't be difficult to train two or three apprentices. This was even more than their wages.

"General Manager Zhang, I'm in favor of it. We old fellows can't work for many more years, and many of the younger generation aren't willing to learn brewing now; it would be a real pity if it were lost."

"Yes, Old Yu is right, I agree too."

But the Master Workers who had children or nephews around felt a bit awkward, yet they couldn't help but speak up:

"General Manager Zhang, actually, having children or nephews around doesn't affect us taking on apprentices. As long as they are willing to learn, I will certainly teach them everything I know."

"Hahaha, you Master Workers are all precious treasures of the factory, and we cannot treat you poorly. Your wages will increase by fifty percent on top of the original base."

"General Manager Zhang..."

The old fellows were all somewhat moved. Although they were considered technical personnel, none of the previous factory directors had valued them like Zhang Ping'an did.

"Alright, as long as everyone works hard and cultivates talent for the factory, I naturally won't treat everyone poorly."

"In two days, I will arrange two apprentices for each of you. Of course, those willing to take more may do so, but you must teach with quality and quantity guaranteed."

"Ahem, General Manager Zhang, we will take three each; that is just right to have them help out without delaying the teaching."

"Good, then we shall listen to Master Yu."

At this time, there were about four hundred children aged fourteen or fifteen in the Security Base. Most of these people were ordinary children, and picking out over a hundred to learn brewing was no problem.

Zhang Ping'an immediately arranged for Qian Dahu to send the people over, and they were all arranged in the employee dormitories.

"First, build a row of small bungalows as dormitories. Once we take the land next door, while we expand, we must also build Family Buildings."

Once Zhang Ping'an said this, the factory was in an uproar. Everyone knew that Family Buildings were going to be built, and they were all excitedly looking forward to it.

You must know that among them, those currently living in Family Buildings, apart from Cadres, were all people with thirty or forty years of seniority, and they were still living in Tube Buildings.

Most people weren't qualified back then, but now that they heard Family Buildings were to be built, they now had ten or twenty years of seniority and should all have a chance.

This move by Zhang Ping'an directly settled them down; besides earning money, wasn't the purpose of their work to have a place to live?

Zhang Ping'an planned for the Family Buildings to be fifteen rows, ten units each, and six stories high, which would be enough. Even if they expanded in the future, it would be sufficient to cope.

Zhang Ping'an didn't intend to follow the design of the Oriental Residential Complex; that would be too extravagant for a family compound. It was better to follow the crowd, just like the Family Buildings in the Mainland.

After settling this, Zhang Ping'an had Lou Xiaoe arrange a team to take over. The so-called team consisted of two people each for manager, Finance, Personnel, publicity, and sales.

The two industrial parks had also been reorganized, and the produced goods were all piling up in the warehouse. It was time for the supermarkets to open.

Returning to Sijiucheng, Zhang Ping'an first found Xu Fugui. Over the past year, he and his five apprentices had already trained sixty skilled projectionists, just waiting to take their positions at each supermarket.

"Good, thank you, Brother Xu. After the opening, I will still need you to hold down the fort here and in Modu respectively."

"No problem, it's all a small matter."

Xu Fugui was very confident. During the training, there were multiple projectors provided by Zhang Ping'an, and all sixty trainees had hands-on experience. Moreover, the time was not short; this past year had been enough for them to thoroughly master the projectors.

Xu Damao and his two sons had even come to see it during the training period. Then Xu Damao went back, while the two sons stopped their pay but kept their positions, staying here.

Xu Damao was also slightly tempted, but his position as Section Chief held him back. He still preferred sitting for a day with a cup of tea and a newspaper; being called Section Chief Xu outside also sounded better than Manager Xu.

Zhang Ping'an didn't bother with him; having the three generations of the Xu family here was enough.

The Salespersons were provided with materials by Zhang Ping'an, and Qin Huairu was responsible for the training. Many young wives in the Siheyuan were also organized by Zhang Ping'an into the Salespersons.

Those who were poised and had management talent were all listed by Zhang Ping'an as foremen, such as Shazhu's daughter, Yan Jiedi, Damao's daughter, Yu Xiangcao, Qin Jingru, etc. Guan Xiaoguan, Dongzi, and Yi Jiabei were all Accountants.

In fact, this batch of Salespersons were mostly innocent families provided by the supermarket streets, and relatives of the waiters at Yuchufang.

Each supermarket had over three hundred Salespersons. Now there were no surveillance cameras, nor one-touch weighing; everything was handled manually.

On the morning of June 8th at ten o'clock, firecrackers blared, drums and gongs sounded, and ribbons flew. Ten supermarkets in Sijiucheng and Modu opened simultaneously.

"Ping'an, these few supermarkets of yours are incredible. Compared to the scene when our Automobile City opened, it is not inferior at all."

"I still have to thank you, brother, for providing the security. Otherwise, this order would really be hard to maintain."

The supermarket security were all retired soldiers recruited by Li Huaide, with nearly a hundred people in each supermarket.

"Hahaha, we are also helping each other. The benefits and treatment you offer would be fought over anywhere."

The Modu side was temporarily managed by Jia Donglai and Qian Daming. The atmosphere at the supermarket here was even more exaggerated than in Sijiucheng, truly worthy of being the engine and purse of the country's economy.

"Uncle, the supermarket here is extremely popular. Everyone is buying as if it doesn't cost money."

"Hahaha, this is also the first day. Everyone is more curious. Besides, we don't require coupons, there is no purchase limit, and we have opening discounts. I would find it strange if there weren't many people."

One week after opening, Zhang Ping'an specifically found someone to calculate it. The net profit of a normal supermarket was around five percent, while Zhang Ping'an only required two or three percent.

Later, by further expanding the advantage through other lucky draw activities, this was also inspiration given to him by Lou Xiaoe.

Zhang Ping'an prepared to use household appliances such as televisions, Bicycles, radios, and Sewing Machines for lucky draws to attract customers.

Especially during holidays, he believed the supermarket sales would definitely see explosive growth at that time.

Zhang Ping'an specifically chose a day off. Upon learning that there was a cinema on the top floor of the supermarket, and many were new films from Xiangjiang, many young men and women came to watch.

At the entrance, there were popcorn, melon seeds, peanuts, and some small drinks. Those operating here were all impoverished households from the street, which could be considered a disguised form of giving back by the Oriental Group.

The supermarket closed at eight o'clock, and after calculating until ten, the turnover of each supermarket was around two hundred and fifty thousand.