Chapter 306

Director Xiong and a few others quickly assembled a set of armor and hung it on a stand.

"Brother Li Ye, this armor is just finished by our Chang'an Craft Institute. Master Hu insisted you come take a look—what do you think?"

"Let me take a look? Why?"

Li Ye stared in surprise at Master Hu Renqiang.

Ah Qiang sighed and pulled Li Ye aside. "I'm now deputy head of the Investment Department, but that Director Hu and I don't get along. He assigned me this armor project, but I don't understand it."

Li Ye chuckled. "You don't understand it? Neither do I. Why didn't you ask your boss to send someone who does?"

Ah Qiang said: "He sent me two people. Last week, Hu took one away. This week, I chased the other off. Now I'm alone."

Li Ye was genuinely impressed—only two subordinates, and in two weeks he'd been stripped bare. No wonder he wanted to find his own way out of this deputy director post.

But this position was a solid mid-level role within Saisi Company: a base salary of ten thousand Hong Kong dollars a month, performance bonuses, and a year-end bonus that wasn't small.

More importantly, the upward potential was far greater than his old job as manga supervisor.

Li Ye had never met the new Director Hu, but now it was clear the man looked down on Ah Qiang as a "three-no cadre."

No degree, no experience, no finesse—yet he was stuck right in the Investment Department's vital spot, like a eunuch overseeing troops in ancient times: a thorn in the throat. Of course he'd make trouble.

But then again,

Ah Qiang had no degree, no experience, no finesse—but he had loyalty.

During Pei Wencong's toughest years, he'd stuck by him through every storm. So Pei Wencong wanted to "promote" Ah Qiang.

But promotion is three parts connections, seven parts ability. If Ah Qiang truly couldn't cut it, Pei Wencong couldn't help. Running a company isn't running a gang—loyalty can't come first.

So if Ah Qiang handled this armor order well, fine. But if he failed, and Director Hu advised Pei Wencong to send Ah Qiang back to Hong Kong, Pei Wencong would find it hard to object.

"Alright, I'll take a look—but I can only offer suggestions. The final decision still rests with you."

Li Ye couldn't refuse, so he walked up to the armor.

But the moment he touched it, he felt something was wrong.

"Why is it so thin? So light?"

The last set of armor Director Xiong gave Li Ye, he'd taken back to Zaojunmiao and stored away. He sometimes wore it to show off to Wen Leyu, so he knew instantly this wasn't the same.

One of the craftsmen who came with Director Xiong, Master Lu, said: "This one's about thirty catties—not light. The props department ordered even lighter ones."

"But we used stainless steel. The cost is actually higher than for a forty-catty armor. It's lighter and more comfortable to wear."

"This isn't meant to be worn. Didn't they tell you the product requirements?"

Li Ye looked at Director Xiong and the others. "If it's a replica of ancient armor, it must closely match the original. When was stainless steel used in the Tang Dynasty?"

Master Lu paused. "If we use iron, maintenance is a nightmare. If you don't care for it properly, it rusts easily."

"Exactly—that's the point. Think about ancient generals. Didn't they maintain their own armor personally?"

Li Ye said: "You should compile a full maintenance procedure. Write a detailed armor care manual."

"Make it simple enough for buyers to do themselves—but not too easy. The goal is to let buyers experience the joy of a warrior."

Director Xiong and Master Lu stared blankly. Then Director Xiong blurted: "Aren't you just making trouble for yourself?"

Li Ye waved his hand. "I'm just giving advice. If you make armor from stainless steel, it's industrial gear—a movie prop. You won't even sell it for a few hundred yuan, because it has no protective power."

"But if you use iron, follow ancient methods, and add cultural elements, it'll sell for hundreds of dollars. Which do you choose?"

Before Director Xiong could reply, Master Lu said: "Brother, you're not stupid—but are buyers?"

Li Ye smiled but didn't answer. He turned to Ah Qiang: "Call Hong Kong. Hire a luxury marketing firm. Have them design the product campaign. Follow their instructions exactly. Don't try to be clever."

Ah Qiang nodded slowly. "I get it now. Like LV or Cartier—don't scam the poor, right?"

"What do you mean 'don't scam the poor'?"

Li Ye frowned. "A suit of armor made exactly like ancient craftsmanship, handcrafted by a master—shouldn't it be a luxury?"

"Your goal is to make it so people can't buy it even if they have the money. Understood?"

Ah Qiang didn't dare argue. He nodded repeatedly. He'd follow Li Ye's orders—if he messed up, Pei Wencong wouldn't dare scold him.

Then Li Ye turned to Director Xiong. "I know you won't fully understand, but the armor you gave me is a perfect example—it's clearly no ordinary piece."

Director Xiong clicked his tongue. "Brother, I won't lie—your armor was made over ten years ago by a few master craftsmen. Now they can't even lift a hammer."

Li Ye nodded. "Just follow that spirit. I can't explain it well. I'll write a short script. When you get back, give it to Director Xie. Have him shoot an ad."

"Just tell Director Xie one thing—he'll understand everything."

Director Xiong hurriedly asked: "What one thing?"

Li Ye said seriously: "Tell him we're not selling armor. We're selling Tang Dynasty culture. We're selling Chinese history."

"Make viewers feel the fierce aura of the battlefield the moment they see the armor. Make them want to put it on, grab a spear, and charge into battle."

After a moment of silence, Master Lu said: "I think I get it now. You want people to feel this armor has age—that it was worn by warriors of past generations?"

Li Ye thought a moment. "Close enough."

Director Xiong slapped his thigh. "Ah! Brother, if you'd said that earlier, I'd have understood! You just mean aging it like an antique! We in Chang'an have that skill—excellent craftsmanship!"

Director Xiong and Master Lu returned to Chang'an the same day after receiving the script, but Ah Qiang stubbornly stayed in Beijing for several more days.

Li Ye didn't expose Ah Qiang's crush, but he asked about the Investment Department's recent situation.

"Mr. Li, to be honest, things aren't looking good. The rules here in the mainland are very different from Hong Kong. We Hong Kongers are free—but here, things are... dogmatic."

Li Ye glanced at Ah Qiang. "Is Hong Kong really free? Are you free living in Hong Kong? Free to eat? Free to rent? Free to date?"

Ah Qiang was speechless. Were cultured people really this cruel? Couldn't you just say I'm a failure outright?

Li Ye continued: "Ah Qiang, if you're investing in the mainland, you must learn to deal with mainlanders."

"Any investment company entering a new region must learn 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do.' You must understand who the real host is."

Li Ye looked at Ah Qiang, each word deliberate: "Don't take the host's money while sneering at him as backward and crude. Understood?"

"I understand, Mr. Li. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. I'll try my best to adapt."

Ah Qiang stared at Li Ye's serious face. Though he didn't fully grasp the meaning, he nodded without hesitation.