Reborn, back to a small county town to become a wealthy family

Chapter 775: Lost

The cooperation agreement was negotiated by the top executives of the two companies, so the signing went very smoothly.

However, the details of the cooperation still need to be negotiated step by step by our subordinates.

Luo Yang did not stay in Boston. After signing the agreement, he returned to New York that afternoon with Wen Wan, Sun Wei, and half of the bodyguards, leaving Song Wan, Xiao Wei, the legal team, and two other security personnel at the IDG headquarters. It is estimated that they will stay there for another two or three days.

An Ying, Liang Yuxin, and others were not in New York. Of the team members who went abroad, only Ding Hongyi was waiting at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York.

"You are in charge of arranging the itinerary for the next few days."

After having a steak for dinner, Luo Yang called Ding Hongyi to his suite: "We won't go to the West Coast. It's across the United States, about four or five thousand kilometers. Even by plane, it would take four or five hours. If we try to do both, we definitely won't have enough time."

The East Coast, represented by New York State, is the financial center and commercial hub of the United States, including New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, and other cities.

The West Coast, represented by California, is the United States' high-tech industry and innovation center, including Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, San Diego, and other places.

Although the industries in the two regions are different, they are both important components of the US economy. Therefore, Kunpeng Technology attaches the same importance to both the East and West coasts. The inspection was only arranged for the East Coast because there was not enough time.

"Chairman, I have already arranged the itinerary."

Ding Hongyi had already made a preliminary plan for Luo Yang's inspection route before going abroad. After flying to the United States, he made a final contact to ensure that he would present the best image to his boss.

After listening to the report on the itinerary, Luo Yang nodded in satisfaction.

How's the market expansion in Europe going?

Due to funding issues, the company's promotional efforts in Europe were much less aggressive than those in the United States. This meant that revenue was better in the second quarter, so the efforts were intensified after July.

According to the marketing department's plan, a large amount of money will be invested to fully develop the European market, which will have to wait until after the Berlin Air Show.

"DJI's progress has been slowed down by us, and their investment in the European market is not very large."

Ding Hongyi understood what Luo Yang meant and reported directly: "Our analysis suggests that DJI is probably planning to increase its activities in the European market after the Berlin Air Show, or rather, they are keeping an eye on us and waiting for an opportunity to act."

Although the last sentence was not explicitly stated, Luo Yang knew what it meant.

The marketing department speculated that DJI was also facing a funding shortage. Previously, Kunpeng Technology had been aggressively expanding into the US market, and DJI had two options: either follow suit or differentiate itself by investing its limited funds in the European market.

Both companies have internal assessments showing that, in terms of importance, the European market is not as important as the US market.

Therefore, DJI had no choice but to invest in the US market to compete with Kunpeng Technology for market share. However, this depleted the limited funds available to both companies, leaving them with little energy to make significant moves in the European market.

With the Berlin Air Show about to begin, the two companies are sure to compete for the European market.

However, regarding the startup time, Ding Hongyi believes there are two possibilities.

One option is for everyone to wait until the airshow ends and take advantage of the momentum to expand into the European market. Another option is for everyone to stay put, observe which market the other party's funds flow to, and then follow suit.

Anyway, the market expansion plan has already been prepared. As long as money is invested, it can be launched immediately, and there is no time lag issue.

"Regardless of DJI."

After thinking for a moment, Luo Yang said, "We'll take the lead and launch a European market expansion plan during the Berlin Air Show, using limited funds to make the Kunpeng 2 multi-rotor UAV famous in the shortest possible time."

Before going abroad, Lu Lin, the leader in charge of high technology in Minhang District, met with him once, and the two reached a very good understanding.

Luo Yang believed that as long as he asked, he could still get a substantial amount of low-interest support loan from the district.

As for loans that the company can obtain based on market demand, he believes that many banks in Shanghai should be interested, so Kunpeng Technology will not be short of funds in the second half of the year.

The reason it's considered a small amount of money is because Luo Yang also clearly knows that R&D is a bottomless pit; hundreds of millions of yuan might not even make a ripple. They are the ones who spend the most money in the company.

"Understood, Chairman."

Ding Hongyi nodded; "Our sales in the second quarter should be similar to DJI's, so they should also have enough funds to support their expansion into the European market."

The civilian drone market is now divided between two major players, with their market share almost neck and neck.

By knowing Kunpeng's revenue in the second quarter, we can estimate how much DJI earned in the second quarter.

"in addition."

Luo Yang suddenly thought of something and took the initiative to remind them: "Treat Britain and Russia as independent markets."

Upon hearing these words, Ding Hongyi was taken aback.

Of course, as a subordinate, his hesitation was only momentary. After regaining his composure, he immediately nodded and replied, "Understood. After I return to China, I will revise the market development plan and divide the entire European region into four areas."

The original plan only distinguished between Eastern Europe and Western Europe.

Now we need to add two separate regions: Britain and Russia.

Ding Hongyi carried out the chairman's opinion without understanding why, but perhaps a few years later, he would understand the meaning behind Luo Yang's words today.

That troublemaker who was trying to maintain offshore balance left the EU eight years later.

Russia will face joint sanctions from a group of Western countries in twelve years due to the dispute. Rather than making adjustments later, it's better to take action now.

For the next half hour or so, Luo Yang and Ding Hongyi talked about the East Asian and Southeast Asian markets.

"Boss, why are we separating Britain into a separate market?"

After Ding Hongyi left, Wen Wan tidied up the coffee table in front of the sofa while asking her boss questions out of curiosity.

"Want to know?"

"Ah."

"Learning knowledge comes at a price."

Now that only Luo Yang and Wen Wan were left in the suite, it didn't matter if they talked about something light and cheerful.

Wen Wan also sensed the atmosphere and looked up at her boss.

She smiled and said, "Boss, please wait a moment. I'll come back to learn your valuable knowledge after I finish cleaning."

Luo Yang didn't say anything, and lit a cigarette by himself.

Wen Wan busied herself in the living room for a few minutes. Although she had finished cleaning, she did not return to the sofa but went into the servants' room.

Luo Yang sat on the sofa, smoking a cigarette, waiting patiently.

Four or five minutes later, Wen Wan walked out of the servants' room.

Her British maid outfit immediately caught Luo Yang's eye.

Could making her an assistant really bring about such perks?
Luo Yang stroked his chin, thinking to himself.

"Boss, please have some tea." Wen Wan walked up to Luo Yang, knelt down on one knee at his feet, tilted her head slightly, and picked up the teacup with both hands.
Gee.
The acting was quite convincing. Did you receive professional training?
After taking a sip of tea, Luo Yang handed it back to Wen Wan.

"Boss, why are we separating Britain into a separate market?"

She has clear goals for her future career planning. An Ying is her senior, so her aspirations are higher than Ding Hongyi's. It's not surprising that she wants to explore why.

Why only ask Britain and not Russia?

Luo Yang didn't give a direct answer, but instead asked a question in return.

"Malaysia is a vast country, so it's not surprising that it's listed as a separate market."

Wen Wan answered the teacher's assignment like a student: "I've read some meeting minutes from Kunpeng Technology, which included their assessment of the future market prospects for civilian drones. To reduce logistics costs and time, Europe will eventually need to build drone production lines. Labor costs within the EU are too high, so the most suitable places to locate the factory are Canada Goose and Eastern European countries that haven't yet joined the EU."

This girl does have some strategic vision.

Okay, since that's why she thinks that's the reason for treating Da Mao as an independent market, Luo Yang won't correct her.

While disputes may have underlying causes, they are also largely accidental, so there's no need for him to act like a charlatan.

"I predict that Britain will leave the European Union in the next few years."

This prediction has much less of a mystical element; it's more like predicting future economic trends.

Even so, this judgment left Wenwan's mouth slightly agape in shock.

Will Britain leave Europe in the next few years?

"Yes."

"why?"

Because Luo Yang had a habit of reading newspapers and mainstream website headlines, the board office also developed this habit, so Wen Wan was well-informed about international current affairs.

I haven't seen any signs of this in international news for the past few months.
"This matter is not something that has accumulated in a short period of time. To be honest, we have to start with the history of this troublesome country, namely the relationship between Britain and continental Europe."

After taking a drag of his cigarette, Luo Yang continued, "Historically, Britain has long played the role of an offshore balancer, pursuing a balance-of-power strategy with continental European countries. It forms temporary alliances with whichever European country it benefits, rarely truly integrating into the continent."

"Boss, if that's the case, then why did Britain join the European Community in the first place?"

After the initial shock, Wen Wan began to listen to Luo Yang's explanation. When she encountered doubts, she would ask questions, striving to fully understand the whole story.

"The primary reason Britain was willing to join the European Community was undoubtedly economic interests. Britain hoped to enter the EU's large trading area to expand its trade and economic benefits in manufacturing, agriculture, and services; at the same time, it could enhance its international influence, because Britain realized that in the context of globalization, maintaining its global influence required closer relationships with European partners."

While explaining to Wen Wan, Luo Yang reached out and stroked his assistant's hair; "Another factor is the changing importance of the Commonwealth. With the rise of the Third World and the development of the Non-Aligned Movement, the influence of Commonwealth countries on Britain has weakened, prompting Britain to seek new platforms for international cooperation."

He paused at this point.

Seemingly having thought of an even more important reason, he added, "Another reason is the support from the United States. In that particular era, the United States encouraged Britain to join the European Community, believing that a unified Western Europe would help contain the expansion of Great Mao, which had not yet disintegrated."

Luo Yang only briefly touched on the topic, because if he were to elaborate on it, it would take a long time and might require an all-night discussion.

In that case, the benefits later will be gone, which is not worth it.

Nevertheless, these explanations made Wen Wan nod repeatedly. After all, most women are not very sensitive to politics and military affairs, and Luo Yang's explanations taught her new knowledge.

Having explained why Britain joined the European Community (the predecessor of the European Union), it's relatively easier to discuss why Britain wants to leave the European Union.

After all, many of the political reasons no longer exist, so most of what remains are economic issues.

"Did you know that when problems arise, whether it's a large country or a small family, more than 80% of them are due to economic issues?"

Luo Yang joked, "So, the most likely reason Britain wants to divorce the EU is because of money, and it wouldn't be surprising if money issues led to other trivial matters."

"cluck"

Upon hearing Luo Yang's analogy, Wen Wan giggled, her body trembling as she leaned against Luo Yang's leg.

Assistant Wen rested her hands on one cheek, her legs crossed, and gazed at Luo Yang with admiring eyes.

"You know about the civil war in Libya, right?"

"I know that, it started last year."

Wen Wan, who frequently follows the news, replied to Luo Yang: "The news says that Colonel Gaddafi has kicked the bucket."

"The chaos in Libya has led to a surge in refugees."

Luo Yang stroked Wen Wan's hair more naturally, as if petting a cat, and said, "They are separated from Europe only by the Mediterranean Sea, so smuggling to Europe has become their choice. In fact, it's not just Libya. In the past few years, places like Iraq and Syria, which were in turmoil, also produced a large number of refugees, and many of these refugees have flocked to Europe."

Unfortunately, Britain is strongly dissatisfied with the EU's refugee policy.

The influx of a large number of refugees has had a significant impact on the lives of the British people, such as taking away jobs and increasing criminal activity.

"It's not just refugee policy; there are other policy differences between the UK and the EU."

Luo Yang explained with a smile: "For example, the UK has to pay huge membership fees to the EU every year, but they feel they are not getting a corresponding return. Another example is the EU's strict rules on wage standards, consumer protection, and product standards, which hinder the free development of British companies, and so on!"

"Hehe, isn't that just a trivial matter stemming from an economic issue?"

She applied her knowledge flexibly and offered her comments with a smile.

Of course, besides these economic reasons for judging Brexit, there are some things I can't say to Wenwan yet.

Because Brexit also has a certain element of chance.

Then-Prime Minister David Cameron misjudged the situation and staked his political future on the Brexit referendum, betting that the referendum result would not result in Brexit. Those who did not support Brexit also believed that Britain would not leave the EU and treated the vote with a laugh. However, an unexpected result occurred, and in the end, those who supported Brexit gained a slight advantage.

Someone went too far.
This person is former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who wanted to use Brexit to threaten the European Union in order to obtain better terms. He repeatedly attempted to use this as leverage to demand more benefits from the EU and gain a more favorable position and interests for Britain.

Unexpectedly, this time he risked his political career.

These two points couldn't be mentioned to Wen Wan, so Luo Yang casually made up two other reasons.

"Another reason is geopolitical. The UK is geographically far from the European continent. With the eastward expansion of the EU, more and more Eastern European countries have joined, and the UK has a feeling of being gradually marginalized."

Luo Yang casually said, "Britain wants to ride on our country's development, but the EU is setting up restrictions everywhere and holding Britain back. This reason doesn't seem like much now, but when it comes to crucial moments, someone will take this into account."

"Boss, after listening to all this, the more I listen, the more it seems like Britain and the EU are a couple on the verge of divorce."

Wen Wan blinked and said, "When conflicts accumulate to a certain point, something triggers the fire, and people impulsively get divorced. Many divorces are formed in this way. According to this pattern, will Britain also leave the EU in this way in the future?"

Luo Yang: "."

Thinking about it, it really is true!
(End of this chapter)