Who wants to take the civil service exam after being reborn?

Chapter 595 You don't know how insignificant an official is until you go to the capital!

“Back in Guangzhou’s Baiyun District, there was an electronics factory under construction.”

Chen said in a low voice, "Secretary Zhu and Vice Governor Huang inspected the site before and offered many valuable suggestions. We have also decided to name the new phone the 'Youmi' series."

"Secretary Zhu" is the top leader of Guangzhou.

Vice Governor Huang is the provincial leader in charge of science and technology development.

They all came to support him after he expressed his desire to enter the electronics manufacturing industry and declared his goal of "striving to make the first Android phone in China".

Lu Yimin listened silently without interrupting.

Until Chen said, "This is how we plan it: the first batch of 10,000 Android phones will all be customized products for China Unicom, to help Mr. Lu test the market reaction and provide relevant data support for your decision-making."

The so-called "China Unicom customized phone" means that these phones are still based on the UMI platform, but only support China Unicom SIM cards, and cannot be used with SIM cards from other operators.

Lu Yimin listened and slowly raised his head.

"If the consumer response is not as expected, we will bear the losses retroactively."

Chen spoke slowly but very sincerely: "If I am lucky enough to be right and Android can really gain a foothold in the future, then all of this is just because you, President Lu, have unique vision and accurately grasp the trend of technological development."

"You don't want money for these 10,000 units?"

Lu Yimin's gaze was sharp, as if he wanted to see right through Chen Zhe.

"Not a penny."

Chen gave a calm reply.

He looked calm and composed, and even the cute yellow sweater he was wearing seemed to have become a golden dragon robe that was about to be crowned.

Lu Yimin's eyes flickered slightly.

During the era when Symbian held a monopoly, companies that offered customized mobile phones for China Unicom would frequently come to our door, but they all wanted money.

Because of some unavoidable relationships, Lu Yimin would indeed release some orders.

At this critical juncture, with an uncertain future and various systems clashing, Tracing Back has become the first company to offer free customization and voluntarily test the risks.

Lu Yimin remained noncommittal. Having spent a long time within the system, he was somewhat skeptical of such a good thing as "unpaid dedication."

"What are the benefits of doing this for retrospection?"

Lu Yimin asked calmly.

"Of course."

Chen smiled, his tone casual and candid: "If this batch of phones is well-received by the market, President Lu should entrust us with the next batch of customized phones."

"So that's what it was for."

Lu Yimin nodded slowly.

If consumers rave about the UMI phones with these China Unicom SIM cards, whether for market share or to achieve continued economic growth, China Unicom should expand the scale of the cooperation.

At that point, retrospection will be able to legitimately collect the labor fees.

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology this year, the total number of mobile phone users in China exceeded 6 million in mid-2008.

The idea was to use the cost of 10,000 units to secure an order for 1 million units in the future.

This is undoubtedly a high-stakes gamble, and the risks should not be underestimated.

Because we have to bet on both the future of Android and the acceptance of [Youmi].

On the China Unicom side, there was no risk whatsoever, and with these 10,000 phones used as a trial, Lu Yimin wouldn't be accused of being technically inept.

Lu Yimin couldn't think of a reason not to agree.

But then I felt that if I agreed, it would be like taking advantage of a private enterprise, since it was the first time I had met Chen.

"Um……"

After a moment's thought, Lu Yimin called over Zhang Jun'an, the vice president in charge of production and operations in the group, and informed him of the requirement to retroactively review the data.

Zhang Jun'an was equally surprised by Chen's "naive appearance" and "all-or-nothing gamble." He could tell that Lu Yimin was willing to agree and intended to entrust the matter to him for coordination. Zhang Jun'an, being a seasoned leader in the political arena, naturally knew that it was better to say things upfront to avoid taking the blame later.

To be able to confront Zheng Weizhong, Zhang Jun'an's position within the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology was even lower than Zheng Weizhong's, and he didn't want to offend this Guangdong faction for no reason.

"Mr. Chen, we do indeed have a large number of customized mobile phones to be delivered to the company."

Zhang Jun'an said, "But there are some situations we can't completely predict. What if... the order doesn't go to you?"

Chen understood what this meant. If a company could get orders from a state-owned enterprise, it must be a private company with a powerful background.

Therefore, whether or not a retrospective can be provided, or how much can be provided, depends not only on [Youmi], but also on [relationships].

This was also a question in Lu Yimin's mind, but he didn't point it out himself; instead, he let his subordinates offend people.

He observed Chen's reaction with a cold eye.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s not our turn. In fact, in my opinion, we should give another 10,000 units to China Unicom for free.”

Chen said without any reservations.

Zhang Jun'an and Lu Yimin exchanged a glance, and Zhang Jun'an frowned and asked, "Why?"

"China Unicom, such a large platform, is willing to give us an opportunity to showcase ourselves, which is an extremely rare trust. These 10,000 customized mobile phones are also our way of expressing our gratitude."

Chen replied in a bright and cheerful tone.

"Mr. Chen, you're too kind."

Lu Yimin was quite pleased with Chen Zhe's response, and his tone relaxed: "Actually, the situation that Lao Zhang mentioned is relatively rare. If the Unicom version of the Youmi phone can gain user recognition, I think... the potential for future cooperation is still very broad."

For a leader like Lu Yimin, making such a vague promise is already quite remarkable.

Chen quickly expressed his gratitude.

Lu Yimin waved his hand and stood up: "Then that's settled. I have some things to do at noon. Old Zhang, on behalf of our group, will treat President Chen to a simple meal."

"It's a rare opportunity to learn and exchange ideas with such a professional leader as Mr. Zhang. Thank you again, Mr. Lu!"

Chen said modestly, but before leaving the office, he made a point of adding:
"President Lu, President Zhang, there's something else I need to report. We not only plan to develop customized mobile phone services for China Unicom, but we will also strive for opportunities with China Telecom and China Mobile."

"However, we will make this China Unicom project an industry benchmark. As for other partners, the models and focuses will be different."

Chen then offered a more tactful explanation.

This matter couldn't be kept secret anyway; it wasn't a secret among the "Big Three".

Previously, many companies have provided services to three companies at the same time, and the future iPhone will be no exception, with various customized versions still selling very well.

Therefore, Chen Zhe felt that Lu Yimin should not be angry.

However, if we don't make this clear today, Lu Yimin might have objections if he finds out through other channels in the future.

As expected, Lu Yimin did not show the slightest displeasure. Instead, he laughed heartily and said amiably, "China Unicom is a partner, not the sole shareholder. How could we interfere with your normal business plans? The key is to make good products, build a good reputation, provide good services to the people, and promote the overall progress of the industry."

After leaving the office, Zhang Junan said he would go back to his office first and then meet up downstairs.

Chen nodded in agreement and took his secretary in the elevator as it slowly descended. Occasionally, wisps of air conditioning blew on their faces, seemingly dissipating some of the invisible tension they had felt earlier.

The secretary, who rarely saw her boss in Guangdong be so humble, said sullenly, "I don't think Mr. Lu should be busy at noon."

"He'll be fine."

Chen Zhe naturally noticed this, but didn't care: "We're not yet at a level where President Lu can accompany us. There's a saying that goes, 'You don't know how insignificant an official is until you've been to the capital.'"

Seeing that the secretary was still a little unhappy, Chen smiled and comforted her, "When Youmi phones achieve success, President Lu will accompany you next time you come; when [Reply] is released and becomes a mainstream communication software in China, the leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will accompany you."

"When will the central government..."

The secretary's eyes lit up, and she asked eagerly.

"Stop!"

Chen quickly stopped him: "That's enough. You don't want us to be unable to make a living, do you?"

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(End of this chapter)