Siheyuan's Journey Through the Ages

Chapter 171: Orderly Progress

In a spacious and bright studio, Ma Qing looked at the radio in front of him with a serious expression, frowned slightly and asked: "Is this the result of your three months?"

Standing opposite Ma Qing were a dozen science men in neat work clothes. They all looked nervous and stared at Ma Qing and the radio.

One of the men wearing glasses pushed his glasses up on his nose and answered nervously, "Yes, boss, we have finally made it based on your design drawings after three months of hard work."

Feng Zhicheng, the former deputy director of Hongyan Radio Factory, was poached by Ma Qing with favorable conditions and is now the general manager of the newly established Jixing Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. He stood in the crowd, looking at Ma Qing and the radio with a complicated expression, feeling both expectation and trepidation.

Ma Qing looked at the new product in front of him carefully, but he was not very satisfied. If he had to give it a score, he would only give it 80 points at most.

He shook his head slightly and said slowly: "I am very confident about the work you have done. I can see the hard work and efforts you have put in. However, this product still has some defects. Our all-plastic radio is mid-range, and the texture of the plastic is very high. Look at this..."

As Ma Qing spoke, he pointed out some shortcomings of the radio and proposed more than ten points that needed to be revised. This made the staff around him look a little ugly. They looked at each other with helplessness and frustration in their eyes.

Seeing everyone's disappointed expressions, Ma Qing smiled. His smile was like a spring breeze, instantly easing the tense atmosphere. "I am not denying your work. On the contrary, I recognize your work very much. I am just a very picky person. Moreover, this radio is the first product of our Polestar Electronics. My requirements will definitely be very high. Please bear with me."

What else could everyone say after hearing their boss say this? They could only flatter him: "No, no, it's because we didn't do our job well. We will definitely work harder and live up to the boss's expectations."

"I'll give you another month. After one month, I want to see the Polestar XJ001 that meets my requirements coming out of the production line." Ma Qing made the request very seriously. His eyes were firm and sharp, as if they could penetrate everything.

"I would like to reiterate three points: First, our products are made entirely of plastic. I have the highest requirements for the color and texture of plastic. Appearance is our competitive selling point. Second, our products are actually assembled parts. The core components are from the UK, but our speakers are our own products with beautiful sound quality, which is one of our competitive selling points. Third, as a mid-range product, the workmanship of this radio must be meticulous. If we set higher standards for ourselves today, it will be easier to sell the products."

Feng Zhicheng spoke on behalf of everyone: "Boss, I understand your requirements. We will make changes immediately and will definitely meet your requirements."

"I will give you another 10 yuan reward to thank you for your hard work over the past three months. After the task is completed, there will be a generous reward. Now please work hard for a while." In order to improve the subjective initiative of employees, Ma Qing directly gave the most effective reward in the world. He knew that only when employees felt that their efforts were recognized and rewarded, they would work harder.

"Everyone, go back to work. Mr. Feng, please stay for a while." Ma Qing ended the meeting. Everyone left, leaving only Ma Qing and Feng Zhicheng in the studio.

Feng Zhicheng was originally carefully selected by Ma Qing. He was a professional manager who was obsessed with product quality. In order to meet the deadline, and with the instigation of his subordinates, he produced a product that he was not very satisfied with.

"Boss, I..." Feng Zhicheng wanted to explain his difficulties, but swallowed the words back.

"Mr. Feng, I understand your difficulties, but I hope you understand one fact: in this company, you only need to be responsible to me."

Ma Qing said in a cold tone, "The reason why I chose you to be the general manager of Polestar is because I think you are a person who is almost paranoid about product quality. But you disappointed me this time. I hope this kind of thing will never happen again."

Feng Zhicheng nodded silently. He knew that he had made a mistake this time and must correct it as soon as possible in order to regain his boss's trust.

Feng Zhicheng wanted to explain but couldn't say it out loud. He could only swallow it down. "I understand, boss. There won't be a next time."

After leaving Polestar Electronics, Ma Qing rushed to Yaguang Intelligent Plastics without stopping.

Today is an important day for Yaguang Zhisu to welcome new toys.

Zheng Yumian held the yo-yo in his hand and played with it skillfully according to Ma Qing's instructions. When he saw the yo-yo glowing as it spun, his face was full of amazement. "Mr. Ma, you have it all figured out. I seem to see countless banknotes pouring in like a tide."

At this time in the office, the sun shines through the window onto the ground, forming patches of light. Ma Qing looks at the three-order Rubik's Cube that has been left aside and can't help but smile bitterly.

This year, he originally planned to launch a 3x3 Rubik's Cube. In fact, he has already applied for patents for both the 3x3 and 4x3 Rubik's Cubes. However, judging from Zheng Yumian's performance, he seems to be more interested in this glowing yo-yo.

"This is a micro generator invented by Professor Wang, my university teacher. It can drive the LED light strip to emit light." Ma Qing deliberately kept it a secret. "This luminous yo-yo is currently only a laboratory product. If you want to achieve mass production in the future, it will depend on your ability."

“……? What do you mean by my ability, Mr. Ma?” Zheng Yumian asked with a puzzled look on his face.

LED was invented by American engineer Nick Holenyak and first appeared in the United States.

Nick Holenyak is an American engineer and inventor. He invented the first visible light emitting diode (LED) in 1962, which triggered the second revolution in the history of lighting since Edison invented the light bulb. Therefore, he is called the "Father of LED".

In 1955, Rubin Braunstein of RCA discovered the infrared radiation effect of gallium arsenide (GaAs) and other semiconductor alloys, and in 1962 Nick Holonyak Jr of General Electric (GE) developed the visible light LED.

"So, if you want to make this glowing yo-yo, you have to find a production line or source of LED light strips, otherwise..." Ma Qing picked up the yo-yo, pulled the string with his fingers, and threw the yo-yo out with force, "This won't work." "I understand, I'll fly to the United States right away, and if I can't handle this, I won't come back." Zheng Yumian, stimulated by the huge prospect of wealth, made a bold statement.

Zheng Yumian's eyes were full of determination and resolution, as if he had seen the dawn of success.

Ma Qing nodded slightly, expecting Zheng Yumian to bring good news. In this era full of opportunities and challenges, they are all working hard to realize their dreams.

"Don't worry, there's no need to rush this glowing yo-yo thing."

"Okay then, I'll ask my friends in the United States to help me first, and then I'll go to the United States to settle this matter later." Zheng Yumian also realized that he was too impatient.

Ma Qing opened his mouth slowly, his voice steady and powerful, "I am here mainly to say two things. First, in the future, all new toys I invent will be patented to Yaguang Zhisu in the name of Xiangjiang Zhiwei Technology. After you approve the ex-factory price of Yaguang Zhisu's new products, you must add 12% to the price to pay patent royalties to Xiangjiang Zhiwei." Ma Qing's words were loud and clear, and his eyes revealed an unquestionable determination.

Zheng Yumian held the Rubik's Cube in his hand and twisted it gently, but he couldn't help but say, "Mr. Ma, isn't this 12% patent fee too high? This means that Xiangjiang Zhiwei did nothing but took away most of the profits."

As a businessman who has been working in the business world for many years, Zheng Yumian has always been keenly aware of the benefits. In his opinion, it is not worthwhile to pay such a high patent fee for no reason.

Ma Qing did not respond immediately, but just stared at Zheng Yumian quietly, his eyes were like a sharp sword, staring straight at him. Under this sharp gaze, Zheng Yumian gradually felt a little scared.

"Mr. Zheng, although I am the absolute majority shareholder of Yaguang, you are also one of the major shareholders of Yaguang. If you think this deal is not cost-effective, then forget it. I won't force you." After Ma Qing finished speaking, he pretended to take the Rubik's Cube and yo-yo.

Seeing this, Zheng Yumian quickly grabbed the two toys tightly in his arms and said hurriedly: "Ah Qing, I was wrong. If you want to collect the patent fee, then go ahead. This is what you deserve."

"Mr. Zheng, be more generous. Don't act like a vendor in the vegetable market. You always follow the attitude of "try it first before you get it". That's too petty."

Ma Qing was not going to let him off so easily. As his wealth grew and his business became bigger, Ma Qing hated people who opposed his decisions. "Besides, I've already said that you set the price, and if I add 12%, it won't affect Yaguang's profits."

Zheng Yumian felt helpless facing Ma Qing who had absolute initiative, but he also knew that he had no way out at the moment.

He lowered his head slightly, with a look of compromise and helplessness in his eyes. In this situation dominated by the strong, what else could he do? He could only accept Ma Qing's decision silently and look forward to more opportunities and rewards from future cooperation.

"I was wrong, Mr. Ma. This approach is acceptable, but if I also have a patent for a toy invention in the future, can I also charge patent fees?" Zheng Yumian had no way to deal with the powerful Ma Qing, but he couldn't help but make a move.

"Of course, the more patents of this kind, the better. Zheng Sheng, times have changed. Since countries have increasingly strictly enforced patent laws, the value of intellectual achievements has become more and more evident." Ma Qing emphasized: "As long as we all recognize it, why not do it?"

Zheng Yumian sighed inwardly, feeling that his courage was crushed by Ma Qing again.

"In addition, seeing your performance in playing with the Rubik's Cube, I found that this product really needs some market cultivation. You also participated in the last bidding meeting of Jufeng. I plan to hold a bidding meeting as well. What do you think?" Ma Qing changed the subject and put forward his new idea.

"You mean, we at Yaguang should leave the traders behind, find our own agents, and also collect agency fees?" When Zheng Yumian heard Ma Qing's proposal, he remembered the lively scene of Jufeng Company's bidding meeting and the agency fees collected, and asked with his eyes shining.

"Mr. Zheng, you have to know that the actual situations of these two companies are completely different. I really don't intend to charge this so-called franchise fee. My focus is only on the requirements for the agent's marketing plan. Oh, forget it, let's find a suitable time to go to Kowloon Commerce and have a good talk. At that time, I will put forward my ideas in detail and see what kind of feedback they will give."

In the spacious and bright office of Kowloon Commerce, Qi Zongyuan was sitting at his desk, looking at the documents in his hands with a focused expression.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching from afar. He looked up and saw Ma Qing and Zheng Yumian approaching together. The moment he saw them, Qi Zongyuan suddenly felt something was wrong. Ever since he witnessed the global bidding of Jufeng Company last time, he had been filled with worries. He was afraid that Yaguang Company would abandon him and go directly to find an agent.

If such a thing really happened, it would be a huge loss for Kowloon Commerce. Because this is not just a matter of losing the cooperation of Yaguang Company. If Yaguang Company can successfully take this step, the impact will be far-reaching.

In the future, all competitive enterprises will probably choose to find agents themselves. By that time, Jiulong Trading will only be able to pick up some leftovers and drink some soup. This will completely destroy the existing business ecology of trading companies.

"Boss, what are you doing..." Qi Zongyuan asked with a puzzled look on his face. Zheng Yumian turned to look at Ma Qing, who calmly took out an exquisite three-level Rubik's Cube from his briefcase and slowly handed it to Qi Zongyuan, saying, "Boss Qi, this is the product that our Yaguang Company is pushing this year, called the Xiangjiang Rubik's Cube. We came here this time to hold a bidding meeting."

"You two are going too far. Since you are going to hold a bidding meeting, why did you come to us?" Qi Zongyuan's face changed instantly. He felt that the two young men sitting opposite him were really too much. They wanted to get rid of him, but they still expected him to help. How could this work?

When Ma Qing saw Qi Zongyuan's reaction, he immediately realized that he had misunderstood his meaning. "Mr. Qi may have misunderstood. My idea is to have Kowloon Trade and Rongfa Trade jointly hold a global bidding meeting, still in the name of a trading company. We are not the kind of people who would burn bridges after crossing a river. Yaguang Company's success today is inseparable from the unremitting efforts of Kowloon Trade. We will continue to cooperate."

(End of this chapter)