1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 244: The picture shows the dagger
Peng Guangliang's thinking was considered open-minded in that era. He did not have too many requirements for his daughter Peng Jiayan. It was not a big problem for a girl in her early twenties to be playful.

Hengtaixing is such a big industry, does he really want his precious daughter to do it all by himself?
Of course, I have trained professional managers long ago, and even if I retire one day, the managers will manage the business in an orderly manner.

With Peng Guangliang's experience in the business world, if Hengtaihang continues to operate normally, it can at least ensure that three generations of his family will have enough food and clothing.

As long as our descendants don’t go crazy and say they want to start their own business.

There were knocks on the door outside, accompanied by the ringing of the doorbell.

Peng Guangliang, who was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper, frowned. With such a unique way of knocking on the door, he knew without hesitation that it was Peng Jiayan who came back.

"Master, I'll open the door."

An elderly maid came out of the kitchen. She looked to be in her sixties, older than Peng Guangliang. She was wearing a neat and simple double-breasted shirt, blue cloth trousers and a pair of black cloth shoes. Her hair was neatly tied into a bun.

Peng Guangliang smiled and nodded to the maid, "Thank you for your hard work, Sister Tao. I'm sure you forgot to take the key again."

Tao Jie is nine years older than Peng Guangliang. She was sold to the Peng family as a maid. Later, when she was older, she simply combed her hair and became a self-employed maid. Over the years, the way she addressed Peng Guangliang changed from young master to master.

The self-combed maid originated in Shunde, Cantonese, and was also called Ma Jie or Gu Po. She is the ancestor of today's non-Maids and Indian Maids. Because they grew up at home, the host-guest relationship is like that of family members, and the master-servant relationship is incomparable to that of ordinary maids.

So although Tao Jie is a maid, she is also a third-generation servant and has a high status in the Peng family. Ordinary guests who come to the house also show her more respect.

Not long after Tao Jie walked out, there was a sound of opening and closing of the fence door outside, and she led Peng Jiayan into the living room.

"Sister Tao, is my dad home tonight?"

"During this period after the New Year, the master has been waiting for the young lady to come back home. His life is very regular."

Arrive before anyone arrives.

Peng Jiayan walked into the living room and saw Peng Guangliang sitting on the sofa. She was surprised and said, "You didn't move to Kowloon Tong. Aren't you afraid that your concubine will get angry?"

"What do you mean by concubine? Nonsense!" Peng Guangliang put away the newspaper, pointed towards the bedroom, and lowered his voice: "Your mother just went to bed, don't discuss this topic at home."

Peng Jiayan curled her lips. Her father took a concubine in the 1970s when the Qing Dynasty laws had not yet been abolished. The concubine also gave birth to a boy for the Peng family, who just started college this year. Later, it was rumored that the concubine's son might inherit the Peng family business. Peng Guangliang didn't say a word and directly drove the mother and son to Kowloon Tong to live alone, making his determination known to his wife and daughter.

Tao Jie stood aside and changed the sensitive topic with a smile: "Miss, you look much better in your skirt today."

Peng Guangliang nodded: "Yes, a girl should act like a girl."

Peng Jiayan said dissatisfiedly: "Sister Tao, girls help girls, how can you not speak for me?"

Tao Jie smiled amiably and said, "I have never been to school, so I don't understand the foreign language you speak, but what the master said makes sense. When you grow your hair, Tao Jie will help you take care of it."

Pang Ka Yin, who had never experienced other people's suffering, believed that maids like Tao Jie who combed their hair by themselves were oppression of women. She had tied her hair up like married women when she was a teenager and swore a solemn oath that she would never marry and would not have children. She had also persuaded her to adopt a son, but Tao Jie turned pale and said that she had sworn a solemn oath that if she took in an adopted son, the son would die young and she must not harm the child.

"Next time we meet, tell Zhai Yuan the story of Tao Jie and ask him to write a script for me. I must make a movie based on Tao Jie."

Pang Ka Yan looked at Tao Jie's smiling face, and the memories of being taken care of by her since she was a child came to her mind, and an idea suddenly arose in her mind.

"My dear girl, are you going to the movie company to hang out with your friends again today?"

Peng Guangliang waved his hand and asked Tao Jie to go to the kitchen to serve Peng Jiayan a bowl of soup. He motioned for her to sit next to him and said with a smile, "I have asked someone to learn about the young man named Zhai Yuan. He is young and promising. When he is free, please ask him to come to our house. I am a very open-minded person. At most, the first child can have the surname Peng and the second child can have the surname Zhai."

Peng Jiayan thought about that scene and shuddered: "Brother Liang, your idea is really bizarre."

Peng Guangliang laughed heartily. He was happy with the fact that the relationship between father and daughter was sometimes completely unruly. On the contrary, his concubine and his teenage son were very respectful to him when they met, which made him feel distant from them.

"I heard from Uncle Shou that you were particularly concerned about the business situation of the grain store today. However, I think if you want to take over Hengtai Bank, you need to grow for another three to five years and stay with your father to learn more. It may not be about business, but the most important thing is how to deal with people."

The information about the arable land that Peng Jiayan casually inquired about for Zhai Yuan was passed to Peng Guangliang, who had already begun paving the way for his precious daughter.

Unfortunately, Peng Jiayan didn't appreciate it: "I'm not interested in the wholesaling and retailing of grain. Dad, I want to start my own business. Will you support me?"

Peng Guangliang's smile froze when he heard this, and he suddenly felt a little heartbeat irregular.

He took a deep breath and said with a smile, "Good girl, listen to your father. As long as you don't start a business, that's the best career for you. Are there people talking nonsense outside? Just treat them as bullshit. It's not shameful to spend the family's money. If you need money, just go to the company and get it."

As a veteran in the business world, Peng Guangliang has seen too many once-popular industries fall into decline.

Why does wealth not last for more than three generations?

Isn't it just that the second generation of rich people started their own business with great enthusiasm in order to prove that they are not losers, but ended up squandering all their family fortune?

Peng Jiayan was very dissatisfied with Lao Peng's attitude. Originally, starting a business was just a cover to induce a stop to purchases, but now that he was rebellious, he became more determined.

"After all, I am a young man who has attended college. Don't look down on me."

Peng Jiayan said seriously: "Come, I will tell you the detailed business plan."

Peng Guangliang laughed dryly and said, "I don't think this is necessary, right?"

"No, you have to listen to me!"

Peng Jiayan recalled what Zhai Yuan said and applied what she learned: "Through my investigation in the United States this time, I have discovered the drawbacks of the traditional grain and oil industry. The summary is that the profit is too low and it can only make money by quantity. Therefore, we need to upgrade the brand effect, reform the grain and oil industry, enhance core competitiveness, open up high-value industrial chain empowerment, close the existing chain industry of Hengtaixing, realize information and resource sharing between various links, and improve the efficiency of supply chain collaboration."

Peng Guangliang was confused by this series of nouns. After a moment of silence, he stood up and said, "Well said. Dad, go back to your room first, and you should go to bed early too."

Peng Jiayan rarely acted like a spoiled child and dragged Peng Guangliang back to the sofa to sit down.

She laughed and said, "I just think it sounds more professional this way, but if I put it in layman's terms, I want to use the resources of Hengtaihang to build a food factory."

Peng Guangliang nodded thoughtfully: "Wouldn't it be better if you said so earlier? Come on, go to bed early."

Peng Jiayan quit immediately and grabbed Lao Peng's arm and refused to let go.

Peng Guangliang said helplessly: "Okay, okay, Hengtai has food factories in North Point and the New Territories. If you like, you can go to work tomorrow."

As Hong Kong's leading grain store, Heng Tai has many derivative businesses, including food processing, and has its own brand of rice cakes, rice crackers, canned food and other products.

Pang Chia-yan shook her head and said, “No, I want to create an independent brand.”

Peng Guangliang saw her serious expression and asked jokingly, "You are quite ambitious. What kind of career do you want to pursue?"

Peng Jiayan recalled briefly and slowly said, "There was a food businessman in Formosa named Cai Yanming. He started canning and exporting food in the 1960s. In the 1970s, he lost over NT$100 million by selling shredded squid. At the end of the 1970s, Cai Yanming created a Want Want brand and redeveloped the Formosa market, focusing on rice products. Not only did he revive his business, but he also now has a high market share in Taiwan."

She continued, “Before Want Want enters the Hong Kong market, I want to create a similar food brand locally. It shouldn’t be like the cheap canned food that Heng Tai is making now, which is not even worthy of being given as gifts. On the contrary, it should take all aspects into consideration from packaging to marketing, and at least be able to be placed in the glass display cabinets of department stores.” When Peng Guangliang heard Peng Jiayan mention the name Cai Yanming, his expression gradually became more serious.

The founder of Want Want has been in the limelight in recent years. In just three years, his snow cakes, senbei, and steamed buns have emerged as a dark horse in the food industry in Taiwan, and are even showing a tendency to overshadow the old food giants Uni-President and I-Mei.

Most of the food processing merchants in Hong Kong are related to the grain and oil business. Some businessmen from the industry association have also gone to Taiwan in person, hoping to cooperate with Cai Yanming, but now the two sides are obviously not on the same level. Want Want does not need to cooperate with others, and sooner or later it will enter Hong Kong to demonstrate its dominance.

If you don’t understand the food industry, you won’t be able to understand Cai Yanming’s experience.

But what Peng Jiayan said now was very logical. Peng Guangliang could see that she must have done her homework in advance and it might not be a spur-of-the-moment thing as he thought.

"My dear girl, I don't mean to pour cold water on you. Cai Yanming has indeed made a comeback with the Want Want brand, but it will be hard for another person to have his success."

Peng Guangliang said to Peng Jiayan seriously, "There are many of your uncles in the industry association. In the past two years, they followed Cai Yanming's example and focused on the field of food processing. The snacks they made are definitely better than Want Want in terms of quality, but they didn't even make a splash when they were put on the market. He has already established himself in an invincible position thanks to the early publicity. It is almost impossible for him to create a brand to compete with him."

Want Want's advertising slogan of "Prosperity, Happiness and Good Luck" not only gained a large market share, but also made its snacks become associated with Taiwan's religious beliefs, becoming a regular offering in front of the statues of Mazu, Guandi and Nezha, and established its position as the leader in the worship snack industry.

Pang Ka Yin said: "Of course I know it is difficult to compete with the other party, but it is not necessary to decide who wins and who loses. In the future, my brand will choose the northern market. Otherwise, Heng Tai Hang will only rely on the few million customers in Hong Kong and it will be difficult to expand its scale."

Peng Guangliang became more interested, sat up straighter and asked, "Since you have done your homework in advance, tell me what your specific plans are."

Peng Jiayan said: "It's hard to say at the moment, but I want to take out 5 million yuan from my family to test the waters first, and make the first batch of snacks based on Want Want. Then I will cooperate with Zhai Yuan of Jiuyi Entertainment and use his influence in the entertainment industry to carry out marketing. This guy has a lot of tricks. He may not understand the product, but his marketing methods are absolutely first-class."

When Peng Guangliang heard this, he nodded in agreement.

The technical content of snacks is not that high, and what matters is nothing more than advertising and marketing. Those old guys in the same industry lose in this aspect.

Peng Jiayan continued, "Zhai Yuan promised me that in the future, Jiuyi's own cinema will only display snacks of my brand."

When Peng Guangliang heard her say this, he thought to himself, it seems that this guy named Zhai Yuan will definitely be my son-in-law in the future.

"Five million isn't a lot. It's a rare opportunity for you to do your homework, so I'll let you have some fun. Regardless of success or failure, this will help you gain some experience and knowledge."

Peng Guangliang made a decision after a brief thought. This kind of entrepreneurial behavior linked to his own industry was still within his acceptable range.

He then asked Pang Ka Yin, "What name do you plan to give this brand? Want Want has the image of a big-headed doll, which looks quite humorous. Since we are referring to the other party, we should move in this direction."

Peng Jiayan shook her head: "It hasn't been decided yet."

She discussed this issue with Zhai Yuan for some time.

Zhai Yuan gave the option of "Fuwa", but Peng Jiayan felt it was not very good because it would sound "bitter" when read in Cantonese. It would be fine for going north, but it would not be suitable for opening up the Hong Kong market at the moment.

Peng Jiayan passed this hot potato to Zhai Yuan, and now could only shake her head in response to Peng Guangliang's questions.

Peng Guangliang hummed, smiled and looked at his beloved daughter: "It seems that going to America is not completely useless. My swallow has turned into a wild goose."

Peng Jiayan felt ashamed in her heart. She didn't learn these things in America. It was Zhai Yuan who made all the suggestions.

"So, Dad, are you willing to support me this time?"

"Of course we have to. In fact, Hengtai already has plans to expand the market, so this is a good opportunity for you to practice and see what you can accomplish."

Peng Jiayan said: "Zhai Yuan played a crucial role in this matter."

Peng Guangliang nodded seriously in agreement.

Of course it is important. I was foolishly worried about my good girl, but it turns out that she already has a candidate in mind. Hmm... we can discuss the issue of the child's surname next time we meet.

Peng Jiayan didn't know what her father was thinking, so she continued, "He is willing to work hard to help me, but he has a difficult problem that he hasn't solved yet. I want you to help him solve it."

Peng Guangliang patted his chest and said, "It is my duty, my dear girl."

When the map of Yan State reached the end, Peng Jiayan's true colors were finally revealed.

She hugged Peng Guangliang's arm and said, "Zhai Yuan wants you to say hello to everyone in your capacity as the president of the Grain and Oil Trade Association, and ask the grain and oil merchants to notify several villages near Xintian Township in Yuen Long in advance that their rice and vegetables will not be purchased this year..."

…………

Zhai Yuan felt like he originally wanted to buy a bicycle, but others persuaded him to pay more and buy an electric car, and then he was told why he didn't pay more and buy a motorcycle?

Finally he drove back in a Rolls-Royce.

"Who knows I just wanted to start a CD business at first."

Zhai Yuan sat on the chair, threw down his paintbrush, and rubbed his face with a painful expression.

In order to get Peng Jiayan's father to help, he provided Peng Jiayan with a new track, but when it came to helping the other party to consider the details in depth, Zhai Yuan found that Wangwang was like a mountain blocking his way.

Abstract cartoons were scattered on the ground.

Zhai Yuan used his crude drawing skills to go through the cartoon characters in his mind, and finally found that apart from the big-headed doll Wangzai, there seemed to be no image that could be deeply rooted in people's hearts in the food field.

"If that doesn't work, then compensate Peng Jiayan 5 million and ask her to give up the food processing industry."

Zhai Yuan stroked his chin and thought about the feasibility, but Peng Jiayan was in high spirits now, and it might not be so easy to get her to give up.

孽 孽!
Just as Zhai Yuan was confessing, the phone on the table suddenly rang.

After the call was connected, the voice of Hong Bin, the king of kings who was sent to Xintian Township, came from the other end.

"Mr. Zhai, I just received news that grain and oil merchants in Hong Kong will not purchase crops from Xintian. The environment here is a bit chaotic now, so this may be a good opportunity to enter the market..."

"I know, I did it."

Zhai Yuan did not hide anything from Hong Bin and said simply: "I have paved the way for you, and the rest is up to you to do as you please, that's it."

After hanging up the phone, Zhai Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Let’s put Wangwang’s matter aside for now and let’s see how Hongbin performs next.

The people of Xiawan Village can continue to use the surname Zhai in the future, but it must be changed to my name, Zhai.

(End of this chapter)