Reborn in 97, I solved a cold case at the Municipal Bureau

Chapter 459 Smuggling Cigarettes and Alcohol
PowerPoint appeared in 1987, but in 97, almost no companies in China used it.

After all, some internet companies that have truly popularized this technology haven't even been established yet, while others are just beginning to emerge.

At this time, most domestic companies were using paper reports or slides.

These days, even if companies in China use computers, they mainly use them for documents and spreadsheets.

However, foreign-invested enterprises and multinational corporations should already be using this thing, so if you want to open up overseas markets, you must first make foreigners feel that you have already aligned with international standards.

Zhou Yi explained to the two what "butt kick" meant and why he had to show the PPT to the foreigners.

He told Zhou Jianye that when he returned to the south, he should find a company that could do this well and have someone create a packaging plan in pure English according to his requirements, which should be high-end, sophisticated, and classy.

The purpose of this plan is not to achieve cooperation, because we cannot produce samples at this stage. The purpose of the plan is to attract overseas business opportunities and lure foreigners into the scheme.

Qian Hongxing immediately said, "I understand. This plan is actually market research. Once there is feedback from the overseas market, we can immediately set up a production line."

Zhou Yi nodded: "Yes, and we can decide on the first phase of investment based on feedback from market research."

"What if we can't produce a product in the short term?"

"Mr. Qian, don't worry. We can't deliver the goods right now. Don't tell the foreigners that we're still in production. Instead, tell them that our orders are booked until months from now, and that you had to wait because you placed your orders late. Besides, if you don't place your orders now, the wait will be even longer."

The two people in front of him were both in business. Although their ideas were not as advanced as Zhou Yi's, they were much more shrewd in the ways of business.

The two looked at each other and laughed. Zhou Jianye said, "The less you can buy it, the more eager you are to buy it."

Qian Hongxing nodded: "Yes, create scarcity in the market to stimulate purchases."

Zhou Yi said, "That's right. Even if inland food factories have production capacity, they don't have the awareness or channels to expand into overseas markets. Moreover, many local food factories have state-owned backgrounds, and it takes several months just to make a decision and hold meetings to study this kind of thing."

This is no joke; No. 1 Steel and No. 2 Steel are the epitome of state-owned enterprises in this era.

"The southern region is mostly home to emerging electronics industries, because the coastal areas do not have the basic conditions for large-scale grain cultivation and production."

Zhou Jianye nodded, suddenly realizing that Zhou Yi seemed to understand the South better than he did.
Zhou Yi said, "So, you two, we have an advantage."

Actually, what Zhou Yi was talking about wasn't anything profound; it was just about expanding into overseas markets and using scarcity marketing.

Twenty years from now, this will be a common business tactic on the internet.

But now it is 1997, a time of great change, on the eve of an economic boom. A single forward-thinking perspective could become a huge business opportunity.

This is the limit that Zhou Yi, an ordinary person, could imagine.

He doesn't understand stocks, he can't remember lottery numbers, and he can't write songs. At most, he knows he has to buy a house in the future.

Besides the case files, all he could think about was the general trend of the times.

But without Zhou Jianye's "speculation and profiteering" skills, and without Qian Hongxing's capital, management, and business experience, he couldn't have done anything.

After Zhou Yi finished speaking, he looked at the two people in front of him, waiting for their feedback.

After thinking for a moment, Qian Hongxing said, "Officer Zhou, I think... this is feasible, we can give it a try!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jianye immediately chimed in, "If you're going to do something, then I'll definitely go all out. The South isn't lacking in business opportunities right now, and foreigners certainly have money, but what we lack are business opportunities that can impress them. Zhou Yi, I think that 'what the hell' thing you mentioned earlier is really good, really awesome. Bringing this out makes us look especially international."

Zhou Yi recalled Tao Cong and Meng Qingtong, whom he had arrested before, and the image of Clinton giving a thumbs-up on the leaflets they printed for fraud. It was just a homemade version of a PowerPoint presentation.

"Of course, after all, there is still a big gap between us and foreigners. Just look at the per capita GDP between China and the United States. It's 34 times higher now. Foreigners have dozens of times more money in their pockets than we do. So this is a business opportunity."

Qian Hongxing tapped the table and said, "Hey, Officer Zhou, Brother Jianye, if you're free tomorrow, come to my company. I'll call a few of my core staff together so we can discuss things and come up with a business plan."

Zhou Yi patted his third uncle on the shoulder and said, "My third uncle can go. I'm just offering an idea. I'm a public official, so I can't get involved in this afterward. Of course, I can still take a look at the plan and PPT."

Qian Hongxing nodded to show his understanding, and added that Zhou Yi's shares could be held on his behalf by his father, Zhou Jianguo.

Zhou Yi quickly waved his hand and said, "Mr. Qian, my parents can just work in the factory. Equity is out of the question, I don't have the money to invest, and besides, I have to report it to my immediate family members if they do business. My third uncle can have one share."

Qian Hongxing said, "Brother Jianye is a must. Without him expanding the market, this business wouldn't be possible. Officer Zhou, how about this, I'll transfer your share to Brother Jianye later. Anyway, you're all family, so everything is negotiable."

Zhou Yi didn't refuse anymore. Since he was going to do this, he couldn't completely sever ties with himself.

“Zhou Yi, there’s another problem. You said before that the purpose of doing this business is to solve the livelihood problems of some laid-off steelworkers. But when the factory opens, who will run it? That’s a problem. You know, we have so many old acquaintances at No. 1 and No. 2 Steel Plants. If we let anyone run it, we’ll offend the others. What should we do?” Zhou Jianye asked.

This is indeed a very real issue, because it reflects human nature.

"Third Uncle, this problem is easy to solve. I'll have my dad mobilize them. The last incident has given my dad a certain reputation among the workers. I do want to solve the livelihood problems of some laid-off workers, but there's a prerequisite for recruiting them."

"What's the premise?" the two asked.

"We only pay the laid-off workers we hire the most basic wages each month so they can make a living. Because the initial investment was quite large, we have to cut costs if we want the business to last."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jianye frowned and said, "Doesn't this... sound a bit like a heartless capitalist?"

Zhou Yi smiled and continued, "We only pay them basic wages, not to deduct from their pay, but to screen them."

"filter?"

"Yes, we screen those who are willing to believe in us. We pay wages at market prices, but only the basic amount. The rest is used as employee stock ownership. Once we turn a profit and start making stable profits, we will compensate all workers in the form of dividends."

This answer addressed the concerns of both Qian Hongxing and Zhou Jianye.

Qian Hongxing certainly didn't want to lose money, so reducing costs was the best option. After all, repaying Zhou Yi and investing a large sum of money in business were two different things.

Zhou Jianye's concerns were also resolved. To put it bluntly, the best thing about this method is that it leaves job opportunities for those who are truly struggling to make ends meet.

If you invest your extra money in stocks and then receive dividends, you might tell a hundred people, but probably no more than three would believe you. So, unless someone is desperate, they're unlikely to be willing to do it.

This action, much like the rumor that Heshen mixed sand into the disaster relief porridge, directly filtered out a large number of people. Zhou Yi knew he couldn't help so many people, so helping those who were truly desperate was more important.

"Officer Zhou, how long do you estimate it will take for this business to break even?" Qian Hongxing asked.

Zhou Yi smiled helplessly, "I really can't estimate that. Professional matters should be handled by you two professionals. However, if we can stick to this business, I'll make a bold prediction: four years. In four years, we'll have the opportunity to take off!"

Because China joined the WTO four years later, a company with a complete industrial structure, sufficient and stable production capacity, and overseas business experience would already be among the top in the country.

This is what it means for opportunity to favor the prepared mind!
Qian Hongxing and Zhou Jianye exchanged a glance, and Qian Hongxing asked, "Officer Zhou, have you heard something from within your organization?"

Zhou Yi initially wanted to deny it, but after thinking about it, he realized that to dispel their concerns, he had to use the old method. So he lowered his voice seriously and said, "Well, I recently got to know some leaders in the provincial department and heard some things from them, but I can't say the specifics. You understand."

Upon hearing this, Qian Hongxing and Zhou Jianye suddenly realized what was going on.

"Oh, oh, oh, I understand, I understand, I understand." Qian Hongxing nodded repeatedly.

Zhou Jianye grinned mischievously and said, "You didn't realize, did you? You have the same cleverness I had when I was young."

Zhou Yi was both amused and exasperated; this was the only trick that worked.

Qian Hongxing poured wine into the three men's glasses, raised them, and said, "Officer Zhou, Brother Jianye, let's make a deal with this drink. Let's do this business well. It would be great if we could make money, but as long as we don't lose money, that's fine too. Consider it a contribution to Hongcheng."

At this point, Qian Hongxing had already figured it out. Since this business specifically recruited laid-off steel mill workers, it was essentially solving the city's employment problem. Moreover, it was his own initiative, which was the kind of exemplary role that the leaders most wanted to see. He could then apply to the city for tax breaks and policy support.

If you calculate it this way, this deal is definitely going to be profitable. If, as Zhou Yi said, there is a chance for his career to take off in a few years, then his career will reach new heights.

Moreover, this matter can bind him and Zhou Yi even closer, so why not?

The three of them toasted and drank it all in one gulp.

……

Qian Hongxing and Zhou Jianye agreed that Zhou Jianye would come to his company the next day to discuss the future plans in detail. During the second half of the meal, the three of them stopped talking about this matter and instead chatted about all sorts of things.

Near the end, Qian Hongxing tentatively asked, "Officer Zhou, shall I tell you about the smuggling now?"

Zhou Jianye had just taken a sip of wine, and before he could even swallow it, he was so shocked by the word "smuggling" that he spat out the entire mouthful of wine.

"Damn it, Zhou Yi, you guys are involved in smuggling too?"

Zhou Yi looked at his third uncle as if he were mentally challenged, and said helplessly, "Luckily you've almost finished eating, otherwise you would have spat it out, and how would you have been able to eat?"

Zhou Jianye got anxious: "No, I'm talking to you about smuggling, don't change the subject."

"Oh, my clever third uncle, what are you thinking? There is a smuggling case, and I asked Boss Qian to inquire about it for me."

Qian Hongxing smiled and said, "That's right, that's right. It's my fault for not explaining clearly. It's a case, a case."

Zhou Jianye then realized he had made a mistake, and awkwardly laughed as he picked up a tissue to wipe the table, saying as he did so, "This meal is on me, it's on me."

Without waiting for Zhou Yi to stop her, she went downstairs to pay the bill.

Qian Hongxing said, "Officer Zhou, your third uncle is quite interesting."

Zhou Yi laughed and said, "I'm sorry you had to laugh at me. But to be honest, when it comes to business acumen, he certainly can't compare to you. However, he went to the South alone when he was a teenager and went from being penniless to owning a car, a house, a company, and starting a family. When it comes to understanding the situation in the South, no one is more suitable than him."

"In his teens... So he went to the south right after the reform and opening up." Qian Hongxing gave a thumbs up and said, "What courage and vision."

Only the two of them remained in the private room. Zhou Yi asked Qian Hongxing what he had found out.

Qian Hongxing said that he did find out about a person surnamed Du, named Du Jun, but he was not sure if it was his real name.

This person not only smuggles cigarettes, but also foreign liquor. Moreover, it seems that his business is not based in Hongcheng. Hongcheng only started to see a large number of smuggled cigarettes and liquor last year.

Qian Hongxing said he had inquired around but no one knew anything about Du Jun's background; he was quite mysterious.

"Officer Zhou, do you know about the Golden Phoenix Nightclub?" Qian Hongxing asked.

Upon hearing this name, Zhou Yi's heart skipped a beat: "What do you mean?"

“I heard from a friend that at least half of the smuggled cigarettes and alcohol that Du Jun transported to Hongcheng ended up at the Golden Phoenix Nightclub.”

Zhou Yi's expression instantly turned serious. In other words, the time he and Jiang Biao accidentally raided the smuggling warehouse hidden in the chemical plant had already affected Jiang Zhengdao's business.

So, the reason Jiang Zhengdao deliberately greeted me at the entrance of Jianghai Mansion that day was because he had actually been keeping an eye on me for the sake of smuggling cigarettes and alcohol?

Indeed, the business of smuggling high-end cigarettes and alcohol is not for ordinary people to consume. It is mainly for high-end entertainment venues, then for gift-giving, and finally for bulk markets.

The fact that the Golden Phoenix Nightclub could take up half of its space shows just how successful his business was.

But Hongcheng is only a city with two million people. Can it support such a scale?

"Mr. Qian, I have a question for you."

"You said."

Have you ever been to the Golden Phoenix Nightclub?

Qian Hongxing was immediately a little embarrassed: "I have been there before... but in business, sometimes you have no choice but to play along. But I haven't been this year. At the end of last year, a client from out of town got drunk and started causing trouble there, which caused some unpleasantness, so I haven't been back."

"Don't be nervous. My questions today are limited to this room. Once we leave this room, I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."

Upon hearing Zhou Yi's words, Qian Hongxing immediately relaxed, because he was unsure what Zhou Yi meant.

Zhou Yi hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is there... prostitution involved here?"

(End of this chapter)