My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 67 Opportunity, a tremendous opportunity!

The group boarded a Volga car arranged by Qiulin Food Factory and drove away from the noisy and chaotic train station.

The car traveled through the streets of the ice city, the city under the night sky carrying a frozen silence.

The buildings along the roadside are a mix of styles, including Russian-style domes and reliefs as well as Chinese-style eaves and gray walls, silently telling the story of the city's unique history.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Section Chief Wang, perhaps feeling the earlier silence was a bit awkward, took the initiative to introduce the situation of Bingcheng and Qiulin Company, trying to liven up the atmosphere.

"Advisor Qin, Commander Ivan, our Ice City is a bit cold in winter, but it's very comfortable in summer. Central Street and Sun Island are definitely worth a visit..."

Qin Yuan didn't have time to wander around Harbin right now. He asked directly, "Section Chief Wang, could you introduce Qiu Lin to Regiment Commander Ivan?"

His knowledge of Qiulin came entirely from that bottle of Qiulin kvass from later generations and some related newspaper information.

Now is a good opportunity to learn more about this company.

Section Chief Wang was clearly a very talkative person, or perhaps it was because Northeasterners are extremely particular about hospitality; once the guest had spoken, he would absolutely not let the words fall to the ground.

"Speaking of Qiulin Company, its history is quite long." Section Chief Wang turned around and smiled. "This company was originally opened by Russians, and was successively operated by Russian capitalists, British HSBC Bank, Japanese businessmen, and the Soviet government, until the ownership was transferred in 53."

“However,” he changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of subtle complexity, “Qiulin Company is not the same as it used to be.”

Qin Yuan leaned back in his chair, seemingly listening casually, but in reality, he was highly focused.

"Oh? How come it's different?" he asked at the opportune moment.

Section Chief Wang started talking: "Back in 84, the higher-ups were carrying out reforms and split up the original Qiulin Company!"

"It's split into three companies!"

"Three families?"

"Yes," Section Chief Wang explained in detail, "One is Qiulin Company, which mainly manages the department stores, the Qiulin Department Store that everyone in Harbin knows."

"One of them is our Qiulin Food Factory, which mainly produces traditional foods such as bread and pastries."

"There's another one, Qiulin Candy Factory, which has become independent."

He paused, as if he felt it necessary to explain clearly: "It's a bit convoluted. This Qiulin Candy Factory used to be a workshop under our food factory."

"In the early 80s, with the help of the company's senior management, they were able to build their own factory."

"They mainly produce candy, as well as some traditional varieties!"

Qin Yuan's heart skipped a beat: "Traditional categories? What about kvass? Is it produced by them?"

“That’s right!” Section Chief Wang nodded. “Kvass is now being produced by Qiulin Candy Factory.”

"However," he gave a wry smile, "the sales situation used to be a complete mess!"

"Initially, the candy factory only handled production, while sales were entirely handled by our food factory!"

"Our food factory opened many specialty stores in the city to sell their candies and kvass." "And the result? Qiulin Company can take millions of yuan in profit every year just from our candy sales department! And that doesn't even include wages or store costs—it's pure profit!"

He mimicked someone's tone, tinged with resentment: "Later, Zhong Zhaomin, the deputy director of Qiulin Candy Factory, quit. She even said in the newspaper, 'Qiulin Company can make several million yuan a year just from the sale of Qiulin candy, and there are no personnel salaries or other expenses, so it's practically pure profit.'"

"But saying that really stirred up a hornet's nest!"

"Later, the candy factory started its own specialty stores, called 'Qiulin Candy Specialty Stores,' and completely separated itself from our food factory."

"Now, they produce it themselves and sell it themselves!"

Section Chief Wang shook his head and concluded: "So now, Qiulin Company manages the department stores, our food factory makes traditional pastries and bread, and the candy factory specializes in candy and kvass."

"The three companies are all operating independently, and although they still nominally carry the 'Qiulin' brand, they are no longer the same entity!"

He sighed: "Sometimes when I think about it, it's all quite chaotic."

"A perfectly good time-honored brand was forcibly split into three parts, each doing its own thing, and there's even a bit of competition between them."

"Especially the candy factory area, it's doing really well right now, and their specialty stores are thriving."

Qin Yuan listened quietly, his expression unchanged, but his heart was in turmoil!

Qiulin Company was split into three!
Qiulin Company (department store), Qiulin Food Factory (traditional pastries, bread, and confectionery), Qiulin Confectionery Factory (confectionery, kvass)!
The three companies operate independently, each with its own accounting system!
More importantly, the core asset with huge market potential and brand value—the production rights of kvass—is in the hands of Qiulin Candy Factory!
After a period of chaos and power struggle, the sales rights were ultimately firmly controlled by the candy factory itself!
The “chaos” and “competition” that Section Chief Wang mentioned sounded like heavenly music to Qin Yuan!
This situation of unclear property rights, scattered entities, and mutual obstruction is simply the perfect environment for taking advantage of chaos!
Qiulin Company (department store) has a brand name but has lost control over the production and sales of its core products, and can only collect rent from the department store.

Qiulin Food Factory sticks to traditional pastries and breads, but the market is becoming increasingly saturated and competition is fierce.

Although Qiulin Candy Factory has mastered the core products (candy and kvass), its brand foundation is under the big name of "Qiulin", and its own independent brand "Lidaosi" is nowhere to be found.

Moreover, as an independent small factory, resources are limited.

With these three entities separated, conflicts of interest and property rights disputes are inevitable!
In particular, fierce competition will erupt over the right to use the prestigious "Qiulin" brand, the sense of belonging accumulated over history, and the potential distribution of benefits from future restructuring!

Chaos is the ladder that speculators like him climb to the top!

This chaotic situation of "three-way division" caused by incomplete reform and unclear property rights is precisely the biggest opportunity for Qin Yuan on this trip!

He originally only wanted to import technology and equipment under the guise of the "Soviet Union".

But now, a bolder, more enticing idea is rapidly taking shape in his mind.

Perhaps he could take advantage of the conflicts between these three companies, as well as the relatively independent but shallow-rooted status of Qiulin Candy Factory, to try a deeper level of cooperation while introducing technology.

Even... to seek greater benefits in the possible wave of reforms in the future!

For example, establishing a joint venture with Qiulin Candy Factory under the name of "Far East Kvass Food Co., Ltd."?
Alternatively, while introducing technology and equipment, could one register the trademark "Lidaosi" in advance, which would determine the future of Qiulin Candy Factory?
An opportunity! A huge opportunity!

Qin Yuan gazed at the dazzling lights of Harbin outside the car window, his eyes growing increasingly sharp.

Flames still raged in the southeast, but in Qin Yuan's heart, those flames had transformed into pulsating ambition!

(PS: Due to review risks, the author changed Harbin to Ice City throughout the article.)
(End of this chapter)