Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 111 People from the Mainland (Seeking monthly votes and recommendations to continue reading)
“Yes! That’s exactly what I mean!” Chen Bingwen nodded approvingly. “Coca-Cola’s success has already proven the power of this model!”
It allows us to leverage the entire Southeast Asian market with minimal capital investment and maximum speed!

Lin Wenxiong's Nanhua Trading is our 'authorized distributor' in Singapore.

Now, we want to include the 'bottling' step as well, forming a complete 'franchise chain'!
Singapore is our testing ground and model room.

Once the bottling plant link is successful, this model can be immediately replicated in Malaysia and Indonesia!
We are seeking reputable and capable local partners in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta to authorize as our 'Licensed Bottlers' and 'Tier 1 Licensed Distributors'.

We provide concentrate powder, brand licensing, technical standards, and marketing strategies.

They are responsible for investing in factory construction (or renovating existing factories), local production, channel development, and market sales!
We earn profits from the concentrate powder and brand licensing fees.

They earn processing fees and distribution profits.

The larger the market, the more concentrate powder we sell, the higher the brand value, and the greater the profits!
The more they sell, the more processing fees and distribution profits they earn!
This is a win-win situation! This is a virtuous cycle!

Fang Wenshan had fully grasped Chen Bingwen's strategic intentions and said excitedly, "Mr. Chen, this is indeed the most suitable model for our rapid expansion!"

This will ensure that we maintain control over our brand and core technologies while maximizing the use of local resources and capital!
Moreover, Singapore's success story is our best investment guide!

"Yes."

Chen Bingwen returned to his desk and summarized, "What we need to do is not simply sell beverages, but build a platform and establish a set of rules."

We want to get the local big players in Southeast Asia to willingly join our system and work together to make the "Pulse" brand bigger and stronger under our rules!
We provide two golden keys: 'concentrated powder' and 'brand,' which are responsible for opening the market doors in their respective regions!
We earn the core profits, and they share the market dividends!
This is the true path to a business empire!

“Mr. Chen, I understand completely!” Fang Wenshan nodded. “I’ll go and draft an ‘Implementation Plan for the Southeast Asian Franchising Model’ and a complete set of contract templates right away!”

November has arrived.

The weather on Hong Kong Island remains hot and humid.

In the evening, Chen Bingwen returned to his home in Jindu Garden for dinner.

At the dinner table, Wang Qiaozhen served food to Chen Bingwen while saying, "Awen, have you been listening to the radio lately?"
I heard things aren't very peaceful in South Vietnam.

Many overseas Chinese were evicted, left without food or water; it's a tragedy.

Chen Guofu put down his chopsticks and sighed: "Today I went to an old shop in Sham Shui Po and heard from the locals that several boats of people came from Kwun Tong Pier. They were all with their families and hardly any luggage. They looked so pitiful."

They seem to have come from South Vietnam.

Chen Bingwen paused slightly in his hand as he picked up some food.

South Vietnam?

Expelling overseas Chinese?
Fragments of memories from his past life flashed through his mind in an instant.

"Dad, Mom, what exactly happened?" he asked calmly.

“The newspapers didn’t go into details,” Chen Guofu shook his head. “They just said that the policies over there had changed, and many overseas Chinese who were doing business had their property confiscated and were kicked out of their homes.”

Some people refuse to leave; I heard they're even complaining!

Wang Qiaozhen sighed, "What a tragedy! Why do people have to suffer when they can live a perfectly good life?"

Those overseas Chinese had lived there for decades, their businesses were all there, and now it's all gone.

Chen Bingwen listened silently, understanding the situation.

The wheels of history are turning past the turning point of 1978.

A disobedient child started to get restless.

He smiled and comforted his parents, "Dad, Mom, don't worry too much."

The Hong Kong government and the international community will not ignore this.

We just need to do our own thing.

Even so, he felt a growing sense of unease.

In the coming period, Hong Kong Island will see a large influx of overseas Chinese refugees from South Vietnam.

Chen Bingwen knew that this was not only a humanitarian crisis, but also a potential source of instability.

After dinner, Chen Bingwen returned to his study and picked up several newspapers from the day's papers.

In a corner of the international edition of the Sing Tao Daily, an inconspicuous text message confirmed what the parents had said:

"South Vietnamese authorities tightened policies on foreign investment and the private sector, leading to the confiscation of assets of some overseas Chinese businessmen and triggering a wave of departures."

The Overseas Chinese Daily's report was slightly more detailed:

"In Dong Nai province of southern Vietnam, shops belonging to Chinese residents were vandalized, forcing dozens of households to relocate."

It is reported that similar situations have recently occurred in various parts of South America, causing panic among the overseas Chinese community.

The report was short and restrained, but the unease and turmoil it conveyed were clearly discernible between the lines.

Meanwhile, a small meeting is being held at the headquarters of China Resources Company on Hong Kong Island.

The attendees included Li Guowei, the purchasing manager from China Resources headquarters, and three serious-looking, upright officers from the Logistics Department of the Southwest Military Region.

Leading the group was Wang Jianjun, director of the Materials Department under the Logistics Department.

Without much small talk, Wang Jianjun got straight to the point: "Manager Li, time is tight and the task is heavy, so let's skip the formalities."

We are here on an urgent mission to procure supplies for national defense.

As instructed by higher authorities, we need to procure a batch of special individual emergency supplies for the frontline troops.

It requires high energy, portability, fatigue resistance, and most importantly, it must be able to be stored stably in tropical mountain jungle environments.

It must be able to quickly replenish physical strength, alleviate fatigue, and help soldiers maintain a high level of alertness and combat readiness.

Li Guowei's expression turned serious, and he immediately realized the gravity of the situation.

Wang Jianjun sighed and said somewhat helplessly, "Currently, food and pharmaceutical factories in China are working overtime to produce compressed dry rations and canned goods, so there is no problem with energy supply."

However, the core ingredient for rapid fatigue relief is high-purity taurine, which is currently almost impossible to produce on a large scale in China and is entirely dependent on imports, with very unstable distribution channels.

The other core ingredient, caffeine, has a limited production volume, and priority must be given to the production of medical drugs, with very little allocated to the food sector.

The needs for large-scale, high-quality combat readiness cannot be met in a short period of time.

Wang Jianjun didn't say it explicitly, but how could Li Guowei not know the inside story?

The previous special period dealt a near-devastating blow to the already fragile R&D and production systems of the fine chemical and food industries.

The production of key functional raw materials such as taurine and caffeine, which require precise synthesis and purification processes and a stable supply chain, has been almost paralyzed in mainland China.

"Director Wang, comrades, I fully understand the difficulties you are facing." Li Guowei's tone was heavy.

He didn't explicitly say anything, but their eyes met and they both understood each other implicitly.

"Rest assured, the significance of China Resources lies in serving as an external window and a main procurement channel at such critical moments, addressing urgent domestic needs!"

As he spoke, he pushed a stack of documents in front of Wang Jianjun.

"Based on your previous requirements, we urgently screened almost all similar products in the Asia-Pacific market. After multiple rounds of comparison and preliminary research,"

Li Guowei's finger focused on a product on the first page of the information, "We highly recommend this functional beverage produced by Hong Kong-based Chan Kee Food Company."
This product has received a very positive response in tropical markets such as Singapore and Malaysia, especially among people engaged in strenuous physical labor, proving the effectiveness of its formula and its environmental adaptability.

Wang Jianjun carefully reviewed the information about "Jinba".

Li Guowei's professional analysis and accurate recommendations resonated deeply with him.

"Manager Li, thank you!"

Wang Jianjun closed the document and said urgently, "This 'Jinba' beverage does look like something we urgently need!"
Please make arrangements as soon as possible!
If the results are indeed good, we will report it immediately and initiate a large-scale procurement process!
We can't afford to wait!

The next morning.

The phone rang in Chen Bingwen's office at Weiye Building.

Chen Bingwen picked up the phone, and an unfamiliar voice came through: "Mr. Chen, hello, this is Li Guowei from China Resources."

"Hello, Manager Li!" Chen Bingwen was a little surprised by the sudden call from China Resources, but he still responded politely.

"Mr. Chen, it's like this."

Several important clients from mainland China are very interested in your company's "Jinba" products.

They would like to visit your company's production line and have detailed discussions.

Would it be convenient for you to receive me?

Li Guowei asked very formally.

Chen Bingwen held the microphone, his mind racing.

Li Guowei of China Resources, accompanied by important mainland clients, specifically requested to see the "Jinba" production line? This is definitely not an ordinary business visit.

As the general agent for mainland import and export companies in Hong Kong, Chen Bingwen was well aware of China Resources' background and status.

This company, founded during the war years, has become one of the most important windows and bridges for foreign trade in mainland China after decades of development.

Especially in the current historical period, China Resources is almost the only authorized channel for large-scale trade, foreign exchange and technology equipment between the mainland and Hong Kong Island and even the entire capitalist world.

It has deep roots in Hong Kong Island, vast assets, and its business covers almost all important sectors of the national economy.

Being proactively recommended by China Resources and having clients personally led to visit their homes signifies that the other party's identity and needs are extraordinary, and this is by no means a simple business cooperation.

Moreover, the fact that the other party directly targeted "Jinba" indicates that they came prepared and had a clear objective.

"Convenient! Of course it's convenient! Anytime is fine." Chen Bingwen answered without the slightest hesitation.

“If it’s convenient for Mr. Chen this afternoon, we’d like to visit around three o’clock, how about that?” Li Guowei continued.

"No problem! I'll be waiting for you at the Weiye Building at 3:00 PM sharp." Chen Bingwen readily agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Bingwen immediately asked his secretary to bring Zhou Zhiyuan and Gao Zhenhai over.

Soon after, Zhou Zhiyuan and Gao Zhenhai arrived one after the other.

The two people, one wearing a white lab coat and the other in work clothes, were clearly busy with work.

“Professor Zhou, Ah Hai,” Chen Bingwen said with a serious expression, “At three o’clock this afternoon, Manager Li Guowei from China Resources Company will bring several important clients from the mainland to visit our company, focusing on the ‘Jinba’ production line.”

Their intentions may not be simple; we need to be fully prepared.

Zhou Zhiyuan and Gao Zhenhai exchanged a glance, their expressions becoming serious.

Although located on Hong Kong Island, there are some things that everyone knows the truth.

The fact that China Resources accompanied mainland clients on a visit to the company speaks volumes.

“Professor Zhou,” Chen Bingwen looked at him, “you will be in charge of the technical explanation.”

Introducing the functional principles and composition of 'Jinba'.

Be professional, rigorous, and accurate in data analysis.

But note,” he emphasized, “that the development of concentrated powder is currently a top secret of our company and will not be disclosed to anyone at this time.”

The presentation focused on existing bottled products.

"Understood." Zhou Zhiyuan pushed up his glasses and nodded solemnly. "I know my limits."

“Ah Hai,” Chen Bingwen then turned to Gao Zhenhai, “you are in charge of reception for the production line.”

The main purpose is to lead guests on tours of the Kwun Tong and Sha Tin factories. Whether or not to visit the Fu Yuen factory will be arranged on a last-minute basis.

The other party might ask very detailed questions, from the raw material warehousing to the finished product delivery, you need to be thoroughly familiar with every step and able to answer fluently.

"Don't worry, Brother Sheng! These are all things I do every day, I know them by heart, and I guarantee there won't be any mistakes!"

Gao Zhenhai stood tall and was full of confidence.

He is very confident in his company's production line and management.

"Alright! Go and prepare, but be careful not to make a fuss," Chen Bingwen specifically instructed.

At 3 p.m., led by his secretary, Chen Bingwen met with Li Guowei of China Resources and three guests from the mainland.

Li Guowei was about forty years old, dressed in a well-fitting suit, and looked capable.

The three guests behind him had very different demeanors; they were all dressed in neat Zhongshan suits and had upright postures.

The leader was about fifty years old, with a resolute face and an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

The slightly younger man next to him wore glasses and had a refined demeanor.

The last one looked the youngest, around thirty years old, but had sharp eyes and silently observed his surroundings.

"Mr. Chen, I've long admired your name." Li Guowei stepped forward to shake hands, then introduced, "This is Comrade Wang Jianjun, Comrade Zhang Yuanchao, and Comrade Liu Weidong."

Chen Bingwen shook hands with each of the three men and said with a smile, "Welcome, everyone."

Please have a seat in the conference room.

After the two were seated and exchanged brief pleasantries, Wang Jianjun got straight to the point: "Boss Chen, our company is engaged in infrastructure construction in the southwestern mountainous area. The environment is harsh, and our employees often have to travel long distances, which is physically demanding."

I've heard that your company's "Jinba" is remarkably effective in boosting energy and combating fatigue?

“Mr. Wang is right.” Chen Bingwen nodded and confirmed, “Our Chenji ‘Jinba’ energy drink is specially developed for scenarios such as high-intensity work and long-distance travel where people need to quickly replenish their energy and maintain their focus.”

In Southeast Asian markets such as Singapore, especially among drivers and workers, the response has been very positive.

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Zhou Zhiyuan, "The specific technical details and efficacy principles will be explained in detail by Professor Zhou Zhiyuan, the head of our R&D center."

Professor Zhou is an expert in this field.

(End of this chapter)