Twenty years of cold chain

Chapter 428 Going Against the Tide (2)

A week later, Tongxing used its largest conference room for the meeting. In addition to the people from the weekly meeting, Hu Shutong also invited many middle managers to listen, resulting in a total of more than 30 people.

What was even more unusual was that Hu Yuntong from Yuncheng, Fang Nan from Hongshan Port, and Zhu Shihuai, who was in charge of air transport, were all required to attend the meeting. It was unprecedented to see such a gathering of top executives from all of Tongxing's departments outside of the annual meeting.

Everyone was well-informed, including about Hu Shutong's meeting with the Department of Trade and Economic Cooperation, and about the new policies. It was like a pillow arriving just when you were tired, bringing a sense of exhilaration from a new perspective. All of this, both before and after, made the whole affair seem even more significant.

The meeting room was filled with an emotion Hu Shutong had never seen before, an emotion even more joyful than that of the Tongxing Annual Meeting. People exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a sense of anticipation and certainty that something was about to happen. One could even say that the moment Hu Shutong decided to appear, the matter was already a formality.

The listing plan is divided into several parts, including phased measures before, during, and after the listing process, as well as long-term in-depth strategies for each business segment. Yang Chenghai, Liu Zhiying, and several senior managers personally explained the plan, highlighting that the listing is merely a tool, and the real focus is on Tongxing's vision for the next ten years.

The discussion covered industry-specific matters and industrial issues, such as Tongxing's integrated industrial and urban development model, its finished product subsidiaries beyond semi-processed goods, and the creation of its own branded food products. These all require substantial capital injections, which can be addressed through equity fundraising after the IPO. Therefore, this matter is of great depth and breadth, and is not merely for the sake of fame by ringing the bell.

It must be said that with this interpretation, the plan is far from dry and boring. Turning the listing into a methodology does not hinder Tongxing's values ​​at all. This new ten-year path makes the whole picture even more attractive. Most importantly, given Tongxing's scale and influence, these are far from just wishful thinking; every single thing can be implemented and go far.

To outsiders, Hu Shutong appeared resolute yet thoughtful at this moment, but in reality, he was experiencing a profound sense of realization.

Eight or nine years ago, he had experienced a similar situation, except that back then he was facing various financing and acquisition parties, while now he was surrounded by his old subordinates who had followed him for many years.

The urgency they felt when looking ahead suggested that for Tongxing, going public was like a gold leaf, ensuring they could withstand any future storms. For the individual, "serving in management at a listed company" meant a completely different career path.

Of course, these are not the only factors. From an industry perspective, we've entered a new period of transformation. The first transformation was about warehouse renovation and upgrading, the second was about environmental protection technology, and this time it's focused on industrial thinking. The turbulent waves of the industry constantly influence Tongxing employees, especially those who need a certain vision.

Suddenly, the urgency of individuals, businesses, and the industry became a unified whole.

Before sitting here, Hu Shutong had prepared a lot of things to say, but when he heard the proposal and saw this situation, he stopped talking about them.

"The plan is very detailed; thank you all for your hard work."

The meeting room was as silent as night, and no one reacted. Hu Shutong didn't let the awkwardness last long and instead asked the question.

"Besides everyone here, do you think there's anyone else who can make Tongxing even better?"

Everyone knows that this is an unanswerable question. The statement itself contains both affirmation and negation. It only needs to be understood without needing to be explained. Its greatest use is that it allows Hu Shutong to ask and answer his own question.

"I know every big loan Tongxing has ever made. In the beginning, I borrowed money from the Logistics Bank. Later, we applied for the Domestic Demand Expansion Fund. As we grew stronger, commercial banks were also willing to lend to us. At the same time, we received considerable support funds. Finally, one day, capital came knocking on our door. Now, they are even more sincere."

"But everyone, the first priority after the listing is not how Tongxing should develop its industries, but how to drive up the stock price. At that time, what industries to develop and which companies to acquire will not be up to you, nor will it be up to me, Hu Shutong."

The atmosphere at the table changed abruptly as expected, with people exchanging furious glances, clearly deviating from the planned script. They suddenly realized that Hu Shutong's decision to involve so many people was not based on any small-circle decision-making process, but rather on a broader communication.

If we're going to talk about this on a grand scale, Hu Shutong could give a half-hour speech here, arguing from various angles why we're "conservative." But isn't the bigger indoctrination simply the things he didn't say to Lu Jianhua? Ultimately, let's talk about Tongxing.

"You've imagined many magnificent places for the next ten years, but they only resonate in the present. Because without realizing it, our minds and hearts will become filled with a stock market chart, and I will care more about it than you do."

These words leave one speechless, because Tongxing dares to say such things. There are many companies that have achieved the highest level of domestic business but choose not to go public. The confidence of these companies is precisely what Hu Shutong just said: as long as we are strong enough, going public is never a necessity!

"Guys, we can't forget the brilliance of the present moment just because we're about to shine. And we mustn't forget the journey we've come through to earn this applause."

Looking back on the path we've traveled, everyone should take a closer look. The most dazzling aspect there is Tongxing's dedication to the front lines; the most striking feature is its self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and unwavering commitment! Following each stage of the cold chain and merging step by step with the times, stepping out of the confines of our own domain—that is, in Hu Shutong's eyes, the most solid cold chain, the cold chain that belongs to the Chinese people!

Solid, the solid that he upheld throughout his life!

There's one more thing Hu Shutong wouldn't say on the spot.

In reality, all he wanted to do was to improve the cold chain logistics.

Because he only had the ideal of cold chain logistics; in his heart, there was no vision like that of "Tongxing Meat Industry" or "Tongxing Orchard." Having passed forty, he felt even more strongly that doing is worse than just seeing. In life, if you're going to pursue something, pursue it to the extreme. Why strive, why keep rushing forward? Because the ultimate is hard to find, because there's no end to anything in this world. Tongxing's real dissatisfaction likely lies here.

Every individual and every company is actually engaged in a struggle between depth and breadth. As depth becomes increasingly difficult, breadth becomes a matter of "pillow talk," because the former is like writing an essay, while the latter is like making a choice.

So, in addition to these emotionally charged words, he also had to tell the people present.

What will Tongxing do next?

……

I've loved cold chain logistics for twenty years.