1994: Starting with unpaid leave

The next day, Dong Jianguo arranged for Erzhuzi to take the samples to a nearby shopping mall to see if he could secure any orders.

He arrived at the railway bureau early to discuss cooperation with Director Zhang of the passenger transport section.

Deputy Director Wan was in a meeting and didn't have time, so he asked his male secretary, Xiao Wang, to take Dong Jianguo to see Director Zhang of the passenger transport section.

Walking through the Soviet-style office building, Dong Jianguo couldn't help but quicken his pace to catch up with Secretary Wang:

"Secretary Wang, Director Wan told me that Director Zhang has very strict requirements for suppliers?"

Secretary Wang was a few years older than Dong Jianguo. When he heard Dong Jianguo ask this question, he glanced at him and nodded.

"We can't be lax. There's a lot of money to be made in the railway industry. If Director Zhang doesn't keep a close eye on things, wouldn't the trains be in complete chaos?"

"Before Director Zhang, things were chaotic. You couldn't get a quota for selling goods from any supplier on the train without spending at least ten thousand yuan!"

"Ten thousand or so?" Dong Jianguo was surprised, but he was more suspicious that Secretary Wang was taking the opportunity to give him some pointers.

"Yes, but that was the price a year ago. Director Qian, who was in charge of suppliers in the passenger transport section before, was too greedy and got fired. After Director Zhang took office, he paid more attention to the suppliers' products and I haven't heard of him taking money from them..."

Secretary Wang smiled and made a money-counting gesture to Dong Jianguo with his thumb and forefinger. "Of course, you don't need to be too nervous. With Director Wan's recommendation, as long as your paperwork is complete and the food quality is fine, Director Zhang shouldn't give you any trouble. Even if you can't get big orders, small orders are still guaranteed."

Dong Jianguo nodded.

The two walked across half the building and stopped in front of an office.

Secretary Wang knocked on the door, and after hearing a "come in" from inside, he opened the door and led Dong Jianguo into the room.

The office is quite large, with bookshelves along the walls and a desk in front of the window.

Hearing the door open, the man who was writing something at his desk stopped writing with his pen and looked up.

Director Zhang had gray hair and a serious expression. His eyes behind his glasses were like a ruler, measuring Dong Jianguo from head to toe.

"Director Zhang, this is Factory Director Dong Jianguo. Deputy Director Wan asked me to bring him to see you."

"Yes. Please sit down."

Director Zhang nodded to Dong Jianguo, but there was no smile on his face.

Secretary Wang patted Dong Jianguo on the shoulder, turned around and left, closing the door behind him.

"The person Lao Wan introduced?" Director Zhang's voice was low and flat.

"Yes, Director Zhang, my name is Dong Jianguo, and I am the factory manager of Hezhiwei."

Dong Jianguo stood ramrod straight and took out his business card from his pocket.

This business card was printed before I left Hecheng. Like the packaging of the braised eggs, the card features a red-crowned crane soaring in the sky, along with the key information.

Director Zhang took the business card with one hand, placed it aside without even glancing at it, and then picked up a pen, pulled out a thick notebook from beside him, and began to read:

"Let's talk about the rules first."

"To get into the railway system, the first requirement is a business license, the second is a health permit, and the third is a product inspection report. Do you have all of these?"

"We have them all!" Dong Jianguo answered truthfully. "You can rest assured about the quality. Although our factory is just starting out, our hygiene standards are completely in line with those of state-owned factories. These are photocopies of those certificates... Please take a look."

As Dong Jianguo spoke, he took out a document he had prepared in advance from his travel bag and handed it over.

Along with the documents, two braised eggs were also handed over.

"Director Zhang, Director Wan said you're an expert, so I'll humbly ask you to taste it. The tongue doesn't lie when it comes to quality."

"Our factory currently produces two types of products: braised eggs with meat gravy and braised eggs with a more traditional five-spice flavor."

This was a very important matter, so Dong Jianguo personally helped unpack it this time.

Place the two braised eggs into the prepared dish.

The protein was crystal clear, with dark brown veins seeping out from the cracks.

That wasn't enough. He then used a pre-prepared plastic cake knife to cut the braised eggs into four pieces, arranged them neatly, and squeezed out the remaining braising liquid from the sealed packaging, gently drizzling it over the eggs.

An even richer aroma of meat and spices than yesterday instantly filled the office.

Director Zhang's nose twitched.

As an old man who has worked in railway logistics his whole life, he has an instinctive sensitivity to "taste".

"Director Zhang, please have a taste." Dong Jianguo handed over chopsticks.

Director Zhang hesitated for a moment, but still took the chopsticks.

He picked up a small piece, dipped it in the braising sauce on the plate, and put it in his mouth.

"Click."

A soft sound.

Director Zhang's eyes narrowed instantly.

He didn't say anything, but picked up another piece and this time ate a bite of the yolk directly.

The office was eerily quiet, except for the sound of Director Zhang chewing.

A full minute passed before Director Zhang slowly swallowed the food in his mouth and took a sip of tea from the cup beside him.

"Hmm." He uttered a muffled syllable from his nose. "It's a good egg."

Dong Jianguo's heart skipped a beat.

"The egg whites are flavorful, neither too hard nor too mushy. The yolks are soft and sandy, with no fishy smell," Director Zhang commented, a hint of life appearing in his eyes for the first time. "Did you add meat to this braising liquid?"

"Director Zhang, you're a true expert!" Dong Jianguo exclaimed. "I added pig skin and an old hen, and simmered it over low heat for four hours."

"No wonder it has a savory taste." Director Zhang nodded, but his expression immediately turned serious. "However, Dong Jianguo, good taste alone isn't enough. Railway trains are all about stability. What's the shelf life of this stuff? Will it spoil during transport? Will the packaging leak?"

"Director Zhang, I've considered all your concerns." Dong Jianguo spoke quickly and clearly. "Our current vacuum packaging and high-temperature sterilization, along with the addition of food-grade preservatives to the braising liquid, with dosages controlled within national standards, ensure a shelf life of more than six months at room temperature."

"Furthermore, we promise that all goods loaded onto the truck will have a shelf life of less than one month, ensuring absolute freshness."

"What about production capacity? If there's a large-scale demand, can you supply it?"

"It should be possible. Currently, producing 10,000 braised eggs a day is not a problem. If there are large orders, the factory also has the capacity to expand production!"

Although it was just boasting, Dong Jianguo spoke it without batting an eye, as if it were the truth.

"Pricing?"

"My supply price is 40 cents per braised egg, and a box of 50 eggs costs 20 yuan."

"Four cents? Your profit margin is that high?"

"Not high at all. The cost of an egg alone is 16 cents. Including other miscellaneous items, the cost of a braised egg should be around 28 cents..."

Director Zhang stared at Dong Jianguo, wondering if this young man really knew how to do business.

Suppliers who come to him all want to set higher prices.

In any case, the cost will ultimately be passed on to the passengers through the train attendants, no matter how high the price is.

Therefore, suppliers are happy to set prices artificially high.

"I'll buy your eggs for 5 cents each..."

"Um?"

Dong Jianguo was taken aback, not expecting that Director Zhang, as the buyer, would take the initiative to raise the price.

Director Zhang leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed intently on Dong Jianguo:

"However, I have one request."

"That means no matter how much benefit you give Director Wan, I want just as much as he does..."

Dong Jianguo: ? ? ?