novelhk Chapter 477 Investing in Kyoto Television Factory
Chapter 477 Investing in Kyoto Television Factory
Hua Yan has been busy recognizing grandfathers these past few days, but she's not disappointed, as each of her grandfathers is a prominent figure in China.
Ye Zhuang's grandfather, Ye Maosheng, was the former Minister of Commerce. Now that he is old, he no longer handles specific affairs but appears as an advisor.
Hua Yan talked a lot with Grandpa Ye about economic development, especially about foreign trade, which the old man greatly appreciated. He felt that the sister his grandson had adopted was no ordinary person.
After recognizing her grandfather, Hua Yan did not return to Shengjing, because Mayor Zhang Fan of Kyoto had contacted her again.
"Jiu'er, have you finished your exams?"
Hu Xiang called.
"Uncle Hu, I've finished my exam. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Jiu'er, Mayor Zhang wants to see you."
"Sure, what is it? Can you give me a heads-up?"
"Hehe! It's about your home appliance factory."
"Oh! Is there a problem with the appliance factory?"
"No problem, Mayor Zhang wants to promote you as a model."
Hu Xiang gave a vague answer.
Hua Yan's mind raced; she felt things couldn't be that simple.
"Okay! When should I go?"
"Is this afternoon okay? If it's convenient, I'll send someone to pick you up around 2 PM."
"No problem, I can go by myself."
After the two discussed it, Hua Yan began preparing a gift for their first meeting. Preparing a gift for Mayor Zhang Fan was a bit of a headache; she couldn't give something too expensive, as that would be suspected of bribery, but something too insignificant would be inappropriate.
Later, Hua Yan brought along the economic magazines she had collected abroad, and also took out fresh fruit from Plum Blossom Valley. This was something that money couldn't buy, because it was winter now, and eating fresh fruit was comparable to eating ginseng and deer antler from Northeast China.
Once everything was ready, Kong Wen drove Hua Yan to the Kyoto City Hall.
When they arrived at the door, Hua Yan called Hu Xiang, who quickly came out to greet them.
"Jiu'er, Mayor Zhang is very interested in your home appliance factory and is thinking of visiting it sometime!"
Hu Xiang immediately brought up the home appliance factory, which made Hua Yan feel that there was something fishy going on here, but she still smiled and welcomed him.
Upon arriving at Mayor Zhang Fan's office, Mayor Zhang strode out from under his desk with a smile on his face, and then shook hands with Hua Yan, who followed him in, in a very formal manner.
"Jiu'er, I've wanted to see you for a long time, but I was afraid of interfering with your studies, so I kept putting it off until now."
Zhang Fan appeared approachable, which didn't surprise Hua Yan, as Zhang Fan had treated her the same way before, except they had never shaken hands formally.
"Mayor Zhang, you have helped me so much. I have always wanted to thank you, but you are too busy and I can't come to visit you whenever I want."
Hua Yan was indeed very grateful to Zhang Fan. Without such a selfless mayor, she would not have received so many benefits.
After exchanging a few more polite words, Zhang Fan got down to business.
"Jiu'er, I heard from Secretary Hu that you went to J country a while ago and brought back several home appliance companies?"
"Yes! They are all well-known home appliance companies in J country, producing refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, rice cookers, and radios. I think the country is developing rapidly now, and people's living standards will soon improve, which can meet everyone's needs."
"Jiu'er, our country also has its own companies that produce these home appliances, and their brands are quite well-known!"
"That's right, the refrigerator we use is from the best domestic brand."
"Jiu'er, I've met you a few times. Although you're young, you have a very broad perspective, especially regarding the country's economic development. I'd like to promote you as a role model for entrepreneurship, and also hear your opinions on the development of the home appliance industry..."
Zhang Fan paused here, looking intently at Hua Yan.
Hua Yan looked at Zhang Fan calmly, waiting for him to continue.
The two stared at each other for about ten seconds, but Zhang Fan showed no sign of continuing.
Hua Yan realized that she was waiting for her to speak.
"Mayor Zhang, what opinion do you want to hear from me? I'm just a naive and ignorant kid. I'll be grateful if you don't blame me."
"Jiu'er, you are too modest. From the first time we met, I knew you were not a simple child. Sometimes your thoughts are more mature than mine and Secretary Hu's."
I'm not going to beat around the bush with you anymore, it's too tiring.
There's a television manufacturing company in Kyoto that used to be doing very well, and their products were very popular.
However, after the country opened up foreign trade, many foreign home appliances entered the domestic market. Their product advantages disappeared, and all that remained were disadvantages. The products they produced could not be sold, and workers faced difficulties in being paid.
I was thinking, since you recently brought in foreign home appliance companies, could you perhaps help them out by providing them with some technology?
Zhang Fan trailed off, unable to continue.
Hua Yan understood. This was Zhang Fan's main purpose in bringing her here today: to save these backward enterprises, not to promote anything.
Hua Yan sighed inwardly. This was a good leader who cared for the country and the people. For the sake of the enterprises under his jurisdiction, they actually had to ask her for help.
However, Hua Yan knew that foreign companies kept their technologies secret, and some were even patented. If they were willing to transfer the technology, using it was legal and legitimate; otherwise, it was infringement and she could be sued.
"Mayor Zhang, I don't have the technical expertise to help them, because..."
Hua Yan explained the matter of the technology patent to Zhang Fan.
"Oh! So that's how it is."
At that time, not many people in China knew about patent protection, because the patent protection law had only been in effect for less than two years and many people had never heard of it.
"Mayor Zhang, I have another idea. Do you think it's feasible?"
Hua Yan explained her idea of investing in the Kyoto TV factory, so that by cooperating with companies in Japan under the name of Yanxi Group, they could legitimately use the other party's technology.
"But this is a state-owned enterprise. With private investment, the nature of the enterprise changes."
Zhang Fan dared not set such a precedent.
"Mayor Zhang, the nature of a company depends on the shareholding ratio. If the state holds 51% of the shares and Yanxi Group holds 49%, then the company is still state-owned."
In fact, the main purpose of Yanxi Group's investment in Kyoto Television Factory was to help them. Yanxi Group could calculate the amount of capital to be invested based on its shareholding ratio, which immediately solved the company's financial difficulties.
In addition, Yanxi Group is responsible for external negotiations and cooperation, which can solve the problem of enterprises' technological backwardness.
As long as we clearly define the responsibilities and obligations of both parties, it will only benefit the development of the company.
Hua Yan truly did her best. If it weren't for Zhang Fan, she would never have considered investing in the Kyoto Television Factory. She could have easily built a modern television factory here.
But Zhang Fan had helped her so much that she wanted to repay him and also find a new way out for workers who would face layoffs in the future.
Because soon there will be a wave of layoffs. Those who have worked in factories their whole lives will suddenly lose their jobs and their source of income. They will be confused and at a loss. Some will live a life of just getting by, some will turn to crime, and a small number will start their own businesses.
No matter which path you choose, the journey is exceptionally arduous, and none of it is undertaken willingly.
"Let's think about it."
Zhang Fan did not give a direct answer, because such a big matter was not something that a mayor like him could decide.
"Okay! I'll wait for Mayor Zhang's news."
-
After saying goodbye to Mayor Zhang, Hua Yan visited several of her factories in Kyoto, and everything was proceeding smoothly.
"Uncle Miao, Mayor Zhang spoke with me today..."
Hua Yan recounted her conversation with Zhang Fan.
Miao Xianxing remained silent because he shared the same thought as Hua Yan: investing in Kyoto Television Factory was not the best option for them, but they had no better way to help the company.