Sail across the sea

Chapter 455 is a breakthrough from zero.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, it's not that serious, it's not that serious."

Gao Fan offered words of comfort to the two with a helpless expression.

These two old gentlemen are more than twice Gao Fan's age, so why are they so impatient?

Gao Fan understood them quite well. Before coming, they had researched the information on foreign companies and had done a lot of mental preparation. However, once they arrived at the venue and saw the booths of large foreign companies, which were often hundreds of square meters, as well as the display boards and exhibits that exuded a strong sense of futuristic technology, they were still strongly shocked, and a feeling of inferiority arose from their hearts.

How can we possibly win this fight?!

This is Pei Hengxue and Bi Liansheng's most direct feeling.

As cadres of a certain rank, they naturally cannot express these feelings directly, but must put on a brave face and pretend to be full of confidence.

In the past, when giving reports at work, they were used to saying that they had caught up with and surpassed international advanced levels, and that Chinese people could do what foreigners could do. That's what they said, and that's what they really thought.

But when they stood in their cramped six-square-meter booth, looking at their competitors armed to the teeth with technology, they were filled with apprehension:
The gap is too big. Will we ever catch up in our lifetime?
Gao Fan was the only one without any psychological pressure. The so-called "technological sophistication" of 1985, by today's standards, would only be considered incredibly outdated. For example, many of the robots displayed at the exhibition booths could at most clumsily walk a few steps and answer a few fixed questions; expecting them to wave red ribbons and perform a folk dance was simply asking the impossible. How could such things possibly impress Gao Fan?
Most importantly, Gao Fan knew that China would catch up soon. These once-powerful industrial nations, however, had already passed their peak and were racing towards "deindustrialization."

Within 30 years, exhibitions like this will be dominated by Chinese participants. There are often anecdotes about this: at a top-tier international technology conference, the host stood up, surveyed the audience, and then made a suggestion:

—How about we speak Chinese instead? There are no outsiders here…

Foreigners are really nothing to be afraid of; that's the realization of a time traveler.

"Director Bi, Director Pei, our ability to come to this exhibition is a breakthrough. Falling behind is not terrible; what is terrible is not having the courage to take on challenges."

"We only brought two products this time, which seems rather meager. However, with these two products, we can have five or ten next time. And in the future, we will be able to rent a booth of several hundred square meters and showcase hundreds of products, just like those foreign companies."

"As long as we persevere and never give up, we will eventually be able to keep pace with these foreign companies."

Gao Fan tried to encourage the two of them with inspirational words, hoping to restore their courage.

“Xiao Gao, you’re right.” Pei Hengxue nodded. “We’re actually just a little poorer than them, after all, we’re only a developing country. As for rare earth products, what we produce is in no way inferior to theirs, there’s no reason why they can’t sell.”

“Yes, yes, Senya’s products do borrow from our patents. We’re no worse than them,” Bi Liansheng quickly added.

Both men understood the principle of "losing the game but not the moral high ground." If this young man had courage, they couldn't afford to show weakness; otherwise, they'd be laughed at when they got back.

"Xiao Gao, do you think we should consider a plan to get people's attention?"

Pei Hengxue returned to reality and began to consider specific measures. Bi Liansheng remained silent, only casting an expectant gaze at Gao Fan. He had attended technology exhibitions before, but always as a spectator, never imagining he would one day be an exhibitor; he simply had no experience in this area.

"I've already thought about the sales plan," Gao Fan said. "Today is only the first day of the exhibition, so it's normal that people don't pay attention to our small booths. Director Pei, Director Bi, you can walk around and visit the booths of the big companies to get some technical information or something."

"I reckon that it won't be until after today and tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, that customers will come here to negotiate. That's when we'll need you to introduce the situation to the customers, and that's when we'll have sales opportunities."

"In my opinion, the situation for rare earths and photoresists will be different. As for rare earths, China is, after all, a major rare earth producer, and many customers are aware of China's rare earth industry. Therefore, I estimate that customers will be interested in our rare earth products and are very likely to take the initiative to purchase them."

"The situation for photoresist is more severe. After all, we have not accumulated much experience in this area in the past, and Japanese and German photoresist companies may join forces to block us. Under such circumstances, it is not very hopeful to expect customers to take the initiative to purchase our photoresist."

"What should we do then!" Bi Liansheng exclaimed anxiously. "Xiao Gao, you patted your chest in front of Chief Engineer Yun and said you were confident you could help us sell no less than 150 tons of photoresist."

“Old Bi, what’s the rush?” Pei Hengxue said, “Didn’t you understand what Xiao Gao meant? Since he said there’s little chance of customers making a purchase on their own initiative, he must be preparing to go door-to-door to sell to them.”

"Is that so?" Bi Liansheng asked Gao Fan.

There was no other way; this matter was extremely important, and Bi Liansheng himself was at a loss, so he could only pin his hopes on Gao Fan. He was willing to appear somewhat foolish just to get a clear answer from Gao Fan.

Gao Fan could only nod with a wry smile: "Director Bi, don't worry. Since I promised to help Fenglin Institute promote its photoresist, I will definitely keep my word. However, you shouldn't give up either. If any customers come to the booth to learn about the photoresist, you should still try your best to introduce it to them. You might just stumble upon an opportunity."

“That goes without saying. Before I came out, the leaders of the institute told me that the exhibition booth is the battlefield, and as long as I am here, the battlefield will be there,” Bi Liansheng said.

"Uh..." Gao Fan was convinced; the traditions of military industrial units were indeed unique.

“Xiao Gao, you can’t just focus on Director Bi’s side. You also need to pay attention to the rare earth issue. You said that customers will take the initiative to purchase, but that’s only a possibility. Those Japanese companies are established enterprises in rare earth smelting, and their products overlap a lot with ours. How can you guarantee that customers will be interested in our rare earth?” Pei Hengxue said.

"It seems like we're missing an advertising slogan."

Gao Fan turned around to look at the display board behind him and muttered something to himself.

"What advertising slogan?" Pei Hengxue asked.

Gao Fan didn't answer. Instead, he rummaged through the booth, found a large sheet of paper used to wrap documents, and then found a thick pen. He wrote a line on the paper:

"No_Middlemen_Taking_A_Cut!"

(End of this chapter)