Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 714 Chapter 713
To put it bluntly, the so-called appeal to foreigners is to seek justice from foreigners or outsiders.

This kind of thing has happened before. The well-known cases of Yang Naiwu and Xiao Baicai, as well as the great famine in Henan Province in 1942, all involved foreigners.

After the Yang Naiwu case happened, his family members gave away all their property, and all they got from reporting to higher authorities was that the original verdict should be upheld.

Later, Shenbao, a newspaper founded by British businessmen, published the incident as a topic of conversation after dinner. Readers were very interested in it, sales soared, and reporters followed up.

This follow-up was not a big deal, but it turned out to be a wrongful case, which led to the subsequent story.

In fact, the Nationalist government from top to bottom was well aware of the great famine in Henan Province in 1942, but it had been trying to cover it up. After learning about the disaster, American journalist Theodore White took a trip with his camera and was deeply shocked. He took a series of shocking photos.

Theodore White reported the disaster under the title "Waiting for the Harvest" and published it in Time magazine, which immediately attracted widespread attention.

Although the church and other channels provided emergency relief to the disaster-stricken areas in Henan, it was still a drop in the bucket. Bai Xiude did not stop, but tried every means to meet with the bald man and urge disaster relief...

"Mom, did this person go in or was he held down?" Tang Zhitong asked, pointing in the direction of Jianguomen. The two results were quite different. It would be more troublesome to deal with if the person ran in.

"It's held down, but the letter has been thrown in and there's no way to get it out." Ye Zhijuan sighed. Once the letter entered the gate, it was like it had entered the territory of another country. There was no way to go in and get it, and they could only watch the people inside take it away.

"Mom, is the person who threw the letter the same person who wrote the letter to Uncle Luo?" The person was held back. It was not known whether the soldier on guard should be awarded third-class merit or criticized. After all, the letter was in, which would have some adverse effects.

"Not sure. All units received a notice yesterday afternoon, asking them to implement it earnestly, check one by one, and strengthen their responsibilities. I tell you this mainly because I'm worried that you won't be able to withstand the questioning and let something slip, and then you'll be faced with another lawsuit. It's better to be prepared." Ye Zhijuan shook her head. It was already good enough to know the news, so she didn't want to ask more.

"Got it. Thanks, Mom, and Uncle Luo." Tang Zhitong nodded. Be it an investigation or a special purpose, Director Ye had good intentions in looking for him this time. He might be worried that he would let something slip and get implicated, affecting his future.

As for Ye Zhijuan and Luo Qingquan, Tang Zhitong felt that it was not a big problem. Even if they were found out that they had seen the letter, they could just say that they thought the content of the letter was absurd and did not take it seriously.

It cannot be said that he knew about the incident but failed to report it, but it is somewhat unacceptable from the perspective of conscience and morality.

The two elders thought of asking him to pretend he didn't know, so they naturally had reasons to evade the question. Therefore, Tang Zhitong did not remind him again.

"Xiao Miao said that you asked her to ask about the combs for cats and dogs. She has almost answered all the questions. You can go back and ask her about it." After talking about personal matters, Ye Zhijuan started talking about business again.

"Okay, Sister Xiaoqin is fast enough." Tang Zhitong was a little surprised at Miao Xiaoqin's efficiency. It was not that he questioned her ability, but that it involved cross-departmental issues and was difficult to coordinate.

"The things you invented before were exported and earned foreign exchange after going through the foreign trade department. They know it's you asking, so they are still very dedicated." Speaking of this, Ye Zhijuan's face was also bright. Her son-in-law does not hold a prominent position now, but he is quite famous and has a lot of face.

"Hehe, it's all for the country and the people." After tinkering with a lot of things but not seeing any money, Tang Zhitong said this with full confidence and not feeling guilty at all.

"Your friend named Zhang said that you gave him a lot of suggestions?" Ye Zhijuan has received a lot of feedback recently and she checked them one by one with her son-in-law.

"It's just a little bit of advice, and I also want to make as much money as possible." Tang Zhitong admitted frankly.

"Not bad, a great idea. But regarding the packaging and pricing, many people disagree. They think the pricing is too high and flashy, and will affect sales once it is launched." The combination of pills and medicinal wine has been decided, but now there is a stalemate over price and packaging. The pharmaceutical companies insist on high prices and high profits, while those for foreign trade want to sell at low prices and increase sales.

Both parties want to get a higher proportion of foreign exchange in the future, so their starting point is to earn more foreign exchange, but the current situation is that both parties think they are right, no one can convince the other, and they even blame each other.

"The pharmaceutical company is advocating a high price, right? I think it's better to sell it at a high price." Tang Zhitong scratched his head. At that time, he was busy giving suggestions to Zhang Ruojian and didn't expect that there would be this hurdle to overcome later.

This matter was caused by him, and Tang Zhitong felt that he had to stand up and say a few words for the Chinese medicine factory: "Mom, Wenwen and I went to the movies today, at the Dazhong Cinema near our home."

Ye Zhijuan didn't understand why her son-in-law suddenly jumped to the topic of the cinema, but she didn't interrupt him. Instead, she nodded to signal Tang Zhitong to continue.

"The Dazhong Cinema is a Class B cinema, and the movie tickets are a little cheaper than those of Class A cinemas. If the Dazhong Cinema were to upgrade its grade one day, people might not necessarily buy it. Everyone knows what the prices were before, and if the prices suddenly increase, people will inevitably resist. They would rather go to other Class A cinemas at the same price than choose the Dazhong Cinema."

"The same is true for Chinese medicine manufacturers' finished products. Once a low price is set, it will be difficult to sell it at a higher price in the future. Even if a new brand is used to produce the same finished product, it will probably be difficult to sell it at a higher price. Not only will the people who take the medicine compare, but even the pharmacies that sell the medicine will compare. I would not be surprised if there is bargaining and price manipulation."

"It's difficult to promote it at the beginning by selling it at a high price, but once word of mouth builds, sales will definitely get better and better. Even if it doesn't take off, it will be easy to sell it at a lower price when the time comes."

"When I was a deliveryman, I came into contact with many residents. The food, accommodation and expenses of the rich were obviously better than those of ordinary people. When rich people buy things, as long as they are good, they can accept them even if they are a little more expensive."

"Things are valuable because they are rare, and this medicine is the same. If it is sold at a high price, rich people can accept it. If it is sold at a low price, they will think it is cheap. What kind of person is this? How can he be worthy of using the same thing as me?"

"If rich people find that this medicine is indeed effective but they can't afford it, they will inevitably feel that such a cheap medicine is not worthy of their status."

"What kind of nonsense is this?" As she listened, Ye Zhijuan laughed. She understood what her son-in-law meant, but the example he gave was not very appropriate.

"Hey, let's be honest, although the original intention is to relieve the pain of people all over the world, this medicine is not suitable.

It relieves people all over the world from the pain of common, life-threatening underlying diseases, but this drug is not intended to treat any of these diseases. It is for people who can eat enough, have spare money, and pursue a higher quality of life.

Therefore, this medicine cannot serve the general public, nor can it simply pursue small profits but quick turnover, but should pursue huge profits! "

Tang Zhitong smiled and continued to sophistry, and it could only be sophistry. He had never been abroad and didn't know what the situation was like there. He could only start from what he had seen and string things together, letting Ye Zhijuan experience it for herself and even convince the opponents.

"What you said makes sense." Ye Zhijuan understood and agreed with her son-in-law's statement.

"There is another point. Although the Chinese medicine factory has no shortage of medicinal materials for this finished medicine now, what about in the future? Zhang Ruojian told me that there are tiger bones in it. There are indeed tigers being killed now, but tigers are not domesticated pigs after all. They don't reproduce that fast, and one less is killed. If we pursue production too much, there will inevitably be a shortage of medicinal materials in the future."

“Are we going to use dog bones to impersonate tiger bones? If the efficacy of the medicine declines, it will ruin the brand.”

"If the price is raised later due to shortage of key medicinal materials, it may not be appropriate and will have a negative impact on the reputation." "So I think it is better to leave enough profit margin from the beginning."

"As for the initial promotion difficulties, I think we can offer appropriate discounts to pharmacies, such as buying four courses of treatment and giving one course free. After they find the efficacy, we can maintain the original price."

Tang Zhitong tried his best today to get the bottles and jars that Zhang Ruojian sent him, and consumed a lot of brain cells.

"Okay, I'll let the comrades in the foreign trade department know later." Ye Zhijuan had been convinced by her son-in-law.

"There is another point that I think is crucial, and that is confidentiality. We can't let other neighboring countries or provinces copy it. It's acceptable for outsiders to challenge us, but it's uncomfortable when our own people fight against each other." Tang Zhitong pointed out the last point, which is also what he is most worried about. Local protectionism is not limited to any age.

"Well, the comrades from the pharmaceutical factory have also mentioned this. Let's discuss how to improve it during the meeting." Ye Zhijuan nodded, very satisfied with her son-in-law's thoughtful consideration.

"That's a big help. Although I was the one who brought Zhang Ruojian here, I also put a lot of effort into it. I hope to be able to sell it at a high price for a long time and earn a steady stream of foreign exchange for our country." Although someone has complained to the foreigners, what can the foreigners do? Give them aid for free? How is that possible?

If you take something from someone else, you will feel guilty about it; if you eat something from someone else, you will feel guilty about it.

It may be free aid in name, but if something really happens and you need to vote, would you have the nerve to object?
Complaining to foreigners may have an effect on public opinion, but ultimately self-rescue depends on one's own people, such as using foreign exchange to buy grain.

“Everyone is of the same mind on this point.”

After the mother and daughter finished their conversation, the door opened.

As soon as the door opened, Wang Jingmin complained to his mother about his elder sister: "Mom, mom! Just now when you were chatting, my elder sister was lying at the door and eavesdropping!"

"I was guarding the door, guarding the door! Do you understand?!" Xiao Wang was exposed by his younger brother. He looked a little embarrassed. He rolled up his sleeves and was about to grab his younger brother and beat him up.

"Just be sure you didn't eavesdrop." Ye Zhijuan did not accept her son's accusation and brushed the matter aside with just a few words.

Aren’t you closing the door because you’re worried that the children won’t keep their mouths shut?

Ye Zhijuan glanced at her eldest daughter again and warned her, "Keep what you hear to yourself and don't tell anyone else."

"I got it, Mom." Xiao Wang nodded in agreement and walked towards his stinky brother with clenched fists, feeling very oppressive.

Tang Zhitong didn't pull her but waved at Jingying. The two sisters had the same problem. The last time he talked to his mother-in-law about the letter that encouraged Uncle Luo to lift the lid, this little girl also eavesdropped and followed him.

"Brother-in-law." Wang Jingying seemed to sense something and came over with her head lowered.

"Keep to yourself what you overheard last time and don't tell anyone." Tang Zhitong repeated Ye Zhijuan's instructions.

"What's the matter? I forgot about it." Wang Jingying said this, but her face was flushed and her eyes were evasive, telling Tang Zhitong clearly that she knew what it was about.

"It's best to forget." Tang Zhitong smiled. This answer from his sister-in-law showed that she knew the answer. As long as she didn't tell anyone, no one would think that she knew something.

Lunch was made by Tang Zhitong.

The steamed buns were ready, but there were not many dishes.

Tang Zhitong didn't stir-fry or mix the food, but made a soup.

Chop half a pound of cabbage, put it into a pan and stir-fry, add water and seasonings, and after the water boils, pour in the stirred flour soup.

Two handfuls of flour and a pot of thick soup, each person can get a large bowl.

Although the soup is watery, it looks thick and mushy and can create a feeling of hunger psychologically.

"Mom, when we came here, there were kids downstairs singing 'The bricklayer lives in a thatched house. The cicada has no clothes.' Isn't that a bad influence?" After educating Jingmin, Xiao Wang took Ye Zhijuan's arm and acted coquettishly.

She had long felt that this nursery rhyme was inappropriate. In fact, it was not that the nursery rhyme was inappropriate, but it was inappropriate to sing this nursery rhyme in the current environment. Before, because her husband did not think it was a big problem, Xiao Wang let it go and did not mention it. But after seeing it this time, she could not just let it go.

"You've been very thoughtful. The unit has noticed it and someone is investigating. In order not to alert the suspects, we left the children alone." Ye Zhijuan nodded and praised.

After lunch, we returned home and went straight into the side room. Then Xiao Wang spoke: "What's the matter with the letter that our mother told you about?"

"Someone wrote a letter to Uncle Luo, wanting him to uncover the truth. The letter was forwarded through the editing team..." Tang Zhitong did not mention this last time he returned home. This time, when classmate Xiao Wang asked, he did not hide it and told him roughly what he had said.

"This person is too bad, could it be the same person?"

"It shouldn't be. Anyone who has the foresight to complain to foreigners must have certain cultural knowledge. From what our mother said, this person is either a worker or someone in the system." Tang Zhitong shook his head. The last person encouraged others to take the lead while he himself hid behind, but his approach was still orthodox. This time, the person took a different approach and had a different style.

"If you have difficulties, go to the organization. Why embarrass yourself abroad?" Student Wang muttered, looking down on this behavior of complaining to foreigners.

"There is an idiom called 'yang jin shame jiang'. He might do this because he feels he is treated unfairly." Tang Zhitong guessed.

The story of Yang Zhen Chan Geng is about the war between Zheng and Song during the Spring and Autumn Period. The commander of Song killed sheep to reward his soldiers in order to boost morale, but did not give any to his groom Yang Zhen.

Yang Zhen held a grudge, so when the two armies were fighting, he drove his own commander in a chariot and rushed into the Zheng army. As a result, the commander was captured alive, leading to a great defeat for the Song State.

(End of this chapter)