You call this entrepreneurship?

Chapter 529: Boss Shi pays for the whole event
Qin Shaoyan's face changed immediately and he stood up. "It's snowing in the south?!"

"Yes." Liu Qiangdong thought Qin Shaoyan's reaction was strange. "It's really rare for it to snow in the south, and it's quite heavy. All our previous New Year's Day promotions were delayed, and many of the goods on that day were not delivered to customers."

Qin Shaoyan continued to ask with a serious expression: "Is it still snowing now? How much snow is falling?"

Liu Qiangdong was stunned for a moment, then said hesitantly, "I have paid attention to this. The person in charge of the Central China and South China regions reported this situation to me before, but I am not sure about it later."

"Brother Dong, go ask again right away to see what the weather conditions are like in the south," Qin Shaoyan said seriously, "In particular, tell them to pay close attention to the local weather forecast and report the weather changes every day."

"Ah?" Liu Qiangdong was a little confused by Qin Shaoyan. He looked at him blankly, not knowing what he was going to do.

"Pay attention to the weather forecast? We are not the Meteorological Bureau, why should we pay attention to this?"

"There's something wrong with the snow this year, especially in the south." Qin Shaoyan said seriously, "The south hasn't seen snow in many years. Without adequate countermeasures, it is likely to cause large-scale disasters."

"It's just a little snow in the south, not serious, right?" Liu Qiangdong did not realize what consequences this snow would cause. He just thought that it was just a little snow in the south occasionally and there was no need to make a fuss about it.

"What if the snow keeps falling? What about next month?" Qin Shaoyan asked, "Imagine the impact of large-scale low-temperature rain and snow weather on infrastructure and road traffic in the south."

Liu Qiangdong frowned and said, "Boss Qin, you are worrying too much. Besides, if there is a problem with the infrastructure, we don't have the ability to solve it."

"Doing business means dealing with risks. We must learn to plan ahead." Qin Shaoyan said meaningfully, "Especially for those of us in logistics. Infrastructure has a great impact on our business. If transportation is cut off and goods cannot be delivered, how much will we lose?"

"Moreover, when facing natural disasters, we must be more courageous to take responsibility, reflect a company's sense of social responsibility, and highlight the company's good image. This is also a kind of invisible publicity."

“If things are done well, it will also win the favor of the administration.”

Liu Qiangdong nodded. "That's the logic. Will it really snow that heavily?"

Qin Shaoyan looked at Liu Qiangdong seriously and said sincerely: "Brother Dong, do you believe me?"

"Of course I believe you." Liu Qiangdong answered without hesitation.

"If you believe me, then we should prepare immediately and do our best to deal with any emergency that may occur." Qin Shaoyan said forcefully, "Mobilize all the frontline brothers of Jingdong Mall and conduct training drills in advance."

"Prepare various disaster relief supplies and deliver them to the nearest places where they are needed."

"All the brothers?" Liu Qiangdong was a little surprised.

"Yes, all of them. Maybe we don't have enough manpower." Qin Shaoyan thought for a while, "If we deploy all of our people, it will be a drop in the bucket. We should concentrate our forces and place them in a few important cities."

"Start purchasing and mobilizing supplies immediately, including water, instant foods, milk powder, warm clothing, sleeping bags, folding beds, raincoats..."

"Go and take inventory of what we have in our warehouse and how much we have. Come up with accurate data as soon as possible. If we don't have enough, how can we purchase it as quickly as possible and how can we transport it after purchasing it?"

"We need to ensure supplies for at least 300,000 people."

"Supplies for 300,000 people?" Liu Qiangdong was more and more shocked as he listened. "You are making it too big, right? How much money will that cost?"

"You've invested so much money into this, but if the snow doesn't come, won't all our preparations be in vain?"

"You don't need to worry about money now. I'll prepare whatever money you need." Qin Shaoyan patted his shoulder. "Risks and opportunities coexist!"

"If you're still unsure, let's consult a professional first and then decide."

"Professionals?" Liu Qiangdong smiled bitterly. "Who should we ask? Should we ask Master Zhang to calculate for us?"

"That's all feudal superstition. We should believe in science." Qin Shaoyan thought for a moment and said, "Go find a meteorological expert right away. The more powerful the better."

……

The experts were found quickly. Qin Shaoyan spent one million yuan and invited several experts from the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences.

These experts were invited to give lectures on meteorological knowledge, but when they arrived they found that the layout of the site did not look like that for a lecture.

Only a few people came to the lecture, fewer than the number of expert team members.

It was strange, but the expert leading the team, Jiao Tianzong, asked, "Are all the people here? If so, let's start the lecture. Let's start with..."

"Wait a minute, Professor Jiao." A young man stretched out his hand and asked, "My name is Qin Shaoyan. I would like to ask a few questions first. In the past few days, it has suddenly snowed in a large area in the south. Why is this?"

"Oh, this." Jiao Tianzong pushed his glasses and said slowly, "This large-scale rain and snow process is related to the abnormal atmospheric circulation related to the La Niña phenomenon. What is La Niña..."

"I'm sorry, professor. I know what La Nina is. What I want to ask is how long this large-scale rain and snow process will last." Qin Shaoyan continued to ask, "Will it last for more than a month? What kind of disastrous consequences will this large-scale, long-term rain and snow weather bring?"

Several experts were stunned for a moment and looked at each other. Jiao Tianzong asked with some confusion: "Mr. Qin, why are you interested in this question?"

"Because it has been snowing in the south since January 1rd, and it has been snowing for a few days. I am more worried that this rain and snow will continue for a long time, especially such a large area." Qin Shaoyan said seriously, "You only need to tell me whether there will be a long-term and large-scale snow disaster. There is no need to explain the rest. Even if you explain it, we are unlikely to understand it."

Several experts immediately began discussing in low voices, and then the voices grew louder and louder. Several people argued fiercely and even wrote and drew on the whiteboard next to them.

Qin Shaoyan and Zhang Pingyi were both dumbfounded by the various formulas and terms on the whiteboard, as if they were reading a book written in heaven. They could not understand what the experts were saying.

However, judging from the red-faced and angry postures of some of them, it seems that they are about to start a fight.

Qin Shaoyan immediately asked someone to serve tea and snacks, which stopped the academic discussion from turning into a full-blown fight.

"Expert professors, I just want to get an answer from you. Will the possibility I mentioned happen? What is the probability of it happening?"

Jiao Tianzong took a few sips of tea, calmed down, and said after a few seconds of hesitation: "The situation you mentioned is not impossible, but..."

"No buts." Qin Shaoyan interrupted the other party, "Then I would like to ask a few experts to give me a report based on the situation I mentioned."

"Write a report?" Jiao Tianzong hesitated, and the others looked at each other, seeming a little hesitant.

"Everyone, rest assured. This report is an internal secret of our company and is used as a reference for market decision-making. It has no other use." Qin Shaoyan promised solemnly, "In addition, I will donate another million research funds to our meteorological research."

Jiao Tianzong gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I'll write this report."

…After receiving the expert's report, Qin Shaoyan handed the thick report to Liu Qiangdong, "Brother Dong, take a look. This is the conclusion given by our most authoritative meteorological expert in China."

Liu Qiangdong was flipping through a thick academic report. He felt dizzy reading all the terms and weather charts. When he turned to the end and saw the conclusion, it was the same as Qin Shaoyan's speculation.

There is a high probability of large-scale rain and snow weather in the next ten days, which may last for as long as a month.

Liu Qiangdong sighed, "I never thought that I, an e-commerce businessman, would also study meteorology."

"How could such a natural disaster happen when everything was fine? I thought the snow would only last for a few days."

"Yes, there are unexpected events. Who could have thought of this?" Qin Shaoyan also sighed, "Now that the authoritative report is available, we should take action."

Liu Qiangdong nodded, then asked with some doubt: "Will it really be serious this time?"

"I think it will be more serious than we imagined." Qin Shaoyan answered seriously.

In his memory of his previous life, this sudden snowstorm was beyond people's expectations.

The scope, the size of the affected area and the magnitude of the losses are unprecedented.

Snowflakes began to fall in some places in the south, and many southerners found it novel. However, when strong winds mixed with rain and snow continued, the novelty was washed away.

A disaster came so quietly.

Since the beginning of January, more than 1 provinces in central and western China have experienced continuous snowfall, with the longest snowfall lasting nearly a month.

Twenty provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) have been affected to varying degrees by low temperatures, rain, snow and freezing disasters.

This unprecedented heavy snowfall has caused temperatures in many areas in the south to break through zero, causing great trouble to transportation, energy, water conservancy, communications and other departments.

Snowfall is rare in most parts of southern China, and it never snows south of the Wuling Mountains, so disaster prevention in these places is generally focused on preventing drought and flooding, and they have never thought that one day they will have to prevent rain, snow, and freezing.

Along with the snowfall comes ice, which is a more difficult problem than heavy snow.

There is also heavy snowfall in northern China, but because the temperature in the north is very low, the snow remains in its original state after falling and only slowly dissipates when the weather warms up.

However, the temperature in the south is slightly higher, and the heavy snow is accompanied by raindrops, which will quickly melt into a mixture after landing. At night, this mixture is blown into ice by the cold wind, freezing everything it touches.

Continuous rain and snow caused the freezing process to continue to accumulate, and the ice layer became thicker and thicker, eventually crushing houses, cracking car windows, blocking roads, and even collapsing power transmission towers.

The 2008 snowstorm affected about 20 million people in 1 provinces across the country, with seven provinces severely affected. It caused 7 deaths, more than 129 million mu of crops were damaged, 8700 houses collapsed, and economic losses of about 48 billion yuan.

A heavy snowstorm affected the electricity supply in more than a dozen provinces, paralyzed the high-voltage power grids in Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi and other provinces, and caused hundreds of towns to lose power in the middle of winter.

China's southern highway and rail networks were also paralyzed by power outages and freezing weather, leaving tens of millions of people stranded at train stations or on trains.

The train stations in provincial capitals such as Changsha, Guangzhou and Guiyang all gathered more than 10 passengers, posing a serious security problem. Guangdong alone dispatched 40 military and police officers to maintain order, working in shifts day and night without a single day off in a month.

Among them, 1 people were stranded at the Yangcheng Railway Station on January 30.

……

With the expert's report as endorsement, Liu Qiangdong no longer questioned and made up his mind to take a gamble with Qin Shaoyan.

Since Mr. Qin is the one paying, he will just consider it as training the team for Jingdong Mall.

Qin Shaoyan and Liu Qiangdong gathered all their right-hand men and capable subordinates and announced the decision directly at the meeting.

"From now on, everyone is in a state of emergency. All executives cancel their vacations and are on standby at the company."

"Immediately count the relief supplies in the warehouse and pack them in categories. Drinking water, convenience foods, cold-weather supplies, milk powder, etc. are all given priority. Here is a list."

"Warehouses in several provincial capitals must be replenished first. If the gap is too large or there are any problems with logistics, report them immediately and the company headquarters will send someone to coordinate and resolve them."

"Notify all front-line couriers that this year's Spring Festival overtime system will be voluntary. Those who want to stay should sign up with their supervisor immediately."

"The human resources department should do a good job of statistics on how many people are willing to stay and work overtime, and how many people there are in each key city."

There was an uproar in the venue, and someone immediately raised an objection, "It's inhumane to ask people to work overtime during the Chinese New Year. Couriers are all workers. They work hard all year and just want to go home for the Chinese New Year. Some people plan not to come after the Chinese New Year, so it's unlikely to ask them to work overtime."

Liu Qiangdong said with a cold face: "Even if it is impossible, we have to make it possible. Otherwise, what are you doing?"

"I told the brothers on the front line that this situation is special. I understand those who want to go home for the New Year, and I, Liu Qiangdong, thank those who are willing to stay."

"Triple the wages for everyone who stays!"

"Six times!" Qin Shaoyan raised his hand and said loudly, "Six times the salary for front-line couriers!"

"Everyone gets an extra 5,000 yuan bonus, and I'll pay for it!"

Liu Qiangdong looked at Qin Shaoyan in surprise, and then added: "Those who stay will be compensated six times their wages, plus a bonus of 5,000 yuan. We must make it clear to the brothers that this is a special situation and we have no choice. After this period of time is over, we will give them a make-up vacation."

The executives were confused again and thought Qin Shaoyan and Liu Qiangdong were crazy.

Since the two bosses have raised the bonus to this level, what else is there to say? They just need to pass it on and see how many will stay and "voluntarily" work overtime.

The entire Jingdong Shopping Mall became busy, like a clockwork machine running at high speed.

Liu Qiangdong looked at the busy scene and smiled bitterly, "Brother Qin, you really spent a lot of money. I'm afraid you spent more than 1 billion this time."

"I have prepared 3 billion yuan." Qin Shaoyan smiled and said nonchalantly, "It's Boss Shi who pays for it anyway, so I don't feel bad at all."

Liu Qiangdong was a little confused, "What boss Shi?"

Qin Shaoyan smiled and said, "It's a trade secret."

(End of this chapter)