2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 24 Guangzhou
"Holy crap, I've only been a boss for half a day and you've already sent me to work in a factory?"

On the way back, Zhang Xupeng couldn't help but complain.

“We’re nothing. When Zhang Haiping stops calling us Xiao Tan and Xiao Zhang and starts calling us President Tan and President Zhang, then you can call yourselves bosses.”

"Oh well, whatever, I'll just go to the factory. At least I can get a meal."

"Be content. I'm still a salesperson, and we're all in the same boat. But you don't need to do much work; you just need to keep an eye on the quality of the clothes."

"Yes, I know. Once the company's office address is finalized, how many people will we need to hire? We'll also need to buy computers, right?"

"Well, we'll talk about that when we get back. I'll tell you how to do these things tonight."

"So when are you planning to leave? Are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'll go tomorrow. We can't delay."

"Okay, be careful on the road. I heard the train station there is quite unsafe. You should take a plane. Don't risk your safety just to save money."

"I originally planned to fly there, there's no way I could make it by train; but I don't think there will be any major security issues during the exhibition, they will definitely strengthen security."

In any city, security is increased for large-scale events, so there shouldn't be any major safety issues. However, Tan Jincheng still doesn't dare to go to Guangzhou Railway Station.

It's mainly those things I've seen in past and present lives. I don't know if they're true or not, but they're still quite frightening.

These days, when you're out and about, you have to be extra careful about your safety no matter which city you're in; in Tan Jincheng's memory, the security situation improved after 2008.

That evening, Tan Jincheng gave Zhang Xupeng some instructions on what to pay attention to while he stayed behind, with the primary task being to maintain the company's framework.

Secondly, we need to keep an eye on the quality of this batch of clothes, as quality is of paramount importance for any product.

Hearing this, Zhang Xupeng felt a lot of pressure. In the days when Xiao Tan was away, he had to support the family.

Just like building a base in a game.

"By the way, how many days are you going to stay there?" Zhang Xupeng asked while thinking.

He wasn't particularly curious about Guangdong Province; aside from some negative news online, his biggest impression was that it was hot.

"I don't know, we'll see. If the orders are good, we'll stay a few more days. If the orders aren't good, we'll come back to the local area sooner and think of other solutions."

Then, Tan Jincheng suddenly remembered: "Oh right, after the computer is set up, create an account and open a shop on Lili International Station, and also open a shop on Taobao."

Lili International Store is an important online channel for the foreign trade industry in the future; neither online nor offline channels should be missed.

As for Taobao, it should officially launch third-party payment software this year. After this issue is resolved, online shopping will gradually take off.

Opening a shop is cheap right now, and the cost isn't high, so you can reserve a spot first.

"I don't know any of this. I can play games, but I have no idea how to run an online store," Zhang Xupeng said, scratching his head sheepishly.

"If you don't know how, you can learn. There's no rush. Once we establish our own brand, we can open a flagship store on Taobao."

"Okay, let's talk about it after the computer is set up; go to sleep first, you need to get up early to catch your flight tomorrow."

He dared not continue the conversation; the more they talked, the more he would have to learn. Zhang Xupeng felt a chill run down his spine, as if he had been tricked.
-
At 4:00 AM on October 15th, Tan Jincheng finished washing up and quietly closed the door.

My flight was at 7:45, and I arrived at Baiyun Airport at 10:00. In order to save time, I had to leave so early.

The taxi driver I booked is already waiting at the entrance of the residential area. It will take about an hour and a half to get to the airport.

Too tired, Tan Jincheng continued to take a nap after getting on the bus. When he woke up again, they had already arrived at the airport.

That's the trouble with flying: you have to check in in advance, and airports are mostly located in areas that are relatively far from the city center.

If you're unlucky, you might not be able to board the plane smoothly.

Fortunately, although the flight was a bit delayed, it went smoothly overall; with the Canton Fair approaching, there was no shortage of tickets from all over the country to Baiyun Airport.

The flights that started at around 7 a.m. were packed. A quick glance revealed that the seats were mostly occupied by middle-aged men, all looking listless but unable to hide their excitement; needless to say, most of these passengers were probably traveling for the same purpose.

At 10:30 a.m., the flight landed smoothly at Baiyun Airport.

Founded in 1957, the Canton Fair has seen a surge in trade volume since China's accession to the WTO, and since 2002 it has been held twice a year, in spring and autumn.

It has developed into the most important trade fair in China and abroad, and holds a pivotal position in the history of foreign trade.

Since private enterprises were allowed to participate in the Canton Fair, the number of exhibitors has increased dramatically, reaching 10 in 2002.

Countless entrepreneurs like Tan Jincheng flocked to Guangzhou during the exhibition to pursue their dreams.

In addition, delegations from various provinces and cities jointly participated in the exhibition. Ningbo, as an important port city, also organized a delegation to participate in the exhibition.

Tan Jincheng's current goal is to one day be qualified to join such an exhibition delegation.

"Young man, want to share a ride?"

"Oh? It's you, uncle! What a coincidence! Let's carpool together."

The person who came was an uncle who sat next to me on the plane. I didn't know his name, but I knew his surname was Cheng. Judging from his accent, he was from Beicang.

On the plane, the two chatted for a few minutes. This Uncle Cheng was also going to the Canton Fair, and he was also alone.

Their company makes small home appliances and has its own niche, which Tan Jincheng is quite envious of.

According to Uncle Cheng, the company employees had already gone to set up the exhibition, and he was there to oversee the work.

"Xiao Tan, let's exchange phone numbers; if we don't have enough translators when we get there, I'll ask you for help, you have to agree."

This uncle was quite outgoing, and Tan Jincheng couldn't help but smile: "Sure, no problem; are you from Beicang, uncle?"

"Xiao Tan, you recognized me? Yes, I'm from Beicang. Don't worry, I won't let you help me for nothing. I'll introduce you to some friends when I have the chance, and see if you can use their booth."

"That's great, thank you in advance, Uncle. I'm also from Beicang."

"Haha, then we should help each other even more."

That's right, Tan Jincheng entered the venue as a translator; during the exhibition, people from all over the world flocked in, requiring a large number of translators.

During this year's spring exhibition, foreign language students holding signs outside the exhibition hall offering translation services were paid 200 yuan a day.

In 2004, this price was already very high.

He had previously lied to Zhang Xupeng, saying that he learned the Ningbo dialect from Ningbo guests on the cruise ship. Although this was a lie, he did get to know several Ningbo foreign trade businessmen on the cruise ship.

Several of them, seeing that Tan Jincheng was quite clever, left their business cards when they docked.

This time, Tan Jincheng, who couldn't afford to attend the exhibition, decided to give it a try and shamelessly called each of them to ask if they would participate in the Autumn Canton Fair and if so, if he could serve as their translator.

Furthermore, Tan Jincheng also mentioned that he learned the Ningbo dialect from them.

It must be said that the Mandarin spoken by many Ningbo businessmen these days is, to put it mildly, indescribable.

There are many translators, but translators who can speak Ningbo dialect and know it themselves are very rare.

Tan Jincheng was thus fortunate enough to get a chance to enter the venue.

Just now on the plane, that's how Tan Jincheng introduced himself: he went to be a translator and, incidentally, see if he could sell some clothes to foreigners.

With a quick glance around, Tan Jincheng looked at the friendly Uncle Cheng and said, "Uncle Cheng, could you give me your business card? I'll treat you to a meal when we get back to Beicang."

This sentence was spoken in the Ningbo dialect; Uncle Cheng's Mandarin was also hard to describe.

(End of this chapter)