Journey 1995:Non-Stop

Chapter 423 Returning Home (Part 2)

Grandma and parents have recently returned to China. It's already National Day, and there are so many tourists. Coupled with not being used to the food, Qinglan feels that staying in Japan for too long isn't good.

There were many things at the company that Qinglan needed to handle. After returning to China, she sent someone to take her parents and grandmother to the airport, and then went back to the company early.

As soon as Yan Hui returned, countless things awaited him, including dozens of signatures alone. The finance department was the most anxious.

Normally, people come to the office one by one, but today there was no other way. Everyone had urgent matters to attend to, so Yan Hui could only try to read and approve things as quickly as possible.

He's been making a lot of phone calls lately, and he knows all about the company's affairs, but signing documents is no small matter, and he has to read everything before he can sign.

He spent four or five hours just processing various signatures, and he even ate his meals in the office.

After finishing his urgent business, Yan Hui first held a meeting with Chen Jian and Song Zhiyuan.

"I have many feelings about this trip. Some things can't be changed, but some things can be changed now. I suggest that, starting today, the company's technical department should allocate a special support fund to encourage technical personnel to pursue further education. Whether it's pursuing a doctorate or a postdoctoral degree, as long as a relevant agreement is signed, the company can grant them unpaid leave and provide subsidies during their doctoral studies. We can even follow the example of the CSC national scholarship program and support employees who plan to study abroad. In addition, the company must understand, respect, and emulate technology. All technical personnel with doctoral degrees must be addressed as 'Dr. So-and-so,' starting with Dr. Chen." Yan Hui looked at Chen Jian.

Yan Hui had discussed this matter with Chen Jian over the phone while he was in Germany, and Chen Jian was willing. Despite being a company leader, the technical department actually prefers a flat management structure and doesn't have a strong bureaucratic style, which is largely due to Chen Jian's personality.

Chen Jian wasn't good at management; he preferred research. As a company shareholder, the other technical staff posed no "threat" to his position, so he could relax.

Don't underestimate this title; calling him "General Manager Chen" and "Dr. Chen" evoke two completely different feelings. It will even change the style of the R&D department.

"Yes, the company supports doctoral studies and overseas studies, and we can't let employees take the benefits and leave. I'll discuss the contract details with the legal department later." Chen Jian nodded.

“I have many more plans to make, but it would be unwise to make hasty changes. We are also very different from major international companies, so that's all for today. Let's start with changing the way we address people, and then encourage staff to pursue further education.” Yan Hui looked at Song Zhiyuan, “Do you have any plans to study?”

"Brother Hui, do you think I have time?" Song Zhiyuan was also a little helpless. He knew that Yan Hui was teasing him.

"Haha, okay, you know that's good," Yan Hui said with a smile.

After the chemical industry meeting, Yan Hui immediately found Wang Yongjun and Sun Lei to discuss the situation regarding steel.

Entering October, steel prices have already begun to plummet, with the price per ton dropping by nearly 500 yuan, which is an extremely dramatic decline.

After the sharp drop, no one knows whether it will continue to fall or rebound; in any case, there is some panic in the current steel market.

“President Yan, we already have enough orders. Shouldn’t we stabilize the market? I think the prices have dropped a bit.” Wang Yongjun was both excited and nervous.

Recently, the company has made at least five or six million in profit, and for the first time he has experienced that "you can make money even by lowering prices." However, this unfamiliar approach has left him feeling uneasy.

“From the moment Lehman Brothers went bankrupt, international trade won’t pick up anytime soon. Steel freight rates have already halved, and with many shipowners’ vessels idle, freight rates will only fall further. The downward cycle for steel has only just begun. Since the company has money in its account, and since some companies are already willing to pay penalties to breach contracts, then we should continue to open short positions and take on these orders.” This was how Yan Hui communicated on the phone before he returned.

Since Yan Hui left Brazil, about a week has passed, and steel prices have plummeted further. Wang Yongjun and Sun Lei were surprised that Yan Hui still believed prices would continue to fall. "Does Mr. Yan predict that steel prices will fall below 3600?" Sun Lei frowned.

“I think it will fall below 2600, or even lower.” Yan Hui thought for a moment. “This needs to be verified by the market. For now, you just need to implement the decision. The steel price is already close to the price at the beginning of the year. If we lock in the price and participate in the bidding now, I estimate that many developers will be willing.”

After finishing that conversation, Yan Hui glanced at the calendar on his desk and asked somewhat uncertainly, "What's the date today?"

"October 6th, this calendar hasn't been turned yet." Upon seeing this, Wang Yongjun immediately got up and flipped through the calendar.

"Yes, the government is still on holiday, but we'll try to get the bids from the companies. Once the government departments resume work, there will be a batch of projects up for bidding, and we'll proceed according to my original plan." Yan Hui nodded.

Yan Hui carefully analyzed the steel situation, then looked at many materials and selected some steel standards.

He doesn't care about how much money he made right now; it's meaningless. He can review it later after it's all done. He'll need to translate some of the lessons learned from this trip abroad into practical application. It's an ongoing process.

Yan Hui spent another two hours at the steel trade meeting. After the two people left, Yan Hui picked up the phone, intending to call Pan Chen.

He glanced at his watch and decided to take a break.

I just got back from a cross-border trip. I worked for eight or nine hours straight, and it's already evening. Most people have already gone home.

During the few days he was away, his office was cleaned, but no one flipped through his calendar every day.

Back when Yan Hui was cleaning for General Manager Han, he would flip to the calendar in advance every day unless General Manager Han wrote anything on it.

Now, he lacks someone to turn the calendar.

He's desperately short of talent right now. If someone like Yan Hui from back then were to appear, he'd give him a shot and it wouldn't be difficult for him to find a way out. His plywood business is currently only making around 10 yuan a month in profit, and unfortunately, he doesn't have a suitable replacement.

After resting for more than ten minutes, Yan Hui called Pan Chen to discuss the tile factory matter and arranged to go there on the afternoon of the 9th.

After making the call, Zhou Ping came over again.

"What is it?" Yan Hui asked, seeing Zhou Ping pour himself a cup of tea.

"Didn't you have dinner? I saw you ate steamed buns for lunch. Are you done with your work? Come on, let's go out and get something to eat?" Zhou Ping asked.

"Okay." Yan Hui stood up.

(End of this chapter)