Return to Hong Kong Island for a Century

Chapter 279 CBS Interview (3000+ words)

"plan?"

"If we have enough people to decide to crowdfund, we'll first provide the design drawings, then manufacture a prototype. If they're willing, we'll proceed with mass production!"

"If you don't want to, consider it advertising for our little plane. What if someone wants it?" Li Song replied after hearing Ma Shengli's words.

"At the time, it seemed like I was just saying it casually, but actually I had a purpose."

"The people there don't care about international affairs; they care about things around them, like the price of eggs, milk, pizza, gasoline, or taxi fares!"

"So in our view, they don't care about major international events!"

"So what seems like something I mentioned casually is actually something they are quite concerned about."

"Another reason is that they have a large number of private planes, mainly because the area is sparsely populated."

"Therefore, there are a lot of potential customers."

"Everyone wants to get a bargain, after all, a few dollars is a lot of money."

"Of course, there are some other issues that followed!"

"Security certification and so on, these also need to be done through crowdfunding."

"Because as long as enough people get involved, those politicians in Amis will definitely step in to resolve the issue for the sake of votes!"

"On the Afghan side, politicians can do many things that are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people in order to win votes."

"Even if it doesn't sell in the end, we can still get some advertising revenue," Li Song explained to Ma Shengli in detail.

That was Li Song's thought at the time: whether it would succeed or not was another matter, and whether he would do it himself was yet another matter.

Ma Shengli asked, "What if we lose money?"

"Even if we lose money, we won't lose much. As long as we can build our reputation and squeeze out other people's market share, then so be it. Later entrants to the market will definitely need to spend money to make people aware of their brand."

“Anyway, I know that America’s small aircraft manufacturing companies must be feeling very uncomfortable right now, since I cut the price in half,” Li Song said.

Market, marketing, cost, brand, market share, first to market, last to market—it sounds simple, but it's actually a war. Those who enter the market first have to do everything they can to maintain their market share, while those who enter later have to open up new markets and seize market share.

"Oh, oh!" Ma Shengli understood.

"This type of aircraft is not very complicated; it is powered by an internal combustion engine."

"Technically, there are absolutely no problems in mainland China."

"I'll produce a written document when the reporters interview me," Li Song said, explaining his plan.

"The higher-ups are worried that the reporter might ask other questions during the interview, and if they review the interview, they'll be criticized. But if they don't review it, they're afraid the reporter will say something inappropriate," Ma Shengli said, expressing the concerns of the higher-ups.

"That shouldn't be the case. I'll have a reporter from Phoenix TV come and interview us, and mainland official media can also come and interview us," Li Song said.

"That's a good suggestion." Ma Shengli nodded.

"I mainly want to give BMW motorcycle factory and outboard motor factory some advertising," Li Song said with a slight smile.

Ma Shengli felt that Li Song was simply born to be a businessman; he was calculating and scheming.

"Then I'll go report to my superiors." Ma Shengli hurriedly left again.

What can Li Song do? Of course, he'll wait here for a response from his superiors.

After Ma Shengli reported the matter again, the higher authorities still decided to report it, because it concerned foreign journalists coming to the mainland for interviews.

After discussion, the higher authorities agreed with Li Song's idea.

That evening, Li Song called Tian Jiahui and Liu Jiale.

The next day at noon, Li Song met with the CBS reporter who had interviewed him before, as well as a reporter from Phoenix TV and reporters from his superiors.

"Mr. Li, I'm sorry, I didn't expect the crowdfunding to be so popular." The CBS reporter really didn't expect to become famous, and he himself created a breaking news story.

"Nick, luck favors the hard-working. I believe your hard work has paid off. Welcome," Li Song offered a small compliment.

"Thank you, thank you." Nick was a reporter from CBS.

Phoenix TV also sent a male reporter, along with reporters from mainland China, to record how Li Song was interviewed by Nick.

“Nick, I invite you to visit my factory and see my manufacturing capabilities,” Li Song said.

"Really?" Nick asked in surprise, knowing that Western journalists had applied countless times but had been unable to visit Li Song's factory.

"Of course." Li Song chuckled inwardly, thinking, "You'd be lucky to see that." "This is our aluminum alloy casting workshop."

"This is a 400-ton aluminum alloy hot casting press produced in mainland China." Li Song led Nick to the engine production workshop, but the workshop was under maintenance today, and many parts were covered up.

Nick was somewhat speechless, but seeing the neatly arranged machines and the various colors on the ground, he already knew in advance that he could only walk in the green areas.

"This is our quenching CNC machine tool," Li Song said, pointing to the machine tool that was being maintained and partially covered.

I couldn't get a closer look, and I couldn't see the key controller components.

Those who know their stuff can simply see that it's a quenching machine.

Of course, there wasn't just one of these machines, but a whole row of them.

Then we arrived at the stamping workshop and saw rows of stamping machines, all clean and tidy.

If it's not clean, you'll be penalized. Each workstation has its own designated area to avoid disputes.

Welding workshop, assembly workshop.

Then there was a parking lot for 125cc motorcycles. It was open-air, and there were more than a thousand motorcycles there. That was all the motorcycles that were left, as they were all moved away.

Then we arrived at the outboard motor production workshop, where the focus was on the various stress tests conducted on the outboard motors, and Nick kept pressing the shutter button with his camera.

Nick also figured it out: Li Song is a hot news figure, so if they get more of him this time, it'll be an exclusive story.

Then I looked at the BMW factory from a distance; most of it was still a large construction site.

"Nick, the first car from the BMW factory has rolled off the assembly line. I'd like to invite you to come for an interview." After strolling around for a bit, Li Song led Nick to the reception room of the BMW motorcycle factory.

Behind Li Song, through the window, one could see the BMW motorcycle brand and its huge logo.

"Mr. Li, did you expect such a positive response to crowdfunding at America?" Nick asked in a formal interview.

"Of course not, they were too enthusiastic. When I received the news, I was in the control tower at the Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant watching the ground testing of the small jet airliner. To be honest, I was very excited." Li Song looked very surprised.

Amei says whatever she wants to hear; what is there to be afraid of for the sake of the market?
“Really? I just received the news last night. There have been 6,780 potential customers calling to inquire. My first thought is that Jack and Reese, who answer the phone, certainly won’t complain that they’re boring, because they used to complain that they were boring all the time.” Nick was very satisfied with Li Song’s reaction, and then he said this with great excitement.

"Really? This is a huge surprise. To be honest, I'm a little worried that the plane we designed will be ugly, since there is a cultural gap between us." Li Song said, feigning surprise.

“Yes, I also think it’s a pleasant surprise. Mr. Li, could you provide a written version of this? Some clients are very interested in seeing a detailed description,” Nick continued.

"Of course, this is the crowdfunding material we prepared. As a billionaire, I'm glad someone would crowdfund. I won't charge a single cent for the subsequent aircraft design and prototype manufacturing." The materials Li Song presented were from a second-hand platform and mainly contained clauses that circumvented the law.

In addition, there are some other details, such as the prototype's model, total weight, number of passengers, flight altitude, flight distance, flight speed, etc.

Of course, there are no design renderings yet. Since it's a hot news topic, we can wait a while before getting the design renderings. Of course, we need to apply for a patent first.

“Mr. Li, this document is perfect.” Nick looked at the legal clauses on it and felt that he could not find any loopholes.

"Of course, Mr. Nick, how about I entrust you with handling this crowdfunding matter for me?"

"The reward is one of these planes, and we can even customize the paint job for you." Li Song was basically trying to get free labor.

On the one hand, this kind of crowdfunding is too formal, involving things like starting a company and renting an office, which makes some people feel dissatisfied and think that this is why the cost of crowdfunding is driven up.

Another reason to contact Nick is that journalists are sometimes more useful than lawyers.

“Thank you, I’m happy to.” Nick didn’t refuse at all, because he felt it was his due. This is a difference in thinking between Westerners and Easterners.

"Our team is working overtime and expects to have the design drawings ready in a week," Li Song said.

"Wow, so fast?" Nick didn't expect it to be so fast.

“We have a professional team,” Li Songduo said, something he wouldn’t normally say.

“Alright then, I’ll send this information back to America as soon as possible. I’m really looking forward to seeing what this aircraft is like.” Nick hasn’t received any further feedback from home yet and is completely unaware that America’s domestic aircraft manufacturers have already stepped up their efforts, spreading rumors that crowdfunding is unreliable.

However, there are also those who don't speak ill of others, and that is Great Britain.

There was nothing they could do. Although Great Britain knew that Li Song was a puppet and a puppet of the mainland, he was still outwardly a Hong Konger, and Hong Kong was still Great Britain's pearl in the East.

Of course, the Oriental Pearl Tower used to be the third largest player, but now that the third largest player has become independent, there is only Hong Kong Island left.

Most importantly, Li Song paid his taxes, and Tian Jiahui, on behalf of Li Song, protested to the Hong Kong Island government. The Governor of Hong Kong then passed the buck to London.

So, just a few days after the news of Taiwan's ban on Li Song broke, the British Foreign Office issued a note to Taiwan, asking, "What do you mean by banning a writer from Great Britain?"

This was something no one expected. Li Song wasn't sure if Da Ying would step in, after all, that guy was a troublemaker.

(End of this chapter)