Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1001 How to survive?

Xiao Wei said, "I never thought about it. I really never thought about it. I'll just live like this, make the most of our lives, and be happy together every day."

Zhang Jun put his hands behind his head and leaned against the headboard, saying, "You guys need to start thinking about how you're going to live and what direction you're going to take. You're rich now, different from ordinary people. You need to have some long-term plans and specific goals so you don't become biased, understand?"

Although I don't earn as much as you, I've spent so many years in civilian life and the military, so I have a certain perspective. You guys are involved in hundreds of millions these days, and wherever you go, you're dealing with huge projects. You can't afford to be so clueless anymore.

Xiao Wei said, "Just run the business well, provide good employee benefits, don't do anything shady, and make sure everyone around me lives a good life. How else can I make a living?"

Zhang Jun said, "That's only one aspect. You're only thinking about others; what about yourselves?"

Xiao Wei glanced at Chen Hui, who returned the glance, looking bewildered.

Zhang Jun said, "Let me give you an example. You know Feilong, right? It's also from Fengtian. This year, their products sold very well. They spent tens of millions on advertising on CCTV, their output value exceeded 100 million, and their profit was 60 to 70 million. Now do you know what Feilong is doing? Promoting the company, promoting its social contributions, and elevating Jiang Wei personally. What's in it for them?"

You're not qualified for this year's plenary session, are you? Others are. Just watch, they'll soon be awarded titles like Outstanding Young Person, Young Entrepreneur, and Reform Figure of the Year. Becoming a national delegate is a sure thing, understand?

Xiao Wei and Chen Hui both shook their heads.

Zhang Jun smiled and pointed at Chen Hui: "Now I understand why your parents let you go into business. You have absolutely no political awareness. You're accumulating capital, you know? Political capital. You're too conspicuous, climbing too high and too fast. You need to build a shell for yourself, otherwise the wind at the top will be too strong, and you might be blown down. Getting a head injury would be the least of your worries."

Xiao Wei asked, "So you mean he's just protecting himself?"

Zhang Jun nodded and said, "Our country is different from other countries. Once you become famous and rise to a high position, you need political resources to stay stable. You have to be prepared to withstand any storms. It feels like all those titles like outstanding young people and outstanding entrepreneurs are just empty names and not very useful. They can save your life in critical moments, understand? You have to think twice before trying to manipulate people from outside."

Chen Hui looked at Xiao Wei: "I think Big Brother is right."

Xiao Wei said, "Then what do we do? How do we get that 'Outstanding Youth' award? We're qualified now, right?"

Zhang Jun shook his head, both amused and exasperated, and said, "When you get back, find a continuing education program and study for a while. Learn about politics. You're not stupid; just study hard. Is it a matter of how much money you have? Aren't there people richer than him?"

Influence, understand? Social influence, public reputation—you have to learn to present yourself appropriately. He's constantly on TV and in the newspapers, yet his production can't keep up with sales, and he's still failing. Why? Isn't it all about expanding his and his company's influence?

Xiao Wei said, "So you mean I should be in the newspaper too? We don't need to be in the news."

Zhang Jun shook his head and said, "That's the dumbest way. There are so many ways to increase your visibility and influence; there's no need to follow others. Go back to school, you hear? Some Hong Kong business owners are now donating to education in mainland China, giving away school buildings and libraries. Do they have so much money they don't know what to do with it? That's how they build their reputation and increase their influence. They're preparing for the handover, understand?"

Chen Hui said, "Xiao Wei is also planning to go back to your county to build a school, a primary school. Most of the workers in our factory are recruited from your county on a long-term basis. We've also set up a mountain products company to buy from farmers. This time when we go back, we plan to talk to the county about family farming. We'll contact the Agricultural University to provide technical support and then handle the unified purchasing."

Zhang Jun said, "Yes, that's right. Gradually, your company will be able to affect the income of tens of thousands of families, and even influence the economy of a region. Then you'll really be successful and have established yourself. Do you understand? You need to do this more, do it well, and see it through to the end."

Xiao Wei said, "I didn't think that much about it. I just thought that once I've made something of myself here, I should help out my fellow villagers."

Zhang Jun said, "You want the farmers in the county to raise chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs to supply your market?"

Xiao Wei said, "Yes, there are also vegetables. My supermarket has farmers' markets and grocery stores."

Zhang Jun said, "Sure, our place alone won't be enough, will it?"

Xiao Wei said, "It's not enough. In the future, every city will need to have them. It's not cost-effective to raise them ourselves, so we'll cooperate with various localities."

Zhang Jun said, "Find poor and backward areas, support schools, and develop animal husbandry and planting industries. Scale it up. Don't just go to villages; cooperate with county-level units. Understand? This will benefit the local area; it's a good thing."

Xiao Wei said, "We have also established a scholarship to help college students from financially disadvantaged families every year. Dongbei University of Technology and Liaoning University have already approved it, and we are still in contact with other schools."

The eldest sister-in-law looked at Xiaowei and said to Zhang Jun, "Second brother, really, I have nothing to say. He's always on the right track, always making the right moves. Second brother, you don't know, your eldest brother has been so worried about you guys lately."

Zhang Jun said, "These things are all a bit confusing. Just manage them well, do things solidly, and make them sustainable. Go back to school, understand? Don't dawdle. I'll ask Xiao Hong when I get back. If you don't go, don't say I'll beat you up. Xiao Hui, you go too. It's not for the diploma or anything, just to learn something useful."

Chen Hui said, "Okay, I'll drag him along when we get back. Going to school isn't that difficult. We're planning to hire two consultants. For now, we're thinking of hiring Dean Zheng from the Police Academy and Dean Hou from the Electrical Engineering College, as well as a company policy consultant. We'll discuss things with them in the future and listen to their opinions."

Zhang Jun slapped his thigh: "That's right. Old people are always valuable. Although they might seem less capable than you, do you think it's so easy to become a hospital director? Xiao Hui, your dad is a leader. Tell me, is becoming a leader that easy? People have to keep learning, learning from everyone. Everyone has something they're better at than you, understand?"

The older sister-in-law said, "Keep your voice down. You're making such a fuss. They've done enough. Do they need you to lecture them?"

Chen Hui said, "No, no, no, Big Brother is right. He really means well for us. My mom said the other day that she'd like to have a chat with us when she gets back. I guess it's about this. It seems, Xiao Wei, we really need to make some plans for the future."

Xiao Wei scratched his head: "Go to school? Can I manage that?"

Chen Hui said, "It's not like you're taking a certification exam, it's just about learning. The key is in the process. It's still useful; some things won't be clear until you hear them explained, and you'll understand after listening."

Zhang Jun said, "I heard there are now classes called business schools, and the tuition is quite expensive. Most of the students are bosses or something, and they learn some foreign concepts. I suggest you two go and listen to them if you have the chance; it's worth the money."

Xiao Wei said, "Let's talk about it later. Just live your own life well and help others as much as you can. There's no point in thinking too much."

(End of this chapter)