For anyone who has played StarCraft, the biggest takeaway should be not to let their troops or money sit idle.
Tan Jincheng is precisely in this situation.
His "troops," or rather, workers, have a very saturated workload.
Workers rest one day a week, but not all on Sunday; instead, they operate on a rotating shift system, keeping the production line running smoothly 24 hours a day.
As for money, while ensuring the factory's normal working capital, I invest any available funds as quickly as possible.
Now that the capital is substantial, Tan Jincheng is also trying every means to maximize the utilization of funds.
With capital flows frequently reaching millions or tens of millions, outflows are delayed by a day whenever possible, while inflows are accelerated by a day whenever possible.
For this reason, salaries are disbursed at the end of the month, solely to maximize the use of funds.
Unlike Xu Xueming's arrogance, which focused more on personal gains and losses, the Deputy Head's inspection after arriving was much more serious.
Given his significant rank as a high-ranking official, the district, after learning the situation from Zhang Xuhui, dispatched Zhao Jinsheng to handle the reception.
Xu Xueming had not received such treatment before.
Zhao Jinsheng was partly responsible for the reception and partly suspected of subtly gathering information, as the district didn't want to lose a cooked duck that was about to fly away.
As for Xu Xueming's previous inspection? No one cared, because his rank was insufficient.
Xu Xueming, who was still accompanying the tour, felt a deep sense of unease.
He naturally dared not expect a reception from Beicang District; it wasn't a brother unit, and as a small leaf spring factory manager, it was already good that Shanchi Technology arranged something for him.
What made him uneasy was that this visit, compared to his last one where he led the team, saw Tan Jincheng still away on a business trip, but with the assurance of returning within a day at the latest.
Furthermore, this assistant named Zhang Xuhui was noticeably much more respectful in his attitude.
As long as it didn't involve genuine company secrets, he answered almost every question, unlike last time when he was casually perfunctory.
Xu Xueming wouldn't believe for a second that this wasn't Tan Jincheng's instruction.
This might be partly due to his father's visit, but more importantly, it was a clear sign of being looked down upon.
"Perhaps, that kid saw through my hand a long time ago?"
Xu Xueming smiled bitterly to himself.
Indeed, he was young, famous, a billionaire with a booming business.
Why would he care about a small manager like himself?
Alas, he should have listened to Old Li earlier, been a bit more humble, and visited his father.
That way, he wouldn't be in this current situation.
Now, the county's Deputy Head has personally visited with leaders from the Finance Bureau.
There's basically nothing left for him to do, let alone reap any benefits or political achievements.
"Before I came, I also learned that Shanchi electric vehicles have several dealerships in Wangjiang and are selling very well, especially the 1999 yuan model, which is very popular. I also heard that some residents in the surrounding townships want to open such dealerships. Does your company have any restrictions in this regard?"
"No restrictions. Our boss has said that the Shanchi brand focuses on cost-effectiveness. Township and rural markets are already our important customer base. Additionally, our electric tricycles are also ready to launch and will also target these markets in the future."
"We warmly welcome entrepreneurs from our hometown and other townships to contact suppliers or consult us to learn about opening a store."
The Deputy Head nodded and said,
"Hmm, this is good, this is very good. Electric tricycles can solve the short-distance travel and transportation problems for the common people. Your company truly does well by starting from the actual needs of the people and solving their problems."
"Oh, you flatter us, leader. We just did what we ought to do,"
Zhang Xuhui humbly replied.
Immediately after, the Deputy Head turned to Tan Lihua, who was standing beside him, and said,
"Comrade Lihua, you have an excellent son! I must exchange ideas with you sometime on how to educate the next generation."
Tan Lihua hurriedly replied,
"My son just got lucky. With the help of the Beicang District Government, he caught up with the national policy. He's not outstanding."
To be honest, he was still a bit dazed.
He was working fine at the factory, was called into the office by his superior, only to find a senior cadre from his hometown inside.
He was also part of the system and understood the implications of such a high-ranking official visiting.
Then, the other party invited him to Yongcheng in the name of the county.
Although he wanted to refuse, his superior was watching expectantly, and the other party remained very polite throughout, making refusal impossible.
Sigh, but this way, his future in the factory would likely be far from peaceful.
"Comrade Lihua is being modest. We just visited the cafeteria and had a meal there. The cafeteria food is very good, which shows Comrade Xiao Tan's good character.
To be frank, our Xiao Qin even privately asked a few ordinary workers about their salaries. They said that with overtime pay, subsidies, and social security, they could earn about 4,000 yuan a month, not including the year-end bonus. An entrepreneur who treats workers well in terms of food and benefits certainly has commendable qualities."
Zhao Jinsheng also chimed in with a smile,
"Indeed. Mr. Tan's Shanchi Technology is the first private enterprise in our district to provide social security for all employees. They truly do well in treating their workers. The Social Security Bureau and the Labor Bureau often discuss it; if all enterprises were like Shanchi Technology, they would have much less to worry about."
"See, Secretary Zhao also says so."
The Deputy Head was truly envious.
With over 600 employees across two factories, plus two trading companies he hadn't visited, and an industrial base under construction, the company's products sold well and had a good reputation.
How wonderful would it be if such a factory were located in their county?
It's often said that Yicheng's wealthy are not in Yicheng, and it seems to be true.
These entrepreneurs who have gone out seem to have little interest in returning to their hometowns for development, even impressionable young people like Tan Jincheng.
Young people are often passionate and love their hometowns.
A few good words can make them very interested in serving their hometown.
But from Xu Xueming's description, this young Boss Tan seems to have no interest at all.
He had also seen the first phase of the industrial base.
Alas, if he had brought this proposal back to his hometown, let alone 150 mu, even 500 mu would have been no problem, and the land acquisition costs wouldn't have been as high as in Beicang.
But the other party hadn't even considered it, going directly to the Beicang Government, which was truly disheartening.
Xu Xueming's words might have been somewhat exaggerated, but over the years, he had traveled to many places for investment promotion, and had even visited Yongcheng a few times, but with little success.
The economic and technological development zone established by the county was like barren land.
It didn't have the impressive scale of Beicang Export Development Zone.
Indeed, to be a leader, coastal cities are better; it's easier to achieve results.
"Comrade Xiao Tan will be back tomorrow, right?"
The Deputy Head asked Zhang Xuhui.
"Yes, our Mr. Tan has already bought the earliest flight ticket for tomorrow. We're truly sorry for the oversight, but recently it's been a busy period for Mr. Tan's business trips."
"It's fine, we were abrupt; we should have informed you before coming. By the way, it won't affect Comrade Xiao Tan's work, will it?"
"It won't. This trip to the Imperial Capital is to follow up on a cooperation agreement discussed before the New Year. Secretary Zhao should know about it."
Zhao Jinsheng nodded.
Before Tan Jincheng went to the Imperial Capital, he had greeted him and asked if he was free to go along.
From Zhao Jinsheng's understanding of Tan Jincheng, this kid's invitation was merely to get some benefits, so he decisively refused.
Hangxin New Energy is just a subsidiary of Shanchi Technology; strictly speaking, it doesn't have much to do with the District Government.
The last time, the district's influence was used to help make connections, which was why he went along.
The Deputy Head looked at the two of them and asked Zhang Xuhui somewhat curiously,
"May I ask what project Comrade Xiao Tan's business trip to the Imperial Capital is for? Of course, if it involves company trade secrets, Secretary Zhang doesn't have to answer."
Before coming and on the way, the Deputy Head had learned a certain amount about Shanchi Technology and the domestic electric vehicle industry chain.
Shanchi Technology's current supply chain system is mainly concentrated in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
Its target markets are also primarily in the southeast coastal areas and Anhui and Henan provinces.
If they wanted to develop the northern market or build a new industrial base, they should go to Jinmen, not the Imperial Capital, as that is an important production base for the northern electric vehicle market.
Zhang Xuhui subtly glanced at Zhao Jinsheng beside him.
Zhao Jinsheng gave an imperceptible nod, and only then did Zhang Xuhui say,
"It's not a secret, actually. Our company reached a cooperation agreement with a research institute in the Imperial Capital before the New Year to start researching and developing batteries. This business trip by our Mr. Tan is to establish the battery R&D team and resolve the issue of the site."
"Has your company already started battery research and development?"
"Yes, our Mr. Tan once said at the annual meeting that this year, while boosting sales, we must also focus on internal improvement, enhancing the company's R&D capabilities. A company without R&D capabilities will not last long."
"Currently, apart from the exterior components of electric vehicles, which are independently developed, everything else is provided by suppliers. Our independent R&D capability is still relatively weak. In the future, we will develop our own batteries and motors, striving for complete independent R&D in core components. Only then can we truly live up to the word 'technology'."
After listening to Zhang Xuhui's narration, the Deputy Head couldn't help but exclaim,
"Indeed, no matter what kind of company, investment in R&D is essential for long-term development. Comrade Xiao Tan is a man with ideals!"
One of the crucial factors for Andaer's rapid decline was its weak independent R&D capability and its failure to focus on internal improvement.
A young man who has just turned 20, at a time when his wealth is rapidly expanding to the billion-level, can still calmly plan for the company's future.
The assistant just mentioned that the company's profits are mainly used for self-investment in construction, and now it's focusing on R&D again.
Unconsciously, Tan Jincheng's image in the Deputy Head's mind rose another level.
Friendly to grassroots workers, operating the factory in accordance with laws and regulations, and dedicated to improving the enterprise itself – such a young person is truly rare.
(End of Chapter)