"What do we do now? Without a translator, do we just stand here and wait for the sales representatives to come? By then, everyone else will have made their picks. How many companies will be interested in signing with us? The number of interested parties will surely be even fewer," said Du Zhiming, looking at the 'competitors' constantly entering the venue, sounding somewhat agitated.
Chen Guoping thought for a moment and said, "How about Teacher Liu and Teacher Gu work as a pair, and you, Xiao Chen, work a bit harder."
"Director, why don't we do it like last time? I'll write the labels and display cards in English for everything the winery and the meat processing plant are exhibiting this time. The procedures and issues are roughly the same. As long as we label them clearly, most of the problems will be reduced, and our chances will be greater."
"Xiao Chen, that's a good idea. I'll have the sales team hold up the signs and circulate," Du Zhiming said, looking at Chen Lishu. "Xiao Chen, Uncle is asking a favor of you. If we really attract someone, we'll try our best to keep them. You'll have to make time to help out."
"Yes, Xiao Chen, this is a major issue concerning the factory. You can't just stand by and watch," Factory Director Gao was also in a desperate hurry, wishing he could bow to Chen Lishu.
"Our three factories aren't even in the same exhibition hall. In this scorching heat, can you have one child running back and forth? Can this work?" Han Factory Director privately worried that if Chen Lishu left, they would have no one to look after them, as most foreign merchants brought translators who spoke English.
Chen Lishu fully understood that this was a matter of great importance to the factory's profitability. After thinking for a moment, she took out paper and a pen, wrote down a few large words, and handed the paper to the two factory directors.
"What's written here roughly means: if you are interested, please wait for fifteen minutes. The two exhibition halls are not far apart, and I will try my best to come over when I have time."
The leaders of the two factories were immensely grateful upon hearing her words. In today's situation, they wouldn't have said anything even if she hadn't helped, but since she did, they had to remember it.
Soon, everyone entered the venue. Chen Lishu and Factory Director Han went to the textile exhibition area together.
Looking at the dazzling array of textiles and handicrafts in the exhibition areas on both sides, Chen Lishu was somewhat overwhelmed.
The country had always been a major exporter of textiles, with a highly developed textile industry and handicrafts. Before the reform and opening up, textiles were generally of single colors, and the patterns were indescribable, featuring things like tractors, sickles, and ears of wheat. The design patterns were monotonous and repetitive, the cartoon characters were not cute, and the flower colors were often garish combinations of red and green. Products exported to Europe could only be sold as cheap goods.
But now it was different. After the reform and opening up, thoughts were liberated, and thousands of years of culture revived. The types of textiles were numerous, and the colors were also very vibrant. Not to mention Chen Lishu, even the merchants were amazed.
Besides woolen blankets, the Mao Fang Factory's exhibits included carpets, towels, woolen fabrics, and more than a dozen other products.
"Xiao Chen, we're counting on you this time," Factory Director Han pleaded.
"Don't worry, I'll do my best," Chen Lishu replied.
Chen Lishu again wrote conspicuous introductory signs, but not all foreign merchants could see them. Then, she wrote another one and had a salesperson accompanying them hold it up and circulate.
"Lei hou ah."
Just as Factory Director Han and Chen Lishu finished receiving a group of foreign merchants, they turned around and suddenly saw several people in smart suits walking in.
"Xiao Chen, this doesn't sound like English? Is it a dialect?" Factory Director Han looked at the group, unsure, and turned to Chen Lishu.
"Lei hou."
Chen Lishu first greeted the group in broken Cantonese. After a brief exchange, she introduced them to Factory Director Han, "They are merchants from Hong Kong. They think our woolen blankets look good, so they've come to inquire about the price."
Since the railway to Hong Kong reopened some time ago, transportation had become more convenient, and the number of merchants from Hong Kong visiting China had also increased.
Factory Director Han was completely surprised: "Xiao Chen, you can speak Cantonese?"
Chen Lishu smiled, "It's similar to the local dialect. I just learned a little temporarily these few days, so I can barely understand it. I don't speak it very well, actually." In fact, besides what she had encountered in recent days, with the prevalence of Hong Kong films in her previous life, Chen Lishu had some familiarity with the language through osmosis.
Even though Chen Lishu said she only knew a little, it was enough to amaze Factory Director Han. He felt he had struck gold! After several exchanges and inquiries about the price, the Hong Kong merchants indicated they wanted to consider it further.
"How did it go? What did they say?" Factory Director Han was completely bewildered by their rapid-fire chatter, but based on their expressions, he felt it hadn't worked out.
Chen Lishu quietly relayed the conversation of the Hong Kong merchants to Factory Director Han and then asked, "Factory Director Han, if our woolen blankets were not this thick, and perhaps a bit thinner, by how much could the price be reduced from the original?" They were located in the north, so their woolen blankets were much thicker than those from the south. Even though the price had been lowered as much as possible, the cost was still a factor, and they didn't have much of an advantage.
Chen Lishu explained the situation she had discovered to him. Factory Director Han called another technician from the factory, and after they discussed it, Factory Director Han gave a conservative estimate: "It could probably be about five yuan cheaper."
Chen Lishu nodded. Seeing the Hong Kong merchants about to leave, Chen Lishu quickly called them back, explained the pros and cons, and then handed the woolen blankets to them for a closer look at the fabric.
"If you compare them to other products in the same price range, I believe our products are definitely of the highest quality. If you compare them to products of the same quality, I believe our prices are definitely the lowest."
The Hong Kong merchants looked at each other after hearing her words, then nodded, stating they would consider Chen Lishu's suggestions but still wanted to look around elsewhere.
"Why are they leaving already? Aren't they going to look anymore? I guarantee no one will give a lower price than our factory."
Seeing that they had already walked far away, Factory Director Han sighed helplessly, "It's good they left. If they don't know quality, I'm not interested in selling to them."
"Xiao Chen, you're really smart. If you hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have thought about this intermediate step with the woolen blankets. I was just focused on bringing out the best. But it's a lesson learned, and we'll gain experience next time."
Not long after, an attendant from the meat processing plant ran over, saying that two groups of foreign merchants had arrived there, speaking English, and asked her to hurry over. As there was no one at the moment, Chen Lishu informed Factory Director Han and quickly followed the person.
After much consideration, the group of Hong Kong merchants ultimately favored the quote provided by Factory Director Han.
"One, ten thousand pieces?" Hearing Chen Lishu's words, Factory Director Han was so startled he swallowed hard, "Xiao Chen, did you hear that correctly?"
Chen Lishu smiled and shook her head, "It's indeed ten thousand pieces, but they must be processed strictly according to the style provided by the other party."
"No problem, tell them it's absolutely no problem." Fearing that this large order would slip away, Factory Director Han immediately patted his chest and guaranteed that they would process it according to the sample, completing it with quality and quantity assured. "Xiao Chen, you are my lucky star! Without you, our factory could not have received such a large order. Do you have any thoughts after graduation? I don't think we need to wait until graduation. I'd like to hire you as a special consultant for our factory right now. What do you think? Name your salary, and I guarantee it won't interfere with your studies. Coming to the factory three to five times a month is sufficient."