Chapter Seventy-Nine: A Partnership Forged

The next day.

Lu Kun, along with Liu Shixun and the brothers Cheng Yuan and Cheng Hao, woke early, washed up, donned their formal attire, and headed to the hotel’s small dining hall for breakfast.

The purchasing team arrived, still the same three as yesterday.

As for the other two young men, they remained at the factory, still immersed in learning—mastering the technology was their top priority.

“Good morning, General Manager!” The members of the purchasing team greeted him in unison.

Lu Kun felt a little embarrassed, offering a sheepish smile. “Good morning, everyone! Have you eaten yet? Why not sit down and join us?”

The group, flattered by the invitation, hurriedly declined.

“Oh my, such a young man already a general manager—remarkable!” An elderly lady in the crowd eyed Lu Kun’s sharp suit with a glint of admiration, her lips clicking in praise as she silently wondered, “I wonder if this young man has a girlfriend. If only…”

“What’s wrong with being young? Ambition isn’t measured by age!” An old gentleman stroked his white beard, retorting.

“Yes, yes, so accomplished at such a young age—imagine what he’ll achieve in the future! I have a niece, just eighteen, in the bloom of youth, a perfect match…” The old lady was about to approach Lu Kun when another elderly woman blocked her.

“Pah. You dare bring up your pockmarked niece? If you ask me, my younger cousin would be a much better match for this handsome young man,” she countered, unwilling to concede.

Lu Kun’s face darkened.

The Cheng brothers hesitated, unsure whether they ought to shoo away the encroaching elders. After some wavering, they decided to wait and see.

Liu Shixun’s face was full of envy. He picked up his tray and quietly went to eat breakfast at the table.

“Well, I’m neither as handsome nor as wealthy as you, but at least I have a father who’s an official and knows how to make money. I think being a quiet, attractive man suits me just fine.”

…

“Dear elders, I’m already married, and my child is in school,” Lu Kun wiped the imaginary sweat from his brow and spoke with difficulty.

A chorus of disappointed sighs swept through the elderly crowd.

“Ah, all the good pork gets served with cabbage…”

“What a pity—a handsome young man, but he just couldn’t wait to settle down…”

Lu Kun: “….”

No matter what you say, I’ll just take it as praise for my looks.

Lu Kun glanced at the three members of the purchasing team, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. “Let’s find somewhere to sit. You three standing here are attracting too much attention.”

…

After breakfast, the group hailed a taxi and made their way toward the factory.

…

Since the early 1990s, Shenzhen set its sights on high-tech industry as the strategic path for transforming its urban economy.

Yet at the time, Shenzhen was not a national technology hub and had no experience in developing scientific industries. Still, the people of Shenzhen braved forward with confidence.

Against the backdrop of domestic focus on basic research while neglecting applied research, the city government of SZ decisively shifted its priorities to encouraging scientists and engineers to establish tech enterprises.

The SZ city authorities were clear-headed and sharp-eyed, seizing the opportunity presented by the wave of researchers leaving academia around 1988, striving to foster integration between high-tech industry and research for coordinated development.

For now, there was little sign of the future “City of Technology” that Shenzhen would become.

But starting this year, Shenzhen would begin its gradual transition from extensive manufacturing to a cluster of high-tech industries.

In 1991, SZ city government enacted two major policies: “Provisional Regulations on Accelerating the Development of High-tech and Its Industries” and “Regulations on Promoting Economic Development through Scientific Progress.”

In 1993, the city’s support and scope for high-tech industry expanded, with the introduction of “Regulations for the Administration of Private Tech Enterprises in Shenzhen Special Economic Zone” and “Provisional Measures for Rewarding Technical Developers in SZ Enterprises.”

In 1994, to further promote rapid and sound development of high-tech industry, SZ city government launched “Measures for the Administration of Intangible Asset Appraisals in Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.”

…

It was precisely because the SZ city government was bold and responsible that Shenzhen managed to form a robust regional innovation system.

The future, corpulent “Money Goose” would owe its success not only to the city government’s incubation and nurturing, but also to more than just the enterprise’s own efforts to reach the pinnacle as Asia’s most valuable internet company.

…

Upon arriving at the factory, thanks to their prior appointment, Lu Kun and his group were ushered directly into the reception room.

“Welcome, my apologies for any oversight. I hope you’ll forgive us,” said a middle-aged man in a sharp suit, briskly entering with a broad smile.

“Not at all. May I ask your name?” After shaking hands in greeting, Lu Kun inquired.

“I’m Li, currently the Sales Manager. Please just call me Xiao Li.”

Lu Kun felt awkward; the man was exceedingly polite, but looked at least ten years his senior. Calling him “Xiao Li” felt impossible.

“Manager Li, you’re too kind. Let’s get straight to business.”

Lu Kun always preferred directness in negotiations. If talks failed, the matter would be settled over drinks; if successful, drinks would follow regardless.

“Haha, Mr. Lu, you’re straight to the point, so I won’t beat around the bush either. To be honest, we really can’t go any lower on the price for this batch of equipment…”

Manager Li poured out his grievances to Lu Kun.

It was truly a rare sight.

The deal wasn’t even done, yet the two young men from Huakun Supermarket were lingering here under the pretense of learning high-tech.

Lu Kun waved his hand. “No problem with the price; we’ll stick to the final amount previously agreed. But Manager Li, you know how hard it is for companies in An Gui Province. Recruiting technically skilled staff is like looking for a needle in a haystack… Please, could you lend us a hand?”

Lu Kun, too, vented his troubles in a torrent of words.

In this era, few companies bothered with warranties—once goods left the premises, there was no return, exchange, or compensation.

Lu Kun worried, first, that the employees wouldn’t understand the manuals and wouldn’t know how to operate the equipment; second, that any minor malfunctions would turn maintenance into a major headache.

Ultimately, seeing Lu Kun’s genuine intent to purchase a substantial amount of equipment—and the considerable profit the company would make—Manager Li reluctantly agreed to dispatch twenty-five employees to observe and learn for a year.

All in all, Lu Kun struck an excellent deal.

Once those twenty-five employees returned, they would transform into high-quality talent for Huakun Supermarket.

And with a few training sessions inside the company, the overall quality of Huakun Supermarket’s staff would surely soar.