However, he still recognized Luan Yuqing's abilities. Now that Luan Yuqing would bring up Liu Xiaofei's proposal at this meeting, she probably wouldn't be too bad. At worst, she couldn't be as nonsensical as that brainless general manager of the health product company!
So Zhou Zixu waved his hand, signaling Luan Yuqing to continue. Regardless of whether it was useful or not, since she had brought it up, he should listen attentively.
Luan Yuqing cleared her throat before speaking with a serious expression: "Ms. Liu and I talked a lot yesterday, but her main point was just one thing: since almost all the distributors and retailers across the country are unwilling to cooperate with our company and distribute the products produced by the Zhou family, then... why should we have to cooperate with others and be manipulated by them? Why can't we be our own retailers and provide our own end-user services?"
"Be your own retailer? And provide your own end-user services!" Zhou Zixu was stunned when he heard this. He couldn't help but scratch his head without caring about his image and said, "Well... we're not a soda factory run by the neighborhood committee. This Life Spring health and sports drink has a daily output of tens of thousands of bottles. If we rely on ourselves to retail it, how long would it take to sell it all?"
Luan Yuqing smiled slightly and said, "It's obviously not feasible for our group to handle the retail business entirely on our own. Miss Liu's idea is for us to establish a chain of franchised retail stores. We can start by conducting pilot programs in some major cities around Dangyang, renting a prime commercial location in each city. The stores don't need to be too large, but the decoration must be high-end. Our franchised stores will not sell any other products, only Life Spring health and sports drinks. Moreover, at the beginning of the opening of new stores, we can hold promotional activities such as free tastings and discounts."
"Everyone is aware of the advantages of our product. The moment the bottle is opened, the enticing aroma will surely attract a lot of attention. I think a simple promotion will get a large number of consumers to accept our product. Speaking of which... our Zhou Group did have a very bad reputation because of that failed product case some time ago, but that product had a very small scope of application, and not many consumers knew about it. It was just that merchants were more resistant to us, so this promotion will definitely be a great success!"
"Once our group's initial few retail franchise stores are successful, and some insightful individual business owners see the huge profits that can be generated, it will naturally be easy to attract a large number of franchisees. In this way, we can not only quickly sell our products to all parts of the country through this chain franchise store model, but also earn a large amount of franchise fees. Of course... if you want to market your products to the whole country as quickly as possible, then the initial franchise fee can be waived."
"Initially, this marketing approach might not generate the same sales volume as the massive sales achieved through agency sales by major retailers and distributors. However, in the long run, it will undoubtedly be more promising than traditional marketing methods. After all, even the best product will be overwhelmed by the dazzling array of brands among hundreds and thousands of similar products in supermarkets, shopping malls, and hotels. On the other hand, specialty retail stores, because they only sell one type of product, naturally create a strong visual impact on customers, thereby stimulating their desire to buy. There's a saying among ordinary people: 'Goods sell in large quantities,' and there's some truth to that."
"Another advantage of these specialty retail stores is that they reduce intermediate sales links, allowing us to maximize profits. Alternatively, we can return the saved profits to consumers. However, Ms. Liu suggested that we should return the profits to consumers through promotions rather than lowering the price of these products. After all, the products sold in these specialty retail stores should be priced in the mid-to-high range; otherwise, people will think our products are not high-end..."
Next, Luan Yuqing went on to talk about several more detailed ideas about the marketing model of this retail franchise store, and only stopped after talking for more than half an hour.
After tilting her head and thinking for a while under the stunned gazes of the others, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It seems... that's roughly what Miss Liu told me! We were just chatting casually yesterday, and... I don't remember all the details. But fortunately, Miss Liu won't be leaving Dangyang for the time being. If the group wants to adopt this marketing approach, we can ask Miss Liu to do another detailed planning."
Hmm… I personally agree with Ms. Liu's ideas. Since those distributors and retailers are unwilling to cooperate with us, let's simply bypass them and produce and sell our own products. That way, we can earn more. Moreover… once this marketing method succeeds, we must only sell through this method in the domestic market. Even if those distributors and retailers come begging to us later, we absolutely cannot cooperate with them again. Otherwise, if every supermarket and department store in the same city sells the same product, then all the retail franchise stores we've established will lose their purpose… That's all I have to say. As for whether the group company will adopt it, that's something we'll have to discuss…”
After Luan Yuqing finished speaking, she immediately grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the table and gulped it down. She had been talking for over half an hour, and her throat was quite dry…
"Clap, clap, clap..." Luan Yuqing had been speaking for a long time, but no one present reacted until Luan Yuqing gulped down half a bottle of mineral water in one go. Only then did Zhou Zixu suddenly take the lead in clapping.
“Well said…” Zhou Zixu stood up excitedly and said, “Assistant Luan, your idea is excellent. At least for now, there is no idea more suitable for our group’s actual situation…”
Upon hearing this, Luan Yuqing quickly put down the mineral water bottle in her hand, waved her hand, and said, "Didn't I say? This was Miss Liu's idea. I'm just relaying it on her behalf. This has nothing to do with me!"
Zhou Zixu nodded and said, "Perhaps it's true that outsiders see things more clearly! Speaking of which, Miss Liu's suggestion about establishing a chain of retail stores isn't exactly a novel marketing approach. However, we've all been stuck in a dead end, only thinking about how to persuade and win over distributors and retailers, without considering this point at all... This direct sales method may have some drawbacks, but for manufacturers like us who have been completely abandoned by distributors and retailers, it's the perfect marketing tool."
Zhou Zixu then turned to look at the attendees and said, "I personally agree with this marketing plan. I wonder if any of you have any different opinions?"
The two department heads, director and deputy director, could only nod in agreement, inwardly regretting their decision. They felt the marketing plan was nothing special—just direct sales plus franchise chains. They should have thought of that too, and if they had considered it from the beginning, they could have created a better, more comprehensive plan than what Luan Yuqing had just suggested. Sigh… they had missed a chance to shine…
As for the general manager of the health care company, seeing that the second boss had agreed, he, as a senior employee, naturally wouldn't say a word against it.
However, he hadn't given up on his advertising plans, and felt that Liu Xiaofei's suggestion didn't seem to conflict with his own advertising strategy. So he quickly stood up and said, "Okay... Ms. Liu's marketing plan is very innovative, and it should be highly feasible. However... if it can be combined with a strong advertising campaign, the effect will be much better. You see... should I contact Gillian first?"
Zhou Zixu nodded approvingly at the first two sentences the guy said, but when he heard the old lecher still thinking about that matter, he finally couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed the mineral water bottle in front of him and smashed it hard on the old lecher's head, cursing, "Contact you my ass... Get lost!"
Volume 2, The Assassin's Nightmare, Chapter 369: Ziwei Loses His Temper
It seemed that the three days Zhou Ziwei had mentioned had come to an end. After traveling with Zhou Ziwei in a private helicopter through the vast Kunlun Mountains, Wang Xuewei returned to the border outpost somewhat absentmindedly. She rested her chin on her hand, looked out the window at the endless snow-capped mountains, sighed softly, and then took out her phone and subconsciously dialed her home number.
As a result, her phone naturally couldn't make any calls. In this godforsaken place, with no village or shop in sight, it would be a miracle if her phone even had a signal...
Unable to reach her family by phone and unsure of their situation, Wang Xuewei had lost all interest in traveling and only wanted to return to Dangyang immediately. However, she knew that Zhou Ziwei was up to something important here, and that it was far from over. In this situation, she couldn't very well suggest going home, and could only sigh helplessly.
"What's wrong? Why are you sighing like that?"
Zhou Ziwei had just chatted with the border guards who were stationed here year-round when he opened the door and heard Wang Xuewei's worried sigh. He immediately asked her what was wrong.
Upon hearing this, Wang Xuewei bit her sexy red lips slightly before raising her head and looking into Zhou Ziwei's eyes, softly saying, "I... I don't know how things are back home. Xinda Daily Chemicals is struggling to survive; every extra day they hold on will likely be a huge blow. I wonder if... the matter you said you'd resolve within three days has been resolved yet? There's no cell phone signal here, and I can't make calls back. Sigh..."
Zhou Ziwei was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. For the past two days, he had been pondering what secrets were hidden behind that cave within a cave and whether he should risk entering it, thus neglecting the matter in Dangyang.
Of course, the main reason he overlooked such an important matter was because he believed that with just one phone call, Masao Mita would absolutely not dare to disobey him. Not to mention that Zhou's Life Spring health and sports drink and that kind of vaporized laundry detergent were themselves new products with considerable potential, giving the Mita family the agency would be tantamount to giving them a great opportunity to make money.
In reality, even if he had made him act as a worthless piece of trash, Masao Mita probably wouldn't dare to say a word against it. Because when Masao Mita first knelt and bowed to Zhou Ziwei, he had already lost himself. Now, Masao Mita is nothing more than a servant of Zhou Ziwei. If this servant dares to disobey his master's orders, then Zhou Ziwei wouldn't mind knocking this servant down from his current pseudo-god altar at any time, or sending him straight to hell.
It was precisely because of this confidence that Zhou Ziwei didn't think much at that crucial moment and left Dangyang with Wang Xuewei. He believed that his words would be strictly enforced, regardless of whether he was in Dangyang or not.
Moreover, I forgot to check on the progress of things during the few days I was away.
Now that he had received Wang Xuewei's reminder, Zhou Ziwei naturally didn't want to cause her any more worry.
Zhou Ziwei originally brought a satellite phone, but when he accepted the mission, the military required that satellite communication equipment not be brought into the mountains. Zhou Ziwei did not want to violate this rule, so he temporarily handed over his satellite phone to the military for safekeeping.
However, there should be ways to contact the mainland from here, it's just that contacting the outside world through the internal telephone line of the border post would be a bit more troublesome.
Seeing Wang Xuewei's anxiety, Zhou Ziwei had no choice but to take her along to make the call, even if it was too much trouble.
After the call was reviewed and transferred several times, Zhou Ziwei finally got through to Wang Xuewei's father, Wang Guohui's, cell phone. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and turn to walk outside the communications room.
He knew what Wang Xuewei wanted to ask, but he estimated that things had been settled by now, and Wang Xuewei should be able to rest assured after making this call.
At this point, it would be better to give Wang Xuewei a chance to talk to her family a few more times; otherwise, she might have to stay here for who knows how many more days.
Because the call was made from this sensitive place at such a crucial moment, Wang Xuewei's call was subject to military wiretapping. Since others were listening to their conversation, Zhou Ziwei didn't need to deliberately avoid it. Therefore, Zhou Ziwei didn't go too far and just stood outside the door waiting.
With Zhou Ziwei's abnormally strong hearing, even though there were intermittent noises during the call and the distance wasn't close, he could still clearly hear Wang Guohui's anxious, helpless, and fearful tone on the other end of the line.
The Mita family did not appear at the negotiating table at the agreed time, and Shinda Chemicals did not even see a single partner.
Unlike the Zhou family, Xinda Daily Chemicals does not have a large amount of readily available funds left by Zhou Ziwei. Therefore, under the pressure of being squeezed out by Yuntian Group, Xinda Daily Chemicals is now almost on the verge of bankruptcy.
The more Zhou Ziwei listened, the worse his expression became, and the colder the aura emanating from him grew. So much so that the operator in the communications room and Wang Xuewei, who was on the phone, couldn't help but shiver.
"Tell Dad that it was my oversight that things went wrong because I didn't follow up in time. Tell him not to worry! At the latest, tomorrow, maybe soon... this matter will be settled immediately..."
Although Zhou Ziwei had a cold face, he still managed to suppress his anger and smile slightly at Wang Xuewei after seeing her panicked expression.
For some reason, at this moment, Wang Xuewei felt that Zhou Ziwei was almost like a domineering and awe-inspiring monarch. His words gave people a sense of blind obedience that they dared not question. She immediately relayed Zhou Ziwei's words to her father without missing a single one.
Wang Guohui, however, didn't seem to believe these words. He didn't say anything harsh, but just sighed helplessly and said, "Alas... let fate decide! If God really wants my life's work to be destroyed in an instant, then so be it."
After Wang Xuewei hung up the phone in a daze, Zhou Ziwei immediately asked the operator to connect him to the Mita family in Japan.
However, the operator wasn't so efficient this time, because every phone call made at the Kashgar-Mula Mountain border post at this time had to go through strict screening. Even domestic calls weren't easy to make.
It was only because of Zhou Ziwei's special status that they were able to be so accommodating, but now that Zhou Ziwei actually wants to make a phone call to Japan, it is naturally even less convenient.
The application was submitted, but no response was received for a long time. Zhou Ziwei felt even colder. He waited patiently for a while longer and urged the operator several times. When he was told that it was temporarily not allowed to make any international calls from here, Zhou Ziwei finally exploded.
With a loud "bang," Zhou Ziwei slammed his hand heavily on the table, sending wood chips flying and cracking the solid wood table instantly.
"Connect me to the Central Military Commission. I need to speak with the top leader!"
The operator was already half-dead from Zhou Ziwei's sudden slap, and when he heard Zhou Ziwei's words, he almost rolled his eyes... He was just a lowly corporal operator at a border outpost, practically the lowest-ranking officer in the military, and now Zhou Ziwei was telling him to call the Central Military Commission directly and speak with the highest commander of the military. How could a lowly corporal who had been holed up in the snowy mountains for more than three years accept this?
Fortunately, he knew that Zhou Ziwei was also an officer from the Supreme Military Commission. Although he was shocked, he didn't think Zhou Ziwei was just causing trouble. After a moment of shock, he finally mustered up the courage to help Zhou Ziwei connect the phone...
"Hello... this is Zhou Ziwei. Old man, you're being a bit unreasonable... I risked my life to solve that problem for you, and instead of thanking me properly, you keep making things difficult for me. I have an urgent matter and I want to make a call abroad, but you won't let me? Humph... if I really wanted to cause trouble, that place is so well hidden. I guarantee that if I didn't tell you, your people might not find me even in three years. Would I go to such lengths to collude with foreign countries for something like this? If you have any conscience at all, just connect me to the number I need to call, or simply give me back my satellite phone. Let me tell you, something big has happened at home, and I have to deal with some official business. If the military insists on obstructing me, then I'll have no choice but to leave this godforsaken place and go back on my own... Humph... don't think that just because you don't have transportation, I can't leave the Kunlun Mountains!"
The elderly person on the other end of the phone was taken aback when they heard Zhou Ziwei's angry rebuke.
He could hardly remember how many years it had been since anyone had spoken to him in that tone... fifty years, or sixty years?
However, to be fair, these words, which made no attempt to conceal his personal feelings, did not sound harsh to the old man. Usually, everyone around him was either respectful or wore a mask of politeness that was so hypocritical it chilled him to the bone. No one would express their innermost thoughts and emotions as openly as Zhou Ziwei. This made the old man miss the rough and hearty laughter of his old comrades-in-arms from when they fought together in the army...
Wang Xuewei never expected that Zhou Ziwei would actually call the Supreme Military Commission after hearing about Xinda Daily Chemical's predicament, and even speak with the top leader of the Supreme Military Commission... However... Wang Xuewei strongly suspected that Zhou Ziwei was colluding with the operator to play a joke on her, otherwise... if the person on the other end of the phone was really that respected old man, how could Zhou Ziwei dare to speak to the leader in such a tone?
However, when Wang Xuewei saw the operator, who was half-slumped in the chair, staring at the furious Zhou Ziwei and foaming at the mouth in shock, she knew that the two of them were not acting for her. At least, the operator being so frightened was not fake.
Oh my god... Am I dreaming?! He... he actually called that old man, and... and he was using that tone of voice.
Wang Xuewei felt as if all her strength had been drained away in that instant, and her body went limp and she was about to collapse. Fortunately, Zhou Ziwei, who was on the phone, sensed something was wrong and turned around to support her. Otherwise, she would probably look just like that operator right now.
"Hey...are you alright? What's wrong? Are you suffering from altitude sickness?" Zhou Ziwei was startled when he saw that Wang Xuewei's complexion was extremely poor and her lips were trembling slightly. He didn't even have time to pay attention to the old commander he was talking to. He hurriedly hugged Wang Xuewei in his arms and massaged her chest and abdomen a few times to help her catch her breath.
Fortunately, it seems that Wang Xuewei is not seriously injured, but it's a pity... Zhou Ziwei was hesitant about whether to give Wang Xuewei CPR, but now it seems that he won't have the chance.
"What's wrong? What kind of altitude sickness?" The old commander asked, startled by Zhou Ziwei's words.
"Oh... I was just talking to my wife... Her family's company is about to go bankrupt due to pressure from some local forces, and she's extremely anxious right now... Well, look how anxious my wife is... If you don't help me solve this problem, I'm going to take my wife back right now."
"Okay, okay..." the old commander replied, somewhat amused and exasperated. "It's just a couple of phone calls. I'll have someone set up a special line for you. You can call wherever you want, even if you're as capable as calling Mars. Is that alright? Also... I'll have your satellite phone delivered to you immediately. Um... and also... if there's anything you need my help with back home, you can let me know, or I can help you resolve it."
“Alright, then old man, you…” Zhou Ziwei was tempted when his old commander offered to help. He was about to casually ask the old commander for some preferential local policies when he suddenly remembered something and stopped himself. He said somewhat resentfully, “Old man, you… you’re really something else… are you setting me up? If I ask you for help for such a small thing, does that mean you’ve fulfilled the promise you owe me? Hehe… I’m not falling for that. You can keep owing me that favor! This little thing at home isn’t a big deal. I can solve it with just one phone call.”
Upon hearing this, the old leader let out a hearty laugh and said, "Good lad, you're quick to realize it, otherwise... haha... But now that you've seen through me, forget it. Just ask if you need any help. As long as it's within the scope of policy, I won't be fulfilling that promise."
Zhou Ziwei was somewhat tempted by this, but after considering it for a moment, he shook his head and said, "Forget it... I'd better not. Otherwise, if I make a small request that doesn't violate the policy, and you immediately change the current policy slightly, then... I'll be in big trouble."
Hearing this, the old commander was finally provoked by Zhou Ziwei's words and roared on the other end of the phone, "You brat, do you think I'm a three-year-old? Do you think I'd go back on my word? Fine, fine... If you don't want help, don't blame me for not telling you if you can't handle it later... Hmph... You can deal with it yourself! I'm going back to my afternoon nap..."
When the phone went dead, Zhou Ziwei was slightly taken aback. He checked the time and realized that it was indeed the time when most people usually take a nap.
Someone of the rank of senior leader must have a very strict daily routine! Normally, even if something major happens in the country, it probably wouldn't wake the senior leader from his afternoon nap. But when I called him just now, the senior leader answered the phone very quickly.
It's clear that the old leader must have instructed his communications officer beforehand that he must answer any phone call, no matter the time!
Thinking about these details, Zhou Ziwei couldn't help but feel a little smug about being valued by the leader, and also felt a little guilty for not managing his time well and disturbing the old leader's afternoon nap.
Zhou Ziwei put down the phone and waited a moment before noticing the operator's barely conscious state. Startled, he pinched her philtrum hard. Seeing the operator jump in pain, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Are you alright? Why did you suddenly fall ill? Someone like you who has been at the outpost for several years shouldn't have altitude sickness anymore, right? Could it be an epileptic seizure?"
The poor operator's lips twitched violently upon hearing this. If someone else said he had epilepsy... even if it was just his platoon leader who said that to him, he would definitely get angry.
However… when the operator thought of Zhou Ziwei’s fierce demeanor during his call with the highest military leader, the operator, who was usually a little short-tempered, didn’t dare to show any anger at all. She just smiled awkwardly and said that she was fine, but that smile was obviously ten times uglier than crying.
"Hmm... It's good that you're alright..." Zhou Ziwei nodded and said, "Then why don't you try to pick up the Mita family from Japan for me again? I think this time no one will stop you, right?"
"Yes..." The operator dared not delay any longer and quickly dialed the number again...
This time, there was absolutely no delay. Even the tedious details of number verification and application were completely skipped. As soon as the call was made, the person was directly connected to the other side of the ocean. The operator had been working here for three years, but had never seen this line so smooth.
What's more, this call was made overseas...
Volume 2: The Assassin's Nightmare, Chapter 370: Turbulence
This time, Zhou Ziwei called directly to the private line in Mita Masao's office. When the phone rang, the usually serious Mita clan chief was playing an ambiguous game in the office with a blonde, blue-eyed French female secretary.
The beautiful and sexy French secretary wore a stunning black leather jacket and skirt, exposing her two long, slender, white legs to the lustful gaze of the Mita clan chief.
At that moment, the female secretary was sitting on the desk in front of her boss, her two sexy legs raised high and placed on Masao Mita's shoulders, her round, perky buttocks pressed against the desk, showing an alluring curve.
Masao Mita was like a dog in heat, panting heavily, his mouth wide open, his tongue lolling out, licking his female secretary's two porcelain-white thighs, leaving behind patches of saliva-covered marks.
The female secretary leaned her upper body to the side, half-lying on the desk. One of her delicate hands dangled down from the side of the desk and gently grasped the protrusion between her boss's legs. She glanced at Masao Mita's old face with seductive eyes, and her small, tender hand would occasionally rub it lightly. Each time she moaned, Masao Mita would let out a low growl like a bull.
"Ring ring..." The old-fashioned telephone suddenly rang, causing Masao Mita's previously proud and vigorous manhood to suddenly deflate like a punctured balloon, and no matter how hard the female secretary tried to squeeze it, it no longer reacted.
"Baka—"
Masao Mita had suffered a similar shock before, which caused his penis to lose its virility for several years. He eventually recovered, but he still couldn't handle being frightened.
Therefore, whenever Masao Mita wanted to do something special, he would always instruct his bodyguards or secretaries not to let anyone in to see him, and even more so not to let any phone calls into his office.