Xu Donglai came with a purpose this time, not just to see Xie Sui, but for the opening of the ice cream factory.
"At this time of year, with at most two months of cool weather left, I don't think it's suitable for production anymore."
A new factory, a new brand, and then going out to promote it. By the time sales channels are opened, it will be autumn. What the hell will we sell?
Xie Sui hadn't expected him to work so fast. "We still need to produce. Don't expect to make money this year. Let consumers get to know our ice cream factory's brand and recognize our flavors. When the peak season arrives next year, we'll have a huge surge.
Of course, the ice cream needs a catchy name and a registered trademark. Anyone who counterfeits it will be held responsible. We need to establish our brand."
What should the name be?
Xie Sui thought for a moment and said, "The cup ice cream will be called Qian Ceng Xue, the cone will be Xiao Cui Tong, and we'll launch a pure cream one called Nai You Bu Ding. Add the traditional Laobing Gun. For now, these four are enough to keep us busy."
Later, Xie Sui would come up with the Series, the Ice-Cool Series, and the Chocolate Series. The many ice cream varieties of later generations were all in Xie Sui's mind, and he could innovate at any time.
Xu Donglai had trouble remembering, so Xie Sui took out a notebook for him to write it down. A good memory is not as good as a bad pen.
After this matter was discussed, Xie Sui brought up the topic of pickles. This time, Xu Donglai didn't need to open a factory, but to handle sales. Xie Sui's pickles wouldn't be targeted at rural areas, but at cities, and in the future, they would even be sold in big cities like Shanghai and Beijing.
Are people in big cities not people? Don't they like to eat pickles?
In later generations, kimchi from another country is sold in our country and called their specialty, but its origin is actually our country, it's just that no one paid attention to it.
Xie Sui instructed him, "You don't need to do it yourself. Open a storefront, find a few sales talents, and let them promote. I'll be responsible for supplying the goods.
Talent is hard to come by. If you encounter someone capable and reliable, pay them well to keep them. Both ice cream and pickles need to be sold."
Xu Donglai scratched his head a bit. "Why don't you come over? I don't think I can do it well."
Xie Sui was also worried, but he couldn't leave due to a pile of matters at home.
Lin Wanwan, overhearing their conversation, suggested, "Why don't I try it over there? I'll go with Second Sister. Second Sister has wanted to see the world in the city for a long time."
Xu Donglai looked skeptical. Two women, could they do it?
Xie Sui slapped his thigh. "Wanwan, are you really daring to go?"
Lin Wanwan, having come from a big city, wasn't as hesitant as a village wife. "Why shouldn't I dare? Promoting products isn't dirty or hard work. Can't we do it?"
Xie Sui didn't look down on women. Twenty years later, there would be many strong women, more capable than men.
"Sales is very hard work. It's not that I don't dare to let you go, it's that I care about you!"
"No matter how hard it is, is it harder than farming?"
She had supported her children by farming herself for the past few years. What was this little bit of hardship?
Mentioning this made Xie Sui feel guilty, and he quickly pleaded, "Okay, you and Second Sister go together. Don't rush to sell goods, just set up the stall first. I'll settle things here and come find you soon!"
Lin Wanwan smiled. "It's settled then. I'll go find Second Sister."
Xu Donglai said disbelievingly, "Are you really at ease letting those two women go alone?"
"And you're not there? Report to me at any time. Call me every day."
"Phone calls are very expensive."
This reminded Xie Sui that his factory should have a phone installed.
"The new factory should also have one installed. This money should be spent. We're not short of money now."
With the one million yuan from the credit union loan, Xie Sui was flush with cash and could do things with a free hand.
Xu Donglai gave Xie Sui a strange look. He suspected that Xie Sui was installing the phone to talk to his wife every day, not for business.
"Alright, you're the boss, you make the decisions."
Xu Donglai stayed there for the night, waiting for Lin Wanwan and the other woman to settle their families before they all went to the city together.
The next day, Secretary Tang came to see him again and said, "Director Hu is taking early retirement. You are the new director. Secretary Liu has promoted you exceptionally. You must make something of it.
However, the factory's accountant must be appointed by the city. You can't change the accountant."
Xie Sui raised an eyebrow. "This accountant must be obedient. He only handles accounts. He's not allowed to dictate to me on factory operations, or I'll kick him out just the same.
Actually, cooperating with you people is really troublesome. Isn't it better for me to open my own factory?"
With so many trivial matters, Xie Sui had a premonition that things wouldn't go smoothly in the future.
Secretary Tang quickly appeased him. "I understand. He'll only be in charge of accounts, not production. How could an outsider direct an insider? However, you can't dismiss workers without reason. You'll be responsible if something goes wrong."
Xie Sui was silent, then said, "I'm giving you, Secretary Tang, face. I don't think much of those workers. They've all been spoiled with arrogance. They threaten the leaders at the drop of a hat. If they can't adjust their mindset, no one can save them.
Secretary Tang, you are just a secretary, not their parents. You don't need to interfere too much. You've only enabled their bad habits."
Secretary Tang was also in a difficult position. What could he do?
The two of them went to the pickle factory again. The workers were all there, but they weren't as agitated. Their eyes were full of expectation as they looked at them.
Secretary Tang said, "This is your new director. He will be responsible for factory matters from now on. Please have him give a speech to everyone."
Xie Sui: "..."
Secretary Tang is setting me up! What speech should I give!
However, Xie Sui was not intimidated. He stepped forward and said, "My surname is Xie. From now on, everyone will call me Director Xie. I know the one thing you care about most is the issue of wages.
Today, I promise you that in addition to back pay for previous wages, you can also sell your work positions for a lump sum of five hundred yuan each. Once sold to me, you will have no connection to the factory. However, I will pay you this five hundred yuan at once."
Xie Sui's words exploded like a bomb in the crowd. Not only were the workers stunned, but Secretary Tang was also bewildered. We didn't say this!
"Let's go to the office to talk. Let me explain."
As they passed the factory's leadership team, Xie Sui nodded. "The same applies to you, but the compensation will be more. It will depend on your position."
Their eyes lit up. If ordinary workers got five hundred, wouldn't they get even more?
However, they hesitated, as selling their jobs meant no more "iron rice bowl."
Xie Sui sighed, "The iron rice bowl isn't iron anymore. If wages can't be paid, any rice bowl is useless. Sigh, I was also fooled by Secretary Tang into taking over such a factory. It's difficult!"
Xie Sui shook his head, looking deeply troubled. Secretary Tang's face darkened. Why was he involved in this?
Following him to the office, Secretary Tang finally erupted. "What do you want? Explain yourself! Can't you discuss things with me before you do them!"