Chen Lan watched Xiang Xi's extremely earnest expression, devoid of any trace of coercion, and felt a pang of guilt. She decided to compensate him. So she asked, "Little Watermelon, you always say you want to do business. Can you tell me what kind of business you plan to do in the future?"
Chen Lan's question made Xiang Xi freeze. Truth be told, he hadn't really considered that question! He lowered his head and began to ponder.
Chen Lan was also thinking about the matter. She recalled that in the 1970s and 1980s, the "big three items" people talked about most were watches, bicycles, and sewing machines or radios. These items were all produced by large state-owned factories at the time. It would have been very difficult to penetrate and produce these things at the beginning of the reform and opening up! After all, manufacturing these items required precision mechanical equipment and stainless steel materials, which were beyond the reach of individual businesses in that era.
Thinking of this, Chen Lan spoke up and asked, "Little Watermelon, do you have a general idea now?"
Xiang Xi, uncharacteristically, touched his head somewhat sheepishly and said, "Little Basket, when we were in the valley, I followed Teacher Zhou and their lab to research small household appliances for a while. I want to make rice cookers, hair dryers, washing machines, and other small appliances to sell. But I also know that making these things involves too many supporting manufacturers, and it also involves steel and the widespread availability of household electricity. So, as an individual producer, it's still too early to produce and sell these things."
After hearing Xiang Xi's words, Chen Lan nodded and said, "Little Watermelon, from what you just said, it's clear that you've given considerable thought to doing business and setting up a factory! I have a suggestion here, I wonder if you're willing to listen?"
Xiang Xi was in distress! Hearing Chen Lan say she had a suggestion, he immediately nodded repeatedly and said, "Little Basket, tell me, I'm listening?"
Chen Lan thought for a moment and then said, "Little Watermelon, I don't know if you've all thought about it, but what is the most profitable business in this world? It's the things people need to use frequently in their daily lives, items that are not expensive, and things that people have always needed, from ancient times to the present."
Xiang Xi, Xu Mingxuan, and Er Zhuang lowered their heads and thought very seriously when Chen Lan asked. Xu Mingxuan said, "Is it grain, oil, and salt?"
Chen Lan smiled and replied, "Food and clothing don't count. I'm talking about daily necessities."
After hearing this, the few of them fell into deep thought again. Seeing that they couldn't figure it out, Chen Lan revealed the answer. She looked at them and said, "It's soap. People have been using natural soap nuts to wash clothes and bathe since ancient times. Later, it slowly developed into laundry soap and perfumed soap, and finally evolved into the various cleaning products we use in the valley now, such as scented soaps for washing the face, shampoos for washing hair, and shower gels for bathing, and so on. What do you think of doing this business?"
At this point, Xu Mingxuan spoke up and said, "Xiang Xi, this is a good business. Everyone needs to wash clothes, faces, and take baths. Everyone needs to clean and wash. These things are indispensable!"
Xu Mingxuan looked at Xiang Xi, and when he didn't speak, he continued, "Xiang Xi, Lan'er is right. As the saying goes, these are things everyone needs. And doing this business is quite long-term. Think about it, for thousands of years, people have been using these things. As long as your products are good enough, you don't have to worry about not selling them. Xiang Xi, what do you think?"
After Xu Mingxuan finished speaking, he looked at Xiang Xi. Chen Lan also looked at him, both waiting for his answer.
Xiang Xi saw everyone looking at him, coughed, and cleared his throat. He said, "I also know that this business is good, but I'm not good at it. I don't know where to start. Little Basket, can you help me? Get me some books on this topic, and I'll study soap thoroughly when I get back to the valley."
Chen Lan happily patted Xiang Xi on the shoulder and said, "Little Watermelon, no problem. To show my support, when we return to the valley, I'll have everyone build a chemical laboratory for you, specifically for you to research soap. I'll also provide you with a basic soap formula and a basic shampoo formula for free, and gift you a production line for soap and shampoo. Do you think that would be acceptable?"
Upon hearing this, Xiang Xi was so happy he wanted to jump. He grinned widely and kept asking, "Is it true? Little Basket, you're not tricking me, are you? Are you?" Sudancn.com
Chen Lan feigned displeasure and replied, "Little Watermelon, if you don't believe me, then I'll take back what I just said. You didn't hear anything anyway."
Xiang Xi said urgently, "No, Little Basket, I heard you clearly. You can't go back on your word."
Chen Lan deliberately ignored him, wanting him to worry a little. This way, he would cherish what he had fought so hard to gain even more, and he would dedicate himself to it with all his might.
Chen Lan took out paper and pen from her backpack and asked, "Mingxuan Ge, shall we write the letter from (a patriotic wanderer) now? Then you can find a time to put it somewhere Captain Liu can easily see it."
Xu Mingxuan nodded and said, "Okay! Lan'er, just write it like this! Write that (there are existing winter supplies that need to be donated to the border guards, please arrange for someone to discuss receipt matters). Just put a signature, and nothing else."
Xiang Xi smiled at this moment and said, "Mingxuan Ge, if you don't write anything, aren't you deliberately trying to make Captain Liu anxious?"
Xu Mingxuan smiled slyly and said, "If he's not anxious, how can I get out?"
His words left Xiang Xi speechless. Then he looked expectantly at Chen Lan.
After Chen Lan finished writing the letter, she handed it to Xu Mingxuan. Seeing Xiang Xi looking at her pitifully, she asked, "Have you thought it through? Have you considered it carefully?"
Xiang Xi immediately nodded and replied, "Little Basket, I've thought it through. I want to use the money earned from selling soap and shampoo to do my small appliance business when the time is right."
Upon hearing this, Chen Lan clapped her hands enthusiastically and said, "Little Watermelon, I really didn't misjudge you. You have ambition. Work hard, young man, you have a promising future. I will definitely support you wholeheartedly!"
The group had discussed the matters that needed to be discussed. The people sent by Captain Liu to move the goods had also arrived. With many hands, the prey and fodder on the ground were all moved away in a short while.
Xu Mingxuan also led Chen Lan and Xiang Xi back to the camp, following behind.