After eating the barbecue on paper, the two couples went back to their rented houses. Xiaoyanzi had to take extra classes at night. After buying such an expensive house, her mind was now full of thoughts of making money.
As soon as Su Zelin entered the door, his cell phone rang. He saw that it was Lao Ma calling, so he immediately pressed the answer button.
"Hey, Ma?"
"Brother Su, I will go to Beijing in a few days."
For some reason, there was an unconcealable anticipation and excitement in Lao Ma's tone.
Logically, for someone like him, it should be normal to go on a business trip to the capital.
Su Zelin's mind moved: "Brother Ma, your trip to Yanjing is to seek sponsorship cooperation with CTS for the Spring Festival Gala, right?"
New Century achieved great success through sponsoring the Spring Festival Gala, successfully increasing its popularity in the national market, and has been soaring like a rocket in the past year. Lao Ma has been extremely envious and has jokingly claimed many times that Ali should also have the exclusive naming rights for the entire Spring Festival Gala this year.
The only thing Su Zelin could think of that would make Lao Ma excited about going to Yanjing was the Spring Festival Gala, and the timing was about the same.
I didn't expect that he was not joking and actually had such a plan.
"The one who understands me is Brother Su!"
Old Ma laughed heartily: "When I go to Yanjing this time, I really want to let Ali and Taojin appear on the Spring Festival Gala!"
Although he had already guessed most of it, Su Zelin was still slightly moved when he got a positive answer.
In its previous life, Ali Baba won the bid for the CTS Spring Festival Gala for the first time in 2016, and won the championship three times in a row until 2018.
Unexpectedly, because of his successful sponsorship of the Spring Festival Gala, Lao Ma made his decision eleven years earlier.
"Brother Su, you guys got it last year, so don't compete with us this year!"
Although New Century has not shown any intention of sponsoring this year's Spring Festival Gala, for safety reasons, Lao Ma still plans to confirm it from Su Zelin first.
Su Zelin smiled and said, "Don't worry, Brother Ma, New Century is not interested this year. The effect won't be that good after two consecutive appearances. There's no need for that! However, even without New Century, I'm afraid you will have no fewer competitors!"
Because the exclusive sponsorship model of the Spring Festival Gala in the new century was unprecedentedly successful, many giants are jealous and are eyeing the title sponsorship of this year's Spring Festival Gala. There are definitely many who are ready to spend money and prepare their moves. It is estimated that the competition faced by Ali will be quite fierce.
For CTS alone, the sponsorship fee is at least 200 million.
In addition, there must be activities such as sending red envelopes.
CTS will definitely not accept sponsorship advertisements that are too pure and have too much commercial flavor.
Maybe it will still be about giving out red envelopes, because Su Zelin couldn't think of any activity more appropriate than giving out red envelopes during the Spring Festival Gala.
It’s just that the amount of the red envelope may be upgraded to a higher level.
"I know, there's nothing I can do, Brother Su. You've created a new model for sponsoring the Spring Festival Gala, and the results are so good. I'm jealous, and so are others. So we have to grab the naming rights!"
Lao Ma paused for a moment and then asked, "By the way, who do you think our Ahri's biggest opponent might be?"
“Beautiful!”
Su Zelin answered without hesitation.
"What do you mean?"
Lao Ma was a little surprised to see Su Zelin answer so straightforwardly.
Su Zelin thought to himself that in his previous life, from 2003 to 2014, Midea almost dominated the CTS Spring Festival Gala. From 2003 to 2011, it had an astonishing nine consecutive premieres. It was not until 2012 that it was snatched away by Yanghe Mengzhilan, but it was snatched back in the next two years. This shows how ambitious Midea is.
It was these eleven Spring Festival Gala sponsorship trips that established its position as the number one home appliance brand in China.
If New Century hadn't taken the lead this year, it would have definitely won again.
Having lost the naming rights once, Midea must be jealous of New Century's success, so it will be even more determined to win the title this year.
"Midea is ambitious and wants to be the top home appliance brand in China, which can be seen from its marketing efforts in recent years. Midea is also very wealthy. I can't think of any stronger competitor for Ali than Midea."
The bastard explained casually.
"That's what I think!"
Lao Ma agreed with Su Zelin's words.
"Midea won both 2003 and 2004, and was originally planning to win the 2005 one, but you guys showed up halfway and offered sponsorship fees and plans that CTS couldn't refuse, so they skipped the bidding process! Brother Su, do you have any good suggestions for me regarding the competition for the naming rights of the Spring Festival Gala this time?"
"Yes, prepare enough money for a train car, and then we'll fight with bayonets to see who has more money and who is more courageous. In addition, in order to minimize the cost, Ahri can also release a smoke bomb!"
"Smoke bomb?"
"Yes, for example, we could spread the news that Ali donated 300 million yuan to the Spring Festival Gala. Of course, whether Midea believes it or not is another matter, but I think it should at least give it some trepidation!"
Last year, New Century's sponsorship fee to CTS was 200 million yuan. Because this sponsorship model has been so successful, this year's amount should not be lower than this number, but no matter how high it is, it will never reach 300 million yuan.
After all, New Century was the first to try something new. Giving out red envelopes during the Spring Festival Gala gave the people a great sense of novelty and made countless people keen to participate. If it were to happen again, the novelty would not be so strong and the effect would be discounted. It might not be worth it if one spent too much money on it.
"Yes, this smoke bomb is good. What if it can be frightened? Even if it fails, we, Ahri, won't suffer any loss!"
This is a strategy that requires no capital, and Lao Ma thinks it is feasible.
Su Zelin added: "There is another way, that is, you should discuss with Midea first, who will go first this year, so that you don't have to fight to the death. But I think it is unlikely to work, because Brother Ma, you will definitely not want to wait until next year, and I don't think Midea will be willing to do so either!"
"Yes, we will definitely not give in this year. If we really contact Midea to discuss this, they will think Ahri is scared. We can only throw smoke bombs, or fight!"
Lao Ma was determined to win the 2006 Spring Festival Gala, so he didn't consider this suggestion. Then he lowered his voice and said, "Brother Su, to be honest, we at Ali have really prepared a maximum budget of 300 million. This is not a smokescreen!"
“No way!”
The gangster was surprised.
If it was before his rebirth, he wouldn't find it strange at all to spend 300 million. Just think about the 1 billion red envelopes from Kuaishou and 2 billion red envelopes from Douyin, and you will know how terrifying it is.
But this was only 2005, and a budget of 300 million really did seem like something that could be done at any cost.
"Like New Century, we at Ali also need an opportunity to let people all over the country know about Ali, know about gold rush, know about Alipay, and know that this new way of shopping can change their lives. So, if we really want to fight to the end, what does 300 million matter?"
Old Ma is full of heroic spirit.
Su Zelin was silent for a moment, understanding the desire of the Ali helmsman.
Although Ali has gained considerable fame in China, he is still quite far from the household name Internet giant of later generations. Nowadays, only some more avant-garde young people know how to shop online. When asked about what gold panning is, what Alipay is, and what online shopping is, countless ordinary people in China are still confused.
However, if Ali can sponsor the Spring Festival Gala this time, the promotion of domestic online shopping will definitely be greatly accelerated. Changing the lifestyle of the Chinese people is Lao Ma's greatest wish, so he will not hesitate to spend a lot of money.
"Brother Ma, in that case, I wish you and Ahri good luck!"
"Okay, when I return triumphantly from Yanjing, I'll drink with Brother Su!"
"Haha, Brother Ma, I have to wait for your celebratory drink!"
"… "
A few days later, Lao Ma and his team went to Beijing.
On the same day, Su Zelin also left Lin'an, but he went to Nanjing on a business trip.
As a senior executive, you cannot sit in the headquarters office building all day long. You have to go out occasionally and keep in touch with important figures in provincial and municipal branches. You cannot let them think that the senior executives of the headquarters are all aloof and elusive. This is the same reason why the senior leaders of Yanjing occasionally go to small places for inspection.
It so happened that the number of stores in Gusu had exceeded 500, with outstanding performance. The headquarters had to send a senior executive with weight and influence to encourage them, and a speech at a meeting was inevitable.
Since Yang Fen and Kang Baohong were both busy, Hunzi had to take over. In addition, Su Zelin had a lot of classmates in Gusu, and they hadn't gotten together for a while, so they could take this opportunity to get together.
Lin'an is only 300 kilometers away from Jinling, which is not very far. You can drive there directly.
To go to most cities in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Luzhou region, most people prefer to drive themselves.
However, the Ninghang Expressway had not yet been opened, and it took more than four hours to reach the destination.
As the capital of Suzhou Province, Jinling is also a good place. Starting from the Three Kingdoms period, the Wu Dynasty established its capital in Jinling. Later, the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Song, Qi, Liang and Chen all established their capitals here one after another. Therefore, it is also known as the "Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties". Its history is even longer than that of Lin'an.
He arrived in Jinling at noon, and the regional manager Li Feng immediately arranged for him to stay in a hotel. This man was once a veteran of the headquarters, who came here when the Jinling market was being developed, and had known Su Zelin for a long time.
Young people are full of energy and did not feel tired even after driving for several hours. After checking into the hotel, Su Zelin did not rest. Instead, he went to various places in the city and the direct-operated stores in the university town in the afternoon and did not return to the hotel until almost evening.
In order to celebrate the opening of more than 500 stores in Suzhou Province, a celebration banquet was held in this hotel, and some store managers, store directors, and local dignitaries were invited.
Su Zelin was naturally arranged to sit with the regional director Li Feng and several distinguished guests. After they were seated, Li Feng introduced their identities, all of whom were leaders in the city.
Several leaders were surprised to see that Su Zelin was so young and yet had become the operations director of this nationally renowned digital chain company, except for one of them, a middle-aged man with a square face, who remained calm.
"Boss Su, I've heard of you for a long time. It's better to meet you in person than to hear about you. It's true that young people are promising and heroes emerge from youth!"
The middle-aged man laughed.
Su Zelin was surprised when he heard it.
Almost everyone in Lin'an's government circles knew him, and he often met with those big leaders. However, outside of Lin'an, many people might not have heard of him.
Moreover, the middle-aged man's tone did not sound like a compliment, and given his status, he did not need to compliment a junior.
"Come to think of it, the first time I heard about you was from my daughter. At that time, the New Century had not yet been founded."
The square-faced middle-aged man added another sentence.
"Your daughter?"
Su Zelin was even more surprised.
Suddenly he remembered something and asked in a lost voice: "Are you Luo Xi's father?"
This middle-aged man is called Luo Jingxian, and he is the head of Lin'an's finances.
Luo Xi’s father is the big boss of a department in Lin’an.
Although Su Zelin and Luo Xi are familiar with each other and had a good relationship in their previous life, Su Zelin has never heard of her father's name.
But apart from Luo Xi, he couldn't think of anyone else.
"Yes, Luo Xi is my daughter. After she lost the election for class monitor in her freshman year, she called me and told me about your rival. At that time, my precious daughter was very unconvinced!"
Luo Jingxian had a hearty laugh and seemed very friendly, but the subtle aura around him made Su Zelin know that this leader should also be the type who combined both strength and gentleness.
“Actually, I was a bit lucky.”
Su Zelin said quickly.
"Hey, don't be so modest. Although my precious daughter has been the class monitor from elementary school to high school, and only lost in the college election, it is not unfair for her to lose to someone like you! Besides, my daughter is arrogant and always thinks she is better than everyone else. It may not be a bad thing to let her suffer a little setback!"
Luo Xi is the pride of Luo Jingxian, but his daughter also has shortcomings, she is too arrogant, too sharp-edged, and lacks some smoothness. Fortunately, she met Su Zelin in college, who smoothed her edges and made Luo Xi realize her shortcomings and become more smooth.
"Lao Luo, it seems that you and President Su have a close relationship. You should have a few more drinks!"
The deputy mayor fanned the flames.
"That's a must, Mr. Su. My daughter learned a lot from you when she was in college. Her growth makes me, as a father, very happy. I have to toast you with this cup!"
Luo Jingxian raised his glass as he spoke.
"No, no, Uncle Luo, you are Axi's father, which means you are my elder, and I should respect you. What's more, Axi helped me a lot when I was in college. If she hadn't handled the class affairs well and left me without any worries, I wouldn't have been able to devote my energy to New Century!"
Su Zelin raised his glass and clinked it with Luo Jingxian's, and also lifted the other's glass up.
After the meal, both the guests and the hosts were very happy, and Su Zelin even left the contact information of several leaders.
Today's public event has ended here, but there is a second one.
Su Zelin made an appointment with Jinling’s classmates to sing K.
Hunzi had such a high reputation and was so popular in college that no matter which city he went to, as long as he was called upon, everyone would respond. Even though many people had to go to work the next day, those who worked in Jinling agreed.
The party was held at the KTV attached to the hotel. We didn’t play too late and left around 11 o’clock to avoid being too busy for work.
After returning to the guest room, the gangster went straight into the bathroom. While he was taking a shower, his cell phone rang.
The caller was Luo Xi.
"Boss, my dad said he saw you at the New Century celebration party today!"
The class beauty sounded very excited.
"Haha, yes, I talked a lot about you with your dad."
Su Zelin said while rubbing his sides.
"What did you talk about me?"
Ah Xi asked with great interest.
Although Luo Jingxian called and said that he met Su Zelin, he did not tell his daughter about the conversation between them.
Then the class beauty asked in confusion: "By the way, why is there a rustling noise over there? Is the signal bad?"
"No, I'm washing my clothes!"
After Su Zelin's explanation, Ah Xi finally realized that what she heard was the sound of a shower.
Subconsciously, images not suitable for children emerged in her mind, and Luo Xi spat: "Boss, why are you answering my call while taking a shower?"
"What's wrong with answering the phone while taking a shower? Is it illegal?"
Su Zelin asked back.
"It's not illegal, but it's weird. After all, she's a girl!"
"Come on, Ah Xi, I don't think of you as a girl anyway!"
"You... How am I not like a girl?"
Luo Xi was furious, thinking that the boss was good in every way, except that he was a little blind.
"Your dad said you used to be a tomboy and even cut your hair short, haha."
Su Zelin found it a little funny. He really couldn't imagine what Luo Xi would look like with short hair.
"Oh my god, my dad even told you this, but that was back in junior high school, so long ago. I'm already a grown-up girl now!"
The class beauty expressed her dissatisfaction.
"Okay, okay, big girl, is there anything else? If not, I'll hang up!"
The guy was just joking and didn't intend to argue with her about this issue for too long.
"Don't hang up yet, I have something to tell you. Well, next year, I plan to resign from the company and start my own business. Boss, you haven't forgotten what you promised me, right?"
"Next year?"
Su Zelin was slightly stunned.
In her previous life, Axi quit her job and started her own business four years after graduation. If she started her own business the following year, it would only be a year and a half.
"You gave me a secret manual, didn't you? I think I've understood most of it, and you're here for me, so I should figure it out while I'm still young!"
The class beauty explained.
She originally planned to study in a foreign company for a while longer before resigning, but thinking of Su Zelin's support, she thought it might not be a bad idea to resign earlier.
The most important thing is that she is envious and jealous when she sees her good sister Nanako is so successful now.
You know, Nana was far inferior to me when she was in college.
"I see. Let me make it clear. Investment is fine, but I don't have time to take care of it!"
Su Zelin solemnly declared his reputation.
New Century also needs to plan for town-level markets, so he will be busy until this is done.
"It's okay. As long as you are willing to invest, you have to give me some ideas if you encounter problems occasionally. I will take care of the rest."
Luo Xi was full of confidence and thought that if Nanazi could succeed, then her sister could do it too!
"Anyway, you have to treat me the same way you treat Nanako. Don't be partial to one and treat the other the same!"
The gangster thought to himself how could this be possible.
I'm playing poker with Nanazi, but I can't play poker with you, Axi.
Seeing that Su Zelin seemed reluctant, the class beauty made the decision for him without thinking twice: "Then let's just happily agree, Boss, you must support me. That's it, it won't prevent you from getting clean, bye!"
After saying a few words, he hung up the phone.
Then the class beauty walked to the mirror, looked at herself in the mirror with pity, and murmured to herself: "Why don't I look like a girl in the eyes of the boss? I have what Nana has, and I have it too!"