The celebration lasted for nearly two hours, which shows how high the reception standards were. People in Lingyang had high expectations for Xue Sheng to win the CCTV bid. Even Wen Liang sometimes had to sigh that Xue Sheng made such a big bet, not necessarily because he did not see the future risks, but the risks were still in the future, while the great glory was in the present. Unless one was very wise, it would be difficult to refuse such a great temptation!
"Mr. Wen, the secretary invites you over!"
Wang Ziqiang finally found Wen Liang on the sofa in the corner. Social occasions of this level were places where people used the name of celebrating success to bond, expand their circles and look for opportunities. Even some gray-haired business CEOs and some pot-bellied city-level leaders took the trouble to toast everyone they met and smile at everyone they saw. How could there be a guy like Wen Liang who would hide aside and just drink and eat meat
Fleeing from famine
Wen Liang followed Wang Ziqiang to the middle of the hall, where Zuo Jing and Xue Sheng were standing and talking. There was no one else around, so they must have left space for him.
Seeing Wen Liang, Zuo Jing waved to him and said, "Old Xue, let me introduce you. This is Wen Liang. Don't be fooled by his young age, he knows a lot more than the rest of us. Xiao Liang, this is Director Xue of Lingqu Liquor, the one you met last time."
Wen Liang understood that this was Zuo Jing's way of expressing his closeness and respect for him. With so many people in the room, there shouldn't be many people who could be personally introduced by him, so he tactfully extended his hand, fulfilling his duty as a junior, and said, "Director Xue, I've heard a lot about you!"
Xue Sheng glanced at Wen Liang and didn't see anything special about him. He shook hands with him perfunctorily. He didn't take this young boy seriously at all and didn't even bother to talk to him.
Wen Liang would not get angry because of this slight. He just stood aside and was as obedient as a rabbit that had just been bullied by a big bad wolf. Zuo Jing smiled and said, "I was just talking to Lao Xue about the development of Lingqu Liquor after winning the bid. Xiao Liang, what do you think? Tell me."
Xue Sheng was a little puzzled. What kind of reputation does Lingqu Wine have now? The sales volume is easily billions. If you move your fingers, the money that falls out can be taller than Wen Liang's head. Is Secretary Zuo getting old and confused? Why is he asking a half-grown kid for his opinion? Could it be that I really misjudged this young man? Is he really talented
Thinking of this, Xue Sheng straightened up, turned his head and stared at Wen Liang, wanting to hear what he had to say. Wen Liang just declined, saying, "I don't know much about the wine industry. Secretary Zuo, you are a master of economics and a graduate of a professional school. Director Xue is an expert who single-handedly made Lingqu bigger and stronger. It's better for me to keep my little tricks to myself."
Zuo Jing smiled and nodded at him, saying, "You little rascal, just say what I tell you to say. There are no outsiders here, so stop dithering!"
Zuo Jing has always been known for his iron fist. After he took over Lingyang, he was even more powerful and majestic. The cadres below him were all very cautious when reporting their work, not to mention talking and laughing with a junior like this. Xue Sheng was not a fool after all. Seeing this scene, he knew that Wen Liang had a close relationship with Zuo Jing, but he was born in a military family and had a straightforward personality. He said whatever he thought. He looked down on people who flattered others the most. Seeing Wen Liang flattering others but not saying anything useful, his intention to listen attentively faded immediately. He said, "Secretary Zuo, if there is nothing else, I will leave for a while and go say hello to Director Li of the Provincial Planning Commission."
Director Li of the Provincial Planning Commission was being accompanied by Dou Wenbo at the moment. He left the secretary to accompany the mayor. If it were someone else, saying such a thing would be asking for trouble. Although Zuo Jing was not so magnanimous as to do anything to Xue Sheng, Wen Liang was still afraid that Zuo Jing would be embarrassed, so he said lightly: "Director Xue, seeing that the Lingqu wine is about to be in trouble, you still have the mood to go around and entertain guests?"
Xue Sheng was about to turn around and leave, but he stopped abruptly when he heard this. His expression became extremely ugly and he asked, "What did you say?"
"Director Xue should have heard my words very clearly!" Wen Liang thought of the Lingqu wine that streaked across the sky like a meteor in his previous life. His eyes and tone became much more sincere. He said, "Everything that rises to the top must fall. Too much is as bad as too little. Director Xue, have you ever thought about how much pressure winning this year's bid will bring to the healthy development of Lingqu?"
Xue Sheng laughed in anger and said, "Last year, Lingqu also won the bid. This year, the sales volume of Lingqu wine increased by 500%, and the profit and tax increased by 600%, and I am still standing here! But this kid, where did you get a high position and what achievements did you make?"
The gap can be seen from this. Xue Sheng's emotional intelligence is far lower than his ability to develop the market. Not only was he angered by Wen Liang's words, but his way of rebuttal was like that of elementary school students, which seemed childish and ridiculous.
"Not every gourmet is a good cook!" Wen Liang smiled and said, "Although I am insignificant, I can see the huge potential risks of Lingqu Liquor. Yes, the miraculous growth of Lingqu this year is due to last year's winning bid, but when you won the bid last year, the expected sales volume for this year did not exceed the production capacity of the winery. It was produced under the original supporting production line, original production procedures, original brewing technology and the operation of the original skilled workers. The public is more assured of the quality of the wine. But if you win the bid again this year, it can be predicted that next year's sales will have an explosive growth. Director Xue, do you think you and Lingqu Liquor are ready?"
Xue Sheng was stunned at first, then he burst into laughter and said to Zuo Jing: "Secretary Zuo, I thought you introduced me to a very talented young man, but it turns out he is just a boastful Pi Shunzi!"
Pi Shunzi is a Lingyang dialect, meaning a guy who can only brag but has no real skills. He waved his hand, showing his dominance, and said: "In business, I have only heard of people who are afraid of not being able to sell, but I have never heard of people who are afraid of selling too much! In order to open up the Northeast market, I and a few people under my command went through all kinds of hardships. In the days of minus dozens of degrees, we lived in a basement without heating, drank cold water, and ate steamed bread and pickled vegetables. One person was so tired that he vomited blood. What was it for? Wasn't it to sell the wine? But even if we worked so hard, how many tons could we sell in a year?"
Xue Sheng was obviously moved, and said: "Now it's an advertising economy. Everyone says that once an advertisement is well-known, it will bring in a fortune. Winning a bid can increase sales fivefold or tenfold. It's much easier than when we were struggling to compete in the market! If you don't do something like this, others will. If you don't fight for it, others will fight for it. If you don't do it or fight for it, you will fall behind. As the saying goes, if you fall behind, you will be beaten!"
"Afraid? I, Old Xue, am only afraid that the wine won't sell well. I'm afraid that I won't be able to explain to the municipal party committee and government, to the people of Lingyang, and to the thousands of people of all ages who make Lingqu wine. But I'm not afraid that the wine will be sold too much! If there aren't enough production lines, can't we add more? If there aren't enough people, can't we hire more people? If this is considered a problem, then why not just stop doing business and go home and take care of your children? Oh, by the way, you're still a child yourself, there's no point telling you this!"
Xue Sheng said all this in one breath, and his saliva almost sprayed on Wen Liang's face. Wen Liang sighed secretly. In this era, great opportunities have created countless heroes, but after the wave has passed, how many people will have the last laugh? In the final analysis, it is because most people do not have enough self-cultivation, and they are too self-confident, unwilling to learn humbly, and keep pace with the times. They may be lucky for a while, but not for a lifetime. The business world is like a battlefield. If you fall behind, you will be beaten. You rise because of the times, and you will eventually be eliminated by the times!
Yes, there is no point in saying more. Anyone who can get to this point is a person of strong will and will not be easily moved by others' words. Wenliang is just doing his best. Whether he listens or not, there is nothing he can do.
"Secretary, I'm going out to smoke a cigarette. I get addicted to cigarettes when I talk too much, hey!" Xue Sheng realized that he had made Wen Liang speechless. Although he was not very proud of himself, he at least breathed a sigh of relief.
Zuo Jing nodded, and after he left, he said to Wen Liang, "Xiao Liang, do you really think Lingqu Wine will fail?"
Wen Liang could tell that Zuo Jing probably didn't believe it. After all, no matter from which perspective, Lingqu Liquor was in its rising stage and had unlimited potential to be tapped. Most importantly, setting up this model would not only bring in considerable profits and taxes, but would also be a great boost to his political achievements.
"It's just a hunch, I can't say for sure." Wen Liang apologized, "It's my fault for speaking without restraint, and I offended Director Xue. Please let Uncle Zuo apologize for me."
"That's not necessary. Xue Sheng is just that kind of person. When he gets stubborn, he dares to slam the table and glare at me. You don't need to bother with a rough guy like him!"
Wen Liang thought about it and decided to make one last effort. He said, "Uncle Zuo, I always worry about failure before success. I always have wild thoughts. I think Lingqu should pay more attention to production capacity. In addition, it should have a good relationship with the media. Although CCTV is powerful, it is not the only one. When it is time to contact other newspapers, magazines and organizations, we should lower our posture and contact them. It would be bad to offend the uncrowned king!"
At this moment, Wang Ziqiang came over and whispered, "Mayor Dou, Director Li, and Minister Liu are all waiting for you in the private room..."
Zuo Jing nodded to show that he understood, walked away two steps, turned back casually, and said, "Your Aunt Huo doesn't have class today. If you have nothing to do, go over and sit with her later and talk to her."
Wen Liang responded and respectfully sent Zuo Jing away. Knowing that he could leave, he looked for Tang Ye but couldn't find him, so he left on his own. As soon as he went downstairs and got out of the elevator, Tang Ye called and asked, "Why did you leave first?"
"It's too stuffy in there, let's go out and get some fresh air. Are you going back to Guanshan tonight?"
"I would like to go back, but Xue Sheng just invited me to visit the Lingqu Winery tomorrow, so I will probably have to stay one more day. What's the matter?"
"Nothing, I was thinking we could walk together and chat on the way..."
Tang Ye on the other end of the phone paused and said, "Then I'll postpone this matter..."
"Don't," Wen Liang said with a smile, "Business is more important. We should seize this opportunity to visit Lingqu. If we miss this opportunity, I'm afraid we won't have another chance like this."
Although Tang Ye didn't understand Wen Liang's meaning, he still responded gently: "Well, I'll listen to you!" (To be continued)