"Elder Zhou, I'll be relying on you for my foreign trade company. For the gold business on the mainland, you can always find me. Not to mention anything else, introducing you to industrial and commercial bureaus in various places and finding storefronts, that's all on me."
"Last time, you mentioned sending an inspection team to the mainland, and I waited for a long time but no one came. Elder Zhou, please don't be polite with me. No matter how busy you are, as long as the Zhou family sends someone, I will personally host them."
After applying for Zhenhua Foreign Trade Company in Shenzhen, Chen Yang's first priority was to visit the influential Elder Zhou. Without the fifty thousand US dollars that this elder helped exchange, Chen Yang's three production lines would still be uncertain.
Later, Huang Lizhen was able to smoothly purchase trucks and establish the company's transport team, which was also inseparable from the Zhou family's assistance.
For both practical and emotional reasons, Chen Yang had to visit Elder Zhou.
For this visit, Chen Yang specifically asked someone to procure a century-old wild ginseng root from the Northeast, along with deer antler. In those years, good things could still be found in the mountains. Decades later, some of the old mountain goods would be depleted, and even with money, one couldn't buy the real thing.
"You are thoughtful, young man. This old wild ginseng is rarely seen in Hong Kong."
"Your foreign trade company has a great future. If my Zhou family didn't strictly adhere to the gold business, I would have genuinely considered investing some capital in it."
"I will arrange the inspection team after the new year. My daughter has been in America for the past six months, which delayed some business there. She studied in Britain for a long time and ultimately prefers the Western environment and market."
"None of the boys at home are promising. I don't trust them with the business. When my daughter returns for the holidays, I will arrange for her to visit the mainland. At that time, I'll have Xiao Huang contact you in advance."
Elder Zhou was very cordial towards Chen Yang. In just half a year, Chen Yang's fermented bean curd fish business had gained a reputation in Hong Kong, which also allowed Elder Zhou to see Chen Yang's potential.
Although the scale of Chen Yang's business was not yet significant for the Zhou family, its development potential was high. With Elder Zhou's foresight, he could naturally see that this young man before him had an immeasurable future.
The Zhou family only dealt in the gold business, and there was no business conflict with Chen Yang. He had considerable connections in Hong Kong, so introducing Chen Yang was no issue. He didn't even need to personally appear; he could have his butler make the arrangements and facilitate connections.
In return, Chen Yang would undoubtedly do his utmost to assist the Zhou family on the mainland. This was a win-win situation, and Elder Zhou naturally would not refuse.
The main reason was that his sons and grandsons were too useless and could not be relied upon. Within the entire Zhou family, only one granddaughter was capable of handling affairs, which left Elder Zhou feeling helpless.
A hero in his twilight years, with no successor, had also eroded some of his youthful pride. As long as he could preserve the family business and ensure their sustenance, he would consider himself having done his duty to his late father.
"Thank you, Elder Zhou. Then I won't disturb you further. When Miss Zhou comes to the mainland, I will certainly host her well."
Chen Yang bid farewell to Elder Zhou. The butler, with keen insight, escorted him down the mountain. Given Elder Zhou's status, it was not expected for him to personally see off a young man like Chen Yang, so this task fell to the butler.
"Steward Liu, thank you for your trouble this time. It's just a small token of my appreciation; please don't mind it, Steward Liu."
Chen Yang handed Steward Liu a rosewood box, containing a mutton-fat jade bracelet. Chen Yang had asked Lei Baoguo to procure this in Shanghai.
These items were not very valuable in China at the time; for a small sum, one could find good pieces. He had also sent a calligraphy and painting to Elder Zhou, but Elder Zhou no longer handled many of the Zhou family's affairs.
Basically, Steward Liu was the one who helped Huang Lizhen and others contact wealthy merchants in Hong Kong. Due to the unpromising younger generation, Elder Zhou generally did not let them interfere in business matters. To a certain extent, Steward Liu represented the Zhou family.
Since he held the Zhou family's connections, Chen Yang, needing their help, was naturally not reluctant to offer good things.
"Boss Chen, you are too kind. This is my duty as instructed by the master."
Steward Liu narrowed his eyes. The rosewood box itself was very valuable, and the mutton-fat jade bracelet inside was likely not cheap.
While antiques were not valuable in the mainland at this time, many wealthy merchants in Hong Kong cherished them. This bracelet, if sold, would fetch hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. Having served the Zhou family for so many years, Steward Liu had this discernment.
"Steward Liu, you shouldn't say that. If it weren't for your diligent efforts, how could an outsider like me gain the attention of these big figures in Hong Kong?"
"There's no other way; it's all for business. I can only trouble you, Steward Liu. Do you have any favored items? You can inform Weiyang or Lizhen next time. There are still many old items in China, and I will try to keep an eye out for them for you."
Seeing Steward Liu accept the gift, Chen Yang smiled knowingly. It seemed these elders still appreciated old artifacts. If they had things they liked, it would be easier to handle.
These old items were not too valuable in China currently, so spending a little money to acquire them for favors was not a loss. Chen Yang knew that these items would be very valuable in the future, but that was later. The value they could bring him now would far exceed their future value.
"Boss Chen is too polite. Don't worry, I will contact some bosses as soon as possible regarding the food processing line and television production line."
"The master still has some influence in Hong Kong. As long as Boss Chen has the funds ready, I can only facilitate the introduction. The price will be up to you to negotiate, after all, businesses are for making money."
Steward Liu, being seasoned and experienced, also feared that if the matter was not concluded successfully, Chen Yang would blame him, so he preemptively laid down the groundwork.
"Steward Liu, rest assured. I understand business dealings. Your assistance in making introductions is enough. We will negotiate the price ourselves and will certainly not let those bosses lose money."
Chen Yang had a large amount of Hong Kong dollars deposited in HSBC Bank, and this money needed to be converted into assets for expanding the production capacity of the fermented bean curd factory and Zhenhua Appliances.
Otherwise, holding so much Hong Kong currency would be of no use, and converting it to US dollars would be too costly.
"Boss Chen is clearly a businessman who handles large deals. You will surely succeed. This old man will not see you off further; I will go and contact a few bosses now and arrange a time for Boss Chen."
Steward Liu was very satisfied with Chen Yang's response. This young man was sensible, and he accepted the gifts with peace of mind.
Chen Yang was not afraid of Steward Liu accepting gifts. As long as he could help get things done, he was willing to send him some good items. What he lacked now was connections.
Once Zhang Weiyang and Huang Lizhen established their network in Hong Kong, it would be the time for Zhenhua Foreign Trade to reap its rewards.
The profits from Zhenhua Appliances could provide production funds for the fermented bean curd factory, and the foreign trade funds earned from the export of fermented bean curd fish could in turn be used to expand the production capacity of Zhenhua Appliances and the fermented bean curd factory. This would be a virtuous cycle. Otherwise, having so much Hong Kong currency tied up would cause problems.
Now, he was just waiting for the production lines to arrive!