lcionline Chapter 59: Seeking Help from My Uncle
Chapter 59: Seeking Help from My Uncle
Inside a seafood restaurant.
"Jiagang, your company's washing machines are selling very well now that they've just launched. What are your plans for the next step?" As they chatted, Li Yongsen steered the conversation toward work.
This was exactly what Li Jiagang wanted.
"Uncle, the next step is to expand the factory and launch our products overseas." Li Jiagang sat up straight and continued, "That's why I wanted to see you tonight."
He paused, his gaze unwavering.
"First, I plan to build my own electronic component factory, specializing in core semiconductor components such as motors, electronic controls, and drive modules, and to independently develop and produce them."
Second, expand the processing plants for spare parts and structural components. The goal is not to monopolize the entire supply chain, but to focus on key links. The goal is to avoid relying on others and to make the decisions themselves.
Third, establish another hardware processing plant. By linking the three plants, internal synergy can be achieved, significantly reducing production costs and eliminating external dependence.
"There are two purposes," he said, looking up at Li Yongsen directly, "to avoid being envied and choked, and at the same time to pave the way for future overseas expansion."
Li Jiagang explained his plan in one go, but the reason he told Li Yongsen this wasn't because he wanted to borrow money. Rather, his uncle had more connections in this area and was better able to find a suitable factory than he was.
As Li Yongsen listened, his eyebrows twitched slightly, and a look of satisfaction deepened in his eyes. He nodded slowly.
"Very good, I'm relieved that you've thought of exporting the products."
"Yes, Hong Kong boy, actually my dad came to see you tonight to remind you that now that the product has made a name for itself in Hong Kong, you should take advantage of it and push it overseas." Li Jiahua explained to him the purpose of his visit tonight.
Upon hearing this, Li Jiagang looked at Li Yongsen respectfully and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you with your concern, Uncle."
"Hey!" Li Yongsen waved his hand, his voice suddenly becoming gentle. "We're family, why are you being so formal? You came to me because you trust me, and I'm more than happy for you to ask." He paused, his gaze deep. "What I'm afraid of is that you keep everything bottled up inside and bear it all alone."
"Is there anything else you want to say to your uncle?" Li Yongsen asked again. He wasn't stupid; he had already sensed that Li Jiagang had other intentions, as if he wanted Li Yongsen's help.
So he went directly to ask.
He was even worried that Li Jiagang might be too embarrassed to ask him for help, perhaps out of fear of bothering him.
Upon hearing this, Li Jiagang smiled.
"Uncle, you have been working in the manufacturing industry for many years. Could you help me find out if there are any factories for sale in these areas?"
"At the same time, we need your help in recommending cooperative channels for exporting our products."
"Alright! I'll take care of these things," Li Yongsen said, taking a sip of tea. "But... Jiagang, I have to remind you that while selling products overseas is the best way out, if export sales are poor, it can easily lead to too much inventory piling up, which will put a lot of pressure on the company. You should think carefully about whether you can handle that."
Li Jiagang nodded upon hearing this.
"Don't worry, Uncle, I will make plans based on the actual situation of my company."
"It's good that you have a plan."
"In short, if anything happens, come to your uncle. Don't keep everything to yourself and bear all the pressure alone." As he said this, Li Yongsen's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and his voice trembled slightly: "I have already lost my brother, and I absolutely cannot let anything happen to his son."
It would be a lie to say that Li Jiagang wasn't moved by Li Yongsen's display of familial affection.
After he transmigrated, his uncle discovered that he was no longer as useless as the original owner of this body, so he has been giving him the greatest help ever since.
He gave him a company, money, and manpower. Now, he's going out of his way to help him find a suitable processing plant and overseas sales channels. The sense of alienation that a time traveler might feel is quietly melted away by a genuine warmth of blood ties.
"Uncle," he put down his wine glass, his voice low but firm, "I know what you're worried about. Stockpiling, slow sales, difficulty in opening up overseas markets, and so on—I've thought about all these risks."
"Don't worry, once I find a partner, I'll suggest they try selling in major cities first. If they can open up the market, then we'll gradually expand from the central point to the surrounding cities."
Li Yongsen listened, his brows twitching slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He put down his teacup and slowly said, "There are several ways to cooperate. If you need to develop the market yourself, how do you plan to expand the market, how do you make your product stand out in a global market full of major brands, and how do you conduct brand promotion and advertising? Have you prepared a plan for all of these?"
Li Jiagang realized that his uncle was intentionally teaching him, reminding him that after the product entered the market, he needed to have a plan to develop the market in order to gain recognition in that region.
Li Jiagang understood this perfectly well. He knew that simply putting the product on the shelf and running promotional activities like other brands to attract customers wouldn't be enough; that approach would definitely not yield good sales results.
How can something that's all the same attract people?
He had already come up with a marketing plan.
"No discounts, no promotions, no attracting customers with low prices, just the experience. I want housewives who are used to buying washing machines for 30,000 yen to personally press our start button and see how it can go from washing to cleaning with just one touch."
Upon hearing this, Li Yongsen's eyes lit up, and he looked at Li Jiagang with great interest: "You mean to use reputation and technology as a breakthrough point?"
Li Jiagang smiled and nodded.
Li Yongsen hesitated for a moment, but then threw his head back and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha...good lad."
Li Jiahua, who was listening intently, couldn't help but interject, asking, "But what about brand awareness? People haven't even heard of 'Legendary Brand,' so who's going to go into the store to try it?"
"So you have to burn money in the early stages."
"Burning money?" Li Jiahua asked, puzzled.
Even Li Yongsen cast a curious glance at him.
"Yes, in-person experience is the best form of promotion. I plan to set up an offline exhibition area for an extended period of time in the places where we have reached cooperation agreements to sell the product."
At this moment, Li Jiagang's lips curled into a confident smile. "Hong Kong is different from Europe and America. They don't lack money, but they care about quality, efficiency, and freedom of life. Our washing machines give them a chance to redefine 'housework'."
Li Jiahua and his son fell silent.
Suddenly, Li Yongsen slammed his hand on the table and burst into laughter: "Great! What a brilliant offline experience! Hong Kong boy, your move is truly ingenious. It's definitely the best way to open up the market for a product and quickly build brand awareness."
After laughing, he suddenly became serious and said, "Regarding the distribution channels, your uncle will help you make the connections. I have an old friend in Tokyo who also started in manufacturing. Now he not only runs an electronics business but is also a board advisor for Takashimaya. I had a good relationship with him back then, and I was the one who helped him get his products into the Hong Kong market. It's time to contact this old friend."
"But... you can discuss the cooperation details."
"As for Europe and America."
"Don't worry, your uncle will do everything he can to find you a cooperation channel, even if it means risking his reputation."
Li Jiagang felt a surge of warmth and was about to thank him when Li Yongsen raised his hand to stop him: "Don't rush to thank me. But there's one condition: you have to promise me that if the overseas market doesn't work out, you have to stop immediately. Your father is gone, and you are the family's only hope. I can't watch you charge ahead too recklessly, unwilling to accept defeat, and end up falling even harder."
Li Jiagang slowly stood up, straightened his suit, and solemnly bowed to Li Yongsen: "Uncle, I will never let you down."
"Alright, alright, I believe you."
"As for the factory," he put down his glass, his tone regaining its composure, "I'll use my old connections to inquire about it tomorrow. What are your requirements? Scale? Equipment? Or do you want an existing, operational facility?"
"The scale doesn't need to be too large; it's best to have an existing, operational factory."
"But there's no rush."
"The new production lines will need at least another month to be back in operation, but as long as they can be found in the meantime, that's fine."
"Okay, Uncle understands."
The three raised their cups, using tea instead of wine.
That night, the lights of Hong Kong remained dazzling, but something even more fervent had quietly ignited between blood and ambition.