"Uncle, long time no see. You're looking more energetic than ever."
Chen Yang looked at the spirited Zou Chenguang, a wave of emotion washing over him. Despite still wearing his blue work uniform, Zou Chenguang's demeanor was worlds apart from when Chen Yang first met him last year.
"Yangzi, you little rascal, still teasing your old uncle. Haven't seen you in ages."
"Come on, come on, let's go to my office."
Upon seeing Chen Yang, Zou Chenguang immediately grabbed his hand, his enthusiasm baffling his secretary and Qin Youfeng.
They knew Zou Chenguang valued Chen Yang, but they hadn't expected he would value him this much.
"Uncle, this is Manager Qin Youfeng from the department store. The Dream Recycling Radios are doing quite well at the department store."
Chen Yang glanced at Qin Youfeng and introduced him, not saying much, just mentioning it in passing.
Zou Chenguang glanced at Qin Youfeng and nodded.
"Xiao Li, please look into the department store's operations and take notes."
Zou Chenguang waved his hand, instructing his secretary, and then led Chen Yang to his office.
At his position, a department store manager was not someone he needed to entertain personally; it would be beneath him.
When Qin Youfeng heard Zou Chenguang's words, his heart leaped with joy. He naturally knew that given Zou Chenguang's status, he wouldn't be able to entertain him personally.
Perhaps getting to know Zou Chenguang's secretary would open up a new avenue for him in the future. Moreover, the leader had instructed him to discuss the department store's performance.
Didn't this present him with an opportunity? Otherwise, with so many department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives in Anhui Province, how could a leader as high-ranking as Zou Chenguang possibly keep track of who was doing well and who wasn't?
Qin Youfeng was already very satisfied. Thinking back, he was incredibly glad he had been so polite to the owner of the Dream Recycling Radios; otherwise, this good fortune would never have come his way.
"Yangzi, come, have some tea."
"Tell me, what brings you here? You never come to see me without a reason."
Zou Chenguang poured Chen Yang a cup of tea. In those days, people weren't so particular; a bit of tea sediment was enough to give it flavor. Most people just drank plain boiled water.
"Uncle, can't I just come to see you? You were promoted so long ago, and I didn't come to visit in time. It's my fault."
Chen Yang felt a bit embarrassed by Zou Chenguang's words. He really did have something he needed Zou Chenguang's help with.
"Alright, if you don't tell me now, don't blame your uncle for not helping you later."
This was only said because Chen Yang and Zou Chenguang were so familiar with each other; otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a joke.
"Uncle, I was wrong."
"Ahem, I really do have something to ask for your help this time. However, it's not entirely for my own benefit. If this succeeds, it will also be a great achievement for you, Uncle."
Chen Yang spoke with great earnestness. Indeed, if they could successfully promote the pickled fish, earning foreign exchange, it would be a significant accomplishment for Zou Chenguang.
In China at that time, there were very few units and enterprises that could earn foreign exchange. The state also desired more foreign exchange to develop productivity.
"We don't need to be so formal between us. Just tell me what you need my help with. As long as it's not against my principles, I'll get it done for you as soon as possible."
Zou Chenguang waved his hand, not hesitating at all. Although they hadn't known each other for long, they had already developed mutual trust.
"Uncle, it's about the pickled fish factory. The pickled fish are now being sold in the supply and marketing cooperatives in Anhui Province, and the sales are good."
"This is all thanks to you, Uncle. But I believe the future of the pickled fish factory shouldn't be limited to Anhui Province; I want a nationwide market, and not only that, I want an overseas market as well."
"I want to sell our pickled fish overseas and earn foreign currency from the foreigners. This will help more of our people become prosperous together."
Chen Yang got straight to the point. He was going to Hong Kong precisely to sell the pickled fish. Without selling this product, where would he earn foreign exchange?
Due to limited perspective, in the seventies and eighties, people's perception of foreign wealth was confined to Western countries and Americans. This was not entirely accurate.
Hong Kong, some Southeast Asian countries, Singapore, Japan, and Korea were already economically developed.
Venturing westward was difficult, but heading south to Southeast Asia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, ethnic Chinese constituted the majority of the population.
Their tastes were quite similar to those of people in China, making the pickled fish relatively easy to promote.
With so many merchants in Hong Kong, if they could be made aware of pickled fish and be convinced to eat a few pieces with rice, they would find ways to get pickled fish cans onto customers' tables and supermarket shelves.
In his previous life, Chen Yang had dealt with many Hong Kong merchants and was well aware of their business acumen and working style.
Moreover, these Hong Kong merchants had a significant influence in Southeast Asia, controlling most of the business channels.
Hong Kong was inherently an international port, with foreign trade always being a mainstream activity. Chen Yang naturally wouldn't want to miss out on this lucrative opportunity.
Extracting even a small profit from foreign businessmen visiting Hong Kong would be enough for Chen Yang to live a life of luxury.
"Selling pickled fish to foreign countries, how do you plan to do it? Our entire Anhui Province only has the Qinghe City Aquatic Products Company with some export channels. It's a prized asset for our province; even I have to show respect to the Aquatic Products Company."
"If you can sell pickled fish to foreigners and earn foreign exchange, just tell me what help you need. If I can't manage it, I'll go to higher authorities."
Upon hearing about earning foreign exchange, Zou Chenguang's eyes lit up.
You don't know the cost of living until you manage a household. Having reached the position of Director of the Provincial Industry and Commerce Department, he knew how much foreign exchange the entire Anhui Province's enterprises needed annually to purchase equipment.
There was no alternative. The Soviet Union had helped them complete the first five-year plan and then left. After that, they had to figure things out on their own. The West had always controlled technology exports.
Many of their technologies couldn't be independently developed and had to be imported. Without foreign exchange, enterprises couldn't upgrade their equipment, and they would face bankruptcy.
Therefore, leaders of state-owned enterprises were all eagerly looking to the higher authorities for foreign exchange to purchase new equipment. Zou Chenguang had been cornered by countless factory directors demanding money.
How could he not take Chen Yang's desire to earn foreign exchange seriously!
"Uncle, then I'll trouble you. Wei Yang, a few young men who work with me, and I plan to go to Hong Kong to promote pickled fish. There will be five of us in total. We'll need your help to get the permits to enter and exit Hong Kong."
"Once the permits are approved, we'll set off immediately for Hong Kong. We'll definitely secure orders from the foreigners and earn a good amount of foreign exchange!"