Li He looked for the sound and realized that it was coming from Li Aijun's room. He knocked on the door and it opened. Li Aijun was holding a trumpet in his hand.
"Hey, where did you get this trumpet from?"
"Ahem, I passed by a shop on my way back and saw it hanging in the window, so I bought one."
Li He laughed and said, "That's too bad of a compliment!"
The two of them were used to talking and didn't bother to be polite.
"I bought the wrong trumpet. I thought it would be similar to the 'Charge' but the sound is wrong. It's not strong when it should be and it's not weak when it should be."
Li Aijun was depressed. He wanted to vent his anger by buying a trumpet. Every time he felt uncomfortable, he would play it. But after he bought it, he realized that something was wrong and became even more depressed.
"How are you feeling? Is there any discomfort in your legs?"
"I'm fine. Thank you."
"There's no need to thank me. We don't need to be so polite."
Li Aijun gave Li He a cigarette and lit one for himself. He smiled. "Su Ming is going back in the afternoon. I'll go with him."
He knew that Li He wouldn't be able to go back anytime soon but he was anxious and wanted to go back first.
"Let Old Yu arrange for someone to accompany you for a few more days. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"I'm not going to wait for you. You have things to do first. You know that the factory is full of things to do. Every day I stay here is another day of suffering. I don't have the mood to play. Don't worry. I have arms and legs now. I won't lose them. When I reach Guangzhou, I'll take a plane back myself. "
Li He said, "Alright. Both of you can go and buy some stuff later. You can't go back empty-handed. Let Old Yu's chauffeur drive you there."
Li Aijun replied, "I know. Don't worry."
Li He returned to his room. Su Ming and the rest were there and they chatted.
Su Ming said, "I've already discussed with Shen Daoru about importing a tape recorder and printer. It's a win-win deal."
"This involves after-sales service. Are you confident?"
Su Ming's idea was not bad, and Li He agreed.
"Old Shen will help me hire an engineer to go to Shenzhen for training. I only need to hire a dozen or so smart young people. It won't be difficult for them to learn."
Su Ming said confidently.
Li He said, "Alright then."
He sent Su Ming and Li Aijun out of the hotel. The few of them squeezed into Yu Dehua's car and were sent back to Shenzhen by Yu Dehua's driver.
Only Pinsong and Yu Dehua were left by his side.
Seeing that Pinsong was alone, he took out a stack of money and said, "Go out and play by yourself. You're familiar with this area now, so go do whatever you need to do."
"No need, I haven't finished spending the USD I exchanged last time."
Pinsong listened to Li He and went out shopping. Everything was new to him now. He was even enjoying the hotel's access control. He placed a card on the door, and with a beep, the door opened.
Yu Dehua finally found a chance to talk to Li He. He had been holding it in for the past few days. Luo Dingbang and the rest were pressuring him. They had asked him out several times, but he had rejected them and avoided meeting them.
He almost couldn't hold it in anymore.
"What do you think we should do? These people are not to be trifled with."
Li He smiled and said, "After more than 30 years of construction after the war, Hong Kong has developed from an entrepot to a newly industrialized city in Asia. In 1984, manufacturing accounted for 24.3% of the GDP. It's obvious that manufacturing is the backbone of Hong Kong's economy. But with the increase in labor costs and land prices, do you think Hong Kong's manufacturing industry can continue to develop smoothly? "
In the past few decades, due to well-known historical reasons, China was in a semi-closed state, and a large portion of China's imports and exports had to pass through Hong Kong.
In the 60s and 70s, Hong Kong's manufacturing industry rose, and it was the most prosperous period. Due to the labor shortage, China opened its borders to China's labor force.
The harmonious state of Hong Kong's manufacturing industry lasted until the early years of China's reform. With the deepening of China's reform, Hong Kong's external environment had undergone tremendous changes.
After China opened its doors, it quickly attracted Hong Kong's capital to China, and at the same time, it crushed Hong Kong's manufacturing industry. Hong Kong's local manufacturing industry was gradually dying out.
"What do you mean? Hong Kong's manufacturing industry will collapse sooner or later? "
"With the deepening of China's reform, Hong Kong's labor-intensive industries will move north, and no one can stop it. That's why Hong Kong's manufacturing industry is a dead end. Whether it's land prices or labor force, it cannot be compared to China. Luo Dingbang and the rest will be like you and set up factories in China sooner or later. Hong Kong's advantages are finance and shipping, and even shopping and tourism are more promising than developing industries. "
"But Luo Dingbang and the rest are pushing us too hard." Yu Dehua understood Li He's reasoning, but the pressure is too much, and he cannot think too far ahead.
Li He replied. "What are you afraid of? Even if you don't push them, others will push them. It's just a matter of time."
"But?"
"No buts. Will they use a knife to kill you?"
Yu Dehua said, "That won't happen. Business naturally has its own rules. If there are no rules, Bao Shipowner and Liu Daxiong would have been killed long ago. "
"Then what are you afraid of? Continue to lower your prices. We will get Hong Kong's market in Europe and the US!"
Hong Kong and Taiwan's labor-intensive manufacturing industry is China's number one opponent. Li He has always been a man of his word.
Yu Dehua asked in shock. "Lower your prices?"
"Of course! Since they dared to threaten you, you should let them know the meaning of the first and fifteenth day of the New Year. Otherwise, they will think that you are a pushover. You must not back down! "
Li He said confidently. He probably wants to wait until October. By then, he will not be short of money, and he can use money to crush his opponents. But he will not tell Yu Dehua these for the time being. As long as he can fool Yu Dehua first.
"But Luo's Corporation is rich, and their words are very powerful in Hong Kong."
Li He continued. "Did the Textile Chamber of Commerce look for you?"
"No."
"Chairman Chen Yongqi had set up a factory in China. This kind of person is a smart person and a tough opponent. You don't have to worry about the rest. All they can do is raise their capital, compete with you on price, and try to poach your customers. Are you afraid of competing with them on price? "
Yu Dehua replied confidently. "No."
After Li He's analysis, it was as if he had taken a tranquilizer and wasn't so anxious anymore.
"Of course, we have to listen to Chairman Mao's teachings. Strategically, we must look down on our enemies, and tactically, we must take them seriously."
Yu Dehua laughed. "You don't look like a believer of Marxism."
"I am indeed a believer of Marxism. But I do not believe in Marxism for Marxism's sake. I believe in Marxism, which is suitable for China's situation. In layman's terms, Marxism should be adapted to China. I will not talk about surplus value or class struggle. I will only talk about Marxism's philosophy. This is a good thing, and we must use it. "
Yu Dehua could not win against Li He in an argument. Since he had decided on a direction, he felt at ease and did not want to stay any longer. He chatted for a while and left.
After everyone had left, Li He felt bored. He turned on the TV and watched the local news. Most of the news was related to gossip.
At night, Pinsong was not back yet. Dong Xuebing went downstairs to have a look. If Pinsong was not back, he will have dinner by himself.
He stood downstairs and bought a copy of the evening newspaper. He leaned against the wall and smoked while reading the newspaper.
"Brother."
Li He looked up and was shocked. "What's wrong with your eyes?"
"I met a few hooligans and they insisted on going against me. If I had not run fast, I would have been killed."
Pinsong's eyes were swollen, and there was a red handprint on his left cheek.
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