Chapter 300: Patriotic "Thief"
Lu Yu is the mainstay of Turkey TV. Her program "Lu Yu Interview" has a very good reputation in the industry and has a very high viewership rating.
In this episode, she was invited to Xu Fuji, which had just entered the mainland market not long ago, to interview the four brothers of the Xu family and discover their entrepreneurial stories.
Early in the morning, a large banner and an inflatable arch were hung at the entrance of Xu Fuji Company. The four brothers of the Xu family, along with a group of key members of the company, were waiting at the door.
At exactly nine o'clock, the interview car of Turkey TV drove in from the end of Wangxin Road. When Xu Yu saw the car, he personally brought his people to the roadside to wait.
Lu Yu is slender and petite, wearing an emerald green silk cheongsam. Holding a microphone in her hand, she got out of the interview car very gracefully.
"Welcome Miss Lu to Xu Fuji to give us guidance."
Xu Yu nodded and bowed, very enthusiastic.
Lu Yu was wearing high heels and standing next to Xu Yu. Although she was shorter than him, her expression and behavior were superior, like a phoenix looking down on a flock of chickens, exactly the same as the logo of her TV station.
Facing Xu Yu, a big boss with a net worth of hundreds of millions, Lu Yu remained calm and asked in a routine manner: "Hello, Mr. Xu, we are here to do the program "Lu Yu You Yue" today. I hope we are not disturbing your work?"
Xu Fan quickly waved his hand and said humbly, "No, no, it's my honor and Xu Fuji's honor to be interviewed by your station."
Lu Yu raised his eyebrows, with a bit of pride and arrogance on his face: "Really?"
"Of course it's true. Come, I'll take you to visit the company first."
Lu Yu and his group followed Xu Fan and began to walk around the factory. Xu Fan also began to tell Lu Yu the history of Xu Fuji.
As early as the 1970s, the four brothers of the Xu family, Xu Pi, Xu Cheng, Xu Hang and Xu Geng, used to sell candies and preserves on the streets of Taiwan.
At that time, they had no money for advertising, so they could only bring a rag when delivering goods. After delivering the goods to the store, they would take the initiative to wipe the counter and organize the shelves for the boss in order to sell the products.
After a few interactions, the local bosses began to recognize the four brothers and Xu Ji Food.
After being sold on the island for fourteen years, Xu Ji Food has gradually been hailed as a "golden signboard" in the industry.
But in the late 1980s, Taiwan's economic development was sluggish, and the rising prices of raw materials and labor costs led to lower and lower profits for Xu Ji Foods.
In 1992, relying on policy support, the four brothers went to the foot of the Liuhua Tower in Dongguan City, rented a piece of land to build a factory, engaged in OEM processing of candies, and then exported the products to other countries, making astonishing profits and their business grew bigger and bigger.
Two years later, the four brothers registered the "Xu Fuji" trademark and planned to switch from exports to domestic sales.
Starting from its trademark, Xu Fuji seemed to intentionally be associated with the Spring Festival.
Taking advantage of the festive occasion of the Spring Festival, Xu Fuji launched New Year candy, which focuses on joy and good fortune.
Thanks to its New Year candy, Xu Fuji became an instant hit.
In 1997, Xu Fuji's sales exceeded 100 million yuan, and it finally made a name for itself in the mainland and established a firm foothold.
After listening to the entrepreneurial stories of the four Xu brothers, Lu Yu couldn't help but praise them: "You have been developing in Taiwan for 14 years. Now you have responded to the country's call to set up a factory in Dongguan City to help Dongguan City develop its economy and drive employment. You are indeed patriotic businessmen."
Xu Fan smiled brightly and said modestly: "I am unworthy of the title of patriotic businessman. As a descendant of the Yellow Emperor, these are what I should do."
Lu Yu was obviously very interested in the story told by Xu Fan: "Mr. Xu is so modest. Your factory in the mainland has boosted employment, developed the economy, increased tax revenue in Dongguan, and improved people's living standards. These are all real things. I believe everyone will support you. The more conscientious enterprises like Xu Fuji, the better."
"Will everyone support us? That's not certain."
Xu Yu deliberately pretended to be helpless and lonely. In front of Lu Yu, he smiled bitterly: "Although I am full of enthusiasm to come to the mainland to set up a factory and support the development of the national economy, some people in the mainland regard us as a scourge. Not only do they not welcome our arrival, they also help foreign counterparts to bully us. To be honest, we are quite disappointed."
After hearing this, Lu Yu's face suddenly showed an expression of righteous indignation, and he asked seriously: "How could it be? There are still such people in the country? It's really hateful! Has this caused difficulties in your business?"
Having said that, Xu Fan stopped beating around the bush: "We did encounter a little problem. If Xu Fuji wants to develop rapidly, commercial mergers and acquisitions are the only way. We recently set our sights on a domestic company. We thought that we were all compatriots and should help each other, but the price we offered was obviously higher than that of foreign capital, but the other party finally chose to cooperate with foreign capital, leaving us with nothing."
Lu Yu was immediately surprised. "Really? I don't believe it! How could such a thing happen? The mainland and Taiwan share the same origin. Logically speaking, when you come to the mainland to start a business, your counterparts in the mainland should lend a helping hand. After all, we are all committed to the rejuvenation of the country. What's more, your price is even higher, so it is reasonable for us to cooperate with you. Is that company worshipping foreign things?"
Xu Fan said excitedly: "That's not all! In order to convince this company to cooperate with us, my brother and I went to their company to have a face-to-face meeting. Guess what happened?"
Lu Yu couldn't help but be curious: "What happened?"
Xu Fan raised his voice eight degrees higher: "We were actually scolded! They are determined to cooperate with foreign countries to suppress our own industries! Don't you think this is infuriating? Are they still worthy of being called the descendants of Yan and Huang? They are simply betraying their ancestors!"
Hearing this, Lu Yu could not help but curse indignantly: "I didn't expect that in the 21st century, there would still be such unfair phenomena in China. We must report it well after we return! A fair business environment can promote economic development and it cannot be ignored. Mr. Xu, don't worry, our TV station will stand from a fair, just and open perspective and speak for patriotic companies like yours. By the way, you have said so much, which company are you talking about?"
Xu Piao said: "This company is called Shijinji, a candy company located in Baiyun City."
"Okay, we will conduct in-depth research on this company and follow up on the report after we return. This is the end of this episode of "Lu Yu You Yue". Thank you very much, Mr. Xu, for accepting our interview. Dear audience friends, see you next time."
After the interview, Lu Yu handed the microphone to the staff member next to him and signaled to turn off all the equipment. Then he asked Xu Yu, "Mr. Xu, are you satisfied with this interview?"
Xu Yu laughed and walked forward to shake hands: "I am satisfied, really very satisfied. It seems that inviting you here is a wise choice. You have worked hard, so let's go to the main restaurant of Guancheng Roast Goose, and I will treat you to a meal. I will pay for it with you when the time comes."
Seeing that he was about to receive a large sum of money as a reward, Lu Yu's mood suddenly became cheerful.
"Boss Xu is too polite."
After eating and receiving red envelopes, Lu Yu and others left satisfied.
A few days later, the interview program was launched online. Along with this announcement, related reports were also published in various financial and business newspapers and magazines, sparking heated discussions in society.
Shijinji became famous unexpectedly without any warning.
Baiyun No.1 Middle School.
After school at noon, Lu Yiming and Shi Qingxue were just about to go to the cafeteria to eat together when Cao Jingwen came to Shi Qingxue with a magazine.
"Xiaoxue, something happened!"
The magazine published a report about Shi Jin Ji, and the content was even more explosive, almost naming and scolding Su Yunjin for being pro-Western and willing to lose money in order to sell the company to foreigners instead of cooperating with her compatriots.
In recent years, as many national brands that were acquired by foreign capital disappeared, the people of Xia have gradually become wary and cautious, and even hostile, towards foreign capital forces.
State-owned brands such as Beibingyang, Huafeng instant noodles, and Panda laundry detergent have completely withdrawn from the market, and similar acquisitions are becoming more and more likely to touch the sensitive nerves of the public.
In particular, Turkey TV’s special report on Shijinji was itself highly biased, and it immediately portrayed Su Yunjin as a villain.
Seeing the sarcasm in the news, Shi Qingxue was so angry that her hair was about to explode: "How can they say that about my mother!"
Lu Yiming took the magazine with a serious expression, and after reading the content of the report , his brows furrowed.
Shi Qingxue was just standing up for Su Yunjin, but Lu Yiming saw more from the news.
"It looks like someone is trying to stir up trouble behind the scenes. This is going to be troublesome."
Public opinion warfare is itself a means of commercial competition.
And the common people happen to be the group of people who are most easily instigated. If this matter is not handled properly, Shijinji's reputation will be stinking for three miles, and then there will be no point in having a brand strategy.
Just as Lu Yiming was lost in thought, the phone in his pocket rang. He took out his phone and looked at the number, then said to Shi Qingxue, "It's your mother calling."
He had just read the report and could guess almost exactly why Su Yunjin came to see him.
As expected, as soon as the call was connected, Su Yunjin said to Lu Yiming on the phone: "Xiaoming, something big has happened. The deal between our Shijinji and Ferrero has been reported in the newspapers!"
Lu Yiming comforted Su Yunjin and said, "Auntie, I already know the news, please stay calm."
Su Yunjin took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I'll be at the gate of your school soon. You and Xiaoxue come out and we'll go back and discuss it."
"OK."
After hanging up the phone, Lu Yiming said to Shi Qingxue: "Auntie asked us to go back for dinner."
Cao Jingwen, who was unaware of the situation, looked at the two of them and her eyes suddenly changed.
"You two, aren't you? Progressing so fast? You've already started with us? And you're going back to eat? Aren't you already living together?"
Shi Qingxue glared at her good friend: "What are you talking about? Lu Yiming must be talking about this report."
Lu Yiming also explained: "It's about this report. My aunt called me just now and wanted to discuss the problem that Shijinji is currently facing and how Shijinji should deal with it. We also wanted to have a meal together."
After hearing Lu Yiming's explanation, Cao Jingwen patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief: "So that's how it is. I was scared to death. I thought you guys were progressing so fast and were already living together. Doesn't that mean I have to help you take care of the child in my freshman year?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Are you asking for a beating?" Shi Qingxue reached out and hit Cao Jingwen, then said, "Then we'll leave first."
"Bye-Bye."
After walking out of the school gate and getting into Su Yunjin's car, before Lu Yiming could say anything, Su Yunjin picked up a stack of newspapers and magazines on the passenger seat and threw them to Lu Yiming, saying in a deep voice, "Take a look."
Lu Yiming took it and found that these were reports on Shijinji by various media.
Unsurprisingly, these reports were based on Lu Yu's interviews, digging deep into various negative news about Shi Jin Ji, including all kinds of gossip such as Shi Caijiang transferring his property and Lu Yiming buying shares of Shi Jin Ji in order to pursue Shi Qingxue.
"Wow, it's really complete." Lu Yiming flipped through it casually, and then couldn't help but sighed: "The way this black person is smeared is quite professional."
Su Yunjin said with a dark face: "What do you think? I suspect that it was most likely done by Xu Fuji. After all, they are the only ones who might mess with us in the near future. Didn't they say that I would regret it the other day? I guess this is their trick! How can people be so shameless? It's obviously a normal business transaction, why did they make a big deal out of it and link it to patriotism?"
Lu Yiming also shook his head and complained: "If they really love their country, they would spend real money to buy it. Do you think that buying compatriots for free is patriotism?"
Su Yun snorted softly: "That's right!"
Then she lamented, “Now the news is flying everywhere, what should we do?”
"Let's talk about it when we get back."
Although on the surface, these were just a few reports, which could be considered ghostwritten soft articles in the era when Lu Yiming lived. However, in today's era when the Internet is not well developed and information dissemination is relatively simple, these reports are fatal to Shijinji.
A single channel for obtaining information will make the public have unquestioning faith in the information they obtain, especially from highly credible media organizations such as television stations and newspapers.
The slow speed of acquiring information will cause the information to spread by word of mouth among the masses, prolonging the fermentation time.
The total amount of information obtained is small, and the public values information far more than they imagine. They chew on it repeatedly, resulting in wider dissemination and deeper interpretation.
All these things are life-and-death tests for Shijinji’s future responses.
When they returned to Shi Qingxue's home, Shi Caijiang and Su Yunwei were both there, and it was obvious that they had also noticed the relevant news reports.
"Lu Yiming, you're here."
Lu Yiming came in and greeted them, then said, "Auntie asked me to come here today to discuss the recent incident related to Shijinji."
Shi Caijiang said disapprovingly: "I have read the news. This is just a small matter. Is it necessary to pay special attention to it? When doing business, it is inevitable to be scolded. It will be fine after a few days. It won't make any money. Just let them scold."
Lu Yiming shook his head slightly and said, "Uncle Shi, you can't say that. This matter may seem insignificant, but it is actually a matter of life and death for Shijinji."
Hearing that it was a matter of life and death, Su Yunjin immediately became restless: "Lu Yiming, you are making a fuss about nothing. Aren't you exaggerating? Someone in the newspaper scolded us a few words, can they really scold Shijinji into bankruptcy?"
Lu Yiming looked at Su Yunwei who was sitting next to him and asked, "Aunt, what do you think?"
