Chapter 373: Just Because I’m Named Zhou Ming!

The Dongkou Textile Factory is the oldest textile factory in Nanjing City, said to have been established by a foreigner before the liberation. However, due to the chaos of the era, no one knows the exact details. Since everyone's memory, the Dongkou Textile Factory has always been here.

The Dongkou Textile Factory has a somewhat legendary status. Before the Reform and Opening Up, it was one of the oldest and largest textile factories in Nanjing, but it was barely surviving. However, once the Reform and Opening Up took place and Nanjing was designated an economic zone, the factory seemed to experience a renaissance. Within a year, it turned its losses into profits, and after three years, it firmly established itself as the largest textile factory in Nanjing.

Unreservedly speaking, nearly half of the textiles visible in Nanjing in the following years came from this factory, and Dongkou Textile Factory enjoyed an excellent reputation.

The situation of Dongkou Textile Factory presents a sharp contrast to the many state-owned enterprises that, after the introduction of market competition mechanisms during the Reform and Opening Up, became listless and uninspired.

Thus, Dongkou Textile Factory dominated Nanjing for several years. However, this year, the factory faced a crisis in its financial chain during its peak period. To remedy this issue, the factory decided to implement a promotional strategy involving reduced prices for early payments.

Zhou Ming knew that the financial problems of Dongkou Textile Factory were not a sudden issue, but he had no interest in exploring the specific reasons. After all, what he needed was their products and prices, not to help them through their difficulties. What problems the factory faced were irrelevant to him.

With this straightforward mindset, Zhou Ming, Xia Lang, and their team arrived at Dongkou Textile Factory.

After registering at the security office, their cars entered the factory. Zhou Ming looked around and said to Xia Lang, "This textile factory looks quite good, but where is your friend? Let's go and discuss the policy first."

Xia Lang nodded in agreement and led Zhou Ming, Du Peng, and several bodyguards toward the office building.

Compared to yesterday, Du Peng was much more patient today. Although he had complained bitterly to Zhou Ming, he had listened carefully to Zhou Ming's words.

Today, Du Peng saw that Dongkou Textile Factory was indeed large in scale, capable of nationwide and even international operations. Yet, it was facing financial issues and had to lower prices for promotion. Even so, intermediaries were still manipulating the situation to profit, which confirmed Zhou Ming's foresight regarding the significant problems here.

More importantly, in the vast Nanjing City, was Xia Lang's intermediary company the only one of its kind? If Nanjing City had such issues, the situation would be even more severe if expanded nationwide.

While Du Peng was contemplating this, a group of people walked out of the administrative building. Xia Lang greeted one of them, a thin, dark-skinned man, saying, "Brother Zhao, I'm Xia Lang from last time. I'm here to inquire about the discount policy."

Brother Zhao, upon hearing Xia Lang, briefly spoke to the others and then walked towards Xia Lang. "Why are you here again? Didn't we already discuss this last time? I have customers right now, so please wait a moment. I'll talk to you later."

Without waiting for Xia Lang's response, Brother Zhao rejoined the group and entered the building, never glancing at Zhou Ming.

"Is this the trusted friend you mentioned?" Zhou Ming asked Xia Lang.

Xia Lang's face turned awkward. "Yes, I'm sorry, Boss Zhou. He must be busy with customers today."

Zhou Ming didn't comment further and waited with Xia Lang for Brother Zhao to finish his business.

After a while, Brother Zhao returned, and Xia Lang promptly approached him. "Brother Zhao, have your customers left?"

Seeing Xia Lang still there, Brother Zhao was surprised. "Why haven't you left yet? What's the matter?"

"I'd like to ask about the discount policy…" Xia Lang began, but Brother Zhao interrupted, clearly impatient.

"Didn't I already explain this last time? Eighty thousand is the starting point. Without eighty thousand, you won't get any discounts."

"Brother Zhao, that's not what I'm asking…" Xia Lang tried to explain, but Brother Zhao cut him off.

"What else could it be? I've already given you a substantial discount. There's no room for negotiation. You know our Dongkou Textile Factory has a great reputation in Nanjing. We're not worried about customers. The batch of customers I just sent off came from Port City."

"Xia Lang, instead of wasting your time here arguing, you should think about how to raise eighty thousand. I'm busy with other calls, so if you have nothing else, please leave."

Brother Zhao said this and walked back into the administrative building, ignoring Xia Lang.

Seeing this, Zhou Ming said, "Xia Lang, it seems like you're not very familiar with Brother Zhao, right? It's probably just a regular customer relationship."

"Yes, Boss Zhou," Xia Lang's face became even more embarrassed. He quickly added, "But please rest assured, I've known him for a long time. He wouldn't lie to me about the discount."

"I believe you because if there's no personal grudge, there's no point in him deliberately misleading you," Zhou Ming said. "But since he has this attitude, there's no need for us to keep pushing. Let's find another salesperson."

Xia Lang agreed, and they moved toward the administrative building, directly to the business hall.

Brother Zhao happened to be at the door. Seeing Zhou Ming and Xia Lang enter, he walked over, clearly displeased. "Xia Lang, didn't I already make myself clear? Go back and find a way to raise the money. The discount is set. If you can't come up with the money, stop causing trouble here!"

"Brother Zhao, I'm here to discuss business properly. How can it be considered trouble? I think you're the one being unreasonable!" Xia Lang retorted.

Brother Zhao was surprised by Xia Lang's boldness. He had only seen Xia Lang as someone who persistently begged for discounts, but today Xia Lang was standing up to him. However, Brother Zhao remained unflinching and said with a sneer, "Oh? Did the sun rise from the west today? Xia Lang, you've grown some backbone today?"

If it were just Xia Lang alone, he wouldn't dare to confront Brother Zhao like this. But with Zhou Ming observing, Xia Lang had to perform well to honor Zhou Ming's guidance.

With renewed determination, Xia Lang stared resolutely at Brother Zhao and said, "Brother Zhao, I used to trust you, but your attitude today is very disappointing. I'm here to negotiate business, but look at your current attitude. If you think I can't come up with the money, you can recommend another salesperson. Your time is valuable; I don't want to waste it."

"Looks like you have issues with me?" Brother Zhao sneered. "Do you know why I'm treating you this way?"

He gestured behind him. "Look at the other business owners; they all come here ready to pay for discounts. Only you, with barely any money, keep coming here to haggle and ask for more discounts. Can't you be a bit more graceful? Do you think I don't know about your little intermediary company that can't come up with the money? You're clearly not cut out for this business."

Finally, Brother Zhao said, "If it weren't for our familial relationship, I wouldn't bother with you."

He scoffed, "Recommend you another salesperson? Don't make me laugh. People like you are hopeless wherever you go."

Faced with Brother Zhao's mockery, Xia Lang clenched his fists but restrained himself from exploding. He gritted his teeth and said, "If you're unwilling, then forget it. I'll find another salesperson myself."

Xia Lang tried to bypass Brother Zhao to find someone else, but Brother Zhao grabbed him. "What are you doing? You think you can just walk away after I've spoken to you?"

"Brother Zhao, if you can't be straightforward, then please be clear about it!" Xia Lang demanded.

Brother Zhao's face darkened. "Xia Lang, you're an adult now. I hope you stop acting out. It's pointless, and Dongkou Textile Factory isn't the place for your tantrums. Be careful not to escalate things; we might call the police, and you'll have to explain yourself."

Xia Lang retorted, "I'm here to discuss business. I want to know if raising more money will get me a better discount."

"More money? You're really dreaming. Do you think money just falls from the sky? You'd better settle your debts before asking for more. Is that clear?" Brother Zhao said.

Xia Lang wanted to say more, but Zhou Ming stepped forward. "You must be Manager Zhao, right? Hello. We're here to discuss business."

Seeing Zhou Ming, Brother Zhao was taken aback. He sized Zhou Ming up and said, "Hello, sir. What business are you here to discuss?"

"I came with Xia Lang. We want to discuss the relationship between the payment amount and the discount. If Manager Zhao can't answer, we can speak to someone else or your supervisor," Zhou Ming said.

Manager Zhao raised his eyebrows. "Speak to someone else or our supervisor? On what basis?"

Zhou Ming shook his head and replied, "On the basis that my name is Zhou Ming!"