Chapter 201: Reported
"If we want to stand out from the other wood product factories, the key is innovation and fresh ideas."
Everyone understood.
The reason their factory had achieved such high sales volume at the Spring Trade Fair was mainly due to their director’s forward-thinking mindset.
These new blueprints were another example of their director taking an unconventional approach, creating designs that appealed to foreign aesthetics.
No one had any objections; they would follow Xie Changning’s arrangements.
This time, the wood products factory would be focusing on the mid-to-high-end market, not competing on low prices. All products had to meet strict quality standards, and the materials had to be top-notch.
They couldn’t use cheap wood and pass it off as high-quality material.
Everyone obediently took note. Then, each workshop supervisor took Xie Changning’s blueprints to have the senior technicians craft prototypes by hand, while the workshops continued to fulfill their outstanding orders.
After setting things in order at the wood products factory, Xie Changning had lunch at the canteen and then went to the daily chemical factory.
She hadn’t been there in a long time, so she felt she should check in.
Arriving at the daily chemical factory, she saw workers heading into the workshop. To her surprise, they were all wearing white protective suits.
She hadn’t been the one to suggest these suits. ’I can’t believe the daily chemical factory is already using them.’
Xie Changning found the deputy director, Wang Daqiang, and asked about the protective suits. The answer she got was that the lab had required them.
"Technician Sheng said we have to get used to dressing like this," Wang Daqiang explained. "The products we’re going to make are high-end personal care items for the international market, so our factory attire has to become more professional. We can’t wear our old clothes anymore. We have to wear these white protective suits to prevent things like skin flakes from workers from getting into the products."
Wang Daqiang didn’t understand all the details, but the technicians were all top students from Beijing University. If they said so, he would listen.
After all, his education and experience couldn’t compare to theirs.
Hearing Wang Daqiang’s explanation, Xie Changning nodded. "I hadn’t even thought of this step yet, but the lab is already ahead of the curve. That’s great."
Seeing that Xie Changning also approved, Wang Daqiang was instantly and completely won over by the technicians.
’No wonder the director wanted to bring these technicians back!’
"I’m going to see them. Keep up the good work." She needed to meet with Sheng Jiaojiao and the others to decide which new production lines to add.
Arriving at the laboratory door, Xie Changning found her designated locker, took out her sterile suit, and stepped inside.
Hearing the door open, the few people in the lab turned their heads. When they saw it was Xie Changning, Sheng Jiaojiao greeted her, "Senior, you’re back?"
After speaking, she peered behind Xie Changning.
Then, seeing nothing in Xie Changning’s hands, she looked a little disappointed. "I thought you might have brought back some new things from abroad."
Seeing that Xie Changning had returned empty-handed, she sighed and turned away.
Xie Changning asked Sheng Jiaojiao with an amused smile, "Aren’t you being a little too mercenary?"
’So I’m only a good senior when I bring samples, and not worth talking to when I don’t!’
She was the factory director! Their great patron!
Xie Changning’s words earned a scoff from Sheng Jiaojiao. "You know as well as I do that it’s not easy to go abroad. How could you not bring back some spoils of war?"
"I did, but I went to the wood products factory first, so I didn’t bring them with me."
"Senior, when are you heading home? Can I go with you?"
Sheng Jiaojiao’s attitude changed in an instant. "I just knew you’d bring back some spoils~"
Xie Changning: "..." ’Such a fickle woman.’
Xie Changning told them what she had brought back. This time, it wasn’t just some personal care products, but also daily skincare and makeup.
When she heard Xie Changning had brought back cosmetics, Sheng Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up like lightbulbs.
That was no exaggeration.
She grabbed Xie Changning’s hand, her heart nearly flying all the way to Xie Changning’s house.
"It’s a bit early for our factory to start producing skincare products, but I brought some back for you to look at, just to get an idea," Xie Changning said, sharing her thoughts.
Sheng Jiaojiao and Qiao Tiantian knew that Rome wasn’t built in a day.
But—
"I think it’s time to start recruiting some people," Sheng Jiaojiao said to Xie Changning.
Qiao Tiantian nodded in agreement. "Yes, I have a classmate who specializes in this field. You could try to poach them." She wasn’t the only one who had studied abroad; other talented classmates were also having their potential buried.
It would be better to have Xie Changning recruit them.
That way, the domestic light industry could also see some new development.
Xie Changning took Qiao Tiantian’s suggestion to heart. "If you can get in touch with them, I can certainly try to recruit them. Salary is negotiable." After discussing the skincare products, Xie Changning told them the purpose of her visit.
"The main reason I came today was to ask your opinion. Which two production lines should we add?"
As soon as they heard about adding production lines, the lab technicians understood. Xie Changning was preparing to introduce new products at the Autumn Trade Fair; these would be the main items for promotion.
Sheng Jiaojiao exchanged a look with her colleagues and finally spoke to Xie Changning.
"I think perfume and toothpaste."
For foreigners, perfume is a necessity.
Foreigners tend to have stronger body odor than Chinese people, so they need perfume to cover it up.
As for toothpaste...
Even if they didn’t export it, they could sell it locally in the various supply and marketing cooperatives.
Xie Changning understood their reasoning and nodded. "Alright. I’ll discuss expanding the production lines with the leadership. You get the samples ready, and I’ll take them to show the higher-ups."
"Okay, no problem!"
After settling on which production lines to expand, Xie Changning took a walk over to the laboratory she had previously established.
Ever since her mentor had arrived, she had been abroad and hadn’t had a proper chance to meet with him. She made a special trip this time to visit her teacher.
However, her timing was a bit off.
Her teacher had gone back to Beijing to recruit people and wouldn’t be back for a few days. Xie Changning could only ask about the lab’s progress.
After chatting about a few topics, it was getting late, so Xie Changning headed back.
Xie Changning wrote up a proposal overnight. Early the next morning, she went to Chuncheng to meet with the various leaders and get them to approve a plot of land for her.
But—
"You’re just in time. Someone filed a complaint against you for engaging in capitalism and letting the workers take on private jobs." As soon as she walked in the door, Director Zhao waved her over.
Hearing that someone had reported her, Xie Changning didn’t even need to guess who it was.
She wasn’t particularly concerned.
"Do you believe it?" Xie Changning didn’t say anything else, only asking if Director Zhao believed the accusation.
Director Zhao was speechless. He looked at Xie Changning and said, "Is this a question of whether *I* believe it? The complaint was sent directly to the leadership’s mailbox!"
"Do they have any evidence?"
"...The leadership didn’t say they did."
"Well, there you have it. Filing a false accusation has legal consequences, too!" Xie Changning retorted.
Director Zhao was about to say more, but hearing Xie Changning’s response, he knew she had made sure from the very beginning that no one could find any leverage against her.