Rebirth 70: I am a Koi

The next day, I mobilized all my connections and contacted all the major vegetable markets and supply and marketing cooperatives in the city to sell our vegetables at prices lower than the market price. As soon as the news came out, it immediately caused a sensation.

"Don't miss it if you pass by, fresh vegetables are on sale!"

"It's cheap, it's cheap, it's a big loss-making sale!"

Together with the workers, I shouted at the top of my lungs and soon attracted a large number of customers.

"This dish looks really good. How much is it per pound?"

"It's half the price of what you can buy at the market! Look at the choy sum, it's so fresh!"

Customers were attracted by the low prices and bought the vegetables. I was very happy to see that the vegetables that were originally unsalable were snapped up.

"Jinli, this trick of yours is really powerful. Now we can sell all our vegetables!" Lin Xiao said excitedly while helping to collect the money.

"This is just a temporary solution. If we want to truly solve the problem, we have to consider the long-term." Bai Hanchuan reminded.

"I know. After we get through this difficult time, I will find a way to improve product quality and build a brand." I said perfunctorily, but I didn't agree with it in my heart. The most important thing now is to recover the funds as soon as possible. As for the rest, we can talk about it later.

"Jinli, I think Hanchuan is right." Father also came over, "We can't just focus on immediate interests, we must focus on long-term development."

"Dad, I get it. Don't worry." I said with a smile, but I felt a little impatient in my heart.

In the next few days, I put all my energy into sales. With the low-price strategy, our vegetable sales soared and soon recovered our previous market share.

"Jinli, you see, I told you your method works!" Lin Xiao said to me excitedly while holding the sales report, "Our sales this month have doubled compared to last month!"

I took the report, looked at the series of numbers on it, and a satisfied smile appeared on my face.

"But..." Bai Hanchuan hesitated to speak.

"What's wrong?" I turned to look at him.

"I heard..." He paused, frowning slightly, "The planting base in the city next door..."

"What happened to the planting base in the neighboring city?" Seeing Bai Hanchuan looking troubled, I felt a pang in my heart. Could something have gone wrong again?

"While we were busy dealing with pests and diseases, they launched a series of high-end products that focus on being green and pollution-free. They also registered a trademark. I heard that the sales are very good." There was a hint of worry in Bai Hanchuan's tone.

"What?" I was shocked. I had only cared about immediate interests and kept the price so low, but ignored brand building. Now, others have taken advantage of the situation and seized the high-end market.

"Moreover..." Bai Hanchuan paused and continued, "I heard that they have reached cooperation with several large supermarkets in the city and are preparing to supply goods on a long-term basis."

"How could this happen..." I suddenly felt powerless. I had finally solved the problem of pests and diseases, and was about to recover, but then I encountered a new challenge.

"Jinli, what should we do now?" Lin Xiao was also panicked. Her flower shop business during this period relied entirely on the supply of my vegetable base. If there was a problem with the base, her flower shop would also suffer.

I forced myself to calm down and think carefully about the countermeasures. The most important thing now is to keep my footing and not lose my composure.

"Don't worry, there is always a way to solve the problem." I pretended to be calm and comforted Lin Xiao and Bai Hanchuan, but I felt more and more uncertain.

In the evening, I came to the vegetable base alone. Looking at the lush vegetable fields in front of me, I felt mixed emotions. This crisis was more serious than I had imagined. Although the low-price strategy could bring temporary sales, it could not win the long-term market. I had to find a new breakthrough as soon as possible, otherwise, my vegetable base and Lin Xiao's flower shop...

I suddenly remembered what Lin Xiao said this afternoon. She was going to import a new variety of roses and she said she wanted to give me a surprise... Surprise? My heart suddenly sank, and an ominous premonition came over me.

In the evening, Lin Xiao's flower shop was much quieter than usual, and I couldn't help but feel nervous. Lin Xiao's eyes were red, and she tried to hold back her tears and told me that because the price of vegetables I supplied fluctuated too much, her purchase costs were also unstable, and several old customers chose other shops. I opened my mouth and wanted to say something, but found that my throat was dry and I couldn't say anything.

After returning home, Bai Hanchuan was still busy with the base's affairs. He looked through the latest market research report with a frown on his face. "The brand effect of our competitors has taken shape. Their product premium rate is 20% higher than ours, but consumer recognition is rising." He rubbed his brows, his tone full of fatigue.

I knew the seriousness of the problem. In order to quickly expand the market, I chose the strategy of small profits but quick turnover, but ignored brand building and product added value. Now, my competitors have seized my mistakes and quickly seized market share, while I have become a frog in warm water. When the water gets hot, I find that there is no way out.

"It's all my fault. Back then..." I wanted to apologize, but was interrupted by Bai Hanchuan, "It's meaningless to blame yourself now. We have to find a way to make up for it." His eyes were firm, but his tone was unusually heavy. I knew that what lay ahead of us was a tough battle.

The next day, I called together all the employees at the base and announced that we would adjust our sales strategy, focus on the mid-to-high-end market, increase brand promotion, and promise to win the trust of consumers with the best products and services. After listening to my speech, the employees were silent. I knew that they also felt unprecedented pressure.

At night, I stood alone in the base's warehouse, looking at the piles of inventory, my heart filled with regret. Suddenly, the door of the warehouse was pushed open, and I looked back and saw...

...It was my father who came in, holding a pot of hot tea and some whole-grain steamed buns in his hands.

"Why are you staying here alone? It's cold in the warehouse, be careful not to catch a cold." My father handed me the tea, his tone full of worry.

I took the teacup, and the warmth flowed through my fingertips into my heart. "Dad, did I do something wrong?" I raised my head, my eyes full of confusion.

My father sighed, patted my shoulder, and said earnestly: "Jinli, doing business is like farming, you have to be down-to-earth and not be greedy for short-term benefits. You are still too young and impatient."

I nodded. My father's words were like a revelation to me, which made me completely sober. In order to quickly expand the market, I chose the strategy of small profits but quick turnover. Although I achieved certain results in a short period of time, it also buried hidden dangers. I ignored brand building and product quality, and blindly pursued low prices, which eventually led to consumers losing trust in our products.

"Dad, I know I was wrong, and I will try my best to correct it." I clenched my fists, my heart filled with regret and determination.

My father patted the back of my hand and said earnestly: "It is a great honor to admit your mistakes and improve. You are still young and have a chance."

My father and I chatted for a long time in the warehouse until late at night. When I got home, Bai Hanchuan had fallen asleep. I lay down beside him quietly, but I couldn't fall asleep.

The next morning, I called all the managers of the base for an emergency meeting. At the meeting, I proposed a new development strategy, deciding to control product quality from the source, while increasing brand publicity and improving product added value.

The managers expressed their support for my proposal and said they would go all out to make up for the mistake. I looked at their determined eyes and a glimmer of hope ignited in my heart.

However, just when I was confidently preparing to work hard, an unexpected problem was placed in front of me... The warehouse manager hurried to my office, his face pale and his tone panicked: "Mr. Mu, it's bad, something went wrong..."