Chapter 57: Repackaging

Zhu Daodong planned to use the hundreds of boxes of premium old white liquor stored in the warehouse to offset the entire year's enterprise management fees. When Liu Wei heard this, he was overjoyed. Great, he wouldn't have to worry about the workers' wages this year. Solving this major expense for the township government, Liu Wei even felt confident about giving the workers a year-end bonus.

"Director Liu, how many boxes of premium old white liquor are left in the factory?" Zhu Daodong was also delighted. Even Chen Shuli had said that the premium old white liquor tasted like Wuliangye. If the liquor was marketed properly, the benefits might far exceed the one ten-thousand yuan enterprise management fee.

"There are still more than five hundred boxes, eighteen bottles per box, so five hundred boxes would be nine thousand bottles. That's not enough for this year's enterprise management fee. Director Zhu, should I add some regular old white liquor?" Liu Wei asked cautiously.

"No, we don't need regular old white liquor for now. Even if it's not enough to make up the ten thousand, you need to change the packaging. The bottle design and the name of the liquor also need to be changed," Zhu Daodong waved his hand. Regular old white liquor would be of no use to him; he could only consume it himself. No matter how much he could drink, he couldn't drink old white liquor like water every day, right?

"Change the packaging, bottle design, and name?" Liu Wei was taken aback. If you want to buy the liquor, just buy it. Why go through so much trouble?

"Yes, all of them. The packaging can be modeled after Wuliangye. Each bottle should have its own individual packaging, and the bottle design should be elegant and beautiful. As for the name, I think we should call it Shulin Ridge Liquor. It sounds much better than 'premium old white liquor,'" Zhu Daodong nodded, explaining his thoughts one by one.

"Is it really necessary to go to such lengths for just over three tons of liquor?" Liu Wei couldn't understand what Zhu Daodong was up to. In his mind, these premium old white liquors could be delivered to the township government and consumed there. But he also knew that might not be possible. He had once consulted Yuan Ping about this matter, but had never received a clear response, so he didn't dare bring it up again.

"Whether it's necessary or not isn't up to you to decide. Calculate now if the remaining money can cover the costs of changing the bottle, label, and box," Zhu Daodong sneered.

"It might not be enough, but I'll take responsibility for the extra costs. The factory will cover it. After all, we still make some profit on the factory price of these liquors. Even if we cover the costs, the factory won't lose money," Liu Wei quickly calculated. More than five hundred boxes of liquor meant over six thousand bottles. The labels weren't expensive; a penny could buy several. The cost of the boxes and bottles wasn't high either, but the small quantity might make them a bit more expensive.

"Thank you for supplying the township government. It would be best to have samples of these three items first. If not, I need to see the design effects," Zhu Daodong reminded him.

"No problem. I'll deliver them to your office in three days at the earliest and a week at the latest," Liu Wei said.

"Secretary, the liquor factory is progressing smoothly, but there's something that needs your help," Zhu Daodong came to Chen Shuli's office again.

"What is it?" Hearing that the liquor factory was progressing smoothly, Chen Shuli's frown eased. Yesterday, Zhu Daodong had reported a plan for the liquor factory to him. At first, he found it hard to believe, but Zhu Daodong's data and examples convinced him, so he agreed to let Zhu Daodong use the premium old white liquor to offset the factory's enterprise management fees for the year.

"Regarding the name of the liquor, I forgot to mention it yesterday. I suggested a name to Liu Wei at the factory, Shulin Ridge Liquor. If the Secretary has any objections, I can change it," Zhu Daodong said.

"Shulin Ridge Liquor? I think this name is fine. It can create a brand and indirectly promote Shulin Ridge, achieving two goals at once," Chen Shuli smiled. If the liquor could achieve the success Zhu Daodong predicted, it would greatly benefit his political future. After all, the liquor would be produced during his term, and no one could deny that.

"Since the Secretary agrees, there's only one thing left. I need the Secretary to write a few words for the liquor, which we will put on the label," Zhu Daodong smiled lightly.

"Me write the words? That's not appropriate, you know... Sigh, alright, I'll try my best," Chen Shuli was about to refuse, but seeing Zhu Daodong's hopeful eyes, he knew this was another opportunity. Although his handwriting wasn't great, he often wrote "Shulin Ridge," so why not write these words?

Watching Zhu Daodong leave, Chen Shuli felt many emotions. He had originally placed Zhu Daodong in the position of the enterprise office director just to give him a suitable identity to manage the tofu factory. He never expected that Zhu Daodong would come up with such good ideas for the only factory under the enterprise office's jurisdiction. Although the results were not yet visible, Chen Shuli believed that if they followed Zhu Daodong's plan, the Shulin Ridge Liquor Factory might turn things around.

Talent shines wherever it is placed! If Chen Shuli had only admired Zhu Daodong at first, now he had grown to like him.

After leaving Chen Shuli's office, Zhu Daodong went to Yuan Ping's office. Although he despised Yuan Ping, he couldn't ignore him. Since he had saved Chen Wanli in the county, Yuan Ping had become cold towards him. On the surface, Yuan Ping was always very热情 and polite when he saw him, but in reality, Zhu Daodong could feel that Yuan Ping had distanced himself. They were only united in appearance.

"Director Yuan, do you have a moment?" Zhu Daodong knocked on the door and asked, "I want to report on the enterprise management fee for the liquor factory this year."

"Hmm, sit down," Yuan Ping was reading a document. After saying this, he buried himself in it again, as if he had forgotten Zhu Daodong's presence.

Zhu Daodong understood that this was a leadership technique. Knowing he was there, the leader ignored him, leaving him to wait. Zhu Daodong didn't sit down but stood quietly, waiting for Yuan Ping to "carefully" read the document.

After about ten minutes, Yuan Ping finally "finished" reading the document. He looked up and was slightly surprised to see Zhu Daodong still standing. "Why are you standing? Sit down. What did you say you wanted to talk about?"

"About the enterprise management fee for the liquor factory this year," Zhu Daodong bowed slightly and said.

"What's the problem with the enterprise management fee?" Yuan Ping asked, feigning surprise.

"This year, the production and sales of the liquor factory are not good. We can't pay the enterprise management fee this month."

"This Liu Wei is really messing things up! Even if the liquor factory is poor, it can't be so poor that it can't pay a two-thousand-yuan enterprise management fee? Besides, you just took over as the director of the enterprise office. How will others see this? People might think he's deliberately making things difficult for you. No, I'll call Liu Wei and tell him to arrange it immediately. Even if he has to borrow the money, he must pay the enterprise management fee first!" Yuan Ping said angrily.

If Zhu Daodong hadn't overheard his conversation with Liu Wei the day before, he would have been grateful to Yuan Ping. What a good leader, so considerate of his subordinates.

But now, Zhu Daodong only thought, what a good actor!