Galen Nelson stared blankly at the various cargo ships on the distant dock for a moment, then turned to Song Tianyao: "When you come next time, tell me after you've sold those women's toys to United States men. God, United States kids have gone crazy. If my son dares to put one of those women's toys on his head, I'll take a shotgun and send him to meet God, so God can tell him himself whether he's a man or a woman."
Song Tianyao let out a refreshing breath of sea breeze. He needed to return to Hong Kong. The equipment was ready, but before it arrived, there were still issues with raw materials and labor to resolve. He had to get everything done well, showing everyone the business opportunities and profits; otherwise, how could he attract more people to this industry?
Chapter 209 The Unknown is Where the Excitement Lies
Shek Chi-yik listened to the five representatives of the Hong Kong Steel Enamelware Association speak in turn, although he still wore a gentlemanly smile and listened attentively, he was already extremely agitated inside.
He successfully took the position of Director of the Hong Kong Industrial and Commercial Administration Office, but he chose the wrong time. The damned Embargo Order plunged Hong Kong's industrial and commercial sector into the most severe winter since the war.
The five representatives of the Hong Kong Steel Industry Association in front of him were the owners of only five steel factories in Hong Kong. According to the data, the Hong Kong Steel Enamelware Association had thirteen member units last year, which was reduced to eight at the beginning of this year. But now, the entire association only has these five factories owned by these five factory owners. The demise of the entire Hong Kong Steel Enamelware Association seems to be foreseeable.
"In January, my Huachang Steel Enamelware Factory could barely produce 500 sets of all kinds of products, including American-style high-temperature cookers, lifting-ring high-temperature cookers, rice cookers, refurbished cookers, washbasins, soup basins, etc. 500 sets was just enough to keep the factory breaking even. But last month, we only produced and sold 270 sets in the entire month. I've already had to personally subsidize the factory to pay workers' salaries and utility bills," said Xu Huachang, president of the Steel Precision Industry Association, with a worried expression. "The steel precision industry used to be Hong Kong's most stable industry, but now India, Pakistan, and South Africa have all stopped using Hong Kong products and switched to Japan ones. Only the Nanyang region still has a little bit left." The market is in dire straits, but I see it's precarious as well. Factories have already exhausted their large stockpiles of raw materials. For example, lead sheets— Hong Kong's steel mills have always imported from the United States and Canada —but now, due to the Embargo Order, Canada, under pressure from the United States, has stopped supplying lead sheets to Hong Kong. Britain and France have very limited supplies of this material; only the United States can provide it. However, obtaining legal imports from the United States is extremely difficult now. Moreover, the United States mainly supplies lead sheets to Japan, and Japan, which already had lead sheets, is now taking the opportunity to stockpile large quantities. If we get raw materials from Japan, the cost will be at least 10% higher than the price of Japan goods..."
Xu Huachang wanted to burst into tears, but Shek Chi-yik's mind was no longer on him. He probably understood the current situation of the entire Steel Industry Association better than Xu Huachang. However, with the United Nations Embargo Order hanging over their heads and the United States heavily supporting Japan, it was very difficult for Hong Kong's manufacturing industry to make any progress. Shek Chi-yik felt just as uncomfortable as Hong Kong's manufacturing industry.
However, his concerns about the development of local industry and commerce were secondary. His main concern was his own future. After all, even if it was due to the current situation, if someone maliciously seized on this issue to attack him and smear him, given the current predicament of Hong Kong's industry and the fact that the higher-ups wanted to find someone to take the blame, it was not impossible for him to be pushed out as a sacrifice. When it comes to politics, anything can happen.
Thinking about this, Shek Chi-yik even felt that his position as section chief was not as secure as his previous position as deputy section chief.
"Now even in local Hong Kong stores, Japan- made steel tools are displayed in abundance on the shelves, and the prices..." Seeing that Shek Chi-yik was ignoring him, Xu Huachang raised his voice slightly.
Shek Chi-yik nodded seriously. "Chairman Xu, the Industrial and Commercial Administration Office is already considering whether the profits tax on Japanese goods sold in Hong Kong needs to be increased. We will do our best to protect the development of local businesses. Regarding raw material prices and import issues, the Hong Kong Government will also contact the Britain to negotiate with the United States Britain, Canada, and other raw material countries. Please rest assured that the Hong Kong Government will attach great importance to this matter."
After finally getting rid of the five factory managers, Shek Chi-yik rubbed his temples, walked out of the management office's meeting room, and instead of returning to his office, strolled into the courtyard to admire the lush green plants to dispel the restlessness in his heart.
To avoid being criticized for being a deadbeat or to seek a higher position, one must strive to achieve something under the current circumstances. However, with the Embargo Order in place, getting anything done is difficult.
"Director Shi, your wife called and said that a Mr. Song Tianyao would like to invite you and your wife to dinner at the Peak Restaurant at six o'clock tonight. She would like to ask for your opinion." Shek Chi-yik's secretary walked quietly behind Shek Chi-yik and spoke to Shek Chi-yik, who was admiring a lush asparagus fern.
Shek Chi-yik paused for a moment upon hearing Song Tianyao's name, then tried to wave his hand to tell his secretary he didn't have time, but ultimately turned back and said, "I don't have any social engagements tonight. Tell my wife, that's fine."
After bidding farewell to the quartermaster at the Shek Kong Camp, Xia Zuoji returned to his truck, feeling dejected.
He failed again. Damn Gao Minghui, damn Tianming Grain and Vegetable Supply Company! He must have cursed all the quartermasters in Hong Kong, otherwise why would the Britain entrust all their grain and vegetable procurement business to a China person?
In any case, this India should have been more approachable to the Britain than the China person, since Britain colonized India many years earlier than it colonized Hong Kong.
Just because his family did grain business with the Japan army during the Japanese occupation? Good heavens, that's an absurd reason. He's a businessman, and whether the rulers are Britain or Japan, his first priority is to make money. Besides, his family has already suffered the consequences, hasn't it? The large amount of Japanese military scrip they earned during the occupation was worthless after the war, turning their once prosperous family into destitute.