Song Tianyao swirled his wine glass and said, "In the early stages, we don't need to make money. First, we need to let everyone know that there is a tabloid in Hong Kong that provides various convenient information. Once the readership is wide enough, we can consider profitability later. In the early stages, we should aim to achieve a circulation figure comparable to that of major newspapers."
"You're not considering making money, and you're waiting until more people read it before you start? That's bound to flop. Everyone's used to this tabloid being free. If you suddenly start charging, circulation will plummet. It's better to just charge from the start." Hong Lai-sau shook his head and said to Song Tianyao, "I've never run a newspaper, but some of my seniors from university went on to work for various newspapers after graduation. We chat about it occasionally when we get together, and I know a little bit about it. This isn't a good idea."
"That's not something you should be thinking about, Brother Xiu. Right now, you only need to consider one thing: I'll provide the money, and you can help me get this tabloid up and running. One issue a week, hire three or four people to collect information and publish it daily in various shops in Hong Kong Island Kowloon, and distribute the newspapers. I'll cover all the newspaper's salaries and expenses." Song Tianyao looked at Hong Lai-sau: "You don't think I'm just joking with you after all this, do you?"
"Why me? You should find someone who actually understands newspapers to do it." Hong Lai-sau exhaled a heavy breath, carrying the sweet aroma of rice wine, and asked Song Tianyao.
Song Tianyao shrugged. "You're cheap enough. I asked around, and the editors-in-chief of newspapers, those cultural figures with a bit of reputation, earn three or four hundred yuan a month. I've thought about it for a long time. This tabloid doesn't need articles to grab news, nor does it need the connections of a big editor-in-chief, so I might as well save money and find a cheap option, which is why I came to you."
"Damn it, so you really think I'm cheap stuff? You think you can trick me into selling my proud soul to you with just a plate of peas? No way!" Hong Lai-sau yelled at Song Tianyao, glaring at him.
Song Tianyao held up two fingers. "Two hundred yuan a month, no delays or arrears."
"I'll do it! Two hundred bucks. I'll take your body, not just your soul," Hong Lai-sau said, completely lacking any scholarly integrity.
Relieved that the other party had agreed, Song Tianyao smiled and asked, "Isn't it said that cultured people don't bow down for a pittance?"
"Haven't I already told you that three pecks of rice won't make you bend your back, but two hundred yuan will definitely? Hey, if I were the editor-in-chief of a newspaper, wouldn't I be worthy of a female secretary?"
"Are you even a cultured person? Greedy, lustful, and addicted to alcohol..."
After finishing their business, the two men walked out of the tavern and saw Hong Lai-sau staggering along the roadside, preparing to walk home. Song Tianyao asked from behind:
How about calling the newspaper "Hong Kong Business Weekly"?
"The China Hong Kong Business Weekly," Hong Lai-sau said without turning his head, "Even if the newspaper doesn't sell scathing articles, it still has to tell those who read it that Hong Kong is part of China. And by the way, let me tell you that the editor-in-chief Hong Lai-sau, is a greedy, lecherous, alcoholic... hiccup... a patriotic intellectual."
Chapter 266 Tea Party
Song Tianyao took Lou Fengyun to a tea party organized by the Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce.
This tea party was arranged by Li Bazhong, the manager of the Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce, and was held at the One Tea Spring Teahouse long-established tea house in Jordan Kowloon. Most of the attendees were not affiliated with the Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce; only four were members. The rest came from various regions. What they had in common was that they were all planning to start a fake hair business and had all asked Song Tianyao to help them order the machines. Now that the Spring Festival was over, the machines would soon arrive in Hong Kong and be put into production, so it was natural for them to sit down together, chat, get to know each other, and exchange ideas.
Such tea parties are a long-standing tradition among business associations and industry practitioners in various districts of Hong Kong. Almost every industry holds similar tea parties or cocktail parties from time to time, where everyone exchanges information on raw materials, production processes, and even prices, in order to stabilize the order of the entire industry and work together for development.
However, today's tea party is slightly different from those in other industries because the wig business is a new phenomenon, and there's no industry association yet. Apart from Song Tianyao's factory, which is currently profitable, everyone is still relatively new to the industry and a bit apprehensive. They only know that wigs are profitable, but where to sell them? How to deal with buyers? How much to sell them for? Where to source the raw materials?
Of course, those in the industry have already inquired about these issues privately, but even after private discussions, they are still not entirely certain. Therefore, they are eager for an opportunity to sit down and exchange ideas.
The person these people currently see as the one who can provide the answer is undoubtedly Song Tianyao, a new member of the Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce.
When Song Tianyao and Lou Fengyun arrived at One Tea Spring Teahouse, they happened to run into the Tang Boqi, Tang Jingyuan, outside the teahouse. The two brothers were getting out of Tang Boqi's stylish champagne-colored car.
"Billy Zai, Young Master Yuan." Song Tianyao greeted the two with a smile, then stopped at the entrance of the teahouse, waiting for Tang Boqi and Tang Jingyuan to go upstairs together.
Tang Jingyuan subconsciously paused, after all, he was the one who poached the female workers from Song Tianyao's factory. Seeing Song Tianyao now, he couldn't help but feel a little awkward. Tang Boqi, on the other hand, walked over calmly, offered Song Tianyao a cigarette, and said with a smile, "So early A-Yao? Aren't big shots usually the last to appear? Everyone's waiting for you to share your experience. You should have come later to maintain your aura."
"I'd like to too." Song Tianyao lit a cigarette and nodded in agreement as he listened to Tang Boqi's words. "I also want to maintain the demeanor of a young teacher who imparts knowledge and enlightens the mind, but Chairman Chu had his butler call me yesterday, reminding me to remain humble and not to become arrogant and complacent just because I've made some money, especially not to be late."
"Chairman Chu so concerned about you?" Tang Boqi said to Song Tianyao with a mischievous smile, "Does he have a daughter he's planning to marry you?"
"This tea party was arranged by the Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce. If I put on airs, outsiders will only say that the Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce doesn't know how to behave. He's the president of the Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce, do you think he cares?" Song Tianyao rolled his eyes. "Besides, you're so handsome, even if you have a daughter, she'll most likely only patronize you."