Inside a decades-old izakaya (Japanese pub) in Hakone Town called Moonlight House.
Song Tianyao, with a sincere expression and an attitude of humbly seeking knowledge, asked Xinmin Baohachi, who held titles such as professor at the University of Tokyo and economic advisor to several regional governments in Japan:
"Mr. Xinmin, I completely agree with your theory. A businessman's value is not measured by how much money he makes. The business ethics you emphasize are very important in a business career. I believe that what a businessman sells is not just goods, but also customer service. The ultimate goal is not to make a lot of money, but to make every customer feel happy. In fact, when you meet the customer's needs and make the customer happy, it means that you have already reaped the corresponding benefits."
Although Xinmin Baohachi was quite famous in Japan's theoretical economic circles, and many businessmen did travel from afar to hear his insights, no one offered to invite him to lunch. Most people would quickly take a photo with him after the meeting, using the photo as something to brag about later, and then leave. They didn't seem to have much interest in the business values he presented. The only one who actually asked questions was Song Tianyao.
"Mr. Song, what kind of business do you run?" After Wei Meixian finished translating for Song Tianyao, Xinmin Baohachi asked with a smile, "I really didn't expect that you, a Hong Kong, would be the only businessman who endorses my philosophy during a speech in Japan."
Song Tianyao personally poured the other party a glass of sake. "I used to be in the wig manufacturing and sales business in Hong Kong, but I'm planning to open a department store in Japan soon. Mr. Xinmin, I'd like to ask, why do you think the businessmen attending the conference lacked interest in your speech? Or do they not agree with your theories on business ethics?"
"Because most of the merchants present are not large-scale businesses, but rather small to medium-sized shops, these shops basically still maintain the pre-war Japan business concepts, such as credit sales. Whether the buyer is a wealthy merchant or a housewife, they can buy on credit, settling accounts on a monthly payday, quarterly, or semi-annual basis. Therefore, in this situation, the merchants feel that they have already prioritized payment for the goods and have not received cash, so they have already done better than the other party and there is no need to discuss this kind of business ethics." Xinmin Baohachi answered Song Tianyao's question without hesitation, giving the answer easily.
Song Tianyao frowned slightly. "That's a terrible vicious cycle, very bad, and it benefits neither side."
After listening to Wei Meixian's translation, Xinmin Baohachi looked at Song Tianyao seriously. "This is indeed a terrible vicious cycle. What is your understanding of it?"
"If merchants continue to extend credit, they won't get their funds back and will likely raise the prices for goods on credit. Buyers, in turn, will face difficulties settling accounts due to the increased prices, leading to further delays and ever-increasing debts. After listening to your speech, I feel I've found my new business opportunity. I want to open a department store, encourage cash payments, fulfill all customer desires as much as possible, provide employment opportunities for locals, and most importantly, uphold business ethics," Song Tianyao said earnestly.
Xinmin Baohachi was somewhat surprised that Song Tianyao had just understood his philosophy, and then, a moment later, uttered a somewhat idiotic question, "Let me remind you, Mr. Song, Japan has many department stores, but they are not places that most ordinary Japan people can frequently shop at. Moreover, the service attitude of department stores is very good. What I'm talking about only exists in small and medium-sized stores."
Song Tianyao excitedly shared his ideas with Xinmin Baohachi: "What if I opened a department store serving the general public? The prices would be the lowest, the service would be better than those high-end department stores, and I could produce my own brand of goods, such as the soaps and condiments on the shelves. I could build a small processing plant to produce them, eliminating other sales methods and supplying them to my department store at cost price. I would then sell them at the lowest possible price, and the factory could hire local people to work. What do you think? I think this is what a businessman should do. He shouldn't just make money for himself, but also benefit others in the area where the store is located. That's business ethics. Moreover, a portion of the profits should be used for local public welfare, such as schools and hospitals, which would also enhance the company's brand and recognition."
"I think your idea will attract invitations from many regions in Japan. However, this kind of idea requires a huge investment and the return on investment will be slow. But if successful, it will easily become the first choice in the minds of the locals." Xinmin Baohachi said with some emotion, "Mr. Song, it's rare that as a young Hong Kong Chinese, you have no prejudice against Japan and are more optimistic about Japan's economic development than Japan businessmen, and are willing to work hard for it."
"Could you recommend some information about some economically underdeveloped regions in Japan? I have no intention of competing with those high-end department stores for big cities." Song Tianyao hesitated for a moment before saying to Xinmin Baohachi, "I have no hatred towards Japan. The war is over, isn't it? Japan was also a victim, and that pain will continue."
"What? Don't you recognize me?" Song Tianyao stretched on the sofa and asked the Scribe Hui, who was staring at him but dared not speak.
The Scribe Hui, gestured for Wei Meixian to leave first. Wei Meixian's face was now filled with the words "Song Tianyao is a Collaborator." She glared at Song Tianyao and walked out of the room.
"Secretary Song, when you do business in Japan, didn't you say you wanted to make money off the Japan? Now it sounds like you're building factories and hiring Japan workers. Japan workers are paid very high wages, why not make them cheaper? Labor is cheap in Hong Kong, so why not just ship the goods to Japan and sell them?"
Song Tianyao smiled and looked at his Scribe Hui: "Do you hate the Japan?"
"Of course I hate it! When the Japan invaded Hong Kong, my brother was captured and forced into hard labor. He was worked to death without receiving a single penny of wages," said Scribe Hui, honestly.
"I hate it too, but am I supposed to take a few guns and go on a killing spree in Japan to avenge the dead China person? How many Japan would I kill then?"
"But is it really necessary to build factories, hire workers, and even build schools and hospitals for them? It's so extravagant!" Scribe Hui scratched his head. He was rarely angry, but after Wei Meixian told him about Song Tianyao's conversation with the Japan today when she returned to the hotel, Scribe Hui felt that if his boss really did that, he would probably be drowned in the spittle of the China person when he returned to Hong Kong.