Chapter 541
Meeting
Chapter 541 Meeting
Wang Shuxiang's reaction completely terrified Lin Aiguo.
Recently, some people have been trying to arrange dinner invitations for Lin Aiguo through his mistresses.
There were leaders from Japan, as well as leaders from other prefectures and cities, factory leaders, and so on.
Lin Aiguo had been to several such events; they were brightly lit, filled with beautiful women, gentle and attentive, and the people hosting the parties always fawned over him.
These days are truly wonderful.
Even though he knew in his heart that the other party wasn't after him, but Lin Xiaohe, he still held onto a sliver of hope that he could resist these sweet-coated bullets.
Wang Shuxiang's cold voice was like an invisible tight band, giving him nightmares for several days.
"Forget it, that old woman is really fierce, I won't stoop to her level." From then on, Lin Aiguo became a stay-at-home husband and stopped going anywhere.
In the last week of November, the matter finally reached the capital.
Old Ma jogged over, his face beaming with excitement: "Director Lin! It's a call from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. In three days, the Japan Color TV Association, the eight major manufacturers, and us will be going to the capital for a meeting."
Lin Xiaohe and the old factory director exchanged a glance and grinned.
The old factory director rubbed his hands excitedly: "Will the higher-ups care?"
"I want to manage it, but I can't."
The old factory manager looked disappointed: "Huh?"
"It's alright, let's just go through the motions and have a legitimate reason for our actions. If we don't care now, the higher-ups won't interfere when we do something to them."
A glint flashed in the old factory director's eyes, and he gave Lin Xiaohe a thumbs up.
To put it bluntly, in order to attract foreign investment, the conditions offered by various provinces are quite generous. Between their own people and foreign investment, the people who are the "domestic" always end up losing out.
Having prepared themselves mentally, Lin Xiaohe and her group booked plane tickets and flew to the capital.
The capital city, in a conference room.
A director from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology sat in the center, flanked by several division chiefs.
On the right, Taro Inoue, the chairman of the Japan Color TV Association, sat upright, surrounded by representatives from the eight major TV manufacturers, their faces as stern as coffin lids.
On the left are Lin Xiaohe and the old factory director.
The director cleared his throat: "Everyone's here, so let's begin. Today's meeting is being held at the request of the Japan Color Television Association. The Japanese side has expressed concern about some recent public opinion in the Eastern market and hopes to communicate in person. On the Chinese side, Comrade Lin Xiaohe from Changhong Factory is also here. Let's speak face to face and make our point."
Taro Inoue spoke first.
The old man, around sixty years old, had his hair neatly combed and his chin held high.
"Mr. Director, first of all, thank you for arranging this meeting." His Chinese was fluent, but his condescending tone made people very uncomfortable.
"The six member companies of the Japan Color TV Association have cooperated with the color TV industry in Japan for many years, always adhering to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win, and providing high-quality products to your country's market. However, recently, some companies in your country, especially Changhong, have spread false information through the media and maliciously attacked Japanese companies, seriously damaging the image of the Japanese color TV industry. We strongly protest against this."
Lin Xiaohe listened without saying a word.
Taro Inoue continued, "The joint adjustment of color picture tube supply prices to China by Japanese companies is a normal market behavior and a business decision based on supply and demand. However, Lin Xiaohe, the factory director of Changhong, claimed at a press conference that this was a blatant provocation against Japan and a brutal violation of market rules. Such remarks are completely irresponsible and a stigmatization of Japanese companies. We demand that Lin Xiaohe issue a public apology and retract his false statements."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Lin Xiaohe, a faint smile playing on his lips. The director turned to Lin Xiaohe: "Comrade Lin Xiaohe, do you have any response to the Japanese side's statement?"
Lin Xiaohe moved forward and looked at the arrogant face opposite her.
"Chairman Inoue, I have a few questions I would like to ask you."
Taro Inoue nodded slightly: "Please speak."
"My first question is, before your association made this decision, did you consider the capacity of Japanese color TV manufacturers to withstand the pressure? Did you consider the sudden surge in demand in the Japanese market? Did you consider how many Japanese workers would face layoffs because of this?"
Taro Inoue's face darkened: "Director Lin, Japanese companies have no obligation to be responsible for the employment of your country's workers. We are only responsible for our own shareholders."
“Okay.” I nodded. “My second question is, when your association made this decision, did you consult your country’s anti-monopoly legal counsel? Did you assess whether this kind of behavior of jointly limiting production and raising prices and signing exclusive supply agreements is compliant with international trade?”
Taro Inoue narrowed his eyes.
The director coughed and said, "Comrade Lin Xiaohe, this issue..."
“Director, I have one last question.” Lin Xiaohe interrupted him, staring at Inoue Taro. “Chairman Inoue, you just said that Japanese companies cooperate with the Chinese market based on the principle of mutual benefit and win-win. Then I ask you, is joint production cuts and collective price increases truly mutually beneficial or a win-win situation?”
Inoue Taro's face turned completely dark.
After a few seconds of silence, he spoke, his voice several degrees colder than before.
"Director Lin, I originally thought you were here to communicate. Now it seems you have no sincerity at all."
He stood up and said to everyone, "Since this is the attitude of your country's companies, there is no need to continue today's talks. The Japan Color Television Association maintains its original resolution. Director Lin, please remember what you said today."
He paused, a cold smile appearing on his lips.
"You'll regret it when your factory shuts down and thousands of workers lose their jobs. By then, even if you come to Tokyo and beg me on your knees, the price won't be what it is today."
The conference room was deathly silent.
Everyone looked at each other.
Director Liu of the Provincial Economic Commission looked ashen-faced.
Lin Xiaohe slowly stood up and confronted Inoue Taro head-on: "Chairman Inoue, what did you just say? Kneel down?"
Lin Xiaohe smiled: "Okay, I'll remember that. I'll also give you a piece of advice."
Lin Xiaohe said, word by word, "In my life, I, Lin Xiaohe, will kneel to heaven, to earth, and to my parents, but I will never kneel to the Japanese devils. From today onwards, Changhong Factory will not buy your color picture tubes. Not only will I not buy them, but I will also let the whole of East Korea know how Japanese companies bully the people of East Korea. When the day comes that your products can no longer sell in East Korea, when there is overcapacity and inventory backlog, don't come begging to me. Because by then, I will no longer need you."
Inoue Taro's face flushed red. He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, and led the way as they turned and left.
The remaining people looked at each other in bewilderment.
The director coughed and said, "Well... let's call it a day."
The representative from the color picture tube factory glanced at Lin Xiaohe, said nothing, and walked out of the meeting room.
Lin Xiaohe and the old factory director were leisurely throwing the waste paper on the table into the trash can.
The director was exasperated by Lin Xiaohe's appearance: "Comrade Lin Xiaohe, you're here to solve problems, not to escalate them. What will happen to Changhong Factory if you keep doing this!"