Chapter 84: The Importance of Communication

It's the final day for the new book, and I hope those who enjoy it will give their support. If you have any questions, feel free to reply to the thread or join the readers' group; I'll regularly post replies or join discussions in the group. Everyone is welcome to help spot errors—thank you all!
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Before Monkey could finish his sentence, Zhao Guoyang slammed his teacup down and glared at him, saying, "Monkey, I'll remind you once more: your status now isn't just that of a hired hand, you're my partner."

"This little workshop of mine, whether it grows to be worth over a hundred million or gets listed at home or abroad, you'll always have your place in it."

With heartfelt sincerity, Zhao Guoyang continued, "As for the shares, I've already thought it through. Bai Rou is investing fifty thousand, so she'll have thirty percent. Of the remaining seventy percent, I'll take fifty, and you'll take twenty, making us three shareholders."

"Let me make it clear, though—don't you dare complain that it's not enough."

Hearing Zhao Guoyang's teasing tone, Monkey was deeply moved. He choked up a bit and said, "Guoyang, twenty percent isn't right, absolutely not! I haven't done anything, just ran a few errands, and you want me to take a twenty percent dry share? That's embarrassing, I can't accept it!"

Zhao Guoyang tried several times to persuade him, but Monkey remained firm.

Left with no choice, Zhao Guoyang nodded, "Fine, I can't win against you. For now, let's make it ten percent dry shares. When you prove yourself, I'll add more! If you refuse again, then don't bother with the job at all!"

Upon hearing this, Monkey quickly jumped up and said, "I'll do it, I'll do it! How could I not? Since you're looking out for me like this, I'll shamelessly accept the ten percent dry share..."

With the equity split settled, Zhao Guoyang and Monkey moved on to discuss the business license for the workshop.

He had previously asked Monkey to look into the procedures for setting up a small mechanical enterprise.

Monkey might not be knowledgeable about everything, but he's methodical and careful.

A couple of days ago, he made a trip to Jianghai County and figured out all the requirements for opening a factory.

"Guoyang, I've got it all sorted out. For a small workshop like ours, all you need is the investor's ID card, company articles of association, and a bank's capital verification certificate. Then you can go to the Bureau of Industry and Commerce to apply for the business license."

"Once you have the license, head to the Tax Bureau for a tax registration certificate, then to the Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision for a code certificate, and you're ready to start operations."

"No requirements from the police or fire departments?" Zhao Guoyang asked, a bit surprised.

His confusion stemmed from things he'd heard in his previous life—how starting a company was supposedly so difficult, dealing with the industry and commerce bureau, tax bureau, police, fire safety, every department imaginable.

But listening to Monkey now, it seemed they'd only need to visit three places, which Zhao Guoyang found puzzling.

Monkey, unaware of Zhao Guoyang's thoughts, frowned and said, "Why, Guoyang, do you think that's not enough places to run around?"

"Don't be fooled by there being only three departments. I've heard that even at the Bureau of Industry and Commerce, you'll need to make four or five trips before you can get things done..."

Halfway through Monkey's explanation, Zhao Guoyang more or less understood.

It seemed even after being reborn, inefficiencies in some departments still persisted.

"Oh, right, Guoyang..." Monkey suddenly remembered something and slapped his thigh.

"I almost forgot to tell you—when I went to the county tax bureau, I overheard them saying that there are quite a few preferential policies for college students starting businesses. So, should we use your name as the legal representative for our workshop?"

Zhao Guoyang hadn't considered this, but after thinking it over, he realized that the factory couldn't be kept in the dark about this forever. He nodded to Monkey, "Alright, got it. Hold off on the Bureau of Industry and Commerce for now—wait for my signal!"

"Okay, then I'll go to the other two departments first and organize everything we need!" Monkey agreed.

After their conversation, it was nearly time for work.

Zhao Guoyang told Monkey to withdraw ten thousand yuan that afternoon using the deposit slip and buy two pagers.

Neither of them had any means of communication, and it was truly troublesome to find each other when something came up.

After hearing Zhao Guoyang's instructions, Monkey nodded repeatedly.

Though he felt buying two pagers at once was a bit extravagant, Monkey understood Zhao Guoyang's reasoning. Sometimes, the importance of timely communication can't be measured by money.

After sending Monkey off, Zhao Guoyang returned to the technical department office and dug out the phone number of Shanpao, the steel supplier he'd met in Guangling.

"Hello, is this Mr. Wang?" Zhao Guoyang asked loudly.

"Yes, that's me. May I ask who this is?" On the other end, Shanpao's distinctive voice answered.

"I'm Zhao Guoyang from the technical department at Hongda Machinery Factory in Ninghai City! Mr. Wang, we met last week when Section Chief Zhu brought us over!" Zhao Guoyang began chatting with Mr. Wang.

Mr. Wang clearly remembered Zhao Guoyang; hearing his self-introduction, he replied politely, "Ah, Section Chief Zhao! Hello, hello..."

After some pleasantries, Mr. Wang laughed and asked, "Section Chief Zhao, you must be quite busy. Calling today, I suppose you have some instructions?"

Zhao Guoyang didn't beat around the bush. "Not so much instructions, Mr. Wang. I want to purchase some special-grade steel, and wondered if you have any in stock?"

Hearing that there was business, Mr. Wang immediately perked up.

He replied enthusiastically, "Yes, yes, absolutely! Section Chief Zhao, rest assured—I've been in the steel business for ages, and I know everyone in the market. Whatever special steel you need, I can get it for you."

Hearing Mr. Wang's confidence, Zhao Guoyang stated his requirements. "Mr. Wang, here's the situation. I have a friend who wants to buy some S50C spring steel. Do you have any in stock? He needs it urgently—preferably within a day or two!"

As soon as Zhao Guoyang finished, Mr. Wang burst out laughing, "Ha ha, Section Chief Zhao, you've come to the right person."

"S50C spring steel is hard to find from the usual suppliers. I just got a batch in last month, brand new inventory. How much do you need? Fifty kilograms, or a hundred?"

"That's too little. For now, prepare one ton for me. If your prices are competitive, I'll order more later—if not, we'll leave it at that," Zhao Guoyang said casually.

He wasn't pretending to be a big spender; in reality, the demand for hairpins is staggering. Some medium-sized hairpin factories supply over ten million units a year.

If you calculate twenty hairpins per kilogram, ten million units require fifty tons of S50C spring steel, not even counting material loss during manufacturing.