Especially those from the machinery factory, they'd give away motorcycles just like that. Though second-hand, at this time, it was akin to a BMW in later years.
Wait, speaking of vehicles, Zhang Liunian realized that having a small truck would be better than anything.
This way, he wouldn't have to borrow the village's tractor.
Thinking about it, he casually asked, "Uncle Yan, does your factory produce small trucks? How much does one cost?"
"No, it's not just us, nobody does. However, we have large trucks, thirty-five thousand yuan each."
"..." Too poor, couldn't afford it.
"You've actually given me an idea. Our factory has always been producing those large trucks for hauling goods, and we've never considered smaller ones. I'll have them try it out later."
Fine! He just asked casually, but it managed to shift Yan Guoguo's focus, which was a good thing.
"It can indeed be tried. In the future, the demand for small trucks won't be any less than for large trucks." Zhang Liunian knew very well how many people would need small trucks for hauling and delivery once individual businesses started to rise.
Therefore, he strongly agreed with Yan Guoguo's idea and wished they would start production immediately.
Yan Guoguo seemed to sense something, staring at Zhang Liunian, he asked, "How do you know the demand for small trucks will be greater than for large trucks?"
The large trucks they produced were all for large factories. For them, large trucks were the best choice because they could haul enough goods at once.
"The birth of individual businesses signifies the arrival of a new era.
Many people like me are emerging from all over the country. As soon as their businesses expand a bit, they will need small vehicles for hauling and delivery.
Tractors are not bad, but they are too slow. For people like us, small trucks would be more practical than large trucks and faster than tractors, so small trucks will become the preferred choice for individual businesses."
"I don't see many individual businesses in our county. Are you sure they'll be willing and have the money to buy small trucks costing tens of thousands?" Yan Guoguo was skeptical.
In those days, there were very few households with ten thousand yuan, let alone spending hundreds of thousands on a small truck. It was a pipe dream.
"That depends on how you produce small trucks with a suitable cost-effectiveness for us."
"Even if we cut costs, it will still cost at least ten thousand yuan. That's the minimum price."
"Ten thousand yuan, if we can scrape by, it's still acceptable."
"..." Yan Guoguo felt utterly speechless. What did he mean by "scrape by"? Was he implying that those who worked as individual entrepreneurs made a lot of money?
How much money would they need to make to afford a small truck?
Was Zhang Liunian being too optimistic about the future of individual businesses?
"Are you that optimistic about the future of individual businesses, believing that people engaged in them can earn big money and afford small trucks?" Yan Guoguo asked after adjusting his breathing.
"Uncle Yan, let me put it this way. As long as people are willing to put aside their pride and try things during this era, eight or nine out of ten will make money.
And this group of people will be the first wealthy individuals after the reform and opening up. By then, let alone small trucks, even cars won't be a problem.
If you can produce some small trucks with slightly lower cost-effectiveness at this time, there will definitely be future prospects."
Take him for example, he needed one urgently now, but unfortunately, he didn't have enough money.
Yan Guoguo looked at Zhang Liunian with surprise. He used to think he was just an unusual individual entrepreneur, but he didn't expect him to have foresight.
Yes, the emergence of individual businesses was indeed part of the reform and opening up, but it shouldn't be this exaggerated!
He even said that cars wouldn't be a problem. How much money would that take?
"Are you so sure that individual entrepreneurs will become the first wealthy people in the country?" Was this the reason he refused to join the factory? Yan Guoguo's mind was severely shaken.
After all, at this time, working in a factory or farming was still considered honorable. To suddenly hear someone say that individual entrepreneurs would be the first rich people in the country was naturally difficult to accept.
One must remember that individual entrepreneurs were looked down upon by everyone at the moment.
"Yes, I'm sure, and the future belongs to us individual entrepreneurs."
Zhang Liunian had come from this very period and was at the forefront. He was very aware of the opportunities and leniency of this era. As others said, standing on the crest of the reform and opening up, even a pig could fly.
In his previous life, Zhang Liunian had met many people who had taken off during the same era. Most of them had entered the business world and soared within these ten years, although some later failed.
This was unavoidable. Competition was getting stronger, and those without capability could only fall.
"You really are confident." Yan Guoguo didn't know what to say, but he could indeed see the confidence on Zhang Liunian's face.
This confidence was just like when he had said he would definitely cooperate with him last time.
Such assurance, such a desire to believe.
If the times were truly as he envisioned, what would happen to his factory?
"If it's really as you say, what will happen to us state-owned factories?" Yan Guoguo didn't know why he asked this, but he just wanted to ask.
"I think eighty percent will go bankrupt. Those that don't will definitely undergo reform and restructuring..." When it came to these matters, Zhang Liunian was unstoppable.
After listening to his words, Yan Guoguo felt his worldview collapsing. If it were true, their factory might also face these problems in the future.
"How do you know? Never mind, you don't need to say it." Yan Guoguo realized halfway through that he shouldn't have asked.
What Zhang Liunian said were just future speculations, things no one could be sure of.
"This is my speculation and cannot be verified. Just take it as a casual remark," Zhang Liunian couldn't really answer. How could he say he had lived through it once?
"Regardless, I am truly grateful for your warning last time, which saved me from several misfortunes.
So, Old Zhao said you've taken over Daming Lake and want to expand your business. I know the director of the South City Food Factory. I'll contact him when I get back. He and I have a good relationship, and he will definitely agree to cooperate with you."
Yan Guoguo was truly grateful to Zhang Liunian, but since Zhang Liunian didn't want to work in his factory, the only way to repay him was to introduce him to some business partners.
As for the motorcycle, he hadn't forgotten, but it would have to wait for some time.
"I do need to expand my business. Uncle Yan, I appreciate your help. Let's have a drink together another day." Zhang Liunian knew that the South City Food Factory was the largest food factory in their entire province, with as many people as the machinery factory.
If they also agreed to cooperate, he would definitely need to hire people to stir-fry lobsters.
"It's settled then. Tomorrow I'll have Old Zhao accompany you." To show his sincerity, Yan Guoguo even sent his brother.
"No need to trouble Uncle Zhao, I can go by myself." Zhang Liunian felt he could manage on his own and refused.