"What's going on? Who are you people?"
Zhao Guozhu said with a grim expression, looking at the old man and the young girl who rushed up to him and knelt down.
The old man was about fifty years old, and the girl looked to be in her early twenties. Their clothes appeared somewhat worn and simple, and their faces were filled with anxiety and hope.
Who were these two people? What were his subordinates doing? Didn't they see he was in a meeting, discussing with the members of the Machinery Industry Association how to deal with Wang Yu? Why had two people barged in and interrupted him?
Zhao Guozhu frowned, then looked at the several employees from the machinery company who followed behind, their urgent and hurried demeanor clearly indicating they hadn't managed to stop the old man and the girl.
"Mr. Zhao, you must help us!"
The old man and the girl spoke directly to Zhao Guozhu, their voices tinged with tears.
"Hmm? Who are you?"
Zhao Guozhu's tone was somewhat impatient.
He was extremely displeased. It was one thing for him, a prominent figure, to be kept waiting and humiliated by that arrogant young man Wang Yu.
And then there was Xia Ping, his subordinate, who not only embarrassed him constantly but also completely lacked discipline. If it weren't for the fact that he was his cousin and brother-in-law, he would have fired him long ago!
And now, these sudden appearances of an old man and a young girl, what was this all about?
"Mr. Zhao, I am Jin Changming, a excavator dealer under our Jiangping Machinery Industry Company. This is my daughter, Xiu Min."
The old man quickly stepped forward to report his identity.
"Hmm? An excavator dealer? What's the matter?"
Zhao Guozhu asked impatiently. Jiangping City Machinery Industry Company had a business scope similar to Wang Yu's Jiangyang County Automobile Factory, which was very broad. However, unlike Wang Yu, who ventured into the small appliance and daily necessities market, they mainly focused on various machinery and agricultural machinery fields.
Excavators were one of their business segments, but their performance had been poor, and they were on the verge of being phased out.
As for this old man and his daughter... well, the young girl was quite pretty and spirited. He had no impression of them, so they must be some small, unknown dealer.
Zhao Guozhu thought to himself, then looked at the father and daughter before him.
"Mr. Zhao, I have been diligently selling your excavator products as a dealer.
Previously, to ensure sales targets were met, I even sold them at a loss. However, the compensation promised by the factory has never been fully delivered, and even the business policy rebates that should have been settled have not been paid. This has been dragging on for almost a year without settlement. If this continues, I won't be able to hold on any longer."
Jin Changming quickly explained his identity and situation to Zhao Guozhu, his face filled with bitterness, and his tone somewhat reserved and respectful.
"I've been to the factory many times, but I could never find an opportunity to meet you, Mr. Zhao. This time, I heard that you were attending the Industrial Expo, so I specifically came to report to you!"
"Hmm? Is that so?" Zhao Guozhu was immediately unhappy. What were his subordinates doing?
Business policy rebates were extra payments provided by the supplier to cooperative dealers if they met certain conditions. For example, completing a certain sales target, stocking a certain number of products, or contributing a certain amount of return on investment, etc. The specific terms and outcomes varied depending on the policy.
However, no matter what, promises made to others must be kept. Otherwise, what's the point?
Zhao Guozhu was clearly displeased. A subordinate beside him quickly leaned in and whispered, "Mr. Zhao, they are individual proprietors."
Individual proprietors!
Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Zhao Guozhu became even more annoyed. What were they doing, looking for individual proprietors to cooperate with as dealers? Were there no companies available?
Indeed, individual proprietors were treated very unfavorably in those days.
Basically, all manufacturers only cooperated with companies, deeming them reliable and secure. As for individual proprietors?
What good was there in cooperating with a bunch of opportunists?
Besides, they might just be a shell of an operation, and might disappear overnight?
With companies, they could easily extend credit and stock inventory. But individual proprietors had to pay in cash.
Accounts with companies were settled immediately. With individual proprietors, they would delay payment, only settling when the finance department had funds.
Yes, it was discrimination! If you don't like it, go find someone else to cooperate with!
Even if individual proprietors bought a truck for hauling, they had to spray the words "Individual Proprietor" in large, conspicuous letters on the door and the cargo box, telling everyone their identity...
So, as soon as Zhao Guozhu heard they were individual proprietors, his face immediately fell. Was Jiangping Machinery Industry Company so desperate that they had to seek cooperation from individual proprietors?
What prospects could these small-time operators have? Wouldn't their competitors laugh their heads off if they found out?
The subordinates, seeing Zhao Guozhu's grim expression, gave a wry smile. Their excavator business was simply too poor, so they had no choice but to cooperate with individual proprietors!
"Hmm, I understand your situation. I will have the company's finance department verify it later."
With a perfunctory tone, Zhao Guozhu didn't even bother with polite words. He simply waved to his subordinates, "Take them away. Don't interrupt our meeting anymore."
"Yes, sir!"
The subordinates quickly responded.
"Mr. Zhao, Mr. Zhao! Please listen to me, this is the money to save my family! My wife is seriously ill in the hospital and urgently needs money! Mr. Zhao..."
Jin Changming shouted loudly but was unceremoniously dragged away. His daughter also tried to struggle but was dragged away as well!
"Really, what bad luck! Such ignorant people." Zhao Guozhu snorted coldly, then looked around. "Let's continue the meeting."
...
Outside the exhibition area of the Machinery Industry Association, several subordinates directly drove Jin Changming and his daughter away, disregarding all their pleas and cries.
"Our Mr. Zhao has already said he will have the finance department verify it. Please don't make unreasonable demands anymore."
A staff member said impatiently to Jin Changming, "If you come again, we'll call security!"
"But my wife is still hospitalized..."
"Who cares if your wife is hospitalized? You old fool! If you talk nonsense again, I'll turn your longevity into a short life!"
The staff member, not bothering with Jin Changming, kicked him and walked away without looking back.
"You... you!"
Jin Changming was kicked and lay on the ground, unable to recover for a long time. His terrified daughter rushed to help him up.
"Jiangping Machinery Company, you are so heartless. Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
Jin Changming couldn't help but roar at the sky.
"Hmm? Old man, are you in opposition to Jiangping Machinery Company? Do you need any help?"
A nonchalant, burly figure suddenly appeared in front of Jin Changming, with a lewd expression and a wicked grin.