1928: The rise of giant merchants

On April 30, the seventeenth year of the Republic of China (1928), 500 Chevrolet 490s purchased by Ye's Automobile Company from General Motors arrived in Shanghai successfully. On the morning of that day, Ye Luo, the boss of Ye's Investment Company and the second young master of the Ye family, and the King of the Pier Together, Tan Si drew the much-anticipated first prize winner of car coupons.

Unexpectedly, the winner turned out to be Zhang Wanlin, the second boss of Yongxing Company.

One stone stirs up a thousand waves.

The next day, the awkward photo of Ye Luo and Zhang Wanlin was published in major well-known newspapers.

After the trend of car coupons, the ubiquitous Chevrolet 490 advertisements have also made citizens feel a little tired. The advertising effectiveness is gradually declining, and the real car buying boom will begin.

"With the coordinated operations of the four major armies of Chiang Kai-shek, Gui, Feng, and Yan, Marshal Zhang's Fengtian Army retreated steadily. On May 1, the Northern Expeditionary Army defeated Zhang Zongchang's troops of the Fengtian Army and invaded the capital of Shandong Province. Unexpectedly, they encountered The right one is the Sixth Division, the elite unit of the Japanese army."

"Yongxing Company has published a newspaper to clarify that there is absolutely no shady transaction with Ye's Automobile Company. Zhang Wanlin's winning of the prize is purely coincidental. To prove his innocence, the Chevrolet 490 has been auctioned by the Charity Federation, and the proceeds will be donated to the county primary school. "

"According to reporting reporter Ms. Chen Ruiqiong, since the Chevrolet 490 arrived in Shanghai, in just three days, all major stores of Ye's Automobile Company have been full every day, with countless people ordering cars, and the total sales may have exceeded 200 units!"

"Emergency news break. Cai Gongshi, the special negotiator of the Northern Expeditionary Army, was brutally murdered because he refused to sign that 'the army killed an RB soldier somewhere'. All the eighteen attendants who accompanied him were also killed. The Northern Expeditionary Army withdrew from the provincial capital and took a detour. Northern Expedition"

"Huo Tianhong, the boss of Yongxing Company, once again declared in the newspaper that Yongxing has never slandered or slandered Yip's Automobile Company, and has always supported and recognized Chinese businessmen's entry into the automobile industry. He also hopes that Yip's Automobile Company can stand in the cracks of foreign companies." We will fight our way out and will never engage in any commercial slander. In order to show our sincerity, Huo Tianhong took the lead in investing, and the three bosses of Yongxing purchased a total of 5 Chevrolet 490 cars to show their support!"

On the afternoon of May 3, sometimes clear and sometimes blurry broadcasts came from the crystal radio.

"These beasts! They are not human at all!" Wu Liande flicked the pen in his hand, and then he remembered that he was still at No. 32 Xiafei Road, not in his office. He quickly smiled and bent down to pick up the pen, " Sorry, Second Young Master, I”

A white hand picked up the pen before him.

"Yes, you scolded well. Such an ugly nation with deep evil roots deserves to be scolded." Ye Luo handed the pen back to him, "The tragedy happened, and we can't do anything even though we are far away in Shanghai, but this morning I I have contacted President Fu Xiaoan and Vice President Yu Qiaqing of the General Chamber of Commerce to hold a charity party recently to raise some charity funds for the capital of Shandong Province to do our best."

"That's great." Wu Liande returned to his seat, not wanting to continue this heavy topic, so he talked about the recent sales of Liangyou Pictorial.

After making strategic adjustments according to Ye Luo's wishes, Liangyou Pictorial mainly upgraded the cover girls and some accompanying pictures, focusing on celebrities, celebrities and various new-age women, and the clothing was also more enthusiastic and open. Sure enough, sales increased day by day. !

Coupled with the wave of enthusiasm for Chevrolet 490, the sales volume of Liangyou Pictorial has been extremely high. The sales volume of the recent issues has been maintained at a high level of around 13,000!

Wu Liande felt like he was in a dream.

Before meeting Ye Luo, Liangyou Pictorial was on the verge of bankruptcy and was acquired. If he didn't accept Xinxin Pictorial's offer of NT$10,000, he would have no choice but to lay off some old employees and cut salaries and expenses to maintain balance.

At that time, the maximum sales volume was only 2,000, and the profit was less than 100 yuan per issue!

Now, sales have increased sixfold. For four issues in January, the net profit from sales alone can reach 2,000 yuan, not including the front-page advertising space that is now extremely popular!

Businessmen are chasing profits. After seeing the momentum of the Chevrolet 490, many people focused on this advertising position and tried to replicate it.

Ye Luo then ordered to rent out this advertising space at a base price of 100 oceans.

There are also many other bits and pieces of advertising space, and as the sales of pictorials increase, they can all be sold at a good price.

"The second young master is really a business wizard! When I paid my salary last month, I specially gave each employee a big red envelope of one or two yuan. The cover read the second young master's message to Liangyou Pictorial, 'Create a new era, be the first in Shanghai' ', it can be seen that everyone is very motivated!"

Wu Liande felt a lot more relaxed when he talked about this.

During the Republic of China, the gap between the rich and the poor was astonishingly wide, and the people at the bottom were miserable. Small Chinese business owners like him were not much better. Doing business depended not only on the looks of big forces such as warlords and gangs, but also on the local wealthy aristocrats. He couldn't even borrow capital from the bank, so he could only borrow money from rich friends.

For the sake of wealth, freedom, and family happiness, they worked hard to climb into the middle class. This is why Zhou Xiangsheng did not hesitate to agree to Ye Luo's 50,000 yuan to buy Xiangsheng Automobile.

Fortunately, they "sold themselves" to a good boss!

"Where's the Chevrolet 490? How's the sales going?" Ye Luo stirred the black coffee in front of him with a spoon. Recently, he began to continue writing the article "On the Last Madness of the U.S. Stock Market in 1928 and the Upcoming Investment", plus another I was busy with car dealerships and often stayed up late, so I replaced my tea with coffee.

"Second Young Master, as of this morning, all stores have sold a total of 278 Chevrolet 490s, 225 of which have been paid in full, and the money has been converted into US dollars and credited to your account." Zhou Xiangsheng picked up the report and put it up Glasses, reported seriously, "According to your requirements, we have arranged the best 'three-in-one' service experience for all car-buying customers. Maintenance workers, car drivers, and store employees are also actively recruiting."

"Have you made customer portraits and sales trend curve charts? Show them to me."

Ye Luo nodded and hooked his hand.

As he estimated, in this era, even with the concept of installment payment, car buyers still do not like to consume in advance and prefer to pay in full.

This is a great thing for Ye Luo.

The U.S. dollars received now will actually appreciate in value in more than a month, bringing him more generous returns.

The sooner you pay, the better.

According to his past sales experience, the car buying craze at this time is just the beginning. Those who can spend money to buy a car soon after it arrives in Shanghai are either rich or expensive, which means that 1,000 yuan is not a big deal for them. , they naturally don’t care about installment payment.

After all, these people are a minority and not his mainstream customer group.

The real mainstream customers are the middle class people who live in various foreign banks and commercial units in the concessions and county towns in Shanghai.

This group of people are still waiting and waiting for feedback after the Chevrolet 490 hits the road. They are also the main users of installment payment.

Ye Luo is very confident about this car. After all, it is a popular model brought back from the dead by General Motors. Even if it is outdated in the United States, it is still not backward in China and is very suitable for the general public.

"Second Young Master, what are you talking about? Customer portraits, do you mean photos of guests?" Zhou Xiangsheng was confused.

Ye Luo patted the table and realized that he was not in the 21st century: "I forgot to explain it to you. The so-called customer portrait is a well-organized customer file sheet that records in detail the car buyer's own situation and family situation. , such as age, job, nationality, income, preferences, etc., we need to find out who the core customer groups of Chevrolet 490 are, and then prescribe the right medicine."

"That's it!" Zhou Xiangsheng seemed to understand.

Wu Liande on the side is more accepting of some such novel ideas.

After all, the concept of big data analysis is far from being popularized. In many cases, technology and cost do not allow them to conduct customer surveys and analysis. They can only rely on their own experience to do business like a blind man crossing a river.

Therefore, the industry is extremely easy to be monopolized by some bosses who have been immersed in it for a long time.

There are not many people buying cars, and in order to provide three-in-one services, this basic information has already been collected and is just analyzed and sorted out.

"If you can't do it, send all the information to Fengming Tower and let Xiao Aqiao do it." Ye Luo said.

"I understand, Second Young Master." Zhou Xiangsheng nodded, "Then the sales trend curve chart"

"A kind of chart, so that I can visually see the sales situation, fluctuation trends, when the sales peak may be reached, etc." Ye Luo said briefly, this is also suitable for Liangyou Pictorial.

Wu Liande listened with great interest. He has a strong learning ability. After all, he also studied abroad and quickly absorbed this kind of basic knowledge.

"Then our next step is to start a car rental business, right?" Zhou Xiangsheng couldn't help but ask.

Although the sales momentum is good now.

But the second young master bought a full 2,000 cars!

He felt that no matter how good the sales were, selling 1,000 units would be the best.

In the future, the majority of income will come from the Chevrolet 490 car rental business.

Ye Luo smiled and shook his head: "It's still a little early, don't rush, aren't you also training drivers and employees? Since we have to do it, we must do our best! As I said, 'Customers are the parents of food and clothing', Once it is launched, it will be 'service day and night, available on request'! Only when the sign is out, will those more down-to-earth customers be willing to rent a car and enjoy it."

After all, customers who buy cars are still a minority.

In the future, more people will rent cars and take taxis.

They are the main force of consumption.

I can't afford it, but for the sake of face, women, and myself, renting it for a day or two isn't too much, right?

You foreign companies have so many rules and regulations, so I will find a Chinese businessman!

"What about selling cars?" Zhou Xiangsheng was now in a state of admiration for Ye Luo. He was a model of hitting wherever he pointed.

"There is no rush. We have reserved about 80 cars for sale. The next batch of cars will arrive later this month. We can sell more than 400 cars this month. After that, no matter who comes to ask or buy, they all say they are out of stock. , you have to wait for the next batch, if you can’t wait, you can rent a car and take a taxi.”

Ye Luo knows "hunger marketing" very well.

If you let it go all at once, the novelty will be gone.

In his imagination, after a large number of northerners flocked to Shanghai and the assassination in June, he should be able to sell 1,200-1,500 units by the end of the year. His sales circle could also cover the surrounding Yongcheng. Sioux City, and Hangzhou and other places.

Don’t worry about not being able to sell it back.

Properly raising their expectations will make them sell better.

"But what if they lose their patience?" Zhou Xiangsheng was a little confused. He felt that when doing business, he should take advantage of the opportunity to do something.

What if you sell it after the opportunity has passed and people don’t want it anymore?

In fact, his thinking is correct, but after comprehensive judgment based on the current situation, Ye Luo's plan is more profitable. Unfortunately, this is something only Ye Luo can see clearly.

Ye Luo smiled mysteriously and stopped continuing the topic. Zhou Xiangsheng could only suppress his curiosity and return to his seat to continue working.

He had to figure out the customer portrait first.

The three of them were busy until evening. Wu Liande, a workaholic, wanted to continue working overtime, but the door downstairs was opened with a key.

Zhou Xiangsheng raised his head and glanced at Ye Luo.

"It's okay, it should be Xiao Aqiao." Ye Luo only gave her the key here.

Sure enough, the sound of high-heeled shoes going up the stairs was heard, and then there was a knock on the door of the office area.

"Second Young Master, are you there?"

"come in."

"Eh? Chief Editor Wu, Manager Zhou? You haven't gotten off work yet." Xiao Aqiao was only wearing a thin silk petticoat and a fur shawl. She hooked her bag in one hand and carried a three-layer food box in the other. "I I made some Qinghuo porridge and pastries, if you don’t mind, let’s try them together.”

"Hey, okay! Thank you, sister-in-law!" Wu Liande happened to be a little hungry, so when he stood up, Zhou Xiangsheng ran over and held him down, then dragged him out.

"Ah, that second young master, Lao Wu and I have an appointment tonight, so we'll leave first!" Zhou Xiangsheng glared back at Wu Liande's doubts, smiled apologetically and moved out the door, "Sister, I'm leaving. "

"Oh, Editor-in-Chief Wu, Manager Zhou, why don't you give me some relief?" Xiao A smiled charmingly, her phoenix eyes slightly raised, rippling like spring water.

"No, no, we'll be drinking and having supper later, so I won't disturb the second young master and the eldest sister." Zhou Xiangsheng dragged Wu Liande and ran down.

"Lao Zhou, it's rare to eat cakes once."

"Eat, eat, eat. I'll treat you to Xinji's white chopped chicken later, okay?"

"Really? That's what you said."

Their voices drifted away, and then with a bang, the door was closed.

"Come here so late, Fengming Tower will lose business." Ye Luo opened the balcony door, and the warm evening breeze in May blew in his face. He moved the deck chair and prepared to enjoy it on the balcony.

"Business is not as important as the second young master." Xiao Aqiao put down her bag and untied her shawl. The silk petticoat was almost like pajamas. It was also transparent. Without the shawl to cover it, it was very tempting. "The second young master will not come either. I don’t care if my little Ah Qian is a little bit off, I have no choice but to be a bitch and run over to see you."

It was also because of seeing this outfit that Zhou Xiangsheng, who was more understanding of the world, pulled Wu Liande and ran away quickly. Don't disturb the second young master's night!

"Oh, you were born to be a lowly person, how bitter it is." Xiao Aqiao opened the food box, took out the steaming porridge and cakes, and placed them on the white table, just like the little daughter-in-law who came to visit her husband. When she saw the half-drunk coffee, she frowned slightly, feeling a little distressed.

"Ah, I've finished my cigarettes, lend me a few." Ye Luo reached for Xiao Aqiao's bag.

Xiao Aqiao suddenly panicked and wanted to snatch it back: "No!"

"Hey, if I get it, it's mine."

Ye Luo blinked and smiled, and Xiao Aqiao suddenly looked panicked. There must be a ghost in this bag!

He stopped giving it even more. He stood up and lifted the bag up, shaking it back and forth.

Little Ah Qing was not as tall as him, so she couldn't reach it even if she stood on tiptoe. She could only pout her mouth in worry, her eyes welling up with tears, and she was about to cry.

"Enemies, little enemies! Don't torment me! Just give it to me, okay?"

"No, no, there must be some treasure in this bag."

"Don't, don't look, please~"

"hey-hey."

Ye Luo raised his hand high and opened the bag with the other hand. There was nothing inside, including a cosmetic case, car keys, silver dollar checks, cigarettes, and a kerosene lighter.

What made her so anxious should be the piece of paper folded and neatly placed in a small bag?

The cigarette box and kerosene lighter were thrown to little A Qiao.

She blushed, pouted, and reluctantly took out the cigarette.

"Let me see what it is. Huh?" Ye Luo opened the piece of paper and discovered that it was the application form for founding a company that he had written. It was so crumpled that he didn't know how many times it had been rubbed.

It seemed that Xiao Aqiao had smoothed it out and kept it close to her.

"Why are you keeping this crap? I thought it was archived in the Ministry of Industry Bureau." Ye Luo threw it away casually.

"Oh, you are seeking death!" Xiao Aqiao was so frightened that she was about to fly downstairs when she saw the application form. She subconsciously threw away her cigarette and lighter and was about to fly towards it!

Wow——

The application was intercepted halfway.

Ye Luo took it back earlier and held it in his hand.

He did it on purpose!

Little Ah Qiao realized that he was teasing her, and she was angry and laughing at the same time. She almost stumbled because she rushed too quickly. Fortunately, Ye Luo easily hugged her slender waist and pinned her to the balcony handrail.

Looking at Xia Feilu below, he felt the faint masculine aura behind him and the wonderful touch of his body.

Little Ah Qing suddenly lost her mind.

"My little Ah Qiao owed you to death in my last life, and I will let you be so mean and tormented like this in this life." She puffed up her face and muttered, "You are so mean!"

"Ahem, I'm just teasing you. What are you doing?" Ye Luo pulled her back from the armrest and sat back on the recliner.

Xiao A was having a conflict and had to break free from his arms.

Ye Luo didn't stop him. He let go and smiled to himself: "The eldest sister also buys a Chevrolet 490. She is a rich man."

"Huh!" Xiao A rolled his eyes at him, "It's so troublesome! It's not convenient at all! Return it tomorrow!"

"This car is very easy to drive. It's okay for my eldest sister to vent her anger on me, but not on my car." Ye Luo laughed, "Refunds are even more unacceptable. Once the products in our store leave the counter, we will not be held responsible. !”

"Profiteer! Bad guy!" Xiao Ah quietly spat at him, filled the porridge and handed it to him, "Drink it quickly, it won't taste good when it gets cold."

"I don't drink."

"?"

"Unless the eldest sister comes to sit on my lap and feed me." Ye Luo said goodbye and acted willfully.

Little Ah Qiao was angry and laughing. This little enemy just tormented her and learned well.

"Would you like to drink?"

"Then I'm not happy!"

"Okay, okay!!!"

Xiao Aqiao stood up and took a sneak peek below to make sure no one was there, then she moved over carefully. She was wearing a silk petticoat, which was not much different from not wearing one at all. How embarrassing!

She sat down gently and picked up the spoon.

"No, it has to be mouth to mouth." Ye Luo raised his head with clear eyes and a smile on his face.

"I'm going to die if you don't behave like this today. Are you going to cut me off if you don't give up?" Little Ah Qingxia fluttered her cheeks, hesitated for a long time, then picked up the spoon, blew on it, opened her lips slightly, and took a sip of the porridge.

Seeing that the porridge was about to reach his mouth, Ye Luo smiled.

Suddenly there was a loud "ding" sound!

Then came the girl's screams and curses: "Na! Do you really think that Ruan Lingyu is easy to bully? Sister Hu Die, don't stop me, tonight."

Ruan Lingyu was so angry that she spoke in dialect, and then Hu Die's weak apology came.

Ye Luo couldn't hear clearly and didn't know what was going on next door. He only knew that he was very angry and had to calm down today!