Era: Starting from cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi

Chapter 271 Borrow money!

"Director Lin, this is Comrade Sun Xiangyang who designed the gift box."

In the carton factory office, Su Huiwan introduced Sun Xiangyang's identity.

The simple office was now full of people, and all their eyes were on Sun Xiangyang.

They were both grateful and dissatisfied with Sun Xiangyang.

They were naturally grateful because the gift boxes designed by Sun Xiangyang had brought new business to their carton factory, and might even be able to revive the factory. That was why the carton factory attached so much importance to it.

The reason for their dissatisfaction was that the gift boxes they had made after racking their brains were rejected, which meant that they failed to pass the acceptance.

Su Huiwan even claimed that she would bring people to guide them.

But after meeting, I felt a little disappointed.

"Comrade Sun Xiangyang, welcome to the carton factory to guide our work."

Lin Honggui is a little old man in his fifties. He is not tall, and half of his hair is white. He wears a short-sleeved shirt with a worn collar. At this moment, he is looking at Sun Xiangyang with sincerity on his face.

The technician in charge of production might be unwilling to accept the decision because of his young age, but he has devoted most of his life to the carton factory, which is like his child. As long as he can save his child, he would be willing to do it even if he had to kneel down and beg, let alone show a sincere attitude.

"Director Lin, you are too polite. I don't know the carton production process, and I don't even understand it. I am just looking at it from the perspective of a packaging gift box designer."

Sun Xiangyang said modestly.

He really didn't know how to produce cardboard boxes, but the cardboard boxes these days didn't have much special features. The colors were basically dark khaki or brown, very monotonous and simple.

The surface of the cardboard box is rough and uneven, and some words are printed on it.

However, this kind of packaging certainly cannot meet Sun Xiangyang's needs.

Previously, at Su Huiwan's request, he wrote down the specifications, colors, and various requirements of the gift boxes, and drew a simple picture. At this moment, there were several gift boxes on the table in the office.

The length, width and height are similar to those of gift boxes in later generations, and the color is also reddish. The distant view of the pattern is the desolation of the Loess Plateau, and the close view is a branch full of dates.

There are also words like "high-end health-preserving dates" on it.

It can be said that the design is very good and completely surpasses the current simple packaging.

But Sun Xiangyang overestimated the level of carton production in that era, or in other words, this carton factory that was about to go bankrupt simply had the will but not the capacity.

The rough pattern and the color of the box, when matched together, always make people feel out of place. No wonder Su Hui was not satisfied with the party.

The gift boxes of later generations have a smooth surface, clear colors, and are covered with a layer of transparent plastic paper. There is a huge difference between them and the ones on the table.

"Comrade Sun Xiangyang, these are the cartons we produced according to your design. What do you think?"

Seeing Sun Xiangyang's eyes on the cardboard boxes, Lin Honggui asked expectantly.

Although Su Huiwan is not satisfied, if the designer Sun Xiangyang is satisfied, Su Huiwan might change her mind.

"No."

Faced with the question, Sun Xiangyang shook his head without hesitation.

The gift box in front of me is far from good enough.

"No? How could it be impossible? We have produced them according to your design. Regardless of the specifications or the patterns, we have done our best. Do you know how much effort we have put into meeting your requirements?"

Before Lin Honggui could speak, a man in his thirties next to him couldn't help but speak.

"No means unqualified. It doesn't mean that if you put in the effort, it will definitely work. These gift boxes are related to the county's next important plan, so they must be the best. If the carton factory's production level is not up to par, we can contact the district or the province."

Sun Xiangyang did not give the other party any face.

To put it bluntly, this time the high-end health-preserving dates are just for face. Whether the dates taste good or not is secondary, so the packaging must be exquisite and high-end, and it must impress people at first sight.

Only in this way will it become the first choice for gifts.

After all, gift-giving is a science that has been thoroughly studied by our ancestors.

Regardless of the era, gift-giving is indispensable.

Especially with the upcoming reform and opening up, is it possible to find a job or do business without giving gifts?
It can be said that this high-end health-preserving date designed by Sun Xiangyang is prepared for this purpose.

Therefore, this high-end quality must be highlighted.

The gift boxes produced nowadays are simply not impressive enough.

"Don't."

When Lin Honggui heard that Sun Xiangyang wanted to send the business away, he immediately became anxious. He glared at the man who had just spoken, who was the technician in charge of production at the carton factory, and then apologized to Sun Xiangyang with a smile on his face.

"Comrade Sun, please don't be offended that Xiao Zheng is ignorant. I also know the importance of these cartons to the county. Deputy County Magistrate Su also gave us many instructions before. For these cartons, our carton factory has done its best. If it doesn't work, just tell us what's wrong and we will change it immediately."

"Xiangyang, Director Lin and his men are having a hard time too. Just give them some pointers."

Su Huiwan also spoke at this time.

The carton factory is not a large enterprise among the enterprises in the county, but it still employs about a hundred people. It was almost on the verge of bankruptcy due to lack of business. This is related to the livelihood of about a hundred people and their families.

In the past, Lin Honggui had gone to the county many times and blocked the door many times just to try to find a way for the factory to survive, which caused headaches for many county leaders.

When it came to packing the gift boxes this time, the first person Su Huiwan thought of was the carton factory.

It can not only bring income to the county, but also save the carton factory and solve the food problem of more than one hundred people. It is undoubtedly a win-win situation.

So, no matter what, she was unwilling to give the order for gift box packaging to outsiders.

"Ok."

Sun Xiangyang went down the stairs.

He was just saying that just now, to prevent the other party from becoming arrogant and thinking that there was only one carton factory in the county and it would belong to them sooner or later.

Only a sense of crisis can be transformed into a stronger driving force.

"This kind of corrugated cardboard box is definitely not suitable. Let me give you an example. The kind of paper box that holds flashlight bulbs. Have you all seen it? I need that kind of material, but it needs to be thicker. The hardness does not need to be comparable to this kind of corrugated cardboard box, but if it is cut into a fan, it needs to be able to fan the air.

The surface of the gift box should be printed in the best color. You can cooperate with the printing factory to achieve the level of color photos.

It would be best to find a calligraphy master to write the words "high-grade health-preserving dates" on the gift box, and then print them on it. The last point, which I don't know if it can be done, is to stick a layer of transparent plastic film on the surface of the gift box, which feels very smooth to the touch."

Sun Xiangyang simply stated all his demands.

After hearing his request, everyone at the carton factory was stunned. Are they producing packaging gift boxes?
However, Lin Honggui was the first to react. He turned his head and looked at the technician Zheng and said, "Xiao Zheng, can you do it?" At this time, the technician Zheng's face had flushed.

"Director, even if we burn down our factory, we still can't do it. And if we produce everything according to his requirements, how much will it cost?"

"Don't worry about the cost. Just tell me what can't be done and what is the maximum that can be achieved."

Su Huiwan spoke directly.

"The material of the cartons is not a big problem. It's just that the purity of the pulp is different. I'm not sure whether the printing factory can achieve this color printing effect. As for sticking transparent plastic film on the surface of the cartons, I have seen it in a journal. This technology already exists abroad and seems to have been introduced in China. However, our factory certainly can't do it. Even if we sell everything we have, we can't afford it."

Technician Zheng said simply.

Moreover, in his opinion, it was not worthwhile to produce such gift boxes. How much would a few kilograms of dates cost? I was afraid that I couldn't even buy one-third of such a carton. Who would buy it then?
When producing gift boxes, the first thing he considered was the cost. Otherwise, what’s the point if they can’t be sold?

The problem of the carton factory could not be solved after all, or it was only a temporary solution that could last for a month or two, which was not a long-term solution at all.

Su Huiwan listened to what he said and then turned her gaze to Sun Xiangyang.

“Is it okay if I don’t use that plastic film?”

"Of course you can, but the smoothness and hardness of the carton must meet the requirements, especially the exquisiteness of the surface, which is related to the first impression and is of utmost importance. At the same time, this is also a good opportunity to promote us."

Sun Xiangyang thought for a while and said.

It is really difficult to achieve the kind of effect seen in later generations.

He could understand this.

No membrane, no bar.

"Okay, that's it. I'll contact the printing factory later and find someone to write the inscription. That's also easy."

Su Huiwan breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Honggui who was standing beside him also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he also felt that the cost of producing this kind of cardboard box was too high and no one would buy it at that time, since Su Huiwan asked for it, he could only obey.

As for the future, that would only be discussed later. He had to take care of the present first. After all, the carton factory had been out of business for too long, and he would not miss this opportunity no matter what.

"That's it, and this carrying handle, if you can't use white soft plastic, use red braided rope."

Sun Xiangyang finally took a look at the gift box on the table and said.

"Okay, Comrade Sun, don't worry. Even if our carton factory doesn't eat or sleep, we will definitely produce the kind of carton you want."

Lin Honggui expressed his determination while crying poor.

"Okay, I'll have someone send the money for purchasing raw materials later, and I'll also pay you three months' salary in arrears."

Seeing this, Su Huiwan shook her head and said.

Is there money in the county?
The answer is no.

This time, when purchasing dried dates, we also issued IOUs to those production teams.

But the carton factory has no money at all. If they don’t even get paid to purchase raw materials, the carton factory will not be able to produce at all.

"Xiangyang, I heard that your coal mine has a good output recently?"

Leaving the carton factory, Su Huiwan asked with a smile.

The county has no money, but the carton factory needs money. What should we do?
Where does the money come from?

Now is the time to reveal the fox's tail.

The reason why she asked Sun Xiangyang to come here, besides because of the design of the gift box, was another important reason, which was to fight against the rich.

"It's not bad. After all, the well was erected not long ago. We won't know the actual production until next month."

Sun Xiangyang looked as if he didn't understand and talked seriously about the coal mine.

"The Mining Bureau's assistance to Shuangshuiwan Coal Mine has made so many people envious. Some people even came to me and asked the Mining Bureau to help. I had to bear a lot of pressure to send them away."

Su Huiwan sighed, looking as if she was realizing how difficult her life was and how she had to take the blame for Shuangshui Bay.

It has to be said that since becoming the deputy county magistrate, Su Huiwan has obviously changed a lot from before. At least before, she would say whatever she wanted to say directly instead of beating around the bush.

"Cousin, just say whatever you want to say. The coal mine is not mine after all. It belongs to the entire Shuangshui Bay."

Sun Xiangyang said helplessly, how could he not understand the other party's hidden meaning?
"It's like this. I asked the credit union before. You have more than 530,000 yuan in your Shuangshuiwan account. There are still several months before the Chinese New Year. Anyway, you don't need it temporarily. How about lending it to the carton factory first?"

Su Huiwan didn't keep the question in suspense any longer and spoke directly.

"Even I don't know how much money is in the account, but you know it clearly, cousin."

Sun Xiangyang really didn't know what to say, but Su Huiwan's words did serve as a reminder to him.

There are no secrets in the county at all.

Especially since such a large sum of money in Shuangshui Bay was lying in the credit union's account, I'm afraid the news had already spread through the credit union. Naturally, the county leaders also knew it clearly.

At this moment, no one knows how many people are staring at the money in the account.

In other words, Shuangshuiwan is special because there are precedents. Otherwise, Sun Xiangyang is sure that the money would have been withdrawn long ago without any notification at all, and it would have been called a borrowing!

If you are not satisfied, the worst that can happen is that I will write you an IOU. Can such a big county really deny the debt of a production team like you?

"It's not just me who knows this. I don't know how many people are jealous right now. Besides, after the coal mine is expanded, the output will probably be even higher in the next few months, right? And paper-cutting paintings, to some extent, you Shuangshuiwan are richer than the county."

Su Huiwan said meaningfully.

"Cousin, even though there is money in the account, we still owe a lot of money to Shuangshuiwan for the electricity and equipment purchases. After paying off the debts, we still have to pay the members at the end of the year, so there will be nothing left."

Sun Xiangyang is also playing the victim.

"Okay, you can put the money owed by Shuangshuiwan on hold for now. I'll go and talk to you later. But I know the situation at the carton factory. We have to spend some money to purchase pulp. They've owed wages for more than half a year, and many workers can't even afford to eat. Give them some wages first so they have the strength to work. Just think of it as a loan from Shuangshuiwan on behalf of the carton factory. I'll pay you back after this batch of high-end health dates is sold."

Su Huiwan made the final decision.

It’s not that she is overbearing, but she knows that Sun Xiangyang has just agreed.

Otherwise, Sun Xiangyang would not need to explain at all and could just refuse directly.

(End of this chapter)