OBS Chapter 588 Bad news keeps coming
Chapter 588 Bad news keeps coming
Encouraged by Li Xiangyang's words, Ma Qingfu exclaimed, "That's right! What are we afraid of? As long as the product is recognized, we can always start over!"
Lin Yuqing nodded and said, "Factory Director Li is right. We have the best products and the most honest business philosophy. We have no reason to be afraid of them."
Feng Mingyuan clenched his fist: "Then let's see it through to the end!"
“Alright, let’s get started now.” Li Xiangyang glanced at his watch. “We have an hour before the train arrives, enough time for us to develop a detailed plan.”
For the next hour, the four of them sat together, discussing each countermeasure in detail.
From customer relationship maintenance to media relations, from cost control to new product development, every aspect is carefully considered.
Just before boarding the train, Li Xiangyang received an unexpected phone call.
"Mr. Li, this is Manager Wang from Hualian Trading Co., Ltd." A familiar voice came through the phone. "Someone just called our company saying that your products have quality problems and suggesting that we cancel our cooperation."
Li Xiangyang's heart sank, but he soon heard Manager Wang continue:
"I want to tell you that we at Hualian will not change our decision because of a few anonymous phone calls. We are aware of what happened yesterday, and your handling of the situation has increased our trust in you. Therefore, we will not only not cancel our cooperation, but we are also prepared to list you as a key partner."
This news warmed Li Xiangyang's heart: "Thank you for your trust, Manager Wang!"
"Of course," Manager Wang said with a smile. "After so many years in business, I've learned one thing: truly high-quality companies often face malicious attacks from their competitors. Those who can uphold their principles in times of difficulty are the ones worth cooperating with long-term."
After hanging up the phone, Li Xiangyang looked out the window at the scenery rushing past with mixed feelings.
"Factory manager, why does Manager Wang trust us so much?" Feng Mingyuan was still somewhat incredulous. "Other clients are all observing, but he wants to increase our cooperation."
Li Xiangyang pondered for a moment before speaking: "After doing business for a long time, you develop a keen eye. True businessmen aren't fooled by appearances; they look at the long term."
"Then, factory manager, what do you think the other party will do next?" Feng Mingyuan asked in a low voice.
Li Xiangyang gazed at the darkness outside the car window and slowly said, "If I were Zhao Mingyuan, I definitely wouldn't let this go. Their direct sabotage at the exhibition failed; spreading rumors was just the first step. This time, they have ample funds, and their methods will only be more numerous. For example, they might raise raw material prices or bribe our suppliers. They might also poach our personnel, especially our key technical staff."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yuqing said worriedly, "Then wouldn't we be unable to defend against it at all?"
Li Xiangyang turned his head, his gaze firm: "It's alright. As long as the foundation is strengthened, some losses are an inevitable part of every company's growth."
The train arrived in the county town early the next morning. As soon as Li Xiangyang and his group stepped out of the station, they saw Xiao Wang from the factory waiting there, looking somewhat nervous.
"Factory manager, something's happened!" Xiao Wang rushed over. "Last night, someone put up big-character posters at the factory gate saying our products are poisonous, and people are handing out leaflets at various intersections in the county."
Li Xiangyang took the flyer from Xiao Wang and examined it carefully. The flyer, written in striking red lettering, read, "Beware of the Sanhe Mountain Treasures, Protect Your Family's Health," and included some so-called "insider information."
"Have you reported it to the police?" Li Xiangyang asked.
"We reported it, but apart from catching a few people handing out flyers, it didn't do much good," Xiao Wang said helplessly.
Looking at the flyer, Ma Qingfu's face turned red with anger: "These people are shameless! It's clearly malicious competition, yet they use the guise of caring for public health."
"Let's go back to the factory first." Li Xiangyang put away the flyers. "We'll see how things go first."
Along the way, Li Xiangyang noticed that there were indeed many flyers on the roadside, some even pasted on utility poles. What worried him even more was that some passersby were talking about something and glancing in their direction from time to time.
Upon returning to the factory, Li Xiangyang immediately convened a meeting with all employees.
"I'm sure you've all heard some rumors," Li Xiangyang said, standing at the front of the conference room, his voice calm but firm. "I can assure you with certainty that there are absolutely no issues with the quality of our products. Yesterday at the exhibition, our products passed the most authoritative testing."
The employees were whispering among themselves, clearly very worried.
"Factory manager, what's with those flyers?" a young worker asked.
"This is malicious competition," Li Xiangyang stated frankly. "Some people are trying to attack us by spreading rumors. But I want to tell everyone that the more they do this, the more it proves we're doing well and threatening our competitors."
Old Wang stood up and said, "Factory manager, we all trust you. We've personally witnessed how the products are manufactured; the quality is absolutely guaranteed."
Other employees also nodded in agreement to show their support.
"Thank you all for your trust," Li Xiangyang said emotionally. "But I also want to tell you that things may get tough from here on out. Orders may decrease, and our income may be affected. If anyone wants to leave, I completely understand."
The meeting room was quiet for a moment, then Old Wang was the first to stand up: "Factory Manager, I'm not going anywhere. Our factory is operating legally, what's there to be afraid of?"
"Yes! We're not leaving either!"
"Follow the factory manager to the very end!"
Seeing the support from his employees, Li Xiangyang felt a surge of warmth in his heart. But he knew that the real test was yet to come.
After the meeting, Li Xiangyang returned to his office, and the phone rang as soon as he sat down.
"Director Li, this is General Manager Zhang from Deli Foods," a middle-aged man's voice came through the phone. "Regarding our cooperation..."
"Mr. Zhang, please speak." Li Xiangyang already had a premonition.
"I'm really sorry, but due to some recent rumors, our company's senior management has decided to temporarily suspend our cooperation. We'll talk again once things have calmed down."
Li Xiangyang took a deep breath: "Mr. Zhang, the quality of our products is guaranteed. I can send you the test report."
"Director Li, I personally trust you, but I can't change the company's decision. I'm truly sorry."
Just as Li Xiangyang was about to gather his thoughts after hanging up the phone, it rang again. This time it was Kangtai Trading, and the result was the same.
In one morning, Li Xiangyang received seven or eight such calls. Some were calls to cancel cooperation outright, some were calls to postpone delivery, and others were calls to lower prices.
Feng Mingyuan pushed open the door and came in, his face grim: "Factory manager, the bank just called and said our loan application needs to be reviewed again."
"Re-examination?" Li Xiangyang looked up. "What's the reason?"
"They said they received a report alleging operational risks at our company," Feng Mingyuan said helplessly. "The bank is demanding more financial documentation and guarantees from us."