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Chapter 1099: Chapter 959: Glimpse the Path
September 1st.
When the Myanmar Asia Chamber of Commerce announced it was accepting new members,
the big businessmen of the Myanmar Economic Zone were abuzz. They had long coveted the treatment afforded to Chamber members and wanted to join, but Leader Ling had never broached the subject, so they could only wait eagerly.
They didn’t dare to rush him, either.
A five hundred million Asia Dollar unsecured low-interest loan, a one hundred million US dollar unsecured low-interest foreign currency loan, with no complicated approval process, no need to pull strings, and no need for rebates.
Such temptations.
How could they resist?
Especially since the implicit benefits were not any less.
No sooner had the news spread
than the phones of the original Chamber members began ringing off the hook.
Tang Kai had just finished boxing.
After eating breakfast.
The phone call came.
"Xiao Jun, you’re up early,"
Tang Kai said with a chuckle as he walked into the yard, bathed in the sunshine and in great spirits; it was Wei Jun on the other end of the line.
"Uncle Tang, an early bird catches the worm, right? I just got the news that the Myanmar Asia Chamber of Commerce is about to take in new members, is it true?" Although Wei Jun was one of the fruit wine distributors, he amazingly didn’t qualify to join the Chamber.
It was hardly a comfort to him.
Fortunately, he had a ’fellow sufferer’—Tang Liang—which made him feel somewhat better.
In Wei Jun’s view,
joining the Myanmar Asia Chamber of Commerce,
meant establishing a closer relationship with Leader Ling and truly securing his status as a fruit wine distributor, and even proving his worth. Too many businessmen had risen in the Myanmar Economic Zone.
Without the fruit wine, he would just be an ordinary small-scale merchant.
"It’s true."
"Then... this... do you have any... recommendation slots or something?" Wei Jun asked tentatively. He made the call because he knew that most Chambers had an invitation system.
Tang Kai denied, "No, this time it’s all being reviewed by the related departments of the Myanmar Bank, and we don’t have any power to recommend."
"What are the criteria for membership?" After his disappointment, Wei Jun asked again.
"Well... there are many, it’s a comprehensive consideration, like whether joining the Chamber will benefit the Chamber. If it’s just to take interests without anything to contribute, the score might be lowered."
Tang Kai gave his opinion.
This wasn’t something Leader Ling had said, but rather a general principle of interest exchange; you must have something to give. Otherwise, who would be content with only taking?
"Do you think I have a big chance?" Wei Jun was a bit worried. He mainly relied on fruit wine to make money, and he also ran a travel and handicraft business in the Myanmar Economic Zone.
To talk about advantages, he really didn’t have much.
The fruit wine was provided by Leader Ling.
It hardly counted as an advantage.
"I think it’s possible, but don’t get your hopes up too high," Tang Kai recalled that Leader Ling had mentioned quality enterprises, not just those within the Myanmar Economic Zone but also from outside, so the number of available spots wasn’t many.
Although Wei Jun’s assets had already exceeded one billion,
in Tang Kai’s eyes,
he was less important than some foreign raw material suppliers because those suppliers controlled the downstream channels—they were the very foundation. Whereas for Wei Jun, Tang Kai couldn’t see how his ten billion net worth was of any benefit to other members.
"Hearing you say this, I feel like I’m out of luck this time," Wei Jun said with a look of dejection.
Tang Kai said, "It all depends on the upcoming evaluation results. To tell you the truth, Xiao Jun, you don’t need to join the Myanmar Asia Chamber of Commerce. If you manage your current industry well, you won’t spend it all in several lifetimes."
Hearing this, Wei Jun’s tone became serious.
"Uncle Tang, I’ve had enough downtime lately and I don’t want to continue like this. Time waits for no one. The once Leader Ling is now of such a high status, yet I’m still marking time. I’m not content with that."
When Wei Jun had returned previously, he planned to live a quiet life, keeping to the old house. However, stimulated by the development of the Myanmar Economic Zone, he realized how he was no different from a freeloader.
"Hehe, it’s good to have ambition," Tang Kai said with satisfaction. Wei Jun’s father and he were old friends, and now that he had passed away, he hoped Wei Jun would live well and his old friend would rest in peace below.
"Uncle Tang, what do you think should be my next move?" Wei Jun asked.
"It’s up to you. Do what you like to do. You don’t have to join the Myanmar Asia Chamber of Commerce necessarily. If you really want to join, I actually suggest you put some effort into raw materials," Tang Kai said.
"Raw materials?" Wei Jun asked, puzzled.
"Yes, you need to understand that the value of a Chamber of Commerce member lies either in their network of relationships or in controlling the industry chain’s upstream or downstream segments. In short, you have to be useful to others.
Making a mark in upstream terminal channels and products is difficult and risky, and can’t be accomplished overnight, but the raw materials at the downstream end are the simplest business, not requiring much effort.
Then, find something you like, go deep into it, become a leader in the industry, and you’ll have ’exchange value,’ and you won’t be bored either."
Such blatant self-interest.
Tang Kai was only speaking candidly with his own people. When it comes to business, there is a common understanding that organizations with a huge amount of influence are always those in control of the ’means of production.’
Ancient times.
Steel and grain—if someone controlled these two, it didn’t matter who was the emperor.
Modern times.
Add oil and currency to that list, as they influence the progress of the world.
Present day.
’Information’ has been added.
When ’information’ also became a means of production, the utilization and control of information decided the company’s future. Tang Kai was now having a bit of an epiphany about it.
Well.
That was a digression.
Reflecting on this, Wei Jun fell silent for a moment and then said, "I think I understand a bit now. I’ll go back and think it over. Thank you, Uncle Tang."
"Why be polite? Since you want to expand your business, think more about the intricacies involved. If you don’t understand something, you can ask me, and take the advice of Mr. Wang as well. Don’t act rashly or impulsively.
And don’t bet everything on a high-risk venture, seeking overnight riches. Your current rate of wealth accumulation is such that you’re essentially getting rich every day. And don’t scorn small money—there are businesses we must engage in, even at a loss."
Tang Kai chose his words, hoping Wei Jun wouldn’t take the wrong path.
"I’ll heed your advice. By the way, when will you visit Xin’an Town? I’d like to host you properly," Wei Jun offered finally, noticing that Tang Kai hadn’t visited Xin’an Town for several months.
"I need to stay here for another two weeks, attending various social engagements. If I come back to Xin’an Town, I’ll definitely come to see you," Tang Kai replied with a smile. He rarely went to Xin’an Town now, unless he was handling some procedures.
There weren’t many relationships to extend there.
The focus was now on the Myanmar side.
"Alright, you’re busy, so I won’t disturb you further."
"Okay."
After hanging up the phone.
For the next hour or so, Tang Kai received over a dozen calls, all inquiring about ’invitation quotas,’ and so were all the other members of the Chamber of Commerce.
Tang Kai was somewhat relieved that he didn’t have any recommendation quotas.
Otherwise, he would have been the one with a headache.
Leader Ling really had foresight.
