Chapter 194: Chapter 110: The Oldest Commercial Activity (Second Update)
Chan Country, Mande City.
Back at Jieke Company’s headquarters building from Hua Country, Su Jie was convening a meeting with Chen Yaoguang and Liu Yingying, when he received a phone call from Polo, the president of Asder Pharmaceutical.
No one knew how Su Jie’s phone number had been leaked, but one should never underestimate the intelligence capabilities of these pharmaceutical companies.
“Mr. Su, I wonder if you’ve seen our sincerity.”
Over the phone, Polo’s tone was somewhat elevated, exuding a confident assurance.
“Asder Pharmaceutical really lives up to its reputation as one of the world’s top 500 companies. Such lobbying groups have great capabilities, even mobilizing government departments of the United States. To wield such influence in both the political and business realms, you must have poured quite a lot of money into it.”
Su Jie sat on the sofa, with the computer screen in front of him still displaying the news from the United States Commerce Department announcing sanctions against Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid.
Polo’s voice over the phone was hearty as he said, “This is the result of sharing interests. We can leverage their power in the political, business, and media circles, and you’ve seen the effects. I imagine, Mr. Su, you must be out of your wit’s end right now. How does it feel to have large quantities of Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid in stock but unable to sell?”
“Then you are probably thinking too much. I’m still eating well and sleeping well. Even if sales have dropped, that hasn’t stopped me from making a lot of money every day. The Hua Country market alone is enough to keep me well-fed.”
“…Mr. Su, this is just the beginning. Our influence in Europe and America is not something you can imagine. Although you have money, you do not understand the importance of sharing interests. Eventually, you won’t even be able to keep the Hua Country market. It’s not too late to change your mind now. You should cherish the opportunity we’re giving you.”
“My answer is still the same two words, ‘I refuse’.”
Su Jie spoke without a moment’s hesitation and continued, “Also, don’t call me again unless it’s important. I’m very busy.”
“Mr. Su, aren’t you afraid that when we launch comprehensive sanctions, not only will your overseas market vanish, but Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid will be completely banned from customs, and you’ll also have to deal with fines from our country…”
Polo’s voice on the phone was a bit exasperated, as he obviously hadn’t expected Su Jie to be so unyielding.
Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid had fallen into such dire straits, on the verge of being driven out of the European and American markets, and still, he refused to relent.
This was a market worth trillions of dollars, and yet someone was able to endure such a loss of interests and not bow their head. This was something profit-centric Polo just couldn’t understand.
“Is this what you Americans propound as free trade? Fine then, I welcome your continued targeting.”
Su Jie hung up the phone, no longer interested in entertaining Polo’s jabber.
“Mr. Su, Asder Pharmaceutical admitted it was them?”
Both Liu Yingying and Chen Yaoguang were deeply worried about this situation.
“Who else could it be, if not them? Their influence is just somewhat beyond imagination.”
Su Jie nodded, acknowledging that Asder Pharmaceutical, one of the world’s top 500 companies, truly should not be underestimated.
“Given the current situation, Mr. Su, will attending the inquiry to prove our product is problem-free have any effect? Can we get Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid back on the shelves for sale in the Europe and America region?”
Chen Yaoguang pointed at the news on the computer screen. The United States usually imposes sanctions on tech companies, and it was rare to see them target hair shampoo.
“If you went, it would be uncertain whether you could come back or not. Besides, even if you think you are innocent, as long as others want to slander you, any explanation is futile.”
Su Jie shook his head. He had no trust in the United States government, which followed a logic of banditry—seeing something good belonging to others and wanting to seize it for themselves. For many years, this had not changed.
The so-called free trade is free when it benefits them, but when it doesn’t, they resort to sanctions and blockades.
“Then, about the penalty…”
“Fines? We don’t have any assets within their jurisdiction, nor can they freeze our assets in Hua Country.”
Su Jie didn’t care at all about this. Other tech companies feared sanctions because they needed the industry support from their counterparts, like smartphones reliant on chips and other supplies, sometimes forcing them to pay fines.
But the Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid didn’t need a cent from the United States for supply; let them fine as much as they wish—if they could collect even a hair, consider them lucky.
That was where Su Jie’s confidence came from.
Liu Yingying explained, “Because we’re in a seller’s market, we require foreign vendors to pay in full before shipping, so there’s no issue with outstanding payments, and they have nothing to withhold.
The only thing I’m worried about now is the Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid being taken off the shelves in Europe and America. If this continues, our biggest source of revenue will be cut off, and we have to do something.”
Su Jie stroked his chin. Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid could still operate in the Hua Country market and achieve annual revenues of a trillion Hua Yuan.
But compared to the global revenue of a trillion US Dollars, there’s a bit of a gap.
Su Jie thought for a moment, then asked, “What’s the current reaction from the citizens in Europe and America?”
“I’ve had people check. Because of the mass removal of Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid, many consumers who previously used it can’t find a substitute, and their once lush hair has begun to fall out again.
This has led to a situation where Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid is hard to come by in Europe and America, with the price continually rising. On the Black Market, it’s even been sold for three hundred dollars, five hundred dollars, and sometimes a thousand dollars a bottle.”
Liu Yingying said with regret.
Were it not for Asder Pharmaceutical’s interference and the United States Commerce Department not playing fair, starting trade sanctions, Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid could have been hugely successful on the market.
“It seems there are still many who remain unswayed; as long as users have truly tried our Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid, they’ll know our product is unproblematic.”
Su Jie nodded. This aligned with his expectations.
After the major supermarkets took Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid off their shelves, the demand for it didn’t vanish.
Anyone who had used Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid wasn’t going to relinquish it so easily—their hair would protest.
“But now they can’t buy the product, even if they want to , they can’t,”
Chen Yaoguang sighed with disappointment, pained by the sight of all that potential profit just beyond reach.
As Su Jie pondered, an idea suddenly came to him.
“Do you have a plan?”
Liu Yingying asked anxiously, knowing Su Jie always had many ideas.
Su Jie nodded and shared his thought, “Since ancient times, wherever there is high profit, the more forbidden the trade, the more willing people are to take risks. In ancient times, there was a monopoly on salt and iron, which is why the smuggling of salt thrived. The United States once issued a Prohibition order last century, which led to the rise of bootleggers and the mafia.
For patients, our Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid has become a necessity they can’t live without. Since the officials won’t let us in, then we’ll just sell it ourselves and don’t even pay them taxes.”
Liu Yingying seemed to understand something, her mouth agape.
Su Jie snapped his fingers and said with a smile, “Exactly, I’m going to engage in one of the oldest businesses in human history—smuggling. Yingying, go buy a ticket to fly to Mexico. Remember to disguise your identity so that those watching us won’t notice.”