ebookland Chapter 27: First Negotiation with Foreign Businessmen
Chapter 27: First Negotiation with Foreign Businessmen
After a while, my cousin pushed the door open and came in.
"Get ready. The first group of customers is from the United States. They're coming to China to purchase various daily necessities. I submitted your project yesterday. A group of foreign businessmen are very interested in your fireworks. There are no other manufacturers competing with you, so you should talk to them. They'll be here soon. We'll wait for them in the negotiation room."
My cousin said.
"Ok."
Zheng Ziqi answered, and then the two followed their cousin out of the office.
The meeting room is located on the first floor, with a sign that reads "Meeting Room" on the door. Pushing the door open, you'll see a rectangular table in the middle of the room.
Zhao Yuan observed that there were already 6 cups of brewed tea on the table, indicating that there were 3 people on the other side, one of whom was a translator, so the other 2 should be foreign businessmen.
The uncle arranged for Zheng Ziqi and Zhao Yuan to sit facing the door, while he himself sat at the very top, leaving the three seats with their backs to the door for the other three.
After a while, footsteps and voices could be heard coming from the doorway.
"Mr. James, this way please, the same room as yesterday." (in English)
Upon hearing the sound, the uncle, Zheng Ziqi, and Zhaoyuan all stood up, and the uncle left his seat and walked to the door.
Soon a staff member opened the door and gestured for us to enter.
Two tall, fair-skinned middle-aged men, followed by a tall, fair-skinned girl, stood at the entrance of the negotiation room.
"Welcome, Mr. James; welcome, Mr. Wilson." (in English)
The uncle quickly went to greet them, shook hands with the two tall men, and gestured for them to sit down. He then led the three of them to sit opposite Zheng Ziqi and Zhao Yuan, and moved the chairs to accommodate them.
"Mr. James, Mr. Wilson, let me introduce you. This is Zheng Ziqi, the factory manager of Xiongxiong Fireworks Factory, and this is Zhao Yuan, his translator. They both come from the beautiful fireworks capital of China." (in English)
My cousin said in English.
After listening to his cousin's English, Zhao Yuan estimated that all he could say was a simple introduction, because he was really stuttering.
"I am Alice, and I am the translator for James and Wilson's trip to China."
The female translator stood up and introduced herself.
Zheng Ziqi and Zhao Yuan stood up and shook hands with James, Wilson, and the translator Alice, saying "Hello, hello" to each of them. Then they took their seats.
There was a brief silence.
"Hello Mr. James, hello Mr. Wilson, hello Miss Alice, I am Zhao Yuan. Welcome to China, and I would also like to invite you to visit my hometown, the beautiful land of fireworks. May I now introduce our products?" (in English)
Zhao Yuan spoke first.
"Okay, please." (in English)
"Okay, please."
Zhao Yuan translated for Zheng Ziqi.
"Director Zheng, shall I make the introductions, or will you do it, and I'll translate?"
Zhao Yuan asked.
"Let me first introduce our factory and products. You can talk about the rest."
As he spoke, Zheng Ziqi took out the pre-translated product packaging and distributed it to the three guests opposite him.
"The fireworks of China were invented more than 1000 years ago by a man named Li Tian. The place of invention is my hometown. Now there are more than 100 kinds of fireworks and firecrackers. I am the factory manager of Xiongxiong Fireworks Factory in Jinyang County..."
Zheng Ziqi finished speaking.
Alice translated it for James and Johnson, and Zhao Yuan listened to it and found the translation to be largely accurate.
"Director Zheng, could you please introduce us to the different types of fireworks?"
James said in English.
"Mr. Zheng, could you please introduce us to the different types of fireworks?"
Zhao Yuan translated.
Then Zheng Ziqi began to introduce the various fireworks products to the outer packaging paper in a serious and methodical manner.
The other party's translator was also busy translating into English.
When James or Wilson asked questions, Zhao Yuan would translate them for Zheng Ziqi.
After a while, Zheng Ziqi had given Wilson and his group a detailed and thorough introduction to each type of firework.
"Director Zheng, could you tell us about your prices?"
Wilson asked in English.
"Of course, but I'd also like to tell you some stories about fireworks, building on what Director Zheng has already introduced." (in English)
Instead of translating for Zheng Ziqi, Zhao Yuan spoke directly with Wilson and James in English.
"I'd be delighted." (in English)
James made a gesture of invitation.
"Each of our fireworks has a beautiful story. We set off fireworks on every special holiday or day, and we set off different fireworks for different people." (English)
As Zhao Yuan spoke, he picked up "Dance in the Air".
"Mr. James, Mr. Wilson, the firework I'm holding is the classic 'Flower of Love,' a legendary design created by a handsome prince for a beautiful princess. It's perfect for your country's Valentine's Day celebrations, or for setting off on occasions like courtship, proposals, or wedding anniversaries. Couples in love who set off this firework for their beloved will be united in marriage. Married couples who set off this firework for their loved ones will find their love even sweeter..." (in English)
After Zhao Yuan finished speaking, James and Wilson took the wrapping paper that Zhao Yuan had just mentioned and began to look at it, exchanging nods and exchanging ideas.
Zhao Yuan picked up the wrapping paper of the electric flower again and said:
"Mr. James, Mr. Wilson, look at this firework I have here, it's called the 'Princess Flower.' Legend has it that there was once a king who had several sons in a row. He longed for a princess. Later, following divine guidance, the king and queen often set off these fireworks for their future daughter, and indeed, a beautiful princess was born. From then on, this firework was called the 'Princess Flower.' Every year on the princess's birthday, the king would set off these fireworks for her. I have three daughters, and every year I set off these fireworks for them, hoping it will bring them health, happiness, wisdom, and beauty." (in English)
James and Wilson listened with their mouths agape to Zhao Yuan's explanation. As soon as Zhao Yuan finished speaking, the two took the wrapping paper and began exchanging words.
......
Zhao Yuan then introduced several types of fireworks, each accompanied by a short story. He categorized the fireworks as "Flowers of Love," "Princess Flowers," "Prince Flowers," "Wealth Flowers," "Gratitude Flowers," "Mother's Flowers," "Exorcising Flowers," and so on. Basically, they were all given different names based on various Western holidays or our traditions.
"Mr. James, Mr. Wilson, I think your people will really love the fireworks from this mysterious ancient country. We can make various gift packages for you, such as love gift packages, fatherly love gift packages, gratitude gift packages, and so on. These will surely sell very well when you take them back home, and you can make a fortune." (in English)
Zhao Yuan said.
"We only brought a partial introduction to our products this time. We have more than 100 kinds of fireworks. We welcome Mr. James and Mr. Wilson to visit my hometown and see our fireworks."
Zhao Yuan continued.
James and Wilson had originally planned to import a batch of fireworks to take back with them. They had intended to spend more time looking at them, but after hearing Zhao Yuan's introduction and his elaborate gift packages, which they had never heard of before, they immediately decided to take a batch back first. Judging from the timing, the fireworks should be able to get through customs and arrive in the United States in time for Mother's Day, at which point they could buy a bunch.
"Mr. Zhao, we don't have enough time to visit your hometown this time, but we'll make a special trip there next time to watch the beautiful fireworks. Now, could you tell us about the prices?" (in English)
Wilson said to the trillion-dollar bill.
"Of course." (in English)
Zhao Yuan took out a price list from his bag.
"Director Zheng, let me introduce the export prices of our products to them using this table."
Zhao Yuan explained to Zheng Ziqi.
Zhao Yuan handed James and Wilson each a price list.
James and his companion looked at each other for a while, then exchanged glances.
"Mr. Zhao, is it possible to lower the price a little?" (in English)
Wilson asked.
"We set fixed prices for our products, and we package them in exquisite gift boxes. Inside, there's a story about the fireworks in English, along with bilingual blessings in both Mandarin and English. This will make customers feel that spending money on your fireworks is the most worthwhile thing they could do. They'll remember and patronize your store on every holiday or special occasion, which will bring you a steady stream of business." (English)
Zhao Yuan observed that the other party had already decided to buy, so he said...
James spoke with Wilson for a while, then said:
"Mr. Zhao, when can we order a batch of goods and when can we ship them?"
"Once we sign the contract and make payment, we will ship the goods immediately upon our return and deliver them to you as quickly as possible. However, fireworks are a special product, and the customs clearance procedures are a bit complicated, so we kindly request that you two sign the contract as soon as possible." (in English)
Zhao Yuan said.
"Okay, it's a pleasure to do business with you! Mr. Zhao, we have a batch of goods, let's draft the contract now."
James and Wilson stood up at the same time to shake hands with Zhao Yuan. Zheng Ziqi knew that the deal was done, so he also stood up and shook hands with the other party.
My cousin was completely bewildered. Usually, the boss would say one thing, and the translator would respond, but this time, Zhaoyuan was the only one communicating fluently in English with the other party the entire time, without a single stumble, as if they were from the same country. He understood some parts and not others, but he definitely understood the last part: "Happy cooperation."
This negotiation was the fastest deal he had ever made. They placed an order before even seeing the goods. His uncle didn't know what kind of tricks Zhaoyuan had played with the two foreigners, but as long as the deal was done, nothing else mattered.
"Congratulations on reaching an agreement. I'll have someone draft the contract for you, and we'll sign it shortly."
My cousin also stood up and said happily.
"Ziqi, bring your things and come with me. Zhaoyuan, you continue chatting with James and the others."
My cousin said.
Zheng Ziqi picked up his crossbody bag and went out with his cousin.