Chapter 383 Two Big Bosses
Sea buckthorn is known as the king of vitamin C.

Its rich antioxidant ingredients such as vitamins can help inhibit the formation of melanin and promote metabolism, thereby playing a role in whitening and removing yellowing.

This is the information Zhou Xiaomin found.

She even recommended it to her colleagues, and they almost died of sourness when they drank it for the first time.

“Can this thing really turn white?”

This is not only her question, but also the question of many people who are trying it out.

Natural whitening is more like an advertising slogan in the daily chemical and cosmetics industry, and now it has appeared in the juice beverage industry.

There are many such voices among Happy Farm users.

This got some media attention.

Some reporters began to consult medical experts and the answer they got was that sea buckthorn puree is rich in nutrients.

It has many functions such as enhancing immunity, protecting intestinal health, whitening and removing yellowness, etc.

In an interview, the marketing director of the Ji Xiaobai Division also generously admitted that Ji Xiaobai does have these functions, and the effects are even more obvious.

Compared with the emptiness of Guoliang Yuehuo, the functions and characteristics of Ji Xiaobai are clearly written.

But it also quickly caused Ji Xiaobai to fall into controversy, with some people believing that Ji Xiaobai was making random propaganda and false reports.

Some media even made an exaggerated summary: drinking sea buckthorn puree = health care + whitening + weight loss, which is almost equivalent to immortality.

“This is irresponsible business.”

“Induce consumers to spend.”

“Fraudulent propaganda.”

Beijing.

After seeing this news, Zhou Xiaomin, the editor-in-chief of Agricultural Economics, looked curiously at the young president who was sitting opposite the teahouse with a calm demeanor.

"Mr. Guo, aren't you panicking at all?"

"No need." Guo Yang drank his tea with a relaxed expression. Zhou Xiaomin, who was about forty years old, wearing a decent professional suit, was sitting opposite Guo Yang.

"Editor Zhou has well-maintained skin."

Zhou Xiaomin smiled and said, "Maybe it's because I've been drinking Ji Xiaobai for the past two weeks. I didn't believe it at first, but now I can really see the effect."

“Is the effect that good?”

Following a puzzled voice, three figures quickly walked into the Agricultural Economics Reception Room.

Guo Yang was also attracted by the attention and stood up immediately. Without being introduced by others, he took the initiative to greet them.

"Director Liu, Director Ning, I have long heard of your great names!"

Among the three people, one is the head of agricultural economics, and the other two, one tall and one short, are leading figures in the domestic business community.

The taller person is Liu Deshu, who was just named one of the top ten leaders in the energy and chemical industry this year and is the head of Sinochem.

Sinochem is also the undisputed number one in the domestic large-scale agricultural sector.

The largest integrated fertilizer production, supply and marketing enterprise, a leading chemical product marketing service provider, and one of the four largest state-owned oil companies.

In 07, it acquired Zhongzhong Group.

At the same time, it has acquired a number of upstream feed companies overseas and is in a leading position domestically or internationally in dozens of businesses such as silicone and methionine.

Annual operating revenue exceeds 3000 billion yuan.

The other person, who was not tall but stood straight, was Ning Gaoning from Guoliang and a merger and acquisition maniac in the grain and oil industry.

Born in Binzhou, Shandong Province, he was admitted to Shandong University from the army in 1978.

After returning from his overseas study in 1987, he joined China Resources Hong Kong Island Company and stayed there for 18 years until 05 when he became the chairman of China National Grain and Foodstuffs Corporation.

At China Resources Group, Ning Gaoning used acquisitions and integration to expand his presence in real estate, beer, retail, textiles, power plants, pharmaceuticals, and building materials.

Just like Morgan, who swept across the U.S. federal financial and industrial sectors more than a century ago, he was hailed by the media as the "Chinese Red Morgan."

But he said, "My role is a professional manager, a 'cowherd' of a central enterprise."

After China Resources' successful operation allowed Ning Gaoning to be parachuted into Guoliang, the company's operating methods also continued the previous logic.

Reorganized Xinjiang Tunhe, reorganized Zhongtu Livestock, reorganized Zhonggu, recruited China Resources Alcohol, acquired Shenzhen Baoheng, controlled Fengyuan Biochemical, took over Wugu Daochang, and invested in Mengniu...

But Guo Yang knew that this was just the beginning. In fact, during Ning Gaoning's tenure at Guoliang, he initiated more than 50 mergers and acquisitions.

A few years later, Liu Deshu retired due to age, and Ning Gaoning took over Sinochem. A few years later, he successfully acquired Syngenta...

Both men are leaders in the domestic business community.

Guo Yang gave enough respect, but not to the point of being servile.

Jiahe's scale is only slightly smaller than that of Guoliang, and both of them have exceeded the 1500 billion yuan revenue mark this year.

However, Golden Harvest's profits are far ahead.

"Mr. Guo's name is well-known!"

"Heroes emerge young. After taking over Zhongzhong, I realized how terrifying Tianhe Seed's influence in the industry is."

The three of them greeted each other and took their seats. The scene was incredibly harmonious.

This surprised Zhou Xiaomin, who was about to eat melons, and she continued to provoke him with the previous question: "I was just talking to Director Guo about Ji Xiaobai and Guoliang's Yuehuo, and Director Ning came."

Guo Yang raised his eyebrows. Where did he mention Yuehuo just now?
But Director Ning was obviously intrigued.

"Can Ji Xiaobai really whiten your skin?"

Zhou Xiaomin said: "It is indeed useful. My skin tone has brightened a lot after using it."

Ning Gaoning took a sip of tea and nodded, "Then Jiahe should develop in the daily chemical industry."

Guo Yang smiled and said, "Jiahe does have this idea, so today we came to learn business operation experience from Director Ning and Director Liu."

Ning Gaoning said: "Mr. Guo, you are joking. Jiahe is now at its peak. It is only a matter of time before it surpasses Guoliang."

"No." Guo Yang said seriously: "In terms of capital operation, Jiahe is indeed inferior."

Ning Gaoning raised his eyebrows in displeasure.

At this time, Liu Deshu smiled and interrupted, "It seems that Mr. Guo has an acquisition target."

Ning Gaoning blurted out, "Huiyuan Juice?"

Zhou Xiaomin became interested, "Mr. Guo, let Mr. Ning help Jiahe acquire Huiyuan. This is interesting."

After Coca-Cola's failed acquisition of Huiyuan, it was widely rumored that Guoliang might take over Huiyuan.

In fact, this is not realistic because Guoliang and Coca-Cola signed a non-competition agreement at the beginning of their cooperation.

But letting Golden Harvest acquire Huiyuan, which is aiding the enemy... just think about it and it's impossible.

Guo Yang smiled and did not deny it immediately.

Ning Gaoning didn't mention it either, but instead became concerned about Ji Xiaobai.

"How is Ji Xiaobai's performance?"

"Sales have been falling." Guo Yang neither concealed nor exaggerated, "but what's interesting is that the repurchase rate has rebounded recently."

Ning Gaoning's heart moved.

Guoliang has invested heavily in Yuehuo, but the performance has been less than ideal. Not to mention the repurchase rate, other indicators have also been declining.

"What does Mr. Guo think of Joyful Living?"

"To be honest, I have never drunk any of Yuehuo's products." Guo Yang said with a smile: "Jiahe likes to start from the product when doing things."

"The raw materials for national grain are also carefully selected." Ning Gaoning said as if he knew them all:

"Tomatoes from Wusu Farm in Xinjiang, wild black currants from Daxing'anling, pomegranates from Huili, Sichuan, apples from the Weibei Plateau, fresh oranges from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and grapes from Valencia, Spain..."

Guo Yang said: "But in fact, these restricted-origin fruits do not have any special resource advantages.

Using this as an endorsement will not bring premium benefits to the brand, but will instead increase costs.”

The pricing of Yuehuo and Ji Xiaobai has been criticized by consumers and the media.

But Guo Yang knows that Ji Xiaobai has actual value that makes consumers accept high pricing, but what does Yuehuo have?
Natural health cannot be experienced during product consumption.

Nature first, LOHAS, LOHAS, this incomprehensible brand culture is too far away from the real life of consumers.

The language is dry, empty, and featureless...

As the first wave of marketing enthusiasm passes, the Yuehuo brand will only become increasingly weak.

However, Guo Yang did not point out the shortcomings of Yuehuo. For Guoliang, it is rich and can bear all the initial costs.

He would rather the national grain production take a few more years of detours.

Ning Gaoning thought about it carefully for a while. In fact, there have always been different opinions within Guoliang on the strategic positioning of Yuehuo.

The cost issue pointed out by Guo Yang is just one of them.

"Does Jiahe really want to acquire Huiyuan Juice?" Ning Gaoning asked tentatively.

"No."

Guo Yang directly denied it this time, but Ning Gaoning and others obviously didn't believe it.

"Golden Harvest is more interested in the fruit production bases of millions of mu controlled by Huiyuan Holdings. As for the listed entity Huiyuan Juice, it does not include the base business."

Ning Gaoning nodded suspiciously.

I'm not interested. He knows Huiyuan's business situation so well, there are problems no matter how you look at it.

"Which juice company does Jiahe want to acquire this time?"

Guo Yang said: "I have said it before. Jiahe wants to enter the daily chemical field, but lacks a suitable industrial platform."

"Really?"

Even Liu Deshu was surprised.

"Last September, the State Council of Shanghai issued the "Several Opinions on Further Promoting the Reform and Development of Shanghai's State-owned Assets and State-owned Enterprises"..."

Guo Yang did not elaborate.

But Ning Gaoning and Liu Deshu soon fell into deep thought, and the room fell silent for a moment.

Zhou Xiaomin was a little surprised. She suddenly didn't understand anything.

The instigator, Guo Yang, drank tea leisurely. In recent years, the policy of state-owned enterprises advancing and private enterprises retreating has been criticized by academia and society.

Therefore, the "Opinions" of Shanghai was issued.

However, there has been no substantial progress since the announcement. Is it because no state-owned enterprises are willing to carry out reforms?

No.

In fact, some companies submitted applications for share reform two years ago.

It's just been delayed again and again due to some reasons.

After thinking for a while, Liu Deshu and Ning Gaoning each had the answer in their hearts.

But the two of them tacitly did not say it out loud, because Zhou Xiaomin was next to them, and leaking the news early might not be a good thing for Golden Harvest.

Liu Deshu pondered and said, "Jiahe wants to use Quanwang Biology as the main body for mergers and acquisitions?"

"That's what I think." Guo Yang said, "Quanwang has been researching daily chemical products for a few years, but it has always lacked brand influence."

In the field of daily chemicals, state-owned national brands are constantly falling.

French Coty Group acquired Ding Jiayi, German Beiersdorf purchased 35% of the shares of Sibao Daily Chemicals for 85 billion yuan, and Johnson & Johnson acquired 100% of Dabao...

National brands are at risk.

Although the only one has been thriving in the past two years, the situation of being surrounded by wolves has not improved.

P&G may not be the winning bidder for CCTV every year, but P&G’s cumulative advertising investment in CCTV is definitely the highest.

It is not so easy for the King of All to break through.

The only way out is to acquire national brands and join forces, and there are many complementary aspects in the products of the two.

Ning Gaoning breathed a sigh of relief as Guoliang had no plans to enter the daily chemical field.

He would be happy to see Jiahe share some of the energy on this matter.

"It is not recommended to directly acquire Quanwang." Ning Gaoning said: "After all, it is a local state-owned enterprise, and it is a state-owned enterprise with excellent performance during the financial crisis."

Liu Deshu also has some ideas. Sinochem has many plans in pesticides, but it is unlikely to acquire Quanwang Bio. And Sinochem's current targets are in Australia and Israel.

Thinking of this, Liu Deshu said:

“For such state-owned enterprises to be transferred, the bidding price is only one of the factors; resource support and employee stability are also important considerations.

Therefore, the main body will definitely ask to stay in the Magic City. The King of All is not suitable. It is better to set up a separate investment company, which is more confidential. "

After hearing this, Guo Yang thought it was a very sincere suggestion.

The two big guys didn't fool him.

After thinking for a while, Guo Yang filled the two people's cups with tea, then raised his glass and said, "Let me use tea instead of wine. Let me toast you two."

"OK."

"I'll have to see the real tricks at the wine table some other time."

"How about today?" Ning Gaoning suggested, "Isn't Tang Qiao coming? He will definitely have plenty of good wine."

Tang Qiao is the current chairman of Wuliangye and one of the participants in this interview.

"Okay!" Guo Yang agreed.

However, the three of them chatted for a while before someone informed Zhou Xiaomin that the two people from Wuliangye and Agricultural Development Bank of China could not come due to urgent matters.

This is somewhat regrettable.

Fortunately, the top three agricultural companies, Sinochem, Guoliang and Jiahe, have come, and there are many overlaps between their businesses, which makes them very topical.

Before the formal recording, Zhou Xiaomin introduced the content of this interview again.

“During this interview, we noticed that a number of domestic agricultural enterprises have entered or are about to enter the 100 billion yuan threshold.

Then, I wanted to take advantage of the revision of Hua Xia Xing Huo to launch a special edition of the Directory of Famous Agricultural Enterprises to welcome the 60th anniversary of National Day.

The top-ranked companies are on our list of invited interviews.”

The three of them did not reject this, as the promotion of agricultural economics had strong political significance.

In the following time, the three of them talked about the development of their companies as required.

Sinochem’s fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides;
The supply of grain, oil and food from the state grain;
Jiahe's seeds, agricultural materials, agricultural machinery, grains, oils and foods...

In 359 BC, Wei Yang, the left minister of the Qin State, issued the "Order to Reclamate Grassland", implementing a policy of emphasizing agriculture, suppressing commerce, and rewarding farming and weaving.

This marked the birth of ancient China's agricultural industrial policy and laid the foundation for the basic national policy of "establishing a country based on agriculture" that was implemented for a long time thereafter.

The pattern of "agriculture as the basis and commerce as the end" lasted for more than two thousand years.

Until the planned economy period, China still needed to rely on the agricultural "scissors gap" to support industrialization.

On New Year's Day 2006, the agricultural tax that had been implemented for more than years was abolished.

The adjustment and optimization of production relations have released agricultural productivity. The agricultural sector, which was once known as the small peasant economy, has given birth to agricultural companies worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

At the national level, leaders hope to achieve a situation in which "small and medium-sized enterprises are everywhere in the agricultural industry, and large enterprises are standing tall."

From a practical perspective, large enterprises need to shoulder responsibilities such as technological innovation, food safety, and grain security.

For example, the real problems we face today.

Cultivated land degradation, soil heavy metal pollution, groundwater and surface water pollution, seed safety, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and indiscriminate planting of genetically modified organisms...

There are also problems such as an aging workforce and frequent agricultural disasters.

The discussion about international grain traders that Guo Yang had envisioned was only briefly mentioned this time, as international grain traders cannot make much of a splash in China.

During the interview, the level of content was constantly raised.

This is thinking about the issue from the perspective of the country and the nation.

When the interview was over, Guo Yang felt a sense of satisfaction.

At the same time, I also have a deeper understanding of the current situation of Sinochem and Guoliang.

Both Liu Deshu and Ning Gaoning are good at various large-scale capital operations, and mergers and acquisitions are the most commonly used means.

Even though overseas mergers and acquisitions were fraught with difficulties, Sinochem and Guoliang never backed down.

In comparison, Golden Harvest is better at making products and does not engage in much capital operations, but if it wants to keep up, capital operations are indispensable.

Before leaving, Guo Yang said: "Mr. Liu, I wish Sinochem a successful acquisition of Xinnong."

"Haha, okay." Liu Deshu said, "But I won't hold back in the market."

Guo Yang smiled and said, "Just come up with whatever tricks you have, I will take them one by one."

During this meeting, Sinochem and Guoliang put a lot of pressure on Guo Yang.

Xinnong is Australia's largest pesticide manufacturer and one of the world's leading generic pesticide companies.

The sales network covers the whole world, and the sales ratio in Oceania, Europe, North America, South Africa and other places is extremely balanced.

What Sinochem is interested in is its marketing network.

While Jiahe was still struggling to develop overseas market channels, Sinochem had completed its layout through mergers and acquisitions.

However, the cost of this kind of merger and acquisition is also extremely high, the acquisition premium is extremely serious, and the true quality of the acquired assets is difficult to judge.

Guo Yang doesn't quite agree with this rough approach.

For example, Guoliang has acquired several listed companies, but they are all suffering from heavy losses now.

After a brief greeting with Liu and Ning, the three of them prepared to retreat.

At this time, Shi Hongtao, another editor-in-chief of Agricultural Economics, hurried to find Guo Yang.

"Mr. Guo, are you serious about the content about Hongqi River in this manuscript?"

Guo Yang nodded.

Shi Hongtao said in astonishment: "This is incredible! But Agricultural Economics is a serious magazine, and this part of the idea may not pass the review."

“That’s not the scenario.”

Guo Yang raised his eyebrows. "In the manuscript, I have clearly stated that Jiahe has taken practical actions."

Shi Hongtao disagrees: "The bioenergy forest of Xanthoceras sorbifolia and Jatropha curcas may not be successful!"

Hearing this, Liu Deshu and Ning Gaoning, who were about to leave, both stopped.

In the field of bioenergy, both Sinochem and China National Grain and Oils Corporation are involved.

"I think we can bring it up first." Guo Yang insisted: "Once it succeeds, it will be a good thing that will benefit future generations."

"This... Red Flag River is just too bizarre."

Liu Deshu, who was listening attentively, asked, "What is Hongqi River?"

"Hongqi River is a water diversion project from the Yarlung Zangbo River's big bend to the Hexi Corridor, Tarim Basin and other regions, with the help of the development of the Southwest and Northwest bioenergy forest industry..."

Guo Yang explained Jiahe's plan in detail.

Liu Deshu and Ning Gaoning are the current and next heads of Sinochem. The smooth development of the bioenergy forest will eventually involve dealing with the two.

After hearing Hongqihe's idea, the two bosses were so shocked that they remained silent for a long time.

Mou Zongqi once had the wild idea of ​​digging a hole in the Himalayas, but that was just bragging.

And the person in front of us has already taken practical action.

Liu Deshu asked: "Mr. Guo, are you sure that the bioenergy forest can be successful?"

Guo Yang nodded and said, "Of course."

Liu Deshu thought for a moment and said, "Can you let me see the relevant manuscripts in advance?"

"can."

"This might not be a good idea..."

Two voices answered almost at the same time, Guo Yang chose to agree, while Shi Hongtao shook his head.

Liu Deshu glanced at Shi Hongtao and said, "I think we can publish it so that more people can see it. You just said that big companies should be upright and dare to innovate, but now you are scared? You don't even dare to discuss it."

Shi Hongtao had complaints in his heart because Sinochem had also invested in a leprosy energy forest, but it also failed.

But he dared not speak out, and could only nod, "The society will discuss this further."

Guo Yang took the opportunity to leave the phone numbers of Liu Deshu and Ning Gaoning, and promised to send them a copy of the manuscript later.

Liu Deshu said, "Well, do you two have any urgent matters? Why don't we find a place to sit together?"

"my pleasure."

"I won't go. I have to catch my next trip." Ning Gaoning said.

The National Grain and Oils Administration also has a bioenergy industry, but it mainly focuses on corn and sugarcane ethanol, and has no interest in energy forests.

Jiahe is a major threat to the national grain supply. Being able to have a harmonious exchange with it for an entire afternoon is already a great honor.

Moreover, Guoliang is also happy to see Jiahe fall into the quagmire of bioenergy forest.

Guo Yang and Liu Deshu did not force it.

After saying goodbye to Ning Gaoning, the two came to a private reception room.

In-depth exchanges were held on the bioenergy industry.

Sinochem has already planted one on the leprosy tree, so it is extremely cautious at this time.

Therefore, Guo Yang did not conceal any information and gave a detailed introduction to the current variety's production estimates, oil production estimates, medicinal properties, and details of the Hongqi River project.

More than an hour later, Jiahe's plan had left a deep impression on Liu Deshu.

“A truly amazing project.”

"It will benefit the present and future generations, but it is too difficult to implement."

Guo Yang smiled and said, "What if one day the proportion of bioenergy usage can be greatly increased?"

"That's different again."

"I'll have to take a closer look." Liu Deshu pondered for a while and said, "I know Ge Wenyao from Modu Jiahua well. I can be your go-between."

Quanwang has already had contact with Jahwa, but Liu Delin’s role as a middleman is completely different.

Guo Yang agreed immediately and accepted the favor. In the future, the two sides could carry out more extensive cooperation in energy and forestry.

Modou Jiahua Group is the company that the Quanwang Plan plans to acquire.

Founded in 1898, it has a history of 110 years. It is a leader in the national cosmetics industry and the only remaining pillar enterprise in China's daily chemical industry.

It owns the listed company Shanghai Home Cosmetics.

As well as many well-known brands such as Liushen, Maxam, and Herborist.

Today, amid the financial crisis, the Shanghai government is very cautious about listing and transferring high-quality enterprises, and there is no information in the market that Jahwa is going to be transferred.

But as an old investor in the A-share market and a Ping An shareholder who had suffered a loss, Guo Yang naturally knew that Ping An Group had eventually acquired Jahwa Group.

This time, Jiahe wants to intercept.

But now the focus should return to Ji Xiaobai.

After a few days of fermentation, there is more and more discussion on the market about "Aconitum carmichaelii - natural whitening".

But it is no longer a one-sided criticism.

More and more users have reported that they seem to have become whiter, but since there is no long-term record for comparison, they are not yet sure.

However, there were some bloggers who had posted records on the Internet before, and now they are gradually being turned out.

The reporter who received the most attention was from the agricultural industry, who updated the Internet for several weeks on the condition of his skin after drinking sea buckthorn puree.

Each photo records the changes over the past month.

In a recent post, the journalist summed it up.

"Because I often stay up late to finish my manuscripts, my skin has been yellow and feels foggy, as if it is covered with something."

“After drinking the puree of Acanthopanax spp. for two days, my bowel movements became smoother and my skin was not as yellow as before.

After two weeks, I felt myself getting whiter, and started looking forward to drinking the Acanthopanax chinensis puree every day.

After four weeks, I found that the previously tanned areas gradually turned white. It was as if the areas that were dark a few days ago had turned white today and my skin tone became much brighter.

Only after I tried it myself did I believe it really worked. I was really skeptical before that.”

(End of this chapter)