35: Chapter 35 Recruiting and Computers

Xueqing Road, Research Building.

The sounds of electric drills and sledgehammers hitting walls intertwined, shaking everyone's eardrums until they ached.

Chen Hao stood in the center of the dust-filled lobby on the first floor, looking at a construction blueprint.

Not far behind him, beside a makeshift wooden table, Su Jing was wearing a mask and arm sleeves, skillfully flipping through several resumes.

With manpower currently tight, Su Jing, who had previously served as a Section Chief, was temporarily roped in by Chen Hao to handle human resources and take charge of recruiting other staff for the internet cafe.

"President Chen, I've looked at the two people Lei Hu brought over earlier."

Su Jing put down the pen in her hand.

"I've verified their ID cards; they are locals.

The one named Liu Ergou used to look after a pool hall; he's pretty quick with calculations.

The other one, called Magan, doesn't talk much. He looks honest enough, but his eyes are shifty; he doesn't seem like the type who can sit still."

Chen Hao didn't pay much attention to the trivial matter of hiring.

"Sister Su, you have full authority over this matter.

I want people who can work and are honest.

The cashiers must be accounting students or experienced accountants. Lei Hu's people must not touch the money."

"Understood. I've already contacted two girls who just graduated from finance school for the cashier positions. They'll come for a trial shift tomorrow."

Su Jing pushed up her glasses.

"Regarding the two people Lei Hu introduced, I suggest arranging them as internet cafe managers or for the night shift patrol.

However, someone needs to be able to keep them in check."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Chen Hao looked at Zhao Gang, who was directing workers to move cement.

"Gangzi will teach them how to behave."

Just as he was speaking, Lei Hu walked over, leading two young men wearing leather jackets with dyed, colorful hair.

Upon seeing Chen Hao, the two were visibly nervous, shrinking their necks and calling out "Boss Chen."

Chen Hao didn't speak, just looked them up and down.

That superior, scrutinizing gaze made the two street punks feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Once you're here, put away that old street-gang behavior," Chen Hao said.

"This is a company, not a pool hall.

Manager Su will have you sign a probationary contract. Wages are paid monthly, and there are bonuses for good work.

But if you dare to pull any tricks in my establishment, or act aggressively toward customers..."

Chen Hao paused and said sternly.

"You can imagine the consequences yourself."

The two youngsters were startled and nodded repeatedly.

After sending Lei Hu and the others away, Chen Hao took a look at the lobby.

The renovation progress was fast; the team from Hongda Decoration was indeed reliable.

However, an internet cafe isn't just about having a building; the core is the computers.

This wasn't a small operation of just eight or ten computers. Chen Hao planned to install fifty units in the first phase and expand to over two hundred later.

According to current market prices, this was a purchase in the millions.

If he went directly to the counters in Zhongguancun to buy, those small shop owners would treat him like a fat sheep to be slaughtered.

Even though he was an expert, bargaining shop by shop would be too time-consuming.

What he needed was to find a high-quality supplier for long-term cooperation.

Chen Hao took out his phone and flipped to the number of Director Zhao from the Haidian District State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Bureau.

"Hello, Director Zhao, it's me, Chen Hao."

Chen Hao walked to the window, avoiding the noise indoors.

"I have a matter I'd like to trouble you with. I want to find a reliable computer hardware supplier in our district.

You also know that this base is the face of the Ministry; the equipment can't be too subpar, but I don't want to deal with those middlemen."

On the other end of the line, Director Zhao laughed heartily:

"That's easy to handle. The Dinghao Electronics Mall in Zhongguancun is a major taxpayer in our district.

The general manager of their operating company is quite familiar with me.

I'll give him a call right now and have him recommend a capable merchant to you.

You can just head over there directly."

"Then thank you, Director Zhao. I'll invite you for tea another day."

After hanging up, Chen Hao called out to Wang Jun, who was dozing off in the car.

"Da Jun, let's go to Zhongguancun."

Half an hour later, Dinghao Electronics Mall.

The Zhongguancun of the year 2000 was in its golden age of wild, rapid growth.

Huge billboards blocked out the sky, and slogans for "Pentium III" and "3D Accelerator Cards" were everywhere.

Chen Hao didn't stop at the counters on the first floor; instead, he took Wang Jun directly up the freight elevator to the office area on the top floor.

In the conference room, Ma Kai, the general manager of the operating company, had been waiting for a long time.

Sitting next to him was a middle-aged man with a stout figure and a gold chain around his neck.

In front of this man was a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, and he was fiddling with a Motorola flip phone in his hand.

"President Chen, a pleasure, a pleasure!"

Ma Kai introduced him enthusiastically.

"This is President Qian Hongyan of Qiankun Electronics.

President Qian is the largest PC assembler in our mall. He holds the North China regional agency rights for several brands and has been supplying major ministries and state-owned enterprises for years; his capabilities are beyond question."

Qian Hongyan stood up, smiling broadly, and extended a chubby hand:

"President Chen is young and promising!

I heard from President Ma that this is a major project from the Ministry?

We will definitely provide our full support!"

Chen Hao shook his hand and sat down opposite him, with Zhao Gang sitting beside him.

"President Qian is too kind.

Time is tight; let's talk directly about the configuration and price."

Chen Hao got straight to the point.

Qian Hongyan's eyes lit up.

He loved this type of straightforward government-affiliated client.

According to convention, these young people who came with official backing usually only cared about two things:

First, whether the configuration was high-end enough; second, whether the kickback could be provided adequately.

"No problem!"

Qian Hongyan pulled a notebook from his bag, opened a page with a pre-written configuration list, and pushed it toward Chen Hao.

"President Chen, since this is an information technology base supported by the Ministry, it must use top-tier configurations.

This is the plan I've put together for you: an Intel Pentium III 800EB processor, an ASUS motherboard, 256MB of RAM, a 32MB dedicated graphics card, and a Sony Trinitron 17-inch flat-screen monitor."

As Qian Hongyan spoke, he observed Chen Hao's expression and lowered his voice:

"The market price for this configuration is at least twelve thousand.

But since you were introduced by President Ma and this is a key project, I'll give you a cost price: nine thousand eight hundred!

As for the invoice, we can issue it for twelve thousand, or you can state a number; I understand the rules regarding the price difference."

After finishing, Qian Hongyan revealed a sleazy smile.

In his view, this deal was already a done deal.

At a price of nine thousand eight hundred, he still had at least two thousand five hundred in profit margin, plus the "kickback" for this youngster; everyone would make money, and everyone would be happy.

Chen Hao looked at the configuration list and listened to the outrageous quote, his face showing no expression.

He picked up the pack of Zhonghua cigarettes on the table and pulled one out.

"President Qian, you've misunderstood."

Qian Hongyan immediately took out a lighter to help him light it.

Chen Hao took a deep drag and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"This project is indeed supported by the Ministry and the district, and it is a key project for Haidian District.

But the money is coming out of my own pocket.

This is my private enterprise, not a state-owned enterprise procurement."

The smile on Qian Hongyan's face froze.

The lighter in his hand hadn't even been put away yet, and the flame flickered in the air.

Private money?

Then, that "high quote, high kickback" tactic he just used had completely backfired?

"This..." Qian Hongyan rubbed his hands awkwardly and glanced at President Ma beside him.

Chen Hao continued:

"What I'm building is a chain of internet cafes and an incubation base.

The first phase of fifty units is just the beginning.

If it goes well, I might need five hundred or even one thousand units later.

President Qian, this is my own business; I don't need your kickbacks.

I want cost-effectiveness.

So, if you want to win this order, you'll need to give me a real bottom-line price."