Volume One, Chapter 11: First Respect Attire, Then Respect the Person
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The development and construction of the Pudong New Area had entered a critical phase, with all major projects accelerating rapidly. The core buildings of the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone were about to rise. Meanwhile, infrastructure construction was progressing intensively; the cross-river bridge and the main road network were beginning to take shape, laying a solid foundation for the economic takeoff of Pudong...
Zhang Weimin held a copy of the Economic Herald, reading a news article.
The development of Pudong New Area... such a massive project with a tight schedule... this could be an opportunity!
Zhang Weimin folded the newspaper, sat down on the rattan chair in the yard, closed his eyes, and gradually a plan took shape in his mind.
...
Zhang Weimin went to Liu Xueqin’s office.
“Oh, Old Zhang’s here! Come in, have a seat.”
Seeing Zhang Weimin, Liu Xueqin was as excited as a parched land welcoming rain.
“Have you come up with a good idea?”
While brewing tea, Liu Xueqin asked eagerly.
“Hmm, I have an idea, but I’m not sure if you have the guts for it.”
“Tell me.”
Zhang Weimin walked to the door, glanced outside to make sure no one was around, closed it, and leaned close to Liu Xueqin’s ear:
“Now, with Pudong New Area’s development... we do this, then that, and finally that…”
Liu Xueqin’s eyes widened:
“Old Zhang, is that really doable? The risk is a bit high.”
Zhang Weimin took a sip of tea and looked at Liu Xueqin calmly:
“Since ancient times, fortune favors the bold. Besides, it’s not like I’m asking you to risk your life. It all depends on whether you have the courage.”
Liu Xueqin hesitated:
“But what if... I’m worried the planning bureau won’t approve. Those leaders won’t make such a big decision based on just a few words from us.”
Zhang Weimin looked at Liu Xueqin and had another idea:
“How about this — we adjust the steps, switch the first step with the third, so the bureau’s leaders won’t have any reason to reject it.”
This finally convinced Liu Xueqin:
“Alright, let’s do it your way. You start preparing the work. If there’s any difficulty, I’ll help coordinate.”
“Don’t worry. The initial steps shouldn’t be a problem. First, approve a petty cash fund of ten thousand yuan for me.”
“Ah, Old Zhang, you’re too much, asking for ten thousand just like that.”
“Look at you being so stingy. Fine, I’ll front it myself first. When this deal goes through, you’ll reimburse me in full.”
“Hehe, no problem.”
Leaving Liu Xueqin’s office, Zhang Weimin headed to the workshop.
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“Oh, Old Zhang’s here.”
As soon as Zhang Weimin entered, workshop supervisor Hong Daniu rushed over.
Zhang Weimin pulled out a cigarette, took one, and handed another to Hong Daniu.
“Tell everyone not to leave right after work today.”
“Oh, Old Zhang, treating everyone to drinks and food again?”
“What are you thinking? Last time you lost the bet, remember?”
Hong Daniu’s enthusiasm immediately cooled by half:
“Hey, yeah, I remember. What do you want us to do?”
“After work, have the brothers help me out with some work. Of course, not for free — good wine and fine tobacco.”
“Alright, no problem.”
After work, Zhang Weimin brought some hand-drawn blueprints to the workshop.
Hong Daniu took the plans and looked them over:
“Old Zhang, what’s this?”
“This is called a tapered threaded coupling sleeve. What do you think—can the workshop handle this?”
Hong Daniu wiped his nose with his glove:
“Who do you think you’re underestimating? My apprentices can make hundreds of these in one day.”
“Good. Then let’s get started. Make me a dozen or so in various specifications.”
“Alright, just watch. It’ll take no more than half an hour. You better go prepare the food and drinks.”
With that, Hong Daniu led the workers to start.
Half an hour later, Zhang Weimin returned with the wine and dishes, and the workers had finished their tasks.
Zhang Weimin examined the finished products, pleased with the quality. Using calipers, he checked the machining precision—it was fully up to standard.
“Brothers, great job! Come on, let’s celebrate—with good wine and fine meat!”
Returning home at night...
Zhang Weimin saw his clothes hanging in the yard and thought: Yingying really is such a sensible girl.
Inside, he found Yingying doing her homework and said:
“Yingying, from now on, wash my clothes yourself. You don’t have to worry about it anymore. You’ve worked too hard these past few months.”
“Dad, I didn’t wash them today. Maybe it was her...” Yingying glanced toward Liu Fangfang’s room.
“Oh, I see. Just focus on your homework.”
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Zhang Weimin walked to the door of Liu Fangfang’s room and cleared his throat. Liu Fangfang immediately pulled back the curtain and came out.
“Old Zhang, looking for me?”
Liu Fangfang expected some praise but was met with Zhang Weimin’s cold remark:
“From now on, don’t wash my clothes.”
Without another word, Zhang Weimin turned and walked away, leaving Liu Fangfang standing there dumbfounded.
Zhang Weimin planned to take those tapered threaded coupling sleeves to promote in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area.
These coupling sleeves were steel rebar connectors widely used on construction sites. In the 1990s, due to limited production capacity, these products were relatively expensive and only used on major projects.
He chose to make this product because Lin Hao’s company, when building their office tower, had heard from the design institute that these sleeves were highly priced in the ’90s. Coincidentally, Zhang Weimin’s factory could produce them.
He wanted to leverage this advantage to earn his first pot of gold in life!
Before setting out, Lin Hao took Zhang Weimin to a department store to buy a classy outfit.
Lin Hao understood the principle of “first respect the attire, then the person.” Well-fitted, high-end clothing would not only boost Zhang Weimin’s confidence and presence but also improve others’ impression and trust.
At the department store, after browsing the entire men’s section, they couldn’t find a single piece that Zhang Weimin liked.
After all, Zhang Weimin’s consciousness was from 2024, while it was 1995 in the department store.
The suits of that era were all cut loose, especially with oversized shoulder pads. The pants were high-waisted with very wide legs...
Wearing them, Zhang Weimin felt like he was dressed in Yao Ming’s clothes—far too baggy.
No choice, he bought what was available and planned to find a tailor to alter it.
He purchased a full set of Pierre Cardin: a deep blue suit, white shirt, black leather shoes, white socks... and even a pair of GUCCI sunglasses, spending over ten thousand yuan in total.
He went to the largest local tailor shop, carrying the full Pierre Cardin set inside.
Explaining his alteration requirements to the master tailor, the old craftsman was incredulous:
“Wow, such expensive clothes, if I alter them like you say, you can’t blame us if you regret it.”
Zhang Weimin smiled helplessly:
“Don’t worry, master tailor, just follow my instructions. You’ll see how good it looks once I wear it. But you have to be quick—I’m waiting right here.”
“All right!”
The tailor measured him again, noted the dimensions carefully, confirmed them repeatedly, and even had Zhang Weimin sign off.
Zhang Weimin requested the tailor to modify the suit according to 2024 fashion: make the jacket slim-fit and waist-tailored, change the pants to low-waist, narrow-legged, straight-cut cropped trousers; the shirt should also be slim and waist-fitted.
Finally, he asked for a narrow short tie to be sewn from the leftover suit fabric.