Chapter 345: Preparing to Add Burden and Xu Damao Are Seeking Death

In the original history.

China's foreign exchange reserves for that year were only a pitiful US$2.11 million, which was less than the annual sales of "Palace Emperor Pill".

It’s not that we don’t want foreign exchange, it’s just that foreign exchange is too difficult to obtain.

Due to the harsh external environment and the fact that the Chinese currency is not recognized in international transactions, any imported goods basically require foreign exchange to purchase.

Of course, it would be fine if precious metals were used, but precious metals are the guarantee of a country's currency, and no country would easily use them unless it was absolutely necessary.

But without foreign exchange, many urgently needed industrial equipment and some materials cannot be purchased, and many domestic projects cannot be advanced quickly.

Now, because of Wang Mengde, the country has an additional US$600 million in foreign exchange income each year, which has greatly alleviated this pressure.

As for the cost, an approximate figure was listed at the back of the document. Wang Mengde took a look and found that compared with the foreign exchange obtained, it was less than a fraction of it.

The bulk of the cost expenditure is the value of raw materials, factory construction and equipment, while labor costs account for a very small proportion.

Moreover, the cost is in Chinese currency. I even heard that some leaders above want to count all sales as income.

When Wang Mengde heard this, he was a little shocked, but after thinking about it, he thought it was normal.

In order to earn foreign exchange, China in this era is even willing to sell goods at a loss. Whoever succeeds will not only not be punished, but will also be praised.

Even so, not everyone can do this. Only a few units or factories have this opportunity.

Previously, most of the means of earning foreign exchange were to sell the most basic things such as agricultural products, industrial raw materials, handicrafts, etc.

These things are of low value and cannot be sold at a high price, yet they are still picked and chosen. China can only endure this. It is a completely helpless move.

It's because the products are not competitive in the international market and the industry and commerce are underdeveloped. This is a perfect example of what it means to be beaten if you lag behind.

But now there are different changes. The medicines developed by Wang Mengde are completely unique in the world and have no competitors.

Moreover, these medicines are extremely powerful and are necessities for many ordinary people, or are the favorites of foreign dignitaries.

So the situation is reversed. It is no longer China begging others to buy its products, but others are rushing to purchase them.

As long as you are willing to sell the goods to them, they can accept any price, and they are even happy to accept unfair terms such as early payment.

This year, in order to establish a traditional Chinese medicine "trust", various domestic pharmaceutical factories were integrated and production efficiency was greatly improved.

Many pharmaceutical factories that previously produced inappropriate drugs or had small production tasks are now running at full capacity and working hard to produce, and sometimes even require workers to work overtime.

Even so, due to various restrictions and the fact that only a small amount of market has been developed, not all of its potential has been utilized.

According to Wang Mengde's estimation, the output of various medicines will increase further next year and the market will become broader.

Even if no new products are launched, the current ones alone can increase sales by about 10% compared to last year.

Ten minutes passed quickly.

Everyone in the meeting room read the contents of the document.

At this time, the superior leader said:
"Everyone has seen the relevant materials. It can be said that our medical and health system has achieved remarkable results over the past year.

The higher-ups praised us especially and mentioned Comrade Wang Mengde’s name, saying he made the greatest contribution.”

As he said this, he turned his gaze to Wang Mengde who was sitting at the end, his eyes full of admiration.

The dozens of other people present also looked at the incredibly handsome young man with smiles on their faces.

Many of them can sit here thanks to Wang Mengde.

The work of the health and family planning system has made continuous breakthroughs in recent years. Whether it is the satisfaction of the domestic people, the foreign exchange income, or the reputation gained, they are all increasing every year.

Therefore, the higher-ups are particularly satisfied with the health and family planning departments.

I always rank among the top in the evaluations at the end of each year, which makes it very easy to advance in this department.

Many people took advantage of this opportunity and got more opportunities.

In this way, the position above moves, and the people below naturally have opportunities.

Several leaders present here were newly promoted in the past one or two years, so they naturally have a very good impression of Wang Mengde.

When Wang Mengde heard his leader praising him, he was neither surprised nor happy, and a natural smile appeared on his face.

He is somewhat immune to it now, as people around him have been saying this kind of thing constantly since more than ten years ago.

After a pause, the leader retracted his gaze and continued:

"Of course, we should not be complacent and strive to achieve better results next year. I have also promised my superiors that by this time next year, the final total export amount must be more than US$7 million.

This requires everyone to work together to complete this arduous task. No matter how difficult or arduous it is, we must find a way to overcome it."

For this kind of task, everyone present, except President Lu and Wang Mengde, are department leaders.

Some of them looked embarrassed. Even though they had achieved a good result of US$6.44 million this year, they could complete the US$7 million task next year if they worked hard.

But actual work is not calculated in this way, as it involves many unexpected situations.

If a drug suddenly has a competing product, that would be troublesome.

Although China now strategically despises foreign countries, it has to admit in its heart that the gap between China and foreign countries in industrial production is huge, and it is no exaggeration to say that there is a world of difference.

When the same products compete with each other, they are most likely to be defeated by others.

However, they dared not speak out their concerns in such occasions. They had to accept all the tasks assigned by their superiors and find ways to complete them.

Another group of people are full of confidence.

The reason why they have such confidence is, of course, that various medicines were very popular last year.

Especially for high-frequency used medicines such as "Palace Emperor Pills", although the overseas market was temporarily saturated for a period of time.

But starting from the following months, the purchasing volume gradually increased, which showed that more and more people joined the rush to buy.

Moreover, the two drugs, artificial bovine insulin and Bazhen Shenxi Pills, have extremely high profits.

Patients who have used it basically cannot leave for the rest of their lives, unless their family is out of money.

Otherwise, it can only contribute a large amount of foreign exchange income to China continuously.

At the end of the conference room, Dean Lu and Wang Mengde looked calm.

Dean Lu has absolute confidence in the young man next to him.

It would be strange if Wang Mengde didn’t develop several new drugs every year.

As long as new products are launched, this year's task will basically be accomplished, so he is not worried at all.

As for Wang Mengde, he had not thought about the possibility of failure to complete the task at this time.

Recently, he has had more and more free time and is ready to start new research.

With medical skills that are ahead of their time and a wealth of experience for later generations, it is extremely easy to produce some results and earn foreign exchange.

The big boss sat at the top. After he made his request, he began to observe everyone's expressions.

After a minute, he figured it out, and said to Wang Mengde with a smile:
"Comrade Wang Mengde, do you have any idea about the task of earning $7 million in foreign exchange next year?"

The senior leader and the leaders present were very curious and wanted to see what this young man would say.

Wang Mengde didn't expect to be called out. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted and answered directly and openly:

“Leader, I think the $7 million goal for next year is easily achievable.

I estimated that as long as there are no unexpected changes in production, we may even be able to earn about $8 million in foreign exchange next year." He was not talking nonsense, but an estimate based on the sales of various drugs this year.

A large part of the source of confidence lies in the two drugs: artificially synthesized bovine insulin and Bazhen Shenxi Pills.

Especially the Bazhen Shenxi Pills, each box is sold at fifty dollars, and the profit can basically reach forty-nine dollars.

This product is made entirely of common Chinese herbal medicines, the production process is relatively simple, and the cost of large-scale production is very low.

Last month, production increased a lot, with more than 500,000 boxes sold overseas, and the revenue this month reached more than 20 million US dollars.

The profit from artificially synthesized bovine insulin is relatively low, mainly because the cost is too high.

If we find a way to reduce costs later, the profit will not be lower than that of Bazhen Shenxi Pills.

With these two drugs, plus the 'Palace Emperor Pills', 'Aphrodisiacs', 'Painkillers', etc., he could easily make $800 million a year.

This does not include the products he will develop in the future.

In private, he would dare to announce a target of 9 million or even 10 billion US dollars.

"real?
Comrade Wang Mengde, do you really think we can reach $8 million next year?"

The big leader said with his eyes shining.

Next year will be a critical year for him. He has already heard rumors that his job position will be adjusted next year.

With the achievements in recent years, his future position would definitely not be bad.

But if you can reach 8 million US dollars, I'm afraid that the future position will not be a question of not having a bad position, but you must be given a good position.

“Leader, I think it can be achieved.”

Wang Mengde answered confidently.

Then he expressed his own opinion.

After listening to his explanation, all the leaders nodded in agreement, thinking that what he said made sense.

"Okay, if we can really reach 8 million next year, I will personally commend you and the Chinese Medicine Research Institute for this."

The big leader was very happy.

On the way back from my superior.

Dean Lu sat in the car, turned his head to look at Wang Mengde, and said happily:
"Comrade Wang Mengde, you just heard what the leader said: in the new year, the health and family planning system will give priority to traditional Chinese medicine in its funding to the lower levels.

At the same time, some policy adjustments will be made to enable traditional Chinese medicine to develop better.

In particular, the construction of schools, the training of talents, and the preparation to establish a Chinese herbal medicine research base under the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

This is all thanks to you. In the future, the burden on you will become heavier, so be prepared."

There was a hidden meaning in his words, and Wang Mengde also heard it.

It is estimated that after the Chinese New Year and the beginning of spring, his application for the position of vice president will have a result.

A few days ago, when Pu Lao was chatting with him, he also mentioned this issue and asked him to be more careful during this period and not to let anyone catch him.

"Thank you, President. I will continue to work hard to make the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine better and better, and to help traditional Chinese medicine go abroad and to the world."

Wang Mengde spoke.

To promote traditional Chinese medicine is his lifelong wish and dream, which does not conflict with President Lu's instructions.

"Well, I feel relieved with your words.

You may not know yet, but the big leader will probably be transferred out of the health care system in another year.

There is no one in this world who will always work in the same position. In a few years, I might leave the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

But fortunately, I have you at the institute now, so I don’t have to worry about no one to take over.”

Dean Lu suddenly said.

Wang Mengde didn't expect him to say that. Naturally, he had thought about it occasionally when he became the dean of the Chinese Medical Research Institute in the future.

But in his own opinion, this would be a very distant thing, and there would be no chance until at least ten years later.

I didn't expect President Lu to make it clear now.

However, if there really is an opportunity, he would naturally feel obliged to take up the responsibility of the research institute.

February 2nd in the Gregorian calendar.

Thursday, today is the Little New Year in the north.

Although everyone is at work, the New Year atmosphere is already very strong.

Every household, no matter whether their living conditions are good or average, will try their best to prepare a sumptuous meal in the evening.

Nanluoguxiang, Wang Mengde’s home.

The family sat together and ate dinner happily.

There were eight dishes on the dining table, including chicken, fish, meat, eggs, as well as roe deer meat and Feilong soup.

This was something Liang Mancang had someone airlift from the Northeast a few days ago.

In recent years, whenever his grandmother had any minor health problems, Wang Mengde would personally treat her and give her regular conditioning. She is now in very good health.

This made Liang Mancang very grateful. Every year when he came back, he would bring some local specialties from the Northeast, including more than a dozen hundred-year-old ginseng plants.

There were countless bear gallbladders and deer antlers, and several tiger skins were also given.

In winter, Wang Mengde's family would put one underneath their beds, making them especially warm when sleeping at night.

As for the best ingredients, he would be brought some over whenever there was a chance for him to taste.

"Meng De, the flying dragon your friend gave me is really delicious. It tastes amazing."

Ran Xiaomei took a sip of Feilong Soup and immediately praised it highly.

"Mom, if you like them, I'll ask that friend to send a few more when there's a chance."

Wang Mengde said with a smile.

This is purely wild, and ordinary people in later generations cannot taste it at all.

"Don't bother them. The Northeast is so far away from the capital. It's not worth it just for a few flying dragons."

"Haha, Mom, don't worry, they are also going to the capital to do some business, and they brought it here by the way."

"Well, if it's incidental, then yes."

Ran Xiaomei said happily.

next door.

The Jia family was also having dinner.

However, there were very few meat dishes on the table. There was only one signature dish, which contained some slices of pork belly, about half a pound in weight.

While Jia Dongxu was eating, he suddenly slammed his chopsticks on the table and said angrily:
"Xu Damao is courting death."

(End of this chapter)