Our company is completely overseeing the process from initial manufacturing of the components till assembling. This enables to have seamless quality control and keep the costs low.
Last but not least our company is aware about the corporate responsibility of Chinese industry and the patriotic duty of everybody which applies to the management even more. Our CEO Mr. Wei is well known in China and abroad for his support of arts galleries and museums. And now I will let Mr. Ma to highlight to you our employment policy.”
Mr. Ma looked for a few seconds on the slide containing a complicated diagram and started to talk.
“First of all I would like to emphasize that the well-being of the employees has always been the top priority of the company. Bai Ma employs 8.900 people altogether, 1.460 he in Fuzhou and the rest in Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing and Chengdu. The quarterly performance review system helps to evaluate the work of every single employee. Those achieving over the average results can receive bonus payments up to 30% of their annual salary. For the low performing employees, which are fortunately quite few, we appoint a warden who develops an improvement plan. The company ensures that travelling employees do not need to worry about the care for their children or elderly members of the household. For the duration of the trip a day care facility or a home visit by a nurse are paid for.
The retirement plan for the employees has been reviewed by the States Committee on Social Security and received an award two years ago.
Since the company has started operating we could register only 6 major labour related accidents and only 3 cases of labour related disability claims have been filed. We are also proud to have a very low turnover. Since the company was founded in 1994 68% of the first hour employees are still with us. The average attrition rate is about 0.8% per year which is far below what we see in other branches.
Do you have any questions on that?”
“No Mr. Ma. This all sounds very impressive. Thank you very much.”
“Thank you Mr. Ma” said Ms. Qiao “And now let's go to our showroom and thereafter we will have a lunch”
In the showroom the modules of the kitchens were exhibited and a film on a huge screen was showing the assembling process starting from the design idea. The pieces looked really nice. They ranged from the stainless steel canteen-like design till classical Chinese style with cherry red or maroon coloured fronts. An assistant was called to open the cupboards to show sophisticated subsections allowing for more storage space.
Ms. Qiao continued:
“The fridges and other electrical equipment come from reputable suppliers but the customer may also buy the fridge themselves. Of course the “one stop shop” purchase is, talking about the price the best option for the client.”
The lunch was served in a small canteen in the basement. Ms. Qiao continued talking about kitchens. Thomas was thinking that this might be one of the reasons for Bai Ma's success. Good management, efficient processes and of course the unsaturated market were all crucial. But the employees with a heart in the job were apparently even more important. Independent whether everything what Mr. Ma told him was true, both he and Ms. Qiao were talking about the company's business with missionary zeal. As a tenant Thomas was not allowed to change anything in his Beijing apartment. Otherwise he was sure he would consider buying a Bai Ma kitchen.
When at 13:30 he entered Mr. Wei's office in the fifth floor he was impressed by the good taste of the CEO. This was not something what goes without words. During the last years he had an opportunity to meet some bosses in their offices which were sometimes crammed with expensive kitsch. He remembered filming an interview with one bank director in Shanghai. His office was fitted out in Louis XIV style and made rather depressive impression.
“Nice to meet you Mr. van de Waal, hope you had a good trip.”
“Oh yes, Ms. Qiao's arrangements were just perfect. Thank you very much for this opportunity to meet you.”
“No problem, my pleasure. And I guess after having spend the morning with Ms. Qiao you know everything about kitchens?”
“I do, indeed. I am really very impressed.”
“I am glad to here that. Now let's go to our business. So, if I understood it correctly the current owner is willing to donate the objects for a fee of 130.000 pounds.”
“That's correct. I forgot to mention in my mail that this amount is a fraction of the real value”
“I know that. Yesterday evening I have phoned some of my contacts in museums. Just wonder why this Mr, Mr. Vornov, right? So, why didn't Mr. Vornov consider to donate directly to the Chinese state? I am sure they would pay this amount.”
“We were thinking about this option but honestly speaking we assume that going through the governmental channels will take too long. Mr. Vornov would have to rent a vault in a bank and a vault with special climatic conditions is very expensive. Furthermore he is getting tired of this ongoing legal uncertainty and would like to have it settled quickly.”
“But donating it for a symbolic fee as compared to the actual value? I am just trying to understand the reasons. From the legal perspective the Chinese government cannot do much except of expressing their anger. And though I am not well informed about the British laws I assume that the British authorities also cannot confiscate the property of Mr. Vornov. They can peeve him for a while but that's it.”
“This is correct. Since Ms. Qiao has asked me keep my mail short, I haven't mention everything. Mr. Vornov's farther who brought the objects from China in 1938 has promised not to sell it. This promise did not extend to his son but also he has never considered it. But now he is an elderly man in poor health and would like to spend the rest of his life in Sri Lanka together with his wife. His savings would not be enough to fulfil this plan that's why he decided to sell. After having learned about the reaction in China he agreed with the auctioning being put on hold.
Mr. Wei, he doesn't want to get rich, really. Just to have decent live in a pleasant climate for however many years are left to him and his wife.”
“OK, I see the point. You have mentioned that Mr. Vornov is in poor heath. What if his children will challenge this donation claiming that the decision was made in unstable state of the mind? Have you asked his wife what she thinks about it?”
“His wife was present during our talk and at least did not raise objections. I have not seen any children of him in the house but have to admit I haven't asked. This is a valid point.”
“Please clarify this as soon as possible. Will any costs apply additionally to the mentioned 130.000?”
“No. The auction-house fees and legal counselling for Mr. Vornov are already included.”
“And what about the shipment to China including the insurance?”
“I am sorry but I have not thought about it. Will of course discuss it with the owner.”
“Let's do it this way. The first step would be to get a legal statement that there are no other claimants. Our legal department has a partner in London. They will get in touch with Mr. Vornov and get it sorted out. Then we need a clearance from the British authorities that they will permit exporting the items. When this is settled we will deposit the amount at our partner law firm account. Once everything arrived in China, they will release the payment. And concerning the shipment, I will take care for that. My plan is to donate the items to a local museum thus the government should also contribute a bit. Leave it to me. Does it sound like a plan?”
“Absolutely. I will get in touch with Mr. Vornov today. Also tomorrow morning I will contact the British Embassy who actually initiated the whole story. I think they can assist with the export clearance.”
“One last question Mr. van de Waal. May I ask what are your personal stakes in this story?”
“In cooperation with a broadcasting company I will make a documentary about it and later publish a book. This is all. In addition Mr. Vornov has suggested to pay me 3.000 pounds to cover the expenses of my recent London trip.”
“I see. Do you already have
a contract with the TV-company?”
“No, not yet. I have initiated some contacts prior to leaving for London but need to follow-up when I return to Beijing.”
“OK, what do you expect from me?”
“I would like to have a statement that I have the first right for filming the objects. Mr. Vornov and the British embassy which supplied some information has already assured to leave the copyright to me.”
“No problem. My assistant will mail the statement to you. Now I have another meeting. I wish you a pleasant trip home.”
Later while waiting to board the plane for Beijing Thomas has called Paul Vornov. He told him that in the meantime he has consulted with a tax adviser who recommended to handle the deal it as selling and not as “finder's fee” since the last would be subject to the income tax. When being asked about his children Vornov paused for nearly half a minute.
“Jeremy died after a ski accident when he was 26” he said in a trembling voice.
Thomas felt very sorry for having asked but how could he know? The whole life of Nikolay Voronov and his son Paul wasn't actually very happy. The first had narrowly escaped the death and for long lead a life of a refugee, the last was now sick and broken. And this while actually possessing a fortune! Could it be that the legends about the curse of old gems are true? Actually except of a few centuries being buried in the sandstone of Zhungaria, the treasury did not bring much luck to anybody. Not to the prince Galdan, not to Voronov and his son. “Was it a good idea to be involved?” thought Thomas. Then he calmed down. Even if there is a curse on the treasure perhaps being only a mediator he will get away without any problems.
Thomas still had oven one hour till the boarding will start. He went to the Café and ordered a Budweiser. The majority of the tables were occupied with travellers either being glued to their laptop screens or making phones. Eventually he has found one free table. A few minutes later a Chinese lady with a glass of coke and a sandwich walked though the Café apparently looking for a free seat. Seeing a free chair at Thomas' table she politely asked if she could join him. He readily agreed. The lady introduced herself as Zhou SongLin and told that she is returning from a meeting in Fuzhou. Having heard the Thomas has just returned from London she got quite excited and wanted to know more about the city.
“I haven't been there yet but hope one day I will have an opportunity to visit it. Did you have some business there or was it just a vacation?”
“I have attended a meeting, a sort of project to make a documentary”
“Oh, how interesting! Are you a film producer? What will be your film about?”
“It is about the Chinese history. Particularly about the Tang dynasty.”
“I see but why to search for material in London?”
“In London we have just discussed further steps and some financial issues but the shooting will of course be done here in China.”
“In Xian I guess?”
“In Xian and around Lanzhou. We are just working on the details. May I ask what is your occupation?”
“Unfortunately not as exciting as ancient history but a good business. I am working for a chemical company and was here in Fuzhou to attend a project committee meeting for opening a new factory for synthetic detergents.”
“Well, I guess it is a promising business”
The conversation lasted for another twenty minutes and Ms. Zhou skilfully steered it again and again towards questions about Thomas' reason for visiting London and his work in Beijing. This is nothing unusual in China. The barriers for privacy are pretty loose and intensive questioning of a stranger is not considered being intrusive. For a few seconds Thomas felt a bit concerned about the degree of her interest in his London business and kept his replies to a necessary minimum to remain polite.
2
Thomas' girlfriend XiaoFang has picked him up at the airport. She wasn't in a good mood and told that she expected to be called more frequently. What was Thomas actually doing that he had no time to call more than once a day or send one or two mails? His explanation worked only partially.
“Thomas, please tell me, what were you doing there?”
“But listen, I was running errands all the day and in the afternoon it was already late here so I didn't want to wake you up...”
“But what was exactly your business there?”
“What is the problem with that?! It was about a documentary project. I am working on it since the last week and had to do some research in London.”
“And what is this all about?”
“I will tell you later but what is actually the problem? You have never been so distrustful before.”
“I don't know if there is a problem. But yesterday early morning the tax department has paid us a visit. They were looking for you. Wanted to see your residence and labour permit.”
“But it's all OK. Why suddenly should they want to check it?”
“Nothing here happens suddenly Tom! Somehow you have pissed them off. And I cannot help but asking myself if there is any connection to your trip to London.”
Having heard that Thomas immediately remembered his conversation with a stranger lady at the airport. Was he under surveillance? But for what reason? Or was it perhaps a sort of Mafia looking for the Vornov's treasure?
He could hardly sleep and the first thing which he done in the morning was to call Nick asking to talk to him at the Embassy.
After listening to the story Nick could not help with any explanation. When Thomas left he went to Tony Sanders' office to discuss the matter.
Tony looked concerned as if he already knew something.
“Nick, this treasure stuff is only a part of a bigger political issue. You know, unfortunately we often see the Communist Party of China as something whole and streamlined. But this is not the case, also not at the upper floors. There is a group of conservative top functionaries who are trying to undermine the current policy of the PM. Earlier, since the late eighties till a few years ago they were steering the wheel and have accumulated enormous power and wealth. Now their position is being challenged and they are fighting back. We have searched about the author of the original article in Renmin Wang. In the past he has published a few others all of them criticizing the all too liberal and lenient attitude of the current government in dealing with internal opposition. Even though the PM is never mentioned by his name we know that he is the actual target.”
“But what is the connection to our story?”
“It is very simple. If the objects will be returned to China, the PM will be credited with successful management of the issue. But these folks would prefer if UK refuses to hand it over. Then they will have another argument to show the weakness of the government.”
“Now I am completely confused. We have been asked to look into this matter and we did. Even more than that, it looks like this sensitive issue can be solved. But if I got you right the problem only starts at this point?”
“Well, I would say it is more complicated than appeared at the beginning. Anyway we must inform the ambassador. At our level we cannot do more.”
When listening to Tony and Nick Mr. Thurley looked more relaxed then they expected. He was aware about the tensions in the top echelons.
“So gentlemen, let's summarize where we are at this time point. I have got a message from London. The authorities will assist in any possible way to hand the collection over to Chinese. Please liaise with Tom Sullivan. The next step would be that the story will be leaked to our and Chinese press. After that the conservative wing will have little room left to intimidate.”
“This will certainly be helpful, sir.” said Nick “But do you think they could prevent Bai Ma from purchasing the collection from Vornov? Perhaps using some pretext like tax or customs irregularities?”
“You might be right but at this time point we just don't know. Let's do the following. On the 25th of May there is a reception at the Embassy of Jordan, it is their Independence Day. I will be there and I know that the deputy f
oreign minister will also attend. He belongs to PM's circle and I can trust him. I will bring this matter to his attention.”
3
In the same week Thomas had to pay a visit to the labour department accompanied by XiaoFang as an interpreter.
The treasure of Galdan Page 17