Siheyuan's Journey Through the Ages

Chapter 118 The identity of the boss's client

"You think I'm a real estate agent. I'm a lawyer. You don't want me to help you look for houses everywhere, right? I can't afford to lose face like that. You found the house by yourself this time, so it's no problem for me to help you with the paperwork. But if you really want me to be an agent, it will make me lose face in front of the industry association. No, no." Liang Haowen felt that this matter was really embarrassing and quickly shook his head.

Ma Qing felt that Liang Haowen had never experienced poverty and hardship since he was a child, and he gave up making money because he felt ashamed. However, this strong sense of morality can be considered an advantage.

Ma Qing quickly persuaded Liang Haowen, "Brother Liang, I have thought about this matter. It is definitely not possible for you, a lawyer, to run an intermediary, so I came up with a business."

"what business?"

"I've been in Hong Kong for so many days, and I found that the property market in Hong Kong is really hot. I won't tell you why. You know, you made 2000 yuan from me today. My idea is that you and I will each contribute 1000 yuan, and we will open a real estate agency, rent a street-side store, hire a few people, and I will be the first client of our agency. It's a good thing to keep the money within the family."

Liang Haowen's eyes widened. Ma Qing's proposal was a little beyond his expectations. He subconsciously retorted: "The property market in Hong Kong is indeed hot now, but there are real estate agencies everywhere. Can they really make money?"

Ma Qing saw that there was a way. "What you said is true. If this agency doesn't make money, how can it be opened everywhere? The key is that when our agency opens, I have a client to back it up. I spend 10 to buy a house, and the 2000% agency fee of the seller and the buyer is yuan. In other words, the cost of the agency is directly recovered. During this period, we can also train employees and build a reputation. If we can really stay in this business, wouldn't it be like having an agency for free?"

"Think about it, once the agency is established, every additional client is free money. The agency can also introduce these clients to your law firm to sign sales contracts. Isn't that an additional source of income for you?" Ma Qing felt that his idea was simply genius.

"Let's make it clear first. The agency will have to keep the commission for the business introduced to the law firm. Brothers should be clear about the accounts." Ma Qing added.

"You...I..." Liang Haowen's brain was a little frozen. It seemed that the money he just earned from this guy would be taken back by this guy again, but it seemed that what he said made sense.

Ma Qing struck while the iron was hot and said, "If we hadn't cooperated so many times, and if it weren't for the fact that opening an agency requires a lot of procedures, you as a lawyer should know everything, but I find it troublesome. Otherwise, I could find many people to cooperate with. I don't know how many people would rush to do this kind of business with a guaranteed bottom line."

When the two came out of the private restaurant, their relationship changed from lawyer and client to business partners. Ma Qing directly gave Liang Haowen another 1000 yuan to start the company, but the money for the meal was paid by Liang Haowen.

The next morning, Ma Qing checked out of the Peninsula Hotel and sat in Huang Hongtu's rickshaw. Ma Qing chatted with Huang Hongtu, the driver, "Old Huang, how much can you earn this month?"

"Mr. Ma, we are coolies who depend on the weather for our living. We are a little better off than those working in factories. We can earn less than 200 yuan a month, which is a little more than those office clerks, but we eat more too." Huang Hongtu replied while pulling the cart.

"Oh, so this is the case. I was planning to open a grocery store and needed to find a clerk. I had been thinking of hiring someone for 150 a month, but I saw that you, Old Huang, were an honest man and could recognize a few words. But now it seems that's not going to work. You can earn more pulling a cart than being my clerk." Ma Qing originally wanted Old Huang to work for him, but it seems that's not going to work. He would definitely not hire him at a price higher than the market price. There was no need.

Huang Hongtu stopped when he heard this, turned around and said excitedly, "Sir, what you said is true. I am willing to do it."

Ma Qing was surprised. "You gave up your job that pays 200 yuan and are willing to be my buddy." Huang Hongtu smiled bitterly. "Mr. Ma, look at my age."

"Forty, forty-five, that should be middle-aged." Ma Qing looked at Lao Huang's face and answered subconsciously.

"I'm only 28 years old, but I've already aged like this. I wait for work on the street every day, exposed to the wind and sun, and pay car fees, protection fees, and industry association fees every month. Sometimes I have to participate in turf wars and fights. The workload is heavy, and the food is poor. I don't know how I can survive this life."

Huang Hongtu said excitedly: "Mr. Ma, if you ask me to be your assistant, I will do my best." He stared at Ma Qing with expectant eyes.

"But in this case, your income will decrease. Why don't you just become a worker or a waiter?" Ma Qing found it a bit strange.

"Hey, boss, you don't know. Now in Hong Kong, the wages of workers are only 50 to 100. Those above 150 are foreman level. As for shop assistants, they need sponsors, and the shop owner has relatives and friends to take care of. A northerner like me can't find such a job at all."

"Haha, so that's how it is. Lao Huang, I'm from the north too. You'll just work with me from now on. The salary is 150 yuan a month. You'll start work at 10 am and get off work at 6 pm. If you think it's okay, you can come to work tomorrow." Ma Qing put forward his conditions.

Huang Hongtu was overjoyed and quickly bowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you, boss. Thank you, boss. I will definitely work hard."

"Okay, okay, pull the cart quickly. This may be the last time you pull the cart in your life. Pull slowly and say goodbye properly." Ma Qing joked.

Huang Hongtu turned around, pulled up the horizontal bar at the front of the rickshaw, held it tightly with both hands, started slowly, and ran briskly.

In front of Building 22 on Xintiandi Street, Ma Qing got off the rickshaw, pointed at the building, and said to Huang Hongtu, "I bought this building." He then pointed to the closed shop on the first floor and said, "This is the grocery store I want to open. There is nothing now. Old Huang, you are my No. 1 employee."

Ma Qing took out 10 yuan from his pocket and said, "Old Huang, this is your lucky money for the start of business. That's all for today. Come to work before 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. Let's make this grocery store bigger and stronger."

"Thank you, boss. Thank you, boss." Huang Hongtu didn't expect that his new boss was so generous and capable, and he was even happier.

Ma Qing watched Huang Hongtu pulling the rickshaw away and said to himself, "I'm giving you an opportunity. It depends on whether you can seize it." Turning around and looking at his newly bought house and shop, he cheered in his heart, "New world, here I come."

(End of this chapter)