Siheyuan's Journey Through the Ages

Chapter 121 The Beginning of Supermarket Business

Ma Qing finally chose the part-time program at Hong Kong Polytechnic for two reasons. One was that the electronic mechanical major at Hong Kong Polytechnic was better, while Hong Kong University focused more on medicine, engineering and literature. Secondly, the part-time program was more flexible and he could only study the subjects he needed. However, Ma Qing's idea of ​​expanding his upper-class network was temporarily shattered. Forget it, nothing can go as planned.

A week later, Ma Qing and Liang Haowen stood in front of the newly established agency. Ma Qing couldn't bear to look at the plaque of "Ma Liang Real Estate Agency".

"How about it, this name is good, right? Ma Liang, which is composed of your last name and my last name, and the magic brush Ma Liang, depicts a better life in the future. Look at this slogan, and tell me if it's good or not." Liang Haowen said proudly, obviously very satisfied with the name he had been thinking about for several days.

"..." Ma Qing looked at the partner beside him and wondered why he hadn't noticed this guy's funny temperament before.

Ma Qing ignored his partner and walked directly into the agency. Looking at the newly hired store manager and four employees who gathered around him, he made his opening declaration.

"Hello everyone, I am honored to work with you all. I will not waste words. I have a housing loan of 10 yuan. I want to buy an apartment in Central, Sheung Wan and other places on the main island of Hong Kong. I will give you three days to find a house. As long as I am satisfied, I will buy it immediately and the commission will be paid immediately. That's all I want to say. Thank you everyone."

The store manager and the staff of the agency listened to what was probably the shortest opening speech in history, but it was also the best opening speech they had ever heard since they started working in the industry.

The store manager's basic salary is 80 yuan, and the clerk's basic salary is only 50 yuan. They all rely on commission to live, and they were instantly excited. Those with quick minds planned to go out and look for a house.

Ma Qing quickly stopped everyone: "Don't be anxious, listen to Mr. Liang's speech first. Today, Mr. Liang will give everyone a professional training first, and then he will explain my housing purchase requirements in detail. Don't do this for now."

Ma Qing said to Liang Haowen: "I'll leave it to you next. I still have to go back to check the decoration of my store. You know my requirements."

"Okay, leave this to me. I'll let you know as soon as I find a house to trade with."

When Ma Qing returned to No. 22 Xintiandi Street, he looked at the workers in the shop working hard and Huang Hongtu supervising them carefully, and nodded secretly.

Huang Hongtu saw his boss coming and quickly ran up to him, "Boss, you're here. Our supermarket will be completed in a few days. The problem of the supply of goods..."

Ma Qing slapped his forehead, wondering how could he have forgotten about this. Although he had some food in his space, other things were not available. Where should he go to get them?

Ma Qing would definitely not lose face in front of his own servants, and replied calmly: "I know about this, don't worry, I have my own ideas about this matter."

When Ma Qing realized that he had made a mistake, he could no longer sit still. He thought that there must be some trading companies and wholesale markets at this time, so he might as well find a shop owner to ask.

Ma Qing walked several streets and found a grocery store. Seeing the owner sitting in front of the store, he quickly stepped forward and handed him a cigarette: "Boss, I want to ask you something. Where do you get all these goods?"

The boss took the cigarette and said slowly, "Why, you also run a shop?"

"Yes, yes, I want to open a small supermarket. Don't worry, it's several blocks away from here, so it won't affect your business." Ma Qing asked the boss because he felt that he really couldn't affect the business of this shop.

The boss rubbed his fingers and said, "I don't know whether you will affect my business or not, but why should I tell you for no reason?" Ma Qing understood immediately and handed over 5 yuan. The boss took the money, shook the bills, and said firmly, "You must not have hung up the sign yet."

"How did you know that? You're pretty awesome, boss."

"Once you put up the sign, suppliers will come to you automatically." The boss put the money in his pocket.

"..."

Ma Qing was taught a lesson again. He came back cursing and went straight into his own space to walk the dog.

A week later, the sound of "crackling, crackling" firecrackers rang out in front of the door of No. 22 Xintiandi Street. Ma Qing's Baixin Supermarket was finally opened. From the day the sign was hung up, countless suppliers broke through Ma Qing's door. Looking at the supermarket shelves filled with all kinds of goods, Ma Qing sighed.

His plan to do a no-cost business was completely shattered. Ma Qing could still hear what the so-called Rice Association clerk, who was wearing a big gold chain and a floral shirt, said to him while shaking his head.

"Our Rice Association is a big deal. You can ask around. I won't tell you. Our rice will be displayed in the most conspicuous place. The purchase price is 3 cents per pound. I don't care how much you sell it for. I don't care whether you sell other rice or not. But there is one rule: other rice cannot be sold cheaper than ours. We will send people to check from time to time. If we find out... Hehe, boss, don't say I didn't warn you in advance."

Before leaving, the man in the flowered shirt said something special, "You don't have to pay protection fees anymore. Just sell the rice well."

In the past few days, there is a guaranteed product for daily necessities such as rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea, which is the product with the lowest price. All of them have been negotiated by an organization. What's the point of this? Why sell the things in your own space? Now the space really belongs to you completely, and it can only belong to you for the time being.

Ma Qing hastily ended the opening ceremony, said hello to Huang Hongtu, and went to the agency. A nice small apartment was going to be sold today, and he was going to pay the money.

"Mr. Qi, you are selling this house to immigrate, right?" Ma Qing asked the seller in front of him.

"Yes, our whole family immigrated to Indonesia. We have relatives there who are doing very well and they asked us to come over." The man selling the house was a little proud, his expression full of confidence in his future life.

Ma Qing took a deep breath, you... Never mind, it has nothing to do with me. "Mr. Qi, can we pay with gold? If possible, I can give you a cheaper price. The main reason is that selling gold will cause loss. It's really troublesome to give you money and then change it into gold to take away. What do you think?"

"That's fine, but how do I know whether the gold you give me is real or fake?" The seller was obviously tempted, but also had some concerns.

"It doesn't matter. I can give you the gold first, and you can ask anyone to inspect it. We have signed the contract anyway, and everyone knows our information. I'm not afraid that you will cheat me. It's just a house worth 2 yuan." Ma Qing felt that for a normal transaction, the risk was not big and was safe and controllable.

"Mr. Ma, if that's what you said, then of course I have no problem with that. Let's have a pleasant cooperation." When the seller saw that there was such a good thing, he quickly agreed.

In the following days, Ma Qing specifically looked for home sellers who wanted to immigrate, and used gold to buy seven small apartments. He also withdrew all his savings from HSBC. Ma Qing invested 80,000 yuan of the withdrawn savings in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and bought two real estate-related stocks.

(End of this chapter)