Siheyuan's Journey Through the Ages

Chapter 132: Old Huang Completes Transformation
"Old Huang, Baixin Supermarket Chain Co., Ltd. has completed a new round of capital injection. The company will open 7 stores within three months." Ma Qing said to Old Huang while sitting in the car he had chartered.

“You have to work hard in the next three months. No, I should say you have to work hard in the next six months. If you can open the store within three months and make it break-even within six months, or even if the loss is within 3%, I will accept it.

By then, you, Old Huang, will be the general manager of Baixin Supermarket Chain Co., Ltd., and you will receive 10% of the company's profits as dividends every year. If you fail to complete this task, I'm sorry, you should just stay as a store manager."

"Also, I've already booked this car. It's yours for the next three months. If you need money, come to me. If you need legal services, go to Liang Haowen Law Firm."

"This is all the support I can give you. There are not many opportunities in a person's life. I hope you can seize them." Ma Qing's words became more and more formal and cold.

Huang Hongtu's face flushed red. After getting married last year, he was indeed a little tired. But today, listening to Ma Qing's words that sounded like an ultimatum, he was awakened and at the same time full of desire for the pie that Ma Qing had painted. Perhaps the opportunity to change his own class lies here.

Without any lofty words or a painful expression of determination, Huang Hongtu simply promised: "I understand, Boss, I will definitely seize this opportunity."

Ma Qing nodded, and then took Huang Hongtu to the seven stores that were to be opened to get familiar with them. In fact, the initial investment for each store was only about 5000 yuan. The key was whether they could maintain it in the future and ensure that they really had a sales channel.

Ma Qing hopes to build on this and open such supermarkets in major cities around the world in the future, becoming a true retail giant.

Three months later, outside the supermarket on the 22nd floor of Xintiandi Street, Ma Qing and Huang Hongtu sat on the street. There were food and wine on the table in the middle. Ma Qing poured a glass of beer for his general. Looking at Old Huang, who had lost a lot of weight and darkened by two degrees, Ma Qing said, "Not bad, Old Huang, have a glass."

Huang Hongtu took the cup and drank it all in one gulp. His eyes were more focused than before, and looked sharper.

"You have completed the first stage. I think you will have no problem being a deputy manager. The next three months will be even more important. Remember, break-even is important to me, but it is even more important to you."

Huang Hongtu didn't say anything. He poured himself a glass of wine, raised his glass and said to Ma Qing: "I won't say any more nice words, boss. Let's see the truth in three months."

"Then I wish you success." Ma Qing said nothing more, clinked glasses with Huang Hongtu and drank.

After Huang Hongtu left, Yan Luoqing came over and sat next to Ma Qing: "Old Huang has changed a lot recently."

Ma Qing fiddled with the dish in front of him, picked out a piece of braised meat that he liked the most, put it into his mouth, and said while chewing, "As a man, growth always happens in an instant. It's good to change. How can you keep up with the times if you don't change?"

"Sir, you've entrusted all the important tasks to him. Aren't you afraid that he will betray you and start his own business in the future?"

Yan Luoqing didn't know for what purpose, maybe to protect his long-term meal ticket, or maybe for other reasons, but he still reminded Ma Qing.

Ma Qing was not surprised. It was not surprising for this insecure woman to say this. "My last name is Ma, his last name is Huang. I am his boss and I pay him a salary. He is my employee and he provides me with labor services. We are just a simple employment relationship."

Ma Qing picked up another peanut and put it in his mouth, chewing while saying, "He is not my slave. I have never expected loyalty from him, so how could there be any betrayal. He, Old Huang, is willing to work so hard today because I give him a lot. This person can be Old Huang, Old Bai, or any color."

Yan Luoqing felt that the man in front of her had an almost arrogant self-confidence, as if his whole body was radiating light, and she couldn't help but blush and her heart began to beat fast.

Ma Qing looked up at the sky. The night in Hong Kong near the end of the year was still dotted with stars. Ma Qing hugged his woman and laughed, saying, "As long as I run fast enough, no one can stand beside me, and no one can stab me in the back. My lady, let's go and rest."

After a hard night's work, Ma Qing received good news early the next morning. "Mr. Ma, there is good news. Guess what it is?" The voice of Lawyer Liang came from the microphone.

"..."

"No kidding, the trading company you've always wanted is finally in place. If you're free, come to Lu Yu Teahouse."

"Okay." Ma Qing was a little excited. The business of this trading company was finally going well. He shouted to a young man who was moving goods in the supermarket, "Ping An, call me a car. I need to go out for a while."

Speaking of this young man, the story is rather old-fashioned. His full name is Ping An, and he is a student of the Hong Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association.

The young man's mother was sick and had no money for treatment. He was secretly sad and crying when he was discovered by Ma Qing. Ma Qing gave him a few hundred yuan to help him. He also thought that the boy had good character, so he simply took him in as a follower. The key point was that his name was Quan Ping'an, which was very auspicious.

In fact, Ma Qing has encountered quite a few similar things in the past two years. When encountering such things, Ma Qing felt that the person had good character, so he helped if he could, showing goodwill and gaining favors. Ma Qing sent all these people to the stores of the Baixin chain supermarket, which can be regarded as installing his own eyes and iron rods in the supermarket.

"Okay, boss, do you need me to accompany you?"

"No need. I'll be back soon." Ma Qing said nonchalantly.

Lu Yu, a native of Jingling in the Tang Dynasty, which is today's Tianmen, Hubei Province, was the founder of Chinese tea culture born in the Jianghan Plain. He was famous for his work "The Classic of Tea" and was later revered as the Saint of Tea.

In 1933, the tea house named after Lu Yu opened on Yongji Street in Hong Kong. Taking the tea saint as a model and making a good cup of tea was the original intention of the founder, and sustainable operation was the founder's wish.

In 1976, Luk Yu Tea House moved to Stanley Street, retaining its style and diners.

But it was only the 67th year, so Ma Qing naturally went to the Lu Yu Tea House on Yongji Street.

As soon as Ma Qing got off the taxi, he saw Liang Haowen waiting at the door, and Liang Haowen also saw him.

The two walked into the tea room together, pushed open the reddish-brown painted wooden door, and the familiar Republic of China style hit them in the face.

Rosewood round tables are arranged in order, teak chairs are covered with satin cushions, an old ceiling fan is inverted on the ceiling, and several ink paintings are quietly hung on the wall.

Antique colored porcelain wall vases, white glass wall lamps, Italian colored glass paintings, with strong Western European design elements, Lu Yu Tea House presents an artistic style that combines Chinese and Western elements.

The waiters, dressed in white Tang suits with double-breasted collars, walked lightly and steadily through the hall, serving tea and water, and serving dishes and meals...

(End of this chapter)