Mixed in 1980

Chapter 237 Need Chips

As Chen Fan's chief steward, Zhou Wenya knew better than anyone that his boss was very optimistic about the port business. However, ports were not like other industries and might not change for several years or even more than ten years.

The port business is just like being a landlord.

As long as the ships come in, Chen Fan can just sit back and collect money. He has been eyeing this business for a long time and has been thinking a lot recently about how to get the port operating rights.

The Li Chaoren of later generations just lies down and does nothing, and the port can bring in hundreds of billions of rent every year.

Zhou Wenya has been keeping an eye on it since last year, but has never seen an opportunity. Now, there is finally news that Pier 4 at Kwai Chung Port is to be sold and Pier 6 is to be built at the same time.

"The British don't want us to get involved in the port."

The good news comes with a piece of bad news: the operating rights of a port have never been a simple economic issue, but are closely related to politics.

To put it bluntly, it is a game between major powers.

In later generations, the transfer of operating rights of many ports would involve the big countries behind the companies, and it was rare for ports to be handed over to "untrusted people".

In the eyes of the British devils, Chen Fan belongs to this kind of person. When he released "Awakening Age", he tore off the fig leaf of the British devils' blood-sucking and offended many people.

Although many real estate developers joined forces to put pressure on Li Hongying's family, eventually forcing Chen Fan to stop promoting the event, the impact of the incident had already been formed.

This is especially obvious in the past two years!

After a series of problems such as the collapse of the Hong Kong stock market, the collapse of the property market, and the economic downturn, similar propaganda appeared from time to time, and the people naturally hated the British foreigners.

Anyway, over the past few years, Britain's reputation in Hong Kong has been getting worse and worse. When people mention the British devils, one thing that people can't help but say is: vampires!
Similarly, Chen Fan was not a good person in the eyes of the British devils. It was no exaggeration to say that it was Chen Fan who dealt them a heavy blow.

Under such circumstances, how could the port operation rights be handed over to Chen Fan?

Not even one of the docks.

"Is there no way to talk?"

"Mr. Chen, there is really nothing we can do. The British devils are putting pressure on us from behind, and the Maritime Affairs Office dares not agree at all. I visited them several times, and their attitude was very firm."

"Are there any other competitors?" Chen Fan asked.

Zhou Wenya shook her head, and Chen Fan immediately became angry. Did the British devils treat him as an enemy? They would rather no one wanted him than let him take over?
After thinking for a while, he said to Zhou Wenya: "Let's make an appointment later. I'll go and talk to you in person!"

Chen Fan knew that these two docks would eventually fall into Li Chaoren's hands, but since he had come across them, he couldn't let them go no matter what.

As for business, it all depends on the means.

Sometimes negotiations fail because the bargaining chips are not enough. The worst that can happen is that you have to pay a little more. Anyway, the port business is a sure profit, just like a local household.

This year is the most depressed year for Hong Kong's economy, and it is also the time when the cost of taking over the port is the lowest.

Zhou Wenya agreed and asked, "Mr. Chen, we have already booked a hotel. Should we arrange for people to check in first, or should we arrange for dinner first?"

"Let's arrange check-in first!"

Many people were brought this time, all of whom had outstanding performance in the foundation and would be of great use. Chen Fan was never stingy with talents and directly arranged for them to stay at the Peninsula Hotel.

In addition, the house and car are prepared. As long as they meet the working years, the house and car will be theirs. Chen Fan does not ask for much time, just five years is enough!

After checking in, Chen Fan called Zhou Wenya, Yu Jing, Jiang Dawei, Zhao Libin and Yang Shuqin, all of whom came from the mainland.

Like Jiang Dawei, Zhao Libin is from the project management department of the foundation.

Zhao Libin has another advantage. He previously worked as a manager in a department store and has experience in the retail sector, but he is not as good as Jiang Dawei in management.

Yang Shuqin is in finance!

He used to be the deputy director of finance of a large state-owned enterprise. After joining the foundation, he has been in charge of financial work. He is a smart man.

After Chen Fan introduced the company to everyone, he asked Yu Jing, "How many supermarkets have we acquired so far? Can you tell me the details?"

Yu Jing took out the printed report, distributed it to everyone, and gave a brief introduction.

Currently, we have a total of 58 supermarkets, of which 8 are large supermarkets covering an area of more than 3000 square meters, and the others are medium and large supermarkets covering an area of more than 1500 square meters.

58 of the 32 supermarkets have property rights, including the 8 large supermarkets.

As long as the property has property rights, the means of acquisition are dishonorable.

Yu Jing didn't say it, nor was there any need to say it. These were things that they were unwilling to sell. After she took over the property rights, she forced them to buy them with various reasons such as rent increase and non-renewal of lease.

That's how business works, the big fish eat the small fish!

The 58 supermarkets united together became one of the largest retail giants in Hong Kong. To be precise, in the s, their scale was second only to Wellcome Supermarket.

"But there's not much money left in the account."

Yu Jing looked at Chen Fan cautiously: "Of the 1 million US dollars left at the beginning, only more than 800 million US dollars are left now."

"Oh so cheap!"

Hearing the boss sigh, Yu Jing couldn't help but curl her lips. He was indeed rich. It might not be intuitive to say 1 million US dollars, but it would be 7.8 million Hong Kong dollars. Now 7 million has been spent!
However, Chen Fan thinks it is great value for money. The 7 million yuan spent this year will not be enough to buy the property rights of the 32 supermarkets in two years, so buying them this year will be a bargain.

Yu Jing continued to introduce the situation of each supermarket. In short, it is easy to buy, and basically does not make money or even lose money.

Most of the purchases made through some means have made good profits.

Chen Fan couldn't help but be amazed. This woman was really realistic. When the boss asked her to buy the company, she really did do whatever it took. She was really a good cow and horse.

“Then we should start the integration from the supermarkets that are not profitable.”

Chen Fan put forward a plan and asked everyone to discuss it. In this traditional industry, Chen Fan was not interested in innovation and just copied other people's models.

Which one is the most successful?

Walmart!
Except for the decoration style, everything else was copied and named: Chinatown Chain Supermarket.

There is no rush for integration, mainly because there are too many new recruits. Chen Fan gives them a month to process their documents and take the team to Europe and the United States to study and get the hang of this system.

"In addition, we need to recruit another executive who has worked in the retail industry, Yu Jing. Go back and find a headhunting company. It is better to have no one than to have someone who is not qualified." Chen Fan ordered.

"Okay, Mr. Chen!" Yu Jing took a pen and wrote it down.

"From now on, we will stir the ladles in one pot, and everyone will cooperate with each other to strive to complete the integration of several stores within this year and finalize the business model."

Chen Fan smiled and asked everyone to go back to the house to rest, leaving only Zhou Wenya and Yu Jing.

"For the supermarkets that have already been acquired, if we can get the remaining store ownership, we will get them all. There should be a lot of people who want to sell them, right?"

"The economy is not good now, and the property market is sluggish. There are many people who want to sell their properties. Even if there are those who are unwilling to sell, it's no problem to raise the price a little. The only problem is funding..." Yu Jing was a little embarrassed.

The 1 million US dollars left last time has been almost used up, and Chen Fan needs to come up with more funds or mortgage the supermarket.

No matter what he did, he had to get Chen Fan's approval.

Chen Fan pondered for a moment, and after careful consideration, he said, "The money that was originally invested in the company should also be put to use. Have someone sell it tomorrow."

"Okay, Mr. Chen!"

After agreeing to the deal, Yu Jing and Zhou Wenya went back to their respective homes. The next day, Yu Jing arranged for the trader to deliver the futures. With this money in hand, their funds would be sufficient.

At the beginning, Chen Fan invested 3000 million US dollars. This money was not capital injection, but money placed in the company for operation, and the company could earn commissions from it.

At that time, the purchase price was US$500 per ounce, and 10 was leveraged to short gold. The settlement was made at US$375 per ounce, and the total amount including principal and interest was US$1.05 million.

The price of gold then rose slightly, and he bought it again at US$380 per ounce. Now the price of gold has fallen to US$350 per ounce. After deducting the handling fee, the principal and interest is US$1.8 million.

After the funds arrived, Yu Jing immediately arranged to acquire the property rights of the supermarket. Given the current housing prices, it would not cost much. In addition, she would continue to acquire supermarkets.

Mr. Chen’s goal is to build a retail giant!
As for the remaining money, it is estimated that it will be used in the port project. No matter what the British devils think, Chen Fan is determined to win the port business.

"You want to force the British devils to bow their heads?"

At night, when talking about this matter, Zeng Ali was a little surprised. Her man was so brave? He wanted to go against a country.

"The port business is a sure win with high returns. Now that there is an opportunity, there is no reason not to get involved. As long as we take over a few ports, we will have another fortune."

Zeng Ali sat down next to him: "What are you going to do?"

"Wait until Zhou Wenya makes an appointment with them, then go over there and test the waters. If that doesn't work, we'll use force. The British guys are not without weaknesses."

Chen Fan reached out and embraced his wife: "How is your factory in Yangcheng going now?"

Zeng Ali smiled and said, "The progress is quite fast. The first phase will be put into use by the end of the year. Now it is basically managed by Jing."

They are sisters after all.

After talking to her boyfriend, Zeng Ajing decided to come and help her sister. The girl had been training in the club for more than two years, and Zeng Ali had been leading her for another half a year. Her management skills have caught up.

Chen Fan does not interfere in these matters.

It was agreed at the beginning that the couple would not stir the same pot. Zeng Ali's development is also very stable and rapid, and everything is going well.

As for Zhao Yuanyuan, Chen Fan was very worried.

The young wife wanted to quit more than once, especially after spending so much money but still not seeing any products. She couldn't help but feel discouraged and felt that she was not cut out for this job.

Every time he had such a thought, Zeng Ali would suppress it. It can be said that there is always something stronger than nothing. Chen Fan couldn't deal with her, but Zeng Ali could always control her.

After chatting about some business matters, the two went to bed early. At around nine o'clock the next morning, Zhou Wenya came over again. She had already made an appointment with the Hong Kong Maritime Affairs Office and would meet in the afternoon.

After finishing speaking, Zhou Wenya added cautiously: "Mr. Chen, you'd better not hold out too much hope. If the British devils don't give in, the Maritime Affairs Office won't dare to give in."

Throw cold water on it?

Chen Fan rolled his eyes at her and said, "No matter what, we'll know after we talk. Let's get Ma Xifeng here first and settle the real estate company's affairs in the morning."

PS: The first update is here, thank you all for your support!
(End of this chapter)