Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

Ninth Master opened the warehouse door and gestured for Wang Feng to enter.

"Young Master Wang, please come with me."

Wang Feng nodded and walked into the warehouse, where he saw about forty people standing neatly in two rows. Behind them were some exercise equipment, including dumbbells, barbells, parallel bars, and sandbags.

"Hello, boss."

"Hello, boss."

Old Six closed the warehouse door. Wang Feng walked up to the group and carefully looked them over. They were all young men in their twenties, and several of them had tattoos on their arms. However, he had come to see these underlings for a different purpose. Other matters would naturally be handled by Ninth Master and the others.

Without wasting any more time, Wang Feng took out a large wad of Hong Kong dollars from his bag and said in a deep voice:

"Today, I'm here to distribute wages to everyone. Please line up and come up one by one to collect your money."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other, somewhat at a loss for words.

They've only been working for a few days, haven't done any work yet, and they're already getting paid? Some of them were even just hired yesterday, and they're getting paid on their second day of work. This boss is too kind!

Seeing that they were all standing there in a daze, the sixth brother stepped forward and urged them:

"What are you all standing there for? Young Master Wang is offering you money and you're still not happy?"

"Yes, yes, thank you, Young Master Wang."

Soon, the forty-odd people lined up and came up one by one to receive their money.

Wang Feng took out two hundred Hong Kong dollars and handed them to the first person.

"Young Master Wang, Ninth Master told me it's 150 a month, but... I don't have any money on me. Could you please give me some loose change?"

The young man's face flushed red, and he stammered.

Wages are generally low on Hong Kong Island. Ordinary people without much skill can only earn a little over a hundred dollars a month, and even then, most people can't find work.

Lou Bancheng only paid his underlings 120 a month, while Ninth Master paid them 150, which was considered relatively high.

Wang Feng smiled and waved his hand, saying loudly, "Starting today, everyone's salary will increase from 150 to 200. I know that everyone has just started working and doesn't have much money on them. This money is an advance on your salaries."

"Really...really?" the young man asked again, uncertainly.

Without wasting words, Wang Feng slapped two hundred Hong Kong dollars into his hand and then loudly proclaimed:

"I'm telling you all here, if you work with me, I will definitely not treat you unfairly. Not only will your salary increase to two hundred starting this month, but as long as you do a good job and make contributions, you will receive the bonuses you deserve, ranging from 100 Hong Kong dollars to 100,000 Hong Kong dollars. The bonuses will be determined according to the size of the contribution. As long as you are willing to work hard and dare to work hard, I welcome you to come to me for your bonuses."

"In addition, if you are injured on duty, such as being injured or killed while protecting our personal safety and property, I will give you generous compensation. For example, if you are slightly injured, you will be compensated with one month's salary. If you are seriously injured and need to recuperate, you will still be paid your salary during the recuperation period, and the minimum compensation is HK$1,000."

After a pause, Wang Feng continued, "If any of our brothers accidentally go or get arrested and imprisoned, I won't let any of our brothers down. We will not only provide a one-time compensation of HK$10,000, but we will also take care of their wives, children, and elderly parents. We will arrange for someone to take care of their parents in their old age, and we will take care of their children until they turn eighteen."

"That's how I do things. If my brothers work for me and risk their lives for me, I have to make sure they have no worries."

Seeing that things had gone on for a while, Wang Feng looked at the crowd and asked loudly, "Now tell me, am I a decent boss or not?"

"kind!"

"kind!"

A group of young people shouted excitedly, "Boss Wang is so great! We've never seen such a good boss in Hong Kong. His salary is almost double what others get, plus bonuses and compensation!"

The reason why many people dare not risk their lives is not because they are cowardly or afraid of trouble, but because they have too many worries. For example, what will happen to their parents, wife and children if they die? When a gang member dies, the more generous boss will give him some compensation. As for taking care of someone else's parents, forget about it. Taking care of someone else's wife and daughter is quite common.

Wang Feng did this so that those who worked for him would have no worries. If they still didn't do their best, they would be ungrateful and deserve to die.

"alright."

Wang Feng gestured for everyone to take their money first, he said, "I have something to say later."

"Yes, Young Master Wang."

Soon, the group of people finished receiving their money and returned to their original positions, their expressions showing great excitement.

Wang Feng didn't want to waste any more words and said directly, "The business we do now is to buy jade and gemstones from the market and then sell them overseas. As you all know, Hong Kong is currently dominated by gangsters and foreigners. Jade and gemstones are valuable items, so it's inevitable that some people will be envious and try to make dirty plans."

"Your responsibility is to procure jade and protect the personal safety and property of our people. Tell me, can you do that?"

"able!"

"able!"

"able!"

Dozens of people shouted in unison, their voices deafening.

Wang Feng gestured for everyone to quiet down, and then he addressed Ninth Master:

"I arranged for someone to take them out for a nice meal. I'm quite satisfied with them; consider it a reward for them."

"Yes, Young Master Wang."

Ninth Master agreed and instructed Fifth and Sixth Brothers, "You two are in charge of this matter."

"Yes, Ninth Master."

"Brothers, Young Master Wang said he's very satisfied with you all and is going to treat you to a big meal. Come with me, there'll be plenty of food and drink. Hurry up and thank Young Master Wang!" Old Six laughed loudly.

"Thank you, Young Master Wang!"

"Long live Young Master Wang!"

Wang Feng smiled and shook his head, gave some instructions to Lao Liu, and then walked out of the warehouse with Jiu Ye and the others, driving his Mercedes towards the Repulse Bay villa area.

Back in the study of the villa, Wang Feng sat in the boss's chair, while Ninth Master stood bowing, like an old butler.

Wang Feng lit a cigarette and said in a deep voice, "Ninth Master, from now on, the men you recruit will be treated the way I told you. Remember, quality over quantity. Treat your men well, especially those who risk their lives for you. If you want them to be truly loyal to you, who will risk their lives for you if you only offer a fixed salary?"

"Yes, Young Master Wang, I understand," Ninth Master replied with a bow.

"Young Master Wang, do you think we should form a gang? That would make management easier in the future."

Upon hearing this, Wang Feng frowned.

"Forming a gang is too low-level. Here's what we'll do: you should register a company as soon as possible, and buy an office building. Divide the departments responsible for purchasing jade and gemstones into two: a purchasing department and a security department. You can arrange the other departments as you see fit."

"Yes, Young Master Wang. Have you decided on a name for the company yet?"

Wang Feng waved his hand dismissively: "You can come up with the company name yourselves. I'm only responsible for providing the money, giving you the general direction, and then buying back the jadeite. The more jadeite you acquire, the more satisfied I'll be. As for the process, don't ask me; you can handle it directly."

"Yes, Young Master Wang."