Rebirth 05: From Coal Mine Owner to Mobile Phone Tycoon

Zhou Liren is 32 years old this year, and he is quite worldly-wise. He has been in the business world for many years and has experienced all kinds of things. But what happened today left him somewhat bewildered.

The fact that they acquired his company at such a high price is incomprehensible.

Now they're even offering him a job at the company? Is it just to humiliate him? Or are they offering him such a high price so that once he stays, they'll find a way to make him pay it all back?

Yes, these coal bosses are ruthless. Around 2005, the only advantage they had in the business world was their wealth; apart from that, they didn't seem to have any other notable strengths.

Seeing Zhou Liren standing there silently, Lu Yuan lit a cigarette, took a drag, and asked, "Mr. Zhou, is there anything else you're worried about?"

Zhou Liren certainly had concerns, and many at that. However, in front of Lu Yuan, he didn't know where to begin. After calming himself down as much as possible, Zhou Liren said with a forced smile, "How about this, Mr. Lu, let's go upstairs to the office and sit down to talk."

Lu Yuan didn't refuse and nodded, saying, "Okay, let's go upstairs now."

The group entered Zhou Liren's office. After Zhou Liren invited the three to sit down, he busied himself making tea and pouring water. At the same time, he tentatively asked Lu Yuan, "Mr. Lu, based on what you said before, I think you are already very familiar with our company's situation. To be honest, my company's asking price of 3.3 million is indeed a bit inflated. Hehe, how should I put it? If it were really based on market price, 3.3 million wouldn't be considered exorbitant. But as you may have seen, the Puhui Company next door…"

Lu Yuan interrupted Zhou Liren, saying bluntly, "Boss Zhou, I know you must have your own concerns right now. Are you afraid that after we give you so much money and keep you in the company, you'll later have to give it back?"

Having been in business for so many years, Lu Yuan had seen countless people of all kinds. Just a subtle change in Zhou Liren's expression was enough for Lu Yuan to see through the other man's thoughts.

While researching and manufacturing mobile phones wasn't his forte, he was second to none in personnel management and planning for future development. In fact, regarding rebirth, he felt he was second to none nationwide.

Zhou Liren felt a chill run down his spine. Judging from Lu Yuan's age, he seemed to be about the same age as himself, but Lu Yuan's ability to judge people was far beyond what he could match.

No wonder he was able to drive a Hummer from the coal industry to the mobile phone industry at such a young age. His keen eye for people is something many people can only dream of.

After a quick thought, Zhou Liren sat down on the sofa directly opposite Lu Yuan and said, word by word, "Mr. Lu, I can see that you are sincere, so I won't hold back today. My company has already received a quote from Puhui, and they've also spoken to many smaller companies in Huaqiangbei. According to them, they can only offer me a maximum of two million. Now you're suddenly offering me three and a half million. First, I'm unsure of the price; second, I don't know why you're going against the grain and offering me such a high price; and third, I see that you're about my age, so I want to advise you to think things through carefully before doing this."

Lu Yuan asked with a half-smile, "What are you considering?"

Zhou Liren then unleashed his trump card, seemingly sincere, saying, "I'm afraid that after you spend a few million, this company won't last long and will end up like me. The business world is like a battlefield. I had at least ten years of experience in the mobile phone industry before investing my entire fortune in this venture, and what happened? Well, you've seen it yourself—he's now heavily in debt and struggling to survive. And you, you probably don't know much about this industry either. Three million, plus later investments, will bring it to at least five million. With so much money invested, what if it all goes to waste…"

Zhou Liren stopped there and didn't continue.

Lu Yuan curled his lips into a smile, stubbed out his cigarette, and said directly to Zhou Liren, "Alright, Boss Zhou, since you're telling me all this, let me share my thoughts. The reason I'm giving you 3.5 million is threefold. First, I have plenty of money; losing a million or two is nothing to me. Second, you built this company from scratch, so you know the situation inside and out. You can offer me constructive suggestions on its later management and operation. Third, well, although you've been cornered by your competitors, there's an old saying: failure is the mother of success."

At this point, Lu Yuan paused, carefully observing the constantly changing expression on Zhou Liren's face. After a few seconds, he continued, "How about it, Boss Zhou? If you agree, we can sign the contract and complete the formalities now. Starting tomorrow, I'll arrange a position for you as the director of the human resources department, with a base salary of eight thousand yuan per month. Later, when the company grows to a certain size, I'll promote you and give you a raise."

Zhou Liren broke down. After this incredible stroke of luck actually happened to him, he thought about being able to live with his family again, about having a wife and children and a warm bed every day after get off work, about no longer having to worry about debt. Standing on the beach, he hesitated about whether to plunge into the icy seawater. Then, he actually got up and knelt down in front of Lu Yuan with a thud.

"Mr. Lu, I have nothing more to say. I, Zhou Liren, will never forget your great kindness! Rest assured, if you are truly willing to take me in, I will certainly serve you faithfully in the future!"

When the second brother saw this scene, although he felt a little uncomfortable about spending over a million yuan for nothing, he felt that the money was well spent when he saw Zhou Liren kneeling on the ground, thanking Lu Yuan with snot and tears streaming down his face.

After all, talent can be hired with money, but people's hearts cannot be bought with money.

As for the third brother, he was used to Lu Yuan's actions.

Over the years, business people who have dealt with Lu Yuan know that he doesn't play mind games at all. No matter who he's dealing with, he's always sincere from the start.

If the other party tries to outsmart Lu Yuan, Lu Yuan can see through their thoughts at a glance, and then with just a few words, he can ruin their family.

A man who is not ruthless is no true hero.

In the business world, you must have the heart of a bodhisattva when dealing with colleagues, but when it comes to profit, you must have the ruthlessness of a ruthless devil!