My absurd experiences in North America over the years

The specific implementation plan was developed much faster than Li Fu had expected.

In about four or five days, Lina transformed more than two hundred pages of research data into a thirty-page actionable plan.

"Did you guys work overtime to produce this?" Li Fu took the proposal, frowning slightly.

In his previous life, he died from overworking, so even though he became a boss, he didn't have a good feeling about working overtime.

"We're worried about the tight schedule and heavy workload," Lina said, feeling a little uneasy.

Li Fu wanted to criticize them, but he was afraid of discouraging them, so in the end he didn't say anything.

The plan begins with a summary of the projects, followed by a list of sub-items and detailed justifications, and concludes with two risk assessment models.

The logistics sector is described in the most detail, with four projects in the Yangtze River Delta and three in the Pearl River Delta. The Zhengzhou area actually has the most projects, the largest capital investment, and the highest expected returns.

A few days after Li Fu reminded Lina, she immediately conducted a thorough investigation into the current state of logistics and the city's prospects in the Zhengzhou area through personnel from Yuanheng and Shenlan companies. She ultimately concluded that, in terms of logistics, the prospects were indeed broad, just as her boss had said.

Four projects are expected to be invested in the Yangtze River Delta region, as detailed below:

Project investment amount method

Suzhou Transfar Logistics Base: $1-1.5 million in cooperation with Transfar Group or independent investment.

Shanghai Southern Logistics Park: $0.8-1 billion in participation in construction or equity investment

Financial investment of US$0.5-1 billion in the Taihu Lake Metal Logistics Park

East China Agricultural and Sideline Products Logistics Park: 0.5 billion USD Regional Logistics Node Layout

The total investment is between 2.8 million and 4 million, with an expected minimum return of 10% to 14%, and a chance of exceeding 15%. The advantage is that the local government is more cooperative.

Three projects are expected to be invested in the Pearl River Delta, as detailed below:

Project investment amount method

Guangzhou Huangpu Logistics Park invests US$0.8-1 billion in key logistics projects in Guangdong Province.

Shenzhen Qianhai Bay Bonded Logistics Park to be a joint venture with the government for US$0.8-1 billion

Zhuhai Gaolan Port Logistics Park: A US$0.5 billion regional port logistics layout

The total investment is between 2.1 million and 2.5 million, with an expected return of 11% to 15%. Its advantage is the relatively high expected return.

Zhengzhou received the largest investment and also had the most projects, as detailed below:

Project investment amount method

Singapore International Logistics Park invests US$1.5-2 million in a joint venture with the government to participate in the Henan-Singapore cooperation project.

Henan Bonded Logistics Center to invest US$1-1.5 million in expansion and operation

Zhengzhou National Trunk Highway Logistics Port: $1-1.5 million for participation in construction or overall acquisition of operation rights.

Logistics support around Zhengzhou East Railway Station: $0.5-1 billion for self-built warehousing or cooperation with railway bureaus.

The total investment is between 3.5 million and 6 million yuan, with an expected return of around 15%. The long-term returns are far higher than those in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions. The biggest advantage is that commercial land is cheap, and the government is actively attracting investment, which can result in the fastest capital injection and project initiation.

However, Lina still believed that since they had not conducted an on-site investigation, they should wait until the investigation was completed before making a final decision.

After some cuts, the focus of the commercial complex project was mainly on cooperation with Wanda and Vanke. Lina had some communication with Vanke during her visit.

Vanke is in a period of rapid expansion and can cooperate in the construction of second-tier cities.

Wanda is also happy to bring in foreign investment to share the risks.

The specific projects are as follows:

Project investment amount method

Wanda's second- and third-tier city projects (3-5): $2-2.5 million in financial co-investment, sharing the benefits of urbanization.

Vanke commercial real estate projects: $0.8-1 billion in financial investment

Self-developed projects in Zhengzhou: $0.5-1 billion for land acquisition and development in prime locations within Zhengzhou.

After learning about Zhengzhou's urban development plan, Lina believes that a regional central city will inevitably need mixed-use commercial and residential buildings. First-tier cities are already saturated in this regard, while Zhengzhou is a more suitable second-tier city for investment.

As a native of the four provinces, Li Fu knew that this was not the case. Henan, as a populous province and a central hub, did not actually have a supporting industrial and commercial system.

Due to the red line for arable land, the possibility of vigorously developing commerce is almost nil.

However, although Lina's idea was wrong, the plan itself was not problematic, because Zhengzhou is different from other provincial capitals.

It was suddenly upgraded from a small county town, Zheng County, to the provincial capital, which destined it to attract surrounding areas like crazy, and the province would also provide it with tremendous support. It is indeed in a stage of rapid development at present.

Even without considering whether the commercial floors can be rented out, if the land price increases several times, there will be no problem at all. Even if the rent is only enough to break even, you can still make a lot of money.

Most importantly, it should boost the local economy, right?

The final step in the plan is investment in consumer terminals.

This part has two parallel schemes.

The first part involves investing in affordable catering, as detailed below:

Brand investment and equity ownership logic

Mixue Ice Cream, with $8000 million and 25-30% of its budget, has been registered with the Ministry of Commerce and can provide sufficient funds to build a platform for rapid expansion.

Wallace's $1 million investment, with a 15-20% stake, allows for rapid future expansion, attracting attention from investors like JPMorgan Chase.

Zhengxin Chicken Cutlet has a market capitalization of $5000 million, representing 30-35% of its revenue. While the brand is in its early stages, the team is already well-established.

Yang Guofu Malatang, with a $5000 million investment and a 20-25% stake, is a leading regional restaurant chain with expansion needs.

Zhangliang Malatang, with a $30 million budget, has 3000-40% of its team pursuing standardization and has expansion needs.

JueWei Duck Neck is valued at $1.2 million, with a 10-15% stake. As an industry leader, it has attracted capital attention and is worth considering for follow-on investment.

The second part consists of investment targets that were deemed valuable without prior communication, based on business data and industry research.

Brand investment and equity ownership logic

Gu Ming Milk Tea: $1500 million, 30-35% market share, a tea beverage giant in lower-tier cities.

Hongqi Chain, with a $5000 million investment and 20-25% stake, boasts a mature team and is a leading community convenience store chain in western China.

Yixintang, a leading pharmaceutical chain with a $3000 million investment and a 10-15% stake, has attracted attention from domestic capital firms.

Huayi Brothers invests $5000 million (5-8%), expressing optimism about the film and entertainment industry and believing it has the potential for a box office explosion.

Xinhua Department Store and other regional retail outlets account for 5-8% of the 3000 million USD regional supermarket chain business, serving as a foundation for consumption upgrades.

Consumer brands like Seven Wolves account for $2500 million, representing 3-5% of the consumer upgrade sector; they are the cornerstone of the consumer upgrade trend.

Li Fu frowned slightly as he read to the end. He had never heard of some of the brands. He remembered Huayi Brothers as okay in the early stages, but it was a complete mess later on. He had no recollection of Yixintang or Xinhuadu at all.

He might make some money from these investments, but investments he hasn't heard of are unlikely to make him a lot of money.

"This part of the investment is unnecessary," Li Fu rejected the latter part directly. "Keep the $2 million for now. If there are no suitable projects, invest it in the financial market and buy shares of Kweichow Moutai."

To be honest, he didn't remember how much Moutai's stock price could rise, but it certainly wouldn't be low; ten times would be the minimum.

Lina and the other team members wanted to argue, but when they thought about how their boss was a god-like figure in the investment industry, they didn't dare to speak.

"You'd better do another on-site inspection in Zhengzhou," Li Fu said, closing the implementation plan document. "Let's set off as soon as possible! The faster we move forward, the better. Also, once the project starts, you may need to travel for a while. Go home and rest, spend time with your families."

Lina nodded, but it was clear that she was somewhat downcast after so many projects were rejected.

This low mood wasn't due to the project itself, but rather because she felt that her cross-border research trip had missed the most promising areas for appreciation and resulted in numerous mistakes—in her view, the rejection of the project itself meant that her research had gone wrong.

Who can blame her when her boss is so authoritative!

"You've done a great job," Li Fu patted Lina on the shoulder. He didn't think the projects Lina listed couldn't make money; what he wanted was to make big money. Lina's abilities were not a problem. "I've asked the finance department to prepare bonuses for you. Lina gets 150,000, and the rest of the team gets 50,000 each. You can have a good celebration in Los Angeles tonight."

Lina was stunned. "But, we..."

"I told you you've done a great job," Li Fu waved his hand. "Go on, go on, go relax."

Lina didn't refuse again; instead, her eyes reddened.

Li Fu instructed Thompson to send two or three men to protect Lina at night, as the nights in Los Angeles were not so peaceful.

Thompson immediately went to deploy more personnel.

Li Fu stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the afternoon sun in Los Angeles was casting a uniform glow through the edge of the clouds, and the outline of the distant city appeared clearer than usual in the light.

Los Angeles and New York are completely different cities.

This place is perfect for vacations and relaxation; the sunshine is unbelievable.

Domestic investments have temporarily come to a halt, but in reality, this is only the beginning. With such a large number of projects, relying solely on the local teams of Far East and DeepBlue is insufficient.

Forrest Capital also sends on-site personnel every quarter, rotating them regularly according to the actual progress of the projects.

The specific operational method involves using two companies, Yuanheng and Shenlan, to undertake all projects, and to connect with the local area as foreign investors.

The dispatched personnel will work with Yuanheng and Shenlan in the name of the head office to handle daily affairs.

This is the basic framework, and sometimes he himself may have to come forward.

Of course, that's a story for another time.

Not long after Thompson and Lina left, the phone suddenly rang.

After answering the call, Li Fu returned to his desk, sat down, turned on his computer, and found a new folder labeled with the words "Acquisition Target".

The acquisition target was Miramax. Many people may not have heard of this name, but they must have heard of the movies it produces.

Miramax is a film production company that peaked between 1990 and 2000.

Films such as Pulp Fiction and Life Is Beautiful were produced and distributed by this company, and the domestic film Farewell My Concubine was also distributed in North America and promoted to the world by this company.

Miramax has now passed its peak, and news of it being put up for sale by Disney has already spread within a small circle. In fact, the intention to sell was even released to the public as early as last September. The sale includes the copyright library of more than 700 films, many of which are classic films that have won Oscars.

Li Fu has always wanted to acquire an entertainment company and has now begun to contact Disney.

He opened the folder and went through the known price range and asset list. Disney was asking for $7 million.

He currently holds over a billion dollars in cash, making a full acquisition a piece of cake.

However, he felt the price was too high.

Acquiring Miramax would require a complete overhaul of the company's production direction, as it is renowned worldwide for its adult art, including the famous film "Sex, Lies, and Videotape."

This is not what Li Fu wanted.

Disney's sale of Miramax is also related to this. Although adult art films have won numerous Oscars, they are critically acclaimed but not commercially successful, with poor box office revenue and ever-increasing production costs, leading to declining profits.

How easy is it to readjust the production direction?

If a complete overhaul is necessary, why not just use the Time Warner brand directly?

However, Li Fu thought about it and realized that although he was a major shareholder of Time Warner and could get a board seat through the shareholders' meeting, it would probably be difficult for him to make movies entirely according to his own wishes.

This is why he wanted to acquire an entertainment company.

Ultimately, he decided it would be better to bring in JPMorgan Chase, which would save him several hundred million dollars and allow him to attract more capital to "get in," thus reducing subsequent resistance.

"You want to join us in acquiring a project?" Jackson asked, sounding excited. "What project? How much are you offering?"

He agreed without much thought.

Li Fu's investments have always been known for their high dividends, and he has never made a mistake.