RYEY -Chapter 316 The Youngest Shareholder

The village regulations had been proposed, but the county officials didn’t have time to review them yet—the negotiations with Zhao Hui had already reached a critical stage.

The first issue was land transfer. The county leaders, sensing the commercial potential, were unwilling to outright transfer the land; they only agreed to offer a lease.

This was because Li Huan had already obtained official approval from the commune secretary to use this plot of land. It was right in the center of the county, so without this advantage, they might have had to settle for another location.

But Zhao Hui refused to give in. Eventually, they agreed on a lease: 200 yuan per month for ten years, paid in a lump sum.

After ten years, if Zhao Hui’s team wished to continue operations, the government would sell the two acres at the best market price.

As for taxes, they would be collected according to national regulations, which was non-negotiable. The only potential contention was employment: such a large market would naturally require staff—for security, cleaning, accounting, logistics…

A large retail wholesale company could help the government absorb part of the local labor force, so the officials were unlikely to pass up this opportunity.

Zhao Hui realized they also needed employees. Li Huan and Shouhou were thinking of their own brothers, but they deliberately acted as if it were a burden, hoping to secure the key positions.

Everyone in the bureaucracy was sharp. Judging from Zhao Hui’s team’s expressions, the conditions had been pushed to the limit; pushing further might jeopardize the investment. They agreed promptly.

With that, the contract with the government was finalized. Next came the issue of share allocation. Zhao Hui invested 100,000 yuan for 50% of the shares.

Li Huan invested 90,000 yuan for 45%, and Shouhou invested 10,000 yuan for 5%. Shouhou’s hands trembled as he signed.

He had never imagined he could grow to this stage, starting such a large enterprise—this would be the most glorious moment of his life.

“Brother Huan, I never thought that what seemed like an enormous 10,000 yuan to me only amounts to 5% of this investment. I guess I’ve been a frog at the bottom of the well all along.”

Li Huan laughed, then pointed to a name on the contract:

“Shouhou, my uncle and I will sign another contract with you, giving you full management of this wholesale company. We are willing to transfer 10% of the shares to you.”

Shouhou finally noticed the detail in the contract: it wasn’t Li Huan who held 45% of the shares—it was Li Ming.

“Why are your shares allocated to Li Ming? You still have three other children.”

“Cheng Qiao decided it. All business in Xiangyang Village, the county, and Chun City belongs to Li Ming. She has plans for the other children, including Xu Hui.”

“Oh, Cheng Qiao manages things with great foresight. But Li Ming is just a kid—already a shareholder? Truly, it’s infuriating how people surpass you.”

“That’s why. A child this young can’t manage a company. I have to attend school, my uncle has other businesses in Beijing. So we hand this over to you until Li Ming can take over.”

“No, at most I can take extra salaries for the three of you. I don’t touch the shares.”

Shouhou was not only stubborn but grateful. He owed everything to Li Huan. Managing a wholesale company wasn’t worth taking shares from a child—he firmly refused.

Eventually, Zhao Hui made the decision: Shouhou would receive three people’s salaries and benefits per month, including year-end bonuses. Other dividends would depend on business performance.

The three of them gathered to make a plan, secured suppliers, and then went with Li Huan and Shouhou to the old black market. It had changed completely, bustling with people in every corner.

Though still cautious, people instinctively stepped aside when they saw red armbands, but these red-armed officials now only maintained order.

“Auntie, how much for this meat?”

“Brother, this is venison, a deer my relative hunted. I’m fair—one yuan per jin. There are eleven jin here. Give it to Zhang Dahei.”

Zhao Hui handed over a note and bought the meat, smiling as he began surveying the place:

“If this area had stalls like a vegetable market, paying monthly rent plus management fees, would you agree?”

“Long-term?”

“Yes, you could sign contracts for one, two, or three years.”

“If rent isn’t high, I’m willing. Otherwise, this place has no owner. If you come late, there’s no space—you have to wait for the previous vendor to finish. Look, those in black uniforms even have to pay to sell here: fifty cents per sale, ten cents per purchase per item. Over a month, it adds up.”

Zhao Hui glanced at the black-clothed men, about to speak, but Li Huan intervened:

“Once you sign a contract, these people won’t collect from you anymore.”

Zhao Hui looked at Li Huan and Shouhou, sensing their awkward expressions, and suddenly understood: this place had long been monopolized by the two of them. No wonder they confidently said they could secure it.

“Let’s go find a state-run restaurant, pay for processing, and cook this venison.”

“Or we can wait until tomorrow morning, cook it at my wife’s grocery store in Chun City, and bring a few brothers to check it out—makes delivery easier later.”

Zhao Hui nodded. Shouhou left to start intensive operations. Even his parents helped find bricklayers to enclose the wholesale market.

Early the next morning at the long-distance bus station, Zhao Hui saw Shouhou arrive with five men—the elite of their small group. Seeing Li Huan, they hurried over:

“Brother Huan, we’re really opening a large wholesale market here?”

“Yes. You’ll work under Shouhou, receive fixed monthly wages, and have time to develop skills, like driving…”

“Brother Huan is right, but who’s the big boss?”

Li Huan didn’t introduce Zhao Hui; Zhao Hui didn’t want to reveal his position as a major shareholder. There was still much for him to accomplish. This retail wholesale company was only a small part of his plan.

“Don’t worry about that. Once the wholesale company opens, your family can rent a few stalls and make extra money. But remember, we focus on wholesale.”

Hearing Li Huan, the men felt a surge of pride and ambition. The promise of meals under Brother Huan’s guidance had already deeply impressed them.