RYEY -Chapter 366 Investing in the Transportation Industry

Xuhui smiled. He had his parents and younger siblings, plus Ye Chengying and General Yao. As long as he was smart enough, someone would naturally protect him. He gave Li Huan a fierce hug and set off on his new journey.

The train whistled, and the wheels began to roll. Li Huan watched Xuhui stretch his hand out the window to wave, and he waved both hands back. Then he cupped his hands around his mouth and loudly shouted for Xuhui to stay safe.

Xuhui wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes and sat dazed in his seat. Li Huan watched the train gradually disappear until it was completely out of sight before turning to leave.

He checked the time; there was still over an hour before Zhao Hui’s arrival. He left the train station and walked around the surrounding area.

Many daring vendors had already spread out worn cloths on the street, selling small trinkets. Li Huan approached and started chatting with them.

Within a few sentences, he learned that their goods either came from their hometowns as local specialties or were flawed items bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, later resold here at retail.

He took a few pieces of paper from his bag, wrote down the address and phone number of the Liming Grocery Shop, and told them that they could go there to buy wholesale at prices cheaper than the cooperative, with better quality.

These vendors lacked proper supply channels. Upon hearing this, they were overjoyed and repeatedly thanked him: “Young brother, what’s your name?”

“My surname is Li, Li Huan. When you go wholesale, just give my name. The clerks there will definitely sell to you at wholesale prices.”

“We’ll go tomorrow. Today we didn’t sell much, and we don’t have much money on hand. Tomorrow, when we’re prepared, we’ll go.”

Li Huan smiled. The grocery shop not only sold retail but also wholesale, of course at prices slightly higher than Liming Wholesale Co., otherwise, how would they make a living?

Checking the time again, he returned to the train station. Sure enough, a train had arrived. He focused on finding Zhao Hui and immediately spotted him stepping off the train in a suit, neatly parted hair, looking extremely gentlemanly.

“Uncle, over here.”

“Li Huan, when did you get here?”

As Zhao Hui approached, Li Huan smelled a strong scent of cologne and noticed the two taels of oil in his hair, which made him smile:

“Uncle, why are you dressed like this?”

“No choice. This style is popular in Port City now; otherwise, it wouldn’t be well-received.”

“Let’s go. We’ll stay at the grocery shop tonight and return to the village tomorrow.”

They boarded a bus and went straight to the grocery shop. Zhao Hui nodded repeatedly; before, they either walked or rode bicycles, and now there were buses.

“Fortunately, Cheng Qiao had bought this property early on. It was shabby back then but has gradually improved.”

“Of course. The Zhao family started in business, so we have a keen sense for these things. Tell me your plan, and I’ll know how to operate it.”

Li Huan nodded and entered the grocery shop. Zheng Qing, seeing the boss arrive with someone familiar yet unfamiliar, hurriedly went to brew tea.

“Oh, you hired someone new again.”

When Zhao Hui first came, Li Huan had hired Zheng Qing and a young girl. Later, the girl left for university, but with Mother Li and grandmother around, the shop was unaffected.

Later, Liming Retail & Wholesale Co. opened in the county, and their staff became clearly insufficient. Another young girl was hired, so now there were four clerks in the shop.

“Yes. Little Cheng Li was taken away for a while. My wife and I searched everywhere, and my mother and grandmother even went to Beijing to help. So I asked Zheng Qing to hire two more people.”

“Zheng Qing, in the future we’ll also have wholesale business. For items from ‘Shouhou,’ under 1,000 yuan, add 20% for wholesale; for items over 2,000 yuan, add 18%, and so on.”

“Understood, boss.”

Zheng Qing was now the manager of the grocery shop. Li Huan paid her 80 yuan a month, twice her husband’s salary.

Her mother-in-law no longer scowled at her. Not only did she take care of the grandchildren, she also managed household chores.

Zheng Qing wasn’t ungrateful; she gave half her salary to her mother-in-law for household expenses and occasionally brought back food or gifts, even making new clothes for holidays.

Hearts reciprocate hearts. From then on, Zheng Qing’s family was harmonious, and she took her work even more seriously.

“Good, boss. I’ve noted it. Here’s this month’s account book for you to review.”

“I’ll check it tonight. For now, I have to discuss matters with my uncle.”

Zheng Qing suddenly remembered this was Cheng Qiao’s uncle. He had been here once before, which explained the familiarity. She put the account book on the table and went back to business.

“Uncle, do you want to invest in the transportation industry?”

“Transportation? That’s quite a leap.”

“I’ve lined up the connections. The former commune secretary Hao has been promoted to the county’s second-in-command, specializing in economic development. He wants results, so he fully supports my transportation plan.”

“How do you plan to proceed?”

“First, invest in two large passenger buses for long-distance routes. Later, invest in trucks for freight, for example transporting goods from here to Gan Province, or helping others with logistics.”

Zhao Hui was excited. He had also heard that Gan Province was about to see major development. Opportunities there were greater than in big cities like Beijing or Shanghai.

Those cities had many capable people and wealthy individuals—offending someone could be risky. Gan Province was simpler; as long as you seized the chance and worked hard, success was guaranteed.

“Show me the plan. You go review the accounts. Your business still needs your careful attention—no sloppiness.”

Li Huan nodded repeatedly. With himself, his mother, and Lele around, things were stable. Next year Lele would leave, and in a year or two, he and his mother would leave as well. How to manage things here?

Ah, he could entrust Wang Xiangyang and Shouhou to help. Thinking this, Li Huan calmed down and began reviewing the accounts.

This month’s profits had declined, especially in daily necessities. Li Huan went out to ask Zheng Qing what was going on.

“There’s a grocery shop across the street selling similar items at lower prices. But I’ve checked—they’re mostly second-hand, some even repaired.”

Li Huan nodded. Cheng Qiao had said before, over time, more shops would open. Their products needed to stand out.

How did that saying go? “What others don’t have, I have; what others have, I improve; what’s already good, I make special.” The last step—‘make special’—was challenging, but he could expand the range of products they sold.