RYEY -Chapter 367 Mutual Calculations

“Uncle, how’s the clothing market in Gang City? What if I turn the grocery store into a thirty-square-meter clothing shop, decorated similar to your store in the capital?”

“Sure, you can do whatever you want. I have the phone number of a clothing factory owner—he speaks Mandarin, so you can contact him.”

Zhao Hui gave him the phone number of a clothing factory owner in Gang City. As long as Li Huan’s total purchase reached the owner’s minimum requirement, the owner would naturally arrange transportation to the capital, and from there, it could be sent here.

“Li Huan, I’ll handle the transportation business. I also have a few friends who can get second-hand imported vehicles, though brand-new domestic vehicles would be best.”

Li Huan truly admired Zhao Hui—he had friends in every industry, and Li Huan himself had the capital. A person like this, if they didn’t get rich, even heaven would be dissatisfied.

The two also discussed the development of Xiangyang Village and several nearby villages. Zhao Hui fully approved of Li Huan’s approach: if you want to get rich, have fewer children and raise more pigs.

“It’s just the initial investment for piglets, chicks, and fish fry. What do you think…”

“No problem, I’ll cover the initial investment. But when the piglets are ready for sale, I’ll deduct their cost according to the market price.”

“Of course. Those people are smart; they’ll keep breeding stock, so we won’t need to reinvest in piglets. The better the stock they keep, the healthier the pigs will be.”

“Okay. Have you calculated how much money is needed?”

“Eight hundred thousand…”

“Hmm, we’ll split it three-seven. I’ll provide 560,000, and the rest can come from your wife.”

“My wife has that much money?”

Li Huan knew Cheng Qiao probably still had over a hundred thousand in hand, leftover from Zhao Min and Cheng Liguo, plus profits earned over the years from business.

“Don’t worry. Even without money, there will be gold. My late sister, your mother-in-law, won’t neglect her only child.”

Li Huan understood—Cheng Qiao must have a large amount of gold. He remembered the first time Cheng Qiao returned from the capital and tried to tell him something, but he had covered her mouth.

Back then, his wife wanted to tell him they were getting rich, but he hadn’t dared to hear too many of her secrets, fearing he might accidentally reveal them and cause her harm.

The next morning, the two took a long-distance bus back to the county. Zhao Hui scrutinized the vehicle—it was dilapidated, drafty everywhere, with torn seats.

The suspension was clearly broken; driving over uneven roads made it feel like your backside was splitting in two. It definitely needed investment, and he decided the ticket price should be twenty percent higher than for this bus.

Instead of going home, they went straight to see Secretary Hao. Better transportation to the provincial capital would greatly benefit the town’s development.

However, when Secretary Hao saw Li Huan’s plan, he almost jumped up, his eyes filled with disappointment:

“Li Huan, the state appointed you as commune director, not to make a quick profit. How can you disappoint us like this?”

“Secretary, that’s not right. The position of commune director isn’t what I wanted—it was imposed on me, with the requirement to deliver results within a set time.

Now I’ve brought in investment, but you don’t support it. You want everything perfect without compromise. I can’t do this; you decide what to do.”

Zhao Hui remained silent. Li Huan’s plan was essentially his word alone: the transportation business must be managed by the investors themselves, tax-free for the first three years, with full support and publicity from the county government.

Ticket prices would be set independently, within state standards, and personnel would be self-arranged—no recommended officials would be accepted.

Secretary Hao felt helpless. The county’s retail and wholesale company had people recommended by officials, but they often acted arrogantly, doing sloppy work while bossing others around. If not for a few strong-handed interventions from Shouhou and others, the company might have needed a complete overhaul.

“Tax exemption can only last one year. You know our funds are tight. I can let you manage employment and prices, but part of the revenue must be handed over to us.”

“Why?”

“Because I gave you land. Your transportation business needs space to park vehicles and build management floors. This land can’t just be in Xiangyang Village.”

Li Huan didn’t respond, but looked at Zhao Hui, who nodded and gave his suggestion:

“If revenue must be handed over, Secretary Hao should also pay corresponding investment and management costs—like granting land-use rights. If you have no investment intent, revenue sharing is out of the question. Also, taxes can be delayed until the second year at most. This industry requires huge upfront investment, and investors need time to break even. If funds are really short, consider granting the 70-year use rights of the land of the retail and wholesale company.”

Secretary Hao gasped. Agreeing felt like a loss; refusing would stall economic growth, which seemed worse. Though he was the second-in-command, he still needed to report upwards.

“Give us a couple of days to respond. Leave your plan; you may go.”

Zhao Hui frowned slightly, but Li Huan cheerfully pulled him away. They still had much to do, and the old man would definitely agree.

They rode their bicycles to the Li Ming Retail and Wholesale Company. The changes were dramatic; it was no longer deserted but bustling.

At the entrance were carts, ox-carts, donkey carts, and even a small delivery van—all for wholesale customers.

Shouhou happily invited Li Huan and Zhao Hui inside, and Qiu Min also came out, though a small child was still inside.

“Oh, your youngest son is already this big!”

Zhao Hui pulled a small gold bell from his pocket and gave it to Qiu Min. As a prominent businessman, he couldn’t resist giving a gift to a partner’s child.

“Thank you, Boss Zhao.”

Qiu Min tied the bell to the child’s wrist—an amulet against evil.

Then she took out the account book and smiled. In less than two years, the retail and wholesale company had broken even, and every penny now was profit.

Zhao Hui was pleased too. Although the return was slower than his capital city clothing store, it was still a return. The next step was to consider buying the land-use rights.

Li Huan nodded. With rapid development everywhere, if Secretary Hao wanted to boost the local economy quickly, this step was necessary.

“Stop working for now. Come back with me today. Cheng Qiao will leave in a couple of days; we should have a good gathering.”