Video Editor

As things have escalated to this point, Yang Maixiang has been holding back a certain thought, but she hasn't said it aloud.

I know Suning did the right thing, both logically and legally, but emotionally, I still feel uneasy.

Yang Lihua is her cousin. They grew up together. When they were young, their family was poor, and her cousin would often wash her ill-fitting clothes and give them to her to wear.

I remember that winter, Yang Maixiang was shivering from the cold because she didn't have a cotton-padded coat. It was her cousin who took off her own cotton-padded coat and put it on her. However, her cousin caught a cold and had a fever for three days.

Yang Maixiang will never forget these things.

That night, after their passionate encounter, Yang Maixiang rested her head on Su Ning's arm, savoring the memory.

Yang Maixiang finally spoke her mind to Su Ning, "Su Ning is just a store manager, so what if you gave it to my cousin? It's not like she can't handle it. She managed over a hundred people in a textile factory, so why can't she manage a restaurant? You had to be so harsh, making her lose face and putting everyone in an awkward position."

Suning remained silent.

Yang Maixiang thought Su Ning was asleep, so she sat up and glanced at him, only to find that his eyes were still open.

“Maixiang, I know you’re upset,” Su Ning finally spoke. “You think I’m heartless, that I’m too harsh on your cousin. But Maixiang, there are some things you don’t understand. It’s not that I’m disrespecting her, it’s that we can’t open this door. Once we open it, things will get out of control.”

"..." Yang Maixiang didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

Su Ning rolled over to face her. "Maixiang, think about it. Today I gave my cousin a store manager position. Tomorrow your aunt comes and wants to be a manager. Should I give her one too? The day after tomorrow your cousin comes and wants to be a purchasing agent. Should I give him one too? The day after that your uncle comes and wants to be a vice president. Should I give him one too? They're all relatives. If you give this one a position but not that one, people will say you're biased. If you give them a position, will they do a good job? If they do a good job, that's expected. If they don't do a good job, you'll criticize them, and they'll say you don't care about family ties. If you fire them, you won't be relatives anymore."

Yang Maixiang opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but couldn't find the words to do so.

Suddenly, she realized that what Su Ning said wasn't just to scare her, but something that would actually happen.

Yang Maixiang knew her relatives all too well; each one of them was more troublesome and more prone to causing trouble than the last.

Today I gave my cousin the job of store manager, tomorrow someone will ask for manager, the day after tomorrow someone will ask for purchasing, and the day after that someone will ask for vice president.

If you don't give it to them, people will say that you've become successful and no longer care about your poor relatives.

If you give them money, you can't comment on whether they do a good job or not; if you do, it means you're not showing any affection.

At that point, the shop won't be yours anymore; it will belong to a relative, and you won't be able to control it even if you want to.

Seeing Yang Maixiang remain silent, Su Ning knew she was deep in thought. "Maixiang, why did I open this restaurant? It was to make money, to give you a better life, and to ensure our children won't be poor in the future. Not to create trouble for myself, not to argue with relatives every day, not to hand over the business I've worked so hard to build. You might think, 'It's just a store manager position, I can just give it up.' But do you know that a store manager oversees a dozen people, manages the daily cash flow, and manages the store's purchasing and inventory? Not just anyone can sit in this position. If you do it well, the business will thrive. If you don't, the business will plummet. In that case, you'll lose money, lose face, and damage relationships. What will your cousin think of you then? What will you think of your cousin? Will we still be relatives? Right now, the store manager and we have an employer-employee relationship. If someone embezzles money from the store, we can call the police without hesitation. But if it were your cousin, would you be willing to call the police and make a big fuss?"

“I…” Yang Maixiang lowered her head.

Although she knew that Su Ning was right and that his reasoning was sound, she still couldn't come to terms with it emotionally.

I remember how kind my cousin was to me when I was little, I remember that cotton-padded jacket, and I remember the days we grew up together.

Suddenly I felt sorry for my cousin, like I owed her something.

Su Ning grasped Yang Maixiang's hand. "Maixiang, it's not that I won't help your cousin. I said, if she wants to work, she's welcome. Washing dishes, preparing food, serving—any position is fine, the salary won't be less than others, and the benefits won't be worse. But if she wants to be the store manager, she can't. It's not that she can't do it, it's that the rules don't apply. These rules weren't set by me, they were set by the business itself. If you want to make the business successful and big, you have to follow the rules. You can't make exceptions for everyone who asks for favors. If you make an exception today and another tomorrow, and keep making exceptions, the rules won't be rules anymore, and the business won't be a business anymore."

Yang Maixiang looked up at him, her eyes a little red, "But my cousin... she reported us. Do you know she did it?"

Su Ning was silent for a while. "I know. But I don't blame her. Not because she did the right thing, but because she's your cousin. Don't feel like you owe anyone anything. Think about it, if we were still at the second canteen and the bus stop, they wouldn't bother us. As for your cousin, just pretend you don't know what she did. But if she continues to pester you, I don't mind giving her a good lesson."

Yang Maixiang was stunned for a moment, not expecting that Su Ning already knew.

At first, she thought Su Ning knew nothing and was still in the dark.

It turns out Suning knew everything, they just didn't say anything.

Yang Maixiang's tears fell instantly, not from sadness, but from an indescribable feeling of being moved.

Su Ning reached out and wiped away her tears. "Maixiang, remember, we're family. I'm doing these things not for myself, but for you, for our future children, and for this family. I don't want you to be caught in the middle, but there are some things I have to insist on. It's not that I'm heartless, it's that the rules can't be broken. We worked so hard to quit our jobs and start a business, not for charity, but to improve our own lives, so we absolutely cannot allow someone like your cousin to cause trouble."

Yang Maixiang leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, which was strong and thumping.

But I was thinking about a lot of things: my cousin's situation, being reported, and the principles Su Ning had taught me.

After thinking for a long time, he finally said softly, "Suning, I'm sorry! I didn't understand you enough."

Su Ning hugged her tighter, "Don't talk nonsense. You're my wife, why are you apologizing?"

A few barks occasionally drifted in from outside the window, distant and muffled, and soon disappeared.

Yang Maixiang closed her eyes, listened to Su Ning's heartbeat, and slowly fell asleep.

……

Suning naturally didn't take Yang Lihua's report seriously.

The industry and commerce bureau, fire department, and health department all came to inspect, but there were no problems. In fact, it gave the Ming Dynasty Imperial Kitchen a free advertisement.

When ordinary people saw this restaurant, they realized that it had been inspected three times without any problems being found. It was truly clean and well-regulated, much better than those state-run restaurants.

Moreover, ordinary people have discerning eyes; they have a deep understanding of whether the food is delicious or the service is good.

Therefore, ordinary people have their own sense of right and wrong and will not be easily swayed by public opinion.

If the Ming Dynasty Imperial Kitchen really did produce something like the counterfeit goods of later generations, it would only prove that the Ming Dynasty Imperial Kitchen itself had serious problems, which were just exposed by public opinion.

For a time, the business of the Imperial Kitchen of the Ming Dynasty became even better, and the queues were even longer than before. Yang Maixiang was so busy that she didn't even have time to drink water.

But Suning knew in his heart that Yang Lihua's report was just a minor disturbance and wouldn't hurt him much.

What truly worries Suning is not these overt troubles, but rather those lurking in the shadows who haven't yet made their move.

As the business of the Imperial Kitchen of the Ming Dynasty grew bigger and bigger, more and more people became envious and started keeping an eye on it.

Today it's Yang Lihua, tomorrow it might be Zhang San, Li Si, or Wang Ermazi.

Today we report you for having problems with your vegetables, tomorrow we report you for tax evasion, and the day after tomorrow we report you for improper employment practices.

You have to deal with it every time, and you have to prove your innocence every time. Isn't that annoying?
Isn't it tiring? More importantly, what if someone really takes it seriously one day and finds a reason to shut down your shop? Who can you complain to then?

Moreover, the most important factor is the attitude of the relevant departments, since they are the key to determining the fate of the Ming Dynasty's Imperial Kitchen.

Suning thought about it for a long time and felt that he could not be passively attacked, but had to take the initiative.

The government needs to know that the Ming Dynasty Imperial Kitchen is not only a profitable restaurant, but also a major taxpayer, a major employer, and a model of reform and opening up.

What good will it do you to bring down a company like that?
Not only can you not fight against it, you also have to protect it, support it, and help it grow bigger and stronger.

……

Early that morning, Suning changed into a navy blue Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, and his leather shoes were polished to a shine.

He carefully packed all the records, tax receipts, and employee rosters from the Ming Dynasty Imperial Kitchen over the past few years into a black briefcase, patted them to make sure nothing was missing, and then rode his motorcycle to the municipal government.

The municipal government building is near the Drum Tower, a drab gray building with stone lions and armed police standing guard at the entrance. Su Ning parked his motorcycle by the roadside, picked up his briefcase, walked up the steps, and entered the gate.

The security guard naturally stopped him, "Comrade, who are you looking for?"

"Find the vice mayor in charge of commerce."

Do you have an appointment?

"no!"

The security guard asked him to register, which he did, and then he sat on a bench in the lobby on the first floor to wait.

After waiting for nearly an hour, a secretary finally came down to greet him. "Mr. Su, I am Xiao Lin, the mayor's secretary. The mayor has a very full schedule today, so I can only give him fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, Section Chief Lin! I understand."

Su Ning followed her secretary up to the third floor and into a spacious office.

The deputy mayor, surnamed Chen, was in his fifties, with gray hair and wearing black-rimmed glasses, and was reviewing documents.

Seeing Su Ning come in, she took off her glasses, looked him up and down, shook his hand, and gestured for him to sit down.

The secretary poured two cups of tea, then left, closing the door behind her.

"Mayor Chen, my name is Su Ning, and I am the legal representative of Shenzhen Daming Imperial Kitchen." Su Ning got straight to the point, without any pleasantries or formalities.

Suning took out the ledgers, tax receipts, and employee rosters from his briefcase one by one and placed them neatly in front of Mayor Chen.

Mayor Chen glanced down at the materials, then looked up at Su Ning, his eyes showing interest. "I've heard of the Imperial Kitchen of the Ming Dynasty. My wife ate at the one near the Drum Tower and said it was quite good. How many of your locations do you have?"

"We have three directly operated stores in Gulou, Qinhuai, and Xuanwu districts, and two more are under preparation and will open next month. In addition, we have built a central kitchen in the north of the city, covering an area of ​​twelve acres and employing more than eighty people."

Mayor Chen opened the ledger, looked at a few pages, and raised his eyebrows slightly.

He closed the ledger, leaned back in his chair, looked at Su Ning, and asked, "What brings you here today?"

“Mayor Chen, I’m here today to talk to the city. You’ve seen the development of Daming Imperial Kitchen recently; our tax revenue and the number of jobs created have increased year by year. But we’re also facing more and more problems. Some people are jealous and have reported us for food safety issues, fire safety violations, and substandard hygiene. All three departments have investigated, and they found nothing wrong. But even after today’s investigation, there are still reports tomorrow, and the day after. We’re exhausted from dealing with these reports, and all our energy is spent proving our innocence. How can we have the mind to focus on development?”

Mayor Chen listened without interrupting.

Su Ning continued, "I don't want to be passively attacked; I want to actively accept supervision. Daming Imperial Kitchen is willing to accept comprehensive supervision of its operations from the city. You can check the accounts at any time, verify the taxes at any time, and inspect the hygiene and fire safety at any time. I'm not afraid of being investigated; what I'm afraid of is being investigated without explanation. Rather than being stabbed in the back, I'd rather put myself in the open and let everyone know that Daming Imperial Kitchen is a clean and honest company."

Mayor Chen nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Your idea is excellent. Reform and opening up is about encouraging people like you who dare to take risks and get things done. Please continue."

Suning took out another document from his briefcase and handed it over with both hands. "This is our development plan for the next five years. In the next five years, we plan to open 20 directly operated stores in Nanjing, 100 stores throughout the province, and no fewer than 500 branches in the entire East China region, creating at least 3,000 jobs and expecting to pay annual taxes to..."

Every time Su Ning mentioned a number, Mayor Chen's eyelids twitched. "Where will the funding come from for such a large operation?"

Suning had already prepared his answer, and he was very frank in his words: "Bank loans are one part, and our own funds are another. If the city is willing to support us, we can also accept investment from government departments. Daming Imperial Kitchen is willing to transfer no more than 35% of its shares to introduce state-owned capital. It's not for the money, but for a stable backing. With the government's endorsement, those who are envious and want to mess with us will have to think twice."

Mayor Chen remained silent for a long while, tapping his fingers on the table as if he were tapping an abacus.

Su Ning didn't rush him. She picked up her teacup and took a sip. The tea had gone cold and was a bit bitter.

"Thirty-five percent of the shares, are you willing to give them up?" Mayor Chen finally spoke, his tone tinged with a hint of probing.

Su Ning smiled, “Mayor Chen, I’m willing to give it up. It’s not that I don’t care about money, it’s that I know one person can’t earn all the money. Rather than having others eye it, it’s better to share it proactively. Once the government takes shares, it becomes a shareholder, a family, and the government can conduct oversight openly and legitimately. Even if any problems arise, we can intervene immediately. We’re family, so let’s sit down and talk about any issues.”

Mayor Chen looked at him for a long while, then smiled. "Su Ning, you're no simple man. How old are you this year?"

"Twenty-six! I used to be a cook at the No. 2 canteen of Yangzi Petrochemical."

“At twenty-six, to have such insight is not easy.” Mayor Chen stood up. “I personally agree with your idea. Reform and opening up is about exploring new paths. Your private enterprise’s initiative to accept supervision and request government shareholding is the first of its kind in the province. I will forward your materials to the relevant departments for study, and my secretary will notify you when there is news.”

"Thank you, Mayor Chen."

"Why is it that your Ming Dynasty Imperial Kitchen is registered in Shenzhen, not Nanjing?"

“Mayor Chen, this is also something we have no choice but to do! After all, only Hong Kong and Shenzhen allow company registration in the whole country. In order to facilitate unified management of all branches, we had no choice but to register in Shenzhen. If the municipal government is willing to list Daming Imperial Kitchen as a pilot enterprise for reform, Daming Imperial Kitchen can change its registered location to Nanjing at any time.”

"Okay! I understand! I will submit it to the Standing Committee for discussion as soon as possible."

Su Ning stood up, shook hands with Mayor Chen, thanked him again, and then left the office with his briefcase.

What does the government need? It needs to pay taxes, create jobs, and maintain a stable social order.

What could the Imperial Kitchen of the Ming Dynasty offer? It could pay taxes, create jobs, and cooperate with the government in maintaining order.

What's wrong with a win-win situation where both sides get what they need?
Of course, the current business model of the Imperial Kitchen of the Ming Dynasty is still quite novel, but it is not complicated or convoluted. I believe the municipal government can see the advantages and disadvantages of it.

As he stepped out of the city government building, the sunlight was so bright that he squinted.

I got back on my motorcycle and headed to the store.

Passing by the Gulou store on the way, a long queue had formed in front of it, winding and turning like a long dragon.

Suning glanced at it, didn't stop, rode over, and then went to check on the situation at several other branches.

……

When he got home in the evening, Yang Maixiang had already prepared dinner—four dishes and a soup—and set it on the table for him.

Su Ning washed her hands, sat down, picked up her bowl, took a bite of rice, and told her about what had happened that day.

After hearing this, Yang Maixiang was stunned for a long time, her chopsticks hanging in mid-air. "You want to sell the shares to the government? Isn't that giving away our hard work to others?"

Yang Maixiang put down her chopsticks, her voice clearly showing reluctance.

Su Ning looked at her and patiently explained, "Maixiang, it's not about selling to the government, it's about letting the government take a stake. Once the government has shares, it becomes our shareholder and our support. In the future, anyone who wants to harm us will have to ask the government for permission first. This isn't about taking away our hard work, it's about adding an insurance layer to our hard work."

Yang Maixiang thought about it and still felt she couldn't quite accept it.

Su Ning put down her bowl, took her hand, and said, “Maixiang, trust me. I won’t ruin our shop. I’ve thought about this path for a long time; it’s not a spur-of-the-moment decision. If we want to grow big, we can’t go it alone; we need to find a backer. These days, without a backer, the bigger you grow, the faster you die. Yang Lihua is just a clown; the real danger has always been lurking in the shadows.”

Looking into Su Ning's earnest eyes, Yang Maixiang's initial reluctance slowly dissipated.

Yang Maixiang picked up the bowl again. "Fine, you're the head of the household, so you make the decisions."

Suning smiled, picked up his bowl, and continued eating.

What the municipal government needs is an attitude, and now that Suning has shown its attitude, I believe the municipal government will be willing to include Daming Imperial Kitchen as a pilot project.

...(End of this chapter)