Hong Kong Tycoon: Starting from Delivering Dongfeng Express

Chapter 197 The Second-Generation Circle That Came Knocking
"Sons of officials?"

Ye Dongsheng looked at Liu Hai: "What are the specifics? Do you know which deity they belong to?"

There are many sons of officials. In the eyes of ordinary people, anyone who eats a government job can be an official. However, nowadays, local minor officials do not pose much of a threat to Ye Dongsheng. He is afraid that Liu Hai cannot tell the difference between them.

Liu Hai moved closer to Ye Dongsheng and said, "Boss, he's got quite a background. He seems to be the son of the city's wealthiest man."

Ye Dongsheng's gaze sharpened: "Are you sure?"

"This man introduced himself as Lu Yu, and from what I've heard, he should be the one."

Ye Dongsheng nodded. If it really was from the God of Wealth's family, then its background was quite impressive.

The finance department has always held a prominent position among regional departments. While it can't directly control Dongfeng Express, power is interconnected and mutually influential; a single word from them can command respect from other departments, otherwise, this year's budget...

Then Ye Dongsheng patted Liu Hai on the shoulder: "Ah Hai, you did a good job!"

The fact that Liu Hai had the initiative to find out the other party's background for his boss, instead of passively waiting to carry out the task, shows that he is indeed capable. At least he gave Ye Dongsheng some advance preparation so that he wouldn't be caught off guard, which is very important.

"Hehe, boss, this is all part of my job!"

After returning to the Dongfeng Express store, Ye Dongsheng inquired about all aspects of the matter.

Unlike other places, the Chaoshan store, in addition to courier services, also handles transportation business, which involves factories in Chaoshan shipping finished products back to Hong Kong Island by sea. This is not just about taking orders, but also about arranging the transportation sequence and coordinating the overall schedule. Liu Hai is responsible for all of this, and he manages it all very well.

Ye Dongsheng was certain that Liu Hai was indeed a talented person, and Wang Jianjun had found a capable person this time.

"Ahai, how much do you earn now?"

Liu Hai honestly replied, "1500 per month."

Ye Dongsheng shook his head, which made Liu Hai's heart tighten, fearing that he might have done something to displease the boss.

Somewhat uneasily, he spoke up first, "Boss, I know I'm not a deliveryman, this salary is too high..."

Let alone 1500, even if you earn over 1000 a month, you'd definitely be considered a high-income earner in this area, and he doesn't want to lose this job!

Ye Dongsheng laughed and said, "It's not too high, it's too low! I'm appointing you as store manager now, with a monthly salary of 5000!"

"5000?!" Liu Hai was stunned; his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

He knew that becoming a store manager might lead to a raise, but he didn't expect such a large one!
Then he quickly waved his hand and said, "Boss, 5000 yuan is too high! I can't afford it! If I earn that much more than my colleagues who run express deliveries, they'll definitely talk behind my back!"

Ye Dongsheng said, "Ah Hai, the company never mistreats its talent! You have the ability to command respect from the employees, keep the store in order, and manage the store well. You deserve a high income!"
Of course, I need to make it clear to you that your 5000 yuan is divided into two parts.

Of that, 3500 yuan is your salary after being promoted to courier store manager. Other stores like Jinghai and Guancheng are at roughly the same level.

The other 1500 yuan is your current income from managing the transportation business. The more capable you are, the more you will be paid!

In addition, the store manager will distribute performance bonuses at the end of the year based on the store's performance.

This is company policy, so you don't need to worry about what others say.

Hearing Ye Dongsheng's unwavering tone, Liu Hai, filled with excitement, bowed deeply to Ye Dongsheng: "Thank you, boss! I will definitely live up to your trust and manage Dongfeng Express well!"

Ye Dongsheng smiled and said, "Jianjun may not come here as often as before in the future, so you'll have to shoulder the heavy responsibility then!"

"You're too kind. It's just that the boss thinks highly of me. I'm happy no matter how hard or tiring it is!"

Looking at Liu Hai in front of him, Ye Dongsheng thought that he was indeed a talent worth cultivating. He could manage both the express delivery and transportation businesses well, and he had the potential to become a regional manager in the future.

Although express delivery and freight transportation now follow the same route, these two businesses should still be accounted for separately.

As the domestic economy develops faster and faster in the future, the volume of business will definitely continue to increase, especially in freight transportation. At that time, we will definitely need to spin it off into a separate company.

The regional manager, on the other hand, has an overall view of all business in the region.

This is Ye Dongsheng's general plan at present.

Then, Ye Dongsheng looked at the phone number in his hand, which was left by the son of the God of Wealth. He smiled and put it aside for the time being.

Ye Dongsheng's purpose in coming to Chaoshan this time was not only to investigate local business, but also to make connections with local powerful figures.

Although this person was influential, he was not Ye Dongsheng's primary target for contact.

The next day.

At the intersection of Waima Road and Yongping Road, there is a particularly eye-catching building, which is the most famous "Shantou Building" in the area.

The predecessor of Shantou Mansion was Yongping Restaurant, built in 1922. It was famous for its combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles and luxurious furnishings. At that time, it was during the period of commercial prosperity after Shantou opened to foreign trade, and it became an important place for wealthy merchants to entertain guests and negotiate business.

In 1956, after renovation, Yongping Restaurant was renamed Shantou Building and became a venue for the government to receive important guests.

At that time, Yongping Restaurant was eye-catching for its combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles. In Shantou, being able to invite someone to have a meal at Yongping Restaurant was something to be proud of.

The restaurant was luxuriously furnished with an English-style elevator, rosewood tables and chairs, and gilded lamps. The tableware used was also very exquisite, including ivory chopsticks, glassware, and a copper stove.

At the dinner table, Ye Dongsheng exclaimed, "Director Hao, Director Wu, I've really had my eyes opened today! I never imagined that Shantou had such a wonderful place! To be honest, the Yongping Restaurant is just as good as any of the big hotels in Hong Kong!"

Hao Guanzhang laughed and said, "Haha, if we can make a Hong Kong businessman like you, Mr. Ye, feel at home, then it proves that our Yongping Restaurant has not been opened in vain!"

Ye Dongsheng raised his wine glass:
"Dongfeng Express has been able to gain a foothold in Chaoshan during this period thanks to the help and support of both of you. I would like to propose a toast to you both!"

The two men in front of him were the Director of Customs and the Deputy Director of the Port Authority. They were both good golf buddies of Ye Dongsheng and were introduced to each other by Luo Hui, the Deputy Director of Customs in Jinghai.

Simply put, one is in charge of customs and the other is in charge of the port. Both are directly responsible for Dongfeng Express's current transportation business, so they are naturally Ye Dongsheng's primary targets for befriending!

"Actually, I should have visited you both as soon as the shop opened, but I was really tied up with things in Hong Kong and couldn't get away! To express my apologies, I apologize to you both!"

After saying that, Ye Dongsheng downed another glass of wine, and then took out the high-end gifts he had brought from Hong Kong Island and presented them to the guests one by one.

After accepting the gifts, the two men smiled even more sincerely: "Mr. Ye, you're too kind. You're in big business, with a net worth of hundreds of millions, so naturally you're very busy! It's our duty to do a good job in attracting investment and helping Hong Kong businesses establish themselves locally!"

The atmosphere at the table then became even more lively.

After the group addressed each other as "brothers," Director Wu said with a smile, "Brother Ye, I recently led a team to Luohu Port for a study tour, and we even went to your buffet restaurant with them. It was really great!"

He gave a thumbs up: "I heard from Luo Guan that since your buffet restaurant opened, their employee satisfaction has improved a lot!"

After my men came back, they kept mentioning it to me, saying they envied the food at the Luohu border crossing—delicious food every meal, with meat at every single meal!

He then sighed, "It's just a pity that I don't have the ability to conjure up such a buffet restaurant for them!"

Ye Dongsheng immediately understood and patted his chest, saying, "Brother Wu, leave this to me! After the New Year, I'll have my team come over and open another sea lion restaurant in Shantou Port. We'll follow the same cooperation model as the Luohu Port. What do you think?"

Director Wu immediately smiled and asked, "Won't this trouble Brother Ye?"

"No trouble at all! Our brothers at the port have taken good care of Dongfeng Express, so naturally I, Ye, would like to do something for Shantou Port as well. At the very least, I can provide three hot meals a day!"

Ye Dongsheng naturally wouldn't refuse such an offer. Although running this restaurant would definitely result in daily losses, as long as it could improve relations with the port and get them to give Dongfeng Express more preferential treatment, it would be worthwhile!
Hao Guanzhang, who was standing next to him, laughed and said, "Hey, Brother Ye, if you really open this restaurant, you can't leave out our brothers from the customs!"

"Of course! Whether it's the port authority or customs, they are all customers we serve!"

Afterwards, the dinner table was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

Meanwhile, several young people were gathering together:
"Brother Yu, I heard the boss of Dongfeng Express is here! He's having dinner with someone at Yongping Restaurant right now!" Lu Yu frowned: "Is it that Wang Jianjun?"

He had approached Wang Jianjun more than once before, and this time he even introduced himself, but the other party ignored him. Now that he's back, he's gone to Yongping Restaurant to host a banquet for others first. It's clear he doesn't respect Wang Jianjun!
"It's not Wang Jianjun. I heard it's the real big boss of Dongfeng Express, surnamed Ye!"

Another fat man chuckled and said, "Ayu, go visit this Boss Ye again tomorrow, and be more polite."

Another person curled their lip and said, "He's just a small Hong Kong businessman who runs a courier company. If it weren't for the fact that he owns a ship, who would bother with him!"

The man who spoke first said, "This Boss Ye is no ordinary person. Do you know who he's having dinner with tonight? Director Hao from Customs and Director Wu from the port!"

The group fell silent for a moment. These two men might not be of a higher rank than their fathers, but they were both powerful figures in the port area, and small businessmen simply couldn't afford to hire them.

The fat man just waved his hand:
"I recently heard people talking about Dongfeng Express again, saying that their boss, Ye Dongsheng, is quite remarkable and has a great reputation in Hong Kong. Since we need their help and are looking for cooperation, we should be more courteous!"

Lu Yu nodded: "Don't worry, even the city is praising Hong Kong businessmen now, I'm not stupid!"

……

On the third day, Ye Dongsheng took a stroll around the port. One reason was to familiarize himself with the port so he could have a better idea of ​​his future business plans. The other reason was that if he wanted to open a buffet restaurant there, he needed to discuss the location with the people at the port.

When he returned to the Dongfeng Express store, he saw Liu Hai leading an ordinary-looking young man towards him. The young man smiled kindly and extended his hand.

"Hello Mr. Ye, I am Lu Yu. I visited your store before, but unfortunately, I was unlucky. I hope you won't mind that I've come uninvited this time!"

Ye Dongsheng instantly understood the other party's identity. He had originally planned to finish his work before contacting this little money god, but he didn't expect the other party to come to him first!
Ye Dongsheng smiled and shook hands with him: "So it's Young Master Lu, a pleasure to meet you! Ah Hai, serve Young Master Lu some tea~"

Lu Yu smiled and shook his head: "Mr. Ye, there's no need to be so polite. I'm here today to invite you to have a meal with me. We don't mean anything by it; it's just that my buddies and I want to make friends with you, Mr. Ye!"

Ye Dongsheng glanced at Lu Yu. Anyone who could be friends with Lu Yu must be someone of considerable importance. It seemed there was more than one person; it was their small circle!
Although these second-generation individuals don't hold much real power, when they come together, their influence is considerable, and Ye Dongsheng doesn't intend to offend them.

"Okay, when?"

Lu Yu smiled and said, "There's no time like the present, how about tonight?"

That evening, Ye Dongsheng returned to Yongping Restaurant. There was no other way; it was the most respectable restaurant in the area.

When Ye Dongsheng entered, the young men at the table all stood up. The fat man in the center smiled and said to Ye Dongsheng, "This must be Boss Ye. Come, come, you're the star tonight, you should take the seat of honor!"

Ye Dongsheng didn't stand on ceremony, walked straight to the innermost part, sat in the very center, and then clasped his hands in a fist and bow, saying:
"I am new here, may I ask who you are...?"

Lu Yu took the initiative to introduce, "This is my brother Wang, Wang Ning, the son of the vice mayor of Shantou. And this is..."

As Ye Dongsheng listened to the introduction, he realized that they were indeed a group of sons of officials. He wondered what their purpose was in contacting Dongfeng Express time and time again.
Then Ye Dongsheng said with a smile, "So you are all local young talents. It makes me very happy to meet you all today!"

Fatty Wang raised his glass: "Not at all, we've all heard a lot about you, Boss Ye. You're very famous in Hong Kong, and you've amassed a fortune of hundreds of millions in less than a year. Boss Ye, you're a true hero! You're a role model for us all!"

As they spoke, a group of young people raised their glasses together and toasted Ye Dongsheng with smiles.

Afterwards, at the dinner table, Ye Dongsheng chatted with these people about all sorts of things, mainly about Hong Kong Island. After all, these people were very curious about the world and life in Hong Kong, and the focus was on all kinds of business stories there.

After a few rounds of drinks, Fatty Wang laughed and said, "Brother Ye, after hearing so many stories of wealth in Hong Kong, we brothers are really excited! We really want to go to Hong Kong with you, Brother Ye, to see for ourselves and show off our skills!"

Ye Dongsheng smiled and praised, "I see that everyone here is an outstanding individual. With your abilities, if you went to Hong Kong, your achievements would certainly be no less than mine!"

One of the young men sighed:

"It's just a pity that although we've implemented reform and opening up here, some aspects of management are still too strict, and we can't be as free as Hong Kong Island, otherwise..."

Fatty Wang waved his hand to interrupt him: "There are reasons for the arrangements made by the higher-ups, so don't complain!"

Then, he smiled and said to Ye Dongsheng, "Brother Ye, to be honest, although we are all benefiting from our parents' legacy, we don't want our lives to follow their plans completely. We also want to achieve something."

Ye Dongsheng's heart skipped a beat; it seemed the main event of tonight's banquet was about to begin!
Lu Yu smiled and said, "Brother Ye, we heard that your Dongfeng Express ship only carries cargo when it returns from Shantou to Hong Kong. It's empty from Hong Kong to Shantou Port. That's such a pity!"

Fatty Wang also looked distressed: "Brother Ye, I don't know how you've arranged this, but in my opinion, it's such a waste. We'd like to team up and charter your ship for the entire Hong Kong-Shantou route. What do you think?"

Ye Dongsheng narrowed his eyes, then smiled: "Dongfeng Express's main business is actually express delivery. Transportation is just a side business. The reason I didn't arrange for goods to be picked up from Hong Kong Island to Shantou is that I didn't want to affect the speed of the ships too much, so as to ensure that the express delivery can be carried out in a timely manner."

Then he changed the subject: "However, I will certainly give you all face!"

"Brother Ye, will this affect your business?"

Ye Dongsheng laughed and said, "It's nothing to be a little slow for the sake of your business."

"Then thank you very much for your kindness, Brother Ye!"

Hearing Ye Dongsheng say this, the young men at the table all smiled. As long as they could bring things over from Hong Kong, they could make a fortune!
But the next moment, Ye Dongsheng asked again, "But allow me to ask first, what goods are you brothers planning to transport? If they are contraband..."

Fatty Wang waved his hand: "Hahaha, Brother Ye, our families all work for the government, so naturally we wouldn't touch anything illegal!"

Lu Yu said with a grin, "Brother Ye, we just want to transport some home appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and color TVs. These are very common in Hong Kong, right? Of course, if you can get us some cars, Brother Ye, we'll be happy to oblige!"

Home appliances? Cars?
It sounded perfectly normal, but Ye Dongsheng still had some doubts. If it were really that simple, why would they come after him?
There are other shipping companies in Shantou Port, and he doesn't believe that those companies don't want to befriend these young men with impressive backgrounds.

Ye Dongsheng chuckled and said, "That puts my mind at ease. Don't take offense. It's said in Hong Kong that the laws on the mainland are very strict. If you dare to break the law here, you'll be shot! So I'm always very cautious when doing business here, afraid of doing something I shouldn't or breaking the law!"

Fatty Wang and Lu Yu exchanged glances, then smiled and said, "Brother Ye, don't worry about that. With us here, what do you need to worry about? Even if you really do something wrong, as long as we step in, we'll definitely help you sort it out!"

"Yes, Brother Ye, please don't worry!"

As they spoke, the group raised their glasses, wanting to celebrate the successful cooperation, but Ye Dongsheng spoke again, asking:
"By the way, I wanted to ask, how much are you all planning to purchase? What is the quantity of goods specified on your purchase order?"

It's not a market economy yet. Whether it's home appliances like washing machines and color TVs, or cars, they all need to be approved before they can be purchased in bulk.

Therefore, the approval slip is extremely important!
The approval slip actually gave rise to a unique term from this special era: "official profiteering"!
Many people with connections, like these second-generation rich kids, can obtain permits through special means. They can purchase according to the quantities specified on the permits at cost price, and then resell them through their own trading companies for at least two or even several times the price, making a fortune.

In Ye Dongsheng's view, this was exactly the kind of tactic these people were going to use.

To be honest, he couldn't really comment on the regulation, because it's not illegal in this era. Or rather, the law isn't very comprehensive these days, and there are no special provisions in this regard.

If that's all there is to it, he wouldn't mind doing these second-generation rich kids a favor, as it would give Dongfeng Express another layer of protection in the local area.

However, the people present fell silent after hearing the approval slip.

Then Fatty Wang coughed and said to Ye Dongsheng with a smile, "Brother Ye, we don't have the approval slip on hand right now, but don't worry, we'll definitely get it done in six months at most!"

Ye Dongsheng looked surprised and glanced at the people at the table. His expression seemed to say, "With your backgrounds and wealth, you can't even get a permit?"
Lu Yu said to Ye Dongsheng, "Brother Ye, you don't know, we had no choice! If it were two years ago, even at the beginning of last year, we would definitely have had that approval!"
But last year, a major event happened in Guangdong Province: the Qiongzhou Island car incident. I wonder if you've heard of it, Brother Ye?

The Qiongzhou Island car incident?
Upon hearing this, some memories immediately surfaced in Ye Dongsheng's mind, but he still asked, "Please enlighten me!"

Several second-generation rich kids started talking all at once.

At that time, Qiongzhou Island was still under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Province and had not yet become an independent province.

In short, Qiongzhou Island took too big a step. Without any specific policies from above, it wanted to establish a free trade zone. Then, it used its import quota approval authority to illegally import 8.9 cars, purchased them at planned prices, and resold them to the mainland at high prices, making billions of yuan in arbitrage profits.

When it was exposed last year, it shocked the whole country. The Heavenly Court held those responsible accountable and directly dismissed the governor.

As a result of this incident, all regions in Guangdong Province have tightened their control over approvals and permits during this period, making it impossible for even the privileged to obtain them.

So they also felt aggrieved, because a few years ago when that group of people did the same thing, nothing happened.

When they came of age, they wanted to use this opportunity to start a business and make money, but they were blocked!
(End of this chapter)