Reborn in 1985: From Selling Braised Duck to Becoming the World's Richest Man

“Xiao Ming, this matter is rather complicated, you still…” Liang Wen originally wanted to say that Liang Ming was too young and didn’t understand business matters.

But then he remembered what his older brother had said: Liang Ming now not only buys mountain produce, but also sells fruit.

He had also contracted a mountain and built a cannery, making him a fairly wealthy boss. He swallowed back the words he was about to say.

"Xiaoming, your second uncle is also unsure about this matter. Could you give your second uncle some advice?"

Liang Wen then changed the subject and began to explain the whole story to Liang Ming.

It turned out that after Liang Wen married into the family and moved to the city, he got a job at a state-owned liquor factory with the help of Liang Ming's second sister-in-law.

In previous years, the liquor produced by that distillery was supplied to government agencies, so the employees there lived a relatively comfortable life.

However, in recent years, due to the impact of liquor brands such as Moutai, Wuliangye, and Niulanshan, coupled with the inaction of the leaders of liquor factories, their liquor factory's turnover has been declining day by day.

At the end of last year, there were already rumors that this liquor factory was going to go bankrupt and be liquidated, and that its management and cadres would be transferred to other affiliated units.

But for ordinary workers like Liang Wen, the only option is to be laid off and receive compensation.

Although Liang Wen's wife's family has been trying to find connections for him over the past few months, the results have not been ideal.

“Now that liquor factory is going to be broken up and sold, your second sister-in-law and I have discussed it and we’re going to take over the factory buildings and some of the equipment, set up our own liquor workshop, and do liquor business.”

Uncle Liang Wen, at this point, showed an embarrassed expression and said:

"I'm a little short of money right now, so I was thinking of going home to ask my older brother if he has any to lend me."

He hadn't been home much in recent years, and now he suddenly had to go home to borrow money, which made Liang Wen feel embarrassed.

Finally, Liang Wen quickly added:

"Xiaoming, don't worry, your second uncle won't lend this money for nothing. Your second uncle will calculate the shares for you, and you'll get dividends if we make money."

Upon hearing his second uncle Liang Wen's words, Liang Ming remained noncommittal.

In his past life, his second uncle, Liang Wen, did indeed come to his father's house to borrow money.

However, in his previous life, his father, Liang Min, was extorted by the Song family for most of his savings in order to help him marry Song Mei.

When my second uncle came to borrow money, my father only lent him 1000 yuan.

After my second uncle took over the liquor factory and some of the equipment, he did make some money in the first two years by relying on the old customers of the liquor factory.

They did indeed distribute some dividends to their family.

However, with the rise of other private wineries, and because Uncle Liang Wen only knew how to blindly produce wine without knowing how to promote and enhance the brand power of the wine, the winery quickly declined and went bankrupt.

At that time, my second uncle was already over forty years old and unemployed in middle age. In addition, my second sister-in-law fell ill and needed a large sum of money. He was so worried that his hair turned white overnight. Later, my second sister-in-law passed away, and my second uncle also died in depression.

Thinking of this, Liang Ming couldn't help but sigh, thinking to himself, "In his past life, my second uncle's life could be described as sweet at first and bitter later!"

"After all, he's my second uncle. If I can help him, I will."

"Just think of it as a way to keep Dad from being sad."

He remembered that after his second uncle passed away in his previous life, his father would often sit alone in the yard, murmuring things like, "Brother, I couldn't help you," and "Our parents passed away early, the eldest brother is like a father, I'm useless."

Thinking of this, Liang Ming looked up at Liang Wen and asked:

"Second Uncle, is the factory you mentioned the Stone Baijiu Factory in Stone Town?"

“That’s right, you know this liquor factory?” Liang Wen nodded.

Liang Ming nodded slightly. This Shitou Town Baijiu Distillery is one of the few state-owned enterprises in Shitou Town. It uses spring water from the Shitou Mountain in Shitou Town to brew wine, which is fragrant and mellow with a slightly sweet taste.

The quality of the drinks is not bad, but the reason they don't sell is not only due to chaotic management by the leadership, but also because they lack marketing and promotion skills.

If I were to manage it myself, the sales of Shitou Liquor would, if not skyrocket, at least steadily increase.

"Second Uncle, if it's the Shitou Town Baijiu Distillery, then we won't lend you the money."

Thinking of this, Liang Ming immediately spoke to Liang Wen.

Upon hearing this, Liang Wen immediately became anxious:

"Xiaoming, is it because you don't have a good opinion of the Shitou Town liquor factory that you're unwilling to lend money?"

"My second uncle can vouch for it with his reputation. The liquor from this distillery tastes absolutely good. It's just that the leaders at the top don't know how to sell it, which is why we've come to this."

Seeing this, Li Lan also spoke up, "Xiao Ming, it's rare for your second uncle to ask for help. He's not having an easy time at your second sister-in-law's house. If we can help, we should."

“If your second uncle makes money in business, he can hold his head high when he comes back to the village,” Liang Min chimed in.

Aunt Liang Juan hesitated for a few seconds before speaking up, "Xiao Ming, when you were little, your second uncle often carried you up trees to steal bird eggs and dug up sweet potatoes to roast for you. We have to borrow this money."

"If all else fails, I'll pay for it."

Hearing his parents' and aunt's words, Liang Ming was both amused and exasperated, and said:

“I only said I wouldn’t lend money to my second uncle, I didn’t say I wouldn’t help him.”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was stunned.

"Xiao Ming, what do you mean by that?" Liang Wen asked Liang Ming, somewhat confused.

"Second Uncle, I won't lend you this money. And you don't need to sell the equipment and other things from the Stone Town liquor factory separately. I plan to partner with you to buy the entire liquor factory!"

Liang Ming didn't waste any words and went straight to the point:

"We'll determine the shareholding of the liquor factory based on the amount of investment."

"You want to partner with me to acquire that liquor factory?"

Upon hearing Liang Ming's words, Liang Wen's face showed a hint of surprise, and he said...

"That's right, Second Uncle, didn't you say the liquor from this distillery is good? Let's partner up and take it over; it's a sure thing!"

Liang Ming chuckled.

"Great, great, this partnership is a good idea."

Liang Min, standing to the side, slapped her thigh and exclaimed in approval:

"Second brother, you are skilled in brewing, so focus on production. Xiaoming has a business mind and knows how to run a business!"

"If you two work together to open a distillery, you'll definitely be able to make it a success!"

After hearing his elder brother and nephew's words, Liang Wen thought about it carefully and also felt that the suggestion was feasible.

Even if he borrowed money from everyone around him, his savings would only be enough to buy half of a liquor factory.

If we partner with Liang Ming to acquire the liquor factory, although we will have fewer shares, we can take over the entire liquor factory and share most of the operating risks.

Most importantly, Liang Ming is his nephew, so even if the liquor factory makes money, he's not afraid of future conflicts over money.

It is said that if a nephew stands in front of the door, the family line is not considered to have ended.

Liang Wen had no son, so his nephew Liang Ming was practically his son.

"Okay, Xiaoming, we'll do it your way."

Thinking of this, Liang Wen didn't waste any words and immediately agreed to Liang Ming's suggestion.

The two immediately began discussing the details of acquiring the liquor factory.

"The liquor factory is now undergoing bankruptcy liquidation. If you buy all the equipment and factory buildings, it will only cost you a few dollars!"

"Most importantly, if we take over the workers at the liquor factory directly, we don't need to pay them severance pay; they can start production immediately."

“I have 2000 yuan in my hand and want to take over the whole factory, but I still need 8000 yuan.”

Liang Wen and Liang Ming confessed:

"Xiaoming, can you fill this shortfall?"

He only knew that his nephew Liang Ming had recently made money in business, but 8000 yuan was no small sum.

In this day and age, anyone who can come up with that much money is practically a millionaire.