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

After hearing Liang Ming's offer, Jiang Meizhuang was stunned.

"Director Bai, is there some problem with the cash flow of our county's state-run restaurants?"

"Such good mountain produce, and you can only afford 5 cents a pound?"

"If word gets out, wouldn't people laugh their heads off?"

Hearing Jiang Meizhuang's mockery, Director Bai's face darkened, and he said:

"Boss Jiang, this matter between me and this young man is none of your business."

“Liang Ming is our Xiangmanlou’s food supplier and my adopted brother. If you want my brother to suffer losses, then of course I have to take care of it.”

Jiang Meizhuang said solemnly.

When Bai Shi saw that Jiang Meizhuang insisted on getting involved, he also got angry.

He turned to look at Liang Ming, ready to spend money to snatch the goods: "Boss Liang, I'll buy all your mountain products no matter how much Xiangmanlou sells them for per kilogram."

At this point, Bai Shi added, "Xiangmanlou is just a privately owned restaurant, while our county's state-owned restaurants have many sister units!"

Partnering with us offers greater prospects for your future!

Bai Shi's words were practically a direct invitation to Liang Ming to cooperate with the state-run restaurants in their county and introduce him to the directors of other state-run canteens.

"Director Bai, you!" Jiang Meizhuang was both angry and nervous when she saw Bai Shi using the connections of the state-owned restaurant to tempt Liang Ming.

"Boss Jiang, in business, the highest bidder wins. I don't need to teach you that principle!" Bai Shi said with a sneer.

If it really comes down to financial resources and connections, Xiangmanlou Restaurant can't compare to the county's state-run restaurant.

"I am a businessman. When it comes to doing business, the most important thing is profit. I will do business with whoever can make me money."

Seeing that Bai Shi and Jiang Meizhuang were looking at him, Liang Ming spoke slowly.

Upon hearing Liang Ming's words, Bai Shi was overjoyed, thinking that Liang Ming had agreed to cooperate with him.

Seeing this, Jiang Meizhuang gave a bitter smile.

People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill. Liang Ming has better opportunities for development, so what right does he have to obstruct others?

"Boss Liang, you are a wise man who knows when to yield to circumstances. You are indeed a smart man."

As Bai Shi finished speaking, he prepared to reach out and take the mountain goods from Liang Ming's mule cart.

Unexpectedly, Liang Ming waved his hand to stop him.

"Boss Liang, what's going on?" Bai Shi asked, looking puzzled.

"Director Bai, as I just said, I am a businessman, and I do indeed prioritize profit."

"However, I am also a businessman who values ​​integrity and dedication."

Liang Ming smiled and said to Bai Shi:

"I promised Boss Jiang that I would only sell to her, so I can't sell to you anymore."

"Boss Liang, are you playing me?!" Upon hearing Liang Ming's words, Bai Shi's face darkened, and he said angrily.

He didn't believe in such nonsense as integrity and fidelity.

"Director Bai, weren't you the one who messed with me from the beginning?" Liang Ming retorted.

Clearly, Liang Ming hadn't forgotten that Bai Shi initially wanted to buy Liang Ming's mountain produce for 5 cents a pound.

Upon hearing Liang Ming's words, Bai Shi's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Fine, since you refuse to listen to reason, I'd like to see how long you and Xiangmanlou Restaurant can continue to operate!"

After saying that, he shook his hand and left angrily.

Liang Ming watched Bai Shi's departing figure with a calm expression.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the county's state-run restaurant is now booming and thriving.

But in a few years, more and more private restaurants emerged.

With their excellent dishes and low prices, these privately owned restaurants will soon erode the market share of the county's state-owned restaurants.

This ultimately led to the closure of the county-run restaurant.

"Brother Liang Ming, I'm sorry that you offended Director Bai because of our Xiangmanlou Restaurant."

Jiang Meizhuang said with some guilt.

She knew very well that if Liang Ming and Bai Shi cooperated, they would have a brighter future.

"Sister Meizhuang, this matter has nothing to do with you."

Liang Ming smiled and said to Jiang Meizhuang:

"The people at that county-run restaurant were arrogant, and I never intended to sell them any mountain produce or river delicacies."

“He was able to offer 5 cents a pound at the beginning. With such an unscrupulous purchase price, who knows what other reasons he might use to lower my price later.”

At this point, Liang Ming paused, looked at Jiang Meizhuang, and said:

"Moreover, compared to the county's state-run restaurant, I would much rather cooperate with a beautiful boss like Sister Meizhuang."

Upon hearing Liang Ming's words, Jiang Meizhuang's lips curled up.

She knew Liang Ming was flattering her, but she was still very happy.

“Brother Liang Ming, you’re so good with words. This time you’ve fallen out with the county’s state-run restaurant again because of me. I can’t let you suffer.”

Jiang Meizhuang waved her jade-like hand and said:

"Starting today, I will increase the purchase price of all your mountain and river products by 2 cents per pound."

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming was delighted: "Sister Meizhuang, how generous of you!"

Don't underestimate the mere 20 cents increase; based on the 100 jin of mountain produce he delivered today, that's an extra 2 yuan.

“Brother Liang Ming, 100 jin of mountain produce, 40 jin of river delicacies, plus 50 braised ducks, totaling 401 yuan. Please keep this.”

After Jiang Meizhuang smiled and settled the payment for Liang Ming's goods, she said:

“Your mountain produce and river delicacies sell very well at our Xiangmanlou Restaurant. They were sold out as soon as we brought them out at noon yesterday.”

"During the evening, many diners came to ask about it. I believe the county-run restaurant heard about it and came to us."

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming suddenly realized what was going on.

No wonder the people at the county's state-run restaurant wanted to buy his mountain produce and river seafood.

It turns out that after seeing the Xiangmanlou Restaurant launch dishes featuring mountain and river delicacies and become a hit, they wanted to follow suit.

"Sister Meizhuang, wouldn't you like to make Xiangmanlou Restaurant even more popular? Maybe even surpass the state-run restaurants?"

Liang Ming looked at Jiang Meizhuang and asked.

Since we've already offended the county-run restaurant, we might as well go a little further.

"Of course I want to! Who wouldn't want to earn more money if they could make it!"

Jiang Meizhuang answered without hesitation.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "But how can we take Xiangmanlou Restaurant's business to the next level?"

"This matter isn't actually that difficult," Liang Ming said with a smile.

"For us restaurant owners, the key to attracting customers is just a few things: good service, fresh ingredients, unique flavors, and novel dishes."

"With my mountain produce and fresh river delicacies, the previous points can be achieved. Now, only the last point is missing."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Meizhuang pondered seriously for a moment, then asked, "This last point, the novelty of the dishes, does it mean you're going to introduce new dishes?"

“That’s right!” Liang Ming nodded.

Jiang Meizhuang gave a wry smile and said, "Brother Liang Ming, don't laugh at me, but the head chefs in my restaurant are all elderly masters."

They'll just cook traditional dishes; asking them to come up with new ones is like asking them to die.

“Sister Meizhuang, I don’t plan to have them come up with new recipes.”

Liang Ming smiled and asked Jiang Meizhuang.

"I'll handle this myself."

Jiang Meizhuang's eyes widened; she wondered if she had misheard: "You do it yourself?"