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

In the past, many popular online restaurants relied on their delicious food, limited supply, and poor service.

Even so, many diners still travel from afar to come.

Ultimately, all of this comes down to the fact that the dishes taste good enough, which naturally makes diners more forgiving.

Is this a form of scarcity marketing?

After listening to Liang Ming's explanation, Jiang Meizhuang looked thoughtful.

In the mid-80s, the individual economy was still in its development stage. People did business based on the idea of ​​integrity and large-volume, all-you-can-eat.

But after hearing Liang Ming say it only once, Jiang Meizhuang instinctively felt that it was feasible.

“Brother Liang Ming, I’ll listen to you. Starting today, our Xiangmanlou will have limited supplies of mountain and river delicacies.”

Jiang Meizhuang said.

"Sister Meizhuang, while employing scarcity marketing, we must also avoid creating dissatisfaction among diners."

"While delaying their gratification, we must also give them other forms of pleasure," Liang Ming added.

Upon hearing Liang Ming's words, Jiang Meizhuang's face flushed red, and she said:

“Brother Liang Ming, our Xiangmanlou Restaurant runs a legitimate business. We can’t do what you’re asking for…”

Liang Ming was taken aback and asked suspiciously, "I was talking about legitimate business!"

He noticed Jiang Meizhuang's blushing face.

Only then did he realize that the other party had misunderstood him.

"Sister Meizhuang, what I mean is, if diners can't get our boiled shrimp at lunchtime..."

When they come again in the afternoon, we can give them some side dishes or offer them a discount.

Liang Ming explained.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Meizhuang finally understood Liang Ming's meaning.

Realizing her misunderstanding, Jiang Meizhuang became somewhat embarrassed: "Brother Liang Ming, so that's how it is. I misunderstood you."

"Sister Meizhuang, it doesn't matter if you misunderstand me, as long as Xiangmanlou's business can grow bigger."

Liang Ming grinned and said:

"Only if Xiangmanlou makes money can my business of selling mountain and river delicacies continue to make money."

"After all, we are partners."

Knowing that Liang Ming was deliberately changing the subject to ease the atmosphere, Jiang Meizhuang felt somewhat grateful to him.

"A partner?" Jiang Meizhuang murmured softly, seemingly lost in thought.

Liang Ming seemed to have thought of something and asked Jiang Meizhuang:

"Sister Meizhuang, do you need any cottonseed oil here?"

"Cottonseed oil? How much do you have?" Jiang Meizhuang asked, snapping out of her daze.

"We should be able to produce about 400 jin a day," Liang Ming said after thinking for a moment.

"You set up an oil pressing factory?" Jiang Meizhuang asked with a surprised look on her face.

Only an oil pressing plant can produce such a large output in a single day.

"I guess so," Liang Ming said simply, explaining that he had contracted the village's cotton mill to extract cottonseed oil.

“Our restaurant only uses about 50 jin of cooking oil a day. I can’t possibly eat 400 jin of cottonseed oil,” Jiang Meizhuang said.

Liang Ming had anticipated this outcome and was not surprised. He said, "Then I'll look for more sales channels."

Liang Ming helped her come up with a marketing plan for the restaurant, and Jiang Meizhuang also wanted to repay Liang Ming.

She thought for a moment and said to Liang Ming, "Brother Liang Ming, I have a friend who works in butter processing and consumes a lot of vegetable oil every day."

I can introduce you to potential collaborations, but whether my friend will actually buy it or not, I'll have to say...

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming's face lit up with joy, and he said, "Sister Meizhuang, thank you so much. I'll be happy as long as you give me this opportunity."

Seeing Liang Ming say this, Jiang Meizhuang stopped arguing.

After agreeing to meet Jiang Meizhuang at her friend's cream processing factory the next day, Liang Ming left Xiangmanlou.

After selling 50 braised ducks at a stall in the county high school, Liang Ming went to the farmers' market to buy some ingredients and then returned to the village.

After returning to Liangjia Village, Liang Ming went directly to the village's cotton mill.

At this time, workers in the cotton mill were producing cottonseed oil in full swing.

"Boss Liang Ming, you've arrived."

Upon seeing Liang Ming, several village officials in charge of managing the cotton mill gathered around.

How is cottonseed oil production progressing?

Liang Ming asked.

"The workers are all familiar with the oil pressing process; they are already familiar with it."

One of the village officials said.

"What about oil production?" Liang Ming asked.

"About 5 catties of cottonseed can produce 1 catty of cottonseed oil."

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming nodded slightly, as this was roughly in line with his estimated oil production.

"How much cottonseed oil has been produced so far?" Liang Ming asked.

"It's almost 200 jin (100 catties), and we expect to produce about 300 jin (150 catties) of cottonseed oil today," the village official replied.

As he finished speaking, he looked somewhat nervous, as if he was afraid that Liang Ming would be unhappy about it.

"Can it only produce 300 jin?" Liang Ming murmured.

The villagers in the factory were just getting started, and they were able to extract 300 jin of cottonseed oil on the first day, which was considered quite good.

Unable to discern Liang Ming's expression, the village official standing nearby quickly added:

"Boss Liang Ming, starting tomorrow, our factory will be able to produce at least 400 jin of cottonseed oil."

“Our factory doesn’t have oil pressing machinery. We use traditional methods to press oil, and 400 jin of cottonseed oil is about the limit.”

Liang Ming nodded slightly and said, "Okay, then let's go with this number."

“The villagers have worked hard, let’s pay them for three days first.”

As they were talking, Liang Ming took out 300 yuan from the money he had earned that day and handed it to the village official in charge of finances.

Upon hearing this, the village official was delighted: "Yes, Boss Liang Ming."

Today, while he was patrolling the factory, some villagers asked him if he could estimate his wages for one or two days.

After all, the cotton mill had already stopped operating before the Lunar New Year, and they hadn't had any income for almost two months.

The cotton mill workers cheered with joy when they heard that Liang Ming had paid them three days' wages in advance.

"Getting three days' wages in advance? That's great! At least we'll have money to buy food and oil."

"My little one has been asking for pork every day for the past few days. Now we can go to the market in town and buy two pounds of pork."

After receiving their paychecks, the workers were full of energy when they got to work.

Liang Ming was somewhat surprised to see the workers in the cotton mill so enthusiastic about their work.

Unexpectedly, my unintentional act won me the hearts of many.

As evening approached, the cotton mill workers managed to extract 350 jin (125 catties) of cottonseed oil.

……

The next morning, after asking his parents to help receive the ducks delivered from Shitou Village, Liang Ming took two buckets of cottonseed oil samples to the county town.

When he arrived at the cream processing factory that Jiang Meizhuang had mentioned, Jiang Meizhuang and her friend were already waiting for him at the door.

"Sorry I'm late," Liang Ming quickly apologized upon seeing the situation.

"You're not late. It's been a long time since we last met. We'd like to find a small teahouse to grab a bite to eat first."

Jiang Meizhuang smiled, then pointed to her friend beside her and introduced her to Liang Ming:

"Come here, Liang Ming, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Cai, the owner of the cream processing factory I told you about."

She was also a colleague of mine from the state-run canteen.