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

"Director Bai, whatever you say, we'll do. We'll listen to you."

"Yes, we are sworn enemies with Xiangmanlou Restaurant!"

"Stealing our customers is like taking away our livelihood; we can't tolerate that!"

The employees of the state-run hotel began to speak up.

Hearing these people's words, Shiraishi's expression softened somewhat.

“Very good, I am very pleased that you have this intention.”

Let's brainstorm and see how to win our customers back from Xiangmanlou Restaurant!

Shiraishi immediately spoke up and asked the crowd.

Upon hearing this, everyone lowered their heads.

These people are usually easygoing and content with their lot.

Asking them to come up with a plan to deal with Xiangmanlou Restaurant now is simply putting them in a difficult position.

"Speak up, are you all mute?"

Shiraishi frowned as he saw this.

At that moment, a young employee in the kitchen who was preparing ingredients raised his hand and said:

"Director Bai, I have an idea. Since Xiangmanlou Restaurant's selling point is mountain produce and fresh river seafood, let's also import a batch of mountain produce and fresh river seafood."

Anyway, our restaurant isn't short of money. At worst, we'll just give that ingredient supplier a little more money.

"You don't need to think about this idea; I've already negotiated with them."

"The guy who supplies Xiangmanlou Restaurant with mountain produce and river seafood is a short-sighted, stubborn country bumpkin."

"No matter how much I pleaded, they just wouldn't sell their goods to our state-run restaurants."

Bai Shi said in a deep voice.

The employees of the state-run hotel all looked surprised when they heard this.

Has the world really changed?

There are still people who are unwilling to cooperate with their state-run restaurant.

"Director Bai, if we can't start with mountain produce and river seafood, then we can only start with the dishes at Xiangmanlou Restaurant."

The employee who had just spoken paused for a few seconds before speaking.

"Oh? How exactly do you intend to do it?" Shiraishi asked with great interest.

“We sent a family member of one of our employees to infiltrate the kitchen of Xiangmanlou Restaurant to learn how to make their boiled shrimp, and then brought it back.”

The employee said:

"In this way, our state-run restaurants can also launch the new dish of Boiling Shrimp, plus the great reputation of our state-run restaurants."

"At that time, we'll definitely attract all our regular customers back."

Upon hearing the employee's words, Shiraishi's eyes lit up. He patted the employee on the shoulder and said:

"Xiao Chen, your idea is good. It will be a constructive help to our state-run restaurant."

"Keep up the good work, you'll be this year's outstanding employee, and I'll promote you."

Hearing this, the employees of the state-run restaurants around all looked at Old Chen with envy.

Being recognized as an "Outstanding Employee" is the dream of many employees of state-owned restaurants.

But the employee named Xiao Chen only verbally expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Director Bai."

In reality, he was full of disdain.

They were awarded "Outstanding Employee" status, but their salaries weren't increased.

He was just a food preparation chef in the kitchen of a state-run restaurant; to put it bluntly, he was just a handyman, earning only 40 yuan a month.

This amount of money is simply not enough for him to spend.

He had heard that the chefs at Xiangmanlou Restaurant received bonuses; the better the business, the more bonuses they received.

"It seems there's no future in staying in this state-run restaurant any longer," Xiao Chen thought to himself.

Bai Shi was unaware that his "outstanding employee" had already considered resigning and starting his own business.

After making up his mind, he prepared to find someone to go undercover at the Xiangmanlou Restaurant.

……

Xiangmanlou Restaurant.

When Liang Ming arrived at the back door of the restaurant in his Shuangfeng brand diesel tricycle, Jiang Meizhuang had already been waiting at the door for a long time.

"Brother Liang Ming, is this tricycle a new one you bought?" Jiang Meizhuang asked with a smile.

"Yes, this makes transporting goods more convenient. With a carriage, we don't have to worry about being exposed to the sun and rain."

Liang Ming nodded and said.

“It’s true that we should get a gas-powered car, after all, you’re the owner of Xiangmanlou Restaurant,” Jiang Meizhuang said.

As she spoke, she had people bring in the mountain produce, river delicacies, and braised duck. After weighing them, she calculated the payment for Liang Ming.

“Brother Liang Ming, our restaurant is doing better and better, and the supply of mountain and river delicacies is a bit insufficient.”

After entering the Xiangmanlou Restaurant with Liang Ming, the two found a table and sat down. Jiang Meizhuang spoke first:

"Starting tomorrow, could you double the supply of mountain produce and freshwater seafood for me?"

Seeing that Jiang Meizhuang was just getting to the point he wanted to make, Liang Ming said:

"Sister Meizhuang, I was just about to tell you about this. Starting today, the supply of mountain produce will be increased to 200 jin, and river delicacies will be at least 70 jin."

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Meizhuang shook her head and said, "That's not enough. We need at least 300 jin of mountain produce and 150 jin of river delicacies!"

At this point, Jiang Meizhuang paused for a moment and said, "If you're going to make braised duck, you'll need 100!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming's face showed a strange expression: "Sister Meizhuang, how come there are so many all of a sudden?"

“Recently, several private companies have been ordering lunch and dinner from me, so the consumption of ingredients has been relatively high.”

Jiang Meizhuang said with a smile.

After hearing Jiang Meizhuang's explanation, Liang Ming's face showed a look of realization.

"Sister Meizhuang, I understand. When I get back, I will arrange for people to increase the supply of mountain produce and river delicacies."

“Brother Liang Ming, I believe in your abilities,” Jiang Meizhuang said with a smile.

"Now our Xiangmanlou Restaurant is doing well."

“Starting today, I will raise the purchase price of braised duck to 1.8 yuan per jin.”

Liang Ming was surprised that Jiang Meizhuang had also raised the purchase price of his braised duck. He smiled and said, "Sister Meizhuang, then I will accept your offer."

At this time, the employees below also weighed the mountain produce and river seafood: 120 jin of mountain produce, 50 jin of river seafood, and 50 braised ducks.

Liang Ming's total income was 484 yuan.

“Brother Liang Ming, now that you are a shareholder of Xiangmanlou, you should help me think about what the future holds for our Xiangmanlou restaurant.”

After paying, Jiang Meizhuang spoke to Liang Ming.

Liang Ming looked around the lobby of Xiangmanlou Restaurant, which was packed with people and bustling with activity.

The restaurant staff all had smiles on their faces and provided excellent service.

Plates of boiling shrimp were continuously brought out from the kitchen.

"Sister Meizhuang, if Xiangmanlou Restaurant wants to increase its revenue at this stage, it still needs to focus on the dishes."

After looking around, Liang Ming analyzed with Jiang Meizhuang:

"We must strike while the iron is hot, launch new dishes, and transform our Xiangmanlou Restaurant into a distinctive restaurant in Taoyuan Township."

"Brother Liang Ming, have you come up with a new recipe?" Jiang Meizhuang's eyes lit up when she heard Liang Ming's words.

"Sister Meizhuang, do you have paper and pen?" Liang Ming nodded slightly.

His mind was filled with trendy dishes from twenty years later in his previous life.