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

"Franchise?" Liang Juan was puzzled when she first heard such a novel term.

"You pay a franchise fee to join my 'Liang Hei Ya' brand, and I provide braised duck technology, spice packets, and support such as guidance on store location selection and decoration..."

Liang Ming gave a brief explanation of the concept of franchising.

After hearing this, Liang Juan's eyes lit up, and she said, "So, as long as I pay the franchise fee, I can learn how to braise duck and then sell it?"

"That's roughly the idea," Liang Ming nodded.

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Lan patted Liang Ming on the head:

"Xiaoming, this is your aunt! How can you take her franchise fee!"

"That's right, brother, you're so mean, doing business with your own family." Liang Jing pouted and said.

Liang Min glared at Liang Ming and said, "Son, you really shouldn't have..."

Seeing his entire family criticizing him, Liang Ming was both amused and exasperated.

“I didn’t say I was going to charge my aunt a franchise fee.”

He was just explaining the concept of franchising to his aunt.

He really didn't intend to accept the money.

"It's okay. Xiaoming is in business now. It's business between businesses and private individuals. The franchise fees that should be collected will still be collected."

Liang Juan said with a smile.

"Auntie, no, I can't accept a single penny of your franchise fee."

Liang Ming quickly waved his hand and said:

"If I accept this, my mom will break my legs."

Upon hearing Liang Min's words, everyone in the courtyard burst into laughter.

After finalizing the deal to have his aunt join his braised duck brand, Liang Ming smiled.

As his businesses expanded, Liang Ming needed people he could trust to help manage them.

It's perfect to entrust the Liang Hei Ya brand to Aunt Liang Juan.

Silent all night.

The next morning, after Liang Ming got up, washed up, and ate breakfast at home, he and his aunt Liang Juan went to the "Liang Black Duck" braised duck shop in the county town.

"Boss, who is this?"

When Qin Fang saw Liang Ming arrive, a look of surprise appeared on her face. She then noticed Liang Juan beside him and asked her curiously.

"This is our first franchisee of Liang Hei Ya Braised Duck Shop. In the next few days, she will learn from you how to make braised duck and how to run a braised duck shop."

Liang Ming pointed to Liang Juan, Qin Fang, and Li Cui, and explained.

"Besides, she is also my aunt."

Upon hearing this, both Qin Fang and Li Cui showed a look of respect on their faces.

They dared not neglect the boss's aunt.

“These next few days I’m not anyone’s aunt, I’m just an apprentice. Just tell me what to do.”

Liang Juan spoke modestly to Qin Fang and Li Cui.

Although Liang Juan said that, Qin Fang and Li Cui did not dare to be negligent.

At first, the three were a little reserved, but as the conversation progressed, Li Cui was the first to empathize with Liang Juan after learning that she had just gotten divorced and that her ex-husband was abusive.

Before long, the three women were calling each other "sister" and "younger sister".

Upon seeing this, Liang Ming also sighed at how quickly female friendships could develop.

He told Liang Juan that he would pick her up in the afternoon, and then left the braised duck shop.

Liang Ming spent the entire morning helping his aunt find a suitable shop to open a braised duck shop.

Around noon, he actually found a shop on the outskirts of a privately owned vegetable market.

"Boss, look at my shop. Although it's not big, it's small but complete. It's also close to the market, so I can sell rice, cooking oil, and dried seafood."

The landlord of the shop was a man in his forties, who was enthusiastically introducing the shop to Liang Ming.

Liang Ming looked at the shop's location and layout, which were both very good, and the storefront faced the privately-owned vegetable market.

Whether people are entering the market or returning from shopping, they can see this shop immediately.

And most importantly, this shop used to be a bakery, and the water and electricity were already connected.

After Liang Ming took over, he bought his aunt a stove, kitchen utensils, and a glass cabinet for selling braised duck, so they could start operating immediately.

"The shop is indeed nice, but I wonder how much the rent is each month?" Liang Ming asked.

A sly glint flashed in the shop owner's eyes. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Boss, look at the prime location of my shop, the rent definitely won't be cheap, but since you're so sincere, I'll just make it 80 yuan a month..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liang Ming turned and left.

"Don't go, don't go, boss, the price isn't right, we can talk about it again."

The shop owner didn't expect Liang Ming to turn around and leave so directly, so he quickly stopped him and said with an embarrassed smile.

"Uncle Landlord, although I am young, this is not my first time doing business. It's a bit unfair of you to ask for such an exorbitant price."

Liang Ming snorted coldly and said:

"Shops near schools don't dare to ask for 80 yuan a month in rent. Your shop may be close to the market, but..."

Hearing Liang Ming's words, the shop owner knew he was an expert and didn't dare to overcharge, so he chuckled awkwardly.

"You're right. Why don't you give me a price? If it's suitable, we'll sign the contract."

Without wasting words, Liang Ming held up three fingers and said, "30 yuan!"

Upon hearing this, the shop landlord immediately became anxious: "Only 30 yuan? No way, that's too little. How can such a good storefront be worth only..."

“I’m looking for a long-term lease; we can sign a one-year contract first,” Liang Ming said.

"Boss, 30 yuan a month is still too little..."

Upon hearing this, the shop owner's tone softened slightly. "Don't be fooled by the fact that this storefront is next to the vegetable market. There are plenty of places to buy vegetables in this county."

Supply and marketing cooperatives, state-run vegetable markets, bazaars, even vegetable vendors going door-to-door and roadside vegetable stalls—business is tough!

"I'll prepay six months' rent!" Liang Ming added.

The shop landlord remained silent.

"I'll pay the management and cleaning fees for the market myself," Liang Ming's voice rang out again.

These days, the management of privately-run vegetable markets in many places is chaotic. In order to do business with peace of mind, in addition to paying the regular management fee every month, you also have to pay a cleaning fee to all sorts of shady characters.

"Sign it, let's sign the contract now."

The shop landlord stopped arguing and grabbed Liang Ming's hand, as if afraid he would run away.

There was no way around it; Liang Ming had given too much.

After signing the contract and receiving the storefront keys, it was already noon.

Knowing that he would also be delivering mountain produce, river delicacies, and fruit, Liang Ming quickly drove to Liangjia Village.

When Liang Ming returned home, the yard was already full of people.

There were also many bamboo baskets filled with lychees on the ground.

There were also 10 households carrying baskets of mountain produce on their backs.

Chicken, Dog Egg, and Ama are helping to weigh the items.

"Don't rush, line up and weigh your goods. Your payment will be due, and you won't be shortchanged."

"Yes, let's weigh it first, and we'll settle the bill when Brother Liang Ming comes back."

Upon hearing this, the villagers all chimed in, saying, "Chicken, we're not in a hurry. Take your time."

"That's right. Liang Ming led us all to pick fruit to sell, which helped us make money. We are already very grateful, so we dare not ask for payment."

"That's right. We can settle the payment for the fruit after Liang Ming sells it."

Hearing the villagers' very forgiving words, Liang Ming felt a warmth in his heart.

In his past life, he once saw a news article in the newspaper.

A villager went around asking for favors and pleading with everyone he knew to secure a large fruit order for the villagers, earning only a small commission. The villagers then vandalized his house, accusing him of being heartless and profiting from the villagers' money.

Compared to those ungrateful villagers, the villagers of Liangjia Village are adorably simple and honest.

"These are such lovely villagers. Now that I've made money, I can't forget to help them get rich!"

Liang Ming thought to himself.