Chapter 22: Chapter 21 – Gaining From Someone Without Giving Anything In Return_l
Translator: 549690339
“Trial run?”
The three people were a bit stunned upon hearing this. Was it possible to have a trial run for a property lease? This wasn’t something intangible.
However, Director Wang was a shrewd and clever man. He stared at Nie Jiamin and Nie Zhenbang, deep in thought. It appeared these two intended to receive something for nothing. Many high-ranking officials engaged in such tactics in
Jingcheng.
At this moment, it was impossible to directly refuse. Not just because it would be embarrassing for Director Wang, but also because he himself would find it difficult to explain this to Director Guo. Thus, Director Wang asked with a smile, “Mr. Nie, what exactly do you mean by a ‘trial run’?”
Nie Zhenbang attained the reaction he wanted. Looking at the three, he calmly said, “Director Wang, it’s simple. I’m renting this place with the intention of building a supermarket. This would cause all of your factory buildings to be renovated, and the roads in the factory area to be covered. The entire factory area would be expanded as a whole. Just think about the huge investment from the other party – it’s definitely not less than two years’ rent. If it doesn’t work, I plan to withdraw and pay you based on the actual months used. I won’t take anything with me when I leave. So technically, you’d still profit.”
Director Wang listened and pondered. Turning a factory into a supermarket seemed unlikely. Just renovation and reconstruction would probably take half a year. Was it possible to finish it in time? However, looking at Nie Zhenbang’s serious expression and the sizable physical investment, it didn’t seem like a joke. Buildings can’t be moved like rented cars or properties. Worse comes to worse, a few months of rent would be credited to him. Anything more might cause difficulties. Ultimately, the factory belonged to the collective and even he did not have the final say. If the workers disagreed, there could be a massive uproar, which could escalate to top authorities as this was happening under the nose of the imperial court.
After a moment’s hesitation, Director Wang asked Nie Zhenbang, “Mr. Nie, I have no problem with a trial run, but I am not sure how long your friend plans to try it out?”
Nie Zhenbang laughed upon hearing this. If the conversation had gotten to this point, then he was successful. He replied promptly, “Three months’ trial period. In addition, there will be one month for renovation. This large factory area comes with a considerable amount of work. Without half a year’s time, it simply can’t open for business. If possible, I can represent my friend and immediately sign an agreement with you.”
Nie Zhenbang was employing a clever tactic here. While half a year’s renovation seemed like a lot, to Nie Zhenbang, completing it in a month was not overly difficult.
With a simple piece of paper on the office desk in the communication room, and after signing the agreement with Factory Director Qiao, Nie Zhenbang extended his hand saying: “Please take good care of me in future, Factory Director Qiao. Director Wang, thank you for today. When I have time in the future, I will be the host and invite you for a drink.”
After securing the factory, Nie Zhenbang did not wait for Yang Anbang and Xiao Yali to return and immediately started renovations. First, all the fences along Changan Street were removed, and the bricks were reused. The walls of the street-side factory began undergoing renovations. Following the original height of the wall, new tiles were added. The roof above the street-side factory was converted into large billboards veiling the original roof. Meanwhile, the interior walls were also transformed. Original walls were demolished, and load-bearing pillars made of a square meter of brick-concrete were constructed at positions where the truss beams were subjected to force. This made the entire 10,000+ square meters area appear open.
The sign for the Wal-Mart Supermarket had also been put up. A large advertisement was hung on the street-facing wall, indicating that Wal-Mart was under renovation and was scheduled to officially open on December 18th. They requested people to look forward to it… Although this promotional tactic is commonly used in later years, applying it in this era caused quite the stir. With Xiao Yali and Yang Anbang’s efforts, Capital City TV Station and other media followed up with continuous reports on Wal-Mart. Under Nie Zhenbang’s planning, Wal-Mart’s Hong Kong background and detailed information regarding the supermarket slowly got revealed in the media. In less than half a month, news about Wal-Mart had spread all over Jingcheng.
In the two-story office building behind the hardware factory, the place was already turned into the Jingcheng headquarters of Wal-Mart Supermarket Co.,
Ltd.
Right now, in Yang Anbang’s office, looking at the renovation nearing completion, preparing for interior decoration and shelving, Yang Anbang was a bit anxious: “Zhenbang, you’ve spectacularly leased this property without spending a dime, even gaining a free month for renovations. Brother, I have to admire you. But brother, it’s the end of October, and November is approaching. What should we do with our goods? We’ve spent a large portion of our funds on the overhaul, and little remains.”
At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was very relaxed. As someone from the future, he knew how booming supermarkets were. To describe it as making a fortune day by day wouldn’t be an exaggeration. He lightly chuckled and said to Xiao Yali, “Sister, how goes the task I gave you? Did the bank agree to the loan?”
Xiao Yali nodded and said, “After reviewing our registered capital and company qualifications and inspecting our sales area, the bank has agreed to lend us money, up to 300,000.”
Hearing this news, Nie Zhenbang also excitedly clenched his fists. He did not worry about sourcing the goods. As long as the supermarket could open, the sales volume would explain everything. Now, if the renovations were suspended due to lack of funds, that would be a serious matter indeed.
The loan of three hundred thousand from the bank had been credited. To Nie Zhenbang, this was an event far more important than obtaining the goods. Now, upon hearing the confirmed news, he had a feeling of immense relief. He then looked towards Yang Anbang and said: “Brother Yang, thank your friend, and start advertising. Take out fifty thousand yuan from what my sister has and run the ad campaign across the entire city. Also, mobilize your contacts to get us some of the most sought after commodities. We are gearing up to get started with the goods.”
The reasoning behind the supermarket’s name, Walmart, was very simple in Nie Zhenbang’s mind: it took a letter from both Walmart and Carrefour. Once the Walmart supermarket opens, it would certainly surpass them. In the future, they would probably not have much of a role to play domestically.
“Wal-Mart Supermarket is now open for business, located at the busiest Wangfujing Street. A huge shopping supermarket of sixteen thousand square meters. Over a hundred thousand top-quality products for customers to choose from. The prices are the lowest, the quality the best. The products are the most affordable. Now facing the whole country, sincerely inviting goods suppliers. Due to limited quota, the first ten to sign up will be exempted from supermarket entry fees. At the same time, the supermarket will place these products in the best position among products of the same kind, to achieve the best results. The first thirty will get a half price discount on the entrance fees.” Without a second thought, Nie Zhenbang said this advertising phrase. At this moment, compared to his previous life, compared to twenty-four years later, it was simply improvised, without any hint of consideration.
Following Nie Zhenbang’s order, once again, the advertisement for the
Wal-Mart Supermarket appeared in the streets and alleys of Jingcheng.
Unlike the common folk who were engaged in spectating the lively happenings, all the factions and families in Jingcheng started to move into action. The alliance of the Nie family and the Yang family proved that the Nie family was already standing behind the decision -makers.
Unlike the upheaval among the upper class, Wal-Mart Supermarket’s goods suppliers also began to make progress. Under the joint strike of Yang Anbang and Nie Jiamin, despite their young age, their status was clearly demonstrated. Many state-owned factories could not resist the face and chose to settle in. At the same time, with the continuing bombardment of supermarket advertisements, some private wholesalers also began to lose patience. After tens of thousands or even a hundred thousand people pass by every day, it’s not something that ordinary people can resist.
“Boss Dai, aren’t you afraid that these goods will be swallowed up by them?”
“Hahaha, how much is this little merchandise worth? Such a big company and such a large supermarket, I believe that these bosses won’t cheat us. Big deal, their daily advertising costs could cover your orders. I’m not afraid.”
As the first one stepped forward, the second one also began to get excited. Across the nation, everyone’s attention was focused on the Wal-Mart Supermarket.
“Little brother, I admire you, really.”Se??ch ?ew???e?. o?g on ?oo?l?
Since the admission fees were collected, the price has been half or discounted, but now, it is sold at the original price. Yet, the enthusiasm of the suppliers has been ignited, and they were almost all ready to put everything on the line.
Another month passed, and all the renovations in the supermarket were completed. As the renovations neared their end, on Yang Anbang’s side, they immediately recruited more than a hundred people. Seventy yuan a month. The income was not high in Jingcheng, but now they were all busy arranging the shelves.
When the last bag of rice was stacked high, the whole supermarket under the lighting looked like daybreak. Yang Anbang, clutching the railing tightly at this moment, murmured to himself: “Whether it’s a worm or a dragon, it all depends on tomorrow’s grand opening.”
PS: Thank you! Thank you!!
You guys are amazing, for the first time, truly the first time, Old Cai has felt the incredible power of his brothers. We made it to the top. The home page, although the gap behind is just a few recommend votes, a few member clicks, the power of you guys, for the first time on Old Cai, on Old Cai’s book, has been perfectly embodied. You guys are great. This is the third update today. Later in the evening, around dawn, another update. Five updates tomorrow all day. Fulfill Old Cai’s promise to you guys..
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on fre(e)webnov(l).com