Chapter 106: Raising Funds

Women can be really terrifying when they're jealous. 

Li Dong had only glanced at the south gate a few times, but Qin Yuhan had already connected it to Yuan Xue. Her imagination was running wild.

Fortunately, Qin Yuhan was just being a bit spoiled, and after Li Dong reassured her, things calmed down.

Once Qin Yuhan left, Li Dong called Sun Tao.

"Brother Sun, how much capital can Yuanfang raise before August?"

Sun Tao was taken aback by the question and then responded, "Mr. Li, do you need it urgently?"

Li Dong didn't answer immediately and asked again, "Just tell me how much can be raised?"

After thinking for a moment and calculating, Sun Tao said, "If we disregard all consequences, we could come up with a hundred million."

A hundred million. When Yuanfang's Dongping store opened in August last year, not to mention a hundred million, Li Dong was so broke he couldn't even come up with a hundred thousand.

But now, just a year later, Sun Tao said they could mobilize a hundred million.

Li Dong's face lit up with joy. It was hard to believe that so much could be raised in just a year.

However, Sun Tao's next words were a blow to Li Dong. "If we really use a hundred million, Yuanfang would collapse."

The hundred million includes funds for goods, vouchers, and store value. Unless Li Dong wanted to self-destruct, using all the funds would be suicidal.

Li Dong's face darkened. Annoyed, he said, "I meant, how much can be mobilized without affecting Yuanfang's operations?"

"Ten million!"

Li Dong almost choked on his drink!

The hundred million had instantly become ten million, a tenfold difference. Was he kidding?

Even if he didn't know the details, Li Dong knew Yuanfang had more than that amount.

Last year, Yuanfang had over fifty million on the books.

The initial expenses for Fucheng were only five to six million. Since the new year, almost three months had passed, and the six branch stores had made a profit of fifteen to sixteen million.

Adding in the vouchers sold recently, even if it wasn't as much as before, ten million should be there.

Overall, Yuanfang wasn't short on money now. Not to mention a hundred million, there should still be sixty to seventy million.

Though Fucheng and Tongshan would need funds, the profits from the stores should cover it.

Li Dong had calculated this clearly, and Sun Tao should understand even better.

Li Dong frowned, looking somewhat displeased. "Brother Sun, are you joking with me?"

In Li Dong's view, not to mention a hundred million, thirty to fifty million should still be possible. How could it be only ten million?

Noting Li Dong's displeasure, Sun Tao forced a smile and said, "Mr. Li, I'm telling the truth."

Li Dong remained silent, waiting for Sun Tao to explain.

Li Dong was very strict when it came to money. Sun Tao couldn't easily pull a fast one on him.

Moreover, he didn't believe Sun Tao would have the audacity to withhold tens of millions.

Sure enough, Sun Tao quickly explained, "Mr. Li, this money has already been spent by you."

Li Dong's face darkened. When did he spend tens of millions?

Recently, he had only bought a house and didn't even buy a car. Was Sun Tao trying to fool him?

"The distribution center!" Sun Tao also knew Li Dong might not recall, so he reminded him.

Li Dong immediately remembered and breathed a sigh of relief. "Next time, just say it directly. You scared me!"

Of course, he remembered the distribution center. He had mentioned earlier that at least thirty million needed to be prepared for next year's distribution center.

But that was before. Now there was a chance to make a fortune. There was no need to rush the distribution center.

If he could profit from Baidu, not only would he cover the costs for a hundred stores, but even building a distribution center comparable to Su Guo's Ma Qun would be feasible.

Li Dong said immediately, "The distribution center is not urgent. Take out this money first. I need it urgently. Raising fifty million for Yuanfang should be no problem, right?"

Fifty million, according to the current exchange rate, was just over six million dollars.

Baidu was listed in the U.S., so throwing six million dollars into the stock market wouldn't even make a splash.

"Fifty million!"

Sun Tao was shocked and quickly asked, "Mr. Li, can you tell me what you're going to use this fifty million for?"

"For stock trading!"

Hearing it was for the stock market, Sun Tao panicked.

Since 2001, the stock market had been in a prolonged bear market for many years.

Though the market had recently warmed up a bit, investing fifty million in stocks was absolute madness!

Yuanfang was something Sun Tao had seen grow. He could not let Li Dong ruin it like this.

Sun Tao hastily said, "Mr. Li, you need to think carefully! Isn't it better to develop Yuanfang? Doing this will ruin Yuanfang. Yuanfang is your hard work and mine. I can't agree!"

This was the first time he had refused Li Dong's proposal.

Even if Li Dong's requests were unreasonable before, Sun Tao had always followed through, despite any personal objections.

He had found that Li Dong's proposals had never gone wrong.

But this time was different. Ignoring various costs and vouchers, Yuanfang might not even have fifty million now.

If they lost it, all the efforts of the year would go down the drain.

Even if they could recover, the retail competition was fierce, and replicating last year's success would be extremely difficult.

Li Dong knew Sun Tao was acting in Yuanfang's best interest.

Without the knowledge of the future, even if given a chance, he wouldn't dare to bet everything on Baidu's stock.

But Li Dong was different. He had witnessed Baidu's stock soar!

A guaranteed profitable venture, so what was there to worry about?

Seeing Sun Tao's agitation, Li Dong smiled and said, "Brother Sun, have you ever seen me miss an opportunity?"

Sun Tao was silent. He knew Li Dong was giving him an out.

In reality, he was no longer a shareholder; Yuanfang now belonged solely to Li Dong.

If Li Dong was determined, Sun Tao had no right to oppose, even if he was dissatisfied.

But Sun Tao valued Yuanfang too much. The effort he had put in over the past year surpassed Li Dong's. How could he dare to take risks?

Sighing, Sun Tao appeared exhausted and finally said, "Mr. Li, the risk is too great."

Li Dong didn't take this to heart. Everything these days came with risks.

Without further explanation, Li Dong said in a serious tone, "I'm confident. If it works out, next year Yuanfang can expand throughout Jiangbei!"

Li Dong wasn't familiar with the internet industry and wouldn't get too involved.

As long as he could make a big profit, getting the money out and expanding Yuanfang throughout Jiangbei wouldn't be a difficult task.

In the end, real business was reassuring. The stock market was too volatile. One day, the stock price could drop sharply, evaporating billions in a day.

Li Dong couldn't handle that kind of excitement. He preferred to earn money from running supermarkets.

Originally, Li Dong's plan was to complete the Jiangbei layout in four years. But with an extra three to five billion, he could complete it in a year.

Sun Tao was silent for a moment and finally said with difficulty, "Mr. Li, when you return to Pingchuan, I'd like to discuss this further with you. However, I will try my best to raise the fifty million and not delay your plans."

Li Dong agreed. It was indeed necessary to discuss it further with Sun Tao.

If Sun Tao's concerns weren't resolved, it would also affect Yuanfang's development.