Chapter 162: Fleeing from Bangye

During this period, Liu Weihan had been preoccupied with various discussions and reviews within the organization, and he had completely forgotten about the matter concerning Bangye and his bet with Li Xian.

Now, hearing that Li Xian's little Xiao Shao had made such a big name for itself in just over twenty days, Liu Weihan was genuinely astonished.

On his way, Liu Weihan meticulously inquired about Lao Zhu Xiao Shao. Upon learning about its promotion methods, which involved catchy rhymes and children's songs, and how it rapidly captured the entire Bangye alcohol market, effectively monopolizing it, he couldn't help but be impressed and gained a deeper understanding of Li Xian's business acumen.

Liu Weihan had originally planned to contact Li Xian after taking care of official business in Bangye.

However, at the county government's banquet that evening, seeing Lao Zhu Xiao Shao on the table, he immediately called Li Xian and headed to the grand mansion that, although still under renovation, had reclaimed some of its former grandeur.

Li Xian, who had already gone to bed early, was woken by the drunken Liu Weihan. When Liu Weihan insisted on a heart-to-heart talk, Li Xian seriously considered kicking him out.

But helplessly, over the past twenty days, the substantial profits from Lao Zhu Xiao Shao had made Li Xian feel the irresistible allure of this traditional industry.

In less than a month, a small distillery with only a few makeshift buildings, extremely rudimentary production equipment, and even manual bottling and sealing, had generated over 50,000 yuan in profit. The gross profit margin reached a staggering 70%, clearly a huge profit!

Now he finally understood why TV ads during prime time in the early 1990s featured brands like Kongfu and Jian Nan...

The profits were just too high!

So, in his mind, Li Xian had already regarded this sudden idea of creating wealth for the Lao Zhu family as another venture aside from the tissue business.

Seeing Liu Weihan so enthusiastic, even though he was struggling to keep his eyes open, Li Xian still endured and introduced the significance of the white liquor industry to the local economy to the trusted county head.

Based on recent observations, Bangye's agriculture primarily consisted of soybeans, corn, rice, and sorghum. Among these crops, soybeans had a low oil yield due to the region's lower average temperatures, and the grain storage prices were depressingly low. Similarly, corn faced similar issues.

Currently, the only two standout crops in Bangye were rice and sorghum. Thanks to the Nuomin River, Bangye's rice had a unique advantage, being long-grain and aromatic. However, the planting technology for rice paddies was lagging, resulting in very low yields within the county.

In contrast, sorghum, which does not require prime farmland and is less sensitive to temperature, actually had advantages.

The problem was that, in a society where people had just started considering having rice and noodles every meal as a standard for moderate prosperity, coarse grains like sorghum were in the process of being phased out. Aside from being consumed in rural areas, sorghum offered little income to farmers.

However, if the white liquor industry could be expanded, Bangye's sorghum advantages could be maximized!

This would drive local agriculture forward.

Moreover, the white liquor industry is labor-intensive, requiring a large workforce and involving many processes such as design, packaging, transportation, and distribution, all generating more secondary value than the tissue paper industry.

Hearing these analyses, Liu Weihan's drunkenness gradually wore off. Unconsciously, he took out his notebook and began to record Li Xian's analyses and the insights he gained.

...

The officials in Bangye County were surprised when the new county head's first major action was not directed at the current government personnel structure but was instead a "war declaration" against the "nationally recognized poverty-stricken county" label, targeting the county's repeatedly loss-making white liquor factory.

Under his direct supervision, the reform of the white liquor factory was completed within two days. Mimicking the operation mode of the new North Paper Industry, the white liquor factory, equipped with five distillation lines and three filling lines, was valued at 1.2 million yuan. Half of this valuation was used as equity capital, with a 20% stake taken in partnership with an individual named Li Xian, forming Bangye White Liquor Co., Ltd.

This decisive approach left the entire Bangye government bewildered.

At the white liquor factory.

Factory manager Feng Xifeng finally understood who the "scallion" who had warned him was.

Under the intense scrutiny of the young and seemingly all-powerful individual, he chose to yield. He voluntarily cooperated with the factory's reform and gave up his position as factory manager to become the company's production deputy manager.

From that moment on, the 25-year-old Bangye White Liquor Factory became history. The factory's sign, weathered to a wooden color, was removed and discarded by the roadside.

In the factory's office, Li Xian, with his hands behind his back, watched the workers tidy up the workshop and organize the production equipment. He smiled slightly and gestured to the confused Lao Zhu father and son behind him.

"Uncle Zhu, should be no problem using the production line for your Xiao Shao?"

"Hmm!" Uncle Zhu came to his senses, clicked his tongue, and said, "Actually, it's all distilled liquor. There's not much difference between using traditional methods and distillation equipment. It should be fine!"

"Alright, then you'll handle the production from now on. Starting today, you are our company's production manager."

Under Uncle Zhu's wide-eyed gaze, Li Xian patted Zhu Feng's shoulder, "As for the business side, that's up to you."

At this moment, Zhu Feng's eyes were already misty. He grabbed Li Xian's arm, "Xianzi, don't worry! I… I will definitely cherish this opportunity!"

Li Xian knew Zhu Feng well. Although he had spent a few years in prison, his passion was still burning strong. He was also astute, eager to learn, and quick to pick up new skills.

Though he currently lacked experience, Li Xian believed that with his drive, he could do well.

After discussing some requirements for the factory and ideas for the products after production began with the Lao Zhu father and son, Li Xian talked about remuneration. In addition to a fixed salary, he promised that if the company made over two million yuan in profit in the first year, he would take 10% of his shares and give it to the father and son as a bonus.

This thrilled the Lao Zhu father and son.

What was the current situation with the company?

Officially supported by the government, financially backed by Li Xian, and with the product introducing the popular Xiao Shao brand expanding outward, the company, after the factory integration, would also launch high-grade and premium products.

The company's momentum was clear even to ordinary employees; the future was certainly promising. Moreover, after over twenty days of interaction, the father and son were thoroughly convinced by Li Xian's business methods.

After arranging the company's affairs, Li Xian hurriedly returned to his residence to pack up and prepare to leave Bangye for a while.

Although he should ideally stay to oversee the newly established company.

But he couldn't stay...

Newly appointed Liu Weihan had also heard the rumors about the Cat-Faced Old Lady and had specifically called a government meeting to demand a thorough investigation into the source of the rumors, organize the education committee and various communities to promote correct scientific viewpoints, and curb harmful rumors detrimental to social security.

Li Xian was afraid of getting caught up in it.

"Hey, hey, hey! Did you hear? A child went missing in Hailin Zhuyao Village yesterday. They say it was taken away and eaten by the Cat-Faced Old Lady!"

"Really? I'm scared! They say the Cat-Faced Old Lady not only eats children but also bites adults. If she bites someone, they turn into half-human, half-cat monsters!"

"Oh my God, is it true or not? Now, I'm afraid to go out after dark. Last night, a cat in front of our house meowed all night. It was so creepy! Do you think the cat saw something?"

Walking on the main road, listening to the gossip around him, Li Xian was amused and exasperated.

Damn it, it's the end of March, springtime! Is it the cat calling for spring?

This blame, the Cat-Faced Old Lady won't take, she won't!