Chapter 28: Liu Fu's Future - Real Estate Tycoon (Part 2)

Ma Liming's first act as the new director was to send everyone in the marketing department out to conduct market research, to investigate who our potential clients were, which clients we had lost, and which clients we could win back. The entire marketing department was running around outside every day. They couldn't relax in the office drinking tea and reading newspapers like before. Within a few days, two well-connected employees couldn't take it anymore and quit. They preferred working in the workshop to running around on the streets and embarrassing themselves. Liu Fu didn't interfere with these matters. Liu Fu had a characteristic, which was that once he delegated a task, he trusted you and only looked at the results, without interfering in the process.

After Ma Liming left the finance department, Liu's mother became busy. She is now the CFO, running back and forth between the two factories. The winery is in the city center, and the printing factory is in the suburbs. Liu Jian occasionally becomes a driver again, taking Liu's mother back and forth, but his carefree days are about to end.

Liu Fu's grand plan is coming.

It turned out that Liu Fu had mentioned to Liu Jian some time ago that he wasn't very interested in these factories and wasn't good at management either. The work he loved most was construction. However, what Liu Jian said made sense: the projects from the Grain Bureau were becoming increasingly difficult to get. There were still so many projects, but there were more and more contractors vying for them, and more and more people with connections.

Thanks to Liu Jian's advice, this year's project funds were settled promptly, without the usual advance payments, but the decline in profits is an undeniable fact.

Liu Jian casually mentioned to Liu Fu that he could start his own construction company, but Liu Jian didn't take it to heart. Liu Fu, however, took this as his goal and had been secretly planning it.

Especially after the Sanbao Winery and the printing factory were both booming, Liu Fu realized that the Sanbao Winery had his third younger brother, Liu An, and his niece and nephew-in-law watching over it, so Liu Fu basically didn't need to do anything. As for the printing factory, with Liu Jian and Ma Liming there, he couldn't help much either. To put it nicely, the big boss was relatively idle and made money sitting at home, but to put it bluntly, it was the same whether he was the big boss or not.

In this situation, Liu Fu began planning the establishment of a construction company.

Of course, he couldn't hide this from his wife and son, and soon another family meeting began.

Before Liu Fu could even finish speaking, his mother protested. Speaking of which, this period of time was the busiest and most pleasant for Liu's mother. She had always stayed home to take care of her son and hadn't gone out to work for many years. At home, she was very relaxed, watching TV and playing mahjong, just passing the days. She had had enough of such days. Having the opportunity to work was something she had never even dreamed of before, and it was at her own family's factory. Thinking about all this, Liu's mother still felt like she was dreaming.

But after a few ventures, this father and son team not only squandered all the family savings, but also took out several million in loans from the bank. When she heard about this, Liu's mother almost died of fright. Fortunately, Liu Fu and his son repeatedly assured her that it was a surefire money-making business, and Liu's mother reluctantly agreed. Now it seems like the right choice, the family has another factory, and a large one at that. Now, everywhere she goes, people call her "boss lady," which is so exciting. But vanity can't put food on the table, and those loans are still there, four million. Sometimes Liu's mother can't sleep when she thinks about that number.

The sales of both factories are doing well, and the profits are high. Liu's mother looks at the accounts every day, calculating when she can pay off the loans and get a fresh start. Liu Fu actually said he wanted to start a new company! Where would the money come from? Even if he was just thinking about taking out more loans, no matter what he said, Liu's mother wouldn't agree this time.

Liu Jian didn't expect his dad to be so persistent, so set on working in construction. Seeing his dad's expression, Liu Jian knew that this was his dad's ideal, the passion behind his career.

Liu Jian thought for a moment and asked, "Dad, what about these two factories? If all your energy is focused on construction, who will be responsible for the factories? Besides, the factories are just getting on track, isn't it too early to let go at this time?"

Liu Fu smiled and said, "Of course, you are responsible. Your mother and I have already changed the shares of the factories. I own 30%, your mother owns 30%, and you own 40%. You are the real boss of these two factories. Your mother and I are working for you."

Liu's mother still didn't have a pleasant expression. When it came to this matter, she nodded happily. Strangely enough, many people don't trust their husbands but trust their sons. Liu's mother is even more so. According to her, all the shares should be given to her son. As for her husband, he shouldn't be given too much, lest he go astray.

After hearing this, Liu Jian understood Liu Fu's meaning. Liu Fu believed that both factories were on track, and based on the current sales of the Sanbao Distillery, repaying the loan was not a problem at all. Perhaps it wouldn't even take a year; half a year would be enough to repay the loan. Then, the two factories would be equivalent to pure profit, ensuring the future of his son and wife. He wanted to do some things he enjoyed.

Thinking this way, Liu Jian felt that Liu Fu's plan made sense, so he said, "Dad, since that's the case, I agree. But my opinion is that since you're establishing a new company, you shouldn't establish a construction company. It's better to establish a real estate development company."

Real estate development company. Hearing this term, Liu Fu was a bit hesitant. There wasn't such a company in Panshi at all, and even in the province, there were very few such companies. Liu Fu asked, "What does this company do?"

Liu Jian said, "A so-called real estate development company refers to an economic organization that engages in real estate development, operation, management, and service activities, and conducts independent operation and accounting for profit-making purposes. Real estate development companies are profit-oriented companies engaged in real estate development and operation. Their main business scope includes urban land development, house construction, infrastructure construction, and real estate marketing, among other business activities."

Mr. and Mrs. Liu Fu looked at each other and said, "Son, isn't this title a bit too big? Besides, I just want to open a company to take on some construction projects. I've never done any land development, house construction, or infrastructure construction that you mentioned."

Liu Jian laughed and said, "Dad, let me explain it simply. It means that if we open a real estate development company, we can take on projects from the municipal government. For example, if the municipal government wants to build an office building, it used to be contracted to the city's construction company. After we establish a real estate development company, we can compete with the construction company for the building project. Also, doesn't our Sanbao Winery have dozens of acres of vacant land? We can transfer this land to the real estate development company, and you can develop this land to build residential buildings and then sell them."

Hearing this, Liu Fu understood a little. However, after Liu Jian's explanation, Liu Fu's courage shrank instead. His plan was simple: to start a small company, take on a few small jobs, and have a company name so people wouldn't call him a contractor. But after hearing Liu Jian's words, he felt like things had escalated significantly.

Sure enough, Liu Jian continued, "Dad, it would be great if you started a real estate development company. As far as I know, most wealthy people in the South are owners of real estate development companies. There are still very few in the North. If you start one, our family might even become the richest in Jilin Province, and earning a few hundred million a year seems achievable."

This time, not only Liu Fu, but even the usually leisurely Liu's mother was startled. Earning a few hundred million a year? Earning a few million this year almost scared the old couple to death. To earn a few million, they already owed four million in loans. To earn a few hundred million, they would probably owe hundreds of millions in loans. Thinking about that number, Zhang Huan felt a bit dizzy, and Liu Fu was also confused. The two of them looked at their son, who was confidently talking away, and couldn't hear what he was saying. They just felt sweat dripping down.

Liu Fu felt his courage dwindling the more he heard, and he hurriedly interrupted Liu Jian, saying, "Xiao Jian, don't say anymore. I think we shouldn't open this company after all. I still think you two should manage our family's factory well!"

Liu Jian was stunned and said, "Dad, why shouldn't we open it? I think it's doable. This really makes money, and big money at that. If we do it well, our family will become billionaires in a year."

Liu's mother muttered from the side, "I'm afraid it's not the 'rich' *fu*, but the 'debt' *fu*."

Liu Jian understood what his parents were worried about, and said, "Dad, Mom, are you worried about the loan?"

Liu's mother nodded and said, "Son, you don't know how worried I am about owing so much money. Luckily, our liquor sales are doing well, and we can make tens of thousands of yuan a day now. Otherwise, I don't know how we would repay the loan. The printing factory only makes money from the Bureau of Education's jobs. The things you're printing now are all piling up in the warehouse, and it will be another two months before we get paid. This period is like constantly investing money, how can I not be scared? You guys don't calculate it, but I do. The annual interest is enough to buy a car. You still want to keep going, and if you keep going, my heart can't take it anymore."

Liu Jian looked at Liu Fu and said, "Dad, are you worried too?"

Liu Fu smiled and said, "I'm not too worried, it's clear these loans aren't a problem. Based on the current profit, we can pay them off in less than a year. By then, our family will have two factories clear and free, so what am I worried about? As for that real estate company you mentioned, I feel it's too big. I know my own limitations, your dad does. Let me contract a project, and I can find some workers to do it, no problem. But let me develop buildings, build buildings for the city government, I don't have the ability, and I don't have the guts. Jian, you're great in every way, but when it comes to business, you always go too big. A small construction company, you insist on turning it into a real estate company with profits of over a hundred million. I can't quite accept that."

Liu Jian laughed and said, "Dad, Mom, I don't think there's any need to worry at all. You said it yourself, this few million can be paid back next year, maybe even before next year, so what's there to worry about? Dad, haven't you heard the saying, 'The more debt, the less worry; the more lice, the less they bite'? If we can't pay back these loans, do you think the bank would dare to pressure us for it? Wouldn't they be afraid of us going bankrupt and not being able to repay? You have to understand that we're a private factory, not a communist one. If a government company can't pay back the money, they can ask the government for it. Who can a private company ask? Sue us and put us in jail? I'm afraid that then, they won't just not want the loans, but will lend us even more money to help us develop. That's why I say that these days, the one who owes money is the boss, and the one who wants money is the grandson. We can bow our heads and play the grandson when we borrow the money, but once we get the money, we're the boss."

Liu Fu and his wife were really stunned this time. They were both honest people and had never heard such twisted logic. After thinking carefully about what Liu Jian said, it actually made some sense. Liu Fu asked somewhat strangely, "Doesn't that make us a rascal?"

Liu Jian nodded and said, "If it really comes to that day, we'll have to resort to trickery."

Liu Fu asked strangely, "Then why did you have me pay off the printing factory's loan a while ago?"

Liu Jian laughed and said, "Wasn't that just to put on a show for them, to show that our Liu family isn't short of money? As long as this reputation spreads, people will bend over backwards to find us to do things, or even bend over backwards to give us money."

Liu Fu and his wife exchanged glances, thinking to themselves, how does their son have so many tricks up his sleeve?

Liu Fu shook his head and said, "Xiao Jian, I still need to consider the real estate company you mentioned. If I really do as you say, I won't be able to get past my own conscience."

Mother Liu also said, "I don't agree either. We should live honestly and make money quietly. If we become rogues like you said, I won't be able to stand the shame."

Liu Jian opened his mouth, but didn't say anything. This wasn't something that could be explained clearly in a short time. He'd talk to his parents about it later. The thought of becoming the largest real estate developer in Panshi made Liu Jian's blood boil. Liu Jian was very clear about the profits in real estate. He thought about how in his previous life, he couldn't even find a marriage partner because of a house. Once he became a real estate tycoon, he could just throw a house at any beautiful girl, and she'd obediently become his mistress. Imagining the future, Liu Jian's eyes almost narrowed into slits with laughter.