Chapter 28: Counterfeit Goods Business

Jiang Tiansheng hadn't been sitting for long when he noticed that everyone was a bit restrained around him, so he used an excuse about having business to attend to and left early.

Jingkun and Brother Ji, on the other hand, stayed playing quite late.

Jingkun had come deliberately to build closer relationships with the group, while Brother Ji simply loved to have fun.

Thirteen Sister and Han Bin's brothers, because Chen Mo had given them a heads-up in advance, also stayed the whole time.

After the gathering broke up, the group saw Jingkun and Brother Ji off and went together to Chen Mo's new office on the third floor.

"Wow, Ah Mo, your new office is really nice!" Thirteen Sister said exaggeratedly.

Although the layout of Chen Mo's new office was similar to his old one, the floor area was much larger.

This office alone was over 700 square feet—an apartment of this size would count as a luxury home even on Gangdao.

The rest room behind the office was about the same size, and Chen Mo had specifically placed a safe inside.

After all, his storage space was limited and he couldn't put everything in it.

"It's just so-so. Sister Mei, if you want one, just have Brother Bin pay to set one up for you," Chen Mo teased.

"Fuck your mother! You dare to tease your Big Boss. Tell us, what business do you want to discuss with us?"

"Don't rush, Sister Mei. Everyone sit down first and have some tea."

Chen Mo led the group to the sofa and brewed a pot of tea for everyone.

They had all drunk quite a bit of alcohol earlier, so having some tea now was just right to take the edge off.

After two cups of tea, the alcohol on their breath had faded somewhat.

Only then did Chen Mo say, "I'm planning to get into the counterfeit goods business. I've already found a factory. Are you big bosses interested in getting a piece of the action?"

"Damn, I thought you were going to talk about some big business! What's so good about the counterfeit goods business? You can't make any money at all."

Konglong immediately voiced his opposition as soon as he heard this.

Han Bin slapped Konglong on the head: "Shut up and listen first."

Han Bin knew Chen Mo was a smart man and wouldn't talk nonsense.

Since Chen Mo said he wanted to do the counterfeit goods business, there must be profit in it.

He just couldn't see yet how much profit there was.

"Ah Mo, don't mind him. Go on."

Chen Mo smiled and continued, "I've already found a factory. Production can start in a few days, manufacturing low-priced counterfeit clothing.

Of course, the quality won't match the genuine brands, but it won't be too bad either. However, the price will be much lower than the genuine brands, so it should sell very well.

If you big bosses are interested, you can take goods from me and have your subordinates distribute them in your territories. You should be able to make a profit."

Han Bin asked doubtfully, "Isn't that basically the same as the counterfeit goods on the market? You won't make much money, right?"

"Of course it's different. What I'm planning to make is high-quality counterfeit goods. The quality may not match the genuine brands, but it'll be much better than ordinary counterfeit goods, and the price won't be expensive.

The profit margin might be a bit lower, but not by much.

But my counterfeit goods will sell very well. There's no need to worry about not being able to sell them."

Chen Mo had already carefully studied Lai Kuanhong's factory. Its monthly production capacity was around 100,000 to 150,000 pieces.

On average, the cost per piece of clothing could be kept under 30.

The counterfeit goods currently on the market were basically produced by small workshops, and their cost control was much harder than that of a large factory.

Even though their clothing quality was already very poor, the cost was still around 35 per piece.

This also meant their counterfeit clothing wasn't very easy to sell. Many people preferred to buy no-name clothing from obscure brands.

Even though it didn't look as good, the quality was better.

If they wanted to raise their quality to the level of Lai Kuanhong's factory, the cost might reach around 50, and then the profit would be much lower.

The price of counterfeit clothing on the market right now was around 100. Calculating with a cost of 30, the profit margin was still very high.

It was just that Chen Mo wouldn't tell them everything.

If he told them everything, how would Chen Mo make money!

"My factory's ex-factory price per finished garment is basically around 40. I'll wholesale them to you at 50 per piece.

When you sell them on the market at around 100, each piece of clothing will still give you about 50 in profit.

Even after giving your underlings a cut, you can still earn 30-40 yuan per piece."

"If you can sell around 10,000 pieces per month, you can calculate for yourselves how much money you'd make."

After finishing, Chen Mo slowly sipped his tea, letting them think it over themselves.

Han Bin and Thirteen Sister exchanged a glance, constantly calculating in their minds.

A few hundred thousand in income per month wasn't much compared to the revenue from their current territories.

Han Bin ran smuggling operations; a single boat run would bring in more than that.

Thirteen Sister's Portland Street was the biggest pleasure den on all of Gangdao, and her monthly income was also not low.

But these few hundred thousand were clean money—money that could be deposited in a bank and spent boldly.

The two of them were thoroughly tempted.

It was just that doing business came with risks.

"Can you guarantee selling 10,000 pieces every month?"

Han Bin asked.

A few hundred thousand per month was still worth doing. Any less and Han Bin wouldn't be interested.

"I really can't guarantee that. After all, not everyone is good at doing business.

What I can guarantee is that my counterfeit goods will sell much better than those on the market.

But exactly how many can be sold in the end, no one can guarantee."

Chen Mo thought for a moment and felt he should still give them a reassurance.

"Big Bosses, there's no need to rush. My factory still needs a few more days before it can start production.

When the time comes, each of you can first take a batch of goods to sell. If they sell well, you can continue taking more.

If they don't sell, I can also buy back the goods at the original price. That should work, right?"

"Is that for real? Why don't I believe there's such a good thing as pies falling from the sky?"

Thirteen Sister stared at Chen Mo with a skeptical look.

Chen Mo said helplessly, "Sister Mei, Brother Bin doesn't know me, but could it be that you don't know me either?

I'm your little brother!

With our relationship, of course I'd think of you when there's money to be made!"

"Damn, that's so cheesy! Hearing you say that makes me even more afraid to trust you."

Thirteen Sister leaned back, her eyes full of resistance as she looked at Chen Mo.

"Alright, I'll tell the truth!" Chen Mo refilled tea for everyone. "Right now, none of the Triad Societies on Gangdao take the counterfeit goods business seriously, but you've just calculated the profits involved.

Such a big business — with my current strength, I can't hold it down on my own.

So I plan to bring you all in on this together. If it develops well, I also plan to bring in the other bosses of Great Prosperity to do it together."

This time Chen Mo was telling the truth.

He genuinely wanted to bring in the other bosses of Great Prosperity to do the counterfeit goods business together.

His factory could currently produce 100,000 to 150,000 garments of all kinds per month, while his Nüren Jie could only absorb so much in a month.

Moreover, his factory's production capacity could still increase going forward.

If he could work with the other bosses, not only could he fully absorb the production capacity, but he could also form an implicit alliance.

If all dozen-plus bosses of Great Prosperity relied on Chen Mo to make money together,

then he would be the uncrowned king of Great Prosperity.

Of course, he had no intention of taking the Dragon Head seat.

That was a seat of three calamities — whoever sat in it would die.

Hearing Chen Mo's explanation, Thirteen Sister and Han Bin finally felt reassured.

"In that case, Konglong and I are in on this business." Han Bin made the decision on Konglong's behalf.

Konglong's Tunmen was one of the worst areas in Great Prosperity. Without Han Bin's support, Konglong would have been so poor he'd have had to pawn his pants long ago.

If Chen Mo's counterfeit goods business could really help Konglong find a path to wealth, he would also owe Chen Mo a favor.

"I'm in too!" Thirteen Sister nodded in agreement.

"Good. When my factory starts shipping, I'll notify you Big Bosses."

Chen Mo raised his teacup, using tea in place of wine, and toasted the several of them.