Chapter 2253: Wu Hongkang Reported

Hearing this, Zhou Andong couldn't help but hook the corner of his mouth into a smile, because in his previous life, he had seen reports about Shen Wenqi in the news. The shelves of the first Wumart supermarket were indeed welded by this guy himself with people, and they were very rough, but that year Wumart's turnover exceeded 100 million.

Shen Wenqi didn't notice the smile on Zhou Andong's mouth and continued to talk incessantly: "Just a week ago, Factory Director Wu contacted me, saying that CCTV was going to hold a disaster relief fundraising gala, and it was proposed by you, Chairman Zhou, asking if I was interested in participating."

"I agreed without hesitation. That evening, I invited Factory Director Wu out for a meal. While chatting, I mentioned the supermarket, and from him, I learned that RT-Mart was also your enterprise, Chairman Zhou."

Zhou Andong said with a smile: "So, you came to me?"

"That's right!" Shen Wenqi nodded. Then, he leaned forward slightly and continued: "What I lack is not money, but a leader with superior ability who can lead the direction. And in my mind, you are the shareholder Wumart needs most."

Zhou Andong asked again: "In your opinion, what is the retail industry?"

Shen Wenqi's spirit lifted. This question sounded simple, but it was very difficult to answer. After a moment of thought, he slowly opened his mouth to answer.

"Perhaps in the inherent concepts of many people, the retail industry is nothing more than simple buying and selling. You only need to shout loudly, and you can sell the goods."

"However, from my personal point of view, retail enterprises in the current era must possess a powerful information system as a strong support to stand firm."

"Take RT-Mart, which is currently developing well, as an example. It has successfully taken a leading step, but it cannot be denied that there are still many areas waiting to be improved and perfected."

"Furthermore, if the contemporary retail industry wants to flourish and remain prosperous, relying solely on advanced information systems is far from enough. Efficient and perfect warehousing facilities and a precise and fast logistics distribution system are also crucial and indispensable key links."

"After all, only when commodities can be properly stored and appear in front of consumers at the fastest speed can retailers truly meet market demand and win the favor and trust of customers. It can be said that these three complement each other and none can be missing; only then can they jointly build the solid foundation of the modern retail industry."

Zhou Andong couldn't help but sigh in his heart. It was only '94, and Shen Wenqi had already clearly perceived the indispensability of warehousing and logistics for the business model of supermarkets.

It had to be said that those who could leave their names in the magnificent history of commercial development were all outstanding and extraordinary figures, and none of them could be underestimated.

Zhou Andong took out a cigarette, lit it, and looked at Shen Wenqi: "I already have RT-Mart, and my shareholding ratio exceeds 80%. In addition, before the end of October this year, more than ten stores will open simultaneously in seven major cities. Now you want to enter the retail industry and specifically ran over to seek my investment support."

"If I cannot obtain more than 60% of the equity, wouldn't that be equivalent to helping you fight RT-Mart, equivalent to holding a knife and stabbing myself? Do you really think I would be so stupid?"

Shen Wenqi couldn't help but laugh and slowly said: "Chairman Zhou, our Chinese market is so vast. With your vision and wisdom, it's impossible for you not to see how fierce the competition in the retail industry will be in the future."

"Even if I don't enter the retail industry, others will definitely enter in the future. Even the international retail giant Walmart will definitely seize the opportunity to forcefully enter our country's market. By then, RT-Mart will also have to face fierce competition from all sides."

Speaking of this, Shen Wenqi felt a bit dry in his mouth. He subconsciously reached out his right hand, picked up the iced beer in front of him, and tilted his head to gulp down a large mouthful.

"In the future, Wumart and RT-Mart can completely establish a deep and solid strategic alliance relationship. By sharing advanced information systems, warehousing, and logistics distribution networks, both sides can minimize huge capital investment and reduce labor costs to the greatest extent."

"In addition, there is another key point that we need to reach a clear and explicit consensus on, and that is the site selection and layout of stores. For Wumart and RT-Mart, the distance between stores must be maintained at a safety limit of no less than three kilometers."

"In this way, on one hand, it can ensure that both enterprises have sufficient market expansion space. On the other hand, it also effectively avoids competing for customers due to being too close."

"This reasonable spacing planning is not only conducive to safeguarding the interests of both parties but also helps to create a market environment for benign development and harmonious coexistence."

"If a third supermarket appears within our sphere of influence, then Wumart and RT-Mart must unconditionally join hands to cooperate, act in unison, and crush the potential competitor."

A faint smile appeared on Zhou Andong's face, and he said softly: "It seems that you haven't been paying much attention to current affairs news lately, not knowing that RT-Mart has already acquired 63% of the equity of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. We have obtained the more than 600,000 stores of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative spread across the country, as well as warehousing, logistics, and supply and marketing channels."

The moment these words reached Shen Wenqi's ears, his eyes widened, and his face was full of disbelief. Just now he had said so much—about reaching a strategic alliance, sharing information systems, and using warehousing and logistics together—the words were high-profile, but his heart was very empty.

After all, RT-Mart was already quite mature in terms of operation, management, and operating models. Moreover, RT-Mart had more than a dozen new stores preparing to open in seven major cities across the country, already showing the potential of a behemoth.

And his Wumart hadn't been born yet. No matter how flowery his words were, the fact that he wanted to use RT-Mart's power to help Wumart's development was obviously undeniable. However, he still had some confidence in being able to persuade Zhou Andong.

However, at that instant, when he heard like a thunderbolt that RT-Mart had actually successfully acquired 63% of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative's equity, all the beautiful fantasies in his heart instantly shattered mercilessly like fragile bubbles with a 'pop'.

If a few minutes ago, RT-Mart was just a prototype of a behemoth in his eyes, then at this moment, when he learned that RT-Mart had completed such a large-scale equity acquisition of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, it had already become an out-and-out commercial behemoth that made people look on with awe!

Relying on the Supply and Marketing Cooperative's originally incomparable supply and marketing system, huge warehousing facilities, and efficient and convenient logistics distribution channels, RT-Mart could be described as adding wings to a tiger.

No matter what kind of powerful competitor it faced, even if the other party was the world-renowned retail giant Walmart, RT-Mart probably wouldn't have the slightest fear. Under such circumstances, even if he had a tongue of lotus flowers, it would be impossible to persuade Zhou Andong.

Zhou Andong took a puff of his cigarette unhurriedly, exhaled the smoke slowly, and continued: "However, if you can give a reason that is enough to move me, I can consider investing in Wumart."

Hearing this sentence, Shen Wenqi, who was originally somewhat listless, instantly regained his spirit, but soon this excitement receded like a tide, replaced by deep frustration and powerlessness.

Because whether it was from the aspects of wealth, resources, or connections, there was a huge gap between him and Zhou Andong like heaven and earth. Under such a stark contrast, what kind of bargaining chip could he take out to move the other party?

Shen Wenqi frowned tightly, thought hard for a long time, and then tentatively said: "Chairman Zhou, to be honest, apart from Wumart's shares, I really don't have much else of value to take out."

"Wumart's shares?" Zhou Andong still wore that faint smile, making it hard to fathom his true thoughts: "Then, how much can you give me?"

Shen Wenqi thought for a long time, finally bit his back teeth secretly, and said ruthlessly: "Forty percent!"

In fact, his bottom line was only twenty percent, but after careful consideration, he realized that if he dared to say this number at this time, it would be tantamount to insulting Zhou Andong to his face, treating him completely as a fool. So even if it hurt, he could only bite the bullet and increase the proportion of shares to be transferred to forty percent.

Zhou Andong leaned lazily against the back of the booth, crossed his legs, and brought the cigarette held in his hand to his mouth to take a puff from time to time, but he never responded to Shen Wenqi immediately. The whole scene fell into a short and subtle silence.

Time passed bit by bit. Old Wu was completely in a stance of 'none of my business', and everything happening around him had nothing to do with him. He drank his wine on his own, and the disturbances of the outside world couldn't affect his enjoyment of this moment of tranquility.

In contrast, Shen Wenqi's heart was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. But his ability to cultivate his temperament was very good; although his heart was surging, he remained surprisingly calm on the surface.

From time to time, he would gently pick up the wine bottle at hand and elegantly take a sip of wine. That calm appearance made it almost impossible for people to detect the true emotional fluctuations in his heart.

How could Zhou Andong not see through Shen Wenqi's little thoughts? But one thing Shen Wenqi said was very right: the Chinese market was simply too vast, and its potential was immeasurable.

It is foreseeable that in the days to come, the competition in the retail industry will be extremely fierce. Even if there is no Wumart today, there will definitely be other competitors swarming in tomorrow.

Since that is the case, rather than making enemies, it is wiser to cultivate a reliable ally. What's more, he is not just investing in Wumart, but also in Shen Wenqi himself. If Wumart's market value can reach a scale of 10 billion in the future, then the value of Shen Wenqi himself will definitely exceed 100 billion.

Another few minutes passed, and time seemed to become exceptionally long. Finally, as if after careful consideration, Zhou Andong slowly opened his mouth and said.

"Tomorrow, tomorrow you go to RT-Mart to find General Manager Tang Bei. Regarding the investment, you go and talk to her."

Hearing this, Shen Wenqi's tightly stretched heartstrings immediately relaxed, and he secretly exhaled a turbid breath. The short few minutes just now brought him unprecedented pressure and anxiety, even greater than the pressure when he was doing research projects for his doctorate. At the same time, a relaxed smile gradually bloomed on his face.

"Very well, tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, I will definitely arrive at RT-Mart on time."

Being able to cooperate with RT-Mart was like stepping onto a fast track to success for Wumart, which hadn't officially been born yet. All processes, operating models, etc., could fully draw on RT-Mart's mature experience. After everything was on the right track, adjustments, optimizations, and supplements could be made gradually in certain aspects.

The investment matter was discussed. Zhou Andong raised the wine bottle in his hand with a smile and gently clinked it toward Shen Wenqi: "Happy cooperation!"

Seeing this, Shen Wenqi responded with equal enthusiasm: "Happy cooperation!"

At this moment, Shen Wenqi's mood was indeed very happy. He didn't say a word, picked up more than half a bottle of wine, and drank it all in one gulp, looking very heroic.

Zhou Andong put down the wine bottle and glanced at Wu Hongkang, who had been sitting on the side and remained silent. Wu Hongkang might have felt his gaze and also turned his head to look over.

The two people's gazes met in the air. It was just a short look, but they seemed to understand each other, reading the deep meaning contained in each other's eyes.

Immediately after, Wu Hongkang smiled slightly at Zhou Andong and raised his wine bottle: "Old Zhou, Wenqi, congratulations on reaching a cooperation. Come, I toast you."

Zhou Andong instantly understood. The relationship between Old Wu and Shen Wenqi was only average, so some more private topics were obviously not suitable to be discussed at this moment.

"Factory Director Wu!" Shen Wenqi said gratefully: "This time, being able to reach a cooperation with Chairman Zhou, you, the middleman, have made an indelible contribution. Today's drink doesn't count. In two days, when you have time, I will invite you and Chairman Zhou to have a good drink again."

"No problem!" Wu Hongkang laughed, took the wine bottle, and clinked it with Shen Wenqi and Zhou Andong.

The three of them drank until nearly ten o'clock. Shen Wenqi realized that Wu Hongkang and Zhou Andong had things to talk about, so he said goodbye and left first.

Zhou Andong then said: "What is it? You can say it now."

Wu Hongkang said with a worried look: "I have been reported. Yesterday afternoon, I was called to the office by my superiors and asked what was going on."

Zhou Andong raised an eyebrow: "Reported for what?"

"Reported for losing my ideals and beliefs, abandoning my original intention and mission, being disloyal and dishonest to the Party, having serious privileged thinking, engaging in patriarchal rule, being a one-man show, having an overbearing style, being fond of grandeur, and blind investment..."

Wu Hongkang said this, but a bitter smile appeared on his face: "Acting willfully and recklessly, not being democratic, deciding everything by myself, never consulting other leaders on major investment projects, not doing market research, not evaluating risks, making random decisions, random investments, and seriously damaging the interests of state-owned enterprises." ===== CHAPTER 2254 =====