Chapter 692 - The First Oversea Branch
When Su Tao and Ni Jingqiu followed Gu Yin to the Chinatown the next day, Gu Yin pointed at a newly constructed building and smiled, “This might not be in the center of the Chinatown, nor can it be compared to the Yanhuang Pavilion, but future new stores will be centered around this place. It’s only three to four kilometers away from the Chinese residence, so it’s convenient for them to see a doctor.”
Su Tao has some knowledge about Feng Shui and smiled, “Mr. Gu, you truly have the foresight to pick such a treasured Feng Shui land. This place can be considered having mountains on one side and water on the other, so it can be considered a land of dragons. Furthermore, it’s even connected to a water source, so it will definitely be a golden land in less than three years.”
Gu Yin was briefly stunned as he had the same outcome when he invited a Feng Shui grandmaster over. He never expected that Su Tao could point it out with just two glances. Wearing a smile on his face, he probed, “Oh? Please share some of your wisdom!”
“I’m only just babbling, so do pardon me if there’s a mistake somewhere.” Su Tao was in a pretty good mood, so he spoke a little more. He knew Gu Yin is someone who prefers honesty and replied, “Mountain is the bone marrow of the land, and water is the source of all life. Mountain and water can attract the aura of wisdom, and since ancient times, those who choose to establish their home near mountains and water can have their family lineage going down for years. In modern society, in a constructed city, mountains represent the n.o.bility, and it also means high constructs. On the contrary, water represents wealth. In a city construct, it’s represented with roads, and if the store is located before the road that formed into a semi-circle, it’s considered a Jade Stripe Circulation.”
Raising his thumbs to Su Tao, Gu Yin smiled, “If I knew about this earlier, I wouldn’t have spent so much money to invite a grandmaster. It would be fine with you around.”
Listening to his praises, Su Tao immediately shook his head and replied humbly, “Professions are different, and each profession has its own profundities. I only managed to see it after that grandmaster determined this location. If you were to ask me to find a land myself, I will definitely not be able to do it. I have a good understanding of my own capability, and I’m only suitable as a physician.”
Gu Yin could tell that Su Tao was satisfied with the location of this place as he felt relieved and turned to Ni Jingqiu, “Jingqiu, what do you think?”
Looking at Gu Yin with a playful smile, Ni Jingqiu replied, “The location is good, but we still have to discuss the distribution of shares.”
“Jingqiu doesn’t seem to be satisfied with my taking 15% of the shares.” Gu Yin smiled awkwardly as he looked at Su Tao.
Pondering briefly, Su Tao smiled, “Both of you are helping me, but the shares are complicated when it comes to the Three Flavour Hall. Although you’re investing in the Three Flavour Hall’s oversea branches, we still have to consider other elements.”
Su Tao wasn’t trying to brush off Gu Yin, but the distribution of shares in the Three Flavour Hall is complicated. Aside from some of the old employees who own some shares, Yan Jing and Vera also have shares in it. So if Gu Yin took 15%, it would definitely cause a loss in benefit for the other shareholders.
Letting out a sigh, Gu Yin took a step back, “Alright, I’ll take a step back. How about 12%? It cannot be any lower than that. The funds that are intended to invest in the oversea branches were all privately raised by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and I’m only a representative. If it’s too little, I will be placed in a difficult position.”
In just a few days, Gu Yin had relied on his connections to raise USD$100,000,000. Of which, Mu Jingchen had personally invested USD$30,000,000. Gu Yin is only a representative a.s.signed to discuss with Su Tao, and the investment involves many investors.
Su Tao has always wanted for the Three Flavour Hall to be simple as things will become complicated with more shareholders. But, if he wants the Three Flavour Hall to step out of China onto the international stage, he will need the help of everyone. Hence, despite the dangers hidden in it, it was a necessary step.
“We’ll go with 12% then!” Su Tao had privately discussed with Cai Yan, and 12% was within their range of acceptance. “But I will only acknowledge you and answer to you with regards to the investment.”
“That’s for sure!” Gu Yin knew what Su Tao was talking about. Su Tao was afraid that it might get problematic when there are too many investors. Hence, he slapped on his chest and promised, “Please be rea.s.sured. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce is more united than you think. We’re never afraid of failure. Since I initiated this project, they will definitely allow me to have full authority over it. Touchwood, but even if this investment loses money, I can still fork out this sum of money from my own pocket to return them.”
Hearing Gu Yin’s words, Su Tao felt somewhat guilty as his words earlier made him seem petty.
Seeing that Su Tao had nodded his head, Ni Jingqiu smiled, “Since we’re almost done with our discussion, then let us get it finalised and have the contract signed.”
“I like it when things are done straightforwardly!” Gu Yin smiled.
After that, the three of them rushed to the office in Yanhuang Province that was often used by Gu Yin. Ni Jingqiu only took an hour to prepare the contract. After Gu Yin and Su Tao sorted out some details, the two of them signed the contracts.
In addition to their previous agreement, Su Tao will also take out 2% of Three Flavour Hall’s China shares as a gift, which placed Gu Yin in a good mood.
Then again, Gu Yin’s attention was focused on the international branches. The Chinese population is ma.s.sive, and since they lived abroad, they have a better understanding of the situation back in the country.
There might be many pharmacies back in the country for TCM, but there isn’t a united brand. But if Su Tao could slowly expand overseas, everything will be possible.
Doctors are one of the highest-paid professions outside China as foreigners place great importance on their health. Practically every single family has its own doctors to guide their health.
TCM has an advantage when it comes to treating hidden diseases. As long as the advertis.e.m.e.nts are in place to show the charm of TCM, it can definitely be spread throughout the globe like Chinese cuisine restaurants.
According to Gu Yin’s plan, they will start to hire employees once they get the contract done. On this matter, Su Tao had already communicated with Cai Yan to transfer a few employees from the branches in the country to guide the new branches as it was more efficient.
At the same time, Su Tao has already got Cai Yan to prepare to establish the Three Flavour Hall’s Overseas Development Department. When the opportunity comes, one has to grasp it well instead of hesitating. Cai Yan had already started making the preparations as she had planned on this aspect long ago. In their recent hire, they would put foreign language as one of the requirements which were out of consideration for the Three Flavour Hall’s overseas development in the future.
However, seeing that it was the first overseas branch, Cai Yan gave Yan Jing a call to borrow two employees from the Three Flavour International that are familiar with j.a.pan’s market to help out in the overseas branch.
At such a crucial moment, both the Three Flavour Hall and Three Flavour International are united as one ent.i.ty.
Then again, the prerequisite was the partner that Su Tao found. Gu Yin has great influence in Kyoto, with forces in both the light and underworld. For him, opening a new store is as easy as eating. If Su Tao was doing it by himself, not only would he be dragged down waiting for the j.a.panese government’s approval, he might also suffer hara.s.sment from the underworld.
Three days later, the first batch of employees for Three Flavour Hall’s overseas branch arrived, taking the first step for the Three Flavour Hall to enter the international market.
In reality, the Three Flavour Hall already has their first branch, after Su Tao defeated Kim Jung-ho. But he only got the latter’s clinic to take on the Three Flavour Hall’s name, so essentially, it’s not part of the Three Flavour Hall. On the other hand, the first branch in Kyoto’s Chinatown has a historical meaning that left Su Tao in excitement for days.
Despite his discipline between work and rest, he still had insomnia for days.
Calculating the time, it has been roughly a year since he took over the Three Flavour Hall, and truth be told, he was surprised that he could develop it so swiftly in such a short period of time.
Wealth was secondary, and the importance was the people that gathered around him. It was a fresh experience for him, who had spent ten years learning.
The International Chinese Medicine Discussion became a distinguished gathering in the Chinese medicine industry. But it’s an irony that China, which Chinese medicine came from, was in an awkward position as not a single enterprise, was invited.
There are many Chinese medicine factories in China, but a portion of them were factories from j.a.pan’s investment, with the core technology in the hands of j.a.pan. Chinese founded the other portions. However, even if they produced Chinese medicine, they did not have the international approval, so they were trapped within the country.
Ironically, a bunch of foreigners researched China’s ancient prescriptions, but they did not acknowledge China’s qualification to produce them.
Then again, this is also linked to the quality of those enterprises in the country. They lack the standard research facilities and manufacturing technology. Most of the enterprises only have an ordinary manufacturing line, no different from western medicine. Those were crude medicines produced by blindly following the prescription without any scientific verification. Hence, the effects of those medicines weren’t verified. Furthermore, they did not have any creativity in their medicine, causing Chinese medicine factories in China to be subpar.
With the high international standard for Chinese medicine, it required a high investment that was monopolised by well-known enterprises. This is the reason why Chinese medicine factories in China were placed in an awkward situation.
On the other hand, Su Tao received an invitation for the discussion as it was personally sent by Chiaki Ochi, the father of Asaka Ochi.
Su Tao brewed a cup of tea for Chiaki Ochi before he started feeling unnatural. But after some interaction, Su Tao was relieved to realise that Chiaki Ochi still has no idea what happened between him and his daughter as they started discussing the Chinese Medicine Discussion.
Chiaki Ochi clearly stood by Su Tao as he knitted his brows, “Those behind Amaki Hamasaki are purposely promoting this matter. If you lose, it will look bad on you, and I’m afraid that you will be the biggest laughing stock in the Chinese medicine industry.”
However, Su Tao begged to differ as he shook his head and smiled, “Mr. Ochi, you don’t have to be too worried. I won’t lose so easily.”
Taking a deep glance at Su Tao, Chiaki Ochi replied, “It"s hard to guard against conspiracies. This is Amaki Hamasaki’s home ground, and there will be many rules leaning to him.”
Su Tao naturally understood Chiaki Ochi’s concern. Sensing the latter’s sincerity in his words, Su Tao replied casually, “I will not disappoint you guys! Not only does this matter concern my personal honour, but it also concerns the honour of China’s TCM. I won’t lose, nor can I afford to lose.”