30: Chapter 30 Ma Botao, General Manager Ma
At that time, President Ma had simply acted on impulse, resigning to venture into business without having thought through what kind of business he would start.
The young Chen Hao, at that time, also maintained an attitude of just getting by, slacking off at work every day while watching his boss run around frantically.
The first company team-building event, in a meaningful sense, was President Ma and Chen Hao eating barbecue on the street corner.
Chen Hao asked directly and frankly,
"President Ma, you don't know how to do anything, didn't even think it through, and resigned on a whim to start a business. What are you after?"
President Ma lowered his head and said with a deep tone,
"I just don't want to live a life where I can see the end of it from nine to five. While I'm still young, for the sake of my wife and for my child's future, I want to try hard and give it a shot."
"If starting a business fails, I'll just start another one, because I believe as long as I keep working hard, I will eventually succeed. Life will never treat someone who strives hard unfairly."
These words deeply touched Chen Hao.
"Boss, I have to tell you something. The saying that life won't treat a hard worker unfairly isn't wrong in itself, but if you strive in the wrong direction, no matter how hard you work, it will be like trying to go south by driving a chariot north."
President Ma was very lost at the time and questioned Chen Hao,
"Then what should I do?"
"Without extraordinary means, how can one amass a fortune? Wanting to earn money and wanting to get rich are two different things. Starting today, you must set a plan for yourself: the company must be listed within five years."
President Ma raised his wine glass and said excitedly,
"Good! We'll take the company public within five years!"
After drinking, he asked again, looking bewildered,
"How do we do that?"
"Listen to me. I'll teach you how. Weren't you in the system before? Bring out that air you had as a civil servant."
Chen Hao slapped his first month's salary onto the table.
"Tomorrow, invite all the bosses you know who run companies, and everyone who has done favors for you, out for a meal. You are only responsible for setting up the gathering; leave the rest to me!"
Just like that, the following week was spent in a continuous seven-day banquet spree, passing by in a haze of drunkenness and pleasure.
President Ma relied on his old connections, coupled with Chen Hao's drive, and finally secured the first order of his life, which came from the clothing wholesale market in Guangcheng.
Given the economic conditions back then, they couldn't afford planes or hotels. Chen Hao and President Ma took a two-day train ride to Guangcheng, stayed in a small motel, visited several clothing processing factories, shopped around to compare prices, opened up channels, and only then brought the goods back to Jiangcheng to open the market.
They earned their first pot of gold.
The net profit was 178,300 yuan!
Chen Hao would remember this number for his entire life.
Next, the company expanded recruitment, and new employees continuously joined. President Ma was responsible for external liaison, while Chen Hao was responsible for internal coordination. Business was done deal by deal.
One year, two years, the company's scale grew larger and larger.
President Ma's drinking gatherings progressed from humble eateries to large restaurants, and eventually to higher-end golf courses, where he befriended many businessmen and learned many business concepts.
He earned more and more money, and the company grew bigger and bigger.
Series A investment, Series B financing—the company gradually matured, going from obscurity to the listed company it is today.
President Ma transformed from an owner who knew nothing into a successful figure worth hundreds of millions, who could command influence.
He still didn't manage the company's operations, still running around everywhere every day, often traveling on business to attend various commercial talks and build connections.
Until now, President Ma had become an unapproachable figure, while the hardworking and meritorious Chen Hao was fired by the company.
In their second conversation, although Chen Hao was full of complaints, he didn't want to say a single word.
Ma Botao, President Ma, was no longer as approachable as he once was, habitually speaking in official jargon.
"I just heard that Wang Liguo fired you. I scolded him the first moment I returned and hope you can understand. The company now is no longer a place where I have the final say."
What else could Chen Hao say?
"I understand. So, President Ma, is there anything else?"
"Don't rush to hang up. I feel like it's been a long time since we met. I really miss the days when we struggled together. Let's go out for a cup of tea and catch up."
Chen Hao forcefully suppressed his emotions.
"I'm out of town. Tea? Wait for me for about ten days to half a month."
"Is that so? I can understand that you're angry, but you also need to understand me, Chen Hao. I'm also not in control of my own actions. This is the company we built with our own hands. You wouldn't wish for it to go bankrupt, would you?"
Chen Hao's emotions finally couldn't be suppressed.
"You know this is the company we built with our own hands? What did you promise back then? You said you'd give me shares after we went public, but you fired me right after we listed. Are you just stringing me along?"
"Chen Hao, listen to me. Firing you was Wang Liguo's personal decision, not mine. This is a power struggle among the company's senior management. Without you, I'm like losing my right-hand man."
Chen Hao retorted righteously,
"Stop feeding me nonsense. We're both old foxes; don't try to tell me ghost stories. Say what you need to say, or I'm hanging up!"
President Ma asked seriously,
"Are you really not considering coming back?"
Chen Hao questioned back,
"The company is a mess right now. Why would I go back? To be humiliated? You understand the principle that a good horse doesn't return to graze on old grass, don't you?"
"Chen Hao, if you're angry, don't take it out on me. I haven't offended you. We are on the same side."
Chen Hao forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Say what you need to say. What exactly do you want?"
"Since you've made up your mind and I can't persuade you, can you finally give me some face and handle the handover you're responsible for? I'm begging you, okay?"
Chen Hao stated righteously,
"Old Ma, I have no grudges against you, and we aren't enemies. You don't need to beg me or ask for favors. I'm a person who respects rules. As long as it's handled as a business matter, I will complete the handover."
Ma Botao, President Ma, asked again,
"What do you mean by 'handled as a business matter'?"
"2N+1, the year-end bonus, and quarterly dividends for the past three years. Not a single penny less. Give me the money I'm owed, and then we can talk about the handover."
"Good, good, good! That is what you deserve. I'll contact finance right now and transfer the money to you immediately."
Chen Hao's anger subsided considerably, and he said in a softer tone,
"Let's talk after the money is in the account."
With that, he directly hung up the phone and slammed his cell phone onto the table, feeling extremely depressed.
Falling out with Old Ma, with whom he had shared hardships, Chen Hao felt some emotion, finally convincing himself only with the phrase, 'All good things must come to an end.'
Zhang Menglu carefully placed a steamed dumpling into Chen Hao's bowl.
"Are you angry?"
Chen Hao ate while muttering with his chopsticks,
"We were never on the same path to begin with. Why force it?"
This sentence seemed to be an answer, but it was actually Chen Hao talking himself through it.
Around 8:30 AM, Chen Hao received a bank transfer notification.
"Bank account deposit: 1,680,000 yuan exactly. Current balance: 6,060,000 yuan."
Chen Hao calculated that it should be around 1.6 million yuan. Giving him the round figure of 1.68 million was probably intentional on Old Ma's part, as 168 sounds like 'Yi Lu Fa' (smoothly making a fortune), for good luck.
Immediately after, Old Ma's call came through again.
"Did you receive the money?"