As the days passed, the East Star Charity Night drew closer and closer.
For the onlookers, they were not interested in purely commercial events.
If it was purely a cultural joint performance, they would only watch it for a period of time.
However, events like the Charity Night, where the big shots of the business world and all sorts of celebrities gathered, and there would even be a fundraising event, were more interesting.
In addition, this year's event was a live broadcast. Everyone could sit at home and watch the event live. Naturally, more people were interested.
Before the Charity Night started, the outside world was already discussing who would come this year.
Which big shots of the business world would come?
Which Kings and Queens would come?
How much money would be raised on the spot?
Last year, the East Star Charity Night had raised a lot of money, more than 400 million. It was the highest amount of money raised by a non-governmental organization in the past few years.
Would this year's amount exceed last year's?
…
This was what the onlookers were interested in, but Li Dong did not care much about it.
Last year's situation was special. They could raise so much money because of the earthquake.
This year's amount might not be as much as last year's.
It was more or less the same. Li Dong did not want to force the name of charity on someone's head and force them to donate.
The Charity Night was also an opportunity to build connections. It could be considered a business gathering.
Since this kind of public fundraising event was publicized and operated as a commercial charity, there was no need to think about it being pure. This was a very normal thing.
For this Charity Night, Li Dong was actually more concerned about other things.
For example, the gathering of real estate developers!
In the second half of 2009, Li Dong prepared to carry out some plans, and these plans required the cooperation of people.
Some things could be done by himself, but some things could not be done by him.
…
July 15th. There were still three days before the Charity Night started.
And on the 15th, some people had already arrived in Pingchuan.
In the past few years, the Pingchuan government could not wait to make some noise every day Far away. Every time there was a big movement Far away, a large number of big shots of the business world would gather.
Every time, the Jiangbei government and the Pingchuan government would follow behind and take advantage of the situation.
After these people participated in the event, people from the government would visit them.
Some people were hesitating about where to invest. Should they invest in Jiangbei, Zhejiang, or Sunan?
At this time, Jiangbei found an opportunity. Far away as an example, they could frequently attract companies to invest in Jiangbei.
Moreover, it would be easier to rope in some derivative industries related to Far away.
Far away business gatherings have been a good opportunity for Jiangbei to attract investments.
This year's charity night was no exception.
Some business tycoons who had arrived earlier were visited by Jiangbei's government.
In the hotel.
Not long after Wu Yajun sent off the people from the government, Li Dong arrived. Wu Yajun didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Jiangbei is really attentive. Even I want to invest here.
But didn't they abstain from meat and vegetables?
If Longhu came to Jiangbei, wouldn't they be suppressed by Far away and Longhua? Real estate companies are also attracted to them. Is there a need to do so?
In Hua Xia, who doesn't know that retail and real estate companies are not allowed to enter Jiangbei? Once they enter, they will be suppressed by you and Longhua first.
In the past, many local real estate companies in Jiangbei were destroyed by you.
Now, do outsiders like us still dare to come to Jiangbei? "
Li Dong chuckled. "You make it sound like we are very overbearing.
Actually, I'm not against this. Anyway, we don't have many residential properties to develop.
But then again, if these companies really enter the market, they won't be able to earn much.
In Jiangbei, the property prices have been suppressed, and the profit margin is not high.
Longhua is now taking the path of small profits but quick turnover. They are taking the lead in Jiangbei, and Jiangbei's property prices are about 5% lower than the same region.
As a local company, Longhua's property prices are not high, and the profits are quite high.
As outsiders, the cost of the land is higher, and if you compete with Longhua, won't you be making a loss?
So it's fine if they don't come. Jiangbei's government is probably looking for a competitor for Longhua. Actually, it's not necessary.
Property prices can't drive the GDP, and it's not a bad idea to bring in some other companies.
Just take Yuanfang for example. Wasn't the GDP driven by these few years much stronger than the introduction of a few real estate developers?
Of course, it's not strange for the government to want better results. "
Wu Yajun couldn't help but laugh. "You've explained it all. Do you want us to come? Or do you want us not to come? I heard that Dragon Flower is treating you like the finale of the show. Longhua's IPO is counting on you now. You own quite a lot of shares in Longhua, and you're probably hoping that I won't come, right? "
Li Dong sat opposite Wu Yajun and smiled. "Do you think I need to do this? Longhua is Longhua, and I'm me. Hsu Shengzhe is more wary of me than a thief. How can I be the finale? The listing is not going well, and he's asking me for help. If everything goes smoothly after the listing, I'm afraid he will kick me far away. "
After chatting for a while, Li Dong returned to the main topic, "How's the progress of Longhu's IPO?"
Wu Yajun shook her head while sipping her coffee. "It's so-so. We were competing with Evergrande at first, and there weren't many of them.
But after Longhua joined, there were more of them.
To be honest, Longhu wasn't any worse than Longhua in the beginning, and the investors were more optimistic about us because of some other factors.
Longhua's reputation in the mainland isn't that great, and most of its industries are concentrated in Jiangbei.
But this time, Longhua expanded in the whole country, and you guys also helped them. At the end of June, you guys announced that you bought tens of billions worth of properties from them, and then entrusted these newly purchased properties to Longhua. Aren't you undermining us?
It's not like you don't have a real estate company. Is there a need to entrust it to Longhua?
Who doesn't know that Li Dong and Hsu Shengzhe are in the same boat? Longhua's reputation has gone up all of a sudden.
Not only that, the outside world was worried about some of their expansion plans in the beginning. But now, with Far away as the scapegoat, many people feel that there's a lot of hope … "
Li Dong hurriedly interrupted, "Who's in the same boat with him? You can't just say that. Also, Far away is Far away, and they will not help Longhua as the scapegoat. It's just trusteeship. Actually, I can't do anything about trusteeship. What I'm interested in are the commercial plazas they will be building in the future. These properties are not what I need … "
"Why are you buying properties that you don't need? Aren't you just wearing a pair of pants? " Wu Yajun said angrily, "You guys are really something. Is there a need to spend so much just to make the figures look better?
Now that you have bought properties that you don't need, what are you going to do?
Longhua will refund your money?
It's impossible for them to refund you after they get listed.
You guys will resell them?
In a short period of time, just the taxes and fees are enough to make you suffer!
Did Longhua reimburse you for these expenses? "
Li Dong laughed and said, "You can say that. This time, we have increased our share capital, but my shares have not changed. Of course, this is only one of the reasons. Secondly, Longhua has also agreed that no matter how many shopping malls they develop in the future, their partner will only be me. Also, I have autonomy. In other words, Longhua will only invest in them if I want to. If I don't want to, they will look for external partners. "
Wu Yajun frowned. This was not an explanation, but it was for her to hear.
Previously, when Li Dong got married, both of them had talked about the cooperation.
This time, at the East Star Charity Night, Wu Yajun deliberately came early to win over Li Dong before the IPO, to increase the competitiveness of Longhua.
But now, Li Dong had stated his conditions.
First, the shares must be cheap.
Second, Far away will be the only partner for the commercial projects developed by Longhua in the future.
Far away will be the only partner for the commercial projects developed by Longhua in the future.
Saying that it was the only partner was flattering them. If Far away did not want it, they would have to look for other places.
Only a place like that would need a well-known shopping mall like Distance to attract people and crowds.
That kind of place needs a well-known shopping mall like Far away to attract people and flow of people.
Wu Yajun took a deep breath and said after a while, "Hsu Shengzhe really worked hard. In the end, it can be considered as working for you."
Li Dong smiled and said, "Sister Wu, you can't say that.
What's wrong with cooperating with Far away?
In Hua Xia, and even in the world, among the retail groups, Far Away is also a top existence.
Moreover, we are more familiar with Hua Xia, understand the national conditions, and can drive the flow of people and popularity.
When a large shopping mall is not popular, it is worth 1 billion. When the popularity increases, it is normal for it to double to 2 billion.
Even Wal-Mart, in Hua Xia, does not dare to say that it is better than Far Away.
In the past few years, Far Away has almost become the shopping mall of Hua Xia. Our prices are reasonable, the service is good, and the environment is suitable …
In Hua Xia, some companies have a much higher profit margin than us.
Far Away's profit margin has not been too high. In the data we released to the public, most of the time, we did not include some necessary expenses. Where did these profits go?
They were all used on the customers!
To be honest, our profit margin is lower than Wal-Mart's, but the low profit margin also caused us to invest more in hardware and software.
If you don't believe me, go and take a look.
Compare!
Among all the large shopping malls, Far Away is definitely the best one.
Our products are cheap and good.
Our service is warm and considerate.
Our lounge, waiting area, queues, shelf layout …
This series of hardware and software is better than others!
Because I am willing to invest, the real profit margin of Faraway Supermarket is lower than 5%!
But Far Away's business is not bad. In fact, it is very good. There is no reason why our profit margin is so much lower than others. The key lies in these.
This is also one of the reasons why we have been winning. Other companies are not as willing to invest as I, Li Dong. "
Li Dong said so much, but it was still the same sentence. It was to explain that the cooperation with Far Away is cost-effective and worthwhile.
Far Away can greatly increase the flow of people in the vicinity and increase the popularity of the shopping mall.
Wu Yajun was silent for a moment again. After some time, she said, "Then I will say a few points. First, the rent cannot be low. It must be increased year-on-year according to the market fluctuations.
Second, if you want to take it, you must take it all!
You can't take all the good places and leave some places that are not so good, right?
Good locations, good business environment. Even if we do not need Far Away to drive, we will also have a high flow of people, high popularity, and high rent.
Since it is a cooperation, of course, it must be mutually beneficial. Good shopping malls are in short supply, and all the retail groups are actually fighting for them.
Now, all the good ones are left to you. When other companies see that there is no hope, they will not enter the places you left behind.
In the end, you will take what you need and leave us shopping malls with bad locations that no one cares about. Who will compensate for this loss?
Third, Dragon Lake is actually mainly in residential real estate. Even if we cooperate, the scope of our cooperation is limited.
You can instruct Longhua to expand and develop shopping malls.
But as for Dragon Lake, in terms of personal relations, I will listen to you if you give me some suggestions.
However, pointing fingers at business did not happen in Dragon Lake.
In other words, wherever we expand, you can set up your shopping malls there. If there are local shopping malls competing with each other, I can't do anything about it. We need to compete, and you can only compete at the same time.
Fourth, if this situation happens in a place with a shopping mall Far Away … "
When she said this, Li Dong was speechless and said, "Don't be fourth. Since there is a shopping mall Far Away, you still want to invest in a shopping mall there. Aren't you courting death? Now, even Wal-Mart does not dare to open a shop near our shopping mall, and other companies do not dare to do so. Far Away is the only one in the area. You still want to interfere, then don't do the department store business. You can do other things, but doing department stores and home appliances is purely courting death, and it will cause you to lose popularity. "
Wu Yajun glanced at him and said after a while, "Are you confident or arrogant now? You said that other companies do not dare to open in the places where you open, but why do I notice that there are many other supermarkets near Faraway Supermarket surrounding you? "
Li Dong curled his lips and said, "They have too much money to spend. You will know when you go in and take a look. The place is deserted, and there is no business. To put it bluntly, uncles and aunties like to come to Li Dong's place to buy things. Who doesn't know that I, Li Dong, am a model of the new generation? Buying things from me will bring some happiness, and when the time comes, their children will have a bright future … "
"Pfft!"
Wu Yajun could not hold it in and could not help but laugh. Then she said happily, "So this is what you rely on to make a living? Now you are starting to use Fengshui. I have heard people say this a few times, and there are really people who go shopping Far Away because of this. I did not pay attention to this before, but now that I think about it, could it be that you spread it yourself? "
Li Dong said embarrassedly, "How is that possible? We have won the favor of consumers because of our service and quality, as well as our inexpensive goods. How would I know what others think? I will not use these little tricks to attract people to shop. "
"I believe half of what you said. Whether it is you or not, it is not important now. If you can attract people to shop, that is your ability. I don't care about that."
Wu Yajun did not care if he had spread it himself. It was really not important. Far Away could attract people to shop, that was their ability.
With that said, Wu Yajun returned to the topic at hand. "What do you think of the first three points I mentioned?"
Li Dong frowned and said, "The first and third points are not a problem. The second point, you said to cooperate with everyone. Aren't you deliberately making things difficult for me?
We have shops near you, do you want to take them down too?
Also, without us, some of your low-end shopping malls can still find people to cooperate with. This is very normal. You said to pick the good ones and no one wants the bad ones. Isn't that changing the concept?
You can develop real estate. You can enclose the land and wait for future development.
But we can't. We are in the retail business. If business is bad, we will lose money. Now, department stores and appliances are different from real estate. Real estate can increase in value, but these things can only depreciate.
So, you can wait for the area you develop to become prosperous, then rent it out and sell it.
We really cannot wait. If we open stores, once we have too many things to sell, we will have to throw away the food products, and the other things will have to be sold at a loss …
Tell me, if you want me to take over all of them, can I agree? "
What Li Dong said was the truth. Commercial real estate, even if it was in the suburbs or in the ghost town, it was fine. Real estate developers could actually survive.
The value of the items was there. If they could survive well, they could still make a lot of money in the future.
But department stores and appliances were not good. Once they set up shop in the ghost town, they would lose all their money. There was no room for the value of these items to increase.
Wu Yajun thought for a while and nodded slightly. "We can discuss this when the time comes. Also, if you can't agree to the second point, then it will be Longhu who will be paying. What can you pay?"
Li Dong was surprised. "I will cooperate with you. Far away will be your partner. Isn't that enough?"
Wu Yajun almost vomited blood. Li Dong's meaning was too simple. Cooperating with Far Away was the biggest contribution?
Seeing that Wu Yajun was angry, Li Dong smiled bitterly. "I'm serious. Far Away relies on fame to make a living.
At least before I fell from grace, I relied on this to make a living. I think it should be enough.
"Now, we can start this cooperation.
When the day comes that my, Li Dong's, fame Far Away, can no longer be used as money to make a living, you can terminate the cooperation. You can say that Far Away can't do it anymore and need to change partners. I can accept it.
Sis Wu, we are old friends. Do you think I, Li Dong, will deliberately cheat you on this point?
You don't have to mention it. When that time comes, if you are too embarrassed to say it, I will scram.
"Actually, I think this cooperation is pretty good. Everyone will benefit from it.
"And the contribution from each other is not too much.
"This is not just for you, but for everyone!
"Of course, since we have started an exclusive cooperation, I am not an insatiable person. If you think it's not worth it, then Far Away can increase the rental rate.
"But it won't be too much. Our expenses are high to begin with. If it's too much, it won't be worth it."
Wu Yajun looked at him for a while and frowned. "Are you thinking of using this method to control the commercial plazas? Blacklist your opponents?
"Otherwise, this kind of unlimited expansion and exclusive cooperation might not be as cost-effective as renting other commercial plazas.
"I thought you would think of an exclusive cooperation to save us the cost of attracting investors and to lower the rental rate to reduce our costs.
"But since you said that you can increase the rental rate, it is not to reduce costs.
"The final benefits might not be as good as what you have now.
"If you don't have an ulterior motive, then I think your actions are stupid."
Li Dong laughed. "What are you talking about? I am making money for you, and you are calling me stupid. Is that appropriate? "Don't worry about my motive. Anyway, I will not only give you money, but also help you increase your popularity. Isn't that enough? "Of course, there is one more thing. The contract will be for ten years. Otherwise, for large shopping malls, there will be no room for negotiation for three to five years. "
Wu Yajun pondered. After a while, she said, "I will think about it for another two days. I will give you an answer after the charity night is over. "Also, about your investment in Longhu …"
"Let's talk about that when the time comes."
Li Dong interrupted her. Why would he invest in Longhu if the cooperation did not come to fruition? He was too free.
Now that he was investing in Longhua, Longhu was also a competitor for Longhua's IPO.
Before the cooperation came to fruition, they were actually still opponents. Li Dong had no reason to help her build up her reputation.
Business was business. Everyone knew this. Li Dong did not care what Wu Yajun thought.
Wu Yajun smiled and nodded. "Okay, let's talk about it when the time comes. Oh right, let's have lunch together."
"Don't stand on ceremony with me. I have a few guests to meet. Big Sis Wu, make yourself at home."
"Real estate?"
"Yes."
"…"
Wu Yajun did not ask anymore because she completely understood.
Li Dong indeed wanted to control these shopping malls to cut off the expansion of the major retail companies.
But this kind of cutting off was not limited to just one or two real estate companies.
A city's shopping malls would not be limited to just one or two.
To block the other party through this channel, there would be at least a hundred real estate companies to cooperate with!
Could Li Dong really do it?
Wu Yajun was doubtful about this.
But the large shopping malls in big cities were generally developed by well-known developers. If Li Dong wanted to block the expansion of others in big cities, he could reduce the number of companies to cooperate with.
But it was also not easy. The bigger the manufacturer, the more they would not easily agree to this exclusive cooperation model.
Wu Yajun thought for a while, then shook her head and stopped thinking about it.
Whether it could be done or not, this had little to do with Longhu.
Maybe it was better not to do it!
If it could not do it, everyone had other options. Once Far away really succeeded, the major retail groups would be forced to death by Far away.
In the end, Far Away would become the only major retail group in Hua Xia. The large shopping malls and department stores in the bustling areas would probably be handed over to Far Away.
This kind of unique model was not the result they wanted.
Selling was fine, but renting would have to be considered carefully.
However, it was very difficult for Far Away to monopolize a position, and the funds needed were also astronomical. Wu Yajun did not have to think deeply to know that the possibility was not too high. She did not need to worry about this now.
The cooperation between Longhu and Far Away seemed to be more beneficial to Longhu.
In addition, it was now a critical period for the IPO, so the cooperation plan was actually feasible.
Wu Yajun thought so. Some of the real estate developers that Li Dong was going to talk to didn't think too much about it. Some of them thought about it and also felt that their participation wouldn't have much impact.
At present, cooperating with Far Away didn't seem to be a big deal. There were pros and cons. As for whether the pros outweighed the cons or the cons outweighed the pros, it was up to them to judge.
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