Back to 1958: Creating a Century-Long Family Empire

Chapter 48 – First Big Payout in Hand

Even a simple assembly workshop was far better than the makeshift production they'd been doing in the shantytown.

With a proper facility, all materials and workers could be brought together, reducing logistics costs and increasing efficiency—ultimately, this would mean better profits.

Su Yiyi thought for a moment and asked, "Isn't it risky to rely entirely on An Yongqiang? The demand around Kowloon Wharf is already starting to drop."

Yang Wendong asked in return, "So you think we should stick to our current small-scale model for now?"

She nodded. That was exactly what she had in mind.

"Playing it safe isn't wrong," Yang said. "But if you play it too safe, you might miss out on opportunities.

"In business, you can't wait until all the orders and payments are secured before you set up production.

If there's a strong possibility for growth, you have to take the leap. I'll manage the risk.

We'll just rent a modest space to use as an assembly workshop. It won't cost much."

"Alright," Su Yiyi said with a smile. "I was just a little worried, that's all. You make the final call."

Yang nodded. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. I have a lot of confidence in our glue board.

"A good product will always be picked by the market. It's only a matter of when."

History had already proven that glue boards were among the most popular rat control tools in the world.

In modern times, people didn't hesitate to buy glue traps online for problems with rats, roaches, or flies—because they were cheap, convenient, and disposable.

"By the way," Su Yiyi asked, "when will Kowloon Wharf officially verify the completion of the extermination project? We really need that big payout."

"Wang Zhixian told me the approval process is already underway," Yang replied with a smile.

"If we were working directly with the port, I'd be less confident we'd get the money fast.

But Wang has connections in both the government and British firms. As long as we pass inspection, payment should come soon."

Su Yiyi thought for a moment, then said, "But what if he doesn't pay us promptly?"

"That depends on whether we're still useful to them," Yang replied calmly.

"If they need us again, they'll pay us on time. If not... then yeah, it could be a problem."

Su Yiyi nodded. "Let's hope they still see value in us. I just worry they'll think the amount is too high and stall."

Yang asked, "Do you know what the budget was for this extermination project?"

"No. How much?" she asked curiously. She was now quite familiar with the term "budget."

Yang replied, "I don't know the exact figure this time, but I reviewed some old records. Two years ago, the budget for a similar operation was 110,000 dollars."

"110,000?!" Su Yiyi was shocked.

To her, even 11 dollars used to feel like a small fortune. She had never imagined hundreds of thousands.

Yang chuckled. "110,000 isn't actually that much, considering how big the port is. Their annual business easily hits the millions.

"If rats caused a serious incident, the damages could exceed a million, not to mention reputational loss.

Besides, extermination included the surrounding residential areas—tens of thousands of people. You think they'll help you kill rats for a few dollars?

"If you don't have the right methods, no amount of money will fix the problem."

Su Yiyi nodded. "That makes sense. But how did you find out about the previous budgets? Did Mr. An tell you?"

Yang shook his head. "No. I overheard it while chatting casually with another staff member."

"Oh..." Su Yiyi muttered, thinking it over. Then she said, "So they had a 110,000-dollar budget, and we only got 5,000?"

"You think that's unfair?" Yang smiled. "I think it's fine.

"It's not like Wang's company took all of it. Even with connections, there are plenty of middlemen who all expect a cut.

"By the time the money reaches us—the ones doing the real work—5% is already generous.

"And let's not forget, we didn't pay for labor or materials. That 5,000 is pure profit."

Compared to some shady deals in modern times—where multi-million-dollar projects ended up with subcontractors getting pennies—this deal was actually decent.

Not because Hong Kong's businesspeople were especially generous.

But because Yang had skills. Real extermination skills.

In 1950s Hong Kong, very few could match his team—especially with his patented glue board.

Su Yiyi nodded. "Still, Wang Zhixian is quite secretive. We've worked with him for so long and still don't know his company's name."

"Probably one of those companies that runs on connections, and wants to stay under the radar," Yang said thoughtfully.

"But now that we're registered, we'll need their company name for accounting and invoicing," she reminded him.

"I'll ask him when I see him tomorrow," Yang said.

Until now, he hadn't bothered asking. But now that Changxing Industrial was official, they needed formal documentation.

…

Their meeting, of course, took place on Wang's turf.

When Wang saw Yang walk in, he smiled. "Mr. Yang, you really need to get a phone installed. I had good news and didn't know how to reach you."

Yang's eyes lit up. "Good news?"

"The final approval from Kowloon Wharf came through a few days ago," Wang said. "Your rat extermination project was declared a complete success."

"Really?" Yang's interest peaked. "How did they evaluate it?"

Wang shook his head. "I'm not sure. My boss handled it. And honestly, even if I knew, it wouldn't matter much. The job's done."

"That's great news," Yang nodded.

Given the dramatic decrease in rat activity over the past month, plus their extensive work in the surrounding areas, it wasn't surprising that the project passed inspection.

Still, in these kinds of projects, personal connections made all the difference.

Wang smiled and handed him a check. "According to our agreement, you were to be paid 5,000 dollars.

You already took an advance of 2,000. Here's the remaining 3,000—deposit it to your company account."

"Thank you," Yang said, taking the check.

His first big profit was officially in hand.

Wang added, "By the way, my boss would like to meet you."

"Your boss? I'd be honored," Yang said with a smile.

He'd always been curious about the man behind Wang—someone rumored to have connections across the colonial government and various British conglomerates.

Soon, Wang led him to a spacious office, easily 500 square feet in size.

"Mr. Yang," Wang said, "this is my boss, Mr. Zhao Chengguang."

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