Chapter 303: Chapter 303: Unseen by Foreigners
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The next day, Hardy took Victor and their lawyer to visit the pharmaceutical factory at Tongyi Hall, accompanied by Sha Tongyi.
As promised, the factory's equipment was brand new, imported from abroad and operated on an assembly line. Hardy was quite pleased with the setup.
In the factory office, Hardy made an offer: "I'll buy 85% of the shares for $400,000, but there's a condition—you must remain with the company for at least 10 years. In return, I'll provide you with 10% of the management stock income. What do you think, Mr. Sha?"
Hearing this, Sha Tongyi fell to his knees.
The cost of building the factory was over 1.3 million silver dollars, roughly $550,000, including substantial loans. Hardy's offer was irresistible.
Hardy's generosity was driven by Sha Tongyi's impressive background. A Cambridge-trained doctor with a strong foundation in both Chinese and Western medicine, Sha Tongyi represented a rare blend of expertise. His pharmaceutical factory was a relatively advanced enterprise in traditional Chinese medicine, saving Hardy the trouble of starting from scratch.
Hardy had clear plans for developing health products and needed someone forward-thinking like Sha Tongyi. To secure him, Hardy was willing to offer a significant sum.
Sha Tongyi felt overwhelmed by the offer. He had been struggling with operational issues, expiring loans, and the factory's uncertain future. The $400,000 payment, with retained shares and management income, alleviated all his worries.
In many companies, owning 25% of the shares would make someone a major stakeholder. With Hardy's backing, Sha Tongyi felt confident about the factory's future.
The agreement was drafted by the lawyer, and both parties signed it. Sha Tongyi received a check for $400,000 from Wells Fargo Bank.
"Boss, how do you envision the future operation of the pharmaceutical factory?" Sha Tongyi asked, having quickly adapted to calling Hardy "boss."
"I have a simple plan," Hardy began. "We need to eliminate more than half of the current drug offerings. Moving forward, the focus will be on health products. Drugs face strict regulations in European and American markets, but health products have minimal restrictions. They can be marketed almost immediately."
"We can keep Chuanbei loquat ointment, but other products may not be viable."
"For the new product, the first item I want to introduce is an aphrodisiac."
Sha Tongyi was taken aback.
An aphrodisiac! In Chinese medicine, products related to sexual health are usually handled discreetly. While such products exist, they are seldom marketed boldly. Hardy's choice for the first product was indeed bold.
However, considering the differences between Eastern and Western attitudes, Sha Tongyi quickly accepted the idea.
"Do you have a medicine that works quickly and lasts for an hour?" Hardy inquired.
"Yes," Sha Tongyi affirmed.
"It's not difficult to prepare. The primary ingredients include Epimedium, Cynomorium, Cistanche, Actinolith, ginseng, deer antler, deer whip, Morinda officinalis, and Cuscuta. There are many historical prescriptions for such formulations."
"Quickly fierce pill can take effect in ten to twenty minutes and last for an hour or two, though it can deplete vitality."
Hardy smiled. "If it works or not is up to the user. It's better than being ineffective, haha."
"Let's finalize the product. As for the name?"
Hardy recalled Sha Tongyi's mention of Epimedium's alias, Xianlingpi, and decided it was a fitting name. "Let's call it Xianlingdan. We can translate it to 'Shenxiandan' in English."
"It will be made into pills with a sugar coating. One pill should be sufficient. Is that okay?" Hardy asked.
"Absolutely, boss," Sha Tongyi confirmed.
"Great. I've even thought of some advertising slogans: 'Wait twenty minutes for two hours of pleasure,' 'Men should strive for improvement,' 'This powerful pill will restore your vitality,' and 'Let the storm come stronger.'"
Sha Tongyi and Victor stared at Hardy, impressed and a bit bewildered by his creativity.
"For future products, consider men's kidney-tonifying pills, women's beauty supplements, and children's cognitive enhancers."
"Remember this principle in the health product business: men focus on the lower body, women on the face, children on the brain and future, and the elderly on longevity."
Sha Tongyi nodded, recognizing Hardy's understanding of human nature. Developing products based on actual needs was a key to success.
Hardy added, "There's one more thing. Hardy Group plans to establish a Chinese Medicine Research Institute, and you will lead it."
"A Chinese Medicine Research Institute? Is it similar to Western research institutions?" Sha Tongyi asked.
"Yes, but it will focus on Chinese medicine," Hardy explained.
Sha Tongyi was thrilled. "I've always dreamed of creating a research facility like that. I hoped to fund one when the factory was profitable, but that never materialized. I'm excited that you share this vision."
Hardy smiled. "The research institute will be separate from the pharmaceutical factory and funded by the Hardy Group. You'll be responsible for its establishment."
"No problem, I'm eager to do this," Sha Tongyi replied.
"I hope you recruit truly talented individuals. The institute will research various aspects of Chinese medicine, including pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, massage, and more. Our goal is to make it the leading center for Chinese medicine research in Asia, and even globally."
"In the future, we could also open a Chinese medicine hospital and a medical school to facilitate learning and develop research talent."
Sha Tongyi eagerly agreed. "Don't worry, boss. With our family's long history in medicine and connections in the field, we'll recruit skilled professionals."
Hardy smiled. "I'm not familiar with Chinese medicine, so I'll leave the details to you. I'll handle the funding."
Turning to Victor, Hardy added, "Victor, find a suitable location for the institute that can accommodate several hundred people, a space conducive to focused research."
"Understood, boss," Victor responded.
He also addressed Sha Tongyi, "I'll provide an initial $100,000 for the institute, with additional funds available upon request."
Sha Tongyi was grateful. The $100,000, worth more than 700,000 Hong Kong dollars, was a generous start. He vowed to make the research institute a success and live up to Hardy's expectations.
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A few days later, Hardy took a break from his busy schedule to explore Hong Kong and enjoy its local charm.
Han Yezhen, wearing a cheongsam, was walking with Hardy through the bustling streets of Sheung Wan. The streets were lined with various shops—rice, cloth, charcoal, groceries, tea, vegetables, and dried fish.
Hardy noticed a grocery store with Coca-Cola prominently displayed, reflecting the brand's strong marketing. He thought Pepsi could learn from this.
A Dodge car passed by with an advertisement for Watson's soda. Though Watson's was not as prominent as it would become, Victor might consider acquiring shares.
Hardy reminded himself to enjoy the day and not focus on business matters.
As they continued, Han Yezhen spotted a bakery and went inside. "I'll have two of these," she told the clerk.
The clerk, assuming Han Yezhen was the foreigner's wife, swiftly packed the items.
"That'll be two dollars and eight cents in total," the clerk said.
Han Yezhen handed over three dollars. "Keep the change."
"Thank you, madam," the clerk replied.
Returning to Hardy, Han Yezhen said with a smile, "This bakery is quite famous. I sometimes ask Aunt Wang to get these for me. Try one."
She offered Hardy a bite of a "wife's cake."
"Is there a wife in the wife's cake?" Hardy asked, smiling.
"Yes," Han Yezhen replied with a grin.
They sampled various pastries—quicksand buns, red bean paste buns, cream buns—and ended up quite full.
As they continued their walk, they passed a fortune teller, a 60-year-old man in a robe. Seeing Han Yezhen, he called out, "Miss, good fortune to you. Why don't you come in and have your fortune told?"
Han Yezhen paused and asked politely, "Are you speaking to me?"
"Yes, indeed," the old man said. "You're so beautiful that I couldn't help but invite you in for a reading."
Hardy watched, intrigued. He knew that while some fortune tellers were charlatans, they were part of Hong Kong's cultural landscape. He let Han Yezhen decide whether to participate.
If the fortune teller tried to scam her, Hardy would take action. He would inform the bodyguards, dismantle the fortune-telling setup, and have a stern discussion with the man.
Han Yezhen looked at the fortune teller and asked, "Why do you look at my figure as well as my face?"
The old man nodded. "A person's shape is an important part of their fortune. Please open your hand so I can examine your palm."
Han Yezhen complied. The fortune teller held her hand with a folding fan and studied it carefully.
He then spoke solemnly, "Miss, you are indeed precious. Based on your face and palm, you should have two sons and two daughters. Your husband's family is wealthy, and you will bring prosperity."
"Your eyes are clear, and your features are bright. Your ears indicate good luck in money, friends, and your husband. Your voice is soft and sweet, suggesting a gentle personality and excellent homemaking skills."
"Though you seem suited for a traditional role,
your palm suggests you have a high position and influence."
Han Yezhen inquired, "Is that good or bad?"
"Naturally good," the fortune teller responded. "It's unusual for someone with such a hand to also have traditional virtues. I can't fully explain it."
Han Yezhen smiled. "Thank you for your insights. Here's a little something for you."
She handed over 10 Hong Kong dollars. The fortune teller's eyes lit up—this amount was significant compared to daily earnings.
"Thank you, madam," the old man said gratefully.
Han Yezhen then teasingly asked, "Can you read his fortune?" pointing to Hardy.
The fortune teller hesitated, then replied awkwardly, "I'm afraid foreigners are beyond my expertise."
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