Chapter 99: 98, Resolving Taishan Airlines Equity Issue, Boeing Global Flight Plan
“Mister, you haven’t eaten yet, right? I had someone bring dishes from the city.”
Kuang Mingzhu took the food basket from the maid’s hand and brought out the food.
“There are dried bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat; dried bamboo shoots is the local term, it’s dried bamboo shoots braised pork, said to be very tasty. Also crab roe steamed buns, using top-grade crab roe. And mustard greens shrimp tofu soup, light and delicious.”
The couple didn’t need much; three dishes were enough.
The two maids didn’t need to serve; they went to eat dinner with the cook.
The hall was left with only Fang Wen and Kuang Mingzhu.
Taking the small bowl of rice Kuang Mingzhu had served, Fang Wen picked up some food and ate a bite.
“The bamboo shoots are very crisp, but there’s a bit too much lard.”
“Is that so? Next time, have them use less oil. Try the crab roe steamed buns.”
“The taste is good. By the way, this morning when I dropped you off at work, you seemed to have something to say.”
Fang Wen broke the silence first; Kuang Mingzhu’s gentle plan had only gone halfway.
She smiled faintly: “Yes, there’s something. Taishan Airlines has already taken shape, but the equity problem is very serious. Mister, the company only listens to you; why not buy it? Aren’t you afraid Bada Company will pull the rug out from under you?”
Kuang Mingzhu had brought up what Fang Wen’s small team was considering.
Everyone believed that besides those 40% dry shares, the rest of the shares in Taishan Airlines should be taken back and owned by Fang Wen.
This way, there would be no legal issues under company law.
Otherwise, as the company grew bigger, with Bada Company as the major shareholder, Fang Wen might be pushed out.
Now his wife had raised this concern too, forcing Fang Wen to seriously consider the issue.
He nodded: “No more eating this meal. Have Wu Ma make some new dishes to entertain my people. And discuss this matter while we’re at it.”
Kuang Mingzhu showed a sweet smile; her husband was confiding in her with his truly trusted subordinates, and she was thrilled.
Immediately, as the lady of the house, she hurriedly got busy.
Meanwhile, Fang Wen went out, turned right, and in the neighboring courtyard instructed: “Uncle Fang, Shunzi, come to my house for dinner tonight, and others too; go call them.”
Fang Shouxin and Fang Shun immediately went to handle it; they knew who to call.
One hour later, 6 PM.
Members of Fang Wen’s small team arrived one by one.
They tacitly brought gifts.
Upon entering, they handed them to Kuang Mingzhu.
Fang Shouxin brought Shunzi first: “Young Mistress, this is a little trinket I made and one Shunzi made separately, a longevity lock and a bracelet, for the young master.”
These were gifts for the future child; Kuang Mingzhu felt a bit embarrassed but smilingly accepted the gifts.
The others also brought gifts and came forward.
This was to make up for not attending the wedding and to show respect to the patriarch’s wife.
Even Pan Jiafeng and Shao Sishen were no exception.
After the gift-giving, everyone sat down, immediately less restrained, toasting and exchanging cups.
After a round of dishes and drinks, once the leftovers were cleared and everyone sat relaxed, Fang Wen said solemnly.
“Today my wife also mentioned the company equity issue. I’ve thought about it, and it really needs to be resolved.”
Shopkeeper Liu spoke first: “Yes, business is business, personal is personal. Now Taishan Airlines is thriving; the equity issue must be settled.”
He used to be with Bada Company; this was his statement.
Sun Debiao felt the same.
After both had pledged their loyalty, they firmly stood with Fang Wen.
Actually, there was no suspense; in Fang Wen’s small group, even Howard, Shao Sishen, Pan Jiafeng, who didn’t handle operations, believed the equity should be taken back.
Fang Wen nodded: “Good, I’m planning a trip to Europe anyway. Before going, I need to settle the equity issue to leave with peace of mind.”
His words surprised everyone.
Shopkeeper Liu asked: “General Manager, why are you going to Europe?”
“There’s something very important in Europe, but I can’t say yet. I can only reveal it’s related to fighting the Japanese.” Fang Wen replied calmly; everything about the Europe trip had to be kept secret until success.
Shao Sishen, who had been to Europe, asked: “How to get there? Sea route takes three months round trip, unless you pilot an airplane there.”
Fang Wen nodded.
“I plan to pilot Shrike Hao to Europe.”
“No.” Shao Sishen stood up: “What about refueling along the way? Shrike Hao can’t fly that long a range.”
Shao Sishen’s words worried everyone; though Fang Wen seemed omnipotent in flying, Shanghai to Europe was too far, even with auxiliary fuel tanks.
Stopping at airports along the way was nonsense; with Republic of China diplomacy, there was little contact with Central Asia or the Mediterranean side. A private airplane landing in those countries wouldn’t be easy.
For this, Fang Wen had his explanation:
“Indeed, but Boeing Company has an event; they want a global tour exhibition of the P-26 fighter jet. My P-26B is one of the earliest listed. Neil received a telegram from the company; Boeing Company asked if I’m willing to do a long-distance flight performance. If yes, Boeing Company will handle airport stops and fuel along the way.”
This was Neil’s tactful suggestion; Boeing Company was willing to sponsor 20,000 US Dollars, handle global propaganda, and contact transfer airports on the flight path.
This carried significant risk, more suited to adventurers than an airline general manager; Neil didn’t think Fang Wen would agree and just mentioned it.
But now, it became a major help for Fang Wen’s Europe flight.
As long as Boeing Company could arrange airport stops, Fang Wen had no worries about his own abilities.
Even so, everyone was still concerned.
Especially Kuang Mingzhu; as a newlywed wife, hearing her husband would risk going to Europe, she didn’t know how to respond.
Seeing the somewhat at-a-loss Kuang Mingzhu, Fang Wen softened and said:
“For the Europe flight, I’ll only proceed with full confidence. It won’t start for now. Let’s discuss how to buy back the equity.”
Then, everyone relaxed and discussed how to make Bada Company willing to sell the equity.
Shopkeeper Liu explained the original investment situation.
“At that time, the Eight Great Families established Bada Company, which invested 300,000 silver dollars, about 100,000 US Dollars, in the company’s name. Later, with tung oil for airplanes confirmed, ultimately 297,000 silver dollars worth of tung oil was obtained, exchanged for a Boeing 80 worth 130,000 US Dollars. Thus, Bada Company actually invested 300,000 silver dollars for 50% shares; the general manager holds 10%, and the remaining 40% are non-transferable dividend dry shares.”
“Buying back Bada Company’s shares for 300,000 silver dollars is definitely impossible. What price will they ask?” Fang Shouxin voiced everyone’s concern.
After all, Taishan Airlines was no longer what it used to be; the original capital had certainly appreciated.
Fang Wen’s small team meeting ended.
The next day, Shopkeeper Liu and Sun Debiao returned to the SH urban area together.
Their destination was by the Huangpu River, where Bada Company had bought a large riverside building as the ferry company’s office.
Bada Company people were all acquaintances; seeing Shopkeeper Liu and Sun Debiao, they came over to greet them.
After some pleasantries, Shopkeeper Liu asked: “Where is your patriarch?”
He said “your patriarch.”
The scene went quiet; everyone looked at Shopkeeper Liu and Sun Debiao in surprise.
Someone whispered: “Have they grown wings and are splitting off?”
Sun Debiao glared, about to retort.
But Shopkeeper Liu spoke first.
The usually mild-mannered Shopkeeper Liu said coldly: “Did Sun Debiao and I sign a deed of servitude? Or swear a venomous oath to be oxen and horses for life?”
Some shook their heads involuntarily.
But no one spoke up for them.
Shopkeeper Liu said coldly: “Tell me, where is your patriarch?”
Someone pointed to a large house by the river.
The two walked over; the house door had “Bada Ferry Company.”
They went upstairs to the top floor.
That was where the eight shareholders stayed.
Compared to the glamor of Shili Yangchang, they preferred to carouse in their own territory.
Inside was decorated very fashionably; the patriarchs flirted and groped with the socialites they had brought, back to their old good days.
Hearing Shopkeeper Liu’s words, they were shocked.
“You want to buy back the shares?” one patriarch asked in surprise.
“Yes. The general manager will fund the purchase of all your shares.” Shopkeeper Liu answered.
“What if we don’t sell?” another patriarch said coldly.
“If not, your dividends stop until you sell the shares.” Shopkeeper Liu dropped the bombshell.
The eight patriarchs glared angrily at Shopkeeper Liu.
“We trusted you so much; why help Fang Wen?”
“Because he gave me what you couldn’t.” Shopkeeper Liu replied.
The patriarchs thought Shopkeeper Liu had been bought; they hurriedly tempted:
“How much did he give? We’ll give the same.”
“No, whatever he gives, we’ll double it.”
Looking at these people, Shopkeeper Liu had mixed thoughts.
Once, he toiled without complaint, earning just forty or fifty silver dollars a month.
That was what he earned with half a lifetime.
Fifteen years as an employee, ten as shopkeeper, through wind and rain, only in the last two years getting that treatment.
The previous twenty-plus years relied solely on endurance.
Even so, the harshest, most tiring, most dangerous tasks went to outsiders like him with no connections.
Going to the Northeast to transport supplies back, others feigned illness one by one; in the end, the patriarch sent him.
But that trip back only added one month’s salary.
That was trading life for it!
Later, when Japanese fought in Shanghai, the Eight Great Families lacked water and food, threatened by local gangs.
Again, he was sent out through gunfire to procure supplies; for that, a stray bullet pierced his foot.
The patriarchs just comforted him briefly, saying shared hardship, then ignored it.
Later, General Manager Fang’s airline needed someone to scout; they didn’t dare venture out of the city and sent him again.
His foot hadn’t healed then; walking was excruciating.
From then on, Shopkeeper Liu saw the patriarchs clearly.
He knew he was just a pawn the patriarchs could discard anytime.
But at Taishan Airlines, Shopkeeper Liu had a completely different experience.
The general manager trusted him, delegated authority, and didn’t ignore his interests or safety.
Now, he earned 600 silver dollars a month in salary, plus 500 silver dollars bonus, and 40 gold bars in annual profit sharing.
Could the Eight Great Families afford this?
Would the Eight Great Families bear to give this?
Shopkeeper Liu looked coldly at his former patriarchs and turned to leave.
Sun Debiao shook his head: “You lot, sweet-talk when you need people, ignore life and death when you don’t. Sure, the world is like that when there’s no choice. But now, for these shares, sell if you will, don’t if you won’t—no dividends at all. If you want to play dirty or tough, we’ll see it through to the end.”
Finished, he glared fiercely around and followed Shopkeeper Liu out.
By the time the two went downstairs.
The Eight Great Families hurriedly shooed away the socialites watching the show, then gathered to discuss.
“What to do about the shares?”
“Trouble.”
“How is it trouble? The shares are in our hands; where can they go?”
“They won’t run, but no dividends.”
“No dividends is minor; we can’t control them.”
“Yes, shouldn’t have trusted Shopkeeper Liu so much.”
“Even without Shopkeeper Liu, there’s Shopkeeper Ma, Shopkeeper Sun. Taishan Airlines rose thanks to Fang Wen; we just put in money for dividends.”
“Now principal is back; selling shares is pure profit. What price to ask?”
“Why sell? Good thing going; I disagree.”
The discussion stalled; one patriarch expressed strong dissatisfaction.
On this, the other patriarchs saw clearly.
“I won’t say more; business has endless tricks. Which family hasn’t done asset substitution?”
“Yes, you put it that way, I’m a bit scared. If Fang Wen starts another airline and transfers the whole original team there, what do we have left?”
“Let me calculate: one Boeing 80, and the airport investments. Seems nothing else!”
The patriarchs were shocked.
They suddenly realized Bada Company wasn’t a heavy-asset enterprise.
Valuable assets in the company: pilots, mechanics, two Boeing 247 airplanes, Boeing 80, airport investments.
But most didn’t belong to Taishan Airlines.
The two Boeing 247 airplanes were leased, owner tung oil merchants.
As long as Fang Wen spoke to those tung oil merchants, they’d listen and transfer the airplane leasing to another airline.
Mechanics needless to say: two from Boeing Company, one from Fang Wen—all would follow him.
And pilots, all hand-trained by Fang Wen; even poaching with big money might not keep any.
So.
If it really broke down, Bada Company would get nothing; better to yield, sell shares for cash—with Taishan Airlines’ current value, still a good profit.
Two days later, all Bada Company shareholders gathered at Taishan Airlines.
They proposed transferring the shares.
Double the original 300,000 silver dollars investment.
That is, 600,000 silver dollars for the equity.
Thus, Bada Company invested 300,000 silver dollars and earned more than double—a decent income.
They thought this demand would involve much haggling and concessions.
Unexpectedly, Taishan Airlines agreed directly.
They immediately signed the equity transfer contract, filed and confirmed through official channels; Fang Wen became Taishan Airlines’ major shareholder.
