The Red Era: Living in Seclusion in a Siheyuan as a Boss

Chapter 817 The Returns from Grandpa Liu's Heavy Investment in Courtyard Houses!!!

Unlike those who are keen on short-term speculation and pursue overnight riches, Liu Mantun is an extremely steady and patient person at heart.

Instead of blindly following the trend, he began to systematically learn about financial management, just as he had done when he was studying foreign trade.

Liu Mantun divided his first substantial profit from doing business into several portions.

A small portion was used to improve the family's life, including buying Xiulan a new washing machine that she had been talking about for a long time; the majority was carefully put into different baskets.

Liu Mantun's investments were relatively conservative. He bought some treasury bonds with high interest rates at the time, which served as his "ballast" to ensure the safety of his principal.

Then, he took out a small sum of money and tentatively entered the nascent stock market.

Although Wang Mantun was only a junior high school graduate when he first started working, he is grateful for the more than ten years he worked at the Liujiazhuang factory.

Because the factory in Liujiazhuang has a long tradition of providing vocational retraining for workers and encouraging employees to attend night school to improve their education.

It was during this period that Liu Mantun went from having a junior high school education to a college diploma in just a few years.

His horizons and learning abilities have been broadened, so his understanding of the stock market and financial investment is much better than that of some ordinary people.

Liu Mantun was well aware of the risks in the stock market, so he would set aside time every day to study financial newspapers and analyze the fundamentals of listed companies.

He pays particular attention to state-owned enterprises with stable profitability, believing that this is where the value of long-term investment lies.

The statistics he learned at the factory's night school helped him a lot.

Liu Mantun created a simple data model to record the price fluctuation patterns of each stock.

He discovered that instead of chasing after hot stocks that experience wild fluctuations, it's better to choose blue-chip stocks with stable performance and generous dividends.

In the spring of 1992, Liu Mantun used his savings of 50,000 yuan to buy shares in a long-established local steel company.

Many people laughed at him for being too conservative, but he firmly believed that the company's technological accumulation and market share were worth holding for the long term.

Sure enough, three years later, the stock brought him a considerable return.

At the same time, Liu Mantun did not slacken his investment in treasury bonds.

Whenever there is income in the family, he will unfailingly set aside 30% of his salary to buy newly issued government bonds.

Gao Xiulan often says he is "stubborn," but it is precisely this prudent investment strategy that has kept their family assets safe and sound during several stock market fluctuations.

Liu Mantun never listened to so-called "insider information" nor did he chase rising stocks or sell falling ones. Instead, he studied the fundamentals of those companies like a detective.

To invest, Liu Mantun would personally visit these companies' factories, chat with the workers, and learn about their production processes.

His stock selection logic is very simple: whether the company is doing things in a down-to-earth manner and whether its products are truly needed by the market.

This almost "clumsy" method allowed him to avoid several major risks during the ups and downs of the stock market, although he did not make a fortune.

What truly transformed Liu Mantun's wealth structure was a crucial investment.

That was in the mid-1990s, when urban construction in Yanjing began to accelerate. However, he was not interested in the already popular downtown properties, but rather in a few old-style courtyard houses outside the Second Ring Road, which were still somewhat desolate at the time.

Everyone thought Liu Mantun had gone mad, spending a huge sum of money to buy those dilapidated old houses; it was like throwing money into the water.

But Liu Mantun had his own judgment.

He studied the long-term planning map of Yanjing (Beijing) and believed that the cultural value of this ancient capital was immeasurable.

Liu Mantun wasn't gambling on land, but on the future of Yanjing and the city's profound historical heritage.

He invested almost all his savings to buy two courtyards.

This decision, which seemed incredibly risky at the time, became the most important pillar of his later life in the years to come.

That investment agreement became one of the most important contracts in Liu Mantun's life.

Ten years later, when housing prices in Yanjing skyrocketed, the courtyard house that Liu Mantun bought back then had increased in value more than ten times.

Liu Mantun believes that the value of this courtyard house will continue to rise, and perhaps a good courtyard house will be worth hundreds of millions or more over the years.

Those who once mocked him can now only look at the gray-walled, black-tiled courtyard houses and marvel at Liu Mantun's foresight.

However, Liu Mantun was not blinded by his sudden wealth; he maintained his rare clarity and restraint.

He meticulously renovated one of the courtyards and transformed it into a traditional teahouse, specifically to cater to tourists visiting Yanjing.

In the courtyard with its blue bricks and small tiles, an eight-immortal table is set up under an old elm tree, and waitresses dressed in cheongsams are brewing jasmine tea in a purple clay teapot.

Another courtyard in Zhongguan Village, after being carefully renovated by Liu Mantun, has been transformed into an ideal residence for more than 30 science and technology elites.

Most of these tenants are young people working in well-known high-tech companies in Zhongguancun. They are energetic and full of vitality.

In recent years, with the booming development of domestic Internet technology, Zhongguancun has transformed into China's "Silicon Valley".

This place brings together top scientific and technological talents from all over the world. They bring their dreams and talents to write a new chapter in Southeast University's science and technology on this fertile land.

The gathering of such a large number of highly qualified talents has naturally driven the vigorous development of the surrounding real estate market.

High-quality properties are in high demand, and prices are soaring, creating a situation where supply cannot meet demand.

Every weekend, a steady stream of people come to view the property, hoping to find a place to settle down in this fertile land of technology.

Liu Mantun keenly seized this business opportunity.

He transformed the traditional courtyard house into a modern shared apartment, preserving the traditional architectural style while equipping it with modern amenities such as internet access, electric water heaters, and air conditioning.

Each room is carefully designed, with plenty of natural light, good sound insulation, and simple, practical furniture.

The common areas feature a shared kitchen, laundry room, and lounge area, providing tenants with a comfortable social space.

These renovated courtyard apartments were very popular as soon as they were launched.

Instead of blindly raising rents, Liu Mantun devised a reasonable pricing strategy, which quickly attracted a group of high-quality tenants.

These young people not only pay their rent on time, but also spontaneously organize activities such as book clubs and technology salons, making the entire courtyard full of vitality and creativity.

Liu Mantun also planted several pomegranate trees in the yard. Every autumn, the bright red pomegranates hang from the branches, and the young tenants often sit around under the trees to share the fruit and exchange their thoughts.

This warm and harmonious atmosphere has earned his courtyard house a good reputation in the rental market.

What surprised Liu Mantun even more was that among these young tenants were many technical elites and entrepreneurial talents.

They would often consult Liu Mantun on business issues, and Liu Mantun would share his years of accumulated investment experience.

This interaction not only enhanced mutual understanding but also exposed Liu Mantun to many emerging technological concepts and business models.

In this way, Liu Mantun's courtyard house not only became a stable source of income, but also a bridge connecting tradition and innovation.

As night falls, the courtyard is brightly lit, filled with the sounds of young people typing on keyboards and the gentle gurgling of tea boiling in a purple clay teapot. Tradition and modernity blend perfectly here.

If Liu Man's investment acumen is the hardware of his success, then his ability to cultivate relationships is his most powerful software.

He knew all too well that in this world, one cannot go far by going it alone.

Liu Mantun believes in an old saying: "At home, you rely on your parents; when you're away from home, you rely on your friends."

But his definition of "friend" is not the clinking of glasses at the dinner table, but the genuine affection of offering help in times of need.

During the most difficult period of Liu Mantun's resignation to start his own business, a friend named Lao Jiang provided him with tremendous help.

Old Jiang was Liu Mantun's colleague when he worked in Liujiazhuang. He was a man of few words but extremely loyal and righteous.

Back when everyone started to distance themselves from Liu Mantun, only Lao Jiang would often come to see him, bringing him some in-demand technical information and helping him analyze the market.

On one occasion, Liu Mantun finally secured an export order, but the other party demanded that he pay a large sum of money upfront. This amount was astronomical for Liu Mantun at the time.

Liu Mantun went to all the relatives he could borrow money from, but all he got were cold shoulders and rejections.

Just when he was at his wit's end and was about to give up on the order, Lao Jiang heard about his predicament and took the initiative to find him.

Without saying a word, Old Jiang took out a bankbook from a cloth bag and slammed it on the table: "This is the money my wife and I have saved up for half our lives. You can take it and use it first. I know you're not the kind of person who would do anything reckless, and I trust you."

Liu Mantun's hands trembled slightly as he took the passbook.

He opened it and was shocked to find 80,000 yuan inside—equivalent to twenty years' wages for an ordinary worker in the early 1990s.

"Old Jiang, this..." Liu Mantun's throat tightened, and he couldn't speak for a moment.

"Stop being so wishy-washy," Old Jiang waved his hand, "Just remember to pay me back on time."

My wife said, "We trust your character, Lao Liu. When you make a fortune, just treat us to a nice meal, hahaha..."

"That's for sure." Liu Mantun nodded solemnly, knowing what this money meant to Lao Jiang's family.

This trust is more precious than gold.

Liu Mantun didn't say many words of thanks, but simply nodded heavily, deeply engraving this kindness in his heart.

This money became a turning point in Liu Mantun's career.

He successfully completed the export order, earning his first pot of gold and establishing stable overseas customer relationships.

Three years later, when Liu Mantun returned the money to Lao Jiang with interest, he deliberately added an extra 50,000 yuan.

"What are you doing?" Old Jiang asked, declining the offer.

“Old Jiang, listen to me, this is what you deserve,” Liu Mantun said sincerely. “Without your money, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

It was with this "lifesaving money" that Liu Mantun successfully navigated the danger, completed that crucial order, and earned his first real pot of gold.

This not only helped him survive the crisis, but also laid the foundation for Liu Mantun's career.

From then on, he cherished every friendship he had even more.

Liu Mantun never hesitates to help others.

Whether it's a business partner encountering difficulties or a neighbor in the alley having a family emergency, he will never refuse to help as long as it's within his power.

The small factory owners whom Liu Mantun helped later became his loyal suppliers; the young people he mentored later became industry elites.

He didn't deliberately build any "network of relationships"; he simply treated everyone sincerely and regarded every encounter as a kind of fate.

These seemingly selfless contributions ultimately benefited Liu Mantun in various ways.

Liu Mantun's interpersonal resources are like an invisible bank, constantly storing credit and goodwill for him.

These intangible assets are far more solid and reliable than the numbers in Liu Mantun's account, and they have become one of the reasons why he can live a worry-free life after retirement.

Liu Mantun often told his son, "Money will depreciate, but people's hearts will not."

From that day on, Liu Mantun's life trajectory became inextricably linked to the pulse of this city. He staked his entire fortune and the future of his family on an uncertain tomorrow.

At the time, he had no idea whether that seemingly crazy decision would lead him to an abyss or into an unexpected golden age.

At that moment, the gears of fate made a crisp sound.

Since that day, Liu Mantun's life has entered a state of "tension" that outsiders cannot understand.

He invested all the funds he could, including the money he borrowed from Lao Zhang, into buying those two dilapidated courtyard houses.

On the day of the signing, Liu Mantun's hand holding the pen even trembled slightly.

This is not just a house purchase contract; it is the culmination of all his efforts in the first half of his life and the gamble of all his hopes for the second half.

Although Gao Xiulan was persuaded by him, she was still uneasy.

She often woke up at night and saw Liu Mantun standing alone by the window for hours on end.

During that time, the atmosphere at home was heavy, and every penny had to be spent sparingly.

When his son wanted a pair of sneakers, Jianguo refused. He just patted his son's head and said, "Good boy, wait a little longer. I'll buy you Nikes after I've finished taking care of this important matter."

The doubts from the outside world have never stopped.

"You have money to burn? Buy that pile of broken bricks and tiles."

"Just wait and see, in less than three years, he'll be crying as he sells the house."

These rumors, like needles, pricked the family from time to time.

However, Liu Mantun remained unusually calm and focused.

He ignored the noise from the outside world and focused all his attention on the two courtyards.

Liu Mantun personally sought out Master Lei from Liujiazhuang to study traditional building techniques. What he wanted was not a simple renovation, but to restore the original appearance and charm of the courtyard as much as possible.

He treated each brick and tile with the care of a work of art, meticulously repairing them.

He often spends a whole day alone in the courtyard, touching the pillars that have been eroded by time, as if he can hear the old house telling stories of the past.

Liu Mantun firmly believes that these courtyards are alive, carrying the history and culture of Yanjing City.

In an era when everyone yearned for skyscrapers, his "retro" behavior seemed out of place.

But a strong voice inside him told him: the more national it is, the more international it is; the more ancient it is, the more precious it is.

Time is the best judge.

A few years later, with the accelerated development of Yanjing city and the increasing emphasis on the protection of traditional culture, the value of the courtyard house began to be rediscovered.

In particular, the area where the courtyard house that Liu Mantun bought is located has been designated as a historical and cultural protection zone.

House prices began to soar at an incredible rate.

Those who once mocked him now look at Liu Mantun with awe and envy in their eyes.

When the first interested buyer, a foreign businessman who was a big fan of Dongda culture, offered a price that shocked even him, Liu Mantun truly realized that he had won his gamble.

Moreover, it was a resounding victory.

Instead of selling immediately, Liu Mantun selectively rented one of the courtyards to some IT professionals for a long period, earning a stable and substantial rental income.

Another location was transformed into a traditional Beijing teahouse, attracting a constant stream of tourists and making a fortune.

The rapid increase in wealth did not lead Liu Mantun astray.

On the contrary, he lives with greater clarity and understanding than before.

Unlike many people who suddenly become rich, Liu Mantun did not buy luxury cars, live in villas, or lead a luxurious life.

He and Gao Xiulan still live in their old house in the alley of Liujiazhuang West Bank District. The pomegranate tree and grapevine in the yard were planted by their own hands.

"Quality of life has never been improved by money alone."

This is a phrase that Liu Mantun often says.

He believes that once basic material needs are met, excessive pursuit will only become a burden, enslaving people to material possessions, and thus he begins to practice a philosophy of "simple living".

(End of this chapter)