Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 99, Section 98: Resolving the Equity Issue of Taishan Airlines, Boeing's Round-the-World Flight Plan
"Sir, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I had someone bring you some food from the city."

Kuang Mingzhu took the food basket from the maid and took out the food.

"There's stir-fried dried bamboo shoots with pork. Dried bamboo shoots are what we call pork here, and I've heard it's delicious. There are also crab roe pan-fried buns, made with top-quality crab roe. And there's mustard green, shrimp, and tofu soup, which is light and refreshing."

For a couple, three dishes are enough; they don't need too much.

The two maids don't need to serve you; they can go and have dinner with the cook.

Only Fang Wen and Kuang Mingzhu remained in the main room.

Fang Wen took the small bowl of rice that Kuang Mingzhu had served him, picked up some vegetables, and ate a bite.

"The bamboo shoots are quite crisp, but there's a bit too much lard."

"Really? Next time, tell them to use less oil. Try the crab roe pan-fried buns."

"The taste is good. By the way, when I took you to work this morning, you seemed to have something to say."

Fang Wen broke the deadlock first, and Kuang Mingzhu's gentle plan was only half completed.

She smiled and said, "There is something. Taishan Airlines has become quite powerful, but the issue of shareholding is very serious, sir. The company only listens to you, so why not buy it? Aren't you afraid that Bada Company will try to undermine us?"

Kuang Mingzhu mentioned something that Fang Wen's small team was considering.

Everyone believes that, apart from the 40% stake held by Taishan Airlines, all other shares should be returned to Fang Wen.

In this way, there are no legal issues related to company law.

Otherwise, as the company grows bigger and bigger, with Bada Company as the major shareholder, Fang Wen might be ousted.

Now that his wife has also raised this concern, Fang Wen has no choice but to seriously consider this issue.

He nodded and said, "We won't eat this meal. Let Wu Ma cook some new dishes to entertain my people. We can also discuss this matter while we're at it."

Kuang Mingzhu smiled sweetly. She was overjoyed that her husband had confided in her about one of his most trusted subordinates.

Immediately, the hostess quickly got to work.

Fang Wen went outside, turned right, and instructed in the neighboring courtyard: "Uncle Fang, Shunzi, come to my house for dinner tonight. There will be other people too. Go and call them."

Fang Shouxin and Fang Shun immediately went out to handle the matter, and they knew exactly who to call.

An hour later, at 6 p.m.

Fang Wen's team members came over one by one.

They carried the gifts in perfect unison.

Upon entering, he proactively handed it to Kuang Mingzhu.

Fang Shouxin brought Shunzi first. "Young Madam, these are little trinkets that Shunzi and I made separately, a longevity lock and a bracelet, for the young master."

It was a gift for her future child. Kuang Mingzhu was a little embarrassed, but accepted the gift with a smile.

Others also came forward with gifts.

They were making up for the regret of not being able to attend the wedding, and also showing respect for the bride.

Even Pan Jiafeng and Shao Sishen were no exception.

After the gift-giving ceremony, everyone took their seats, and the formality immediately eased, with toasts and laughter filling the air.

After a meal and drinks, once the leftovers on the table were cleared away and everyone had settled down, Fang Wen spoke seriously.

"My wife also brought up the issue of company equity today, and after thinking about it, I think it really needs to be resolved."

Manager Liu took the lead in speaking: "Yes, public is public and private is private. Taishan Airlines is in a great situation now, and we must resolve the equity issue."

He used to work for Bada Company; this is a statement he's making.

The same applies to Sun Debiao.

After exchanging pledges of allegiance, the two firmly stood by Fang Wen's side.

Actually, there was no suspense in this matter. Even those in Fang Wen's small group who didn't care about the business, such as Howard, Shao Sichen, and Pan Jiafeng, believed that the shares should be taken back.

Fang Wen nodded: "Alright, I was just about to go to Europe. I need to settle the equity issue before I go so I can feel at ease."

His words surprised everyone.

Manager Liu asked, "General Manager, why are you going to Europe?"

"I have something very important to do in Europe, but I can't say for sure right now. I can only reveal one thing: it's related to fighting the Japanese," Fang Wen replied calmly. Everything about this trip to Europe had to be kept secret, and he couldn't tell anyone until he succeeded.

Shao Sishen, who had been to Europe, asked, "How do you get there? It takes three months to travel by sea, unless you fly there."

Fang Wen nodded.

"I am preparing to fly the Shrike to Europe."

“No way.” Shao Sichen stood up. “What if we stop to refuel along the way? The Shrike can’t sail that far.”

Shao Sichen's words caused everyone to worry. Although Fang Wen seemed to be omnipotent in terms of flying, flying from Shanghai to Europe was too far, and even with an auxiliary fuel tank, they could not reach that destination.

The idea of ​​stopping at airports along the way is utter nonsense. Nowadays, the Republic of China's diplomatic relations with Central Asia and the Mediterranean have long since ceased to have much contact. It wouldn't be easy for a private plane to land in those countries.

However, there is an explanation for this dialectal inscription:

"That's true, but Boeing has an event they want to do, a global tour of the P-26 fighter jet. My P-26-B was one of the first to be launched. Neil received a telegram from the company, and Boeing asked me if I would be willing to do a long-haul flight demonstration. If so, Boeing would take care of the airport stops along the way and the refueling."

This was a suggestion made tactfully by Neil. Boeing was willing to sponsor $2 and take charge of global publicity, as well as contacting transit airports along the route.

This matter is quite risky and is more suitable for an adventurer than an airline general manager. Neil did not think Fang Wen would agree, so he only mentioned it briefly.

But now, it has become a great help to Fang Wen as he flew to Europe.

As long as Boeing can secure airports around the world, Fang Wen has no worries about his own capabilities.

Even so, people are still worried.

In particular, Kuang Mingzhu, as a newlywed wife, was at a loss for how to respond when she heard that her husband was going to risk going to Europe.

Seeing the somewhat helpless Kuang Mingzhu, Fang Wen's heart softened, and he said:
"I will proceed with the flight to Europe only when I am absolutely certain of success. I will not start it for now. Let's discuss how to buy back the shares."

Then everyone relaxed and discussed how to persuade Bada Company to sell its shares.

Manager Liu explained the investment situation at the time.

"At that time, the eight major families established the Bada Company, investing 300,000 silver dollars (about 100,000 US dollars) in the company's name. Later, it was decided to exchange tung oil for airplanes. In the end, tung oil was purchased for 297,000 silver dollars, and Boeing 80s worth 130,000 US dollars were exchanged. Therefore, the Bada Company actually invested 300,000 silver dollars and held 50% of the shares. The general manager held 10% of the shares, and the remaining 40% were non-saleable and non-transferable dividend-paying shares."

“It’s definitely impossible to buy back the shares of Bada Company for 30 silver dollars. What price will they ask for?” Fang Shouxin asked, voicing everyone’s concerns.

After all, Taishan Airlines is no longer what it used to be, and the increase in its original share capital is certain.

Fang Wen's small team meeting has ended.

The next day, Manager Liu and Sun Debiao returned to the city of Shanghai.

The place they went to was right on the banks of the Huangpu River, where Bada Company had bought a large area of ​​riverside buildings to use as office space for the ferry company.

The people from Bada Company were all acquaintances, and when they saw Manager Liu and Sun Debiao, they all came over to greet them.

After exchanging pleasantries, Manager Liu asked, "Where is your master?"

He was referring to 'your master's house'.

The scene fell silent as everyone stared in surprise at Manager Liu and Sun Debiao.

Someone whispered, "Are they getting too big for their britches? Are they going to break up?"

Sun Debiao glared, about to retort.

But Manager Liu beat him to it.

Manager Liu, who usually appeared to be a nice guy, said coldly, "Did I sign a contract of servitude with Sun Debiao? Or did I swear a blood oath to be his slave for life?"

Some people couldn't help but shake their heads.

But no one spoke up for the two of them.

Manager Liu said coldly, "Tell me, where is your master's house?" Someone stretched out their hand and pointed to a large house by the river.

The two walked over, and there was a sign on the door of the house that read "Bada Ferry Company".

They went upstairs to the top floor.

That's where the eight shareholders stayed.

Compared to the glitz and glamour of Shanghai, they preferred to seek pleasure in their own territory.

The interior was decorated in a very fashionable style, and the hosts and the socialites they had hired were exchanging glances and embracing, living the good life they used to have.

Upon hearing what Manager Liu said, they were immediately shocked.

"You want to buy back the shares?" one of the owners asked in surprise.

“Yes. The general manager will fund the purchase of all your shares,” Manager Liu replied.

"What if we don't sell?" another owner asked coldly.

“If you don’t sell, your dividends will be suspended until the shares are sold,” Manager Liu said, revealing his trump card.

The eight owners glared angrily at Manager Liu.

"We trust you so much, why should we help Fang Wen?"

“Because he gave me something you couldn’t,” Manager Liu replied.

The owners, thinking Manager Liu had been bribed, quickly tried to tempt him:

"How much money did he give? We'll give it to you too."

“No, whatever he gives, we’ll double it.”

Looking at these people, Manager Liu was filled with many thoughts.

He used to work hard without complaint, earning only forty or fifty dollars a month.

That's what he earned with half his life.

After fifteen years as a worker and ten years as a manager, braving wind and rain, I finally received these benefits in my last two years.

For the previous twenty years, it all came down to one word: perseverance.

And so, the hardest, most tiring, and most dangerous tasks were still done by him, an outsider with no connection to the situation.

When they returned from transporting valuables to the Northeast, everyone else pretended to be sick, but the master insisted on assigning them to do it themselves.

But when I came back that time, I only got an extra month's pay.

This was risked with one's life!

Later, when the Japanese fought in Shanghai, the Eight Great Families suffered from water and food shortages and were also threatened by local gangs.

Once again, I was sent out to purchase supplies amidst a hail of bullets, and as a result, I was shot in the foot.

The host offered a few words of comfort, saying they would share the burden, and then left it at that.

Later, when General Manager Fang's airline needed someone to conduct an inspection, they didn't dare risk leaving the city and sent themselves instead.

At that time, his foot had not yet healed, and walking was excruciatingly painful.

From that time on, Manager Liu had a deep-seated disdain for his master.

He understood that he was merely a pawn that his master could discard at any time.

At Taishan Airlines, however, Manager Liu had a completely different experience.

The general manager trusts you and delegates authority, but he will not disregard your interests and safety.

Now, I have a monthly salary of 600 silver dollars, plus a bonus of 500 silver dollars, and an annual share of 40 gold bars.

Can the eight great families afford to provide these?
Are the eight great families willing to give these away?
Manager Liu looked coldly at his former master and turned to leave.

Sun Debiao shook his head: "You guys use sweet words when you need something, but ignore people's lives when you don't. That's how the world is, but we don't have a choice. Now, these shares, you can sell them if you want, or leave them there if you don't. Don't even think about getting a penny of dividends. If you want to play dirty tricks or be tough, we'll play along to the end."

After saying that, he gave everyone a vicious look, then turned and followed Manager Liu away.

After the two of them came downstairs.

The eight families quickly chased away the socialites who were there to laugh at them, and then gathered together to discuss the matter.

What should we do about the shares?

"It's troublesome."

"How troublesome? We hold the shares; how could it possibly run away?"

"We can't run away, but they won't give us any dividends."

"Not distributing dividends is a minor issue; we can't control them."

"Yes, I regret trusting Manager Liu so much."

"Even without Manager Liu, there would be Manager Ma or Manager Sun. Taishan Airlines rose to prominence thanks to Fang Wencai, so we're just contributing money and getting a share of the profits."

"Now that the money's back, if we sell the shares, it'll be pure profit. What price are you willing to offer?"

"Why should we sell it? It's a perfectly good place, I don't agree to it."

The discussion stalled, and one of the hosts expressed strong dissatisfaction.

The other owners understood this perfectly.

"I won't say anything else, but there are plenty of tricks in the business world. Which of your companies hasn't done something like swapping out a bird from a cage?"

"Yes, now that you mention it, I'm a little scared. If Fang Wen opens another airline and transfers all the original staff to that airline, what will we have left?"

"Let me do the math: one Boeing 80, and the small investment in the airport. That doesn't seem to be all!"

The hosts were immediately horrified.

They suddenly discovered that Bada Company was not a capital-intensive enterprise.

The company's valuable assets include: pilots, mechanics, two Boeing 247 aircraft, a Boeing 80, and airport investment.

However, most of these items do not belong to Taishan Airlines.

The two Boeing 247 aircraft were leased; the owner was a tung oil merchant.

As long as Fang Wen speaks with those tung oil merchants, they will definitely listen to Fang Wen and transfer the aircraft lease rights to another airline.

Needless to say, the mechanics—two from Boeing and one from Fang Wen's side—will all follow Fang Wen.

And then there are the pilots, all of whom Fang Wen personally trained. Even if you spend a lot of money to poach them, it's not certain that anyone will stay.

so.

If things really fall apart, Bada Company will get nothing. It's better to give in and exchange the shares for money. With Taishan Airlines' current value, they can make a lot of money.

Two days later, all the shareholders of Bada Company gathered at Taishan Airlines.

They requested the transfer of shares.

The original investment of 30 silver dollars was doubled.

That is, the equity was sold for 60 silver dollars.

Thus, the Bada Company invested 300,000 silver dollars and earned more than double the amount, which was a decent return.

They originally thought that this request would be negotiated for a long time and that they would have to make some concessions.

Unexpectedly, Taishan Airlines agreed immediately.

Fang Wen immediately signed the equity transfer agreement, and after official confirmation, he became the major shareholder of Taishan Airlines.

(End of this chapter)