Yang Jian did not expect Yu Feng to make such a statement, and he felt a bit awkward for a moment.
"Sister Feng, let's not talk about the past. As I said before, wherever you need me and within my capabilities, I will definitely not refuse."
"It's good to have your word. I have two things to tell you today. First, our company is about to start several construction sites in Hancheng. Are you interested in doing subcontracting for carpentry?"
Yu Feng knew that Yang Jian was in debt and didn't have much money, so she didn't mention bigger projects.
Yang Jian shook his head. "I'm not interested for now. Even if I were to subcontract, I don't have the money right now."
"Don't you have over a hundred thousand yuan? You should have received about a hundred thousand yuan from the gambling company some time ago, right?"
"Some of that money was used for my cousin's medical treatment, and some was given to migrant workers who urgently needed money. I'm broke again."
"Then how about I lend you 150,000 yuan, and we can deduct it from the engineering payments later?"
"No need. I owe 1.5 million yuan in wages to migrant workers. I can't earn that much in a year even by subcontracting. So, I plan to continue gambling, as it's a faster way to make money."
Yu Feng frowned. "I should help you with so much debt, but the company's funds are also very tight recently. Lending you two or three hundred thousand yuan is no problem, but more than that would be difficult."
"No need to borrow. I'll repay it myself slowly. After I clear my debts, I'll come to you for projects."
"Alright. If my financial pressure eases in the second half of the year, I'll help you pay the migrant workers' wages first, and then you can work on projects for my company to offset it."
"We'll see then. What was the second thing you wanted to discuss?"
Yang Jian did not refuse this proposal. If he couldn't earn that much by the end of the year, he might have to borrow from her. In any case, he couldn't let those migrant workers down again.
"The second thing is about your plan to start a timber processing plant. Is there anything I can help with?"
"Not for now. I'm just having my father set up a small timber processing workshop in our hometown, mainly producing semi-finished building formwork."
"Semi-finished building formwork?"
"Yes, it's a small investment, just to give my father something to do."
Yang Jian then briefly introduced the current situation in Xinqiao.
After listening to the introduction, Yu Feng's eyes lit up. "Your Xinqiao is developing this industry? Do you know that our company spends millions of yuan on purchasing building formwork every year? In the second half of this year, our Dongsheng Construction will be upgraded to a special-grade qualification, and our engineering projects next year will double. The capital expenditure for formwork will be at least over twenty million yuan."
Yang Jian was also taken aback. "Sister Feng, are you looking to invest in a formwork factory?"
"It's not me investing. You can invest. Setting up a formwork factory in your Xinqiao has unique advantages. As long as the quality is up to par, if you exclusively supply our company, you won't have to worry about sales."
"That's an idea, but where would I get the money to invest in such a large factory? I'm a carpenter, and I'm aware of the market for formwork. Most of it is on credit. A finished product factory would need three to four million yuan for working capital to keep it running."
Yu Feng pondered for a moment and said, "I'll come to your place in a couple of days to do some research. After the funds are recovered in the second half of the year, I'll invest some money to help you set up a finished product factory, and then we can use the formwork to offset it, or we can cooperate in running the factory. You provide the land, the factory, and the technology, and I'll provide the capital. This would be more profitable than you doing subcontracting for construction."
This suggestion made Yang Jian a little tempted. The real estate and infrastructure development in Hancheng had just entered a period of rapid growth, and the market for building formwork was huge. Now was the right time to enter this industry.
Yu Feng's investment in the factory was both a way to support him and a consideration for her company's construction costs, making it a win-win project.
"Sister Feng, I'm very interested in your proposal. How about this: I'll go back and discuss it. If it's feasible, I'll arrange for relatives to learn from other manufacturers for half a year. Producing building formwork does require some technical skill. High-quality formwork can be reused eight to ten times, while low-quality formwork will be damaged after five or six uses. We should aim to produce premium products."
Yang Jian decided to seize this opportunity.
"Good, that's the right way to think. No matter what you do, quality is the most important thing. I'll wait for your good news."
Yu Feng was very happy. She finally had a chance to get Yang Jian on board. This kind of cooperation was easy and fairer than having him work for her company or giving him subcontracting projects. It wouldn't make him feel like she was giving charity or deliberately trying to recruit him.
After leaving the Fengqi Hotel and on his way home, Yang Jian discussed Yu Feng's proposal with Yang Huailin and the other two, asking for their opinions.
To his surprise, all three supported it.
Yang Huailin said, "Er Jian, I support you in setting up a finished product factory. If you lack funds, I'll help you apply for small agricultural loans. The village has such quotas, provided you register the company properly and have the factory and machinery in place. You can apply for up to two million yuan, and the first year is interest-free, with low interest thereafter. It's very cost-effective."
"Really? That's great news. Then we must do this."
Yang Jian had never considered financing through loans before. His uncle had pointed him in a direction.
Jing Yongli also said, "Brother Jian, since Sister Feng is supporting this, it really has potential. At least sales won't be a problem. With her strength, there won't be issues with subsequent working capital."
"What about the technology? Where can we learn it? I know there's a big difference in the quality of building formwork. If the quality isn't up to par, Sister Feng won't accept it."
"Technology isn't difficult either. When I was doing market research during the New Year, I looked into this aspect. The production process for finished formwork is the same. Manufacturers of production machinery will provide guidance. The most crucial core technology for producing formwork is the glue-making process. This requires learning from manufacturers in Dongshan Province or hiring experienced masters from there at a high salary."
"Brother Jian, I'll go learn the glue-making technique. Gambling isn't a long-term solution. My parents have been worried sick during this time. If my brother wasn't hospitalized and needed money, they wouldn't have allowed me to get involved in gambling."
Liu Chao immediately recommended himself.
Yang Jian nodded. He understood his aunt and uncle's feelings. Their eldest son was already ruined by gambling, and if their younger son also got involved in gambling, how could they be at ease?
"Then, Yongli, our small factory will continue as is. I'll go to Hancheng for a while. If I make money, I'll send it back gradually to build the factory for the finished product plant and purchase machinery.
Once the factory is built, we'll apply for the loan, and then have Sister Feng invest some money as a deposit for the formwork. This will ensure our formwork has a market.
If I don't make money, then Sister Feng will invest directly in the second half of the year. In any case, this factory must be established."
Yang Jian had completely made up his mind to start the factory.
Liu Chao quickly asked, "What about me? Should I go to Hancheng with you first, or go directly to learn the glue-making technique?"
"You stay home and help Yongli for now. Once this small factory is running smoothly and Yongli has a clear understanding of the relevant matters, then you can go learn glue-making."
To avoid worrying his aunt and uncle, Yang Jian did not intend to let Liu Chao go to Hancheng with him.