Chapter 1179: Another Benefactor

Chapter 1179: Chapter 473: Another Benefactor

After sorting out Mihayou, all subsequent companies were taken down smoothly.

The difficulty simply wasn’t on the same level.

On average, dealing with two companies a day, by the end of September, Han Lie had convinced the founders of more than 30 companies.

Some of them were startups, but most were companies that had developed to a relatively good stage of maturity.

So, the price wasn’t exactly cheap.

The valuations were basically concentrated in the range of 100 million to 1 billion, with a shareholding between 15% and 30%.

Because the founders of very small companies are unlikely to have a strong impulse for financial management or the basic conditions for investment.

When facing startups, Tianhang has another strategy and doesn’t have to rush to negotiate terms now.

The discovery of startups should be a natural progression as fame spreads.

Therefore, for now, it’s only necessary to focus on companies around the A and B rounds stages.

The reason for not investing in the C round is because it’s too expensive, and Tianhang’s mere 4 billion total cannot sustain it.

Additionally, the profits are too low.

Why would Han Lie need to remember so many unlisted small companies just to gnaw on tough bones?

The companies worth investing in at the C round, at present, are roughly only a few like ByteDance, Pinduoduo, Jinshi Cloud Account, Ning Wang Era, etc.

No money now, better not mention it.

By the end of the bull market, you’ll see whether Dog Lie stirs up trouble or not.

The 30 companies with finalized investment agreements are not all enterprises that ultimately go public.

Only a mere 12 of them were listed companies. That’s it.

The ratio is just whatever.

For Han Lie, in terms of which companies to invest in, he has his own set of standards. Not everything is about making money.

For instance, there was an agricultural technology company engaged in inland saline-alkali lake marine fish farming. Han Lie had no impression of it, but after talking with the founder, he decisively decided to invest 50 million yuan.

The guy’s surname was Guo, a graduate of Magic Capital Marine University’s aquaculture department. He met Han Lie through an introduction painstakingly arranged by his Ph.D. supervisor.

“Why did you choose this entrepreneurial direction?”

When Han Lie asked him this, Dr. Guo shyly replied, “I have always felt that the most neglected yet crucial issue in our country, often overlooked by capital, is food security.”

This one opening line immediately filled Han Lie with respect.

“Please elaborate, come, have some tea, let’s talk slowly!”

Han Lie gestured to Xiao Wu: “Postpone the subsequent appointments, I want to have an in-depth conversation with Dr. Guo.”

Dr. Guo, feeling reassured, calmed his emotions and began the topic.

“Food security includes not only staple grain security but also poultry, eggs, milk, and even fruits and vegetables, with aquaculture—especially marine products—being no exception.

Logically speaking, with our country’s vast coastline, seafood safety shouldn’t seem too concerning at first glance.

However, there’s always the unexpected in this world, and some malice that cannot be ignored.

From a broader perspective, engaging in saline lake aquaculture inland is a major supplement to the safety of side foods.

From a personal standpoint, I was born in the northwest, where freshwater resources are scarce, but saline lakes are everywhere.

Seafood is particularly expensive where I come from, and from a young age, I found it odd that if seawater is salty and saline lakes are salty, why can’t seafood be farmed in saline lakes?

The vast northwest, with its saline-alkali land and lakes, has always been barren, with rare signs of life.

Their only function is to produce salt, bringing minuscule income to the local residents.

My current entrepreneurial idea isn’t really about how much money I can make—it’s about using my knowledge to lead the folks back home to prosperity.

If successful, on a small scale, I repay my hometown; on a larger scale, I provide a safeguard and an alternate development path for the nation. It’s beneficial to the country and the people, so why not do it?

If it doesn’t work out, I would only waste my time, but it could still offer some experience and lessons for future endeavors, making it worthwhile.

But I only have some immature technologies, no money…”

“Money is the easiest part!”

Han Lie stood up with a bang: “How much money do you need to do this?”

Dr. Guo was overjoyed and quickly said, “Not much, starting with just 10 million in the early phase would let us conduct various experiments and modifications…”

“I’ll give you 50 million!”

Han Lie has always been straightforward and generous, and today he was especially so.

One must admit, our country has always produced those willing to contribute without self-interest, continuously, from ancient times to the present.

For family, for country, generations uphold the backbone of the nation.

What moved Han Lie particularly was that Dr. Guo not only had the spirit of dedication but also a keen foresight, aiming to accomplish something significantly meaningful.

Once he succeeds, the vast saline-alkali lands of the five northwest provinces will become another rich land of fish and rice.

When seafood becomes unpalatable or unsafe, switching to fresh alternatives, who can deny its greatness?

“In advance, I wish you success!”

Han Lie shook his hand firmly and solemnly said, “On the day you succeed, I will throw you a big celebration at the Great Hall!”

Dr. Guo was moved to tears, choking up momentarily.

Han Lie quickly made a joke: “Right, by the way, make sure to note in the ads—no free shipping to Jiangzhe or Shanghai~~~”

“Hahaha, okay, okay! Thank you, President Han, I will give it my all!”

The matter was thus settled.