Chapter 269 - 221: Ji Province Entrepreneurs’ Banquet

Chapter 269: Chapter 221: Ji Province Entrepreneurs’ Banquet

"Miraculous effects?"

"That amazing?"

Fan Hong looked slightly astonished. "So, what specific symptoms do these secret medicinal recipes have miraculous effects on? And just how miraculous are we talking?"

In response to Fan Hong’s question, Gu Heng lifted his teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and then slowly began to speak. "Uncle Fan, with these secret medicinal recipes, we can significantly alleviate, improve, or even completely cure two major common health complaints: insomnia and menstrual pain."

As Gu Heng’s words fell, Fan Hong, who had just raised his own teacup, felt his right hand tremble uncontrollably. A bit of scalding tea sloshed over the side.

But Fan Hong seemed completely unaware of it. He just stared wide-eyed at Gu Heng, his gaze filled with shock. He knew exactly what an enormous business opportunity lay behind Gu Heng’s words.

If the secret medicinal recipes were truly as effective against insomnia and menstrual pain as Gu Heng claimed, then once Zhenyuan Restaurant opened, its doors would likely be beaten down by the countless people suffering from these two ailments.

Making a fortune daily wouldn’t be a dream. They’d make so much money their hands would cramp up.

Only now did Fan Hong finally understand why Zhenyuan Restaurant’s initial startup capital was 100 million yuan, and why its priority was even higher than the full-scale expansion plan for the northern market. If he were in Gu Heng’s position, he would have made the exact same decision.

After the initial shock, Fan Hong quickly collected himself and asked Gu Heng a crucial question. "Chairman Gu, do those secret medicinal recipes require aged herbs or common ones?"

"They can be common herbs, or they can be aged herbs."

Gu Heng smiled. "Medicinal cuisine made with aged herbs will certainly be more effective than that made with common herbs. However, aged herbs are scarce and generally quite expensive. Since our Zhenyuan Restaurant is primarily aimed at the general public, we will definitely focus on using common herbs."

"As for the more effective medicinal cuisine based on aged herbs, we can create a separate high-end brand targeting premium customers after the Zhenyuan Restaurant brand has established itself. This way, we can meet the needs of different customer segments without affecting our group’s reputation and prestige."

As the brand director personally appointed by Gu Heng, Fan Hong needed to know this inside information and these plans in advance. At the very least, he had to be fully aware of the situation.

"Chairman Gu..."

Fan Hong’s expression suddenly turned serious, and his voice dropped. "With such miraculous effects, these secret medicinal recipes will likely attract covetous eyes in the future."

Hearing this, a flash of appreciation appeared in Gu Heng’s eyes.

"Uncle Fan, this is precisely why I asked to see you after the meeting."

Gu Heng picked up the fairness pitcher and poured another cup of tea for both himself and Fan Hong. "The secret medicinal recipes are priceless. You could say they are the very foundation of Zhenyuan Restaurant. If these recipes leak, medicinal cuisine brands will pop up everywhere. With Zhen Cui Group’s financial resources alone, Zhenyuan Restaurant would quickly be lost in the crowd."

"So..."

"At all times, ensuring the secret medicinal recipes do not leak is your number one priority as the brand director for Zhenyuan Restaurant."

At this point, Gu Heng’s tone became slightly more stern.

"Understood!"

Fan Hong was well aware of the gravity of the matter, and his expression became solemn as well.

"In the group meeting just now, I assigned many of Zhenyuan Restaurant’s preliminary tasks to various departments, but I didn’t give you any specific assignments. This is the reason why."

Gu Heng lightly tapped the table with his knuckle. "Uncle Fan, your most important job at this stage is to develop an effective confidentiality plan that can, to the greatest extent possible, ensure the secret medicinal recipes are not leaked or stolen."

"Many of the old, time-honored traditional Chinese medicine brands in the country, like Tongren Hall, Gusheng Hall, and Heshun Hall, have survived for decades, even centuries, because they have always possessed many exclusive, secretly guarded formulas. The methods they use to ensure these exclusive secret formulas are not leaked or stolen are what we desperately need right now."

With that, Gu Heng stood up, walked quickly to his desk, took a business card from his drawer, and placed it in front of Fan Hong.

"Su Tianyi, an associate professor at Fudan Medical College."

Gu Heng was direct and got straight to the point. "His father is a director at Yangzi Pharmaceutical, a domestic pharmaceutical giant, and he has a lot of influence in the country’s medical field. I already called him yesterday. He can arrange for you to visit and investigate major pharmaceutical companies and traditional Chinese medicine brands."

"Contact him later on your own initiative. Once you’ve arranged a time, Uncle Fan, I’ll have to ask you to make a trip to Su Province as soon as possible to formulate a confidentiality plan that will ensure the precious medicinal recipes remain secret."

Fan Hong picked up the business card Gu Heng had placed on the table. Looking at the numerous titles on it, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

’Without me even realizing it, Gu Heng’s network has grown to this extent. He even has such powerful connections in Su Province.’

"Chairman Gu, I’ll leave tomorrow."

Fan Hong stated his intention immediately.

"There’s no need to be in such a rush."

"Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and the day after is New Year’s Day."

Gu Heng said with a smile, "It’s not too late for you to go after the New Year holiday, Uncle Fan."

"Ah..."

"It’s fine."

"I’m all alone now."

"To me, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are all the same."

Fan Hong sighed softly. Although he tried to look nonchalant, a flicker of loneliness crossed his eyes.

"Uncle Fan, after your divorce, have you not contacted your ex-wife and child at all?"

Gu Heng asked tentatively.

"No."

"I don’t have their contact information, and there’s no need to get in touch anyway."

Fan Hong gave Gu Heng a small smile and replied in a low voice, "When disaster strikes, it’s every man for himself. I don’t blame them, but there’s no turning back for me."

"Uncle Fan, a good man need never worry about finding a wife."

"What’s in the past is in the past. We should look forward."

Gu Heng raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. "How about I introduce you to someone? You know, I actually know someone who might be a good match for you."

"Don’t be ridiculous."

"I don’t have the energy to think about that kind of thing right now."

Seeing that Gu Heng was actually trying to play matchmaker, Fan Hong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "The most pressing matter is launching the Zhenyuan Restaurant brand. We can talk about this later."

"You can have a work-life balance, you know!"

Gu Heng teased, "If you keep putting it off till tomorrow, and then the day after, when will you ever have a wife to come home to, Uncle Fan?"

"Oh, come on."

"Alright, alright."

"If there’s nothing else, I’m going to head out."

"There are some things I still need to coordinate with the other departments."

Flustered by Gu Heng’s teasing, Fan Hong’s face reddened. He shot up from the sofa, looking like he was in a great hurry to leave.

"Alright, alright."

"Go on, then."

Gu Heng smiled and shook his head, not stopping Fan Hong any further.

"I’m off!"

Fan Hong was a decisive man. After carefully putting away the business card Gu Heng had given him, he walked briskly out of the office.

Fan Hong had just left, and not two minutes later, there was another knock on Gu Heng’s office door.

"Come in."

Gu Heng took a sip of his now-cool tea and called out calmly.

The door opened, and a staff member from the Chairman’s Office walked in.

"Chairman Gu, there’s a piece of mail for you."

The young woman respectfully stated her purpose. "The sender is the Ji Province Department of Commerce."

"Oh?"

Gu Heng took the envelope, a hint of surprise on his face. "I see. You may go."

"Yes, sir."

The young woman gave Gu Heng a slight bow, then turned and left quickly.

The envelope felt a bit thick. Gu Heng tore open the seal and took out its contents.

Inside was an exquisitely crafted, gold-stamped invitation card. Emblazoned upon it were the words:

Ji Province Entrepreneur Gala!