July 26, 7 pm, Jialing River side, Cloud Peak Private Cuisine.
The private room is on the top floor, Floor-to-Ceiling Window is facing Jialing River.
The river flows slowly in the night, and the lights on the other side are reflected on the water, breaking into a flowing patch of light.
Cheng Jiaxun looks younger than Zhao Chen imagined.
The fifty-year-old man has black hair, a straight back and a strong head when he speaks.
He was wearing a dark gray polo shirt, with the cuffs rolled up to his forearms, revealing an old-fashioned mechanical watch.
"Chairman Zhao, long time admiration."
Cheng Jiaxun came forward and held Zhao Chen's hand with both hands.
"Before coming here, I told the team that Henglong's Chairman Zhao is a young talent, but when we actually met him, I was shocked - he is too young."
Zhao Chen smiled and shook hands:
"Mr. Cheng Award. You are the real senior in the industry. At my age, I have not even touched the door in the pig raising industry."
Cheng Jiaxun laughed:
"Chairman Zhao is so humble. I have seen Henglong's actions for the past six months.
Strategic shift, Rights Issue, clearing balance sheets, selling properties - every step is on point.
To be honest, what we in the industry admire the most are people who dare to think and act."
Zhao Chen shook his head:
"Mr. Cheng I'm embarrassed to say that.
What I do, to put it bluntly, is capital operation, which is far behind compared to an industrialist like you who has worked hard for twenty years."
Chen Xi spoke at the right time:
"Mr. Cheng, please take a seat. This restaurant is an old one by the river. It serves authentic Sichuan cuisine. Is it to your taste?"
Cheng Jiaxun sat down with a smile:
"Sichuan food is good. I eat it often at Yunnan. Assistant Chen is interested in it."
The three of them sat down.
The river view outside the window was just right, a cruise ship was slowly passing by, and the lights on the ship were particularly eye-catching in the night.
The dishes are coming one after another.
Mao Xue Wang, La Zi Ji, Boiled Fish, Pork with Garlic Sauce... A table was set up in full swing.
Cheng Jiaxun picked up a chopstick and Mao Xue Wang praised:
"Authentic! I can't taste this taste at Yunnan."
Zhao Chen smiled:
"Mr. Cheng Just like it. Come on, have a drink."
The three of them raised their glasses and clinked them lightly.
After a few glasses of wine, the atmosphere gradually became warmer.
Cheng Jiaxun put down his chopsticks and looked at Zhao Chen:
"Chairman Zhao, to be honest, the first reason I came here this time was to get to know you, this young genius.
Secondly, I also heard from people in the industry - Are you Henglong interested in the pig industry recently?"
Zhao Chen did not answer first, but picked up the wine glass and toasted Cheng Jiaxun again:
"Mr. Cheng is well informed. We are indeed studying this direction."
Cheng Jiaxun drank and waited for him to continue.
Zhao Chen Put down the glass:
"I didn't know much about the pig farming industry before. I only learned about the depth of the water after reading some information recently.
Mr. Cheng has been doing this for twenty years and can control costs extremely well. Not everyone has this ability."
Cheng Jiaxun waved his hand:
"Wherever there is, we have also figured it out.
In the farming industry, there are no shortcuts, it all depends on time. One step at a time, and you will know which is deeper and which is shallower if you step on it too many times."
He paused and looked at Zhao Chen:
"Chairman Zhao If you really want to join, I can give you some advice - it's too difficult to start from scratch.
Raising pigs is not about building a building, it can be done if you have money.
Epidemic prevention, breeding, and feed formulation are all technical tasks. If you are not careful, a whole crop of pigs will die, and half a year's work will be wasted."
Zhao Chen nodded:
"Mr. Cheng is right. So we are also considering whether to focus on investing in shares.
Find some companies with technology, teams, and good foundations, and let's work together."
Cheng Jiaxun's eyes moved slightly.
But soon, he picked up the wine glass again:
"Investing in shares is also a way. But it's important to find the right person.
People outside can't understand the farming industry. Only those inside know how deep the water is."
He took a sip and suddenly sighed:
"To be honest Chairman Zhao, we had a setback last year.
Swine fever killed more than 3,000 pigs overnight. The book loss was 7 to 8 million, not counting the subsequent epidemic prevention costs."
Chen Xi asked softly from the side:
"Mr. Cheng, that happened last year?"
Cheng Jiaxun nodded:
"Yes, last year. At that time, we had just expanded production and invested tens of millions in new pig houses. As a result, when the disease came, everyone died and they were culled.
During those few months, I couldn't sleep every day."
He looked at Zhao Chen:
"Chairman Zhao, raising pigs is really no joke.
It's a cash cow when you're making money, but it can bankrupt you when you're losing money."
Zhao Chen listened carefully and then said:
"Mr. Cheng, I have written down what I said. That's why we want to cooperate with experts like you.
If you have experienced people with you, you can at least avoid a few pitfalls."
Cheng Jiaxun waved his hand:
"Chairman Zhao promoted me. That's all we are."
He paused and suddenly changed the subject:
"Then if Chairman Zhao becomes a shareholder, what size of company do you want to invest in?
Should we invest in early-stage companies or in companies like ours that are ready to go public?"
Zhao Chen laughed:
"Mr. Cheng is testing me."
Cheng Jiaxun also laughed:
"It's not a test, I just want to hear what Chairman Zhao thinks."
Zhao Chen thought for a while:
"Scale is not the most important thing. What is important is a stable team, a clear model, and cost control.
As for whether it will be listed on the market--"
He glanced at Cheng Jiaxun:
"Listing has the benefits of going public, but also the troubles of going public. Sometimes, it is more comfortable not to go public."
Cheng Jiaxun's brows moved slightly.
He picked up the wine glass and took a slow sip.
"Chairman Zhao, this is to the point."
He said, "Listing is indeed a lot of trouble. Equity needs to be diluted, information needs to be disclosed, and everything needs to be monitored by regulators.
Sometimes I also wonder if it would be better not to go public."
Zhao Chen looked at him and said nothing.
Cheng Jiaxun continued:
"But there is no way, companies need money to develop.
Bank Loan The interest rate is high, and private lending is even more difficult to do. Although going public is troublesome, it is a formal way."
Zhao Chen nodded:
"Understood. But Mr. Cheng, if there is a suitable Strategic Investment person who is willing to hold shares for a long time, not interfere in the operation, and can also help the company solve some external problems--
Would you consider this kind of cooperation?"
Cheng Jiaxun looked at him with a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.
"Chairman Zhao Are you recommending yourself?"
Zhao Chen laughed:
"I'm just asking casually. Mr. He, don't think too much about it."
Cheng Jiaxun also laughed:
"Chairman Zhao is young, but he speaks in a sophisticated way."
He put down his chopsticks and leaned back on his chair:
"To be honest, if someone is willing to invest and the conditions are right, of course we welcome it.
But there is one thing - you can't just think about making money, you have to go with the company.
In the animal husbandry industry, you can't make big money in three or two years. If you don't have the patience, don't get involved as soon as possible."
Zhao Chen nodded:
"Mr. Cheng, I have written it down."
Cheng Jiaxun looked at him and suddenly said:
"Chairman Zhao, you are an interesting person."
Zhao Chen smiled:
"Mr. Cheng is also an interesting person."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
The river Jingjing outside the window is flowing.
At this moment, there was a tacit understanding between each other.
It's best to cooperate rather than become competitors.
However, facing Shennong Group, which is preparing to go public, their potential cooperation possibilities are all in vain.