Li Long wanted sixty percent so that he would retain a say when the construction crew had major decisions to make.
If they really went into business together, his investment would certainly be substantial. The machinery alone might not amount to much in later years, but right now it was an enormous sum. Otherwise, Meng Hai would never have asked for only twenty percent.
In Meng Hai's view, the men he led really were not worth much. All they had was their strength. The opportunities Li Long found for them and those machines were what had value.
"Lao Meng, I'll be honest with you. I could agree right now to take seventy or even eighty percent, just as you suggested. But if the business really grows in the future, can you guarantee you won't start having other ideas?"
"I definitely won't!" Meng Hai immediately promised.
"You can guarantee that, and I believe you. But what about the men under you? Right now, a job earns a few thousand yuan, which works out to less than a hundred per person. That's not much money, but what about later?
"If a job earns tens of thousands, or even a hundred thousand or several hundred thousand, you might not have second thoughts, but won't your men? They'll think they did the work, so why should I get a bigger share?"
"They won't. They..." Meng Hai wanted to defend his brothers, but remembering how some had behaved during the roadwork, he was no longer sure.
"There's another reason I won't take that much. I have plenty of things of my own to handle, and no time to manage your operation. You'll be doing all the work, so whether you make money will also depend on how well you control the quality.
"You did a