Chinese Medicine: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 562: Chapter 562: Asking for Shares

Professor Zhang’s wife came over, swapping out their cups for fresh ones and pouring hot tea.

Ding Kaifang was a straightforward man. After a few pleasantries, he cut right to the chase. "Professor Zhang, I’ll be blunt. We’re here today... primarily to ask you to come out of retirement and join us at Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory. We need you to take charge and help us control the quality of our traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients. We want to make genuine, ethical medicine, and for that, we need your discerning eye."

Professor Zhang lifted his teacup for a sip, but then he suddenly raised a hand to cut him off.

"President Ding, I already know why you’re here. Professor Gao sang your praises over the phone. I’ve also heard a bit about your factory’s development over the past few years. You certainly have a lot of drive and a promising future."

"However..." Professor Zhang’s tone shifted, a difficult expression appearing on his face. "Feng City... is quite remote, after all. I’m getting on in years, and I have my wife and grandson to look after. It’s... really not practical for me to be traveling such long distances to work so far from home."

Ding Kaifang’s and Li Xu’s expressions froze simultaneously.

’Is he going to turn us down right from the get-go?’

’Without even hearing our offer?’

However, just when the two of them thought all hope was lost, Zhang Yarong changed his tune again. "That said... I am very much in favor of your determination to produce authentic traditional medicinal ingredients and avoid counterfeit, low-quality products. There aren’t many companies with integrity like yours these days. And with Professor Gao’s strong recommendation, I really shouldn’t refuse..."

Ding Kaifang and Li Xu raised their eyebrows, a glimmer of hope flashing in their eyes.

’So there’s a chance after all?’

Zhang Yarong folded his hands over his belly and said deliberately, "Well... I certainly have the desire to plant the seeds for the future of traditional Chinese medicine and ensure its quality. It’s my duty to contribute what I can in my later years. But, as I said, there are objective circumstances that make it inconvenient. So... why don’t you tell me more about your situation over there? For instance... the specific model of cooperation?"

Li Xu was taken aback.

’Didn’t he just say he was quite familiar with Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory?’

’Why is he asking for details now?’

’And why the special emphasis on the "model of cooperation"?’

Li Xu couldn’t figure out what the old professor was playing at.

But Ding Kaifang, a seasoned veteran who had navigated the business world for many years, immediately read between the lines of Zhang Yarong’s words.

’This isn’t about the distance at all.’

’It’s about the money not being right!’

The so-called "objective circumstances" and "inconvenience" were just bargaining chips.

’As long as the price is right, distance is no object. He’d probably even move his whole family.’

’He wants more money.’

Now that he understood, Ding Kaifang actually relaxed.

He wasn’t afraid of the professor wanting money; he was afraid of him genuinely wanting nothing at all.

As long as he wanted something, a deal could be made.

Ding Kaifang was not a stingy man.

He was a firm believer in making a grand gesture to attract true talent.

You have to plant the right tree to attract the phoenix.

For top-tier technical talent like this, no price was too high.

Besides, thanks to a few blockbuster drugs over the past two years, their pharmaceutical factory had a very healthy cash flow. They weren’t short on money.

So, Ding Kaifang asked with a smile, "Professor Zhang, I’m curious... what sort of offer did the last party make you?"

Zhang Yarong smiled and held up two fingers. "Nothing special. A nominal consultant position, two hundred thousand a year, no fixed office hours."

Ding Kaifang scoffed internally.

’Two hundred thousand?’

’Are they trying to shoo away a beggar?’

He didn’t waste any time and laid his cards on the table. "Professor Zhang, we genuinely want you to come and run the show. If you’re willing, I’ll offer you an annual salary of one million. We’ll also provide you with a private car and a personal driver. And if your family is willing to relocate, we can provide a villa in Feng City and cover all moving expenses."

An annual salary of one million.

In this day and age, that was an absolutely top-tier salary, even in a major metropolis.

For a retired professor coming back to work, it was an incredibly sincere offer.

Yet, upon hearing the offer, Zhang Yarong merely chuckled, showing neither surprise nor any sign of immediate acceptance.

He lifted his teacup, gently blowing the froth from the surface, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

Ding Kaifang’s heart skipped a beat.

’Even that’s not enough?’

’He’s got a big appetite.’

"Professor Zhang, please, name your price."

Ding Kaifang said, patting his chest, "Whatever it is, if it’s within our power, we’ll do it. No questions asked."

Zhang Yarong set down his teacup and said meaningfully, "President Ding, at my age, I have enough money to live on. What I value isn’t just the compensation, but... a sense of belonging."

"I enjoy being able to truly take control of a situation and see my own philosophy put into practice. Even if I can’t be the ultimate authority, I want to have a deep sense of involvement, not just be a highly paid employee."

Ding Kaifang frowned.

The words sounded strange at first.

But he understood the underlying meaning.

He glanced at Li Xu.

Li Xu might not be an expert in business negotiations, but he wasn’t a fool.

Zhang Yarong had made himself perfectly clear.

’What "sense of belonging"?’

’What "deep sense of involvement"?’

It meant one thing—shares!

And from the sound of it, not just a small amount of phantom stock, either.

He wanted real power, a voice in the company—perhaps even a percentage of actual equity.

’His appetite was enormous.’

’How could they possibly agree to that?’

Li Xu immediately shook his head.

Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory was a different company now than it had been in the past.

With several flagship products like Mao Duddu Eye Drops, the True Martial Pill, and high-end Agarwood Sanitary Napkins under its belt, its future market value was inestimable. Annual sales could reach tens of billions.

Even one percent of the company’s shares would represent a massive fortune of hundreds of millions, or even over a billion.

Zhang Yarong might be an expert, but he had made no tangible contributions to the company thus far. Furthermore, his actual skill level had yet to be proven.

Demanding shares right out of the gate was an exorbitant request. It was like trying to get something for nothing.

It wasn’t just greed; it was a gross underestimation of Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory’s value.

Li Xu looked at Ding Kaifang and shook his head.

Their eyes met, and they both understood what the other was thinking.

People with different principles simply cannot work together.

It seemed this particular heavyweight was beyond their reach.

They would have to find someone else.

Now that they understood his demands, there was no point in staying any longer.

Ding Kaifang stood up, preparing to take his leave politely, when he saw Professor Zhang’s wife rush out from an inner room. She grabbed the professor’s sleeve, her face a mask of anxiety, looking as if she wanted to say something but was holding back.

Ding Kaifang was a highly perceptive man and knew this was his cue to leave. He took the opportunity to say, "Well, Professor Zhang, it seems you have some family matters to attend to, so we won’t disturb you any further."

Zhang Yarong seemed distracted as well, replying absentmindedly, "Alright, alright. Take care."

Ding Kaifang and Li Xu turned and headed for the entryway.

Professor Zhang’s wife was frantic. "Old Zhang," she said urgently, "did you find the medicine or not? My brother just called again. The doctor says his vitals are too poor, and they’re starting mandatory chemotherapy next week. If we don’t find some medicine to support him, he might not even survive the first round of treatment."

...

PS: Happy New Year, everyone! Wishing you all a smooth and prosperous 2026.

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