The Tyrant Billionaire

Hardy had his own vision for the future of health supplements. He wanted to dominate this emerging market by providing health supplements backed by Western research and marketed globally. Hardy wasn’t concerned with traditional approaches or local methods; he knew that profit was found in scaling modern health products efficiently.

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When Hardy encountered a talent like Sha Tongyi, he couldn’t let him slip away. He wasn’t offering a generous sum out of charity but because he saw the factory’s potential to maximize profits and dominate the health supplement market.

Upon hearing Hardy’s offer, Sha Tongyi felt as though he had been hit by an enormous windfall. Lately, he had been worrying about running the business, about the upcoming loan deadlines, about his inability to open new markets, and about the future of his factory.

But now…

With one sentence from Hardy, all his worries vanished.

Selling the factory would net him 400,000 US dollars, while still retaining 15% of the shares and 10% of the management profits. If the factory developed well in the future, this would be a substantial income.

In other companies, holding 25% of the shares would make him a major shareholder.

As for the factory’s future, with the backing of Hardy’s group, it was clear that as long as he stuck to Hardy’s model, success was almost guaranteed.

Both parties had no objections.

The lawyer immediately drafted the agreement, and both parties signed to confirm.

Sha Tongyi received a $400,000 check from Wells Fargo Bank.

"Boss, how would you like the factory to operate in the future?" Sha Tongyi had already shifted his tone and now addressed Hardy as "boss."

"I’ve outlined a simple plan."

"Half of the current products will be cut. Going forward, the factory will primarily produce health supplements. As you probably know, medicines are heavily regulated in the U.S. and European markets, but health supplements face almost no restrictions. Once produced, they can be put directly on the market."

"Products like Chuanbei Pipa Syrup can stay, but most others will have to go."

"As for the first new product, I plan to have the company produce a... male enhancement supplement!"

Sha Tongyi was taken aback. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

A male enhancement supplement?

In traditional industries, anything related to men’s sexual health was usually handled discreetly. Yet here was Hardy, planning to make this his flagship product.

However, after considering the difference in mindset between Westerners and Easterners, Sha Tongyi quickly accepted the idea.

"Do you have a formula for something that takes effect quickly and can last for about an hour?" Hardy asked.

"Yes!" Sha Tongyi replied confidently.

"In fact, creating such a formula isn’t difficult. The main ingredient is epimedium, also known as ’horny goat weed.’ Other ingredients include ginseng, deer antler, and other traditional herbs."

"There are many possible formulas, some based on old traditions, but I can modernize them to fit the Western supplement market. We can create a supplement that takes effect in as little as twenty minutes and lasts for about an hour."

Hardy smiled lightly. "The health benefits are up to the users. It’s much better than being unable to function at all, right?"

"Alright, so the first product is decided. Now, what about the name?"

Hardy recalled the name of such product in his previouse life, He liked that name. "Let’s call it Viagra."

"It should be made into tablets with a sugar coating, where just one pill takes effect. Is that possible?" Hardy asked Sha Tongyi.

"Completely possible, boss," Sha replied confidently.

"Excellent! Haha, I’ve even come up with the advertisement slogan: ’Wait twenty minutes, get two hours!’ ’Real men should be strong!’ ’Viagra will rekindle your passion and vigor!’ ’Let the storm hit even harder!’"

Sha Tongyi and Victor stared at Hardy, not daring to show any expression on their faces, but inwardly they were both amazed at how lively their boss’s mind was.

"For the next products, we can move on to kidney tonics for men, beauty supplements for women, brain boosting supplements for children."

"When running a health supplement business, remember one principle: for men, focus on the lower body; for women, focus on the face; for children, focus on the brain and future; for the elderly, focus on longevity."

Sha Tongyi couldn’t stop nodding. No wonder Hardy was so successful. Even though he hadn’t studied medicine, he understood human nature. Health supplements are developed based on people’s desires, so how could there not be a market for them?

When he thought about the medicines he had been producing, the target audience had been so small. No wonder they didn’t sell well.

Sha Tongyi nodded vigorously.

Excitedly, he said, "Rest assured, boss, I will handle this well."

Turning to Victor, he said, "Victor, your job is to find a suitable place, enough to accommodate a few hundred people, where they can concentrate on their research in peace."

"Yes, boss," Victor quickly responded.

Hardy then addressed Sha Tongyi, "As for the research institute’s funding, here’s $100,000 to start with. If it’s not enough, you can apply for more from the group."

That should be enough for now.

Working for such a boss is wonderful—no need to worry about money.

But inwardly, Sha also made a firm vow: he would make sure the research institute was successful and not let the boss down.

...

Hardy had been in Hong Kong for several days now.

Each day had been busy.

Today, he finally had some free time and felt relaxed. He decided to take a proper walk around Hong Kong, to experience the local customs and culture of this era.

Hardy was walking through the market, accompanied by his ten bodyguards, when a commotion suddenly arose in the distance.

A group of men wearing black clothes, wielding iron rods and machetes, rushed over with fierce intent. There were about twenty to thirty of them. The onlookers, seeing this display of aggression, scattered in fear.

Some vegetable stalls were kicked over, scattering radishes and cabbages all over the ground.