I work as a mercenary in northern Myanmar.

Chapter 624 Planning
Peng Xucheng's plan marks the beginning of Dongfeng Bingtuan's transformation from a group "supported by PMC business and assisted by other businesses" to a true solution provider, but in order to achieve this goal, Chen Chen still has a lot to plan.

Abandon unnecessary and redundant industries, optimize the current company layout, attract talents, and establish a sound organizational structure
Every task is a big challenge for Dongfeng Group.

It can even be said that the difficulty of these challenges is no less than fighting a real war.

Therefore, after determining the general direction, Chen Chen immediately organized a meeting of the core members of Dongfeng Group and its peripheral core partners. The meeting had only one thing to discuss, which was how to turn the scattered parts into a whole.

The meeting process was quite boring. After more than ten hours for three consecutive days, everyone was exhausted. But fortunately, after the high-intensity meeting, the "current situation" of Dongfeng Group was finally completely sorted out.

The final result also surprised Chen Chen greatly.

He thought he paid enough attention to the company's business and was already a "business-oriented" leader compared to those mercenaries who only knew how to fight.

But after he really got deeply involved in this field, he found that his understanding of this group was indeed far from what he had expected.

The first thing that exceeded his expectations the most was that the Dongfeng Corps’ ability to make money could not be described as “strong”, it had even reached a terrifying level.

He had always believed that this group was almost entirely supported by the mission commissions from the Corps, and most of the other business segments were just consuming or making a little money.

But in fact, the three mainstream businesses alone can bring the group more than US$6 million in revenue each year.

The first is the import and export business of protective equipment in cooperation with Poly, which includes bulletproof vests, anti-terrorism and riot control equipment, police reconnaissance equipment, police and civilian vehicles, etc. The products are mainly exported to Indonesia, Southeast Asia and Africa, with a total export value of over 100 million yuan. Bulletproof vests alone sell millions of sets a year.

Of course, under the premise of small profits but quick turnover, the profit of bulletproof vests is not high, and only more than 20 million yuan is earned a year.

What is truly outrageous is the various anti-terrorism and riot control equipment and vehicles that were delivered to Indonesia.

In the past, it cost over a million yuan to transport a mine-proof and ambush-protected vehicle worth hundreds of thousands of yuan to Pubei. But now, the profit of shipping a Mengshi from the north to Indonesia is more than twice as much.

What’s even more exaggerated is that, due to the previous agreement, Dongfeng Group almost monopolizes the police equipment market in Indonesia. The huge profits are self-evident.

In addition to this foreign trade business, Dongfeng Group's mining business in Pubei is also quite profitable.

Huishai gold mine is one part, and the subsequent jade mines around Myitkyina are another part.

Most of the inheritance left by the mine owners who were liquidated in the Kachin war was divided up among external partners including He Bangxiong, but some also fell into the hands of Dongfeng Group.

Since 2012, the jade market in the north has suddenly heated up, and the speed at which this thing makes money has gradually begun to catch up with the money printing machine.

Without utilizing all production capacity and being able to keep the inventory in stock to survive, the two jade mines in Myitkyina can still generate tens of millions in profits each year. If the price of jade continues to develop according to Chen Chen's vague memories from his previous life, this business alone will probably be able to support Dongfeng Group and cover all operating costs.

As for the gold mines, the annual output is relatively stable, and the revenue remains at around 20 to 30 million.

Taken together, the first two businesses alone can earn Dongfeng Corps $4 million a year.

Where did the last 200 million come from?

It's simple, logistics.

The Dongfeng Corps, which had controlled the entire Pubei logistics business in advance, had supreme pricing power. Relying on its first-mover advantage, even without relying on tricks and only using commercial means, the Dongfeng Group had established absolute hegemony on the Myitkyina-Tachileik line.

Not to mention, after gradually taking back power in Wa State, Dongfeng Group has further strengthened its control over the Bagan Railway and Mandalay Highway, and the real Golden Triangle has been completely formed.

In this triangle with a circumference of more than 1600 kilometers on three sides, the total length of logistics routes controlled by the Eastern Corps reaches an astonishing 4 kilometers. The dense freight network covers the entire Pubei area. Basically, every piece of cargo passing through this area will have a share of the profits of the Dongfeng Corps.

What does it mean to draw a line and be king?

The method of opening a mountain and collecting money is too low-level. This is the real way to be the king of the land.

Even behind the scenes, some people have begun to call Dongfeng Group's logistics costs "Dongfeng tax."

Of course, under Peng Xucheng's management, the pricing of logistics costs is generally reasonable, otherwise, those cargo owners would not just say a few words behind his back.

This business can bring in at least 200 million in revenue each year, and the business volume is growing at an alarming rate.

Since the year of its establishment, it has basically been growing at a rate of about 30% every year.

What is this concept?
If the profit doubles in three years and triples in four years, and this year's profit is 200 million, it will most likely soar to 300 million next year.

Seeing this data, it was hard for Chen Chen not to sigh.

The logistics industry is really profitable, especially the monopoly of logistics, which makes money endlessly.
But after looking at the money-making projects, the subsequent money-spending projects gave Chen Chen a heavy blow.

As he knew before, even with such a profitable situation, Dongfeng Group did not have much liquid funds on its books, only US$4 million.

You know, the commissions for the Dongfeng Corps’ previous missions were huge every time.

After comprehensive calculation, even without considering future returns, the commission paid on the spot has reached more than 10 billion US dollars.

Where did all that money end up going?
The first major part is the purchase, maintenance, depreciation of equipment, as well as employee salaries, bonuses, pensions, and shareholder dividends for core members.

This kind of expenditure is absolutely unavoidable, as it is the foundation for the existence of the entire Dongfeng Group.

Imagine that one day, if someone finds out that the Dongfeng Corps’ tanks can no longer run and its men can no longer fight, who would still use Dongfeng Group’s logistics?

This is a very simple truth, and Chen Chen had no doubts about this expenditure.

As for the second big piece, although Chen Chen had doubts, he finally accepted it.

Because this money was mainly spent on the development of the "fiefdom" of the Dongfeng Corps in northern Syria.

Large infrastructure, infrastructure, industrial facilities, equipment and equipment.
Just a set of oil well equipment, even if it is financed through leasing, is astronomically expensive.

For this part alone, Peng Xucheng spent $6 million in three months. This speed of burning money is shocking no matter where you look at it.

Moreover, in the foreseeable future, this rate of burning money will continue and will not decrease for at least three to five years.

Considering the current earning ability of the Dongfeng Corps, these two items alone are enough to bring down the entire group in a short period of time.

But this is not the end, because in addition to these two items, even if we exclude the one-time investment in Peshawar, there is still a third major item of annual expenditure exceeding US$200 million, which is the so-called "socializing and entertainment" expenses.

Peng Xucheng's extensive network of contacts is not acquired for nothing. People will not rush to cooperate with you just because of the name of the Dongfeng Corps. Most of the relationships are acquired with money.

Several key African countries spend tens of millions each year, with Indonesia alone spending 550 million per year and the remaining tens of millions shared out by Southeast Asian countries.

This is all based on the fact that Peng Xucheng exercised restraint and eliminated most of the unnecessary connections.

If it is really fully implemented, this part of the expenditure may even be equal to the annual profit of the Dongfeng Corps.
In general, Dongfeng Group has passed the early stage of wild growth, but it still faces considerable difficulties if it wants to continue to develop.

After the entire meeting, Chen Chen had only one feeling:
Only when you don’t manage a household do you know how expensive firewood, rice, oil and salt are.

A simple calculation shows that the Dongfeng Corps' financial gap in the following year will be at least US$6 million. If it cannot be replenished in time, the only way is to slow down the project's progress and use time to exchange for space.

This is something Chen Chen absolutely does not want to see.

Therefore, the subsequent planning becomes "how to obtain sufficient cash flow."

Foreign trade, projects, tasks, products.
There was no need for boring discussions, one after another, but fortunately, everyone finally came up with a relatively safe solution.

To put it bluntly, it was still the same old thing of financing and borrowing. The little profit that was distributed to He Bangxiong and his group in the early stage was taken back by Chen Chen in the name of "dividends".

This practice seems unkind no matter how you look at it, but the problem is that they enjoy it.

After all, everyone can see how great the potential of Dongfeng Group is at this stage.

If you miss this best opportunity to get on board, when it really becomes a giant, you will never be able to get a share of it.
Now that everything was settled, Chen Chen finally relaxed completely.

After the last day of meetings, he finally had time to sit down and chat with those old friends.

In the villa in Myitkyina, He Bangxiong and He Bupa sat opposite Chen Chen. He Bangxiong was as warm and casual as ever, and He Bupa was as polite as ever, but compared to the past, he and Chen Chen were indeed closer now.

"To be honest, I never dared to imagine such a day before."

He Bangxiong said with emotion:

"You said that before, I was considered to be in a high position and had great power."

"As a brigade commander with thousands of people under him, he seems to have more money than he can spend every year. He goes to other people's casinos and bets millions of dollars like it's a game. I always feel that this is the end of the road for a man."

"But now it seems like that doesn't mean anything."

"Forget it, it's all cliché, no need to say more."

"Brother Chen, there are no outsiders here today, so let's speak from the heart. Can you give me a definite answer?"

"What exact words?"

Chen Chen asked doubtfully.

He Bangxiong paused for a moment, then asked:
"What will be Pu Bei's last name in the future?"

Chen Chen couldn't help but laugh. He Bangxiong had just said, "The old days were nothing," but in essence, he still had the warlord ideas in his mind.

After all, it is not so easy to change the concept. It is probably not so easy to make him understand what "shadow XX" means.

So Chen Chen replied:

"No matter what Pu Bei's surname is, it can't be Chen."

"Then I understand!"

He Bangxiong was all smiles, while Chen Chen was puzzled.

Good man, I just said this, what do you understand? !
He frowned and looked at He Bangxiong. He didn't need to ask any questions, as the latter continued talking on his own.

"If the surname cannot be Chen, then there must be another surname."

"But, in this area, besides Chen, I don't know what other surnames there are."

"So what you're saying is that the last name doesn't matter, what's behind it is important."

“That’s Min Aung Hlaing’s way of doing things—bah, that’s not what I meant. I meant, is it probably similar to his methods?”

“Not even close.”

Chen Chen immediately shook his head.

He Bangxiong’s guess cannot be said to be wrong, but it is indeed not entirely correct.

Min Aung Hlaing and the puppet regime are actually products of the old era.

What the Dongfeng Corps wants to establish here is a true new order.

After thinking for a while, Chen Chen realized that he really couldn't explain this problem to He Bangxiong, so he could only say vaguely:

"We will not control Pubei, but we will retain the ability to control Pubei."

"Understood!"

He Bangxiong nodded again, and this time, even He Bupa on the side couldn't stand it anymore.

He looked at He Bangxiong mockingly and said:

"You understand, understand, understand every day. What do you understand?"

"We are not in a position to consider this kind of question. Just follow us obediently."

"Compared to this, what I am most concerned about is the problems in Myanmar."

"Captain Chen, if we do this, the Burmese won't counterattack, right?"

"That depends on whether they can move."

Chen Chen shook his head slightly and replied:

“The reckoning does not end here, it begins here.”

"Although this is something that may be hard to hear, I have to tell you now."

"If it weren't for me, you would also be the target of liquidation."

"I dragged you through this stage."

"But from now on, don't go looking for trouble and find yourself a 'test' to pass, understand?"

"rest assured!"

"Absolutely not!"

The two men patted their chests and made the promise.

The example of Wa State is right in front of us, and judging from what Chen Chen said, Bao Xiaomei's incident was just a minor incident.

If I continue to be ignorant, I will truly be "not cherishing the fruits of struggle."

They are not fools and they would never do such a stupid thing.

After issuing the warning and getting their promise, Chen Chen relaxed a little.

Some things don't need to be said completely, as long as the information is conveyed, it is enough.

Now, there is only one thing left to be dealt with in the entire Pubei affairs.

Peng Deren.

As long as we can deal with him, everything in the future will be completely stable.
(End of this chapter)