10: Chapter 10 Company Registration

The two left the guesthouse, but instead of using the main entrance, they cut through an internal passageway and went straight into the ministry compound.

The courtyard was shaded by lush trees, with several Soviet-style red brick buildings nestled among them.

Division Chief Wang Qiming led the way while trying to build rapport:

"Little Brother, did you just return from abroad? It's pretty chaotic over there right now, isn't it? I heard George W. Bush and Gore are practically fighting over the votes?"

Chen Hao smiled and commented casually:

"It's just political posturing between the two parties. Regardless of who takes office in the end, neither will treat us favorably."

Chen Hao maintained the speaking style he was mimicking from Sun Kai, keeping his remarks brief yet sounding like he understood everything.

Soon, the two arrived at the northwest corner of the compound.

A standalone five-story red building appeared before them. Although it looked slightly aged, the signs hanging at the entrance read "Agency Service Center" and "Veteran Cadre Activity Center."

Division Chief Wang Qiming led Chen Hao straight to the fourth floor.

The hallway was spacious, with terrazzo floors polished to a shine, and rows of deep red wooden doors on either side.

"Little Brother, look at this room. It faces south, is thirty square meters, and has great lighting."

Division Chief Wang Qiming opened a room at the end of the hallway.

Chen Hao walked in, circled around, and shook his head:

"Too small, it's stifling. If a guest comes over later, there won't be anywhere to sit. In our line of business, we care about appearances."

Division Chief Wang Qiming showed him a few more rooms, but Chen Hao either complained about the layout or felt the location was too out of the way.

Finally, they arrived at the door of a suite in the middle of the hallway.

"This room used to be an office for a project team, but it's been vacant since they disbanded."

Division Chief Wang Qiming opened the door. Chen Hao walked in, his eyes lighting up.

It was a large suite of over sixty square meters. The outer room was spacious and bright, with a large, imposing, albeit old, executive desk by the window, along with a set of leather sofas. The inner room was smaller but included a private bathroom, offering excellent privacy. If he took it and did a little remodeling, he could use the outer room for meetings and the inner room for resting, or even...

"This is the one." Chen Hao patted the executive desk, looking satisfied. "The feng shui here is good; it'll bring me prosperity."

"Little Brother, you have a sharp eye!" Division Chief Wang Qiming gave a thumbs up. "This is the best room on this floor! Another unit wanted to rent it, but I never agreed. It seems it was meant to be yours, Little Brother!"

"How much is the rent? Give me an honest price, Brother Wang." Chen Hao turned around and asked with a smile.

Division Chief Wang Qiming had already calculated it in his mind. Normally, renting this suite to an outside unit would cost at least twenty-five thousand. But for this "Little Brother Chen," it was an opportunity to earn a favor and build a connection; money was secondary.

"Our public quote is twenty-five thousand a year. But since we're like family, I'll take charge and give you the lowest rate: twenty thousand! One month deposit, one month rent, with all utilities included! How does that sound?"

Twenty thousand to rent a sixty-square-meter suite inside the ministry compound was a steal. Chen Hao was overjoyed internally, but remained calm on the surface. "You're a stand-up guy, Brother Wang! Let's settle on that."

He paused, then showed a hint of hesitation, his tone probing: "But Brother Wang, my company isn't registered yet, so this contract..."

"Hey! That's no big deal!" Division Chief Wang Qiming waved his hand, acting magnanimous. "We don't have so many rigid rules here! Just pay the money first, and I'll give you a receipt and proof of address. You take that proof to get your license, and once the company is established, we'll sign the official contract!"

This was a classic example of how having connections within the system makes things easier. As long as the relationship was in place, rules were meant to be broken.

"Alright then! I won't stand on ceremony with you, Brother Wang." Chen Hao reached out and shook Division Chief Wang Qiming's hand firmly, his gaze sincere. "I'll come by tomorrow to pay and handle the paperwork. From now on, in this little patch of land, I'll have to rely on your guidance, Brother Wang."

"It's nothing! Let's keep in touch; we're all family now!"

With the matter settled, Chen Hao stood up to leave. Division Chief Wang Qiming walked him all the way to the gate of the compound and watched him get into a taxi before turning back.

Sitting in the back seat of the taxi, Chen Hao looked at the street scenes flashing by the window, a triumphant smile on his face. The office in the ministry compound was secured. With this prestigious nameplate, people would finally believe the stories he was about to tell.

...

The taxi stopped in front of the Administration for Industry and Commerce building. Chen Hao pushed the door open, stepped out, and walked straight toward the main entrance.

On the steps at the entrance, several middle-aged men holding folders were gathered together smoking, their eyes constantly scanning the crowds going in and out.

Seeing Chen Hao's sophisticated attire, a man with a crew cut immediately stubbed out his cigarette and hurried over, his face full of fake smiles. "Boss, here for business? Registering a company or making changes? I have connections; you don't need to wait in line."

Chen Hao stopped, looked him up and down, and said with an indifferent tone: "Registration. I need it expedited."

Upon hearing this tone, the crew-cut man knew he had a big client, and his smile became a bit more sincere. "You've come to the right person! My name is Liu Wei, just call me Old Liu. I know the business in this area like the back of my hand. I guarantee I'll get it done quickly and efficiently for you! What's the name of the company you want to verify?"

"Beijing Yanhuang Culture Development Co., Ltd." Chen Hao immediately gave the name he had already thought of. "Set the registered capital to the minimum: one hundred thousand."

Old Liu calculated in his mind. This name sounded quite grand; he didn't look like an ordinary small boss. Furthermore, the other party spoke clearly and had specific goals, obviously having done his homework in advance.

"Boss, what about the address and capital verification..." Old Liu asked tentatively. These days, when registering a company, the most troublesome parts were the address and the registered capital. Many shell companies sought out agents like them, paying to register at an address and having them help front the capital for the transaction.

"I'll handle the address and the money myself," Chen Hao said. "You just handle the errands and get the process done for me. How much?"

"The normal fee is eight hundred. Since you need it expedited, I have to find people to cut the line, and I need to grease palms for name verification and getting the license, so it's fifteen hundred. I guarantee that within a week, you'll have everything: the business license, the official seal, the financial seal, and the legal representative seal."

"Fine." Chen Hao took out his wallet from his pocket, pulled out twenty bills, and handed them over. "This is two thousand. Fifteen hundred is yours, and the extra five hundred is for you to use for greasing palms. Speed up every step of the process for me."

Generous! Old Liu pinched the money, his back instantly bending lower as he nodded and bowed. "Don't worry! No problem at all! I'll go verify the name for you right now!"

He led Chen Hao to the window to submit the materials, then ducked into the back office. In less than ten minutes, he ran out, his face full of joy. "Boss, the name 'Yanhuang' is available!"

"Good." Chen Hao nodded. "I'll bring you the documents for the registered address tomorrow."

"Understood!" Old Liu handed his business card to Chen Hao. "If I'm not here when you come tomorrow, just call the number on the card, and I'll come to meet you."

...

The next morning, Chen Hao, carrying a briefcase full of cash, once again stepped into the Ministry of Electronic Information compound. He found Division Chief Wang Qiming's office with ease. Division Chief Wang Qiming was reading a newspaper, and seeing Chen Hao enter, he immediately stood up enthusiastically.

"Little Brother Chen is here!"

Chen Hao placed the bag on the desk and unzipped it, revealing the neatly bundled cash inside. "Brother Wang, this is twenty-two thousand yuan, for the rent and the deposit."

"Good, I'll take you to pay the money."

Division Chief Wang Qiming took Chen Hao to the finance office to issue a receipt, then led him to the general office next door.

"Little Zhang, issue a venue usage certificate for this Boss Chen for that suite on our fourth floor, to be used for registering a company." Division Chief Wang Qiming instructed a young staff member directly.

"Yes, Division Chief." The staff member was efficient; he quickly printed the document, stamped it with the large red seal of the "Agency Service Center," and respectfully handed it to Chen Hao.

Having someone to guide you really makes a difference; things went exceptionally smoothly. With the document in hand, Chen Hao left the compound and took a taxi directly to the Administration for Industry and Commerce.