In a book entitled Money at the Foot of Death: Two Shenzhen Boys Searching for Gold, Liu Lei and Shuai's experience shocked many people.
Choose Iraq to start a business
"The night I left, I found the movie The Shawshank Redemption and watched it again and again. There is a kind of bird that can never be caged, because every wing of it is covered with the glory of freedom. Liu Lei used such a warm sentence to describe his "lofty sentiments" in his book.
Nowadays, it's not uncommon to quit your job and start a business in China, but it's rare to start a business in an unfamiliar environment full of war in Iraq. "Why do you want to open the restaurant to Baghdad?" Shuai Xue Jun said in an interview with reporters: "We believe that the reconstruction model of Germany and Japan after World War II can be completely cloned into the present Iraq, which is full of business opportunities. But the actual situation is obviously not exactly the same, which undoubtedly requires adventure. "
Some people said half jokingly that Liu Heshui earned "war money". Indeed, this restaurant named "Dragon" did not "target" the Iraqi people who were devastated by the war from the beginning, but regarded the local "foreign population" as a "target customer". According to Shuai Xue Jun, "The original restaurant was opened in Andrews apartment, close to two hotels, namely Ba Lastun and Sheraton. The target customers were a large number of foreign journalists at that time, but their business was average. After many twists and turns, the restaurant was moved to the local' green zone', mainly aimed at American and British soldiers stationed in Iraq. In the "Green Zone", the business of "Dragon" restaurant is very prosperous. In less than half a year, the $3,500 before we left doubled. "
The explosion became a threat.
In turbulent Iraq, both Liu and Shuai are facing various challenges. Hard work, loneliness, fraud, unbearable heat ... for them, the threat is explosion. From September 2003 to June 2003165438+1October, the anti-American armed forces in Iraq frequently carried out car bomb attacks on foreigners in Palestine and Sheraton hotels. "Basically once a month", other attacks such as rockets occur almost every three to five days, and the evacuation caused by each big explosion directly threatens the business of restaurants. Liu Lei told reporters that in September 2003, his business income share was $250, but in June it dropped to a mere $50, 438+0 1, and his business has started to lose money. In desperation, they began to plan to "move".
In the "Green Zone", the new "Dragon" restaurant did not escape the threat of bombs. After half a year's smooth operation, in June 65438+1October 65438+April 2004, two suicide bombers exploded in the "green zone" of Baghdad: one was less than 50 meters away from the right side of the restaurant; Another "Green Zone Coffee" located at the left side of the restaurant150m suffered heavy casualties. As a result, the US military began an unprecedented martial law, and CPA also issued a prohibition order, stipulating that all Americans, including US military agents, are not allowed to eat in public restaurants. Affected by this, the daily turnover of restaurant business dropped from $3,000 before the explosion to $300. After six months of persistence, Liu Heshui closed the restaurant and withdrew from Iraq.
In addition to the impact on business, the danger of Iraq's environment is more reflected in the threat to personal safety. "Once I was walking in the street, a hot deformed bullet fell from the sky and hit me in the face. In order to prevent it, I basically dare not go to crowded places during the day. " At that time, when talking about the threat of bombs and stray bullets, Shuai Xue Jun still had a lingering fear.
The next target-pirate ships in the Caribbean
The reporter noticed such a detail in the book co-authored by the two men: after the "Dragon" restaurant just moved to the "Green Zone", the business was busy. Handsome Xue Jun's calf aches all day, so he wants to sit when he is free, and he wants to squat on the ground without a bench. At this time, Liu Lei always reminded him that when he came out to do business, he should always remember to maintain the image of China people and pull him up as soon as he squatted down.
"At present, in Dubai, Amman, Baghdad and other cities in the Middle East, goods exported by China can be seen everywhere. This is our pride, but we have to say that many exported goods are of poor quality. We once bought a domestic circuit board for 10, and the whole surface of the circuit board was burnt out in less than an hour. Another time, I went to buy shampoo and found that all the products in the shopping mall were' MADEINCHINA', but most of the shampoo liquids were turbid or precipitated, so they could not be used at all. Referring to this matter, Shuai Xuejun told the reporter with deep feelings: "Because the quality can't be guaranteed, many China people took the means of malicious price reduction, and eventually both sides lost. I have to say, what these people do is really a disgrace to China people. "
"Dragon Restaurant would never do such a thing," said handsome Xue Jun. "First of all, the quality of food is guaranteed. Most westerners are picky about taste, and our food can basically satisfy them. When they have parties in restaurants, they often have doubts about the quantity of food. We will take the initiative to remind them that according to our experience, the amount of food is sufficient, and we will not let them make more money or even waste it. "
Liu Lei and handsome Xue Jun, who made a lot of money in Iraq, have now returned to their motherland. However, they don't seem to intend to enjoy a comfortable life. When asked about his next plan, Shuai Xue Jun said that he intends to continue to develop overseas, and the specific country has not yet been determined. "Maybe it's an ancient and precious pirate ship in Africa and the Caribbean, maybe it's our next goal."