The country is strong because of you, the society is progressing because of you, and the people are rich because of you, which is what entrepreneurs should do.
——Cao Dewang, "The Situation"
Cao Dewang, the owner of Fuyao Glass Group, known as the "Glass King", is one of the legendary entrepreneurs of New China.
First, the bumpy road to riches
Cao Dewang's childhood was quite bumpy, he was born in 1946 in Fujian, his ancestors were once famous local rich merchants, but in Cao Dewang's father's generation, the ancestral property has long been spent, and Cao Dewang has not lived a life of a rich young master after the magnate. Although my father also had the ambition and brain to do business, unfortunately the timing was not good, and the department store that was opened had to stop production because of financial problems, and in order to make a comeback, my father ran to Shanghai alone to work hard.
The father is not there, the mother takes care of the family alone, educating the children, Cao Dewang's mother is a very wise woman, she often educates Cao Dewang, and she can get ahead by relying on her own skills. Because of his poor family, coupled with the fact that he is not the material for studying, the little Cao Dewang dropped out of school early to enter the society, reducing the burden on the family, twelve or thirteen years old, he let people herd cattle, worked as a primary school apprentice, and also worked as a small trader, although it was hard, but also invisibly trained Cao Dewang's mind.
A few years later, the father returned home, father and son two together, simply started the tobacco sales business, fifteen-year-old Cao Dewang will travel hundreds of miles to buy goods, bargain with a group of vendors, but also have to endure the cold winter and heat along the way, and then the tobacco business was banned, the father and son changed to selling fruit, the purchase is still responsible for Cao Dewang, at that time Cao Dewang was still underage, but has eaten a lot of adult suffering.
But the hardships finally paid off, and under the efforts of the father and son to get up early and greedy, they finally earned the first bucket of gold, and Cao Dewang, who was in his twenties, could finally rest his feet and consider the major events in his life.
Second, Cao Dewang's marriage crisis
Worried about her son's mother introduced a girl to Cao Dewang, this girl is named Chen Fengying, and Cao Dewang's mother is from a village, kind, Cao's mother is very fond of Chen Fengying, bent on letting her son marry through the door. However, at that time, Cao Dewang was not very satisfied with the mother's hard stuffing to his wife, and the attitude was not very positive, but Cao Dewang's stubborn temper came up, and he must let Cao Dewang and Chen Fengying complete the marriage, the mother was not in good health, Cao Dewang did not dare to make her angry, so he had to reluctantly get married.
After marriage, although Chen Fengying did not understand business matters, but unconditionally supported her husband's career, at that time, the white fungus business was very profitable, Cao Dewang moved his heart, but the price of white fungus planting was very expensive, and Cao Dewang lacked funds. Chen Fengying, who knew her husband's difficulties, did not say a word and took out her dowry to support Cao Dewang. Unfortunately, although a lot of money was made in the early stage, the white fungus business in the later period went downhill due to policy changes and other reasons, and Cao Dewang not only did not make money, but also lost a lot.
This made Cao Dewang feel very guilty, in the face of Chen Fengying, who supported him, and the newborn child, Cao Dewang felt that his face was lightless, and let his wife and children suffer with him. But Chen Fengying did not care at all, but comforted Cao Dewang to regain his confidence, and took care of the frustrated Cao Dewang with his gentleness and thoughtfulness. Cao Dewang, who was not satisfied with this wife, also slowly saw the superiority of his wife, and the two people were blessed by misfortune and their feelings became more intimate.
In order to make a comeback, Cao Dewang felt that he had gone to the big city to work hard, and the family was first entrusted to his wife's care. After several years of struggle, Cao Dewang's business gradually entered the right track, but at this time, Cao Dewang had a red-faced confidant around him.
This girl is very different from Chen Fengying, she made Cao Dewang feel that she had met true love, and even had the idea of divorcing and remarrying, in a letter to his wife, Cao Dewang confessed his thoughts.
Chen Fengying, who received the letter, was very sad, but she did not make a fuss, just hoped to see Cao Dewang' side, after meeting, Chen Fengying calmly said that divorce is OK, only hope to leave the three children and the house where the two of them lived to her, so that she will not be unaccompanied.
Hearing his wife's words, Cao Dewang was deeply saddened, he remembered the difficult time of starting a business in these years, if it were not for the fact that his wife who was far away from home had been silently supporting himself, how could he have today, and the love between himself and his wife for many years was also real! Cao Dewang, who recognized his heart, found that he was most dependent on his wife, and he decided to return to his wife, make up for the debts he had suffered over the years, and gave all the property under his name to his wife.
3. Patriotic entrepreneurs
Over the years, Cao Dewang has always insisted on making high-quality glass for China to return to the country, although the net worth of more than 100 million, Cao Dewang did not enjoy it himself, but donated most of the money to the country, every time the country needs it, Cao Dewang is always the first to donate money and materials.
But Cao Dewang has never pretended to be charitable, he has always told the media that this is the responsibility and obligation of an entrepreneur, and he has only done a little thing. In addition, Cao Dewang has always insisted on being a national enterprise, in the face of the temptation of the United States, Cao Dewang said that he is a Chinese, how can he abandon the motherland? Of course, their own enterprises must contribute to China. These words let us see the national righteousness of an entrepreneur.
Once many rich people in the world soared, the wife of the chaff was tragically abandoned, and it is gratifying that Cao Dewang kept his conscience and did not leave a stain on his life, and Chen Fengying's dedication was not disappointed, such a good ending is what we want to see most. A marriage often has to endure many tests, especially for a rich family like Cao Dewang.
However, marriage is not only the union of two people, but also a responsibility, since you choose to enter marriage, you must dare to take responsibility and do not do anything marriageally loyal, which is a moral code that a person should have.
In fact, Cao Dewang's most profound impression is the "patriotic entrepreneur", his contributions to the country over the years, we have always looked in the eyes, entrepreneurs are supported by the state, the people support, naturally should have the heart to serve the country, but in the face of huge interests, not everyone dares to contribute, it is in this background, it seems that Cao Dewang's patriotic feelings are particularly valuable.
The foundation of a person's existence is the country behind him, and Cao Dewang knows very well that we respect such people, and only such entrepreneurs are the hope of the nation. Cao Dewang spent 3 years writing his autobiography" "Heart As a Bodhisattva".
Cao Dewang said: Writing books is not to make money, but also promised to donate all the book manuscript fees, his real idea is that through his own personal experience, he can help young people.
In this book, "Heart Like Bodhi" records how Cao Dewang grew from a poor boy who worked as a well-known company, from his schooling, setting up stalls, setting up factories to the present, the entire life course, decades of entrepreneurial experience and life insights, as well as his philosophy and business methods.
There is no chicken soup in the 10 autobiographies such as "Heart Ruo Bodhi", all of which are true stories. After reading it, you will have more inspiration and understanding of the way of business management, life philosophy, social responsibility, personal obligations, etc.
If you are a business owner, a professional, a businessman or a person who is working hard, you may wish to read this set of 10 volumes of entrepreneurial autobiographies such as "Heart Like Bodhi", so that you can stand on the shoulders of giants, see higher, and go further!