A 57-year-old entrepreneur named Tang Jian has risen from the ashes of bankruptcy to earn approximately 200,000 yuan (₹25 lakh) daily through his thriving roasted sausage business in Qingdao, a bustling coastal city in eastern China's Shandong province. Once the owner of three successful restaurants and bars that generated up to 3 million yuan (₹3.6 crore) monthly in the early 2000s, Tang's fortunes collapsed by 2015 after ill-fated investments in maple wood left him with debts totalling 46 million yuan (₹56.6 crore). Forced to declare bankruptcy, sell his assets, close his venues, and endure a divorce, he hit rock bottom, contemplating suicide before family and creditor obligations spurred him to rebuild.

In 2018, Tang launched a modest street stall just hundreds of metres from one of his former restaurants, handcrafting sausages with a 35-yuan (₹430) stuffer and assistance from his 74-year-old mother. To build customer trust, he sourced premium pork from upscale supermarkets and prominently displayed receipts at the stall, emphasising transparency and quality. This grassroots approach quickly gained traction among locals, transforming word-of-mouth buzz into a loyal following and laying the foundation for rapid expansion amid China's vibrant street food culture.

Tang's venture evolved into a nationwide brand, now operating a factory producing nearly two tonnes of sausages daily and multiple outlets in shopping centres. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he pivoted to live-streaming sales, amassing up to 1 million yuan (₹1.2 crore) in a single session and growing his social media audience beyond 1.2 million followers. His engaging personality and resilience resonated widely, turning the business into a viral sensation on platforms like Douyin.

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Committed to restitution, Tang is repaying his debts with an AI-assisted plan, aiming for full clearance by 2027. His mantra—“A fall into the pit, a gain in my wit”—encapsulates a story of perseverance that has inspired millions online, symbolising how humility and persistent effort can yield extraordinary comebacks even after profound financial and personal setbacks.

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