Chapter Fifteen: The Finishing Touch

“Bring me fifty more satellite dishes!”

Fan Xugang hurriedly arrived at the Yuanyi Factory in Shangguan Town. He rushed to Zhang Xiaocheng’s office door and called out, trying to get in, only to find the door locked from the inside.

“There’s no stock left in the factory now. The earliest we can restock is tomorrow!”

The voice belonged to Zhang Ao. Fan Xugang noticed that Zhang Ao and several others were waiting outside the door.

“What? No stock left?!” Fan Xugang was stunned. The satellite dishes had only been on sale for three days in total, and he had just managed to pull in an order for fifty more. Now they were telling him there was nothing left?

“Aren’t there still a few hundred satellite dishes in the warehouse?” Fan Xugang asked anxiously. This involved a significant amount of money. How could he not be worried? There was nothing more frustrating than seeing the money right before your eyes but being unable to get it. It was almost better not to see it at all.

“They’re all sold out. That guy alone sold three hundred satellite dishes!” A man squatting nearby smoking nodded towards Zhang Ao with a hint of bitterness in his tone. He had only taken fewer than thirty dishes fearing they wouldn’t sell, selling them to the Coal Mine Bureau. But the product turned out to be far more popular than he imagined. When he tried to get more stock, the warehouse was already emptied.

Fan Xugang was shocked to hear Zhang Ao had sold three hundred units. He had been working tirelessly, pitching to family workers at the Forestry Bureau and other employees, wearing out his lips and legs, yet had only sold a little over a hundred. Zhang Ao had managed to sell three hundred.

“How did you sell them?” Fan Xugang couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Ao looked proud. He stretched out his hand, and Fan Xugang, knowing the cue, handed him a cigarette and lit it. After a puff, Zhang Ao leisurely explained, “I handed the satellite dishes over to the supply and marketing cooperative for sale. I don’t care how much they charge per unit, as long as they sell it. For each one sold, I get a commission. The cooperative and I split the commission fifty-fifty.”

Zhang Ao had essentially become the general agent and subcontracted sales. Although his commission was halved, the sheer volume meant he made good money. He sent the satellite dishes to supply and marketing cooperatives across the two districts and ten counties of Pingyang and just waited to collect the money. In just a few days, he had earned over three thousand yuan.

When there was money to be made, the salespeople at the supply and marketing cooperatives, especially those in town, were extremely enthusiastic. They worked tirelessly to promote the dishes to customers entering the cooperative. If it hadn’t been for the stock running out, they were ready to go door to door promoting the dishes.

The cooperatives bought the machines from Zhang Ao, adding a markup of thirty to fifty yuan. Combined with Zhang Ao’s commission, the cooperative could make at least forty yuan profit per dish sold. As for how the cooperative and salespeople split that, Zhang Ao didn’t care. Judging by the energy with which the salespeople promoted the satellite dishes, it was clear how much they were earning!

Right now, the most enthusiastic sellers were the television station’s sales office and the supply and marketing cooperative staff. Of course, a few people still looked down on the money and clung to old prejudices, but most salespeople were highly motivated, completely shattering their former reputations.

“Damn it, why didn’t I think of this!” Fan Xugang angrily grabbed his hair. Selling alone, running ragged and wearing out his lips, he could only sell so many. If he found agents to sell on his behalf, even if he earned a smaller commission, he’d make more money.

“No, I have to go find the Forestry Bureau in the neighboring city!” With that, Fan Xugang stormed off.

Inside Zhang Xiaocheng’s factory director’s office, twenty-one thousand yuan lay on the desk—money collected from selling seven hundred satellite dishes.

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Li Dongling saw Zhang Xiaocheng just staring at the cash on the desk for half a day without moving.

“All seven hundred satellite dishes sold!” The battle-hardened man exhaled deeply, feeling the mountain of pressure weighing on his shoulders finally lift. The dishes had sold out in just two days, far exceeding Zhang Xiaocheng’s expectations.

Li Dongling said, “The priority now is to increase production capacity and contact Zheng Zutai. This money cannot be distributed as dividends yet. Also, the sales commissions must be paid immediately without delay.”

The Pingyang TV station, if not foolish, knew this was no time to kill the goose that laid the golden eggs. They had to expand the pie first; otherwise, they wouldn’t get a big slice.

Those selling the satellite dishes were already motivated by commissions, selling tirelessly. But if the promised commissions weren’t paid on time, they might quit immediately.

For now, the TV sales office and supply cooperatives remained the main sales force. When satellite dishes became widespread, the primary sales channels would shift to appliance repair shops and TV electronics stores, where profits would be less than now.

“I understand. The emperor doesn’t starve his soldiers. I’ll get the commissions paid today!” Zhang Xiaocheng wasn’t claiming exceptional ability but was certainly not shortsighted.

When the office door opened, and Zhang Xiaocheng held a list in his hand, Zhang Ao and the others stood eagerly.

“Once the finance department finishes auditing, all your commissions will be paid today!”

At Zhang Xiaocheng’s words, Zhang Ao and the others couldn’t help but cheer excitedly. This money was different from their regular wages. For them, these commissions were incredibly thrilling. If they had to rely on their monthly salary of a few hundred yuan, they would find it hard to tolerate or respect.

In just a few days, they earned what normally took a year or even several years. Having experienced this excitement, they would want to earn more and work harder. This was the path to becoming top sales elites—only money could make a salesperson grow rapidly.

Many people heading south to try their luck had heard such rumors and flocked there hoping to get rich overnight. Real success stories in front of their eyes stoked their ambitions.

In the afternoon, Zheng Zutai arrived. When Zhang Xiaocheng mentioned withholding dividends initially and focusing on expanding production, Zheng Zutai agreed without hesitation.

The popularity of the satellite dishes surpassed the Pingyang TV station leadership’s expectations. In less than three days, seven hundred units sold out. Even the salespeople at the TV sales offices actively called the station, requesting more stock for sale—a first in the station’s history. When had the sales staff ever been this proactive?

“Our TV station fully supports the ‘Star-Viewing Satellite Receiver’ project. If this product weren’t unsuitable for advertising on the Pingyang TV station, we would be happy to promote it.”

“However,” Zheng Zutai pulled out a check, “although we can’t air commercials for the Star-Viewing project, our station is willing to support it by lending thirty thousand yuan interest-free, to be repaid only in principal. This money is for increasing production capacity.”

Li Dongling glanced at Zheng Zutai, sensing there was a capable figure behind the Pingyang TV station. The satellite dish project was about to explode. Providing this loan was a safe bet.

This loan also helped maintain relations between the two parties. After accepting this money, the Yuanyi Factory wouldn’t easily cut ties with the TV station. Most importantly, the factory genuinely needed this money and couldn’t refuse.

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Zhang Xiaocheng looked at Li Dongling, who nodded slightly. Zhang Xiaocheng accepted the check and handed it to finance to begin the procedures.

Just after seeing Zheng Zutai off, another visitor arrived. Zhang Xiaocheng’s face showed some embarrassment, but he still said, “What brings you here? I’ll repay the money I owe your bank after some time!”

“Director Zhang, you’ve misunderstood!” The visitor was Guo Lize, the same man who had come earlier demanding repayment. Looking at the bustling Yuanyi Factory, especially the busy production floor, the rumors seemed quite accurate.

Guo Lize stepped forward and shook Zhang Xiaocheng’s hand. “What I said the other day was in anger. Please don’t take it to heart. Our bank is very willing to support our clients’ development. The repayment of that debt can wait for now.”

“I’m here on official business. Shall we go inside?”

Zhang Xiaocheng, though puzzled, made way and led Guo Lize into the office. After all, Guo Lize’s bank had lent money to the factory originally.

“Director Zhang, there was some misunderstanding before, but you know the condition of the Yuanyi Factory back then. It wasn’t me trying to finish you off...” Guo Lize said. Zhang Xiaocheng felt a bit ashamed. Back then, the factory was on the brink of bankruptcy, and it was no surprise the bank came calling.

Clearing his throat, Guo Lize continued, “That was a misunderstanding. We’ve heard the Yuanyi Factory is restarting with a new project. Our bank wants to support this and is willing to provide a one million yuan loan with zero interest for the first six months!”

The bank had the most up-to-date information. They quickly learned of the factory’s revival and the possibility it could become a major client. Naturally, the bank’s attitude shifted. They wouldn’t just throw a lifeline but would add to the blessings.

“This...” Zhang Xiaocheng was tempted hearing they would postpone the tens of thousands owed and lend another million. Yet he hesitated, remembering that same bank had almost squeezed him into a corner before.

“Director Zhang, the factory should be grateful for Mr. Guo’s goodwill!”

Li Dongling confirmed the loan. The factory needed to expand capacity quickly and produce as many satellite dishes as possible in the shortest time. This was a quick money opportunity. Within six months, knockoffs and imitators of the Star-Viewing satellite dishes would likely flood the market—not just in Hanxi Province but others as well.

Before the mass proliferation of counterfeit products and price wars, it was crucial to produce heavily and make a substantial profit.