Chapter Eighteen: The Assist

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Nowadays, having a net worth of ten thousand yuan is no longer rare, but those whose wealth exceeds a million remain scarce indeed. Those who can produce a million in cash are even rarer—this sum alone could buy ten hundred-square-meter commercial apartments in Shanghai, Beijing, or other major cities!

Of course, in the early stages, the profits from the satellite dishes would not all be distributed as dividends; a portion must be reserved to build factories and expand production capacity. But now, satellite dishes sell effortlessly. They can collect payment before delivery, and the robust cash flow is already beginning to show.

By the end of this month, the satellite dish project will certainly issue a dividend. After the Component Factory repays its bank debts and outstanding payments, the balance will become net profit.

For Li Dongling, this means a continuous stream of dividends from the Starwatch Satellite Dish project!

Zhang Xiaocheng did not boast about securing over twenty thousand orders and breaking 8.7 million yuan in revenue, but some things simply can’t be hidden—especially such a major development at the Component Factory.

The Component Factory has been steadily drawing staff from Wireless Factory No. 1. Out of its 3,000 employees, over a thousand have moved to the Component Factory. Even many formally appointed permanent workers from Wireless Factory No. 1 have switched over, attracted by higher wages. Now, to meet demand and boost output, the Component Factory not only pays well but also offers generous bonuses.

Although base salaries at the Component Factory are roughly comparable to Wireless Factory No. 1, bonuses are significantly higher. Sometimes, workers receive extra rewards for being among the top three in daily output, bringing their monthly earnings up to six or seven hundred yuan. This ranks among the best compensation packages across all enterprises and state-owned companies in Pingyang.

Currently, over 1,500 employees are busy at the Component Factory. With numerous trucks coming and going, the factory’s booming activity has long spread beyond Shangguan Town. Rumors that the Component Factory earned over eight million yuan in just over half a month have reached many ears throughout Pingyang.

Upon hearing about the 24,000 satellite dish order, Zheng Zutai rushed over in great haste.

“Is it true you really secured over twenty thousand orders?” Zheng asked Zhang Xiaocheng.

Seeing Zhang nod, a joyful expression spread across Zheng’s face, his ruddy nose flushed with excitement. He turned to Zhang and Li Dongling and said, “Brother Zhang, Brother Li, I’ve long believed you’d succeed. From the very start, I had faith in this project...”

At this moment, Zheng could hardly recall the time he came here before, angrily rebuking Zhang Xiaocheng with righteous indignation. If anyone dared to bring that up again, he would lose his temper.

Just thinking about the upcoming dividends the Pingyang TV station would receive from the satellite dish project made Zheng’s heart pound fiercely. The profits far exceeded his expectations. He had anticipated some earnings, but not nearly this much!

Zhang Xiaocheng perceived Zheng’s thoughts and said, “At the end of this month, the satellite dish project will distribute its first dividend. However, only half of the profits will be shared; the rest will be reinvested in land acquisition and capacity expansion.”

“I understand!” Zheng smiled warmly. Even with just half the dividend, Pingyang TV station would receive over 400,000 yuan. And that’s only the first distribution. Given the satellite dish’s current momentum, the dividends Pingyang TV station could receive might multiply many times over. The more dividends the station obtains, the stronger Zheng’s position there becomes.

“Additionally,” Zhang continued without concealment, “the profits generated in Pingyang will be shared with the local TV station as usual, but once the satellite dish expands to other cities or provinces, it will need to cooperate with local TV stations there. This means the share for Pingyang TV station’s dividends will be reduced somewhat.”

“However, we will still reserve about five percent of the profits for Pingyang TV station. Old Zheng, please inform your station that this is something we have to do out of necessity...”

Zheng’s expression flickered uneasily but he understood the truth in Zhang’s words. It wouldn’t be right for Pingyang TV station to reap all the benefits while denying other local stations their share. Moreover, for the satellite dish to gain the trust of users in other regions, having the support of the local TV stations is indispensable.

“I’ll report this to the station leadership. I believe they will understand!” Zheng said.

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Zheng Zutai explained that now it’s not the Component Factory begging the TV station, but the opposite. The station is almost pleading not to be pushed away. The Component Factory has now risen to prominence. If they were to break the agreement and withhold dividends, the station would be powerless. With the satellite dish’s profit-making ability, the Component Factory’s tax contributions, and the jobs it provides, the Pingyang municipal government’s stance is obvious.

“Director Wei, Zhang Xiaocheng from the Component Factory says the first dividend will be distributed by month’s end, and the station can expect about 400,000 yuan.

“Future earnings from Pingyang will remain as before, but profits from other regions will only yield about five percent for the station.”

Upon returning to the station, Zheng reported these details to Director Wei Changyuan.

In his office, Wei was practicing calligraphy. A passionate enthusiast, Wei had spent many years at the Hanxi Provincial Station before being transferred to Pingyang, where he founded the current TV station. Essentially, he was the ultimate authority there.

Hearing Zheng’s report, Wei continued his elegant strokes, finishing a calligraphy piece before responding.

“That’s only fair. Profits from outside our area don’t belong to our station, so a smaller share is justified.”

He showed none of the discontent Zheng had anticipated, instead seeming unsurprised. “Thank you for your hard work on this. The whole station should be grateful to you.”

“It’s your leadership, Director. I only follow your guidance,” Zheng replied with a flattering smile.

Wei paid no mind to the flattery, then after some thought said, “Old Liu, who heads our advertising and sponsorship department, will retire at the end of the year. Starting next month, you will take over managing that department to lighten his workload. He’s worked hard all his life and deserves some rest before retirement.”

Zheng’s heart leapt with joy. Old Liu was the station’s deputy director, so this essentially meant Zheng was being groomed for that position.

“I will fulfill the tasks you assign, Director!”

Wei, still under forty and with prospects of returning to the provincial station, was preparing to leave the Pingyang post vacant eventually. Zheng now had a strong chance to succeed him.

“By the way, was the satellite dish project proposed by Li Dongling?” Wei asked. Zheng sensed the director’s particular interest in Li. Earlier, it was Wei who had authorized lending 300,000 yuan to the Component Factory.

Zheng smiled. “It should be Li Dongling. Ever since Zhang Xiaocheng became manager at the Component Factory in Shangguan Town, there was little progress and the factory was near collapse. But shortly after Li Dongling arrived, the factory was revived. This graduate from Hanxi Jiaotong University really is something special.

“If you’re interested, I can arrange a dinner with Li Dongling.”

“Perhaps one day,” Wei said thoughtfully. Suddenly, he waved Zheng away. Zheng dared not speak further and left.

After Zheng departed, Wei paced the room several times, his hand reaching for the phone on his desk but withdrawing each time. In the end, he never placed the call.

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“Transfer the work relations of Li Dongling, Zhou Wenyan, Zhang Ao, and Fan Xugang—all of them—to the Component Factory in Shangguan Town?!”

In the manager’s office at West City Wireless Factory No. 1, Xu Yiqiao, head of the technical department, trembled as he looked at the list Liu Jiande had brought.

Though he had long suspected Liu might make such a move, he hadn’t anticipated it would come so quickly or so ruthlessly—sweeping out all the technicians sent over.

“But what if the Component Factory refuses to accept their transfers?” Xu asked.

In his mind, the Component Factory in Shangguan Town was still the struggling place on the brink of closure with only a few hundred employees. Rather than being transferred, it felt more like they were being cast out.

“Bang!” Liu Jiande slammed the table, startling Xu.

“You know the factory’s situation—many employees haven’t been paid. They’re absent but still hold positions, essentially drawing salaries for no work! This must be resolved today. If you can’t handle it, you, as technical director, will be dismissed along with them!”

“I understand!” Xu bit his lip. Though he felt sorry for the loyal Zhou Wenyan, he had no choice but to prioritize his own survival.

At the Component Factory in Shangguan Town, Zhou Wenyan was bewildered upon learning his work relations and records had been moved out from Wireless Factory No. 1. The message was clear: if the Component Factory didn’t accept him, he would be unemployed.

After working there for over a decade, being suddenly cast aside left Zhou disoriented.

As for Zhang Ao, Fan Xugang, and others, they took the transfer lightly, hardly concerned.

“Wireless Factory No. 1 doesn’t want you, but I do. I’ll process your paperwork and records immediately!” Zhang Xiaocheng said, waving his hand. He was eager for Li Dongling and the others to join the Component Factory.

Li Dongling shook his head, glanced casually at the transfer notice, and said to Zhang Xiaocheng, “No need—I’m planning to leave.”

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