Chapter Fourteen: Nothing Is Impossible

Page 1 of 3

“The factory’s funds are nearly depleted now; there’s no money left for advertising or promotion, and even the budget to set up a sales department is insufficient!” Zhang Xiaocheng said with frustration. At this point, he wished he could split every penny in half just to make it stretch, but the tens of thousands of yuan were flowing out like water and almost gone. Now, there was no budget left to establish a sales team or to promote the products.

“Mass advertising for the satellite dishes might not be effective. Let Zhang Ao and his group handle the sales!”

Along with Li Dongling and Zhou Wenyan, several well-connected individuals including Zhang Ao had come. Though their technical skills were questionable, it didn’t mean they were worthless.

Zhang Ao had connections at the Pingyang Supply and Marketing Cooperative; the others each had their own contacts and many acquaintances. While they might not be reliable for regular tasks, they excelled at networking and pulling strings.

“The factory price for one Starwatch satellite dish is 300 yuan. For each one you sell, you’ll get a 20-yuan commission!”

Li Dongling looked at Zhang Ao and the others who had been summoned. “As long as you can sell the satellite dishes and bring in the 300 yuan, you’ll get your commission immediately. Whether you sell them yourselves or find others to sell, and at whatever price you want—that’s up to you. The only requirement is that you sell them.”

Initially, Zhang Ao and his group were somewhat displeased at being called over so abruptly, but now they were intrigued. Fan Xugang, who had forestry bureau connections, spoke up, “You really give 20 yuan commission for selling one satellite dish?”

“As long as it’s sold and the payment received, the commission is paid!” Li Dongling confirmed.

Zhang Ao and Fan Xugang exchanged glances, eager to get started. Their monthly wages were only around one to two hundred yuan; selling ten satellite dishes would earn them the equivalent of a month’s salary in commissions. They knew these satellite dishes would definitely sell.

Nowadays, even those with connections were worried about money. Not just minor contacts, but even major ones in the provincial capital or Yanjing found it difficult to make money since reselling licenses was prohibited. They were all seeking other avenues.

“I’ll take five satellite dishes, no, make it ten!” Fan Xugang declared.

Many forestry bureau employees worked night shifts deep in the mountains, where there was virtually no signal. Satellite dishes were a necessity, and he was confident he could sell them.

“I’ll take fifty satellite dishes!” Zhang Ao said after some thought. He planned to leverage his Supply and Marketing Cooperative contacts to sell the dishes.

Zhang Ao, Fan Xugang, and the others each took some satellite dishes to sell. They also supplied some to the Pingyang TV station's business hall as samples. The warehouse stock of satellite dishes instantly dropped by over two hundred units.

Currently, the main sales channels for the Starwatch satellite receivers were the TV business halls, the supply and marketing cooperative, and Zhang Ao’s group of contacts. They were about to see how many could be sold.

“Will this really work?”

Watching the satellite dishes being taken from the warehouse, Zhang Xiaocheng felt uneasy. He had a nagging feeling that Zhang Ao’s group wasn’t entirely reliable. Having the TV station’s business hall and the supply cooperative sell the dishes for the component factory felt absurd to him.

Li Dongling shook his head. “It doesn’t matter if they’re reliable. As long as the money is reliable, that’s what counts!”

“Uncle Yang!”

Fan Xugang arrived at the home of Yang Guofeng, head of logistics at the Forestry Bureau, with a tricycle carrying a satellite dish.

Page 2 of 3

Seeing the pile of equipment Fan Xugang had brought, Yang Guofeng furrowed his brow. “What trouble are you causing this time?!”

Fan Xugang was a family member of the Forestry Bureau. Normally, after starting work, he should have joined the bureau, but he was notoriously restless and couldn’t stand the rules, so he ended up wandering outside.

“Uncle Yang, you’re wrong about me this time. I’ve brought you something good.”

Without waiting for a response, he began assembling the satellite dish. After more than half an hour, Fan Xugang had the dish up and running, connected to the TV at Yang Guofeng’s home.

When Yang Guofeng saw the multitude of TV channels appearing on the screen, his face showed astonishment. He hadn’t expected this dish-shaped device to be far more effective than the antenna installed on the roof.

Seeing Yang Guofeng’s expression, Fan Xugang seized the moment. “Uncle Yang, this satellite dish is a gift for you and your wife. Recently, I didn’t listen to your wife complaining about poor signal at home.”

“You’re really that kind-hearted?”

Yang Guofeng eyed him skeptically. “How much does this satellite dish cost? If you want me to pay, don’t waste my time with nonsense!”

Fan Xugang laughed and poured himself a glass of water. “Uncle Yang, I thought about it. Our Forestry Bureau employees have to do night shifts in the mountains where there’s no signal. If we buy these satellite dishes, it’ll help everyone relax at night.”

Hearing this, Yang Guofeng didn’t object immediately but fell into thought. Conditions in the mountains were harsh. Pingyang Forestry Bureau had over two thousand employees rotating to work in the forest. Some tasks required staying up in the mountains for ten days or even half a month. Watching TV could help relieve stress and boost morale.

“How much for one satellite dish?” Yang Guofeng asked.

“320 yuan each.”

“You’re trying to get a kickback, aren’t you?” Yang Guofeng, in charge of logistics, knew the tricks well.

Fan Xugang protested, “Uncle Yang, you’re wrong. I barely managed to get a few of these machines through connections. I haven’t made a single penny. This is a high-tech product; it can’t be cheap!”

Yang Guofeng shook his head. “320 is too expensive. How about 300 yuan each? I’ll ask around among our staff to see how many need one. If we can make up a hundred units, I’ll help you ask now. If not, forget it.”

Though the Forestry Bureau’s work was tough, the income was decent. Many employees were from dual-income families and could afford a satellite dish. After all, they had bought TVs; without programs, they’d just be decorations.

Fan Xugang felt a bit embarrassed but tried not to laugh. Selling a hundred satellite dishes meant he’d earn 2,000 yuan in commissions—equivalent to his entire annual salary.

“Alright, Uncle Yang, I’ll take the loss this time. After all, we’re all family here.”

Yang Guofeng wasted no time and started calling people. Soon, many Forestry Bureau employees came to his home out of curiosity. In the end, Fan Xugang’s tally exceeded 110 orders.

While busy recording the list, Fan Xugang said, “I guarantee to install all of them within three—no, two days. Just have your payments ready!”

This was 2,000 yuan, equal to a year’s salary for him. How could Fan Xugang not be enthusiastic? He had been eyeing Zhang Ao’s motorcycle for a long time. Selling a few more units, he felt he might buy a motorcycle himself!

Page 3 of 3

At a TV business hall in a township under Pingyang County, a man stepped inside. Zhou Xia, a clerk working there, immediately approached him.

In the past, clerks at TV business halls, banks, post offices, telephone offices, or supply and marketing cooperatives would never be so eager. When customers came, they often looked down their noses. If they were in a bad mood, refusing service was common. Complaints were useless, and sometimes complainants had to apologize before services were rendered.

But today was different. Zhou Xia treated every customer warmly. She invited the man in and even offered a cup of hot water. Her considerate manner left the man feeling almost pampered.

He had heard that the TV business hall in the township was notoriously difficult to deal with. To apply for cable TV service, one had to make multiple trips and wait ten days or even half a month. Yet today’s experience was completely different.

“Are you here to apply for TV service?” Zhou Xia asked.

“Yes, I want to apply for cable TV. I just bought a color TV at home…”

Before he could finish, Zhou Xia interrupted, “Sorry, the technicians for cable TV installation have gone out. You can leave your name and see if there are enough slots next month. We batch the applications together since we can’t install a dedicated line for just one household.”

The man was stunned. Applying for TV service and having to wait until next month? And even then, who knew how long it would take? Now he understood why so many people preferred to buy TV antennas instead of subscribing to cable TV—it was simply a torment.

As the man prepared to leave disappointed, Zhou Xia added quickly, “Besides cable TV, we also now sell another product: a newly developed high-tech satellite receiver—the Starwatch satellite dish.”

“The price is a bit high, but it receives over a dozen TV channels, not fewer than cable TV. The signal is far better than ordinary antennas. Plus, there’s a one-year warranty. If anything goes wrong, our technicians will come to your home for repairs immediately. You won’t miss your evening dramas!”

Zhou Xia demonstrated the channels the satellite dish could receive. The man was visibly tempted. “How much is this satellite dish?”

“350 yuan, plus a 15-yuan installation fee. These are one-time charges with no recurring fees. It’s definitely worth it. This is the last one we have. If you don’t buy it now, someone else will, and who knows when it will be available again!”

“I’ll buy it!”

Though the price was a bit steep, the man paid on the spot and awaited delivery and installation.

Zhou Xia counted the money and locked it away in a drawer already holding a substantial amount of cash. She then recorded the sale on the sales sheet. The list already had seven names—today alone, Zhou Xia had sold eight satellite dishes!

What motivated Zhou Xia and other business hall clerks to work so hard was obvious: money. The TV station set the satellite dish’s base price at 300 yuan. Selling at that price earned her a 10-yuan commission. The higher the price, the more commission she earned.

Selling at 350 yuan meant Zhou Xia earned 20 yuan commission per dish. In one day, she made 160 yuan in commissions—more than her monthly salary. Previously, she earned a fixed wage regardless of effort. Now, each dish sold earned her 20 yuan, allowing her to make a month’s salary in a day. How could she not be eager?

The same was true for the business hall’s installation technician. In the past, customers would struggle to find him even after multiple calls. Today, he rode a tricycle delivering and installing dishes across villages dozens of miles around the town. He barely had time to eat, driven by the 15-yuan commission per installation. On top of that, the Yuanguan Town component factory that produced the satellite dishes gave him a monthly subsidy. His combined commissions and subsidy were several times higher than his previous salary!