Chapter Sixteen: The Allure of the Bonus

“Now that the factory has secured the bank loan, the next step is to increase production capacity. I’ve already instructed procurement to acquire raw materials and equipment!” Zhang Xiaocheng convened a meeting, though the attendees were mainly outsiders like Li Dongling, Zhou Wenyan, and Zhang Ao. From Yuanqi Factory, apart from Zhang Xiaocheng himself, only a member of the finance department was present.

At this point, the only people Zhang Xiaocheng could rely on were Li Dongling and the others. The satellite dish project and technology all came from Li Dongling. Zhou Wenyan was currently managing production, and Zhang Ao was handling sales.

“The production capacity of the satellite dishes must be rapidly increased to a daily output of one thousand units or even more. By next month, daily output must reach five thousand, or even ten thousand units!” Li Dongling declared. Zhang Ao, who had been appointed by Zhang Xiaocheng as head of sales, lit up at the prospect—more production meant more sales, and naturally, higher commissions for him.

The satellite dish technology wasn’t complicated; as long as the components were available, production could ramp up quickly. Li Dongling looked around at those present. “The satellite dish technology won’t sustain for long. At most, six months before counterfeit and knockoff manufacturers emerge. When that happens, both sales volume and prices of Guān Xing dishes will be affected. We must increase capacity as quickly as possible so that even if a price war breaks out later, we can maintain some advantage.”

Li Dongling spoke plainly. This quick cash flow wouldn’t last long; the high commissions Zhang Ao was enjoying might only last a few months. When the price war ensued, it would be hard to make much profit selling even a single satellite dish. Whether Yuanqi Factory would continue producing satellite dishes would become questionable.

But even so, Zhang Ao felt that within six months, just from commissions alone, he might become a millionaire—or even a genuine millionaire.

“The components have already been purchased. The main issue now is manpower. Most of Yuanqi Factory’s employees have returned, but we are still severely understaffed!” Zhou Wenyan, acting as production manager and responsible for the workshop, said with a strained expression. The burden of increasing production capacity rested on his shoulders.

Although producing satellite dishes didn’t require advanced technical skills, some positions still demanded basic competence. They couldn’t just throw anyone into the roles; otherwise, the quality of the satellite dishes would be questionable. While the brand wasn’t yet crucial, once the reputation was damaged, sales would plummet. Especially since the main market for satellite dishes was in towns and rural areas, where product reputation was highly valued.

But given Yuanqi Factory’s current state, they dared not recruit on a large scale—if they couldn’t afford to pay, it would be disastrous.

“How about…” Zhang Ao thought for a moment before suggesting, “We recruit workers from the West City Wireless Factory No. 1. That factory has already ceased production and reportedly stopped paying wages. Bringing people over from there shouldn’t be a problem!”

Zhang Ao felt no qualms about poaching workers from West City Wireless Factory No. 1. He could barely make any money there, but here, his commissions in a single day exceeded a month’s salary there. His interests dictated his choices.

“Sounds good!” Li Dongling agreed. He hadn’t paid much attention to West City Wireless Factory No. 1, but he had heard the situation there was dire—its color TV production line hadn’t even started, other products weren’t selling, and the factory was deeply in debt. The three thousand employees there were basically idle, and wages were unlikely to be paid.

Li Dongling, Zhang Ao, Fan Xugang, and others returned to West City Wireless Factory No. 1 to recruit familiar faces, bringing them to Yuanqi Factory. Such matters couldn’t be publicly announced with loudspeakers; they relied on personal connections. Many workers at Wireless Factory No. 1, even temporary ones, were reluctant to resign directly.

Returning to Wireless Factory No. 1, Li Dongling immediately sensed the stark contrast to the vibrant Yuanqi Factory in Shangguan Town. The former was visibly dilapidated and lifeless.

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About to go back to the dormitory to pack a few clothes, Li Dongling heard a familiar voice arguing downstairs.

Looking over, he saw Qin Fang, whom he had met on his first day. Compared to a while ago, Qin Fang looked noticeably haggard, though her figure was still unmistakable beneath her clothes.

“Sister Yu, I’m really tight on cash right now. You know how the factory’s situation is. This month’s wages have been postponed. As soon as I get paid, I’ll repay you!” Qin Fang lowered her head, pleading softly to a middle-aged woman.

The woman called Sister Yu, however, shouted loudly regardless of Qin Fang’s tone, as if afraid others in the dormitory would be unaware of Qin Fang’s debt.

“Little sister, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. I know your situation—widowed, supporting your late husband’s younger siblings. But my family has to live too! We haven’t tasted meat for months. Who knows when this factory will pay wages again!”

“If I were you, I’d have found someone to marry long ago. With your figure, any man would be glad to take a second look!” Sister Yu clicked her tongue, making Qin Fang’s face flush. Yet she continued, “The guy I introduced to you recently—he might be a bit dark and plump, but he’s well-off. He drives a Sonata. If you go with him, money won’t be a problem. Maybe I’d even rely on you someday…”

Seeing Li Dongling’s gaze, Qin Fang’s face turned even redder. “Sister Yu, please give me a few more days. Once I gather the money, I’ll bring it to you!”

Only then did Sister Yu reluctantly leave. “Little sister, think over what I said!”

Li Dongling exchanged a glance with Qin Fang and nodded to her. Qin Fang responded softly, then hurried back inside.

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Back in the dormitory, Li Dongling packed a few items. He knew few people at Wireless Factory No. 1, and after some thought, realized the only person who might help was Wei Hongying, who worked in the supply section.

Now also idle due to the shutdown, Wei Hongying rushed down when she heard Li Dongling calling.

“Brother Li, what’s up?” Wei Hongying asked. She was a few years younger than Li Dongling and had been pushed by her family to work in the factory after high school.

Li Dongling nodded. “Let’s have a meal together.”

Near West City Wireless Factory No. 1 were several small eateries. When the factory was thriving and wages were high, these places bustled with workers. Now, with wages unpaid, the atmosphere was cold and desolate.

After ordering some dishes, Wei Hongying immediately began complaining on Li Dongling’s behalf. “I came looking for you several times in your department, but they said you were sent to Shangguan Town. Liu Jiande is no good. You’re a university graduate from Jiaotong University, and he kicked you out. The formal employment promised to Sister Qin never materialized.”

“Brother Li,” Wei Hongying leaned in, as if sharing a secret, “I heard Liu Jiande kicked you out to make room for his son!”

Li Dongling’s heart skipped a beat, but he gave only a casual smile. Wei Hongying continued to grumble about Wireless Factory No. 1. Their wages were gone for the month, yet Liu Jiande and other leaders were still handing out bonuses.

Wei Hongying was outgoing and familiar quickly, spilling many factory secrets and gossip. Halfway through the meal, she suddenly remembered, “Brother Li, why did you want to see me today?”

Li Dongling put down his chopsticks. “Here’s the thing—Shangguan Town’s Yuanqi Factory has recently received many orders and is short on manpower. I wanted to ask if you know anyone here who could help over there.”

“No problem, leave it to me,” Wei Hongying responded boldly, then sheepishly asked, “Brother Li, how’s the pay handled?”

Quick to clarify, she added, “If you want people to go over, I’m fine working for free, but others have families to support…”

“They will be paid the same wages they receive here at Wireless Factory No. 1. The first paycheck will be ten days after starting, then monthly. If anyone decides to quit, their wages will be settled fully upon leaving,” Li Dongling explained. He calculated that once satellite dish production ramped up, funds would recycle quickly—within a week—so paying wages and even bonuses would be no problem.

“As long as they get paid, I’ll find the people and make sure nothing delays your plans,” Wei Hongying said, relieved, and hurried off before finishing her meal.

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Shangguan Town’s Yuanqi Factory had never been so lively. Trucks laden with raw materials continuously arrived, while others waited at the warehouse to haul away finished satellite dishes.

The bicycle shed at the entrance was packed to capacity, with bikes even spilling outside. Li Dongling, Zhang Ao, Fan Xugang, and others had recruited nearly four hundred workers from Wireless Factory No. 1. Adding the original Yuanqi Factory staff, the total workforce exceeded a thousand.

Once materials arrived and manpower was assembled, multiple satellite dish assembly lines began operating. Each dish was assembled, inspected, stored, and loaded onto trucks.

That day, production soared to four hundred and thirty satellite dishes, some of which were substandard. Many were still unfamiliar with their tasks on the first day. Otherwise, output might have been even higher.

By noon the next day, Wei Hongying accompanied Zhou Wenyan to handle production line issues. With nothing to do at Wireless Factory No. 1, she came along to help.

Suddenly, Zhang Xiaocheng entered the workshop carrying a megaphone, followed by a finance staff member holding a bag of cash. Over four to five hundred people were now working inside the factory, and without amplification, many couldn’t hear announcements.

“The teams with the highest assembly output yesterday were Production Lines 1 and 2,” Zhang Xiaocheng announced. These lines were staffed by former Yuanqi Factory workers, who were more skilled and faster. “Today, each worker on these two lines will receive a ten-yuan bonus!”

“From now on, every day, the top three lines in production and pass rate will get bonuses, paid immediately after the shift!”

A loud cheer erupted across the workshop when Zhang Xiaocheng placed the money on a table at the front for all to see. Workers from Wireless Factory No. 1 had never witnessed such a scene before. With daily bonuses, their earnings could surpass their previous wages!

Meanwhile, more trucks had arrived at the warehouse than the day before, including some from other cities waiting to haul goods. The four hundred-plus satellite dishes produced yesterday had sold out by mid-morning, and the payments had all arrived.

The supply and marketing cooperative, the television station’s business hall, and Zhang Ao’s sales department all rushed over to Zhang Xiaocheng, demanding more satellite dishes!