The profit and market of second-hand radio sales were enormous, as anyone with a discerning eye could see.
In those days, the "three turns and one bell" were almost essential items for many city dwellers getting married, but there were still plenty of people who couldn't afford brand-new ones.
With a population of over a million in Qinghe City, the demand was immense, far beyond what Chen Yang's previous aquatic product business could compare to.
Moreover, once this business took off, it could radiate to the counties and districts under Qinghe City, and even to several nearby prefecture-level administrative offices.
To facilitate the reform and opening-up process and accelerate local government management of its subordinate counties and districts, the wave of transforming prefectures into cities only surged in the 1980s. At this time, Qinghe City was still surrounded by regions that had not yet been converted into prefecture-level cities.
But this did not mean that the material needs of the people in these regions did not exist; this was also a vast market waiting to be developed.
In his previous life, Zhang Weiyang had done just that, growing from Qinghe City to the surrounding prefectures, and even the entire Anhui Province.
Then, he continued south to Xiang, Gan, and E provinces, all the way to Guangdong Province. After surviving the radio craze, he had established a massive sales network and a team of repair technicians.
He further built factories and then ignited the purchasing frenzy for televisions and VCD players in the 1990s, eventually building the colossal Tianyin Holdings step by step, with a single mobile phone output exceeding 100 million units per year.
It could be said that Zhang Weiyang's business acumen was extremely sharp, and almost every step he took was in sync with the trends of the era.
And now, this business genius had been successfully brought into Chen Yang's fold.
"If you can't repair it, we have more skilled electricians. For minor issues, we can also hire people."
"You work in the precision equipment maintenance workshop. Surely you can find some skilled repairmen?"
"Nowadays, everyone's wages are limited. We won't interfere with your daytime work. You get one day off out of six, and on that day off, you can also work in the evening after you finish your job. If you're free, why not help us repair radios? Depending on the difficulty of the repair, you can earn one to five yuan per item. I don't think anyone would refuse more money, would they?"
Chen Yang looked at Zhang Weiyang. In fact, these were things Zhang Weiyang would eventually figure out himself. But since he was here, there was no need for Zhang Weiyang to take detours.
He needed Zhang Weiyang to quickly get the business started and then expand it. The second-hand radio market was a gold mine in his eyes, and he couldn't wait for Zhang Weiyang to slowly mine it.
"My master is an eighth-grade electrician. No matter how broken a radio is, as long as there are replacement parts, he can fix it."
Upon hearing Chen Yang's words, Zhang Weiyang was greatly shocked. Indeed, if someone had told him that repairing these things could earn money, and it wouldn't interfere with his job, just helping out in his spare time after work, he would have been willing to do it too. After all, who would refuse extra money?
However, when he thought of his master's salary of ninety-nine yuan a month, he was a little worried about not being able to persuade him.
After all, high-level workers like that in those days could maintain their pride in front of factory leaders.
Money was good, but some people at that time valued their dignity and self-esteem more than money. And his master, a proud eighth-grade electrician, was clearly one of them.
"Here is a coupon for a Phoenix brand bicycle and a pack of Da Qian Men cigarettes."
"As a disciple, showing filial piety to your master is only right. If the disciple has any difficulties they can't resolve, they can ask the master for help, and I estimate the master won't refuse to lend a hand."
"And in the future, if the disciple shows more filial piety to the master, the master will naturally be more willing to help the disciple. Who doesn't like a junior who respects them? Don't you agree?"
Chen Yang handed the pre-prepared items to Zhang Weiyang. This was something Zhang Weiyang had bragged about to him when he was drunk in his previous life.
His master, as an eighth-grade electrician, had his pride. He wouldn't bother helping others with repairs even if they offered money. Only his disciple, Zhang Weiyang, was willing to help whenever called upon.
This was precisely because Zhang Weiyang knew how to behave!
Back then, when his master's youngest son was getting married, they were only missing a bicycle among the "three turns and one bell." But they simply couldn't get a bicycle coupon. He had pleaded with the factory for a long time, but the factory leaders hadn't approved it.
It was unavoidable. Even if you were an eighth-grade worker, you had your own, and your eldest son, second son, and the factory had already provided three bicycle coupons. There were other leaders and other eighth-grade workers in the factory, so they couldn't just cater to you.
But the bride's family refused to marry without this bicycle, which drove his master crazy. If Zhang Weiyang hadn't gotten him a bicycle coupon, his master's youngest son's marriage might have fallen through.
With Zhang Weiyang's master, the eighth-grade electrician, on board, most second-hand radios could be repaired normally. This was how Zhang Weiyang managed to dominate the entire second-hand radio market in Qinghe City.
"Brother, you're truly a miracle worker. How did you know my master has been longing for this bicycle coupon?"
Zhang Weiyang looked at Chen Yang as if he had seen a ghost.
This man he had met for the first time today possessed so much mystery!
His ideas about business, his insights, and his predictions about the future were as if they were plucked directly from Zhang Weiyang's own heart.
If it weren't broad daylight, Zhang Weiyang would have thought he had seen a ghost. No, he had seen a celestial being who could foresee the future!
"A mountain man has his own clever plans."
"Alright, I've been talking to you for a while, and I haven't introduced myself properly. My name is Chen Yang, Chen from 'ear-east' and Yang from 'sun'. We seem to be destined, as we both have 'Yang' in our names."
"I have other matters to attend to and must return. I will come to Qinghe City again in a few days. I hope that by the time I come next, you will have made some progress on what I've told you."
Chen Yang patted Zhang Weiyang on the shoulder. Although he was younger than Zhang Weiyang, he seemed like an elder lecturing a junior.
What was crucial was that Zhang Weiyang didn't find this strange at all. In his eyes, Chen Yang seemed even more dignified and sacred than his eighth-grade electrician master.
"Brother Chen Yang, I am deeply indebted to you."
"Don't worry. If you don't see my Zhang Weiyang making a success of this business next time you come, you can slap me across the face."
Zhang Weiyang gritted his teeth and spoke. Chen Yang had shocked him too much. He exuded an aura of mystery that made it impossible for Zhang Weiyang to harbor any ulterior motives.
Zhang Weiyang now had only one thought: to follow Chen Yang and work hard. Only by following him could he earn enough money to cure his father!
He had even overlooked the fact that the young man in front of him was younger than he was!
"It's not that serious. I believe in you."
"Next time we meet, I hope you'll surprise me."
Chen Yang smiled heartily and left. He didn't mention needing Zhang Weiyang to sign any documents or how profits would be divided once the business was up and running.
It wasn't necessary!
He knew Zhang Weiyang too well.
He was not an ungrateful person.
After all, those employees who had started their businesses with him in his previous life had all amassed immense fortunes.
Moreover, even when there were disagreements in their vision, he had resolutely given up his shares in the television factory and started his own venture to avoid damaging his friendship with his old friends.
Even so, he had still managed to create the even more glorious Tianyin Holdings Group through his own abilities.