Initially, Xie Sui noticed these people implicitly looked to him as their leader, which further solidified his decision to give Gu Lei an opportunity as his sales manager.
Having managed a large multinational corporation in his past life, Xie Sui was well-versed in the art of delegating and grasping the big picture; if he tried to do everything himself, he'd work himself to death.
"Salesman?"
Gu Lei was somewhat displeased. In this era, office jobs were considered the respectable path.
He felt it was a waste of his talent for such a small food business and harbored some reservations.
Xie Sui, naturally discerning his thoughts, began to paint a rosy picture for him. "My factory is affiliated with the county's food processing plant, so you can think of it as Food Factory Number Two."
"There's already a Food Factory Number Two; it belongs to my uncle's family," a young man interjected, a spark of shrewdness in his eyes, as if he saw through Xie Sui's act.
"Then how many factories are there?"
Xie Sui's expression remained unchanged. It was a minor issue, and he turned the question back.
"Number Three. There's no Number Three. My uncle makes plum powder. His factory isn't large, just over ten people, but he earns more than a regular job."
"Then we'll be Food Factory Number Three. My brother here makes dried peaches, dried apricots, and jelly. It doesn't conflict with your uncle's business. We also have another name: Chun Feng Food Factory."
With a spring breeze, all things revive; it was also a new beginning. Xie Sui had long since decided on the name, and the next products would bear a trademark.
Of course, he could have also chosen brands like Wang Wang, Wang Zai, Qin Qin, or Crayon Shin-chan. However, having been a big shot before, he disdained plagiarism.
If the product is good, even a name like Gou Sheng could make it famous. If it's not good, even using someone else's name would ultimately lead to bankruptcy.
Therefore, Xie Sui chose his own name.
"That's a good name."
By a stroke of luck, the name was actually well-received by people at the time. Wasn't there an air conditioner called Chun Lan that was selling very well?
"Alright, what do we need to do?"
"Salespeople are there to promote products. Sell the goods, collect the payments, and you'll be successful." Su Dan Novel Network
Afterward, Xie Sui explained the product pricing and their commissions. The profit margin for each bag of dried fruit was five li more than he had anticipated. Because it was affiliated with the food factory, he saved the money he would have had to share with the town, which he could then use for their commissions.
Even though it was a small five li, the sheer volume made up for it. A case contained a thousand units, equating to a five-yuan commission. Xie Sui decided to give them three yuan upfront, with the possibility of bonuses later. Giving them too much at once wouldn't adequately motivate them.
"Only three yuan for a case? That's a bit low."
Young people are often ambitious but lack the means, despising small sums while craving large ones. They value face more than life itself, with hearts soaring high but pockets thinner than paper.
"You don't think three yuan is worth your while? Fine. If any of you can come up with a dollar right now, I'll take back my words. Today, we'll just get acquainted and become friends."
"All you need to do is talk. Someone else will handle the deliveries. Is that too much to ask of you guys?"
"Look at the sales managers at state-owned factories, everyone fawns over them, just wanting a bit more stock."
"Tsk, tsk, I suppose I'd have to make you county magistrates to satisfy you."
Xie Sui's expression turned cold, and he unleashed a barrage of insults, leaving them with awkward expressions. Circumstances were not in their favor.
"Deal!"
"That's right. Let's just try it. Trying it costs nothing. Whether we succeed or not, the base salary is one dollar a day, thirty dollars a month, for three months. But there's a minimum target each month: thirty cases. Not too much, is it?"
"Let me calculate for you. How many primary schools are there in our county? Thirteen towns. The supply and marketing cooperatives in the towns are our main targets, along with the county's supply and marketing cooperative, and places like telephone booths. The whole county has a population of 500,000. If we can't sell thirty cases a month, this factory of mine should just go bankrupt."
It didn't sound difficult. Xie Sui applied the method used for temporary workers in his past life, retaining people with a base salary. It was a way to test their abilities; the good ones would stay, and the bad ones would leave, with no loss either way.
"Okay, when can we start working?"
Gu Lei was constantly chided by his parents and sister for being idle and not pursuing a proper career; it was his label, similar to Xie Sui's situation.
The difference was that Xie Sui had a wife and two adorable twins, thus "harming" more people.
Director Gu and her husband were not yet fifty and had not reached retirement age. They had worked their way up to management in half a lifetime and would surely continue for a few more years, paving the way for their children.
Therefore, "factory second-generation" like Gu Lei did not have an easy life. It was not uncommon for families with many children to turn against each other for a job opening.
"Alright, it's settled then. Three days from now, we'll start working at the same place we met today."
"Sure, we'll be waiting."
Xie Sui paid the bill. Those brutes had eaten for almost ten dollars, which pained him deeply. Entertainment expenses were too damn high. He should apologize to the sales managers from his past life for their perceived wastefulness.
The youngsters left, but Gu Lei lingered behind, as Xie Sui had something else to discuss.
"Do you know where to get a bicycle ticket? I want to buy one."
"Brother Xie, you've really asked the right person. I have a classmate who deals with this. Brother Xie, do you want to buy one? When do you need it?"
"I need it now. I also need to rent a factory, five rooms would be enough, preferably with a yard. The road needs to be accessible."
Renting a factory was essential. Starting at home was fine, but once the scale expanded, home would no longer be suitable. He also needed an office for meetings and so on; everything had to be formalized.
"Ask my mom about the house; she's familiar with this area. I'm not concerned with that. Let's go buy the bicycle."
The young people didn't yet grasp the value of a house; they were more interested in a bicycle. Many people tightened their belts to buy a car; a car was a man's pride.
At this time, any family with a bicycle was considered wealthy, a symbol of affluence.
Gu Lei's family had one. Factory workers received bicycle coupons and subsidies, making the purchase much cheaper.
Having grown up in the county town and possessing extensive connections, Xie Sui saw Gu Lei's network as his key asset.
The two arrived at the back of the film studio. Numerous youngsters were gathered in small groups, looking at everyone like prey, their eyes greedy and sinister.
The timid could be so intimidated by them that they could barely walk.
Xie Sui's expression remained calm, neither overbearing nor cowardly. His confident gaze made Gu Lei nod inwardly; he was a man destined for great things.
If he were easily frightened by such a scene, he wouldn't be worth following.
"We're here. Xu Yuan, I've brought you a guest."
Xu Yuan, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, was thin and small but very sharp. He wasn't tall, barely 1.7 meters, with yellowish hair, resembling a monkey.
"What kind of ticket do you need?"
Xie Sui offered him a cigarette but didn't light it for him. He wasn't worthy of that, and besides, he was bringing money, making him the client.
Unfortunately, in this era of burgeoning market economy, clients were often begging suppliers; he couldn't be too assertive.
"A bicycle ticket, do you have one?"
"I just acquired one. Ten yuan."
"Deal."