Chapter 51

Finally, Zheng Changsheng understood why this album had become so popular, and the fog in his mind instantly dissipated. He sat down in the boss's chair with a bold and confident posture, feeling increasingly clear and calm.

Then, he called out one by one—

"Lao Liu, Yang Fan! Your publicity department should immediately use this survey result to make sales forecasts for the next three months, six months, and one year. Then, have the production department formulate more detailed production plans. Remember, it has to be fast! At least the recent sales plan must be done first; we don't have time! After this, Lao Liu, you personally contact the radio and TV stations in the capital. Spend the money, entertain the guests, and use personal connections. I have only one requirement: as soon as Liao Liao returns to the capital, immediately launch the third wave of publicity! It must be even bigger than the first two combined! This time, the lead single... 'Persistence'! The focus of the publicity will be that it's a groundbreaking work in domestic light rock and the arrival of the era of domestic light rock ballads!"

Liu Zhongxin nodded, exchanged a glance with Yang Fan, and agreed, then turned and left.

"Lao Ma, Sony wants to strangle us, right? You should immediately contact Huage and Xinda. The CD production line in China isn't just Sony's; Huage and Xinda also have them! Put the CD business out there and let them compete! Damn it, I don't believe it! Also, get them to quote prices for cassettes; the lowest price wins! Tell them that although Changsheng Records isn't big, we still have a volume of six to seven million cassettes per year. Don't underestimate us! Then, contact Nansheng Company in Jiaxing. I've been to their factory; although their recorder and Walkman quality is average, their cassette quality and quality control are still quite good. After all, they use Sony's 1992 production line, which isn't much worse than Sony's own quality control! The most important thing is that they are in the south, and shipping from Jiaxing to the southern regions will save at least one or two days compared to shipping from Beijing! Remember, the key is speed; they must immediately free up the production line for us, and the price can be negotiated! Besides, as long as we can reach an agreement and they guarantee quality, I can directly give them orders of 500,000, 800,000, or even 1,000,000 units. You can even tell them that if this order goes well, all of Changsheng Records' production in the south can be handed over to them! This way, the price won't be too high! Oh, and... contact them by phone first, then after you've explained everything to Lao Sun, take the master tapes and fly over to personally supervise!"

Ma Xiang clapped his hands, about to praise, but hesitated and said, "What about Sony... If we do this, won't we completely offend them? We've been working with them for many years, and our relationship has been quite good. If we anger them this time, won't they..."

"How? Pressure us?" Zheng Changsheng said disdainfully. "In the past, I tolerated and yielded because I didn't want to cause trouble. Does Sony really think that with their CD technology, they can pressure everyone? Not to mention that their CD hasn't been widely promoted yet, and they are still trying to get all the record companies to promote it together. Even if CD is widely promoted, if I want to give them business, they can't refuse our orders!"

He paused and continued, "Although Sony is used to being the big brother, their minds are a bit rigid. But don't worry, as long as someone keeps reminding them, they will understand! They aren't fools!"

Lao Ma nodded but still had a hint of hesitation on his face.

Seeing this, Zheng Changsheng sighed helplessly, "Of course, CD is the trend of the future, and Sony's technology and quality control are indeed the best... So, do as I said, inform Lao Sun, and you both get to work. I will personally negotiate with Sony to try to get them to free up the production line for us as soon as possible! After all, I don't want to offend them unless absolutely necessary! Sigh, who can blame us for being small and not having our own production line!"

Having said that, he waved his hand, and Lao Ma agreed and turned to leave.

At this point, with the publicity and production arrangements completed, Zheng Changsheng let out a deep breath, puffed on his cigar a few times to relight it, and then smiled at Zhao Meifeng, "Meifeng, I'm done. You can continue your self-criticism! This is rare, you must let me enjoy it!"

Zhao Meifeng couldn't help but smile, shaking her head, "Mr. Zheng, you shouldn't tease me like that! Alright, I won't bother you anymore! However, I think what Lao Ma said makes sense. You should quickly contact Sony! Don't say I didn't warn you. We not only have business with them in production but also buy a lot of works from them. If our relationship becomes strained, the songwriters and composers we've signed won't be able to support us!"

Zhao Changsheng sighed and nodded.

...

In the afternoon, in the capital, Dongxi Chang Street.

A black business car skillfully weaved through the traffic.

Inside the car, Zhao Changsheng was on the phone, "Yes, I just came from Sony. They have agreed to free up the production line tonight and start our production tomorrow. I gave them an order of 500,000 units. Of course, Sony always bundles, so there are also 50,000 CDs... How are the negotiations with Huage and Xinda going? ...Good, good! Then give the order to Huage, 500,000 units as well! ...What? Bundling CDs too? Is Huage Sony's son? Why is he so enthusiastic about promoting CDs? ...Forget it, CDs are sold, cassettes are sold, bundling is fine!"

After hanging up, he immediately dialed another number, "Hello, Lao Ma, I'm Zheng Changsheng. Oh, you've booked the flight tickets? Tonight? Okay, okay! What did they say? ...Yes, yes, good, this price is completely acceptable! Finish this order first to give them some confidence. Tell them we aren't just a one-time deal! Then we can negotiate the price, and they will have to lower it! Alright, go ahead with confidence! Oh, and take good care of the master tapes! Alright, get to work!"

After hanging up, he was lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

At this moment, the secretary Xiao Wang, who had been sitting in the front row and hadn't dared to breathe, suddenly spoke, "Mr. Zheng, congratulations! Liao Liao is definitely going to be a star! She was discovered by you, so you will have the reputation of a talent scout!"

Zhao Changsheng was taken aback, then laughed heartily, pointing at Xiao Wang, "Good! This flattery is well-timed! Ha ha... I'll give you a bonus later!"

Xiao Wang quickly thanked him repeatedly.

Zhao Changsheng smiled and turned to look out the window at the traffic, but inadvertently caught a glimpse of a sign flashing by. He was puzzled and asked the driver, "Is that the main store of Dongguan Bookstore on the north side of the road?"

The driver turned to look outside. He was familiar with this road and immediately answered, "Yes, Mr. Zheng, that's the main store of Dongguan Bookstore. Do you want to go and take a look?"

Zhao Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then suddenly became curious and said, "Alright, drive over there. I want to see how well this album is selling!"

The driver agreed and, seeing a U-turn sign ahead, quickly signaled and turned the steering wheel.

Three minutes later, Zhao Changsheng and his secretary Xiao Wang arrived at the Dongguan Bookstore's main store in the capital.

It was around four in the afternoon, and the store was quite busy.

Finding the music section, Zhao Changsheng walked in and casually looked around. He was about to ask a salesperson how the album "Liao Liao" was selling when someone ahead of him asked the salesperson if they had "Liao Liao."

The salesperson said they were currently out of stock but were working hard to restock and would have it in the next day or two.

This was a blatant lie. The allocation for Dongguan Bookstore had already sold out, and Changsheng Records' own warehouse was empty. The new batch hadn't even started production yet. Where would the stock come from in the next day or two?

But the fan clearly believed it and praised the store for being faster than other places, which didn't know when they would get stock.

Zhao Changsheng's eyes twitched!

Was this album so popular that whoever got it first was considered to have a better channel?

Was this like queuing to buy televisions in the 1970s?

Before Zhao Changsheng could finish his thoughts, the fan asked the salesperson if they could leave a phone number to be notified when the stock arrived. The salesperson, being professional, immediately agreed and handed over a small notebook. The fan left their phone number and then left.

A few steps away, Zhao Changsheng glanced at the small notebook, about to ask to see how many people had requested it. But before he could move, the salesperson put the notebook in their pocket and said to another salesperson, "What's the point of leaving a phone number? I guarantee that as soon as the stock arrives, it will be sold out before I can even make all the calls. If I call them and there's no stock, I'll be blamed! I won't do that!"

The other salesperson smiled and asked, "How many people have left their phone numbers for this album?"

The salesperson took out the notebook and flipped through it, "About fifty to sixty people! By the way, my sister asked me for it last night, and she wanted five cassette tapes and one CD! If people didn't know, they'd think I was a god! How can I produce them out of thin air?... When I got off work the day before, I bought her a cassette tape from our store, and I got a scolding from the store manager for it! She took it to school, and her classmates found out I work at the bookstore. Last night, about five or six people came to my house, all girls! They called me 'brother' and flattered me so much! In the end, I couldn't resist and had to agree! But you tell me, where can I get them when there's no stock anywhere?... Oh, by the way, how many people have left their phone numbers with you?"

The other salesperson said, "About fifty to sixty people too! Like you, I've also taken a few personal orders! Damn, for the first time, I realize that as a salesperson, I have so much power! Money aside, it feels good to see people smile at me... But I can't produce them out of thin air either!"

Zhao Changsheng rubbed his fingers, thinking that encountering these two local slicks made things easier. He didn't even need to ask; he learned everything he wanted to know and more.

He smiled, shook his head, and turned to Xiao Wang, "Let's go! Back to the office!"

...

The business car was back on the road.

Zhao Changsheng sat alone in the comfortable aviation seat, eyes closed, deep in thought. Suddenly, his phone vibrated. He picked it up and answered, "Hello, Lao Liu, what's up?"

"Mr. Zheng, good news! China Radio has announced the top requests for last week!"

Zhao Changsheng's expression brightened, and he sat up straight, asking, "Our company's song made the list? Liao Liao's? Which one?"

"Two songs! Both by Liao Liao!"

Zhao Changsheng's face lit up with surprise, "Two songs?"

"Yes, two songs! 'My Beloved Hometown' is seventh, and 'Persistence' is tenth!"

"Great!... Great! Ha ha! I got it!"

He hung up, and Xiao Wang, seizing the opportunity, started flattering him again. Liu Zhongxin's voice was loud enough for Xiao Wang to hear from the passenger seat. Zhao Changsheng laughed and said, "Enough! No bonus this time! If I keep giving bonuses, you'll make me poor!"

Xiao Wang smoothly replied, "If it weren't for your keen eye in discovering Liao Liao, I wouldn't even have the chance to flatter you! How can you blame me?"

Zhao Changsheng laughed heartily.

...

In the afternoon, at Changsheng Records, in the general manager's office.

Zhao Changsheng finished reviewing the new sales forecast from the publicity department, nodded in satisfaction, signed it, and handed it to Xiao Wang. After Xiao Wang left, he thought for a moment, found a phone number under the glass on his desk, picked up the phone, dialed a few numbers, thought for a moment, and then hung up, taking out his mobile phone to dial.

The call was answered quickly.

A timid voice said, "Hello, is this Mr. Zheng? Liao Liao is in the shower. I'm her assistant, Huang Wenjuan. If you have an urgent matter, I can call her?"

Zhao Changsheng, perhaps without realizing it, spoke in an unusually gentle and friendly tone, "No, no! I just want to ask about your situation. Have you been recording programs recently