Chapter 137: Upgrading from a Shotgun to a Cannon, I Dare to Take on Ping’an County Town

The meeting was extremely lively, continuing unabated until Shi Tou handed Wei Dong a bowl of noodles.

Everyone was stunned to see the top salesperson so engrossed and tireless.

Those who hadn’t eaten yet rushed over, not asking about having a proper meal first, but immediately resumed discussing work, even sending their younger brothers to buy a bowl of noodles for Wei Dong.

What kind of spirit was this?

Not to mention that it was almost as if guests had arrived at their home, yet they had to spend their own money on food.

This was their own child, wasn’t it? Coming back without even a greeting and immediately diving into work—this almost felt like a slap in the face.

Even Director Cheng couldn’t help but shoot a stern look at the military representative couple.

Clearly, the secretary hadn’t taken good care of the star salesperson.

Look at this man, exhausted and dusty after just two or three days on the road.

Everyone genuinely felt a pang of sympathy. Someone hurried downstairs to cut some marinated dishes; others quickly fetched a couple of eggs.

Someone else suggested making egg drop soup.

Everything was simple and heartfelt, making the champion salesperson all the more deserving of respect.

Every week, the goods sent to Jiangzhou were paid for in full by wire transfer upon receipt—never a penny owed.

Xishan Factory now confidently operated not only in the surrounding areas but even in neighboring counties.

All thanks to the relentless efforts of the salespeople out in the field.

Soon, a generous spread of food was piled in front of Wei Dong. Everyone urged him to eat and rest, declaring the meeting adjourned for the day.

They insisted the deputy factory director of sales eat well and rest before any further work discussions.

Wei Dong was a little taken aback; he had planned to take the opportunity to mention the situation at Rongdu Postal and Telecommunications Equipment Factory, as a warning—he was very concerned about being bypassed and having sales done behind his back.

But everyone had already left!

It was too late to call them back, and the table was soon piled high with tangerines, walnuts, and pastries, brought continuously by people.

Director Cheng, now alone with Wei Dong, confirmed the position of deputy factory director of sales: “As I told you before, Wei Dong, leading this factory won’t be a problem for you. You’re still young and have many possibilities. For now, keep the title of deputy factory director. The factory fully supports you, so don’t worry. Any issues with Xiao Zhang’s work?”

Wei Dong glanced at the worried couple and nodded slightly, signaling recognition. “They must be Zhang Lanzhi’s parents. I’ll talk with you separately about her situation later. There’s no problem; she’s doing well. She’s established good work in Rongdu and even took the initiative to go to Jiangzhou with me. She accompanied me on a business trip to Yuezhou, where she used fluent English at the trade fair to help me purchase imported equipment. Didn’t she call you to share the good news?”

The couple shook their heads.

What the hell!

She’d been away from here for almost three months—surely Wei Dong hadn’t sold her out?

Was the girl really so resolute?

Wei Dong scratched his head and looked at the director, who, a seasoned man in his fifties, shook his head and left the room: “She only called the factory before May Day from Rongdu to say she was going to Jiangzhou. I arranged her dormitory. Xiao Zhang’s situation is complicated!”

The couple looked at Wei Dong with growing anxiety, probably wondering if this comrade, who put work before family to such an extent, would really drag their daughter away to some dark fate.

But their eyes were pure, with no ill intentions.

Originally, they could have been future in-laws, but Wei Dong had already moved on: “There’s no problem with Zhang Lanzhi’s work. She helped develop sales in Rongdu, and made great contributions in Echang, Yuezhou, and Huhai. Actually, from Yuezhou onwards, there was some...”

He hesitated, then admitted, “There was some sign of a relationship. But after arriving in Huhai, she made her stance clear: apart from focusing on work, she wants to study abroad, which she sees as her greatest life goal. I respect her choice. So now, she’s effectively the branch manager of the sales company in Huhai.”

He called out to Mao Er, who was standing guard at the door, to bring up a large map atlas from the car. Opening the enormous Huhai map like a poster, he pointed out the location to the couple: “Here, just behind the Bund on this street corner, we rented a storefront as a warehouse and office. Huhai has a sales team of about ten university graduates—all under her department. Since I left Huhai on May 19, her payment collection has been normal. Other than that, we haven’t been in contact. She apparently hasn’t set up a phone yet. You two should go see her.”

Parents know their daughter best, and the couple showed no surprise.

Instead, they seemed relieved: “Can she really study abroad? She’s never been an outstanding student, though she does like English and literature.”

Wei Dong explained simply: “Then she’ll study literature. Without a high school or university diploma, it’s definitely hard to get government-sponsored study abroad, but self-funded should be easy. Besides, her English is excellent.”

The purchase of sanitary pad machines had already brought Wei Dong a highly profitable industry, so he wasn’t worried: “Over the next two years, we’ll explore official study abroad channels in Pingjing. Huhai has many foreign businesspeople, so we’ll see what opportunities arise. Money is no problem—I promised to support her according to her contribution to sales.”

The couple, dressed in military uniforms, looked at the young man seriously, clearly understanding that much had happened between them. There was regret, and seemingly some relief.

They didn’t lament or fuss; they just nodded gently, and the mother said thank you.

Wei Dong smiled as well: “Because she controls some sales resources, to avoid product diversion, I couldn’t openly say she was in Huhai earlier. Please keep this confidential. She also visited some nearby towns on your recommendation. You can visit her when you have time—it’s easy to find, just a street parallel to the Bund.”

Zhang Lanzhi was now the only possible link to understanding Wei Dong’s sales model and the potential collusion inside the factory.

Perhaps she didn’t call her parents to cut off such possibilities.

She surely knew Wei Dong was most suspicious about this.

The couple then asked, “Is there no longer a restriction on returning to Huhai?”

Wei Dong felt a pang of sadness but recalled his own fearful, secretive arrival in Jiangzhou carrying a basket on his back—he had been just as afraid of being sent back.

Times were gradually changing.

He offered a practical suggestion: “I’ll be back in Jiangzhou soon. Why don’t you pack your bags? I can send you flying over from Jiangzhou—it’s quick. The outside world is moving fast, and with a letter of introduction, it’s very convenient.”

The couple hadn’t expected such convenience and immediately expressed delight.

They reminded each other not to reveal the true reason and just say they were returning to pay respects and visit relatives.

Wei Dong accompanied them downstairs, only to find Director Cheng and many others still downstairs.

“Wei Dong, Xiao Zhang didn’t come back with you this time. You still need an assistant. We just discussed this here. Take a look at these comrades and see who might be suitable...”

A whole group of people emerged, immediately presenting a row of attractive young women.

Wei Dong had never experienced such a scene in person but had seen similar ones in short videos—except those were about wine-drinking and frivolous entertainment. Here, these young women sincerely hoped to follow the deputy factory director to achieve great things and witness the big stage.

Almost all were accompanied by their parents, who eagerly urged their children to present themselves well.

There was no fashionable attire—some were slender and delicate, some vigorous and spirited, some pretty and shy, others bold and carefree—there was every type.

The factory director’s aunt introduced each one: one was a quality inspector, another a telephone operator, another a union cultural officer, and one a militia platoon leader...

But Zhang Lanzhi had basically blocked the path for all female colleagues.

Wei Dong could tell at a glance that these girls, like Zhang Lanzhi, bore a certain proud and aloof air unlike ordinary girls outside.

They were children of the big factory, raised in this very small circle, pampered and sheltered like greenhouse flowers from childhood.

This was vastly different from the toughened attitudes of Dong Xueying and Shen Cuiyue, who had been tempered in the wider society.

Wei Dong had no time to help such girls grow through hardship, nor did he want to invest his own energy.

He was already a husband and father and didn’t refuse outright: “Xiao Zhang is handling her work very well. She just can’t come back with us now because of her busy schedule. Well, coincidentally...”

Surrounded by layers of people, he moved to a small red vehicle nearby, opened the side door with a clang, and pulled out two large packages of sanitary pads.

He handed them to the factory office auntie: “These are the imported products Xiao Zhang helped me buy from foreign merchants using foreign languages. They can be used during those inconvenient days for female colleagues. Please distribute them for trial use in the factory. I’ll arrange to bring more back later to ensure the factory has enough supply.”

Thanks to recent frequent discussions about this product, Wei Dong could now speak about it quite fluently.

The courtyard in front of the factory office building suddenly buzzed with excitement.

The men, looking sheepish, stepped back to give way as the women swarmed the deputy factory director and the office director, eagerly grabbing and marveling.

This was also a quirk of big factory employees and their families: sometimes informal and lacking decorum.

They all grew up living and working together, everyone knew everyone else.

In a closed environment, such lapses in manners were easy to happen.

Taking advantage of the moment, Wei Dong stepped back and briefly explained the sanitary pad factory’s scale and prospects to Director Cheng and others: “Currently, camera sales are limited by production capacity. Advertising beyond this point is a waste. Expanding the reputation of the photo exhibition is already good. Before the end of June, I must go to Jibei. So the first brick-and-mortar ad will be for sanitary pads, allowing the sales system to承担 more tasks simultaneously and reduce sales costs.”

State-owned factories didn’t mind if you sold different products at the same time; they just saw it as selling national goods for the people.

“You’ve worked hard. You decide on sales, and we’ll fully support you. Go check your dormitory. You’re busy outside, and while we know your family is in Jiangzhou, this is your home too. Come back often, guide everyone, and bring some kids along to grow.”

No one asked what exactly was going on with Xiao Zhang.

Wei Dong happened to see an old Liberation truck parked by the roadside and immediately asked, “How many trucks does the factory have now?”

About seven or eight. Because the factory supplied surveying equipment to the military, two years ago they were allocated four Dongfeng trucks, mainly to deliver various sizes of surveying scopes, artillery sights, and aiming devices to military supply warehouses. But since procurement stopped, they were rarely used.

“Every week, we haul cameras toward Jiangzhou, and every day the trucks go into town for daily supplies—those are their only uses now. Why?”

Wei Dong explained the situation with Hongguang Factory: “I want to organize the fleet for transportation, with fixed routes and schedules, to boost sales of cameras, sanitary pads, and tape recorders along the way...”

Director Cheng said, “Great. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have several brother factories send their fleets over for you to choose from.”

Each factory had three to eight trucks!

The state had indeed invested heavily in building these third-line factories, ensuring equipment even during hard times.

Who would have thought these grand plans would suddenly become obsolete?

Wei Dong laughed and applauded inwardly. Well, well, now with this regular army of upgraded vehicles assembled, he dared to take on Ping’an City!

Director Cheng laughed too. Surrounded by a few people, he invited Wei Dong to stay at the dormitory building near the factory office: “We’re all workers and cadres with equal conditions. Just make do and settle in.”

Indeed, the buildings were all ordinary five-story family housing, but the first and fifth floors differed, and the buildings themselves were situated differently.

The three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment arranged for the deputy factory director had a courtyard and faced a lake at the back. There was no fancy landscaping, but surrounded by vegetable fields, even Shi Tou, who came along, craned his neck to take in the rural night sounds.

Wei Dong truly felt a sense of belonging, his guard gradually lowering.

But Director Cheng slapped his arm jokingly: “As factory leadership, we all live here with our families. You need to settle down soon, or the young workers will drag you off to live in the bachelor dormitory!”

Did he really have to manage that too?