Chapter 59 Red Star Brand

Thousands of kilometers away, Wang Ye had no idea that his small actions would ultimately cause such a huge uproar and serious consequences, even altering the course of history!

However, if Wang Ye knew the final outcome, he would definitely sincerely congratulate General Kibwe!

Because in the history, General Kibwe, who returned from China, was only appointed as a water resources deputy minister, although after more than twenty years of struggle, he eventually became the president of Tanzania.

But old habits die hard, even though he became president, he couldn't enforce his will and was constrained at every turn. In the end, he didn't serve for long and went to the United Nations as a mascot, advocating for peace.

"Factory Manager, Director Li is on the phone!"

In the meeting room of the machinery factory, Wang Ye was in a technical meeting with a group of people amidst the smoke. Someone walked in, knocked on the open door, and then said so.

"Okay, got it!"

Wang Ye nodded and got up to walk to his office, with the people in the meeting room looking at each other before following him, crowding into the office.

Wang Ye wasn't surprised by this and picked up the phone with a smile:

"Director Li? This is Wang Ye!"

Hearing Wang Ye's voice, Director Li on the other end of the line chuckled and said:

"What are you up to again?"

"I heard you've been in meetings all day?"

Before Wang Ye could answer, Director Li added with a chuckle:

"I know, you're definitely keeping it secret!"

"I'm just asking casually. Actually, I don't really want to know because I'll find out eventually! Haha!"

Although Director Li was only in his mid-thirties, he usually had a serious face at work, appearing exceptionally mature, and was even called "Iron-Faced Judge" by many subordinate state-owned factories. But when he was with Wang Ye, he often joked around without any airs of being a leader.

Hearing Director Li say this, Wang Ye cleared his throat and said:

"This time it's not confidential. We're planning to produce motorcycle engines, and we're in a technical seminar."

"Do you have good news for me?"

Just as Wang Ye finished speaking, laughter came from the other end of the phone, so loud that it even broke due to poor equipment, accompanied by the crackling of electricity, and then Director Li said:

"I told you, you're trying to keep secrets from me, right?"

"I said I don't want to know, and yet you tell me!"

"The good news is that there's one. But given that you and I are at odds, I'll start with some bad news. The news about your factory's innovation has been widely spread in the lower-level units, and several teams have come to inquire."

"I've managed to persuade them to leave."

"But I reckon it won't be kept secret for long."

"When other factories find out, don't blame me for not keeping my word!"

Wang Ye wasn't surprised by this and nodded, saying:

"That's understandable."

"It's impossible to keep it secret forever, and there's no need. We've produced a new product!"

"Since it's for national innovation, let them do it if they want to. But they have to figure out the sales themselves!"

Upon hearing this, Director Li nodded and said:

"That's the way. The gas cylinders are extra products from the plan, innovation products naturally follow market economy rules."

"But the sales will have to rely on each factory's own efforts."

"But your new product, is it related to the incident a while ago? I heard that Commander Song from the theater command went there? I heard that your factory called several units to test agricultural products."

"The industrial bureau switchboard didn't understand. I wasn't there that day, so I went down to inspect."

Wang Ye certainly didn't deny this and nodded, saying:

"Yes, it's a new agricultural product."

"A"nd we've already produced a lot recently. If you have time, you can come and take a look."

"Oh, what's the good news?

Director Li had been pondering what agricultural product could attract the attention of the prestigious military district commander. It was only when Wang Ye mentioned it that he came back to his senses and cleared his throat, saying:

"Didn't you finish the electric fans already?"

"I've already arranged the booth for you at the department store, right in the main hall on the first floor, near the entrance. It's a prime location!"

"I haven't seen it myself, but I heard it's over fifty square meters, plenty of space for you to operate!"

"Oh, what's your brand name?"

Upon hearing Director Li's inquiry, Wang Ye responded without hesitation:

"Red Star Brand."

Director Li was quite satisfied with this answer. After all, Wang Ye had a penchant for eccentricities. If he had come up with some bizarre brand name, Director Li would have been truly worried!

"Not bad! Not bad! Quite upright!"

"Though there might be quite a few brands with that name, but you're the first one in our province, so it's fine!"

At this point, Director Li seemed to recall something and his tone changed as he jokingly scolded:

"Oh, your scheme worked."

"The Municipal Committee instructed me to inform you that all units in the city have decided to collectively purchase electric fans from you, totaling six hundred units. The price will follow your retail price, but they require delivery to be completed by the 10th of July."

"Can you manage that?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Ye's face lit up with joy, and the group of people surrounding him, although repressed, cheered. Although they had undergone significant collective reform, they still felt like one big family. Moreover, many of them had family members working in both the machinery and manufacturing plants, so they were all pleased to hear about the success of the manufacturing plant's endeavors.

"Come on, Director, have a smoke!"

Some even directly offered cigarettes to Wang Ye, showing great enthusiasm.

Wang Ye, sitting confidently, smoked his cigarette and said to the person on the phone with a grin:

"Got it! It's getting hot, everyone needs a fan!"

"There's no problem with the timing; our workers are highly motivated! Just six hundred units? No problem!"

"But, how do we settle the payment?"

Director Li on the other end of the phone seemed to have anticipated Wang Ye's question and coldly snorted before saying:

"Considering that you're not only generating income but also pioneering a way out by yourself with these fans..."

"The Municipal Committee will directly settle fifty thousand in cash for you. The rest will be replaced with excess production materials from outside the plan. Make a list and send it over as soon as possible."

"The price will be twenty percent cheaper than before, without enjoying the benefits of the planned price."

Upon hearing Director Li's words, Wang Ye's face was filled with joy. Although the materials for the electric fans purchased by the manufacturing plant were procured according to market prices, they were still lower than black market prices. Now, they were given nearly one hundred twenty thousand worth of materials, which were twenty percent cheaper. In reality, these materials, discounted by twenty percent, were not much different from the planned price!

"Thank you for the leadership's concern! We will definitely grow stronger and bigger! From Yuntai to Luqi, to the whole country! We will never fail the leadership's high expectations! Bringing glory to Yuntai..."

Following this, Wang Ye poured out a series of flattering words like a river, leaving the people in the machinery plant next to him awkwardly grinning. Director Li couldn't bear it either and quickly said:

"Quickly deliver the fans tomorrow! The Municipal Committee requires the opening to be on Sunday the day after tomorrow!"

After saying that, he hung up the phone as if afraid of being overwhelmed by Wang Ye's flattery over the phone.

At four o'clock the next morning, the manufacturing plant set off from the machinery plant in a borrowed large truck, loaded with a full load of electric fans and washing machines. Under the supervision of the young lads, they headed straight to Yuntai City.