Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Chapter 34: 6 Yuan Income

After seeing off the four bosses, Zheng Hui did not leave immediately, but instead dialed the phone number of President Wang of Swan Publishing House.

"President Wang, this is Zheng Hui. I need your help with something."

Zheng Hui got straight to the point: "I will receive a large sum of money in three days, about six million in cash, which I need to deposit into the provincial branch."

Banks are now very strict about checking the source of large amounts of cash, and I'm worried that the process might get stuck. I'd like to ask you to talk to the bank about it.

On the other end of the phone, President Wang was clearly taken aback by the number, but then, as if remembering something, he immediately agreed: "Six million? It's those four stall owners again, right? They're quick on their feet."

"Don't worry, I know Old Zhang at the provincial branch. Banks are all scrambling to meet deposit targets right now, and you're practically a cash cow delivered right to their doorstep. Your money's no problem; they'd be thrilled. I'll call him right now and have him assign someone to handle this."

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Hui dialed the number of Director Li of the Panyu Magnetic Tape Factory.

"Director Li, this is Zheng Hui."

"Mr. Zheng, what's the matter?"

"I need to deliver a batch of goods at the factory in three days. The other party will bring cash, and the amount is not small."

I'd like to ask you for a favor: could you get those guys in security to work overtime that day to help maintain order and escort me to the bank after the transaction? Safety first; I don't want anything to go wrong.

"No problem!" Factory Director Li readily agreed. "The factory's security department does this kind of work. Those young men are quite skilled. I'll personally lead the team and keep an eye on them. I guarantee there won't be any mistakes."

……

Three days later, at the Panyu Magnetic Tape Factory.

Inside the warehouse, neatly stacked cardboard boxes reached all the way to the ceiling, and the air was filled with the smell of pulp and cassette tapes.

Zheng Hui stood at the warehouse entrance, with Lin Dashan and Chen Jianguo beside him. Factory Director Li, along with several young men from the security department, stood guard vigilantly around the perimeter.

In the distance, four cars, kicking up yellow dust, approached and stopped in the open space in front of the warehouse.

Fatty Liu and his men got out of the car, followed by their respective henchmen, each carrying a heavy travel bag.

"Brother Zheng, we're here." Fatty Liu wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Zheng Hui gestured for them to come in: "Gentlemen, please come in."

A temporary open space was set up in the center of the warehouse, with several desks pushed together. The four bosses placed the money bags they had brought on the tables, and the moment the zippers were unzipped, the dark blue banknotes piled up like bricks into a small mountain.

The visual impact was so strong that everyone present held their breath.

Chen Jianguo moved four banknote counting machines from the side and turned them on.

"Sorry, everyone, this is just routine."

"Of course, of course."

Four banknote counting machines started up simultaneously, emitting a dense "whooshing" sound. Bundles of banknotes were swallowed into the machines and spat out from the other end, with the blue-black hundred-yuan bills piling up higher and higher on the table.

Throughout the warehouse, everyone's eyes were fixed on the fluctuating numbers, their gazes unfocused.

More than an hour later, the last bundle of banknotes passed inspection. Chen Jianguo noted down the last number, looked up at Zheng Hui, and nodded: "The amount is correct, exactly six million."

Zheng Hui clapped his hands, breaking the tense atmosphere, and said with a smile to the four bosses, "Alright, bosses, let's get the loading done."

The waiting trucks reversed into position, and the workers, pushing forklifts and flatbed carts, began their busy work of moving things.

"South China, Mr. Liu, 700,000 boxes!"

"East China, Mr. Chen, 600,000 boxes!"

Boxes of cassette tapes printed with the cover of "Stubborn" were loaded onto different trucks. The four bosses personally supervised the process, afraid that the slightest mistake would occur.

Two hours later, four large trucks drove away fully loaded, and the warehouse was instantly emptied.

Zheng Hui walked up to the pile of money and gestured to Lin Dashan and Chen Jianguo: "Pack it up."

Several large military canvas bags were stretched open, and bundles of cash were quickly stuffed inside. Director Li looked at the bulging bags and subconsciously swallowed.

"Director Li, as agreed before, thank you for your help, brothers." Zheng Hui turned to Director Li.

"Don't worry!" Director Li waved his hand, and several young men from the security department immediately surrounded Lin Dashan and Chen Jianguo, who were carrying money bags, and protected them in the center.

The group quickly got into the Jinbei Haishi van, while the security personnel stayed behind in another Santana. The two vehicles sped out of the tape factory like arrows released from a bow.

……

The convoy headed straight for the provincial branch's large outlets.

As soon as the car came to a stop, the bank's side door opened. The bank manager and security guards had been waiting for some time, clearly having received instructions from above.

With President Wang paving the way in advance, everything went smoothly.

Without any questioning or obstruction, the money bag was quickly escorted into the VIP room by a designated person. The counting, accounting, and invoicing were all done at an astonishing speed.

When Zheng Hui received the receipt showing the deposit amount, his tense nerves finally relaxed.

After completing the deposit, Zheng Hui deliberately kept 20,000 yuan in cash. Back in the car, he handed the thick envelope to Director Li, who was returning in the same car.

"Director Li, this is just a small token of our appreciation. Use it to treat the workers who have been working three shifts these past few days to an extra meal and give them a bonus. The fact that this batch of goods was able to be completed is all thanks to everyone's hard work."

Factory Director Li was taken aback for a moment, and was about to refuse when Zheng Hui stuffed the envelope into his hand: "Take it. We'll still need to rely on the factory workers for the next few orders. I'm meeting with Director Wang later, and I expect we'll have to place more orders."

Factory Director Li held the envelope, feeling its heavy weight, and was filled with emotion. This young man not only had a large business, but he was also a very upright person.

He nodded emphatically: "Alright, Boss Zheng, I thank you on behalf of the workers!"

……

After seeing Director Li off, the Jinbei van turned around and headed towards the Swan Publishing House.

Inside the train carriage, Chen Jianguo was organizing the receipts he had just processed.

Zheng Hui leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed.

He got six million, but before he could even enjoy it, he was about to spend a large sum of it.

He was going to the publishing house to pay for the additional order of one million cassette tapes and two hundred thousand CDs that President Wang had previously placed.

The cost of a CD is not low; the pressing, printing, and packaging cost for a single CD can be as high as four or five yuan. These 200,000 CDs alone would cost close to one million yuan.

In addition, there was the production cost of those million cassette tapes.

All told, he'll have to give the publisher at least another two million this time.

However, money is meant to circulate.

Moreover, it's almost time to settle accounts for the batch of goods that the publisher handled for distribution.

As President Wang mentioned before, sales through official channels like Xinhua Bookstore are also very good, and if all goes well, the first payment should be received in the next few days.

The first batch of goods consisted of one million cassette tapes, of which 320,000 were taken away by the White Swan.

According to the agreed selling price with President Wang, it's three yuan and fifty cents, which is still a profit of over a million yuan.