1994: Starting with unpaid leave

It's understandable that Dong Jianguo was slow to react when he suddenly remembered this kind of publicity tactic.

As a reborn person, I've long been accustomed to using my phone to read news and watch videos.

As for radio... it's way too old-fashioned for him.

Hearing Dong Jianguo say this, Erzhuzi, who was driving, was taken aback:

"Bro, you want to go to the radio and television station and get kicked out? Is that even possible?"

"Why not? Although television is widespread, there are still many people who listen to the radio. After all, no one can sit in front of the television every day."

"Take a driver, for example. How can you watch TV while driving? You'd have to listen to something to pass the time, right?"

"The key is that the drivers are not short of money. Whether it's braised eggs or chicken feet that we sell, they are snacks that can both fill their stomachs and satisfy their cravings."

"If we do it well, we might see results even before the railway bureau's sales team does."

After hearing what Dong Jianguo said, Erzhuzi also felt that it made sense.

So, the red minivan turned around on the road and headed straight for the Hecheng Broadcasting Station...

……

The next day at noon, after lunch, everyone in the factory gathered around the red noodles in the courtyard.

Erzhuzi opened the car door and turned the radio in the car up to the maximum volume.

"Quiet down, everyone! They'll be here soon, or we won't be able to hear you!"

"Pan Yan, come here, stand closer, you can hear us clearly from here."

Erzhuzi pulled Pan Yan to the front of the car, giving her the best spot.

"Hey, stop pulling and tugging."

Pan Yan felt a little embarrassed. She glanced out of the crowd and, finding that Dong Jianguo was not there, then turned her attention back to the car.

Soon, the radio in the car broadcast the voice that Erzhuzi had been eagerly anticipating:

"The Flavor of Crane, the Taste of Crane, Crane's Flavor Braised Eggs reminds you to tune in on time for the storytelling performance of 'The Legend of Yue Fei' by Ms. Liu Lanfang..."

Next up was a storytelling program.

"this one?"

Some female workers were puzzled, having waited for a long time, only to receive this one sentence.

"What do you know? That one sentence costs twenty thousand!"

"What?! So many?! Twenty thousand for one guy? Isn't this radio station robbing people?!"

"No, not really... there's a rerun tonight, right? Brother Jianguo bought a monthly subscription, he's bought it for two months already. Tonight's reminder is about soaking feet and chicken feet..."

"Ten thousand a month, that's not cheap!"

Hearing the female workers' words, Zhao Hongmei shook her head:

"You can't say that. I think Jian Guo is pretty amazing. Now, anyone who listens to storytelling knows about our Crane's Flavor!"

"Sigh, Sister Hongmei is right, Brother Jianguo said the same thing!"

Pan Yan couldn't help but repeat GG's lyrics softly: "The taste of cranes, the flavor of cranes... These lyrics are really well written, did the factory manager write them?"

"Of course, the radio station wrote several versions yesterday, but Brother Jianguo was never satisfied. In the end, he personally stepped in and completely won over those editors..."

"Wow, the factory manager is that amazing?" Pan Yan muttered to herself.

"That's right, Brother Jianguo is incredibly capable, following him is the right choice!"

Pan Yan nodded and didn't say anything more...

……

Harbin Railway Bureau.

As the end of the month approached, Director Zhang of the crew section was listening to his secretary report on various tasks.

After the National Day holiday, he was criticized by his superiors. He tried to introduce some rectification measures, and now almost a month has passed. It's time to see how effective they are.

The result, naturally, was... basically no effect.

However, because the passenger flow decreased significantly after the holiday, the bus was not as crowded, and there were far fewer complaints.

Director Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief; at least this could be considered good news.

Although he's nearing retirement, he can't stand being singled out and criticized by his superiors at every meeting...

He thought of Dong Jianguo's braised eggs and pickled chicken feet, and couldn't help but ask:

"How are sales on each route for the second half of the month?"

The secretary, beaming with delight, placed the materials in her hand at the end and reported:

"Boss, I was just about to tell you, this dried product is the best performing this month, sales have tripled compared to the same period last year!"

Director Zhang frowned slightly, but didn't take it too seriously.

As times change, prices also rise.

Lately, I don't know what's going on, prices have been rising so fast that money doesn't feel like money anymore.

With sales skyrocketing, and food sales on trains also skyrocketing, it's not surprising at all...

What's the best-selling item on the bus?

"It's still the same old stuff: instant noodles, cola, sausage... but..."

"But what?"

"The goods you previously focused on purchasing from Hezhiwei Food Factory have all been sold out."

"Moreover, many train drivers have commented that the braised eggs and chicken feet taste very good, and suggested that we restock..."

Upon hearing this, Director Zhang frowned: "What do you mean by 'I should pay special attention'? If someone with ulterior motives hears this, how can I continue in this position?!"

"I'm sorry, Director, I used the wrong words..."

Director Zhang then inquired in detail about the specific sales situation.

The braised eggs sold a little slower; it took about a week to sell out of the thousands of boxes.

In contrast, the sales of 500 boxes of pickled chicken feet were much more frenzied.

In just three days, it was completely sold out.

Director Zhang could understand this outcome.

In the confined environment of a train carriage, the peculiar smell of pickled chicken feet is just as lethal as throwing a hand grenade into a crowd!

That flavor—a perfect balance of sour and spicy, with a touch of umami—who wouldn't be mesmerized by it?!

Most importantly, Xiao Dong sells this stuff at a low price right out of the factory: only 8 cents a bag.

Even with the conductor adding a markup, the food could still be sold for 2.5 yuan on the bus, making it an affordable option for ordinary people.

The 5-yuan braised beef instant noodles don't contain any real beef, but the 2.5-yuan chicken feet do contain real chicken!

Therefore, for passengers on trains, pickled chicken feet are definitely the most cost-effective snack to satisfy their cravings.

The reason we couldn't outperform the top-ranked items was simply because we didn't have enough inventory, making the total sales figures incomparable...

Having figured this out, Director Zhang tapped the table and said to his secretary:

"Okay, let's adjust the procurement plan for Tsuru no Food Factory. Please make a note of it."

"Orders for braised eggs have doubled again, totaling 2000 boxes."

"The order for pickled chicken feet is tentatively set at 2000 boxes per shipment."

"Once the inventory is almost sold out, just contact the other party and order the same quantity..."

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. They're a small factory, so they might have some cash flow problems. Therefore, when we place an order, we shouldn't press them for payment terms. We can just transfer the money directly to their factory's account."

"Huh? Isn't there a risk involved?"

The secretary hesitated for a moment.

After all, the railway bureau is also worried about the safety of the food provided on the train, so they usually delay the payment period and only settle the account after confirming that everything is sold out and there are no problems.

"If other suppliers find out that we're giving Tsuru no Mi the green light... they'll probably be upset..."

Director Zhang waved his hand:

"Make special arrangements; do as I say until the end of the year."

"As for other suppliers, if they can produce products at the same level as Tsuru no Mi, I can give them the green light!"

Seeing Director Zhang's resolute attitude, the secretary nodded: "Sir, I understand. I'll get on it right away!"