Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

Monday, June 24th.

At Shenyang Taoxian Airport, Fan Debiao and Gangzi stood in the waiting hall, both wearing newly bought shirts and trousers. However, Fan Debiao's look was more like that of a cook than a wealthy man.

Gangzi kept tugging at his tie: "Brother Biao, this thing is choking me."

"Bear with it." Fan Debiao slapped his hand away. "When we get to Guangdong, we need to dress more presentably, so people don't laugh at us old Northeasterners."

Gangzi's face turned pale as the plane took off, and he gripped the handrail tightly. Fan Debiao's palms were also sweating, but he tried to remain calm, his eyes fixed on the fields outside the window that were getting smaller and smaller.

The flight attendant pushed a cart over: "Sir, what would you like to drink?"

"Beer," Fan Debiao said, then changed his mind, "No, tea, tea will do."

Four hours later, the plane landed at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport.

A wave of heat hit them, like stepping into a steamer. Gangzi took off his suit jacket and draped it over his arm: "My god, it's hotter than the dog days of summer in Kaiyuan."

Fan Debiao wiped his sweat and took out a piece of paper—the address given by Manager Zhao: TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd., Zhongkai High-tech Zone, Huizhou.

The next morning, at the entrance of the TCL factory in Huizhou.

The gate was electric, and two uniformed men sat in the security booth. Fan Debiao handed over a note written by Manager Zhao: "Looking for Manager Chen from the Marketing Department."

The security guard made a phone call, and ten minutes later a tall, thin man in his thirties, wearing glasses and a white shirt tucked into his trousers, came out: "From Northeast China?"

"Yes, the original one, Fan Debiao."

"Come with me."

The factory area was enormous, with four or five white factory buildings and the machines roaring loudly. Manager Chen led them into the office building, and the cold air from the air conditioner made Fan Debiao shiver.

In the conference room, Manager Chen brewed a pot of Tieguanyin tea: "Manager Zhao called and said you're interested in becoming the Kaiyuan distributor?"

"That's right." Fan Debiao took out market analysis materials from his briefcase. "Kaiyuan currently has a blank mobile phone market, and TCL will be the first to enter it."

Manager Chen flipped through the documents and suddenly asked, "How did you know 3188 would be listed in October?"

Fan Debiao was already prepared: "Manager Zhao told me."

"Oh." Manager Chen didn't press further. "Kaiyuan belongs to TL City, and the agency for Tieling was decided at the beginning of the year. If you want to deal only with Kaiyuan, you'll need special approval."

"Can it be approved?"

"Let's look at the terms." Manager Chen opened the folder. "City-level agency, deposit of 80,000, initial order payment of 300,000 or more. Annual sales target of 1,000 units, rebate policy is the same as what Manager Zhao said."

Fan Debiao nodded: "I know all that. I have one condition—half of the first batch of goods must be white 3188."

Manager Chen laughed: "Boss Fan, that's impossible. The production of the white version is already limited, and the first batch is mainly supplied to first-tier cities."

"Then forty percent it is," Fan Debiao insisted. "Manager Chen, Kaiyuan may be a small place, but its purchasing power is not bad. Coal bosses, grain dealers, and contractors—these people care about face. A white flip phone with jewels inlaid is right up their alley."

"Thirty percent, at most."

"Thirty-five." Fan Debiao held up three fingers. "Manager Chen, I guarantee that the white 3188 will sell better than the black one in Kaiyuan. Give me thirty-five percent, and I'll take the loss if it doesn't sell."

Manager Chen stared at him for a while: "What makes you so sure?"

Fan Debiao lowered his voice: "I worked in entertainment venues in Kaiyuan for over ten years, and I know best what those rich people are thinking. They don't want cell phones, they want face. White is eye-catching, and jewel-encrusted is dazzling; holding it in their hands is telling others: I'm rich."

That hit the nail on the head. Manager Chen pondered for a moment: "How about this, you pay a deposit of 100,000 first, and I'll help you apply. I can't guarantee it will work out, but I'll try my best."

Can the deposit be used to offset the payment for goods?

"Yes," Manager Chen said. "But Boss Fan, I have to remind you—even if it's approved, the white model must be paired with other models. One to three, that's a hard and fast rule."

"How about a 1:2 ratio? I'll order more of other goods."

"This..." Manager Chen thought for a moment, "I need to consult my superiors."

"Then please ask for your instructions." Fan Debiao placed his briefcase on the table, unzipped it to reveal stacks of banknotes inside, and said, "Manager Chen, I am sincere in doing this. I can pay the 100,000 yuan deposit today, and the first batch of goods will cost 300,000 yuan. I will make the payment immediately after the contract is signed."

Manager Chen looked at the money and finally nodded: "Wait a moment, I'll go find General Manager Wang."

Mr. Wang was a lean man from Guangdong, with bright eyes and a quick speech. After listening to the situation, he asked directly, "You want 35% of the white parts?"

"Yes." Fan Debiao stood up. "President Wang, give me this batch of goods, and I guarantee that TCL will be a household name in Kaiyuan within three months."

"How can you guarantee that?"

"The store is located opposite the department store, 60 square meters, and the renovation will be completed in a month," Fan Debiao said. "On the opening day, we will invite all the prominent people in Kaiyuan to come and give each of them a TCL product—a cheap model, but we want them to know that TCL has arrived."

Mr. Wang laughed: "That's interesting. The ratio can be reduced to 1:2.5, with white accounting for a maximum of 30%."

"Okay." Fan Debiao extended his hand.

"Don't rush." ​​Mr. Wang sat down. "Let's have dinner together tonight and talk in detail."

Dinner was at a seafood restaurant, with seven or eight people sitting at a large round table. Boss Wang brought along all the managers from the factory, and the dishes were served in abundance: lobster, crab, and grouper. Fan Debiao had seen them at Victoria but had never eaten them before.

The liquor was Maozi. Boss Wang poured Fan Debiao a full glass: "I know Northeasterners can drink. Let's not talk business today, let's make friends!"

Fan Debiao raised his glass: "President Wang, this is a toast to you."

After three drinks, the conversation flowed freely. General Manager Wang patted Fan Debiao on the shoulder: "Little Fan, you're a true gentleman. The original quota for white aircraft was a maximum of 30%, but how about this: you drink one, and I'll add another point!"

Looking at the four large glasses in front of him, Fan Debiao didn't hesitate at all. "Mr. Wang, it's a deal!"

"A promise is a promise!"

Fan Debiao took a deep breath and poured three large glasses. Despite his pained expression, he still downed all three glasses!

"Great, that's a good deal!" President Wang clapped his hands and said, "Xiao Fan, I'll try to get you 33% of the white machine; that's the maximum I can do."

"Thank you, Mr. Wang!"

"However—" Mr. Wang changed the subject, "you still have to promise me one thing. In the Kaiyuan market, you must achieve a sales ranking among the top three for TCL in all county-level cities in northern Liaoning."

Fan Debiao thought to himself, "Top three? So all that drinking of my 1.2 jin was for nothing. Mr. Wang, Kaiyuan only has a population of 500,000..."

"That's why I need you to work hard," Mr. Wang laughed. "So, are you ready to take the challenge?"

Fan Debiao picked up his glass again: "Take it! If I can't do it, I won't ask for rebates next year!"

"Great!" Mr. Wang clinked glasses with him. "Excellent!"

After a few rounds of drinks, Mr. Wang, in high spirits, suddenly asked, "Xiao Fan, do you know about the Xiaxin A8?"

Fan Debiao's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained unchanged: "I've heard of it, the color screen dancing phone."

"It's launching next month." Mr. Wang leaned closer. "If you're interested, I have a friend who manages distribution channels at Xiamen. Shall we meet him tomorrow?"

Fan Debiao was waiting for these words, but he had to pretend: "Xia Xin... I need to see the terms."

"The terms are easy to negotiate!" Mr. Wang waved his hand generously. "I'll treat everyone to dim sum tomorrow!"

The next morning, at the teahouse.

General Manager Wang brought over a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses: "This is Manager Li from Xiamen's channel department. Old Li, this is Boss Fan from Northeast China, in charge of the Kaiyuan market. He's a generous man and can drink a lot!"

Manager Li shook hands firmly: "Boss Fan, I heard from General Manager Wang that you're interested in becoming an agent?"

"Let's look at the terms." Fan Debiao sat down.

The morning tea was served: shrimp dumplings, siu mai, and chicken feet. Manager Li ate while saying, "The Xiaxin A8 will be launched in two months. The city-level distributor needs a deposit of 60,000 yuan, an initial order of 200,000 yuan, a sales target of 600 units, and a 4% rebate."

Fan Debiao picked up a shrimp dumpling and asked, "How much of an allocation can I get for A8?"

Thirty percent.

"That's too little." Fan Debiao put down his chopsticks. "Manager Li, the A8 model has the potential to be a hit. Color screen, dancing animation, polyphonic ringtones—young people will definitely love it. Kaiyuan may be small, but there are plenty of wealthy people there. Give me 40% of the quota, and I'll promote this model as my main product."

Manager Li pushed up his glasses: "Boss Fan knows his stuff."

"I've been researching for half a year," Fan Debiao laughed. "To be honest, I came here specifically for the A8. What's the recommended proportions?"

"One to three."

"One to two," Fan Debiao said. "I'll order more of the other models, but we must ensure we get enough of the A8."

Manager Li and General Manager Wang exchanged a glance. General Manager Wang spoke up: "Old Li, Xiao Fan is an honest man. The contract with TCL was signed yesterday, and they gave us 33% of the price for the white model. You guys at Xiaxin should be a little more generous too."

Manager Li thought for a moment: "One to two and a half times, and 35% of the A8 quota. That's the bottom line."

"Thirty-eight percent." Fan Debiao didn't back down. "Manager Li, if you give me this number, I guarantee the A8 will sell better than TCL in Kaiyuan."

What makes you guarantee that?

"On opening day, I hired ten girls to dance the A8 dance in front of the store," Fan Debiao said. "The first one in Kaiyuan, guaranteed to make the local news."

Manager Li chuckled: "Okay, 38%. But the target quantity has to be increased to 700 units."

"become."

In the afternoon, both contracts were signed.

TCL: Deposit of 80,000 RMB, initial payment of 300,000 RMB, white 3188 accounts for 33%, with a ratio of 1:2.5.

Xiamen New Materials: 60,000 yuan deposit, 200,000 yuan initial payment, A8 accounts for 38%, with a 1:2.5 ratio.

Fan Debiao paid a deposit of 100,000 yuan. General Manager Wang saw him off at the factory gate: "Xiao Fan, do a good job. I'll send someone to Kaiyuan in October to check on things. If you do well, we'll give you even better policies next year."

"We will definitely not let President Wang down."

The taxi drove towards the airport. Gangzi looked out the window: "Brother Biao, is it done already?"

"It's done."

"Why do I feel like I'm dreaming?"

Fan Debiao didn't speak. The two contracts in the briefcase were heavy; they were genuine.

Just then, the phone rang: "Mr. Fan, when are you coming back? I'll come pick you up!"

Fan Debiao paused for a moment. "Why bother answering? What's the point of all that back and forth? I can go back myself. Bye!"

Gangzi asked, "Awei?"

"Um!"

"Brother Biao, Wei's got a crush on you!"

"Get lost!"