Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

Fan Debiao settled Ma Dashuai's mess for five thousand yuan. After paying the money, he never mentioned it again—relatives are relatives, and business is business; he knew the difference.

Now he has only one thing on his mind: to crack the tough nut of TCL's after-sales service.

Early that morning, Fan Debiao called Gangzi over: "Gangzi, we need to look further ahead. Just selling mobile phones isn't enough; we need to control after-sales service to truly establish a foothold in the business."

Gangzi handed over the freshly brewed tea: "Brother Biao, we don't understand after-sales stuff."

"If you don't know something, learn it; if you don't have anyone, hire them." Fan Debiao took a sip of tea, picked up the phone, and dialed Xiao Li from TCL's provincial office. "Manager Li, this is Fan Debiao. We'd like to apply for after-sales authorization; could you give us some pointers?"

Xiao Li chuckled on the other end of the phone: "Boss Fan has a really sharp sense of smell! The factory just issued a document to regulate after-sales service, but the requirements are not low—an independent site, certified technicians, and a full set of equipment. If you lack any one of these, it's all for nothing."

"We have the space and equipment ready to vacate, all we need is a certified technician," Fan Debiao said frankly.

"That requires training," Xiao Li said. "There's a three-day class in Shenyang next week, with a training fee of two thousand yuan. If you pass the exam, you'll receive a basic certificate."

"Alright, I'll send someone over." Fan Debiao asked, "How long will it take to approve the authorization?"

"Once all the materials are complete, we'll review them—site photos, equipment list, personnel certificates, plus your sales data." Xiao Li paused for a moment. "The annual fee is 12,000 yuan; you pay first, then we'll stamp it."

"Pay what needs to be paid." Fan Debiao hung up the phone and said to Gangzi, "Did you hear me? We need to find someone who knows the technology."

Gangzi scratched his head: "Where are we going to find someone who can repair mobile phones? Everyone in Kaiyuan is only half-baked; they'll spend ages figuring out how to replace a simple flex cable."

"Find Awei." Fan Debiao lit a cigarette. "Her cousin worked at the Shenyang mobile phone market for three years, so we'll poach him. We'll also hire a local guy, someone who used to repair pagers will do, as long as he has a steady hand."

No sooner had Gangzi left than Fan Debiao made a phone call—to Director Zhao of the Netcom company.

"Director Zhao, this is Fan Debiao. Are you free at noon? Victoria, please have a seat. There's something I'd like to ask you."

At noon, Director Zhao arrived in the Victoria private room, carrying a briefcase.

After a couple of drinks, Fan Debiao got down to business: "Director Zhao, I heard that China Netcom is going to launch PHS (Personal Handyphone System)?"

Director Zhao stopped eating and said, "Boss Fan is well-informed; this matter hasn't been made public yet."

Fan Debiao smiled—of course he knew. In his previous life, in 2003, mobile phones were everywhere in the north, and the rates were so cheap they were practically free. But he couldn't say it now.

"They've had this in the South for a while now. Answering the phone is free, but making a call costs two cents." Fan Debiao poured Director Zhao a full glass of wine. "This thing will definitely be a hit in the North."

"The PHS phone is good, the price is cheap, and the people will definitely welcome it." Director Zhao lowered his voice, "But it has a fatal flaw - the signal is not good! If there are not enough base stations, there will often be no signal at home, and users will be cursing. But building a base station is not easy. You have to find a construction team, you have to be qualified, and you have to rush the construction period."

Fan Debiao's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Don't we have any capable construction teams in Kaiyuan?"

"Yes, we do have some, but they're all small-scale operations." Director Zhao shook his head. "They're fine with pole climbing and wiring, but they can't handle debugging base station equipment. Last year, we found a company that worked on it for half a month, but they installed the equipment backwards and wasted several thousand yuan worth of equipment."

Fan Debiao raised his glass: "Director Zhao, this matter... I can handle it."

Director Zhao was taken aback: "You? Boss Fan, aren't you the one who sells mobile phones?"

"Selling mobile phones is our main business, but when I registered my company, the business scope included 'telecommunications engineering construction'," Fan Debiao said sincerely. "If you trust me, I'll take the job. I'll handle the qualifications, assemble the team right away, and guarantee a great job."

Director Zhao stared at Fan Debiao for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "Boss Fan, you're... good at handling things. But words alone aren't enough; you have to show real results."

"Of course." Fan Debiao took an envelope out of his pocket and pushed it along the edge of the table. "Director Zhao, this is my company's information. Please take a look."

The envelope was quite thick. Director Zhao squeezed it, his smile widening. "Mr. Fan, you're too kind. Here's the thing: the company is going to tender next month for twenty base stations, with a budget of 800,000. Once you've got all the necessary qualifications and assembled the team, I'll help you submit the materials."

"Thank you so much, Director Zhao!" Fan Debiao raised his glass. "Rest assured, I, Fan Debiao, am absolutely reliable when it comes to getting things done."

After leaving Victoria, Fan Debiao went straight to the Industry and Commerce Bureau.

Section Chief Wang was reading the newspaper in his office when he saw Fan Debiao come in and smiled, "Boss Fan, what business are you handling this time?"

"Section Chief Wang, I'd like to add something to our business scope." Fan Debiao offered a cigarette. "Dexing Communications wants to expand its business scope to include 'communication engineering construction'."

Section Chief Wang took the cigarette, thought for a moment, and said, "This requires approval and the corresponding qualification certificates. Do you have an engineer's certificate? Do you have a construction qualification?"

"Not now, but it can be done," Fan Debiao said honestly. "Section Chief Wang, could you point me in the right direction? What materials are needed?"

"First, you need registered capital, at least 300,000 yuan," Section Chief Wang said, counting on his fingers. "Second, you need professional and technical personnel with qualification certificates, such as electrician's licenses and high-altitude work permits. Finally, you need an office space and equipment list."

Fan Debiao nodded, took out another envelope from his bag, and gently pushed it over: "Section Chief Wang, thank you for your trouble. We'll follow every procedure without missing a single step, and pay every penny that's due."

Section Chief Wang glanced at the envelope and smiled: "Boss Fan is a sensible man. Here's what we'll do: you go to the bank to verify the funds first, and as for the rest... I'll take care of it for you."

"Thank you, Section Chief Wang!"

After leaving the Industry and Commerce Bureau, Fan Debiao went straight to find Awei.

Awei was checking accounts at the Victoria reception when she saw Fan Debiao rushing in. She quickly went up to him and asked, "Mr. Fan, what happened?"

"Great news." Fan Debiao pulled her aside. "China Netcom is building base stations, and I've taken on the project. We're in dire need of manpower—we need people who know electrical work, can climb poles, and preferably have experience in telecommunications engineering."

Avi's eyes lit up: "This is a big deal! My uncle used to work at the post office and knew a lot of experienced workers, but they're all idle now."

"Find them all, the sooner the better," Fan Debiao said. "The wages will be 20% higher than the market rate, and lunch will be provided. Also, find someone to lead them; they need to have management experience."

"Leave it to me." Avi paused, "Mr. Fan, what about the technical side? Debugging base station equipment is no easy task."

"I'll find the technology," Fan Debiao said, already having an idea.

In the afternoon, Fan Debiao went to the Labor Bureau. Upon hearing his purpose, Deputy Director Liu clicked his tongue and said, "Boss Fan, you've really expanded your operations quite a bit. You just finished talking about maintenance training, and now you're setting up an engineering team?"

"Director Liu, we have to seize this opportunity." Fan Debiao offered a cigarette. "Do you have an electrician here? Preferably one with a high-altitude work permit."

"There really is." Old Liu pulled out a notebook. "Last month, we held an electrician training course, and more than twenty people graduated. Half of them have high-altitude work certificates. They are all laid-off workers who are worried about not having any work."

"That's great!" Fan Debiao said. "Director Liu, could you please make some contact for me? I have an interview at Dexing Communications tomorrow. The pay is eighty yuan a day, and if I do a good job, I'll be offered a long-term position."

"Eighty a day?" Old Liu laughed. "Boss Fan, that's quite a high salary. Okay, I'll inform them."

"There's something else," Fan Debiao said. "I want to register an engineering company and need a few qualified technical personnel to work under my name. Do you have any retired engineers here?"

Old Liu thought for a moment: "Engineer Li from the post office is 62 years old. He used to work in telecommunications engineering and has the title of senior engineer. Now he's retired at home, and his monthly pension is a little over 800 yuan. If you could give him some extra money, he would be happy to do so."

"I'll make up for it! A thousand a month!" Fan Debiao decided. "Director Liu, could you help me make a connection? I'll pay you a visit tomorrow."

The next day, a queue formed outside Dexing Communications.

Awei brought eight experienced electricians, all of whom were her uncle's former colleagues, all from the post office, and all had electrician's licenses and high-altitude work permits. The labor bureau sent twelve younger workers, all laid-off workers seeking re-employment.

Fan Debiao set up two tables in the shop and conducted the interviews personally.

The one leading the group was a middle-aged man in his fifties, surnamed Sun. He didn't talk much, but every word he said hit the nail on the head: "Boss Fan, I've been doing telecommunications engineering for twenty years. I can climb poles, lay cables, and install equipment. It's just that I'm getting old, so I need a helper to climb high places."

"Master Sun, you'll be in charge of training the apprentices." Fan Debiao immediately made the decision. "One hundred a day, lunch included. There will be a bonus upon completion of the project."

Master Sun's eyes lit up: "Alright! Just for Boss Fan's straightforwardness, I'll take the job!"

After a morning of interviews, sixteen people were finally selected—eight experienced workers mentoring eight young people. Fan Debiao immediately paid each person an advance of two hundred yuan.

"Starting tomorrow, we'll practice first," Fan Debiao said. "Master Sun, could you take some people to renovate the electrical circuits in our shop? The wiring needs to be standardized, and the distribution boxes need to be made to standard specifications. Consider this our first project."

"Understood!" Master Sun replied with great enthusiasm.

In the afternoon, accompanied by Lao Liu, Fan Debiao visited retired Engineer Li.

Engineer Li lived in the post office's staff quarters, in an old three-bedroom, one-living-room house that was kept quite clean. The old man was quite pleased to hear Fan Debiao's purpose for visiting.

"I'm just sitting at home with this professional certificate anyway," said Engineer Li. "If Boss Fan wants to use it, he can use it. But I have to make it clear—I can lend it out, but I have to ensure the quality of the project. I can't ruin my reputation."

"Of course," Fan Debiao said. "Engineer Li, if you have time, please visit the construction site often and offer some guidance. I'll give you an additional thousand yuan per month as a consultant fee."

"No problem, no problem," Engineer Li smiled. "Boss Fan is a man of action."

Three days later, all the materials were ready.

Fan Debiao took the capital verification report, personnel certificates, site certificate, equipment list, and a copy of Li Gong's senior engineer title certificate to the Industry and Commerce Bureau again.

After reviewing the materials, Section Chief Wang nodded: "Boss Fan, your preparations are thorough. However, we still need to wait for approval, which will take at least a week."

"Section Chief Wang, thank you for your trouble." Fan Debiao handed over another envelope. "Please take care of what needs to be taken care of, and I'll make up for it if necessary."

Section Chief Wang took the envelope, weighed it in his hand, and said, "Okay, I'll urge them. Come pick up the license in three days."

Fan Debiao was also busy during these three days.

Master Sun and his engineering team completely renovated the internal and external circuits of Dexing Communications. All the wiring was run through conduits, the distribution box was replaced with a new one, and even the signboard at the entrance was rewired and a timer switch was installed.

On the day the project was completed, Fan Debiao treated the entire construction team to a meal. Sixteen people sat at two large tables, enjoying steaming hot pot with mutton.

At the dinner table, Master Sun patted his chest and said, "Boss Fan, just based on your honesty, we guarantee this base station project will be a benchmark project for you!"

Three days later, the license was issued—"Dexing Communication Engineering Co., Ltd.", with its business scope clearly stated as: communication engineering construction, base station construction, low-voltage engineering, etc.

Fan Debiao took the license and went to the Netcom company again.

After reviewing the license, Director Zhao glanced at the new envelope Fan Debiao handed him, beaming, "Boss Fan, you're incredibly efficient! Alright, I've submitted the bidding documents. But let me make it clear beforehand, the proper procedures must be followed—open bidding, fair competition."

"Understood, I'll follow the rules exactly," Fan Debiao said.

A week later, the bidding results were announced.

Debiao Communication Engineering Co., Ltd. won the bid for 20 base stations, with a contract value of 800,000 yuan.

Fan Debiao sat in the shop for a long time, holding the notice of winning the bid.

Gangzi stared at the paper, his hands trembling: "Brother Biao, 800,000... did you really get it?"

"We got it." Fan Debiao lit a cigarette. "Gangzi, this is just the first step. Once the base stations are built, we should start distributing PHS phones. At that time, we'll not only build base stations, but also sell and repair PHS phones."

"How much money would that require...?"

"Invest when you should." Fan Debiao stubbed out his cigarette. "Remember, 2002 is nothing. There will be plenty of opportunities in the telecommunications industry in the future. Base stations, mobile phones, and maintenance—we have to seize all three."