Finally figured out why this album was so popular, the confusion in his heart suddenly cleared up, Zheng Changsheng sat down on the boss chair with a big knife, and his heart became more and more clear and calm.

  Then he called out their names one by one.

  "Lao Liu, Yang Fan! You two in the publicity department must immediately create sales forecasts for the next three months, six months and one year based on this survey. Then have the production department make a more detailed production plan. Remember to hurry up! At least we need to get the latest sales plan out first, we don't have time! After you're done with that, Lao Liu, personally go contact those radio stations and TV stations in Beijing, spend money where you need to, entertain clients where you need to, use personal connections where you need to. I only have one requirement: after Liao Liao returns to Beijing, immediately launch the third wave of publicity! It must be bigger than the first two combined! This time's main song... 'Devotion'! The focus of the publicity is that it's a pioneering work in domestic light rock and the arrival of the era of domestic light rock love songs!"

  Liu Zhongxin nodded, exchanged a glance with Yang Fan, responded with a "yes", and turned to leave.

  "Old horse, isn't Sony trying to strangle us? You do this, and immediately contact Hua Ge and Xinda for me. The domestic CD production line is not just limited to Sony's one route, Hua Ge and Xinda also have it! Throw out the CD business and let them two fight over it! I don't believe it, I really don't! By the way, also ask them to quote a price for cassette tapes, whoever is cheaper gets it! Tell them that although Changsheng Records' scale is not large, we still have an annual output of 6-7 million cassette tapes, so don't underestimate us! Then, you contact Jiaxing's Nan Sheng company for me. I've been to their factory, and although the quality and workmanship of their tape recorders and Walkmans are quite general, their cassette tape quality and control are still not bad, after all, they also use Sony's 1992 production line, which is not much worse than Sony's own factory! The most important thing is that they are in the south, from Jiaxing to the southern region, delivering goods from the factory will save us at least one or two days of time compared to shipping from Beijing! Remember, the key is to be fast, and make them immediately clear out their production line for us. As for prices, we can negotiate. Besides, as long as we agree on quality, I can directly give him orders worth 500,000, 800,000, or even 1 million yuan. You can also tell them that if this deal is successful, in the future, Changsheng Records' production in the south can all be handed over to them! In that case, prices shouldn't be too high! By the way... you first contact them by phone, and after you've clearly explained everything to Old Sun, you'll take the master disk and fly over there yourself to supervise!"

  Ma Xiang heard this and was about to applaud, but hesitated and said: "What about Sony's side... if we do it this way, won't we thoroughly offend them? We've been giving them production orders all these years, and the relationship has actually been maintained pretty well. If we provoke them this time, will they...

  "What? Are they going to suppress us?" Zheng Changsheng said disdainfully, "In the past, I tolerated and gave in because I was afraid of trouble and didn't want to get involved. Does Sony really think that just because they have CD technology in their hands, they can suppress everyone? Not to mention that their CDs haven't even been promoted yet, and they're still trying every means to pull all the record companies together to promote CDs. Even if CDs are already popular, one day I'll give them business, and they won't dare not take our orders?"

  He paused and said, "Although Sony is used to being the big brother, their brains are a bit rigid. But don't worry, as long as someone keeps reminding them, they will understand! They're not fools!"

  The old horse nodded upon hearing this, but his face still showed a hint of hesitation.

  Zheng Changsheng sighed helplessly, "Of course, CDs are indeed the future trend, and Sony's technology and quality control are indeed the best... Alright, you go do what I said earlier, notify Old Sun, you guys should get busy with your work. As for Sony, I'll personally go talk to them, and try my best to get them to clear out a production line for us as soon as possible! After all, unless absolutely necessary, I don't want to offend them either... Alas, who made our scale so small, and we don't even have our own production line?"

  After finishing speaking, he waved his hand and Old Horse responded with a sound, turning around and leaving.

  At this time, after arranging the propaganda and production, Zheng Changsheng let out a sigh of relief, puffed heavily on his cigar twice, re-lit it, and then smiled at Zhao Meifeng: "Meifeng, I'm done, you can continue your self-criticism! This is a rare opportunity, you have to let me enjoy it!"

  Zhao Mei Feng couldn't help but laugh at this, shaking her head and saying: "Director Zheng, don't joke around like that! Alright, I won't bother you anymore. However, I think Old Ma has a point, you should hurry up and contact Sony's side. Don't blame me for not reminding you, we're not just doing business with them in production, we've also bought many works from them. If the relationship turns cold, our company's signed songwriters won't be able to hold on!

  Zheng Changsheng sighed and nodded his head.

  …………

  Afternoon, Beijing city, East-West Chang Street.

  A black business car is agilely shuttling in the traffic flow.

  Inside the car, Zhao Changsheng was on the phone, “...Uh-huh, yes, I just left Sony. They agreed to clear out the production line tonight and we can start arranging our production tomorrow. I gave them an order of 500,000 units, of course, Sony always bundles things together, so there are also 50,000 CDs... How's it going with Hua Ge and Xin Da on your end? ...Alright, alright! Give the order to Hua Ge too, make it 500,000 as well! ...What? They want to bundle CDs too? Is Hua Ge Sony's son or something? Why is he pushing so hard to promote CDs?... Forget it, anyway CDs sell and tapes sell, just bundle them together!”

  He hung up the phone and immediately dialed another one, "Hello, Old Ma, I'm Zheng Changsheng. Oh, have you booked the ticket? Tonight? Okay! What did they say over there?... Uh-huh, uh-huh, good, this price is completely acceptable! First, let's get this deal done and give them some confidence, tell them we're not just going to shoot and retreat! By that time, when we talk about the price again, they'll have to lower it a bit! Alright, you go ahead and take care of it! Oh right, make sure to keep an eye on the motherboard! Alright, busy now!"

  He hung up the phone, was stunned for a moment, and then Zheng Changsheng suddenly burst out laughing.

  At this time, Secretary Wang, who had been sitting in the front row and didn't dare to breathe loudly, suddenly spoke up: "Congratulations, Director Zheng! Liao Liao is definitely going to be famous this time! She was discovered by you, and from now on, you will have another title of 'Boluo'!"

  Zheng Changsheng was taken aback, then burst out laughing and pointed at Little Wang, saying: "Alright! This bootlicker is not bad! The timing of the flattery is also just right! Haha... I'll give you a bonus later!"

  Xiao Wang heard this and hastily expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

  Zheng Changsheng smiled and turned his head to look out the window at the traffic, but inadvertently caught a glimpse of a sign on the side of the road that flashed by. He was taken aback for a moment, then asked the driver, "Is that place on the north side of the road, isn't it the main store of Dongguan Bookstore?"

  The driver turned his head to take a look outside, he was very familiar with this road, and immediately replied: "That's right, Mr. Zheng, that is the flagship store of Dongguan Bookstore. Are you going... to take a look?"

  Zheng Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then suddenly became curious and said: "Okay, you drive the car over there, I'll go take a look at how good this album is selling!"

  The driver responded with a sound, saw that there was a sign allowing U-turn at the intersection ahead, and quickly turned on the turn signal and turned the steering wheel.

  Three minutes later, Zheng Changsheng arrived at the Dongguan Bookstore's Beijing Central Store with Secretary Wang.

  It was just past four in the afternoon and there were quite a few people in the store.

  He found the record section, and Zheng Changsheng walked in and browsed around casually before coming out. He was just about to ask a salesperson how well "Liao Liao" was selling when someone beat him to it and asked if they had "Liao Liao".

  The salesperson said that there is currently no stock, but the store is making every effort to replenish it, and it will likely arrive in a day or two.

  This is simply talking nonsense with one's eyes open, the quota allocated to Dongguan Bookstore has been sold out, and there is not a single piece left in Changsheng Records' own warehouse. The new batch hasn't even gone into production yet, where will the goods come from tomorrow or the day after tomorrow?

  But the song fans obviously believed it and praised a sentence saying that other places were out of stock, and they didn't know when they would be available. It's still your Dongguan Bookstore that gets the goods quickly!

  Zheng Changsheng's eyelids kept twitching as he listened!

  This album is actually so popular that whoever gets their hands on it first represents the most awesome channel.

  Is this queuing up to buy a TV set in the 70s?

  At this time, before Zheng Changsheng had finished complaining in his heart, the other party asked the salesperson if he could leave a phone number and be notified by phone when the goods arrived. The salesperson was very professional and immediately agreed, then took out a small notebook and handed it over. The other party left their phone number and turned to leave.

  At a distance of several steps, Zheng Changsheng took a glance at the small notebook from afar and was about to speak up to come over and see how many orders there were. However, before he could lift his leg, he saw the salesperson stuff the notebook into their pocket and say to another salesperson: "What's the point of leaving phone numbers! I guarantee that as soon as the goods arrive, they'll be sold out before I can even finish calling everyone! If I call people over and there's no stock, wouldn't that be cheating them? I don't want to get scolded for that!"

  The salesperson smiled and asked, "How many people have left their phone numbers waiting for this album?"

  "This salesperson flipped through a small notebook and said, 'There are probably around 50 or 60 people. Oh yeah, my sister asked me for some yesterday evening, and she wanted five boxes of tapes and one CD! People who don't know any better would think I'm a magician or something! How am I supposed to conjure them up?!... The day before yesterday after work, didn't I buy that broken tape from our store for her? And then yesterday the boss scolded me big time because of it! As a result, she took it to school and all her classmates found out that I work at our bookstore. That girl is something else! Yesterday evening five or six people came straight to my house, all soft-spoken girls, one after another calling me 'brother' and flattering me like crazy! In the end, I couldn't take it anymore and had to agree. But you know, there's no stock anywhere in the world, where am I supposed to get them from?... Ah, yeah, how many people left their phone numbers with you?"

  That salesperson said: "I'm also 50 or 60, just like you! I've also received several friendly orders! F**king hell, for the first time, I found out that a broken salesperson like me actually has such power! Putting aside how much money is made, looking at others smiling and flattering us... Don't even mention it, the feeling isn't bad! But just the same, I also can't change my circumstances!"

  Zheng Changsheng twirled his fingers, thinking that running into these two Beijing brats was actually convenient. No need to ask, he now knew everything he wanted and didn't want to know.

  He smiled and shook his head, then turned around and said to Little Wang: "Let's go! Go back!"

  …………

  The business vehicle is back on the road.

  Zheng Changsheng sat alone in the comfortable airline seat, eyes closed thinking about something, when his phone suddenly vibrated. He picked it up and answered, "Hello, Old Liu, what's up?"

  "Director Zheng, good news! China Voice has announced last week's podcast chart!"

  Zheng Changsheng's expression changed suddenly, he sat up straight and asked: "Has our company's song made it to the charts? Liao Liao's? Which one?"

  "There are two in total! Both are by Liao Liao!"

  Zheng Changsheng's face was full of surprise, "Two?"

  "Right, two songs! 'My Hometown in My Heart' ranked 7th and 'Devotion' ranked 10th!"

  "Alright!...... Alright! Haha! I get it!"

  He hung up the phone, and Secretary Little Wang seized the opportunity to flatter again. Liu Zhongxin's voice was loud enough when he reported the good news, and Little Wang sitting in the passenger seat heard it clearly. Zheng Changsheng laughed twice and said, "Know your limits! This time there is no bonus! If you keep giving bonuses, just you alone can make me bankrupt!"

  "If it weren't for you discovering Liao Liao's talent, I wouldn't even have the chance to flatter him now! Can you still blame me?"

  Zheng Changsheng burst out laughing.

  …………

  Afternoon, Changsheng Records, General Manager's Office.

  Zheng Changsheng finished reading the new sales estimate formulated by the Publicity Department, nodded in satisfaction, signed and handed it over to Secretary Wang. After Wang left, he thought for a moment, looked under the glass surface of the desk for a phone number, picked up the phone and dialed a few numbers, thought again, but hung up the phone and took out his mobile phone to dial.

  The phone rang and was answered quickly on the other end.

  It was a timid voice, "Hello, is this Director Zheng? Liao Liao Jie is taking a bath right now. I'm her assistant Xiao Huang, Huang Wenjuan. If you have something urgent, I can call her for you?"

  Perhaps Zheng Changsheng himself didn't even realize that his tone was unusually warm and friendly, "No need, no need! I just asked about your situation, have you been recording a show recently?"

  Oh no...... As soon as this sound came out, Huang Wenjuan opposite was so frightened that she shuddered directly!

  Then, she suddenly stuttered when speaking, "Ah... recording the show! That... last night's recording went until midnight, and Liao Liao was so sleepy that she overslept a bit during her nap, just woke up now..."

  Zheng Changsheng was completely unaware of his abnormality and continued to say warmly, "Hmm, busy as you are, you must also pay attention to rest! You're Xiao Liao's assistant, so you have to arrange things well! Since you're on a business trip in a foreign place, everything from food to lodging has to be arranged properly!"

  At this moment, Huang Wenjuan felt that all the goosebumps on her body had risen!

  It's 36 degrees outside on a hot day, and the air conditioner in the house is also around 27 or 28 degrees, but Xiao Zhuli clearly feels a chill running through her body!

  She nodded on the other end of the phone like a chick pecking at rice, saying: "Uh-huh, uh-huh, yes, I know, Director Zheng!"

  Thought it was just two sentences of concern and then hung up, but no.

  Zheng Changsheng continued to ask: "I don't quite remember your schedule, where are you now?"

  "Ah, Guangzhou Prefecture."

  "Oh, Guangzhou... it's hot! On a day like today, Guangzhou can still reach 35 or 36 degrees! By the way, what hotel are you staying at?"

  Finally, you actually asked about this!

  The little assistant bit her lip, and in the end didn't dare to lie, but instead explained vaguely: "We... it's like this, Director Zheng. Mainly because it's too hot here, those slightly inferior hotels are all damp! The room is damp, the quilt is also damp! Sister Liao felt uncomfortable staying there, so I booked a three-star one... But Sister Liao said that she would personally cover any additional expenses!"

  "What is she sticking to? She's sticking! You know, the Guangzhou Hilton? That's a five-star hotel, as far as I know, the conditions of that hotel are quite good. Now go and book a room, remember, book a suite! Move there today... What? I told you to book it so you book it, I told you to move so you move! Don't worry about the expenses, we'll reimburse you when you get back! Full reimbursement!"

  Huang Wenjuan seemed to be in a daze for a moment, but then came back to her senses and subconsciously replied, "Uh... I, I know, Director Zheng! I'll call right away to book the room!"

  "So, where are you guys going next? Have you bought your tickets?"

  "Uh, Kunming! After Kunming Prefecture is Chengdu Prefecture, then it's Chang'an Prefecture, and after that I can go back! Train ticket... train ticket... Ah, Director Zheng, actually, at first I did book a train ticket! But Liao Liao said, she said..."

  "She paid for the plane ticket herself, right?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "I'm telling you, from now on, no need to stick any money for Liao Liao, whether it's going to Kunming Prefecture, Chengdu Prefecture or Chang'an Prefecture, all of you book plane tickets! What a joke, such a long distance, taking the train with a clang-clang sound, wasting time and affecting rest, not to mention how tiring it is! Book plane tickets! I'll sign for reimbursement later!"

  "Uh... thank you, Director Zheng."

  …………

  She finally hung up the phone and remained still for a long time, holding her mobile phone.

  Liao Liao finished her bath, wiping her hair while coming out. Seeing her like that, she waved her hand in front of her and said, "Whose call was it? Why did you talk for so long? Ah... You little scoundrel, using my phone to make a phone call porridge, huh?"

  Huang Wenjuan came to her senses, suddenly jumped up, and then quickly recounted what had just happened. She couldn't help but rub her exposed arm, saying: "This scared me so much! I feel like my whole body is cold and windy! Ah, Liao sister, do you think Zheng Zong is okay? Why was he so generous all of a sudden? Is he running a fever... has the fever gone to his head?"

  Liao Liao wiped his hair dry and smiled slowly, "Fever? Manager Zheng is such a meticulous person, he even sleeps with a calculator! He's not having a fever!"

  Huang Wenjuan looked at her with a puzzled expression.

  Liao Liao said: "Do you remember what I told you when I came back last night? Last night's show had a fan call in and say that she ran to several audio-visual stores but couldn't buy it, and asked me where she could buy it! Do you remember?"

  Huang Wenjuan nodded and continued to look at her.

  Liao Liao helplessly glanced at her and explained: "What does this mean?"

  "Uh, what does it mean?"

  "The company originally prepared to buy two months' worth of goods, but they have already been sold out by now!"

  "Huh?"

  …………

  He hung up the phone, Zheng Changsheng put down his mobile phone, got up and turned on the CD player and speaker, opened "Liao Liao" on the shelf next to him, took out the CD and put it in. When the room started playing Liao Liao's mellow and lazy singing voice, he returned to his seat and slowly closed his eyes.

  He still held the CD case and lyrics book in his hand, took out the lyrics book, flipped to the back, found "My Hometown" , stared at the two identical names below the song title for a long time, then used his finger to tap heavily on top of them.

  Then he let out a long breath, carefully put the CD case and lyrics book back on the desk, before closing his eyes again.

  Alright, let's do it!

  ***

  5,500-word long chapter, seeking recommendation votes!