Chapter 689: The Game Machine Sold Out

Seeing He Yuzhu's unhurried demeanor, Secretary Zhao actually felt more at ease.

Last year, the batch of machine tools was not secured by the Red Star Rolling Mill, having been intercepted by Lingnan. The military factory's order also ended up in Lingnan's hands. Secretary Zhao was clear about the tricks behind these matters—it was because He Yuzhu was dissatisfied with Deputy Factory Director Nie and had caused it by having Liushi Trading Company front the capital.

Now that he had secured a major order as soon as he took the stage, he was showing off his muscles to the Ministry.

Secretary Zhao spoke up: "You aren't building cars first, but are working on this thing instead? Just how much profit is there? You must explain it clearly to us, otherwise we cannot approve it."

He Yuzhu pointed at the contract and said: "This is an order for five thousand units, at one hundred and seventy-eight yuan per unit. The cost is around one hundred yuan, so there is a net profit of seventy-eight per unit."

Secretary Zhao was taken aback: "A little gadget like this sells for the same price as a good radio? Is there anyone who will buy it?"

He Yuzhu laughed: "Liu Shi Trading wouldn't be foolish enough to lose money just to shout for business, would they? They have paid out eight hundred and ninety thousand in real gold and silver."

Secretary Zhao flipped through the contract several times and nodded: "An order for five thousand units is indeed not small, but can the follow-up orders keep up?"

He Yuzhu turned on the Electronic Game Machine and said while demonstrating: "Actually, this game machine has already been produced in some quantity at the laboratory on Liu Siman's side, and fifty units were sent to Hong Kong for people to try out. The feedback was just one thing—this thing is easy to get addicted to..."

After the two Bureau Chiefs and Secretary Zhao finished listening, the tense atmosphere in the room gradually relaxed.

Secretary Zhao took the initiative to smooth things over: "We are well aware of Comrade He's ability. From the Lingnan Gongyequ to the Songliao Oilfield, so many successful examples are there for all to see. We aren't particularly worried about the car manufacturing, it's just that your strides are too big, and we still have to manage the areas that need managing..."

He Yuzhu nodded: "Understood."

Returning to the Ninety-five Courtyard, as soon as He Yuzhu entered the courtyard, he saw the second aunt packing things for Liu Guangfu, and the Yan family was also packing for Yan Jiekuang. These two brothers were leaving early tomorrow morning to support the construction of the frontier.

He Yuzhu looked at Yan Jiekuang's dejected face, said nothing, and continued walking quickly toward the East Cross Courtyard.

Bang Geng followed him closely; now the two of them went to work and came home together, and Bang Geng was responsible for driving for him.

In this recruitment, Bang Geng passed the exam into the Rolling Mill and was assigned to the driver's squad, currently driving specifically for He Yuzhu.

"Siqiang, Yan Jiekuang is going to the Northwest to join the production team this time, and I hear that place is very bitter. He wanted to ask Yan Bugui for some money and Grain Coupons, but Yan Laoxi refused to give a single cent, saying he had no money. Later... later it was Yan Jiefang who gave him some."

"Yan Bugui is too stingy; when he gets old, he probably won't have any fruit to eat either," He Yuzhu shook his head and said.

Bang Geng continued: "The place Liu Guangfu is going to is alright; he's going to his brother Liu Guangtian's place. I heard him bragging, saying Liu Guangtian is doing very well over there, having whatever he needs."

He Yuzhu laughed: "That kid Liu Guangtian has saved up quite a bit of family wealth following Xu Damao and Yan Jiefang."

Bang Geng lowered his voice: "Siqiang, recently Yan Bugui has been gossiping outside every day, saying that Aunt Yulu entered the Rolling Mill before she was of age, and saying you abused your power for personal gain."

He Yuzhu waved his hand: "Let him talk."

Just as they were talking, Chen Xueru returned from work. Bang Geng greeted her and went home.

After Chen Xueru recovered from her illness, she did not return to her original unit—even though she had founded it herself. But that place was a major foreign exchange earner in Si Jiu Cheng; if she went back, she would still be targeted, so she simply found a leisurely position at the Street Office, helping Wang Xia manage the Food Factory.

Xiaomei heard that Chen Xueru had recovered and came to invite her in person, but she still did not go back.

These days, Chen Xueru's mind had become active again, pondering how to help the Street Office set up a clothing workshop.

He Yuzhu looked at Chen Xueru's troubled face, knowing she was calculating the clothing workshop matter, and suggested: "Xueru, are you worried about the clothing workshop? How about I give you an idea?"

Chen Xueru laughed: "You haven't given me an idea for several years; this time I must squeeze you dry."

He Yuzhu said: "I suggest you don't make clothes, it's too troublesome. It's better to make bags, just like the backpack I had you make before. This time, improve it and make it bigger. There are many young people going to the countryside now, and most of them carry a bundle; it's not easy to use. Carrying a satchel doesn't hold much either. You make a large backpack with support at the waist, and it can hold a lot of things."

As he spoke, He Yuzhu quickly sketched a draft of a multi-functional backpack that could hold a water bottle, stationery, and a flashlight.

Chen Xueru's eyes lit up: "This is great, this will definitely sell well."

He Yuzhu smiled: "I reckon it's difficult for Wang Xia to apply for funds from above, so you might as well front the money to open the workshop first. It will solve the employment problem for many people in the street, and many will be grateful to you."

Chen Xueru's eyes turned red: "I pretended to be sick for two years, and my heart really felt like it was sick. Now when I see the children on the street wearing patched clothes, I want to shed tears. Do you think I really have some kind of problem?"

He Yuzhu pulled her into his arms: "You pretended to be sick for these two years, so you must have some psychological problems; being suspicious and sensitive is normal. From today on, you must make yourself strong, find work for those families without money, and help them get out of trouble. Now, you must tell yourself every moment—there is nothing in this world that you, Chen Xueru, cannot do."

Chen Xueru nodded with tears on her face: "I'll listen to you. From today on, I am the Chen Xueru who can help others."

She waved her arm vigorously.

He Yuzhu took out ten thousand yuan: "Just say it's an order from Liushi Trading Company, no need to rush to pay it back; if you lose it, you lose it!"

Chen Xueru excitedly kissed him hard.

He Jia, who had just entered the door, happened to see it, covered her eyes, and shouted: "Mom and Dad are being shy!"

He Yuzhu hurriedly picked up his daughter: "Let me give you a hug quickly; in another two years, I won't be able to carry you."

Chen Xueru laughed from the side: "I can't even carry her now."

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was spring again.

The game machine sold out in Southeast Asia first, and then it became popular in Europe and the Americas.

He Yuzhu's side was running twenty-four hours a day, still in short supply, and could only try every possible way to expand production capacity.

Currently, the daily output reached three thousand units, and the profit for one day was three hundred thousand, which was much faster than making money from producing cars.

Such a product could earn one hundred million in profit in a year; it was simply a hen that laid golden eggs.

Commendations from the Ministry arrived, and people coming to seek favors also arrived.

He Yuzhu had just returned from the front line when the phone rang.

As soon as He Yuzhu heard it, he knew it was Secretary Liu and asked with a smile: "Have you returned to Beijing?"

Secretary Liu laughed: "It's all because your kid's game machine sells so well that I've been transferred to the foreign trade system, specifically to urge you to earn more foreign exchange."

He Yuzhu hurriedly said: "Then let me congratulate you first."

"Don't be in such a hurry to congratulate me; wait until I finish stating the conditions, and as long as you don't scold me, that will be fine," Secretary Liu said.

"How could I?" He Yuzhu replied modestly.

"I came with a mission—your electronic game machine is so profitable that you cannot eat alone; you must also build a production line in the Lingnan Gongyequ," Secretary Liu said.

"But we still rely on this project to earn money to build cars!" He Yuzhu was indeed a bit unhappy.

Secretary Liu sighed: "You also know that the current international situation is very tense, and many factories have moved to the West; your project is considered to have been implicated."

He Yuzhu understood. There were still people who didn't want to see this factory grow rapidly; if that happened, the failures of Li Huaide and Deputy Director Nie would appear too glaring.

He Yuzhu said: "I agree, but I cannot give them the most advanced one. Let them produce the first generation; we are about to launch the second generation. To be honest with you, this product has already been targeted by others, and they have started to imitate it, but their costs are higher than ours."

"Good, I agree with your idea! You also need to find time to go over and provide guidance," Secretary Liu said.

"I am very happy to do that!" He Yuzhu laughed. Because if he went to Guangdong Province, he could go to Hong Kong.