Chapter 582: The Final Shudder!

Yanjing Television Factory. Conference Room!

Same location, same factory executives in attendance, but everyone’s mood was completely different.

The factory leaders, who had been summoned to the meeting at the last minute by the factory office secretary, were already in a gloomy mood. They held meetings every day without resolving a single substantive issue; in their view, such meetings were a complete waste of time.

However, when they walked into the conference room today and saw Li Yi seated at the head of the table, everyone was taken aback.

For no apparent reason, it was as if everyone had found a pillar of strength!

Especially Sun Feng—he’d been living in constant fear and anxiety lately!

After all, hundreds of thousands of yuan had been poured into the project. If Li Yi’s follow-up plans fell short, the consequences would be truly unimaginable.

Not to mention whether he, having served as deputy plant manager for just 20 days, would be fired—the most serious issue was that, having caused such massive losses to the plant, he might even face criminal charges from higher-ups.

Fortunately, Li Yi had finally returned. Knowing him as he did, Sun Feng was certain that something earth-shattering was about to happen!

At this thought, Sun Feng’s eyes brimmed with anticipation!

Soon, every empty seat in the conference room was filled.

Li Yi scanned the room. Seeing that nearly all the factory’s senior and junior leaders were present, he said, “Since everyone’s here, let’s get started!”

At these words, everyone in the conference room instinctively sat up straight.

Although Li Yi had only presided over a few meetings with them before, these factory leaders were well aware of his management style and knew he had no patience for those who were lackluster or lackadaisical.

“Director Jiang, as the head of the factory, please give us a brief overview of the factory’s current situation.”

“Um… everything at the factory is running smoothly. Since resuming operations, the production department has been running non-stop for 22 days, producing a total of over 6,600 televisions. Currently, our inventory of televisions has reached 71,400 units!”

Then Director Jiang continued, “Additionally, the factory took out a 1 million yuan loan from the bank, but currently, less than 300,000 yuan remains. Aside from a portion used to pay suppliers, the rest has all been squandered by the sales department…”

Before he had even finished speaking, Li Yi turned to Sun Feng, who was sitting nearby, and asked, “Deputy Plant Manager Sun, have your sales expenses amounted to 400,000 yuan during this period?”

At this, everyone in the conference room instinctively turned to look at Sun Feng, some with a hint of schadenfreude in their eyes.

Sun Feng, however, replied calmly, “More or less. To be precise, we spent 364,200 yuan!”

“Smack!”

Li Yi slammed his fist down on the table in front of him and shouted angrily, “This is outrageous!”

Just as everyone expected Li Yi to harshly reprimand Sun Feng for reckless spending, his next words left them completely baffled.

“Deputy Plant Manager Sun, didn’t I tell your sales department to expand sales channels at all costs when I left? How come, after more than twenty days, you’ve only spent this little on sales expenses? Isn’t this a complete farce?”

Plant Manager Jiang: …%￥#￥

Deputy Plant Manager Gao: &……%￥

Director Yang: &……%￥

Sun Feng, however, felt a great sense of relief. He grinned and said, “It’s not that we’re unwilling to invest more, but with the help from the Second National Cotton Mill, the costs of building our sales channels have been far lower than we expected.”

“Secondly, our factory’s finance department is keeping a really tight grip on our sales budget. We simply can’t get approved for any more funds! Even for this expenditure of less than 400,000 yuan, they’re holding us to account and demanding explanations every single day!”

As soon as Li Yi heard this, he knew exactly what was going on and immediately turned to the finance section chief standing nearby.

“Have you forgotten everything I told you before I left?”

“I…”

The finance director looked up at Factory Director Jiang beside him. Seeing him remain silent, he was instantly overcome with anger.

But he knew that at this moment, he couldn’t say a word; he could only lower his head and prepare to silently bear the brunt of Li Yi’s anger.

However, Li Yi didn’t dwell on the matter any further.

Instead, he changed the subject and asked Sun Feng, “How’s the channel development going in your sales department?”

Sun Feng replied immediately, “We’ve fully established sales channels in all 10 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in the north. Now all that’s left is to stock the shelves, but…”

“But what?”

“But these provinces all have their own TV manufacturers. Our products don’t have a clear advantage over theirs, so even with established sales channels, it will be difficult to boost sales,” Sun Feng explained.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a factory executive chimed in, “That’s right. Although our sales increased by over 500 units this month, compared to the more than 300,000 yuan we spent on sales expenses, we’re essentially losing money just to make a splash!”

“You’ll find out soon enough if it’s just a money-losing publicity stunt!”

Li Yi then spoke up again: “Let me reiterate: establishing new sales channels was my decision. No matter who has any objections, keep them to yourselves!”

“If anyone dares to blab about this in the future—or worse, try to strangle the sales department—get ready to pack your bags and get the hell out!”

“Whoa!”

Everyone present was startled by Li Yi’s sharp, domineering words. He really dared to speak like that—anyone unaware might think he was the factory director!

Yet no one dared to ignore Li Yi’s words. Although the factory hadn’t yet turned a profit, Li Yi had already demonstrated his immense influence.

Whether it was securing funds from the district government or securing a million-yuan loan from Banbanhaobang Bank, those were feats beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Before Li Yi stepped in, the factory had tried to save itself, but the district government was powerless to help, and the banks wouldn’t dare lend to them.

Yet Li Yi had secured over 1.1 million yuan for the factory with just a single intervention. Who would believe he had no backing?

Having intimidated the factory leadership, Li Yi spoke again: “Deputy Factory Director Sun, starting immediately, begin distributing the goods through all available channels. You have three days to transport all 70,000 televisions from the warehouse to the various sales points. Can you do that?”

“We can do it, but how will the inventory be allocated?” Sun Feng asked.

“Prioritize the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region first, then distribute the rest evenly!”

“Alright, we’ll get the job done!”

Li Yi nodded and continued, “Director Jiang, effective immediately, all employees and management at the TV factory are to cancel all leave. The factory premises will be placed under full lockdown. Without my orders, no one except sales department personnel is permitted to leave. Can you handle that?”

“Well…”

“If you can’t do it, just say so. I’ll find someone who can to take your place!” Li Yi said calmly.

“I… I can do it. It’s just that the duration of this lockdown is so long—I’m afraid it might be too long…”

“Two weeks!”

Factory Director Jiang immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Two weeks wasn’t a long time; the employees should be able to understand. If it were any longer, it would truly be difficult to manage.

“During these two weeks, you must step up production. By early next month, you must produce at least ten thousand televisions!”

“Yes, sir!”

Li Yi then looked around and said loudly, “Comrades, we’ve nearly finished establishing sales channels and ramping up production. As for how to sell the products we produce, I’ll personally take charge of that—you needn’t worry.”

“I don’t expect you to be of great help, but I do hope you’ll cooperate with the factory’s decisions and not hold us back. Can you do that?”

“We can!” the crowd replied in unison!

“Good. Whether the factory can break through this crisis and soar to new heights depends on this final push. Dismissed!”

………