Chapter 221: Exclusive Interview with Eight-Treasure Porridge

In the morning, after Zhou Ming inspected the Eight-Treasure Porridge workshop, he had lunch with all the employees there. But at that moment, he suddenly received a page from Yuan Zhigang: "Boss Zhou, Secretary Zhao invites you to the city of Linyang."

This message surprised Zhou Ming. He knew that while he was inspecting the workshop, Yuan Zhigang had gone to the city to meet the mayor's secretary to discuss railway transportation for Eight-Treasure Porridge and local supply and marketing negotiations. But now, just half a day later, Yuan was sending this message—was there a problem?

Unable to understand the situation, Zhou Ming called Yuan Zhigang immediately after lunch. Yuan explained, "Boss Zhou, Secretary Zhao said that a CCTV reporter is coming to interview our Eight-Treasure Porridge factory. The reporter is already in the province and is on the way to Linyang. Secretary Zhao hopes you can come to the city."

This answer was somewhat unexpected. Zhou Ming initially thought there might be issues with Yan Fuping's actions. After all, in this era of reform and opening up, many businessmen relied on relationships, and Zhou Ming had also gone through a lot of trouble to acquire Factory 760, thanks to the intervention of the vice governor and mayor. So, Yan Fuping's ability to contract a supply and marketing cooperative likely involved connections as well.

Before the civil servant system was fully implemented, local power within government agencies was very strong. If Yan Fuping had significant connections, Zhou Ming might need to mediate. However, it seemed that Secretary Zhao's visit was unrelated to that issue and was instead about the CCTV reporter.

"Alright, I understand. I'll come to the city right away," Zhou Ming said, hanging up and driving to the city.

The role of a reporter might seem ordinary twenty years later, and even celebrities might assault them, due to the media proliferation and varying journalist standards. But back then, reporters were considered a prestigious profession, wielding great influence over public opinion. Even government officials had to show them respect; they were truly the kings without crowns.

Especially when the reporters were from CCTV, it was even more significant. The entire Linyang city would be stirred up, and they had to be well-treated. If these reporters were displeased, they could write negative reports that would embarrass and anger the entire Jingchu province, ultimately causing trouble for Linyang's officials. And unless Linyang's officials had extraordinary means, they couldn't do much about it.

So now the question was not which company was better at digging machines but why these reporters were coming to Linyang.

According to Yuan Zhigang, the interview was about the Eight-Treasure Porridge factory. Was it because of the hot sales of Eight-Treasure Porridge in Yanjing?

With no answer yet, Zhou Ming decided not to dwell on it. Over an hour later, he arrived at the Linyang city government.

Yuan Zhigang was waiting at the government building's entrance. Seeing Zhou Ming, he hurried over to greet him. "Boss Zhou, you've finally arrived."

"It's snowy and rainy, so I drove slowly," Zhou Ming said casually. Of course, this was not an explanation for Yuan Zhigang but for the young man waiting with him. Zhou Ming remembered him from when Mayor Chen Da visited the factory; he was Secretary Chen's assistant, Xiao Zhao.

Zhou Ming extended his hand to shake hands with Secretary Zhao. "Happy New Year, Secretary Zhao."

"Happy New Year, Boss Zhou," Secretary Zhao said with a smile. "Sorry for troubling you with this during the holiday."

"Secretary Zhao, you're too polite. If the city government has matters, I should definitely come," Zhou Ming replied. "How is the situation now?"

"The CCTV reporters just arrived. They are accompanied by Secretary Wu Shiping from Governor Xiong's office and are currently in the city government's reception room," Secretary Zhao said.

"Then please lead us there," Zhou Ming said.

Secretary Zhao led Zhou Ming and Yuan Zhigang into the government building and to the reception room. As they entered, Zhou Ming saw many familiar faces. Mayor Chen Da was there, and Secretary Wu Shiping, whom Zhou Ming had met before, was also present. But the key was that Zhou Ming recognized the two CCTV reporters.

Chen Da introduced them as Zhou Ming entered. "Reporters, this is Zhou Ming, the owner of the Eight-Treasure Porridge Factory. Zhou Ming, these are CCTV reporters Fang Ping and Zhou Tao."

Zhou Ming already knew their names from watching TV, as they were prominent hosts. He had even encountered them during a Spring Festival Gala rehearsal. But why were they in Linyang?

Before Zhou Ming could think about it, Fang Ping and Zhou Tao stood up. Fang Ping greeted Zhou Ming first, followed by Zhou Tao extending her hand. "Happy New Year, Boss Zhou. Sorry to bother you during the holiday."

Although Zhou Tao said she was sorry, Zhou Ming saw the playful look in her eyes, indicating she didn't truly regret it.

Zhou Ming felt a bit of a headache. After all, Zhou Tao had previously clashed with Su Han in Yanjing. One was his woman, the other his favorite CCTV host in his past life. It was a bit of a dilemma for him.

"Happy New Year to both of you. It's quite a hassle for you to travel all the way from Yanjing to Linyang during the holiday," Zhou Ming said.

"It's no trouble at all! And being able to meet someone like you, Boss Zhou…"

Before Zhou Tao could finish, Fang Ping interrupted her and took over, saying to Zhou Ming, "Thank you, Boss Zhou. We are here on official assignment from our superiors to complete an interview task."

Fang Ping's interruption might be confusing to others, but Zhou Ming understood. Fang Ping knew Zhou Tao admired him and wanted to protect her from saying anything inappropriate.

After some pleasantries, Zhou Ming sat down in the reception room and asked Fang Ping, "I heard you are here to interview our Eight-Treasure Porridge factory?"

Fang Ping nodded. "Yes, the Eight-Treasure Porridge from Linyang is selling very well in Yanjing and across the country, and it has created a trend. So our superiors sent us to understand the situation."

"I see," Zhou Ming said. "I know Eight-Treasure Porridge is doing well in Yanjing, but I didn't expect it to attract CCTV's attention."

Fang Ping tilted her head and said, "You might not be aware of the kind of impact your Eight-Treasure Porridge has had in Yanjing."

This made Zhou Ming pause. "I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean."

"Boss Zhou, you might only know about the sales volume in Linyang. But your Eight-Treasure Porridge has impacted people's lives," Fang Ping said.

"Fang Ping, you're exaggerating. I know Eight-Treasure Porridge is a popular gift in Yanjing, but it shouldn't affect people's lives," Zhou Ming said.

"If it were just a gift, it wouldn't be that significant. But Boss Zhou, you should remember your exclusive sponsorship of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala? The advertisements you inserted during the Gala made a deep impression on people and became a common topic of conversation, changing many people's perceptions," Fang Ping explained.

She continued, "For instance, the slogan about the health benefits of lotus seeds and the nutrition from longan has changed many people's views. During the Spring Festival, longan and lotus seeds in Yanjing sold very well."

"Is that so?" Zhou Ming was surprised. Despite his expectations of the Spring Festival Gala's influence, he was beginning to realize he had underestimated it.

Since Fang Ping and Zhou Tao had come to Linyang, it indicated that something significant must have prompted them to travel all the way from the capital during the holiday. Perhaps Zhou Tao might do it for fun, but Fang Ping, nearly thirty, wouldn't. Furthermore, Governor Xiong's secretary escorting them confirmed the importance.

In an era with limited entertainment options, people would watch the Spring Festival Gala with a near-100% viewership. The Gala's exclusive sponsorship left a strong impression, especially when the advertising industry was still in its infancy. The slogans Zhou Ming had coined were already popular, and the constant repetition had led people to embrace them quickly.

"That's true. Some things might surprise you, Boss Zhou. In a recent program I did with Ping Jie, we exposed that the price of Eight-Treasure Porridge in the underground market of Yanjing had skyrocketed to a hundred yuan per can," Zhou Tao said excitedly.

"A hundred per can? That's too exaggerated! Our ex-factory price is less than one yuan," Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Tao shook her head firmly. "It's not exaggerated at all. It's a hundred yuan per can! This shows that your product is very popular among the people and has a strong consumer base!"

"Indeed," Zhou Ming smiled and then asked, "So what's the purpose of your visit today?"

"In short, we're here to record a documentary about your Eight-Treasure Porridge, to observe the production process, and to understand why Eight-Treasure Porridge became so popular nationwide in a short time," Fang Ping said. "Is it convenient for you, Boss Zhou?"

Zhou Ming nodded. "Of course. I will cooperate with the interview as requested by CCTV reporters."