Chapter 19: Ma Hui

By 5 PM, Zhao Cheng arrived promptly with the sample of the first issue of the "Jiu Ding Daily." Xia Yu examined it carefully, then broke into a satisfied smile, which allowed Zhao Cheng, who had been nervously standing to the side, to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Very good, proceed with printing according to this sample!" Xia Yu said with satisfaction.

"Okay, boss!" Zhao Cheng immediately nodded in agreement.

"By the way, from now on, the 'Jiu Ding Daily' officially begins. This is a moment worth commemorating. Find someone to frame this sample and hang it on the wall in my office. I want everyone in the newspaper office to feel proud when they see this first edition ten or twenty years from now!" Xia Yu suddenly said to Zhao Cheng.

"This is a great idea, boss. Don't worry, I'll definitely find the best framer to handle it."

"Mm, go ahead and work hard. I have high hopes for you!" Xia Yu said with satisfaction.

Seeing Zhao Cheng solemnly take the newspaper and walk out with a happy expression, Xia Yu couldn't help but shake his head and smile.

He was already starting to adapt to the commanding style of the big shots he remembered. It must be said, giving orders and watching others respectfully carry them out indeed provided a sense of accomplishment.

"Ah, no wonder everyone wants to be someone of importance!"

Shaking his head, Xia Yu looked at the manuscript of "The Legend of Qin" on his desk and murmured, "The career has just started; I still need to be hands-on with everything. If I want to be a big shot with authority, I need to keep going. It's best to take it step by step!"

With that, Xia Yu immersed himself once again in the task of writing.

After being busy for a while, Xia Yu noticed that it was getting late and decided to visit the printing department. Seeing the first issue of the "Jiu Ding Daily" being printed continuously, he was very pleased. He encouraged Zhang Lei with a few words and promised the printing workers a bonus at the end of the month. Seeing their positive work attitude, he was finally reassured and went home.

Early the next morning, Xia Yu, not bothering with breakfast, was the first to arrive at the newspaper office. He encouraged the employees who arrived later.

Since everyone had been notified the day before, they all arrived very early, especially the distribution department. Under the leadership of Minister Sun Changfa, everyone was full of enthusiasm. Xia Yu didn't know what kind of motivational talk Sun Changfa had given them, but they seemed energized.

Then, Xia Yu led everyone to the printing factory. Seeing the newspapers neatly stacked on one side and smelling the ink still lingering in the air, he took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination.

Standing on a stool and looking at the large crowd below, Xia Yu said loudly, "Today marks the first day of the newspaper office's revival and the debut of the 'Jiu Ding Daily.' The glory of the newspaper office will be created by you. In the coming period, I hope everyone will work hard and work together to build the reputation of the 'Jiu Ding Daily.' I promise that this month's bonus will not be less, and how much you get depends on the newspaper's sales."

"Time is pressing, so no more chit-chat. Everyone, follow the team arrangement from yesterday, and start according to the designated routes!" Xia Yu waved his hand decisively.

As soon as his words fell, everyone, under the guidance of their respective team leaders, orderly took large stacks of newspapers and walked towards the outside of the printing factory.

Xia Yu then returned to the newspaper office to oversee and manage any possible emergencies.

...

Ma Hui was a local from Kowloon. Although he was only 20 years old, he had worked at the former "Famous New Newspaper" for three years. Due to his lack of education, he couldn't take on editorial work and was relegated to the distribution department, which didn't require much brainpower. Because of his youth and energy, he could cover more distance in a day than other colleagues, which earned him the favor of Minister Sun Changfa.

Because he needed to earn money to support his younger siblings in school, he was initially pessimistic when he heard that the "Famous New Newspaper" was sold, especially to a teenage boss. He thought the newspaper would close down soon, and he would have to find another job.

However, he was pleasantly surprised when the new boss, despite his young age, was straightforward and generous. He immediately raised their salaries by 20%, which filled Ma Hui with gratitude. Nonetheless, he still worried about whether the newspaper would survive.

In the following days, he saw the changes in the newspaper office. Although he didn't understand much, he could sense a significant shift in the atmosphere. Everyone became very diligent, and especially the ministers set an example, which made him admire the new boss's abilities. He wondered how the new boss managed to energize the 'old hands' like the ministers.

Fortunately, Minister Sun Changfa from their distribution department had a meeting with them yesterday afternoon, explaining the new boss's strategy. Although Ma Hui hadn't read much, he could feel that the new boss's strategy and tactics were very effective, which made him confident in the newspaper's future.

Moreover, the new boss had publicly announced bonuses, which was an additional surprise.

The boss had given him a job with both prospects and financial rewards. He was genuinely grateful and determined to contribute to the newspaper's sales.

He soon arrived at a newsstand near his home. The owner of the newsstand was a distant cousin. He walked over and handed him a hundred copies of newspapers, saying, "Cousin, good morning! I brought you the newspapers."

"Huizi, why are you here so early today? Wait, didn't your 'Famous New Newspaper' stop publication? I didn't subscribe to your new newspaper. What are you delivering to me?" The newsstand owner adjusted his glasses, looking puzzled.

"Cousin, our new newspaper is called 'Jiu Ding Daily.' Don't worry, these hundred copies are provided for free. Our boss said we will provide you with free newspapers for seven days. You sell them at the normal price, and as soon as you run out, call our newspaper office, and we'll send more immediately without any charge. You can sell as many as you want. Don't miss this chance to make money!" Ma Hui said loudly, making sure all the key points were clear.

"Oh? Such a good deal?" The newsstand owner's eyes lit up. If what Ma Hui said was true, selling one "Jiu Ding Daily" would earn him several times what he would make from other newspapers. The most important thing was that he could get as many newspapers as he could sell. His newsstand was in a prime location, selling thousands of newspapers daily. If all newspapers sold were "Jiu Ding Daily," he would make as much in one day as he normally would in five days. Over seven days, he could earn as much as he would in over a month. That was quite a profit!

"Cousin, how could I lie to you? The newspapers are right here. How could it be fake?" Ma Hui said somewhat discontentedly.

"Ah, time is tight. I have other newspapers to deliver. I can't delay. Remember, just call our newspaper office once you finish selling, and someone will deliver more newspapers to you. I'm off now." With that, Ma Hui hopped on his bicycle and rushed to the next newsstand.

Watching Ma Hui rush away, the newsstand owner smiled and shook his head, reflecting, "Youth is indeed wonderful, so full of energy!"

"I'll see how the quality of the new 'Jiu Ding Daily' is before deciding whether to push it hard," the newsstand owner said as he looked at the stack of newspapers in front of him. He took out one copy and placed the rest prominently in the center. Then he began to read the "Jiu Ding Daily."