Butler introduced an American named Davis, the owner of Xinfu Yang Company (an electrical equipment company). This guy also has the identity of the Secretary-General of the Shanghai International Radio Society.?
As soon as they met, Davis said enthusiastically: "Mr. Zhou, are you really willing to open a radio station?"
"I have this idea." Zhou Hexuan said with a smile.
"That's great!"
Davis said excitedly: "You don't know, I have traveled all over North China and no Chinese is willing to do the radio station business."
"That's because broadcasting doesn't make money," Zhou Hexuan said.
"Uh..." Davis looked a little embarrassed and defended, "As long as there are enough listeners, you can still make money. Not long ago, a Chinese opened a private broadcasting company in Shanghai."
"The Chinese opened it themselves?" Zhou Hexuan asked in surprise.
Davis said: "Yes, the name is Xinxin Radio Station. The head of the electrical department of this station is Kuang Zan, who is also a member of our International Radio Society. He designed and assembled the broadcasting equipment himself, but some of the equipment was
I bought it from Xinfu Foreign Trade Co., Ltd."
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Really? Next time I go to Shanghai, I must meet Mr. Kuang Zan."
By the way, Kwong Chan later became a film sound recordist and director, and invented film shooting devices such as reminder bells, mirror nerves, director lights, etc. These equipment have been in use for decades. It was not until the 1950s that Kwong Chan made his own invention in Hong Kong
The first set of wide-screen equipment, and personally directed China's first wide-screen movie.
Davis asked: "Mr. Zhou, the northern region has no broadcasting foundation and needs to open up the market. Do you have enough funds? If not, I can invest in it."
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Why don't you start your own broadcasting company?"
"Don't you know?" Davis said in surprise, "The Chinese government does not allow foreigners to open radio-related companies. I opened a radio station in Shanghai five years ago, and the effect was very good, even in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
Residents have bought radios one after another just to listen to my radio program."
"Then what?" Zhou Hexuan asked.
Davis shrugged and said helplessly: "Unfortunately, the radio station was only opened for one year before it was dismantled by the then warlord Lu Yongxiang. Fortunately, I sold a lot of radios, so I finally did not lose money."
Zhou Hexuan suddenly discovered that although the Beiyang government was incompetent, some laws were still very powerful. For example, foreigners could not apply for patents in China, and foreigners could not play with radios in China, which greatly protected the development of national industries.
Davis encouraged: "Mr. Zhou, I have the latest broadcasting equipment. The best radio station in Shanghai now only has a power of 1oo watts, while the power of my equipment is as high as 25o watts. As long as a radio station is set up in Tianjin, it can be received in Peking.
Go to Signal. If you really plan to open a broadcasting company, I can invest 5,000 yuan, install equipment for free, and help you train employees.
Of course, capitalists will not do charity. Davis is so active because he just wants to sell radios in the north. Once a radio station appears in Tianjin, the radio market will slowly develop. Davis is doing long-term business. He
I wish there were more radio stations in China, the better. As long as Chinese people develop the habit of listening to radio, the sales of radios will inevitably increase greatly.
Zhou Hexuan smiled, shook his head and said: "I don't need your investment, but I want you to provide and install broadcast equipment for free, and help me maintain the equipment regularly."
"How is this possible?" Davis refused without hesitation, "Every screw has its value, and I can't give it to you for free."
Zhou Hexuan said regretfully: "Then I'd better not run a radio station, since I can't make much money anyway. Mr. Davis, farewell!"
"etc!"
Davis seemed a little anxious. Zhou Hexuan was the only one in North China who was interested in building a radio station. He was still waiting to open up the market to sell radios. How could he let it go? He immediately smiled and said: "Mr. Zhou, as a radio enthusiast
, I would like to see radio popular in the north. Let’s do this, I will provide you with 25o watt high-power broadcasting equipment for free, but I need you to advertise for me on the radio so that listeners will buy my radio.”
"Of course, this request is reasonable." Zhou Hexuan said with a smile. He could pick up a set of broadcasting equipment for free, and someone would install and maintain it for free. It was a huge profit.
After seeing Davis off, General Butler, who had been silent all this time, suddenly laughed and said: "Zhou, it turns out you are also a profiteer."
"How can you say that? Everyone just gets what they need." Zhou Hexuan firmly refused to admit that he was treacherous. He was very noble.
Butler is a sensible person, and it is because he is so understanding that he scolds the government and capitalists all day long.
But Davis said goodbye to Zhou Hexuan and immediately sent a telegram back to Shanghai, asking his subordinates to quickly transport a set of broadcasting equipment and 2,000 radios. Shanghai's radio market share has been almost occupied by Kailuo Telephone Materials Company, Davis
Can't wait to flex my muscles in the north.
Yes, Shanghai's Kailuo Broadcasting Company is also supported by American businessmen behind the scenes. Americans rent complete radio equipment to the Chinese at low prices, bypassing legal restrictions, and then rely on radio stations to promote their radios.
A few years later, Kailuo Company would also establish a China Radio Station in Tianjin, also to expand its influence and promote the sales of radio equipment.
This Kailuo company happens to be the biggest competitor of Davis's Xinfu Foreign Company in China.
While Davis was busy, Zhou Hexuan also became busy. He left the editing work of the supplement of "Popular" to Li Shoumin, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the preparation of the radio station.
He first rented an office building in the British Concession as the radio station's office address, then advertised in newspapers to recruit editors and announcers, and even contacted record companies to record records.
The radio programs planned by Zhou Hexuan are far more mature than their current counterparts, including songs, dramas, storytelling, cross talk, news, business quotes, etc. Unlike the private radio station just opened in Shanghai, the content only includes news, business information, Cantonese harmony
Su Tan (Suzhou Opera).
As for absorbing advertising fees, there is no rush now. We will wait until the listening market is opened.
Zhou Hexuan set up a radio station not just to make money. In fact, it would be good if it could maintain a balance of income and expenditure. He also wanted to promote the spirit of patriotism, and the storytelling he chose was about national heroes such as Yue Fei and Wen Tianxiang.
Of course, as Tianjin is the home of cross talk, broadcasts must have cross talk content. He did not believe that the people of Tianjin could withstand the temptation.
After going back and forth for more than a month, Zhou Hexuan's new work "Guns, Germs and Steel" was finally published by Peking University Press. 8
