The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

Butler introduced an American named Davis, the owner of Xinfu Matheson (electrical equipment company). This guy also has the identity of the secretary general of the Shanghai International Radio Society.

Just after we 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 radio business."

"That's because broadcasting doesn't make money." Zhou Hexuan said.

"Uh..." Davis seemed a little embarrassed, and argued, "As long as there are enough listeners, you can still make money. Not long ago, there were Chinese people in Shanghai who opened a private broadcasting company."

"The Chinese opened it themselves?" Zhou Hexuan asked in surprise.

Davis introduced: "Yes, the name is Xinxin Radio Station. The director of the electrical department of this radio 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 in the My Xinfu foreign company bought it."

Zhou Hexuan smiled and said, "Really? Next time I go to Shanghai, I must meet this Mr. Kuang Zan."

By the way, Kuang Zan later became a film sound engineer and director, and invented film shooting devices such as reminder bells, mirror nerves, and director lights. These devices have been in use for decades. Until the 1950s, Kuang Zan made Hong Kong's first wide-screen equipment and personally directed China's first wide-screen movie.

Davis asked: "Mr. Zhou, there is no broadcasting foundation in the northern region, and the market needs to be developed. Do you have enough funds? If not, I can invest in shares."

Zhou Hexuan laughed and said, "Why don't you start your own broadcasting company?"

"Don't you know?" Davis asked in surprise, "The Chinese government does not allow foreigners to set up radio-related companies. I opened a radio station in Shanghai five years ago, and the effect is very good, even in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Residents of the country are buying radios just to listen to my radio shows."

"And then?" Zhou Hexuan asked.

Davis shrugged and said helplessly: "It's a pity that the radio station was demolished by the warlord Lu Yongxiang after only one year of operation. Fortunately, the radio sold a lot, and I finally didn't lose money."

Zhou Hexuan suddenly discovered that although the Beiyang government is incompetent, some laws are still very powerful. For example, foreigners cannot apply for patents in China, and foreigners cannot play radio in China, which greatly protects the development of national industries.

Davis urged: "Mr. Zhou, I have the latest broadcasting equipment. The best radio station in Shanghai now has a power of only 100 watts, but my equipment has a power of 250 watts. As long as a radio station is set up in Tianjin, Peking can receive it." To the signal. If you really plan to start a broadcasting company, I can invest 5,000 yuan, install equipment for free, and help you train employees.

Of course capitalists don't do charity. Davis is so active because he wants to sell radios in the North. Once a radio station appeared in Tianjin, the radio market could be cultivated slowly, and Davis was in a long-term business. He wished that there would be as many radio stations in China as possible. As long as the Chinese people develop the habit of listening to the radio, the sales of radios will increase greatly.

Zhou Hexuan smiled, shook his head and said, "I don't need your investment, but I want you to provide and install the broadcasting equipment for free, and help me maintain the equipment regularly."

"How is this possible?" Davis refused without thinking, "Any screw has its value, and I can't give it to you for free."

Zhou Hexuan said regretfully: "Then I won't run any radio station anymore, and I won't be able to make much money anyway. Mr. Davis, leave!"

"etc!"

Davis seemed a little anxious. Zhou Hexuan was the only one in North China who was interested in becoming a radio station. He was still waiting to open up the market to sell radios, how could he let it go, and immediately smiled: "Mr. Zhou, as a radio enthusiast, I would like to see radio popular in the north. How about it, I will provide you with 250 watts for free High-power broadcasting equipment, but you need to advertise for me on the radio to get listeners to buy my radio."

"Of course, this request is reasonable." Zhou Hexuan laughed. You can pick up a set of broadcasting equipment for free, and there are people who come to install and maintain it for free, which is cheap and profitable.

After sending Davis away, General Butler, who had been silent all this time, suddenly smiled and said, "Zhou, it turns out that you are also a profiteer."

"How can you say that, each takes what he needs." Zhou Hexuan firmly refused to admit that he was treacherous, he was very noble.

Butler is a sensible person, and because he understands too much, 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 bring a set of broadcasting equipment and 2,000 radios over as soon as possible. The radio market share in Shanghai has already been almost snatched by Kailuo Telephone Material Company, and Davis can't wait to make a big splash in the north.

Yes, the Kailuo Broadcasting Company in Shanghai is also supported by American businessmen behind the scenes. Americans rent a full set of radio equipment to the Chinese at a low price, bypassing legal restrictions, and then rely on radio stations to promote their radios.

A few years later, Kailuo Company will also establish China Radio Station in Tianjin, also in order to expand its influence and promote the sales of radio equipment.

This Kailo company happened to be the biggest competitor of Davis's Xinfu Matheson in China.

When Davis was busy, Zhou Hexuan also became busy. He threw the editing work of the "Dazhong" supplement 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 office address of the radio station, then advertised in newspapers to recruit editors and broadcasters, and even contacted record companies to record records.

The radio programs planned by Zhou Hexuan are far more mature than the current counterparts, including songs, dramas, storytelling, comic dialogue, news, business quotations and so on. Unlike the private radio station that just opened in Shanghai, the content is only news, business affairs, Cantonese tunes and Sutan (Su opera).

As for absorbing advertising fees, there is no rush right now, until the listening market is opened up.

Zhou Hexuan set up a radio station not just to make money. In fact, it would be good if this thing can maintain a balance of income and expenditure. He wants to promote the spirit of patriotism, and the storytelling books he chooses are all about national heroes such as Yue Fei and Wen Tianxiang.

Of course, as Tianjin is a place for cross talk, there must be cross talk content on the radio. He does not believe that ordinary people in Tianjin can withstand the temptation.

After more than a month of busy work, Zhou Hexuan's new work "Guns, Bacteria and Steel" was finally successfully published by Peking University Publishing House.