Chapter 70: Counting Money Until My Hands Cramp

Inside the vast conference hall, exclusive sales agency rights for various regions sparked fierce competition. The East Asian sales rights, in particular, saw an intense battle between the South Koreans and the Japanese, neither willing to concede and determined not to be beholden to the other in the future. The bidding escalated to a staggering price of one hundred million dollars.

It should be noted that, aside from the immense Chinese market, East Asia—which includes Japan, Korea, and Mongolia—has a very low number of HIV patients, with slow rates of transmission. By all logic, such regional agency rights should be worth at most tens of millions of dollars. The starting price set by Fuyun Technologies was only five million dollars, clearly reflecting their understanding of the market: small population and minimal growth, meaning limited market potential.

Yet the representatives from Japan and Korea refused to back down, pushing the price up in heated confrontation until the South Koreans finally secured the rights for one hundred million dollars.

Apart from the fierce competition for East Asian agency rights, the enormous African market was equally contested. People from all over the world vied for a stake, knowing Africa held the highest number of HIV patients globally and the speed of transmission far outpaced other regions. In many African countries, half the population suffers from HIV; those where only one-tenth are afflicted are considered mild cases. Despite Africa’s poverty, its abundant resources make it a highly attractive market, and the savvy bidders drove the price up. Ultimately, the rights for Africa were acquired for five hundred million dollars by John Soren from Europe, who also took the agency rights for Western Europe. Clearly, his interest extended beyond the immediate sales of AIDS treatments; he was also betting on Li Fu’s future prospects.

"Three hundred million for Western Europe, five hundred million for Africa, one hundred million for East Asia... The overseas agents have brought in a total of 1.5 billion dollars for our company. Remarkable! The money comes so easily!" Zhong Yun, Fuyun Technologies’ financial director, was radiant with joy, holding the figures and marveling at the astronomical sums in the company’s account. The long stretch of outflows with no inflows was finally reversed, and the incoming funds were immense, underscoring the lucrative nature of monopolizing advanced technology.

"This is just the beginning. Our medicine is about to launch, and these agents will soon be sending more big payments into our accounts." Fang Zheng smiled slightly. Even as a high-ranking executive in major companies before, he had never felt so comfortable. Earning money from foreigners was the real mark of ability, and making them comply with the company’s terms was true mastery.

In previous companies, dealings with overseas clients involved endless deference and service, always afraid of displeasing them. But now, with Fuyun Technologies, there was a sense of pride and independence—having the power to refuse even wealthy clients.

"Brilliant! It's exhilarating to see a Chinese company reach such heights!" Fang Zheng, who had often bowed to foreign markets in his previous roles, now felt vindicated and genuinely happy.

"President Fang, there are only eight global agents left in the conference room. We can proceed to the next phase." Sun Xiaofang, the company’s administrative officer, approached with a broad smile. Selling just one agency right for 1.5 billion dollars meant a bright future for the company, and she knew her own prospects would rise accordingly.

...

After the Fuyun Technologies Global Supplier Bidding Conference concluded, the new AIDS treatment was simultaneously launched worldwide. The drug was exorbitantly priced, with unscrupulous agents in many countries selling it for over one hundred thousand dollars per dose.

The average price ranged from forty to fifty thousand dollars per dose—an astronomical sum. Yet despite the high cost, the drug’s efficacy was indisputable: one dose could save an HIV patient’s life. Thus, sales were brisk, with daily production limited to just ten thousand doses. Of these, two thousand were reserved for the domestic market, leaving only eight thousand for the global market.

Demand far outstripped supply everywhere. Numerous HIV patients, especially in developed Western countries with comprehensive healthcare systems, could afford even these sky-high prices, fueling intense demand.

Each day, Fuyun Technologies' agents called to urge shipments, and the company never allowed its advance payments to lapse, enforcing a strict payment-before-delivery policy.

These agents, having paid dearly for their rights, were now reaping the rewards, adding their own markups atop the already limited supply. The Koreans, who had secured the East Asian agency, raised prices for Japanese buyers by millions, maintaining a take-it-or-leave-it attitude that incited strong resentment among the Japanese.

In Western Europe, wealthy Europeans—who treated immigrants like royalty—found John Soren truly ruthless. He exploited every dose to its full commercial potential, sometimes refusing to sell even to those with money, gaining considerable profits for the Soren family.

Meanwhile, in Sanjiang Town far away in China, the greatest beneficiary, Li Fu, listened with a smiling face as Zhong Yun, the company’s financial director, reported the detailed financial figures.

"President Li, President Fang, as of the end of July, our company has received 1.5 billion dollars in agency fees. Globally, we have sold a total of 120,000 doses of the new medicine, generating 1.2 billion dollars in sales. Additionally, there is nearly 1 billion dollars in advance payments in the company account."

"Domestically, in July we sold 30,000 doses at 50,000 yuan each, totaling 1.5 billion yuan. Altogether, domestic and international sales in July nearly reached ten billion yuan."

Zhong Yun’s voice was clear and exuberant; in just twenty days, the new medicine had achieved nearly ten billion in sales.

"My hands are getting tired from counting money!" Li Fu laughed as he looked at the figures.

...

"Exactly! July was only our first month of sales. In August, we can ramp up even further. All our global agents are clamoring for more supply, and our production is steadily increasing. It's entirely possible we'll hit twenty billion a month soon."

Zhong Yun nodded with a smile. Having ample cash on hand brought peace of mind, especially vital for a start-up like Fuyun Technologies. Financial stability was essential for future growth.

"Despite impressive performance, we must recognize certain issues. In the domestic market, many are dissatisfied with our online real-name application system for purchasing the new medicine, as scalpers have impersonated patients to obtain doses, reselling them at several times the original price."

"This has left genuine HIV patients deeply frustrated, forced to pay exorbitant prices, and has drawn criticism toward our company. What was intended as a benefit for domestic patients has instead favored profiteers."

"Worse still, some patients in urgent need have died for lack of access, attracting media attention and posing a significant reputational risk for Fuyun Technologies. We must address this matter seriously."

Fang Zheng’s expression grew grave as he worried about recent domestic developments. The domestic market was a small part of the company’s sales, but it was fundamental to Fuyun Technologies and could not be ignored.

"Let’s do this: our company will fund a hospital here in Sanjiang Town. All applicants for the AIDS medicine must receive treatment at this hospital, thereby reducing the opportunity for scalpers to manipulate the system."

"Our intention was never to profit from the domestic market. If not for various considerations, I’d even offer the medicine for free to our own people. I never imagined scalpers could stoop so low."

"Furthermore, as our production capacity increases, we should prioritize domestic supply. Meeting the needs of our own countrymen is more important than immediate profit."

Li Fu pondered for a moment before speaking.

"That’s a good plan. We don’t aim to profit from the domestic market, but neither should we let profiteers exploit the situation. Moreover, with global demand driving up prices, our domestic medicine could be smuggled abroad if we don’t control it properly—the price difference is simply too great."

Fang Zheng agreed, nodding thoughtfully at Li Fu’s proposal.

PS: Thanks to Shitou Shiwei, Rensheng Rumeng, and Po Jie Youchen for their generous rewards of 500. Thanks also to Xiaoyao Xiaochongzi and Modao Zhi Hun for their support. Please bookmark, click, and recommend!