After hearing Li Long's request, the sales representative here, though he knew Li Long, did not dare make the decision himself. He temporarily put his discussions with representatives from several local organizations on hold and went to call Factory Director Du.
Li Long was uneasy himself, unsure whether Factory Director Du would agree to allocate another two snow-clearing machines to him. It was clear now that the machines were selling extremely well. He figured he should receive a fairly substantial dividend next.
The sales representative's surname was Qi, and his full name was Qi Yuanhu. After making the call, he came over and told Li Long:
"Comrade Li Long, there aren't many snow-clearing machines left in stock. How many do you need?"
"Two, the push-type ones," Li Long said quickly.
"All right. Sign here, then. The factory director said you could take them away once you've signed."
Li Long hurried to sign. As he was doing so, someone nearby objected. "Why can he take the snow-clearing machines away just by signing? We're ready to pay, yet you're still making us wait?"
"Exactly! Even in business, there should be a first-come, first-served rule, shouldn't there? Why does he get to cut in line?"
Li Long hesitated. This had turned into... special treatment for him.
"I'm telling you, unless you give us an explanation, we won't buy these snow-clearing machines. Not only that, we'll report this backdoor dealing of yours to your superiors!" someone threatened. "You owe us an explanation!"
"That's right! You owe us an explanation!"
"Because he invented the snow-clearing machines." Seeing the people who had been preparing to discuss business all losing their tempers, Qi Yuanhu remained completely unruffled. He pointed at Li Long and said earnestly:
"Comrade Li Long designed and invented both models of snow-clearing machine, then