Chapter 39: The Courier: I'll Make That Rookie Understand Just How Brutal the NBA Can Be

"14.5 million dollars over four years?"

Tang Bei's eyes widened in disbelief.

"The team will withhold federal and state taxes..." Eric Fleischer pulled out a calculator to break down the numbers for Tang Bei. "The current federal personal income tax is 31%. North Carolina's state tax is on the lower side, a flat 4.5%, bringing the total to 35.5%. Add in some other fees and the 3% agent commission, and you're looking at around 41%."

As John Liu translated, Tang Bei said excitedly, "So 59% remains? That means for the first year, I'll get... nearly 1.5 million. That's great!"

Fleischer continued the calculation. "Then you have to deduct 4% for the pension plan. The league will contribute an equal amount to your pension, so in the end, you'll take home about 55%."

"55%, that's over 1.3 million! Haha!" Tang Bei laughed, clearly satisfied.

Fleischer asked, "The salary is paid out over six months. You can receive it weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Tang, how often would you like to be paid?"

In his home country, everyone was paid monthly. Tang Bei replied, "Let's go with monthly."

Fleischer calculated again and said, "Then for the first season, you will receive nearly 230,000 dollars in salary each month, paid at the beginning of the month."

He then brought up the shoe deal. "Nike has contacted me again, but they believe your NBA career will be very short. They are still only offering a sponsorship deal of 150,000 dollars per season."

"Tell Nike to get lost!"

Previously, Tang Bei would have been thrilled with a 100,000-dollar contract, but now that he was about to sign an eight-figure rookie deal, a 150,000-dollar sponsorship held no interest for him. Why ride a bicycle when you have a sports car?

On June 26, 1992, Tang Bei arrived at the Hornets' headquarters.

The Hornets treated the occasion with great importance, inviting several local and major media outlets. Many members of the management team also attended the signing ceremony.

*Click, click...*

Under the eyes of the media, he signed his NBA rookie contract and officially became a player for the Charlotte Hornets.

As for his jersey number, he chose number 88.

"Tang, many in the media believe your career will be very short. Do you have anything to say about that?" a reporter asked during the interview session.

After hearing John Liu's translation, Tang Bei immediately replied, "I don't know what basis they have for saying that, but it is certainly wrong."

"Why?" the reporter pressed.

Tang Bei said, "I am very strong. In fact, no one in the NBA is stronger than me. I am not afraid of physical contact because I believe my ability to handle it is no worse than any active NBA player. I am also working on my fundamentals and other skills, and I am a fast learner. Therefore, I do not believe my NBA career will be short. I will soon prove that their words are merely prejudice and discrimination."

His interview was reported by the media, gaining some acknowledgment but also drawing even more ridicule.

On the 27th, the U.S. Men's National Basketball Team gathered in New York. A group of NBA superstars and rookie Christian Laettner were interviewed by the media after practice.

A reporter approached Karl Malone and asked, "Mailman, the Chinese player drafted by the Hornets, Tang, says he is stronger than anyone in the NBA and better at physical play than anyone else. He claims he can definitely survive in this league. What is your take on his comments?"

A flash of ferocity crossed Malone's eyes. He replied expressionlessly, "When I run into that rookie, I'll show him how gentle his previous opponents were and let him know how cruel the NBA truly is."

Not far away, Laettner, who was busy tying Patrick Ewing's shoes, wore an excited grin upon hearing the Mailman's words. In his mind, he pictured that Chinese guy he loathed lying at the Mailman's feet, covered in blood.

Michael Jordan then chimed in, "Hey, Mailman, don't forget, that rookie might be stronger than you."

The Mailman replied unhappily, "Michael, my max bench press is 230 kilograms too."

"Really?"

"Karl, when did you push that up?"

"Don't tell me you just pushed that now?"

Hearing the Mailman's words, the group of superstars suddenly became energized.

Karl Malone raised his thick, iron-like elbows and said coldly, "Does anyone want to try?"

As soon as he said this, the stars went silent. Even Michael Jordan didn't want to provoke the "Doctor of the Iron Elbow" and risk getting hit on the court.

Eric Fleischer helped Tang Bei rent a two-bedroom apartment in Charlotte, not far from the Hornets' headquarters and the arena, also in the suburbs.

With three or four months left until the next season, Tang Bei planned to train there.

The Hornets' training facility was open to him during the offseason. His personal trainer, Kyrie Osman, had also arrived and was staying in his apartment with John Liu, sharing a room.

The apartment hadn't had a phone line, so they had one installed after renting it.

Once everything was arranged, Eric Fleischer left Charlotte, and Tang Bei began his grueling training regimen.

He also planned to bring over some small martial arts equipment, like a wooden dummy, swords, and spears. Having practiced martial arts for over a decade, he loved them too much to give them up.

At a little past eight that morning, Tang Bei made a call back home.

"Hello?"

"Uncle Gou Shun, could you please call my family to the phone?"

"Tang Bei?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Mom, did you hear that? Call out to him."

"I hear you."

"Tang Bei, have you really struck it rich in America?"

"It's alright. I make about eight or ten thousand a day."

"What kind of nonsense is that? Will you die if you don't brag?" Gou Shun said irritably upon hearing Tang Bei's words.

"Big brother! Big brother..."

Tang Ning's shrill voice rang out.

"That brat sure runs fast!" Tang Yu was 1.7 meters tall, but she just couldn't keep up with the explosive Tang Ning.

"Fourth one, have you eaten?"

"Yes, I have. Grandma made noodles with meat sauce; it was delicious. Big brother, have you had dinner? What are you eating?"

"It's morning here, big brother just finished breakfast."

"Morning?" The little girl looked at the sky; it was almost pitch black. Was her big brother hungry and confused? How could it be morning?

"Give it to me." Tang Yu seized the opportunity and snatched the receiver.

"Ah!" Tang Ning gnashed her teeth, claws out like a little puppy, before being pinned down by Tang Yu with one hand.

Just like last time, as soon as Tang Yu started talking to Tang Bei, Tang Zhongchu, Lin Lan, and Tang Bin arrived, and Lin Lan took over the receiver.

"Mom, have all the family debts been paid off?"

"Yes, they have. We paid back the favors we owed our relatives and even hosted a few banquets."

"That's how it should be."

"The leaders from the city came by to ask about you last time, I think they were from the Sports Bureau. Now the relatives and everyone in the village are praising you, hehe!"

"Mom, improve the food at home. Buy more meat. I can make money now."

"I know, I know."

"Oh, right, Mom. I have to train, so I won't be back this year. It'll probably be this time next year before I can come home."

"No rush, no rush. You work hard out there. Your father and I have everything covered at home."

"One more thing, Mom. Is there any money left from last time?"

"Yes, we've saved it for you. There's 20,000 left. We spent over 2,000 to buy some things for the house. The fourth one kept clamoring for a TV, and your father was reluctant to buy one."

Hearing this, Tang Ning's eyes widened.

"Buy one, Mom. Buy a TV, a washing machine, all of that. Is our house the only one in the village without them?"

"Eldest, your father and I were discussing using that 20,000 to build you a house. We're the only ones left in the village without a brick-tiled house. If you don't have a house, how will you find a wife?"

"Mom, I just made a lot of money these past few days. From now on, we won't be short of money."

"You made more? Well... alright then. Eldest, you're grown up now. You make the decisions for the family from now on."

Tang Ning couldn't hear Tang Bei's voice and was so anxious she was scratching her head. She tugged at Lin Lan's sleeve and whispered, "Mom, did big brother say we could buy a TV?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Lin Lan said impatiently.

"Ah, we're getting a TV!" Tang Ning screamed with excitement.

Tang Bin and Tang Ning laughed happily, while only Tang Zhongchu looked reluctant.

"Quiet down." Lin Lan tapped Tang Ning on the head.

"Also, Mom, get a landline installed. It'll be more convenient for me to call home."

"Install a phone? That costs a lot of money. It cost Uncle Gou Shun four or five thousand to install his."

"It's fine. I'll send another sum of money at the end of the year. Next year, we'll build a house—the most beautiful two-story building in the village."

"Really?"

Lin Lan's eyes turned red with happiness. Not having a matchmaker come to the house had always been a thorn in her side. If they built a two-story house, finding a wife for her eldest son would be no problem at all.

Gou Shun's wife, who was organizing the shelves, heard this and couldn't help but squat down next to Gou Shun, who was smoking in the corner, and whispered:

"His father, the Tang family just paid off so many debts, and now they're buying a TV and installing a phone. It seems that 'Big Rice Bucket'—no, Tang Bei—really is making big money in America."

"The Tang family is turning their fortunes around. Looks like practicing martial arts really does pay off. Tomorrow, find a martial arts school and send Gou Sheng there to practice," Gou Shun said with a sigh.