1968: Started from breeding

Chapter 249 No wonder you're a leader, Uncle Lei! So magnanimous!

Su Wenchen unfolded the third document and solemnly read it aloud.

"After research and decision by the Yellow River Floodplain Comprehensive Management Committee, Lanshui Farm has been officially included in the national-level experimental unit for saline-alkali land management."

"After approval, Lanshui Farm can establish a comprehensive saline-alkali land management demonstration site in disaster-stricken areas such as northern Jiangsu, northern Anhui, and western Shandong, and explore a new model of using animal husbandry to control salinity!"

"The proposed allocation includes: 2 Dongfanghong-75 tractors, 1 Jiefang truck, 1 military jeep, an annual diesel quota of 20 tons, and an annual quota of 30 jin of coarse corn."

Yellow River Floodplain Comprehensive Management Committee

December 25, 1970

After the announcement.

Su Wenchen looked at the date on it; it had just been signed the day before yesterday. According to the timeline, it should have been decided the day before Lei Boliang came down.

Taking a deep breath, Su Wenchen could tell from the document and its allocated supplies that the authorities didn't actually have high hopes for their operation.

This can be seen from the final allocation of 300,000 jin of corn.

300,000 jin seems like a lot, but this is the annual quota. If we calculate based on the current average of about 300 jin per person per year, this is only enough food for 1,000 people for a year.

Furthermore, no specific assigned tasks were given to them this time.

At that time, under the planned economy, most of the tasks assigned to local governments were based on standard quotas.

As one of his documents clearly requires, 20,000 rare Moon Rabbits must be bred and produced every year.

These are the hard targets of a planned economy.

They don't have that on their side, which shows that the higher-ups think that at this stage, they should be grateful if they can be self-sufficient, and they haven't even thought about what to produce.

After Su Wenchen finished reading, this was the next step.

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted in the auditorium, but Miao Yuan and the others looked worried—they had heard of the vast, white saline-alkali land in the Yellow River floodplain, where the cracked soil was barren.

Sending people to grow pasture in such places is no different from being exiled to the frontier.

Su Wenchen put the documents back on the table and sat down directly.

"Everyone, please sit down. What are your thoughts on this document?"

As soon as he said this, the applause gradually stopped, and many people in the small auditorium looked at each other in bewilderment.

Since everyone's not stupid, Su Wenchen's question meant he wanted to find out who wanted to volunteer to go there.

Moreover, as mentioned in previous documents, demonstration sites will be established in disaster-stricken areas affected by the Yellow River floods in northern Jiangsu, northern Anhui, and western Shandong to explore new models of alkali control through animal husbandry!

Because their farm has the same pasture grass that is currently being grown there, most of the farm's cadres have never been to the Yellow River flood plain.

But I've heard about it quite a few times.

It is known that crops are difficult to grow in saline-alkali soil, and even with simple treatment, the yield of crops that can be grown will be greatly reduced.

So almost everyone in the auditorium thought that going there was probably just to plant pasture in the field!
Moreover, they were sent to such a far place, which is different from the prosperous and developing side. Nobody wants to suffer voluntarily.

Of course, most people weren't actually that afraid of hardship, mainly because no one thought that being sent there to grow pasture would have much of a future.

So in an instant, the entire small auditorium fell silent.

Su Wenchen raised an eyebrow.

"Why is no one saying a word? Is there something on everyone's mind?"

"If you speak up, the organization will definitely consider your difficulties and try its best to help you solve them."

Su Wenchen naturally knew what the people below were worried about, even though he had hinted at developing a forage supply base in the Yellow River flood area.

However, for the current leaders in the field, going to a remote and harsh place thousands of miles away to grow pasture grass is definitely a dead-end job.

Whether it's Zhang Zhenhua or Zheng Xianghong from the chicken farm, or Han Yang who's in charge of the Moon Rabbits and the newly added Miao Yuan.

They certainly wouldn't want to give up their thriving jobs in Lanshui to go there and plant some kind of pasture.

After all, Su Wenchen hadn't revealed his specific plans to gradually incorporate the Yellow River floodplain into their Blue Water Farm and develop the area thoroughly.

Of course, if I said it now, most people probably wouldn't believe me.

In Su Wenchen's view, their Blue Water Farm might do very well in the short term.

However, without enough land, a farm lacks sufficient foundation.

They can't always rely on the Moon Rabbit card. Times are changing. Things are better in recent years, but after the 1980s and 90s...

With the rise of various environmental and animal protection concepts in the West, the price of animal leather will be severely impacted.

Su Wenchen himself couldn't be sure what would happen then; one who cannot plan for the whole situation is not qualified to plan for a part.

This is also why Su Wenchen strongly advocates for development in the Yellow River floodplain.

As someone who came after him, he knew very well that all the large farms that survived the fierce market competition in the new century possessed vast tracts of land.

This means having access to the cheapest raw materials, and then gradually getting involved in the processing and manufacturing of finished agricultural products. Because the raw materials are their own, they have extremely high trial-and-error costs. As a state-owned enterprise, they also have unique advantages in terms of human resources.

After achieving success, it can even expand into real estate, tourism, retail, and other fields.

They offer a complete service encompassing food, clothing, accommodation, and entertainment.

This is also the path taken by large farms like China National Agricultural Reclamation Group and Beidahuang Group in later generations to transform.

Moreover, Su Wenchen felt that this was the perfect time for development, because the farms in the Great Northern Wilderness were still being cultivated little by little at that time.

Now that Bluewater Farm is entering the market, everyone is on the same starting line, and no one is jumping the gun.

As for cheat codes and such, how can having cheat codes be considered getting ahead of the game?
The others were also a bit scratching their heads when faced with Su Wenchen's words. How could the organization help them resolve the feeling that there was no future in the past?

Preventing them from going over there is actually helping them solve their problem.

After a moment of silence, Han Yang finally spoke up.

"Director, I think it's perfect timing! Old Miao was just appointed as the deputy director of our farm."

"It's just right for him to take charge of this matter, since the pasture we're currently growing is mainly for supplying our Moonflower Rabbits."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhenhua and Zheng Xianghong both nodded in agreement.

“I think Deputy Director Han is right. Deputy Director Miao should indeed be in charge of this matter.”

"I agree. As the person in charge of the rabbitry, it is indeed the best way to keep the feed supply under our own control."

Upon hearing this, Miao Yuan nearly coughed up blood.

He does agree with controlling the feed supply, but that doesn't mean he wants to grow pasture there.

So he looked at the three people who were speaking, and in the end he could only turn his fire on Zheng Xianghong.

"Director, our Moonflower Rabbits are about to be ready for market, and we really can't leave. So I think Deputy Director Zheng is more suitable to go to the Yellow River flood area. After all, Deputy Director Zhang can handle the chicken farm all by himself."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xianghong immediately glared at Miao Yuan.

Miao Yuan could only respond with a helpless expression. He had no choice, because the other party was the least popular person in the venue, and the Shiquan venue he was currently in charge of also had the least responsibility.

Although Han Yang took the initiative first, he also knew that it was time to deliver the Moonflower Rabbit pelts to the foreign businessmen.

Han Yang didn't have time, and Su Wenchen wouldn't let him go there either.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhenhua immediately nodded repeatedly.

“I think this suggestion is good. There’s not much to do at the chicken farm right now, and I can handle it all by myself.”

“Deputy Director Zheng, it is indeed possible to establish a new pasture planting base in the Yellow River flood area.”

"It's all for the benefit of the organization! Deputy Director Zheng wouldn't be unwilling, would he?"

In an instant, the alliance of the three who had recommended Miao Yuan split apart.

Miao Yuan and Zhang Zhenhua both recommended Zheng Xianghong to go there.

Han Yang glanced at Su Wenchen but didn't say anything. He could see very clearly that Su Wenchen wouldn't let Zheng Xianghong go, because that would create a disconnect with the city.

In his view, both Zhang Zhenhua and Zheng Xianghong had powerful backers.

This is why he was willing to risk offending Miao Yuan and speak out directly.

He knew that if he had to send someone, Miao Yuan was the only one suitable to go at this time.

Han Yang was puzzled as to why Su Wenchen didn't respond to him at the time, because if Su Wenchen had spoken up, the matter would have been settled.

Furthermore, since it was his idea, he also took the initiative to bear the brunt of the leader's anger over Miao Yuan's exile.

However, the script doesn't seem to be following his design at all.

Su Wenchen wasn't too surprised by the exchange between the four people in front of him.

Said directly.

"You don't want to go? Then forget it!"

Then he asked the department head in the back row.

"what about you!"

"Is there anyone who has volunteered to go there?"

"I don't need recommendations from others, I want self-recommendations."

The room fell silent after Su Wenchen said this.

Many people had different expressions, because some people recalled that when the Moon Rabbit was first introduced, it seemed to be the same.

Nobody wanted to care.

In the end, it was only after Su Wenchen specifically requested that Miao Yuan be assigned to the task.

Does the director have some new plan this time?

But after thinking it over, most people realized that the only thing they could do there was grow pasture.

We can't possibly sell the forage we grow to earn foreign exchange!

Finally, only Hou Guozhong, who was sitting next to Miao Yuan, stood up and spoke.

"Director, could you please let me go over there?"

"Anyway, to be honest, I don't have much to do in the technical department right now. The veterinarians sent from the city are much better than me. I just feel uncomfortable occupying a position."

Hou Guozhong's words drew surprised looks from many people.

Miao Yuan immediately tugged at Hou Guozhong's sleeve, signaling him to calm down.

At this point, although some felt ashamed and voluntarily gave up their place, it was still a very rare occurrence.

Moreover, they will become increasingly rare as times change.

Su Wenchen raised an eyebrow; he hadn't expected Old Hou to say such a thing.

He also had to admit that there were still people who would voluntarily sacrifice themselves for the better development of their workplace. Of course, he could say that he had a clear conscience towards his workplace, but this was definitely irresponsible towards his family.

He knew that Hou Guozhong must have hesitated and struggled in his heart.

However, the fact that the other party could say this at this time meant that they had definitely made up their mind.

For such people, Su Wenchen will definitely reward them within his means, because the most effective way to encourage more good people is to ensure that good people are rewarded.

You can't be a good person and then make others do the work and suffer the consequences. If this happens too often, most people who are naturally kind will gradually become hesitant and doubtful, and eventually slowly turn to the other side.

Su Wenchen doesn't have the power to correct societal trends.

But on this small plot of land, Blue Water Farm...

He will still do his best to ensure that good people are rewarded and that hard-working people receive commensurate compensation and career prospects.

So Su Wenchen agreed immediately.

"Alright, Lao Hou, hand over your work properly in the next couple of days, and then you can come with me to the Yellow River flood area to start the research!"

Everyone was stunned when these words were spoken, and someone blurted them out instinctively.

"Director, are you going there in person?"

Upon hearing this, many people in the auditorium were instantly startled.

It seemed like a chance to change one's fate had slipped through one's fingers in the blink of an eye.

Several people looked at Hou Guozhong, who had stepped forward, with envy.

Han Yang was silent for a moment, and he also recalled that when they were in Guangshi, Su Wenchen had a very special relationship with the two people at the top.

So what new action is being taken at the very top?

Or does the director have some new ideas?

Han Yang had thought he had figured out Su Wenchen's style of doing things, but now he felt that what he had seen before was just the tip of the iceberg.

After Su Wenchen finished making the announcement, he stood up and said...

"Alright, the meeting is over. Everyone, go back to your work!"

After saying that, I didn't care what others thought. I gave you the opportunity, and if you didn't seize it, you can't blame yourselves.

They prepared to leave the small auditorium immediately.

Miao Yuan, who was below, was tugging at Hou Guozhong's sleeve, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Thinking back to how he had just pledged his loyalty to the director, he hesitated.

As soon as Su Wenchen walked by, Miao Yuan said with some remorse.

"Director, I...I just..."

Su Wenchen patted the other person's arm.

"It's alright. My only requirement for you is to take good care of the breeding of the Moon Rabbits."

"If anything happens to the Moon Rabbit, I'll hold you responsible."

Su Wenchen naturally knew what the other party wanted to say. In fact, he understood Miao Yuan very well.

This is an ordinary person with limited vision who knows how to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages.

His strengths are obvious: he is very meticulous in his interactions with people and in his work, and the other party does this very well.

However, the drawbacks are also obvious: they are timid and lack a spirit of adventure, making them a poor choice to be pioneers.

Furthermore, Su Wenchen never demanded unconditional obedience from others. Since everyone was an adult with families to support, they all made their choices by weighing the pros and cons time and again.

Moreover, his forte is actually the binding of interests.

As long as he can guarantee that those who board the ship can always share in the profits, then the ship can keep sailing, because this kind of interest-based connection is the most stable.

As someone who knew the future trends and had a golden touch, he actually had no shortage of benefits.

Miao Yuan also opened his mouth.

"Director, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of Yuehua Rabbit."

"If anything goes wrong, just come to me."

Su Wenchen smiled.

"No need to be so serious. As long as you follow the rules and regulations of the venue, the venue will not ignore you even if something happens."

At noon, the aroma of spicy and numbing flavors wafted from the canteen of Lanshui Farm.

The red brick wall, adorned with a banner proclaiming "Practice Thrift," was polished to a gleaming shine, just like the dining table.

Su Wenchen leaned against the food serving window, peeling peanuts in his hand while calling out to Chef Sun at the cafeteria window.

"Master Sun, the people from the foreign trade department will probably be coming over to eat soon. There's no need to add extra dishes for them, but make sure to prepare a little more food."

"Especially for those snacks in the side dishes that cost extra, your cafeteria should just charge the normal price. There's no need to save money for them."

"Alright! Director Su, I've also heard that their foreign trade department's staff receive extra allowances and subsidies for fieldwork like this!"

"Just watch my skills! I guarantee I'll earn back their subsidy."

Su Wenchen laughed when he heard this.

"Haha, their foreign trade department provides a lot of subsidies. If you use your skills, you can make all the money for them."

Just as Su Wenchen finished speaking, Chef Sun finished cooking a dish and looked up to see what was behind Su Wenchen.

He wiped the sweat from his brow with the towel hanging around his neck, wondering how to tell his boss.

moment.

Master Sun started winking at Su Wenchen frequently.

Su Wenchen peeled open a peanut, and just as he put it in his mouth, he saw the look in Master Sun's eyes.

"Master Sun, did some oil get in your eyes? If not, wipe them with a clean cloth or wash them. It won't make a difference if you do it for a little while."

Master Sun was so anxious that he could only purse his lips in the end.

When Su Wenchen saw the other person looking behind him and gesturing with their lips, he immediately realized what was going on.

Look back.

Sure enough, Lei Boliang was standing behind him with a plate in his hand, looking at him with a mocking expression.

uh~
That's a bit awkward!

Su Wenchen could only pray that the other party had just arrived.

"Uncle Lei, when did you get here? Why did you walk so quietly?"

Lei Bailiang laughed directly.

“I came over when you were talking about how to make all the money from our subsidies.”

"As for the noise, are you sure you can hear footsteps in your cafeteria?"

Listening to the sounds of iron spoons clashing against iron pots, one could hear them coming from the inner kitchen every now and then.

The presence of truck drivers chatting and eating at the cafeteria seats makes the already quiet footsteps even harder to hear.

Especially those truck drivers, many of them have loud voices, and some even bring their own alcohol, which makes them even louder after they've had a few drinks.

Su Wenchen blinked and handed over his hand, saying...

"Uncle Lei, would you like some peanuts?"

"This is a small patch that I planted myself from our family's vegetable garden, and it was watered with a lot of my hard work."

"It smells amazing!"

Lei Bailiang had a playful expression, but he still grabbed one, peeled it, and tasted it.

"Do you grow peanuts in your vegetable garden?"

"Or was it watered by your own sweat?"

Su Wenchen smiled.

"It's not just the two of us; we basically eat at the cafeteria! Growing vegetables is not as good as growing peanuts, since they can be stored for a long time."

"It can be used to extract oil, and you can also grab a handful to replenish your energy when you're tired from work."

"Uncle Lei, if you eat my peanuts, you can't say anything else!"

Of course, although the peanuts were planted with the help of Su's father and two older brothers, he did water them.

Moreover, they are all fathers and sons, brothers, so if you round it up, isn't it roughly the same as planting it yourself?

No problem!
Lei Bailiang rolled his eyes.

"Alright, get out of the way, don't block my way from getting food. You guys are openly earning our subsidies through your cooking skills."

What else can I say?

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately gave a thumbs up.

"No wonder you're a leader, Uncle Lei! You're so magnanimous!"

He turned and shouted to the employees serving food inside.

"Did you hear that? Tell Director Lei to let us openly and legitimately earn their subsidies. Everyone, go and order all the snacks from our small vegetable section that we can use as appetizers."

"We must seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Such good things won't be seen often in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Bailiang immediately pushed Su Wenchen aside.

"Get out of my way! Do you think I'm a national bank?"

"You think I don't have a family to support? You want me to order all of them? Just give me two rabbit heads."

"The rest will be served according to your regular employee meal plan. You can calculate the cost and the food coupons."

Su Wenchen didn't say much.

After Lei Bailiang left with the food, Su Wenchen took out a few yuan from his pocket.

They had the employees make several more portions.

After Su Wenchen brought several dishes and sat down in front of Lei Boliang.

Lei Bailiang was picking up a rabbit head soaked in red oil and gnawing on it vigorously.

"What? Are you trying to tempt me?"

Su Wenchen picked up a cornbread bun and replied with a smile.

"Uncle Lei, look at what you said, don't worry, I'll pay for it myself!"

"Try this hand-shredded rabbit meat!"

"It's pretty good."

After saying that, he pushed a plate of rabbit meat in front of Lei Bailiang.

Although he had told Lei Boliang to pay for it himself, Su Wenchen couldn't possibly do that.

Otherwise, even though their relationship is okay now, it wouldn't feel so comfortable.

That was just a way for Su Wenchen to build a closer relationship, so that Lei Boliang would feel like he was one of his own.

Sure enough, upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, Lei Bailiang did not refuse and directly picked up a piece with his chopsticks.

"To be honest, I think your canteen is better than some state-run restaurants."

"Some state-run restaurants nowadays have decent food, but the variety of dishes is limited and the service is practically nonexistent."

"It's even worse than not having any food at all. It's not as comfortable as your kind of meal where you take a plate, choose your own food, pay, and then take it away."

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately laughed.

"Isn't this just adding another service position?"

"Our canteen is mainly staffed by our own employees, and the rest are some truck drivers who pass by."

“Normally there’s no one else around. I doubt many of the commune members from the surrounding brigades would be willing to spend money to eat here in a year.”

"If there's only one type of customer, they're naturally much easier to serve."

Lei Bailiang waved his hand.

"No, your venue is different from other places, many details are different."

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. You've treated me to such a nice meal, so feel free to ask me any questions!"

"After I finish eating, I won't take responsibility for it!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately smiled ingratiatingly.

"Uncle Lei, look at what you're saying! I only invited you to dinner because I asked you for a favor!"

"This is just a small token of our appreciation as juniors, why are you being so polite?"

Lei Bailiang glanced at Su Wenchen in surprise.

"Really not? Then I'll leave after I finish my meal!"

"We're going to check other places this afternoon!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately scooped a spoonful of tofu soup for Lei Bailiang.

"Uncle Lei, I'm definitely fine. This is just the thing at the site, the thing that was supposed to be allocated in the documents from above, what do you think?"

"Moreover, the annual quota of 300,000 jin of corn is too small. Do you think it can be increased?"

Lei Bailiang had an expression that said, "I knew it."

"I told you you couldn't hold back! You've been pretending with me for so long."

First, I drank some tofu soup to cleanse my palate.

He then spoke.

"There's still room for discussion regarding the allocation; didn't you see the word 'proposed' in the previous section?"

"This is the proposed disbursement for you!"

"That means we'll have to see what kind of governance plan you submit to your department at that time."

"After all, the ministry also considers the profitability of your farm."

"You'll just pick two acres of saline-alkali land and say you're going to treat it. Do you think the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will actually allocate the land to you?"

"Isn't that just a simple way to scam supplies from above?"

"If you say you've made a pledge that you can clean up 30 million mu of saline-alkali land in one go, then let alone 300,000 jin, you could get 3 million jin, or even 30 million jin from above."

"The premise is, can you handle it?"

"This is no joke. It's a real pledge. If you fail to complete the mission and waste the resources, then you won't be able to just write a self-criticism."

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen couldn't help but chuckle.

He must be insane to make such a pledge to manage 30 million mu in one go.

However, Su Wenchen also knew that it was unrealistic for the higher authorities to hand over the 30 million mu of the Yellow River floodplain directly to him all at once.

Given the current scale of Bluewater Farm, it is not capable of managing such a vast area of ​​land.

It is normal to allocate some supplies to them and let them choose a location first to see your plan and the governance effect.

However, at this moment, they are also wondering how much land they will acquire in the first phase.

This also obviously relates to how much support they can get from above.

Lei Bailiang was startled when he saw that Su Wenchen hadn't finished speaking.

"You don't actually want to make this kind of pledge, do you?!"

Su Wenchen immediately shook his head.

“Uncle Lei, I’m not stupid. The Yellow River flood area can’t be cleaned up in a day. I’d be crazy to make such a pledge.”

Lei Bailiang breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good. I was afraid you didn't know your limits. If you really made such a suicide pledge, even your old leader couldn't protect you."

After speaking, he sighed.

"Moreover, after the consultation ended, the old leader didn't see anyone."

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen recalled the situation in the future and slowly put down his chopsticks.

Although he knew the outcome, he still felt a sliver of hope.

"We should be able to pull through!"

Lei Bailiang remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking.

"I don't know, it's confidential, I don't know the specifics, but after I went back I applied for a visit several times, but they were all rejected."

Su Wenchen's heart skipped a beat when he heard this.

He knew that simply not seeing anyone was already a result.

Not only did he know this, but Lei Bailiang himself also knew it.

(End of this chapter)