1968: Started from breeding

Chapter 251 I can't let my old boss become a cuckold!
Dongfeng People's Commune
A jeep slowly drove along the dirt road of the commune.

At this moment, in the fields by the roadside, commune members dressed in cotton-padded clothes were digging ditches while shouting loud slogans.

Right next to the ditch, a lot of alfalfa was planted. Su Wenchen immediately recognized that this was the forage supplied to their farm.

But how come it can be planted in winter?
Hou Guozhong was somewhat surprised when he saw it and asked Su Wenchen.

"Director, can this kind of pasture grass survive in winter?"

"Won't they freeze to death?"

"If I had known earlier, we wouldn't have needed to prepare silage in the fall."

Su Wenchen shook his head.

“I don’t know either. Old Zhao, park the car over there and let’s go take a look. We’re just passing by and we also want to learn from Dongfeng Commune. After all, they’ve been growing pasture for a year and must have accumulated a lot of experience.”

"This is much better than us slowly figuring it out on our own at the beginning."

After Su Wenchen finished speaking, Zhao Weiguo immediately turned the steering wheel and drove along the narrow road, which was only two meters wide.

As the car drew closer, Su Wenchen was immediately struck by the loud singing.

"We workers have strength! Hey! We're busy working every single day..."

However, the singing gradually stopped after their car drove past.

They had obviously spotted them, and in this day and age, anyone who could drive a Jeep out like that had to be at least a county leader.

Then one person was quickly led into the alfalfa field, and several others put down their carrying poles and baskets and ran quickly toward the vehicle.

Su Wenchen opened the car door and looked at Li Zhimin, who was running over breathlessly, and asked curiously.

"Director Li, it's been a long time!"

Upon seeing that it was Su Wenchen, Li Zhimin immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

He was panting heavily, one hand on his knee, and the other waving.

"Hoo-! Hoo-!"

"It's Director Su! You scared me to death! I thought our county director had come!"

"This exhausted me so much that I almost couldn't catch my breath."

Su Wenchen was somewhat puzzled.

"So what if your county head comes? Does that mean you can't dig drainage ditches anymore?"

After all, at this time, it was perfectly normal for the commune to organize its members to dig ditches and repair canals during the winter.

Basically, most people's communes across the country would organize around this time.

So Su Wenchen really didn't understand what was so shameful about it.

Li Zhimin shook his head.

"It's not about repairing the canal! Director Su, I'll explain to you later."

After saying that, he turned around and shouted towards the construction site in the distance.

"It's alright, everyone keep going! Let Mr. Cao come out too! He's not from the county."

After saying that, he turned around and looked at the Jeep behind Su Wenchen.

"Director Su, congratulations! You've really become famous this time. You have no idea how unbelievable it was when I saw it in the newspaper!"

"Later, it was our commune's driver who delivered hay to your farm that made me realize that it really was your farm."

"Now you're a nationally renowned farm."

“Our commune used to supply you with alfalfa, and other farms initially came to buy it, but later found that it was not effective, so we stopped buying it.”

"Because many of them believe that the Moonflower Rabbit was bred because it ate this kind of pasture grass."

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately laughed.

"Haha, so you guys don't have to worry about sales anymore, huh!"

Li Zhimin shook his head.

"What?! They bought a whole truckload and then stopped buying more when they realized they didn't need it."

"This kind of animal is obviously trying to take shortcuts. If it's because of the pasture, can't we raise our own?"

"Director Su, I won't lie to you, when the news first came out, we were raising quite a few Rex rabbits ourselves!"

"And it was a variety introduced from your farm, but it only eats the alfalfa we grow and is very susceptible to disease."

"Many of them will even die from holding their urine."

"We had the vet examine it, and they said that the rabbit had too much calcium in its body, which meant that it had been over-supplemented and had formed stones in its body."

"So they want us to mix other things in the feed? Damn it, if other crops could grow in our fields, wouldn't we plant them?"

"So now in our commune, every household raises four or five rabbits. After school, the children go to other communes to cut some rabbit grass by the roadside and pick up some leaves to mix with the rabbits."

"In short, it's enough to supplement household income, but there's no way to expand production."

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen watched as the slogans began to rise again below.

"Director Li, is your shipping fleet still operating?"

Li Zhimin sighed.

"It stopped a long time ago. It stopped as soon as the bridge across the river was completed last year."

"To be honest, thanks to you, the bridge across the river to the east has been completed. Even though our shipping team was disbanded, we've found a way to make a living and have now become a transport team."

“We have also reached a cooperation agreement with your commune. We will exchange pasture for grain and your chicken manure.”

"Now that several truckloads of manure have been brought back, the saline-alkali fields to the north that have been largely treated are gradually being restored."

"However, the south side is still not good. The groundwater level is high, and salt will rise up in winter."

"To be honest, I really envy your commune. Just the amount of chicken and rabbit manure your farm produces every day is enough to ensure that your commune has no shortage of fertilizer."

“We once calculated for your commune that after they bought our pasture and raised rabbits, the amount of manure produced alone would cover the income generated from the land, which would cover the amount of grain they sold to us.”

Su Wenchen smiled when he heard this.

"Aren't you gradually restoring the land? The demand for food should gradually decrease in the future."

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, Li Zhimin said somewhat angrily.

"If only that were the case. We were just starting to see some improvement when the county stopped providing us with relief grain."

“They said that since we can be self-sufficient, we don’t need to rely on the county for relief.”

"Director Su, how can you say something like this?"

Su Wenchen looked at Li Zhimin with some confusion.

"So fast? Do you have a bad relationship with the leaders in your county?"

Li Zhimin scratched his head.

"Actually, it's not that the relationship is bad. It's because of Mr. Cao. Now the county's idea is that since we have already learned how to plant it..."

"Let's not keep this trouble going. We'd better send them back as soon as possible."

"Director Su, how can we do such a thing? When we need something, we beg others, but now that we have it, we immediately turn our backs on them?"

"If I really did that, how would I ever face you again?"

"Moreover, Mr. Cao not only helped us research alkali-resistant alfalfa, but also helped me design drainage ditches to suppress underground salinity through irrigation in winter."

He pointed to the alfalfa that was half-grown over there.

"Now they're even developing this cold-resistant variety so that the first crop of alfalfa can be harvested in the spring."

"If we plant more of this alfalfa, our lives will be more comfortable."

Su Wenchen didn't understand what Li Zhimin said next at all.

Zhang Zhenhua's teacher not only knows how to grow pasture grass, but also has the ability to design drainage ditches.

This was actually quite useful to him, because their subsequent branch farm construction would also require drainage ditches to remove alkali.

The other party has also accumulated a lot of experience here, so they will be able to get started more quickly.

Thinking of this, Su Wenchen spoke directly.

"Director Li, since your members have no problem planting alfalfa, I'll take them back with me!"

"Otherwise, if I stay here with you, it will be troublesome for you, and I'm also afraid that something might go wrong, and I won't be able to explain it to our deputy director."

Li Zhimin was stunned for a moment.

"Director Su, what do you mean by this? Don't worry, I, Li Zhimin, will protect you even if it costs me my life!"

Su Wenchen reached out to stop him.

"Director Li, there's no need to risk your life for this. Now that things are on the right track, whether people stay or not isn't that important."

"And if it really is your county director leading people to arrest someone today? Are you sure you can stop them?"

Su Wenchen knew that without anyone giving instructions from above, their county probably wouldn't take any initiative to do anything.

However, Li Zhimin was completely powerless to refute this, because if the county was truly determined to come, he really couldn't stop them.

Su Wenchen patted the other person on the shoulder.

"Let's go! Take me to see the person! I'm not trying to take the person away by force, it's just that our deputy director asked me to, and I have no choice."

Obviously, at this point, Su Wenchen directly brought up Zhang Zhenhua.

After all, having acquaintances makes it easier to get people back; otherwise, they might not be willing to come. Of course, they could be reluctant, but that would definitely lack their initiative.

For Bluewater Farm now, there's no need to make things turn out that way.

When we reached the riverbank, the old man was wearing an old cotton-padded coat covered in patches, the cuffs and collar worn shiny. Like everyone else, he was shoveling soil bit by bit.

Hou Guozhong, who was behind, did not follow. Instead, he went directly to the edge of the alfalfa field because he was curious about why it could be planted in winter. Wouldn't it freeze to death? Or did it have a strong frost resistance like wheat?

Su Wenchen walked over and frowned slightly when he saw the other person's clothes. Li Zhimin explained.

"Director Su, don't worry, it's all good cotton inside. We just didn't want it to attract attention by looking like this."

"As you know, the people in this commune all have different thoughts. It would be bad if someone went to the county and spread rumors."

Su Wenchen also knew that Li Zhimin made sense.

Humans are the most complex beings.

The other party's actions were indeed the best protection for the elderly, so I walked over and reached out my hand.

"Hello, Professor Cao!"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, the other party immediately shook his head.

"I'm not a professor anymore."

"Are you from Longshan Farm? Just say what you need!"

Su Wenchen smiled and shook his head.

“I’m not from Longshan Farm, I’m Su Wenchen, the director of Lanshui Farm.”

"You probably don't know me, but you definitely know Zhang Zhenhua, the deputy director of our farm."

"I came here today because I wanted to transfer you to our farm."

Actually, Su Wenchen didn't have such a strong idea before coming here, but now it seems that the other party can not only grow alkali-tolerant pasture grass, but also design alkali drainage ditches, which shows that this person is indeed a talent.

It would be such a waste if people like this didn't contribute to their Blue Water Farm.

Moreover, he was Zhang Zhenhua's teacher, so he was practically one of their own. How could they let him go? They had to bring him in to work.

No, it's striving.

As for the other party's troubles, they are no longer troubles for Su Wenchen, because Zheng Xianghong is no longer capable of causing trouble for him.

On Cao Jiwen's side, after hearing Su Wenchen mention Zhang Zhenhua's name, his expression visibly relaxed, and he sighed.

"I'm doing fine here. Go back and tell Zhenhua not to worry about me. Director Li is taking good care of me here!"

"I won't trouble you!"

Su Wenchen smiled and shook his head.

"This time it really isn't that Comrade Zhenhua wants to transfer you to our farm."

"It was my idea. Our farm now has a new task: to establish a branch farm in the Yellow River flood area."

"You've been here for almost two years now, so you must have plenty of experience in planting alfalfa in saline-alkali land."

"So our team really needs your valuable experience right now!"

"Don't worry, our farm is now directly under the ministry's jurisdiction. I can arrange for your recovery as soon as I get back."

"Is there anything else you need? Feel free to tell me!"

Cao Jiwen waved his hand.

"Forget about restoring it, I don't want to cause you any trouble. Since it's something your unit needs, I certainly have no objection. But I'm being sent down to Longshan Farm, can you transfer me there?"

Clearly, seeing how young Su Wenchen was, he still had some doubts.

Su Wenchen smiled and said confidently.

"It's alright, I'll just make a call to the provincial government."

"Director Li, would you please go to your commune first? I'll make a call to the provincial government and have someone transferred to our farm."

Given his relationship with Deputy Director Li in the province, transferring someone to a lower-level position wouldn't be a big deal.

After all, the other party wasn't from the highest level of government; they were just a professor at a provincial agricultural technical school, and they hadn't offended anyone.

As long as he makes a greeting, it's really just a matter of one sentence from the other party.

Actually, some people have already started to return, but the number is still small.

Because many of them are like Cao Jiwen, who originally had nothing to do and hadn't offended anyone, but were simply caught in the crossfire.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhimin was momentarily stunned.

He called the provincial government directly to request personnel, and his tone was as casual as if he were requesting a small chicken from a local brigade.

However, he also had some other concerns. Su Wenchen had just said that they were going to build a branch farm in the Yellow River flood area.

This will definitely lead to a large-scale planting of pasture grass.

What will happen to their commune's pasture then?
For a moment, he hesitated. "Director Li?"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's physique, Li Zhimin instantly snapped back to reality, and then hesitated before speaking.

"Director Su, is your farm also planning to establish a forage grass planting base in the Yellow River floodplain?"

"And what about our commune?"

Su Wenchen smiled and waved his hand.

"Director Li, you don't need to worry. Even if we want to plant, it won't stop the farm from purchasing forage from you."

"The location we've chosen so far is probably in the northern Jiangsu or northern Anhui area of ​​the Yellow River flood plain."

"It's much farther from our Blue Water Farm. If we had to transport it ourselves, the oil alone would cost so much more."

"It's not necessarily cheaper than here!"

So just relax.

To be honest, in Su Wenchen's view, the reason why Dongfeng Commune was able to transport the hay to their farm was related to their solid foundation.

After all, the shipping team that used to operate the ferry terminal had accumulated a wealth of fuel vouchers and transport vehicles.

Otherwise, like a typical commune, which doesn't even have a tractor, how could it possibly have transport vehicles!
So the other commune had its own vehicles and fuel, plus its old resources. Although the land in the commune wasn't very fertile, as long as they found a way, their lives wouldn't be too bad.

Li Zhimin breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Su Wenchen say that.

As for Cao Jiwen, who was sent down to the countryside, he personally doesn't feel that much reluctance to part with him now.

Since they already knew how to do it, the reason they didn't proactively send it back to Longshan Farm was because they were afraid of offending Su Wenchen.

After all, it was someone else who made the connection.

Their pasture is mainly supplied to Bluewater Farm.

Moreover, as the commune that supplies feed to the Moon Rabbits, they also enjoy some benefits, such as the extra diesel subsidy they receive every year.

So when he saw Su Wenchen was about to pick him up, he felt relieved.

After all, he didn't have the physique of Lan Shuichang; they were lucky to even have enough to eat.

Seeing Li Zhimin's relaxed expression, Su Wenchen spoke directly.

"Let's go!"

"Just take our shuttle bus directly there!"

Then he shouted to Hou Guozhong, who was observing in the alfalfa field.

"Old Hou, stop studying it, get in the car and we're going to the commune."

"If you have any questions, just ask Professor Cao directly."

The site of the Dongfeng People's Commune.

As the car slowly drove in, many members looked at it curiously and started discussing it.

After all, since the shipping fleet stopped, most of the vehicles no longer come this way.

The car stopped at the commune's office.

Su Wenchen followed Li Zhimin to the other party's office with practiced ease.

After the call was connected, it was a cross-province call, so it had to be transferred, and Su Wenchen said directly.

"I am Su Wenchen from Lanshui Farm. Please transfer me to Li Mingyuan, the deputy director of the provincial government."

Li Zhimin, who was sitting opposite Su Wenchen, looked on with envy.

Damn it, when did he become so brazen as to call the deputy director of their province?
Let's not even go to the provincial capital.

As long as their regional director can be so self-righteous, that's fine, but he can only think about it.

After all, he had to run all the way to see the county head.

Soon, Su Wenchen tapped his knuckles lightly on the wooden table a few times.

A hearty laugh came from the other end of the phone.

"Xiao Su! What are you eyeing in our province again?"

Su Wenchen felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this.

"Old boss, what are you saying? Can't I just call to ask about your health?"

Li Mingyuan immediately spoke as if he were someone who had been through it all.

"Give me a break!"

"You're still in Shandong Province, and you suddenly start asking about my health? Do you think I'd believe that?"

"Get to the point. I have a meeting later. There's a ton of accounts to settle at the end of the year. Do you think everyone lives as carefree as you guys?"

Su Wenchen didn't hide anything when he heard what the other party said.

"Old leader, I'd like to transfer someone from Longshan Farm, specifically Cao Jiwen from the former provincial agricultural technical school, who has now been assigned to Longshan Farm."

After he finished speaking, Su Wenchen heard the rustling sound of writing coming from the other end of the phone.

After a moment, Li Mingyuan slowly spoke.

"Cao Jiwen?"

"What does he do? Has he come up with something useful?"

Obviously, for Li Mingyuan, if the person is useful, he definitely can't give them away, after all, the relationship between their province and Lanshui Farm is not what it used to be.

Su Wenchen naturally understood Li Mingyuan's meaning.

"Don't worry, old leader, it's nothing serious, just someone researching saline-alkali land."

"Is this the one that Longshan Farm sent to support Shandong Province back then? Aren't we planning to establish a branch farm in the Yellow River flood area now?"

"So this person is still quite useful to our farm. It's a pity that Longshan Farm sent him to Dongfeng Commune."

"Oh, I see. Please wait a moment!"

After he finished speaking, there was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Su Wenchen could only hear the rustling sound of documents being flipped through.

A moment later, Li Mingyuan's hearty laughter rang out again.

"Haha, Xiao Su, someone just brought over an important document. Were you getting impatient?"

"The person you mentioned is fine. I'll talk to Longshan and have the documents sent directly to your site."

Su Wenchen simply smiled as he listened to his former boss's attempt to cover up the truth on the other end of the phone.

It's obvious that the secretary must have checked the other party's documents to confirm that it was indeed research on saline-alkali land and pasture before agreeing to the proposal. This was clearly because they were afraid that the other party might try to conceal something and deceive people from their province.

However, Su Wenchen wasn't too surprised.

"Alright, I'll have to trouble you this time, old boss. I'll come to the provincial capital to see you when I have time!"

"Don't be like that. You're always here for something, either to try and take something from me."

Su Wenchen was immediately heartbroken.

"I'm really hurt by what you said, former boss."

"Hey, our farm has bred white pigs, and they've been growing for almost two months now. We were planning to bring a few breeding pigs to visit you in the province next year."

"It seems the provincial government probably doesn't care either, so let's just forget about it!"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, Li Mingyuan's voice immediately rose significantly.

"What? Your farm's third-generation white pigs have emerged?"

"How is your health?"

"How much genetic material is there? Can it reach the standard of being ready for slaughter at six months? If not, seven or eight months is also acceptable."

"Xiao Su!"

"Look at you, always getting impatient. What I said earlier was just nonsense. How could I not welcome you?"

"Call me in advance and I'll pick you up from the train station myself."

"I'll have your aunt cook you her signature dish then."

Su Wenchen said jokingly.

"Old boss, I'm not in a hurry, it's you who's in a hurry."

"Don't worry, once it's fully grown, as soon as the ministry issues a promotional document, I'll be the first to personally deliver it to our province."

"When you drink water, you should never forget the well-digger. I have always remembered the help you gave me in the city."

"I can't forget my old leader, no matter who I might forget."

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, Li Mingyuan's lips unconsciously curved into a smile again.

"Haha, you're trying to drug me again. Alright, my meeting is almost over, let's call it a day!"

"Write down my secretary Xiao Yu's phone number. You can contact him for small things like transferring people."

Li Mingyuan knew very well that once the genetic stability of the white pigs bred at Lanshui Farm was confirmed, the ministry would definitely promote them immediately.

However, the number of breeding pigs raised at Bluewater Farm is currently limited.

With so many provinces across the country, even if each province only had two pigs, they probably wouldn't be able to distribute them all.

Therefore, there must be a priority. In Li Mingyuan's view, what are a few people compared to a white pig that can be slaughtered in six months? Give them, they must be given.

After noting down Secretary Yu's phone number, Su Wenchen hung up.

Hearing the excited tone in his voice on the phone, Su Wenchen thought for a moment, "I can't let my old boss become a cuckold!"
How many empty promises has he made with this pig?
That seems like a bit too much!

Looks like I'll have to cash in the pie first next time before going to my old boss for a favor.

Otherwise, it would be bad if they decoupled.

After all, he figured he would still be dealing with the provincial authorities frequently in the future, and talent is always a good thing for their organization, isn't it?

After leaving Li Zhimin's office.

Su Wenchen saw that Cao Jiwen had changed into a faded dark blue Zhongshan suit inside a dilapidated wooden house.

The old man stood at the door, hesitatingly rubbing against the threshold, reluctant to step out.

Su Wenchen knew what the other party was hesitating about.

"Professor Cao Jiwen, I have just called Deputy Director Li in the province, and the documents about you will be forwarded to our farm soon."

"Don't worry, for now you'll be a branch technician on our farm."

What do you think?

Cao Jiwen, who was inside the wooden house, paused for a moment upon hearing this. "Deputy Director Li from the province?"
He only breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that it was Deputy Director Li from the province who had intervened.

So I spoke directly to Su Wenchen.

"Director Su, you can arrange it as you see fit. I'm fine with any job."

Su Wenchen nodded.

"Alright, thank you for your trouble. Come with us on this research trip. It's still early, so we can keep going and rest in Heze tonight."

As he was about to get the people into the car, Li Zhimin quickly caught up.

"Director Su, why don't you stay here for the night?"

"I was thinking of treating you all properly."

"Besides, I've already sent someone to check with the local brigades to see which family caught fish. Let's have a meal together tonight before you leave!"

Su Wenchen waved his hand.

"Director Li, I appreciate your understanding, but we're short on time for this trip. There's only a month left until the Chinese New Year, and I'm looking forward to going back to spend it with my family!"

"Let's not waste too much time."

Seeing that Su Wenchen had made up his mind, Li Zhimin didn't say anything more, but walked up to Cao Jiwen and bowed.

"Professor Cao, on behalf of our commune, thank you for your help during this time."

"Without the alkali-tolerant alfalfa you taught us to grow, we wouldn't be living such an easy life now."

The old man quickly helped Li Zhimin up.

"Director Li, you don't need to do this. Without your help, I wouldn't have had such an easy time these past two years."

"So we've each gotten what we wanted, you don't need to thank me."

As she spoke, she looked at Su Wenchen.

"Director Su, let's go!"

Su Wenchen nodded upon seeing this.

"Alright, get in the car!"

As soon as Su Wenchen opened the car door, he saw a little girl with a red hair tie running over from the drying ground in the distance.

The other person ran up to the old man, and a clear child's voice rang out.

“Grandpa Cao, these are the nectar plants you taught me to identify this year. I collected them in the fall, intending to give them to you for the New Year, but my grandma said you're leaving soon, so I can only give them to you in advance.”

After saying that, he handed a package to the old man.

Su Wenchen turned around and saw a small, square paper package wrapped in old newspaper.

The old man opened the old paper package with trembling hands. Inside were clusters of dried purple flowers. Almost every flower still contained some honey left over from wild bees' honey-gathering. After drying, tiny crystal particles had formed on the petals.

"Grandpa Cao, I picked these out myself. There's so much honey on them. If you're ever feeling down, just take a few slices, soak them in water, and drink it. It's as sweet as candy!"

"Tell me when you've finished drinking, and I'll pick some more for you next year!"

Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Even Su Wenchen sighed slightly, clearly wondering how much honey residue could be left on the petals after bees had collected their nectar.

It definitely won't be very sweet.

But the other party said it was very sweet, which clearly shows that Dongfeng Commune's life has not been as good as before since losing its shipping team in the past two years.

Even if some hay can be subsidized and exchanged for grain, it will probably only be enough to barely make ends meet, and most families will not be able to afford things like sugar.

Thinking of this, Su Wenchen felt a little heavy-hearted. He had only seen a part of the whole picture from a small part!
This is still the Yellow River floodplain with a relatively solid foundation; imagine what it must be like in the areas with a weak foundation!

(End of this chapter)