1968: Started from breeding

Chapter 331 According to you, the local area should thank us!
In response to Lu Anguo's words.

Su Wenchen pushed the enamel mug of specially brewed tea in front of Lu Anguo. The steam from the freshly brewed tea rose in the summer heat, adding to the warmth of the room.

"Director, I would be more than happy to have the research station."

"Director Cai wanted a large number of microbial samples, while Dean Lin and his team seemed to want to take this opportunity to study bio-fertilizer technology that could compete with chemical fertilizers."

“We can cooperate with all of these.”

"But there's no such thing as a free lunch—they have to offer some technical support too!"

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Lu Anguo's eyes.

"You're quite the businessman. You want others to do the work for you for free, but you also want their technical support, right?"

Su Wenchen immediately put on a wronged expression.

"Chief, how could you think of me like that!"

"What do you mean by working for us for free? We're all working for the country, so why are we always arguing about who does more or less work?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Anguo rolled his eyes and laughed and cursed.

"Alright, I know you too well. You're just after other people's technology, aren't you?"

"You're really taking this too seriously!"

"Tell me! What technology do you want from them? I'll see if I can get it for you."

Su Wenchen immediately looked embarrassed.

"Director, we don't need any advanced technology from them. We just need their microbiology institute's strain bank to be open to us."

"As grain production increases, we also plan to develop some food-related tertiary industries, such as breweries or soy sauce and vinegar factories."

"You are also familiar with this type of industry, the core of which relies on microbial fermentation technology."

"Just like the fermentation of beer, its core relies on yeast. Now, artificially selected and cultured pure yeast strains have high fermentation efficiency and stable flavor, and also avoid the presence of other bacteria in natural fermentation."

"If we wait for ourselves to select and cultivate yeast, the daylilies will probably be completely wasted."

"Also, the agricultural institute's seed bank has been a great help to our farm. Our current seeds are still selected locally."

"There is still a considerable difference between these and the high-quality varieties selected nationwide by the Agricultural Institute."

"As you know, Director, high grain yields are only partly due to good soil and fertilizer. The quality of superior seeds is also a very important factor in increasing yields."

"So, Chief, what do you think?"

Seeing that Su Wenchen looked embarrassed, he didn't hold back at all in his words.

Lu Anguo said helplessly.

"The agricultural institute will definitely have no problem, because the promotion of improved varieties is something that both they and our department need to be involved in."

"Moreover, after establishing a research station here, they will also be able to use the vast land on your farm to breed higher quality varieties."

"But it's impossible for you to have full access to the microbial culture bank!"

“The strains of bacteria are not just beneficial bacteria like yeast, but also a variety of other viruses and bacteria.”

"If it's opened to you then and something goes wrong, don't blame us, none of us can afford to take that responsibility!"

"At most, I can help you get some food fermentation strains from the strain bank; don't even think about anything else."

"But the land hasn't even been secured yet, and you've already started planning and obtaining permits to build tertiary industries?"

"Aren't you being a little too hasty?"

Su Wenchen immediately flattered him.

"Chief, I'm just trusting your abilities!"

"Since you've personally taken action, this piece of land will be a piece of cake!"

Lu Anguo snorted coldly and said in an annoyed tone.

"Don't try to flatter me. I can't guarantee this will work out!"

However, he then cheerfully picked up the teacup on the table, clearly despite saying he was unhappy.

But it's still quite pleasant to be complimented by a capable subordinate.

But the next moment!
Lu Anguo, who had just taken a sip of tea, immediately spat it out.

"Bah! Bah! Bah!"

"What kind of tea did you brew for me? It tastes awful!"

Su Wenchen was puzzled and picked up his usual tea mug, taking a sip.

"It doesn't taste bad!"

"Director, these were given to me by the people from the hand-operated machinery factory in Xuzhou when they came to deliver some workers for renovation."

"They say it's used locally to make tea that can nourish the liver and kidneys and strengthen muscles and bones!"

"It was definitely not the right way at first, but you'll get used to it after a few more sips."

"I think it really tastes good!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Anguo's face scrunched up as he stared at Su Wenchen.

"You think this tastes good? It seems the conditions here are really tough!"

"But can it really nourish the liver and kidneys?"

Su Wenchen thought for a moment and replied directly.

"It's not as miraculous as some people say. I felt it was okay to drink, but a lot of locals say so, so it might have some effect!"

Seeing this, Lu Anguo nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I'll call my boss and report this!"

"Can your phone connect directly to the ministry's dedicated line?"

Su Wenchen shook his head.

"Right now, there's only one dedicated line at the main site; the red dedicated line here hasn't been connected yet!"

Seeing Su Wenchen say this, Lu Anguo had no choice but to pick up the phone and begin the lengthy process of transferring the call from one level to another.

Su Wenchen was helpless in this situation.

This is also why he usually communicates with the headquarters through the headquarters when communicating with the department.

Because there's a dedicated line there, you can call the ministry directly.

There's no dedicated line here, so making a call to this kind of organization requires various transfers and identity verification.

If you can get through in ten minutes, that's already considered fast.

Looking around, Su Wenchen noticed thick smoke billowing from the chimney of the branch canteen and headed straight for it.

As soon as I entered the cafeteria.

Su Wenchen felt that it was almost no different from the outside, as if he had entered a steamer.

The next moment, there were various sounds like the chopping of a cleaver and the stirring of food in a large iron wok with a spatula.

The sounds of people calling out to each other mingled together, creating a very busy atmosphere.

At this moment, several tables that were originally used for eating at a table in the cafeteria have now been pushed together.

A young employee, covered in sweat, was shouting at Ren Dachuan.

"Director Ren, the people in the fields said they've finished the mung bean soup, and they're also asking if the food is ready."

"The mung bean soup in the deep well should be almost ready. I'll go check on it later and take it out and send it over to them when it's almost done!"

"Let them have some mung bean soup to tide them over!"

After Ren Dachuan finished speaking and finished writing in his notebook, he looked up and saw Su Wenchen walking in.

So he hurried over.

"Director, you've arrived!"

"Sorry, I didn't see you just now!"

Su Wenchen waved his hand and glanced at the clock hanging in the cafeteria.

"Everyone's busy, so just focus on what I'm doing and keep to your own business!"

Upon hearing this, Ren Dachuan nodded and hurriedly led his men toward the deep well at the back.

Su Wenchen pushed open the screen door to the back kitchen.

"Master Ma! How's it going? How much longer until the food is ready?"

At that moment, an experienced cook in the cafeteria, who was vigorously stir-frying food with a spatula the size of a shovel, heard Su Wenchen's words.

Turning around, he grabbed the towel hanging around his neck and said while wiping away sweat.

"Director, the steamed cornbread is almost done, and the vegetables are ready too! I'll have Director Ren call someone over in a bit, and then we can pack it up."

"Director, you haven't eaten yet either! Let me get you a serving!"

Su Wenchen nodded, looking at the ten large pots lined up along the wall inside, filled with potatoes, green beans, eggplants, and other seasonal vegetables stewed together.

Although there wasn't much meat, the broth looked quite rich and delicious because of the generous amount of oil used!
At the very least, Su Wenchen, who had been working all morning, was already feeling the rumbling in his stomach.

So I couldn't help but say it.

"Master Ma, please serve me some first! I'm actually a little hungry!"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, the master craftsman immediately nodded.

Then he stirred it with a large iron ladle and even picked out the few pieces of meat that were left in the pot for Su Wenchen.

Seeing this, Su Wenchen spoke directly.

"Don't pick out the meat for me, just beat it normally."

The old master shook his head.

"Boss, you've been working in the fields today, you need to take good care of yourself!"

Looking at the large plate of stew with its rich broth, Su Wenchen couldn't resist the temptation.

I took two steamed buns made from two kinds of dough from the steamer that had been opened to dissipate heat on the other side.

Before I even left the house, I couldn't resist picking up a piece with my chopsticks.

He then gave a thumbs-up towards the cafeteria.

"tasty!"

"You've all worked hard today. After you finish serving the food, take a good rest at noon! There's a big feast waiting for you tonight!"

Master Ma said with a smile.

"Our work in the canteen is nothing compared to the hard work of bending over and harvesting wheat in the fields!"

"But Director, are you really going to arrange for us to eat only white flour? If we eat as much as we want, we'll probably finish all the white flour we have left in our warehouse in one meal."

"Keep this for entertaining guests."

"Besides, it's such a waste for us country folk to eat wheat flour!"

"Just some mixed noodles will do."

Su Wenchen shook his head.

"As long as the food is eaten, there will be no waste!"

"Who says country folk aren't entitled to eat white flour!"

"Besides, the harvest season is tight and the task is heavy. We have to work from four or five in the morning until six or seven in the evening, so we naturally need to eat something good to make up for it."

"Moreover, while it's impossible to eat refined grains every day after the new grain is stored, we can still have extra meals during festivals and holidays!"

"Alright, you can steam it as I told you this afternoon."

Seeing that Su Wenchen had said so, the old master could only grin and laugh.

"Okay, then we'll do as the director says, and have all-white flour buns for dinner!"

Just after Su Wenchen took the food and went out.

I haven't even had a few bites yet!

Then Lu Anguo and his driver hurriedly walked in.

Seeing this, Su Wenchen put down his chopsticks and said.

"Chief, you finished the call so quickly!"

"Perfect timing, our cafeteria food is ready too!"

Watching Su Wenchen eat heartily, Lu Anguo's stomach suddenly began to protest.

He sat down directly opposite Su Wenchen and said in an annoyed tone.

"You're really fast, kid. I was just making a phone call and you were already eating!"

"If Xiao Wu hadn't seen you come to the cafeteria, I wouldn't have been able to find you."

"Alright, stop eating, the boss is waiting for you!"

"Go answer the phone!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately inquired.

"My boss is looking for me!"

"Director, can you give me a heads-up? How's the boss feeling?"

"If I'm in a bad mood, I'll call him back later."

Lu Anguo rolled his eyes.

"Get out of the way! I haven't even hung up the phone. I thought you were right at the door!"

"So your boss is still waiting for you over there!"

"If you're not in a hurry, then make the boss wait!"

As he spoke, he picked up another cornbread from Su Wenchen's bowl.

Then he moved the dishes to his own front.

Su Wenchen was speechless as he watched Lu Anguo actually eating the food from his plate.

"Director, that's too inconsiderate of you! I've already eaten!" Lu Anguo waved his hand.

"When we were feeling down before, we would all share a dish from the same plate!"

"I didn't even complain about you, and you're complaining about me!"

"Okay, let's go!"

"Otherwise, if you get impatient, don't say I didn't warn you!"

Seeing this, Su Wenchen didn't dare to delay and stuffed the cornbread in his hand into his mouth in a few bites.

She glanced helplessly at Lu Anguo, then quickly walked back to her office.

When he picked up the phone from the table, he could even hear faint breathing sounds amidst the static.

After clearing his throat, Su Wenchen spoke respectfully.

"Boss, I am Su Wenchen."

"Director Lu said you have something to tell me!"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's response, a deep yet somewhat relaxed voice came from the other end of the phone.

"What? You've given me a ton of work, and now I can't even ask you for help?"

Upon hearing the tone of the voice on the phone, Su Wenchen immediately feigned grievance.

"Boss, you can't just falsely accuse someone!"

"Our director brought people here on his own initiative, and the Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences also volunteered to set up research stations here!"

"It has little to do with our farm."

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, a deep voice immediately came from the phone.

"Oh! So those lands were all proposed by Lu Anguo himself?"

"Then I'll have to give him a good talking-to. How could he assign you such a heavy task?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately responded with righteous indignation.

"Don't worry, leader. We're not afraid of heavy tasks. No matter how heavy the task is, we will definitely do our best to complete it!"

Upon hearing this, a sound of a teacup being put down immediately came from the phone.

"Hmph! Slippery!"

"Aren't you afraid of a heavy task? If you hadn't suggested it, would Lu Anguo have arranged this for you directly?"

"Alright, I'm not going to argue with you anymore!"

"I heard from Lu Anguo that the data from your experimental fields shows that the treated saline-alkali land has achieved a yield of 500 jin per mu?"

"Can you guarantee this production volume going forward?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen quickly offered an explanation.

"Sir, this is data from the experimental field. How can we possibly guarantee the accuracy of this data in the future?"

"You should also know that this small experimental plot is naturally easy to take care of."

“Weeding, fertilizing, watering, even if you take care of things very carefully, it just takes up a few more people.”

"But how could such conditions be achieved once large-scale planting begins!"

"Boss, I'll be honest with you, this yield of 500 jin per mu is all thanks to the careful tending of the crops by several experienced farmers we found every day!"

"However, this land was indeed improved from saline-alkali land. The purpose was just to confirm the maximum yield that the improved land could achieve."

For Su Wenchen, he certainly couldn't guarantee this output directly.

Because he was very clear about the differences between experimental land and normal planting.

As he knows, the highest yield in the country's experimental fields can reach 700 jin per mu.

But that's only because the land is fertile enough, the fertilizer supply is plentiful, and the best seeds available are produced.

Then Su Wenchen scratched his head again.

"Besides, leader, the yield of over 500 jin per mu in this saline-alkali land sounds good when reported to higher authorities, don't you think?"

"However, I can't guarantee a yield of 500 jin per mu, but I can definitely guarantee that the yield here will double to the national average of 200 jin per mu!"

According to Su Wenchen's understanding, the average yield of wheat per mu in the country is now only around 200 jin.

The corn yield is a bit higher, but it's only about 300 jin (150 kg).

Of course, this is the average yield per acre.

He was well aware that grain production in the Northeast was far higher than this figure, but in some mountainous areas of the Southwest, the yield was far lower.

Like this area in the Yellow River flood plain, the yield per mu used to fluctuate around 100 jin, which was a drag on the national average!
Hearing Su Wenchen say this, the old man on the other end of the phone immediately felt relieved.

What he feared most was that Su Wenchen would lose his temper and start spouting nonsense!
As the department in charge of the nation's agriculture, he was naturally aware of the difference between laboratory outputs and the outputs of normal land.

It was precisely because he knew this that he wanted to call and confirm.

He was actually afraid that this promising junior would lose himself and make promises carelessly once he started to take charge of the results.

It seems that Su Wenchen is still maintaining the same style he had at the beginning.

Although he often makes empty promises, he prioritizes stability when it comes to actually getting things done.

This way he would feel relieved.

So he said it directly.

"So, you're sure you want to take over this mess of saline-alkali land nearby?"

"You should know that there will be performance targets every year going forward!"

“Your farm was not a grain farm before, so you didn’t have a grain production quota.”

“Your branch farm was only established at the beginning of this year, so the task standard for you this year is simply to be self-sufficient.”

"But if the remaining two million mu are allocated to you, you will have to take on certain grain procurement tasks!"

"Furthermore, there will be no large-scale mechanical support for you in the future."

Are you sure you want so much land?

Su Wenchen patted his chest and said.

"Don't worry, leader. Our reclamation of saline-alkali land is precisely to help the country solve its difficulties. How can we keep relying on the country for support?"

"only"

Before he could finish speaking, a cold snort came from the other end of the phone.

"I knew you had something going on. I can tell what you're planning just by the way you stick your butt out!"

"Don't be pretentious, just tell me directly."

Su Wenchen chuckled.

"Boss, you're such a high-ranking leader, how can you still use such vulgar language!"

"We can't offer support from the government, but we should at least get some policy support!"

"Without support from above, our progress will definitely slow down. We can't start with a procurement target of two million mu per year!"

"If that's the case, then you might as well just take my life!"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's shameless words, the old man said in an annoyed tone.

"What use is your life to me? Can I exchange it for food?"

"Don't worry, the grain procurement quotas are definitely set based on your actual annual land reclamation progress."

"As for policy, what kind of policy support do you want?"

Su Wenchen's eyes darted around.

"Don't worry, sir, it's definitely not a policy that would cause you any trouble!"

"It's nothing major, just that we might develop some tertiary industries in the future, and we hope the ministry can help us purchase some equipment or something."

The old man took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead.

"What kind of trouble are you planning now!"

"Can't you just give me a break? You want to develop tertiary industries? What are you planning to do?"

Su Wenchen whispered.

"It's not about developing any major industry. It's just that when we have a lot of output, it's definitely not as good as processing it ourselves as we can sell the raw materials directly!"

"As you know, leader, with so much land in our branch, we'll definitely need more people."

"With so many people, there's a high chance they won't receive the same salary as the main branch, so I have to plan ahead!"

"Otherwise, it's one thing to not pay wages, but we can't also not have benefits or even housing for employees!"

"Furthermore, leader, think about it, aren't the products we produce mainly supplied to the local area? And our tertiary industries, whether agriculture or animal husbandry, are most likely food-related."

"When you talk to the local leaders, this will make things easier for you, won't it? We're not taking their land for nothing."

"We proactively helped them with logistical work, saving them time and effort!"

The old man was speechless upon hearing this.

"According to you, the local people should thank us!"

However, after thinking it over, the old man felt that he could really talk to them like that, and maybe he wouldn't have to pay anything and could even get their support!
Now he feels that this kid's verbal skills are almost as good as his own breeding techniques.

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen patted his chest and affirmed.

"No need for thanks, we're all working for the country, how can we expect people to thank us!"

Hearing this, the old man felt he had learned a trick, but he still snorted coldly.

"Alright, you're always so quick-witted. When you're developing your tertiary industries, come find me again, and I might help you make some connections!"

"But let me tell you, don't expand your operations too much."

"Are you alright now?"

Su Wenchen quickly spoke up at this moment.

"Please don't rush, sir, I have one last thing to do."

The old man said helplessly.

"It's almost done!"

"The ministry isn't made by landlords or rich people!"

Su Wenchen quickly explained.

"No, it's something else important. Our branch is starting to develop."

"But things are different here compared to the main site. There's no one here who can handle things, which means I can't leave at all!"

Then, looking somewhat pitiful, she said.

"Boss, my wife is about to give birth, and I haven't seen her for three or four months."

"This month is my wife's due date, and I don't even know if the baby has been born yet."

"Do you think the ministry should consider sending someone capable of handling things over here?"

"We can't push people to their deaths!"

For Su Wenchen, he really wanted to find someone like Zhang Zhenhua who could help him share some of the burden at the branch venue.

That way, at least he won't be tied up here all year round.

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, the old man felt a little guilty and said...

"Xiao Su, this is indeed a lack of consideration on the part of the department. I will seriously consider selecting someone to help you share some of the workload. However, as you know, you are still the core of Blue Water Farm."

"Especially now that so much land has been allocated to you, you still have to take responsibility!"

"Uh, I have a meeting later!"

"That's it for today!"

After saying that, the old man hung up the phone feeling guilty, because he had run into the other party's father-in-law in the yard earlier, and the other party had asked him to help take care of him.

That girl is about to give birth.

He promised so readily, but now his wife is about to give birth, and he's still tied up at the branch farm.

Although it wasn't his arrangement, the old man still couldn't help feeling a little guilty.

Su Wenchen hung up the phone, somewhat suspicious.

Why did he feel that the leader seemed a little guilty at the end? Was it because he forgot to assign someone to share his workload?

After putting down the phone.

After talking for a while, Su Wenchen casually picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of Runrunhou tea.

"Pooh!"

"What the hell!"

"How can it taste so awful!"

Then it dawned on him that this seemed to be the tea he had brewed for Lu Anguo!

Su Wenchen looked closely and found that the half-drunk water contained something that didn't seem to be what he usually used to make tea.

He was a little stunned at that moment, so he had taken the wrong one.

Since he already had some in his office cup, he only gave Director Lu a small handful of tea.

Add medicinal herbs that are similar in shape.

And he was talking to Lu Anguo the whole time, so it seems he didn't really look closely!

Thinking of this, Su Wenchen couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

"So I soaked the rabbit-specific growth feed in water and gave it to Director Lu to drink?"

"No wonder Director Lu said it tasted so bad!"

"But they're all medicinal herbs, Director Lu should be fine, right?"

Seeing that the feed water was already half-empty, Su Wenchen decided it was best not to tell the bureau chief about this.

Otherwise, he was afraid that when the bureau chief came over, he wouldn't have any appetite for food!
(End of this chapter)