1968: Started from breeding

Chapter 335 Zhenye! How have I treated your commune before?
mid-July.

The office fan whirred as Su Wenchen reviewed rough data on saline-alkali land from various counties.

Guo Xiangyang hurriedly pushed the door open and came in.

"Director! Director!"

After arriving in front of Su Wenchen, Guo Xiangyang first picked up the large tea mug on the table and took a big gulp.

Su Wenchen asked curiously.

"Old Guo, what's the matter that's causing such a rush? This isn't like you."

Guo Xiangyang wiped the water from his mouth and said urgently.

"Director, they can't hold back any longer!"

"Just now, the offices of Xuzhou and Suxian notified our office that their leaders wish to have further discussions with us regarding the division of saline-alkali land among the four counties."

"They asked if we had time tomorrow!"

"Director, judging from the information we have now, the four counties must have reached an agreement in private before coming here!"

"What should we do? Should we postpone this for a few more days?"

Su Wenchen closed the file and shook his head with a smile.

"Some things are best done in moderation; enough is enough."

"Go and tell them that we'll be there to welcome them tomorrow morning!"

"I will be receiving leaders from two regions, and you will be responsible for talking to leaders from four counties."

Upon hearing that Su Wenchen had entrusted this matter to him, Guo Xiangyang expressed some concern.

"Director, what if all four of them have the same request?"

Su Wenchen smiled.

"Then let's postpone it a little longer!"

"Moreover, it's impossible for them to be truly of one mind. Although these four counties are located in similar positions, their resources vary greatly."

"Some days are alright, but others are very difficult."

"Those who are living well are naturally not afraid, but those who are living in hardship don't want to wait even a day longer and are eager to get out of the mire!"

"At this point, you're telling them to consider the bigger picture for the sake of the neighboring counties? Do you really think they'll agree?"

Hearing Su Wenchen say that, Guo Xiangyang shook his head.

"That's impossible. If it were me, I would definitely prioritize the interests of my own company, unless they promise to give our company more!"

Su Wenchen shrugged.

"So you see! When it comes to interests, there are no permanent alliances—they ended up getting entangled with each other."

Noon the next day.

Two jeeps were parked on the side of the road, one in front of the other.

It seems that someone is waiting on this only road leading to the first branch of Bluewater Farm.

Two cadres wearing Zhongshan suits with four pockets were leaning against the back of the car, their chests open due to the heat, and a cigarette dangling from their mouths, seeking refuge from the shade.

"Old Shi, a few days ago Wang Rongshan from Dangshan said we should stand together through thick and thin. What is your Fengxian County's view on this matter?"

Shi Yingduan, who had attended the event when the Blue Water Branch was being built, responded with a smile upon hearing this.

"Isn't this a good thing? It can also bring benefits to our four counties, so I definitely agree!"

"Old Li, do you have a different opinion? I didn't see you bring up the matter at the discussion meeting a few days ago!"

Upon hearing this, Li Kun pursed his lips.

"A cunning old fox!"

Did he have a different opinion? He wanted to see what people in Feng County were really thinking, so he could be mentally prepared.

After all, he knew that although everyone verbally agreed, it was all just talk.

But when it comes to real interests, who cares about whom?

Since they're not in a superior-subordinate relationship, they don't even need to give each other an explanation. Anyone who wants to advance will prioritize the development of their own county.

Upon hearing what the director of Pei County said, Shi Yingduan replied with a smile.

"We're all in the same boat. So, Lao Li, if Peixian County provides us with 100 tons of coal this year, how about I tell you what's on my mind?"

Upon hearing this, Li Kun rolled his eyes and pointed to himself.

Do you think I'm a sucker?

"One hundred tons? I think you've got heatstroke; you're dreaming in broad daylight!"

Director Shi was not disappointed.

"One hundred tons is fine, even if it's only fifty tons."

The other party simply waved his hand.

"Get lost! Want five pounds?"

"Okay, I'll use it sparingly, and it'll last me a couple of days in the winter. Remember to bring it to my office then!"

Upon hearing this, the other party was speechless.

"Has Feng County become so poor that it's even willing to take advantage of five jin of coal?"

"Hmph, it's easy for you people from Pei County to talk like that without knowing what's going on. You live by the lake and mine coal! Of course you can use coal to exchange for what the county needs."

"Our county may have the largest land area, but if we're talking about a local specialty that people are familiar with, it would probably be saline-alkali land."

"How can we feed so many people in our county if we don't plan carefully?"

“Now, every year when I go to the regional meeting at the end of the year, the leaders treat me like I’m a plague god.”

Li Kun naturally knew the reason; after all, no one would greet a subordinate who came every day asking for help with a smile.

So all he could do was pat the other person on the shoulder.

But they didn't mention a single word about providing support!

Although their lives were indeed a little better, the improvement was limited. The coal they mined had to be allocated by higher authorities according to plan, and the amount that could be retained for replacement each year was very limited.

They rely almost entirely on this small amount of coal to get through each year; giving it to others is absolutely out of the question.

Seeing that he had been playing the victim for so long, but the other party was still unmoved, he felt extremely helpless.

They're all so stingy!

These brother counties are no real brothers at all; they're not even as good brothers as Blue Water Farm!

At least other people lent them a few tractors to help haul wheat during the summer harvest.

He played the victim for so long, but in the end he only got five pounds of coal!
Just as the two were playing mind games with each other, two cars followed by two jeeps slowly drove towards them from a distance.

After peeking out, the two men quickly took two deep drags on their cigarettes, then threw them on the ground and stomped them out.

He buttoned his clothes as he stepped out from the shade behind the car.

It seemed they saw two people in a jeep parked on the side of the road.

The convoy that drove up also stopped directly on the side of the road.

After Liu Guangde, wearing a short-sleeved white shirt, got out of a car, he called out to the back.

"Old Liang, come down and have a smoke and rest for a bit. We'll be at someone's farm soon."

After saying that, he took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed it to the leaders from Fengxian and Peixian who were walking over.

"You two must have been getting impatient, right!"

The two walked over and immediately shook their heads.

"Director, we've only been here a short time!"

Liu Guangde smiled, knowing that the other party must not have just arrived.

As the car behind them pulled out, a middle-aged man in a white shirt and glasses offered them a cigarette.

"Old Liang, this old car in your area really needs replacing. It's stalled so many times on the way here!"

"By the time we get to their workplace, it'll probably be noon. Who goes to discuss business during lunchtime?"

After accepting the cigarette, the other person also showed a helpless expression.

"You think I don't want to change?"

"But our Suxian area is not like yours. It has a strong industrial base, is backed by a transportation hub, and the local government also manages coal mines!"

"We finally discovered several large coalfields within our jurisdiction, but it just turned out to be under the jurisdiction of the province!"

"For poor people like us who can only make a living by toiling in the fields, having a car to drive is already a blessing!"

Hearing the other person's complaints, although he felt that from the other person's perspective it was indeed very unlucky, he certainly wouldn't say much about it.

So he immediately changed the subject.

"What are you going to say later? What are your thoughts on that side?"

Upon hearing Liu Guangde's words, the other party shook his head.

"Our region doesn't interfere much in this matter; we just need the two sides to reach an agreement on their own."

"After all, it's saline-alkali land in their county, so let them negotiate it themselves! Whether they succeed or fail, it's up to them to decide!"

"What? Do you have any thoughts on this?"

Liu Guangde shook his head.

“Our current development is mainly focused on the areas surrounding the city, so we can’t take care of this area right now, which I’m naturally happy to see.”

"Otherwise, we'd have to send relief grain here every year, which would be a huge headache for our city!"

The two people who got out of the two jeeps behind them did not move closer to the two leaders, but instead walked to Shi Yingduan and Li Kun.

The leaders of Dangshan County spoke first.

"So, what do you think of what I said earlier? Do you agree?"

"I think the four counties need to agree on one thing: if their farms want our land, they have to meet our conditions! No one should back down!"

"This is good for both of us!"

"Besides, I heard that their alkaline rabbits are very precious, and they eat a lot of medicinal herbs. If we don't cooperate, where will they find so many saline-alkali lands?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Guohua from Xiao County rolled his eyes and nodded.

"That's right, we must unite this time so that we can force the farm to make concessions!"

Shi Yingduan nodded with a smile.

"In principle, we will definitely stand with the four counties!"

Li Kun shrugged.

"Anyway, Peixian County mainly has riverbank land and not much saline-alkali land, so we don't really care!"

Seeing that they had agreed on the surface, the other party immediately nodded.

"Then it's settled, we'll stand together through thick and thin!"

After the group reached a preliminary consensus, they got into the car one after another after finishing a cigarette and headed straight for Blue Water Farm.

When the convoy entered the first branch of Lanshui Farm, Su Wenchen, along with Guo Xiangyang and several other branch leaders, greeted them at the entrance.

After getting off the bus, Su Wenchen noticed that among the group of people, only Liu Guangde and a middle-aged man were wearing white short-sleeved shirts.

He immediately went up to the road.

"Director Liu, welcome to our farm!"

The other person reached out and shook hands with Su Wenchen.

"Haha, Director Su, it's great to see you again! Let me introduce you!"

"This is Comrade Liang Huashu, Director of the Revolutionary Committee of Suxian District."

After Liu Guangde's introduction, Su Wenchen immediately shook hands with him.

"Director Liang, welcome to our farm!"

The other party also smiled and said.

"Oh, no, you're only arriving now. Your farm must have been waiting for a long time!"

"We're the ones who've caused you trouble this time!"

Su Wenchen quickly shook his head modestly.

"What trouble is there? We would be more than happy to have our comrades from Suxian and Xuzhou come!"

"But it's too hot here, so let's not stand outside in the sun!"

"Let's go to the conference room first and have a cup of herbal tea to cool off!" he said to Guo Xiangyang and the others beside him.

"Old Guo, along with the farm's cadres, hosted the comrades who came from both sides."

After saying that, he gestured for them to go inside.

"Director Liu, Director Liang, please!"

After Su Wenchen and the two supervisors walked ahead, Guo Xiangyang and the branch cadres greeted the people behind them.

"Comrades in the county, let's follow suit!"

"We've prepared refreshing herbal tea, chilled in a well, for everyone in the conference room!"

"Everyone, follow me!"

As he spoke, he led his men to follow Su Wenchen ahead.

However, Shi Yingduan from Feng County suddenly clutched his stomach as he looked at the people in front of him.

"Ouch!"

"Deputy Director Guo, my stomach isn't feeling well, I need to go to the restroom first, you can go ahead!"

"I need Lao Yang to take me to the restroom!"

Guo Xiangyang could not stop the other party from saying that.

He could only nod.

"Alright then, Comrade Zhenye, you go with Director Shi!"

"Just bring him to the conference room then!"

After saying that, he also spoke towards the front.

"Comrades, let's go! The leaders will get impatient!"

On the other side, Li Kun from Pei County watched Shi Yingduan's hurried departure and rolled his eyes suspiciously.

He deliberately lingered at the very back of the group, watching as Guo Xiangyang was entertaining Wang Rongshan from Dangshan County.

He immediately chased after Shi Yingduan ahead.

The public toilet in the branch office, next to the urinal.

After Shi Yingduan finished relieving herself, she spoke directly to Yang Zhenye, who was standing next to her.

"Zhenye! How have I treated your commune before?"

Yang Zhenye had a premonition from the very beginning when he was pulled in!
So he forced himself to say it.

"Old leader, you certainly have nothing to say about our commune!"

"But now..."

He was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

"Zhenye!"

"Although you now belong to the farm, in my heart you will always be a person from our county."

“Life is really tough in our county right now. This year, apart from the few communes around the county that have dug drainage ditches, the rest of the counties have not even reached 90 jin per mu.”

"Your lives are good now, but the neighboring communes are still starving!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenye immediately looked troubled.

"Old boss, please don't make things difficult for me. I know what you want to ask me."

"But if I reveal it, how am I supposed to continue working here!"

Shi Yingduan patted the other person on the shoulder and quickly comforted him.

"I know you're worried, but if you don't tell me and I don't tell anyone else, who else will know?"

"And you can pick out some things you can talk about, like things that your Director Su didn't order to be leaked!"

Seeing that the time was almost up, Yang Zhenye remained silent for a moment before immediately putting on a troubled expression.

"Hey old boss, don't tell anyone else that I said this!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Yingduan immediately nodded in assurance.

"Don't worry, it's only known to heaven, earth, you, and me. There will absolutely be no third person who knows!"

"Besides, don't you know what kind of person I am? Do you think I'm the kind of person who would betray my subordinates?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenye immediately rolled his eyes; he knew his old leader all too well.

If betraying him would benefit the county, then they would definitely sell him without hesitation!

Without a single minute of hesitation!

Fortunately, he wasn't afraid of these things, since their director had already anticipated it. So he looked towards the door and whispered.

"Old leader, we actually knew a long time ago that the four counties were planning to join forces and advance or retreat together."

"Therefore, Director Su has decided to play along and only reach an agreement with one county this time!"

Upon hearing Yang Zhenye's words, Shi Yingduan looked at him suspiciously.

"Are you sure you're not lying to me? Didn't the province say you wanted two million mu? How could there be so much saline-alkali land in just one county?"

Yang Zhenye said helplessly.

"Old boss, I swear everything I said is true! And it was all told to us privately by our director!"

"Besides, we all know you're going to ask for an exorbitant price, so why would we be stupid enough to just wait to be ripped off?"

"I swear on my integrity, not a single word of this is made up; it was all our director's true plan at the time!"

After saying that, he added a sentence in his mind.

Although I didn't make it up, based on what he knew, their director's plans were always very flexible!

So he couldn't decide what to do in the end. Since the director had asked him to reveal the details, he naturally wouldn't hide anything.

Upon hearing Yang Zhenye's words, Shi Yingduan frowned slightly.

If we really only choose to cooperate with one county, then things will be very difficult.

The initiative can be reversed in an instant.

They ended up having to beg!
Moreover, he thought about it and realized that if he were the leader of the farm, this would undoubtedly be a good solution given the current situation.

Furthermore, this is also an open strategy.

Even if they find out, what can they do?

Just toss your head and say you're done talking?
Other counties might be able to do it, but not theirs!

God knows how excited he was when he first heard that Blue Water Farm was willing to take over all the severely saline-alkali land improvement projects in the county.

Even if there are no benefits, it's still good to get rid of some burdens!

As a place that almost always needs support from above, he had long wanted to get rid of this predicament of being heavily indebted.

Otherwise, if anyone wanted to attend a meeting there, others would avoid them like the plague.

They were afraid he would ask for help.

So if Blue Water Farm really changes its mind, Feng County must secure this one and only spot.

Fortunately, he found out in advance; otherwise, if the other party had announced it after the negotiations had started!
Their alliance, looser than sand, could easily crumble into infighting.

At that time, as the ones with the fewest resources, their chances of reaching an agreement will be greatly reduced.

Thinking of this, he glanced at Yang Zhenye.

"Zhenye, you haven't told anyone about this, have you? How many people in your company know about it?"

Yang Zhenye shook his head.

"Old boss, to be honest with you, I definitely wouldn't have said this if you hadn't asked me to!"

"Moreover, in our branch, only Director Su, Deputy Director Guo, Ren Dachuan and I know about this."

"Don't worry about anyone else, I won't reveal a single word!"

"However, once we start discussing this, we certainly won't hide anything!"

Shi Yingduan patted the other person on the shoulder.

"Zhenye, I'll remember this favor you did for me."

"No matter what, our county will definitely remember this favor!"

Yang Zhenye waved his hand.

"Old boss, you're being a bit too polite by saying that."

"I couldn't bear to see the surrounding communes continue to struggle, especially now that there's such an opportunity, and our county can't compare with the other counties."

"And let me tell you, old leader, the highest yield of our improved saline-alkali land can reach 500 jin per mu."

"Think about it, even if our county doesn't receive the same level of meticulous care as the experimental fields, a yield of 300 jin per mu is still a sure thing!"

"Besides, this is wheat, a refined grain, not corn, a coarse grain!"

Shi Yingduan was genuinely shocked upon hearing this data.

All he knew was that the more than 10,000 mu of land where drainage ditches had been dug could yield more than 200 jin per mu.

Although it was a little more than the output of their county, this was the output after the use of fertilizer, which he considered normal.

However, if saline-alkali land treated with rabbit manure can achieve a yield of 500 jin per mu.

This was something he never even dared to dream of!
Even if they can't take care of things as meticulously as the other party said, a yield of 300 jin per mu is still a great thing for them!
The main problem is that the amount of work involved in digging canals is too large. They have large areas of saline-alkali land that have been left uncultivated and cannot be managed.

With that in mind, he decided that this matter could not be delayed any longer, and he had better talk to Blue Water Farm privately.

As for the previous joint advance and retreat!

Sorry, they can't afford to gamble.

Other counties might dare to gamble, but they can't, because they have no other industries and even need annual relief from the region.

For him, it's best to settle things smoothly and reach a satisfactory agreement.

At this point, the initial thought of taking advantage of the situation vanished instantly.

The two had just stepped out of the public restroom.

Shi Yingduan then saw Li Kun walking towards them.

His face instantly changed color.

"Old Li, when did you get here!"

Li Kun looked puzzled.

"What do you mean, 'when did I get here'? Do I have to report to you if I go to the bathroom?"

"When did you become so nosy!"

Hearing this, Shi Yingduan breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's nothing! I just wondered why you weren't with me earlier."

"Alright, hurry up and go!"

"Don't keep the boss waiting!"

After saying that, he walked towards the conference room with Yang Zhenye.

At the entrance of the venue, after Shi Yingduan returned, she found only Wang Rongshan and Guo Xiangyang and immediately asked in surprise.

"Hey, where is everyone?!"

"Why is it just the two of you?"

The other person rolled their eyes.

"What else could it be? Probably went to relieve themselves!"

"Old Li left without saying a word, and Old Zhao followed after him. Do they all have prostate problems?"

However, upon hearing this, Shi Yingduan felt...

"Huh? I only saw Old Li go to the toilet!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhao Guohua, wiping his sweat, walked back with Li Kun.

"Sorry, I took a slight detour and was delayed for a bit! Let's hurry inside!"

Guo Xiangyang smiled when he saw this.

"Let's go in! This time, no one should get left behind!"

(End of this chapter)