1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 395 The teacher who set the exam questions took the exam—cheating!
Jerome explained to Ronan the importance of tourists, which famous people in Provence were rosé enthusiasts, the acceptance of different types of wine in various towns, and the specific circumstances of their major clients.
The former owner of Stella Artois shared his decades of experience with Ronan without reservation.

While Ronan was rapidly absorbing knowledge, he also purchased three large-capacity fermenters, a plate and frame filter press, and a testing system. After a 30% discount, the price was over 180,000 francs, but Jerome only asked Ronan for 150,000.

Including the previous 55,000, Ronan bought a total of 205,000 francs worth of equipment from Jerome.

“之后你需要改造一间自然控温室，再买1-2套去梗压榨机、2-3台手动灌装机、3套封蜡工具和一套消毒设备.差不多够了。”杰罗姆贴心的对罗南说，“我帮你找购买渠道。”

Jerome also has a temperature control system for sale, but I don't know why it wasn't included in the price list.

"Isn't that temperature control equipment for sale?" Ronan remembered Jerome saying that the temperature control equipment was the most advanced.

Jerome chuckled twice:
"I've already fallen into a pit, so I'm helping you clear the mines, right? Converting it into a natural temperature control room is enough. You don't need to buy that equipment that costs over 2 yuan. I'll sell it to someone else."

Before Ronan could react, Jerome pushed him out of the equipment room:
"Alright, we've finished looking at the equipment. Let's go back and talk more. While I'm still in Provence, I'll help you out in any way I can."

Ronan arrived in the morning, but he stayed in Papal New Castle for the entire day, having lunch and then dinner. He didn't leave until sunset.

"Take a look at the contract quickly, don't forget to get this most important thing done." Ronan urged Jerome to get down to business.

Jerome focused all his energy on sharing his experience today; he didn't even glance at the contract.

Ronan felt he was exceptionally lucky.

When opening the restaurant, the experienced Mr. Jacques helped him handle various qualification issues and avoided many common mistakes.

Now he's in contact with wineries far more complex than restaurants, and the owner of the best rosé winery in Provence is offering his "all-encompassing assistance." Equipment is cheaper than 3% of the original price, experience is given away for free, and Jerome will find the cheapest and best things Ronan needs.

This made Ronan completely embarrassed to "bargain" with Jerome.

While Jerome reviewed the contract, Ronan quickly calculated the amount of money he currently had.

如果80万经营费用不变，减去已经确认的20万5千设备款，那么还剩29万5000。

At 5 francs per destemmed press, buying two more would cost 10 francs.

Manual filling machine: 7000/unit; 3 units: 21000.

The price of sealing wax tools is around 4500 francs, and 3 sets cost 13500 francs.

The disinfection equipment is 12000.

After buying all of these, Ronan would still have around 15 yuan left to purchase other supplies, such as bottles, labels, etc.

However, the funds and labor costs for purchasing grapes will have to come from one's own savings.

At the end of March, Ronan had 750,000 in savings, and this figure would certainly be higher by September, so it wasn't entirely unbearable.
"Oh, by the way, have you finalized your planting manager, winemaking manager, and marketing manager?" Jerome had just glanced at the contract when he remembered something important.

Ronan shook his head and said:
"No, not yet. However, we don't need a person in charge of the cultivation for the time being. I will be buying grapes from farmers in Lourmarin later. As for the winemaker, we have someone in mind for now, but we haven't found a person in charge of the marketing yet."

Jerome thought for a moment, then said somewhat awkwardly:

"I forget if it was the government that supported you in opening a winery, but in the long run, it would be best if the winery could be paired with more vineyards. Combining the two would greatly increase the value of both the winery and the vineyards. Ordinary farmland is cheaper than vineyards, remote vineyards are cheaper than vineyards around farmhouses, and vineyards around farmhouses are cheaper than vineyards near wineries. And vineyards near wineries in general wine regions are cheaper than vineyards near wineries in excellent wine regions."

Jerome shrugged:

"If you are confident in the future development of Lourmarin, you should consider this issue. You should know that house and land prices in Provence have been rising rapidly recently."

Ronan smiled and shook his head, saying nothing.

Where am I supposed to get the money to buy land?

The wineries were all started with financial assistance from others.
Jerome said worriedly:
"Market managers try to find those who are familiar with coastal cities, which are the largest rosé wine markets in Provence before new sales channels are opened up."

“Thank you, Jerome.” Ronan was so grateful he didn’t know what to say.

This guy really thinks only of himself!

Forget it, let's just exchange Jerome's valuable experience for the 30. Ronan decided to harass this guy frequently from now on.

Thinking of retiring and living in Madrid?
no way!

The clock struck 7 p.m., and Ronan had to go back.

"Have you finished reading the contract?" Ronan asked for what seemed like the umpteenth time.

Jerome would glance at it and then change the subject, never paying any attention to it.

“Oh dear, I can’t possibly understand these complicated terms. I’ll call my lawyer over tomorrow and take a look.” Jerome put the contract on the table.

Ronan thought about it and agreed that it made sense.

Then he had the legally savvy staff that Blanco provided connect him with Jerome's lawyer; the two of them only needed to discuss some details of the transaction.

For example, are the number of devices and the amount just handwritten correct? What are the contents of the transaction between the two parties?

Ronan did a quick check-up before leaving.

The destemmed press machine is 50000, that's right.

The grape conveyor belt has a capacity of 5000, no problem.

The detection system is rated 30000; the number is correct.

Below is the section on the transfer of operating rights and the granting of trademarks. Well, Ronan couldn't understand the detailed legal terms; he only needed to look at the numbers.

80000, yes, that's right, 80 francs.

Wait a minute!

1, 2, 3, 44 zeros?

There were originally five zeros there, but someone crossed one out with a pen.

“This number is wrong.” Ronan held up the contract. “My colleagues in the Lourmaran government told me that they were talking to you about 80.”

Jerome stretched lazily:
"But the buyers have changed now."

Ronan waved his hand while searching for a pen, wanting to change the numbers there:

"Even if it's a different buyer, the price is still the same. You said it was 50 before. If you want to give me a discount, then it's 50."

Jerome pressed Ronan's pen down:

“The price of 50 was for Gabriel, but now the buyer is you, Stesca. Do you know how happy I am that you found a buyer? Moreover, you have the help of the Lourmaran government and the Vaucluse provincial government. You will definitely make Stesca even better.”

Seeing that Ronan was still going to resist, Jerome said in a joking tone:

“Alright, kid, do you know how much my 50 hectares of vineyards can sell for now? You're not just pitying this old man because he doesn't have money to retire, are you?” “How many hectares?” Ronan’s voice involuntarily rose several octaves.

This is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the most important AOC wine region in Provence. Do you have 50 hectares of vineyards here?
Ronan found it ridiculous to argue with Jerome, who was worth millions, about the 400,000-plus franc operating fee.

Vineyards in the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are priced at 250,000-400,000 francs per hectare, about three times the land price in Lourmarin.

This poor kid shouldn't try to be tough with the big landlord. Just take it obediently.

Indeed, no matter the era, landlords are always the most envied!
After Ronan left, Jerome started drinking alone, showing no sign of stopping.

"Still drinking? You've been drinking all day," Jerome's wife said reproachfully to her husband as she glanced at the time.

Jerome chuckled and said:

"I'm happy today, so drink more."

"Are you really happy?" his wife said sarcastically. "You can put on an act for others, but why are you putting on an act for me? Those trees in the yard, the equipment in the factory, which one of them doesn't have your tears on it?"

Jerome poured himself another glass of wine:

"In the past, I pretended to be indifferent in front of outsiders, but today I am really happy. My dear, our Stella has found the best owner. It will definitely get better and better in the future."

A little later.

Avignon, not far from Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Juliet received the application from Ronan during the day, but she didn't open it in her office. She took it home that evening and then opened it.

The experimental field project actually had nothing to do with the Ministry of Agriculture, nor was it within Juliet's job responsibilities.

Finding a 'sugar daddy' for Ronan was purely a favor.

Juliet opened the application Ronan had written, and laughed after reading only the first line.

Is this kid writing an application for experimental fields or a 'work report' for the Ministry of Agriculture? What kind of stuff is this?!

She glanced at the time; it wasn't too late yet, so she called Ronan's house.

Upon hearing that it was Juliet on the other end, Ronan immediately asked excitedly:
"You received it so quickly?"

Julietella pulled on the telephone cord and said:

"It's no use receiving it; what you wrote is completely nonsensical, so you can't hand it in."

Ronan gave an awkward laugh twice:
"Didn't I forget to ask you how to write it? It's okay, just tell me how to write it so that I can better apply for what I want, and I'll revise it and send it to you."

“Go get some paper and pen, and I’ll tell you the format and instructions,” Juliet said calmly.

As Ronan went to get paper and pen, Juliet thought about what had happened during the day: the leader had asked everyone at the meeting how the 'weather insurance' work was progressing.

This insurance, which the Ministry of Agriculture put a lot of effort into launching, has been on the market for over a month, and officials have been going around promoting it, but the results have been mediocre.

The leader was very angry, believing that everyone had not done their job properly.

“I’m back. Go ahead and tell me.” Ronan’s voice came through the receiver again.

Juliet didn't mention the application; instead, she asked him:

What is the attitude of farmers in Lourmaran towards weather insurance?

"The attitude was very good, and I thought the insurance coverage was excellent," Ronan said honestly.

"How many people will buy it?" Juliet continued.

She went to Lourmaran to give her presentations, and the village's achievements will be credited to her.

“Everyone will buy it; everyone’s afraid of another disaster,” Ronan said with a smile.

"Everyone's buying it, really?" Juliet immediately sat up straight.

“Really,” Ronan affirmed. “If I buy, they’ll buy too. I’ve already asked them all.”

The farmers were hesitant, but Pierre had already made it clear that if Ronan wanted to buy, he would.

This means that if Ronan buys it, all the farmers in Lourmaran will buy it.

Juliet's eyes were filled with joy.

Can Ronan really rally the farmers of Lourmaran?

"When are you going to buy it?" Juliet was eager to get this work result.

Ronan said helplessly:

"I need to implement the uprooting plan first, so everyone can pull up the old vines. Only then can we deal with the new grape varieties. Otherwise, what will everyone plant? And what's the point of buying insurance if there's nothing to plant? We're currently writing the application."

Juliet became even more excited.

Compared to weather insurance, the uprooting plan is something Juliet is more concerned about.

Perhaps Ronan really can carry out this plan in Lourmaran!

“Alright, go ahead and say it,” Ronan urged. “I need to get the ‘experimental field’ thing settled quickly before we can talk about weather insurance and the uprooting plan.”

Juliet pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly changed her tune:
"Fine, I'll write it for you."

"Huh? You're writing this for me?" Ronan exclaimed on the other end of the phone.

Juliet said irritably:

"Who knows what you'll write? It's a waste of time. Alright, alright, just leave it alone."

Juliet has been a long-time employee of the Department of Agriculture for over a decade.

To put it bluntly, asking her to write an application for experimental fields is like asking the teacher who sets the exam to take the exam—it's like having them completely under your thumb.

At 10 p.m., Juliet looked at her work and couldn't help but sigh:
"Will submitting this application cause conflicts between different departments and academic institutions?"

Perfect, it's written so perfectly!
Just as she was feeling relieved that the long day was finally over, she suddenly discovered that there was another piece of paper in the envelope Ronan had sent.

She opened it and immediately broke down.

"Why is there another application form??"

(End of this chapter)