1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 397 It's a pleasure working with you, brother!
Juliet is a very meticulous person and never says anything excessive.

However, before hanging up the phone in the morning, she told Ronan to think it over carefully. If he decided to do it, she would introduce him to Carpenter's testing facility.

The unspoken meaning of this sentence is: I will approve it for you.

Now that they had received a definite reply and Ronan genuinely wanted to work with Lucas, there was no need to hold back when discussing matters.
“You have land and planted the host trees last year. Now you need to cultivate a new batch of mycelium to transplant there. After that, under the testing of the Provence Truffle Research Center, it will be slowly cultivated. The expenses in this process include: cleaning the roots of the host trees, soil improvement, artificial inoculation, irrigation and fertilization, pruning and weeding, pest and disease control, and mycelium sampling twice a year. I guess you have already installed the irrigation system, and the fence and animal protection facilities are also complete, right?”

Ronan received Juliet's call and immediately came over with the money. He was now both explaining the situation to Lucas and carefully calculating the accounts.

A minute ago, Lucas was more relieved to be free from the mire and reborn. But after hearing Ronan speak so professionally, he felt a mix of shock and joy.

Ronan is very knowledgeable about artificially cultivating truffles. He knows the process and steps very well.

"You've looked into this before?" he asked curiously.

Ronan replied evasively:
"I heard it from those people at the Ministry of Agriculture."

To be honest, the combination of Level 4 [Planting] and Level 4 [Gathering] knowledge has already given Ronan a clear understanding of the process and precautions for artificially cultivating truffles. However, he doesn't know how to improve in those 'high-precision' details.

For example, how to suppress the emergence of competing fungi.

If other fungi grow around the host tree, they will definitely inhibit the growth of truffles, and there is no solution to this problem based on current knowledge.

For example, how to properly loosen the soil is crucial. Truffle mycelium requires very high aeration, but loosening the soil will inevitably damage the mycorrhizae.

Similar problems require more methods to solve them one by one.

Lucas, who had experience with mycelial cultivation, clearly quoted Ronan one price after another:

“The root cleaning and artificial inoculation of the host tree are one-time operations, costing about 48000 francs per hectare. The rest you mentioned are routine maintenance, costing between 5 and 6 francs per month, depending on the season.”

"Of your 10 hectares, 7 hectares are used for truffle cultivation, and the other 3 hectares are an ecological buffer zone and research facilities, right?" Ronan asked again, afraid that he might have misremembered.

The ecological buffer zone is an immune barrier for the artificial truffle cultivation system and is very important.

The buffer zone surrounding the experimental forest is usually planted with three layers of trees, shrubs and herbs.

Each different type of tree serves a different purpose in providing insulation.

For example, Mediterranean pine can lower the surface temperature in summer and reduce the scorching of mycelium by high temperatures.

Black truffle mycelium is extremely fragile; it cannot survive at low temperatures, and it will enter dormancy when the temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius.

The buffer zone also serves as a windbreak, preventing soil moisture from evaporating too quickly. Moisture is very important for truffles, as it is a key factor in determining their size.

At the same time, the buffer zone also plays an important role in isolating pesticides, metals, and pollinating insects.

Lucas nodded:

"Yes, the cost of the 3-hectare buffer zone is negligible. I was already entitled to a subsidy, which would cover that part."

Ronan pressed on, asking:
"Where does this subsidy come from? Is it also from the Ministry of Agriculture?"

Lucas shook his head and said:

"The Ministry of Agriculture only provided a 20% purchase subsidy when I bought the land. This part of the subsidy was provided by the Forestry Bureau because I planted all the native plants of Provence in the buffer zone."

"Does the Forestry Bureau also provide subsidies?" Ronan asked in surprise.

Good heavens, we've entered the territory of another of our good friends!

Lucas stated definitively:
"It was given to me by the Provence Forestry Department. I bought all this land through the Forestry Department. Growing truffles in Provence is inseparable from this department."

Ronan thought to himself, "I need to find Bruno's wife a good job."

After Lucas quoted the price, the cost of this round of truffle cultivation was also revealed.

一次性的成本是33万6千法郎，之后每个月的维护成本是5-6万，一年100万法郎。

"It's alright, actually," Ronan muttered, stroking his chin.

Jerome saved Ronan 72 francs, meaning Ronan wouldn't need to use his own money to run the winery in the future.

He could easily afford the one-time payment of 33 francs, and the monthly maintenance costs could be covered by the restaurant's revenue, so it wasn't a big burden for him.

“We can give it a try.” Ronan looked at Lucas. “I can afford this budget.”

Lucas had been calculating this for months.

If Ronan shared the costs with him, he could grit his teeth and persevere, but he would still have to sell the house.

He has no income outside of the truffle harvesting season.

Lucas downed his drink and finally made up his mind:
"I can do that too, but I'll have to wait a while before giving you my share of the money. I'll give it to you as soon as possible."

He made up his mind; he would go find Louis today and put the house up for sale.

“No need,” Ronan said casually. “You don’t need to pay.”

"No need to pay? You're going to pay for all of this yourself?" Lucas's eyes widened.

Ronan said nervously:

“You’ve already provided the land and the host tree, and spent a lot of money equipping the agricultural system, equipment, and protection. Here’s what I’m thinking: I’ll cover all the costs for the next year, and afterwards we’ll split the investment and profits 6/4 between you and me. Do you think that’s a good ratio?”

A year is both a period of respite for Lucas and a result of Ronan's calculations.

Lucas once told his brother Theo about the initial investment in producing artificial truffles; by last autumn, he had spent more than 180 million francs.

Although some of the investment went down the drain, the land and the host tree, the two major components, can still be used. Based on the 1 million investment ratio, a 60/40 split is about right.

However, Ronan sounded guilty when he said those words.

At Jerome's suggestion, he specifically asked Louis about the latest land prices in Provence.

Truffles have high requirements for soil, and the land Lucas bought was not cheap.

Last year, after receiving a 20% subsidy, he bought a forest for 9 francs per hectare. Now, the market price has reached 150 francs per hectare, meaning those 10 hectares alone are worth over 15 million francs. Ronan couldn't afford that much land on his own, much less that many host trees. Without Lucas, he simply wouldn't have the capital to do this business. Moreover, the two of them working together greatly reduces the risk, making it much safer than him taking out a loan to do it alone.

If he really does find a way to cultivate truffles artificially, then he can buy land and increase investment later, and he won't feel guilty about the investment at that time.

Lucas considered it for a long time but did not reject Ronan's offer to pay for the next year's costs. He understood his brother's good intentions, and he also understood why Ronan mentioned this percentage:
"One year later, we'll split the costs. If it's successful, you'll take 6% of the profits."

"I'll take 6%?" Ronan pointed to his own nose and said, "My investment percentage is much lower than yours."

Lucas said with a serious expression:
“The technical institutions you found to provide support, and the agricultural subsidies you applied for, all these costs should be taken into account. You have provided so much hidden value, and I am just an investor, so of course you should take the lion’s share.”

Ronan frantically searched for paper and pen, wanting to have a proper discussion with Lucas:
"Do you have paper and pen at home? Don't be impulsive. Let's do the math. This is not the time to act rashly."

Instead of offering Ronan paper and pen, Lucas handed him a glass of wine.

“I don’t like owing people anything, and I’ve never owed anyone anything, but now that you want to do this business, accept the offer, or I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

Seeing Ronan hesitate, the proud Lucas pushed the glass forward a little further, his tone filled with expectation, sincerity, and a hint of pleading:

"Over the past year, I've fantasized countless times about whether things would have turned out differently if we had collaborated. Now I don't have to fantasize anymore. Happy collaboration, brother."

Ronan slowly picked up the glass of wine and clinked it against Lucas's:
"I suspect the outcome will be different this time."

After reaching an agreement, Lucas and Ronan continued to discuss many details, but were soon interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

Lucas opened the door and saw Theo standing outside, his face still bearing the marks of injury.

"How did you come?"

Theo said aggressively:

“Rebecca said she needed to talk to me. Is it because of all the gossip in the village? Those people are just jealous. Don’t worry, I’ve already beaten them to a pulp! Anyone who says another word will be facing my fists!”

Lucas sighed.

He used to avoid the topic because Theo had never asked about anything related to artificially cultivated truffles.

It seems that in Theo's world, his brother Lucas succeeds at everything he does; this is something that doesn't need to be confirmed.

The collaboration with Ronan caused a subtle change in Lucas's mindset. Since Theo asked, he decided to tell his brother frankly, which was something Lucas was originally planning to do at noon.

"Theo, how did you hurt your face?" Ronan's head popped out from behind Lucas.

Theo was momentarily taken aback, and touched his face:

"It's nothing, what are you doing here?"

Ronan said with a smile:
"I'm talking to Lucas about a collaboration."

Theo frowned and asked:
"You went truffle digging again? Are there any left now?"

Ronan took the initiative to say to him:
"It's another truffle business. Lucas and I are going to collaborate on artificially cultivated truffles."

"You want to collaborate on this?" Theo's eyes widened suddenly. Touched on a sore spot, he groaned several times, but still managed to ask, "You really want to collaborate?"

Ronan pointed to the two stacks of money on the table behind him and said:

"Of course, look, I've already sent the money. This is my first investment."

"I told you there was nothing wrong with that deal! Ronan was involved, how could there be a problem!" Theo roared as he ran towards the village. "You bastards, let's see who dares to gossip now!"

Why did you stop Lucas and Theo from confessing?

At noon, Ronan went to Zoe's house for lunch. When he talked about what had happened that morning, Zoe asked him a question, puzzled.

Ronan ate several bites of Zoe's salad, seemingly unconcerned, and said:

"Actually, that's not important."

"What doesn't matter?" Zoe still didn't understand.

Vieri suddenly interrupted:
“The truth doesn’t matter. Even if Lucas told Theo the truth, Theo would still beat up those who gossip.”

Zoe looked thoughtful, as if savoring Vieri's words.

A few seconds later, she asked her brother:
"Are you so sure?"

Vieri said nothing, and took his cutlery to the kitchen.

"I'm done eating."

Zoe glared at Ronan, her cheeks puffed out.

"I've been so nice to him lately, and he's completely ignoring me?!"

Ronan comforted Zoe:

"Because Vieri and Theo are the same, my dear. In their eyes, their older brother or sister is the most amazing person in the world, so the facts don't matter."

He asked Zoe with a smile:
"Do you really think Theo knows nothing? He refused all the gifts Lucas bought for Anna, and suddenly became filial to his parents and frequently sent rabbits to Lucas's house. Is it really just because he's making money?"

Ronan knew his brother very well; he just seemed foolish.

"Theobe cares about Lucas, no one does."

Zoe looked at the kitchen and said with a double meaning:
"I never expected him to think that way. Sigh, why keep your care and love hidden in your heart? Wouldn't it be better to say it out loud?"

“Exactly!” Ronan said with a grin. “Love should be spoken out loud, I love you!”

Zoe affectionately pushed the chicken leg in front of Ronan, and said reproachfully:
"And what about you? When Dad said that Lucas kept asking about the house price, you inquired every day about the day he would get the mycelium sampling results, and you withdrew the money early to wait for Lucas to become Theo's brother. Why did you do that?"

Ronan sighed:
"Because Lucas is a good person. He helped me many times when I was weak. Actually, we have a lot in common. We are both responsible, care about our brothers, and are both people who don't like to owe others anything."

(End of this chapter)