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The refrigerated truck fleet of Shuihua Group departed Ningxia before dawn.

A van bearing the "Golden Mushroom of the Frontier" logo drove through the morning mist and headed straight for Hedong Airport.

There is a specially opened green channel there, and the latest batch of button mushrooms will appear in high-end supermarkets on the Bund in Shanghai within six hours, with labels printed with "Ningxia Organic Button Mushrooms, 28 yuan per jin" and traceability codes.

"This batch is an order from Singapore, air freight!" After checking the last shipment manifest, quality inspector Xiao Zhao gave the driver a thumbs up.

The moment the carriage door closed, Ma Debao caught a glimpse of the neatly arranged incubators inside…

That's new equipment that the Water Splash Group has recently introduced; each box is equipped with GPS and temperature and humidity monitoring.

Li Shuihua emerged from the office building in high heels, her black trench coat fluttering in the morning breeze.

“Debao, from now on all your mushrooms will be sold through premium channels.” She handed over a new contract. “The price will be 15% higher than the market price, but they must meet the top-grade standard.”

"Thank you, Sister Shuihua."

"You should consider expanding your business; the current scale is simply too small."

"Okay! I'll go back and discuss it with my brother."

Just as Ma Debao was about to sign, a screeching sound of brakes came from behind him.

Li Dayou jumped off the dilapidated tractor, its bed piled high with yellowed mushrooms: "Mr. Li! Please, have mercy and take this crop! They've all fallen to 80 cents on the market!"

Security guards immediately stepped forward to stop them.

Li Shuihua glanced at the mushrooms that had already begun to rot and shook her head: "Uncle Dayou, yours do not meet our purchasing criteria."

"I was wrong back then!" Li Dayou suddenly knelt down. "I was blinded by greed, I was ungrateful."

"Get up!" Li Shuihua shouted sternly, "The marketplace is not a stage!"

"Shuihua, you know, our family has invested too much in mushrooms. If we can't sell them, we'll really be ruined."

"Is it your fault?"

"This……"

"Uncle Dayou, you should understand how many chances I gave you, but the minds of people like you are too filthy."

"me……"

“You only see the high final sales price, but you turn a blind eye to our transportation methods. You people are really rotten.”

"Shuihua, I'm sorry! Please forgive me, okay?"

"Depo is currently preparing to expand its operations, and you may consider selling your mushroom greenhouses to Depo."

"This……"

She gestured to her assistant to bring a document, "Also, this is a new contract, signed annually, and the goods must be delivered according to the agreed quality and quantity. Once you breach the contract, you will be permanently blacklisted."

Li Dayou looked at Li Shuihua with trembling eyes, "Shuihua, why are you so cruel? Did you really learn bad things from Su Ning?"

"Hmph! You despicable people have almost killed our whole family, and you won't even let us protect ourselves?"

"What about Debao? Just because he's your first love's younger brother? You're going to treat him with all sorts of preferential treatment?"

“Uncle Dayou, your thoughts are truly filthy! At your age, you're not even as good as a young person. In the past six months, Debao's mushrooms have had a 98% pass rate and have never had any breach of contract, while you…” Li Shuihua opened her tablet, “have breached the contract three times and have a pass rate of less than 60%.”

"..."

"Of course, some people will never get rich. At most, they can only watch the excitement from the edge of the well and never earn money beyond their understanding."

This scene repeated itself over the next two weeks.

The growers who had previously broken their agreements found that their mushrooms were now readily available in the local market, while the purchase price from the Water Splash Group, although lower than before, was still twice the market price...

The prerequisite is that a new contract must be signed, and quality standards and delivery times must be strictly adhered to.

Of course, the Water Splash Group still refuses to cooperate with those who seriously breach the contract. It would be meaningless for anyone to step in. They can only sell to the growers who keep their contracts.

……

The conference room of the Yinchuan Agricultural Bureau was filled with smoke.

The deputy district head in charge of agriculture banged on the table: "Everyone, think of a solution! Ten tons of mushrooms are going unsold every day, and the farmers are about to riot!"

"We've been eating stir-fried mushrooms and pork every day in our cafeteria."

"We contacted the Lanzhou market, and they themselves have a surplus."

"How about we let Splash Group expand its acquisitions?"

The deputy director smiled wryly: "I just met with Li Shuihua yesterday. She made it very clear—we'll act according to the contract, and anyone who breaches it will be blacklisted. There's no room for negotiation."

The meeting ultimately ended in discord.

In the corridor, Ma Defu caught up with the deputy director: "Sir, actually, the Shuihua Group has provided a way out."

"I know!" the deputy director waved his hand impatiently, "but those farmers just won't sign the contracts! They think there are too many restrictions!"

Meanwhile, at the Shuihua Group's processing plant, Li Shuihua was tasting the newly developed mushroom sauce.

On the assembly line, mushrooms that might otherwise be rejected because they don't meet size standards are being made into canned goods and dried products.

"Mr. Li, the blacklist has been entered into the system." The legal director handed over a tablet. "37 households, including Li Dayou and Ma Shuan, have breached the contract more than three times."

Li Shuihua scrolled through the list, pausing briefly on a particular name...

Ma Shuan, Ma Debao's cousin.

She recalled that the investigation report mentioned that this was the person who spread the rumor that "mushrooms cause cancer".

"Never cooperate with them! Let them rot in the filthy mud forever."

"Understood! But this might anger a lot of people."

"Oh? What do you say?"

"Some important people's children prefer Confucianism! No matter how angry they are inside, they still want to give others a chance."

"Idiot! I don't want to hear such idiotic remarks again."

"Uh? I'm sorry, Mr. Li, I misspoke."

……

In late autumn, Ma Debao's greenhouse in Minning Village is warm as spring.

The newly introduced strains of bacteria grew plump and round mushrooms, each wearing a "protective cap" uniformly distributed by the Shuihua Group.

He was busy sorting when he suddenly heard the roar of a tractor outside the shed.

Li Dayou lured five or six farmers in, his face as dark as if it were about to rain: "Debao, you be the judge! Isn't Shuihua Group bullying us? They give you two yuan and sixty cents for the same mushrooms, but only one yuan and eighty cents for us!"

Ma Debao put down his work and took out a small notebook from his pocket: "Uncle Ma Yuan, last month I received a bonus of two cents per pound because the mushroom cap diameter met the standard rate of 95%; I received another two cents because there were no pesticide residues; and I received another one cent for delivering the goods on time."

He flipped through the densely packed records. "And you? The last shipment you delivered had 30% soil, 10% insect holes, and it was three days late."

Ma Yuan and the others' momentum immediately waned: "No, no, that's not allowed either."

"Anyway, this is a fair reward system! If you do well, you'll get the same reward, so whether you sign or not is up to you." Ma Debao pointed into the distance, "But look—"

Following his finger, everyone saw that the construction team of Shuihua Group was leveling the land, and a huge sign had been erected: "Shuihua Group Mushroom Deep Processing Base (Under Construction)".

"I heard that even substandard mushrooms can be collected in the future to make raw materials for canned goods," Ma Debao said softly. "But the price will probably only be five or six cents."

Li Dayou, Ma Yuan, and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Uncle Ma Yuan, don't treat people like fools, and don't think too highly of yourself."

"..."

In the end, they slunk away, heading towards the village committee...

A new contract signing ceremony is taking place there.

One month later, at Yinchuan Airport.

Li Shuihua looked at the latest export data: 120 tons to Singapore, 80 tons to Japan, and 60 tons to Hong Kong.
The assistant whispered, "Mr. Li, the local market price has stabilized at around 1.2 yuan per jin, and our contracted farmers have all delivered their goods as agreed."

What about those on the blacklist?

“Most of them have been transferred! Only Li Dayou and Ma Shuan are holding on, but the Northwest market is also very large, and they can sell them at this price themselves.” The assistant paused.

Li Shuihua looked out the window.

On the runway, another cargo plane was taxiing, its "Sai Shang Jin Gu" logo gleaming in the sunlight.

She recalled what Suning had said yesterday: "The market is the best teacher, but the tuition is a bit expensive."

"Mr. Li, should we kill Li Dayou and Ma Shuan?"

"No need! With our current scale, there's no need to keep harping on this; otherwise, it would be too despicable."

"President Li, you and Director Su are just too kind-hearted."

"Hmph! It's no use how much money Li Dayou and Ma Shuan make, because they jumped off our aircraft carrier and missed a real chance to defy fate."

In the fields of Minning Village, Ma Debao is explaining the contract terms to new farmers. Behind him is a brand-new pickup truck…

This was purchased with the income from the last three months.

Further away, Li Dayou's tractor stood alone at the edge of the field, piled high with mushrooms waiting to be sold cheaply.

This old farmer, who used to be the most opposed to "rules and regulations," was now secretly peeking in this direction, clutching a borrowed pen in his hand.

As dusk falls, the Loess Plateau is bathed in gold.

Shuihua Group's cold chain truck fleet has set off once again, carrying high-quality mushrooms cultivated with a spirit of contractual commitment to markets willing to pay for integrity.

Behind them, the foundations of the deep processing base have been laid, like square seals stamped on this land that is learning the rules of business.

……

In the spring of 2001, the Yinchuan City Land Transaction Center was bustling with people.

When the auctioneer announced, "Land parcel 2001-007, starting price 5800 million," the room fell silent.

This price was astronomical for a city in Northwest China at the time.

"Shuihua Group, 6000 million." A clear female voice broke the silence.

Everyone turned to look...

Li Shuihua, dressed in a beige suit, held the sign with a steady hand.

"Jinhui Real Estate, 6200 million!"

"Shuihua Group, 6500 million."

Bidding prices climbed steadily.

When Li Shuihua announced "8800 million," the opponent finally gave up.

Applause erupted, and the flashes from the reporters' cameras illuminated her figure.

No one noticed that Suning, wearing a baseball cap, quietly left the stadium from the last row.

Three months later, the "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall" project broke ground.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Li Shuihua announced the establishment of Shuihua Real Estate Group and revealed that it had acquired prime land parcels in Chengdu, Xi'an, Shanghai, and Beijing.

When reporters pressed her about the source of funding, she smiled and showed them the financial statements: "The mushroom industry provides us with 2 million yuan in cash flow every year, and the wine base made a profit of 3000 million yuan last year."

Meanwhile, the vineyards at the foot of Helan Mountain are welcoming their first harvest season.

French winemaker Pierre and his team wandered among the grapevines, occasionally picking up a Cabernet Sauvignon to examine it against the sunlight.

Ma Debao followed behind him, his notebook filled with data such as "sweetness 22%" and "pH 3.6".

“Mah, this batch of fruit can make great wine!” Pierre gestured excitedly. “Just like the 1982 Bordeaux!”

Ma Debao smiled憨厚ly.

Five years ago, the rural youth who rolled around in piles of mushrooms now manages a 3000-mu vineyard.

He still had the newly received employment contract in his pocket...

Deputy General Manager of Shuihua Winery, with an annual salary of 20 yuan.

The joy of the harvest was quickly overshadowed by an argument.

At the brand naming meeting, Li Shuihua insisted on using "Xixia Red", but the marketing director advocated for the more international "Helan Legend".

"That's exactly what we want—the rustic charm!" Li Shuihua slammed her hand on the table. "Just like the 'Golden Mushrooms of the Frontier' back in the day, the more local the product, the more distinctive it is!"

Ma Debao whispered, "Sister Shuihua, how about we ask a fortune teller to do some divination..."

"What are you calculating!" Li Shuihua glared at him. "You're a senior executive now, don't get involved in these superstitious things!"

The meeting ended unhappily, and Ma Debao's face turned red.

That evening, Su Ning found his sulking wife in the study.

"I heard you scolded Depo today?" He handed over a glass of red wine. "Try it, it's your winery's experimental product."

Li Shuihua took a sip, her brows relaxing: "Not bad!"

"Debao secretly brought it to me." Su Ning chuckled. "That kid was afraid you were under too much pressure. Shuihua, it's time to bring in a professional manager. We can't always rely on the old team. After all, the old team's vision is short-sighted."

Li Shuihua looked out the window.

The city lights are much brighter than they were ten years ago, many of which are buildings developed by the Water Flower Group.

She suddenly asked, "Brother Ning, am I being too domineering?"

“A little,” Su Ning answered decisively, “but if it weren’t for your domineering spirit, Shuihua Group wouldn’t be where it is today. After all, I can’t keep an eye on the group forever.”

The next morning, Li Shuihua summoned the human resources director: "Launch the 'Phoenix Returns Home' program and recruit Ningxia natives working elsewhere with high salaries."

The first item on the list is wheat seedlings...

The girl who went to work in Fujian back then is now the marketing director of a real estate company in East China.

The news of the wheat seedlings' return caused a sensation in Minning Village.

When she returned to her hometown in a smart suit, Li Dayou was squatting at the entrance of the village, basking in the sun.

"Maimiao? It really is you!" Li Dayou squinted. "I heard you were doing well out there, what brings you back?"

“Uncle Dayou,” Mai Miao waved her employee badge, “I’m now the marketing director of Shuihua Real Estate, and my monthly salary is equivalent to what you earn growing mushrooms for a year.”

Li Dayou opened his mouth wide, and his pipe fell to the ground.

The return of the wheat seedlings brought a coastal whirlwind.

She insisted on introducing advanced features such as a swimming pool clubhouse and smart home technology into the "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall" project, which made local developers exclaim that they were going crazy.

On the opening day, all 200 units were sold out in two hours, setting a record for the Yinchuan real estate market.

At the celebration banquet, Li Shuihua raised her glass and announced: "Next year, we will enter the markets of Beijing and Shanghai!"

Amid the cheers, Mai Miao noticed Ma Debao's forlorn figure in the corner.

She took a glass of juice and went over: "Brother Debao, what's wrong?"

“Maimiao…” Ma Debao rubbed his hands together, “Do you think Sister Shuihua thinks we old folks can’t keep up?”

Just as Mai Miao was about to answer, the banquet hall doors were suddenly pushed open.

The assistant rushed over in a panic: "Mr. Li, the Bordeaux Wine Association in France has some news!"

Everyone held their breath.

Li Shuihua trembled as she opened the package. Inside was a gold-embossed certificate and a medal...

"Xixia Red 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon won the gold medal at the Brussels International Wine Competition."

The cheers nearly lifted the roof off.

Ma Debao rushed up and hugged Li Shuihua, crying like a child: "Sister Shuihua, our Ningxia wine has won the world championship!"

The Helan Mountains were exceptionally bright that night.

The vineyard was brightly lit as workers harvested and celebrated throughout the night.

Li Shuihua and Suning walked side by side on a country path, followed by Ma Debao, Mai Miao, and other senior executives.

"Brother Ning, do you remember what kind of wine we drank at our wedding?" Li Shuihua suddenly asked.

"Bulk liquor, five yuan a pound," Su Ning said with a smile. "You returned all the liquor from the wedding banquet and replaced it with books to donate to the school."

Li Shuihua held up the gold medal certificate, the gold lettering gleaming in the moonlight: "Now we have our own wine, and it's world-class."

In the distance, a new landmark of Yinchuan city...

The Water Splash Building is currently being topped out.

The huge LED screen was displaying advertisements for "Xixia Red".

Further southeast, the land plot acquired by Shuihua Real Estate in Changping District, Beijing, has already completed its survey.

Behind the scenes, Ling Yinong's Juncao laboratory is cultivating new drought-resistant varieties, laying the groundwork for potential industrial restructuring.

The winds of the new century swept across the Loess Plateau, carrying the fragrance of wine and the smell of concrete.

The farmers who once toiled in the fields are now talking about plot ratios and vintage wines; while those who left their hometowns to work are gradually returning to this revitalized land.

Ma Debao lagged behind the group and quietly dialed a Fujian number: "Maimiao, could you teach me how to use a computer tomorrow? I want to make a vineyard management PPT..."

His voice, mixed with laughter and chatter, was quickly carried away by the night wind.

But change is like a grapevine buried in the soil; though unseen, it grows every day.

...(End of chapter)