Era: I was a farmer at the foot of Yaoling Mountain

Fang Wei decided to first cultivate the plants in the experimental field, and then try them out in the vegetable greenhouse to see the results.

Today, the cooperative has two large vegetable greenhouses, one in a neighboring county and the other in the suburbs of this county. The greenhouses are mainly used to grow high-value vegetables and fruits, and the economic benefits are surprisingly good.

In winter, we will plant off-season vegetables to enrich everyone's food supply, and the economic benefits are expected to be quite good.

However, when it comes to the return on investment, the payback period is still quite long, mainly because the investment in modern vegetable greenhouses is too large, which is beyond the reach of ordinary farmers.

Even wealthy organizations wouldn't undertake this project.

However, Fang Wei, under the guise of high technology, possesses attribute enhancements that allow him to unabashedly accelerate the growth cycle of various vegetables and fruits. In his words, investing tens of millions of yuan without any advantage would be foolish.
Bell peppers, strawberries, Kyoho grapes, and cucumbers grown in greenhouses sell out as soon as they hit the market. Of course, small counties don't have that much purchasing power, so most of the produce is sold to surrounding cities and even the provincial capital.

The growth rate, or rather the growth cycle, determines the profitability of a greenhouse; a rapid turnover rate is the key to making money.

This morning.

A customer who had previously purchased soybean seeds came back.

They had previously purchased a batch of soybean seeds from the cooperative, and after planting them, they discovered many advantages of these seeds. The soybean variety developed by the cooperative has a growth cycle of about 100 days and a yield of 380 jin per mu (approximately 190 catties per hectare).

You should know that the soybeans they used to grow yielded less than 300 jin per mu.

Moreover, the new soybean variety has a high oil yield and high resistance, making it a truly rare and excellent variety.

So they came again, intending to purchase high-yield soybean seeds on a large scale. In reality, the cost of seeds does not account for a high proportion of agricultural production, but it plays a crucial role in the harvest.

“Secretary Fang, we were ignorant of the value of these seeds. Last time we didn’t dare to buy too many. This time we’re here to make a second purchase. I’ll take all the seeds you have.”

"Welcome to come and purchase again. It's not that you don't know your stuff, but anyone would be cautious with such a big deal. So, how are your soybean seeds doing after you bought them? The planting results are good, aren't they?"

Fang Wei laughed and warmly received the group.

This was a major client of his; it was a large state-owned farm with vast land that Fang Wei couldn't even dream of. If he could establish a good relationship with them, he wouldn't have to worry about selling the soybean seeds he cultivated in the future.

"The planting results are really good. The fact that we came here means that your seeds are indeed well-deserved."

After exchanging pleasantries, the next step was haggling, and they really spent ages trying to negotiate even the smallest price.

The final price was set at 5.6 yuan per kilogram, and the customer took away all the soybean seeds in stock at once, leaving none behind.

After the deal was struck, Fang Wei treated them to a meal in the cafeteria, where they enjoyed the local delicacies.

After the other party left, the cooperative began harvesting chili peppers. After harvesting the peppers, they would try to cultivate a batch of high-yield wheat seeds. Unbeknownst to them, Fang Wei led the cooperative further and further down the path of breeding, and the variety of seed types also increased.

"Lotus, I'm going into the mountains tomorrow. Director Zhang from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital called me; they need a large quantity of rare herbs, and I need to help them prepare them."

night.

After the meal, Fang Wei told Pan Lianhua about his plans to go into the mountains to collect medicinal herbs.

Pan Lianhua didn't have time to go with him, but she could summon some brothers from the village to help, otherwise it would be too much trouble.

Fang Wei went into the mountains early the next morning. He needed to scout out the situation first and take a look at the condition of several wild forests.

The mountains remain thriving, and despite the orderly logging by the community over the past few years, the mountain environment has not been damaged in any way.

Out with the old, in with the new; the self-healing ability of the entire mountain is truly remarkable.

Leaving the village's woodland, we entered the depths of the mountains, where lush trees and dense vegetation covered the landscape. Various small animals were everywhere, but danger was also lurking in the distance.

Fang Wei used a machete to clear a path, activating all his skills and monitoring every slight movement in the surrounding area.

After several hours of hard work clearing the way, he finally arrived at the wild chestnut forest. The forest was already bearing fruit, and soon the wild chestnuts, wild camellia seeds, and wild loquats would all be ready for harvesting.

After looking around in several groves, Fang Weicai went to the herb cultivation base.

"We can definitely provide all the rare herbs that Section Chief Zhang needs. Let's start working tomorrow."

Fang Wei planned her route and then returned home.

The next day.

He led twenty princes to the herb cultivation base and began picking various rare herbs.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital needed a large quantity of herbs this time, and it took them several days to complete the task. However, the profits were also good; Fang Wei received a total of over 27000 yuan in cash.

Fang Wei didn't treat the 20 people who helped unfairly; he gave each of them a reward of 200 yuan, which made everyone very happy.

Fang Wei earned some extra money and was in a good mood, so he spent more time in the office when he had nothing to do.

"Secretary, the harvest season is just around the corner. Should we send people up the mountain to provide protection for the villagers?"

Around noon, Zhao Jinsheng came to the office to discuss the matter of going into the mountains to pick fruit with Fang Wei.

Fang Wei thought for a moment and said, "Necessary protection is still necessary, but it should be limited to a period of one week. After that, picking in the mountains will be prohibited."

"Okay! I'll arrange it right away."

Nowadays, going into the mountains to pick fruit is not a necessity, because it is dangerous and hard work, and the actual income is not much.

Last year, more than half of the members did not go into the mountains. The situation this year is unclear, but it is estimated that the number is not much.

However, this is a traditional activity of the Xiatang Brigade. It is estimated that more people from the 1st Brigade will go into the mountains, and even Fang Wei will join everyone to participate in the fun.

When the day arrived to go into the mountains, Fang Wei glanced at the number of people going in. It was less than half, not even a fifth. However, this didn't dampen his spirits, and the group still rushed into the mountains.

Fang Wei picked some wild camellia seeds, and as for wild chestnuts, he just picked some to bring back for his family to try.

He didn't pick many loquats either. He planned to make some loquat syrup later, keeping some for himself and giving some to Master Sun. He was too lazy to put in the effort to make it.

The members were quite disappointed, but besides Fang Wei, some others also knew how to make loquat syrup, though the effect wasn't as good as the one Fang Wei made herself.

The forestry brigade then began harvesting chestnuts, camellia seeds, and some fruit from the cooperative's forest land. This didn't require a full mobilization; they managed to do it themselves.

Overall, the weather has been good this year, with no major disasters, so the autumn harvest should be another bumper crop.

It’s noon this day.

Fang Wei had just finished eating and was about to take a nap when she saw Fang Tao walk in from outside carrying a travel bag. "Manman, I'm back."

"Tao Tao, why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Have you eaten? If not, I'll cook you a bowl of noodles."

"I just got off the bus and had something to eat, so don't bother."

Fang Tao then went inside and sat down, taking out a lot of things from his bag, which Xiaoya had asked him to bring to his uncle.

Fang Wei went to brew a pot of tea before coming over to sit down.

"Tao Tao, what's wrong with you?"

"I signed up for the science and technology outreach program and was assigned to the Xinlin County Agriculture Bureau. I plan to report for duty tomorrow, and according to the requirements, I should be going to the township's agricultural technology station."

After careful consideration, Fang Tao finally decided to leave the Academy of Agricultural Sciences temporarily.

Xiaoya was very supportive of him, saying that he could bring his children to visit him when he had time, and he could also take some time to go back to the provincial capital to reunite with his wife and children.

In addition, Xiaoya now has winter and summer vacations, so the two of them won't be separated for long periods of time.

"It's good to stay away for two years; it saves me from being mistreated at work."

Fang Wei nodded, feeling that her nephew had done the right thing this time.

Not only is Tao Tao being mistreated at work, but he has also had no room for advancement in recent years, and he can't even get research projects.

Modern research institutions haven't reached the point where only publications matter. Without tangible research results, you won't get any good opportunities. The other person is currently in their prime; it would be such a waste to let them squander that time.

Fang Wei took some time in the afternoon to call Huang Zhigang and ask him to help assign Tao Tao to the Yaoling Township Agricultural Technology Station.

Such a small matter was naturally no problem. Fang Tao went to the county to report for duty and then returned to the township.

Fang Wei then went to Zheng Xianfa and said that the cooperative's "Breeding Research Institute" could cooperate with the county's agricultural technology station to jointly study some research topics.

The village desperately wanted him, but they couldn't really produce even one or two research talents. That's why Fang Tao happened to come along, but after a roundabout way, he ended up at the breeding research institute.

"Tao Tao, I have a task for you. You and your colleagues at the agricultural technology station will work on a research project. I've already thought of a topic for you: [Localization Breeding of Chestnut Pumpkin]."

Fang Wei wanted to support his nephew, so he entrusted him with the task of cultivating chestnut pumpkins.

This research project is divided into two parts: localized cultivation techniques and localized breeding techniques. Many species cannot be simply introduced from abroad and then left to their own devices; they require a complex process of localization and cultivation.

After success, you can write papers, apply for research awards, and so on.

However, there is one condition: the ownership of the chestnut pumpkin belongs to Fang Wei personally, and the cooperative can use it free of charge. The academic achievements belong entirely to Fang Tao's team, meaning Fang Wei and the cooperative want the substance, while Fang Tao and his team want the prestige.

"Manman, I feel ashamed that you always support me unconditionally like this."

Fang Tao was no longer a naive young man, and naturally knew how invaluable his uncle's support was.

Fang Wei glared at his nephew, feeling that family members shouldn't be too formal and that being too polite would be inappropriate.

From that day on, the research project on chestnut squash was handed over to Fang Tao. Fang Wei and two colleagues from the agricultural technology station went to the research institute and began their arduous research day and night.

The research institute has complete equipment, which is perfect for Fang Tao to teach the young people in the institute how to use it.

Research can no longer be conducted using outdated methods. With such favorable conditions available today, we must adapt to the times.

After settling his nephew in, Fang Wei couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to explain it to his elder brother later. Besides, he also wanted to embarrass someone; once Tao Tao achieved something, some people would likely look bad.

This is exactly the effect he wanted; otherwise, he wouldn't feel comfortable.

After Fang Tao took over the research project on chestnut pumpkin, progress was incredibly rapid, as if divinely inspired.

Fang Wei informed the research institute that Fang Tao would be given a week off each month to go home and see his wife and children. This couldn't be considered using connections, since the research group was working overtime almost every day, and the exact amount was impossible to calculate.

morning.

Fan Zhipeng arrived at Fang Wei's office with an application report in his hand, hoping to persuade Fang Wei to increase investment in the hardware factory.

"We need to upgrade our equipment. With advanced equipment, we can produce better locks, and there will be no problem with sales."

Among the enterprises under the cooperative, the hardware factory has the weakest presence and submits the least profit each year.

Fang Wei never blamed Fan Zhipeng for this, but patiently waited for the factory to develop slowly.

Fan Zhipeng led the hardware factory through its most difficult period, and now things are improving in all aspects, which is why they plan to carry out technological transformation.

Fang Wei did not make things difficult for the other party and immediately convened a council meeting.

At the meeting, opinions were divided, with some willing to increase investment and others opposed.

After much deliberation, Fang Wei finally decided to give Fan Zhipeng a chance, which also meant giving the cooperative a chance. Whether the hardware factory would rise from the ashes or sink into oblivion after receiving the funding would soon be revealed.

"Thank you, Secretary Fang! Thank you, fellow board members. I will definitely not let you down."

Fan Zhipeng received the funds and then returned to the hardware factory.

He quickly ordered new equipment and successfully developed more than a dozen new products. These products required advanced equipment to produce, and this was the opportunity he had been waiting for.

A few days passed quickly.

After the equipment arrived at the hardware factory, it was installed and debugged, and Fan Zhipeng personally led a team to conduct trial production.

The production was very successful, and various new types of locks were produced in large quantities. The old locks were no longer produced, and the market share was taken over by small workshops and factories in the surrounding area.

A lock-centric industrial cluster has formed in Yaoling Township, with the hardware factory taking the lead in achieving a breakthrough, which has opened up room for everyone to grow.

“Secretary, Lao Fan and his team’s new locks are selling very well. You have a good eye for talent. Without this additional investment, Lao Fan would never have been able to make it big.”

Zhao Jinsheng witnessed the hardware factory's complete transformation, from an inconspicuous little factory to a well-known enterprise in the industry.

"Not bad, really not bad. With that kind of drive, Director Fan will definitely stand out sooner or later."

Fang Wei was also very happy. If Fan Zhipeng hadn't seized this opportunity, the factory would probably have had to close down in a few years. (End of Chapter)