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

A few days passed quickly.

New Cage suddenly announced that it will launch its second-generation high-yield corn seeds.

According to the published data, the new product from New Cage is still genetically modified corn, but its yield and other characteristics have been greatly improved.

The key is that the new variety of corn is priced very cheaply, about 30% lower than the price of [Yuxiang 183].

“Secretary, the second generation of corn seeds from Xin Kaiqi has a yield of about 85% of that of Yuxiang 183, but the price is only 70% of that of Yuxiang 183. We are under a lot of pressure.”

For this matter, Cai Tong made a special trip from the provincial capital to Yaoling Township.

At the time, many people, including himself, were confident that they could completely defeat New Cage. Fang Wei had already poured cold water on their hopes, saying that New Cage was backed by international giants with strong financial backing, and wouldn't be so easily brought down.

"It's alright! They might be able to regain some market share, but overall their products are still at a disadvantage, so there's no need to worry too much. We've also started researching hybrid corn, and once we succeed, our overwhelming advantage will return."

Fang Wei smiled and waved his hand, then offered Cai Tong a few words of comfort.

Cai Tong's tense nerves finally relaxed. Fang Wei was the soul of Yaoling Agriculture. As long as Fang Wei had confidence, the company would not lose its composure.

"Secretary, do we need to adjust the prices?"

"No need! Seeds account for a small proportion of agricultural production, and growers don't primarily consider price. I believe that rising seed prices are a major trend in the future. Instead of engaging in price wars, we will focus on improving product quality and service levels."

Yaoling Agriculture also provides services. When someone buys the company's seeds, the company's technical department will provide technical guidance and other services.

As long as these two points can be guaranteed, minor price differences are not a big deal.

Having made up his mind, Cai Tong chatted with Fang Wei about other matters before getting up to leave. He needed to inspect the various production units to lay the foundation for the next phase of work.

The company's senior executives were deeply influenced by Fang Wei and often went to the front line of production instead of just sitting in the office looking at reports.

Before the new products from Xin Kaiqi were launched, Fang Wei took some time to visit various factories. He first went to the hardware factory, food company, and bamboo ware factory in the industrial park to audit and guide their production and operation activities.

He then went to Hong Kong.

The Electrical Appliances Group is the best-performing enterprise in Yaoling's agricultural development, bar none. Through years of hard work, it has caught the perfect opportunity presented by the booming development of domestic home appliances.

The production scale of refrigeration equipment factories has been expanding again and again, but the fastest growing sector is small household appliances.

The market demand for small household appliances is large, and there is a wide variety of products, which has brought the company substantial profits.

“Secretary, I was a little reluctant when they first announced the distribution of dividends. But later we established good cooperative relationships with several banks and rapidly expanded our scale through loans, resulting in a multiple increase in economic benefits.”

On their first night in Xiangshan, Zhang Wenyuan treated Fang Wei to drinks.

When talking about the development process over the past few years, he was very emotional and said some heartfelt words.

Today, the electrical appliance group boasts annual sales exceeding 100 billion yuan, ranking among the top local enterprises in terms of profits and taxes. To put it bluntly, these days banks are begging the company for loans, not the other way around.

Who wouldn't like a company with sound finances and excellent assets?

The home appliance manufacturing industry is a capital-intensive industry, characterized by large investments, rapid technological updates, and outstanding R&D capabilities. This inevitably leads to a winner-takes-all scenario in the future.

Having the support of banks is one aspect, and having a powerful major shareholder is another.

Has Chairman Jiang visited recently?

Fang Wei smiled and nodded. Although Zhang Wenyuan was not highly educated, he was good at learning and had gathered a group of talented people with his personal charm.

Anyway, he doesn't need to be at the forefront of production and R&D. He just needs to be good at using people and be willing to use them.

Fang Wei raised his glass, clinked it with the other person's, downed the wine in his glass, and then asked about Jiang Shiyue.

Jiang Shiyue is the company's second-largest shareholder and has made significant contributions to the company's development. For example, the advanced imported equipment was all brought back by Jiang Shiyue; without his money, it might not have been possible to purchase it.

"Chairman Jiang visited the company about two weeks ago. He was a little dissatisfied with the progress of the company's shareholding reform. I told him that the current environment is like this, and we shouldn't rush things. In the end, he didn't say anything."

Zhang Wenyuan and Jiang Shiyue's biggest wish was to list Yaoling Electric in Hong Kong.

The other party believes that a good company must have an international perspective and should not only focus on the domestic market, but also make its mark in the international market.

Fang Wei generally agreed with Jiang Shiyue's views, but domestic reforms are gradual, so companies are destined not to run too fast all at once, lest they crash and burn.

"Hmm, now we can give it a try. Mr. Zhang, could you go back and contact the relevant local departments to hear their opinions? We must be extremely cautious about enterprise restructuring, understand?"

"Secretary, I understand!"

The two exchanged opinions privately, and the next day, Fang Wei officially began his inspection.

In terms of operations, Fang Wei granted Zhang Wenyuan and the management team considerable autonomy, but he maintained strict control over finances and personnel. He was particularly vigilant in auditing, and would take immediate action against any violations without exception.

On the fifth day after he arrived in Fragrant Hills, he finally managed to have a meal alone with Yu Hao.

"I have completely taken control of the sales department, and the domestic sales network has been established. Please rest assured, Party Secretary."

"I have a lot of confidence in your abilities, but I just feel that it's not good for you and your husband to always be separated like this?"

Fang Wei and Yu Hao were not only in a superior-subordinate relationship, but strictly speaking, he was also Yu Hao's senior brother, after all, this kid was the successor of Master Guan.

So, in addition to discussing work-related matters, he also inquired about the other person's family situation.

"It's my fault, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. Xueqin comes over often now, and we're even planning to buy a house in Xiangshan. This place will be my second home from now on."

Yu Hao said that Liang Xueqin has now become a hands-off manager, and she is very familiar with the furniture business. She just needs to leave a reliable person to look after the store.

So Liang Xueqin often comes to visit Yu Hao, and she even plans to buy a house in Xiangshan and settle down there.

As the children grew up, the couple was finally able to end their long-distance relationship.

"That's great news! Come on, let's drink!"

Fang Wei was also happy for the other party. Yu Hao and his wife were not short of money now, and in fact, things like living apart in different places were not a problem for them at all.

After the meal, the two went their separate ways.

Fang Wei spent ten days in Xiangshan, learning in detail about the company and the operations of its various factories, before returning to his village. He never interfered with the management of the electrical appliance group, but he needed to be familiar with all aspects of the company's operations, otherwise major problems would arise.

"Third Brother, the Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here. Where should we celebrate it?"

By the time Fang Wei returned, it was already the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Pan Lianhua seemed conflicted, wanting to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Yao village but also wanting to go to the provincial capital to see her daughter.

"Let's not make any more trouble, let's just celebrate the festival in the village."

After her daughter started school, Fang Wei felt that it would be better not to go to the provincial capital too often, so the two decided to go to the Yao village to celebrate the festival.

The day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Pan Lianhua went to buy some things and then called Sun Daoren to go up the mountain together.

The village is packed with people. There have been events going on these past few days, and tourists from all over have come to visit. It's incredibly lively.

Upon entering the house, Fang Wei found it spotless and immaculate. It was clear the house was regularly cleaned. Looking at the recliner in the main room, Fang Wei felt as if she could see her grandfather's smiling face.

Grandpa is definitely a key figure in the history of the Yao village.

With his broad-mindedness and foresight, he recognized Fang Wei's talent and passed the leadership of the village to him. Subsequently, under Fang Wei's leadership, the Yao village prospered and eventually boarded the fast train of Yaoling agriculture.

Nowadays, the standard of living in the village is far higher than the provincial average, and with the income from tourism, almost every household is worth tens of thousands of yuan.

The villagers are grateful for the kindness of Grandpa and Fang Wei, so even though no one lives in the house, they still arrange for someone to keep it clean and tidy.

"Third Brother, you're back for the holiday? Come to my room for dinner tonight, I'll have a few drinks with you."

Upon hearing that Fang Wei and his wife had returned to the Yao village, Wang Songlin immediately dropped everything and rushed over.

"No, let's cook at home today and have dinner together tomorrow for the holiday. Besides, with your health, why are you drinking? You should just quit drinking altogether."

Fang Wei smiled and shook his head. A house without cooking would feel lifeless. The holiday was tomorrow, so they decided to eat at home today.

Wang Songlin didn't insist, stayed for a while, and then turned and left.

There have been so many things happening in the village these past few days that he's been incredibly busy and hasn't had a moment to spare, so he really hasn't had time to chat with Fang Wei.

"Auntie, you should go back and keep your family company. We'll cook dinner ourselves."

The aunt naturally followed them back to the Yao village. Pan Lianhua wanted the other woman to go back first, but she refused no matter what, and didn't go home until she had finished preparing dinner.

It was still very hot and humid down the mountain, but a cool breeze was blowing up the mountain.

"Third brother, why don't you stay in the village for a few more days? Anyway, you all have cars, so it's convenient for you to commute to and from get off work."

Sun Daoren, who rarely drank two cups of wine, found it quite pleasant to stay in the village, so he made a suggestion.

Fang Wei and Pan Lianhua had no problem with it; in fact, they had the same idea.

After a lively festival on the mountain, Fang Wei and Pan Lianhua went back to work as usual. The old Taoist priest did the same, opening his clinic on time every day and seeing many patients daily.

Fang Wei would take Sun Daoren with him to and from get off work every day, and they would stay in the village at night.

About a week after the holiday, NewCage's second-generation genetically modified corn seeds began to be sold on the market.

“Secretary, the impact of the newly introduced corn seed varieties on us is quite obvious. We are following your instructions and doing our best to provide after-sales service, while also ensuring the quality of our yield.”

Cai Tong called to report the changes in the market to Fang Wei.

According to his estimate, the market share of the second-generation product of New Cage will rebound rapidly, eventually reaching about 6% of the market share of [Yuxiang 183].

"Their products are good, and the prices are more competitive, but there's one thing you haven't thought about. Our [Yuxiang 183] has already captured the market, and many customers have enough seeds in stock for one and a half to two years of production."

In this situation, even if New Cage's new corn seeds are excellent, its market share won't recover quickly. Therefore, your judgment is incorrect; just wait and see.

Fang Wei, however, seemed very optimistic. Cai Tong had considered everything except the issue of market saturation.

When the market is oversaturated, unless it's an exceptionally good product, it's almost impossible to quickly seize market share. Moreover, the competitor's product data is still lagging behind [Yu Xiang 183], so changes in the situation will be much slower.

Cai Tong seemed to understand something, and felt that Fang Wei's judgment was not without reason.

A few days passed quickly.

After the initial novelty wore off, sales of NewCage's second-generation genetically modified corn seeds came to an abrupt halt.

Previously, the market was flooded with large quantities of [Yuxiang 183] seeds, and many large customers and growers still had them in storage, which made it difficult to sell the new variety of corn seeds.

Putting everything else aside, the issue of market saturation alone delivered a resounding slap to the face for New Cage.

What follows is a tug-of-war. Before the stock of [Yu Xiang 183] is completely depleted, New Cage will remain at a disadvantage.

This result was completely unexpected for Cai Tong and the others, so the other party could only admire them immensely.

At the time, some people thought it was unnecessary to let the market become too saturated, and that a steady, long-term approach would be better. Now they have seen the results and deeply admire Fang Wei's foresight.

Fang Wei didn't take it seriously; shouldn't this be a basic operation?
Regardless, it's truly frustrating that the new Cage was defeated by non-technical barriers. It's one thing to be outmatched technically, but to be outdone in marketing too—how can they possibly have the face to boast about international giants?
Of course, since it is not a technical barrier, it is easy to break through, and time will resolve everything.

Fang Wei could roughly guess what New Cage was thinking, and he couldn't help but sneer inwardly. A year or two later wouldn't matter? By then, hybrid corn would probably have already been successfully cultivated, and what chance would they have?

Time flies.

The various agricultural production units in Yaoling are about to usher in the autumn harvest.

Company executives, including Cai Tong, came to the production line, and Fang Wei took the opportunity to convene a meeting of the company's management team.

“Secretary, although we had a good time, I heard that several international giants have started to pay attention to our company, so I’m afraid our future days won’t be easy.”

At the meeting, the company's vice president disclosed some information.

Before this, those international giants almost never gave Yaoling Agriculture a second glance, but now they are beginning to re-examine this local breeding company.

What's it like to be targeted by an international giant? He didn't know how others would feel, but he himself felt terrible. (End of Chapter)