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

Cai Tong called, and data from various regions showed that the domestic soybean planting area was shrinking.

Fortunately, this shrinking trend is relatively slow, especially in areas that used [Nan Dou 333] seeds. Because the yield per acre increased significantly, they were not wiped out by competitors right away.

"There's not much of a problem for now. Opening up some agricultural product markets was experimental in nature, and we can always tighten the policy again if necessary. The key is the future. If we cry wolf too many times, it will eventually become a reality."

Based on his memories from his previous life, Fang Wei believes that it is not yet time for China to open up its agricultural product markets on a large scale.

However, with the deepening of reform and opening up, the country has launched negotiations for WTO accession, and the opening of the agricultural product market is only a matter of time.

After ending the call with Cai Tong, he decided that he needed to continue researching new soybean varieties and strive to increase the yield per acre. Only by increasing the yield could he reduce some of the costs, thus giving him a fighting chance against international giants.

Of course, this can't be rushed. He's not an omnipotent god; he can't solve all problems with a mere thought.

A few days passed quickly.

The launch of "Nanyu No. 1" has completely ignited public opinion.

【Nanyu No. 1】is the first hybrid corn variety in China, and it boasts high yield and quality, surpassing the current world's advanced level as soon as it was introduced.

The reason for the intense public discussion is the bizarre actions of the new Cage. It is precisely because of the new Cage that the "Nanyu No. 1" appears so precious and extraordinary.

The colleagues at the Crop Research Institute were busy writing papers, the researchers at the Institute were busy summarizing their experiences, and Director Sun was busy with the award selection for "Nanyu No. 1". Everyone was very happy.

Fang Wei was busy shuttling between the office and the Yao village. He felt that international giants had made great progress in genetic engineering in recent years, and if he didn't work hard, he might really be left behind by his foreign counterparts.

The verification of the new rice variety was proceeding smoothly. After the colleagues at the Crop Research Institute and the staff at the Research Institute calmed down, Fang Wei assigned them a new task:

To cultivate the next generation of high-yield soybean varieties.

The target is to increase yield by at least 20%, and other data should also show some improvement.

“Secretary Fang, let’s name this project the ‘Super Soybean’ Project. The Crop Research Institute has agreed to add more manpower. It’s a do-or-die situation.”

The head of the research institute reported to Fang Wei that they were ready.

The Crop Research Institute also attaches great importance to this "Super Soybean" project and plans to send its best personnel to participate, determined to win this project.

“Very good! You must learn from the comrades at the Crop Research Institute and be determined to win this ‘Super Soybean’ project with a do-or-die mentality. I have already prepared a roadmap here, and you should follow this plan in the early stages.”

Fang Wei also racked his brains, combining some advanced technologies from his previous life to create a project research roadmap.

The entire breeding work will be completed under his guidance, making him the key figure and overall leader of the team. Therefore, the profits from the project's results belong to him personally, while the academic achievements belong to the Crop Research Institute and the Institute of Agriculture.

Everyone got what they needed and was full of energy.

Fang Wei originally did not plan to start research on [Super Soybeans] so early, but the current pressure was too great, so he had to bring out some practical information ahead of time.

Preventing international giants from establishing a foothold in the market is tantamount to striking a blow against New Cage.

Fang Wei has calculated this very clearly. If he doesn't work hard now and waits for others to further optimize their genetically modified technology, they will completely leave him behind.

After the head of the research institute left, he continued to refine the roadmap.

The roadmap previously provided to the research institute was only for the initial research phase; there are still many steps to go and it needs to be gradually improved.

Before he knew it, it was time to leave work in the afternoon. Fang Wei tidied up his desk and took the unfinished materials home. He planned to continue working on them after dinner, determined to finish as soon as possible.

"Third Brother, I wonder how the Taoist priest is doing lately?"

During the meal, Pan Lianhua suddenly thought of Sun Daoren.

Sun Daoren was like family; they had lived together for so many years, and it was quite difficult to adjust to losing each other all of a sudden.

"I don't know either. Let's go up the mountain to see him when we have some free time in a few days."

Fang Wei didn't think the old Taoist priest would have any problems; his two disciples certainly wouldn't dare to disrespect their master.

The three of them, master and disciples, had gone through the most difficult years together and were as close as father and son. No matter what, the old Taoist priest would not have fared badly.

"Alright, you go ahead and do your thing for now. Once you're done, we'll go to the temple together."

Pan Lianhua nodded and said no more.

Fang Wei worked overtime for several hours and completed a complete roadmap, or project plan, in just three days. He proposed some guiding principles, and as long as we followed this plan, the probability of success was very high.

The colleagues at the Crop Research Institute were deeply moved after seeing this roadmap.

It's great to have such a mentor; when everyone else is still clueless, a clear roadmap is laid out before us. The most valuable thing in research is the thought process; as long as the thought process is correct, success is generally possible.

This is also why the researchers at the Crop Research Institute are willing to stay in the countryside year after year. Because working with Fang Weigan yields results; over the years, they have completed many significant technological achievements, and their research capabilities, salaries, and professional titles have all risen rapidly.

Such good things are hard to come by normally, so everyone is gritting their teeth and persevering here.

This new project required some staff to be transferred from the Crop Research Institute, and as soon as the announcement was made, everyone rushed to sign up. In the end, we had to hold a selection process, otherwise no one would be willing to participate.

At the same time, the institute has also made breakthroughs in its research on transgenic technology.

This is the advantage of having a strong institution behind you. Without the support of the crop research institute, it would probably not have been possible to make such a breakthrough so quickly on the company's breeding research institute alone.

Fang Wei was also very happy to learn about it, because no matter what, this was a very important technological reserve.

You may not need this, but you can't live without it.

After a period of time.

Cai Tong came to Fang Wei's office again to report on the sales of the "Nanyu No. 1" seeds.

"【Nanyu No. 1】is in high demand and short supply as soon as it is launched, and it has directly regained the market share that we lost with 【Yuxiang 183】. Moreover, we are continuing to erode New Kaiqi’s corn seed market, and the prospects are promising."

Cai Tong was overjoyed. The new Cage was already showing signs of complete defeat, how could he not be happy?
Of course, this so-called complete defeat refers to the corn seed sector; other crops remain largely unchanged.

"But our soybean production is declining steadily. As a last resort, the relevant authorities have introduced some protective measures to protect our own soybeans, but this is not a long-term solution."

Fang Wei poured cold water on Cai Tong's enthusiasm. That's just his habit; when people are pessimistic, he likes to encourage them, and when they're optimistic, he likes to pour cold water on them.

Cai Tong, who had been smug just moments before, immediately stopped smiling upon hearing this.

He knew very well that the other party was right, and it was far too early to pop the champagne and celebrate.

"I got a little carried away. You're right, we have obvious shortcomings in oil crops and edible oils. Party Secretary, I admire your foresight, and I hope our 'super soybean' can be successfully developed."

Cai Tong now understands where Fang Wei's sense of crisis comes from. Not long ago, he brought out the sensational "Nan Dou 333" and now he's starting the "Super Soybean" project.

When you are at a disadvantage in many aspects, starting with the seeds is the best option.

Once production increases, some problems will naturally be solved, and only in this way can we avoid being held hostage by others.

Fang Wei remembered very clearly that the so-called "Soybean War" had occurred in her previous life. International giants used low-price dumping to devastate the domestic soybean industry chain, and then used their market advantage to raise prices sharply. She still remembers it vividly to this day.

All he can do is try his best to develop higher-yielding and higher-quality soybean varieties; as for other aspects, there is nothing he can do.

"Mr. Cai, how much inventory will our [Yu Xiang 183] cause?"

We are currently at a critical juncture of upgrading and replacement. We cannot only focus on the popularity of new varieties, but also need to consider the dignified exit of older varieties.

That's why Fang Wei asked that question.

"It shouldn't be many. If we look at it from a long-term perspective, it should be able to sell them all."

Both new and old varieties of corn seeds are available this season, and they are almost simultaneously launched and sold.

The fact that [Nanyu No. 1] is selling well now does not mean that [Yuxiang 183] is completely unsaleable. It's just that it's selling a little slower than before, but there are still markets for it.

There are always some people who are conservative and will not change their seeds until the planting results of [Nanyu No. 1] are clear.

Fortunately, the production of [Yu Xiang 183] was relatively small this season. Fang Wei and others had anticipated this situation and therefore took the initiative to reduce production, so there will not be much stockpiling.

"Okay, you can take care of the rest."

The two then chatted about other things, and around noon, Fang Wei drove Cai Tong to the county for lunch.

There was a symposium in the county that afternoon, and Luo Zhimin had specially invited the head of Yaoling Agriculture to attend. Fang Wei didn't want to go, but it would be appropriate for Cai Tong, as the company's general manager, to attend.

After dinner, Fang Wei returned home.

With nothing much to do in the afternoon, he slept a little longer and then prepared some rare herbs to bring to Master Sun.

the next day.

Fang Wei and Pan Lianhua then drove together to Sanqing Temple.

Compared to my last visit, there were fewer tourists today, at least the steps leading up the mountain were no longer congested, but the flow of people was still quite large.

The couple parked their car outside the mountain gate and walked up the steps to reach the Sanqing Temple. (End of Chapter)