1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 210 Director Chen Doesn't Hold Grudges
The gifts from the three weren't particularly expensive, but their gestures were appreciated, and Chen Jiazhi seemed to enjoy them.

My butt still hurts a little from that fall.

He couldn't help but look at Xu Wenxiang, who seemed a little distracted.

"Mr. Xu, you didn't bring anything?"

"Did not bring."

She spoke with such confidence that just as Chen Jiazhi was about to purse his lips, Xu Wenxiang added, "However, you can make one request, and I will grant it as long as it's not excessive."

"so good?"

"uh-huh."

Chen Jiazhi pondered for a moment, then turned around and went to the corridor to face the vegetable field.

"I'd like to change the wage system at the market and pay the staff more. Is that okay?"

Xu Wenxiang also came to the corridor, looked at the vegetable field, and asked, "Are you talking about your group, or everyone?"

Chen Jiazhi: "Everyone gets it, everyone gets a share."

Xu Wenxiang glanced at Huang Jianyuan, Zhang Lerong, and Li Zaixing, her arms still crossed, and said, "This is actually within your job responsibilities. You can make other requests, such as those concerning your personal life."

Chen Jiazhi said, "This can actually be considered a private request."

The words were spoken in a veiled manner, but Xu Wenxiang vaguely understood that he still wanted to take care of his own loyal followers.

Xu Wenxiang looked up and asked, "How do you want to change it?"

Chen Jiazhi blurted out, "Give us more commission. If the profits are good, it would be best to increase the monthly and annual bonuses as well."

The corridor fell silent for a moment, with only the gentle breeze and the rustling of leaves remaining.

Huang Jianyuan, Li Zaixing, and Zhang Lerong all turned to look at the vegetable field, pointing and commenting.

In fact, the team leader does receive a commission. Chen Jiazhi had discussed this before coming to Jiangxin Market, but the offer was very low.

Now that there's an opportunity, it's natural to seek more benefits for those below.

However, this is essentially taking a loss from the shareholders.

The vegetable markets of this period were actually quite similar to factories, at least in that they exploited cheap labor.

Xu Wenxiang didn't agree immediately. After thinking for a while, she spoke again.

"If this batch of vegetables can be finished smoothly, then as long as you don't make unreasonable demands, you can increase the quantity later."

Chen Jiazhi smiled and said, "You will feel wise about today's choice, which will greatly benefit the increase of vegetable market output."

Looking at his warm smile, Xu Wenxiang suddenly felt a bit annoyed. He could be happy for his wife to get a set of skincare products, and he could be happy for his brothers to get benefits, but he was never happy for the vegetable market to make money.

It was as if this was just a transaction.

Xu Wenxiang turned halfway around to face the office door and saw a book on the table. She had seen it when she came in; it was an English book.

Not only does he sleep during work hours, but he's also studying English on his own. He'll probably be more enthusiastic about selling his own vegetables at night than working at the market.
Annoying!

But under his leadership, the market might soon turn a profit!
Xu Wenxiang sighed softly and said, "Director Chen, let's go for a walk in the vegetable field together."

Chen Jiazhi had already made preparations to go to the vegetable field: "Let's go then, and come back as soon as possible."

Go early and come back early?

Want to sleep?
no way!

Xu Wenxiang strode downstairs with her long legs.

The vegetables had been harvested in the field for a while, and the first refrigerated truck was parked in the yard with the air conditioning on.

Yi Dinggan was directing a group of workers to load the truck, while vegetables were still being picked up and brought back from the vegetable field.

Chen Jiazhi walked to Yi Dinggan's side and whispered reproachfully, "Why didn't you remind me beforehand?"

Yi Dinggan protested, "I was far away, watching over the spraying of pesticides in the northern area near the river. By the time I noticed them and rode back, they had already gone upstairs!"

Chen Jiazhi asked, "Who saw them first?"

"De Liang, you can't count on him. He'd probably be speechless if he saw Xu Wenxiang." Yi Dinggan winked. "That woman's got some nerve!"

Seeing Chen Jiazhi whispering with his cronies again, Xu Wenxiang said expressionlessly, "Let's go, Director Chen~"

"Oh, here we come."

Choy sum, water spinach, bok choy, Chinese kale~
Xu Wenxiang, like a curious child, led a group of people through the entire tour.

Not only did they look, they also kept asking questions.

Chen Jiazhi's mouth barely stopped the whole way; he kept talking and talking.
After finishing looking at the last piece of kale, Chen Jiazhi asked, "Mr. Xu, now that we've finished, can we go back?"

"also."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Xu Wenxiang smiled gently, "However, Director Chen, I see that there's a large empty vegetable garden over there. Since it's on our way, let's go take a look."

Chen Jiazhi: "What's so interesting about an empty lot?"

Xu Wenxiang: "Let me hear your plans for the next batch."

"..."

Exhausted and panting, Huang Jianyuan said, "President Xu, I won't go. I'll wait for you in the office."

Li Zaixing and Zhang Lerong also spoke up.

After the trip, the three of them already knew the quantity of vegetables in the field.

I feel like this trip was definitely worthwhile!

There's so much food!
One field after another, with distinct sizes and layers, there will definitely be no shortage of vegetables to sell in the near future, and it just so happens that vegetable prices are rising!
Making money is a sure thing!

The 600-acre vegetable market was truly enormous. After walking the entire length of it, the three of them were drenched in sweat, feeling several times more tired than if they had exercised in bed.

Can't walk anymore.

Xu Wenxiang said to the three of them, "Then you go and rest for a while and wait for me. Director Chen can come with me."

revenge!

It's definitely revenge! But do you think I'm afraid of you?

Chen Jiazhi glanced at Xu Wenxiang, then walked forward with her, striding quickly at a brisk pace.

Soon they arrived at the empty vegetable field of Group 1 in the north section.

Xu Wenxiang joked, "Director Chen, you have good stamina!"

Chen Jiazhi chuckled and said, "I come from a poor farming family and I'm in this line of work, so even if I walk around a couple more times, it'll be a piece of cake."

Xu Wenxiang said in surprise, "I don't want to sleep any longer. I saw you sleeping soundly just now."

"..."

"It was just a nap, and I think that after the work is done, taking a short break now and then won't have any impact."

Chen Jiazhi said in a deep voice, "Mr. Xu, I think I've done a pretty good job, haven't I?"

Xu Wenxiang habitually crossed her arms and said, "Not bad, but I think you can do even better~"

Chen Jiazhi shrugged: "I've done my best."

"hope so."

Xu Wenxiang wanted to bring up the Dongxiang vegetable market, but this was something she had agreed to when she invited him, and... well, she brought it up herself.
Looking back, it was a wise move, but I'm still inexplicably a little annoyed.

Looking at the empty vegetable patch at his feet, he said it was about eighty acres in size.
"What are your plans after this batch of vegetables is finished?"

Chen Jiazhi took out cigarettes from his bag, lit them with a lighter, and when he saw Xu Wenxiang staring at him, he reached out and handed her the cigarette case.

"Want one? My wife bought it for me, she bought a whole pack."

"I won't smoke." The tone was clearly annoyed.

Chen Jiazhi didn't care. After puffing on his cigarette for a while, he said, "The next plan depends on how this one goes."

He slowed down and emphasized the word "result".

He believed Xu Wenxiang would understand, but he needed to offer tangible benefits first.

Xu Wenxiang was even more annoyed, as she knew that the man in front of her was a loyal and affectionate person.

However, for her, it was all about naked exchange of interests.

But reason led her to nod.

This batch of vegetables was truly beautiful, so beautiful that she was speechless and had nothing to criticize.
The actual output was even higher than Mr. Chen's estimate, possibly reaching over a million jin.

Even the market conditions that were initially worrying have now completely changed, with choy sum supplied to Hong Kong reaching 2.4 yuan per kilogram.

The man in front of me is not only skilled at growing vegetables, but also has an excellent grasp of the market.

Jiangxin Market can do without anyone else, but it can't do without him.

The moment Xu Wenxiang lowered her head, Chen Jiazhi's lips curled up slightly, and he seemed to perk up a bit.

Oh well, it's just a matter of losing an hour or two of sleep. Anyway, he had already slept for six or seven hours in his dorm bed before the others arrived.

Standing in the vegetable field, after finishing a cigarette, Chen Jiazhi asked, "By the way, in two or three days, the water spinach and bok choy will be ready. Should we speed up the sales and take a few more orders?"

The orders were always negotiated by Xu Wenxiang and others.

"No need, prices may even be rising in the near future."

"Oh?" Chen Jiazhi asked curiously, "The weather might bring a downpour any day now. The price is good right now, so it's best to secure the money as soon as possible."

Xu Wenxiang glanced at him: "There's a problem with this batch of vegetables from the Hong Kong supply base; the yield has dropped significantly."

Chen Jiazhi doesn't know much about it.

Xu Wenxiang added, "The annual quota for vegetables supplied to Hong Kong, set by the Provincial Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Commission at the beginning of the year, was approximately 50 tons. This year, most production bases have only achieved less than half of their quota targets. Recently, the high temperatures and drought have led to severe production reductions at several bases."

Chen Jiazhi listened attentively to what followed.

Xu Wenxiang: "Some of our vegetables are grown using the skins of other bases..."

This was the first time Chen Jiazhi had ever heard of such an operation. He didn't understand the intricacies involved, but he did know one thing: the market was short of vegetables!

Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine.

东乡菜场9.11~9.15每天播种的2亩菜心已全都收完了，今天该收9.16号播种的4亩菜心。

The production volume is approximately 280 pieces.

The current market price is stable at 55 yuan per piece, which is quite good.

Considering the importance of securing the profits early, he instructed Ao Dehai to take all the profits at once, slightly ahead of schedule.

Judging from Xu Wenxiang's tone, the drought-induced yield reduction has already materialized, and prices may rise further.

Wouldn't he be at a huge loss?

280 pieces, that means we'll have to sell at least a thousand or two less, right?!

Seeing his thoughtful expression, Xu Wenxiang smiled and said, "Don't I know what you want?"
"Director Chen, let's go. Prepare the next batch of vegetables early. You haven't let me down, and I won't let you down either."

"..."

Damn it, they're finally leaving.

It's getting dark.

Chen Jiazhi declined to go out for dinner, citing that he was busy at the market. He exchanged a few words about work with Yi Dinggan and then prepared to go back to his dormitory to eat and catch up on some sleep.

Suddenly, shouts rang out again on the provincial highway under the cover of night, the voices enthusiastic and urgent.

"Director Chen, Director Chen~"

Chen Jiazhi stopped and looked back. A man on a motorcycle appeared, and he looked somewhat familiar.

"Director Chen, I've delivered the motorcycles from the market. Where would you like to put them?"

He Jun sat in the car with a friendly smile, but in his heart he was thinking that he had only met him once and that the man was so dark-skinned, so he probably wouldn't remember him.

"Oh, it's He Jun from the purchasing department!"

Director Chen remembers this matter very clearly.

(End of this chapter)