1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 247 Sustained Output
Cars were a luxury item back then, something most people wouldn't even dare to dream of.

In most cities, taxis are still minivans, like the Changhe minivan that Chen Jiazhi recently bought.

This is probably the most famous car in the history of Jiangxi's automobile industry. It has a compact body, but can easily carry six or seven adults and more cargo.

The total cost was about 5 yuan, which is considered economical.

Chen Jiazhi bought this vehicle not only for delivery but also to transport people, so that workers could use it for quick relocation in the future.

He had actually considered buying a larger Jinbei van, or even a truck.

However, Jinbei vans are too expensive and not cost-effective. At present, the main goal is to develop high-end delivery services in the city.

We might still buy trucks, but there's no sign of a new base yet, so there's no need to rush.

After careful consideration, he decided he needed a small van as a temporary solution, which would also fulfill his longing for a van.

After buying the car, it was already noon. We grabbed a quick bite and headed back.

Chen Jiazhi had Chen Zhengxu and Li Cai drive the truck, while he drove the bright red minivan ahead.

When the car stopped in the yard, he got out and saw his surprised parents.

Peng Guozhen stepped forward and examined the car: "Jiazhi, is this the new car you bought?"

Chen Jiazhi had previously checked at home, saying, "Yes, it looks alright."

Peng Guozhen then touched the front of the car and said, "It looks good, and the red color is festive."

Chen Jiazhi opened the car door and let the two elders get in and experience it. Peng Guozhen gets carsick, but he stayed in the car for a while before getting out.

Chen Shaochang was even more enamored with it. Not content with just sitting in the back seat, he ran to the front to try it out, constantly muttering "Not bad, not bad," and even brought his grandson on board to experience it as well.

"Oh dear." Peng Guozhen suddenly remembered something important. "I'll go boil some water; we'll slaughter a chicken for a sacrifice later!"

Chen Jiazhi hurriedly called out, "No need to rush, I need to go to the market first, let's go later."

"Oh no!" Peng Guozhen suddenly remembered something. "Right, right, Jiazhi, hurry to the market. Yi Dinggan just came back and said that you should go to the market as soon as you get home. The big boss is coming."

She also complained to Chen Shaochang: "Why didn't you remind me?"

Chen Shaochang was still in the car and hadn't gotten off. "I didn't bring my hearing aid with me, and Yi Dinggan left in a hurry, so I didn't hear what he said."

Peng Guozhen said discontentedly, "Since you've already bought it, if you're not going to wear it, you might as well throw it away!"

"I'm going to the market now."

Hearing the two arguing, Chen Jiazhi quickly broke up and slipped away. Without changing cars, he drove his newly acquired minivan to the market.

The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing. The vegetable workers were either bent over or walking among the vines. The scene of harvesting was always delightful, so several shareholders, including Xu Wenxiang, Huang Jianyuan, Li Zaixing, and Zhang Lerong, came again.

After parking his car, Chen Jiazhi asked around and found out that several shareholders had also gone into the pea ditch, which explained why he hadn't seen anyone.

The vines of Qizhen No. 76 can reach up to 2 meters high, and you can only vaguely see people's heads when standing on the road.

Guided by the workers, Chen Jiazhi found Xu Wenxiang deep in the heart of the region.

He carried a basket of bean pods, his long legs stretched straight, as he reached out to pick bean pods from the vines on both sides.

Chen Jiazhi didn't go in either, but shouted loudly a few times outside the ridge. Then Xu Wenxiang, Huang Jianyuan and the others came out from between the ridges one after another.

Besides the four shareholders, there were also several women and children. After being introduced, I learned that they were the wives and children of Huang Jianyuan, Li Zaixing, and Zhang Lerong.

After exchanging a few pleasantries on the street, Chen Jiazhi invited the group into his office.

Xu Wenxiang smiled and said, "Actually, we didn't come here for anything specific, we just wanted to come and take a look."

Huang Jianyuan echoed, "Yes, I just brought my family here to experience rural life."

In the time it took to say just a few words, the women and children went back to the vegetable field.

Chen Jiazhi was taken aback. They were really taking it easy. "I thought you had brought some good news again."

"There is some good news, too," Huang Jianyuan smiled. "Does the fact that vegetable prices have gone up again count?"

"Sure." Chen Jiazhi smiled calmly, without much excitement. "It's just that I know nothing about the Hong Kong market, so I'd like to hear more from President Huang about it."

Hearing these probing words, Huang Jianyuan smiled awkwardly, "This...this...actually, I only have dealings with a few buyers."

Xu Wenxiang also became wary and said seriously, "Director Chen, we did not falsify the accounts regarding the sales prices."

"Mr. Xu, don't be so serious. At this price, even if you can falsify the accounts, I'll accept it. You can't find snow peas for four or five yuan a pound even with a lantern."

Chen Jiazhi smiled and continued, "I just feel that the future market is hard to predict. The production plan of the vegetable market needs to be adjusted with the market conditions at any time. After the bok choy is harvested, I don't have much of a clue about how to plant the next crop. So I want to understand the market changes more so that I can make a plan."

"Didn't you go to the market to sell vegetables these past few days? You're only just getting back now. Where did you go this morning?"

Xu Wenxiang raised an eyebrow, slightly annoyed. She had originally intended to say that he had been sleeping that morning, but then she noticed the bloodshot eyes in his eyes and changed her words at the last minute.

Chen Jiazhi said, "We were investigating the domestic market this morning, but the market information is too limited. Jiangxin Vegetable Market mainly targets the Hong Kong market." Huang Jianyuan chimed in, "Director Chen, you don't need to worry. The Hong Kong market is mainly affected by domestic supply. Just follow the domestic approach."

“That makes sense,” Chen Jiazhi pondered. “But Hong Kong’s high-end vegetable supply has always been controlled by the United States and Taiwan. The profits from that should be even more substantial, right?”

"Hmm~" Xu Wenxiang exclaimed in surprise, "Jiangxin Vegetable Market can compete with them?"

"Why not?" Chen Jiazhi said in a deep voice, "Our production costs are far lower than theirs. With the same quality, they can't compete with us!"

"But...but the quality from the mainland is just not good enough!" Huang Jianyuan's words were full of doubt. "Director Chen, there have been many cases of pesticide residue poisoning in Hong Kong this year too."

Chen Jiazhi pondered for a moment and said, "The quality of the vegetables at Jiangxin Market is up to standard."

Huang Jianyuan shook his head, "But once the overall impression is formed, it will be extremely difficult to break into the high-end market."

“We still have to squeeze in!” Chen Jiazhi said in a deep voice: “The overall investment cost of a vegetable market is very high, and if the market is not doing well, losses are inevitable.”

If you reduce your input, the quality will also decrease, and you may end up in a vicious cycle.

The market is doing well right now; we have vegetables while others don't. Therefore, we should focus on expanding into the high-end market instead of staying put.

Xu Wenxiang became very sensitive to the word "market" and couldn't help but say, "Vegetable prices aren't low these days."

“That’s because I bet on the market right,” Chen Jiazhi said. “No one can win forever. If we don’t change when we can, things will only get more difficult when we want to change.”

After a pause, Chen Jiazhi emphasized, "This is also my honest opinion. I know you all dislike me, but the only reason I can stay at Jiangxin Market is because I have value."

But if one day I can no longer bring you benefits, believe me, you won't tolerate me being so distracted now, even though Mr. Xu promised me that in the first place.

"So you do realize that your behavior was excessive." Xu Wenxiang chuckled lightly, seemingly mocking herself. "We will try to expand into the high-end market, but Director Chen, your task is still to manage the market well."

Chen Jiazhi shrugged. "Since I came here, Jiangxin Market has never been this good."

“That’s true, I’d love to come here more often.” Xu Wenxiang gazed at the beautiful scenery in the fields. “We should probably head out now, Director Chen, you can continue with your work.”

She didn't want to talk about the market anymore, not even a single word.

The group left before the first truckload of food even departed, as if they really were just there for fun.

Chen Jiazhi was quite disappointed. He actually wanted to discuss the development of the Hong Kong market, but if they continued talking, they might break up before they even finished harvesting the vegetables.

He had complete control over planting and production, while Xu Wenxiang and others controlled sales, creating a delicate balance between the two groups.

Generally speaking, vegetable cultivation is inherently a weaker sector, but he has managed to become stronger in it.

If they could also control the sales channels in Hong Kong, they could start anew at any time, which was what Xu Wenxiang and others were worried about.

In fact, even without the Hong Kong channels, Chen Jiazhi planned to start from scratch.

At Jiangxin Market, he achieved at least two goals: he improved his team's management skills and accumulated some capital.

Starting anew is not difficult; by focusing on the domestic market, one can achieve considerable success.

Once you have a solid foundation and abundant resources, you won't have to worry about not being able to reach overseas clients.

...

"Mr. Xu, you started probing the market after only a few words upon meeting me. Your wolfish ambitions are crystal clear!"

On the way back, Huang Jianyuan, disregarding the presence of his family, began to complain to Xu Wenxiang.

"This can't go on. How about we adjust the price?"

"You actually believed him when he said he didn't understand market trends?" Xu Wenxiang shook her head. "He can turn on you and leave the moment there's a problem with the price!"

Huang Jianyuan was skeptical: "No way, he can make more money by using the Jiangxin vegetable market platform."

"Are you willing to take the gamble?" Xu Wenxiang had a gut feeling of uncertainty. "Or is it that you can find someone more suitable than him?"

"I can't find it."

"Last time we sold over 260 million yuan worth of bok choy and snow peas. If this batch sells out smoothly, we should earn at least three to four million yuan."

"Mr. Huang, can you find someone like this again?"

Huang Jianyuan fell silent.

It's not just a matter of finding someone like that; before this, he had never heard of a vegetable market with such an exaggerated ability to make money!
I've never heard of a casino manager with such a strong gambling addiction, and the key is that he won twice in a row.

The market conditions in the following days further dispelled Huang Jianyuan's crooked thoughts. Jiangxin Vegetable Market continued its rapid growth, with daily revenue gradually climbing from just over 14 yuan to 17.4 yuan!

And it stabilized, and on January 9th, the cumulative sales exceeded one million again, reaching 114 million yuan!

The entire management team of Jiangxin Market was filled with the excitement of a successful harvest. Xu Wenxiang and others also visited the market again, bringing various expressions of appreciation and treating the management team to a meal.

At the dinner table, Xu Wenxiang used her social skills to her advantage, raising a glass and exchanging pleasantries with everyone.

She thought to herself, "People's hearts are made of flesh and blood, not cold, unwarm stones!"
(End of this chapter)