1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 284: Taking the Helm
"Manager, all the materials are ready!"

On the evening of May 4, Huang Chuan came to Chen Jiazhi with a file bag in his hand.

"Let's go when you're ready, don't keep Master Yu waiting."

"We should have set off long ago. It takes a whole night to transport vegetables from Guangzhou to Hong Kong."

Yu Zhaokun, standing next to the refrigerated truck, felt very uncomfortable. At the same time, he cursed Xia Youche in his heart, saying that all businessmen have dirty hearts.

Just a month ago, they were determined to shut down Jiangxin Vegetable Market, claiming that it wouldn't last three months and would have to surrender.

Just over a month later, he received another call from Xia Youche: to pick up vegetables at Jiangxin Market.

He initially thought that the man surnamed Chen had admitted defeat, but it turned out that Tong Xingtai had betrayed the revolution first.

It is estimated that Hengyang Trading is still in the dark.

Chen Jiazhi was unsure whether it was true or not.

But tonight he and Huang Chuan will also drive to Phuket to see exactly how the border crossing process works.

"I'm leaving now. Li Xiu, Second Sister, you should go back and rest early."

Be careful on the road, drive slowly.

Li Xiu reminded him that now that the family had money, she felt that Jia Zhi was always busy, getting busier every day. She felt a mix of emotions, very gratified, but also always felt that she couldn't keep up with his pace and couldn't help him with many things.

"Don't worry, I'm an experienced driver."

The truck sped along the road.

Chen Jiazhi drove his Isuzu closely behind Yu Zhaokun's refrigerated truck.

Yu Zhaokun hired a driver from the mainland to drive him. However, Yu Zhaokun turned out to be the same person Xia Youche had found to guide them in preparing materials and handling customs clearance. So, contrary to his usual behavior, Yu arrived at Jiangxin Market very early today.

But this also made Chen Jiazhi realize that the process might not be difficult; even a driver could handle it.
Moon stars are rare.

According to Yu Zhaokun, it takes nearly six hours to travel from Panyu to Buji in Shenzhen, which is a very long journey.

Chen Jiazhi and Huang Chuan chatted idly, and soon the conversation turned to Huang Jianyuan.

How did your uncle get to Hong Kong?

Huang Chuan said, “My father’s generation had eight siblings. My second uncle ran away from Lianzhou when he was a teenager, more than 30 years ago. He swam to Hong Kong with others and went to live with relatives.”

More than 30 years ago, in the 1960s, Chen Jiazhi roughly understood.

"How did he eventually become a restaurant owner? Have you heard him tell you?"

“My family knows this.” Huang Chuan smiled and said with a hint of pride, “My second uncle also worked in a restaurant at first, and later he got together with the restaurant owner’s only daughter.”

Chen Jiazhi exclaimed in surprise, "President Huang has such a romantic history?!"

"Hmm." Huang Chuan was quite proud of himself. "My second uncle didn't have this big belly when he was young. He was quite handsome."

After a pause, Huang Chuan added, "He might not be as good-looking as you, Director, but he's really quite handsome~"

"Yes, I like hearing that."

"However, my second uncle is also very capable. Back then, the restaurant was very small, but now he owns three restaurants in Hong Kong."

In recent years, they have also invested in hotels, restaurants, and other businesses in mainland China, and their businesses are quite substantial.

Chen Jiazhi added: "There's also the Jiangxin vegetable market."

“Uh…” Huang Chuan scratched his head. “He probably saw that others were making money by investing in vegetable markets, so he invested in one too. But it turns out that running a vegetable market is not that easy. You are the one who is really good, manager. The vegetable market is thriving now.”

Chen Jiazhi thought for a moment and asked, "Does your second uncle have any other plans for you?"

"Not yet, he's been quite busy lately." Huang Chuan pondered for a moment and said, "Manager, I personally still prefer to stay at Jiangxin Vegetable Market."

"why?"

"It's hard to describe the feeling, but it's quite comfortable to stay here, and it also seems to have a promising future."

Is it about future prospects or wealth?

"It's possible that both."

"Quite honest~" Chen Jiazhi smiled, then suddenly asked, "Are there many people who grow bok choy in your hometown?"

Huang Chuan said, "There are quite a lot, but not many are sold to the public. Most are for personal consumption, and they are sold at a relatively low price, usually only one or two cents per pound."

Chen Jiazhi pondered for a moment and said, "How about I go and buy some and bring it to Huacheng to sell?"

Huang Chuan thought for a moment and said, "Hmm~ the planting distribution may be quite scattered, and it takes a lot of time to purchase and transport. With the recent weather, it may not be fresh by the time it reaches the market."

Chen Jiazhi nodded and said, "There is indeed that risk. Besides bok choy, what other vegetables do you grow?"

Huang Chuan said, "In summer, there might be more mustard greens, cucumbers, loofahs, winter melons, and eggplants..."

Chen Jiazhi thought this was quite suitable; Lianzhou could serve as a base for investigation.

They chatted idly, making small talk.

We arrived in Phuket late at night.

Following Yu Zhaokun, Chen Jiazhi experienced the entire process.

Submitting materials, reviewing documents, inspecting goods, releasing cargo...

It took until four or five in the morning to finally get through.

The main problem is still queuing and waiting, and there is no electronic process. Most of the time, random checks are done by people.

Yu Zhaokun also found a state-owned foreign trade company to act as his agent, and Jiangxin Vegetable Market covered all the expenses, including agency fees, handling fees, and inspection fees.

It accounts for approximately 2.5% of the value of the goods.

Perhaps the only part that requires technical skill is the preparation of some raw data.

After experiencing it once, Chen Jiazhi was no longer fascinated by it. It didn't seem as difficult as he had imagined.

He felt that Jiangxin Market could operate on its own; as long as there were customers, it was just a matter of finding an agent.

Hong Kong has large vegetable markets as an obstacle, but Southeast Asia and Japan don't, right?

Moreover, Chen Jiazhi always felt that the monopoly of the large vegetable market was not as strong as he had imagined.
The most challenging aspect is probably logistics, as both the vehicles and drivers need to be qualified, which could present obstacles.

"Never mind, it's good news nonetheless."

In his previous life, he had little contact with the processes of supplying Hong Kong and exporting goods; he was more of a planting manager overseeing the base and lacked knowledge of foreign trade.

"We still need to come out and check things out more often!"

For three consecutive days, Chen Jiazhi led his men to Buji with Yu Zhaokun and figured out the whole process.

At the same time, the task of contacting foreign trade companies was also handed over to Tong Gang, and more people were recruited if there were not enough manpower.

After a few days, the supply to Hong Kong was completely sorted out.

Apart from a significant rainstorm that disrupted the day's harvest, the amount of green peppers harvested remained around 18 tons, and Jiangxin Vegetable Market's cash balance reached over 260 million yuan.

This terrifying burst of power delighted Chen Jiazhi, but he also wanted to spend the money as soon as possible.

...

The market has turned into two colors again, half emerald green and half dark brown.

Chen Jiazhi and Li Xiu walked on a country path.

Li Xiu frowned: "Jiazhi, I feel like I can't manage so much money, let alone people."

“You can do it.” Chen Jiazhi turned his head to look at her. “You can manage it for a while, pay attention to the money coming in and being used, and keep an eye on the construction of the factory. The rest of the time you can just stay in the office.”

Besides you, I can't find anyone more trustworthy.

Li Xiu wanted to shake her head, but she really wanted to help; however, the task entrusted to her was too important.

"Can't you just stay home? I'm afraid you'll mess things up."

"It's better to go and do it myself the first time, I'm afraid others won't be able to handle it."

Chen Jiazhi said, "As for the vegetable market, there are specialized workers for the construction of the cold storage and foam box factory, so you don't need to worry about it. Just take a look. I'll be back around the time of the inspection."

In addition, you can let Brother Yi and others keep an eye on the factory construction, and you just need to manage the money.

"Don't worry about making mistakes. It's our own market, who would dare say anything against you?"

Chen Jiazhi has already made arrangements for the cold storage and foam box factory. Because there was already enough land available for facilities and warehouses near the market's office area, and after completing some procedures, the cold storage and foam box factory can be built directly.

According to the plan, the cold storage will have a capacity of about 500 cubic meters and can store about 100 tons of vegetables, with an investment of 50 yuan.

The foam box factory also invested 50 yuan and planned to produce 3000 foam boxes per day.

The matter was settled, and he planned to look for sources of goods in the surrounding area, so he thought of letting Li Xiu manage the money.

"Fine, just this once." Li Xiu kicked at the roadside weeds and muttered, "But you can't do everything yourself."

"Did I?"

“Yes!” Li Xiu said, “You’re in charge of the base, the wholesale market, supplying Hong Kong, and now you’re the one going out to find goods.”

"We've invited so many people, why can't we just let them do it?"

"I'm afraid they won't do a good job."

"Do you really think I can do it?" Li Xiu said, "Besides, how do you know they can't do it if you don't let them try?"

"You insist on doing everything yourself. Aren't you afraid of exhausting yourself? What will happen to Dou Dou and me then?"

The two walked silently through the fields, the afterglow of the setting sun enveloping the vegetable garden.

Chen Jiazhi breathed a sigh of relief. "You're right. I'll try my best to delegate tasks to others in the future."

Li Xiu lowered her head. "I'm sorry, my tone was a bit harsh just now."

"It's okay. I haven't been staying home much lately, and I've been sleeping during the day." Chen Jiazhi didn't want to talk about heavy topics. "I won't go out these two nights; I'll stay home with you."

"Really not going?" Li Xiu looked up again, her face full of surprise.

"Oh, so you've been eyeing my body all along!" Chen Jiazhi joked. "Look at you, you're practically drooling."

"I didn't!" Li Xiu touched her chin.

"Oh no, you really do care about my health."

"I'm ignoring you now, you're always thinking bad things."

"You're the one who said I only think about work all day long?!"

"Then can't you think of something else?"

"You were the one who thought of it first; you almost drooled on the floor just now."

"no!"

Li Xiu jogged away and went ahead to help Chen Jiafang pick sweet peppers.

Chen Jiazhi walked slowly behind.

Looking back on the past year since my rebirth, it seems like I've been just growing vegetables, but I've actually done quite a lot.

Expanding the planting area, saving seeds for breeding, trying new technologies, renting stalls, managing two vegetable markets, going to Jiangnan, and delivering...

Many things are done simultaneously.

Some things were accomplished, some weren't. Thinking about it carefully, I guess I pushed myself a bit too hard.

As someone who has been reborn, he could easily live a very comfortable life.

Wealth, status, beautiful women surrounding him... life, to put it bluntly, is just about these mundane things. But having finally been reborn, he naturally has many more desires.

Chen Jiazhi lit a cigarette and silently told himself not to rush. The achievements he had made this year were already remarkable.

He returned to the roadside, where the team leaders were organizing the weighing and loading of the trucks, and Li Cai was there too.

"Li Cai, I won't go to sell vegetables tonight. You take the men and go."

"what?"

"It's been so long, do you still want me to take care of it?"

Li Cai scratched his head. "No, it's just that your sudden decision not to go is a bit surprising. Are you going to find some goods?"

"Go in a couple of days."

"We've had a bit less stock these past few days, and it seems like the market is having some issues," Li Cai said.

“Yes, I know.” Chen Jiazhi pondered, “This time Xue Jun and I went out to find sources of goods, next time you and him will go, both of you go out and run around.”

"it is good!"

Why are you so agitated?

"Let's get this going!" Li Cai chuckled. "Actually, I've been wanting to go out and find goods for a while now. We only have about ten tons of goods a day, and they just disappear as the fire goes on. It leaves me feeling empty."

"If we could burn all night, how much money could we make!"

"You big idiot!" Chen Jiazhi laughed and scolded, "Fine, from now on, you'll be in charge of developing the supply chain!"

He realized he had underestimated everyone.

Or perhaps the fact that Yi Dinggan received a share of the profits provoked Li Cai.

Stall number 63 is currently selling green peppers, and there's basically no profit in it, which is actually a bit unfair to Li Cai.

Anyone with ambition will want to increase the profits of their stall, but by cooperating with Jiangxin Market, the stall cannot profit from the information gap.

To make a profit, the only option is to go out and find goods.

Li Cai still had some ideas.

Bags of green peppers began to be loaded onto the truck. After they were all loaded, Li Cai excitedly shouted "Let's go!" His voice was full of energy.

Then came the green peppers supplied to Hong Kong, packed in bamboo baskets.

Looking at this somewhat troublesome packaging, Chen Jiazhi began to look forward to the early commissioning of the cold storage and foam box factory.

Cold storage is important for summer leafy vegetable production. In addition to refrigerating and storing goods, vegetables that have been pre-cooled also have a longer shelf life.

As for foam boxes, the cost is about 2 to 3 yuan each, which is affordable and is the trend. They also have advantages in transportation and sales management.

As the last truckload of vegetables was delivered, night fell, and the workers all left, leaving only a few team leaders and other managers standing in place.

How many dishes are there today?

“Tongxingtai 7 tons, Jiangnan 11 tons, sales of 9.67 yuan,” Xu Yao provided the figures.

Li Mingkun exclaimed, "Wow, that's almost 10! You guys from the northern region are pretty impressive!"

Qi Yongfeng: "It's still early. The snow peas in your southern region have been standing for three or four months. We need to persevere for a while longer too!"

Listening to the discussion among the group leaders, Chen Jiazhi joked, "It seems that the rain from the past two days didn't have much of an impact."

"The impact came later, and quite a few things were lost." Yi Dinggan chuckled, a cigarette dangling from his lips, "but this fire is still burning."

Everyone was happy.

Qi Yongfeng shouted, "Let's get this going!"

Chen Jiazhi said, "Stop burning it! I get a headache just hearing that word!"

"Haha, you started it!"

Since he didn't have to sell vegetables, Chen Jiazhi also took the opportunity to participate in the daily debriefing meeting.

Yi Dinggan has been organizing things for a while now, and it's the same today.

Chen Jiazhi didn't interrupt, but listened attentively to Ao Deliang, Qi Yongfeng, Huang Rixin, Li Mingkun, Guo Mancang, and Zheng Zhong's work reports for the day and their plans for tomorrow. Yi Dinggan also gave a summary.

Everyone spoke very well.

Chen Jiazhi suddenly realized that Li Xiu was right; doing everything himself would only raise a bunch of overgrown children.

Letting them play freely might lead to more mistakes, but it can also stimulate their individual potential and innovation.

Growing vegetables is a skill, selling vegetables is an art. Let growers cultivate the land and sellers conquer the market; let each do their job, doubling efficiency and doubling profits.

His job is still to steer the ship.

(P.S.: I'm not feeling well, so I'm one chapter short. Thanks for your support!)

(End of this chapter)