1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 317 Business comes to your door
Jiangxin Vegetable Market is Youyi Agricultural Supplies' largest customer; an order from just one market makes their agricultural supplies business very comfortable.

If the same technology could be extended to other markets, the potential profits would be enormous.

After receiving guidance from Chen Jiazhi, Hong Zhong immediately threw himself into his work.

First, there are the seeds: Xia Dongqing, Zhongjiao No. 5, Qizhen No. 76, as well as common varieties such as Sijiuxin and Zhonghua Jielan. Chen Jiazhi also asked him to find a way to import some seeds from abroad, and even consider producing seeds himself to sell.

Secondly, we need to find manufacturers to produce the fiberglass rods and discuss cooperation.

Unlike plastic film, this is outside the supply and marketing cooperative system and has great potential for market promotion. Similar to it are climbing nets and other materials that can be used for melons, beans and vegetables.

In addition, there are some imported pesticides and fertilizers.

Within a few days, Hong Zhong had prepared all kinds of samples, including fiberglass rods, and had someone produce a bundle for trial production, just waiting for the person to come to his door.

The scorching sun following a period of continuous rain poses a significant challenge to vegetables.

Jiangxin Vegetable Market is no exception.

In addition to the direct crop failure, vegetable fields that were flooded also showed signs of leaf and root rot and yellowing, and vegetables covered with plastic film also showed adverse reactions.

In contrast, the situation at Jiangxin Market is much better, as it is not the epicenter of the rainfall. It is said that in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou and other places, many vegetable fields have turned into fish ponds, and there are too many fish to catch.

This is reflected in vegetable prices, which have surged again and are expected to remain high.

Vegetable prices will remain unusually high after the storm.

The vegetable market in Jiangxin is running low on produce. There are still a dozen tons of vegetables left each day, but the market shipped out too quickly and aggressively in the early stages, so the prices missed the peak.

But Chen Jiazhi has no regrets. Besides being a seasoned gambler, Jiangxin Market also has outstanding strengths!
Before the rain, you can rely on gambling; after the rain, you can rely on real skills to catch up with the market!

After taking over last year, Chen Jiazhi carried out a major renovation of the layout of the vegetable market's stalls and vegetable plots.

There is a ditch every 5 meters or so on the surface of the vegetable field. The ditches in the field are interconnected and the drainage is exceptionally fast.

While other areas were still submerged, the entire Jiangxin vegetable market was exposed.

Some areas are empty, while others still have vegetables growing.

But it doesn't matter. As long as seedlings can be transplanted, they should be planted as much as possible.

Who made sure there was a good supply of seedlings in the plug trays?
Chinese cabbage, bok choy, Shanghai bok choy, romaine lettuce, kale... This simple bamboo-framed seedling greenhouse has become a major undertaking!
A few days ago we were busy harvesting vegetables, and these past two days we've been planting seedlings like crazy. Some plots of land haven't even been tilled before we've started planting seedlings.

It's all about speed.

The first vegetable markets to resume supply can catch the tail end of the market boom.

As the planting continued, the weather became sunny and clear, with the sun shining brightly every day, making people sweat profusely.

Jiangxin vegetable market has also turned from white to black, and the newly planted seedlings are all covered under the shade net.

Wang Hao from Hexing arrived at Dongsheng Farm first. The farm was still draining water, the land was severely flooded, and it was difficult to clear the land. It was uncertain when the next crop of vegetables could be produced.

However, when he arrived at the Jiangxin vegetable market next door, the pitch-black scene left him completely bewildered.

"What's the point of building so many illegal websites?"

He was accompanied by Guo Yao, the person in charge of Hexing Vegetable Market, who looked like he was planting vegetable seedlings.

"It's just planting seedlings." Qu Jingtai and Li Jiyong also came along. The latter said, "We've been planting them for several days now, and the seedlings have all come back to life and started growing new leaves."

"He's already planting seedlings so quickly!" Wang Hao asked. "Why are you still draining the water? The vegetable patch is still a muddy mess."

Li Jiyong scratched his head. "They drain the water quickly, and many open spaces have been covered with small arched sheds so they haven't been hardened by rainwater."

"The water is draining way too fast."

As a technician at Hexing, Guo Yao was the first to head straight to the field. Sometimes he would look at the crisscrossing ditches, and sometimes he would lift the black net to look at the vegetable seedlings underneath, which were full of vitality and a scene of everything thriving.

"Old Guo, what do you think?"

"It has some unique features." Guo Yao gazed into the distance. "Take these ditches for example. Although they're a bit too dense and affect tractor tilling and machinery access, they drain water quickly, and tilling can be done manually or with a mini-tiller."

"Speaking of these seedlings, this is the first time I've seen seedlings planted in the summer, but with the shade netting for protection, the survival rate looks... wow, the survival rate is quite high!"

Following Guo Yao's gaze, everyone looked at the vegetable seedlings under the shade nets.

It was very rare for seedlings to die or be missing. After searching carefully for a while, I finally found a stubborn little seedling that was about to die but was not.

"This...is something else!" Guo Yao finally managed to utter after a long pause.

"I noticed it all." Wang Hao turned to look at Qu Jingtai. "Mr. Qu, you have this neighbor, but you don't usually keep in touch?"

"We have occasional contact."

"Oh?"

Wang Hao glanced towards Dongsheng Farm, practically stating that the difference between the two sides was enormous.

Qu Jingtai looked quite embarrassed, so Li Jiyong had to step in to help his boss out of the predicament, saying, "His investment cost was not low, and he didn't find anything special about it at first."

At the beginning of the year, the snow peas and bok choy planted at Jiangxin Vegetable Market were also covered with small arched sheds, mainly for protection against the cold. He never expected that he would actually run into this.

Then came hundreds of acres of green peppers, without any greenhouses. It wasn't until recently, when we planted leafy vegetables, that we discovered the amazing use of small arched greenhouses during the rainy season.

From today's perspective, it was indeed very useful; they must have sold a lot of good vegetables recently.

Wang Hao, with his hands behind his back, said, "It's not just a few days of good food; the effort he put in those few days far surpasses what others put in a year of hard work!" Li Jiyong was surprised: "Really?"

Qu Jingtai pursed his lips, feeling uncomfortable. "Boss Wang, let's not talk about the past. It's pointless."

The others immediately understood: a few days really is better than a year for others!

No wonder there was such a large entourage. Hexing brought quite a few people this time, including Wang Hao, as well as several market managers and technicians.

A group of people walked around in the field and looked around, which soon attracted the attention of the vegetable workers.

Yi Dinggan and Huang Rixin rushed over, "Hey, what are you doing here?"

Li Jiyong had met Yi Dinggan several times before. He stepped forward and said, "Director Yi, we've come to visit and learn about your technology. Come, let me introduce it to you."

This is Mr. Qu, the owner of our Dongsheng Farm; Mr. Wang Hao, the owner of Xiangjiang Hexing Vegetable Market; and Mr. Guo Yao, the owner of Hexing Vegetable Market…

This is Yi Dinggan, the manager of Jiangxin Vegetable Market, who is fully responsible for the market's production.

Wang Hao looked at them for a moment and then laughed, "Director Yi, your vegetables are really well grown. You've really made a name for yourself in Hong Kong this time."

Yi Dinggan calmly said, "I'm lucky. God has given me a chance to make a living."

“It’s not just good luck.” Wang Hao pointed to the shade net in front of him. “Your use of various technical facilities is also very unique. I would like to ask Director Yi to do me the honor of having a cup of tea with me so I can learn a thing or two.”

"I really don't have time. As you can see, hundreds of people are busy planting seedlings. How can I have time to go have tea with you?" Yi Dinggan also pointed to the workers who were squatting or sitting on the ground in the distance.

"They're all simple things, nothing complicated. Shade nets and plastic film covers are easy to understand."

Yi Dinggan and Huang Rixin turned and left.

Wang Hao, Qu Jingtai and the others were not surprised. This was normal. Anyone who came to inquire about their family's background would be strangely unfriendly!
They're considered civilized for not kicking them out outright.

"Let's go check on the seedlings again."

The market was open to the public, so the group of people walked around and looked around at their own pace without any problem.

"It seems the small arched greenhouse is quite effective!"

"Shade nets are a good option; their seedling survival rate is really high!"

"Come and see these Shanghai bok choy!" someone exclaimed. "These transplanted Shanghai bok choy are really big and beautiful. The yield will be high!"

After walking for a while, everyone was quite shocked, but they also began to take it for granted, as they could only see the use of facilities.

Given the facilities, they might not be unable to do it.

Tech professionals like Guo Yao and Li Jiyong share this view, essentially thinking that they're willing to pay for lessons learned and gain experience.

Until I started interacting with a large number of vegetable workers~
"Wow, it's not that simple. There are many things to consider when making these small greenhouses. You also need to use pesticides and fertilizers in combination..."

"Shade nets? Those are even more complicated. I've heard there are requirements for the degree of shading and the timing of use."

Using pesticides and fertilizers, and increasing shading—that sounds more reliable!
Wang Hao and the others suddenly realized that, indeed, good things are not so easy for others to know about.

"Hey, how can a worker like me explain this clearly? You have to ask our supervisor."

"If the boss won't tell me, then I can't do anything about it. Oh dear, no way, your cigarettes are from overseas? Oh dear, then I'll just give you a little hint."

Walk towards the market, there's a Friendship Agricultural Supplies store. You can go there and ask; they're a supplier for the market. The owner will show you how to buy things from them.

Some people in this society always believe rumors without question.

Wang Hao and his group did the same; after asking several groups of workers, some of them mentioned Youyi Agricultural Supplies.

The group continued walking forward, keeping an eye on the Jiangxin vegetable market.

This market gives people a very different feeling.

While other vegetable markets were still stuck in the mud, this place was already almost full of vegetable seedlings.

They're all industry insiders; they can tell at a glance how significant this advantage is.

Generally speaking, when open-field vegetables fail, it is necessary to drain the water and prepare the land in time, and then directly sow the seeds for the next crop. Smarter people will directly sow the seeds for early-maturing leafy vegetables with short growing seasons in order to catch up with the market.

But the Jiangxin vegetable market is too fast!

It drains water quickly, and progresses rapidly.

We'll just transplant the seedlings directly. Look at this, there are plenty of seedlings. This is much faster than sowing.

In about ten days, Jiangxin vegetable market will have a large supply of leafy greens again!
The market was definitely still in good shape then.

Wang Hao was increasingly alarmed as he looked at the news. Tong Xingtai was incredibly lucky; he had struck gold.

"Boss, we're here for business!"

Hong Zhong had noticed the group long ago and appeared at just the right moment. "You're here. What do you want to buy?"

"Do you sell the small arched sheds and shade nets used in the vegetable market next door?"

"Hey boss, you've come to the right place. You really can't buy the same thing anywhere else but here."

(End of this chapter)