1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 416 Dividends
In the meeting room, after the agreement was reached, Chen Jiazhi poured himself a cup of tea to moisten his throat.

Huang Jianyuan suppressed his shock and did some mental calculations. He and Xu Wenxiang would also receive more than 20 yuan in dividends, which wasn't bad.

Furthermore, there is 1400 million yuan in funds available for expanding production, indicating a promising future.

Huang Jianyuan said, "Mr. Chen, you mentioned last time that you wanted to consult about the economic situation in Southeast Asia. This time I brought a friend with me; he's an economic analyst."

Chen Jiazhi said, "Okay, please introduce me, Mr. Huang. I will pay for it."

He then looked at Xu Wenxiang and asked, "Ms. Xu, would you be interested in listening in as well?"

"Of course I'm interested; opportunities to take advantage of Boss Chen are rare."

Xu Wenxiang's words were loaded with meaning; she deeply regretted not selling her shares in Jiangxin Vegetable Market back then, as she would have received significantly more dividends today.

Furthermore, she discovered that the potential of Reliable Fresh Life might far exceed her imagination, and Spruce Hotel seemed unable to compare with it.

A man soon entered the reception room, dressed in a white shirt and trousers, looking every bit the elite.

Huang Jianyuan introduced: "Zeng Cheng, an economic analyst from Hong Kong."

Zeng Cheng extended his right hand to Chen Jiazhi, "Hello, Mr. Chen, I have long admired your name. I have heard Mr. Huang mention you many times. Today I finally meet you in person."

"Hello."

Chen Jiazhi gestured for Zeng Cheng to sit down first and poured him tea, as he was now quite skilled at making tea.

After taking a sip of water, Zeng Cheng said, "Mr. Chen has a good eye. The real estate and stock markets in Southeast Asia are very hot right now, making them worthwhile investments, especially for bosses like you with plenty of cash. However, I still recommend that you buy or invest in the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong..."

Chen Jiazhi frowned. This was hardly an economic analyst; he looked more like a stock salesman or a real estate agent.

He interrupted, saying, "I have no interest in stocks or real estate; I just want to understand the economic structure of Southeast Asian countries and information related to currency exchange rates."

To ease the awkwardness, Chen Jiazhi poured tea for Zeng Cheng and Huang Jianyuan.

Zeng Cheng then provided several pieces of information that were useful to Chen Jiazhi.

Southeast Asia is primarily an export-oriented country, and exports have a significant impact on its economy.

However, most countries' currencies are directly pegged to the US dollar.

When the US dollar appreciates, the currencies of these countries also appreciate passively, which is the reason for the recent exchange rate fluctuations.

This has led to an increase in orders for Southeast Asian vegetables from Reliable Fresh.

Meanwhile, his remarks also revealed the booming stock markets and real estate markets in these countries, and he repeatedly suggested that Chen Jiazhi invest.

This immediately struck Chen Jiazhi as something familiar; wasn't this the real estate bubble?
In addition, the appreciation of the currency has increased the purchasing power of Southeast Asian countries when importing, but exports are likely to suffer.

Having grasped the crux of the problem, Chen Jiazhi lost interest in listening to Zeng Cheng talk about the stock market and real estate, and prepared to pay the bill and leave.

Zeng Cheng is not sincere at all.

Zengcheng said urgently, "President Chen, it is not a wise choice for you to deposit a large amount of cash in the bank. The interest is not enough to cover the devaluation, and it is also irresponsible to the shareholders."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Chen Jiazhi frowned slightly.

Huang Jianyuan's expression also changed slightly. "Zeng Cheng, why are you wasting so much time talking? Just answer whatever President Chen asks you."

Seeing that his attempt to sow discord had failed, Zeng Cheng shrugged and left first, though his eyes were full of disdain.

Huang Jianyuan said, "President Chen, it's my fault. I talked to him a bit too much before I came."

Chen Jiazhi chuckled lightly, "I'm afraid President Huang and President Xu have some reservations about me depositing my money in the bank, otherwise Zeng Cheng wouldn't know about this."

Huang Jianyuan stood there awkwardly.

Xu Wenxiang glanced at Chen Jiazhi and said bluntly, "To be honest, Kaopu Fresh's capital utilization efficiency is really too low. It's one thing to put money in the bank, but they haven't even taken out a single loan yet. It's not like they're running a business at all."

With Xu Wenxiang speaking up, Huang Jianyuan calmed down and they talked about the use of funds.

Chen Jiazhi also understood that what the two said made some sense.

However, based on the current information, the domestic vegetable market is facing an oversupply and the export market may be risky, so it is not suitable to take out loans to expand production at this time.

"The company will continue to standardize its financial management, but there is no need for loans at the moment."

After saying that, Chen Jiazhi looked at Xu Wenxiang and said, "President Xu, I'm hungry. Would you like some lunch from Yunshan?"

Resisting the urge to continue persuading, Xu Wenxiang said, "Considering Mr. Chen's generous profit sharing, what would you like to eat for lunch? I'll arrange it."

Huang Jianyuan took two steps forward and stood in front of Xu Wenxiang, saying, "President Chen, I know a place that makes really good roast goose. Come on, let me take you to try it."

"Yes, Mr. Huang is trustworthy when it comes to food."

Chen Jiazhi took a lighter and cigarettes, and then walked outside with Huang Jianyuan.

Xu Wenxiang said discontentedly, "What do you take me for?"

Chen Jiazhi turned around and invited, "Mr. Xu, would you like to come with us?"

"What do you take me for?" Xu Wenxiang crossed her arms, her expression unsatisfied. "Can't I eat Yunshan's vegetables?"

Huang Jianyuan said, "We've been eating the same dishes over and over again, we need to try something different."

Chen Jiazhi walked out of the reception room and turned back to say, "In short, Lao Huang is tired of Yunshan's dishes."

Huang Jianyuan felt a sharp gaze fixed on him. As someone in the catering industry, he knew how angry Xu Wenxiang was. Without looking back, he ran after her.

Xu Wenxiang felt uneasy watching the two getting more and more familiar with each other.

The dividends and bonuses from Kaopu Fresh were distributed separately on the first day of July.

Chen Jiazhi's personal account also received an additional 300 million yuan in after-tax income.

In the living room, Li Xiu, Chen Jiafang, Yi Dinggan, and others were discussing buying a house.

Yi Dinggan received nearly 20 yuan in dividends this time, and he also had savings, which made him eligible to buy a house.

The group was having a lively discussion, but they barely got to the point, just randomly pointing at things on the map like headless flies.

Chen Jiazhi only mentioned a few points about location, education, commerce, environment, transportation, and appreciation potential, but the three listened with rapt attention. Li Xiu said, "Jiazhi, you decide where to buy, I'll listen to you."

Chen Jiafang followed up, saying, "I'll listen to you too."

Yi Dinggan: "Me too."

Yi Long and Yi Hu: "And us too."

Dou Dou also came over to join in the fun and jumped into Chen Jiazhi's arms.

Chen Shaochang and Peng Guozhen watched this scene with smiles.

After anticipating potential economic changes in the next year or two, Chen Jiazhi wanted to wait another year to see how things went before making a purchase.

But since everyone was in high spirits today, he didn't want to dampen their enthusiasm, so he mentioned a few locations.

Anyway, it will take time to look at houses.

Moreover, it doesn't matter if you buy it. If prices drop in the next year or two, you can wait a few more years and prices will rise again.

Today is a day to be happy.

Meanwhile, Chen Zhengxu, Li Cai, and Xue Jun also took advantage of their lunch break to have a nice meal together.

After leaving the restaurant, Li said, "It's still early, how about we go shopping together for a while and buy some things?"

Xue Jun replied, "Okay, that just so happens I was thinking of buying a watch."

"I'll go as well."

"The mall has air conditioning, so it's good to go for a walk."

Everyone responded and went along. After receiving the money, they felt a little empty inside if they didn't buy something.

"You guys go ahead, I won't go," Chen Zhengxu said inappropriately. "I have some things to take care of in my office, so I'll head back first."

Everyone was slightly taken aback. Li hesitated for a moment, knowing he couldn't persuade them otherwise, and asked, "Is there anything I can bring you?"

Chen Zhengxu thought for a moment and said, "See if you have any song cassettes, and bring me a few."

Okay, I know what you like to hear.

Li Cai then led his men to the nearest shopping mall. Along the way, some people occasionally muttered that Chen Zhengxu was not sociable, and that even if he was busy with work, it wouldn't affect his lunch break.

Only Li guessed the reason, because he was also very excited, as the dividend this time was quite generous.

The stall doesn't sell vegetables at lunchtime, otherwise he would like to take a stroll around the stall.

Chen Zhengxu walked along the road under the bright sun, casting a short shadow on the ground that moved quickly forward, much like his current mood.

He was used to seeing money and his monthly income was quite substantial.

But this dividend was different. It was a higher recognition of his personal value. The nights he stayed up, the groceries he bought, and the clients he visited all kept replaying in his mind.

All the hard work paid off.

He didn't spend much time at the market, but it was no different from growing vegetables; you reap what you sow.

Back in his office, Chen Zhengxu took out a list of past clients and began to analyze it.

With the off-season for mustard greens, the delivery business has been affected, and some customers have not established broader cooperation with Kaopu Fresh.

When the mustard greens are available again in the second half of the year, these people may be able to be won back, but Chen Zhengxu is thinking about how to build a more stable and extensive relationship.

At the Pengcun base, the camphor trees planted in the spring have grown taller.

In his simple office, Ao Deliang was on the phone with Ao Dehai, who was far away in Shanghai.

However, his voice sometimes rose and sometimes fell.

After learning about Ao Deliang's situation, Ao Dehai said, "Boss Chen treated us well, didn't favor anyone, and was quite fair."

Ao Deliang agreed, adding, "And they really did give me the dividends they promised, and such a large amount at that. I never thought I could get so much money at once."

Ao Dehai: "I never thought about it either."

Ao Deliang: "This is only in the middle of the year. I heard from Boss Chen that there will be more at the end of the year."

Ao Dehai: "Let's work hard in the second half of the year."

Ao Deliang: "You too."

The two brothers poured out their hearts to each other, recalling their experiences over the past two years, still feeling as if they were in a dream.

...

In Guangzhou during July and August, you can work up a sweat even if you do nothing all day, not to mention the farmers working in the market who have to change their clothes at least twice a day.

It also rains inexplicably.

You might have just arrived at the vegetable garden to get to work when suddenly dark clouds gather and a downpour follows.

The weather really can change in an instant.

This time of year presents a severe challenge for vegetable farmers in Huacheng.

One oversight could ruin an entire crop of vegetables.

However, with the promotion and popularization of small greenhouses, more and more people are still choosing to grow leafy vegetables.

The Jiangxin vegetable market remains the same, with the 900-mu (approximately 67 hectares) vegetable market being planted gradually.

Vegetable workers are often able to cover the crops with plastic film before the wind and rain, protecting one crop after another, resulting in a stable overall output.

Even when there were occasional setbacks, the bustling market was always able to replenish its supplies in time, allowing the summer to continue for two months with a harvest.

(End of this chapter)