1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 449 You should buy his dog some clothes too.
After a cup of tea, the relationship between Young Master Chen and Official Chen grew even closer.

As Chen Jiazhi walked out the door, Yi Dinggan, leaning against the car, asked, "How's the mayor's tea?"

Chen Jiazhi smiled and said, "It's alright, not bad."

Yi Dinggan's expression was slightly sour. "You're quite picky. Even when the mayor invited you to drink, it was just 'okay'."

Chen Jiazhi comforted Yi Dinggan, jokingly saying, "Of course, it can't compare to the tea brewed by my brother Yi."

Yi Dinggan opened the car door with a smirk on his face.

"Mr. Chen, wait a moment."

A voice suddenly came from behind him, startling Chen Jiazhi, especially since it was his secretary, Kang Ming.

"Secretary Kang, is there anything else?"

"It's a small matter, but the leader couldn't talk about it just now."

Kang Ming looked around and pondered, "Is Mr. Chen interested in vegetable retail? There are a number of state-owned vegetable stores in the city undergoing reforms."

Chen Jiazhi pursed his lips, quickly thought for a moment, and then asked, "What does the leader mean?"

Kang Ming said, "The leader didn't mean anything by it. He just said that if you're interested, I can pass on a message for you."

Chen Jiazhi thought for a moment and asked, "Can we just buy the shop directly?"

"Uh……"

Perhaps not expecting Chen Jiazhi to ask such a question, Kang Ming was taken aback for a moment.

"Mr. Chen, I'm not sure about the specifics of how to change it. Currently, most of the shops are leased or contracted out, and some have already been converted to private ownership."

If you're interested, I can write down a phone number for you and contact them. You can then directly arrange for someone to connect with them, okay?

"OK, alright."

Yi Dinggan had already taken paper and pen from the car, and Kang Ming immediately wrote down the phone number, address, and contact information before heading back.

"Huacheng Vegetable and Fruit Enterprise Group Co., Ltd., Liwan District, General Manager He Chengping..."

Yi Dinggan muttered to himself, "This company name seems familiar, like I've seen it somewhere before."

Chen Jiazhi said, "The main entity of Yuexiu Vegetable Wholesale Market, the company next to Jiangnan Market, has this sign. It's only been established for a few months."

After getting into the car, Chen Jiazhi said again, "It seems that state-run vegetable stores are indeed having a very difficult time operating."

Faced with the impact of marketization, state-owned vegetable stores are basically on the verge of collapse.

While the 13% tax rate played a role, its poor management was also a contributing factor.

Yi Dinggan asked, "If we buy the shop, are we going to open a vegetable store too?"

Chen Jiazhi pondered for a moment and said, "I don't need to buy it just to open a vegetable shop; renting is fine."

"Is that waiting for the value to appreciate?"

"We can wait for the demolition and relocation."

Chen Jiazhi recalled the news he had seen a few days ago that the government might adjust the existing real estate system, and he speculated that it would likely target employee housing provided by employers.

New residential housing is coming soon.

If you can buy a batch of shops, the chances of future appreciation or demolition and redevelopment are very high.

He couldn't help but think to himself, "Official Chen really knows how to handle things."
The car drove straight to the office, and Chen Jiazhi called He Chengping using the phone number Kang Ming had left.

Upon learning that he wanted to buy the property rights of the shop, He Chengping's attitude became somewhat cold, and he gave him a contact number.

After thinking it over, Chen Jiazhi decided to go to the city in person to make the arrangements and take a look at the state-run vegetable shop.

Generally speaking, state-run vegetable stores are located in pretty good locations.

But some may be very simple, perhaps just a storefront, or perhaps just a tin shed or bamboo shed.

After arriving in the city, Chen Jiazhi took Chen Zhengxu with him as they walked through the streets and alleys of the city, investigating one state-owned vegetable store after another.

From Chen Jiazhi's perspective, they are all quite old, and the tallest buildings are only two or three stories high.

However, he discovered that Liwan and Yuexiu districts were already implementing urban renewal plans, including the planning of Kangwang Road, which would involve the relocation of more than 3,000 households along the route.

"No wonder he was so cold. If I bring up buying a shop now, people will definitely think I'm using the mayor's name to pressure them."

Chen Zhengxu, now understanding the whole story, asked, "Do we still want to buy it?"

Chen Jiazhi shook his head. "Let's wait and see. There's no rush. There will be plenty of opportunities. Let's get through the New Year first."

Although he could probably buy it if he wanted to because of Chen Daguan's connections, it wouldn't look good.

Moreover, he felt that state-run vegetable stores would face increasing difficulties, and Yuexiu Market was clearly no match for Jiangnan Market, so there were still plenty of opportunities.

This Spring Festival was a bit cold, but exceptionally busy.

Chen Jiazhi quickly put the matter of the state-run vegetable store out of his mind and threw himself into the work before the holiday.

As the Spring Festival approaches, there are more banquets in the city, and restaurants and hotels are extremely busy, leading to a significant increase in the daily demand for vegetables.

Chen Jiazhi was reviewing documents in his second-floor office when he could hear shouts coming from downstairs.

After confirming matters such as bonus distribution, duty shifts, and gift-giving lists, Chen Jiazhi also threw himself into production work.

His job is quite simple: he just stays here for a while and there for a while.

It's not so much about giving orders, because he can do things himself and does them better and faster than most employees.

This is something he learned from Li Xiu, using his own actions to motivate employees to improve efficiency.

Moreover, both he and Li Xiu have this ability.

Early morning, another time to arrange the supply of goods. Because of the preparation of goods, the phone is often filled with roars from the other end.

"How much? Say it again?"

"Why the hell aren't you coming to collect the vegetables! 150 tons! If you want to kill me, just say so!"

"My God of Wealth, 65 tons of chicken heart mustard a day is the limit, I really don't have the capacity to do any more."

"Mr. Xu, it's not that I'm not cooperating, it's just really burned out!"

After being yelled at by the market manager in turn, Li Cai and Chen Zhengxu finally managed to secure the order quantity and sat down with smiles on their faces.

"All done, boss."

"See? I told you it could work. Even if you get scolded, say some nice things, and try to get things done, the farm managers still have a way."

Seeing the two laughing heartily, Chen Jiazhi couldn't help but chuckle. It wasn't easy to laugh under such great pressure.

"Thank you for your hard work. If the market is bad in the future, the market will ask you for help, and you will have to hold on just as well."

"That's natural."

Chen Jiazhi poured tea for the two of them and said, "The gifts are all prepared. Once the goods are ready in the next two days, we'll send them out as soon as possible, and those who are supposed to take a holiday can do so."

Chen Zhengxu nodded and said, "I'll go deliver some of them later."

"I'll bring it to the market office when I go to the stall tonight, and I'm going to sleep now."

Li Cai gave an OK sign, yawned, and walked outside.

Chen Jiazhi then said, "God of Wealth, do you have a place to spend the Spring Festival? If not, go to Zengcheng."

Li Cai waved his hand without turning his head, "Okay, then I'll go to Zengcheng. The fishing spot that Boss Yi prepared for me should be ready to attract fish by now, so I'll go cast a couple of lines."

Chen Jiazhi was at a loss for words. "May you have fish every year?"

After a while, Li Xiu brought in a bowl of noodles and placed it on Chen Jiazhi's table. "Jiazhi, eat your noodles first. Zhengxu, you should eat too. By the way, where is Li Cai?"

"He ate at the market this morning and went back to sleep." "Oh, okay, then go eat quickly. The noodles are in the pot, pick one yourself. I don't know what you like."

Chen Jiazhi was already munching away, saying, "Delicious, this is the taste! Li Xiu, you're getting to know my stomach better and better."

Li Xiu smiled and said, "As long as there are plenty of whistles, the noodles will taste good no matter what."

Chen Jiazhi nodded in deep agreement, and seeing Chen Zhengxu still standing to the side, he urged, "Zhengxu, what are you standing there for? Go eat your noodles."

"Okay~"

Chen Zhengxu suddenly realized something. In the past, when he saw other couples showing affection, he would not pay any attention and would quietly leave. But now he was willing to observe for a while longer and secretly learn a few tricks.

In the office, Li Xiu rested her chin on her hand and watched Chen Jiazhi eat noodles.

Chen Jiazhi looked up and said, "Xiu, why are you staring at me? Have you gotten even more handsome?"

Li Xiu rolled her eyes, but Chen Jiazhi continued to say to himself, "It must be. He hasn't been in the sun much lately, and he's gotten a lot fairer."

"You're so shameless." Li Xiu was amused and said, "I just feel like you're eating noodles really well right now, it doesn't seem like you're acting."

"I swear to God, I don't act; it was all my true feelings."

Li Xiu snorted, "You must have acted before, just to coax me into cooking for you for a long time."

Chen Jiazhi firmly denied it: "No."

Li Xiu: "Yes, you used to say that my cooking was bad. You always said that you were a good cook, but you rarely cooked."

Chen Jiazhi finished the last drop of soup in his bowl and said, "Cooking tastes better now."

Li Xiu stopped pressing the matter, put away the bowl, and said, "As long as it tastes good, that's fine. Even if you're busy, you must eat on time."

"Make sure to complete the mission."

Li Xiu left with a smile.

On the 28th day of the Lunar New Year, starting in the afternoon, Kaopu Fresh seemed to enter the charge phase of a battlefield, working extremely busy.

In the sorting area, Li Xiu made sure that her walking path would not interfere with the workers' work, while skillfully checking orders and counting ingredients.

From fresh ingredients to packaged semi-finished products, she would occasionally conduct spot checks, carefully inspecting the appearance and weight to ensure that the ingredients delivered to customers were 'error-free'.

In the packaging area, workers are also arranging and packaging various vegetables according to order requirements.

Weighing, labeling, packing...

Every person and every pair of hands is constantly moving, with clear division of labor and perfect coordination.

Whenever Li Xiu sees such a busy scene, she feels a sense of pride.

She thought of her lovely and well-behaved son, and how Reliable Fresh had grown up, much like a baby growing up little by little, making her want to protect his growth.

As trucks slowly drove out of the distribution center, loaded with bags of vegetables, heading to every corner of the city, these busy figures began preparing for the next batch of orders.

It wasn't dark yet. Chen Jiazhi was walking in the passageway of the Jiangnan Market, while Li Cai's van was still crawling behind him.

There was a huge traffic jam in the market, with tricycles and trucks weaving back and forth, and horns blaring incessantly.

Almost every stall was bustling with activity, and the damp, cold air seemed to have turned into bursts of heat.

People walk faster than cars, and Chen Jiazhi soon arrived at the stall, where several carts of vegetables were parked.

However, Ding Qiao, who was guarding the stall, told him that the goods that arrived in the morning had already been sold out, and even the several truckloads of goods that arrived two hours earlier were almost gone.

The only thing that can stop them from selling vegetables is the market's delivery efficiency.

Zhang Qiren, who works at stall number 62, couldn't even get a delivery tricycle and had to rely on He Qiang and others for help.

Ding Qiao stood with his hands on his hips by the stall, looking at the crowded traffic and people, and exclaimed, "The market this Spring Festival is terrifying."

Chen Jiazhi calmly handed out cigarettes to everyone, watching the flow of people as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

Before the development of fresh food e-commerce, wholesale markets were very busy during holidays, but the scene we see now is too crowded.

He also thought about the May Day and National Day holidays in two years, when domestic demand would see a significant boost.

Before he had even finished half of his cigarette, Zhang Qiren and Jiang Lin, the couple next door, suddenly brought over several gift boxes.

"Happy New Year, Mr. Chen."

"Oh, you're too kind."

"Hey, we're neighbors, just sending a little greeting. Happy New Year and may you prosper!"

"Wishing you prosperity and good fortune!"

The couple delivered the gift box and hurried back to their stall. Over the past six months, the reputation of the winter melon specialty stall at stall number 62 has been established, and business has been getting better and better.

Chen Jiazhi had originally considered selling winter melons, but he couldn't bite off more than he could chew. So he suggested to Zhang Qiren that it would be good to have a complementary stall as a neighbor.

Looking back now, they did get along quite well.

From the afternoon until the first half of the night, the flow of people in the market showed no signs of decreasing. Selling vegetables was easy, but getting the vegetables to customers was not.

This is where the advantage of distribution centers comes in, as they are located outside the market and are less affected by traffic.

Delivery vehicles can enter the city almost without any obstacles.

After staying at the stall for a while, Chen Jiazhi returned to the distribution center to assist with scheduling, and did not return to the stall until midnight.

The cold weather during this year's Spring Festival slowed down vegetable growth, leading to a surge in vegetable prices. By midnight, the market was already much less stocked.

Many stall owners have sold out and gone home for the Chinese New Year.

But there were still quite a few people coming to buy groceries.

Two more truckloads of vegetables arrived, and stall number 63 was surrounded by customers buying vegetables.

When Chen Jiazhi entered the stall, he encountered many familiar faces who greeted him, and several people even asked him for late-season cabbage.

While writing the order, Li Cai pointed to a pile of gift boxes under the table. He said they were mostly gifts from middlemen and retailers, all in an effort to get better sources of goods.

For vegetables like mustard greens, late-season bok choy, and lettuce from Kaopu Fresh, you can basically make a profit by buying them and reselling them wholesale or through distribution.

Other dishes can also generate stable profits.

Chen Jiazhi counted the number of gift boxes briefly and remarked that the stall had already flourished.

Just by looking at these gift boxes, he knew that the stall's business was doing well; ordinary stalls wouldn't accept gifts.

After midnight, the Hong Kong Cheung SW Market gradually came to an end.

Tongxingtai still has several truckloads of goods that have just arrived.

After Xia Youche and his son Xia Yang received the goods, they instructed the workers to start packing them according to the order, and then immediately delivered them after verification.

This year, Tongxingtai has gained more than 80 high-quality order customers, some of which are chain stores. Each store will stock up on goods for several days during the holidays.

Starting two days ago, Xia Youche and his son have been extremely busy, experiencing the blissful troubles of life.

After delivering another truckload of vegetables, Xia Youche glanced at his watch and called out, "Yangyang, where did you put the gifts I asked you to buy for Boss Chen's family?"

"They're all in the car."

"Have you bought everything?"

"It's all done. Everyone has bought something. The only thing missing is to buy an outfit for his dog too."

"Okay, the rest of the orders are yours. I'm going to Huacheng to deliver the gifts now."

Xia Yang stared in surprise, "Is it really necessary to work this hard, Dad?"

Xia Youche called a driver to start the car, and turned to Xia Yang and said, "Your father has been in the vegetable business for decades and has never seen a person like Boss Chen. If you ask me, you should buy clothes for his dog too."

(End of this chapter)