1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 453 Taking Root (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Drinking tea at the victory celebration banquet.

Hmm~ If Li Mingkun were here, Chen Jiazhi could understand.

But what about you, Yi Dinggan?
However, under Yi Dinggan's leadership, this became the choice of most people at the victory celebration banquet.

Chen Jiazhi couldn't interfere, because according to regulations, employees working at the market are not allowed to drink alcohol at noon, and Yi Dinggan really needed to rush back.

Even Ao Deliang, who was the furthest away, planned to return to the Pengcun base after lunch.

It's all for work.

Chen Jiazhi understood their feelings, just as he knew he was a very generous boss, he wouldn't force his subordinates to drink.

In the end, those who were going back to the market chose to drink tea, while Chen Jiazhi, Chen Zhengxu, and Li Cai decided to accompany the shareholders for a small meal.

As is customary, the dividends arrived quickly, and the people at the dinner table began to discuss how to use the money, which then led to discussions about investments such as buying a house.

Chen Jiazhi reminded everyone to be aware of economic risks, and then talked about his own set of logic.

Southeast Asia is risky, and the company has reduced its export business to Southeast Asia; otherwise, this dividend would have been even higher.

Talking about this is a bit of a downer, but since we've already come this far, Chen Jiazhi emphasized:
"This year, we must first safeguard our existing business, hone our internal skills, and improve the quality and efficiency of every aspect."

“For example, with Zhengxu, if you say the net profit is low, then improve the details of the process, or whether there is room for price increases.”

"As for the vegetable market, we need to further improve the quality. For example, the standard length for harvesting bok choy is 18cm. If necessary, can it be adjusted to 15cm in a timely manner?"

"In addition, when using pesticides, it is important to always remember the dosage and prepare several sets of pesticide formulas to use in rotation. This is very important in today's social environment."

After a pause, Chen Jiazhi slapped the table and emphasized again, "It's also important for future exports."

We are only temporarily weakening our export business, but we will have to pick it up again sooner or later.

Quality is a crucial factor, especially for exports to Japan and South Korea, where they often cause problems…

Chen Jiazhi felt he was being a bit long-winded, but this was what he had originally planned to say at the meeting.

Before the food arrived, I said a few more words.

These are indeed quite important. Although he says it's easy, he can actually do it himself.

Regarding issues like the length of bok choy, the competition will be fierce in the future. The current standard of 18cm for supplying Hong Kong is not enough; it needs to be shorter and more uniform, which will have a significant impact on yield.

The pesticide issue stems from concerns about exports to Japan. To protect their domestic industries, the Japanese often implement targeted policies that are unfriendly to their domestic population.

However, if you want to make money from others, you have to be careful and take responsibility for your own brand.

The dishes were served one after another, and everyone began to eat and drink.

Although many people didn't drink, the atmosphere was still quite pleasant, since they had just received their money.

After finishing their meal, Yi Dinggan, Ao Deliang, and Qi Yongfeng all returned to the market. Prices had dropped, but March was still the peak season for vegetable sales, and the market was still quite busy.

Chen Jiazhi felt that the group also needed time to share their joy with their families.

In the tea room,
People came to drink tea to cleanse their palates.

Chen Zhengxu showed off his tea skills, which were even more proficient than before.

When Chen Jiazhi came in, he didn't see Xu Wenxiang, so he asked her a question.

Huang Jianyuan said, "President Xu has gone to give a lecture."

Chen Jiazhi found an empty seat and casually asked, "What happened?"

Huang Jianyuan added, "I know that Spruce's production has been inconsistent lately, but I didn't expect that even the private room that the boss booked himself could have problems."

Chen Jiazhi frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "I think the food at noon was alright, and we finished it all."

Huang Jianyuan curled his lip. "I'm in this line of work, so it's only natural that I can tell the difference. President Xia, Little President Xia, do you sense anything wrong today?"

Without hesitation, Xia Youche said, "The roast goose tastes different. It's probably not freshly roasted, but reheated."

Huang Jianyuan shrugged. "Look, even President Xia can tell. I didn't wrong anyone, did I? It's not only not freshly cooked, it might even be from yesterday."

Roast goose is one of Spruce's signature dishes; no wonder Mr. Xu was furious.

Chen Jiazhi glanced at Chen Zhengxu and Li Cai. Chen Zhengxu was expressionless, and Li Cai probably hadn't noticed this detail either.

As for Yi Dinggan, Ao Deliang, and Qi Yongfeng, if he remembered correctly, the roast goose was mainly eaten by these three, so there was no way he could expect any more.

"You guys from Guangdong really know how to eat."

"It's obvious."

Huang Jianyuan explained in detail what freshly roasted goose should be like, from the skin, the meat juices, and the texture of the fat.

"It's bad enough that Spruce has internal management conflicts, but now their products have been problematic for a long time, and their regular customers are all leaving. It's a real headache!"

Chen Jiazhi and Xia Youche were not very interested in the troubles of Yunshan, since neither of them were shareholders of Yunshan.

Xia Youche changed the subject at the right time, "Speaking of roast goose, there is a restaurant in Hong Kong that does it very well. Mr. Chen, when you come to Hong Kong, I will invite you to try it together. The roast goose there is absolutely delicious."

Chen Jiazhi smiled and said, "I'll remember that, Mr. Xia. You owe me a meal."

Xia Youche: "Hahaha, okay."

Upon hearing that the roast goose was exceptionally delicious, Huang Jianyuan pressed for details, asking, "Which restaurant is Mr. Xia referring to?"

"The main store is at Lei Garden Restaurant in Sham Shui Po." Xia Youche took a sip of tea and smiled, "They are also now customers of our Tung Hing Tai."

"That's really not bad, Mr. Chen. You can give it a try. Tongxingtai has made a fortune these past few months, taking over the business of Lei Garden Restaurant. I remember there are a total of 6 stores in Hong Kong, right? Damn, Mr. Chen, one meal isn't enough. You should at least have Mr. Xia treat you to 6 meals!"

Huang Jianyuan initially just nodded, but then became more and more excited as he spoke, his whole body movements revealing that he wished he could replace Tongxingtai.

Even in Hong Kong, Lei Garden is a very famous Cantonese restaurant, far superior to Wong Kee Restaurant.

Chen Jiazhi also took a sip of tea and said, "I've heard of Li Yuan Restaurant too; their stir-fried beef noodles are quite good."

Huang Jianyuan and Xia Youche were both somewhat surprised, as stir-fried beef noodles were a signature dish of Lei Garden.

Chen Jiazhi simply smiled. He had never been to Lei Garden in either his past or present life, but he had longed to visit it for a long time.

In his previous life, he supplied bok choy to a vegetable distributor who shipped to Jiuzhaigou for two years and heard the distributor talk about Liyuan.

It is said to be one of the pinnacles of Cantonese cuisine, and its stir-fried beef noodles are particularly delicious. A large hotel in Chengdu even poached a Cantonese chef from Lei Garden.

In the following years, when he was delivering cabbage to Huacheng, he would occasionally hear people mention Liyuan.

Anyway, despite the hype, Chen Jiazhi had only ever heard of the company and never expected that they would now have an indirect business relationship.

However, it seems that the owner has no plans to open a store in Huacheng at the moment.

"I must try it if I have the chance."

“Okay, Mr. Chen, you must look for me when you come to Hong Kong,” Xia Youche said. “I’ll make sure everything is arranged for you.”

Huang Jianyuan shrugged and said, "President Chen can also contact me. Our Huang's Restaurant is also very good."

Chen Jiazhi smiled and said, "Alright, alright, we'll all try it together then. When you get to Sichuan, I'll treat you to Sichuan cuisine too."

Xia Youche recalled that at lunchtime, several people had specifically requested chili peppers. "Mr. Chen, I'm afraid of spicy food, I can't eat any at all!"

Chen Jiazhi said, "Sichuan cuisine also has many non-spicy dishes, but they are troublesome to make. However, this is not a problem when you eat at a restaurant."

"Then it's a deal."

...

Pink peach blossoms bloomed along the roadside, and golden rapeseed flowers could be seen from time to time. Yi Dinggan, however, had no heart to appreciate these beautiful scenes.

He went back to the market and, like a triumphant rooster, toured the market, chatting for a long time with the market manager, Guo Mancang.

Then another 'victorious rooster' appeared in the market, and Guo Mancang kept walking back and forth in the market.

After he walked back and forth five or six times, his wife Zhou Yuqiong couldn't help but ask, "Old Guo, just say what's wrong. Be straightforward. I'm annoyed by you walking around like this."

"No, there's no problem."

Guo Mancang felt his mouth trembling slightly, so he turned around and slipped away. There were too many people there; could he really tell her that her husband had received hundreds of thousands in bonuses?
Chen Jiafang also noticed that Yi Dinggan was acting strangely. First of all, the time he came back was wrong, too early. And his behavior after he came back was also strange. Just as Jiazhi said, his mouth was as pouty as his lips.

Unlike Zhou Yuqiong, she knew the company was going to distribute dividends, so this must be it.

Chen Jiafang approached Yi Dinggan and asked softly, "How much?"

Yi Dinggan understood instantly, his eyebrows dancing with excitement as he held up one finger and whispered, "At least one million!"

Chen Jiafang heard it clearly, his pupils widened, and after a long while, he murmured, "The ancestral grave is emitting auspicious smoke. The Chen family has produced an extraordinary talent."

Yi Dinggan walked home again. It was Saturday, and his two sons should both be home.

He wanted to surprise them and see if they were studying, so he tiptoed into the house, but didn't see anyone studying in the living room.

They were probably playing on the computer, but Jiazhi suggested that the two of them learn more about computers.

He thought to himself, as long as he was studying, he wouldn't beat someone up today.

Before he even got close, he could hear Xiaolong and Xiaohu talking.

"Little Tiger, it's my turn."

"Right away, right away, I'll try again."

Yi Dinggan was furious. He thought the two of them were joking. "I work so hard to earn money just so you can play games!"
He burst through the door with lightning speed, yelling, "You little brat, all you do all day is beat people..."

After seeing it clearly, Yi Dinggan froze on the spot. It was indeed playing on the computer, but there were books next to the keyboard, and the screen did not seem to be a game.

There were also two pairs of eyes that seemed somewhat afraid of him.

"Hit...hit...hit the computer~" Yi Dinggan finished speaking, but his confidence waned.

"Learning computers, huh?"

He also saw the book clearly, and Jiazhi asked someone to buy it as a Chinese New Year gift for his two nephews.

Only Jia Zhi would do something like giving books and workbooks to students.

He remembered it vividly; it was impossible for him to be mistaken.

Yi Long and Yi Hu nodded slowly. Sometimes they still missed the days in their hometown, where at least their father was kind and doting.

Things have changed now.

The book says that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and that makes a lot of sense.

"Yes, don't even think about hitting us," Yi Long said, glancing towards the door. "Where's my uncle?"

Yi Ding coughed lightly and said, "Stop calling me 'uncle' all the time. If you need anything, you can come to your old man."

Yi Hu pointed to the computer, then to the book, and said, "The book he bought is too difficult. He can't understand it or learn it. He wants to find someone to teach him."

Yi Dinggan: “…”

This question is too difficult; he doesn't know the answer either.

But to save face, he pretended to look at the book, and after noticing the slightly disdainful looks in his two sons' eyes, he quickly came up with an idea.

"Do you two want to go to the city to study?"

“When we get to the city, I’ll buy each of you a computer. If you really want to learn, I can enroll you in classes or hire a teacher to teach you.”

Yi Long and Yi Hu looked at each other, and Yi Long spoke first: "We'd like to, but where should we stay?"

"Buy a house near the school."

"That will cost a lot of money."

"My uncle said that housing prices might drop."

"Buy it, even if the price drops, I'll buy it!" Yi Dinggan's temper finally flared up. "Your father has money now!"

...

Around the same time, Qi Yongfeng also returned to Jiangxin Vegetable Market.

Different people, same feelings, same excitement, and the same eagerness to show off.

But at the lunch table, Brother Zhi specifically reminded him that even if he had money, it was best to keep a low profile and be as calm and steady as growing vegetables.

When Boss Yi said he wouldn't drink alcohol at noon, Qi Yongfeng was the first to respond.

He knew why Yi Dinggan didn't drink; going to work in the afternoon was secondary, he was more afraid of drinking too much and losing control of himself.

He was afraid too.

Sometimes it's hard to go from reckless to composed, but when someone asks you to do so, and that person is always reliable, and life keeps getting better with them, changing yourself doesn't seem so difficult anymore.

Qi Yongfeng suppressed his urge to show off, only mentioning it briefly to Huang Juan, and then chatted about the arrangements for the elderly and children in his family.

...

It was quite late when Ao Deliang arrived in Pengcun, and Lai Guihui specially left him some food.

The cured pork that my fellow villager gave me, when stir-fried with garlic sprouts and plenty of chili, tasted exceptionally delicious.

This year, even more people from Ziyun have left. The Mashan area is too poor, and people with connections want to leave.

His cousin, Ao Dehai, pulled him to follow Boss Chen, and now they've brought even more people with them.

The boss is very capable; they have witnessed his rise to power firsthand, a journey that cannot be replicated.

When it comes to growing vegetables, the boss has never failed at anything he sets his mind to.

The boss wanted to grow chicken heart mustard, so he sent him to Peng Village, and the chicken heart mustard really became a hit.

The boss said that broccoli could be grown in Shanghai and exported to Japan, and that worked out.

Late-season bok choy is popular again this year.

There are also various betting opportunities related to typhoons, torrential rains, droughts, cold waves, holidays, climate changes, market research, etc.

Too much is too much.

There is no end to learning, no end to learning at all.

It is precisely because they followed such a capable boss that he and Hai Ge have achieved what they have today and have the resources to bring out more people.

He also remembered a newlywed couple who came to the market last year, introduced by Zhang Dacheng and Jin Feng. He heard that their wedding consisted of only a blanket, a quilt, and straw under the quilt.
She had a baby before the new year and is currently raising the child with her. Life is still tough, but they're not starving or cold. I heard they're planning to build a new house.

As for him?
Ao Deliang put down his rice bowl and went to the camphor tree that he had planted when the farm was built at the end of the year before last. The boss asked him to plant it. The tree is taller and stronger now, and its roots have grown deeper, just like him, firmly establishing himself on this land in Guangdong.

The tree will grow, and he can also learn and grow.

(End of this chapter)