1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 479 The God of Wealth Returns

"Who wants to build a vegetable market at this time?!"

Wan Siyuan, the director of the Agriculture Bureau, slammed his fist on the table angrily. "The bureau just issued a notice a few days ago, warning against expanding vegetable planting areas. Was this notice issued for nothing?"

The visitor, holding a document awaiting stamping, said, "Director, this isn't a new construction, but a transfer."

Wan Siyuan took the document and said, "With such a serious oversupply right now, who would dare to take over at this time?"

"Reliable Fresh Food".

Wan Siyuan also saw the name in the document, and then silently signed the application for stamping.

"Take it away."

"Yes, Director."

The person who came seemed to have anticipated this scene, and silently kept a straight face until they left the room before finally breaking into a wide smile.

Nowadays, many vegetable bases in the city, whether state-owned or private, are complaining to the government.

Few dare to expand in the opposite direction.

Kaopu Fresh is one, and it's the most influential one.

Because of Kaopu Fresh, Huacheng has taken the lead in building a pollution-free vegetable city and has also gained recognition in provinces and cities across the country.

Now that he wants to expand, well, the leaders are more than happy for him to expand aggressively.

...

After obtaining the city's approval, Chen Jiazhi acted swiftly.

In mid-November, he signed a contract with Qu Jingtai at Jiangxin Market, and then had the finance department transfer the money to Qu Taiji.

"Mr. Chen, I hope you will manage Dongsheng Farm well. I am from Panyu, and I will buy it back."

"I will manage it with my heart."

Chen Jiazhi shook hands with him, feeling that Qu Jingtai would not have another chance to buy it back.

Transaction complete.

From then on, Dongsheng Farm was considered a reliable fresh food supplier.

Chen Jiazhi thought the name Dongsheng Farm was very good, so he kept it.

It's perfect for growing lettuce. As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, it's time for American lettuce to disappear from East Asia.

"Come on, Yongfeng, let's go patrol the fields."

"Okay, Brother Zhi."

Today was a cloudy day. Chen Jiazhi, Qi Yongfeng, and several group leaders from the vegetable market rode their bicycles to complete their first field inspection of Dongsheng Farm.

Geographically speaking, Dongsheng and Jiangxin are not much different.

Dongsheng has a rather diverse range of businesses. Vegetable cultivation is its main business, but it also has various side businesses such as chicken and duck farming, rice cultivation, fruit cultivation, and fish ponds.

The base covers a total area of ​​1500 mu, with approximately 1200 mu actually used for vegetable cultivation.

Qi Yongfeng asked, "Boss, do we need to make major changes?"

After inspecting the fields, a row of bicycles was parked in front of Dongsheng's office building. Dongsheng's facilities were also very complete, including cold storage, warehouses, machinery and equipment, vehicles, and even a foam box factory.

It's basically imitating Jiangxin Market.

Chen Jiazhi pondered for a moment and said, "There's no need for a major overhaul. Just get the vegetable field in good condition. No need for management. Just let it fallow, fertilize it, and prepare for the next crop."

Qi Yongfeng asked in surprise, "Aren't the vegetables in the field needed anymore?"

"No need, it won't fetch much money anyway, and it might not even cover the labor costs of harvesting the vegetables. Let's just use it as fertilizer. During this time, the vegetable market can continue to hire people, and the seedling nursery can cultivate lettuce seedlings. The next crop of lettuce at Dongsheng Farm will be Italian lettuce..."

Chen Jiazhi began to recount his story slowly.

At this point, don't be indecisive; just follow his instructions.

Because with Qi Yongfeng's current abilities, he probably can't manage a large vegetable market of 2400 mu (approximately 167 hectares).

But we can't stop him from being the factory manager.

Therefore, Chen Jiazhi directly decided on the general direction of planting lettuce, which made it easy for Qi Yongfeng to manage it afterwards.

Once Qi Yongfeng is familiar with the management of the large vegetable market, it will be more stable to let him operate the whole operation.

"Okay, boss."

Before leaving, Chen Jiazhi instructed Qi Yongfeng to prepare for adjustments to the management structure.

The two markets will merge sooner or later.

The existing team leaders are not enough; a general manager position needs to be added between the team leaders and the field manager.

There also needs to be a deputy director.

In addition, the plant protection staff in the technical department also need to be reassigned.

As for the personnel, finance, and procurement departments, Chen Jiazhi will be responsible for making adjustments.

"Yongfeng, contact Hongzhong as soon as possible and apply the organic fertilizer first, so that we can see the lettuce on the market before the Spring Festival."

"Brother Zhi, it's fine."

Two months should be enough for Qi Yongfeng. Although he is more composed now, his quick and fierce spirit has never been extinguished.

After explaining everything clearly, Chen Jiazhi returned to the city.

Even though temperatures have started to drop, the sluggish vegetable market is far from over, and many vendors are still struggling to survive.

Only with reliable Fresh, although the prices at the stalls are low, every salesperson is very enthusiastic.

For them, a stable customer base is a long-term asset.

"I am back!"

That afternoon, Li returned to Huacheng after a month in Shanghai, her face rosy and sporting the trendy middle-parted bangs.

Upon entering the office building, the woman and girl immediately attracted their attention.

"God of Wealth, if you hadn't come back soon, I would have almost forgotten about you."

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. I'm getting tired of seeing the same handsome boss every day. It's nice to see a different type."

"Pah, if the boss hadn't gotten married, I bet you'd be eager to see him every day."

Li Cai found the enthusiasm overwhelming and had no interest in sharing his glorious experiences in Shanghai with this group of people.

He went straight back to his office, and sure enough, his sister and brother-in-law were there.

"You're back. Sit down and have some tea. It's black tea that Zhengxu's girlfriend gave me."

"Uh……"

When the topic of dating came up, Li Cai felt the tea was too hot to handle and quickly brought up the situation in Shanghai.

"Business at the stalls in Cao'an Market has started and we've already built up a customer base. It's only a matter of time before things get going."

With the reliable fresh food business model, the supply of goods will be very stable, and the number of customers will only increase.

"Well done."

"Hey, it's also good luck. The vegetables from Xuanqiao and Pujiang markets have only been on the market for a few days, and Shanghai newspapers and TV stations have also reported on Kaopu Fresh's export of leafy greens to Japan against the trend."

Our reputation grew rapidly, and even the distribution center of Shanghai Vegetable Group started taking our vegetables, along with many restaurants and hotels..."

Chen Jiazhi and Li Xiu listened quietly to Li Cai's conversation, occasionally agreeing or praising him, which made Li Cai feel quite satisfied.

After a while, and after drinking another cup of tea, Li asked, "How's things going at headquarters?"

Chen Jiazhi smiled and said, "It's good. The business of exporting leafy vegetables to Japan has never stopped. The stalls in Yuexiu have also basically taken off. The growth rate of the stalls in Buji is a little slower, but overall it is also rising."

Li Cai pondered for a moment and said, "Then I'll focus on the stalls in Buji next. Shenzhen's economy is developing very quickly now, so we need to make a strong hold on to them too."

Chen Jiazhi nodded and said, "I have the same idea, but it may not be that easy." "I know, He Xing and Yonglong, you know," Li Cai said. "Most of the vegetables supplied to Hong Kong from Buji are through them. Ye Xingwen of No. 77 Buji is cooperating with He Xing. Previously, our chicken heart mustard was distributed to Hong Kong through him."

"Is there still this?"

Chen Jiazhi was surprised. He had spoken with Ye Xingwen on the phone and hadn't expected that the source of the goods was Hexing.

"Yes, Hop Hing had been cooperating with Ng Fung Hong before the reform and opening up. It was a key distributor for the three express trains supplying Hong Kong. It has been established for decades, so it's normal that it's deeply rooted."

Ng Fung Hong, also known as China Resources Ng Fung, is a state-owned enterprise that was the main supplier of agricultural and sideline products to Hong Kong before the reform and opening up, and remains so today.

“It’s definitely a tough nut to crack,” Chen Jiazhi said. “We can only tear its flesh apart bit by bit.”

"It can only be this way."

“There might be such an opportunity in two months,” Chen Jiazhi told him about the plan for Dali Lettuce.

Li Cai, however, noticed something else: "Brother Zhi, you said the company bought Dongsheng Farm?!"

"Yes, it's only been two days since the contract was signed."

"..."

Li Cai suddenly felt that his achievements in the Shanghai market were somewhat insignificant, and he was even a little smug about it.

Chen Jiazhi poured Li Cai another cup of tea.

Li Cai downed his drink in one gulp. "How many bases do we have now?"

Chen Jiazhi said, "There are nearly 8000 mu of land in the Pearl River Delta. Heli Farm is still expanding and should eventually have about 8400 mu of land."

Li Cai murmured, "Including the three markets in Shanghai, the company now has more than 11,000 mu of land?"

Chen Jiazhi smiled and said, "Yes."

"Phew~" Li Cai let out a deep breath. "Is Kaopu Fresh already the largest private vegetable company in the country?"

"Ha, it's not that easy!" Chen Jiazhi teased. "Didn't you pay attention to the news a while ago?"

"What news?" Li Cai and Li Xiu, the siblings, both looked puzzled.

“Leafy vegetables exported to Japan are frequently returned.” Chen Jiazhi smiled. “Among them, a Shandong company, Longda Group, was mentioned. The news said that they have tens of thousands of acres of their own bases, and the bases they cooperate with and radiate out to are more than 100,000 acres.”

It seems that Longda Group initially made its fortune by exporting vegetables to Japan.

In addition, they also export other food products such as dumplings and glutinous rice balls, and the company's total revenue has already reached hundreds of millions of yuan.

Japan's actions against domestic spinach exports are likely primarily targeting Longda Group, the largest spinach exporter in China.

Li Cai and Li Xiu both widened their eyes. It has to be said that the two siblings' eyes are somewhat similar.

"Are there really such amazing vegetable companies?"

"Heroes from all over the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river, so don't underestimate anyone. There might be even more outstanding companies in other provinces."

After a pause, Chen Jiazhi said in a deep voice, "Comrades, the revolution has not yet succeeded, and we still need to continue our efforts!"

Li Cai seemed to have found an even bigger target, and said, "Alright, let's take down Hexing first!"

Li Xiu glared at him. "Find a wife first. Zhengxu is bringing his girlfriend home for the New Year. What are you going to bring home this year?"

Li Cai wanted to say he would go fishing in Zengcheng again during the Chinese New Year, but when he saw his sister's eyes, he knew he would probably get a beating if he said he was going fishing!
Should I bring a fish home to meet my parents?

What to do, what to do~
Chen Jiazhi spoke up at the right moment: "The God of Wealth must be overwhelmed with choices. With his looks, he's almost as good as me. And he's rich too. It would be so easy for him to find a partner."

Li Xiu said, "I still need to find a virtuous woman."

Chen Jiazhi laughed and said, "Yes, someone like you would be perfect."

Li Cai then said, "Brother Zhi, it's not that easy. Someone like my sister is hard to find. It's just that there's no one more handsome than you in the surrounding area, otherwise, how could my sister have fallen for you?"

"Look at the two of you!" Li Xiu said as she left.

Li Cai finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"You make yourself some tea. I have something to take care of."

Chen Jiazhi scribbled quickly in his notebook, writing a job advertisement tailor-made for his former boss, Wang Xiaodong.

Wang Xiaodong's family are farmers from the suburbs of Shanghai. He was a soldier who retired during the major military downsizing and chose to go south to Huacheng. He worked in a vegetable market for a few years before returning to Shanghai to grow vegetables, and then gradually built his business into a large and successful enterprise.

They understand production, management, and sales, and place great emphasis on talent training.

In their previous lives, Chen Jiazhi, Yi Dinggan, and Li Mingkun all learned how to manage a vegetable market by following him.

Although he didn't know why he chose to leave, Chen Jiazhi knew that he was a talented person.

Now that they were at their weakest point, and without any way to contact them, Chen Jiazhi thought it over and decided to try posting a job advertisement in the newspaper.

Even if we can't recruit Wang Xiaodong, we can recruit other talents if we can.

Two new vegetable markets have been built in Shanghai, which is a time when there is a shortage of people. Moreover, Shanghai needs to strengthen its market construction and talent development.

If Wang Xiaodong could come, he could assist in the management of the market, talent training, and even production.

A moment later, he finished writing it and then had someone send it to Shanghai by fax.

When Li Cai returned to the office, he sat down at his workstation to check on the sales situation at the stall.

"Boss, the increase in the amount of food served at the Yuexiu stall is freaking crazy!"

"It's not just the stalls; the delivery volume at the distribution center is also increasing rapidly. In addition, several stores are doing very well now, and we plan to open more stores in the future."

"Hiss~ You guys actually did so much while I was gone."

After seeing it, Li Cai realized that the small increase in the Shanghai stock market was nothing.

How many more stores do you want to open?

"According to Mr. Xu's idea, he wants to open several hundred vegetable stores in the Pearl River Delta."

"..." Li Cai paused for a moment, then asked, "How much money has the company made in the past two months?"

Chen Jiazhi held up one finger.

"Ten million……"

Li Cai stopped talking. Ten million was impossible; the prosperity of the vegetable market alone was worth more than twenty million.

That one finger can only represent one hundred million.

One hundred million!
Li Cai opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again, then opened it again, but he didn't know what to say.

So it turns out the gap between Reliable Fresh and Longda Group isn't that big after all?

"It's been exported to Japan for less than two months, right?"

“Not quite, we haven’t even made a hundred million from the Japanese yet.” Chen Jiazhi said as if it were a common occurrence. “But if you include all of this year’s earnings, it’s far more than a hundred million.”

Li Cai murmured, "When did they start using 'hundred million' as a unit?"

“Starting now, you need to get used to it as soon as possible.” Chen Jiazhi patted his shoulder. “Be more presentable when you go out in the future, don’t embarrass the company. Don’t keep this middle-part hairstyle.”

Li Cai blew on his hair and said, "What kind of hairstyle would be worthy of the company's 100 million yuan in revenue?"

"..." Chen Jiazhi shook his head. "Never mind, do as you please."

Li Cai: "No matter what hairstyle it is, it doesn't suit me."

"It's time to get off work. Go home and rest early, and don't think about anything else." Chen Jiazhi packed his briefcase.

"I'm taking a break from shoveling; I'm going to sell vegetables tonight."

"Has the God of Wealth returned?"

"I don't deserve to be called the God of Wealth. I feel like it makes little difference whether the company has me or not."

Li Cai felt a little jealous; after only a month away, it was as if he had joined two different companies.

(End of this chapter)