Twenty years of cold chain

Around 1 a.m., many people were awakened from their sleep as the main leaders of each department, along with their core teams, hurriedly entered the conference room. Everyone sensed something was terribly wrong. Tongxing had encountered many problems over the years, but never had they experienced such tension!

After Su Mu finished reporting on methamidophos, everyone looked alarmed. Given Tongxing's supply volume, if highly toxic pesticides were to flow in and out of the area, fines and rectification would be secondary; in serious cases, they would face criminal detention.

Upon seeing this, Hu Shutong was the first to reassure everyone: "We have a strict system for pesticide testing. I assure you that even if methamidophos really did appear in Qingbei, it would have been impossible for Tongxing to be involved before. But now that this has happened, Tongxing will become a key target for inspection. In fact, relevant departments will use us to investigate whether methamidophos is on the market, and Tongxing is an absolutely unavoidable link."

"This matter needs to be resolved as soon as possible, so everyone will have to work hard these next few days."

"President Hu, please make the arrangements. We are all ready!"

Hu Shutong nodded and explained the internal countermeasures he could think of for the time being.

"First, retrieve the pesticide testing data for vegetables and fruits that have entered the warehouse in the past six months, making sure not to miss any batch, and then print it out. Uncle Su, you're in charge of this. After the data is available, you also need to screen it and separately compile the reports of the reported issues. Second, separate the electronic label codes for all vegetables and fruits that have entered the market in the past two weeks and trace them to the corresponding market supply locations, creating a detailed product traceability record. Lihe, this is your responsibility."

"Third, immediately after dawn, dispatch three teams to the largest pesticide growers in Pingqiu, Qingxiu, and Xudian counties, respectively. Bring pesticide testing equipment to conduct on-site tests, record video of the entire process, and carefully photograph the pesticide storage facilities of each grower. In short, the more firsthand data the better!"

The people nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, Mr. Hu, we guarantee we'll complete the mission!"

Chu Lihe spoke with concern, "President Hu, methamidophos can easily cause a public outcry, and with complaints coming from multiple locations almost simultaneously, our company's efforts alone probably won't be enough to quell the situation quickly. The rectification team will definitely have more in-depth work to do, and their progress is beyond our control."

Su Mu looked at Hu Shutong with admiration. These few words set the tone for everyone; those who were indignant, arguing, and throwing each other into disarray were probably the ones who had truly fallen into the trap. He could see that, no matter how dangerous the situation, Hu Shutong would never compromise on the matter of supplying the capital!

"It's 2 a.m. now. Please submit all the data to me by 6 p.m. Can everyone do that?"

"able!"

Hu Shutong smiled and joked, "Now you all know, the cold chain industry is actually a risky one."

Upon hearing this, people couldn't help but smile wryly, and the almost suffocating meeting finally felt a little less oppressive. Indeed, before entering this industry, people thought cold chain logistics was just about cold things; now, step by step, they've seen the many more interconnected and inescapable aspects involved.

After the meeting, Hu Shutong immediately picked up the phone.

"Brother Long, I'm sorry to bother you so late."

"Don't bother me, we're playing cards. What's up?"

"Tongxing has encountered a bit of an emergency, Brother Long, where are you?"

"Wait for me where I am!"

Li Shenglong sensed something was terribly wrong and quickly hung up the phone without saying a word. He had never heard Hu Shutong speak in such a tone before; it was as if he had swallowed a handful of apricot pits, his words hoarse and strained. This wasn't the Hu Shutong he knew, not the confident and assertive one who always seemed to have the upper hand. Now, he sounded like he had been coerced. And considering it was the middle of the night, there was no doubt he had been severely bullied!

As Li Shenglong drove towards Tongxing, he made a series of phone calls. In less than an hour, at the exit of the national highway, five cars converged into one, their high beams on, and headed straight for Tongxing!

Tongxing was originally calm, but a loudspeaker announcement was like beans on a hot plate, startling everyone on duty, off duty, and in shifts. They all got up and came out, realizing that something big had happened in the park!

Upon seeing Hu Shutong, whose eyes were even wider than his own, Li Shenglong quickly lit a cigarette, took a light puff, and then coughed loudly, "Where is he? Where's the three pickup trucks he mentioned on the phone?"

"They ran away as soon as they found out I called you."

This made him cough even more. Li Shenglong suppressed a laugh and, taking advantage of Hu Shutong's words, quickly turned around and waved his hand, dismissing the people who had come with him.

In the office, Li Shenglong glanced at it a few times, then slammed Hu Shutong's phone face down on the table.

"This is impossible! Shutong, someone's setting you up!"

"What's wrong?"

"Whether it's two-thirds or three-quarters, the bulk of the pesticides produced in Qingbei come from manufacturers in Qingnan, and several major brands are based in Qingping City. If methamidophos were to suddenly appear and all of them were shipped to Qingbei, it would be like cutting tofu—every slice is perfectly neat. That's utter nonsense!"

"Besides, these days, any methamidophos that can survive is hidden away in obscurity. Which company would dare to sell it on such a large scale! Affecting so many counties in Qingbei, is it like prison food with four dishes and a soup?"

Li Shenglong was extremely irritable. Hu Shutong had been able to maintain some composure in front of others, but now he looked like a wilted eggplant with bloodshot eyes. Seeing Hu Shutong being forced into this position, Li Shenglong gritted his teeth in anger!

Upon seeing Li Shenglong, Hu Shutong, for some reason, no longer maintained the composed demeanor he had in the conference room. When something on his mind was unresolved, it unconsciously became written all over his face. The things he couldn't reveal in the conference room were now as clearly displayed as waves crashing against the rudder and the water rising on the boat.

"When you helped me trade garlic the year before last, it was during the last wave of crackdowns on methamidophos in northern Qinghai. Not to mention vegetables and fruits, even cotton couldn't be used due to the policy. Tongxing was one of the main arteries for vegetables in the counties of northern Qinghai. The people there mentioned Pingqiu, Qingxiu, and Xudian in great detail, but they almost specifically mentioned Tongxing."

"Shutong, you don't need to overthink it. It's just that someone in Qingnan is unhappy. But then again, I'm now a minor shareholder in Tongxing. If they dare to frame me and embarrass me, I'll make them work like a slave, turning in circles and losing face!"

What a common saying, yet it's so cheesy it's satisfying. Hu Shutong couldn't help but laugh. When you don't know Li Shenglong, he's like a ruthless thug, unreasonable and unapproachable. But after getting to know him, you can understand him. His extraordinary honesty and integrity are extremely reassuring!

"Brother Long, there's no point in making a big fuss about this. I just want to calm things down quickly and don't want to dig too deep. I just want to suppress the methamidophos issue as soon as possible."

These words clearly displeased Li Shenglong, who was about to retort with undiminished anger, but suddenly forced himself to nod.

"A wilted radish is spicy to the point of being unbearable; that's probably a perfect description of someone like you. Small shareholders should listen to the big boss. Tell me your action plan!"

……

I've loved cold chain logistics for twenty years.