Twenty years of cold chain

The next day, before noon, Hu Shutong hurriedly left Mingyuan Airport, took a taxi for more than an hour, and headed straight for the South Suburb Logistics Park.

Yesterday, Hu Shutong had spoken to Qi Zhendong about Lianghuzhuang over the phone. Qi Zhendong neither agreed nor disagreed, but instead asked Hu Shutong to come and talk to him in person.

At the main entrance of the park, Hu Shutong saw several square gold plaques, each about one meter in size, recognizing them as "National Pilot Logistics Enterprise," "Mingjiang Province Cold Chain Logistics Demonstration Park," and "High-Efficiency Fresh Agricultural Products Circulation Base."

After implementing comprehensive and standardized temperature control for vehicle cold storage and other facilities, the southern suburbs have achieved remarkable results in the past year. Qi Zhendong has become the head of the entire Minghe Group's logistics business. After enduring years of harsh winters, he has finally seen the spring breeze of success. Qi Zhendong's overall condition has also changed significantly. His voice and smile are much fuller, and he has also gained some weight.

"Mr. Hu, you really have a deep connection with that place! But what I'm curious about is, how come it only reached your ears now that things have come to this point? Even if Hu Yuntong made the decision on his own, he wouldn't have survived this long process without someone backing him up."

Hu Shutong remained silent for a moment, then Qi Zhendong said, "The phrase 'lack of experience' can sometimes be exploited. It seems there are aspects of Tongxing that you, Hu Shutong, cannot see."

"Mr. Qi, please allow me to consider this matter later."

Qi Zhendong couldn't help but remind him again, "Mr. Hu, I'm far inferior to you when it comes to cold chain logistics, but when it comes to managing a business, you have to trust my intuition."

Hu Shutong nodded. "President Qi, could the southern suburbs help consume this thousand tons of plums from Lianghuzhuang and the surrounding area?"

This was the best solution Hu Shutong could think of. The southern suburbs were less than 300 kilometers from Tongze County, and with the market radiating from the southern suburbs, the backlog of this batch of fruit could be cleared out in no more than three days.

Qi Zhendong frowned, blew on the tea leaves, and remained noncommittal. "It would be impolite not to help President Hu, but you see..."

Hu Shutong quickly waved his hand, "President Qi, I saw those bright, big signs before I came in. The southern suburbs have been thriving for the past year or so, and..."

"Ha!" Qi Zhendong slammed his teacup on the table. "What? Everything has a cause and effect. You did a good job managing the temperature control and the passageways, but wasn't it all because Nanjiao helped your refrigerated trucks a lot? In the bidding early last year, Weihui got half of the orders. When it comes to favors, who's afraid of who?"

Hu Shutong glared at him. "President Qi, who mentioned debts of gratitude?"

"Then why are you listing all your glorious achievements! Aren't you just trying to say that without you, the South Suburbs wouldn't be where it is today!"

"Incomprehensible!"

"They only see what they have done and never think about the hard work and effort others have put in."

Hu Shutong was furious with him. He just mentioned a big name, and it led to all sorts of interpretations. How come people become more and more sensitive after being in the top position for so long?

"Are you ever going to shut up? Give me an answer, are you going to help or not?!"

"Come and see!"

The two approached the window, and Hu Shutong saw that a long line of refrigerated trucks had already been arranged.

"Twenty trucks in one trip should all arrive by tomorrow night at the latest. I've also cleared out the No. 3 cold storage warehouse. As for which vendors to connect with in the market, should I write a detailed plan and report it to Lord Hu?"

"Thanks, that's another great favor. I'll remember it."

Qi Zhendong immediately glared at him again.

"Since President Qi has already made all the arrangements in advance, this flight was worthwhile."

Qi Zhendong shook his head, "Things on the road are easy to handle. I specifically asked you to come here this time because of the road repairs."

"Road construction? What do you mean?"

The two sat down, and suddenly the atmosphere changed. Qi Zhendong, who had been scolding people angrily, didn't seem like he was discussing business at all. Instead, it was more like a chat between old friends helping each other out.

Then, Qi Zhendong became much more serious.

"President Hu, the situations in the southern suburbs and Tongxing are different, but they must share one common goal: to expand outwards. Simply focusing on park construction is outdated; what's more important now is how far we can go."

Hu Shutong nodded and said, "The park will eventually become our base. We need to build our own hub in order to revitalize the cold chain industry and truly excel in third-party logistics."

"That's exactly what I mean. E-commerce is developing at an astonishing pace. Unlike traditional logistics companies, we don't have a cold chain system, making it easier for them to build a nationwide distribution and sorting system. To keep up with the e-commerce trend, the cold chain itself needs to be networked, which is not something a single company can accomplish."

Hu Shutong understands this situation well. When people shop on e-commerce platforms, although some offer free shipping and others don't, express delivery can reach almost the entire country. Fresh produce is different. Currently, most meat, vegetables, poultry, and eggs purchased online are only supplied within the province, ultimately because there is no nationwide cold chain network spanning thousands of kilometers. E-commerce companies certainly want to sell their products nationwide, but they can't find suitable cold chain partners.

"President Hu, Nanjiao is in Mingnan, and Tongxing is in Qingbei. Both of them have a large influence range, and there is a huge potential for cooperation between us."

"Let's establish a middle point as a transit hub for both sides. Goods heading north from the southern suburbs will be handed over to Tongxing, and goods heading south from Tongxing will be handed over to the southern suburbs!"

"Exactly! The goods from the southern suburbs go out to pick up goods from the southern suburbs and replenish them at the transit station, while the goods from the southern suburbs return to Tongxing and are shipped out from the transit station for Tongxing. The same principle applies to Tongxing!"

A moment's thought reveals great potential!

This means that the two sides have jointly established an artery!

"If you had to choose a central hub, which one do you think would be the most suitable?"

"what you think?"

"Cloud City!"

The two spoke in unison.

……

I've loved cold chain logistics for twenty years.