Twenty years of cold chain

Among these four aquatic product cities, one is called "Qingdian Aquatic Product Trading Center", located more than 500 kilometers northwest of Panhu Fishing Port. This project was undertaken by a branch of Pengcheng Construction and was completed just a month ago.

Hu Shutong realized the key to the whole matter, so he called Yu Dajun, hoping to obtain some information about the project. The project was already completed, and Hu Shutong wasn't asking for anything confidential; he simply wanted some firsthand information. Logically, Yu Dajun wouldn't refuse such a small favor.

But to everyone's surprise, after waiting for two days, Hu Shutong didn't receive the documents, but instead received Yu Dajun himself. What was even more surprising was that Yu Dajun seemed very uneasy when they met.

In comparison, cold storage construction is complex and time-consuming, and its reputation is not as outstanding as other fields. Many construction groups want to quickly withdraw, rapidly integrate their businesses, clearly distinguish between their main projects and peripheral projects, and wholeheartedly compete in the vast infrastructure field.

"Shutong, what are you investigating there for?"

The very word "investigate" is quite striking. Hu Shutong's heart tightened, and he immediately understood why Yu Dajun had appeared in person. He had preconceived the idea that he was investigating, rather than understanding, which showed that things were not so simple.

Yu Dajun thought to himself that Hu Shutong was always sharp-eyed and his attention was never without reason. Moreover, he had taken the lead in this industry for many years, and his influence was immeasurable. He would not feel at ease unless he came to the seafood market in person.

"Brother Dajun, I only need some engineering-related information."

"I can't get some of the information either; I only heard a verbal report from the branch office yesterday."

Hu Shutong nodded. "Then let's just keep it verbal, is that alright?"

Yu Dajun clearly didn't want to discuss this topic further, and changed the subject, saying, "Shutong, I didn't consult you about the whole cold chain logistics zone project beforehand, because I felt it was better for everyone this way. The foreign transport alliance you've been so keen on is now up and running, and you're in charge of the cold chain zone. Some people don't consult you before doing things, but they've already blatantly slapped gold on Tongxing's face. They want to expand their own interests, and some things are beyond our control."

Hu Shutong looked at Yu Dajun with surprise, "You also think this is in the best interests of all parties?"

"Isn't that right?"

"What kind of alliance is this? From the day we started planning this fishing port, Tong Hing came to buy goods, not to be their taxi driver!"

"It's all about making money, isn't a subsidy still money?"

"I'll hire your construction team to build Tongxing Phase II, including meals, lodging, and subsidies. Why would you do it if I waived the construction fees?"

"They're not the same thing at all!"

"We businesses have both the vehicles and the market; if you want us to be mere carriages, we won't even get a door!"

"Shutong, you're being too impulsive. Do you know how much this involves? Do you know how many people's interests are at stake? If Tongxing isn't satisfied, you can talk to them privately. I believe some people have already prepared how to make you happy. You absolutely mustn't bring things to the forefront. There are some things we have to turn a blind eye to. You need to understand, Tongxing isn't barefoot anymore; how can we be so indifferent?"

Yu Dajun's words left Hu Shu speechless. In a sense, this was the law, the rule, and only those who cared about him could offer such advice on survival.

But if he were to truly disappear, Hu Shutong would be filled with an unbearable sense of shame. He felt ashamed that "our allies" had turned the interconnected platform they had painstakingly envisioned into a fishing port commando unit that could only attack wherever they were told. Now, he was being fawned over by many, and many were being lured by double subsidies, but sooner or later everyone would realize that this was not the future that third-party logistics should have. People were merely porters of crabs, shrimps, and ribbonfish; aside from running errands with all their might, everything else was irrelevant to them.

What's even more embarrassing is that, if there was no shady dealings at the seafood market, why didn't those people who were dividing the spoils hire their own cars instead of resorting to this kind of cooperation? If there was no shady dealings at the seafood market, why would a group vice president listen to reports from a branch office?

If there were no shady dealings in that seafood market, it would be thriving, with its two hundred shops lining the streets, a splendid display of wealth and prosperity. The four major seafood kings would be swaggering around the market, gaining fame and fortune at will. Why would it need to pull together a bunch of errand runners and offer various forms of appeasement?

"Let me guess, is it that the equipment and materials are only enough to meet the basic operating requirements, and second-hand or aging equipment is accepted without question? If glass wool can be used, polyurethane will never be used, and refrigerant will be used as little as possible if corrosion can be prevented?"

"But it's still able to operate, isn't it?"

"Of course, it will not only be able to operate, but will also pave a smooth road to success."

Yu Dajun shook his head and smiled wryly, "When did you become so sarcastic?"

"No, I'm telling the truth. It will receive a portion of the 5 million yuan special fund from the Ministry of Commerce, and it also aligns with the provincial and municipal plans for large-scale logistics, so it will receive additional local subsidies. Moreover, it fits into the revitalization of the food industry, and it will also receive special support for the cold chain. It is seamlessly connected with the fishing port, which is equivalent to bringing the livelihoods of fishermen and farmers to thousands of households. It also aligns with the nationwide promotion of farm-to-supermarket connections, and it will receive another portion of funding every year."

Yu Dajun was stunned. Hu Shutong's words gave people the feeling that he had just erected a wooden sculpture and then dressed it up in colorful clothes. This was unprecedented before and he dared not say it would happen again, but at present, this statement was indeed true.

"Brother Dajun, look, isn't this a broad and promising road? You must be wondering, since the future looks so bright, why not spend more money and really invest in it?"

"Why?" This question struck a chord with Yu Dajun.

"The source of money is not necessarily its use. Money should be used where it's truly needed. The actual investment in these four aquatic product cities will be at least 50 million. But if we acquire land in the city, at the current land price of over 2,000 yuan per square meter, the value of the commercial housing would be at least 200 million. Besides, these days, do you think Tongxing Cold Chain and Tongxing Real Estate are even in the same league?"

These words stirred a sense of resentment in Yu Dajun, an engineer, and made him realize that Hu Shutong understood some people far better than he did. He hadn't asked Yu any questions, yet Hu seemed to have found the answer. Hu had grasped an undeniable point: the influx of capital into real estate wasn't just a way to cool down the financial crisis, but a trend that would continue for a long time to come; no discerning person would miss out on this opportunity.

As for cold chain logistics, it's negligible compared to that.

Indeed, these flowers and leaves often complement each other.

Now, the fading green and withered red are truly heartbreaking!

……

I've loved cold chain logistics for twenty years.