Reborn in '77, I have a job panel!

Chapter 116 is starting to get on track.

Zhang Mingxi brought over a cup of tea and placed it beside him. Without saying a word, she sat down next to him and started knitting a sweater. It was for Nian'en, red, and half-finished.

"Jinzhou is much farther than Yingkou, isn't it?" she asked.

"It's far, over a hundred kilometers. Transportation costs are high, and management is troublesome."

"Then why are you still going?"

Qian Cheng put down the documents and leaned back on the sofa. "I have to go. Director Liu has a quota to meet, and the provincial capital is also short of vegetables. Besides, if things go well in Jinzhou, dozens more villages can sell vegetables, and farmers can earn more money."

Zhang Mingxi nodded, her hands still busy with the needle. "Then you go, I'll take care of things at home."

Qian Cheng held her hand; her hands had calluses from knitting sweaters.

"Mingxi, once this busy period is over, I'll stay home more often."

Zhang Mingxi laughed: "You always say that."

""

Qian Cheng smiled but didn't reply.

The next day when I arrived at the company, Lao Li had already arranged everything for the trip to Jinzhou. The car had been rented, the Jinzhou Bureau of Commerce had been contacted, and the communes in the surrounding counties had also been reached.

"Xiao Qian, which county should we go to first this time?" Old Li spread out the map.

Qian Cheng pointed to a point on the map: "Let's go to Yixian first. There's a lot of land there, and it's close to the Daling River, so the water source is good. You went there last time, how was it?"

Old Li said, "I've been to Yixian County. The land is good, but the farmers there have never grown vegetables before, so we have to teach them from scratch. However, there are a few experienced farmers there who have grown vegetables before."

"Let's start with Yixian County. Take a look at the land, talk to the team leaders, and explain the policies clearly. The price will be 20% higher than the supply and marketing cooperative's. We'll sign contracts, settle accounts monthly, and collect whatever quantity is available. Once these conditions are laid out, they'll do the math themselves."

Old Li nodded and pointed to the map again. "How about we go check out Black Mountain? There's plenty of land there."

"Look, if we have enough time, we'll go. Let's negotiate with Yixian first, then go to Heishan."

After finalizing their plans, Qian Cheng gave Lao Wang a few more instructions. He told Lao Wang to keep an eye on things in the provincial capital, and Sun Li to keep an eye on things in Liaoyang, instructing him to call if anything came up.

Old Wang said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of things at the company."

""

Qian Cheng patted him on the shoulder: "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Wang."

""

Old Wang laughed: "What's the hard work? It's my duty."

Back home, Qian Cheng began packing his luggage. Nian En watched from the side, stuffing her cookies into his bag.

"Nian'en, this is Dad's bag. Put your cookies in your own bag."

,

Nian'en ignored him and stuffed another piece into his mouth. "Dad, eat."

""

Qian Cheng took out the cookies and handed them to her. "Dad won't eat them, Nian'en will."

Nian'en took it, took a bite, and then stuffed it back into his bag. "Dad, eat this on the way."

Zhang Mingxi, watching from the side, laughed: "Just let her stuff it in, it's not heavy anyway."

Qian Cheng thought about it and agreed, so he left the half-eaten cookie in his bag.

The next morning, when Qian Cheng got up, Nian'en was still asleep. He stood beside her crib and looked at her; her little face was flushed, and she was still clutching the branch with the red ribbon tied to it, even in her sleep. He bent down and kissed her forehead, tucked her in, picked up his bag, and went out.

Old Li was already waiting at the company. The two got into the car, and driver Old Zhao started the engine and drove towards Jinzhou.

On the way, Old Li recounted the situation in Jinzhou again. He described clearly which village had good land, which village had abundant water, which village's village head was easy to talk to, and which village's farmers had grown vegetables before. Qian Cheng listened, occasionally asking a few questions.

After driving for more than three hours, we arrived in Yixian County. The Jinzhou Commerce Bureau sent a young man to accompany us. His surname was Wang, and he was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. He had just been assigned to the Commerce Bureau and was not yet very familiar with the situation in the communes below, but he was very enthusiastic.

"Manager Qian, Master Li, which commune should we go to first?"

Qian Cheng said, "Let's go to Liulongtai first. Old Li, you've been to that commune before, what did you think of it?"

Old Li said, "I've been to Liulongtai. The land is good and it's close to the river, but the farmers there have never grown vegetables there. However, there's an old hand there, surnamed Zhao, who's over sixty. He used to work at the county's agricultural technology station when he was young, so he knows a lot about the technology."

Qian Cheng nodded: "Let's go see this Old Zhao first."

It was already noon when the car arrived at Liulongtai Commune. The commune secretary, surnamed Ma, was in his forties, dark-skinned and thin. Upon hearing that someone from the provincial capital had arrived, he quickly came out to greet them.

"Manager Qian, welcome, welcome. Old Li came by last time and talked about your company. The members of our commune are all looking forward to it."

Qian Cheng shook hands with him: "Secretary Ma, we're just here to take a look. If the conditions are right, we can cooperate."

Secretary Ma led them on a tour of the field. The land was good, black soil, close to the Daling River, with no shortage of water. However, the only crop planted was corn, which looked yellowish at first glance.

"Secretary Ma, why don't you grow vegetables here?" Qian Cheng squatted down, grabbed a handful of soil, and rubbed it.

Secretary Ma sighed: "We've planted them before. The year before last, we planted 100 mu of cabbage, and it grew very well, but we couldn't sell it. The supply and marketing cooperative wouldn't buy that much, and it wouldn't sell in the free market either. In the end, it rotted in the fields. The villagers were heartbroken and didn't want to plant it anymore."

Qian Cheng stood up and dusted his hands off. "That's because the sales channels haven't been established. Our company handles the purchasing, signing contracts, setting prices, and determining quantities. We buy whatever you plant, no haggling, no outstanding payments. Ask people in Liaoyang; our company has been operating there for two years, when have we ever owed them money?"

Secretary Ma thought for a moment and said, "That would be great. But the commune members are still scared by what happened the year before last, so I have to talk to them about it."

""

Qian Cheng said, "No rush. I'll meet with Old Zhao first; I heard he's skilled in technology."

Secretary Ma led them to Old Zhao's house. Old Zhao's house was at the east end, a three-room mud-brick house with farm tools piled up in the yard and several chickens scratching at the base of the wall. Old Zhao was squatting in the yard sharpening his hoe when he saw them come in and stood up.

"Secretary Ma, what's the matter?"

Secretary Ma introduced Qian Cheng to him. After listening, Old Zhao put down his hoe and looked Qian Cheng up and down.

"Are you a vegetable collector?"

'

Qian Cheng nodded: "Master Zhao, I heard you are skilled in technology, and I would like to ask you for some advice."

Old Zhao ushered him into the house and poured him a bowl of water. The house was quite simple, but there was an old, yellowed poster on the wall depicting the prevention and control of crop diseases and pests.

"Master Zhao, did you work at the agricultural technology station?"

Old Zhao nodded: "I worked there for about ten years, but then the agricultural technology station closed down, so I came back. I've farmed all my life, and while I can't say for sure about anything else, I know everything about farming."

Qian Cheng asked, "If we were to grow vegetables, do you think this land would be suitable?"

""

Old Zhao said, "The land is good, growing vegetables is no problem. The key is the technique. Growing corn is simple, just sow the seeds, fertilize, and wait to harvest. Growing vegetables is different. There are specific techniques for when to sow, when to water, and when to fertilize. If you don't take good care of them, the whole season will be wasted."

Qian Cheng said, "Master Zhao, if you bring the seeds, can you grow them well?"

'

Old Zhao was stunned for a moment, then looked at him. "I'm carrying a child?"

"Yes. Our company provides the seeds and fertilizer, and you are responsible for providing technical guidance. We will buy the vegetables you grow and give you a commission."

"

Old Zhao thought for a moment and said, "I can grow it well. This old man of mine may not be good at anything else, but I'm still good at farming."

Qian Cheng smiled: "Okay, it's settled then."

""

After leaving Old Zhao's house, Secretary Ma led them to meet several brigade leaders. Qian Cheng reiterated the conditions; some were willing to give it a try, while others were still hesitant. Qian Cheng wasn't in a hurry; he knew these things couldn't be rushed. Farming was a lifelong commitment for farmers; if they didn't trust you, no amount of persuasion would change their minds. He needed to show them tangible benefits, to see others making money, and then they would come knocking on his door themselves.

After spending two days in Yixian, we went to Heishan. The situation in Heishan was similar to Yixian: good land and ample water, but the farmers were hesitant to cultivate the land. Qian Cheng laid out the conditions and signed several letters of intent.

On the way back to the provincial capital, Old Li asked, "Xiao Qian, will the supply be available in Jinzhou next spring?"

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Yes. Let's get Yixian and Heishan started first, and then gradually move on to the other counties. We can't take too big a step; we have to proceed steadily."

Old Li nodded and wrote it down in his notebook.

It was already dark when Qian Cheng got home. The lights were on inside, and Zhang Mingxi was sitting on the sofa reading. She stood up when she saw him come in.

"You're back?"

'

"Hmm." He put down his bag. "Where's Nian'en?"

"I'm asleep. I've been thinking about you every day since you left. Today I asked you several times when Daddy is coming back."

Qian Cheng walked to the crib. Nian'en was sleeping soundly, her little face rosy, still clutching the branch with the red ribbon tied to it. He bent down, kissed her forehead, and tucked the blanket in.

Zhang Mingxi brought out a bowl of noodles and placed it on the table. "Eat up. I knew you'd be back, so I cooked it in advance."

Qian Cheng sat down to eat noodles, while Zhang Mingxi sat beside him watching.

"How's it going in Jinzhou?"

'

"It's alright, we've signed contracts with a few villages. We should be able to supply supplies next spring." He took a bite of noodles, looked up at her, and said, "It's just that it's far away, so we might have to go there often in the future."

Zhang Mingxi nodded without saying anything.

"Mingxi, once things are back on track in Jinzhou, I'll stay home more often."

Zhang Mingxi laughed: "You always say that."

Qian Cheng smiled, finished his noodles, and put the bowl down. "This time it's for real."

Zhang Mingxi glanced at him and put the bowl away.

The next day at the company, Qian Cheng told Lao Wang and the others about the situation in Jinzhou. Lao Wang calculated that even if Jinzhou could provide the necessary supplies, the company would still not have enough manpower and vehicles.

"We're hiring," Qian Cheng said. "We'll hire another batch before the New Year, train them, and use them next year. I'll go to Director Liu about the cars and borrow two more."

Old Li said, "It's easy to recruit people, the key is training them. This time, we'll follow the same standards as last time, giving priority to those from rural areas."

Qian Cheng nodded: "Yes, he's from the countryside and knows how to farm. Also, there's an old Zhao from Yixian who knows the techniques; we need to invite him over to teach the new recruits how to grow vegetables."

Old Li said, "Okay, I'll contact him later."

Qian Cheng then went to see Director Liu and reported the situation in Jinzhou. Director Liu was very pleased to hear this.

"Xiao Qian, you did a great job. If Jinzhou can get this going, the vegetable supply to the provincial capital will be more stable next year."

Qian Cheng said, "Director Liu, things are just starting out in Jinzhou, so we have to take it slowly. We'll supply a portion next year and expand the following year."

Director Liu nodded: "Okay, I'm relieved that you can handle it."

,

After leaving the Commerce Department, Qian Cheng rode his bicycle home. Passing the market, he stopped and bought some fruit. Oranges were rare this season and expensive, but he wanted to eat them with his loved ones.

When I got home, Nian'en was sitting on a small stool in the yard, flipping through a comic book. When she saw me come in, she looked up and called out "Dad," then went back to reading.

Qian Cheng walked over and handed her the oranges. "Nian'en, look what Dad bought for you."

""

Nian'en looked up, her eyes lit up, and she dropped her book and ran over. "Oranges! Nian'en, have some!"

Qian Cheng peeled one for her, and she took it and stuffed it into her mouth, her cheeks bulging, juice dripping down the corners of her mouth.

"Is it sweet?"

Nian'en nodded and mumbled, "Sweet."

Zhang Mingxi came out of the house and saw Nian'en eating an orange. He smiled. "Eat slowly, no one will take it from you."

""

Nian'en wouldn't listen and stuffed another piece into her mouth, making a mess all over her face. Qian Cheng offered her a handkerchief to wipe her face, but she dodged and refused.

"Nian'en, sweetie, wipe your face."

Nian'en dodged for a while, then stopped and tilted her face up so he could wipe her face. After he finished wiping her face, she reached out for an orange. Qian Cheng peeled another one for her, and this time she ate it slowly, breaking it apart segment by segment, looking at it in her palm, and then putting it in her mouth.

"Dad, why are oranges sweet?"

""

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Because it's for loving people to eat, it's sweet."

Nian'en was satisfied with the answer. She nodded, popped the last segment of orange into her mouth, clapped her hands, and ran off to play!

Zhang Mingxi walked over and leaned against the doorframe. "Is it settled in Jinzhou?"

"It's settled. Next year, when we start the spring offering, we'll do it in Yixian and Heishan first." Qian Cheng collected the orange peels and threw them into the trash can.

"Director Liu said that if Jinzhou can get this going, the vegetable supply to the provincial capital will be more stable."

""

Zhang Mingxi nodded: "That's good."

Nian'en ran around in the yard, holding up the tree branch with the red ribbon tied to it, shouting "Flag! Flag!" The red ribbon fluttered in the wind as she twirled around in the yard, her little braids bobbing up and down.

Qian Cheng looked at her, temporarily putting aside the things on his mind.

After Nian'en fell asleep that night, Qian Cheng sat in the living room and reviewed the contracts from Jinzhou again. They had signed contracts for three villages in Yixian and two in Heishan; none were large, but they were sufficient. They would provide for them next spring and expand the following year.

Zhang Mingxi brought over a cup of tea, placed it beside him, and sat down next to him.

"Qian Cheng, do you think you'll be even busier if things get going in Jinzhou?"

Qian Cheng put down the document and thought for a moment.

"It'll definitely be busy at first, and I'll have to keep an eye on things. But once it gets on track, things will be better, and with someone watching over things, I won't have to run around every day."

Zhang Mingxi nodded without saying anything.

Qian Cheng held her hand: "Mingxi, I know what you're thinking. Nian'en is still young, it's exhausting for you to raise her alone. But what about the company—"

Zhang Mingxi interrupted him: "That's not what I meant. You go ahead with your work, I'll take care of things at home. I just wanted to say, don't overwork yourself. Jinzhou is far away, be careful when you travel back and forth."

Qian Cheng looked at her, feeling a warm glow in his heart. "I know."

Zhang Mingxi smiled and leaned on his shoulder. "Alright, you go ahead with your work. I'm going to sleep."

She stood up, took a couple of steps, and then turned back. "By the way, Nian'en learned a new poem today. Have her recite it to you tomorrow."

""