Reborn in '77, I have a job panel!

Chapter 124 Vegetable Basket Project

Old Zhao's technology promotion plan was also completed. Qian Cheng reviewed it several times, made a few changes, and then asked Old Zhao to give lectures in various cities.

Old Zhao's first stop was Liaoyang. The old man stood in the fields, lecturing to the farmers for the entire morning until his voice became hoarse. The farmers listened attentively, some even taking notes. Sun Li said that Old Zhao's teaching was down-to-earth, easy for the farmers to understand, and they were willing to listen.

The second stop was Anshan, the third was Fushun, and the fourth was Yingkou. After making this trip, Old Zhao had lost weight, but was in good spirits.

"Manager Qian, there are a few villages in Liaoyang where the land is really unusable and needs to be rested. I told them that the company would compensate them for a season's rest, and they agreed."

Qian Cheng said, "Okay. Thank you for your hard work, Master Zhao."

Old Zhao waved his hand: "What's so hard about it? Farming is my duty."

Spring has arrived, and the vegetables in the fields are growing one after another. Spinach, chives, and scallions are all lush and green. Cucumbers, tomatoes, and green peppers have also blossomed and borne fruit. The company's store opened in the north of the city. It's small, just one room with shelves stocked with all sorts of vegetables. Old Wang personally oversees the business, delivering the freshest vegetables every morning, priced them, and charging them a penny or two more than at the vegetable market, but the citizens still rush to buy them.

The name "Old Wang's Vegetables" gradually became well-known. Locals said that Old Wang's vegetables were fresh, clean, and didn't weigh much. Qian Cheng was pleased to hear this.

In May, a provincial-level on-site meeting on the "Vegetable Basket Project" was held in the provincial capital. Commerce bureau chiefs and vegetable company managers from various cities attended.

There were dozens of people. Director Liu led them on a tour of the company, showing them the warehouse, the transportation team, the retail store, and the base in Liaoyang.

Qian Cheng spoke at the meeting, sharing the company's experience. His presentation was straightforward and practical, starting with sprouting bean sprouts, then moving on to harvesting wild vegetables, traveling between counties and cities, running the company, establishing production bases, and expanding markets. The audience listened attentively, some nodding, others taking notes.

After the presentation, questions were asked. The two most frequently asked questions were: first, how to deal with farmers; and second, how to cope with market competition.

Qian Cheng said, "There's only one rule when dealing with farmers: don't cheat them. If you cheat them once, they'll remember you for life. If you help them once, they'll also remember you for life. Don't be afraid of market competition. If you grow good vegetables, provide good service, and build a good reputation, no one can steal your customers."

After the meeting, Director Liu took Qian Cheng's hand and said, "Qian, you spoke well."

Qian Cheng said, "Director Liu, I was just telling the truth."

Director Liu smiled: "The truth works best."

After the on-site meeting, more people came to visit the company. Some came from other cities within the province, and some from other provinces. Qian Cheng put Lao Li in charge of receiving them, showing them around and explaining things without holding anything back. Some people said that Manager Qian was generous and not afraid that others would learn from him. Qian Cheng said that it was a good thing if they learned from him; with more vegetables from all over the province, the citizens' shopping baskets would be fuller.

However, some people who learned the skills left and then came back to compete with the company for business.

In the autumn, another company appeared in Liaoyang called "Luyuan Vegetable Company." The boss's surname was Ma. He used to be a cadre in the Liaoyang Commerce Bureau, but he resigned and went into business. He learned the company's model, set up a base in Liaoyang, collected vegetables, and delivered them to the provincial capital.

The price paid to farmers is two cents higher than that paid to the company, while the price paid to vegetable stalls is one cent lower than that paid to the company.

Sun Li called and said, "Manager, Lao Ma is here again."

Qian Cheng asked, "Is he like Boss Huang?"

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Then let's ignore it. The market is big enough to accommodate two companies."

Sun Li said, "But he lowered the price, and now our vegetables are harder to sell."

Qian Cheng said, "If it doesn't sell well, lower the price. But don't sell at a loss, just break even. Lao Ma is just starting out, he can't afford to lose money. If he loses money for a few months, he'll naturally raise the price."

Sure enough, after more than two months, Lao Ma couldn't hold on any longer and raised the prices at the vegetable market to the same level as the company. Sun Li said, "Manager, you're right, he can't stop it."

Qian Cheng said, "It's not that he can't handle it, it's that he doesn't have our foundation. We have five cities to support us, while he only has one."

He might lose money for a month, but we're not afraid of losing money for a year.

Sun Li laughed: "Then shouldn't we take him in?"

Qian Cheng shook his head: "No rush. Let him come to us."

Old Ma didn't come looking for Qian Cheng, but he also didn't try to lower the price anymore. The two companies coexisted peacefully in Liaoyang, each doing their own business. Qian Cheng thought this was good; competition breeds progress.

At the end of the year, the company held another summary meeting. They didn't expand this year, but profits were still 20,000 yuan higher than last year. Old Wang said that the profits mainly came from the retail stores; although they weren't large, the profit margin was high, earning several cents more per pound of vegetables.

Qian Cheng said, "We'll open another store next year in the south of the city."

Xiao Liu said, "Okay, I'll go find a place."

In Jinzhou, this year's yield is 20% higher than last year. Old Zhao's technology promotion has taken effect; farmers have learned crop rotation, how to apply organic fertilizer, and how to prevent and treat pests and diseases. The fields haven't been idle, but the yield has increased.

Old Li said, "Xiao Qian, things are stable in Jinzhou now. Shouldn't we expand next year?"

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "No rush. Let's wait another year and talk about it the year after."

Old Li nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

In December, Qian Cheng went to Jinzhou to check on the winter vegetables. Cabbage, radishes, and potatoes filled the warehouse. Old Zhao walked around the field and said the land needed a rest.

"Master Zhao, you'll have to travel to a few more places next year. Liaoyang, Anshan, Fushun, Yingkou, you'll all have to go."

Old Zhao said, "Okay, I'll go. As long as you don't mind bothering this old man, I'll go."

Qian Cheng laughed: "Nobody's bothered by you, everyone's looking forward to you going."

After returning from Jinzhou, Qian Cheng went to Liaoyang. Sun Li was overseeing things there, renewing contracts for several villages whose contracts were expiring. Old Ma didn't try to take over; everyone went about their own business.

Sun Li said, "Manager, I don't think Lao Ma's job will last long. His management is lagging behind, and the quality of the vegetables is poor. The people at the vegetable station say that a lot of his vegetables are rotten."

Qian Cheng said, "That's his business, we don't need to concern ourselves with it. Just do your own thing."

Before the New Year, the company distributed bonuses. Just like last year, veteran employees received 50 yuan each, and new employees received 30 yuan each. Old Li, Old Wang, Little Liu, and Sun Li each received 100 yuan. Qian Cheng still refused to accept it.

Old Li said, "Xiao Qian, you should take a share."

Qian Cheng said, "Uncle Li, I don't need this hundred yuan. You can take it and buy some nice things for the New Year."

Old Li didn't say anything more and put the money in his pocket.

On New Year's Eve, Qian Cheng took Zhang Mingxi and Nian En back to his hometown.

Laowozi Village has changed again. A small square has been built in the village, and fitness equipment has been installed. Captain Li said that the per capita income in the village has increased by 10% compared to last year, and every household has bought a color TV and a refrigerator.

Hou Yufen was waiting at the door. When she saw Nian'en, she squatted down and opened her arms. "Nian'en, come here, let Grandma hug you."

Nian'en ran over and threw herself into her arms. Hou Yufen hugged her and kissed her little face. "You've grown taller, you've grown taller again."

Nian'en said, "Grandma, I miss you."

Hou Yufen's eyes reddened, and she carried her into the house.

Qian Lu and his sister-in-law also came. Xiao Ni is eleven years old this year and is in junior high school. She has a ponytail and speaks like an adult. When she saw Nian En, she took her hand.

"Little sister, I'll teach you how to ride a bicycle."

Nian'en said, "Okay."

The two little girls ran out, and laughter echoed from the yard.

Qian Cheng sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and talked to Qian Lu. Qian Lu said that the village's vegetable fields had expanded again, now totaling 1,500 mu (approximately 100 hectares), specifically for supplying the company. Qian Cheng nodded and said it was good. Qian Lu then asked about Lao Ma, but Qian Cheng said it was fine, everyone was doing their own thing.

"Brother, let's not expand the company next year. Let's focus on doing the existing ones well," Qian Cheng said.

Qian Lu thought for a moment and said, "That's fine. You've been working too hard these past few years, you should take a break."

Qian Cheng laughed: "We can't rest. Not expanding doesn't mean we're not doing anything; there's still a lot to do."

In the evening, the family sat around the table for their New Year's Eve dinner. Hou Yufen stewed chicken, steamed fish, and made dumplings. Nian'en ate several dumplings, her belly round and full, rolling around on the kang (heated brick bed). Xiao Ni took a small notebook and taught Nian'en to write. Nian'en wrote crookedly, but very seriously, writing each stroke carefully.

Qian Cheng looked at them and felt at ease.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Qian Cheng went to pay a New Year's visit to Zhang Changtian.

Zhang Changtian had aged considerably; his hair was completely white, and his back was bent, but he was still in good spirits, planing wood in the yard. Seeing Qian Cheng enter, he put down the planer and stood up.

"You're here?"

"You're here. Happy New Year, Master."

Zhang Changtian hummed in agreement and ushered him into the house. Deng Jingshu came out from the inner room, took Qian Cheng's hand, and asked him all sorts of questions.

He then asked Zhang Mingxi and Nian'en if they were doing well, and Qian Cheng said they were both.

Zhang Changtian sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), smoking a pipe, and remained silent for a long time. After a while, he suddenly spoke.

"Chengzi, your company is quite large now."

Qian Cheng said, "It's alright, over a hundred people."

Zhang Changtian nodded and said, "With so many people, there's a lot to manage. You have to keep an eye on things. Don't let anyone take advantage of the situation."

Qian Cheng said, "I know."

Zhang Changtian glanced at him and said, "You're a smart man, I don't need to say more. Just don't forget where you came from."

Qian Cheng felt a surge of warmth in his heart. "Master, I won't forget."

Zhang Changtian didn't say anything more, tapped his pipe, stood up, and went to the yard.

Returning from his hometown marked the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. On the eighth day of the new year, Qian Cheng returned to work. When he arrived at the office, Lao Li was already waiting. A map lay spread out on the table, covered with dense markings.

"Xiao Qian, if you're expanding the year after next, these are some places you could consider." Old Li pointed to several points on the map. "They're all in western Liaoning. The land is good, there's plenty of water, and the farmers are willing to grow vegetables there."

Qian Cheng looked at the map, thought for a moment, and said, "Okay, you go take a look first. Don't rush to sign the contract. Just get a clear understanding of the situation."

Old Li nodded and put the map away.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Qian Cheng stayed home to celebrate the festival with Nian En.

Zhang Mingxi cooked a whole table of dishes and even bought glutinous rice balls. Nian Enai, who loves sweets, ate several, her mouth covered in sesame seeds.

The filling. Qian Cheng wiped her mouth, but she kept dodging him.

"Dad, are you going on a business trip tomorrow?"

Qian Cheng said, "I'm not going out; I'll be staying home this week."

Nian'en was delighted and took his hand. "Then you'll help me set off the flowers."

Qian Cheng took her to the yard to set off fireworks. Nian'en was afraid of the loud noise, so she covered her eyes and peeked through her fingers. When she saw the fireworks exploding in the sky, she jumped for joy.

"Dad, it's so beautiful!"

Qian Cheng held her close, watching the fireworks in the sky, his heart filled with tenderness and joy.

Life went on like this, neither fast nor slow, steadily and surely. The company moved forward, home moved back, and in between, Nian'en's laughter filled the days, one after another. Qian Cheng knew that this road was still long. The wind would come, the waves would come, but as long as the foundation was solid, there was nothing to fear. He pulled his fist back so that he could strike more powerfully. Now that his fist was almost pulled back, it was time to prepare to strike.

Once the Lantern Festival (January 15th of the lunar calendar) is over, the New Year celebrations are officially over.

Qian Cheng returned to his office and reviewed this year's plans. Last year's strategy was to not expand the business, but to solidify the existing operations. The results were good; production increased, quality improved, and profits were 20,000 yuan higher than the year before. Old Wang was right; although the retail store was small, the profit margin was high, earning several cents more per pound of vegetables.

It's time to expand this year.

He called Lao Li, Lao Wang, and Xiao Liu together for a meeting.

"Last year we held back, we pulled back our fists. This year it's time to strike."

Old Li asked, "Where to?"

Qian Cheng walked to the map and pointed to several counties in western Liaoning. "You visited these places last year, what was the situation like?"

Old Li stood up, walked to the map, and pointed. "There are several townships north of Yixian County with good land and abundant water, so farmers are willing to grow vegetables. There are also several villages east of Heishan Mountain; I've visited them, and the conditions are quite good. It's just that the roads are difficult to travel, and transportation costs are high."

Qian Cheng said, "High transportation costs are not a problem. As long as the vegetables are good, the price will go up. You should go and talk to them first and see what the farmers think. Don't rush into the contract; let's get the intentions settled first."

Old Li nodded and wrote it down in his notebook.

Old Wang said, "It's a small amount of money. If we expand, we won't have enough vehicles and warehouses."

Qian Cheng said, "Let's add two more cars and rent another warehouse. Uncle Wang, you calculate how much it will cost to add two more cars."

Old Wang did the math in his notebook and said, "One vehicle costs between 15,000 and 20,000, so two vehicles would cost 30,000 to 40,000. Add the warehouse space, and it'll easily be over 50,000."

Qian Cheng asked, "Is there enough money in the account?"

Old Wang flipped through the account book and said, "That's enough. We have a surplus of over 900,000, so coming out 50,000 won't be a problem."

Qian Cheng nodded: "Then add it. I'll handle the permits for the car, and Xiao Liu, you find a place for the warehouse."

Xiao Liu said, "Okay."

After the meeting, Qian Cheng went to the Commerce Department to see Director Liu. Director Liu was looking at documents in his office. When he saw Qian Cheng come in, he put down what he was holding.

"Xiao Qian, what are your plans for this year?"

Qian Cheng explained this year's plan. Director Liu listened and nodded.

"Your thinking is right. We've been harvesting all year, it's time to fight this year. But take it easy, don't go too far."

Qian Cheng said, "I know. Taking big steps can easily lead to a fall, so I'll walk steadily."

Director Liu looked at him and smiled. "I'm relieved that you can handle it."

After leaving the business hall, Qian Cheng rode his bicycle to the transportation company. Manager Zhao was still the same as before, chubby and speaking slowly and deliberately.