Reborn in '77, I have a job panel!

Chapter 126 Expanding Production Scale

Captain Guo chuckled twice: "Manager Qian, it's not that the land is good, it's that the people are hardworking. I've also plowed those few hundred acres on the east side of the ditch, and I'll expand by another two hundred acres next year. What do you think?"

Qian Cheng stood up, dusted off his hands, and said, "Fine. I'll buy whatever you expand. But there's one thing: the quality can't be compromised."

Captain Guo patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it, there's no mistake."

Old Zhao was sent to Liutiaogou for half a month, where he taught everyone how to cultivate seedlings, how to fertilize, and how to prevent pests. When the old man came back, he told Qian Cheng that the people in Liutiaogou were willing to learn and were even more dedicated than those in Yixian County.

"Manager Qian, that place has a good location and good people. It will definitely be our company's best base in the future."

Qian Cheng was pleased to hear this.

Liu Jianguo was keeping a close eye on things in Heishan. Three villages, 800 mu of land, had seen a 20% increase in yield compared to last year. Liu Jianguo called every few days to report on the situation, sometimes mentioning the difficulties.

"Manager, the roads in Montenegro are difficult to travel on. When it rains, trucks can't get in, and the vegetables can't be transported out."

Qian Cheng said, "I'll talk to the county about the road issue. You should figure out a way to get the vegetables out first, and I'm willing to pay more."

Liu Jianguo said, "Okay, I'll figure something out."

At the retail outlets, the store in the east of the city opened. Old Wang personally oversaw the distribution of goods across all four stores, ensuring that whichever store was short of vegetables would receive them.

They'll source from the nearest warehouse. The four stores can earn 15,000 to 16,000 yuan a month, totaling nearly 200,000 yuan a year.

Old Wang said, "Xiao Qian, the retail stores are making more money than the production base. Shouldn't we open a few more?"

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "No rush. Four is enough. The provincial capital is only so big. If we open too many, we'll just be competing with ourselves. Let's focus on perfecting these four and building our brand."

Old Wang nodded and didn't say anything more.

Qian Cheng went to check out the store in the east of the city. The store wasn't big, only about ten square meters, but the shelves were packed full. The vegetables had just arrived that morning, and they were fresh and vibrant; the spinach was a bright green, and the tomatoes were a dazzling red. There were quite a few people queuing up, including elderly men and women, as well as young wives.

An elderly woman bought three pounds of cucumbers and two pounds of tomatoes, and asked, "Can you deliver these vegetables to my door?"

The young man selling vegetables said, "Auntie, we only sell, we don't give away anything."

The old lady shook her head: "That's too far. My legs aren't good, I can't carry it."

Qian Cheng overheard this and kept it in mind. He went back and said to Lao Wang, "Could you offer home delivery for the vegetables at the store? The provincial capital is so big, and there are many elderly people who find it inconvenient to come and buy them. We can deliver them to them and charge a little more."

Old Wang thought for a moment and said, "That's a good idea, we can give it a try. Let's start in the north of the city, where there are many elderly people at home, and home delivery of groceries will definitely be popular."

Qian Cheng said, "You should try it out first and see how it goes. If it works well, then we can promote it."

Old Wang nodded and went to do it.

In the spring, the province held a rural work conference to commend outstanding units. Qian Cheng's company was named an "Advanced Collective in the Provincial Vegetable Basket Project," and he personally received an award. Director Liu called and said, "Xiao Qian, you're famous now! The whole province knows about your company."

Qian Cheng said, "Director Liu, becoming famous is not the goal; the goal is to grow and sell vegetables well."

Director Liu smiled: "That's a good attitude."

After the meeting, many people visited the company, some from other cities and counties in the province, and some from other provinces. Qian Cheng asked Lao Li to be in charge of receiving them, showing them around and explaining things without holding anything back. Lao Li said that a manager from Henan had seen the company's base and stores and said he wanted to learn from the company's model and set up one when he got back.

Qian Cheng said, "I'll learn if I want to; we can all do business together."

With more people to learn from, competition also arises.

In the summer, a new vegetable company called "Lvfeng Vegetable Company" popped up in the provincial capital. The owner, surnamed Zhou, was originally a cadre from the Provincial Department of Commerce who had gone into business. Unlike Lao Ma, he didn't engage in low-price competition but instead focused on differentiation. He specialized in supplying high-end clients, delivering vegetables to hotels and restaurants. The prices were high, but the vegetables were of high quality, and the service was excellent.

Old Li said, "Xiao Qian, Green Feng Company specializes in poaching high-end clients. They've already taken two of our hotel clients away."

Qian Cheng asked, "How's their food?"

Old Li said, "The vegetables are similar to ours, but they are well-packaged, packed in cardboard boxes, and labeled, making them look more upscale."

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "If they're going for the high-end, we should follow suit. We'll pick out the best dishes from our store, pack them in cardboard boxes, and deliver them exclusively to hotels and restaurants. The price can be a bit higher, but the quality must be even better than theirs."

Old Li said, "Okay, I'll take care of it."

Qian Cheng added, "We won't engage in price wars; we'll compete on quality and service. Give me your hotel and restaurant client list, and I'll personally go and visit them."

Old Li nodded.

Qian Cheng spent half a month running around and managed to win back the two hotel clients he had lost. He showed the hotel's purchasing manager photos of the company's base and invited them to visit Liutiaogou. After seeing the vegetables in the fields, the purchasing manager immediately decided to continue cooperating with the company.

"Manager Qian, your dishes are indeed excellent. I signed with Green Fortune because I was worried you wouldn't pay enough attention to the high-end market. Since you're also targeting the high-end market, of course I'll sign with you."

Qian Cheng said, "Manager Wang, don't worry, I'll personally oversee the high-end segment, it won't go wrong."

Since then, Qian Cheng has created a special "premium dish" series, packaging the dishes in cardboard boxes with the company's brand affixed, and delivering them to hotels and restaurants. The prices are 20% higher than regular dishes, but customers are willing to buy them because the dishes are indeed of high quality and beautifully presented.

Old Wang said, "It's a small amount of money. The profit margin for premium dishes is higher than that of the main store."

Qian Cheng said, "Of course, good things should fetch a good price."

In autumn, an agricultural product fair was held in the provincial capital. The company's booth was bustling with people; not only were locals buying, but merchants from other places also came to discuss cooperation. One merchant from Shenzhen, surnamed Lin, was in his forties, wearing a floral shirt and looking quite fashionable. He stood in front of the booth for a long time, looking around, and finally asked Old Li for his business card, saying he would contact him when he got back.

Qian Cheng later learned that this Mr. Lin was the purchasing manager of a large supermarket in Shenzhen who wanted to import vegetables from the north. He called to say he wanted to order a batch of premium vegetables to be shipped to Shenzhen for sale.

Qian Cheng asked, "Boss Lin, the vegetables are transported from the provincial capital to Shenzhen, which is thousands of miles away. Can they be fresh?"

Mr. Lin said, "Yes, we can. We'll use a refrigerated truck; it'll arrive in two days. Your vegetables are good, and people in Shenzhen know their quality; they'll definitely sell well."

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Okay, order one carload to try it out first. If it works well, then order more."

Mr. Lin ordered 10,000 jin of premium vegetables. Qian Cheng had Lao Li personally oversee the loading, packing them in styrofoam boxes with ice packs, and sent one truckload over. A few days later, Mr. Lin called to say that the vegetables were sold out, with people in Shenzhen scrambling to buy them, and he ordered two more truckloads.

Qian Cheng was pleased, but he wasn't in a hurry to expand. He told Lao Li, "Markets in other provinces are a good thing, but we can't let them affect the supply in our own province. Let's stabilize the market in our own province first, and then expand outwards."

Old Li said, "Okay, I'll arrange it."

At the end of the year, the company held another summary meeting. This year, Jinzhou expanded to two more counties, added two more vehicles, opened a new store in the east of the city, and also launched a premium cuisine series. The total investment was 200,000 yuan, and the profit was 120,000 yuan more than last year.

Old Wang was beaming with joy: "Little Qian, this year's profit is over 300,000!"

Qian Cheng said, "Uncle Wang, this is just the beginning. There's much more to come."

Director Liu also came. After listening to the report and looking at the accounts, he said, "Xiao Qian, your company is now one of the best in the province. Next year, the province will hold an experience exchange meeting on the 'vegetable basket project,' and your company will be a model. You need to prepare well and explain your experience thoroughly."

Qian Cheng said, "Director Liu, don't worry."

The meeting ended, and Director Liu left. Qian Cheng kept everyone behind for a small meeting, where they finalized next year's plans. Jinzhou will expand to two more counties, the Liaoxi base will increase by 500 mu, premium vegetables will be expanded to markets outside the province, and the number of retail outlets will not be increased; the four existing outlets will be refined first. The total budget is 250,000 yuan.

Old Li said, "Little Qian, you're just adding a little bit every year, it's a sure thing."

Qian Cheng said, "Yes, steadily and surely."

Before the New Year, the company distributed bonuses. This year's profits were higher, so the bonuses were also higher. Long-term employees received 150 yuan each, and new employees received 80 yuan each. Old Li, Old Wang, Little Liu, and Sun Li each received 300 yuan. Qian Cheng still didn't accept it.

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

Qian Cheng said, "Uncle Li, I don't need that little bit of money."

Old Li sighed and put the money in his pocket.

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

Nian'en is six years old now, and she's grown taller. She wears two little braids and speaks fluently. She's already in preschool, knows quite a few characters, and can do simple arithmetic. Hou Yufen was overjoyed to see her granddaughter, holding her hand and asking her all sorts of questions.

"Nian'en, how are you doing in your studies?"

"Great! The teacher even praised my handwriting!"

Xiao Ni is fourteen years old and in junior high school. She's already much taller than Nian En. She pulled Nian En to play in the yard, and the two girls chattered away.

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 2,000 mu (approximately 133 hectares), specifically for supplying the company. Every household in the village had bought a color TV and a refrigerator, and some had even bought cars.

"Brother, you've worked hard," Qian Cheng said.

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

For the New Year's Eve dinner, Hou Yufen stewed chicken, steamed fish, and made dumplings. Nian'en ate several dumplings until her belly was round and full. Xiao Ni took a notebook and taught Nian'en to write. Nian'en wrote carefully, stroke by stroke, and showed it to her grandmother when she finished.

Hou Yufen's eyes reddened as she read it: "Good, good, Nian'en is so smart."

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

Zhang Changtian is much older, eighty-one years old, his back is severely hunched, and he walks slowly. But he's still in the yard, planing wood, carving out a small stool, saying it's for Nian'en. Seeing Qian Cheng come in, he puts down the plane and slowly stands up.

"You're here?"

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

Zhang Changtian nodded and ushered him into the house. Deng Jingshu had also aged; her hair was completely white, but she was still in good spirits, holding Qian Cheng's hand as they talked.

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, you're a senior manager now."

Qian Cheng said, "Master, I'm still your apprentice."

Zhang Changtian glanced at him and said, "I wasn't wrong about you."

After returning from his hometown, the New Year celebrations were over. On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, Qian Cheng arrived at the office, where Lao Li was already waiting. A map was spread out on the table, marked with new symbols.

"Xiao Qian, Jinzhou is expanding two more counties this year, and these villages are in good condition," Old Li said, pointing to the points on the map.

Qian Cheng glanced at it and said, "Okay, you go and talk to them."

After the New Year, Lao Li went to Jinzhou.

The two counties to be expanded this time are Xingcheng and Suizhong, both located south of Jinzhou and near the sea. Before Lao Li went, Qian Cheng spent a long time looking at the map. Xingcheng and Suizhong are far from the provincial capital, even farther than Yixian, resulting in high transportation costs. But Lao Li said that the land there is good, the water source is plentiful, and the people there are very enthusiastic about growing vegetables, so it's worth a try.

Old Li stayed in Xingcheng for five days, visiting several villages. When he returned, he brought back a bag of soil, dark and oily, which looked very greasy when held in his hand.

"Xiao Qian, look at this soil, it's so fertile." Old Li poured the bag of soil onto the table and spread it out with his hands. "I dug a few shovelfuls over there, it's all black soil, and it's so oily that it comes out when you squeeze it."

Qian Cheng pinched a little bit, rubbed it, and it was indeed good.

"Are you all willing to plant it?"

Old Li said, "I'm willing. The villagers there used to grow peanuts, but they didn't earn much money in a year. When they heard that our company buys vegetables at a higher price than the supply and marketing cooperative, they all rushed to sign contracts. I brought three villages, covering 1,200 mu, and we signed contracts for them all."

Qian Cheng glanced at the contract and nodded. "Okay. What about Suizhong?"

Old Li said, "We also went to Suizhong. The conditions aren't as good as Xingcheng; the land isn't as fertile, but it's not bad either. We signed agreements with two villages, eight..."

One hundred mu. Adding them together, it's two thousand mu, exactly two thousand mu.

Qian Cheng closed the contract and said, "Two thousand mu is quite a lot. The technology needs to be improved. Have Lao Zhao go and stay for a while to teach the villagers."

Old Li said, "Old Zhao is already on his way and will arrive in Xingcheng tomorrow."

Qian Cheng laughed: "Master Zhao, you're really good at running."

Old Li said, "The old man can't stay idle; he says he gets bored staying at home."

Old Zhao spent half a month in Xingcheng, teaching the villagers how to prepare the land, cultivate seedlings, and fertilize. The villagers in Xingcheng had never grown vegetables before, so they learned from scratch, but they learned quickly. When Old Zhao returned, his voice was hoarse.

"Manager Qian, the people in Xingcheng are quick learners. There's a young woman there, just over twenty, who learns the fastest; she's even better at seedling cultivation than I am now."

Qian Cheng said, "That's great. Thank you for your hard work, Master Zhao."

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

The area around Jinzhou has expanded, and there aren't enough vehicles. Eleven vehicles are barely enough to cover five cities. Qian Cheng went to Manager Zhao at the transportation company to rent two more. Manager Zhao said they had vehicles, but the price had gone up to 300 yuan a month, and that was the lowest they could offer.

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Okay, three hundred it is. Rent it for a year."

Manager Zhao laughed: "Manager Qian, that's great."

With the two trucks in place, Lao Li rearranged the transportation route, adding Xingcheng and Suizhong to it. The journey from the fields to the provincial capital would take half a day longer, but the vegetables would be fresh and wouldn't delay sales.

As for the retail outlets, the four stores are stable. Old Wang said that the four stores can now earn 18,000 yuan a month, and a little over 200,000 yuan a year. Qian Cheng calculated that, adding the profits from the base and wholesale, they can earn more than 500,000 yuan a year.