Back to 2008: I Helped My Dad Become the Richest Man

The call was to Wang Defa of the Golden Bay Hotel.

Luo Xiyuan knew that at this moment, the only person who could help them, and was willing to help them, was probably Wang Defa. He was not only their partner, but also a city dweller with connections and influence in the city.

"Uncle Wang, this is what happened. They said we were polluting the environment and that our production was not up to standard, so they shut down our pig farm and made us suspend operations for rectification." Luo Xiyuan tried to remain calm on the phone and briefly explained what had happened.

After listening to the phone call, Wang Defa remained silent for a moment.

"Xiyuan, don't worry." His voice sounded calm and steady. "I knew it the moment I heard about this. Someone is pulling strings behind the scenes. I've seen your farm with my own eyes. It's a very well-managed farm, not just in the countryside, but even in the city. How could there be so many problems?"

"Then who do you think did it?" Luo Xiyuan asked.

"It's hard to say. Maybe it's some competitors in the county who are envious of your business. Or maybe... your business has affected some people." Wang Defa said somewhat cryptically.

Luo Xiyuan knew in her heart that he was right. They were developing too fast, so fast that many people felt threatened.

"Uncle Wang, I don't want to find out who's behind this. I just want to know what we should do? They said they'd wait for the test results before taking any action. But ten days or half a month have passed, and our pig farm is completely finished." Luo Xiyuan's tone was anxious.

"Let me think about it..." Wang Defa pondered on the other end of the phone. "The industry and commerce, health, and environmental protection departments are conducting joint enforcement. That's quite a show of force, indicating that they're determined to get you. Going through normal channels to file a complaint is slow and the results aren't necessarily good."

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiyuan's heart sank.

"However," Wang Defa changed the subject, "it's not entirely without a solution. The one who tied the knot must untie it. They say you're polluting the environment and your production is unregulated, right? Then we'll find someone more authoritative and influential than them to prove you have no problems!"

"Someone more authoritative?"

"Yes!" Wang Defa said, "I know a deputy director of the Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, surnamed Li. We dealt with him before when our hotel was conducting environmental assessments. He's a technical expert and a very upright person. I'll try to contact him and see if I can ask him to come to your farm as a private expert and give you an objective assessment report. As long as we have a report from a municipal expert proving that your environmental protection is up to standard, those people in the county won't dare to mess around anymore!"

"Besides, aren't you a star enterprise in the county and have you been on TV? You can also go to the media for this kind of thing! Make it public and let public opinion put pressure on them!" Wang Defa gave her two suggestions.

"Uncle Wang, thank you so much! You've really helped our family a lot!" Luo Xiyuan's voice trembled slightly.

"Don't thank me yet. It's still uncertain whether it will work out. Wait for my news." Wang Defa said and hung up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Luo Xiyuan breathed a sigh of relief, her tense nerves finally relaxing a bit. Although the future was uncertain, at least there was a glimmer of hope.

She shared Wang Defa's suggestion with her family, and Luo Xinde and Grandpa Liu both agreed that it was the best solution at the moment.

"Yes! Let's find the top experts! Let those people in the county see who's really in charge!" Luo Xinde slammed his fist on the table.

The Luo family spent the next two days in extreme agony.

With the pig farm shut down, the daily losses are mounting. Rumors are starting to circulate in the village again.

"Have you heard? The Luo family's pig farm has been shut down! They say the pork is poisonous and pollutes the environment!"

"I told you, their money came too fast, there was definitely something fishy going on! Now they're getting their comeuppance!"

"Luckily I didn't work with them back then, otherwise I'd be in the same boat now!"

Those who were once envious and jealous have now become gloating onlookers. Even the few cooperative farmers who had already signed contracts are starting to panic, coming to Luo Xinde every day to ask what should be done with their piglets.

Luo Xinde and Li Minxia were under tremendous pressure, and both of them developed blisters on their lips from anxiety.

But Luo Xiyuan forced herself to remain calm. She knew that it was precisely at this moment that she couldn't afford to panic.

While comforting her parents and fellow farmers, she began paving the way for Wang Defa's side.

She compiled all the farm's design drawings, management records, and financial statements, categorizing them into a more detailed report. She wanted to show Director Li from the city what kind of company they really were.

On the morning of the third day, Wang Defa finally called.

"Xiyuan, great news!" Wang Defa's voice sounded excited. "I've made an appointment with Director Li! He was very interested in your ecological cycle model. He said he's going to the countryside for research tomorrow and could stop by your farm in a personal capacity!"

"That's great!" Luo Xiyuan's eyes lit up immediately.

"However, he's short on time; he can only stay with you for a maximum of one hour. You must seize the opportunity and showcase all your strengths. Whether things can be resolved depends on tomorrow!" Wang Defa instructed.

"We understand! Thank you, Uncle Wang!"

After hanging up the phone, Luo Xiyuan immediately shared the good news with her family.

The entire Luo family was once again filled with fighting spirit!

"Quick! Clean the farm again, inside and out! Don't miss a single corner!"

"Prepare all the data! Especially the design drawings and operating data for our biogas circulation system!"

"Minxia, ​​don't cook lunch tomorrow. Let's go straight to the best restaurant in town and book a table!" Luo Xinde said.

"Dad, no need." Luo Xiyuan shook her head. "Uncle Wang said that Director Li is a tech-savvy and upright person. The kind of person he dislikes the whole 'eating and drinking' thing the most. If we make it too elaborate, it will only make him resentful. Let's just prepare normally and let him see our most authentic selves."

At 10 a.m. the next day, a black Volkswagen sedan, more understated than the Audi from last time but appearing more prestigious, quietly pulled up at the gate of the Rothschild Farm.

Two people got out of the car. One was Wang Defa, and the other was a middle-aged man in his fifties wearing glasses, who looked like a university professor. He was Deputy Director Li of the Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.

Luo Xiyuan, Luo Xinde, and Master Liu greeted them at the door.

"Director Li, Manager Wang, welcome, welcome!"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Director Li got straight to the point: "Mr. Luo, no need to be so polite. I'm short on time, let's get straight to the point."

He didn't even go into the office; he went straight to asking to see the pigsty and the sewage system.

Luo Xiyuan and Master Liu exchanged a glance, both understanding the situation. This man was indeed an expert.

They led Director Li into the farm that was sealed off.

Director Li glanced at the pigsty itself and went straight to the sewage ditch behind it. He squatted down, carefully examined the water quality in the ditch, and then walked to the biogas digester.

"What is the designed capacity of your biogas digester? What kind of fermentation process does it use?" His first question was very professional.

Mr. Liu stepped forward and replied in a deep voice, "Director Li, our pond has an effective volume of fifty cubic meters and uses the UASB upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor process. The fermented biogas slurry will enter the adjacent secondary sedimentation and oxidation pond, where it will be used for farmland irrigation after aeration and plant purification. The biogas residue will be provided to the villagers free of charge as organic fertilizer."

After listening, Director Li looked at the unassuming old man from the countryside with some surprise, not expecting him to be able to use such professional terminology.

"Did you bring the design drawings? Let me see them."

Luo Xiyuan immediately handed over the blueprints she had prepared.

Director Li took the blueprints and examined them very carefully. As he looked, he nodded and said, "Hmm, the design is very standardized and well-considered. Theoretically speaking, this system is more than enough to handle your amount of aquaculture wastewater. The treated water quality should meet the standards for farmland irrigation."

He stood up, walked around the farm again, and finally stopped at the door of the warehouse that was sealed off.

"Can I go in and see your feed?" he asked.

"But... this place is sealed off," Luo Xinde said with difficulty.

Director Li frowned, walked directly to the seal, and said to Luo Xinde, who had been following him, "Boss Luo, I trust you. Tear it off. If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility."

With those words from him, Luo Xinde became bolder. He stepped forward and, with a "rip," tore off the unsightly seal.

Director Li walked into the warehouse, picked up a handful of soybean meal, smelled it, and then grabbed a handful of corn, carefully examining its color and kernels.

"The corn is freshly harvested, and the soybean meal meets the protein content standards. There's no problem with the raw materials."

The entire inspection process lasted less than an hour.

Finally, Director Li returned to his office. He didn't sit down, but simply said to Luo Xiyuan and Luo Xinde, "I have a basic understanding of the situation. Your farm has no problems with environmental design and production management; in many aspects, it's even better than some companies in the city. Especially your concept of ecological recycling is excellent; it's the direction for future agricultural development."

He paused, his tone becoming serious: "As for the county's handling of you, I believe it was simplistic, heavy-handed, and irresponsible! I will personally communicate with the county's top leaders about this matter! I demand that they immediately lift the blockade on you and conduct a serious investigation into this enforcement process!"

His words were firm and authoritative.

Luo Xinde and Li Minxia's eyes reddened as they repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

Director Li waved his hand, his gaze finally settling on Luo Xiyuan, revealing a hint of appreciation.

"Young lady, keep up the good work! There aren't many young people like you anymore—thinking big, technically skilled, and willing to work diligently in the real economy. The country needs companies like yours. Don't worry, if you encounter any difficulties, just contact the government. The government will provide you with support!"

After saying that, he and Wang Defa got into the car and left.

Watching the black sedan disappear at the village entrance, Luo Xinde felt somewhat dazed, as if it were all too unreal.