Official title: Refused to stay at the university, started his career in a rural town.

The conference room was filled with smoke.

Zhao Wendong put his teacup on the table and glanced around behind his gold-rimmed glasses.

"County Chief Ma, distinguished leaders, I, Zhao Wendong, will not engage in polite conversation, and let's not waste time working on the loom."

"Hengtong came here this time because of the popularity of Qingping Mountain Delicacies, which made them notice this place. But what we are really interested in—" He looked at Yang Fan, "is that century-old tea tree.

Ma Zemin didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

"Professor Song Huaiyuan is an authority in the tea field in our province. I've read his report, which says this tea tree variety is unique and its quality won't be bad." Zhao Wendong leaned back in his chair. "Hengtong is a food processing company that also does foreign trade. We've been looking for unique tea sources for the past few years. If this tea tree in Qingping is really as described in the report, we'll invest!"

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

Zhao Wendong raised his hand, and Sun Weiping took out a stack of documents from his briefcase and pushed them to the middle of the table.

"These are the assessors we brought. They will go up the mountain this afternoon to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the tea trees and tea gardens. If the assessment results are satisfactory, Hengtong is willing to set up a factory in Qingping."

Ma Liangchen paused for a moment while holding the enamel mug.

Zhao Wendong continued, "But there are a few conditions that Anyang County must meet."

"First, Anyang County must ensure three connections and one leveling—road access, electricity, and water supply, and that the site is level."

"Secondly, in terms of policy, the county should offer some preferential treatment. We can discuss the specifics."

"Third," he glanced at Ma Zemin, "the tea plantation needs to be scaled up. One old tea tree isn't enough; the surrounding tea plantations need to keep up."

Ma Zemin tapped his fingers twice on the table.

"Mr. Zhao, we can discuss the terms more specifically. As long as Hengtong Group is willing to invest, our county will definitely provide strong support."

"Then thank you for your support, Anyang County! We can hold a meeting after we finish our inspection, and then decide on the specific investment amount based on the report from the evaluation experts we brought."

Zhao Wendong nodded.

Ma Zemin was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Okay, Mr. Zhao, you should go up the mountain to inspect the site first. After the assessment, we can sit down and discuss it in detail. I also need to report Hengtong's intentions to the county party committee and county government."

"Alright." Zhao Wendong stood up, extended his hand, and said, "County Chief Ma, Hengtong has come with sincerity and hopes that we can reach a mutually satisfactory cooperation."

Ma Zemin grasped his hand. "Definitely."

The Hengtong representatives left the meeting room first, and as soon as the door closed, the atmosphere inside immediately relaxed.

Ma Zemin slammed his teacup on the table and looked at Ma Liangchen and Li Chang'an.

"This is a great opportunity! The city has tried to recruit Hengtong Group several times without success. They've offered them land and preferential policies, but they still wouldn't come. Now they've come knocking on our door. Anyang County must seize this opportunity."

He stood up and walked to the window.

"Before we came, Secretary Wu instructed us that as long as the conditions weren't unreasonable, the county should agree to whatever it could. The county is indeed short of funds for infrastructure development, but we will try to apply for some from the city."

Ma Zemin turned around.

"However, you should be aware that the city's funds cannot cover everything, and this exception will not be made specifically for Qingping. The county can allocate some funds, but you will have to find a way to cover the shortfall yourselves."

Ma Liangchen put down the enamel mug. "County Magistrate Ma, the township's accounts—"

"I know you don't have the money," Ma Zemin interrupted him, raising his hand. "Then you'll have to find a way to raise the matching funds your township can. The villagers also need to be mobilized to contribute their labor. I don't need to elaborate on the benefits of road construction; everyone understands!"

Ma Liangchen nodded. "Understood."

"That's settled then." Ma Zemin picked up his bag from the table. "I'll go back now and give Secretary Wu a detailed report. You all need to mobilize the villages first. This isn't just one person's responsibility; it's the responsibility of the entire township."

He paused.

"If we can use this opportunity to get the road repaired, then your sycamore tree in Qingping will have truly built its nest."

Just as Ma Zemin was about to adjourn the meeting, Ma Liangchen hurriedly stood up from his seat, pulled a stack of bound documents from the file folder, and handed them over with both hands.

"County Chief Ma, this is the 'Qingping Yunwu Xiaoguan Tea Brand Plan' proposed by our Committee Member Yang. Our township has discussed it, and the committee and government are fully supporting it. We also have the township's supporting documents."

"I was supposed to submit it in the next few days, but since you're here, please review it first, and if possible, take it back to the county to show the leaders."

Ma Zemin took it and casually turned to the first page.

The first line below the title made him raise an eyebrow.

Brand positioning: High-end gift tea. Packaging specifications: 4 grams x 10 cans/box.

Suggested retail price: 98 yuan/box.

98 yuan.

Ma Zemin glanced at the number again. Right now, good quality tea on the market costs only thirty or forty yuan per kilogram. This price, for a box of less than an ounce, is nearly one hundred yuan.

He flipped down.

The plan was written in great detail. From tea garden management, picking standards, and processing techniques to packaging design, distribution channels, and brand promotion, it was all meticulously detailed. Each item was followed by a responsible person, a timeline, and a budget.

Ma Zemin turned to the "Brand Promotion" page and stopped.

The label reads: "In the first year, we will invite high-end customers in the provincial capital in the form of a 'tasting event' to create a sense of scarcity; in the second year, we will release a limited quantity, with each person limited to two boxes; in the third year, we will gradually increase the quantity based on market feedback."

Next to it was a handwritten line of small characters: Good tea doesn't need to be hidden in a deep alley, but good tea should let people know that it is good.

Ma Zemin raised his head and glanced at Yang Fan.

What's wrong with this kid's brain?

He came up with the apple bagging idea, he promoted the "Mountain Delicacies" brand, he came up with the idea for the loudspeaker announcement, and now he's even figured out how to sell tea. 98 yuan a box, limited edition, tasting event—this isn't selling tea, it's selling prestige.

His mind was in turmoil, but his face remained expressionless as he closed the proposal and put it into his briefcase.

"Okay, I'll take a closer look on my way back."

He looked at Yang Fan.

"You must be Xiao Yang. I've heard about what's happened in Qingping this past year." Ma Zemin's tone softened. "Apple bagging is being promoted throughout the city. The 'Mountain Delicacies' brand has sold over 800,000 yuan worth in three months, and now they've set their sights on tea."

"It's all under the leadership of the township committee and government that we've been working tirelessly to develop Qingping Township, enriching the villagers and improving the government's finances!"

Yang Fan replied calmly.

"Good, well said! Let the people's pockets be full and the government's finances be good. You have this belief and you are able to stick together and work hard to develop."

"I believe that your Qingping Township will definitely develop and become prosperous! I will keep an eye on things!"

Ma Zemin glanced at his worn-out watch, patted his briefcase, and said, "Alright, it's getting late. I need to get back to the county to report to the leaders. Remember, the county committee and government will not mistreat anyone who has made contributions!"

He lifted his foot and walked out. But when he reached the door, he paused for a moment.

"Xiao Yang."

"Um."

"That 98, you ordered it?"

Yang Fan nodded. "Setting the price high is essential for creating a sophisticated image. We're selling gift tea, so we can't set the price too low. If we do, we'll have to lower the quality."

Ma Zemin stared at him for two seconds, then his lips twitched. He didn't say anything more, pushed open the door, and left.

The door closed, and the conference room was silent for a few seconds.

Li Chang'an spoke first. "Secretary Ma, County Chief Ma is right, this matter needs to be expedited. I think we should divide the work—you take charge of coordinating policies with the county, I'll take charge of mobilizing the villages, and Yang Fan will take charge of coordinating the technical aspects with Hengtong."

Ma Liangchen nodded. "Okay! Tell Lao Zhou to clear the road up the mountain first; Hengtong's people need to go up this afternoon."

Yang Fan said, "I've already spoken with Lao Geng about the tea plantation. The people who are going up for the assessment will be accompanied by Lao Geng the whole time."

"That's settled then." Ma Liangchen stood up. "Meeting adjourned."

Yang Fan stepped out of the meeting room, the sunlight dazzling in the courtyard. Geng Yan, squatting under the old locust tree smoking, stood up when he saw him.

"Mayor Yang, Hengtong's group just got in the car and left. Before they left, General Manager Zhao said something to me."

"What are you saying?"

He said, "This Township Chief Yang of yours is quite interesting."

Yang Fan did not respond.

Geng Yan stubbed out his cigarette. "Mayor Yang, do you think Hengtong came back this time because he really wants to invest, or just to take a look?"

Yang Fan looked at the dust kicked up by the black Audi parked at the gate of the courtyard.

"Whether it's a real or fake bid, let's see what they say after their evaluation. Besides, such a high-ranking executive came in person; it can't be a joke!"

He paused.

"But regardless of whether they invest or not, we must improve the quality of our tea plantations. If we build a good phoenix tree, we won't have to worry about attracting phoenixes."

Old Geng nodded. "Okay, I'll go up the mountain this afternoon and keep a close eye on things."

Yang Fan returned to his office and opened his notebook. On the latest page, he wrote:

"Hengtong's door-to-door service was unexpected, but the Xiaoguan Tea brand cannot be handed over to a small group."

After finishing writing, the pen tip paused on the paper.

The business plan that Ma Zemin took away, the price of 98, the limited-edition strategy, the tasting event format—these things were too advanced for 1994.

But he had no other choice.

For Qingping tea to reach a wider market, it can't rely solely on quality. Quality is the foundation, while brand is the appearance. No matter how good the foundation, without a good brand, it won't fetch a good price.

How to present a presentable image for Xiaoguan Tea is currently the most pressing issue for Yang Fan.

This isn't the future, when everyone is wealthy and most people can afford to buy a can of tea costing several hundred yuan as a gift during the Lunar New Year. This is 1994, an era when everyone was still figuring things out step by step. How could we possibly save face?

The same logic applies: if it succeeds, then Xiaoguan Tea will be unrivaled in the future, thanks to its historical heritage.

The sound of a truck engine came from outside the window; Hengtong's people were going up the mountain.

Yang Fan closed his notebook; the tea in the enamel mug on the table had gone cold.

He didn't refill the water bottle; he just held it there, looking out the window.

Outside the courtyard wall, the mountains of Qingping glowed green in the sunlight. There were tea gardens on the mountain, orchards below, and that dilapidated dirt road—winding and turning—leading out of the mountains.

Once this road is repaired, Hengtong will be driving more than just its own vehicles on it.