dognovel Chapter 64
Chapter 64
A deputy director of the provincial agricultural department gave a speech on the podium.
The gist is that this trade fair is a grand event for the entire agricultural sector of the province.
We must promote the circulation of agricultural products and drive rural economic development.
The audience was packed with people; some were listening, some were whispering, and some were dozing off.
As soon as the opening ceremony's drums and gongs subsided, the number of people in the exhibition hall gradually increased.
The passageway was crowded with people, including wholesalers with briefcases tucked under their arms, asking prices at each stall.
The restaurant's purchasing agent arrived wearing an apron and carrying a purchase order.
Ordinary citizens also come to stroll around with their shopping baskets, and they go over to ask about any new or interesting things they see.
There weren't many people at Chen Zheng's stall at first.
His stuff looks so outdated.
There was no packaging, trademark, or price tag.
But he wasn't in a hurry. He calmly sliced the smoked fish into thin slices and arranged them on oil paper, waiting for someone interested to ask.
The first person to stop was an old man browsing the exhibition.
He glanced at the string of dried fish on the table, picked it up, and examined it closely. "Young man, how much is this dried fish?"
"Two yuan and fifty cents a pound."
"Can you make it cheaper?"
"If you really want it, take it for two dollars and thirty cents."
The old man took three dried fish, weighed them, and they cost two yuan and seventy cents.
He took out three one-yuan bills from his pocket, and Chen Zheng gave him three mao in change.
The old man stuffed the dried fish into the vegetable basket, took two steps forward, then turned back and asked in a low voice:
"Young man, how did you dry your fish? My wife's dried fish always tastes fishy."
Did you add salt while drying it?
"add."
"How much was added?"
"One."
Chen Zheng said, "The dried fish smells fishy because there wasn't enough salt, or it wasn't properly covered while drying, and flies have been there."
When you get home, have your spouse try it. Use one and a half ounces of salt for every pound of fish and marinate it overnight.
The next day, take it out, rinse it with warm water, and hang it in a well-ventilated place to dry.
Cover it with a layer of gauze, and it will dry in three days.
The old man thanked him repeatedly and said he would try it when he got back.
What truly made Chen Zheng's booth a sensation at the trade fair were those few pieces of Gastrodia elata and Ganoderma lucidum.
The afternoon of the third day of the trade fair.
Chen Zheng was going through the contact information he had noted down over the past few days when he suddenly heard a strange man's unique, deep voice.
"Is your Gastrodia elata wild?"
Chen Zheng looked up and saw a middle-aged man in his fifties standing in front of the stall, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.
He was wearing a dark gray Zhongshan suit, with a fountain pen tucked into his pocket.
This person possesses the gentle temperament of a scholar.
But his eyes are sharp, and you can tell at a glance that he is someone who has been dealing with medicinal herbs for many years.
"It's wild. It comes from Yingzui Cliff in Qingshui County and was harvested in early winter this year." Chen Zheng stood up.
The middle-aged man picked up a piece of gastrodia elata, brought it close to his eyes to examine it carefully, and then smelled it under his nose.
Then he took out a magnifying glass from his pocket and examined the cross-section of the Gastrodia elata for a long time.
"The cross-section is horny, with clear lines and no hollow parts. It is indeed wild Gastrodia elata."
He put down the gastrodia elata, then picked up a piece of acorn and examined it.
"Your batch of medicinal herbs looks quite good. Which county are you from?"
"From Baiyang Town, Qingshui County."
"Baiyang Town?" The middle-aged man's eyes lit up.
"I work at the provincial medicinal herb company. My surname is Jin, you can just call me Lao Jin. I'll take all of your medicinal herbs."
He put the gastrodia elata down. "Gastrodia elata is divided into two grades according to its quality. This largest piece is eight yuan per jin."
These smaller pieces are 6.5 yuan per jin. Oak sesame is 3.5 yuan per jin.
Adenophora stricta is 1.5 yuan per jin. Polygonum multiflorum is 1.2 yuan per jin.
This price is 20-30% higher than that of the county's pharmaceutical company.
Chen Zheng quickly did the math in his head, nodded, and said okay.
Old Jin had his men weigh all the medicinal herbs.
The gastrodia elata weighed a little over two jin (approximately 1 kg), with the largest piece weighing one jin and one liang (approximately 500 grams). There were four pieces of Ganoderma lucidum, totaling almost three jin (approximately 1.5 kg).
Several kilograms each of Adenophora stricta and Polygonum multiflorum. In total, it cost a little over forty yuan.
"Young man, did you find these medicinal herbs by chance, or can you supply them regularly?"
Old Jin took out a few ten-yuan bills from his briefcase, counting them as he asked questions.
"It's harvested from the mountains, so the quantity is small, but it's available for a long time."
I work in the aquatic products industry in Baiyang Town. I have a group of people who often take me into the mountains to identify and collect medicinal herbs.
Wild-grown produce can't compare in quantity to cultivated produce, but its quality is definitely better.
Old Jin put the banknotes on the table, then took out a business card from his bag and handed it to Chen Zheng:
Jin Huanzhang, Director of the Purchasing Department of the Provincial Pharmaceutical Company.
If you ever find any wild medicinal herbs like wild gastrodia elata, wild codonopsis pilosula, or wild ginseng in the future, just give me a call.
For high-quality specimens, the price will be the highest grade. There's no upper limit for wild codonopsis; for those in perfect condition, it's ten yuan or more per piece.
Chen Zheng took the business card, and an idea popped into his mind.
"Director Jin, what kinds of medicinal herbs does your provincial pharmaceutical company mainly purchase? I mean the kind with the highest demand."
The most in-demand medicinal herbs are Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, and Poria cocos.
But we can't get wild ones; we can only get cultivated ones, and the quality can't compare to wild ones.
Do you buy wild Poria cocos?
"Yes! Do you have wild poria cocos?"
Jin Huanzhang's eyes lit up. "Wild Poria cocos is a rare commodity now."
Artificially cultivated Poria cocos is getting worse year by year, with more and more pests and diseases, and its quality is declining.
Wild Poria cocos is large, has a high starch content, and is very effective; large pharmacies in the provincial capital specifically buy it.
As long as they're in good condition, I'll take as many as I want.
"Not yet. But I reckon there are some in my mountain area."
"You found a patch of wild poria cocos?"
"Not yet. But I have an elder who specializes in this, and he said that wild poria grows under old pine trees."
There are several decades-old pine trees in our mountains; the conditions are suitable.
"Then go find it. Let me know when you find it, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied with the price."
High-quality wild poria cocos can sell for more than five yuan per kilogram.
Five yuan or more per jin (500g).
Chen Zheng silently calculated that if a clump of wild poria cocos were found under an old pine tree, it could yield at least tens or even hundreds of kilograms.
Even if you only find one nest, it's still an income of several hundred yuan.
There may be more than one nest in the mountains.
He kept this information firmly in mind.
On the fourth day of the trade fair, Chen Zheng ran into Guo Changlin.
Guo Changlin was followed by a middle-aged man in a leather jacket. He was not tall, but had broad shoulders and walked with a brisk pace.
Guo Changlin explained that this is the largest state-run vegetable market in the provincial capital.
Meng Guangfa, the purchasing director of the Jiefang Road vegetable market.
"Director Meng, this is Chen Zheng. He's the one who supplies the fish for Baiyang Lake."
Guo Changlin pointed at Chen Zheng and said.
Meng Guangfa looked Chen Zheng up and down, his gaze finally settling on the dried fish samples on the table.
He picked up a piece of dried fish, broke it open to examine the color of the cross-section, and then smelled it under his nose.
"The quality is good. I've eaten fish from your Baiyang Lake before; the flesh is firm and there's no muddy taste."
He put the dried fish back. "How many of these fish can you supply in a year?"
"Now, with three fish ponds and the help of surrounding fish farmers, we can produce nearly 10,000 catties of fish a year."
"More than 10,000 jin." Meng Guangfa nodded. "That's enough."
But we need fish that meet the required quality standards.
There are plenty of ordinary fish in the market; they're not worth much.
The truly valuable fish are the premium specimens; those with good appearance fetch a high price.
What are the standards for condition?
"The four major freshwater fish species should weigh over 1.5 jin each, have no injuries on their bodies, bright red gills, clear eyes, and be full of vitality."
If I were to buy from you, every batch of fish would have to meet this standard. I wouldn't accept a single pound of fish that doesn't meet it.
"I can meet this standard," Chen Zheng said.
"Then tell me how you did it."
Chen Zheng took out his notebook from his bag and turned to the page on fishpond management records.
The data on it is densely recorded from August to the present.
The pH test strips provided by Ma Yuanchao measured the acidity and alkalinity, and the thermometer measured the water temperature changes.
Other factors include feed quantity, fish mortality rate, and aerator usage time.
"Look, this is my record from last October until now."
He placed the notebook on the table.
"Every fish comes from our Baiyang Lake. Whether it looks good or not, the water determines its quality."
Meng Guangfa looked down at the page.
The pH value fluctuated between 7.2 and 7.5.
The water temperature has gradually decreased from a high of 27 degrees Celsius to the current 9 degrees Celsius.
The date of each turning point is clearly written.
There is another line of text below.
"On December 22nd, the water temperature was 4.5 degrees Celsius, the transparency was 40 centimeters, and the water inflow was reduced to one-third."
Two more ice holes were added, and an additional layer of straw matting was added to cover them.
"Did you write this down?" Meng Guangfa looked up at him.
"Yes."
Meng Guangfa closed his notebook.
"In all my years of purchasing, this is the first time I've ever seen a farmer produce such detailed records."
Because of your dedication, I'll give you a guaranteed price, which is 10% higher than the market price.
We won't accept items that don't meet the quality standards, but we'll accept as many as they meet the standards as possible.
Guo Changlin added from the side: "Director Meng doesn't usually give a guaranteed price easily."
Chen Zheng, you'd better seize this opportunity.
"Director Meng, rest assured, every batch of fish I bring out can withstand inspection."
The three people clasped hands, officially marking the start of the journey from Baiyang Lake to the provincial capital's vegetable market.
The afternoon of the last day of the trade fair.
Just as Chen Zheng finished gathering the empty sample baskets together, Lao Jin brought over another person.
The man was in his forties, with very short hair, and wearing a crisp gray suit.
He took a business card out of his pocket and handed it over with both hands.
The business card had three lines of text printed on it.
The first line reads: Changxing Agricultural and Sideline Products Trading Company.
The second line reads: Zhao Mingyi.
The third line reads: General Manager.
Chen Zheng could tell from their attire that they weren't from a government agency.
In the winter of 1985, the term "trading company" was still relatively uncommon in mainland China.
People who can set up trading companies in the provincial capital are all bold and well-connected.
Zhao Mingyi began by saying, "Director Jin told me about your situation."
There is a large demand for eels and loaches from Baiyang Lake in Japan.
But there's one condition: they must be exported alive. Dead animals are not acceptable.
What are the technical challenges of exporting live animals?
"Survival rate during transport." Zhao Mingyi took out a document from his bag; it was in Japanese with a Chinese translation attached.
The document outlines Japan's quarantine standards and transportation requirements for imported eels.
"From Baiyang Lake to the provincial capital, from the provincial capital to Shanghai Port, and then from Shanghai to Japan by sea."
The entire journey takes at least seven or eight days. Eels are bottom-dwelling fish and require high dissolved oxygen levels, resulting in an extremely high mortality rate during transport.
Whoever can solve this problem will be able to reap the benefits of the export market.
"We are currently exploring this as well."
The area around Baiyang Lake is rich in yellow eel resources, and large quantities can be caught every spring and autumn.
If the survival rate during transportation can be guaranteed, the annual supply can be at least three to five tons.
"Three to five tons is no problem. The key is to give it a try."
Zhao Mingyi made a note in his notebook.
"The year's plan starts in spring. Next spring, I will send someone to your area to investigate the water source and fishing conditions."
If possible, we can sign a letter of intent for supply.
"Okay. Come and see the eels we're raising then."
After Zhao Mingyi left, Lao Jin patted Chen Zheng on the shoulder and said, "Zhao Mingyi has a very sharp eye."
He rarely contacts suppliers, but he proactively approached you, which means he values you. Do a good job.
On the afternoon of the closing day of the trade fair, Mo Wenbo stopped Chen Zheng at the entrance of the exhibition hall.
"Chen Zheng, you must have had a great time at this trade fair, right?"
"I've met with a few people and signed a few letters of intent," Chen Zheng said.
"You're being modest."
I've heard about it. Director Meng of the Jiefang Road vegetable market guarantees you a minimum price.
Old Jin from the provincial pharmaceutical company has bought your medicinal herbs, and Zhao Mingyi wants to discuss exporting them with you.
In five days, all three major lines were connected.
"At this speed, you're among the fastest exhibitors from the entire county."
Mo Wenbo also said:
"I reported your situation to Deputy County Head Xu. He said he would like to talk to you privately after the trade fair ends."
"Okay. I also wanted to report the loan matter to Deputy County Head Xu in person."
"After the expansion of the tiered fishponds, there has been progress in mandarin fish fry breeding, and some further investments are needed..."
"The loan isn't urgent. What Deputy County Head Xu wants to talk to you about might not just be fish."
Looking at Mo Wenbo's expression, Chen Zheng vaguely guessed what was going on.
Xu Licheng is a pragmatic person.
After the meeting today, he asked Mo Wenbo to inform Chen Zheng to come see him alone.
The location was a small conference room at the county's No. 1 recruitment fair.
This in itself says something.
Some things are not suitable to be discussed in formal settings.
When Chen Zheng entered the conference room, Xu Licheng was sitting in a chair reading documents.
There was a thermos on the table, the lid was unscrewed, and the tea inside had gone cold.
He saw Chen Zheng come in, waved him over, and asked him to sit down.
"They performed well at the trade fair. Director Fang told me about it."
Xu Licheng got straight to the point, "But the reason I called you here today isn't because of the trade fair."
He flipped the document to the last page and pushed it in front of Chen Zheng.
Chen Zheng glanced at it and saw that it was an official document with an official red header.
The title is "Several Opinions on Further Deepening the Reform of Rural Collective Enterprises".
The document was signed by the Rural Work Department of the Provincial Party Committee.
"The province recently issued a document requiring further deepening of the reform of rural collective enterprises, with the core being the implementation of the contract management responsibility system."
Xu Licheng said, "Specifically, it means that the town's collective enterprises can be contracted out to individuals for operation."
The contract period starts at five years, and operating profits are divided proportionally, with individuals receiving the larger share and the collective receiving a smaller share.
Chen Zheng's heart skipped a beat.
He recalled the news that Director Hu had mentioned last month.
There are several vacant old factory buildings in the town. They used to be used for repairing and assembling agricultural machinery. Later, the agricultural machinery company was restructured, and the factory buildings were vacated.
The town government wants to revitalize the factory buildings and engage in the deep processing of agricultural and sideline products.
"County Magistrate Xu, the agricultural machinery repair shop in the town..."
I knew you'd ask that.
Xu Licheng pulled a piece of paper from the pile of documents.
The form printed on it is a survey of the contracted operation of collective enterprises in Baiyang Town.
"The town's agricultural machinery repair shop has been shut down for two years. It has two factory buildings, covering an area of about 300 square meters, and is a brick-concrete structure."
The equipment includes an old lathe, a drilling machine, and a welding machine, which are basically unusable.
But the factory's biggest advantage is its good location, right at the east end of the town, by the roadside, making transportation convenient.
There's a large open space behind it where we can expand.
"Chen Zheng, are you interested in this factory?"
"I'm interested." Chen Zheng replied without hesitation.
"But I need to go and see the factory in person first before I can decide on a plan."
In addition, how much is the contract fee, how long is the contract period, and how is the profit-sharing ratio between the collective and individuals calculated?
These things need to be clarified.
"The contract terms are still being drafted."
There are three principles.
The contractor must have a local industrial base and technical capabilities.
We can only engage in the deep processing of agricultural and sideline products.
You must commit to creating local jobs. You meet all three conditions.
He took the questionnaire back.