Ah Feng's dishes were devoured as if swept away by the wind.
The team members, thoroughly enjoying the delicious food, almost forgot their important business.
"Ah Feng, we'll treat you another time. We have to get going with our tasks, so we can't help you tidy up."
This was said by Sister-in-law Niu. The others had already run off.
After Sister-in-law Niu also left, Ah Feng finally called Ah Guang to bring dishes from the kitchen. She knew that with this bunch of villagers, Grandpa Xiao, Team Leader Tian, and Village Chief Li definitely wouldn't eat well.
Wan Zhongshan and his group had a very good farmhouse meal.
"This farmhouse restaurant is doing well. This is the first time we've tasted such authentic farmhouse cuisine since we've been here."
"Village Chief Li has so many good ideas. By the way, they have homestays too. Should we open one?"
"You idiot, didn't that waiter just say it? Homestays require self-sufficiency. Are you going to fetch water and chop firewood?"
"Then let's forget it. We'll stay in the Western-style houses."
Hearing the voices from the Jia-character courtyard, Sister-in-law Niu beckoned to someone behind her.
One carrying a basket and another holding a watermelon, two team members immediately ran over.
The three of them were familiar with the villagers of Wang Er Village. After a few quiet words, a Wang Er Village villager was asked to deliver the sliced watermelon inside.
"Huh? We didn't order fruit."
The Wang Er Village villager waved their hand. "This plate is complimentary. Please, have a taste."
Wan Zhongshan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are these greenhouse watermelons from Kushan?"
The Wang Er Village villager nodded. "Yes, they will be ready in large quantities soon. These are the ones that have already ripened."
Wan Zhongshan suspiciously glanced at this villager. If he remembered correctly, this Wang Er Village villager had only joined them two or three months ago.
By the time he reached out, the watermelon on the plate was gone. He pointed his fingers at his subordinates.
"Haven't you ever eaten watermelon before?"
Jiang Changrong said to the Wang Er Village villager who was still standing by, "Bring another plate. No, bring two more plates. We'll pay."
The villager waved their hand. "No need for money. I'll go slice it for you."
This is good?
When he saw the person bringing in the watermelon, Wan Zhongshan smiled. "Sister-in-law Niu."
"Director Wan, how is the watermelon?"
Wan Zhongshan waved his hand. "I haven't tasted it yet."
Sister-in-law Niu placed the plate in her hand in front of him. "This whole plate is for you."
Jiang Changrong and the others burst into laughter. "Boss, you're quite lucky."
"Pah! You can't expect anything good from a dog's mouth."
Sister-in-law Niu pointed around. "Your city ways won't work here. They can easily lead to gossip. Fortunately, I'm already a grandmother."
Wan Zhongshan ignored his subordinates' inappropriate remarks and took a piece of watermelon to taste. He immediately understood why his subordinates hadn't saved any for him earlier.
It was crisp, sweet, and juicy, with a strong watermelon fragrance.
"Sister-in-law Niu, what's this about?"
"Director Wan, how much do you think this melon is worth per jin?"
Wan Zhongshan looked at his subordinates. "How much is watermelon in Kyoto per jin?"
"Thirty to thirty-five fen."
Wan Zhongshan turned to Sister-in-law Niu. "You heard that. A slightly higher price is reasonable."
"Your village's watermelons taste very good. No wonder you dare to plant so many. That boss who buys the watermelons must be laughing his head off."
"Definitely."
Sister-in-law Niu pulled up a stool and sat down. "That boss hasn't raised our prices for three years. We have our complaints, but Village Chief Li is familiar with him."
"Besides, Village Chief Li doesn't have time to find another boss, so this boss has a hold on our prices?"
Wan Zhongshan picked up another piece of watermelon. "So, are you here to complain?"
Sister-in-law Niu doubted if Director Wan understood business.
"We are here to ask for your help, to see if you can find a boss in Kyoto to purchase them? We only want twenty-five fen per jin."
Wan Zhongshan was taken aback. "Kyoto is too far. The transportation costs wouldn't be worth it."
"Speaking of which makes me angry."
Sister-in-law Niu slapped the table. "When that boss comes to pick up the watermelons, we have to pay five hundred yuan per vehicle."
"If it's from Kyoto, we'll deliver them to the city train station. Transporting them by train won't cost much."
"We'll handle the delivery here. The train car and the truck costs on the other side will be covered by the Kyoto boss."
Wan Zhongshan had a question. "But your village only has three vehicles, and there are time constraints for sending trains. Loading and unloading watermelons is the most time-consuming part."
Sister-in-law Niu was discouraged. "Then forget it. Let this boss continue to exploit us."
Wan Zhongshan was surprised. "If you're not satisfied, why haven't you offered your opinions to Village Chief Li?"
"Do you think we haven't?"
Sister-in-law Niu was very dejected. "We work hard for several months, growing one crop of watermelons and one crop of vegetables in a greenhouse, and only earn two thousand yuan."
"But Village Chief Li said: 'One greenhouse earns several times more than a whole year in the past. Don't be too greedy. If you're not satisfied, fine, find a boss to buy them yourself.'"
"Because this boss can buy out all our greenhouses. Village Chief Li doesn't want to switch bosses. He thinks a new boss might not be able to take on so many greenhouses."
Wan Zhongshan pondered. "I heard you all plant in staggered periods to ensure the timing for vegetables and watermelons, right?"
"Yes!"
Sister-in-law Niu nodded. "This is Village Chief Li's brilliance. He said it doesn't matter if it's peak or off-season, as long as we don't flood the market. At first, we didn't understand, but gradually we did."
Wan Zhongshan thought for a moment and said, "I will keep this issue in mind for you. This boss is still coming to buy this year, isn't he?"
Just as Village Chief Li said, Director Wan was tempted but gave no firm commitment.
Being a big boss and an official is truly taxing.
"Yes, he comes every spring plowing season to sign the purchase contract."
After Sister-in-law Niu and the others left, Jiang Changrong and the others did some calculations.
"My goodness, even with the exploitation by that boss, their annual income per household is as high as forty thousand yuan? Amazing! No wonder the higher-ups are so concerned about Kushan?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down."
Wan Zhongshan stopped his subordinates. "The whole country is paying attention to Kushan. And that Tian Jing is very special; seedlings she didn't cultivate grow poorly. We don't even know if it can be replicated elsewhere."
His subordinates didn't understand what their director was worried about. "Buy seedlings nearby, buy seeds from afar. What's there to worry about?"
Wan Zhongshan glanced at his subordinates.
"You don't understand farming at all. Not to mention soil quality, even if the soil and seeds are suitable, what about the talent?"
"How many Li Zhengguos are there? Even if he's transferred, he'll be spread too thin. Results take time."
Jiang Changrong had an idea. "Since he accepts disabled veterans, I think he would be willing to take on a few apprentices, wouldn't he?"
"Why not select a few capable and steady veterans to learn from them?"
Wan Zhongshan stood up. "You're right. I'll make a call. We can't just wait for Kushan's achievements."
"Besides, Kushan's achievements are already out. The final development of tourism projects is not something every village can possess."
Seeing Tian Jing put down the vine she was holding, Li Zhengguo asked, "Did you hear anything?"
"You're about to have apprentices."
"What apprentices?"
"Hehe, secrets cannot be revealed."
...
At six in the evening, electricity was supplied to the village as scheduled.
The forty-watt bulbs in the villagers' homes and the hundred-watt bulbs in the greenhouses, uniformly installed by Village Chief Li, were lit.
The light was brighter and illuminated a larger area than kerosene lamps, making the villagers cheer.
The installation cost was quite high, but with this brightness, they wouldn't strain their eyes doing any work at night.
And they could afford it.