The preserved vegetable factory underwent a significant change. Xie Sui was here to make money, not to coddle ancestors.
As for the acquisition of the broad beans, he didn't count on these revered elders. The nearby villages all had cooperative ties with Xie Sui. Previously, it was for wild game, cicada shells, and peaches. Now, it included Sichuan peppercorns, mushrooms, and a new addition: broad beans.
Broad beans were the easiest to procure. Who didn't grow a few mu of broad beans? These crops were high-yielding, producing eight to ten jin daily. Any surplus would be dried and stored for winter consumption.
Now that someone was buying, it was a perfect opportunity to convert them into cash for necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt. It was an additional income, however small, better than none.
Xie Sui completely ignored the logistics director's trip to the county to file a complaint. He was just one person, and without the main party present, the government was more concerned with large-scale unrest and negative publicity. Without a strong background, no one would pay him any attention.
The preserved vegetable factory even had a phone. Xie Sui saved himself the expense of installing one and called Secretary Tang: "Are you busy, Secretary Tang?"
"Xie Sui, can't you stay out of trouble for a bit? You've replaced the workers, now are you planning to replace the leadership? I sent him away for you. Figure out how to appease the man, understand?"
"Understood. Thank you for your trouble. I have something important here, want to hear it?"
"Speak quickly. I'm busy. Phone calls are expensive, can I just chat with you?"
Xie Sui got straight to the point: "It's like this, this year is just the beginning of making broad bean pickles. The yield isn't high, but next year we'll need large quantities of broad beans and chili peppers. My suggestion is that you encourage all villagers in the county to plant broad beans and chili peppers on a large scale. It could become a pillar industry for our county."
This was indeed a good idea. Secretary Tang thought further: "If the villagers grow them, what if there's no market for them?"
Xie Sui was prepared: "We can sign contracts. Based on this year's prices, it will only go up, not down. We'll buy as much as they produce. We can also provide an advance deposit. But if they take my money, they must give me the broad beans, or they'll face ten times the compensation."
Secretary Tang said: "I'll come to see you. Let's discuss it in person."
Xie Sui was describing a model of cooperation between enterprises and farmers from his past life, which would alleviate the farmers' concerns. Of course, there would always be those who took the money and refused to deliver. They would be short-sighted and suffer greater losses, and Xie Sui had ways to deal with such people.
Planting broad beans and chili peppers throughout the county was just the beginning. Xie Sui suddenly realized that he could start with agricultural and sideline products. The electronic technology he pursued in his previous life was not yet suitable for this era. Real estate only began to develop after the 1990s. This era was one of great development for agricultural and sideline products.
Only after solving the problem of basic sustenance would people consider houses, cars, mobile phones, and other large items.
With well-developed broad beans, chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise, making millions annually would not be a problem.
Combined with the ice cream factory, the canned food factory, and the snack factory, Xie Sui had a clear plan for his future development.
He was sketching and writing in a notebook when Secretary Tang arrived, followed by the logistics director. The director no longer had his previous arrogance, but he couldn't bring himself to apologize to Xie Sui. He looked like a wronged child, pouting and glancing at Xie Sui.
Xie Sui found it amusing. A grown man acting like that was disgusting.
"You're doing the same work as everyone else. If you can do it, do it. If not, you can go home. I'll give you eight hundred yuan to buy out your position. This money should be enough for your living expenses for several years. You can find a new job elsewhere.
Working as subordinates and as a couple can be difficult at first. Some grow to love each other, while others can never get along and argue their whole lives.
Rather than argue, it's better to divorce early and both be free."
Secretary Tang couldn't help but laugh. This guy had a way with words, and when he thought about it, there was some logic to it.
The logistics director said: "I'm willing to stay."
"Then do a good job. Don't expect to get paid for not working. That won't work with me. Change your mindset. I'll lead everyone to make big money. You're all still young, strive for it, and leave some industry for your descendants to benefit from for generations to come."
Xie Sui's foresight from his past life saw the next generation of those who received demolition compensation. A house could make them rich.
But that required having a house in the first place. Without a house, they couldn't even benefit from demolition compensation!
The logistics director was somewhat moved by his words. He apologized and left.
Secretary Tang discussed the plan to encourage large-scale vegetable cultivation with the farmers and found it to be beneficial with no downsides, fully agreeing.
"You can write proposals, can't you? Write one, and I'll show it to the secretary."
Xie Sui felt a bit overwhelmed. Without a computer, everything had to be written by hand, which was very tiring.
He glanced at Secretary Tang and smiled: "Secretary Tang, you have a wide network. I'm such a big factory director, and I don't even have a secretary. Can you introduce one for me?"
Secretary Tang nodded: "Alright. You do indeed need a secretary. There will be more and more matters in the future. Tell me your requirements."
"Not a woman. I'm afraid my wife will be jealous. Preferably a college student, from a prestigious university, like Peking University. Young, smart, and able to endure hardship..."
Secretary Tang's face darkened: "Stop talking. I can't even meet this requirement. How many state-owned enterprises are desperately trying to recruit graduates from Peking University? Do you think they'd come to be a secretary for your small preserved vegetable factory? What are you thinking?"
Xie Sui was setting requirements based on his secretary team from his past life. University students in this era had very high qualifications; even junior college graduates were in demand, making it difficult to find someone.
"Alright then, you arrange it as you see fit. I won't dare to have high expectations. Just obedient and smart is enough."
Secretary Tang left, and Xie Sui returned home. Lin Wanwan and Xie Min had already packed their bags. Qing Qing and Wen Wen were left in the care of their maternal grandparents, receiving the same treatment as Doudou and Ding Ding. They would attend school and live together in the future.
The elder Xie couple was now fully supporting their son's career. When Xie Sui said he wanted to raise his granddaughters, there was no objection. Of course, in private, they would naturally favor their own grandsons, which was human nature.
As long as it wasn't too excessive, Xie Sui couldn't control much.
Xie Sui was reluctant to see Lin Wanwan leave and suggested: "Why don't you go alone, Second Sister? Once I get things here in order, I'll accompany Wanwan over."
Xie Min said: "I'm less educated than my sister-in-law. If I go to the city, I'll be lost. If Wanwan doesn't go, I won't go either. I definitely can't do it."
Lin Wanwan glared: "We agreed. Are you trying to go back on your word?"
Xie Sui was helpless: "We've never been apart for so long. When I think of you not being by my side, I feel uncomfortable. Are you really that heartless, can you bear to leave me?"
Lin Wanwan remained resolute: "I can bear it, very much so. Take good care of our sons. It's decided. Do you expect me to wash and cook, and take care of the children my whole life? I can do more. Just wait and see."