Chen Ermei's group consisted of nearly 20 people, each carrying either pork or a large bag dripping with blood.

The two police officers guessed that the bag must contain chopped meat, or small poultry such as chickens, ducks, and geese.

Everyone was carrying one, so it's safe to assume there must be a large-scale farm on the mountain!

No wonder…

One of the police officers said, "No wonder I always find meat when I go there to buy meat on the black market, whether it's day or night."

"At first I thought I was just lucky, but it turns out I wasn't. It turns out they had a lot of resources!"

Another police officer joked, "You little rascal, you actually saved up so much money to buy meat on the black market? I've never seen you cook in the dorm."

"I wouldn't dare buy meat on the black market myself. I only go to the black market to buy some meat when I've run out of meat coupons and need to go home to feed my family."

"Black meat doesn't require a ration coupon, but it's ridiculously expensive."

After exchanging a few quiet words, they saw them enter the Xu family's house and close the door.

The two police officers were unsure whether to continue waiting, because if they wanted to transport the goods back, they might have to wait until midnight.

But since we're already here, and we've already staked out their trading site today, we might as well wait a little longer.

Anyway, they both live in dormitories, they're not married, and they don't live with their families, so it's not a big problem if they don't go back for one night.

Unfortunately, their plan failed. After only a short while, Chen Ermei came out alone. Then she locked the gate and turned to go back to the city.

The two policemen looked at each other, then got up and followed Chen Ermei back to the city.

Since the gate was locked, they definitely couldn't come out anymore.

The two police officers simply couldn't understand how that group of people left.

How did they manage to cover up such a large amount of meat and then transport it to the black market?

...

The next morning, at the department store

Huang Qinqin originally thought that there would be no follow-up to yesterday's events, and that Manager Gao might not intend to adopt her opinion.

Because yesterday afternoon, she didn't get to see Manager Gao.

Who knew that things would take such a turn this morning? Manager Gao called her into his office and brought up the two small pickled vegetables she had given him yesterday.

"Qinqin, the two pickled vegetables you brought yesterday tasted really good. My family all liked them."

"But you mentioned before that you planned to sell this pickled vegetable in the department store. Can you guarantee that there will be a sufficient supply of this product?"

"Moreover, to supply in large quantities, you need at least a workshop to produce it, right? Can small-scale operations in the village guarantee the supply of goods?"

If the department store had just opened, Manager Gao would never have agreed to this plan.

Just like when Huang Qinqin first brought it up, he refused outright.

Because the items sold in department stores are mostly high-end, this small pickled vegetable looks particularly out of place there.

However, since the department store had recently stocked up on basic necessities like rice, oil, and salt, and the sales volume had been quite good, he was willing to give it a try.

However, this is on the premise that the product must be supplied in a stable quantity and quality. Otherwise, if it is sold today but out of stock tomorrow, then the new product launch would be meaningless for the department store.

Upon hearing Manager Gao's question, Huang Qinqin replied excitedly and confidently, "Sure! I guarantee there won't be any problem!"

"If the department store is willing to give them a chance, they will definitely guarantee the daily supply!"

"However, these pickled vegetables take a certain amount of time to pickle. So even if we go to discuss it now, it may take about half a month or ten days before they can be officially sold."

"Also, if possible, I would like to invite Li Chen and Huang Guiming from the department store to come with me to the commune for further discussions."

Manager Gao guessed that Huang Qinqin must already have a plan, since she had brought up this idea a long time ago.

However, Manager Gao had no recollection of Li Chen, whom she mentioned.

On the contrary, Huang Guiming left a deeper impression on him. Because among all the female sales clerks in the department store, his performance was particularly outstanding.

He gets along well with many customers, has a good attitude, and can get along with many people.

Even leaders from several organizations, when meeting with him privately, mentioned Huang Guiming, the salesperson.

He said he had a good attitude, provided good service, and was very perceptive; he was a very good person.

So later, Manager Gao moved Huang Guiming to the tobacco and alcohol counter, because people who usually come to this counter to buy things are cadres and leaders from various organizations.

This group of customers definitely needs to be served well. Other sales staff may be able to keep up in terms of attitude, but they are not as good at reading people's expressions as Huang Guiming.

However, Manager Gao remembered that Huang Qinqin and Huang Guiming both had the surname Huang, and they had come together when they registered.

Are they from the same village?

Thinking this through, Manager Gao asked, "Is this Comrade Huang Guiming from the same village as you?"

Huang Qinqin answered honestly, "Yes, we are from the same village."

"And then there's Li Chen, the grandson of our brigade secretary. If he's there, I believe it will be easier to talk to the commune side. The negotiations will go more smoothly."

Manager Gao nodded thoughtfully, thought for a while, and then agreed, saying, "Okay, in that case, you guys will be in charge together."

"Oh, right, and Fang Chuchu too. Take her with you. The rest of you are responsible for getting this done during this period."

"Okay, Manager Gao, I will definitely do my best to do this well! If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Manager Gao waved for her to leave, then suddenly remembered something and called her back.

"By the way, do you have any more of those two small pickled vegetables you gave me yesterday? My family really likes them and would like to buy some from you."

Huang Qinqin smiled and said, "We still have some homemade pickled vegetables at home, they're not expensive, why would we need to buy any? I'll bring you two more jars tomorrow."

She guessed that it must be because Manager Gao's family liked to eat it and thought it tasted good.

Otherwise, according to Manager Gao's own ideas, he might not have allowed these pickled vegetables to appear in the department store.

In that case, Huang Qinqin should thank Manager Gao's family.

Let alone two jars of pickled vegetables, if we had them, why not give them 20 jars?