So we can only put it on hold for now and wait a few years until there are new technologies available.

The Hou family had accumulated a lot of orders some time ago, but since the winter transport season has not yet started, some of the orders are temporarily out of stock and are all scheduled to be delivered in the winter.

As soon as winter harvesting and transportation began, the young men at the processing plant put in their best effort, working up the mountain every day.

Usable timber was selected from the logging residue, transported back to the factory truckload by truckload, and then transported to Songjianghe River truckload by truckload to be loaded and sent south.

The firewood that used to be sold to employees at low prices has now become money in the processing plant's accounts.

With this money, the more than one hundred workers in the collective had a livelihood, so everyone was full of energy.

In mid-December, Sheng Xiyun and his son, along with their helpers, shipped several hundred tons of apples to Northeast China.

As agreed, Sheng Xiping arrived at the Sanchazi Forestry Bureau ahead of time to wait.

Then, with the coordination between Sheng Xiping and the local forestry bureau, the trucks transporting the fruit unloaded the apples ordered by the forestry bureaus of Sanchazi, Wangou, Tanghe, Songjianghe, Quanyang, Lushuihe, Baihe and other places along the railway line.

Then, they returned along the railway line, loading up with timber that the forestry bureau had agreed to exchange.

"Brother, thanks to you, your brother has finally made it."

You wouldn't believe it, before the truck even arrived, this batch of timber had already been ordered.

Let me tell you, I bought these apples with the money people used to pre-order wood.

Later, I'll transport the timber back, and they'll pay me the remaining balance. Then, if we make a profit, we'll split it 50/50."

After the wood was loaded onto the Sanchazi side, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Sheng Xiyun specially found a restaurant and had his two sons eat with the workers, while he and Sheng Xiping found a private room to drink and have heartfelt conversations.

These days, Sheng Xiping has been busy delivering apples and packing wood, so he hasn't had much time to chat with Sheng Xiyun.

Now that all the timber had been loaded onto the truck, Sheng Xiping finally felt relieved and began drinking with Sheng Xiyun without worry.

"Brother, what do you think about the matter I discussed with you in the letter before?"

What Sheng Xiping was talking about was his plan to open another store in Yantai.

As for Hou Yashuang and his son, their sales capacity is limited. Initially, the quantity may be larger, but it will gradually stabilize later.

Qianchuan Forest Farm has a considerable amount of logging every year, and there is a lot of logging residue. It is unlikely that one company alone can sell all of it.

Furthermore, other forest farms are now envious of the processing plant's profits, and several have privately approached Sheng Xiping, hoping he would lend them a hand.

In this way, relying solely on the Hou family father and son wouldn't be enough, which is why Sheng Xiping asked Sheng Xiyun if he was willing to work with him.

“Sure, why not?” Sheng Xiyun specifically chose a private room because he wanted to discuss this matter with Sheng Xiping, not wanting anyone else to get involved.

"My brother is helping me make money, what a great thing! Others would kill for it, so why wouldn't I be happy?"

Sheng Xiyun's words are true; everyone knows that dealing in timber can make money.

This wood-for-apples deal clearly shows how much profit is involved. Who doesn't like money?

"Perfect timing. I was planning to retire early and let my second son take over. I'm currently going through the formalities."

Don't let my leg problems fool you, I'm in pretty good shape. I can work for another ten or eight years without any problem.

"Let's team up, make some money, and I'll save it for my retirement. Isn't that great?"

Sheng Xiyun's family has two sons. The eldest son was lucky enough to be sent to the countryside before he became an apprentice in a factory and stayed there.

The second son missed the right opportunity; he was assigned to the countryside as an educated youth, where he married and had children. He returned to the city two years ago, but he has yet to find a job.

Sheng Xiyun's situation was special, and he was able to retire early. So, Sheng Xiyun planned to retire early so that his son could take over his job.

Now that he heard that Sheng Xiping was going to take him into the timber business, Sheng Xiyun became even more determined to retire early.

He receives special treatment and doesn't have to pay for travel expenses no matter where he goes.

While I'm still in good physical condition, I should work hard for a few years to save up some money, whether for my own retirement or to leave to my children and grandchildren.

"Okay, then it's settled. I'll print out a document listing the types and specifications of products the processing plant can provide and send it to you later."

"You can find the right clients then." Sheng Xiping nodded.

"By the way, bro, you have a lot of orchards over there, right? Do you all use baskets to pack fruit? If you switch to cardboard boxes, will anyone use them?"

Sheng Xiping suddenly remembered that his father-in-law had been looking for him recently, so he mentioned it to Sheng Xiyun.

The paper mill in Songjianghe could only produce corrugated paper for cardboard boxes, but these days cardboard boxes weren't widely used.

Previously, it was supplied to county towns and townships, and most of it was used to store ginseng, so sales were average.

Ever since the Qianchuan Forest Farm's chipping team started supplying raw materials to the paper mill, other forest farms have followed suit.

After purchasing a chipper and modifying it, they went up the mountain to collect poplar and linden wood, shredded it, and sent it to the paper mill.

Especially after the start of winter production, a large amount of raw materials piled up in the paper mill.

Although the paper mill was trying its best to expand its sales channels and sell to surrounding areas, the sales speed could not keep up with the speed at which the forest farms delivered raw materials.

That day, Zhou Mingyuan called Sheng Xiping and asked him if he had any ideas on how to help find a market for corrugated cardboard boxes.

If the cardboard boxes don't sell well, we might not be able to settle accounts for the raw materials for the time being, and they'll have to be held up. How much we can get in the future will depend on how well the sales are.

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