Compared with lunch, the atmosphere at the dinner party in the evening is much more relaxed and comfortable.
Neither side brought up any unpleasant topics this time. They basically just tasted delicious food and shared some international experiences with each other.
The next day.
The biting cold wind still carries the biting chill of late winter, but the skyline has already revealed a faint fish-white hue.
The huge presidential plane had completed its pre-takeoff inspection, and the low roar of its engine was particularly clear in the quiet morning breeze.
The time of parting finally arrived.
Su Wenchen stood at the front of the farewell procession, still wearing his neatly ironed gray Mao suit, but the fatigue on his face had been diluted by a calm sense of accomplishment.
Beside him, core members of the Special Zone Management Committee, heads of the four counties, Lei Bailiang and others stood upright with respectful and solemn expressions.
"Director Su!"
The president's voice came through the translator clearly.
"Thank you for the warm reception and frank cooperation from the Huanghuaihai Special Administrative Region."
“The transformation of the landscape is truly impressive, especially what has been achieved in such a short period of time.”
“Our consultants speak highly of your governance techniques and results.”
His eyes swept across the demonstration scene of saline-alkali land transformation not far away.
"You are sowing hope in a land of despair, and this is one of the greatest miracles of our species."
“I’m looking forward to our future collaborations!”
Su Wenchen shook the other person's hand neither humbly nor arrogantly, with a humble and confident smile on his face.
"Mr. President, you are over-appreciating me."
“It is also our honor to have you witness firsthand our efforts and initial results in the fight against saline-alkali land.”
"The door of our Huanghuaihai Special Economic Zone is always open to partners with goodwill who seek equal and mutually beneficial cooperation."
"We hope that our preliminary agreement will bear fruit as soon as possible and benefit the people of both places."
The president nodded and waved goodbye to the cameras.
After Su Wenchen said goodbye to the president.
Ronald walked quickly to Su Wenchen and shook his hand quickly, speaking quickly but enthusiastically.
"Su! Remember our agreement! Once the cooperation agreement is signed and the first batch of alkali-control fertilizer is loaded onto the ship, you must notify me immediately!"
"Only I can ensure the maximum publicity effect of this 'great victory'!"
He deliberately repeated the Hinayana terminology he learned from Su Wenchen.
"Oh, and there's news about the Golden Feather Chicken auction. Don't forget the friends I introduced you to!"
Su Wenchen responded with a smile: "Of course, Mr. Ronald."
“We never forget our friends!”
Finally, the VIPs boarded the gangway one by one and the cabin door slowly closed.
The huge engine roared, and began to taxi on the runway, accelerating, and finally rushed into the gray-blue sky, flying towards the next stop, Hangzhou.
In the cold wind, Su Wenchen stood there, looking up at the direction where the plane disappeared for a long time.
The sun finally broke through the clouds completely, and the golden light spread over this land that had experienced poverty and salinity, but was now full of vitality.
The biting cold wind seemed to no longer be so biting, and a huge, heavy calm enveloped him.
After a brief period of fatigue, there is a stronger sense of excitement.
Relieved?
For Su Wenchen, there is indeed a little bit, but this is by no means the end.
Look away.
Su Wenchen took a deep breath of the icy air mixed with the scent of thawing soil.
He shouted to the people around him in a low but very clear voice.
"Comrades, thank you for your hard work during this period. When you return, please arrange for the staff on duty. Starting tomorrow, we will have three days of vacation!"
"Have a good rest for three days, and gather in the conference room at 8:00 AM three days later!"
"The expansion plan for the alkali rabbit farm, the production increase plan for the special fertilizer factory, and the preparations for the Golden Feather Chicken auction."
"This is just the end of our reception work. For our SAR, this is just the beginning!"
Hearing Su Wenchen's words.
There was a huge echo of agreement all around.
Their future prospects will also be brighter, so even if they are a little tired, everyone is still full of energy.
Late autumn of 1974, Huanghuaihai Special Economic Zone.
The sky in the Special Administrative Region is exceptionally blue in late autumn. In front of the newly built International Trade Center, there is a constant flow of traffic on the flat and wide road, including many imported cars with black license plates.
Almost all of them are cars used by business representatives from various countries stationed in China or buyers who come here specially.
The air is faintly filled with a unique smell that is a mixture of fresh feed, fermented bacterial manure and a hint of industrial flavor. This is the unique progressive atmosphere of the booming special zone.
Compared with when it hosted the US President three years ago, the changes here are earth-shaking.
The towering tanks of the large fertilizer plant reflect metallic luster in the sun, and the supporting railway branch line is busy handling supplies.
In the distance, the neatly planned new industrial park and newly built residential buildings have begun to outline a little bit of modernity.
At this moment, in the multi-purpose hall on the top floor of the International Trade Center, which took three years to complete.
It is the protagonist of this eye-catching event - the first annual high-end auction of "Oriental Treasures".
For the auction of the Golden Feather Chicken, Su Wenchen did not choose the Special Administrative Region at the beginning.
One is the special zone from three years ago. Although it has experience in hosting the president, only the one built near the reception hall can be used.
Other places were still in the development stage, and the other one didn't have much funding at the time.
Therefore, for the first year's Golden Feather Chicken auction, Su Wenchen chose Hong Kong Island.
After three years of development, their special zone has already established a preliminary foundation.
During the past three years, their exports of alkali-treated fertilizers have increased rapidly, although they cannot spend all the foreign exchange they earn.
But we still gave them a lot of refunds in RMB, which is why they have developed so fast in the past three years.
So it continued until the development was almost complete and the International Trade Center was completed.
Su Wenchen then applied to auction the Yuehua Rabbit and the Golden Feather Chicken together in the Special Administrative Region.
The auction hall is decorated in a solemn yet business-like atmosphere.
The crimson carpet silenced the sound of footsteps, and soft lighting focused on the main stage.
A giant electronic screen alternately shows images of golden-feathered chickens galloping swiftly through the orchard beneath the trees, their wings reflecting dazzling golden light in the sunlight, and close-ups of professional chefs preparing them into exquisite dishes in a star-rated kitchen. On the background wall is a striking bilingual Chinese and English logo: "Blue Water Golden Feathers, Legend of Taste."
The entire auction, from the stage to the electronic screen and background wall, was almost completely modeled after the International Trade Center in Hong Kong Island at that time.
There is no way. There are no such creative designers in their country at that time, so Su Wenchen thinks it is better to learn some in this regard first.
After all, he didn't understand architectural design and couldn't help at all.
Although the auction had not yet begun, the hall was already packed.
Although this is only the first session, it has been held several times in Hong Kong Island before, and all the products have been verified by the market.
This is also the reason why the first session was crowded.
The front row is basically composed of high-end customers, mainly representatives of large hotel chains and Michelin-starred restaurants from the United States, Western Europe, Japan and other countries.
Dressed in expensive suits, they intently flipped through the auction brochure in their hands, which detailed the number, age, weight, main feeding records and flavor characteristics prediction of each chicken on auction.
The open areas in the back row and the two hatches are occupied by some smaller restaurant owners, who are trying to see if they can get a bargain. The atmosphere is tense and expectant.
The spotlight flashed from time to time, recording this business miracle.
When the time comes.
A host in a dark Mao suit walked onto the main stage and opened the show skillfully in both Chinese and English.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first annual auction of Oriental Treasures in the Huanghuaihai Special Region!"
"This year's auction is divided into two special sessions: 'Treasures of Oriental Taste' and 'Magnificent Rhythms of Oriental Moonlight'."
"First of all, I would like to thank all our partners for their support of Oriental Treasures over the years."
"Without further ado, let's begin our first show of the year, 'Treasures of Oriental Taste'!"
"This year, we will, as always, adhere to the brand concept of 'high-quality, rare, and exclusive' and present the most selected and precious Golden Feather Chicken of the year."
"Next, please bring out our first lot, number TQ-75001. This is a 22-week-old male fowl, known as the 'Star of Morning Orchard,' weighing 3.6 kg. The estimated flavor profile is 'rich fruity and woody, with a complex floral finish.' The meat quality prediction is: top-notch fat texture, rich and elastic..."
Following the host's introduction, a golden-feathered chicken with golden fur and graceful body was slowly pushed to the center of the transparent display cage.
Its posture is proud, its red crown stands upright, and its eyes are alert.
There was immediately a slight murmur and the sound of flipping bidding cards from the audience.
"Starting price: $1,000! Bidding begins now!"
As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, signs were raised one after another.
“…1100…1200…1300”
The auctioneer spoke quickly and clearly, his eyes keenly capturing every movement of the paddle.
"Mr. Charlie of the Ritz Hotel in France, $1,500!"
"Oh! The Tokyo Hotel Okura, offering $1,800!"
"Hilton Group...$2,000!"
As the price continued to rise, every chicken sold was accompanied by applause and exclamations.
Since this was the first auction held in China, and it was held in a special administrative region that has been very popular in recent years but has also been controversial, many leading cadres from all over the country came to see what was going on.
Now look at these foreigners who spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars just to buy a chicken to eat.
Many cadres, seeing this, wondered if these foreigners were mentally ill.
No matter how delicious this chicken is, there is no need to spend so much money on it!
With this money, you can eat a lot of ordinary chickens. Why not save it and eat it slowly?
They really couldn't understand what these foreigners were thinking. (End of this chapter)
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