Chapter 393 New Year's Joy
After what happened to Zhou Yuzhen, Aunt Chu will not come to live with them this year. She called and said that she will come to take care of An An when she gives birth, as she has a lot of things to do now.
Chu Mingzhou agreed and didn't force it. He just asked someone to bring some New Year's goods to Beitian County.
There are only ten days left until New Year's Eve. Every household is busy sweeping the house and preparing New Year's goods. Even the air is filled with the unique atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.
However, the joy was broken by a hurried notice that the southern European delegation that came to purchase seeds last time came to visit again.
This visit is different from the last one and is more significant. The Minister of Agriculture of Southern Europe came in person!
He had a good attitude and spoke sincerely. He expressed his willingness to open the source code of the intelligent irrigation system, share the seed gene bank, and establish a long-term cooperative relationship with China.
Everyone at the military farm was in an uproar!
"These foreign devils are the hardest to talk to. They always have a sour face. Why did their attitude change so drastically this time? Is this a trick?"
"No, I think it's because of the natural disaster there. If we can't finalize the seed cooperation before the spring, it will directly affect the spring farming plans of the three southern European countries."
"No wonder. Our 7125 and 702 wheat are the best varieties of grain. They can produce a good harvest even in difficult environments."
"Just wait and see."
Lin Anan also received the notice immediately, asking her to get ready and go to the meeting room at the military farm.
Lin Anan didn't dare to delay, so he immediately changed into his military uniform, put on his coat and went.
She was thin to begin with, so her belly wasn't noticeable under her coat.
Pushing open the door of the conference room at the military farm, Lin Anan was enveloped by the suddenly warmed air in the room.
At the conference table, the Southern European Minister of Agriculture was leaning over to take a close look at the seed samples spread out on the table. His flaxen curly hair gleamed under the light, and his straight dark grey suit formed a sharp contrast with the cotton coats, cotton hats, and military uniforms and caps of the Chinese personnel.
The translator beside him whispered to everyone that the minister went straight to the Northwest Military Region as soon as he got off the plane, without even a moment's rest, which showed his sincerity.
Commander Zheng nodded to Lin Anan, and the two sat down in the same seats as before.
"Commander Zheng, nice to meet you." When the Southern European Minister of Agriculture looked up, a look of scrutiny flashed in his blue eyes behind the lenses.
Commander Zheng sat upright, the majesty of a superior accompanied by the courage of a veteran in the battlefield, which was not something that ordinary people could suppress. "If you have something to say, just say it."
The Southern European Minister of Agriculture paused, then smiled more sincerely. "The last negotiation led to a misunderstanding between the two sides. I came here in person to apologize. I hope you can forgive me."
Lin Anan glanced at him and translated every word accurately.
Everyone was stunned to hear the foreigner say such polite words.
“We have conducted an in-depth study of your country’s wheat varieties and the results are quite shocking! The resistance of wheat No. 7125 in saline-alkali soil is 57% higher than expected!
Faced with such excellent grain varieties, we are willing to show enough sincerity! We agree to open the source code of the intelligent irrigation system and share the seed gene bank.
I only hope to exchange for the right to keep seeds of 7125 and 702 wheat. This is very important to us!
Of course, I admire the Chinese people’s concept of planting. Planting food is for the people. We also think so in order to make sure everyone has enough food to eat…”
A lot of words came out, but the main idea was that he wanted to buy live wheat seeds, and the rest were just polite words.
Commander Zheng picked up the enamel pot and took a sip of strong tea. His Adam's apple rolled up and down at the collar of his military uniform. "Tell him that if he wants to buy it, he can buy it according to the normal procedures. As for the seeds that can be saved for breeding, we will not sell them!"
As soon as Lin Anan finished speaking, the air in the conference room suddenly froze, and the translator of the Southern European delegation froze in place.
"Not selling?" The smile of the Southern European Minister of Agriculture began to crack. "General Zheng, this is not in line with international cooperation practices. Doesn't your country want to exchange technology for markets?"
Commander Zheng put down the enamel cup heavily, his expression extremely serious, "The seeds you sold to China were all 'disposable'. After sowing and harvesting, the seeds will degenerate if you keep them. You want to take away our live seeds now? Dream on!"
The face of the Southern European Minister of Agriculture turned red. "We agreed to your request. Now... are you going to breach the contract again? Do you understand the business rules?"
"Rules?" Commander Zheng sneered, pulled out a file bag from the drawer and threw it on the table. The yellowed document was printed with a crooked foreign language note "No seeds can be saved". "Since 1965, the 'high-yield wheat seeds' you sold us at three times the price have all failed the following year! These 'rules' have made us suffer enough!"
When Lin Anan was translating, her nails almost dug into her palms.
The veins on the forehead of the Southern European Minister of Agriculture bulged, but he was still trying hard: "Times have changed. This time we..."
"No need to say more. China's food security will never be handed over to outsiders! If you want to trade, you can purchase according to normal procedures. We will not raise prices randomly, which is the most we can do. If you still want to argue, get out of here."
The conference room fell into silence, with only the slight hum of the heating pipes.
Everyone in the Southern European delegation spoke up, but was blocked by Lin Anan.
China's attitude is very firm!
The Southern European Minister of Agriculture finally slumped in his chair and loosened his tie. "You..."
Lin Anan also understood what was going on. Currently, southern Europe was hit by disasters everywhere, and the only wheat varieties that could be grown in the world might be 7125 and 702. It was really kind of China not to raise the price at this time.
They either starve to death or buy seeds, there is no third option.
The Minister of Agriculture of Southern Europe suddenly pulled out an urgent telegram from his suit pocket. The edge of the paper was wrinkled. "Ms. Lin, please tell Commander Zheng that wheat fields in Southern Europe are dying in large areas. If there is no new seed within three months..." His Adam's apple rolled violently, "Tens of millions of people will face famine."
He is a smart guy and started playing the emotional card.
The Southern European Agriculture Minister indeed thinks so. The Chinese people are very compassionate. If they are a little submissive and humble, they should be able to win our support.
After Lin Anan finished translating, she looked around and saw that many people had worry in their eyes.
Kindness is the essence of the Chinese people.
Commander Zheng pondered for a moment, "When our Lan County was in trouble with salt and alkali, the people ate Guanyin soil without giving in. Today, it is up to them to find a solution to the problem in Southern Europe."
The eyes of the Southern European Minister of Agriculture flashed with disbelief, "You are watching someone die without helping him!"
Lin Anan was afraid that Commander Zheng would get angry again, so she nodded at him and took the initiative to say, "Mr. Minister, in 1959, there was a severe drought in Hebei Province, and three million people starved to death on the road to escape the famine. At that time, we also asked Southern Europe to buy grain seeds, but you refused!"
After hearing this, the Southern European Minister of Agriculture knew that the problem could not be solved today. He suddenly lost his temper and slumped down in his chair: "What do you want? As long as we can get the seeds, any conditions..."
"The conditions have been stated long ago. We will buy the commercial grain that cannot be saved for planting at normal prices. This is our greatest kindness."
The dispute broke out again between the two sides.
No matter how much he tried to persuade him, Commander Zheng refused to budge.
In the end, the Southern European side bowed its head.
It was also an unexpected surprise for the Northwest Military Region, and it was a bumper year.
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