"Young Master, Young Master He Chengxi has come to visit!" A middle-aged man hurriedly entered and reported to Zhao Qingshan.
This villa, among all the buildings constructed by Sha Tin contractors, is considered mid-to-high-end, yet it still cost over 16 million. In addition, an apartment building was built next to it, costing 20 million.
The Zhao family's investment acumen is also remarkable. In just one month, over a thousand tourists have visited the area, spending money on food, drinks, entertainment, and lodging. The revenue has already exceeded five million, with profits of no less than four million.
This is a highly profitable business.
The profit margin is especially huge in the accommodation and food sector. Desert villas and apartments—just the names alone are enough to attract many wealthy people to experience it.
Tired, thirsty, and hungry in the desert, we stumbled upon a villa of considerable size, offering a complete experience of dining, entertainment, and accommodation – a truly wonderful experience.
Zhao Qingshan sat cross-legged on the sofa in the living room, a posture that had become a habit. He was almost constantly circulating his inner energy, absorbing the even thinner spiritual energy in the desert and transforming it into life force, thus gradually increasing his cultivation.
The middle-aged butler was a member of the Zhao family, so I felt at ease. I could come and go as I pleased.
Zhao Qingshan opened his eyes and stepped off the sand.
"He Chengxi? What's he doing here?" Zhao Qingshan frowned, somewhat puzzled. Normally, even though No. 2 Shatang was next to each other, they didn't interact much. Most of the time, Zhao Qingshan was cultivating, and so was He Chengxi; neither wanted to waste a single second. "Bring him in!"
His voice preceded his arrival.
As the butler's footsteps sounded, He Chengxi's hearty laughter rang out.
"Brother Qingshan, I'm sorry to bother you!" He Chengxi strode in, his eyes fixed on Zhao Qingshan with some wariness.
The person in front of him, who was about the same age as him, was also a cultivator! His eyes narrowed, and Zhao Qingshan's cultivation seemed to have improved quite a bit!
"Brother He, you're too kind. Please have a seat!" Zhao Qingshan gestured, then sat down without moving, his attitude quite indifferent. He Chengxi didn't seem to mind. It seemed he was already used to this kind of situation.
The butler served fragrant tea instead of beverages. This had become a custom and a matter of etiquette. "Cultivators, have some tea." This seemed to have elevated the social status considerably. In the past, He Chengxi and Zhao Qingshan would have certainly drunk iced drinks or plum juice.
But now, we're drinking iced herbal tea!
"please!"
After the two shared a drink, Zhao Qingshan got straight to the point: "I wonder what brings Brother He here? I remember you never visit unless you have a reason!"
He Chengxi said, "Actually, it's nothing. We've been neighbors for so long, it would be really inappropriate not to visit each other. We're both usually very busy. It's a rare opportunity to get together and relax!"
Nonsense!
Zhao Qingshan scoffed at this. Who would believe that? He had interacted with Young Master He before he became a cultivator and had some understanding of him.
Zhao Qingshan showed no intention of responding. He Chengxi was immediately somewhat embarrassed.
"I heard that the 'Golden Wheat' from our neighbor Shatin has already been harvested! Those grains... tsk tsk, they're not much different from your 'Crystal Rice,' Brother Qingshan! And the quantity is much greater! I wonder what your opinion is on this, Qingshan?" He Chengxi said.
Zhao Qingshan's expression froze.
He naturally already knew about the success of wheat cultivation in Shatin. He also knew about the emergence of Shennong Holdings.
He was also quite surprised and puzzled at the time. Zhang Guodong was incredibly lucky! They actually discovered a new type of microorganism beneficial to desertification and plant growth.
However, mortals are mortals after all, and their technological methods are far inferior to those of cultivators. Zhao Qingshan also believed that unless it reached the standard of a food crop edible by cultivators, how could it pose a threat to his family's "Crystal Rice"?
So, like He Chengxi, he only paid attention, but didn't take it to heart.
Of course, from a worldly business perspective, this "golden wheat" could be a huge money-maker if hyped up! Even if you don't actually eat the expensive wheat, just collecting or researching it would be enough just for the hype.
He Chengxi came to our door specifically for this business deal.
"Brother He, do you think this wheat can be compared to 'Crystal Rice'?" Zhao Qingshan said, a hint of arrogance and disdain in his voice.
"Hehe, Brother Zhao, the Zhao family's 'Crystal Rice' is naturally top-notch, even surpassing my family's 'Green Sorghum Beans.' However, this 'Golden Wheat' has a great reputation, and its planting area is far beyond what your 'Crystal Rice' and my 'Green Sorghum Beans' can match. The yield is also considerable; I estimate it's over ten tons! Although I haven't seen the actual grains, the initial appearance is quite impressive!" He Chengxi said, then sighed. "Don't laugh at me, Qingshan. I just went to buy some at six yuan per jin. Guess what happened?"
Zhao Qingshan exclaimed in surprise, "Are you suggesting I refuse you? You're offering six yuan a pound of wheat? That's not a low price!"
Zhencheng nodded and said with a wry smile, "Who says otherwise? But that kid said he'd keep every single grain for himself and wouldn't sell it!"
"What?!"
Ten tons of wheat is 200,000 jin (approximately 100,000 kg), which is 1.2 million Chinese yuan! Considering that an average person earns a monthly salary of 1,000 to 2,000 yuan, you can imagine how much that amount of money is.
I didn't expect to be rejected by a small business owner.
However, Zhao Qingshan immediately thought of something. "Shennong Holdings, the company was established, and Zhang Guodong immediately offered six million! His wealth far exceeded everyone's expectations. If that six million was Zhang Guodong's own, then refusing a deal worth millions would be understandable. Perhaps Zhang Guodong was after something else?"
The Zhao family, when Shennong Holdings was established, also had a large sum of money intending to participate. Unfortunately, the company's potential was simply too great, and the technology too sensitive; the state held firm control, and apart from relevant researchers receiving share rewards, other private investors had no chance.
He Chengxi had basically achieved his goal. After chatting for a while, he took his leave.
Zhao Qingshan, however, could no longer remain calm. A restless excitement stirred within him; he wanted to see for himself what this "golden wheat" was all about. He believed it couldn't possibly compare to his own "crystal rice." How good could something grown by ordinary people be?
But it's fine to take a look!
"Get the car ready, let's head to Slogan Shatin!"
Merchants from all around flocked to Kouhao Shatin, practically wearing down Zhang Guodong's doorstep. However, without exception, they all met with rejection.
They arrived with eyes blazing with eager anticipation, but left with a gloomy, rain-like expression.
"Is Zhang Guodong really going to pass up money by not making it? Does he really think he can sell his wheat as gold?"
"However, it is said that the wheat here does look much better than that outside. I just don't know about the yield. If we could master this mother clock and promote it, what a huge business that would be!"
"If they won't respond to gentle persuasion, then we must use tough measures!"
"If you don't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!" Amidst the anger and conspiracies of the crowd, Zhang Guodong leisurely went to the city to purchase large machinery and more irrigation pipes. He estimated that with three combined seeders and three multi-functional harvesters, these six machines would be sufficient for planting and harvesting.
Only now have we utilized enough square kilometers of land, which is only a small fraction of the total area of the previous year. There are still tens of thousands of square kilometers available for use.
Even if we don't plan to fully utilize it in the future, using even a part of it would be good.
After purchasing large machinery, Zhang Guodong was summoned by Wang Yunyi by phone.
Clearly, Wang Yunyi had already received reports from Professor Yan and others. In fact, Wang Yunyi received reports from his subordinates immediately after the first batch of "golden wheat" from Shatin was harvested and stored.
Wang Yunyi had originally planned to speak with Zhang Guodong immediately. However, Zhang Guodong subsequently rejected all buyers, leading Wang Yunyi to temporarily abandon the planned phone meeting and opt for a face-to-face meeting instead.
Governor Wang is now incredibly imposing; even the fat man trembles in his presence. Why? The fat man has been working in Zhangba Township for over two years. The township's economy grew by 80% in the first year, but jumped to 230% in the second! For two consecutive years, it ranked first in the province's township economy.
It is estimated that Zhangba Township's economic growth this year will be over 150%, and in just over six months, investment attraction has already exceeded 90% of the annual target.
So the fat man got the idea.
However, it has only been a little over two years since the fat man went from deputy section chief to Director Yu. To promote him to director again is obviously too much! In this case, it is really difficult to find a suitable position.
Unless he's transferred to a provincial party committee department, given a position of real power as a transition, and then demoted to a lower level, then such a promotion would be perfectly reasonable.
As for which department it was, the fat man had no idea. Upon hearing this, Wang Yunyi immediately berated the fat man, saying, "Does the fat man think the organization belongs to the Wang family? Get back to work!"
Whether Governor Wang had any plans, Fatty had no idea. However, Zhang Guodong thought he must have considered it. After all, Fatty was the only male in the Wang family. His daughter, Wang Lin, was getting on in years and was already in business. A political career was out of the question.
Moreover, the fat man has good political talent and his achievements speak for themselves. The economic growth of Zhangba Township is the fat man's biggest asset!
Wang Yunyi was very dedicated to raising Fatty.
When Zhang Guodong arrived at the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee compound, the security there was much stricter than that at the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee compound.
Two towering villas.
"The verdict is in. Zhang's here, have a seat!"
Aunt Bao served two cups of tea and then left.
Wang Yunyi rarely gets to rest at home, but her chubby mother went shopping with her daughter.
"Uncle Wang, you look great!" Zhang Guodong teased.
Wang Yunyi said, both amused and exasperated, "You little rascal!"
Although Zhang Guodong was a junior, Wang Yunyi couldn't treat him purely as such. His relationship with Ying Chenggong, the provincial party secretary, relied on Zhang Guodong's connections, in addition to direct communication.
It's often said that politics is politics, and personal relationships shouldn't sway political stances. But when Ying Chenggong's life is at stake with Zhang Guodong, those personal relationships become crucial.
People, your health is so important. Without health, how can you talk about ambition?
Especially for those who reach the provincial or ministerial level, or even central leadership positions, as they age, they are plagued by all sorts of illnesses. Zhang Guodong's emergence thus becomes extremely important.
Cultivators can't simply take out any pill and save a mortal's life. For example, if a mortal's soul is about to dissipate, what can a cultivator do? Aside from a very few exceptionally rare and powerful elixirs, they are helpless.
But Zhang Guodong was different. He learned Yi Lao's traditional Chinese medicine techniques, understood the pathological principles, and was able to treat patients with a basis for their treatment and prescribe the right medicine for the right symptoms.
Moreover, he possesses remarkable alchemy skills! The miraculous appearance of the "Hundred Herbs Rejuvenation Pill" is Zhang Guodong's proudest asset.
"Xiao Zhang, I heard that your 'Golden Wheat' has already been harvested and stored? How was the yield?" Wang Yunyi pondered for a moment before asking.
"The yield is not high. In the sandy fields, it's only about 40 kilograms per mu. This time, the total is only a little over 18 tons, less than 19 tons. It's too little!" Zhang Guodong said.
He thought to himself, "I knew Fatty Dad would ask that question."
Nineteen tons of "golden wheat" isn't a lot. If it were for a family, it would last for several years. However, Zhang Guodong didn't plan to let his family eat it.
Peach Blossom Spring has staple foods like wheat and rice of secondary spirit level. Why eat this "golden wheat"? After a long period of consuming Peach Blossom Spring crops, the Zhang family's health is now exceptionally good, which is of immeasurable benefit to their cultivation, beyond the reach of reason.
"Oh, that's indeed not high!" Wang Yunyi frowned. He nodded and said, "Ordinary wheat yields four or five hundred kilograms per mu! Sandy fields only yield forty kilograms!"
But considering it was grown in the desert, that's already incredibly impressive.
"But that's quite a lot! Being able to grow crops in the desert is already extremely rare—and I heard from Professor Yan and the others that your 'Golden Wheat' is twice the size of ordinary wheat grains, and of better quality. Rarity makes it valuable, so it's quite a lot! Do you have any plans for what to do with this batch of wheat? You could go to the agricultural research institute to get a quote," Wang Yunyi said, changing the subject.
Wang Yunyi was tempted, but felt too embarrassed to say so. He wanted to get a batch from Zhang Guodong. He knew that whatever Zhang Guodong grew was definitely of high quality.
Zhang Guodong shook his head and said, "I don't plan to sell these. I know their quality myself. I'll keep them for my own people to eat! I don't need that little bit of money. If I really want to estimate the price, two or three hundred yuan per kilogram would be too low!"
Wang Yunyi was stunned. This kid is quite bold, offering wheat that costs two or three hundred yuan per kilogram?
"Xiao Zhang, are you serious?" Wang Yunyi felt it necessary to remind Zhang Guodong. He shouldn't be so overly ambitious. Even if it were eighteen tons, or 360,000 jin, at the price Zhang Guodong was asking for, how much would that be? Worth over a hundred million!
Is this selling wheat, or gold?
Zhang Guodong didn't explain everything. From a cultivator's perspective, worldly money meant nothing. No matter how much, it couldn't compare to what a cultivator could use, especially this "Golden Wheat" with extremely few impurities!
Zhang Guodong nodded and stated clearly, "Uncle Wang, this 'Golden Wheat,' while not quite top-tier, is still something cultivators would desire. Ordinary grains, on the other hand, are beneath their notice!"
This shocked Wang Yunyi.
I thought my assessment was high enough. I never imagined it was food for cultivators! That makes it incredibly valuable! I should sell it. What a waste!
Wang Yunyi's eyes lit up, "You did the right thing! This 'Golden Wheat' can't be sold!"
“Uncle Wang, I’m under tremendous pressure right now. Many business owners are trying to squeeze some money out of me. These past few days, my doorstep has been practically worn down,” Zhang Guodong said with a smile. “I’ll handle this!” Wang Yunyi said in a deep voice. The government’s power is immense and its effects are extremely obvious when dealing with businessmen. If they really tried to solve it using Zhang Guodong’s method, people would probably die! Wang Yunyi was not at ease with that.
Monks are ultimately a group of people who are high above others; what can secular laws do about them?
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