The excitement of the dividend distribution meeting hasn't died down yet.
The next day.
A black Mercedes-Benz drove into Sujiatun and stopped at the entrance of the vegetable base.
The car door opened, and a middle-aged man in a suit stepped out, followed by two young men carrying briefcases.
"Is Mr. Su Jianguo here?"
The middle-aged man, speaking in Mandarin with a slight Hong Kong or Taiwanese accent, asked Su Jianjun, who was busy at the door.
Su Jianjun sized up the uninvited guest.
"Who are you?"
"My surname is Lin, and my name is Lin Shirong. I am the General Manager of Green Harvest Group China Region."
The man handed over a business card with gold foil lettering.
"Our group is very interested in your company's vegetable base and would like to discuss cooperation with Mr. Su."
Su Jianjun took the business card with some skepticism. He saw the words "Green Harvest Group" printed in gold lettering, followed by a series of overseas addresses and phone numbers.
He had heard of this company; it was one of the largest multinational agricultural product companies in Southeast Asia.
"My brother is in his office, come with me."
Su Jianjun led the guests into the base, but his heart was pounding with apprehension.
A sudden visit from a foreign company is likely ill-intentioned.
In his office, Su Jianguo was reviewing the sales report for the new quarter.
Seeing his younger brother bring in a stranger, he stood up to greet him.
Lin Shirong extended his hand warmly.
"I've long admired Mr. Su! Your company's 'military-civilian joint construction' model is a model in our industry!"
After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Shirong got straight to the point.
"Mr. Su, our Green Harvest Group is planning to expand its investment in mainland China and we are very optimistic about your company's development prospects. We are here today to discuss the possibility of acquisition or joint venture."
Su Jianguo frowned slightly.
"Acquisition?"
"Oh, don't misunderstand."
Lin Shirong explained with a smile.
"We are not seeking a complete takeover. Greengrass can invest $5 million, acquiring a 49% stake, while Mr. Su will retain controlling ownership. We can provide internationally advanced technology, management experience, and sales channels to help your company rapidly expand."
This number made Su Jianjun gasp in shock.
$5 million!
At the exchange rate at the time, it was equivalent to nearly 20 million yuan, which was ten times their current assets!
But Su Jianguo appeared very calm.
"Mr. Lin, thank you for your company's generosity. However, our cooperative has just gotten on track, and the villagers have just begun to reap the benefits. Introducing foreign investment at this sudden time might..."
"Mr. Su is overthinking it."
Lin Shirong interrupted.
“We fully respect the existing cooperative model. After Greengrass's investment, the villagers' dividends will only increase, not decrease. Moreover…”
He lowered his voice.
"As a personal reward, the group can give Mr. Su 10% of the shares, worth $500,000."
This offer was quite tempting, but Su Jianguo's brows furrowed even more.
He said it calmly.
"This is a very important matter, and we need time to consider it."
After seeing Lin Shirong and his group off, Su Jianjun immediately exploded.
"Brother, we can't agree to this! What joint venture? They're clearly trying to swallow us up! None of these foreign companies have good intentions!"
Su Jianguo gestured for his younger brother to calm down.
"Don't jump to conclusions. Their offer is indeed very tempting; $5 million could save us ten years of hard work."
"But they want 49% of the shares!"
Su Jianjun was so anxious that he kept slamming his fist on the table.
"Won't all the hard work we've put into building this foundation just become foreign property?"
The brothers' argument attracted the attention of other managers.
Accountant Lao Wang pushed up his glasses.
"From a financial perspective, this investment can meet all our funding needs for expansion. However, foreign control is indeed a potential risk..."
Technician Xiao Li, however, held a different opinion.
"Greengrass has world-class technology. If we can learn it, it will greatly benefit our long-term development."
Everyone chimed in with their own opinions.
Finally, Su Jianguo made the final decision.
"In that case, we'll hold a general meeting of all villagers tomorrow and let them decide together."
That night, Su Jianguo tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
He got up, put on his clothes, and went to the yard to smoke.
Under the moonlight, the greenhouses in the vegetable base reflected a silvery glow, standing in neat rows.
Every blade of grass and every tree here embodies his hard work. From the initial small vegetable stall to its current scale, every step has been hard-won.
"Dad, are you still awake?"
Su Mingqiang was standing behind me without my noticing.
"I can't sleep."
Su Jianguo sighed.
"Mingqiang, what do you think? Should we bring in foreign investment?"
Su Mingqiang remained silent for a while.
"I met someone in prison who used to work for a foreign company. He said foreign capital is like a tiger; if used well, it can guard your home; if used poorly, it can turn on its owner."
This metaphor made Su Jianguo fall into deep thought.
The next morning, a general meeting of the cooperative was held at the village committee.
More than 300 commune members packed the courtyard to the brim, with people even sitting on the walls.
Su Jianguo gave a detailed introduction to Green Harvest Group's proposal, and then allowed everyone to speak freely.
The scene immediately became lively, with the villagers arguing back and forth.
"I disagree!"
Zhao Laosi was the first to jump out, shouting with a red face and thick neck.
"Why should foreigners interfere in our own industries?"
But the younger generation thinks differently.
Zhang Xiaoming, who had just graduated from agricultural school, retorted.
"Fourth Uncle, that's outdated! With reform and opening up, attracting foreign investment is the trend. With this money, we can buy the most advanced equipment and sell our products abroad!"
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