Chapter Eighty-Seven: The Lovely Vegetable Greenhouse

  "Secretary Xu, the 10 vegetable greenhouses have all been built, each with a length of 50 meters. Among them, 5 greenhouses are 6 meters wide and 5 greenhouses are 3 meters wide. The total area of the 10 greenhouses is over 4 mu. The construction process was very standardized, so the investment was a bit more. I have recorded all the data, and the materials and labor costs were calculated based on current prices. A large greenhouse costs around 900 yuan, while a small one costs around 500 yuan. This is a standardized investment. If farmers build greenhouses themselves, they can save a lot of investment. Farmers already have wood at home, so their main investment would be labor and plastic film. Therefore, if we develop on a large scale, it is feasible. The annual investment is not much, mainly for plastic film. Generally speaking, ordinary film can last two years with good management, and the price is not high, usually bearable. Moreover, the vegetable greenhouses built this time have a service life of 10 years. I think that by then, farmers will have made money and can build even better greenhouses."

  "Secretary Hu, it's still too early to say now. 10 greenhouses have been built, the key is to see how effective they will be later."

  "Secretary Xu, I think there's no problem. The big greenhouse has already been replanted with vegetables, and the varieties have been determined by experts from the province. There are peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and dry beans, among others. The seedlings are growing at a surprisingly fast rate. Due to the hot weather, the plastic film is often left open. I've specifically consulted on this, and the biggest function of the vegetable greenhouse is to keep warm and prevent pests and diseases. According to this trend, the greenhouse will truly come into play after October, when many vegetables in rural areas have already been harvested. However, the vegetables inside the greenhouse can continue to grow due to the warming effect, providing fresh produce during the winter season with guaranteed quality. Experts suggested that we install a heating system underground, which involves digging holes in the field and fixing them, then adding heat during the coldest weather. I politely declined this suggestion, as it's a practice from Northeast China, and our winter climate isn't extremely cold, so there's no need to install a heating system. Moreover, installing a heating system would increase costs significantly."

  "Alright, Old Hu, you've studied this very carefully. The effect of the vegetable greenhouse this year depends on you. As for funding, discuss with Secretary Dong and Mayor Liu what expenses are needed. I suggest hiring farmers from Huaguan Village to manage the vegetable greenhouse, so they can learn the technology and prepare for future development."

  "Secretary Xu, we've been doing it this way. Another thing is that Liu Mu is indeed capable and willing to work hard. This time with the construction of the vegetable greenhouse, his observations were even more meticulous than mine. Many times he was hands-on, and twice when the wooden stakes were unqualified, Liu Mu specially consulted an expert to understand the reason. Later, he told me that the expert's requirements were very high, aiming to build a standardized greenhouse as a model, so that farmers building vegetable greenhouses wouldn't need to meet such standards, as long as the wooden stakes were of suitable height and sturdy. I've noticed that Liu Mu is preparing for the development of vegetable greenhouses. By the way, Liu Mu's partner manages a vegetable greenhouse and is doing well. Liu Mu said that after the expert left, he made up his mind to build two more greenhouses himself, believing that they would definitely make money. As the secretary of Huaguan Village, he must take the lead."

  "Hmm, this approach is feasible. Many of our cadres are half-households and can be asked to take the lead. Once the effect of 10 large greenhouses comes out, we can use Huaguan Village as a pilot and gradually promote it throughout the district. By the way, the provincial experts have been here for so long, how did you entertain them? Don't offend the experts."

  "Secretary Xu, don't worry, we have been treating the two experts like Bodhisattvas. However, they will be leaving in a couple of days as the greenhouse has been built and their task is complete."

  "Alright, when the time comes, I'll invite the two experts to dinner. The conditions in Yudu District are not good, so we'll invite the two experts to dinner in the city. You and Director Zhang discuss it, and be sure to pay the two experts according to the highest standard. Make sure the accounts are done properly, and don't have both experts sign for it, got it?"

  Watching Hu Deyi leave in high spirits, a smile appeared on Xu Shaojie's face. The construction of the cement plant is nearing its end and is currently debugging machines. It can be put into production soon. The vegetable greenhouse has also been completed. Everything went smoothly. He thought about going to Huaguan Village to take a look at the greenhouse.

  Zhang Shikui entered the office with a somewhat strange expression on his face.

  "Old Zhang, is there something?"

  "Secretary Xu, it's true that we've been busy with things and haven't paid attention to the city's affairs. Liu Zhihua's disciplinary decision has come down, but actually he's been at home all along, not going anywhere, just staying indoors all day, so we didn't know. The municipal discipline inspection commission probably knew we were busy with work and didn't report on the situation."

  "What punishment did Liu Zhihua receive?"

  "Two years of leave to reflect on the party, administrative demotion, the key is that Liu Zhihua's work unit has not changed, still in Yudou District. Now we have some difficulties in handling it, I thought of coming to ask for your opinion."

  Xu Shaojie did not expect that Liu Zhihua's disciplinary action would come down so quickly, it seems that it is not very severe after all. Previously, he thought that if someone was to be expelled from the party, it must have been Xu Yunfei who intervened in the middle.

  "What's your opinion, Old Zhang?"

  "I just didn't think it through, the work arrangement is not good. After the new year, Liu Zhihua will be 52 years old, what can he do? Besides, with something like this happening, we can't make arrangements."

  "Then let's handle it according to your opinion, don't arrange any work, and just let him go."

  "There is another thing, the district office will hold a branch meeting to inform party members of Liu Zhihua's disciplinary decision. As required, Liu Zhihua himself must attend."

  "Never mind, the discipline inspection committee's regulations are just regulations. How can such regulations be implemented? Are we going to hold a struggle session meeting? Liu Zhihua won't participate in it either. As for the branch meeting, I won't attend and you shouldn't either. Let Secretary Sun of the discipline inspection committee preside over the meeting. If any materials need to be submitted, let the district discipline inspection committee handle it."

  "Alright, I'll go and set it up."

  Xu Shaojie's feelings are hard to describe. In the past, it was said that one should severely punish those who have fallen into the water and not give them any opportunity. However, Xu Shaojie has abandoned this idea through reflection. When his opponent no longer poses a threat or has the ability to attack, he shouldn't pursue relentlessly. It's not about deep-seated hatred, but rather some past conflicts that arose from competing for power. Being too ruthless will leave a very bad impression.

  The vegetable greenhouses in Huaguan Village stand at the head of the field, like a group of star-like girls holding up the moon, wearing white gauze. 10 large greenhouses are concentrated together, and countless villagers come to watch the excitement. Many villagers want to enter the greenhouse to take a look, but unfortunately, the person in charge of managing the greenhouse is very strict and requires that there be no more than a certain number of people inside, as experts have requested that fewer people enter during the vegetable growth period.

  Xu Shaojie saw Yu Zhihong at a glance, Yu Zhihong was in good spirits, with a red face, and seemed to have basically recovered physically. At this moment, Yu Zhihong was walking around the greenhouse, it was already afternoon, school had let out, two daughters were surrounding Yu Zhihong, from time to time wanting to touch the white plastic film that covered it, all of which were stopped by Yu Zhihong.

  "Director Xu, you've arrived."

  "Haha, Sister Yu, you're quite responsible."

  "This is my task, I must do it well," said Liu Mu. In the second half of the year, our family will also set up two large greenhouses, and now I'm learning to manage them, so in the future, I can take care of our own greenhouses."

  "Okay, can I go in and take a look?"

  "Secretary Xu, you're joking, you can interpret it however you like."

  Xu Shaojie just took a look outside the big shed, he didn't go in. The inside of the shed was sweltering, Xu Shaojie couldn't take it. However, the vegetables planted on the ground had already grown very high.

  "Sister Yu, how long have these vegetables been planted?"

  "It's not even a week, Secretary Xu, this greenhouse is really amazing, the vegetables are growing too fast. At first, I didn't have confidence, but now that I've seen it, I'm thinking Liu Mu should build a vegetable greenhouse as soon as possible. If we can grow vegetables in winter, we'll definitely be able to sell them at a good price."

  Xu Shaojie thought of sending off the two experts, and when they were having dinner in the city, the two experts, Xu Shaojie, and Zhang Shi-kui went to the vegetable market for a stroll. The vegetable market had some greenhouses with vegetables from outside the area, which were relatively expensive. Although the vegetables in the countryside had already started to come onto the market, the prices of the greenhouse vegetables were still quite good. Both experts praised Xu Shaojie for finding a way for farmers to get rich. As far as they knew, there was no one else in the province who was planning to develop large-scale greenhouse vegetable production at this time. The two experts repeatedly emphasized that greenhouses needed to be on a large scale in order to form a market. When merchants came to purchase vegetables, there would need to be enough vegetables for it to be worthwhile. If there were only a few greenhouses and not many vegetables, the merchants wouldn't come to make purchases voluntarily.

  After the expert left, Xu Shaojie and Zhang Shiqiu discussed that the construction speed of the greenhouse should be accelerated. Therefore, they found Hu Deyong and put forward specific requirements. 10 greenhouses have been built so far, and within a few years, at least 100 greenhouses will be built in Huaguan Village, forming a certain scale. Although it's not a lot, when merchants come to purchase vegetables, the supply can be guaranteed. As long as they are not large-scale wholesalers, there is no problem.

  "Sister Yu, do you think a vegetable greenhouse can make money?"

  "It's definitely profitable, people in the city, every household needs to eat vegetables. In the past, winter was mainly about eating cabbage, but with the construction of large greenhouses, it's now possible to eat other vegetables in winter too. City folks will surely buy them, and besides, there aren't many greenhouses in the village, so the vegetables produced can be quickly sold out when transported to the city."

  "Haha, Sister Yu, you have a very forward-thinking vision."

  "These were all told to me by Liu Mu."

  Yu Zhihong felt a bit embarrassed and lowered his head.

  "Older sister Yu, you've already grasped it, it's your own understanding now. I'm actually looking forward to the big greenhouse at your house being built soon, so I can go to your house and eat greenhouse vegetables."

  Hu Dey, Dong Guihua and Liu Mu as well as the village cadres all came over. Hu Dey is at Liu Mu's home, assigning work tasks. 100 greenhouses, sounds simple, but it's not that easy to do.

  "Secretary Xu, we've already studied it. Secretary Dong and Township Head Liu will be in charge of the greenhouse matters and tobacco purchasing matters in the second half of the year. The matter has been handed over to other comrades for now, so it's just a question of funding."

  "The district committee of the financial sector will find a way, look for credit cooperatives. Such small rural loans are their work tasks, but I'm worried that farmers may not be willing to take out loans to develop large greenhouse vegetables."

  Liu Mu picked up the topic on the side.

  "Secretary Xu, Secretary Hu brought Secretary Dong, village cadres and me to visit many households in the village. We clearly explained the benefits of greenhouses. Previously, when experts were here, they also made a lot of explanations, and many farm households have already made up their minds to build greenhouses. Village cadres took the lead, with two greenhouses per household."

  "Alright, I've considered the timing, it's best to do it in September. The tasks are heavy, in September, there's grain harvesting, tobacco purchasing and opening of scales, as well as the collection of agricultural taxes and the three withholdings and five unifications. You all need to prepare for a tough battle."

  After returning to the district office, Xu Shaojie thought a lot and realized that as long as he took the first step solidly, the rest would be easier. Building 10 vegetable greenhouses was just a demonstration, but building 100 greenhouses belonging to farmers was the real first step. Only when farmers' greenhouses started making money did it indicate that the vegetable greenhouse project had truly succeeded.

  Through understanding the situation in Huaiyang City, Xu Shaojie gained great confidence. The greenhouses in Yudu District could be sold in the city, and at that time, farmers might not need to worry about sales themselves, as merchants would naturally come into contact with them. The market prospects were vast, and Huaiyang City and all its counties needed a large quantity of vegetables. Yudu District was taking the lead in this move, which would definitely make a lot of money.

  When the entire Huaiyang City developed large-scale vegetable greenhouses, Yudu District could start exploring other paths. In short, it had to take the lead, as time is money now.

  District credit union, Zhang Shiqiu was responsible for contacting, the loan amount is not high, a total of less than 50,000 yuan, the credit union has no opinion, every year to issue small rural loans, which is also their work task.

  At this time, Xu Shaojie and Zhang Shiqiu both felt that the pace of Yudu District was slowly moving forward.