Chapter 89

The local produce company in Kuhé City has been booming over the past two years due to its export of nut kernels, with annual net profits exceeding one million yuan, making it the top taxpayer in Kuhé. Xu Wenbo, of course, knew that the company's nut kernels were exported to Japan, with last year's sales reaching 350 tons and this year's already reaching 380 tons, expected to exceed 500 tons by the end of the year, setting new records for tax and profit.

The local produce company is like a golden goose for Kuhé City, and the city has implemented various policies to protect it, making it the only company with the right to export local specialties. This has led to a situation where all the small nut kernel production and processing companies and traders in Kuhé City must revolve around the local produce company to maximize their profits. As a result, the local produce company has become dominant, hindering the healthy development of the nut kernel market.

Thinking about this, Xu Wenbo couldn't help but ask, "Xiao, how do you think we should cultivate and support the nut kernel market?"

Xiao Yuanhang replied, "In simple terms, it's about policy and funding. First, we should provide various preferential policies to nut kernel traders and open up the special operating rights for local specialties to attract more merchants to participate and jointly promote the development of the nut kernel market. Second, nut kernels are a high-value-added product that requires substantial funding. Many traders lack the necessary capital, and the threshold for private companies to obtain bank loans is too high. The government needs to step in to coordinate and help those with good credit and potential to alleviate their financial pressure."

"Stop chatting so much, the food is getting cold. Come, let's drink first, and we can chat while we eat!" Cheng Zhimin, who had been unable to join the conversation, finally seized the opportunity and raised his glass to propose a toast.

Everyone responded, raising their glasses to drink. Xiao Yuanhang, seeing that Xu Wenbo had fallen into deep thought after drinking, realized that his words had resonated with Xu. Since his purpose had been achieved, he didn't continue on this topic. Cheng Zhimin then patted his shoulder and said, "Xiao, you're the train conductor for the Huanghai line. If I need to buy a sleeper ticket to Huanghai in the future, I'll come to you!"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "Brother Cheng, no problem, it's on me."

"Great, come, let's have a drink!" Cheng Zhimin raised his glass to Xiao Yuanhang.

Cheng Zhimin, as the police station chief, was someone Xiao Yuanhang needed to cultivate a good relationship with. Wang Dahai and his restless group of young men might cause trouble at any time, and having Cheng Zhimin, the head of the police station, would help smooth over any minor issues.

Xiao Yuanhang raised his glass and clinked it hard with Cheng Zhimin's, then tilted his head back and drank the remaining half glass of wine in one go. Cheng Zhimin was equally generous, finishing his glass in one gulp.

Seeing that Xiao Yuanhang and Cheng Zhimin had finished their drinks, Guo Xiaoquan immediately refilled their glasses. Cheng Zhimin, however, protested, "Director Guo, that's not fair. You haven't finished your drink yet, how can you pour us more?"

Guo Xiaoquan quickly waved his hands and said, "Chief Cheng, I can't match you in drinking. You know my tolerance. Not drinking is better, as I have to drive Xiao back home. This one glass is already a lot!"

Guo Xiaoquan, as the deputy director of the organization department's comprehensive office, was specifically responsible for serving the minister. Although county-level officials were not assigned dedicated secretaries, they had designated office personnel, effectively serving as dedicated secretaries. In reality, Guo Xiaoquan was Xu Wenbo's dedicated secretary. Now that Xu Wenbo had become the deputy secretary in charge of the economy, Guo Xiaoquan would definitely be transferred to the city party committee office. By saying he would be responsible for driving Xiao Yuanhang home, he was hinting to Cheng Zhimin that he couldn't drink too much tonight as he still had to serve Secretary Xu.

Although Cheng Zhimin didn't say much, he wasn't oblivious. Hearing Guo Xiaoquan's words, he didn't insist and instead picked up the bottle to pour wine for Director Ma.

Xu Wenbo finally came out of his deep thoughts, smiled, and raised his glass to Xiao Yuanhang, saying, "As the saying goes, 'When three are walking together, one of them is bound to be my teacher.' I didn't expect Xiao to have such a deep understanding of the economic field. It's a pity you work in the railway; it would be better if you worked in local administration! Come, let's drink to your insights today!"

Hearing Xu Wenbo's words, Xiao Yuanhang knew that Xu agreed with his views, feeling very pleased. He raised his glass and said, "Secretary Xu, you flatter me. I just speak my mind, and you are the expert in the economic field!"

The dinner was lively and lasted until nearly 9 PM, with the group finishing another bottle of Maotai from Xu Wenbo's wine cabinet. Guo Xiaoquan drove Xiao Yuanhang to the entrance of Tiedong Street. Xiao Yuanhang got out of the car, waved goodbye to him, and only entered the adjacent gate after seeing him drive away. He saw that the lights were still on in the office, and the sound of lively conversation was coming from inside, indicating that Wang Dahai and his group were still there.

Seeing Xiao Yuanhang return, everyone stood up to greet him, and Wang Dahai even gave up his seat behind the desk for him. Seeing the smiles on Wang Dahai and the others, Xiao Yuanhang knew that today's sales of pine nuts must have been good!

Sure enough, as soon as Xiao Yuanhang sat down, Wang Dahai approached and said, "Brother, guess how many pine nuts we sold today?"

"How many? You can't be telling me you sold them all!" Xiao Yuanhang joked with a smile.

"Not all of them, but Lao Wu came with two people in the evening and bought another 1,000 pounds. Adding the 4,800 pounds we sold earlier, we sold a total of 5,800 pounds today!" Wang Dahai said proudly.

Xiao Yuanhang said, "At this rate, the remaining 2,000 pounds should be sold out by tomorrow."

Wang Dahai said, "Brother, it's not that simple. Lao Wu brought all the bosses he knows who deal in pine nuts. They won't be able to sell all the goods they bought right away, but Lao Wu said he will continue to help us find customers tomorrow."

Xiao Yuanhang thought about it and said, "Dahai, we can't wait until all the goods are sold to restock; that would be too slow. You and Xiaoliang should go to Linquan tomorrow and bring back four boxes of pine nuts. Leave the management here to Xiaqiang."

Hearing that Xiao Yuanhang wanted him and Xiaoliang to go, Wang Dahai couldn't help but ask, "Brother, aren't you coming?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "I have some things to take care of here. You two can go."

Wang Dahai said, "Can Xiaoliang and I handle the money?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Why not? Are you going to lose the money or get robbed? If you're not confident, take more people with you!"

Although Xiao Yuanhang's words were harsh, they sounded like sweet music to Wang Dahai, who felt very excited. This showed that Brother Xiao trusted him a lot. Four boxes of pine nuts were worth over 20,000 yuan, and Brother Xiao was willing to let him handle it all!

As the saying goes, "Strike when the iron is hot." Now, Xiao Yuanhang was letting go when it was time to let go. Trusting someone means not doubting them, and doubting someone means not using them. Since he had chosen Wang Dahai, he had to let him take the lead. Only by continuously training him could Wang Dahai grow and mature!

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