Chapter 83: The Establishment of the Breeding Farm

After Chen Shuli came out, he gave Zhu Daodong a meaningful look. Secretary Wang did not like Zhu Daodong, and it would be as difficult as climbing to the sky for Zhu Daodong to advance in the future. Although Chen Shuli had a good relationship with Wang Wenhui, he would not offend Wang Wenhui for Zhu Daodong.

Zhu Daodong noticed Chen Shuli's unusual gaze but was completely indifferent. Whether Chen Shuli felt pity or regret, he did not care. Wang Wenhui would soon become a tiger without claws. Even if he were a real tiger, Zhu Daodong would not fear him just because Wang Wenhui disliked him.

When Chen Shuli reported to Wang Shengli again, he did not bring Zhu Daodong along. He only gave a preliminary report. Besides, Chen Shuli had already heard Zhu Daodong's report earlier, so Chen Shuli alone could handle it. Zhu Daodong knew that Wang Wenhui's words had influenced Chen Shuli. Chen Shuli was Wang Wenhui's loyal subordinate, but he was not. At most, he was just one of Chen Shuli's capable assistants.

Back in the township, Chen Shuli immediately convened a party committee meeting. Although Zhu Daodong was the deputy township head, he was not yet a party committee member and could only "listen in" from his office. For every party committee meeting, as long as he was not out, Zhu Daodong would "listen in" to be the first to know what happened at the meeting and to gauge the thoughts of each party committee member.

At this party committee meeting, Chen Shuli proposed the Shumuling Township Wealth Creation Project, which involved establishing a township enterprise, the Shumuling Township Feed Factory. He suggested that Deputy Township Head Pan Daoyi take on the role of factory manager. This suggestion surprised everyone at the meeting, including Pan Daoyi himself.

But only Chen Shuli and Zhu Daodong knew the reason. The factory manager position was for Wang Wenhui to see. Chen Shuli no longer had high hopes for Zhu Daodong. If Zhu Daodong were to be the factory manager, it would be difficult for the county's support funds to be allocated to Shumuling Township.

The party committee's decision also directly affected Zhu Daodong. Once very popular, he now had to endure the surprised and regretful gazes of others, and of course, the whispers. Originally, Zhu Daodong was in charge of the diatomite factory. Now, the diatomite factory had become a feed factory, and the factory manager was Pan Daoyi.

However, the breeding farm was temporarily under Zhu Daodong's responsibility. The main funding for the breeding farm came from public fundraising, and to get the breeding farm up and running, the feed supply had to be secured first. It would not do to start raising pigs, chickens, and ducks without any feed.

Livestock also have a dependency on feed. Suddenly changing the feed can have a significant impact on their growth. Therefore, unless under special circumstances, feed is generally not changed during the growth period of livestock.

However, the institution could be established first, and funds could be collected for the initial preparations. The day after the party committee meeting, Chen Shuli convened a meeting of all village party secretaries. At the meeting, Chen Shuli announced that a fundraising campaign would be launched throughout the township to establish the Shumuling Breeding Farm. Zhu Daodong would temporarily be in charge of the breeding farm. Each household in the township was required to contribute at least ten yuan, with a maximum of one thousand yuan.

"Secretary, with Deputy Township Head Zhu in charge of the breeding farm, we in Jinsha Village fully support it. But I have one question: where will the breeding farm be located?" Hu, the party secretary of Jinsha Village, stood up and said loudly.

"First, I want to thank Jinsha Village for your support. The Shumuling Breeding Farm will not be a centralized farm but a decentralized one. Every village and household in the township can become a breeder. Of course, each breeder must raise at least ten pigs or two hundred chickens or ducks," Zhu Daodong said with a smile.

"Deputy Township Head Zhu, ten piglets, two hundred chicks, or ducklings is a significant expense. Will the township or the breeding farm cover the cost? If individuals have to pay, there won't be a single breeder in Daxishan Village," the party secretary of Daxishan Village, Ma Mingyi, stood up and said.

"Daodong, he is the party secretary of Daxishan Village, Ma Mingyi, a very shrewd person. Daxishan Village is one of the poorest villages in our township," Chen Shuli whispered to Zhu Daodong.

"Party Secretary Ma, the piglets and chicks will be provided free of charge by the breeding farm. Otherwise, what would be the point of fundraising? Not only will the piglets and chicks be free, but we will also provide free feed to economically disadvantaged breeders. In other words, as long as they are willing to work and contribute, they can become wealthy," Zhu Daodong said with a smile.

"Whether they can become wealthy depends on whether the pigs can be sold and whether there is a market for chicken and duck eggs!" Ma Mingyi grunted. Although this would reduce the risk for breeders, if the pigs could not be sold, it would all be for nothing.

"The main role of the breeding farm is to provide seedlings and sell the finished products. All the pigs and eggs from the breeders will be uniformly purchased and sold by the breeding farm," Zhu Daodong said.

"Can we get cash payments?" Ma Mingyi asked, still unsure.

"As long as the debts are settled, we can pay cash," Zhu Daodong said.

"Alright, I trust you, Deputy Township Head Zhu. On behalf of Daxishan Village, I decide to invest ten yuan in the breeding farm, and every household in Daxishan Village will also invest ten yuan. But I must make one thing clear: Daxishan Village is poor, so although everyone will only invest the minimum, you, Deputy Township Head Zhu, must give us more support as breeders," Ma Mingyi said with a smile. If every household in Daxishan Village raised ten pigs or two hundred chickens, his job as the village party secretary would be much easier.

"Deputy Township Head Zhu, we in Houjiatang Village will also invest fully. I guarantee that every household will invest at least one hundred yuan, and I will personally invest one thousand yuan," Hou Lihua from Houjiatang Village said with more confidence. Zhu Daodong had helped their village set up a tofu factory, which was now thriving. Now that Zhu Daodong was setting up a breeding farm, he was fully supportive.

"Deputy Township Head Zhu, Houjiatang Village supports you, and so does Jinsha Village. I will hold a village meeting and ensure that every household invests at least two hundred yuan, and I will personally invest one thousand yuan!" Hu, the party secretary of Jinsha Village, quickly followed suit, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Daxishan Village, Jinsha Village, and Houjiatang Village were very representative of the township. Although Daxishan Village only invested the minimum of ten yuan per household, everyone knew they were doing their best to support Zhu Daodong.

After the meeting of village party secretaries, the breeding farm was officially established, and Zhu Daodong became even busier. Villagers who wanted to invest had to register with their village party secretary and pay the money to the village accountant. Those who wanted to become breeders also had to register with their village. Due to limited funds, Zhu Daodong could not make every household in the township a breeder, so he followed the principle of "first come, first served."

After the meeting, the party secretary of Daxishan Village, Ma Mingyi, found Zhu Daodong to register. For the breeders in his village, Daxishan Village was very poor. As long as a household had labor and was not too lazy, he registered them all. Even if they did not want to be breeders later, they could at least secure a spot.

Listening to Ma Mingyi rattle off the names of household heads one after another, Zhu Daodong could only shake his head with a bitter smile. Ma Mingyi was indeed a shrewd person.