Chapter 38 of 100

Chapter 38

15 min read3,681 words

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Provincial Committee Discusses

Li Yi took a sip of tea and continued to speak with increasing passion: "This isn't the main issue. More importantly, manufacturing causes environmental damage! This kind of damage is often irreversible. Take the forest coverage rate, for example. Japan's forest coverage rate is nearly 64%, making it one of the countries with the highest forest coverage in the world; China's forest coverage rate is less than 17%.

Japan is a country that loves using disposable chopsticks, consuming over 24 billion pairs annually! At first, they didn't import chopsticks from abroad, only producing and selling them domestically. However, as the environment deteriorated, they turned to importing from China. Now, 96% of their chopsticks are imported from China. A pair of Japanese chopsticks sells for over ten yen, but a pair of Chinese chopsticks, from production to export and retail, only sells for one or two yen!

The Chinese people think they are very smart, cutting down trees and bamboo, processing them a bit, and making money, creating foreign exchange. In reality, the Japanese are the smart ones. They not only protect their natural environment but also import chopsticks at a lower price, then recycle and reuse them to make paper and furniture, exporting them back to China at a high price."

Wen Yuxi, who had never heard such arguments before, stopped writing and looked ahead, seemingly deep in thought.

Li Yi's words continued to echo in his ears: "Endless exploitation of the environment without maintenance and protection will ultimately lead to nature's fierce retaliation. Forests and vegetation will drastically decrease, floods will wreak havoc, and the uncontrolled extraction of mineral resources will result in the cheap outflow of rare metals, leading to an increase in geological disasters."

"You raise a sharp and convincing point, but sitting here, we shouldn't just complain, right?" Wen Yuxi smiled.

"Secretary Wen, you are the governor of Southern Province. These issues need to be addressed by you," Li Yi smiled faintly, gently passing the ball back.

Wen Yuxi actually picked up his cup, refilled it with water, and placed it in front of him: "Li Yi, I know you have a plan. There's no need to be mysterious. Just speak your mind; I will be a good listener."

Li Yi was moved and quickly stood up, taking the cup: "Thank you, Secretary Wen, you really flatter me! Since you are so respectful, I have nothing to hide. I will speak freely and openly."

"That's the spirit! Now, don't think of me as a secretary. Just treat me as an ordinary old man, an elder, chatting with you. Don't have any psychological burden. Speak your mind. If what you say makes sense, I will listen. If I think it needs further discussion, I will note it down and verify it." Wen Yuxi laughed: "Just call me Uncle Wen! I like this title. You're not my subordinate, so there's no need to be formal."

Li Yi was truly impressed by the provincial secretary's humility and eagerness to learn. In fact, he had some ideas, especially after the plane crash incident, which had strengthened his belief. Many disasters that would occur in the future could be avoided if precautions were taken in advance! However, these ideas were beyond his capabilities. Only through people like Wen Yuxi, who could bring these issues to the attention of higher authorities, might they be realized.

Therefore, Li Yi calmed down and carefully discussed his ideas.

"Since we're talking about chopsticks, let's continue with that. Actually, this is indeed a good foreign exchange project, with low costs and simple technology, suitable for ordinary people to become wealthy." Li Yi said, lowering his head to drink tea.

Wen Yuxi nodded: "That's true. Besides their physical strength, the people have limited skills, making it difficult to become wealthy!"

Li Yi said: "Actually, while we are cutting down forests, we should strengthen the replanting and maintenance of the land after logging, maintaining the basic forest area. This way, we won't cause significant environmental damage, we can achieve the goal of exporting and earning foreign exchange, and we can create a virtuous cycle for sustainable development. Many people understand this, but they only see short-term benefits. Planting and maintaining forests, which take ten years to grow, doesn't interest them much. This requires government supervision, with strict regulations and enforcement. Another point is to produce more bamboo chopsticks and fewer wooden ones. Bamboo grows quickly and yields results faster."

Wen Yuxi nodded slowly: "I've thought about this too. But it's not easy to implement. When it comes to interests, few people are willing to listen."

Li Yi smiled: "Because our legal system is not yet robust! If the law is truly enforced, who would dare to break it?"

Wen Yuxi was taken aback: "Today, we're only talking about the economy! Don't stray too far."

Li Yi smiled: "Alright, let me mainly talk about the machinery manufacturing industry. I have two main points: technology and environmental protection. Our country's machinery mainly relies on imports, with weak technology and a thin foundation. Even a small drill bit for large machinery, if it breaks, we have to import it from Japan. This product is very expensive, costing thousands of yuan, even though it's just a few yen! A bearing design from Germany costs ten million yuan, and another one with just one more hole also costs ten million! What can we do? We don't have the technology to produce such precise items."

Wen Yuxi was silent, but his hand holding the pen tightened.

Li Yi said: "Technology is the core competitiveness. In terms of technology, while importing advanced foreign technology, we must increase research and development, be bold in innovation. After all, true core technologies are not easily shared. In terms of environmental protection, it's even more serious. We must get rid of the 'high consumption, high emissions' label. This is extremely irresponsible to the environment and future generations. I have some ideas in this area..."

In his previous life, Li Yi had worked as a technical manager in a leading machinery manufacturing company. He didn't make much money, but he had memorized a lot of technical drawings. He was knowledgeable about machinery, speaking confidently and eloquently. Combined with his outstanding performance at the steel summit and some future development theories, his words were both substantial and engaging for Wen Yuxi.

The two of them lost track of time.

However, Huang Shuqi outside couldn't forget. He frequently looked at the wall clock, turning away one person after another who came to see Wen Yuxi.

What are they talking about? For so long? It's almost time to finish work! They haven't even had lunch! He wanted to remind them, but remembering Wen Yuxi's order not to be disturbed, he withdrew his hand from the door. His stomach was already growling, having eaten only two steamed buns in the morning, which had long been digested. He was truly starving.

As the sky grew darker, Huang Shuqi could no longer hold back and knocked on the door.

Wen Yuxi's voice came from inside, clearly displeased: "What's the matter!"

Huang Shuqi said softly: "Secretary Wen, it's almost six o'clock, and you haven't had lunch yet!"

"Ah! Is that so!" Wen Yuxi looked at his watch and laughed: "Oh, Li Yi, I'm really sorry. You must be hungry, right? You're young, unlike me! You get hungry quickly, while I often don't feel it! Come, come, come, today I'll treat you to a working meal. We can talk while we eat."

Huang Shuqi was secretly amazed.

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