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Lu Ming, an associate researcher from the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Melon and Vegetable Research Institute, personally brought seeds to Annan. Chai Hongmin, who had just been promoted to Deputy Township Head, not only picked him up with a driver but also accompanied him throughout the visit. They met with Zhao Manyin, the village head of Hu Jia Zhuang in Laogu Township, as well as over ten households interested in planting the Jin Fen Sweet Melon. They conducted on-site assessments of land planning and organized a seminar for these farmers, discussing product quality, market prospects, and potential income, painting a promising picture for everyone.
Both Hu Qihua and Hu Zhenhua offered five acres of land each to trial this new crop. Despite the Village Chief's persuasion and the Town Government's endorsement, the farmers remained uneasy. In previous years, they had planted melons but only on small plots for personal consumption. Now, they were being asked to dedicate four or five acres to an unfamiliar variety called "Golden Powder Beauty." If things went wrong, it could mean losing an entire season's harvest.
Fortunately, the Township leadership took this matter seriously. Secretary Feng and the newly appointed Mayor Haihong made a special request and report to the county, ultimately promising participating farmers that if they strictly followed the experts' guidance from the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Melon and Vegetable Research Institute regarding seedling care, cutting-edge techniques, watering, fertilization, etc., any income that fell short of wheat yields per acre would be compensated by the Town Government. This assurance provided some peace of mind to the farmers.
Lu Ming felt moved upon learning about this policy from the village and county. As a breeder, he understood how challenging breeding was and how much harder it was to promote new varieties. He had encountered many instances where farmers disregarded guidelines and ended up with failed crops or disappointing yields, only to blame the breeders for their misfortunes. In reality, one failed season could mean losing an entire year's worth of effort; compared to breeders' losses and heartache, those of the farmers seemed negligible.
However, perspectives varied based on one's position and stance, leading to recurring frustrations for these research experts. To align everyone's thoughts, Secretary Feng Decai of Laogu Township and Town Chief Hai Hong invited a team of provincial experts for a meal at the government cafeteria, expressing their commitment on behalf of the village and county: full support and cooperation! No matter when guidance was needed, the village would ensure proper arrangements for accompanying personnel to guarantee that experts were well taken care of.
Just after May Day, new green shoots began to emerge in the seedling room. Wang Bingcheng, formerly deputy director of the Jinan City Development Planning Committee, had arrived in Annan County. He found Mao Weiguo's decision puzzling: why would someone prefer to stay in a lower-level position here rather than take on a more significant role as Deputy Director? It was hard for him to comprehend!
Yet everyone has their own aspirations. Since Mao Weiguo expressed his desire to remain in Annan, both Mayor Meng Xiangjun and Secretary Zheng Kaixuan felt relieved; they agreed that even if he were a vice minister at the provincial level, he should consider his options carefully. Moreover, it would be too conspicuous for a city development planning committee deputy director to directly take on a county-level leadership role.
Thus, Deputy Director Wang Bingcheng reluctantly took on the position of Executive Vice County Head in Annan. Some people focused on work while others were preoccupied with titles. What was there to complain about when a deputy from a city department became part of a county's standing committee?
This highlighted the differences between individuals. Upon arriving at Annan, Vice County Head Wang made it a point to familiarize himself with grassroots conditions and get acquainted with local officials. His first stop was Xipo Store Township, known for its remoteness. This area had connections to Mao Weiguo's former secretary as well as Liu Group's Liu's Wild Vegetable Processing Plant that Mao had brought in for investment. Identifying issues here could indirectly impact Mao Weiguo.
In this spring season, Liu's Wild Vegetable Processing Plant in Xipo Store Township was actively purchasing large quantities of Water Radish Leaves, Noodle Plant, Tender Willow Catkins, fresh locust flowers, and Purslane (which was still scarce at this time but would see growth during summer). Some farmers noticed that Xiangchun was in high demand and began reaching out to prepare for large-scale cultivation.
The main product line featuring Spicy Crisps had already entered mass production. Xipo Store Township was among the most economically underdeveloped areas in Annan County and faced significant challenges in farmers' livelihoods. While tax revenues did not yet reflect substantial returns from this enterprise, individual farmers were beginning to see positive results from their efforts.
In the past, whether it was Water Radish Leaves, Noodle Vegetable, or Purslane, everyone regarded them as wild vegetables to supplement their meals. Now that people have realized these could be exchanged for money, the entire family has gotten involved. Baskets and bags in hand, the fields are bustling with people. Not only in Xi Po Dian, but collection points have also appeared in other towns: gathering from farmers to send to Liu's Wild Vegetable Processing Plant for a profit. The locust flower season has not yet peaked, but those picking and purchasing are already busy.
While no farmer has struck it rich from digging up wild vegetables, nearly every household has earned some pocket money from this venture. More people are looking forward to summer, eager to seize the "big opportunity" presented by the abundant Purslane. They also heard from Liu Tiechui, who oversees the purchases, that the food factory plans to launch a vacuum-packed fried Cicada Monkey.
Currently, Liu's Wild Vegetable Processing Plant offers farmers not just a small profit but also hope. When the plant opened, Mao Weiguo made a special trip to cut the ribbon and delivered an enthusiastic speech. After Wang Bingcheng took office, he specifically reviewed the plant's information: registered capital of one million yuan, fewer than 20 employees, and products that were essentially just wild grasses like purslane—not even classified as vegetables.
During his time at the city development planning committee, he had approved projects far larger than this small venture. Was it really worth a county head making such a fuss over? He also looked at the data on Gaoqiao Town, which had been praised by city leaders; it simply shifted from growing crops to growing vegetables—what was so special about that? And Laogu Township’s Niu Huahua only raised a few dairy cows; what was there to celebrate?
Every autumn in Annan County, corn stalks cover the ground—there’s plenty of space for raising cattle! The leadership of Annan County seemed like frogs in a well—only seeing a sky as big as a winnowing basket.
Zhang Qiang took on the role of Deputy Township Head Li in Xipo Store Township, overseeing township enterprises. Liu's Wild Vegetable Processing Plant was the only township enterprise in the area. As someone who grew up working the land, he understood how significant this enterprise's development was for both local government and residents. After taking office, he cared for its growth as if it were his own child.
The person sent by Liu was named Zhou Jiajin, responsible for production and technical aspects. Many local matters were actively coordinated by the Village. This phenomenon and model were rare elsewhere.
Liu Tiechui initially brought people to the county to report issues of arbitrary charges but was stopped by Zhang Qiang. Not only did Zhang report back to the county, but he also arranged for them to meet Provincial Leaders, who provided them with meals and accommodations. The tax reforms implemented in Jiangbei showed these farmers tangible changes.
All of this made him believe that leaders in Annan County, including Cadre Zhang, were genuinely working for the people and considering their welfare. Liu's Wild Vegetable Processing Plant was hiring production workers from nearby villages. Although he had only completed elementary school and was older in age, he wasn’t hired. However, the factory eventually allowed him to handle procurement of raw vegetables from farmers.
The young girl named Luo from Provincial Capital had a keen eye; after chatting with him for half an hour, she determined he was responsible and serious enough for this role. Although the salary wasn’t high—two hundred eighty yuan a month—it was a decent job given that there were no other side jobs available locally.
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