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Chapter 669: Chapter 659: Two Bars Three Stars, Please Come In
The next day, Zhang Chunwang organized a team to start loading the truck, putting a variety of agricultural and sideline products from the farm on board, then he sent Zhang Weizhong to drive and two sisters-in-law to serve as sales clerks before they set off to sell the goods.
Of course, it wasn’t just this one truck that set off that day.
Since the farm’s autumn vegetables were harvested quite late, even with Liu Jianqiang and two others running around desperately outside, they couldn’t sell all the tens of thousands of pounds of autumn vegetables from the farm.
Someone suggested storing the remaining autumn vegetables until early spring when there is a gap between old and new crops, as they would definitely sell well at that time. However, the farm didn’t have a cellar, and there was no way to store such large quantities of autumn vegetables.
Shen Yunfang hadn’t considered storing the autumn vegetables in her space, because the quantity was too large and difficult to explain; she didn’t want to risk exposing her space for the sake of a bit of money.
So that was the reason for today’s operation.
Taking advantage of the fact that there wasn’t much work left in the fields, and it wouldn’t make much difference if the greenhouses were left unattended for a few days, Zhang Chunwang organized a team to drive the goods into the city to market. Whatever they could sell would be a bonus, but of course, they couldn’t sell too cheaply, or they would be competing with the government, and that wouldn’t be good for anyone.
"Okay, everyone, please pay attention to safety. There is no requirement for how much you sell, just take good care of yourselves," Shen Yunfang instructed as four Dongfeng trucks and three tractors set out.
Each vehicle was essentially equipped with one male driver and two sales clerks. With only a few people left on the farm—some taciturn, burly men—they continued to work on the land.
All the wasteland on the farm had been reclaimed, but there was still some land that hadn’t been converted into rice paddies yet, so there was still more work to be done.
Shen Yunfang and Zhang Chunwang, as the two top leaders of the farm, also had things to do that day. However, Shen Yunfang, feeling she was the boss, delegated the inspection work to her second-in-command and took a day off at home for herself.
Zhang Chunwang had no choice but to accept his lot. Since he wasn’t the boss, he had to ride his bicycle through the large and small alleys of Z City, checking on the sales situation and for any unexpected issues.
And Shen Yunfang, who had hoped to rest well for the day, didn’t get to rest at all. Just after tidying up the house in the morning, a phone call summoned her to the military region’s logistics department.
The chief was looking for her, so she had to go.
It was the same person with two bars and three stars who received her.
"Xiaoshen, you’re here, please sit down, please," the two bars and three stars greeted Shen Yunfang with much more enthusiasm than the last two times.
This took Shen Yunfang aback, "Hello, Chief, what do you need me for?" Can we act normal—no, should I say, your enthusiasm is quite abnormal.
"Heh, don’t be nervous, come sit down," the two bars and three stars personally poured her a glass of water, "Here’s the thing, Xiaoshen, I’ve heard that your farm planted soybeans and corn this year, right? And that you haven’t sold all of them, planning to sell some to the families in our military region."
Shen Yunfang’s mind raced, analyzing what he meant. Was she being reported again for selling agricultural and sideline products to military spouses?
"Yes, that’s true. I didn’t know the military region had any rules against it. I’ll go back and have them stop immediately," Shen Yunfang said, referring to the trucks that were selling agricultural and sideline products at the entrance of the military region.
"No, Xiaoshen, you’ve misunderstood, our military district certainly doesn’t have such a rule, if you have the ability to sell, then it’s all good as long as it’s a voluntary transaction on both sides," the two-stripe three-star officer hurriedly explained.
Shen Yunfang looked at him, somewhat puzzled. If they were allowed to sell, then what did he mean?
"Hehe, it’s my fault for not making it clear. You see, the state supplies to our military district are limited in terms of grains and vegetables. You know how much our soldiers eat; there’s not enough to go around, so we have to find ways to fill this gap ourselves."
Shen Yunfang understood, "Are you saying that the military district wants to buy grain from me?"
"Exactly. I’ve heard from comrades that there’s still grain unsold on your farm, so I thought I’d come ask and see if you can spare some for us," said the two-stripe three-star officer with a chuckle.
"There’s no problem with that. My grains are meant to be sold anyway, and if it can help our military district with its problems, of course, I’m more than happy to do so," Shen Yunfang expressed very sincerely.
"Hehe, that’s great, that’s great. I knew Xiaoshen would be a good comrade. I’ve heard that the prices you offer to our military district are cheaper than elsewhere. On behalf of the leaders at all levels of the military district, I want to thank you. You truly are a model military spouse, always thinking of the military district’s welfare," the two-stripe three-star officer lavished praise without reservation.
Shen Yunfang had lost count of how many times she had heard such words. It could be said that ever since she married Li Hongjun, labels like ’military spouse role model’, ’pride’, ’exemplar’, and so on, had never been removed from her name.
"Hehe, Commander, you’re giving me too much credit. This is all part of what I should do," Shen Yunfang said, maintaining her composure.
"Ahem, Xiaoshen, the thing is, the military district’s funds are also limited. It’s incredibly difficult for the leaders to try to ensure that the soldiers are fed well. You understand, right?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "Therefore, we hope that you can offer your grain to the military district at a discount."
Oh, so this was the real purpose.
Shen Yunfang smiled, too, "Look at you, Commander. I am, after all, a member of our military district. Just tell me how much grain the military district needs. As long as I have it, I can have someone deliver it tomorrow. As for the money, let’s forget about it. It isn’t much anyway." She offered generously.
"No, no, no, we must keep things clear. We definitely intend to pay for the grain," the two-stripe three-star officer insisted. Accepting grain without payment would be all wrong, and it would go against the principle of not taking even a thread or a needle from the ordinary people.
Shen Yunfang looked somewhat embarrassed, "Then just give whatever you think is right."
They couldn’t just pay whatever they felt like as if they were rich landlords buying something. The two-stripe three-star officer had no choice but to name a price: "That won’t do. How about this, just give us the same price you give to the military spouses."
"Would that be alright?" Shen Yunfang asked uncertainly.
"Yes, that would be perfect," the two-stripe three-star officer said earnestly. The military district also had to make external purchases which were not planned, so the prices were inevitably higher. Now they could get grain at an even lower price than the planned ones, he was already very satisfied.
"Then that’s settled. I’ll make sure you get a good deal when we weigh it," she agreed.
So the two discussed what exactly was needed and agreed that the military district would send people and vehicles to the farm directly to collect it the next day, sparing Shen Yunfang’s workers the delivery task.
When Shen Yunfang exited the logistics department, the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile. She hadn’t expected that she would be able to sell off most of the remaining agricultural products at the farm, especially the perishable autumn vegetables, directly to her own military district. This was truly an unplanned windfall, like planting willows unaware and them growing into shade.
