Chapter 538

On July 15, Su Xiaoyi went to the Nanyuan Municipal Party Committee to report on the company's development over the past six months and to seek support from the municipal party committee and government; Lu Fan personally received her.

Translate: "On July 15, Su Xiaoyi came to the Nanyuan City Municipal Party Committee to report on the company's development over the past six months and seek support from the Municipal Party Committee and the City Government; Lu Fan personally received him."

We need to keep as single line. Ensure we include all info.

After meeting, seeing that Su Xiaoyi had lost weight all over, Lu Fan smiled and said, "Work is important, but health is more important—you need to eat more! You haven't been overworking these past few months, have you?"

Translate: "After they met, seeing that Su Xiaoyi had lost weight all over, Lu Fan smiled and said, 'Work is important, but health is more important; you need to eat more! You haven't been overworking these past few months, have you?'"

Su Xiaoyi replied with a smile, "The company has just gotten started; everything requires personal effort, and it's tiring, but working with the land gives me a solid sense of security—the more I do, the more energetic I feel! I have already transferred 800,000 mu of farmland, with another 1.2 million mu underway, and my plan is to strive to transfer over 3 million mu of land within two years. Brother Fan, I guarantee you that in the land transfer process, I will not let the people suffer any loss."

Translate: "Su Xiaoyi replied with a smile, 'The company has just started; everything requires personal effort. It's tiring, but working with the land makes me feel very steady— the more I do, the more energetic I feel! I have already transferred 800,000 mu of farmland, with another 1.2 million mu underway, and my plan is to strive for over 3 million mu of land transfer within two years! Brother Fan, I guarantee you that in the land transfer process, I haven't let the common people suffer any loss.'"

Brother Fan

Lu Fan said, "I believe in you! After obtaining the land, the most important thing is to develop the industry well—whether planting or breeding, we must move toward a green, pollution‑free direction. This is a requirement for food safety and also a future trend: be a step ahead, move first, and win the advantage."

Translate: "Lu Fan said, 'I believe you! After obtaining land, the most important thing is to develop the industry well—whether planting or breeding, we must move toward a green, pollution-free direction. This is a requirement of food safety and also a future trend: be a step ahead, a move ahead, and a plan ahead.'"

Su Xiaoyi nodded and said, "Yes, I now have 55 professional teams. After land consolidation, large agricultural machinery has a role to play—all production steps from ridging, sowing, fertilizing, weeding, harvesting, straw crushing, and grain drying are fully mechanized, saving a great deal of labor cost, and in the future there will be great potential!"

Translate: "Su Xiaoyi nodded and said, 'Yes, I now have 55 professional teams. After land concentration, large agricultural machinery has found its use. The entire production process—from ridging, sowing, fertilizing, weeding, harvesting, straw crushing to grain drying—has been mechanized, saving a great deal of labor costs. In the future, there will surely be great potential!'"

Lu Fan asked, "Xiao Yi, does the company face any difficulties in its development?"

Translate: "Lu Fan asked, 'Xiao Yi, does the company encounter any difficulties in its development?'"

Su Xiaoyi replied, "Brother Fan, I came today to ask for your help; there are two problems, first, the funding gap is quite large."

Translate: "Su Xiaoyi replied, 'Brother Fan, I came today specifically to ask for your help. There are two problems; first, the funding gap is somewhat large.'"

Lu Fan directly asked, "How much funding do you need now?"

Translate: "Lu Fan directly asked, 'How much funding is needed now?'"

"Five billion yuan, though the more the better; I estimate that annual funding needs will be even greater, but by then we should have some returns, entering a virtuous cycle."

Translate: "'Five billion yuan, though the more the better. I estimate that annual funding demand will be even greater, but by then there should be some returns, entering a virtuous cycle.'"

Lu Fan thought for a moment and said, "Go see the Executive Vice Mayor Zhao Haorui later; I'll give him a heads‑up. We can address the funding shortage through various bridge funds, the government can guarantee loans for you, and there are also policy support funds and subsidy funds—let's first try to secure 6 billion yuan in financing for you."

Translate: "Lu Fan thought for a moment and said, 'You go see Executive Vice Mayor Zhao Haorui later; I'll give him a heads-up. We'll solve the funding shortage through various bridge funds, the government can also provide guaranteed loans, plus some policy support and subsidy funds—let's first try to secure 6 billion yuan in financing for you.'"

Su Xiaoyi happily said, "This will solve my urgent need! Thank you, Brother Fan!"

Translate: "Su Xiaoyi happily said, 'This can solve my urgent need! Thank you, Brother Fan!'"

Any other problems?

Translate: "'Any other problems?'"

Su Xiaoyi continued, "Huayuan Province is a major agricultural province and also a major traditional cattle breeding province, with advantages in climate, location, breed, and forage and feed resources for developing the cattle industry. I plan to develop the Nanyuan cattle and Ji County Red Cattle conservation project, focusing on 'straw to meat and milk,' promoting the beef and dairy cattle industry. I plan to build five cattle farms each with over ten thousand head, construct a large slaughter and processing plant, and develop 500,000 mu of high‑quality forage. This is my old line of work; I will surely succeed!"

Note: The typo should be corrected to the character meaning "develop", which we translate as "develop".

Note: The terms translate as follows: cattle farms each with over ten thousand head, slaughter and processing plant, high‑quality forage, old line of work; and 500,000 mu equals 500,000 mu.

After careful thought, Lu Fan said, "Alright, these projects will receive strong support from the municipal party committee and government, which will issue specific supportive opinions. First, prepare the project plan and research report to see which provincial policies you can rely on; I will personally go to pursue the project and secure funding. Xiao Yi, have you considered another issue—the marketing of agricultural side‑products?"

Translate: "After careful thought, Lu Fan said, 'Okay, these projects will be strongly supported by the Municipal Party Committee and the City Government, which will issue specific supporting opinions. First, work out the project plan and research report to see which provincial policies you can rely on; I will personally go to lobby for the project and secure funding. Xiao Yi, have you considered another problem—the marketing of agricultural side-products?'"

Note: The term for provincial policies translates to provincial policies; the nickname Xiao Yi remains Xiao Yi; and the phrase for marketing of agricultural side‑products translates to marketing of agricultural side‑products.

Su Xiaoyi replied, "Expanding the market is complicated; I have some plans and have also set up a professional marketing department. Brother Fan, your government's 'internet celebrity product promotion' works very well, and I have already reached a cooperation agreement with the Nanyuan e‑commerce base. As the saying goes, 'When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a way.' Ding Tongxin handles sales, and she is full of energy!"

Translate: "Su Xiaoyi replied, 'Expanding the market is complicated; I have some plans and have also set up a professional marketing department. Brother Fan, your government's 'internet celebrity product promotion' works very well, and I have reached a cooperation agreement with the Nanyuan E-commerce Base. Where there's a road, there's a way—Ding Sister is in charge of sales, and she is full of vigor!'"

Note: Ding Tongxin is in charge of sales and is full of vigor.

Lu Fan said earnestly, "He who does not plan for the future will face trouble soon; Xiao Yi, you must prepare in advance for market access. I will also help you think of solutions—the company must establish stable sales channels."

Translate: "Lu Fan said earnestly, 'He who does not plan for the future will face near-term troubles; Xiao Yi, the sales channel issue must be prepared for in advance. I will also help you think of solutions—the enterprise must establish stable sales channels.'"

On July 20, Pang Xilai Chairman Yu Xilai received a special invitation letter; Nanyuan Municipal Party Secretary Lu Fan personally invited him to inspect Nanyuan, and he accepted without hesitation.

Translate: "On July 20, Pang Xilai Chairman Yu Xilai received a special invitation letter; Nanyuan City Municipal Party Secretary Lu Fan personally invited him to inspect Nanyuan, and he accepted without hesitation."

Note: Pang Xilai Chairman refers to Yu Xilai; Nanyuan Municipal Party Secretary is Lu Fan; Nanyuan stays as Nanyuan.

Over the past two years, Yu Xilai has paid close attention to Nanyuan, especially its food safety rectification; he believes that Nanyuan is now the city in the province doing the best job on food safety, and many aspects align with his own supermarket management philosophy.

Translate: "Over the past two years, Yu Xilai has paid close attention to Nanyuan, especially its food safety rectification; he believes that Nanyuan is now the province's top city in food safety, and many aspects align with his own philosophy of running a supermarket."

On July 22, Pang Xilai Chairman Yu Xilai led a team to inspect Nanyuan; Nanyuan Municipal Party Secretary Lu Fan personally accompanied them, along with Executive Vice Mayor Gao Shuo, the Development and Reform Commission, the Investment Promotion Bureau, and Ding Tongxin, sales manager of Wanhe Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., who joined the investigation.

Translate: "On July 22, Pang Xilai Chairman Yu Xilai led a team to inspect Nanyuan; Municipal Party Secretary Lu Fan personally accompanied him, Vice Mayor Gao Shuo, the Development and Reform Commission, the Investment Promotion Bureau, and the sales director of Wanhe Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Ding Tongxin, participated in the investigation."

Note: The abbreviations translate as follows: Development and Reform Commission, Investment Promotion Bureau, Wanhe Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd.

After meeting, Lu Fan enthusiastically said, "Welcome, President Yu, to inspect Nanyuan—I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival!"

Translate: "After they met, Lu Fan said warmly, 'Welcome, President Yu, to inspect Nanyuan—I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival!'"

Yu Xilai hurriedly said, "Thank you very much, Secretary Lu, for the invitation and for recognizing our enterprise. Over the past two years, Nanyuan's food safety governance has been earth‑shaking, becoming a banner for the province; I have long been eager to see it, and today my wish is finally fulfilled."

Translate: "Yu Xilai hurriedly said, 'Thank you very much, Secretary Lu, for the invitation and for recognizing our enterprise. Over the past two years, Nanyuan's food safety governance has been earth-shaking, becoming a banner for the province; I have long been eager, and today I finally get what I wished for.'"

After the pleasantries, Lu Fan led the inspection team straight to Wancheng District, going directly to the fields to observe the grain base.

Translate: "After the pleasantries, Lu Fan led the inspection team straight to Wancheng District and went directly to the fields to observe the grain base."

Wancheng District Party Secretary Wu Dingzhe reported, "Wancheng District is a major production area for the grain food security strategy, a functional area for grain production, and an important protected area for agricultural products. With superior natural conditions for agricultural production, it has been designated a national demonstration county for high‑quality grain and

Wancheng District Party Secretary Wu Dingzhe reported, "Wancheng District is a major production area for grain food security strategy, a functional area for grain production, and an important protected area for agricultural products. With superior natural conditions for agricultural production, it has been designated a national demonstration county for high-quality grain and oil. It now has 75 modern warehouses each with a capacity of 40 tons, and the total industrial output value of grain processing and transformation enterprises is 3.5 billion yuan, achieving double gains in social and economic benefits..."

Lu Fan added, "The city relies on the 'High‑Quality Grain Project' construction, having invested 5 million yuan to build a grain and oil quality monitoring station whose testing technology and methods reach domestic advanced levels, capable of national‑standard grain quality safety surveys, quality reporting, and monitoring—its capability is not inferior to yours."

Translate: "Lu Fan added, 'The city takes the High-Quality Grain Project as its basis, investing 5 million yuan to build a Grain and Oil Quality Monitoring Station. The station's testing technology and means have reached domestic advanced levels, capable of national-standard grain quality safety surveys, quality reporting, and monitoring—its capability is not inferior to President Yu's monitoring ability.'"

Yu Xilai laughed and said, "I have long heard of Nanyuan's emphasis on food safety, which deeply moves me; Secretary Lu's strict food requirements earn my great admiration, and today I have truly benefited greatly."

Translate: "Yu Xilai laughed and said, 'I have long heard of Nanyuan's emphasis on food safety, which deeply moved me; Secretary Lu's strict requirements for food have earned my great respect, and today I have truly benefited greatly.'"

Afterwards, the group successively inspected the municipal information center, testing center, settlement center, the vegetable and fruit markets, and the Phase II construction project.

Translate: "Next, the group successively inspected the City Information Center, the Testing Center, the Settlement Center, the vegetable and fruit markets, and the Phase II under-construction project."

Yu Xilai gained a detailed understanding of the market's informatization construction, traceability system building, and safety testing of edible agricultural products, and he sincerely affirmed the specific practices of Southern Field.

Translate: "Yu Xilai gained a detailed understanding of the market's situation regarding informatization construction, traceability system building, and safety testing of edible agricultural products, and he sincerely affirmed the specific practices of the Southern Field."

Southern Field

In the evening, the municipal party committee hosted a banquet for the Pang Xilai inspection team, and the wine served was the local specialty "She Dian Lao Jiu" (Shop Credit Old Liquor).

Translate: "In the evening, the Municipal Party Committee held a banquet, inviting the Pang Xilai inspection team; the banquet liquor was Nanyuan's specialty, 'Credit Shop Old Liquor'."

Lu Fan smiled and introduced the guests: "'She Dian Lao Jiu, eternal and enduring'—it ranks first among Hua Yuan Province's liquor enterprises, renowned both domestically and abroad, known to everyone, young and old. Now, all levels of Nanyuan municipal government use this local famous wine for receptions; President Yu, please give it a try!"

Translate: "Lu Fan smiled and introduced to the guests, '"Credit Shop Old Liquor, eternal as heaven and earth"—it ranks first among liquor enterprises in Huayuan Province, renowned both domestically and abroad, known to all. Now, the reception liquor used by all levels of Nanyuan City government is uniformly this local famous liquor; President Yu, please give it a taste!'"

Yu Xilai laughed and said, "Secretary Lu, I actually know this She Dian Lao Jiu; according to historical records, after Wang Mang usurped the throne, he acted corruptly and oppressed the people. Liu Xiu raised troops in Nanyuan, overthrew Mang and restored the Han. One day, he gathered many wise and capable people to discuss a major uprising. The tavern owner Liu produced fine wine to entertain them."

Translate: "Yu Xilai laughed and said, 'Secretary Lu, I really know this Credit Shop Old Liquor. According to historical records, after Wang Mang usurped the throne, he acted reversely and oppressed the people. Liu Xiu raised troops in Nanyuan, overthrowing Mang and establishing Han. One day, he gathered many talented individuals to discuss the great undertaking of raising a rebellion. The tavern owner Liu brought out fine wine to entertain them.'"

tavern owner Liu

When the wine was half finished, they discussed and settled everything except for a banner. Liu Xiu looked outside and saw the tavern's flag fluttering in the wind, with a large "Liu" character shining clearly in the center; he exclaimed joyfully, "Heaven helps me!" He then used the wine flag as a military banner. After becoming emperor, Liu Xiu, remembering the tavern owner's merit in providing the wine flag, ennobled the tavern as the She Dian Shop and the wine as She Dian Lao Jiu.

Translate: "When the wine was half finished, they discussed and decided, only lacking a general's flag. Liu Xiu looked out and saw the tavern's banner fluttering in the wind, with a large 'Liu' character bright and clear in the center; he rejoiced, saying, 'Heaven helps me!' He then made the credit shop banner into the general's flag. After ascending the throne, Liu Xiu, remembering the tavern owner's merit in providing the banner, ennobled the tavern as the Credit Shop Store, and the wine as Credit Shop Old Liquor."

Lu Fan laughed, "President Yu, you are well‑read and knowledgeable, and you know Nanyuan very well! Our Hua Yuan Province has a long history and profound cultural heritage—every step offers a scene, everywhere is a classic allusion."

Translate: "Lu Fan laughed, 'President Yu is well-read and knowledgeable, and very familiar with Nanyuan! Our Huayuan Province has a long history and deep cultural heritage; every step offers a view, and everywhere there are allusions!'"

The banquet atmosphere was lively and harmonious, with hosts and guests enjoying themselves fully.

Translate: "The banquet atmosphere was lively and harmonious, and host and guest enjoyed themselves fully."

The next day, Lu Fan continued to accompany Yu Xilai on the inspection, focusing on the ten‑thousand‑mu rice technology demonstration park, Nanyuan land transfer, and the ongoing project of Wanhe Animal Husbandry.

Translate: "The next day, Lu Fan continued to accompany Yu Xilai in the inspection, focusing on the Ten-thousand-mu Rice Technology Demonstration Park, Nanyuan land transfer, and Wanhe Animal Husbandry's under-construction project."

Yu Xilai is a smart person; otherwise his company could not have grown so large. He basically understood that Lu Fan's purpose in inviting him to Nanyuan was to promote Nanyuan's agricultural side‑products.

Translate: "Yu Xilai is a smart person; otherwise his enterprise could not have grown so large. He basically understood that Lu Fan's purpose in inviting him to Nanyuan was to promote Nanyuan's agricultural side-products."

At 4 p. m., Nanyuan City and the Pang Xilai inspection team held a symposium.

Translate: "At 4 p. m., Nanyuan City and the Pang Xilai inspection team held a symposium."

Yu Xilai highly praised Nanyuan's outstanding achievements in food safety governance and shared Pang Xilai's corporate culture philosophy and business approach. He said that running an enterprise is not only about providing quality products with sincerity, but also about spreading a good way of life; one must firmly focus on people's livelihood needs, food safety, and creating value for customers' better lives. By establishing a sound supply chain system and strictly controlling product quality, product quality can be continually improved to offer customers safe, practical, genuine, and fashionable goods.

Translate: "Yu Xilai highly praised Nanyuan's outstanding achievements in food safety governance, and shared Pang Xilai's corporate culture philosophy and business ideas. He said, 'Running an enterprise is not only about providing quality products with sincerity, but also about spreading a good way of life. We must firmly focus on people's livelihood needs, food safety, and creating value for customers' good lives. By establishing a sound supply chain system and strictly controlling product quality, we continually improve product quality to offer customers safe, practical, genuine, and fashionable goods.'"

After the meeting, Lu Fan invited Yu Xilai to continue the discussion in his office, with Ding Tongxin, sales manager of Wanhe Animal Husbandry, accompanying them.

Translate: "After the meeting, Lu Fan invited Yu Xilai to exchange views in the office, with Wanhe Animal Husbandry's sales director Ding Tongxin accompanying."

After sipping a few cups of tea, Lu Fan went straight to the point, saying, "President Yu, people often say that Pang Xilai has countless virtues, but the issue is 'not opening a store right below my residence,' and 'going out' has always been a hot topic of discussion for your company. This time I invited you here to seek in‑depth cooperation with Pang Xilai, including Nanyuan City and Wanhe Animal Husbandry."

Translate: "After sipping some tea, Lu Fan went straight to the point, saying, 'President Yu, as everyone often says, Pang Xilai has a thousand virtues, but the issue is "not opening downstairs in my home," and "going out" has always been a hot topic of discussion for your company. This time I invited you here to seek in-depth cooperation with Pang Xilai, including Nanyuan City and Wanhe Animal Husbandry.'"

Yu Xilai sighed and said, "Being personally invited by Secretary Lu is a great honor; thank you for your trust! To be frank, Pang Xilai actually finds it very difficult to expand outward."

Translate: "Yu Xilai sighed and said, 'Being personally invited by Secretary Lu is a great honor; I am truly grateful for your trust! Frankly speaking, Pang Xilai finds it difficult to expand outward.'"

Lu Fan smiled and said, "Pang Xilai has a unique corporate culture, widely praised by consumers and hailed by the industry as a 'conscientious enterprise.' I have studied your company thoroughly and generally understand your concerns. Your supply chain is hard to replicate, and Pang Xilai has formed the 'Four‑Way Joint Purchasing' alliance, joining forces to procure goods that are genuine and fairly priced; I believe Nanyuan can relieve your worries about the rear."

Translate: "Lu Fan smiled and said, 'Pang Xilai has a unique corporate culture, widely praised by consumers and acclaimed by the industry as a 'conscientious enterprise.' I have studied your enterprise in detail and have a general understanding of your concerns. Your supply chain is hard to replicate; Pang Xilai has formed a 'Four-way Joint Purchasing' alliance, joining hands to procure, demanding genuine goods at fair prices. I believe Nanyuan can relieve your rear worries.'"

Yu Xilai nodded and said, "Indeed, Nanyuan's food safety has become a golden signboard, and we already have plans for long‑term cooperation with Nanyuan."

Translate: "Yu Xilai nodded and said, 'Indeed, Nanyuan's food safety has already become a 'golden signboard,' and we already have plans for long-term cooperation with Nanyuan.'"

Lu Fan continued, "Your biggest concern is probably that a strong dragon cannot overwhelm a local snake—every locality has its own supermarket brand. Although they may not match Pang Xilai in service, price, or even quality, they often have local backing and do not want you to encroach on their market. You are likely to face various forms of resistance, such as price wars and public opinion campaigns, aimed at suppressing Pang Xilai, and they might even resort to harsher tactics to make it hard for you to establish a foothold."

Translate: "Lu Fan continued, 'Your biggest concern is probably that a strong dragon cannot overwhelm a local snake! Every region has its own local supermarket brand; although they may not match Pang Xilai in service, price, or even quality, they often have local backing and do not want you to enter and seize the market. You are likely to face various forms of resistance—such as price wars and public opinion wars—to suppress Pang Xilai, and even harsher means could make it hard for you to establish a foothold.'"

Yu Xilai sighed, saying: "The secretary truly has every word a pearl, striking straight to the point! You feed meat to the employees, and you will welcome a pack of wolves!"