Chapter 122: Smash Pots and Sell Iron Too! Lu Qingshan

Li Jianqiang paused, his voice tinged with a hint of unwillingness and gloom: "It's a new Food Preservation Technology. Through special processing, it can greatly extend the shelf life of meat products and some fruits and vegetables without adding excessive preservatives, while maximally retaining the original flavor and nutrition. I dare say, if this technology can be promoted, its market prospects are absolutely vast."

Food Preservation Technology!

Lu Qingshan only felt a surge of heat rushing from the soles of his feet straight to his forehead!

It's like a pillow being sent to a sleepy person!

Although the Dingxiang Brand Meat Product from Shanwan Village tastes good, it was limited by the preservation methods of the time; transportation and storage were major problems, greatly restricting market expansion.

If this problem can be solved, the Dingxiang Brand could truly leave Baishan and reach farther places!

"Master Li, are you saying… you have such a technology?"

Lu Qingshan's voice trembled slightly, not from cold but from excitement.

Li Jianqiang gave a wry smile: "I do have it; we've done plenty of theoretical research and small‑scale experiments, and the results are very promising. But this technology can't be implemented in the factory at all."

He pointed to himself, "I'm a person with a sour temper, I don't beat around the bush, I've offended many people. Moreover, this technology requires some modifications to the existing production line, the investment isn't small, and the leaders fear risk, so they've been holding it back. Submitting the blueprints and reports is like a stone sinking in the sea—no response at all. As Deputy Chief Engineer, I may sound impressive, but I'm really just a decoration!"

He lifted his glass and drank the remaining wine in one gulp, as if swallowing the pent‑up frustration along with the strong liquor.

"Master Li!"

Lu Qingshan shifted his seat forward, his tone sincere and urgent, "Your technology is too important for us Shanwan Village! It's literally a lifeline in a snowstorm! This is exactly what we lack right now! The investment and modifications you mentioned aren't a problem! As long as the technology is reliable and yields results, Shanwan Village will smash pots and sell iron to support you!"

He looked at Li Jianqiang, his eyes blazing: "Here, you're not bound by those bureaucratic constraints! You have full autonomy, you can go all out in research and testing! What we need is someone who can truly solve the problem and lead us to make better products—a guide! In Shanwan Village, you're definitely not a decoration, but our most relied‑upon technical core!"

Li Jianqiang felt his heart tremble at Lu Qingshan's words.

Those sharp eyes stared tightly at Lu Qingshan, seeming to try to read even the slightest hint of insincerity on his face.

Yet he only saw the undeniable sincerity in the young man's eyes and his intense yearning for talent.

"What you say sounds rather easy."

Wang, the companion beside Li Jianqiang, couldn't help but interject, "We all know Lao Li's technology is good. But to industrialize it, that's not a small sum. Your little mountain village—how much capital do you have? If it fails, what will you compensate with?"

Lu Qingshan didn't dodge the question; he answered calmly: "Brother Wang is speaking the truth. Our Shanwan Village has a thin foundation and truly can't endure huge upheavals. But risk and opportunity coexist. If we keep looking back and fearing everything, Shanwan Village will never shed the hat of poverty. I believe Master Li's technology has enormous value. As for funds, our food factory has started turning a profit, and we also have a medicinal herb factory and a beverage factory. As long as the product is solid and the market opens, capital will snowball. Moreover, we have policy backing; when the critical moment arrives, I trust the county and city won't stand idle."

He turned to Li Jianqiang, his tone even more resolute: "Master Li, I can't claim a hundred percent success, but we have a hundred percent Sincerity and determination! If you are willing to come, everyone in Shanwan Village will treat you as the most honored guest and give you our fullest support! Here, you can not only realize your technical ambitions but also lead a group of simple villagers onto a path of prosperity! That sense of achievement, I believe, is beyond what money can measure!"

Li Jianqiang fell silent.

He looked at Lu Qingshan, then lowered his head to glance at the opened packet of jerky on the table; its rich aroma still lingered at his nose.

He recalled the ostracism he suffered in the factory, the helplessness of seeing his painstakingly researched technology shelved, and the blazing flame he saw in the young man's eyes.

A long‑absent impulse slowly rose within his heart.

"Comrade Xiao Lu," Li Jianqiang said slowly, his voice a bit hoarse, "the Shanwan Village you described has piqued my interest."

Lu Qingshan's heart leapt with joy, yet his face remained composed: "Master Li, seeing is believing. If you don't mind our modest conditions in the mountain gorge, I sincerely invite you and Brother Wang to come to Shanwan Village for an on‑site inspection. We'll cover travel, meals, and lodging! See our factory, our village, the products of Guandong Mountain, and then decide."

He added, "As for accommodation, rest assured—though it's not as grand as the city hotels, we've newly built brick houses in the village, guaranteeing you the cleanest, most comfortable rooms. As for food, the mountain's game, freshly picked vegetables from the fields—plenty!"

Li Jianqiang looked at Lu Qingshan's earnest demeanor, fearing he might neglect the esteemed guest, and finally a faint smile appeared on his previously tense face.

That smile was like a crack forming in a frozen lake, letting a hint of warmth through.

"You kid, you really know how to talk."

Li Jianqiang lifted his teacup, took a sip of the already cold tea, as if suppressing the turmoil within.

"Fine, since you have such Sincerity, I'll go with you to Shanwan Village and take a look."

He turned to his companion: "Old Wang, will you come with me to see?"

The Wang companion clearly hadn't expected Li Jianqiang to agree so quickly, froze for a moment, then hesitated a bit: "Lao Li, is this… reliable? What if…"

Li Jianqiang waved his hand: "There's no 'what if'. In my life I've been a pushover for most of it; now that I'm this age, I have to live for myself and fight for those lingering regrets. Going to see—if it doesn't work out, there's no loss; it's just a way to clear my mind."

He looked at Lu Qingshan, "Comrade Xiao Lu, when shall we set off?"

"Anytime!"

Lu Qingshan answered immediately, as if fearing a change of heart, "If it's convenient for you, we can depart first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Alright! I have some matters to arrange. Give me your address, and once it's settled I'll come find you. Then we set off!"

The dim light in Li Jianqiang's eyes was replaced by a faint rekindled sparkle, weak yet truly present.

The Wang companion, seeing Li Jianqiang's decision firm, said little more, but his gaze at Lu Qingshan still held a trace of scrutiny and doubt.

Lu Qingshan knew that to completely dispel their doubts, he would still need the tangible sights and future potential of Shanwan Village.

Yet he had that confidence.

This dinner, originally just to fill stomachs, unexpectedly opened a hopeful door for Lu Qingshan's quest for talent.

He looked at the former Deputy Chief Engineer before him, his hair now gray but eyes still sharp, as if already seeing the future of Shanwan Village's food factory soaring technologically.

Li Jianqiang, this buried unpolished jade, and Lu Qingshan, today have truly struck treasure!

Night deepened, and the bustle of Changchun City remained.

Yet in Lu Qingshan's heart, having found Li Jianqiang, a "good general," filled him with unprecedented anticipation.

He seemed already to hear, on the long‑silent land of Shanwan Village, the impending roar of machines and the villagers' happy laughter.

He silently resolved that, once back in Shanwan Village, he would present the best conditions so that talents like Li Jianqiang could stay peacefully and fully unleash their abilities!

This is not only for the factory's development, but also for those who trust him, placing the whole village's hope on his shoulders!

Tomorrow will be a new beginning.

And Shanwan Village's future, thanks to this unexpected "honored guest," becomes even more worth looking forward to.

Lu Qingshan even began to plan what mountain delicacies and game should be served at the first welcome feast when Master Li arrives, to showcase Shanwan Village's utmost Sincerity.