Chapter 528: Grain Reserves

At the construction site of the Tire Factory of the Lingnan Tractor Factory, He Yuzhu bent over and gently stroked the first tire that had just come off the production line with his palm.

The texture on the rubber surface was clear, and it still carried a heavy smell of rubber.

Secretary Liu stood beside him, his gaze also fixed on this tire. After a long while, he spoke: "Zhuzi, when you said you could produce the first tire in four months, I thought you were bragging. Now that I think about it, I underestimated you."

He Yuzhu straightened up, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth: "This isn't just my own credit; it was achieved by thousands of workers working three shifts around the clock."

"I heard you've received quite a few overseas orders?" Secretary Liu asked, tilting his head.

"Yes, there has been some progress." He Yuzhu nodded.

"What are your plans for the next step?"

He Yuzhu looked toward the Textile Factory under construction in the distance and said: "I can't get involved in the construction of the Textile Factory. My next plan is to build a grain depot to support the Food Factory."

Secretary Liu looked thoughtful: "The weather hasn't been very favorable this year. Guangdong Province encountered a rare cold wave, and grain output is estimated to drop by twenty percent; in the middle of the year, Anhui Province suffered a severe drought not seen in decades. You are truly taking precautions."

"I hadn't thought that far ahead," He Yuzhu said in a calm tone, "I was just thinking that if grain becomes scarce in the future, our Food Factory's source of raw materials will be in trouble. It's better to take advantage of the current good efficiency to import a batch of grain from Southeast Asia. If there really is a difficulty, at least we won't add a burden to the country."

He left some room in his words, but he knew clearly in his heart that he still had a large amount of gold in his space, and perhaps he could buy more grain to help some people when the three years of hardship arrived.

"How large a grain depot do you want to build?" Secretary Liu asked.

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment: "At least enough to feed one million people for a whole year."

Secretary Liu was clearly taken aback: "This is no ordinary grain depot... at current construction costs, it would be at least twenty million. Your Food Factory's profits for ten years wouldn't fill this amount."

"I can find a way to raise the money," He Yuzhu said firmly, "but I need your help to process the relevant procedures and approvals. If possible, I also want to build food processing plants in Anhui Province, Henan Province, and Tianjin, equipped with similar grain depots."

Secretary Liu laughed: "That's quite an ambition, Zhuzi."

"If a disaster really comes, others cannot be relied upon," He Yuzhu paused, "My personal ability is limited, and this is all I can think of."

Secretary Liu patted his shoulder heavily: "You've grown up and have a broad vision. However, if we really encounter a disaster year, importing grain from our big brother shouldn't be a problem."

He Yuzhu shook his head: "Relying on others is ultimately not as good as relying on oneself. If conditions permit, within three years, I want to build a reserve system that can guarantee the rations of three million people for a year."

Secretary Liu did not argue further, his eyes filled with approval: "Fine! As long as you can solve the funding, I will help you push forward the construction. This is a good thing that benefits the country and the people."

"Then thank you in advance!" No sooner had He Yuzhu finished speaking than he saw Liu Haizhong stumbling in from outside the crowd, grabbing his arm with a deathly pale face:

"Zhuzi, my family... something terrible has happened!"

"Second Uncle, don't rush, tell me slowly."

"Guangqi, Guangqi he..." Liu Haizhong was incoherent, "was poisoned by someone! He missed the technical school exam and is lying in the hospital! This is the telegram Lao Yi just sent!"

He Yuzhu took the telegram and glanced at it. He was stunned for a moment, then steadied his emotions: "Since he has already been sent to the hospital, there shouldn't be any life-threatening danger. You should calm down first." He thought for a moment, "How about this, I will go back to the city with Secretary Liu in a while and help you call to ask carefully. If it really doesn't work, you can apply for family leave to go back."

Liu Haizhong nodded repeatedly, his fingers still trembling slightly.

At the City Government office, the call did not go through smoothly.

Half an hour later, Wang Xia's voice came through the receiver: "None of those three boys in the Liu family are easy to deal with! The eldest bullied the younger brother, and the younger brother set a trap for the older one. These little brats have worn me out, and even newspaper reporters have come to interview... I, the Neighborhood Committee Director, have nowhere to hide my face!"

He Yuzhu hung up the phone and gave a wry smile to Secretary Liu.

Secretary Liu shook his head and only sighed: "Brothers fighting within the walls, a misfortune for the family."

Returning to the Tractor Factory, He Yuzhu told Liu Haizhong the situation in detail.

The more Liu Haizhong heard, the paler his face became. Suddenly, he grabbed his own hair fiercely: "It's all Sun Yumei's fault! She insisted on coming over before Guangqi's exam! Now it's done, his future is ruined. When I go back, I'll definitely deal with those two little brats!"

He Yuzhu shook his head, not wanting to get involved in the Liu family's domestic affairs, and comforted him: "Director Wang said that the First Uncle has basically resolved the matter, and Guangqi is fine. In my opinion, you should just let your wife go back to handle it. If you go back, you won't have a chance at becoming the Workshop Director."

Liu Haizhong gritted his teeth and said: "Zhuzi, I'll listen to you, but my eldest son, I had high hopes for him... Now that he hasn't passed the technical school exam, what should I do..."

"Everyone has their own path; some things cannot be forced."

Only then did Liu Haizhong breathe heavily and walk away indignantly.

When he returned home, Man Yatou was squatting by the water pool, helping Shen Guizhi process Little Lobster.

In several large basins by the pool, the brownish-green lobsters were jumping around—over the past few months, He Yuzhu had converted the nearby ponds into lobster ponds, and the early batches were already ready for the table.

"How are your high school studies going?" He Yuzhu walked over and asked.

Man Yatou looked up, her eyes curved: "I've finished high school math, and now I'm studying physics and chemistry. It's just that I'm learning Chinese a bit slowly."

He Yuzhu nodded: "Next, you should learn Computer with me."

"Really?" Man Yatou stood up at once, her hands still wet.

"Yes." He Yuzhu nodded.

"That's great! I heard that only those who attend Huaqing University can study that. Doesn't that mean I'm basically attending Huaqing University too?"

He Yuzhu nodded: "Among the people I teach, there are several from Su Guo. I can't teach them the most advanced technology. You must study hard with me; your future achievements will definitely be higher than mine."

"Thank you, Brother Zhuzi!" Man Yatou shed tears of excitement.

"I'm not exaggerating; you truly have more talent than I do in mathematics! You are very suitable for learning Computer," He Yuzhu said, patting her small shoulder.

Man Yatou smiled happily upon hearing this; she felt incomparably proud.

"I heard... that grandmother of yours came to look for you again?" He Yuzhu asked.

Man Yatou's smile faded a little, and she sighed softly: "After the third uncle passed away, the second uncle couldn't earn money, and grandmother kept gambling with some old ladies in town. The family fortune was lost... so she asked the Town Mayor for our address and ran here."

"How did you handle it?"

"Xie Sanjie told the factory security that she didn't know them and had the security guards send her back. Xie Sanjie is so brave!"

Admiration appeared in He Yuzhu's eyes. He thought for a moment and said: "I want to transfer Xie Sanjie from the position of Director of the Canteen to be the Deputy Factory Director of the Food Factory."

Man Yatou asked with some worry: "But there are so many old employees in the factory... will they obey her?"

"If they don't obey, they'll be transferred," He Yuzhu said in a calm tone, "In the next three years, we are going to have major movements..."

Man Yatou listened with wide eyes, as if listening to a distant and grand dream.

After a long silence, she suddenly asked softly: "Brother Zhuzi, everyone says you are transferring away next year... can I go with you?"

He Yuzhu looked at her: "Do you want to stay here, or go with me?"

"I want to follow you." She answered quickly.

"Will you be able to get used to leaving your family?"

Man Yatou nodded.