Chapter 142: Training Center

The world is vast; nothing is without wonder.

Before it happened, no one would believe that a cat could become friends with a snake.

But it was discovered.

Moreover, the two little ones were especially clingy, especially when they basked in the sun, they loved to huddle together.

The cat rested its head on the snake's body, while the snake's head coiled over the cat's forehead.

These two critters, because of their unique quirks, attracted the attention of the people in the courtyard.

Regardless of adult or child, everyone liked to come see this odd pair.

Some people even brought tasty treats, hoping to bribe the two.

For example Lou Xiao'e took out her own beef jerky and teased them for a long time, but the two gave no response.

They often, as soon as someone approached, would stride proudly back into the house.

If you chased after them, they would scramble up to the beam, looking smug at the people below, leaving the children below to stare helplessly.

With the two little ones moving in, the courtyard's rats almost vanished without a trace.

Little Hua, despite its small size, is not weak at catching rats; any rat that dared to enter its territory at night would be tormented by the two little ones for a long time before finally becoming food.

What irritated the Siheyuan residents most was that the two little ones only caught rats from their own courtyard.

When they go out for a stroll, they just look around and never eat anything from outside.

Lou Xiao'e liked them dearly, but was always turned away by Little Hua, which made her very sad.

Finally, Lou Xiao'e could no longer bear the grievance, and after lingering with Chen Hong for a while, learned from her where Little Hua came from.

Of course, the reason Chen Hong puts on airs is because Yang Qing taught her that things that are too easy to obtain are not cherished; you need to endow a product with intangible value for people to take it seriously.

Thus the cat trainer landed the first deal: a single cat sold for a full ten yuan.

At that time, it could be called very expensive; normally cats are adopted when other households' cats give birth.

Seeing that the trainer could achieve Earning Money, the Jiedao office began to take Chen Hong's proposal seriously.

Director Wang carefully reviewed Chen Hong's plan again.

It felt that perhaps it could work.

An increase in Jiedao revenue was a good thing for them.

The income of other public‑private joint enterprises is controlled by the authorities.

The Jiedao office's enterprises are mainly to meet the living needs of special populations.

For example, repair stalls for disabled people, shoe‑repair stalls, solitary elders grinding scissors and sharpening kitchen knives, cleaning staff, some paper‑box gluing jobs, and so on.

They yield almost no profit, just enough for personal livelihood, essentially welfare work.

Chen Hong's plan, however, aims at industrial development, and judging from the cat trainer's earnings, it can still make money.

It is not a burden; rather, it can earn money and also protect the development of family farms.

Currently, family farms are run by a single Jiedao; if expanded, demand would grow.

In the long run, establishing a Training Center seems truly sustainable.

Director Wang gathered the Jiedao staff, held a discussion, and this time far fewer people opposed.

Seeing an opportunity, Chen Hong began to hype it.

"Difficulties will eventually pass, but eradicating the four pests is a long‑term task,"

"And the best method to combat a rat infestation is cats,"

"A trained cat can effectively patrol a hundred meters of territory in a day,"

"An untrained cat might only manage a few dozen meters per day,"

"In capture efficiency, a trained cat can reach two to three times that of an untrained cat,"

"This plays a pivotal role in our pest‑control efforts,"

"Moreover, the Training Center can be self‑sufficient and may even support the Jiedao,"

"All we need to do is establish a company within our Jiedao, providing trainers a place to apply their abilities,"

"Why wouldn't we?"

Someone raised a question.

"Then who will be responsible for this project?"

That is the crux: each carrot its own pit; with one more self‑sustaining project, they could accommodate more of their own.

Director Wang spoke up at this point.

"Currently, whoever proposes a project takes responsibility. The family farm project is already completed, has output, the output is relatively stable, and all issues have been handled well,"

"Thus Chen Hong today officially steps down from being a clerk on the family farm project and assumes a cadre position,"

"And the Training Center project will also be headed by her,"

"The original conditions Chen Hong set remain: whoever proposes, takes responsibility, hosts, and bears the burden,"

"If the project succeeds, rewards, promotions, and raises follow; if it fails, the individual bears thirty percent of the loss and drops one rank,"

"Anyone dissatisfied may also submit a project plan and assume the same responsibility; I will strive for everyone, never favoring one over another,"

Someone else tried to get a bargain, but the moment responsibility was mentioned, they immediately backed out.

Chen Hong was indeed ruthless; a thirty‑percent loss is a huge sum that could ruin someone for life.

"Is there anyone who wants to vie for it?"

Director Wang asked again.

The group lowered their heads.

Finally, Director Wang made the decision.

"That's settled then; tomorrow I'll go to the district to coordinate the Training Center matters,"

Chen Hong can start working on setting up the taming center.

Chen Hong heard that and felt a joy in her heart; in fact, after she saw the cat‑training master Zhang Minghua's ability, she already had a plan in mind.

Seeing Xiao Hua's popularity and ability, she knew that this job was doable.

Chen Hong ran straight to Zhang Minghua and told him the matter.

Zhang Minghua didn't expect that their cat‑slipping and dog‑teasing gig could become a formal job; they almost wanted to kneel and kowtow to Chen Hong.

"Commissioner Chen, I'm so grateful; you're practically my reborn parents."

These people don't even know what future they have, but today Chen Hong gave them a new way of life, joining the big collective.

That's the difference between outsiders and insiders; he now has an official status and is no longer a drifter living off his family's shadow.

Chen Hong stopped him and glanced at his large courtyard.

"Since we are to formally establish a taming center, your home is unsuitable; think about how large a space you need and what else is required."

"Make a list, and I'll apply for it."

Zhang Minghua replied eagerly.

"Commissioner Chen, according to your plan, we will develop in all directions from now on."

"Therefore the required area will be relatively large; ideally we should have a vacant plot so we can design and build it ourselves."

Chen Hong shook her head at the suggestion.

"That project is too big; Jiedao will never approve it, so we should proceed step by step."

The reasoning is sound, but if we can't finish it in one go, we may cause many hassles later, since constantly asking Jiedao for things can breed its resentment.

"Then first apply for a sufficiently large plot, preferably over two mu, with cats and dogs separated, otherwise problems arise."

"We'll postpone the rest and start working in my courtyard for now."

"When we have earned enough, we'll build it ourselves."

Chen Hong frowned.

"Then when will that be?"

Zhang Minghua chuckled.

"It won't be long; I know many rich people. Now they don't dare to openly walk dogs or hawk eagles, but cats and birds are still permissible."

"Before they feared a bad influence; now that our taming center is established, they can raise them openly and honestly."

"I'll get some prettier, more valuable ones; once tamed, they'll surely bring in a big profit."

Chen Hong hesitated a bit after hearing that.

"We serve the public; if we get too close to those people and get reported, wouldn't that be a problem?"

Zhang Minghua had clearly thought of it long ago, and they chuckled.

"Commissioner Chen, you gave me the idea."

"It'll be fine, no problem."