Chapter 278: The Treasure in the Mountains
Regardless of whether Xu Chaoyang agreed or not, Li Xian was determined to take the researchers with him.
After leaving the Forestry Bureau office building, Li Xian returned to the Berry Research Institute, brought out his car, and invited Wang Lin and a few senior engineers to join him.
Napoleon once said: "Put the educated and the donkeys in the middle of the line."
Li Xian felt he should extend this courtesy.
The senior researchers, who had been simmering with frustration at the Multiple Business Bureau, were taken aback by this unexpected honor. They were pleasantly surprised by the high regard Li Xian showed them.
As for Li Xian's plan to develop mountain specialties to revitalize the disaster-stricken forestry farm, everyone was very supportive. It aligned well with their own ideas.
Therefore, the researchers couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation about the mountain specialty development company Li Xian mentioned. If the project could be successful, it would be a boon for the Berry Research Institute. Moreover, given the current funding issues with multiple projects, this young man, despite his youth, appeared to be quite well-off—after all, it wasn't common to see someone driving a Cherokee these days. If this company could succeed and provide support for their projects, it would be a tremendous benefit.
The white Cherokee sped along the mountain road. With Zhou Yong's wild driving style, the experts in the car soon began to feel car sick.
While they were stopping to get some fresh air, Li Xian received a call from Xu Chaoyang.
Xu Chaoyang's tone was less than friendly and seemed to carry a lot of frustration, but the content of the call made Li Xian particularly happy.
"You little rascal, not very old but always creating problems for others! I've been thinking about your proposal to rent the Berry Research Institute. Tell me honestly, how confident are you in developing these mountain specialties?"
How confident was he?
Li Xian truly didn't know.
In his memory, the Forestry Bureau had been working on mountain specialties since the early 1990s, but it hadn't made much progress over the years. Now that the health supplement industry was just beginning to rise in the Chinese market, he was indeed riding this big wave. However, whether he would succeed or not remained uncertain.
Nevertheless, he was determined not to be vague about it.
He had resolved to give it a try. He was familiar with the situation in his hometown: transportation was inconvenient, and the area was remote, with no special advantages apart from being backed by mountains.
If development was possible, then this wave of market economic reform was his hometown's best, and perhaps last, opportunity.
Miss this village, and there won't be this shop.
Having experienced poverty in his childhood, he didn't want future children in the forestry area to go through it again.
Poverty was too difficult to endure.
"Director Xu, I'm confident," he replied.
Xu Chaoyang was essentially calling to clear his doubts.
Wang Zhanchun, the head of the Multiple Business Bureau, came from the provincial forestry system. Xu Chaoyang couldn't control him completely and noticed some dubious aspects about the Berry Research Institute's outsourcing. Given the chaos in the forestry group and the market reform tide, various problematic projects had been successfully completed.
As the actual authority in the Forestry Bureau, Xu Chaoyang wanted to boost the economy but didn't want to leave behind any mess. Compared to outsiders, he leaned more towards Li Xian due to their previous relationships with the Commercial Bureau and the current success of New North Paper.
Having heard Li Xian's confidence, Xu Chaoyang was no longer hesitant. He instructed Li Xian to prepare the funds and finalize the rental agreement.
After ending the call, Li Xian pumped his fist in excitement.
Despite the current dire situation of the Berry Research Institute, it had personnel, equipment, and factories. Especially the pharmaceutical factory under its wing, which was perfect for developing health supplements.
He thought about it and immediately called the Hengyuan Sanitary Napkin Factory and New North Company—unlike the expanding brewery, these two factories had relatively healthy cash flows. Delaying the payment for raw materials by a month or two to free up a hundred or so thousand wouldn't be a problem.
Back in the car, he informed the experts about securing the rights to use the Berry Research Institute.
Hearing that the Berry Institute had been freed from the Multiple Business Bureau's jurisdiction, Wang Lin and others were invigorated.
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**At the 89th Forestry Farm**
The white Cherokee parked in front of the sawmill.
The experts got out of the car and were stunned to see the small wooden sign hanging at the entrance, which read "Temporary Command Center for the 89th Forestry Farm Mountain Specialty Development Project" in brush calligraphy, still seeming wet.
The cool autumn breeze swirled the withered yellow leaves in front of the experts, creating a wailing sound.
Seeing the experts' bewildered expressions, Li Xian felt a bit embarrassed. "It's a rough start. The conditions are a bit harsh now, but things will get better as we develop."
Wang Lin waved his hand. "We're not afraid of hardship, Li…" He hesitated over how to address him, "Boss Li, you've made such a big deal out of this. Do you have any specific plans? The forestry area has many specialties, over forty types of edible fungi and a variety of medicinal herbs and wild vegetables. Since you brought us here, you must have a plan."
Li Xian had already thought this through.
"Engineer Wang, you must be familiar with the mountain specialties."
At this, Wang Lin immediately replied, "I can't say for sure about everything, but since we deal with agriculture and forestry, we naturally know."
Li Xian nodded. "So, what do you think is the best for making over-the-counter health supplements? Specifically, something abundant, easy to harvest and process, with noticeable health benefits."
After a brief discussion among the experts, they provided their answer a few minutes later.
"For this season, Schisandra chinensis and Acanthopanax seed."
These two items weren't rare in the forestry area. In the autumn, Schisandra ripens, and Acanthopanax begins shedding its leaves and bearing seeds. Many local families collected them during the harvest season and dried them in their yards.
Li Xian's autumn memories of the forestry farm included dried potatoes, bean thread, Schisandra, and the scent of leaves in the cool autumn breeze.
Dried Schisandra has a sour and slightly astringent taste, with a faint pepper-like flavor. Every time the autumn wind blows, it refreshes the mind.
"Schisandra is a traditional Chinese medicinal material, stimulating the central nervous system and respiratory system, regulating the heart, liver, and blood pressure, enhancing vision and hearing, and promoting bile secretion and antibacterial ability.
Though it is wild, the production in the forestry area is enormous. Our institute once considered making it into a beverage, but it turned out to be too unpleasant, no matter what flavoring was added. We eventually abandoned the idea.
As for Acanthopanax, also known as Siberian ginseng, the 'Compendium of Materia Medica' describes it as having 'beneficial effects on the essence, strengthening bones, and enhancing willpower.' Long-term use helps maintain youthfulness and endurance. In combination with other herbs, it can enhance strength and memory. It's a valuable herb.
The 'Treatise on the Treatment of External Medicine' mentions that the bark and seeds of Acanthopanax have the effect of 'balancing yin and yang.' It is closely related to ginseng in pharmacological action and clinical efficacy. However, while ginseng is widely recognized for its benefits, Acanthopanax, being a wild herb, hasn't been fully developed yet."
Hearing Wang Lin's explanation, Li Xian was pleasantly surprised.
His hometown indeed had such treasures.
If they remained poor while having such resources, it would be a shame!