Chapter 303: A Big Gift for You

Early in the morning, Li You had already gotten himself ready and was waiting at the entrance of the forestry camp. But by noon, after the pigs in the canteen had been slaughtered, the guests still hadn't arrived.

By around one in the afternoon, a cloud of dust appeared as a convoy consisting of four jeeps and a minibus sped down the main road of the forestry camp and stopped at the entrance.

When the employees were notified and the welcome party from the pickled vegetable factory arrived, Li Xian and Li You saw Xu Chaoyang and his group already there, looking around.

Behind them were several reporters carrying cameras and video equipment.

Seeing this scene from afar, Li You was flustered. "Oh no, son, is your father going to be on TV?"

Li Xian chuckled, thinking it was actually quite possible. The forestry bureau did have its own local TV station, though its ratings were low, mostly airing news repeats or outdated TV dramas. Clearly, Li You was quite concerned, unsure whether to change into another outfit, and kept asking Li Xian whether he should go home to change.

Li Xian tried to suppress his laughter and led his inexperienced father over to greet them.

Although unsure of Xu Chaoyang's exact purpose for this visit, Li Xian felt that the timing was quite right. The forestry camp now had two factories, and along with the existing chipwood factory, the volume of business had increased significantly. However, the roads in the forest area were poor, making transportation slow and costly.

He was thinking of discussing with Director Xu whether they could explore the possibility of using the small trains in the forestry camp to help solve these practical problems.

Additionally, there was the issue of disaster relief. Although the forestry camp was currently engaged in self-help through enterprise operations, the hailstorm had caused considerable damage to houses. Many families had made temporary repairs, but most people had merely patched up their homes.

Take Li Xian's own house as an example; the iron roof had been severely damaged just last year. What a huge loss!

Li Xian was hoping to take this opportunity to undertake house repairs, given that he also had a renovation team under his name.

…

Despite having his own concerns, Xu Chaoyang was still in a good mood after seeing the changes at the 89 Forest Farm.

Among the several forestry camps in the region, the 89 Forest Farm was relatively far from the forestry bureau's district and was only mid-tier in scale among the sixteen camps. However, having managed to establish two enterprises in one go, and despite the recent disaster, the people along the way seemed quite spirited.

Good morale indicated that people still had hope, which was a positive sign.

He was quite satisfied.

When he saw Li Xian and his father, Xu Chaoyang greeted them with a hearty laugh and shook hands with Li You, patting him on the back. "Old Li, you've done a great job as a director! Quietly setting up two factories like this, you must be planning to make a big push?"

Li You, feeling nervous, only managed a silly smile and modestly claimed that it was just a small effort and needed more practice.

Xu Chaoyang laughed at his modesty and waved, "Old Li, we're here to learn from your experience today. You've just taken over the 89 Forest Farm and have already set things up so well. Please share some of your experience with us, alright?"

"Of course not, of course not!"

Seeing more than a dozen forest directors behind Xu Chaoyang clapping, Li You waved his hands frantically.

As the accountant for the forestry camp, Liu Yuan also came to greet the guests upon receiving the news. Observing Li You's mix of humility and pride, Liu Yuan sneered.

Li You was capable when it came to work, but his verbal skills were always lacking. Now, under the spotlight from Xu Chaoyang, he was sweating nervously and could only pull his son into the fray.

Seeing Li You struggle with words, Li Xian smiled and decided to shake hands and greet everyone, leading the group on a tour of the forestry camp.

After several days of work, the initial processing factory had been fully organized.

The "Guizhen Tang Nao Xin Kang" oral liquid had already begun sales in the Harbin area, with Wang Hongfei following Li Xian's method for market promotion. Although the market was still in its early stages, the sales potential was promising.

Confident in his direct sales model, Li Xian had ramped up production at the Berry Research Institute to meet the high demand for raw materials.

Even though it had already started snowing, there was still a large inventory of Schisandra and Siberian Ginseng from surrounding forest farms. The procurement staff had not yet transported these to the processing plant, leaving the large processing yard filled with cool, aromatic medicinal herbs, releasing a pleasant fragrance with the autumn breeze.

While Li Xian was explaining the specifics of the initial processing factory to everyone, Han Wenzhong, the head of the Diversified Management Bureau next to Xu Chaoyang, suddenly interrupted him.

"Mr. Li, so you're saying that your products haven't been fully promoted yet, but you're already ramping up production here?"

Li Xian was slightly displeased at being interrupted.

He had heard that the Diversified Management Bureau had been unhappy with Li Xian's acquisition of the Berry Research Institute, fearing it had disrupted some plans. It was also said that there had been significant resistance from the Diversified Management Bureau during the contract signing with the forestry bureau, which Xu Chaoyang had managed to suppress.

Seeing Han Wenzhong's indifferent expression, Li Xian understood that this man was likely here to cause trouble.

Not stopping Han Wenzhong's challenge, Xu Chaoyang, standing with his hands behind his back in front of the initial processing factory, raised an eyebrow but did not intervene.

Li Xian assessed the situation and cursed Xu Chaoyang inwardly, calling him a sly fox.

"In strict terms, that's correct. However, in the real world of business, once you identify market demand, you need to have products ready. You can't wait until the market is ready and then scramble to produce, affecting our progress."

"Oh." Han Wenzhong nodded, glancing at Xu Chaoyang.

Meanwhile, Liu Yuan, who had been uncomfortable with the factory from the start, brightened up at Han Wenzhong's criticism.

"Director Xu and leaders, as the accountant here, I don't support setting up this factory. Our main business in the forest area is timber. Now, with the 89 Forest Farm engaging in these secondary industries, I believe it seriously impacts our established production plans."

This statement won the approval of several other forest directors.

Indeed, the forestry camp should focus on forestry; these secondary industries are just extras. If they exist, they're a bonus. If not, so be it.

Seeing Liu Yuan and Han Wenzhong in agreement, along with the nodding approval of others, Li Xian touched his nose and looked at Xu Chaoyang.

You, as the leader, really don't measure up.

Seeing Li Xian's half-smile, Xu Chaoyang's face hardened.

At this point, he was almost certain that this investigation team from the Forest Industry General Bureau was Han Wenzhong's doing.

Kid, no need to glare. We're both in the same boat now!

Xu Chaoyang kept his composure and gave Li Xian a meaningful look.

…

By the time the inspection team arrived at the 89 Forest Farm, it was already afternoon. After touring the initial processing factory and the not-yet-organized pickled vegetable factory, it was past four.

With such a large group of leaders to accommodate, Li You wouldn't let them leave in the dark. He arranged dinner and lodging, keeping them overnight.

After the meal and drinks, Li Xian took Xu Chaoyang to the guesthouse.

Once alone, Xu Chaoyang wiped his swollen face from drinking and patted Li Xian's shoulder.

"Today, the Forest Industry investigation team arrived and is investigating the Berry Research Institute. I think this matter is serious, so you should be prepared."

Hearing this, Li Xian was taken aback.

What?

Director Xu, are you kidding me?

Just as I've sorted out everything at the forestry camp and the Harbin market is about to open, with the oral liquid production ramping up, you're telling me there's another problem?

This isn't a joke!

Suddenly, he remembered the ledger Li Daoyun had given him.

In it, there were many dealings between Gao Dayi, Liu Yuan, and the Diversified Management Bureau.

In the darkness, Li Xian's eyes lit up and a smile curved on his lips. He turned to Xu Chaoyang and headed towards his own home.

"Huh?" Noticing the change in direction, Xu Chaoyang immediately asked, "Where are you taking me?"

"Oh, I just thought of something. The environment at the guesthouse is too poor. Director Xu, it's not far from my house. You can stay with me tonight! Hehe, I have a big gift for you."

Huh?

Seeing Li Xian's excited and somewhat lecherous expression, Xu Chaoyang was unsure whether to go with him.