Chapter 363 - 175: Conversation

Chapter 363: Chapter 175: Conversation

However, his goal in acquiring this land wasn’t to farm salmon.

The company’s few previously planned salmon farms were already under rapid construction; there was no need to add another large-scale salmon farming operation.

The aquatic life he wanted to cultivate was a type that Hailufeng Company had never dealt with before—and one that currently posed significant technical challenges.

For example, the mantis shrimp—commonly known as the "pipi shrimp"—is currently difficult to farm artificially.

Then there was the ornate spiny lobster, whose capture, farming, and cultivation were already expressly forbidden domestically.

And species like the Arctic Sweet Shrimp, which can currently only survive in the Arctic Ocean.

These species were either difficult to farm, protected, or had never been artificially cultivated at all.

The reason Jiang Miao had his sights on these species was that they all shared one common trait: market scarcity.

And where there was scarcity, there were high profits.

Furthermore, Jiang Miao also planned to raise a batch of whiteleg shrimp, mitten crabs, and crawfish in a professional farm. Using a specialized feeding process, he would ensure their bodies contained the lowest possible levels of heavy metal residue.

After heeding his earlier warning, his parents hadn’t eaten any shrimp or crab for several months.

Jiang Miao felt powerless to change the various problems within the aquaculture industry. It was especially difficult to alter the practices of small-scale farmers.

Therefore, he could only raise them himself, supplying them to his family and, incidentally, selling some to select clients.

Before they knew it, the dead of night had fallen.

After freshening up, Jiang Miao and Shuya returned to their bedroom to rest.

「The next day, at noon.」

Amidst a light drizzle, He Jintang, his secretary, and their entourage arrived discreetly at Hailufeng Company’s temporary headquarters.

Jiang Miao was at the entrance to greet him.

"Mr. He, please, come in."

"Professor Jiang, you’re too kind. Let’s talk inside." He Jintang patted Jiang Miao on the back.

The two of them entered a small sitting room.

Their respective aides consciously excused themselves, leaving the two alone.

He Jintang took a sip of his Fenghuang Dancong tea and got straight to the point. "Professor Jiang, the Immortal Soybeans you’ve cultivated are of immense importance..."

He relayed the portions of the meeting from two nights ago that he was cleared to share with Jiang Miao.

As he listened, a thought surfaced in Jiang Miao’s mind: ’Just as I expected.’

Jiang Miao was, in fact, somewhat prepared for the news that Hailufeng Company would be granted development rights to the Kerchin Desert.

After all, when he had designated the contracted areas for United Mining Company, he had deliberately excluded the Kerchin Desert.

Any discerning person could see the implication.

It was a classic case of understanding the unstated message.

Since Jiang Miao had steered United Mining Company away from the Kerchin Desert, it was a clear signal that Hailufeng Company was interested in it. The higher-ups were simply granting a well-timed favor.

He Jintang smiled and said, "The Kerchin Desert currently has vast, undeveloped tracts of sand. I looked up the data on my way here. There’s an area of about 15,000 square kilometers, and if you include the adjoining degraded grasslands and saline-alkali soil, it’s about 20,000 square kilometers in total. These are all contiguous areas. The contract price is 150 yuan per mu per year, with a five-year development exemption period. As long as Hailufeng Company completes the development within five years, you will be granted a 70-year lease."

"Thank you. I’ll arrange for development to begin as soon as possible," Jiang Miao replied with a smile and a nod.

"There’s no need for thanks. This is nothing compared to your contributions," He Jintang said, shaking his head with a smile.

In his eyes, 20,000 square kilometers was truly insignificant. Compared to the benefits Jiang Miao was bringing to the table, it was a mere drop in the bucket.

Besides, the land was only being leased to Hailufeng Company, not granted as a permanent title. The government could still collect a substantial annual leasing fee. At the same time, Hailufeng Company would stimulate local economic growth and hire a large number of employees—all of which were positive outcomes.

Jiang Miao didn’t let the good news go to his head. "Mr. He, regarding the arrangements for United Mining Company, I will have my team begin coordinating with the Beidahuang Group and COFCO Group as soon as possible."

"You just need to inform your team to get it done. I have two other matters to discuss on this visit."

"I’m listening."

"First is the matter of your personal safety and the security of your company’s labs. After some discussion, special approval has been granted to establish a formal security department within Hailufeng Company. A number of specialized personnel will also be joining your security team. They will be authorized to use lethal force to protect you and your family if necessary. I hope you don’t mind. They will do their utmost not to interfere with your daily life."

"That’s not a problem. In fact, I should be thanking you. After all, there’s a lot of equipment our company’s security team isn’t authorized to use, and it’s inevitable we might face a sudden crisis we can’t handle."

After they discussed the security arrangements, He Jintang continued, "Professor Jiang, the last matter concerns the protection of the Immortal Soybean seedlings. We’d like to ask if there’s any way to restrict them, or a technical means to render the Immortal Soybeans incapable of normal reproduction."

At these words, a glint appeared in Jiang Miao’s eyes. He pondered for a moment before slowly replying, "It is indeed possible to use genetic modification to make the Immortal Soybean seeds unable to germinate. However, that’s not a very effective solution. We can use genetic modification, but any other power with advanced agricultural technology could use the same methods to crack it."

"So there’s no way?" He Jintang looked frustrated, though he had anticipated this answer.