Chapter 90: Generous Clients

Chapter 90: Generous Clients

After the meal, there was still quite a bit of food left on the table.

Ivan had ordered too much.

Since Lin Fulong and Ivan were treating everyone, they naturally wouldn’t suggest taking leftovers home. Ivan didn’t have that awareness, and Lin Fulong, who was prepared for leftovers, didn’t think about it either.

Tang Yuan felt it was a waste and wanted to take some back for Ma Huiyou and the others, but she felt embarrassed to do so.

The bodyguard looked at the table full of meat with reluctance. Was this it?

What a waste!

Moreover, he had three comrades who hadn’t eaten yet.

Of course, they wouldn’t go hungry; they would eat simple steamed buns and noodles at the hotel, but they hadn’t tasted this feast.

He hesitated, then looked at Ivan and Lin Fulong.

Those two didn’t pick up on the signal, but Tang Yuan did.

She smiled and said, "We used serving chopsticks, and the leftovers are pretty clean. There’s still half of that roast duck. There are three comrades at the hotel. Why don’t we pack it up for them to try?"

In those days, most people had never been to a grand hotel, so being able to taste the packed dishes was a treat.

Tan Feng, who had been stern-faced all along, showed a hint of a smile. It was Tang Yuan, finally no more wasted food!

Lin Fulong said, "Oh? Then let’s order a few more dishes."

He always made sure his bodyguards ate the same as him, even if they stayed at the hotel, they would have high-end meals provided by the hotel, so he hadn’t thought about taking food back.

But Tan Feng said, "No need, this is fine."

Seeing his sincerity, Lin Fulong enthusiastically helped pack the leftovers into boxes.

They used enamel rice bowls and aluminum lidded containers to pack the food for the guests to take back to the hotel, and the restaurant would send someone to collect them later.

Tang Yuan originally wanted to say goodbye at the entrance of the restaurant, but Lin Fulong insisted on talking about the ecological farm and invited them to sit in the hotel.

Ivan nodded, "I also want to buy canned goods."

He was very curious about the cans labeled with "ecological meat." Although most canned goods were similar, his tongue could detect differences in taste and texture. The meat in these cans was fresher and more delicious than what he had eaten in his own country.

He guessed it might be because China used fewer fertilizers and pesticides, which reduced the negative impact on feed, and Chinese pig farmers didn’t medicate their pigs, thus better preserving the original flavor of the pork.

Tang Yuan didn’t insist on getting an order from the cannery; she brought the cans just to see if there was a chance and to visit.

After all, Lin Fulong and Ivan might not be in the food business.

But if their business had any connection to food, it would be great if they placed an order.

According to her original plan, she would definitely get orders at the trade fair in Guangzhou in spring. As long as she got orders, regardless of size, she could gradually grow the business.

Customers are cultivated over time.

At the hotel, they went directly to the suite upstairs.

The suite was spacious, with three bedrooms and a living room.

The three bodyguards quietly enjoyed the feast in a corner, while Tan Feng sat quietly nearby, occasionally glancing at Tang Yuan and Feng Chen.

Tang Yuan, Feng Chen, Lin Fulong, and Ivan chatted around the sofa and coffee table.

Lin Fulong was also interested in the ecological farm of Tang Yuan’s team. This was a rare thing in China, and he hadn’t heard of it before, so he was naturally curious.

His family’s business covered a wide range, from real estate and hotels to factories, agricultural products, and food.

This trip to the mainland was also to observe the environment and understand the domestic policies.

Due to complex international situations and historical issues, international merchants currently only conducted small-scale import and export business with China.

Of course, he and Ivan weren’t alone; they had government personnel accompanying them in Guangzhou, and there were also people to meet them along the way.

Originally, there were government personnel accompanying them in the provincial capital, but Ivan felt uncomfortable with outsiders, and he also thought visiting his father’s hometown wasn’t for business, so there was no need to trouble the government personnel.

As a result, they encountered a robbery.

Perhaps non-mainland merchants should avoid moving around freely and should have local personnel accompany them for safety.

Their safety was also a concern for the Chinese authorities, so he agreed to Ivan’s request for bodyguards.

Since they would be staying for a while, he thought it would be good to visit the Forward Team’s farm.

Tang Yuan discussed the farm’s situation with him, much more sincerely than when she talked to Yamaguchi.

In the early stages of reform and opening up, Hong Kong businessmen were generally friendly towards the mainland, certainly more sincere than the Japanese.

Of course, there were also scammers. Many Hong Kong people saw business opportunities and came to the mainland in the 1980s, using suits, watches, and cars to deceive government loans, then fled with the money.

Tang Yuan frankly admitted that the farm’s current scale was small, but it had a clear development plan and would double in size within three years.

Lin Fulong mentioned visiting the farm.

Tang Yuan smiled and said, "Of course, we warmly welcome our Hong Kong compatriots and foreign guests to visit."

Lin Fulong’s willingness to trace his roots suggested he wouldn’t be opposed to Hong Kong’s return.

When Ivan saw they had finished the main discussion, he immediately said, "I’ll take a thousand cans of each type of your ecological meat, including luncheon meat, pig intestines, and liver. Do you have any others? I’ll take those too."

Tang Yuan: "…"

So many of your relatives and friends?!

Not one big box per person, right?

She had thought that a few dozen or even a hundred would be quite a lot, but now she realized they were talking about steamed luncheon meat, braised pork, pig liver, intestines, trotters, and braised pig head... Wait, Tang Yuan snapped back to reality and said, "Mr. Ivan, luncheon meat and braised pork can be produced in large quantities, but the offal cannot, as there's only so much offal from one pig."

Ivan realized she was right; he hadn't considered this. He quickly corrected himself, "Two thousand cans each of luncheon meat and braised pork, and all the matching offal cans. Payment upon delivery."

Tang Yuan quickly did some mental calculations: how many pounds of meat a live pig could yield, how much of it could be made into cans, and roughly how many pigs would be needed for four thousand cans.

With this calculation, all their soon-to-be-slaughtered pigs would have to be brought in.

They would need to apply to the city to not fulfill the quota of pigs for the public sector this year and instead use them for foreign exchange!

She immediately agreed.

Ivan said he would come directly to pick up the goods once they were ready, to be shipped through customs and delivered before Christmas, with payment in Hong Kong dollars.

Tang Yuan estimated the Cannery's production capacity and felt that adding these four thousand cans wouldn't be a problem, though it would mean the workers would have to work overtime.

She invited them to sign the contract at the factory the next day, and both men readily agreed.

Tang Yuan politely declined Lin Fulong's invitation to dinner and said her goodbyes.

Lin Fulong presented two exquisite gift bags, "Miss Tang, Mr. Feng, this is just a small token of our appreciation, nothing too significant."

Though Lin Fulong spoke sincerely, Tang Yuan still asked what they were, "Mr. Lin, it's not that we're being formal, but we have rules against accepting valuable gifts. We are both preparing to join the Party, so we must be mindful of our conduct."

Foreigners don't mind opening gifts in front of others, so Tang Yuan took a quick look.

The gifts were beautifully packaged: Rolexes, jewelry... and two bottles of Maotai?

Tang Yuan paused, then accepted only a box of chocolates, pushing the rest back.

"Mr. Lin, this chocolate is rare, and we've never seen it before. This is enough to convey your goodwill. We appreciate the other items, but we must decline."

Lin Fulong tried to insist twice, but seeing Tang Yuan's firm refusal, he understood she truly didn't want them.

He stopped pressing and arranged for a bodyguard to escort them back to the factory, while he and Ivan saw them downstairs.

Tan Feng immediately stood up to see them off.

As the car pulled away from the hotel, Tan Feng nodded slightly to Tang Yuan and Feng Chen in the back seat and smiled, "Comrade Tang Yuan, Comrade Feng Chen, my name is Tan Feng. My uncle is Tan Zhiyuan, who has mentioned you both."

He recognized them as soon as they introduced themselves.

Although he didn't know them personally, a woman named Tang Yuan and a man named Feng Chen couldn't be anyone else.

However, he didn't want to acknowledge them in front of the foreign businessman, maintaining his professionalism as a bodyguard.

Tang Yuan and Feng Chen were also surprised. Tang Yuan laughed, "Really? What a coincidence?"

She said to Feng Chen, "I didn't notice until now, but I see a resemblance between Comrade Tan and the advisor."

Tan Zhiyuan and Tan Feng had similar noses, both high and straight, and their ears were also alike, with large earlobes.

Feng Chen nodded and smiled, "Indeed."

Tang Yuan felt happy to meet the nephew of an acquaintance and laughed again. Tan Zhiyuan was only in his early thirties, yet his nephew was already in his early twenties.

What a thriving family.

Tan Feng also expressed his uncle's regret, thinking Feng Chen should join the military and wanting to spar with him.

Feng Chen replied, "Everyone has their own path. When you and the foreign businessman visit our unit, we can have a go."

Tan Feng was delighted, "It's a deal!"

When they reached the factory gate, as they were about to get out of the car, Tan Feng leaned in and smiled, "Don't forget to save some of your delicious ecological meat cans for our unit, so my comrades can try them too."

Tang Yuan assured him, "Don't worry, our unit will raise more pigs."

Initially, Tang Yuan thought it was late, and she and Feng Chen would eat at the canteen first and discuss the foreign businessmen with Secretary Wen and Factory Director Lu the next day. However, they found everyone waiting in the office.

Not just the two of them, but Ma Huiyou, Xu Gaoshan, Lu Jiankang, Zheng Yingju, and others were there too.

Seeing Tang Yuan and Feng Chen arrive, Zheng Yingju said sourly, "You two are really lucky."

Why couldn't he have such good luck?

Tang Yuan laughed, "Opportunities always favor those who are prepared."

If Feng Chen didn't know massage and emergency first aid, what good would it do to encounter them?

Without the intriguing ecological farm, what use would dining with foreign businessmen be?

Factory Director Lu asked first, "Tang Yuan, Feng Chen, what did you think of the two foreign businessmen? What business are they in? Is there a possibility of cooperation with us?"

His eyes grew brighter as he spoke.

His wife had been secretly reading his fortune, saying his luck would start low and rise this year, and he needed to move south to break through.

He had previously dismissed it, but now he was starting to believe it.

If he could secure these foreign businessmen, the Cannery would achieve glory under his leadership.

With a steady stream of orders, the factory would certainly need a car, a symbol of a major factory.

Tang Yuan briefly explained the situations of Lin Fulong and Ivan.

She didn’t say much about Ivan, as she didn’t know him well. Ivan hadn’t mentioned what he did, only that he needed four thousand ecological meat cans.

Lin Fulong, on the other hand, mentioned during the conversation that he was involved in the import and export of agricultural products and food, though the scale of his business was unknown.

However, now, no matter how big their own businesses were, foreign businessmen doing business with China all placed small orders at Chinese factories, so it didn’t really matter how large their businesses were.

When they heard that Ivan wanted to buy four thousand cans to send back home as gifts and that Lin Fulong wanted to visit the farm, Secretary Wen and Factory Director Lu, along with others, got excited again.

Foreigners were so wealthy, making such generous gestures—sending four thousand cans as gifts to their families!

This... How long would it take to finish eating them?

Ha ha.

They once again gained a deeper appreciation for Tang Yuan’s ability to persuade foreign businessmen.

As long as Lin Fulong visited the farm and saw the mountain pigs raised in an eco-friendly environment, he would surely place an order, wouldn’t he?

Factory Director Lu didn’t even think about substituting pigs from other communes for those from the Forward Brigade; the Forward Brigade’s order was the Forward Brigade’s, every detail mattered.

Regardless of the fact that it was already after work hours, Factory Director Lu convened an emergency meeting, instructing the propaganda department to hang up the red flowers used to welcome Yamaguchi again and to redraw the blackboards, ensuring that the guests felt their sincerity and enthusiasm.

He felt something was missing and whispered to Secretary Wen about encouraging workers to practice musical instruments in their spare time, forming a factory band to play music when important guests arrived, thus showing their warm welcome.

Tang Yuan silently imagined it and decided it was better not to.

The next day, Tang Yuan and Feng Chen exercised as usual, then went to the canteen for breakfast.

Factory Director Lu was personally directing several sales and publicity officers decorating the second-floor private room, with red, green, and yellow plastic streamers hanging everywhere!

Tang Yuan instantly felt a million points of shock!

Her parents’ wedding photos had featured such bright and tacky plastic streamers.

She didn’t expect they had been around so early.

Hmm, Factory Director Lu was quite fashionable.

At exactly ten o'clock in the morning, Lin Fulong and Ivan arrived in a large sedan, driven by Tan Feng, with another bodyguard in tow.

Just like before, the foreign guests were warmly welcomed from the moment they reached the gate, with red flowers lining the way and welcome signs on blackboards, and the car stopped in front of the office building.

Secretary Wen and Factory Director Lu gave them the same treatment as Yamaguchi, personally welcoming them with great enthusiasm.

Ivan found it very novel and enjoyable, even warmly hugging Secretary Wen and Factory Director Lu, laughing heartily and expressing his happiness.

Lin Fulong was more reserved, but he smiled more genuinely as they warmly welcomed him.

After a night's consideration, Ivan’s order of four thousand cans had increased to five thousand, plus accompanying offal cans, totaling seven thousand.

Last night, he had carefully calculated the total number of his family members, relatives, and friends, deciding to give everyone delicious ecological meat cans, except for his cousin Dennis!

He wanted to express his anger this way!

Seven thousand cans was a significant order.

Secretary Wen and Factory Director Lu were naturally delighted.

Although they were already producing ten thousand meat cans for Yamaguchi, they decided to work overtime to help Ivan produce these thousands of cans, ensuring delivery one week before Christmas.

Tang Yuan quoted the price of ecological meat cans based on ordinary pork, one yuan per can.

Yamaguchi’s ninety cents was considered low for export, so one yuan was appropriate, and it was reasonable for ecological meat to be ten cents more expensive.

In reality, ecological meat developed faster than other pigs and should have been cheaper than ordinary pork, but it was scarce, and rarity made it valuable, so it had to be more expensive.

Prices would be adjusted downward as supply increased.

Ivan compared the prices of ordinary cans and didn’t haggle, finding them cheap and accepting them happily.

He also requested new labels, which would add twenty cents per can, making it one yuan and thirty cents each, but with specific label paper.

The content would read: "Specialty pork from China’s ecological farm, hormone-free, fertilizer-free, pesticide-free, pure organic delicious pork. Ivan wishes you a merry Christmas, love you."

For the previous order from Yamaguchi, due to the low price, they didn’t change the Japanese trademark.

However, this was intentional on Yamaguchi’s part. He specifically imported lower-end products from China compared to domestic products, mainly selling to lower-income consumers, naturally not using his own local trademark to avoid affecting brand reputation and customer positioning.

Ivan’s generosity greatly satisfied Factory Director Lu.

Seven thousand cans, totaling one thousand yuan more than Yamaguchi’s ten thousand cans!

If all customers were as generous as Ivan, what would the factory worry about?

Although Ivan’s special labels seemed somewhat embarrassing to Factory Director Lu, they were nothing compared to the money.

Ivan wrote the French labels on-site, meticulously like a primary school student practicing calligraphy, ensuring clarity and accuracy to prevent the printing factory from making mistakes.

He also drew hearts and four-leaf clovers.

Factory Director Lu immediately arranged for someone to take the labels to the printing factory.

Lin Fulong, however, didn’t rush to place an order or show any interest in buying products from the cannery. He still wanted to visit the ecological farm first to assess its potential.

If it showed promise, he would consider a long-term business relationship; if not, it would just be a friendship order.

Lin Fulong enjoyed doing business with the mainland, as transportation was convenient, and the products were of high quality and reasonably priced.

He had a shirt business in Guangzhou, placing orders with garment factories to produce according to his sample clothes. The labor was cheap, saving him a lot of costs.

In business, saving costs means more profit, which is naturally a good thing.

Factory Director Lu had to oversee the production tasks and couldn't accompany them, so he asked Ma Huiyou to take Lu Jiankang instead. Zheng Yingju, fearing that Factory Director Lu wouldn't let him go, volunteered, saying he knew the farm well and could help get in.

Additionally, Secretary Wen called the Municipal Committee of Yuran to explain the situation and arrange for their reception when they visit the brigade farm together.

Tang Yuan didn't call the commune; it was a bit troublesome to call from the province to the commune, and it would be too much trouble for Tang Bingde to run back and forth. She was sure the Municipal Committee would call the brigade, and besides, there was Ji Hongyue.

Lin Fulong and Ivan were going to visit the farm but weren't offered lunch at noon. Instead, they returned to the hotel for a meal and then went to the hospital for Lin Fulong's follow-up check-up. Everything was fine as long as he took his medication on time. Afterward, they called the factory to say they would go to Yuran City the next day.

Lin Fulong felt there was no danger and persuaded Ivan to dismiss two bodyguards, leaving only Tan Feng and another medium-sized bodyguard.

The next day, they set off for Yuran City.

~~

"Hello, hello, this is Tang Bingde from Forward Brigade. Ah, it's Group Leader Guo, hello, hello. What, you're coming to visit the brigade? Good, good, welcome, welcome. What? Bringing foreign businessmen? What are foreign businessmen? Ah, foreigners... Ah? Foreigners!!!"

Tang Bingde was still in shock after hanging up the phone.

This girl Tang Yuan is really something. She learned some foreign language in the city for a few days and brought foreigners back?

My goodness, what ordinary people dare not even think about, she has accomplished.

No wonder she was so confident about setting up the cannery. Secretary Liu was worried about not getting orders, and Liu Guangming and Director Zhao said sarcastic things.

Ha ha, now let's see what they have to say. The orders are here, aren't they?

Tang Bingde, despite his age, pedaled his bicycle like the wind into the commune courtyard. He went straight to Secretary Luan's office to report the situation and asked him to help entertain the leaders and foreign guests.

Secretary Luan had also received a call from Ji Hongyue of the County Party Committee. The Municipal Committee wouldn't call the commune directly; at most, they would notify the county.

Secretary Luan was also very excited, gripping Tang Bingde's rough, scarred hand tightly and shaking it, "Captain Tang, congratulations!"

Tang Bingde laughed heartily, "It's all thanks to Tang Yuan and Feng Chen, Secretary Luan. I'll ask you to be their introducers..."

"It's settled, it's settled, what could go wrong?"

Tang Bingde felt that introducing Tang Yuan and Feng Chen to the Party through himself and Secretary Liu wasn't grand enough, but asking Ji Hongyue or Guo Yan seemed too high-ranking. So he asked Secretary Luan and the deputy secretary.

That settled it.

Secretary Luan and Tang Bingde discussed the welcoming ceremony and preparations for the foreign guests. They planned to provide several red cloths from the commune to make large red flowers, making it festive and pleasing to the guests.

Tang Bingde initially didn't want them, saying it wasn't necessary, but then thought, why not? He could hang them at the pig farm first and later use them as prizes for outstanding members of the brigade.

He happily agreed.

Director Zhao always said that Tang Bingde was ungrateful, always putting on a stern face for any leader, lacking tact. But since Secretary Luan took office, he always saw Tang Bingde's smiling, kind face, simple and friendly, and didn't believe a word of what Director Zhao said.

When Tang Bingde was about to leave, Secretary Luan held him back, inviting him to lunch and dropping a bombshell: the commune decided to install a telephone line for Forward Brigade.

Even though it would require many poles, it was worth it!

As the ecological farm of Forward Brigade thrived and the cannery was established, having a telephone was essential. Calls to Forward Brigade must be connected immediately, even if the commune office had to wait.

Tang Bingde was overwhelmed with gratitude, "Thank you, thank you, leaders."

He knew the leaders' kindness wasn't directed at Forward Brigade but at Tang Yuan and Feng Chen, who led the ecological farm project, or rather, at Tang Yuan and Feng Chen themselves.

So the brigade must treat these two well, and he wouldn't allow anyone to speak disheartening words.

In the evening, when he returned to the brigade, Tang Bingde personally shouted into the microphone, his excited voice spreading far and wide through the loudspeaker.

"Our two directors have returned from their provincial trip with instructions and will be accompanied by two foreign guests on their visit. Do you understand who these foreign guests are? They are affluent foreign businessmen. Let me be explicit: when the foreign guests arrive, it is imperative that everyone maintains a dignified demeanor. No one should hover around them as if they were pilferers. Should anyone bring shame upon us, I will not be held accountable! Be warm and welcoming, but avoid the obsequious behavior often seen in movie interpreters!"

He stopped talking, parched and hoarse.

To his surprise, the courtyard outside was packed with commune members!

"Ha ha, Captain, the wind was strong today, we couldn't hear clearly from the loudspeaker, so we came closer to listen."

"We understand, we promise to do our best!"

"Absolutely won't disgrace the brigade! Thank you, Director Tang and Director Feng."

Tang Bingde forbade them from calling her "Yuan'er," as she was now known to county and municipal officials and even had a presence in the province. It wouldn't be appropriate to be so informal.

The next day, around midday, a large sedan arrived, followed by three somewhat old military green jeeps.

"They're here, they're here! Quickly tell the brigade to play the national anthem and 'Sailing the Sea Depends on the Helmsman'!"

"Set off the firecrackers!"

The sound of firecrackers echoed, and a group of children led by a primary school teacher, with rosy cheeks, waved flowers enthusiastically along the roadside.

Large red flowers lined the path from the village entrance to the pig farm.

Most were made of red paper, contributed by Secretary Liu from his stockpile for the New Year.

Tang Yuan had already prepared Lin Fulong and Ivan, telling them that rural areas, especially mountainous regions in China, were relatively poor, with poor road conditions and basic living and dining conditions, so they should be mentally prepared.

Despite this, neither of them saw a hint of embarrassment or shame on her face as they entered the Forward Brigade area.

Her expression was calm, with a smile, even a genuine sense of joy.

She truly loved her hometown, a sentiment that was deeply moving.

Both Ivan and Lin Fulong were touched to varying degrees.

Especially Lin Fulong, whose father had fled to Hong Kong from the mainland, always told him that it was hard to leave one's hometown and even harder to return, as it always lingered in one’s dreams.

Tang Yuan arrived with Ivan and Lin Fulong, introducing them to many local customs and scenery along the way.

Listening to her fluent English, Ivan couldn't help but praise her to Lin Fulong, "Tang's English is better than yours."

Lin Fulong gave him a glance, his disdain clear without words.

Ivan rubbed his nose, "But I'm very good at Latin and I also know Spanish."

Lin Fulong: "Oh, you're amazing, you should be a language professor."

For a European, not mastering the common language is useless, no matter how well you speak alien languages.

Ivan laughed heartily, lowering the window and waving enthusiastically to the children and villagers as soon as they entered the village road, even sending flying kisses.

Tang Yuan: "Are you hungry? Would you like to eat first?"

Ivan: "Not really, let's see the pig farm first, then we'll eat, and after that, we can look at the wild boars, pheasants, and ducks."

Tang Yuan smiled, "Do you want to see the worm beds? Are you afraid it might affect your appetite?"

Before Lin Fulong could comment, Ivan eagerly said there was no problem.

So they went to visit first.

Ivan hung his automatic camera around his neck, taking photos out of the car window since they were in the vehicle, and continued to capture the surrounding scenery after getting out.

He was skilled at photography, able to instantly pinpoint the best angles, but he deliberately avoided using the best angles to maintain a wild and natural style.

Lin Fulong reminded him, "You can take photos of the children and the flowers, plants, pigs, cows, and chickens after the tour."

Ivan made an OK gesture but still took a rustic group photo in front of the wooden fence at the entrance of the pig farm.

Liu Guangming took the photo, so he didn't appear in it.

When Ivan saw the worm beds, his eyes widened in curiosity, "Worms? Can they feed pigs? Our farm doesn’t have this!"

Tang Yuan half-joked, "We have a patent on this; you can't just take it away."

Ivan nodded seriously, "Of course not, I’m not a thief."

Tang Yuan laughed again, "I was just teasing you. Knowledge knows no boundaries; we can exchange ideas."

Now they cook the worms, blend them into a paste, and mix them with feed to feed the pigs. The pigs don't need to be fed cooked food every meal, especially during hot weather when coarse grains can be mixed with hot water.

They also dry extra worms, grind them into powder, and mix them with coarse grain powder, biogas residue, and biogas liquid to create specialized feed.

Tang Yuan explained all this to Lin Fulong and Ivan but didn't reveal the specific ratios used in their farm, which Feng Chen had researched himself.

During the tour of the pig farm, Ivan and Lin Fulong weren't particularly surprised, as foreign pig farms were generally cleaner and more spacious, with more detailed layouts. However, they were surprised that despite being small and modest, the village pig farm was well-equipped, like a small sparrow with all its organs intact.

Ivan also noticed a strange wooden frame that looked like a baby stroller with safety bars, but wondered what a baby stroller was doing in a pig farm?

Feng Chen explained that it was a specialized operating table for castrating piglets.

Knowing that Ivan and Lin Fulong came from developed areas, he used sophisticated terms.

Operating table.

Tang Bingde and Tang Zhonghe both had their lips twitching.

Tang Yuan introduced, "Our veterinarian uses this specialized operating table to castrate piglets, one per minute, fast and safe."

Ivan was amazed, his mouth open wide enough to fit a fist, "Amazing, unbelievable!"

Just then, some piglets due for castration were brought over by Cao Yanni, He Jianhua, and He Songtao. Dr. Wang and his apprentice Daya were responsible for the procedure.

Daya couldn't manage it alone while holding the piglet, but with the help of the operating table, her speed matched the veterinarian's, showing great dexterity.

Ivan and Lin Fulong watched the castration process, as did Guo Yan who was seeing it for the first time. Ji Hongyue had seen it many times before and wasn't impressed, but Gao Sheng, Liu Guangming, and Director Zhao all felt a twinge in their own testicles.

They all subconsciously clamped their legs.

Tang Yuan explained to the two, "Besides using disinfectant, we apply a special wound-healing solution extracted from various valuable herbs to help the piglets heal better and prevent infection."

Well, the herbs were grown by their team, but if they were useful, they were valuable, right? How else would they sell at a good price?

This interested Ivan and Lin Fulong.

Ivan: "Can this promote hair growth? As you know, many Frenchmen go bald at a young age."

Tang Yuan wanted to tell him it was due to genetics and had nothing to do with hair growth solutions, but she smiled, "If it's non-normal or pathological hair loss, it can help. Polygonum multiflorum, Platycladus orientalis, Angelica sinensis, and Alpinia officinarum indeed have hair growth... effects."

She omitted the part about black hair, as Ivan and Lin Fulong didn't have black hair.

Although the pig farm wasn't large, they spent half a day touring it.

Finally, Lin Fulong's stomach growled, stopping Ivan's intention to go into the mountains. "You’re short and can endure hunger, but I’m sickly and can’t."

Tang Bingde didn't accompany them on the tour, knowing that the leaders and foreign guests weren't there for him, and his presence was irrelevant.

He called everyone to eat, "Leaders and distinguished guests, it's time to eat—dinner is served at the village headquarters."

The pig farm had a certain smell, so guests were taken to the village headquarters for meals.

It was clean, and he had it fumigated several times with the herbs from their own village, making it dry and refreshingly fragrant.