30: Chapter 30 Finding a Way to Sell Beans

Just as the sky began to brighten, Li Dakang and Zheng Shijun arrived at Zhengjia Village.

The June morning breeze, carrying the freshness of dew, swept away the dust on the mountain road.

In the kitchen of Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian, several boards of freshly made tofu were steaming, and the scent of beans filled the entire room.

"Township Head, please try some."

Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian handed over a pair of bamboo chopsticks, his fingers still stained with bean dregs.

"Hmm, not bad!"

Li Dakang's eyes lit up, and he picked up another piece.

"It's even better than what I had last time. This texture... is it because it was just made?"

Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian smiled honestly, revealing a row of slightly crooked teeth: "Township Head, you have a sharp eye. Tofu is the kind of thing that tastes best right out of the pot. It loses its flavor if left too long, and especially in this hot weather, it easily turns sour overnight."

He rubbed his hands together and added, somewhat awkwardly: "I was worried it wouldn't be enough, so I specifically made a few extra boards. Township Head, are you taking this for yourself, or..."

"Party Branch Secretary Zheng."

Li Dakang put down his chopsticks and looked directly into the other man's eyes: "The township has decided to establish a Bean Products Factory in your village to sell the tofu to the city."

Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian was stunned: "Township Head, this... will this work?"

His brows knitted together: "Tofu is sold everywhere. Although our village's version tastes a bit better, it's ultimately not something worth much..."

Li Dakang looked at Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian's puzzled expression and understood.

In this era, most grassroots cadres knew almost nothing about the market economy, let alone brand effects and economies of scale.

He recalled that during a previous township meeting, someone even asked what "GDP" was an abbreviation for.

As the two were speaking, Zheng Shijun walked in from outside: "Township Head, everything is arranged. The ox cart is waiting outside."

Li Dakang nodded and helped Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian carefully place the tofu, piece by piece, into bamboo baskets lined with damp cloth.

Each board of tofu was wrapped in fresh lotus leaves, which not only kept it fresh but also added a delicate fragrance.

"Be careful, don't let it get crushed."

Li Dakang instructed: "Taking a tractor is too bumpy; an ox cart is steadier."

Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian watched as Li Dakang treated this tofu—which he considered the most ordinary thing—with such care, and he couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion.

He turned around, took an earthenware jar from the cupboard, and said: "Township Head, this is soy sauce I brewed myself; it goes best with tofu. Take it with you and let the city folks have a taste."

Li Dakang took the earthenware jar; it was heavy, and the seal was covered with a layer of yellow clay.

He nodded solemnly: "Alright."

The ox cart swayed along for two hours before reaching the township.

Li Dakang didn't have time to rest and immediately headed to the riverbank with the tofu. Several fishermen were on the shore organizing their nets.

"Brother, are you heading to the city?" Li Dakang called out to an older fisherman.

The fisherman looked up, squinting as he examined Li Dakang and the bamboo baskets beside him: "Bringing that much stuff will cost extra."

"Two yuan, how about that?" Li Dakang said readily.

The fisherman's eyes lit up; this was double what he usually made.

He quickly put down his fishing net, walked over, and helped Li Dakang move the bamboo baskets onto the boat: "Watch the steps, don't drop your treasures."

The small boat drifted downstream, and the scenery on both banks slowly receded.

Li Dakang sat at the bow, his hand resting on the bamboo basket the whole time, fearing that a wave might come and shatter the tofu.

The fisherman, poling the boat, asked curiously: "Little brother, what do you have in those baskets that's so precious?"

"Tofu," Li Dakang answered briefly.

"Tofu?" The fisherman opened his mouth wide in surprise.

"Isn't there tofu for sale in the city? Do you have to bring it all the way from the countryside?"

Li Dakang smiled without answering. He thought to himself that once the Bean Products Factory was established, such questions would no longer arise.

Just as the executive deputy township head had said, less than an hour later, the small boat arrived at the city area.

The wharf was bustling with activity, with various boats coming and going, and porters calling out chants as they loaded and unloaded cargo.

Li Dakang paid the fare and carefully carried the bamboo baskets ashore.

Standing on the bustling street, Li Dakang took a deep breath. The real challenge was about to begin: how to promote this seemingly ordinary tofu to the city's large enterprises.

He felt the address book in his pocket, which contained Secretary Chen Bin's phone number.

"Hello, Brother Chen? It's Dakang."

Li Dakang found a public phone booth on the side of the road: "I've already arrived in the city, and I've brought the tofu... Yes, okay, good, I'll head over right now."

Hongbin Restaurant was a famous establishment in the city, with grand decor. Several black sedans were parked at the entrance; one look at the license plates revealed they were the official vehicles of leaders from certain city units.

Li Dakang carried the bamboo baskets into the lobby, and a waiter immediately came up to greet him.

"Sir, what is this..."

"I booked a private room, the surname is Li," Li Dakang said.

"Also, I would like to ask your chef to help me prepare this tofu; the processing fee is negotiable."

The waiter hesitated: "This... I have to ask the manager."

Before long, a middle-aged man in a suit walked over, with a "Manager" name tag pinned to his chest.

He looked at the tofu in the bamboo baskets, then examined Li Dakang: "Sir, our restaurant has a policy; we generally do not accept ingredients brought by guests..."