1968: Started from breeding

The luncheon ended in a subtle yet warm atmosphere.

The stunning performance of the Golden Feather Chicken not only won over the guests' taste buds, but also made the American delegation, especially those shrewd business advisors and political brokers, smell its enormous commercial value.

Before departing, the President specifically expressed his gratitude to Su Wenchen, praising his description of the "unique flavor of each chicken."

After seeing off the main VIPs and leading them to the temporary lounge arranged by the club, the real power struggle began.

The reception hall has a large conference room on the second floor.

A silent interplay of solemnity and sharp wit.

The long conference table divides the space into two camps.

On the Chinese side, the Vice Foreign Minister was at the core, with Su Wenchen and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Trade sitting on either side. Several translators of the minutes were seated behind them, with documents and pens spread out in front of them, as if they were at a chess game.

On the other side of the long conference table, Kissinger led a comprehensive negotiating team that included officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Commerce, several agricultural and business advisors, and advisors from several large corporations.

Ronald, as press secretary, was also present.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was far less relaxed than at the luncheon; an invisible pressure and calculation permeated the air.

The curtains were drawn to ensure the privacy of the conversation, with only the overhead incandescent light illuminating the different expressions on their faces.

The main tone has been set by the top leaders, but when it comes to the specific implementation, every detail requires heated debate between the two sides.

Because the higher-ups only set the tone and direction, while the specific details of the negotiations are usually left to the lower levels to discuss.

That way, even if both sides are arguing fiercely, they can still maintain a semblance of harmony on the surface.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture official got straight to the point.

"Director Su, your technology for treating saline-alkali land is very impressive."

"Millions of hectares of land in California's Central Valley, Nevada, Utah, and other states are suffering from salinization, to a degree no different from what you have described."

"We hope to explore the possibility of in-depth technical cooperation with you."

Seeing that the other side was preparing to discuss issues related to alkali treatment technology first, the Chinese negotiating team had also conducted careful communication in advance.

Su Wenchen is responsible for responding to questions related to technology exports.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade is primarily responsible for negotiating project introductions.

Finally, any disputes involving territorial sovereignty are handled by the Vice Foreign Minister.

The division of labor is very clear.

So after hearing what the other person said.

Su Wenchen spoke first, his expression calm. He did not go straight to the substantive terms, but first reiterated his position.

"As mentioned before, it is our common aspiration to rehabilitate saline-alkali land and make every inch of land available for human use."

"However, we only welcome technological exchanges and cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit."

Su Wenchen's meaning is clear: it's impossible for us to unilaterally open up technology exports unless you can provide your core technologies.

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, the agricultural advisor from the negotiating team eagerly interjected.

"No, I believe that opening up your country's technology is more beneficial than harmful to your nation."

"Our College of Agriculture at Cornell University has a long history and top-notch overall strength, and has already achieved remarkable results in the field of soil science."

"I believe we should break down the technological barriers between countries. With our participation, I am confident that we can develop more environmentally friendly, more durable, and higher-yielding fertilizers for alkali control more quickly."

"Isn't this a good thing for your country?"

Su Wenchen smiled and shook his head.

"I'll say it again: if we're going to break down technological barriers, we'll break them completely. We can't just unilaterally open up our technology!"

"Currently, we are only considering the stable export of finished fertilizers, and we will ensure that the treatment effect is consistent with what you have seen before."

“Every technology we have embodies the wisdom and hard work of countless researchers, so unfortunately, there is currently no room for negotiation regarding technology exports.”

The American side was clearly dissatisfied with Su Wenchen's words.

After all, what maximizes their interests is acquiring the technology; otherwise, always being controlled by others will certainly be uncomfortable.

Therefore, the leader of the U.S. Department of Commerce immediately closed his notebook and looked in the direction of the foreign trade officials.

“If all of you have these conditions, I think we may not be able to reach an agreement on the introduction of subsequent projects.”

"You have absolutely no respect for us!"

Clearly, the other side knew that they couldn't find a breakthrough with Su Wenchen, so they were looking for other breakthroughs, hoping that officials from other departments would put pressure on Su Wenchen, this young and hardline official.

They have used this tactic many times in negotiations with countries that are less developed than themselves.

The results are always quite good.

However, this time, upon hearing these words, the foreign trade official acted as if the other party wasn't speaking to him at all.

There was absolutely no response.

He simply gave the impression that he hadn't heard anything.

It was clear that the leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Trade knew that the other party was putting pressure on them, but the introduction of the project was an important matter for them to handle later.

Since they couldn't directly ask whether to sell or not, nor could they put pressure on their comrades, they simply remained silent.

Seeing this, Su Wenchen immediately came to the rescue.

"Sir, can I take what you just said as you threatening us with the project's export plan to force us to disclose our technology?"

The other person shrugged.

"Think what you want, because what I said is the truth."

Su Wenchen shook his head and closed his notebook.

"That's a pity. If that's the case, we may not be able to continue negotiating."

“We have great respect for you, but I’m sorry, I don’t see any equality in you.”

"They acted completely condescendingly, as if exporting equipment to us was a tremendous favor!"

"Sir, the world is not just one America."

"What you also export to us is neither the technology for manufacturing equipment nor high-precision CNC machine tools."

"Is it just outdated production equipment that you need to replace, or is it equipment that we have to pay real money to buy?"

"Using this pile of outdated junk as a bargaining chip, frankly speaking, is not a choice made by a smart country."

As soon as Su Wenchen finished speaking, the other party became somewhat angry.

"Since it's junk, we don't need to talk anymore!"

Clearly, he was very dissatisfied with what had just been said.

In his view, even things that were slightly outdated in their country were advanced things from other countries.

Of course, this is indeed the case at present.

However, this time, Su Wenchen and his team did have some bargaining chips.

Since he also had something that others needed, Su Wenchen could naturally be a little more assertive.

As the negotiations reached a stalemate, Kissinger, the U.S. negotiator, glanced at the silent Deputy Foreign Minister opposite him.

I also know that this pressure campaign has basically been in vain.

After getting a general idea of ​​the other party's attitude, he spoke up to ease the tension.

"Rienko, don't say things out of anger!"

"The President and the other leader share the same opinion: both sides must negotiate on the basis of equality and mutual benefit."

After speaking, he looked at the Vice Foreign Minister who was standing next to Su Wenchen.

"Joe! What's your opinion?"

Seeing that the other party had come out to ease the tension, Foreign Minister Qiao naturally smiled and echoed his sentiments.

"Mr. Kissinger is right. Equality and mutual benefit are the cornerstone of our bilateral negotiations and a consensus between our two sides."

"Xiao Su is still young, so it's inevitable that he speaks with a bit of youthful directness. Please forgive him."

Clearly, both sides have similar strategies: one side plays the bad cop first, and the other plays the good cop later.

After all, it's a negotiation!
It's all about gradually testing each other and playing a game of strategy to reach a balance that's acceptable to both sides!

Any words spoken at the negotiating table can be a means for the other party to exert pressure.

After seeing that the first strategy didn't work.

The American side discussed the matter in hushed tones for a while, then decisively changed their approach. A business consultant spoke up directly.

"Director Su, we have no problem importing your alkali-remediating fertilizer, but our American market is huge. Can you guarantee timely product supply?"

"Moreover, relying solely on exported finished products will significantly dilute profits due to transportation and distribution costs."

“I think we can adopt a cooperative farm construction model, where you can directly build a rabbit farm in our country.”

"We can even provide you with a free, interest-free loan to help you build your facility!"

"The key management personnel can also use your personnel."

"This way, we can achieve efficient localized production, and you can earn profits at the lowest cost."

"With the money you earn, you can even purchase all kinds of equipment you need in our country, tax-free."

What do you guys think?

Upon hearing this, many people on Su Wenchen's side immediately began to discuss it.

Even the officials in charge of negotiations from the Ministry of Foreign Trade nodded slightly.

Clearly, they felt that this approach showed the other party was much more sincere.

The money earned was used to purchase various equipment, and the equipment was purchased at tax-free cost.

However, Su Wenchen knew about the hidden trap in this matter.

The other country might have a good reputation now, but who knows what will happen in the future? They might change their tune constantly, and he's certainly heard about that before.

Even the president of the other party can change at any time, so how long such a promise will last is truly an unknown for Su Wenchen.

Moreover, his original intention in building the breeding farm was to drive the development of the special economic zone.

Building a breeding farm overseas, even setting aside the issue of breeding stock, would be a completely unprofitable venture from an economic perspective alone.

For Su Wenchen, even if he had to sacrifice some profits, he had to keep the business in the local area.

After all, real industries are the foundation of all development. With real industries, people in the special economic zone will gradually have more jobs. As wages and incomes increase, various related service industries will also emerge.

Then gradually boost the economy of the entire special economic zone.

Therefore, he completely disregarded this suggestion.

However, one certainly cannot openly say that the other country lacks trust and that one's words are meaningless.

After a pause, Su Wenchen spoke in a gentle yet authoritative tone.

"Your proposal is not very realistic. First of all, let's not talk about the various complexities of building a farm in a different location. The labor force in your country is a major obstacle."

“If we actually build a factory in your country, I think that production costs will probably increase rather than decrease, and may even increase significantly.”

"In comparison, our labor costs are much cheaper."

"Of course, if your country's workers can accept a monthly salary of $15, then we can consider it."

Su Wenchen wasn't lying. At that time, most of the employees at their special zone farm earned around thirty yuan a month.

Based on the current international exchange rate, it's about two yuan to one US dollar.

Their basic monthly salary here in the special zone is indeed around $15.

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, almost everyone on the other side shook their heads.

"Oh my God! This is impossible!"

"If workers are paid this monthly wage, they simply cannot survive, and they will definitely protest!"

“In our country, $15 can only sustain you for five days at most, which is not even enough to guarantee basic survival!”

Su Wenchen shrugged.

"That's why I said your proposal just now wasn't very feasible!"

Upon hearing this, the business consultant who had initially made the statement frowned.

His original intention was to first bring the other party's seed to their local area, and then they would naturally have a way to obtain it when it reached their territory.

As for salary and such, he hadn't even considered it, since he couldn't let the other party stay for long.

If this goes on for too long, how will they make money?

But now, after hearing what the other person said, he suddenly realized a problem he hadn't considered before.

That means even if we actually get our hands on the technology.

It seems that building a facility locally is still a high-cost business for them!
After all, their average monthly salary is six hundred dollars, while the other party's average monthly salary is fifteen dollars.

Even if it's not a major industrial relocation wave yet.

However, many Americans have indeed realized that their domestic costs are too high, resulting in insufficient product competitiveness.

So, in response to Su Wenchen's words, the other party asked directly.

"So, importing from you will result in a very low price?"

"What is your export price?"

Su Wenchen simply held up one finger.

“Here, a ton of alkali-remediating fertilizer only costs five hundred US dollars.”

"According to our current data, one ton of alkali-remediating fertilizer can basically improve four to five hectares of ordinary saline-alkali land."

"That means your annual cost for improvement per hectare is only about one hundred US dollars."

"As far as I know, the current cost of improvement per hectare in your country is about five to eight hundred US dollars."

"Moreover, the transformation takes a long time, and no production can be made during the process."

“Our approach is different. We can disperse three months in advance without affecting a year’s output at all.”

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, one of the other party frowned.

"Is it necessary to use it every year?"

"Wouldn't that increase our land use costs?"

Su Wenchen said with a smile.

"It's okay not to use it the following year, but the activity of the microbial community will gradually decrease. If we keep planting on this land, it will probably become severely saline again in less than two years."

"After all, as you all know, salinization is essentially caused by an imbalance of soil nutrients, leading to an excessive accumulation of a single soil element."

"If you continue to use our alkali-repairing fertilizer, you can reduce the amount used when applying additional fertilizer later."

"Gentlemen, land has a limited lifespan, especially now that chemical fertilizers are so prevalent in your country."

"It's essentially using up the land's lifespan in advance, so you can weigh the cost against the output yourself."

After saying that, Su Wenchen added fuel to the fire, preparing to bring up the Lesser Vehicle Winning Technique, which the other party had not yet mastered.

"Gentlemen, as far as I know, you will also announce the results of your visit to the public after you return."

"What could be more suitable for publicity than this!"

"I've even thought of a title for you."

"A great victory! Under the president's leadership, our five million hectares of land are about to be revived!"

"Five million hectares of saline-alkali land in the United States will be completely rehabilitated, an initiative that will create at least hundreds of thousands of related jobs. This is a great victory."

"We should thank the President!"

The entire audience was stunned by Su Wenchen's formulaic words.

Even his own people looked at Su Wenchen with strange expressions.

Meanwhile, the American negotiating team on the other side was completely stunned upon hearing this.

Especially some of the accompanying officials.

After careful consideration, I realized that this actually seems to be an excellent promotional plan!
Because it involves people's livelihood, it will definitely attract a lot of attention. The second reason is to slightly reduce domestic prices.

The third measure is to create more jobs, and each of these measures is a genuine benefit to ordinary people.

Their approval rating will definitely increase this time.

That's exactly what I meant.

It was a great victory right off the bat, and they immediately thanked the president!

Doesn't that sound a bit like flattery?

But wouldn't this make it easier for me to improve? (End of Chapter)