Forced to marry a disabled man in the countryside? I'll repay you tenfold!

Old Liu pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

He truly believed in Su Wanqing—her mycelium propagation technology was far more advanced than the old methods they had been researching for over a decade. From now on, whether it was shiitake mushrooms, silver ear fungus, or other fungi, they would all have to rely on her. It would be best if she stayed at the Central Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Besides, if we include Su Wanqing, wouldn't the research on shiitake mushrooms and white fungus become the achievement of the Central Academy of Agricultural Sciences? Who would dare to laugh at them then? Bringing in such a talent would be entirely beneficial.

He's quick-witted; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to become the vice president of the Central Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

He said directly, "Xiao Su, you have to know how to be flexible in life."

You can first come to the Central Academy of Agricultural Sciences and take on a position as a specially appointed researcher. Then I'll assign you to Bincheng to guide the cultivation of shiitake mushrooms and white fungus there. You'll still be a member of our Academy of Agricultural Sciences, just going down there to carry out tasks.

Once you've had your fill in Bincheng, I'd like to send you to other places for guidance. That's what flexibility and adaptability are all about—very convenient.

If you agree today, the appointment letter and transfer order will be issued immediately. You can return to the city under this new status and report directly to the Bincheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences. There's no time limit; you can go before next month.

Old Liu went to great lengths to get Su Wanqing accepted into the staff.

Su Wanqing's eyes lit up after hearing this.

This offer was entirely beneficial to her; everyone was on her side and even went out of their way to help her. How could she possibly refuse such a sincere and helpful former leader?

She had previously refused because Zhou Yanshen was in Bincheng, and it would be easier to make money there. Although he was currently on a temporary assignment in the central government, he could still develop his career in Bincheng and other places, which would naturally be even better.

She smiled and said, "Since you are so kind, I am naturally willing. It is my honor to contribute to the country."

Old Liu laughed heartily, in a good mood.

The rest is easy.

When asked questions, Su Wanqing answered calmly, and Mr. Shen also helped answer some of the questions.

The key takeaways are: With these shiitake and white fungus grown, people can enjoy fresh vegetables even in winter; and if they can't be sold, no worries—they can be dried into dried shiitake mushrooms, which are even more fragrant in soups—this is what makes shiitake mushrooms more valuable than oyster mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are best eaten fresh, while shiitake mushrooms can be stored for several years without spoiling, and the same goes for white fungus.

The reporters then asked, "Comrade Su, now that reform and opening up are underway and individual businesses are being encouraged, once this technology is widely adopted, will ordinary people be able to grow it themselves?"

Su Wanqing replied, "Of course. We provide the spawn and teach the techniques. As long as you're willing, anyone can grow it and sell it."

(PS: My mother was among the first people to promote mushroom cultivation in the 80s. Back then, the government distributed mycelium test tubes so that people could grow and sell their own mushrooms. However, due to inadequate sterilization at that time, the yield was not high.)

"Are the costs high? Can ordinary people afford to grow them?"

"The cost is not high; the auxiliary materials are all common things like straw and sawdust. The key is the original mycelium and the technology used for distribution. We have simplified it; you just need to follow the instructions."

When reporters asked about the prospects for wider adoption, Mr. Shen chimed in, "If this were widely implemented, people all over the country could enjoy fresh mushrooms in winter. It would be incredibly significant in improving their diet and supplementing their nutrition!"

In the end, the reporters finished their work with satisfaction.

At the very beginning of the reform and opening up, such stories were exactly what was needed to inspire people. During the interview, Su Wanqing made a point of mentioning the credit for the shiitake mushrooms and white fungus to Old Shen, which made the old man rub his hands together with delight—he was a man without desires, only interested in being in the newspaper.

After the interview, the group treated the reporters to a meal in the cafeteria.

Stir-fried oyster mushrooms with pork, stewed chicken with shiitake mushrooms, and white fungus and goji berry soup were served one after another. The reporters tasted them and gave them a thumbs up—the taste was much better than what they could buy in the market.

After the reporters left, Mr. Liu wrote the transfer order on the spot and sent it to his colleagues at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences via telegram for stamping.

In a single day, Su Wanqing transformed from a military dependent into a specially appointed researcher at the Central Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and was transferred to the Bincheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences as deputy director to guide the cultivation and promotion of shiitake mushrooms and white fungus.

The letter of appointment was written with great solemnity:

"We hereby appoint Comrade Su Wanqing as a specially appointed researcher at the Central Academy of Agricultural Sciences and transfer her to the Bincheng Agricultural Research Institute as deputy director (on secondment), responsible for the propagation and promotion of shiitake and silver ear fungus strains. Comrade Su has made outstanding contributions in the field of edible fungus cultivation, and we hope that relevant units will provide support and cooperation."

The bottom is stamped with the official red seal of the Central Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Secretary Liu handed the appointment letter to Su Wanqing with a complicated expression.

A talent like Dr. Su is in high demand everywhere. The small 65th Regiment couldn't possibly keep her. He understood that Dr. Su would stay for at most another month before truly returning to the city. Rather than being reluctant to part with her, he decided to take this last opportunity to give her more instructions on what to do after she left.

"Dr. Su, the rhizobia you left here, the ones you cultivated before, are enough for our beans and alfalfa next year. Would you like to take the rest with you?"

As long as this thing exists, the 65th Regiment is highly sought after by the surrounding regiments.

The entire Ili Prefecture is waiting for this expansion, not to mention the alfalfa seeds. When spring comes, the 65th Regiment's prospects this year will be good.

Su Wanqing understood Secretary Liu's concerns: "I have already given all the rhizobium to Aunt Wen. Don't worry, I won't take it away. It will stay here, and she can handle the propagation below."

Party Secretary Liu immediately thanked him and said:

"Dr. Su, you're leaving soon. As we agreed on the profit sharing, I'll calculate your share every three months and send it to you in cash and receipts. I'll sort out the accounts in the next few days."

This is Su Wanqing's own rhizobium, developed in cooperation with the 65th Regiment, and she receives a share of the profits.

Su Wanqing agreed.

Now that we're heading back to the city, it's time to clear out the supplies we had in the accounts.

"By the way, could you please contact the person in charge of the Red-bellied Pheasant? We're heading back to the city soon. Are they here to take over these pheasants or what?"

Secretary Liu said he understood, and then brought up another matter: "My master knows you are going back to the city, and he may come over in the next couple of days."

Su Wanqing nodded. Even if she returned to the city, she could still do business with Director Li, since Director Li was really too easy to deal with.

While she was thinking this, Director Li and Jiang Zhiping didn't think the same way.

Liu Shuqing had just handed over the news that Su Wanqing was going to return to the city with the army, and before he could even mention that she had been poached by the Central Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiang Zhiping and Li Aiguo rushed over that afternoon.

Su Wanqing had just returned home from Secretary Liu's place and hadn't even had a chance to sit down when she was summoned to the command center again.

This time, a large bus arrived, and Jiang Zhiping personally led the team, kicking everyone else out and leaving only Li Aiguo and her two companions.

"Little Su, I heard you're going back to the city? What's so good about going back? It's not as good as where we are! As long as you stay, everything will be fine!"