Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 652 Luwan Factory

There are two traditional methods for making lotus root starch.

The first method is similar to industrial flour milling, which involves first adding water to crush the lotus root, then pressing it forcefully to extract the lotus root pulp.

After a day or two, the lotus root pulp is repeatedly rinsed to remove fine foam, lotus root residue, and inconspicuous mud and sand. Then, the rinsed lotus root pulp is drained to obtain dried lotus root starch.

At this stage, the dried lotus root starch is a solidified clump of starch. If you want to obtain lotus root starch, you need to continue baking or drying it to completely evaporate the moisture, and the clump of starch will naturally disperse.

Alternatively, you can cut the lotus root starch into small pieces with a knife, which can also be used to make tea.

(Traditional lotus root starch slices)

However, this method was time-consuming and laborious, so Chen Fan used the second method.

That is, simply wash the fresh lotus root, peel it, add water and mash it into a paste. Then put the paste on the stove and heat it slowly over low heat while stirring constantly. Once the paste turns translucent, add osmanthus, honey, or sugar to taste, and it's ready to eat.

Using this method, Chen Fan made a small improvement.

Although he had a mixer at home provided by the machinery factory, he found it troublesome. He cleaned and peeled several sections of dark-colored old lotus root, held one section in each hand, and with a burst of hidden strength, the hard, fresh lotus root turned into a puddle of mud, which fell into a small earthenware pot containing clear water.

When cooking lotus root, try not to use an iron pot, as it will easily turn black.

Earthenware pots are the best. They have low heat and produce lotus root starch that is crystal clear and looks even better than lotus root starch made from water.

Stir the lotus root paste slowly with water until it becomes lotus root starch, emitting a rich lotus root aroma.

Seeing that it was almost ready, Chen Fan picked up the sugar jar, scooped in a few spoonfuls of white sugar, and sprinkled in some osmanthus petals.

The osmanthus flowers were picked from the osmanthus trees in the village and are usually used to make osmanthus wine. Now they're perfect for adding some fragrance to the lotus root starch.

After adding the seasonings, stir with a large spoon.

A moment later, Chen Fan sniffed and glanced outside again.

A few seconds later, several people walked up the long slope and appeared in front of him.

The visitors were none other than several leaders from the brigade headquarters, except for Secretary Yang.

Chen Fan sat at the kitchen doorway, stirring constantly, and looked at them with a smile, "Didn't you say that some people were coming to visit and learn today? Didn't you come with them?"

Zhang Wenliang walked briskly at the front, shaking his head with a bitter face. "The autumn harvest has only been over for a few days, and people are already coming here again, and they're from out of town. I can't stand it, I really can't stand it. My father-in-law has to do his job and can't escape, so we came here to find some peace and quiet."

Chen Fan chuckled and said, "Don't they pay for their meals?"

When he came back in the summer, he mentioned that he suggested the commune arrange accommodation and the team arrange meals, charging according to the rules. The canteen of Huangli and the winery of Yangmei were mainly prepared for these people. Later, it actually made things more convenient for the brigade headquarters, where they often closed the doors to eat and drink. ... Disgusting.

Upon hearing his words, Zhang Wenliang's face instantly broke into a smile. "We'll still pay. The rules can't be broken. Otherwise, how can we afford to entertain guests every day?"

As he spoke, he squatted down beside the stove, his eyes fixed on the earthenware pot. "It's all in the newspapers. They charge admission to visit Huaxi Village. We're opening our doors to welcome guests and only charging for the food. Isn't that generous enough? And most importantly, if we don't charge, won't even more people come?"

Chen Fan hummed in response, then suddenly realized, "You just said that the people who came today were from out of town?"

The term "outside the area" has two meanings: one is outside Nanhu Commune, and the other refers to outside Yunhu area.

Previously, Zhang Wenliang had been referring to "other communes" and "outer counties," so this "outer place" likely refers to areas outside Yunhu.

Has Lujiawan's fame spread this far?
At this moment, Captain Zhang and his two companions also approached. Without needing to be greeted or even move any chairs, they sat directly on the benches in the covered walkway.

Xiao Liewen took out his pipe and lit it. Just then, he heard Chen Fan's question and said directly, "People from other places started coming here in October. Some of them heard about it from other county communes that came to our area."

Some of them frequently traveled by boat to the prefectural committee, and only learned of Lujiawan through casual conversations. Intrigued, they came to see for themselves.

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Lujiawan's reputation has spread far and wide, that's a good thing."

He forgot that, since ancient times, docks have always been the most efficient places for information to spread, until land transport replaced water transport and they gradually disappeared.

Yunhu area is one of the two major central cities in Jiangnan Province, the other being the provincial capital.

Given its important regional status, many areas surrounding Yunhu have always been centered around Yunhu. People like to go to Yunhu for medical treatment and shopping, and even many people from production teams who come out to make a living gather in Yunhu.

Thanks to the efforts of the sales team led by Zhang Wenliang, almost all passenger terminals in Yunhu have Luwan Delicatessen restaurants.

Therefore, it's quite normal for travelers to take news of Lujiawan back with them.

Zhang Wenliang stared at the increasingly fragrant lotus root starch, sniffed, and casually said, "What's a good thing about becoming famous? Even more people will come to visit, which will only waste our time."

Chen Fan crossed his legs and swung them around, laughing as he said, "Why isn't widespread fame a good thing? Why do you only choose Phoenix and Forever bicycles? Why do you only buy Shanghai brand watches? Isn't it because they have a big reputation?"

Ideally, Lujiawan should become famous throughout the country, and everyone should know that the Lujiawan brand belongs to our Lujiawan; that would be truly excellent.

The "brand name" that is commonplace in later generations only appeared in 84. People nowadays know the brand, but when you talk about brand name, you have to explain it to them.

Knowing the situation, Chen Fan tried his best not to cause trouble for himself, except when it came out of the ordinary.

Zhang Wenliang looked up in astonishment, staring blankly at him. "You mean, 'Luwan' can be used as a brand name?"

Hongqi cars, Shanghai watches, Phoenix bicycles, Warrior shoes, Flying Man sewing machines, BJ televisions, Seagull cameras, Hero fountain pens... these were all famous brands in the 70s.

Even soap has lighthouses and docks, flashlights have Tiger brand, and batteries have Double Deer brand.

Who doesn't know what a brand represents?
It means that the most people know about it, and that the same product sells better than others.

Despite the fact that Luwan Delicatessen has branches all over the Yunhu area and is doing very well, from Secretary Yang to the commune members, no one ever thought that one day the name "Luwan" would be comparable to those big brands.

"That's impossible!"

Zhang Wenliang shook his head, his face full of doubt. "I know we're going to set up food factories and garment factories, sell the chickens, ducks and geese from Lujiawan to other places, and sell down jackets, but you're saying we're going to make Lujiawan a brand? I don't believe it!"

Chen Fan looked at him with a half-smile, "If even a bar of soap can be made into a brand name, why can't Lujiawan do it?"

Zhang Wenliang opened his mouth and turned to look at the three people next to him.

Zhang Changjiang frowned, seemingly thinking about how to make Luwan a brand.

Ye Shubao smoked a cigarette, his expression a complex mix of anticipation and hesitation.

Xiao Liewen pondered for a moment, then clapped his hands and said, "We all have one shoulder and one head. Back then, our troops could fight against the armies of 17 nations (including the Italian observers), and we couldn't even make a name for ourselves?"

Zhang Wenliang was a little confused. What was the connection between these two things? Chen Fan smiled and said, "Why not set your sights higher? Then, take it one step at a time, keep up with quality control and build a good reputation. Sooner or later, the name Luwan will be known throughout the country, and it's not impossible that it will even be known worldwide."

It's just casual chatting anyway. Bragging is tax-free, and it's nice to get a little excited every now and then.

He had said the same thing to Director Yang of the machinery factory before.

The incentive effect was clearly good; Zhang Changjiang and the other two nodded in unison, as if they could see what that day would be like.

The next second, Zhang Changjiang chuckled and said, "Being famous throughout the country is enough. Being famous worldwide is a bit far off, and it also requires exporting. Exporting involves going through import and export companies and participating in the Canton Fair..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Wenliang said, "Uncle, have you forgotten? Huang Ying from Team 6 is at the Foreign Trade College. Once she graduates, won't she be able to get a job at the Ministry of Foreign Trade?"

These days, there are two departments in charge of foreign trade: the "Ministry of Foreign Trade" and the "Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations".

However, the Liaison Department is not responsible for specific import and export work; its main role is to "support" Asia, Africa, and Latin America and arrange aid programs.

Zhang Wenliang was already quite fortunate to even know about the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

In addition, in July of next year, 1979, two more departments will be added: the "Foreign Investment Management Committee" and the "Import and Export Management Committee," but these two departments will be "one institution with two names."

By 82, these four departments would be integrated into one, establishing the "Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade." This department was one of the most important departments in the 80s, and it appeared in the news almost every day until it was abolished in 93.

As one of the first batch of college students after the resumption of the college entrance examination, it was entirely predictable that Huang Ying would go to either the Ministry of Foreign Trade or the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations.

However, the former is clearly more important and is the company she is most likely to go to after graduation.

Upon hearing Zhang Wenliang's words, Zhang Changjiang and the other two realized what he meant, their eyes gleaming. "So, it's really possible to become world-famous?"

Chen Fan chuckled dryly. Even if Huang Ying joined the department, if he wanted to make the Luwan brand famous worldwide through her, he would be better off cooperating with Zhou Yali's company.

However, this is the prevailing mindset these days. Getting into university makes you a chosen one, and getting a job at Xiyuan is like a meteoric rise to the top.

Since they've all ascended to heaven, it's only natural that if one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs will benefit from it.

Many people have such simple and honest thoughts.

Unfortunately, there are too few who follow the path of "enlightenment". It's not that those who rise to the top are heartless, but what can these fresh graduates do in the top-level units where many veterans gather?
Later, a wave of enthusiasm for going abroad swept through the country. Then, in the 90s, going north to become a middleman and going south to Guangdong and Hainan became the "shortcut" to success. Even many "department heads" could not resist the temptation to go into business and jumped on the bandwagon.

Ultimately, only a very small minority can rise to prominence through such means.

However, seeing how happy they were, Chen Fan naturally wouldn't dampen their spirits.

Another point is that whether the oriole is useful depends on how it is used.

With Chen Fan mediating, everyone can make the best use of their talents, and nothing will be wasted.

After chatting for a while, the lotus root starch was ready.

Chen Fan took a few ceramic bowls and divided them into five portions, making a total of five bowls.

Each person held a bowl and slurped down the lotus root starch. Xiao Liewen didn't forget to say, "Hmm, this lotus root starch is fragrant. But after you finish this bowl, make less rice for lunch later, so as not to waste it."

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly. "Oh."

What could he do when his mentor spoke?

We have no choice but to comply.

After finishing his lotus root starch drink, Zhang Changjiang smacked his lips, wiped them with his hand, took out his pipe, lit it, and looked at Chen Fan, saying, "You said you wanted to make Luwan a brand. Just yesterday, the commune called a few of us over for a meeting, saying that the commune would provide the land and we should move all our sideline businesses to the town, to the area near the dock on the east side. Oh, that's where the garment factory is."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Shubao continued, "At first, we thought the commune would be like the old construction teams, wanting to reap the benefits once the production team's sideline business was done well."

He paused here, then chuckled sheepishly and said, "None of us would have been happy about this. I was even planning to mention your name back then. If it weren't for your connections, the side business in Lujiawan would never have gone so smoothly."

If the commune wants us to hand over our sideline businesses, then our previous connections might no longer be valid. That would be like crossing the river and then burning the bridge, rendering all our efforts in Lujiawan futile.

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh, Uncle Ye, you can use idioms now."

Ye Shubao was stunned for a moment, then rolled his eyes and said, "Go away, even I would laugh at you."

He paused for a moment after speaking, then looked at Chen Fan and chuckled.

Judging from Chen Fan's expression, you could tell he wasn't angry.

Chen Fan didn't care that they were using his name as a front.

Having finally turned their lives around, only to have it all taken away by a single word from their superiors—anyone would go crazy in that situation. Using his name as a pretext is something anyone could do. Besides, the sideline businesses in Lujiawan had indeed achieved their current success under his planning and personal execution; whether Ye Shubao said it or not, the commune knew this.

Chen Fan took out a cigarette and offered it to everyone, then looked at them and laughed, "Judging from your current appearance, the commune probably isn't trying to reap the benefits, is it?"

"of course."

Xiao Liewen took the cigarette, lit it, and said with a smile, "After Lao Ye said that, the three leaders, Secretary Qian, Director Jiang, and Deputy Secretary He, immediately stated that they would absolutely not take credit for it."

They wanted Lujiawan to move all its sideline businesses to the commune, and the commune would allocate a piece of land in the town to Lujiawan. In that case, the commune could also claim a share of the profits from these businesses.

In return, the commune will use its resources to support the development of Lujiawan.

Finally, Zhang Wenliang summarized, "The commune just wants results, while we want tangible benefits; that's the situation."

Zhang Changjiang continued, "We originally planned to call you over to discuss this, but since some people are coming to visit today, we decided to come together to find you and discuss this matter with you."

Ye Shubao said, "Whether you move or not, you have a say, and even the right to decide!"

Xiao Liewen nodded, "Besides, you just said you wanted to make 'Luwan' a brand, so this decision is even more yours."

Chen Fan pondered for two seconds, then smiled and said, "If they only care about the results, it's not impossible for them to provide us with resources."

He paused for a moment, then added, "But there's a condition."

Xiao Liewen and the other three asked in unison, "What are the conditions?"

Chen Fan held up one finger, “The factory area of ​​this side business must be named ‘Luwan’.”

(End of this chapter)