My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 70 National Beverages Resist the Invasion of Western Coca-Cola
As the train pulled into Khabarovsk station, a biting wind, carrying the ruggedness characteristic of Siberia, swept over us.

Zhong Zhaomin wrapped his coat tighter around himself, stepped off the platform, and glanced at the somewhat old but industrial-looking train station in this important Far Eastern city.

Her eyes held a hint of weariness from a long journey, but more than that, they held a sense of scrutiny and anticipation.

Liu Changhe was already waiting on the platform. When he saw Qin Yuan and Zhong Zhaomin's group, he immediately greeted them warmly.

"Boss! You must be tired from your journey!" Liu Changhe said with a smile, his gaze lingering on Zhong Zhaomin for a moment, with a hint of surprise and inquiry that was barely perceptible.

"Changhe, this is Zhong Zhaomin, deputy director and technical expert of Qiulin Candy Factory. He will be providing guidance to our factory for some time to come."

Qin Yuan gave a brief introduction, "Director Zhong, this is Liu Changhe, the assistant to the president of Far East Kvass Food Co., Ltd., who is in charge of the daily operations here."

"Director Zhong, hello! I've heard so much about you!" Liu Changhe quickly extended his hand, his attitude respectful.

Although he didn't know the details, the boss's solemn introduction suggested that this person was definitely not simple.

"Assistant Liu, you're too kind." Zhong Zhaomin shook his hand lightly, her voice calm, but her gaze had already passed over Liu Changhe and landed on the several Volga cars parked outside the station. "Let's go to the factory first."

“Okay! The car is right outside!” Liu Changhe replied immediately.

The car left the station and soon arrived at the "Far East Gvas Food Company"—formerly the Baroev Bread Factory—located on the outskirts of Khabarovsk.

When Zhong Zhaomin stepped into the factory gate, a genuine look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Contrary to her expectations of dilapidation or chaos, the factory area in front of her, though the buildings were somewhat old, was well-maintained.

The snow was cleared away, revealing the hardened ground.

The originally empty space has been divided into clear passageways and functional area signs.

Although the exterior walls of the main factory buildings were mottled, the windows were bright, indicating that they had been carefully cleaned.

The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread, wafting from the renovated bread production workshop.

"Director Zhong, this way please." Liu Changhe led everyone to the largest factory building. "This is the reserved kvass production workshop."

Pushing open the heavy workshop door, a smell mixed with disinfectant and the scent of brand-new metal hits you.

Inside the spacious workshop, the floor was spotless, clearly having undergone thorough cleaning and anti-slip treatment.

The original bread production line equipment has been moved or dismantled, freeing up a large space.

The most eye-catching feature is the preliminary framework of several major functional areas that have already been installed in the workshop:

Water treatment system area, fermentation system area, filling and packaging area, auxiliary equipment area.

The workshop has a reasonable layout and clear workflow. Although most of the key equipment is still in transit, the basic framework has been built and the water and electricity pipelines have been laid. It is just waiting for the equipment to be installed and debugged.

"Assistant Liu, you've made excellent preparations!" Zhong Zhaomin couldn't help but exclaim, his eyes revealing genuine appreciation.

It is no easy feat to transform a bread factory into a prototype workshop that meets the basic requirements of modern beverage production in such a short period of time, and to plan it so clearly and rationally.

This requires strong execution capabilities, a thorough understanding of the process, and meticulous attention to detail.

Liu Changhe was praised by the experts, and a simple yet proud smile appeared on his face: "We did everything according to the boss's requirements. We haven't been idle during this time. We've done everything we can, and we're just waiting for the equipment and experts to arrive!"

He continued, "Regarding raw materials, I've already contacted local and Moscow suppliers for rye bread, sugar, and the specific yeast strain you specifically emphasized. The first batch of raw materials should be in stock within the next couple of days. The plastic bottle production line has also been finalized, and the equipment should be delivered and installed next week."

Qin Yuan nodded in satisfaction: "Changhe, you did a great job."

Zhong Zhaomin walked to the huge fermentation tank, reached out and touched the cold tank wall, and looked around the workshop. His evaluation of this "Far East Kvass Food Co., Ltd." rose even higher.

"Director Zhong," Qin Yuan walked to her side, "it will take some time for the equipment and bacteria to be transported from Harbin. Once all the equipment arrives, is installed and debugged, how long will it take before we can start the first batch of trial production?"

His biggest concern right now is when kvass will be produced.

Zhong Zhaomin pondered for a moment, quickly reviewing the process in his mind: "The traditional process uses a mixture of lactic acid bacteria and yeast for fermentation, which takes about 72 hours in total, with the main fermentation stage alone requiring 48 hours. Subsequent filtration, sterilization, mixing, and filling also require time."

She then changed the subject, her tone filled with professional confidence: "However, our Qiulin factory has made improvements, adopting modern industrial processes and more efficient strains of bacteria, coupled with precise temperature control, which can shorten the main fermentation time to 36 hours."

"With the optimization of subsequent processes, the process from material input to finished product filling can be controlled in as little as 48 hours."

"Once the equipment is installed and debugged, the personnel are trained, and the raw materials are ready," Zhong Zhaomin looked at Qin Yuan with a confident gaze, "the first batch of qualified products will be produced in no more than a week!"

"Good!" A glint flashed in Qin Yuan's eyes. "Changhe, you will fully cooperate with Director Zhong! Equipment installation, personnel training, raw material supply—everything must be done according to Director Zhong's requirements! I want to see the first batch of products labeled 'Far East Kvass' rolling off the production line in a week!"

"Yes, boss! I guarantee the task will be completed!" Liu Changhe straightened his back and answered loudly. Zhong Zhaomin was also impressed by Qin Yuan's decisiveness and nodded: "Don't worry, Consultant Qin, I will come up with a plan as soon as possible."

In the following days, the Kvass plant in Khabarovsk went into high-speed operation.

Kvass production equipment transported from Harbin arrived one after another. Under the command of Zhong Zhaomin and the five technical experts she brought, the workers worked day and night to install and debug the equipment.

Liu Changhe was like a tightly wound spring, busy scheduling raw materials, arranging personnel training, and coordinating logistical support, keeping himself extremely busy.

Zhong Zhaomin demonstrated remarkable professionalism and leadership.

She personally drew up equipment installation diagrams, guided workers in connecting complex pipelines, debugged the temperature control system, and provided hands-on training to local workers on key operating procedures.

She was strict about every detail, but her explanations were clear, and her attitude was rigorous yet patient, which quickly earned her the respect of the workers.

Qin Yuan spent most of his time at the factory, closely monitoring the progress, but he did not interfere too much in the specific affairs, delegating full authority to Zhong Zhaomin and Liu Changhe.

Finally, on the sixth day after the equipment arrived.

Inside the huge fermentation tank, the kvass liquid, fermented under precise temperature control for 36 hours, exudes an enticing sweet and sour aroma, a blend of roasted malt and a hint of alcohol.

After a series of processes including filtration, sterilization, mixing with syrup, cooling, and carbon dioxide injection, the orange-yellow liquid is poured into brand-new plastic bottles, capped, and labeled with the Russian word "Far East Kvas".

The first batch of "Far East Kvass" has officially rolled off the production line!

Qin Yuan picked up a bottle of kvass that was still warm from the machine and unscrewed the cap.

"Hiss—" The sound of gas being released slightly.

A familiar, refreshing sweet and sour aroma, mixed with a faint hop scent and an extremely subtle hint of alcohol, wafts over.

He tilted his head back and took a big gulp.

Icy cold! Sweet and sour! Refreshing!

It has the aroma of malt and a perfectly balanced, invigorating, slight tingling sensation on the tongue!
It has a rich and mellow taste and a unique flavor, almost exactly the same as what he drank at the Qiulin Candy Factory in Harbin!
Even due to differences in water quality and raw materials (Russian bread), the taste seems to be purer and more refreshing!

"Good!" Qin Yuan put down the bottle, a satisfied smile on his face. "This is the taste!"

Zhong Zhaomin and Liu Changhe each took a bite, and their faces showed relieved and joyful smiles.

It worked!
"Changhe!" Qin Yuan immediately ordered, "Organize manpower immediately to pack the first batch of qualified products! Contact railcars and send them to Moscow as quickly as possible!"

"Yes!" Liu Changhe perked up and immediately turned to make arrangements.

Qin Yuan looked at Zhong Zhaomin, his eyes filled with approval and a hint of deeper meaning: "Director Zhong, thank you for your hard work!"

"I'll leave things here to you and Changhe. Maintain stable production and ensure quality. At the same time, start small-batch production of Lidaos red sausage for process testing and flavor adjustments to prepare for the future."

He paused, then said solemnly, "As for your side... preparations for the MBO can begin. Let me know whenever you need funds."

Zhong Zhaomin looked at Qin Yuan and nodded vigorously.

She knew that Qin Yuan had kept his promise.

Now, it's her turn to fulfill her promise.

"Don't worry, Mr. Qin, leave this to me." Zhong Zhaomin's voice was steady and powerful.

Qin Yuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the bustling scene in the workshop and the boxes of brand-new "Far East Kvass".

He picked up a box of samples that had been prepared beforehand at his feet.

Now that we have the product, it's time to sell it.

As for how to sell them?
What kind of gimmick will be used to sell it?

Actually, it's very simple.

In the Soviet Union at that time, what gimmick could be better than comparing itself to Coca-Cola?

Playing the ethnic card is a more effective approach.

(End of this chapter)