Dreaming back to 1949, the great powers were there to deceive us

Donghai Grain Storage Company is an enterprise controlled by the Chongming County Government, holding a 70% stake.

TA Grain and Oil holds a 30% stake.

The name "East China Sea Grain Storage" is derived from the East China Sea's vast area and its humility, implying a broad mind.

The East China Sea is vast and deep, flowing from its lowlands into hundreds of rivers.

This is a non-profit organization that is responsible for reducing the peaks and filling the valleys of food prices.

When grain prices are low, Donghai Grain Reserve will purchase them at a protective price to prevent farmers from suffering losses due to low grain prices.

When grain prices are high, the East China Sea grain reserves will be sold at a fair price to stabilize prices.

When Xiang Huaqiang rushed to Donghai to store grain, dozens of transport drivers had already gathered in front of the store, all wanting to exchange the banknotes in their hands for grain.

Rice, flour, corn, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, white sugar, brown sugar, cotton cloth!

Although there are not many varieties, they make people feel very secure.

In fact, the varieties of grain stored in Donghai include rice, wheat, corn, rapeseed, peanuts, soybeans, white sugar, brown sugar, and cotton.

The reason for selling finished products is to make things convenient for the people.

After Xiang Huaqiang turned around, he asked his companion,

"Brothers, do you want to exchange it for food?"

"What the hell? Do you want to carry food on your back and haul dirt?"

Xiang Huaqiang was still worried and asked,

“What if the food is all replaced?”

The donkey pointed at the rows of tall buildings and said with emotion,

"Just look at how much food there is. Every town has a warehouse like this. They say it stores over a million tons of food, enough to feed the entire county for half a year. Let's go! We've wasted too much time. Time is money!"

"Let's go!"

After Xiang Huaqiang left, Donghai Grain Reserve welcomed another group of people, including the county magistrate Zheng Xipo, Chongming Development Bank President Liu Anmin, and Donghai Grain Reserve General Manager Xu Xidi. In addition to the accompanying personnel, there were also several leaders from Shanghai.

A leader with a Sichuan accent said cheerfully,

"Folk remedies can also cure serious illnesses. You don't have any reserve funds, but you're doing pretty well!"

Liu Anmin said cautiously,

"Leader, food is our reserve fund! Monetary theory isn't difficult. As long as the money in people's hands can buy things and the currency doesn't depreciate significantly, it's all good. Didn't our party once use peanuts and peanut oil as reserve funds?"

During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, since peanuts were primarily sourced from the anti-Japanese base areas controlled by the Eighth Route Army, peanut oil became the base areas' second-largest export commodity, after salt. Furthermore, as the second-largest reserve commodity, peanuts played a crucial role in maintaining economic stability in the base areas. Every autumn, larger oil mills assisted the base area government in stabilizing prices by purchasing and storing peanuts and peanut oil. If prices rose, the government would arrange for the storage entities to sell peanuts and peanut oil to recover cash and stabilize prices. Conversely, if prices fell, the government would issue additional currency to purchase supplies.

"Hahahaha, there is such a thing."

The leader turned his head and looked at the other accompanying personnel.

"Any inspiration?"

Several people looked at each other, and one of them said,

"We don't have that much food!"

"Then find a way to raise funds!"

"Yes!"

The leader looked at Zheng Xipo,

"Is Chairman Hu here? We have to go to the Bye Bye Pier!"

Zheng Xipo pulled the leader aside and lowered his voice.

"Commander, the chairman went to Hong Kong. He dug two pits there to bury people..."

At this moment, Hu Zhenhua, who was thousands of miles away, sneezed for no reason.

"Who is talking about me?"

Xie Zhiyu turned his head away and pretended not to see it.

Captain Stewart's proposal not only attracted Xie Zhiyu, but also Hu Zhenhua.

After all, getting the best deal can make me happy!

However, Hu Zhenhua was still a little conflicted. According to his plan, Xie Zhiyu should go to the southwest to develop. The more chaotic the place, the more opportunities there would be!

A large number of defeated soldiers are about to flee south, which is a good opportunity for Xie Zhiyu to expand his power.

In a few years, the United States will wield the big stick against the Southern Monkey. This war has lasted for 20 years. If it is managed well, the benefits to be gained will be enormous!

If Xie Zhiyu stayed in Bao'an County, he could only get enough equipment for one or two divisions at most.

But then again, no matter how small a mosquito is, it’s still meat!

"Jiyu, I want to hear your thoughts."

Xie Zhiyu turned around at this point. He had already prepared a plan and answered immediately.

"As the old saying goes: 'The first push is strong, the second weakens, and the third is exhaustion.' Since it's a performance, of course we have to choose a place with many people."

He was referring to fundraising in the West.

At this stage, Xie Zhiyu is in the limelight, and the European and American people admire the lone hero very much.

This has to do with their culture.

From a historical and cultural perspective, Europe has been influenced by many chivalric cultures in history. Knights often appear as brave and independent, challenging powerful enemies single-handedly. This tradition has, to a certain extent, shaped the worship of lone heroes.

As a country of immigrants, the early pioneers of the United States had to rely on their personal courage and ability to open up living space when faced with harsh natural environments and unknown dangers, which also strengthened the admiration for lone heroes.

From an economic perspective, the West advocates liberal economics, believing that the invisible hand of the market is sufficient to regulate the economy. So what is this invisible hand?

It is a collection formed by each economic individual pursuing maximum benefit.

From the perspective of values, European and American culture emphasizes individualism and attaches importance to personal value and achievements.

Lone heroes rely on their own strength, wisdom, and courage to overcome difficulties and achieve their goals, which is consistent with this individualistic value. They are seen as symbols of independence, autonomy, and bravery, representing people's yearning for self-transcendence and breaking through difficulties.

Chinese traditional culture is very different from Europe and America's worship of lone heroes.

In terms of values, traditional Chinese culture emphasizes collectivism. It emphasizes the value and contribution of the individual within the collective, and advocates unity and collaboration to overcome difficulties. For example, when faced with natural disasters, Chinese people tend to work together to combat them, rather than relying on a lone hero.

In terms of heroic values, heroes in traditional Chinese culture often possess a sense of patriotism and a spirit of devotion. They stand up for the interests of their country, nation, and people, rather than simply for personal achievement. National heroes like Yue Fei and Wen Tianxiang, for example, centered their core qualities on loyalty and righteousness, relying on the support of the masses and shared struggle.

Historically, most of ancient China's major achievements were the result of collective effort. Massive projects like the construction of the Great Wall and the excavation of the Grand Canal were the product of the collective labor of countless people, not the independent efforts of a single hero.

This cultural difference is particularly evident on the battlefield.

For example, when it is necessary to blow up a bunker, Chinese soldiers will sacrifice themselves without hesitation for the collective victory.

When Western soldiers saw they were defeated, they either fled or surrendered, and they did not consider this shameful.

So in the Korean Peninsula War, the United Nations forces had a torrent of steel, while the Volunteer Army had a will of steel.

The outcome tells the whole story of who wins and who loses.

Hu Zhenhua burst into laughter.

Yushchenko's fundraising brings in hundreds of millions of dollars every day.

We must take advantage of Xie Zhiyu's popularity and make some good money.

"Zhiyu, I support your decision, but you may not stay here for long. It would be best to send people to the southwest to establish a base and prepare for retreat."

"Yes!"

Hu Zhenhua thought for a moment and then said,

"The crying child gets the milk. You're new here, surrounded by a hundred or so defeated soldiers and no money. In this situation, you have to learn to beg for alms. There are three main sources. The first is the authorities. Don't forget, you're a Lieutenant General promoted by the leader himself. It's not too much to ask the local garrison to provide you with equipment for one or two regiments, right?"

"The second target is the foreigners in Hong Kong. You're stationed in Bao'an County, forming a pincer attack with them. This will be very beneficial to the defense of Hong Kong. Those foreigners are best at finding people to take bullets for them. How could they refuse you, a human shield delivered to their door? However, you can't take the initiative to ask them for help. You need to be strategic."

"The third target for alms is the local gentry, landlords, and comprador merchants. Send more people to scare them, saying that if they don't hold on, their land will be confiscated, their property will be confiscated, and they will be put on trial. See if they are afraid!"

Xie Zhiyu listened and gave a thumbs up.

"Chairman, when it comes to digging holes, you're the one who has to do it!"

Hu Zhenhua's face darkened and he shouted,

"Nonsense! I'm redeeming them! Otherwise, a hundred years from now, my ancestors will slap them to death!"

This explanation was refreshing to Xie Zhiyu.

That’s right, blackmail… soliciting donations from them is to prevent them from resting in peace in the afterlife.

Everything should have a legitimate reason. This idea is very convincing.

Hu Zhenhua, a master of digging holes, felt quite regretful.

"It's a shame those idiots from the Temporary 1st Regiment were arrested. Otherwise, we could have let them shine again."

Xie Zhiyu didn't care.

"Idiots are everywhere, there are a lot of them. I've only been here for three days, and the surrounding monsters have heard that I 'select people based on merit' and have flocked to me. The First Division may not have anything else, but there are still a few turtles and tortoises."

"Tell me now!"

Hu Zhenhua wanted to recruit him.

Using these gangsters to corrupt people is very effective.

But Hu Zhenhua quickly dismissed this idea. The reason was that the situation in Guangdong Province at that time could be described in four words: the people were living in dire straits!

The gap between the rich and the poor was enormous, with wealth concentrated in the hands of a small number of bureaucrats, capitalists, and landlords, while the vast majority of farmers and the working class lived in poverty. Land annexation was rampant, and farmers lost their land and were forced to become refugees.

Coupled with the severe currency depreciation, people's living standards have dropped sharply and many people are struggling on the brink of death.

In addition to the people's survival crisis, there are two major cancers in society: drugs and gambling.

Guangdong Province, due to its unique geographical location and proximity to Hong Kong, Macau, and the southwest, has become a major hub for drug transshipment and distribution. Guangzhou is home to numerous opium dens, and drug abuse is rampant, not only harming people's health but also negatively impacting social morale.

Gambling became rampant in Guangdong province starting in the late Qing Dynasty. Furthermore, the government's policy of officially sanctioned "public gambling" led to the proliferation of gambling dens, seriously impacting social stability and the lives of the people.

The entire society is like a rapidly inflated balloon that will burst at the slightest touch.

Hu Zhenhua was really not interested in taking any more action. He discussed with Xie Zhiyu for half a day and then set off for Hong Kong.