Rebirth 70: I am a Koi

I clutched the inspection report tightly, my palms sweating. Are we really going to fail? My vision went dark and I could barely stand.

"Lili!" I heard Han Chuan's anxious voice. He held me tightly and held me in his arms. "Don't be afraid. I'm here." His firm voice was like a flash of lightning in the dark night, lighting up the last glimmer of hope in my heart.

Yes, even if there is little hope, we can't give up! I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down.

"Hanchuan, we still have a chance." I raised my head and looked at him with burning eyes, "I remember that when I was investigating in the provincial capital before, I came into contact with an investment institution. They were very interested in agricultural projects, and..."

Before I could finish my words, Hanchuan interrupted me excitedly, "You mean the 'light of hope'?"

I nodded vigorously, and a spark of hope ignited in my heart.

"Light of Hope" is a new investment institution dedicated to supporting agricultural projects with development potential. If we can get their help, we may still have a chance of survival.

In the next few days, we spent almost all our time preparing financing materials, revising the plan over and over again, rehearsing the roadshow content, and striving for perfection.

Our efforts finally paid off. The person in charge of "Light of Hope" highly recognized our project and decided to inject funds to help us through the difficult times.

When I got the news, I cried with joy. The heavy weight that had been weighing on my heart for days finally fell to the ground, and I felt an unprecedented sense of relief.

"Comrades, I have good news for you!" I stood on a high place and excitedly announced to all the employees, "We succeeded! 'Light of Hope' decided to invest in us. We will get sufficient funds to improve planting technology and introduce new varieties!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Great! We can finally get down to business!" Employee A waved his arms excitedly, a happy smile on his face.

Seeing everyone so excited, my heart is filled with hope. I believe that with everyone's joint efforts, we will be able to overcome the difficulties and usher in a better tomorrow!

Hanchuan began to plan how to use the funds to expand the scale of the planting base and purchase more advanced equipment, while I began to contact seed companies, hoping to introduce new varieties with stronger disease resistance and higher yields.

Everything is moving in a good direction, but I vaguely feel that there seems to be a hint of uneasiness spreading in the air...

"Hey, do you think it's really reliable to introduce new varieties? We have been growing our old varieties for so many years, and they have always been good..." I accidentally passed by the office area and heard Employee B talking in a low voice with his colleagues.

"That's right. What if this new variety is not adapted to the soil and climate here? Then we will lose both the wife and the army. What should we do then?" another voice was filled with anxiety.

I stopped and understood the concerns of these old employees. They are all veterans of the base, have been working diligently, and have deep feelings for the old varieties.

"Xiao Zhang, go and notify all employees at the meeting this afternoon. I have something important to announce." I turned and instructed Employee A who was passing by.

The meeting room was packed in the afternoon, and everyone looked puzzled and expectant. I took a deep breath and walked to the center of the podium.

"Comrades, everyone has been busy with the new plan for the base these days. I believe you have heard some rumors..." I paused and glanced at the familiar faces. "I know that everyone has some concerns about introducing new varieties and expanding the scale of planting. After all, we have been planting the old varieties for so many years, we are very familiar with them, and we have also gained certain returns."

There was a murmur of agreement from the audience.

"But comrades, the times are changing, and agricultural technology is constantly improving. We cannot rest on our laurels. We must dare to try and innovate!" I raised my voice. "Although new varieties have certain risks, they are more disease-resistant and have higher yields. What does this mean? It means that we can use less land and create greater value!"

I picked up a document on the table and showed it to everyone. "This is the data I got from the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The yield of the new variety is 20% higher than the old variety, and the market prospects are broad, so sales are not a problem. As for the climate and soil issues that everyone is worried about, I have contacted the experts from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences. They will come to the base regularly to provide guidance and help us solve technical problems."

I slowed down my speech and looked at everyone sincerely, "I know that change is always accompanied by pain, but please believe in me, believe in our collective, we will definitely overcome all difficulties and create a better future together!"

As soon as I finished speaking, warm applause broke out in the conference room. I saw that the doubts on the faces of the old employees gradually dissipated, and were replaced by visions and hopes for the future.

Just as I was about to adjourn the meeting, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and Secretary Xiao Zhang walked in quickly, looking a little flustered, "Manager Mu, the representatives of 'Light of Hope' are here..." "Light of Hope?" I was slightly startled, and then realized that it was that investment institution. It seemed that they were here for a field investigation.

"Please ask them to come in quickly." I said as I sorted out the documents on the table.

The door of the conference room was pushed open again, and a middle-aged man in a suit and carrying a briefcase walked in, followed by several tall and strong assistants, looking quite imposing.

"Boss Bai, Manager Mu, I've heard a lot about you." He extended his hand enthusiastically and introduced himself, "I'm the representative of 'Light of Hope', Wang Qiang."

Han Chuan stepped forward and shook his hand. "Mr. Wang, welcome to our base for inspection."

Hanchuan led Wang Qiang and his party to visit various areas of the base, from the seedling shed to the experimental field, from the irrigation system to the warehouse, and introduced the current situation and future plans of the base to them in detail. Wang Qiang nodded from time to time while listening, and occasionally asked some questions, and Hanchuan always gave professional answers.

"Manager Mu, I've read the plan for your base. It's very thoughtful and bold." After the visit, Wang Qiang returned to the conference room and said to me, "However, I suggest that you be more cautious in promoting new varieties. Try planting them on a small scale first, and then gradually expand the scale after you have successful experience."

"Mr. Wang is right. We have the same idea." I nodded and explained to him, "We plan to select a part of the land for pilot planting first, and then promote it to all employees after the trial planting is successful."

Wang Qiang agreed with my answer and said that they would continue to pay attention to the development of the base and provide necessary assistance. After seeing Wang Qiang and his group off, I called all the employees together and announced the decision to first test the new varieties on a small scale.

As the news came out, employees were talking about it. Some expressed support, some had doubts, but more were watching and waiting for the final result.

The trial planting process was full of challenges. From soil improvement to pest and disease control, each link required us to devote more time and energy than before. Fortunately, experts from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences regularly came to the base for guidance, and Hanchuan and I took care of everything ourselves, so everything went on in an orderly manner.

Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed and the new varieties in the trial fields had reached the harvest season.

That night, Hanchuan and I sat in the office, no one spoke, the atmosphere was a little heavy. Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, reflecting each other's faces, and also reflecting the common anxiety in our hearts.

"Do you think we can succeed this time?" I broke the silence and asked softly.

Hanchuan held my hand. His hand was warm and strong, which gave me great comfort. "We have done everything we can and leave the rest to fate. We will leave it to time."

I nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to calm my nervous mood.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the office door, and the voice of Secretary Xiao Zhang came from outside the door, "Manager Mu, President Bai, Director Liu is here..."

My heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition came to my mind. Could it be...