57: Chapter 57 Protecting the Bean Factory

"For example, dried bean curd sticks, pressed tofu, bean curd sheets, fermented bean curd, and so on. These have a longer shelf life than regular tofu and command a higher price."

"Once you go back, arrange for people to research these and open up new sales channels."

"No problem!" Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian replied, full of confidence.

"Many people in the village know how to make these things you mentioned! I'll organize people to try making them as soon as I get back. Speaking of which, the fermented bean curd my wife makes is absolutely top-notch. I'll have her come and train the apprentices when the time comes!"

After seeing off the jubilant Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian, Li Dakang stood by the window, his brows slightly furrowed.

Although the Bean Products Factory had good momentum, there were many potential risks.

After pondering for a moment, Li Dakang picked up the phone and dialed the number for the Guantian Township Police Station.

"Hello, is this the Guantian Township Police Station? This is Li Dakang."

"Please send a few people to be stationed at the Bean Products Factory to ensure the safety and order of the factory area... Yes, starting from tomorrow."

After hanging up, Li Dakang let out a long sigh of relief.

As the Bean Products Factory grew larger, the risks would only rise along with it.

The equipment and raw materials in the factory were valuable, and he feared someone might take risks out of jealousy.

Once something happened, it would be a devastating blow to the fledgling Bean Products Factory.

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure; caution never hurts.

"Only through caution can things last," Li Dakang muttered to himself.

Human nature was complex. He dared not gamble with the future of the fellow villagers. Only by taking precautions could he protect this newly sprouted seedling of hope and let it grow well.

On the other end of the line, Director He Guodong of the Guantian Township Police Station put down the receiver, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.

Sunlight shone through the window onto his weather-beaten face, and the weight of the years seemed to be hidden within the deep wrinkles.

As the director of the Guantian Township Police Station, the forty-something Director He Guodong had already spent six years in this poverty-stricken area.

"Xiao Zhang!" Director He Guodong shouted toward the door.

"Call Qi Tongwei over."

Li Dakang's call made Director He Guodong dare not be negligent.

He clearly remembered that the township had invested over twenty thousand yuan to buy shares, and now that the factory was a hit, it naturally had to be protected as a priority.

Of course, what made Director He Guodong pay even more attention was that Li Dakang had specifically mentioned there would be subsidies for the stationing.

In this dirt-poor Guantian Township, the Police Station lived a frugal life. Let alone the ordinary police officers, even he, the director, barely made enough to get by.

It was precisely because he had no money to grease the wheels that Director He Guodong had been stuck here for six years, unable to move.

"Such a good opportunity should be given to one of our own," Director He Guodong muttered to himself.

A moment later, the office door was knocked on gently, and a clear voice came from outside: "Report!"

"Come in."

The door opened, and a tall, upright young police officer walked in.

He was twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with thick eyebrows and large eyes. His washed-out police uniform was ironed perfectly straight, and he exuded an aura of competence.

This person was none other than Qi Tongwei, the youngest and most highly educated police officer at the Guantian Police Station.

"Director He, did you call for me?" Qi Tongwei stood at attention, his voice loud and clear.

Director He Guodong sized him up, a flash of appreciation in his eyes.

Qi Tongwei had graduated from the Jiang Province Police Academy two years ago. He should have had a bright future, but because he had offended someone at school whose father was a leader at the Provincial Public Security Department, he had been "exiled" to this impoverished place.

Otherwise, an undergraduate like Qi Tongwei, who had graduated from a legitimate police academy, should have been assigned to the County Public Security Bureau or even the Municipal Public Security Bureau. At worst, he should have been at the town-center Police Station, but now he had been kicked all the way to Guantian Township.

"Tongwei, sit."

Director He Guodong pointed to the chair opposite him, his tone softening: "I have a task for you."

Qi Tongwei sat down properly, his back straight, his hands naturally placed on his knees, his eyes focused on Director He Guodong. It was a standard posture that showed he had undergone rigorous training.

"Township Head Li just called and asked the station to send a few people to be stationed at the Zhengjiacun Bean Products Factory."

Director He Guodong lit a cigarette and took a deep drag: "I've been thinking, it's most appropriate for you to lead the team."

Amidst the swirling smoke, Director He Guodong caught a flash of confusion in Qi Tongwei's eyes.

"Director He, I follow your arrangements." Qi Tongwei replied crisply, without a moment's hesitation.

Director He Guodong nodded in satisfaction. This was exactly what he appreciated about Qi Tongwei—no matter what the task was, he never complained and always replied with "I follow your arrangements."

This soldier-like obedience made Director He Guodong, who had transferred from the military, feel a sense of closeness.

"Of course, this stationing isn't for nothing."

Director He Guodong flicked the ash and continued: "The factory will provide a monthly subsidy for the people who go. How about it? Any thoughts?"

Qi Tongwei's eyes flickered.

In a place where the monthly salary was only a little over one hundred yuan, an extra subsidy was undoubtedly tempting.

But he quickly calmed down: "Director He, I have no objections. As long as the work requires it, I will definitely do my best."

Director He Guodong nodded inwardly.

He valued Qi Tongwei not only because of his strong professional ability—having solved quite a few cases in Guantian Township in the last two years—but also because of his nature of not complaining or shirking responsibility.

In this day and age, such young people were too rare.

"Very well, it's settled then."

Director He Guodong extinguished the cigarette butt: "You take three people to the station tomorrow. Remember, you must ensure the safety of the factory; there cannot be a single slip-up."

His tone deepened: "Township Head Li attaches great importance to this matter. If you handle it beautifully, it might just be an opportunity for your future development."