mesbooks Chapter 600: Zhang Chi: Only meat, eggs, and milk can strengthen the physique of the Chinese in Sout
Chapter 600: Zhang Chi: Only meat, eggs, and milk can strengthen the physique of the Chinese in Sout
"Commander-in-Chief," Chen Qiyuan, the minister in charge of public affairs, spoke cautiously. "Although SPAM luncheon meat has a bland taste and limited nutritional value, it's inexpensive, has a stable supply, and is easy to store and transport."
"It, along with the rapidly developing local broiler chicken industry and abundant marine fish, constitutes the three pillars of the nation's current protein intake. Judging from the data..."
"The data shows they're not starving to death, I know that." Zhang Chi interrupted him, stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the bustling but vibrant streets of Bago. "Minister Chen, look at those half-grown children on the street and the workers working the docks. They're well fed, but are they strong enough? Are they tall enough?"
He turned around, waved his arms and emphasized:
"Why are the White Eagles, Johns, and even the Mao Bears to the north generally taller and stronger than us Chinese? Are they really inherently superior? Bullshit! The difference lies in the meat, eggs, and milk they've eaten since childhood, and the nutritional foundation accumulated over generations."
He picked up the report and pointed at the data on it:
“Raw pork is 0.6 Nanyang dollars per pound, the same price as canned luncheon meat.
But why do ordinary people still choose canned food? Because the supply of free-range pigs is unstable, the quality varies, and preservation is difficult.
The prices of chicken and eggs are falling, and the supply is increasing. This is a good thing, but is it enough to just eat chicken? What about beef? What about lamb? What about milk? Those are good things for building strength and strengthening bones.
Our children, the future masters of Nanyang, cannot grow up on a diet of chicken and canned salted fish alone."
Currently, the average monthly salary of a local female textile worker in Nanyang, including overtime, is only 24 Nanyang dollars. After deducting fixed expenses such as rent, the money left for food consumption is pitifully small.
This is where the anxiety comes in.
Chen Qiyuan looked embarrassed and said with a wry smile:
"Commander-in-Chief, I admire your sincere love for the people. But the reality is that there are many difficulties. Nanyang is a place with high temperatures and high humidity, and epidemics are rampant. The local livestock breeds..."
He counted on his fingers:
"The zebu cattle of Pegu are heat-resistant and disease-resistant, but do you know how long it takes to raise them before they can be slaughtered for meat? Three to four years.
The water buffaloes of Siam and Malaysia are strong, can plow fields, and produce some milk, but their meat yield? It's pitifully low.
As for pigs... the black pigs raised by farmers grow fat slowly, and when the swine fever comes, whole villages will die.
Large-scale farming? It’s difficult. It requires a lot of investment, high risk, and the technical threshold is not low.”
"Difficult? If it's difficult, then don't do it?" Zhang Chi was angry. Do you think I'm kidding you?
"Did I promote you because you said it was difficult? Let me tell you, if you don't want to do it, there are plenty of people who want to take this position.
If we Chinese in Southeast Asia want to truly stand up, we must rely not only on guns and factories, but also on generations of strong and intelligent citizens.
Meat, eggs, and milk are the foundation of a strong body!"
Zhang Chi walked back to his desk and picked up a document that had been prepared long ago:
“Talent is the key to overcoming difficulties.
You can't do it, so I've invited a real expert. Secretary Liu? Please ask Mr. Gu Gengyu to come in."
After a moment, the office door was gently pushed open.
A middle-aged man dressed in a simple blue cloth gown, with an elegant and capable temperament, walked in. He was the "Bristle King" famous both at home and abroad - Gu Gengyu.
"Mr. Gu, you have worked hard on the journey. Please take a seat." Zhang Chi greeted him warmly and showed him to a seat himself, without any airs of a commander-in-chief.
"You are so polite, Commander-in-Chief. It is my honor to be valued by you and to serve the livelihoods of millions of my compatriots in Southeast Asia."
Gu Gengyu bowed in return, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, and his words were straightforward, which was unique to people from the mountain city.
Zhang Chi got straight to the point:
"Mr. Gu was a leading figure in animal husbandry and international trade during the Republic of China. I believe you have gained a deep understanding of the situation in Southeast Asia after your recent investigation.
I'm a straightforward person. People's lives are difficult, especially with the meat supply, which is so dependent on others and has such a limited variety. I'm extremely worried. Could you please tell me, sir, what's the future of animal husbandry in Southeast Asia?
Gu Gengyu did not answer immediately, but asked:
"The Great Commander cares deeply about the people's livelihood and has lofty aspirations. I admire him. But I wonder if he's seeking to solve the problem of food and clothing for the time being, or to lay the foundation for a century of prosperity for future generations of Nanyang?"
Zhang Chi's eyes fixed, and he said firmly:
"Of course it's the latter. I want the children of Southeast Asia to have meat to eat and milk to drink from a young age, so that they can grow taller and stronger than white children. I want to completely shake off the humiliating label of 'Sick Man of East Asia.'"
"Okay!" Gu Gengyu leaned forward slightly, revealing the sharpness honed by the ups and downs of the business world. "With such great ambition, Commander-in-Chief, I am willing to devote all my knowledge to helping you."
He changed the subject and talked about his own experience:
"I'm ashamed to say this. I've been running 'Gu Qing Ji' in Sichuan for over twenty years. I believe that in the pig bristle business, I've made some small contribution to the country and the people.
Although small, pig bristles are essential for the maintenance of guns and artillery, and are related to the combat effectiveness of the Allied forces. But what is the result?
A sneer appeared on his lips:
"The four great families, the Song and Kong families, are greedy for profit and bully others by taking advantage of their power. With the pretext of 'strategic materials, state-monopolized purchases,' they forcibly seized the channels, reputation, and market that we have painstakingly built over the years, and enriched ourselves.
The profits from the business, which were tens of times as high as the profit, all became their private property. This forced me, Gu Gengyu, to leave my hometown with only the skills to slay dragons but no place to use them.
Zhang Chi heard this and knew that his chance had come. He slammed the table and said angrily:
"They are parasites, traitors to the nation. While the soldiers at the front fight bloody battles, the rats in the rear run rampant, draining the nation's wealth. Such behavior is appalling. Mr. Gu has been wronged. Although Nanyang is small, we are eager to recruit talented people and will not tolerate such filth.
"Mr. Wang's talents will surely shine brightly in Southeast Asia, bringing benefits to the people."
After saying this, Zhang Chi was secretly happy. After all, he should thank the Song and Kong families.
Without their reckless behavior, how could so many knowledgeable people in the Republic of China have gone south to Southeast Asia?
If possible, he really wanted to give the Kong and Song families a one-ton badge to commend their great contribution to introducing talents to Nanyang!
Zhang Chi's rebuke and promise were sincere and touched Gu Gengyu's heart.
He was excited, took a deep breath, and said:
"General, please understand. I'm not here seeking a position. To be honest, I've been in business for half my life and am used to doing business as usual. If you trust me, I'm willing to use Nanyang as my base, resume my old business, invest in a modern livestock farm, and put all my life's learning into practice!"
He then took out a thick plan from his briefcase and handed it over with both hands:
"This is the 'Five-Year Development Outline for the Modernized Livestock Industry in Nanyang' drafted by Gu, based on over a month of field research. Please review it, Commander-in-Chief."