Chapter 93 - 82: Special Fertilizer

Chapter 93: Chapter 82: Special Fertilizer

"Boss Zhang, if tourists keep buying at this rate, we might not have enough bamboo craftsmen!" Zhao Han finally concluded after observing for a long time.

He and Boss Zhang had previously estimated that 1,500 out of every 10,000 tourists would buy a souvenir.

At that rate, the number of craftsmen they had hired would have been sufficient.

But based on the current ratio, far more than 1,500 people would be buying souvenirs. The number of craftsmen wouldn’t be enough. Once the marketing campaign launched and tourists started flocking to the Culture Park, the craftsmen would probably be busy enough to cry.

The thought of the Bamboo Culture Park becoming a viral sensation made him hurry away. He had to get back to the county and make preparations. After all, Liu County would be bringing a delegation for a tour, and arrangements needed to be made.

He had just gotten back to the county when, surprisingly, he received a call from Liu County.

He quickly answered, his tone respectful. "Liu County, I just got back from Li Yuan Farm. Is there something you need?"

Liu County’s voice came over the line. "Perfect timing. I was just about to ask you, how’s that Bamboo Culture Park project at Li Yuan Farm coming along?"

Zhao Han could tell from his tone that Liu County was, as expected, taking this project very seriously.

"Liu County, Li Yuan Farm’s Bamboo Culture Park is all set. They had their soft opening today. Shall I come over and give you a detailed report?"

"Alright, come on over."

Zhao Han didn’t dare hesitate. He rushed to the administration building and knocked on the door to Liu County’s office.

"Come in!"

After hearing Liu County’s voice, he opened the door and walked in. He saw a middle-aged man busy with paperwork.

"Liu County!"

"Ah, you’re here. Let’s talk about that Bamboo Culture Park project. The investment promotion department just gave me the latest quarterly data on You City’s bamboo products industry. Our market share is down five percent from last quarter. For us, the ’Home of Mao Bamboo,’ that’s not good news. I’m really hoping this project can give us a boost."

"It definitely will, Liu County." Zhao Han knew Liu County was hoping for good news, so he reported with a smile, "After all, Li Yuan Farm is marketing it with the angle of preserving You City’s traditional bamboo craftsmanship. With the kind of traffic the farm is getting now, how could it not help?"

"Mm." Liu County nodded, then asked, "What about their pricing? Should we consider aligning the prices of our own You City bamboo products industry with theirs?"

"Liu County, their prices probably have no relevance for the rest of You City’s bamboo industry. They’re selling a single bamboo fan for 100 yuan, while a mass-produced one costs no more than 10!"

"One hundred yuan? Isn’t that too steep? Won’t that put off the tourists?"

"Don’t worry, Liu County. I was just at the Culture Park. The bamboo products from Li Yuan Farm are extremely popular with the tourists, because the fans they’re making are just absolutely exquisite."

As he spoke, Zhao Han took out a bamboo fan he had brought back from the Bamboo Culture Park and handed it over.

Liu County was visibly stunned when he took the fan. It was exquisite. It was clearly a high-quality ornamental piece at first glance, and he was even more surprised when he saw the engravings.

’For such a beautiful, artistic fan,’ he thought, ’100 yuan really isn’t expensive at all.’

"Did Li Yuan Farm hire a master bamboo artisan?" Liu County finally asked, astonished.

He had seen such exquisite bamboo crafts before, back when he attended a bamboo products seminar. At the conference, he’d seen the work of master bamboo artisans, and they were truly magnificent. Many bosses from the bamboo industry had scrambled to buy them for their collections, with a single simple piece selling for tens of thousands.

But there were very few such master artisans; they were a niche group.

’And yet,’ he had a feeling, ’even the exquisite pieces from that conference couldn’t quite compare to the fan in his hand.’

’I can’t believe Li Yuan Farm actually managed to hire such a master. They must have spared no expense.’

Hearing this, Zhao Han immediately replied, "Liu County, Li Yuan Farm didn’t hire a master artisan. This fan was made by our county’s own traditional craftsmen. What’s more, there isn’t just one person who can make them to this quality."

"What?" Liu County could hardly believe what he was hearing.

’These fans were made by our own county’s traditional craftsmen? And more than one of them can do it?’

’When did our county’s traditional craftsmen get so skilled?’

’Doesn’t that make every one of them a master artisan?’

Then, it dawned on Liu County. ’It’s all about reputation!’

’With a big name, you’re a master artisan. Without one, you’re just a craftsman.’

’So, the products made by You City’s craftsmen are even better than those of the so-called masters.’

’Is it that You City’s traditional craftsmanship is just that amazing? Or are those famous master artisans just a product of good marketing?’

Besides, the buzz around Li Yuan Farm was huge right now. Even at home, he’d hear his family talking about the Bamboo Maze. Under these circumstances, once the Bamboo Culture Park had its grand opening, all eyes would be on it.

’I wonder if this is the chance for You City’s traditional craftsmen to become master artisans themselves?’

With that in mind, he immediately gave Zhao Han an order. "Make the arrangements. They open tomorrow. I’m going to bring a delegation over to have a look, to learn something and broaden our horizons. Sometimes, managing a county isn’t so different from managing a farm. In both cases, you just want to make the place better."

"Yes, Liu County!" Zhao Han nodded.

...

「Li Yuan Farm.」

Zhang Lin and Lin Muxue were also leaving the Bamboo Culture Park.

The first thing Lin Muxue said was, "President Zhang, we’re almost done shooting the footage. We’ll head back now, do some research, then start planning and editing. We’ll definitely have the promotional video for the Bamboo Culture Park finished before tonight!"