"Ahem, Archon, the boss of this company was originally a breeding tycoon. After the Yellowstone volcano erupted, the price of meat soared, so he made a fortune."
Tang Weimu carefully explained.
"I see." Zhang Hao pretended to be suddenly enlightened, "I mean, how can seaweed cultivation be so profitable? To be honest, before I became a consul, I also ran an earthworm farm. Although the profits were very stable,
But it’s just hard-earned money.”
"There are too many restrictions on the planting industry. In fact, the most profitable industry is the energy industry. I heard that several large oil wells were discovered in Lake Maracaibo, which can be said to make you rich overnight."
Tang Weimu immediately agreed.
As soon as he finished speaking, the boss of the seaweed planting factory walked over quickly with a group of employees.
"Consul, Mayor Tang, welcome to our company to inspect our work."
Tang Weimu quickly introduced: "Consul, this is Luis David Silva, the boss of JBS Company, and also the president of the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce."
Zhang Hao reached out and shook hands with the other party: "Mr. Silva, it's a pleasure to meet you, but I'm sorry to bother you today."
"Consul, you are too kind. Your arrival is an honor for all employees of our company."
Silva looked a little excited.
If he can embrace the consul's lap, it will be no less than a great opportunity for him, and he may be able to escape from the quagmire of Brazil.
After all, the moonshine industry is not a long-term solution.
It's better to make plans early.
"Pa bang bang..."
The audience immediately burst into warm applause.
Immediately afterwards, Zhang Hao shook hands with the employee representatives one by one, and then walked toward the interior of the factory surrounded by everyone.
After a brief walk around the office area, everyone came to the production workshop again.
Silva explained as he walked: "Archon, all seaweed needs to go through two processes of withering and drying, and finally is made into dried seaweed."
"Sounds very similar to fried tea."
Zhang Hao said casually.
"You are right, our production process does draw lessons from the production method of tea." After finishing speaking, Silva grabbed a ball of dried seaweed and said: "Consul, you see, this is our finished product. Some people
In order to supplement vitamins, I bought dried seaweed and cooked it in soup."
Zhang Hao took the dried seaweed and observed it carefully. The color of the dried seaweed was dark black and looked very similar to Pu'er tea.
He lowered his head and smelled it, and there was a fishy smell of sea.
"What kind of seaweed is this? Is it edible?"
Silva hurriedly replied: "This is a new species made from the hybridization of two types of seaweed, one is common Sargassum and the other is Antarctic ice algae produced in Antarctica. Both types of seaweed are edible."
"Since it's edible? Then why can't you see it on the market?" Zhang Hao followed up and asked.
"There are two main reasons. One is that the yield is low, far inferior to edible algae such as kelp; the other is that the taste is not good. The rhizomes of this new type of seaweed are rough and difficult to digest."
"So, it can only be used to produce ethanol?" Zhang Hao couldn't help feeling a little regretful.
The current pressure on food is still very high. If we can find alternatives to staple food, even if the output is lower, it is something worth celebrating.
Silva nodded: "That's true. Sargasso ice algae has a high content of fucoidyl starch and is currently the most suitable species of seaweed for producing ethanol."
"Really? I want to know, is this the scientific research result of your company? Or where did you buy the patent rights from?"
Zhang Hao said bluntly.
To judge whether a company has development potential, it mainly depends on its scientific research strength. This is also a golden rule recognized by the industry.
"Consul, we directly purchased the laboratory that developed the Sargasso Ice Alga, and successively invested heavily in its expansion. The current Sargasso Ice Alga has gone through several rounds of upgrades and improvements."
Silva explained in detail.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hao immediately waved his hand: "Let's go to the laboratory and have a look."
Soon, everyone came to the laboratory.
Zhang Hao, who originally had high expectations, couldn't help but be disappointed after seeing the true appearance of the laboratory. To be honest, the laboratory in front of him was not even comparable to the laboratory of their mushroom cultivation factory.
Seeing that the consul had a bad look on his face, Silva quickly explained: "Consul, Brazil has been in chaos for more than ten years, and all the talents have long since run away..."
“How was Sargasso ice alga developed?”
Zhang Hao interrupted directly.
Silva immediately pointed to a young female researcher in her early thirties and introduced:
"Archon, Sargassum ice algae was mainly independently developed by Professor Bella."
"What? She's alone?"
Zhang Hao couldn't help being surprised.
Professor Bella smiled and explained: "Archon, I think you have misunderstood. Hybridizing seaweed does not require advanced technology, but more of a bit of luck.
For example, wasn't the famous hybrid rice independently developed by Academician Yuan? Compared with him, my achievements are nothing."
Zhang Hao first expressed his apology to the other party, and then asked enthusiastically: "Professor Bella, I am personally very interested in your Sargasso ice algae project. Can you tell me in detail?"
"Okay, Archon, what do you want to know?"
“Is it possible for Sargasso ice algae to become a staple food?”
Zhang Hao said straightforwardly.
Professor Bella lowered his head and thought for a while, then nodded solemnly: "I think it is possible. Generally speaking, if you want to become a staple food, you must meet four conditions at the same time."
"First, it can fill people's stomach, which means it has a high starch content. Sargasso ice algae is the seaweed with the highest starch content and fully has this potential;
Second, it can be planted on a large scale, which is completely consistent with this. After all, the vast ocean provides almost unlimited fertile land, which is more advantageous than land;
Third, the yield is high. Although Sargasso ice algae is not the seaweed species with the highest yield, it is much better than ordinary staple foods. The key is that the cultivation threshold is low.
The last one is to facilitate transportation, storage and processing. There is no doubt that this one can also be satisfied."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Zhang Hao was immediately overjoyed. He did not expect that the potential of Sargassum ice algae was so great: "Professor Bella, according to your estimate, when will Sargassum ice algae be available?"
Meet the requirements and become a veritable staple food?"
"Archon, you are too happy too early. It is very difficult to continue to increase the starch content of Sargassum ice algae. This process cannot be solved by luck alone. It requires time to accumulate."
Professor Bella directly poured cold water on it.
Zhang Hao quickly calmed down: "Okay, I want to know how long this process will take?"
"It can take hundreds of years, or at least decades, and due to its limitations, Sargasso ice algae cannot completely replace the staple food. It can only be used as a supplement at most."
Professor Bella said simply.
"It's okay to supplement. It's better than eating grass. As long as the relative cost is cheaper than staple food, we can start expanding the scale of planting now." Zhang Hao made a decision immediately.
Upon hearing this, Silva among the crowd was so excited that his face turned red.
Professor Bella frowned and quickly advised: "Archon, the current Sargasso ice algae is specially developed for the production of bioethanol. It is still a long way from being edible. I suggest that promotion be postponed."
"What do you mean? Isn't the horsetail ice algae edible?" Zhang Hao was a little confused.
"The meaning is very simple. The nutritional value of Sargasso ice algae is very low. Even if you eat ten pounds a day, the starch content is far from enough for the body, so it is not suitable for consumption.
To put it bluntly, it is really only a little better than weeds. Instead of blindly expanding the scale of planting, it is better to make every effort to improve Sargasso ice algae.”
Professor Bella told the truth and didn't hide anything.
Silva couldn't help but interjected: "Archon, even if Sargassum ice algae is not suitable for consumption, it can still be used to produce ethanol, so it is not useless.
Moreover, only when the scale of planting increases, it will be possible to select better varieties, which is how our previous improvement results were achieved."
Zhang Hao turned to look at Professor Bella: "Professor Bella, is Mr. Silva right?"
"I don't think it's necessary. The current sample size is enough."
Professor Bella doesn't give his boss face at all.
Mr. Silva could only smile awkwardly.
Zhang Hao nodded thoughtfully, and then asked in person: "Professor Bella, are you interested in working in the capital? There are also many seaweed planting bases in the entire metropolitan area."
"Sorry, I have no intention of leaving Brazil for the time being. The scientific research environment in the capital may be better, but the conditions here are not bad and will not affect my research."
Professor Bella declined.
Mr. Silva breathed a sigh of relief.
…
After leaving the laboratory, the group went to sea on a warship.
The method of growing Sargasso ice algae is actually very simple. Use two floats to fix a long nylon rope, and then install several plant growth lights in the middle of the rope. The bottom of the rope is used to hang the Sargassum ice algae.
"Professor Bella, how long is the growth cycle of Sargassum ice algae?"
Zhang Hao asked casually.
"It depends on the situation. The warmer the sea water, the shorter the growth cycle. Taking our place as an example, it usually takes thirty months to reach harvesting conditions."
Professor Bella replied.
"Two and a half years? So long?"
"Actually, it's pretty good. Antarctic ice algae generally have a growth cycle of three to five years. Sargassum is less, but it still takes eleven months."
Zhang Hao turned to look at the factory owner: "Mr. Silva, have you encountered any difficulties during the breeding process?"
"Of course, the biggest difficulty is fungal infection. In order to ensure the seawater environment, the breeding density cannot be too high, and it is best to be close to ocean currents.
In recent years, the quality of seawater in offshore waters has become worse and worse, so we have to expand into the deep sea.
In fact, the best breeding area should be near the equator, but we currently do not have the conditions, and we cannot compete with those large breeding companies."
Mr. Silva took the opportunity to complain.
"The equator is very long and can accommodate all of you." Zhang Hao was not moved at all.
"Archon, although the equator is very long, there are very few places close to the land."
Mr. Silva couldn't help but remind him.
Zhang Hao said meaningfully: "Your company has strong economic strength and can definitely order a few more large ships. I can help with this."
"Archon, we ordered five work boats a few years ago, but we've been waiting in line."
Mr. Silva was secretly happy.
Zhang Hao nodded and promised on the spot: "Tell me the shipbuilding company later, and I will personally call you to urge you."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much."
Mr. Silva quickly expressed his gratitude.
Zhang Hao waved his hand, and then led Tang Weimu and Silva into a separate room, preparing for a closed-door meeting.
Tang Weimu was a little worried: "Consul, what are you doing?"
"There are no outsiders here, and there will be no meeting minutes. The three of us can speak freely."
Zhang Hao explained casually.
Tang Weimu immediately and cautiously asked: "Consul, what do you want to talk about?"
"I want to talk about moonshine."
Zhang Hao got straight to the point.
Tang Weimu suddenly showed a look of panic on his face, and he quickly defended: "Consul, it's not that I don't want to solve it, it's just that I have more than enough ambition but not enough power."
Sure enough, the bad premonition came true. What is supposed to come will eventually come, so we can't take chances.
"Humph, I think it's not that you are weak-minded, but that you are reluctant to part with those huge profits."
Zhang Hao directly exposed the opponent's background.
Tang Weimu spread his hands and said with a wry smile: "Consul, I believe you have seen the situation in Rio de Janeiro. Without these benefits, the city would not be able to maintain the current situation."
"I knew you were in trouble, so I didn't hold you accountable as soon as I came up. Fortunately, you knew your limits and didn't let illegal liquor spread to the mainland."
"Consul, thank you for your understanding and for giving us another chance."
Tang Weimu's attitude in admitting his mistake was very sincere.
With Rio de Janeiro's size, he doesn't dare to challenge the central government, and he is stupid enough to destroy his own future.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Zhang Hao took a sip of tea and said, "Tell me, how do you plan to solve the illegal drinking problem? Just because you can control it now doesn't mean it will always be safe in the future.
.”
Tang Weimu curled his lips secretly.
Who cares what happens next?
Anyway, after he finishes this term, he will definitely be transferred back to his homeland, and he will not be implicated at all.
"Consul, do you think this is possible? It is basically impossible to ban illegal drinking in a short period of time. Even if it can be done, the consequences are not something we can bear.
My idea is to gradually reduce the production of moonshine, by one-tenth every year, and completely solve this problem in ten years, what do you think?"
Anyway, it’s just procrastination and leaving this problem to the next person.
"The plan is not bad." Zhang Hao nodded, and then changed the topic: "But the difficulties you just mentioned do exist. If the finances suddenly drop sharply, it will inevitably affect the stability of the entire South America."
"Then what is your solution, Archon?"
Tang Weimu was a little confused about the big leader's thoughts.
Zhang Hao slapped the table hard: "Tax taxes and significantly raise the price of private wine. In this way, we can also achieve the goal of prohibiting alcohol."
"tax?"
Tang Weimu's heart moved. This was a plan that had the best of both worlds.
"Yes." Zhang Hao glanced at Mr. Silva next to him and continued: "Directly levy a tax on the seaweed planting factories and solve the problem from the source."
Mr. Silva, who had been sweating for a long time, could no longer sit still after hearing this: "Consul, please show your respect. In fact, we don't make much, and most of it has been taken away by others."
"Don't worry, you can just pass the costs on to the downstream ethanol production companies. I guarantee you that no one will dare to mess around."
Zhang Hao smiled and reassured.
"But……"
Mr. Silva looked hesitant.
If only things were that simple.
Zhang Hao stood up, walked over and patted the other party on the shoulder: "Mr. Silva, please don't tell me secret words. I actually have great expectations for your Sargassum ice algae project.
I hope you can pay attention to this, increase investment in research and development as much as possible, completely get rid of the gray industry chain, and become a veritable high-tech company."
"Consul, you think too highly of us."
Mr. Silva is not a shopping mall novice.
In any case, transformation is very risky. It is impossible for him to just rely on a few words from the other party and dare to spend most of his net worth. This is too unwise.
Zhang Hao obviously knew this, and knew that the other party would not let go of the hawk until it saw the rabbit.
So he made a promise on the spot: "Mr. Silva, I can't guarantee that there will be more, but your company will definitely have a place in next year's 'forward-looking plan'."
"Really?" Mr. Silva's eyes widened.
You must know that any company that enters the "Forward-Looking Plan" will definitely receive full support from the federal government, and will be fully guaranteed in terms of funds and talents, without having to worry about bankruptcy.
To give a well-known example, Shuguang New Energy Company, which was also selected for the "Forward-Looking Plan", suffered huge losses every year, but it never had to worry about money. Several state-owned banks took turns to protect it.
If he can really enter the "Forward Plan", his own JBS company will inevitably undergo a radical change, which also means that he has already stepped into the core circle of the entire federation.