Expansion

Li Qingye took a file out of the drawer. "Xin Cheng, I have a new project for you. Take a look."

Fang Xin Cheng took the file and read through it carefully.

The new project was called "Cultivating and Processing Genetically Modified Sea Grapes."

Using Gene Recombination Technology, the team had modified Sea Grapes by inserting genes from other plants. The resulting Genetically Modified Sea Grapes grew rapidly, formed large clusters, and contained high levels of galactose, trehalose, and amylose.

According to the laboratory test results,

Genetically Modified Sea Grapes yielded 3,400–3,700 kilograms per mu (wet weight). Once the water was removed, the dried Sea Grapes weighed 18–20% of their original wet weight.

Each mu of Sea Grapes could yield 120–130 kilograms of amylose, 62–66 kilograms of trehalose, 340–370 kilograms of Carrageenan, and 500–540 kilograms of Plant Fiber.

Moreover, Genetically Modified Sea Grapes had a relatively short growth cycle. Native Sea Grapes in the Luzon Sea could only be harvested twice a year, but the modified variety could be harvested four times a year.

This was because Li Qingye had enhanced the Sea Grapes' photosynthesis and increased the area covered by their leaves, creating enormous leaves similar to those of the giant water lily. The increased surface area boosted photosynthesis.

Of course, this modification had its drawbacks. Genetically Modified Sea Grapes absorbed large quantities of nutrients from the seawater and blocked sunlight from reaching the seabed, spelling disaster for other seaweeds.

It was much like the rainforest, where other plants had little chance of getting sunlight beneath the towering trees and could hardly survive.

To prevent these Genetically Modified Sea Grapes from spreading into the natural environment, Li Qingye had made extensive preparations in advance.

For example, Gene Sterilization ensured the modified Sea Grapes could only multiply by dividing their cells and growing their bodies; those cells could not release reproductive spores.

Another measure limited the modified Sea Grapes' lifespan. They could grow for only three years. After that, they would no longer be able to divide their cells, and would wither and decompose completely.

That meant a crop of Genetically Modified Sea Grapes could be harvested twelve times over three years.

"Boss, isn't this investment a bit too big?" Fang Xin Cheng asked hesitantly.

Li Qingye's plan was to build cultivation ponds covering 100,000 mu in Limanan Bay, south of Darte Port, at a cost of 300 million US dollars.

They would also need to build a processing plant to extract amylose, trehalose, Carrageenan, and cellulose from the Sea Grapes. That would cost around 200 million US dollars.

The 100,000 mu of seaweed ponds would yield 1.36–1.48 million tonnes of Sea Grapes annually. These could be processed into 48,000–52,000 tonnes of amylose, 24,800–26,400 tonnes of trehalose, 136,000–148,000 tonnes of Carrageenan, and 200,000–216,000 tonnes of Plant Fiber.

All these products could be used as raw materials or sold directly.

Carrageenan currently sold for around 10,000 US dollars per tonne, while trehalose went for around 1,000 US dollars per tonne and amylose for around 250–280 US dollars per tonne.

These were all raw materials used in food processing.

Cellulose could be used to make paper, fuel, and plastic.

The total investment was 500 million US dollars, and annual output was expected to be worth around 2 billion US dollars.

Li Qingye waved his hand. "Our company currently has 1.1 billion US dollars in cash flow. Investing 500 million isn't too much. Besides, next year we can make another large sum from eel fry and eel farming, so we don't need to worry about funding in the short term."

Fang Xin Cheng asked worriedly, "Boss, will the Luzon authorities approve the cultivation of Genetically Modified Sea Grapes?"

"Don't worry. Mada from the Fernando family is a good friend of mine. He's agreed to invest and help us handle any local issues." Li Qingye was confident.

After all, Mada was one of his own. Homo sapiens Company wouldn't directly enter the Sea Grapes cultivation and processing business. Instead, it would operate through a subsidiary and bring in investment from the Fernando family, presenting the venture as a joint enterprise.

That way, the Luzonians could save face publicly, while the subsidiary would still belong to Homo sapiens Company in practice.

Since Li Qingye was so confident, Fang Xin Cheng had nothing more to say. He asked, "Then we need to set up a subsidiary. What do you want to call it, Boss?"

"Let's call it Haitian Agriculture Company."

"Understood. What will the ownership split be?"

"We'll take 70%, and the Fernando family will take 30%."

After they discussed the details, Fang Xin Cheng got the entire company busy with carrying out the plan.

Limanan Bay was enormous. Its outline resembled a sack, with the entrance on the northern side. It stretched about 38 kilometers from north to south and 17–25 kilometers from east to west. The bay covered around 900 square kilometers, with a coastline about 120 kilometers long.

Since the Sea Grapes farms had to be built along the coast, they could only be located near the shoreline.

With Mada's help, Homo sapiens Company quickly established Haitian Agriculture Company, and the two sides finalized their partnership. Mada invested in Haitian Agriculture in a private capacity.

Mada also had to contribute some resources. For example, he would help Haitian Agriculture obtain 100,000 mu of coastal flats and wasteland at no charge, along with 8,000 mu of land for the processing plant, and deal with local power brokers.

Meanwhile, with the help of Fili's Internal Affairs Department, Chen Jianxiong remotely directed Mada to secretly recruit some members from the gang Mada controlled.

Those chosen were all orphans, and had committed heinous crimes.

They would be sent to Calagua Island in batches, where they would undergo Gene Modification and have Biochips implanted. After completing their training, they would join the Security Department and Internal Affairs Department.

Through this discreet recruitment, Mada's forces were gradually becoming part of Homo sapiens Company.

To funnel profits to Mada and strengthen his influence within the family, Li Qingye used an engineering contract as a pretext to award the Seaweed Fields construction project to one of Mada's engineering companies.

After all, someone had to earn the money. Giving the contract to Mada's company was like keeping the profits in the family. The money simply moved from one hand to another, with a large portion flowing back into their own system.

What's more, Homo sapiens Company could keep a close eye on Mada's company, so there was no need to worry about it cutting corners.

After all, even the company's boss was one of their own. If anyone still dared to cut corners, Li Qingye would admire their willingness to risk their lives for money—and prepare drums of gasoline and concrete to help them cool off in the Luzon Trench.

Homo sapiens Company kept a very low profile, and Mada kept information about the project under wraps.

As the local power brokers, the Fernando family could easily suppress a few rumors.

Once it received the funding, the engineering company quickly completed the land acquisition and began construction.

Meanwhile, Fang Xin Cheng found a company that specialized in factory construction and asked them to design an integrated plant capable of extracting amylose, Carrageenan, trehalose, and cellulose.

The factory's production capacity requirements were relatively high. At full capacity, it had to be able to produce 200,000 tonnes of amylose, 400,000 tonnes of Carrageenan, 100,000 tonnes of trehalose, and one million tonnes of cellulose each year.

The 100,000 mu of Seaweed Fields couldn't meet the factory's needs yet, but this was preparation for future growth.

As long as the eel industry ran smoothly, Haitian Agriculture could invest in another 100,000 mu of Seaweed Fields next year.

Thanks for all your support! (ω｀) Please follow, vote with your monthly and recommendation tickets, and add the book to your collection.