When Li Long arrived at the Agricultural Technical Extension School, Principal Yang was talking to a visitor. Seeing Li Long drive up, the visitor hurriedly said a few words to Principal Yang, then rode away on his motorcycle.
As Li Long approached, Principal Yang complained, "There really aren't any damn secrets in this place. I only talked to you about leasing the land this morning, and someone came asking to lease it this afternoon."
Li Long pointed at the figure riding away on the motorcycle and asked, "Him? He wanted to lease those two experimental fields?"
"Yes," Principal Yang said. "He offered fifty yuan per mu a year and wanted a five-year lease."
Li Long joked, "There's money to be made. Why didn't you agree?"
"I'd be an idiot if I agreed." Principal Yang shot him a look. "If he leased it, there's no way he could grow drip-irrigated cotton. If Professor Yang suddenly decided to come inspect the experimental fields one day, what would I show him?
"I told you this morning, you're the only one who could make money growing drip-irrigated cotton here. I heard you set up a Drip Irrigation Tape Processing Factory. Ordinary people can't afford that stuff.
"Besides, you got that support project. At least the state put some money into it for you, saving you a huge amount in expenses.
"Even with all that, I don't think you're guaranteed to make money unless you manage it properly. As for him, the lease might be cheap, but the big expense is the drip irrigation tape, and he can't get that at cost. He'd definitely make a mess of it."
Li Long smiled. Principal Yang still had a clear head and wouldn't let short-term gains blind him.
They went into the office and signed an agreement