HLM – Chapter 996 Wang’s Public Relations

Brant had some connections in the agricultural sector. After providing a rough analysis of the farm’s terrain, soil, and climate, he would also prepare a detailed evaluation report specifically for Sunset Farm.

Having hired a team, Wang Bo could now relax; Brant would handle the initial stages of the farm’s construction.

But there was still one thing he needed to do: apply for permission to build the farm.

The department responsible for oversight was the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which directly managed public affairs related to agriculture, overseeing crop farming, animal husbandry, forestry, and fisheries.

New Zealand strongly protected private property—land was private property—but that didn’t mean one could act recklessly on it. While land could be privately owned, the state regulated land-use rights.

Preparing for the farm’s construction had kept Wang Bo busy for a week. By late April, he had to take Eva to Wellington to participate in the ANZAC Day commemorative events.

Their helicopter landed in Wellington, and the Green Party arranged their reception, handing Wang Bo a program booklet.

Yes, this time he was attending the event rather than organizing it. The difference: as an attendee, he had to follow the event’s schedule; as an organizer, he could move freely.

Besides the ANZAC Day commemorations, he was to attend a series of gatherings—internal Green Party meetings, joint Green Party-Labour Party gatherings, and events with Green Party supporters.

“This doesn’t feel comfortable,” Wang Bo said to Eva. “We’re not here to play; we’re here to work.”

“Luckily, the gatherings are in the afternoons and evenings. We still have the mornings and midday free, don’t we?” Eva smiled.

They soon realized it wasn’t that simple. Activities were scheduled in every spare moment. Christie’s Oceania Regional President, Adams-Georgetown, learned Wang Bo was in Wellington and invited him to attend Christie’s Oceania Autumn Auction.

The auction was the next day, and Wang Bo had just caught the last opportunity. He was attending as an invited guest, so he didn’t need to preview the auction items in advance.

The first night was an internal Green Party gathering. This was important for him, because the chairman of the Agricultural Research and Extension Institution was a key Green Party member.

New Zealand had an advanced agricultural research system and a well-established extension network. By the 1920s, to emphasize the importance of agricultural R&D and extension, the government had established this institution.

Although initially government-established, it later became a successful private organization. Its status in New Zealand agriculture was comparable to the role of the Tenacious Cattle Club in South Island’s pastoral industry.

At the gathering, Wang Bo specifically asked Alexander to introduce him to the chairman of the Agricultural Research and Extension Institution, Little Versailles Rooney, a polite middle-aged scholar.

Learning that Wang Bo had just established a 40-square-kilometer farm, Little Versailles eagerly offered him advice.

“Chairman,” Wang Bo said, “I’d like to join your institution. Would that be possible?”

Little Versailles smiled warmly. “You don’t have to call me Chairman. Call me Little Versailles—my friends do. And of course you can join.”

The agricultural institution held another significant role: it was the central hub for agricultural clubs and various agricultural associations across New Zealand.

Since the end of World War II, under government promotion, the institution had assisted in establishing numerous farm clubs and professional associations to disseminate specialized techniques.

The institution maintained connections with virtually all agricultural experts and organizations in New Zealand. Wang Bo realized during his conversation with Little Versailles that, through the institution, he could have saved the NZ$400,000 he paid Brant.

The institution had a wealth of talent who could volunteer to help with the farm’s construction.

Although a few days late, the institution could still assist. Little Versailles arranged for a small team from the Consulting Service Bureau to help Wang Bo.

Wang Bo was grateful. Despite its name, the Consulting Service Bureau wasn’t a simple customer service agency. Alongside the Agricultural Research Bureau, it had established the Lockra Agricultural Research Center, responsible for agricultural R&D in the South Island, with several experimental stations.

The small team came from the Lockra Soil and Crop Research Station. They could analyze the farm’s soil, microbiology, and plant composition and provide professional guidance on pest control later.

After speaking with Little Versailles, Wang Bo took Eva to a corner of the reception. He felt pleased; this exchange had been very fruitful.

“This is why people like staying in big cities,” Eva said. “Opportunities are everywhere. You never know when someone might lend you a hand and change your fate.”

Wang Bo asked, “Then why did you go to Oak City instead of staying in Wellington or Auckland?”

Eva shrugged helplessly. “I’ve been to both cities. Back then, Dale was little and would cry constantly. But when we went to Oak City, she would be calm.”

“What’s it like raising a child?”

Eva’s face showed horror. “Oh, in the first six months after I got her, I criticized myself daily: why pretend to be a saint? Why raise a child? I thought I’d collapse!”

Wang Bo asked, “Was it that hard?”

Eva shrugged. “Maybe because I lacked experience. I think once we have a child, it will get much better. Dale was my successful practice run.”

Besides meeting Little Versailles, Wang Bo, as usual, met a slew of high-level figures at the gathering and received several invitations, most of which he declined.

The only hard one to refuse was a wedding invitation. While Wang Bo hesitated, someone mentioned that the groom was notorious for divorcing and remarrying every year.

That made the decision easy—he could politely decline. No need to worry about offending him.

The next morning, Wang Bo was to attend the auction. But before going, he had one more task: dealing with public relations at the Ministry for the Environment.

New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment was primarily responsible for formulating environmental protection policies and regulations. Building a farm would inevitably impact the environment.

For instance, the first step in developing the farm was burning the dry grass on the land.

New Zealand was extremely strict about environmental protection. Unauthorized burning of waste or dry grass was strictly prohibited, so Wang Bo had to apply for permission.