Twenty years of cold chain

Chapter 26: Meeting a Like-Minded Person

There were four people in the car: Xiao Wu sat in the passenger seat, and Pang Shiyou and Hu Shutong sat in the back.

After the initial excitement in the dormitory, Hu Shutong managed to remain calm despite being so close to his teacher, Pang.

"You must be wondering what happened at today's defense. Their questions were quite unexpected, mostly just questions for the sake of asking questions. Actually, this idea came from me. Not to mention other universities, even the University of Minnesota is still far behind in terms of faculty in cold chain logistics. I thought the first graduating class's defense was a good platform, and it would be good for various universities to participate and learn more. Once other schools have the idea of ​​establishing a major, these people will be the ones offering suggestions."

Hu Shutong nodded repeatedly. "The professor is right. The University of Minnesota already has experience that can be used as a reference. It will be easier for other universities to open a cold chain logistics major."

Pang Shiyou nodded and smiled, "Yes, if we're talking about difficulties, your year is the most difficult. I remember when you were freshmen, you were just going through three cold chain transportation textbooks. When the college saw that the course reserves were completely insufficient, they specially brought out the logistics management textbook early on to make up for the class hours."

Hu Shutong said with a smile, "Things got much better later. We studied academic journals from domestic universities, as well as foreign journals. The college's practical activities also became more and more diverse. We visited cold storage facilities, dismantled some abandoned equipment, and new equipment was constantly being added to our experiments."

Pang Shiyou's gaze passed over Hu Shutong's temples and looked out the car window. "When I was your age, our country didn't have controlled atmosphere storage facilities. I only heard about the first fruit cold storage facility when I was a freshman or sophomore in college. Cellars have been with me for half my life. You might not believe it, but my graduation internship was building cellars for someone. There was a new immigrant village, and the cellars built using the old methods in a different place caused the stored food to rot. Actually, there's a trick to this."

"Later, I had the opportunity to study abroad. The impact I had was like a landlubber encountering a downpour. Their factories were so clean and tidy, just like in a painting. Their agricultural products were so refined and meticulous. Their entire production line made me itch to work with it. I thought then, and I still think now, that one day, we will be just as good as them."

Hu Shutong knew that his generation was already reaping the benefits, because they only needed to think about how to improve, while Pang Shiyou's generation was thinking about how to get started.

"The gap certainly exists, but our progress is also real. At least our entire chain is running. Solving problems while running is definitely more effective than standing still. Things must be done one by one. I've been watching you for a long time."

Xiao Wu, sitting in the front row, couldn't help but smile. He never expected this scene. He thought it would be a bunch of academic exchanges that he couldn't understand, but instead, the old man and the young man started chatting about stories, and the atmosphere was very harmonious, as if they had met before they had ever met.

This scene was also unexpected for Hu Shutong; he had initially thought he was going to have a one-on-one defense in this train carriage. Such words of high regard greatly encouraged him.

"Shutong, what do you think of this food science lab?"

Hu Shutong was immediately at a loss when asked, "Professor, I have never been involved in the food science laboratory, so I don't know much about its contents."

"Do you think it's necessary to open a refrigerated food laboratory?"

"It's necessary!" Hu Shutong said without hesitation. "Students feel that room temperature food and refrigerated food are two different fields. Specializing in refrigeration experiments means having a technology platform that is completely aligned with the industry. On the other hand, food science labs can do fermentation, nutrition, and protein research, which are all things that universities can do."

"We're thinking the same thing," Pang Shiyou laughed.

The words "refrigerated food laboratory" carried immense weight for Hu Shutong. In his excitement, he didn't think much of it and appeared quite agitated. Pang Shiyou, seeing this, was delighted. He realized that it was this person before him who had inspired his idea, and now that they met, they found they were kindred spirits, making him even more pleased.

"I'm going to give a report on the refrigerated food laboratory this time. The equipment I need will be very expensive, and it requires multiple levels of approval. You've already been included in the report. Do you have confidence in taking this challenge together?"

"Yes!" Hu Shutong sat up straight.

"My schedule is packed, and there's something I haven't had time to do yet. Could you help me finish it?"

"Professor, please speak. I will do my best."

Have you implemented HACCP?

"I haven't done it myself, but I've seen some examples."

Pang Shiyou nodded. "Mingda has exchanges and cooperation with vegetable companies in the city. You should make a work plan and turn the hazard analysis and critical control points into a practical table. It must be clear at a glance and understandable even to laymen."

"Professor, didn't you just say 'perfect'? Do you need me to give you a basic framework?"

"Xiao Wu, are we almost there?"

"Professor Pang, I'll be there soon. I'll go check in my luggage first. Please wait for me in the lobby."

Pang Shiyou nodded, then looked at Hu Shutong and said, "Go back and prepare. We'll discuss this in detail when I get back."

Xiao Wu left his contact information with Hu Shutong and then watched them enter the airport terminal. Sitting in the car on the way back, Hu Shutong felt a sense of urgency; he hadn't expected to receive a task so soon after meeting him. HACCP is a prevention and control system applicable to all areas of the food industry, and its development in the food sector involves various types.

Hu Shutong had some contact with it, but had not studied it in depth. In his understanding, this system is actually about "timed control," strictly controlling key links to ensure food safety during processing.

Pang Shiyou only mentioned his communication with vegetable companies in the city, which sounded puzzling, but Hu Shutong quickly connected it to the semi-processing of fresh-cut vegetables. Pang Shiyou's so-called work plan was actually the establishment of a targeted system. With this, he understood the key points of the work to come.

Back in his dorm, Hu Shutong thought of a few books that might be useful, only to realize that he had left many things with Yu Dajun. When he left Tianheng, he only took the books he would need for his graduation thesis, and soon after, he went to Panzhu City, never having had a chance to retrieve his belongings.

Then he realized it had been a long time since he had seen Yu Dajun, and he missed his roommate very much, so it was time to catch up.

Following the address left behind, Hu Shutong went to find Yu Dajun.

……