This sentence was like a thunderclap out of nowhere, instantly making the courtyard boil over. Many people even thought they had misheard: "Is this... is this true? Changyuan, don't trick us idlers into getting excited!"

"That's right. When have those big companies in the county ever paid any attention to us ordinary people? Changyuan, have you really accomplished this?"

Chen Changyuan still smiled slightly, but his voice was firm: "Of course it's true! I have the agreement with me. If anyone is worried, I'll show it to you later."

He paused, scanning the stunned faces, and added, "Besides, Director Zhang has also agreed to provide us with seeds and technical support. This time, Qingshui Village won't be a poor village anymore in a few years!"

Even Old Yuan couldn't sit still anymore. He took a long drag on his pipe and stood up. "Xiao Chen, you're incredible! Okay, I've made up my mind about this! I'll oversee the management of the medicinal herb base! I'll also call in a few veterans who specialize in growing medicinal herbs, and I'll ensure our land yields 20% more!"

"Yes, yes, yes, the old man is in command, we obey him!"

Some older men in the village nodded in agreement, while the young people rubbed their hands and clamored to start work quickly.

A warm feeling rose in Chen Changyuan's heart, he knew that the enthusiasm of the villagers had been ignited.

That wasn't enough. He glanced at everyone and shouted, "Tonight, let's have a feast at my house and celebrate this together. We also need to discuss the division of labor at the base!"

—As night fell, lights came on in Chen Changyuan's yard. He set up several long tables with his own hands, which were filled with hot meals and the aroma filled the air.

There were several large pots of tender pork belly, accompanied by a full pot of sesame-scented cold cucumber salad, surrounded by excited villagers.

The warm gathering atmosphere that was rarely seen during these difficult times made everyone feel warm inside.

Old Yuan took two sips of wine, knocked on the edge of the table, and stood up, still half drunk. "I've been farming for over twenty years now. Qingshui Village used to be poor and shabby, like a den of ghosts. I always felt there was no hope. But today is different. We have Chen Changyuan leading us! This young man is capable and ambitious, and we can't go wrong by following him! Come on, let's raise our glasses together - I wish our Qingshui Village will become more prosperous and our cooperative will make a lot of money!"

"A toast to Chen Changyuan!"

The villagers stood up one after another and raised their wine bowls in unison, and cheerful laughter broke out in the yard.

In Chen Changyuan's home, candlelight flickered, the wooden table was filled with hot food and wine, and a group of villagers gathered around.

Chen Changyuan stood beside the table, holding a wine bowl in his hand, with an unconcealable joy between his brows.

He raised his bowl and said loudly, "Today's meal isn't just for celebration. We must also take this opportunity to divide the work and get the medicinal material base off to a practical level. Everyone, please do a good job. I, Chen Changyuan, will not be stingy. I will definitely share the dividends with every one of you!"

"Changyuan, let's do it with you!"

A strong man in the village responded loudly, and everyone raised their wine bowls and drank it all in one gulp.

After the atmosphere calmed down a bit, Chen Changyuan cleared his throat and his expression became more serious. "Alright, although we have fun drinking, we can't delay our business. Everyone knows that these medicinal herbs can't be grown and sold easily. Next, I plan to divide the base into sections, and the leaders must be decided. Those with experience should step forward quickly."

The old man stood up from the crowd and took two puffs of his pipe. "I'm familiar with growing medicinal herbs! When I was young, I was involved in the sale of local medicinal herbs. I have connections. Now you let me take care of a piece of land. I can definitely handle this job!"

As he spoke, he patted his chest, and a gleam of light flashed in his cloudy eyes.

"That would be even better."

Chen Changyuan smiled slightly, he had this plan a long time ago.

He pointed at the blueprint on the table and said, "Old Yuan, this piece of land is now yours. There are a few experienced veterans in the village. Pick two and teach the young people well. The quality of the products must be top-notch!"

The old man nodded: "Okay! Leave it to me."

More petitions immediately emerged from the crowd: "Changyuan, please include my few acres of land in yours. I promise to make it beautiful!"

"I can do it too. I've never missed tasks like weeding and fertilizing the fields!"

Chen Changyuan looked around at everyone, a smile on his face. "Don't worry, once this medicinal material base becomes the main industry of our village, everyone will have a share of the future dividends. Whoever works hard will get more!"

After several rounds of division of labor, Chen Changyuan mentioned the agreement signed between the cooperative and the county government. "Director Zhang and I have agreed that seeds and technical support will be arriving in the village soon. We must study hard and no one can be careless! The technicians sent by Director Zhang will teach us for free. Whether we learn well or not is up to us!"

"I have to learn this. I'd rather sleep less than delay it!"

A young man said excitedly.

After the banquet, Chen Changyuan relaxed a little, a rare moment. But before he could completely remove the smile on his face, he heard a fake smile and greeting from outside the house: "Hey, Changyuan, it's so lively!"

When Chen Changyuan turned around, he saw the village chief Wang Fugui walking towards him with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face.

No matter how you look at it, that smile seems to have some bad intentions.

"Village Chief, why didn't you tell me you wanted to drink earlier?"

Chen Changyuan greeted him politely, but his words showed his unyielding attitude.

Wang Fugui laughed heartily, sat down, and got straight to the point: "Look, long-term, this medicinal material base is a big deal. It's related to the future lifeblood of the entire village. As the village chief, I have to oversee this for the entire village and ensure that this goes smoothly, right?"

Chen Changyuan sneered in his heart, having guessed long ago that this old fox was going to do this.

His expression remained expressionless, and he simply handed over a cup of hot tea. "What the village chief said is true. But I think that in this cooperative, each household is the owner, and you just need to supervise. As for how to divide the work and how to work, everyone cares more than anyone else, right?"

Wang Fugui was stunned, his smile faltering for a moment, but he didn't give up. "Well, that's true, but I'm the village chief after all, right? I have to take the lead anyway. How about this? I'll be the honorary president of this cooperative. This will make Qingshui Village look more legitimate, and it will be easier for us to deal with those big companies outside!"

"That title does sound good."

Chen Changyuan smiled meaningfully, then stood up and shook his sleeves. "But our cooperative is still small, so we can't afford an honorary president. Besides, what we do in Qingshui Village depends on our own people, don't you agree?"