Chapter 78 The Hill is Coming Down

Zhou Weiguo immediately remembered it.

When he returned home in the evening, Zhou Weiguo told Shen Lingning about this, and Shen Lingning understood what he meant.

The next day, she carefully prepared a large pot of crayfish, fried them until they were delicious, and prepared a few home-cooked dishes. She asked Zhou Weiguo to send them to the guesthouse in the name of "inviting the old leader to taste the cooking skills of her family members."

After tasting the food, several leaders praised it highly and were deeply impressed by Shen Lingning's cooking skills and ingenuity.

During the meeting, Zhou Weiguo also "took the opportunity" to report on the initial ideas and difficulties of the family committee's pilot project for land reclamation.

The leaders were excited and felt that this was a good thing, so they stated: "As long as it is collective in nature, serves the troops, and does not involve speculation, we can boldly pilot it! If you encounter any difficulties, you can report to the organization!"

First, come up with a specific plan. Under the current policy, we must be fully prepared!"

With this vague but positive statement from the top leaders, the biggest policy obstacle to the Tea Mountain Plan finally showed signs of loosening.

Shen Lingning and Zhou Weiguo smiled at each other, knowing that their efforts had finally reached the most critical step.

After initially clearing the obstacles, Shen Lingning and Zhou Weiguo seized the opportunity.

After returning home, Fubao went to visit Aunt Sun for a while because she was not at home. The two of them could not help but hug each other happily as soon as they entered the house.

Shen Lingning raised his head in Zhou Weiguo's arms and asked, "How about I write up the tea mountain plan and share the profits with the base?"

Zhou Weiguo's eyes lit up: "This is good, and it will benefit the people. This way, no one can say anything sarcastic."

Two days later, Shen Lingning's report was finally completed by hand, and Zhou Weiguo formally submitted to the regiment headquarters a preliminary concept report on "organizing family members to open up wasteland and produce non-staple food to improve the lives of officers and soldiers."

In order to avoid subsequent troubles, the sensitive word "tea" was omitted and only drought-resistant crops and fruit trees were mentioned.

The base responded quickly and immediately convened a meeting.

The base's Party Committee meeting room was filled with smoke, a choking mixture of low-quality tobacco and old military uniforms.

Political Commissar Zhang, base director Chen Dalei, logistics director Li Mancang, and Deputy Political Commissar Wang, who had a serious expression and was in charge of ideological work, were all present.

Zhou Weiguo was wearing a neat old military uniform and sitting upright with a posture as straight as a pine tree.

Shen Lingning was wearing a blue cloth smock that was washed white but clean and tidy, his hair was neatly tied behind his head, and his expression was calm.

Zhou Weiguo spoke first, his voice loud and clear, and finally emphasized: "...In summary, organizing family members to open up wasteland for production is an active response to the spirit of the "Notice on Further Developing Sideline Production and Improving the Lives of Employees."

This is completely in line with the highest directive of 'self-reliance and hard work.' The purpose is to supplement supplies and reduce the collective burden, not to seek personal gain."

Logistics Director Li Mancang was the first to frown, tapping the table with his finger: "That's the truth. But the word 'contracting' is too eye-catching!"

Comrade Xiao Shen, that tea mountain has been abandoned for nearly twenty years. There are more stones than soil. The manpower and material resources invested are not small, and the results are slow to show.

What if… I mean what if, it goes wrong, who will bear the loss? How bad will it be for the public?"

Deputy Political Commissar Wang pushed his glasses up and spoke slowly but with pressure: "Comrade Weiguo, Comrade Lingning, your enthusiasm is good. However, the top priority now is to 'dig deep holes and store up grain,' with grain as the key."

The nature of large-scale cultivation of cash crops, especially something like tea with a "bourgeois" feel, is easily misunderstood.

We must still be vigilant against the 'capitalist tail' rising up and not bring discredit to the collective."

A few words from the two of them made the atmosphere in the conference room solemn.

Shen Lingning took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

She didn't look at the two questioning leaders, but instead glanced at the slogan on the wall: "Be self-reliant and have enough food and clothing." Her voice was clear and steady:

"Director Li, Deputy Political Commissar Wang, and all the leaders, I understand your concerns. Leaving tea plantations uncultivated is a waste and a loss, so we must make use of them!"

She picked up the document and raised her voice a few notches: "The document says, 'We must adapt to local conditions, make full use of local resources, develop diversified operations, and increase collective and member incomes.'

The tea plantation on the back mountain is the forgotten resource of Songtaogou! Letting it grow weeds is like begging for food while guarding a gold mountain!

Opening it up will open up a way for the base to survive and provide hope for all the families!"

She looked at Deputy Political Commissar Wang and said in an earnest but firm tone, "Deputy Political Commissar Wang, growing tea isn't just for romance. Tea can help digestion and refresh the mind."

Our officers and soldiers train hard, and the canteen is light on greasy food, so having a sip of coarse tea after a meal is an improvement in their lives. How can this be called 'petty bourgeois sentiment'? This is called 'serving the soldiers'!"

Then, she put forward a practical plan, looking at Chen Dalei and Li Mancang with a burning gaze: "I know the base is in trouble. So, if the tea mountain is contracted, I will voluntarily hand over 30% of the output to the base!

This money can be used to repair barracks, purchase training equipment, or subsidize comrades in more difficult situations! Isn't this more beneficial to the collective than letting the mountain remain barren? "

"Thirty percent?" The pen in Li Mancang's hand paused.

"Yes, 30%! It's written in black and white in the contract!"

Shen Lingning said firmly: "Besides, clearing wasteland, planting tea, picking tea, and frying tea all require people! I can issue a military order and give priority to hiring military families at the base and wounded comrades who have been demobilized and returned home!

Pay according to work, and settle on the same day! Doesn't this count as solving practical difficulties, responding to the call to 'store up food' while also ensuring that the families can 'have enough clothes'?

"Payment on the same day? Prioritize the wounded and their families?"

Li Mancang took a deep breath, and the doubt on his face was replaced by a huge excitement.

This solved his big problem!

Deputy Political Commissar Wang was about to say something when Political Commissar Zhang slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup clang loudly. "Excellent! Well said! 'Serving the soldiers,' 'solving practical difficulties,' that truly captures the spirit of the document!"

I think Comrade Shen Lingning has a high level of awareness, clear thinking and appropriate methods!

Lao Chen, Lao Li, do you have any questions? If not, we'll handle the procedures right away!

The 30% profit and employment terms must be clearly stated! "

Chen Dalei exchanged glances with the others, and finally nodded slowly: "Let's do it."

Chen Dalei exchanged glances with several other leaders, and no longer had any objections, and they all nodded.

The unimaginably favorable conditions have completely cleared away all obstacles!

The procedures went exceptionally smoothly.

When Shen Lingning walked out of the camp headquarters holding the "Tea Mountain Contracting and Management Contract" with the bright red official seal on it, the early summer sun was a little dazzling.

Holding the paper in my hand, it felt slightly damp with ink and heavy.

Zhou Weiguo stood beside her, looking at her profile shining in the sun and her hands tightly holding the contract with slightly white knuckles, his eyes full of pride.