Chen Changyuan took the wine glass.
"Boss Zhang, I'd like to toast you."
Chen Changyuan raised his teacup and spoke sincerely.
"Your experience and resources are invaluable to me. I will definitely seize this opportunity."
Zhang Qinghai clinked glasses with Chen Changyuan with a smile and drank it all in one gulp.
He squinted his eyes and looked at the young man in front of him, secretly admiring him in his heart.
This kid is no ordinary guy. He has such courage at such a young age. He will definitely make a name for himself in the future.
"Xiao Chen,"
Zhang Qinghai put down his glass and said earnestly, "The most important thing in doing business is integrity. Now that we've signed this agreement, we're all in this together. If you have any difficulties, just let me know. I'll definitely help if I can."
Chen Changyuan nodded, thinking that in this era, personal connections are more important than anything else.
The next morning after Chen Changyuan returned to Qingshui Village, he went straight to the village committee to find Wang Fugui.
"Village Chief Wang, I want to rent a piece of land."
Chen Changyuan spoke straight to the point.
Wang Fugui squinted his eyes and looked at Chen Changyuan, a smile on his face: "Hey, Changyuan, what big thing are you going to do?"
"I'm going to plant some medicinal herbs."
"Medicinal herbs?"
Wang Fugui's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea. But..."
He deliberately dragged out his words, "All the good land in the village has been distributed, and all that's left is wasteland."
Chen Changyuan knew very well that he was being asked to increase his stake.
He pulled two packs of cigarettes from his pocket and placed them on the table. "Village chief, I know about that wasteland at the west end of the village. Although it's overgrown with weeds, the soil is good. If you can help me get this done, I'll definitely benefit from the harvest later."
Wang Fugui laughed even more happily and put the cigarettes into the drawer: "Leave it to me."
Three days later, Chen Changyuan got the lease contract for the wasteland.
He immediately found Lao Yuantou to discuss the formation of a planting team.
"Uncle Yuan, I'm in need of a manager here."
Chen Changyuan handed over a cigarette and said, "You have high prestige in the village and a wide network of contacts. Why don't you help me find some honest and hardworking people?"
Old Yuan took a puff of his cigarette and said with a smile, "You have a good plan, kid. Okay, I'll do it for you."
In less than a week, a ten-person planting team was formed.
Chen Changyuan took out the planting manual given by Zhang Qinghai, studied it carefully, and then made a detailed plan.
"This land needs to be cleaned up first."
Chen Changyuan pointed to the wasteland covered with weeds and said, "Let's divide into three groups. First, weed out the weeds, and then deep-plow the land."
Seeing the wasteland changing day by day, Chen Changyuan felt more at ease.
But at this moment, some unpleasant words were heard in the village.
"Have you heard? That kid Chen Changyuan wants to plant medicinal herbs in the back mountain."
One evening, Zhou Dazhu was sitting under the old locust tree at the entrance of the village and talking to a few idle men.
"What's wrong with growing medicinal herbs?"
Someone asked.
Zhou Dazhu sneered, "Don't you know? Planting medicinal herbs requires pesticides. Those things seep into the ground and pollute the water. Then all the wells in our village will be ruined."
"Is this true?"
Some people are skeptical.
"Why would I lie to you?"
Zhou Dazhu said seriously, "My cousin saw this in the next village. After they planted medicinal herbs, the water in the village became smelly."
The news spread throughout the village as if it had wings.
The next morning, as soon as Chen Changyuan arrived at the field, he saw several villagers gathered there pointing and talking.
"Chen Changyuan, you are going to kill our entire village!"
A villager shouted.
Chen Changyuan frowned and was about to explain when Old Yuantou stood up and said, "Bullshit! I've lived for most of my life and have never heard of growing medicinal herbs polluting water sources. Are you guys bored?"
But the villagers persisted: "Zhou Dazhu said his cousin..."
"His cousin?"
Chen Changyuan sneered, "Which village is his cousin from? What's his name? What kind of medicinal herbs does he grow? Has anyone seen him?"
Everyone was speechless for a moment.
"I see,"
Chen Changyuan scanned the crowd around him, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Some people just can't stand seeing others do well. Since everyone is worried, why not do this..."
"I see,"
Chen Changyuan scanned the crowd around him, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Some people just can't stand seeing others do well. Since everyone is worried, how about this? I'll ask the village's old Party secretary to come take a look and give everyone a proof. He's experienced and can tell at a glance whether growing medicinal herbs will pollute the water source."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd suddenly quieted down.
The old branch secretary is highly respected in the village, and no one dares to question his judgment easily.
"Besides,"
Chen Changyuan sneered, "I'm growing common herbs like Astragalus and Codonopsis, not poisonous weeds. These herbs have been cultivated by our ancestors for generations. If they really polluted the water source, we wouldn't have been able to drink water long ago."
Seeing this, Old Yuantou patted Chen Changyuan on the shoulder and said loudly to everyone: "Changyuan is right! At my age, I have seen all kinds of storms and waves. If anyone doesn't believe it, just ask the old branch secretary. If you spread rumors and cause trouble, don't blame me for turning my back on you!"
The crowd was shocked by these words and dispersed, leaving only a few stubborn people who were still muttering.
Chen Changyuan glanced around and saw Zhou Dazhu standing in the distance with a sinister smile on his face.
"Oh,"
Chen Changyuan snorted coldly, "It's just the beginning, and you're already using such a despicable trick."
Old Yuan lowered his voice and said, "Changyuan, you have to be careful of Zhou Dazhu. He has a close relationship with the village chief and has been doing a lot of tricks behind your back."
"Don't worry, Uncle Yuan,"
A cold light flashed in Chen Changyuan's eyes. "Since I have chosen this path, I am not afraid of anyone tripping me up."
In the evening, Chen Changyuan dragged his tired body back home and found Fang Suxia busy at the stove.
"Mom, I'm back."
Fang Suxia turned around, her face showing an unconcealed haggard look. "Changyuan, I heard you rented a piece of land at the west end of the village?"
Chen Changyuan nodded, feeling bitter in his heart.
It had only been half a day when my mother heard the news.
"long,"
Fang Suxia sighed, "Mom knows you have a promising future, but our family is poor. If you are so generous, Mom is afraid..."
"mother,"
Chen Changyuan interrupted, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. This money came from the game I hunted, not from a loan."
Fang Suxia forced a smile, but the worry in her eyes could not be concealed: "But the villagers say..."
"mother,"
Chen Changyuan held his mother's rough hands and said, "Just trust me this time. I won't let you down."
Fang Suxia looked at her son and nodded slowly.
The next morning, as soon as Chen Changyuan arrived at the field, he found that there were several strangers at the edge of the field.
Looking at the tools in their hands, Chen Changyuan suddenly understood something.
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