Chapter 187 of "New Urban Farmers": Zheng Haifu's Little Secrets
They recognized Fang Fan. Zheng Haifu heard that Old Yi was a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. He was slightly embarrassed by the old man's appearance. Fei Guodong went to chat with Li Shengtao and Ye Zi, and there was no need for introductions, leaving Liu Neng to serve Old Yi and the others.
During their conversation, Zheng Haifu suddenly changed the subject and said warmly to Fan Ruhai, "Professor Fan, Qingmu Township lacks development opportunities. I wonder how much you know about tea tree cultivation?"
Fan Ruhai smiled slightly in surprise, "I know a little, but tea trees are generally more suited to the hilly areas of southern provinces. Our province's climate doesn't allow for it. Even if we plant them, the dry climate will cause a big problem with yield, and the quality will be much worse, making us uncompetitive."
"Of course, if we could improve the tea tree varieties, they might be able to adapt to the climate of the Northwest, but that would be a huge project. We don't have that capability right now." Everyone understood one thing: it would be difficult to find a suitable environment for planting tea trees, not to mention Qingmu Township, even in the whole province.
"It's a pity, Professor Fan. Don't laugh at me. I'm also a tea connoisseur and I'm trying to find a way out for Qingmu Township, but Qingmu Township is poor and its finances don't allow it. Finding a low-cost approach is very difficult!" Zheng Haifu said with a slight disappointment on his face.
Professor Fan Ruhai smiled slightly: "Qingmu Township still has untapped potential for developing agriculture and forestry. For example, the township's medicinal herb cultivation could be quite good if it could be planned in a unified manner. In addition, some economic trees could be introduced. The climate in the Northwest is relatively dry all year round, but there are always some economic trees that are suitable for this climate."
Township head Zheng Haifu had naturally heard of such views, but how much money would it cost to actually do it that way? Besides, this wasn't his original intention to come.
To be honest, even if we gained something from Professor Fan's work, shouldn't it be attributed to Secretary Lin Zhong? It was Secretary Lin who took the initiative to report to the county leaders and invite the agricultural expert to the township.
So after the initial polite exchanges, Zheng Haifu's conversation became half-hearted. But gradually, he grew annoyed, thinking, "Even though you're a professor, don't you understand the principles of hospitality? Or do you think I, Zheng Haifu, am unworthy to drink your tea?" Seeing that Fan Ruhai showed no intention of offering him a pot of tea, Zheng Haifu became dissatisfied.
In his eyes, professors and primary school teachers are almost the same; those who do academic research are still subject to the control of officials.
"Professor Fan, I have a favor to ask. I heard you have some fine tea leaves. I wonder if you could spare some for me? My father-in-law also enjoys drinking tea, especially different kinds. Just now, I smelled your tea and it smelled really good!" Zheng Haifu finally couldn't help but say.
But where did Fan Ruhai get the tea? Everyone had been fooled by Liu Neng. They just hadn't expected that Zheng Haifu, the head of a township, would stoop so low as to ask someone for something.
"Cough cough!" Liu Neng choked.
But what's the point of explaining now? Let's get out of here! Liu Neng walked towards Zhang Guodong, his face flushed.
Professor Fan Ruhai was even more astonished.
"Mayor Zheng, you've misunderstood. I'm here on an inspection tour; how could I afford such fine tea? This is the host's tea, and I can't make that decision myself," Fan Ruhai said with a smile.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Didn't that Mr. Liu just say that Professor Fan personally mentored them? Why are they denying it now?
Zheng Haifu saw that Professor Fan's expression didn't seem fake. He immediately realized he'd been tricked. Teng and his men were all in turmoil.
This is the first time I've ever been played like this, especially in front of my subordinates! Zheng Haifu's face turned ashen, and he managed a weak smile, but the smile was extremely ugly.
He glared hatefully at Liu Neng, who had turned his back, wishing he could devour the bastard.
"Boss Liu!" Zhong Ben, noticing the township head's anger, immediately turned and shouted at Liu Neng. He felt this was the perfect opportunity to show his skills. "What's wrong with you?"
Zhong Ben's wink at Liu Neng actually had a history.
He knew that Liu Neng often treated Yan Weimin to meals. Naturally, Yan Weimin took all the benefits, but he, as the deputy director, didn't get a single bite, which made him a little jealous. Plus, he and Yan Weimin were sworn enemies, so his resentment was quite intense.
"What is it?" Liu Neng feigned confusion and turned around.
Zhong Ben looked at Zheng Haifu, about to speak. But Zheng Haifu snorted and said, "Isn't that a tower for refining ore? Our Qingmu Township has always valued environmental protection, but you are illegally refining ore here! Not only that, but someone also reported that you have encroached on farmland? I think this is a big problem. It has polluted the environment of Qingmu Township and caused considerable damage to the roads in Qingmu Township. Now it seems to be true. On behalf of the township party committee, government, and environmental protection station, I have decided to seal off this place, Director Zhong. Please have Mr. Liu cooperate with the investigation, and bring the relevant people with you as well."
Yan Weimin kept giving Liu Neng meaningful glances. He thought to himself, "Why can't you just offer some tea leaves, Mr. Liu? Why are you so reluctant to part with even a little?"
He was a complete novice when it came to tea tasting.
However, he was observant and knew that Mayor Zheng loved tea. But Liu Neng had tricked Old Zheng, which puzzled him. Offending Zheng Haifu for a little tea was clearly not worth it, was it?
"Mayor Zheng, everything you say needs to be based on evidence. We are investors from out of town, and I have reservations about your investment environment. I will mention this to Secretary Lin!" Liu Neng said sternly, his tone slightly displeased. "Also, the stones piled up here are in the yard. They are for laying the foundation. As for your claim of environmental pollution, Professor Fan is an agricultural expert and understands the effects of gases on plants. Let Professor Fan take a look to see if it will pollute the environment. Besides, the road in Qingmu Township wasn't caused by us. We've paid all the fees we were owed. I do know that every day, heavy-duty stone-hauling trucks pass by!" Zheng Haifu's expression changed.
Liu Neng mentioned that Lin Zhong did put some pressure on him, but it also made him even angrier. For a moment, he forgot to ask Liu Dewang to cooperate with him. This guy was just drinking his beverage behind everyone else, ignoring everything else.
Although he's a coward, he's also a shrewd man. If he kicks Zhang Guodong out, who will give him so much money? So this old man is happy to keep a low profile.
Just then, Tao Jianhua approached the group unnoticed and laughed, "Do pebbles need to be added to a kiln for burning? This is clearly ore! Burning and refining ore will definitely pollute the environment!"
“Hello, Mayor Zheng, during my time in Qingmu Township, I’ve seen five trucks come here. There are over a hundred tons of ore here! I can testify to that.”
Boom! Everyone fell silent for a moment.
No one expected that Fan Ruhai's disciple would actually step forward and identify Liu Neng.
Zheng Haifu smiled and nodded approvingly at Tao Jianhua: "It's good that you're not afraid of power and dare to fight against those who damage the environment! What's your name?"
Tao Jianhua immediately replied respectfully, "Mayor Zheng, you're too kind. This is what a citizen should do! My name is Tao Jianhua!"
"Brother Tao Xiaoxiao is a good comrade!" Zheng Haifu said. "You're also an expert in this field. Could you tell everyone about it?"
The expert's words made Tao Jianhua a little smug, but he figured since he'd already gone this far, he might as well go all the way! He didn't care that Liu Neng's eyes were practically spitting fire. That ingrate! He drank the food here and then turned around and bit me? Damn it! He hated Fan Ruhai too!
They actually managed to train such a student!
Fan Ruhai's expression darkened further; Tao Jianhua had disappointed him. Looking at Zhang Guodong and Elder Yi, he felt ashamed that he had produced such a student!
"I can testify for the owner of this place that the claim of environmental pollution is nonsense. While crops may indeed experience reduced yields due to harmful gases, this small kiln is neither large enough nor does it exhibit any characteristics of harmful gases. The claim of environmental pollution is unfounded." Fan Ruhai felt he should say something; he hadn't originally intended to, but this disciple had greatly disappointed him.
As for the claim of encroaching on farmland, everyone's eyes aren't blind; these jade fragments are all in the yard. Where does the encroachment on farmland come from? The third claim of damaging the road is even less tenable. Vehicles from other areas entering Qingmu Township, Qingyang County, pay tolls, which include road maintenance fees.
Zheng Haifu's expression became quite interesting the moment Professor Fan Ruhai testified. He had initially thought that since Tao Jianhua was Fan Ruhai's disciple, the master would naturally protect his disciple and indirectly testify for him. But this teacher and student were playing opposite roles!
Tao Jianhua's face turned deathly pale.
The more troublesome Zheng Haifu can no longer do anything to Liu Neng.
Although Fan Ruhai was only an agricultural expert, he had a letter of introduction from the county and the local government. If he could report this to his superiors, he would be in trouble.
He felt a bit trapped in a dilemma.
At this point, Zhang Guodong felt it was necessary for him to step forward.
"However, although all of this is nonsense, our boss Liu is willing to sponsor the environmental protection station with 10,000 yuan to support the environmental protection work in Qingmu Township!" Zhang Guodong stood behind Liu Neng, pretending to be Liu Neng's assistant, and even exchanged a few words, but no one heard what they said.
The sanitation worker was overjoyed to hear that he could get paid.
However, after carefully glancing at Zheng Haifu, he sighed again. He estimated that less than a thousand of the ten thousand would be left after reaching the environmental protection station.
"Haha, since Professor Fan can prove that this kiln has no impact on the environment, what else is there to say? Thank you for your sponsorship, Mr. Liu." Zheng Haifu quickly laughed it off, finding a way to save face.
But deep down, he probably hates Liu Neng to death. He probably wishes he could tear him to pieces.
Liu Neng forced a smile and said, "You're too kind. It's only right. Although we're staying here temporarily for an inspection, we still have an obligation to maintain the environment of Qingmu Township! Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility!"
Zheng Haifu quickly took his leave.
But he left with a belly full of anger. Fan Ruhai messed things up, naturally leaving Tao Jianhua in an awkward position. He was caught in the middle, disliked by everyone.
"Although Mayor Zheng is gone, there's no guarantee he won't make things difficult for me in the future. I'm too ashamed to stay here any longer. Brother Yi, Brother Roubu, be sure to call me when you get to Yangling! Shengtao." Ye. "Let's go!" Fan Ruhai, somewhat losing interest, also bid farewell to Zhang Guodong and Elder Yi.
He didn't call out Tao Jianhua's name. Clearly, this disciple had greatly disappointed him.
But who would care about him now? That kind of person has serious character flaws!
"Professor Fan, wait a minute, I have something to ask you!" Zhang Guodong called out to Fan Ruhai, then hurriedly went into the room and came out again.
He was holding two paper jars, each containing three ounces of roasted tea leaves. Of course, these were his own preparations; Old Master Yi hadn't had time to roast them yet, otherwise they would definitely be of a higher quality than what he had now.
"Brother Zhang, what's this?" Fan Ruhai asked, puzzled as he saw Zhang Guodong carrying two jars.
"Hehe, I have an elder relative at the Yangling Academy of Agricultural Sciences named Bai Zhongsheng. I wonder if Professor Fan knows him?" Zhang Guodong said.
Upon hearing Bai Zhongsheng's name, Fan Ruhai immediately laughed: "Old Bai, we're buddies. We're on good terms at school! Want me to give him a little something? No problem!"
"That's great! I'm a bit busy so I don't have time to go to Yangling right now, so I'll ask Professor Fan to take care of it. The other jar for you is something I made myself, but it's barely drinkable," Zhang Guodong said with a smile.
"This gift is quite valuable, but I can't bear to give it up!" Professor Fan, seeing Zhang Guodong's earnest expression, immediately understood... He immediately liked the tea he'd asked for! When we arrived at Yangzi's place, I... "Goodbye, Brother Yi!"
They brought Fan Ruhai some precious tea. The two students, Liu Neng, however, brought several bottles of beverages. It was quite kind of them, really.
As for Tao Jianhua and Liu Neng, they were too busy to notice Zhang Guodong, who pretended not to see them.
Professor Fan Ruhai's research was forced to end prematurely due to this embarrassing incident. For them, such research could be conducted several times a year, so it wasn't a big deal; the preliminary work had already been done.
So the next day they said goodbye to Qingmu Township and left. Before leaving, they left a fairly detailed development plan for Party Secretary Lin Zhong.
The township party secretary, Lin Zhong, attached great importance to this proposal for the Qingmu Township exhibition and convened a special party committee meeting to discuss it. The discussion went relatively smoothly. It's a joke that some experts would object to the proposal; that would mean they're out of their minds. Of course, whether it can be implemented is another matter entirely.
But Zheng Haifu was seething with anger and had nowhere to vent it.
Recently, rumors have been circulating in the village about him losing face. The rumors are quite detailed and detailed, which is a serious blow to his prestige.
Seeing Zhong Ben frequently meet with Lao Zheng and Yan Weimin, I feel there's a story behind it.
So Yan Weimin immediately contacted Liu Neng, but arranged to meet him in the county to avoid suspicion. Zheng Haifu was furious, and Yan Weimin was worried that if he were caught meeting Liu Neng in private, he would become a thorn in Zheng Haifu's side. Coincidentally, Liu Neng was also in the county on a large shopping spree. The two met at a restaurant.
"I'm telling you, Lao Liu, you're in deep trouble this time. You've lost face, and you're completely finished. Now that Professor Fan is gone, no one will speak up for you!" Yan Weimin sighed. "I can't help you this time either. Although Secretary Lin Zhong is the top leader, Mayor Zheng isn't someone to be trifled with. As a member of the Party Committee, I can't interfere with other matters. To be honest, although I've been taken advantage of by Liu Neng quite a bit, it's already quite kind of me to have kept in touch with him like this."
Liu Neng toasted Yan Weimin and said, "Old Yan, you've been a real friend! Actually, our boss doesn't want any trouble. Otherwise, what's so special about a mere township head like Old Yan? It's fine if Township Head Zheng doesn't come knocking, but if he keeps causing trouble, I think his time as township head is over!"
Yan Weimin was somewhat surprised at how much he believed Liu Neng's words. However, Yan Weimin had some thoughts. It was certain that Liu Neng was rich, at least much richer than him.
If Lao Zheng really offends Liu Neng's Lao Huan again, that is, if this young man really has a strong backing, then wouldn't he also have a chance?
Although Liu Neng only made a casual remark, Yan Weimin was very sensitive to these kinds of messages.
But no matter how he tried to probe, Liu Neng refused to say anything more.
"It's not that I don't want to say, it's that I'm afraid to. Anyway, in short, our boss has a lot of influence!" Liu Neng gave an ambiguous answer.
After finishing their meal, the two parted ways.
Yan Weimin returned to his hometown first, but Liu Neng wanted to hire a vehicle to transport the purchased goods back to his hometown.
But halfway to Qingmu Township, four or five people in joint defense uniforms suddenly appeared. Their appearance was inexplicable, as if they had been waiting for them.
"Stop for joint security inspection!" The other person blocked the small car with a baton, speaking very arrogantly.
But the truck driver, clearly a familiar face in Qingyang County, didn't get out of the car. He leaned out of the window and chuckled at the joint patrol officers, saying, "We're all from the same place, just checking some daily necessities, what are you checking? Want a smoke?"
"Stop joking around like that when you pull over. Pull over and get out for inspection!" But the other driver wouldn't budge, saying, "Hurry up!"
“I’m good friends with your Director Yan. You must have made a mistake,” Liu Neng said, unable to stay silent any longer. He poked his head out.
The officers' expressions changed, but after muttering a few words, one of them immediately said, "We're not giving anyone face because of what the leader ordered! Get out of the car now!"
Liu Neng frowned, sensing that something was amiss. These people were indeed members of the joint defense team from Yan Weimin's police station!
But Yan Weimin just parted ways; would he try to sabotage him behind his back? Liu Neng quickly ruled that out. If Yan Weimin wanted to cheat him, he wouldn't need to meet in private.
Zheng Haifu!
Otherwise, these joint defense teams wouldn't dare to do anything to him, since he and Yan Weimin frequented some restaurants and were quite familiar with the people in the institute.
Liu Neng sensed that Township Head Zheng was up to something and immediately reported it to Zhang Guodong. This Township Head Zheng was going too far!
Zhang Guodong was furious upon receiving Liu Neng's report; it seemed the township head was really looking for trouble. He didn't want to stir up trouble in another township, but some people just wouldn't listen.
"Let them investigate!" Zhang Guodong said in a deep voice.
Liu Neng was puzzled. But since the boss said so, he decided to do it that way.
"Stop the car and let them check," Liu Neng said to the driver. "Let's see what they can find out!"
Liu Neng soon realized that these four or five guards were acting premeditatedly, more like bandits who started ransacking the vehicle and causing chaos.
"Let you be arrogant for a while!" Liu Neng glared at them angrily but did not stop them.
"Fake cigarettes? Heh heh!" Soon, a member of the joint defense team held up a pack of cigarettes and grinned sinisterly at Liu Neng.
Liu Neng was taken aback, but then he realized that these people had indeed framed him. This wasn't the kind of troublesome investigation he expected; they were serious about it!
Ao: More updates tonight.
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