Chapter 638 Guidance Group
"Brother, what are you saying? Don't try to freeload. When you come to our house, you can eat whatever you want. Come on in, I'll go and order some dishes for you. Let's have a good drink."
The village chief was very welcoming and welcomed them in.
"Thank you both for thinking so highly of me. I'll go and get my treasured wine." The village chief entered the house, clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute, and was quite generous.
Chen Feng and Li Chunlai exchanged a glance, neither of them spoke, but smiled at each other.
The two men went inside the house, and the village chief took out a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor) from the innermost room. It was a small plastic bottle without a label, containing two jin (1 kg).
"It's a remote and impoverished place, so please don't be offended. The wine is alright. Although it can't compare to Moutai or Wuliangye, it's still pure grain wine, not blended."
The village chief, carrying a small jug, chuckled at the two of them.
"It's alright, this is fine. We're just ordinary people, why would we care about Moutai or Wuliangye?" Chen Feng smiled, and the two were invited to the dinner table by the village chief.
Chen Feng understood the village chief's actions perfectly. He might have Moutai and Wuliangye at home, but he wouldn't offer them to Chen Feng at this time.
It has nothing to do with money. He also needs to prove from all aspects that he is honest and clean and has not done anything wrong. It's fine for a village chief like me to drink bulk grain liquor, but if I were to drink Moutai or Wuliangye, then there would be a big problem.
“There’s a restaurant in our village. I just told him to cook two side dishes. They’ll be here soon, so please be patient.”
The village chief sat down with three cups and handed one to each of them.
"Well, I'm sorry to bother you so late today," Chen Feng said with a light fist salute and a smile.
"Haha, that's too formal," the village chief chuckled.
The group chatted for a bit, and the restaurant was indeed fast; the four dishes had already been delivered by then.
"Thank you for your hard work, brother. I've transferred the money to you." The village chief opened the door and took the vegetables.
"Brother, don't be so polite with me. Just let me know if you need anything," the man said with a smile, before leaving the village chief's house.
Throughout the entire process, Chen Feng didn't turn around. Li Chunlai glanced at the village chief casually, a hint of mockery on his lips.
These words weren't spoken to the restaurant, but to the two of them, indicating that he, as the village chief, never oppressed the people and was deeply loved by them.
"Here you are, I'll go get a few plates." The village chief quickly set out the dishes and handed chopsticks to Chen Feng and Li Chunlai.
"Eat quickly, it'll get cold soon, don't be shy," the village chief gestured.
"Eat up," Chen Feng said, picking up a bite of food.
The village chief offered a glass of wine, which the three of them drank in one gulp, and they talked about nothing but idle chatter for a long time.
Anyway, the village chief made one stance: if the enemy doesn't move, I won't move. We all know why you came, but if you don't say, I certainly won't bring it up.
"By the way, Village Chief, I have something to tell you. The demolition and relocation in the village is proving difficult right now. What do you think about this?" Chen Feng said, picking up a peanut.
Upon hearing this, the village chief immediately looked troubled.
"Well, I can't really say, but the villagers do have their own opinions, they think the price is too low."
"But then again, as a village chief caught in the middle, it's hard for me to say otherwise."
"Besides, everyone has their own ideas, so you can't just say that if they don't sign a contract, I should force them to sign it." The village chief said with a laugh, looking helpless.
His words were quite insightful.
I made it clear that I'm on your side, but I can't help the villagers, there's nothing I can do.
"Yes, you're absolutely right. That's exactly what I was thinking too."
"You say they won't sign, but can I force them to sign?"
"Fine, sign it or not, that's it." Chen Feng raised his glass, as a toast to the village chief.
The village chief downed his drink in one gulp without saying a word; he didn't believe Chen Feng had come to tell him this.
"Alright, I understand your plan, brother. I'll go back and tell them. We'll be leaving tomorrow or the day after," Chen Feng said, picking up a piece of meat.
"Brother, what do you mean by that? Why did you leave? Does that mean the demolition is still going to happen?" The village chief asked, somewhat puzzled.
Besides, how do you know what I'm thinking? I haven't even said it yet.
"I can't solve this problem, so what else can I do but stay? Let whoever can solve it take over," Chen Feng said nonchalantly.
"If you leave, who will be able to solve this? You handled Li Lao Er's family quite well, didn't you? Haha." The village chief evaded the question, revealing the information.
"I'm leaving now. Let the guidance team come. I originally wanted to ask my older brother if he could help me out, but after seeing it today, I realize I'm really asking too much of him."
“You’re all from the same village, and you’ve lived here for so many years. You’re in a dilemma, so let’s just forget about it.”
Chen Feng took the cigarette from Li Chunlai and lit it, and Li Chunlai also handed one to the village chief.
"A guidance group? They're in charge of demolitions too?" The village chief was startled upon hearing this, his eyes filled with surprise.
"Never mind, but they are in charge of overall planning. This is a national project, you think this is a joke?"
"Anyone who dares to obstruct a national project will die. Anyone who can't get things done will also be taken down. Take those county magistrates for example. If you can't even handle this, what use are you?"
"Just investigate corruption and disciplinary violations on the side, to deter other officials in the area, it's just a side thing," Chen Feng said with a smile.
Chen Feng said this, but when the village chief heard it, he got goosebumps.
Are you kidding me? Are the guidance team members just ordinary people? If they come, what will become of these officials?
To put it bluntly, after serving as a village official for so many years, who has a clean record? Who can withstand an investigation?
"This matter has blown up so much, it can't be that serious, can it?" The village chief grinned, laughing to himself.
"You just wait and see. You see if it's really that bad. The progress is so slow, the higher-ups are already furious." Chen Feng shrugged and flicked his cigarette ash.
Upon hearing this, the village chief took a deep breath and poured wine for the three people.
He understood Chen Feng's intentions; he knew that Chen Feng might just be trying to scare him.
But he didn't dare to gamble at all!
If Chen Feng had said anything, he would have to consider it, because this was a matter of life and death!
If you lose the gamble, all the things you've embezzled over the years will be gone, and you'll spend the rest of your life in prison.
Who would dare to gamble on this? Who would risk their life to see if the guidance team would even come?
"Let's drink it all, the three of us, and finish this bottle today," Chen Feng suddenly said.
These words sounded incredibly strange to the village chief, as if he would never be able to drink them again.
What's this, a farewell drink?
"Brothers, are you really leaving?" The village chief thought to himself.
"See, I sound like I'm joking with you. You'll see in a couple of days."
"I've been out for so long, I've been wanting to go home for ages," Chen Feng said, stretching and looking relaxed.
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