"You damned old bastard, it's all your fault!"
"It's all your fault, you old bastard, spreading your heresies and ruining our lives!"
"If it weren't for you, would we have believed your nonsense and gone to provoke Xu Kuo?"
"You heartless bastard, all my chickens died of illness, you have to pay me back for my chickens!"
...
The villagers grew angrier and angrier, their spittle almost landing on the village chief's face.
The village chief was terrified, his face turning deathly pale and his legs going weak. He never dreamed that one day he would be verbally abused like this by the villagers. All the prestige he had accumulated over the years vanished in an instant.
"I...I...this..." The village chief stammered, wanting to explain, but not knowing where to begin.
"What do you mean, 'what ...?' You old codger, still trying to argue?"
"Hit him!"
Someone shouted, and the next moment, the villagers surged forward like a tide, raining punches, slaps, and shoe soles upon the village chief.
"Ouch! Stop hitting him! Stop hitting him! Someone's going to die!" The village chief covered his head and ran away in a panic, dodging and weaving through the crowd.
Xu Kuo stood at the door, watching the farce unfold before him, and couldn't help but smile.
This is truly a case of reaping what you sow; you deserve it!
"Ouch! My back... my face... don't hit my face..." The village chief's pig-like screams echoed in the courtyard, sounding particularly miserable.
Seeing that the village chief was beaten black and blue, his face covered in blood, and that if this continued, someone would really die, Xu Kuo slowly spoke up: "Alright, stop it."
The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an inexplicable air of authority.
The villagers actually stopped and stood there, panting heavily.
"Xu Kuo, we'll listen to you. Whatever you say we'll do, we'll do it!"
"Yes! Xu Kuo, please save us! We'll never do it again!"
The villagers stared longingly at Xu Kuo.
Xu Kuo looked around, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces, finally landing on the village chief who was slumped on the ground. He slowly said, "If you want me to save you, it's not impossible."
Upon hearing that there was something to talk about, the villagers immediately perked up, all listening intently, afraid of missing a single word.
“However, I have one condition.” Xu Kuo paused deliberately.
"What are your conditions? Tell me! As long as you can save us, I'll agree to any condition!"
"Yes! Don't mention one condition, even if there are ten or eight, we'll agree!"
The villagers rushed to express their opinions, fearing that Xu Kuo might change his mind.
Xu Kuo cleared his throat and said, slowly and deliberately, "Next month, when the village chief election is held, you should all elect me as the village chief."
The room fell silent upon hearing this.
The village chief suddenly looked up. "What? You...you want to be the village chief?"
His heart skipped a beat. Oh no, this kid is going to cut off his supply lines!
"Xu Kuo, you...you're not qualified enough, you can't be the village chief!" The village chief was anxious, and his voice changed.
"Qualifications? Who says I'm not qualified enough?" Xu Kuo sneered. "Being able to lead everyone in preventing and treating diseases, isn't that qualification?"
“But…but you…” The village chief tried to argue, but was interrupted by the villagers.
"Who cares if it's enough! As long as it can save us, we'll choose it!"
"Yes! We'll all listen to Xu Kuo!"
The villagers didn't care about anything else; they would choose whoever could save their lives.
The village chief was utterly desperate. He knew he had truly lost this time, lost to this young man he had always looked down upon.
Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Xu Kuo stopped talking and turned back into the house. He took out a packet of pills that he had prepared beforehand and distributed them to everyone: "These are the pills I made. Take one for each of you. After taking them, your condition will naturally improve within three days."
The villagers were overjoyed, accepting the pills and expressing their deepest gratitude.
"Xu Kuo, thank you! You are truly our savior!"
"Xu Kuo, from now on we'll follow you!"
After everyone took the pills, they dispersed, leaving only the village chief and Xu Kuo behind.
"Xu Kuo! You...you're really ruthless! To become a village chief, you actually...you actually used such methods!" The village chief gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with resentment.
Xu Kuo snorted coldly: "Ruthless? Compared to the despicable things you've done, what is this? You should go back and prepare for the handover!" After saying that, he slammed the door shut.
The village chief stood outside the door, trembling with anger. He spat fiercely, then turned and stumbled home.
Back home, the village chief plopped down on the kang (a heated brick bed), growing angrier and more resentful with each passing thought. He had worked so hard for so many years, and the position of village chief was practically within his grasp, only to have it snatched away by that brat Xu Kuo!
"No! I can't just give up like this!" The village chief slammed his hand on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), pulled out an iron box from the kang hole, inside which were his "family fortune" accumulated over many years—stacks of grain coupons, meat coupons, and some cash.
"Uncle, what are you doing?" Nephew Tan Wang pushed open the door and came in. Seeing the village chief's appearance, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Tan Wang, go and gather all the villagers here! Remember, don't let Xu Kuo or his close associates know!"
Tan Wang was taken aback for a moment, then realized that this was an attempt to "win people's hearts"! He nodded: "Uncle, don't worry, leave this to me!"
Just as Tan Wang turned to leave, the village chief called him back: "Wait! Take a few more people with you, just in case!"
"Understood," Tan Wang replied, and quickly walked out.
Although he agreed to the village chief's request, he had other plans in mind.
Since following Xu Kuo, Tan Wang had broadened his horizons and tasted the benefits. Compared to that, the village chief's petty favors were utterly insignificant. Moreover, just a few days ago, he had been publicly beaten and kicked by the village chief; he couldn't swallow that insult!
After leaving the village chief's house, Tan Wang went straight to Xu Kuo's house.
"Brother Xu! Brother Xu!" Tan Wang pushed open the gate of Xu Kuo's courtyard and shouted loudly.
"Tan Wang? What brings you here?" Xu Kuo came out of the house, somewhat surprised.
"Brother Xu, my uncle asked me to gather the villagers. He said he has something to discuss, and he specifically told me not to let you or anyone close to you know!" Tan Wang said in a low voice, sounding mysterious.
Upon hearing this, Xu Kuo immediately understood seven or eight tenths of the situation. This old man, still not giving up, was trying to bribe the villagers to garner votes for him!
"Hmph, it seems he's really in a hurry." Xu Kuo sneered and said to Tan Wang, "You continue, just do as he says, and gather everyone together."
"Huh? Brother Xu, this..." Tan Wang hesitated.
"Don't worry, I have my own plans." Xu Kuo patted Tan Wang on the shoulder. "Go ahead."
Tan Wang nodded and turned to leave.
A moment later, Xu Kuo arrived at the town committee and found Secretary Chen.
Secretary Chen was in charge of the affairs of the nearby villages, so Xu Kuo did not bother Secretary Wen.
"Secretary Chen, I have something important to report!" Xu Kuo said bluntly upon meeting him.
"Young comrade, what's the matter that's so urgent?" Secretary Chen put down the documents in his hand, somewhat surprised.
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