"Why are you helping us?" he asked.
Regardless, it's true that Xu Xiangyang helped them, so resorting to force would seem incredibly ungrateful.
Xu Xiangyang smiled and said, "Grandpa, I saw them doing this for the first time. Everyone says it's not easy these days. If I can help, I don't mind lending a hand."
The old man was still somewhat skeptical, but said, "Let's go inside and talk."
He knew that Xu Xiangyang's visit couldn't have been just to see how they were doing; there must have been other reasons.
Xu Xiangyang couldn't discern anything from his gaze, but since he was already there, he wasn't afraid and followed him inside.
If they really dared to harm people, they wouldn't have just left with only a bag of rice.
That's why he dared to come over.
Thinking about his own plans, Xu Xiangyang boldly followed them inside.
The thatched hut was poorly lit, relying entirely on the two small windows at the front and back for illumination.
"Young man, sit down." The old man pointed to the wooden stool in front of him.
Xu Xiangyang sat down with peace of mind and saw that, in addition to Liu Zhuang, two other men in their thirties or forties followed him in.
Everyone else was waiting outside, some distance from the window.
It seems the Liu family has a decent family tradition and is quite disciplined. They must have been driven to this point by circumstances to commit the robbery.
“My name is Liu Fusheng, I am Liu Zhuang’s father, and I am also the patriarch of this family. What the child did today is truly shameful. You can take this rice back anytime.” After saying this, the old man gestured for Liu Zhuang to bring the rice over.
Although Liu Zhuang was reluctant, he obediently placed the rice on the table.
Xu Xiangyang noticed that the others were also reluctant to part with the food, knowing that what they needed most right now was food.
He thought for a moment and said, "Old man, as you probably already know, I didn't come here simply to help you out."
Liu Fusheng nodded. After seeing Xu Xiangyang earlier, he knew that this matter was not so simple.
Xu Xiangyang continued, "Aren't you part of the brigade? Why aren't you receiving relief grain?"
In fact, the brigades that couldn't get enough food could apply for relief grain from the commune, but there wasn't much, and even if there wasn't much, it wouldn't warrant robbery.
Liu Fusheng sighed, his expression helpless. "We are indeed a large production brigade, but the harvest every year is too little. We barely have enough to eat ourselves, and with the grain being taken from above, there's not enough left for us to eat."
Later we went to the commune, but they had no grain. They might give us a little over 100 jin (50 kg), but that's not enough to feed so many people for several days!
This is indeed a problem. Xu Xiangyang also noticed it when he came over. This area is all mountains, and there are no villages around.
The nearest place is more than a three-hour walk away, and going to the commune is even more troublesome, requiring a six-hour walk, and that's only if the weather is good.
It took them a whole day to make the round trip and they carried back over 100 kilograms of grain. It's heartbreaking.
Xu Xiangyang thought for a moment and asked, "Grandpa, I can guarantee your meals. It's impossible to say that you'll be full, but you'll have something to eat."
Upon hearing this, everyone thought Xu Xiangyang was delirious, wondering if he had suffered heatstroke in the sweltering heat.
After a moment of surprise, Liu Fusheng said to Liu Zhuang, "Go and pour him a bowl of cold water. The child may have heatstroke."
Who would say such a thing? There are over a hundred of them. Even if each person only gets half a pound of grain a day, that's still seventy or eighty pounds!
How could someone say something like that when it's only two thousand catties of grain a month?
Seeing their disbelieving expressions, Xu Xiangyang realized he had been presumptuous.
He said, "No need, I don't have heatstroke. Old man, I also have conditions. Let me finish explaining, and then you can discuss it."
No one would easily believe such a thing, so Xu Xiangyang understood them.
But some things had to be done; he had a purpose in finding these people.
Liu Fusheng glanced at him, and seeing his confident demeanor, he stopped questioning him.
"Then tell me what you think." There's no such thing as a free lunch, nor is there any benefit without effort.
Therefore, he wanted to hear what the young man had to say and what conditions he wanted to make.
Xu Xiangyang cleared his throat and said, "I need your help to grow medicinal herbs. This can't be done in a year or two, so it requires patience. I will bring you food during this time, and you can help me with the work."
"Of course, you can choose where to plant it, but you can't let anyone else find out, otherwise I won't provide the grain."
Xu Xiangyang had been thinking about this matter ever since he was reborn.
Cultivating medicinal herbs is no easy task, especially in this era when collective labor is required.
The Liu family was different; no one interfered with their grain collection, and the whole family was obedient.
Most importantly, it's a perfect storm of favorable weather, location, and human factors. This place is surrounded by mountains, making it the best place to grow medicinal herbs, and no one has yet discovered it.
If you plant diligently, you will definitely reap a harvest.
Upon hearing Xu Xiangyang's request, a hint of surprise flashed in Liu Fusheng's eyes.
"You want to grow medicinal herbs?" His expression was somewhat puzzled, and he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Xu Xiangyang nodded. Anyway, they didn't know him, and the new city was far away. Finding him would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
This is also why he dares to show up so openly.
Liu Fusheng sighed and said, "Years ago, my family also grew medicinal herbs. These things are very precious. But now the purchase price isn't high, is it? The seeds alone cost a lot, and after two years of tending to them, we haven't even recouped our investment."
Although he coveted the grain that Xu Xiangyang had promised, he couldn't bring himself to do something against his conscience.
If you can remind them, then do so; at least you won't feel guilty.
Xu Xiangyang understood the meaning behind his words and his impression of the old man improved.
He said, "You don't need to worry about these things. Since you've grown these things before, I'm relieved. I'll send the seeds over next month. I'll set aside some grain for you in advance."
Liu Fusheng's planting skills have exceeded expectations, which will save him a lot of trouble.
Now we need to address the fundamental issues.
"Isn't this a bit much? Let's wait until you bring the seeds over before we talk about it." Liu Fusheng had never met such a generous person before.
The project is still in its infancy, and they're already demanding grain.
Xu Xiangyang smiled and said, "Don't worry, as long as you plant it with care, I won't mind the cost of this little bit of grain."
After saying that, he got up and left.
The other three turned to look at the old man after he left.
Liu Zhuang looked doubtful and asked, "Dad, is this feasible? The higher-ups won't allow it, will they?"
As a squad leader, he had studied the relevant documents, so when he heard about this, he felt it was completely against the regulations.
Liu Fusheng sighed. He knew it too! "If you're made to work, you won't get enough to eat; if you're not made to work, you can eat. Will you work or not?"
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