Chapter 759: Capitalists, Villains

Lin Chuxia followed a few steps inside.

Village Chief Ma kept babbling on the side; Zhao Juncai didn’t want to speak, so Village Chief Ma helped by introducing things for him.

When Lin Chuxia asked questions, Zhao Juncai was reluctant to reply, so Village Chief Ma stepped in to answer for him.

After a brief understanding since Lin Chuxia wasn’t there to learn about herbal cultivation, she said to Village Chief Ma, "Let’s go have a look at other households."

With Zhao Juncai acting this way, Village Chief Ma felt a bit embarrassed, so upon hearing Lin Chuxia’s suggestion, he promptly agreed.

There were herbal fields nearby, and Village Chief Ma led them to a few other households.

By the second or third household, Lin Chuxia gradually sensed something was off.

If Zhao Juncai’s aloofness was due to his personality, the owners of the next two houses were equally indifferent, with one even unwilling to let them enter the herbal fields, showing clear vigilance.

When they reached the fourth household, a small boy from that family saw them, bent down to pick up a clod of dirt, and hurled it at them.

"Damn you, capitalists, bad people..."

The woman of the house hurriedly pulled the boy into her embrace, her eyes filled with panic and defensiveness.

Village Chief Ma, clueless about the situation, still tried to explain.

Lin Chuxia checked the time; it was almost noon.

"Let’s head back first."

Village Chief Ma hadn’t anticipated such a reaction from the villagers, and he kept saying nice things to Lin Chuxia.

Lin Chuxia said directly, "Before I came, Yu told me that the villagers were very willing for Xiyang to establish a herbal plantation base here. I didn’t expect this situation. Now that the land is in individual hands, to form a scale of cultivation, it requires everyone’s united effort. If the villagers have any unspeakable difficulties, I understand. This matter we can discuss later."

Discussing later basically meant not considering Qingyan Village now.

After all, Village Chief Ma had been the chief for many years. How could he not hear the underlying message?

Moreover, the town leadership knew Lin Chuxia was there to inspect the village and instructed them to host her well, seeing it as a golden opportunity.

They even listed nationwide promoted vegetable greenhouses in recent years, using Qin Family Village as an example to tell them.

Village Chief Ma, of course, knew the significance of this to Qingyan Village. If done well, they’d be the next Qin Family Village.

"Where are these unspeakable difficulties? The villagers couldn’t be happier for you to come and develop production. They’re more than eager to welcome you."

Village Chief Ma immediately explained, afraid of letting the God of Wealth slip away.

Lin Chuxia smiled slightly, "I didn’t feel the villagers’ welcome, Village Chief Ma. You don’t need to force this matter. Currently, the land is in individual hands, meaning people have the right to choose Xiyang, and they also have the right to refuse Xiyang. Besides, we are just conducting an inspection."

"Mr. Lin," Village Chief Ma said excitedly, holding Lin Chuxia’s hand, "please give us another chance. There is definitely a misunderstanding. Don’t rush; let’s return to the village to have lunch first. I’ve already prepared meals at home. Afterward, I’ll have Niu Dali show you around. Although Qingyan Village is poor, it does have beautiful mountains and waters. I’ll go talk with the villagers and clear up the misunderstanding."

Village Chief Ma was truly anxious. He didn’t know where the problem lay. Yesterday, during the village-wide meeting, everyone seemed quite pleased, so why had their faces changed today?

He felt worried inside, which showed even more on his face, sweating anxiously.

Gu Peng, with a stern face, withdrew Lin Chuxia’s hand, causing more sweat on Ma’s face, looking helplessly at Yu Fei.

Yu Fei pondered and then stepped forward, "Since Village Chief Ma said so, Mr. Lin should return to the village for a meal. I’ll accompany Mr. Lin to look around then."

He didn’t address her as Lin Chuxia, instead leaving the decision up to her.

Lin Chuxia didn’t want to go back just like that, especially since besides Qingyan Village, there were many herbal fields nearby. She indeed wanted to tour around, so she agreed.

After lunch, Lin Chuxia, Gu Peng, and Yu Fei left Qingyan Village.

Village Chief Ma must have privately instructed Niu Dali to take them around Qingyan Village, but Lin Chuxia didn’t plan to stay there longer.

The villagers were clearly guarded against them; there was no need for them to linger. They only needed to wait for a resolution from Village Chief Ma.

That evening they returned to the lodge.

The next day, they didn’t even use Niu Dali; instead, they had the lodge owner help hire a tractor and took off again.

After three or four days of touring, Lin Chuxia was getting a good understanding of the mountainous region.

This area indeed was very suitable for the growth of Chinese herbs. Although Qingyan Village had more planted areas than other regions, proper development wouldn’t mind these factors.

That day when they returned, they saw Village Chief Ma waiting at the lodge entrance.

In fact, Village Chief Ma came the next day; it was just that they had already gone out, which they heard from the landlady when they returned.

Seeing Lin Chuxia, Village Chief Ma quickly approached, repeatedly apologizing, blaming himself for not clarifying matters with the villagers beforehand, which led to misunderstandings.

"Rest assured, I’ve now explained everything to the villagers. They know Mr. Lin is here to help everyone prosper, and they’re all looking forward to Mr. Lin visiting our village again."

Since Village Chief Ma said so, Lin Chuxia and the others naturally wouldn’t put on airs and followed him onto Niu Dali’s tractor.

This time, Village Chief Ma took them to the herbal field of the village accountant’s family.

The accountant’s family had been waiting in the field early, warmly welcoming Lin Chuxia and the others upon arrival.

The accountant’s field also grew angelica, but compared to Zhao Juncai’s, the area and the growth of the seedlings were much smaller.

The accountant knew that Village Chief Ma had taken them to see Zhao Juncai’s field earlier, and somewhat embarrassed, he explained, "My family’s food was not enough before, and it’s only in the past two years that I started growing herbs with everyone. In this area, I’m still an elementary student, far behind Zhao Juncai and others. Mr. Lin, your arrival gives me hope, and in the future, we’ll follow Mr. Lin to thrive and prosper."

Just look at his words, typical of a village cadre.

Lin Chuxia didn’t respond to him but talked about the herbs.

The accountant didn’t hold back, explaining each step, from sowing seeds to plowing, in great detail.

Lin Chuxia listened intently.

Before coming, she had consulted Old Sir He about the basic habits and cultivation of herbs and had read some scientific planting books, knowing that these farmers used traditional methods, leaving considerable room for improvement.

As they chatted, a commotion was heard from afar.

They saw a group of villagers carrying hoes and shovels coming down the mountain.

Their aggressive demeanor didn’t look like they were there to learn planting techniques.