PCJ – Chapter 203 Not Spending a Penny

Luo Changjun scratched his head; he really did want to take advantage of these hunting dogs. After witnessing the prowess of Zuan Shanbao, he believed these hunting dogs were much more useful than typical police dogs. Moreover, these hunting dogs were not as difficult to care for as police dogs. Keeping a police dog costs no less than maintaining a police officer, and it also requires a dedicated dog trainer. Although police dogs do not receive a salary, the expenses truly amount to two positions.

After unloading the saplings, the Dongfeng brand truck was about to leave. Zhang Manyin quickly said, “Jiaohua, go ask your Uncle Luo how much the fare is. We can’t have people bringing the saplings here and still expect them to cover the fare.”

Luo Changjun, who heard this clearly, quickly waved his hand, “You don’t need to worry about the fare. I’ll cover this cost myself. It’s a rare opportunity to use public resources for personal gain, and this time, we’re taking advantage of the public. This truck belongs to the Agricultural Bureau. On the way here, I gave the driver a pack of cigarettes, which we confiscated at our bureau. I’m just passing on the favor. When the truck returns, we’ll fill it up with fuel at our bureau, so the Agricultural Bureau won’t suffer any loss.”

“Still, we don’t want to trouble you. How about we cover the cost of the cigarettes?” Zhang Manyin said gratefully.

“Uncle Zhang, please don’t be so polite. Didn’t I just say the cigarettes were confiscated? I took a pack without spending any money. Next time, I’ll bring some for you.” Luo Changjun said. The Public Security Bureau often has confiscated goods, some of which are difficult to handle or intentionally left unhandled. Only insiders understand these nuances, and usually, those within the system are the beneficiaries, and no one would foolishly disclose this.

Now that Luo Changjun was the captain of the county public security criminal investigation team, he had significant authority in this area. The criminal investigation team always had good cigarettes on hand, never running out. If one had to buy them with their salary, the monthly wage wouldn’t be enough to cover the cost of cigarettes.

“Thank you so much, Director Luo.” Zhang Manyin didn’t know how to express his gratitude to Luo Changjun.

“Uncle Zhang, you make it sound so distant. I treat Jiaohua like my own nephew. When Youping and his wife come back for the New Year, our families should get together and formally acknowledge each other as relatives.” Luo Changjun genuinely valued his poor relatives in this remote village.

“Of course, of course. Youping really hit it big.” Zhang Manyin said with a smile.

“Uncle Zhang, don’t say that. Our families being close isn’t about ulterior motives. It’s just about becoming relatives. Jiaohua will surely achieve great things in the future. If there’s any high status, it’s on our side. In the future, Jiaohua will have to look after my boy a lot.” Luo Changjun wanted to maintain good relations with the Zhang family because of Zhang Jiaohua. However, Luo Changjun was sincere in his actions. Whatever benefit he gained from Zhang Jiaohua, he returned tenfold in kindness. So, there were no mixed motives.

“Jiaohua, I’m busy with work in the county now and can’t help much here. If you need anything, just go to town and find Grandpa Luo. Have him call me. When you have some free time, I’ll take you to the county town to play.” Luo Changjun took his leave. Zhang Manyin enthusiastically invited him to stay for a meal, but Luo Changjun was indeed busy. After taking some specialty snacks to fill his stomach, he drove back to the county town.

Although there were concerns about the saplings not growing well, ultimately, they were planted according to Zhang Jiaohua’s instructions. This made everyone very anxious.

Zhang Manyin kept frowning, “I haven’t planted these tangerine trees before, but I feel like I’ve planted them. Whenever I plant trees, I always apply some base fertilizer first. Planting them this way, there’s a high chance they won’t grow. Even if they survive, they probably won’t grow well. I know Jiaohua has no choice. With such a large nursery, applying base fertilizer everywhere is an astronomical cost.”

Zhang Dechun was in a good mood today, “Brother Manyin, don’t worry. I’ll talk to Principal Ma later and make sure all the fertilizer from the Meizi’ao Elementary School toilets goes to the nursery; no one else can touch it. From now on, we’ll fertilize once a year and gradually improve the soil.”

Zhang Manyin nodded, “That’s the only way. Dechun, we’ll have to rely on you for this.”

“What’s the big deal? We’re all family. No need to be so polite. It’s all thanks to Jiaohua this time. Otherwise, Director Luo wouldn’t have helped Shunlin.” Zhang Dechun was very grateful to Zhang Jiaohua for this. As a capable person in the village, he understood that Luo Changjun, while helping casually, did so for Zhang Jiaohua’s sake.

The meal was eaten at Zhang Jiaohua’s place, and everyone took a pack of cigarettes. Zhang Manyin originally planned to pay everyone five yuan for their labor, but the villagers adamantly refused.

“Manyin, what are you doing? We’re from the same village, helping out when there’s nothing else to do, and you want to talk about money? If that’s the case, should we start charging for every little favor we do for each other? We ate wild boar and drank good wine. What else do you want? But Jiaohua, I’ll say this now: when your tangerines are ready, you must give Grandpa Jiwang three to five pounds. I don’t care if they’re one yuan a pound or ten yuan a pound; I won’t pay a penny. If I have to pay for my grandson’s tangerines, I can argue this all the way to Tiananmen!” Zhang Jiwang was the first to stand up.

“Exactly. I’m reserving some tangerines too. When the tangerines are ready, don’t forget us.” Zhang Dechun laughed.

The villagers were all laughing and drinking a lot. They finished all the leftover rice wine from the New Year at Zhang Jiaohua’s house and drank up all the medicinal wine as well. The men and women of Meizi’ao Village were all seasoned drinkers. A catty of wine was just a warm-up, and two catties only made their faces red. Of course, drinking three to five catties would make them act up.

“Jiaohua, the wine at your house is really good. Too bad there’s not always work to do at your place. Otherwise, I’d come and work long-term.” Zhang Jiwang laughed.

“Even if you worked long-term, it wouldn’t matter. Jiaohua’s wine jars are all empty now.” Zhang Dechun joked. A happy occasion always lifted the spirits; today, he had drunk a lot, and his steps were a bit unsteady, making him talkative.

“Why did Youping and his wife go all the way to Guangdong? They could have stayed home and brewed wine for sale. I bet it would be better than working in Guangdong.” Zhang Jiwang needed to drink about a catty of wine every day. After tasting Zhang Jiaohua’s wine, his own wine seemed like plain water in comparison.

“Sigh, Jiwang, you’ll see. In a few years, only the old and the young will be left in this village. The young people will all leave. The outside world is so alluring, and this poor mountain village can’t keep them.” Zhang Dechun sighed. The first person in Meizi’ao Village could see the future.