PCJ – Chapter 237 The Big Game

Deng Junshan continued, “I plan to consolidate all the tea farms in Xintian County under the Xintian County Tea Factory. The tea factory has always been one of the county’s economic pillars, but now it has become a burden for the county. If we can make good use of the award-winning black tea, we can not only relieve the county of this burden but also create a significant taxpayer, which is crucial for meeting the county’s tax revenue targets.”

Deng Junshan demonstrated his farsightedness, and since no one wanted to oppose him at this time, especially when it meant sacrificing the interests of small farmers, no one voiced any objections. Zang Guoxin had some concerns, but he remained silent.

At the county government office meeting, it was promptly decided that revitalizing the Xintian County Tea Factory would be the county’s top priority. However, Deng Junshan did not realize how oversimplified his plan was.

Hu Xuxiang and Tang Guanying were tasked with persuading the contractors in Meizi’ao to relinquish their contracts. Not only would the contractors have to give up their horticultural farms, but they would also have to transfer their black tea production techniques to the county tea factory. Of course, the county tea factory would provide appropriate compensation.

Hu Xuxiang and Tang Guanying were more than happy to undertake this task since the Gezhu’ping Town Tea Factory was also within the scope of integration. The employees of the Gezhu’ping Town Tea Factory numbered in the hundreds, and they were a burden on the town’s finances. Every year, they would cause trouble for the town, giving Hu Xuxiang and Tang Guanying headaches.

The next day, Hu Xuxiang and Tang Guanying, along with several town officials, went to Meizi’ao Village. They first met with Zhang Dechun.

“This is impossible! This horticultural farm is the collective property of our village. It has already been contracted to the villagers, with contracts signed by both the township and town. Now that others have managed the farm well, you want to take it back? Isn’t this robbery?” Zhang Dechun slammed the table. Zhang Dechun, an experienced Party member, was not intimidated by the officials from the town, big or small.

“Comrade Zhang Dechun, you are also a veteran Party member, so you should consider the bigger picture. The county is trying to seize the momentum from the black tea’s award to turn the county’s tea industry into a significant enterprise. As a Party member, you should look at the situation from the perspective of the entire county’s interests, rather than focusing on personal gains and losses. The county will compensate the contractors accordingly. County Chief Deng has promised that contractors can be promoted and appointed as technicians at the county tea factory, enjoying the benefits of state cadres. Additionally, they will receive appropriate financial compensation. The county is doing its utmost in this regard,” Hu Xuxiang said in an authoritative tone.

“Secretary Hu, don’t try to talk down to me. When I was the brigade secretary, you were still playing in the mud somewhere. Don’t think we farmers are easy to fool. But let me tell you, your plans are misguided. Fine, I can’t talk sense into you. I’ll take you to meet the contractors, and then you can see for yourselves if your calculations are correct. You haven’t even figured out the situation, yet you’re already trying to grab benefits under the banner of the government. Hmph!” Although Zhang Dechun was the village Party secretary, he was a farmer at heart and had no fear of Hu Xuxiang. The people of Meizi’ao were tough, and if he got upset, he could throw out the entire group, and there wouldn’t be much Hu Xuxiang could do about it.

Hu Xuxiang wanted to lose his temper but realized that getting angry with Zhang Dechun wouldn’t get him anywhere. After all, Zhang Dechun was just a farmer, and if he didn’t want to be the village Party secretary anymore, so be it. So, Hu decided to wait until they met the contractors. He was confident that the conditions he offered were something no farmer could refuse.

However, when he finally met Zhang Jiaohua, he was completely dumbfounded.

“Secretary Hu, the actual contractor of the horticultural farm is him. His name is Zhang Jiaohua, and he is currently a first-grade student at Meizi’ao Elementary School. The black tea you’re eyeing was also developed by him. I wonder if all you care about is money. You haven’t even figured out what’s going on, yet you’re already scheming,” Zhang Dechun scoffed.

Hu Xuxiang was truly at a loss. How was he supposed to negotiate with a child? Offer him a state cadre position? Make him a technician? That’s absurd. The town officials looked at each other in disbelief.

“You want to take back the horticultural farm? This farm belongs to our village. On what grounds are you taking it back? You want me to transfer the black tea production techniques? Even if I did, could you handle it? Besides, why should I transfer them to you? You want me to become a state cadre? I haven’t even finished the first grade yet. I still need to continue my studies, and I have no interest in becoming a cadre!” Zhang Jiaohua sneered at Hu Xuxiang and his group.

Hu Xuxiang truly didn’t know how to negotiate with a first-grader, so he had Zhang Dechun call Zhang Manyin over.

“You can’t make this decision. I helped Jiaohua take over the horticultural farm, but everything else was done by Jiaohua. If you have any issues, talk to him yourself,” Zhang Manyin, though simple and honest, was ready to fight back when bullied. He almost grabbed a hoe to confront Hu Xuxiang. When the Japanese invaded Meizi’ao, the villagers chased them away with hoes.

Tang Guanying whispered to Hu Xuxiang that this was a tough situation. The main problem wasn’t the horticultural farm, which could easily be left alone since there were larger farms in the county. The core issue was the black tea production technique, and it was unexpectedly in the hands of a first-grade student. If it were an adult, Tang Guanying could have thought of countless ways to coerce or entice them to hand over the technique, but with a child, they had no good options.

Hu Xuxiang had no choice but to report the situation to the county. Since Deng Junshan had initiated this plan, it was now his problem to deal with.

Hu Xuxiang and Tang Guanying returned empty-handed, disappointed.

After the town officials left, Zhang Manyin became worried. “The people cannot fight the officials. Now it’s not just the town officials but also the county officials. I’m worried Jiaohua will suffer.”

“Forget it, let’s stop making black tea. Let them handle it,” Zhang Manyin said, concerned.

“They wish! I’m the only one who can produce this black tea. Why should I let them take it over? If they dare come back, I’ll just release the dogs on them!” Zhang Jiaohua was serious.

“You troublemaker! You can’t do that. If you injure an official, you’ll end up in jail,” Zhang Manyin was genuinely worried that Jiaohua might do something rash.

Back in the town, Tang Guanying and his group quickly reported the situation to the county.

When Deng Junshan received Tang Guanying’s call, he was immediately stunned. “Did you even get the facts straight?”

Deng Junshan had planned a grand strategy, but now, barely past the first step, he was already stuck. He was unwilling to give up so easily.