Tian Mengyao gestured, "Perfect timing. Since Physician Lin is free today, let's have a brief meeting to discuss Luofeng Village's future development plans."
Upon hearing this, Wu Lei, standing nearby, seemed to be injected with adrenaline. His back no longer hurt, and he no longer panted for breath.
He was so emotionally charged that his lips trembled a few times, and he nearly launched into a work report on the spot.
However, Tian Mengyao didn't look at him. Her gaze remained fixed on Lin Fan.
Lin Fan felt a bit embarrassed by her stare.
What was with this young girl today?
Wu Lei was extremely jealous and urged, "Secretary Tian, shall we go inside for the meeting?"
Tian Mengyao nodded and then led the way into the office.
Lin Fan followed closely behind, with Wu Lei bringing up the rear.
Inside the office.
Tian Mengyao sat at the head of the table, with a steaming cup of hot water in front of her.
Lin Fan appeared calm and collected, sitting in the chair to her right.
He couldn't understand why Wu Lei, sitting to his left, was so excited.
It wasn't like some major leader was coming for an inspection. Was it necessary?
There were only three people present!
Previously, Cao Dewang had been too oppressive, resulting in village officials earning very little throughout the year, leading to mass resignations.
Now, there were only a few cats and mice, but Wu Lei acted as if he had received an award. Was it really that important?
"There are no outsiders here today."
Tian Mengyao took a sip of water, undeterred by the fact that there were only two "little shrimp and crab generals" present. "At least, it's much better than before, isn't it?"
"I've called everyone here mainly to discuss Luofeng Village's development plan for next year."
"Please feel free to speak your minds without any reservations."
Lin Fan really wanted to retort, "It's just the two of us, so don't put on airs. Talking about 'everyone,' ha!"
Meanwhile, Wu Lei was so excited he looked like he was having a seizure, eagerly raising his hand. "Secretary Tian, I have some ideas."
He had a head full of brilliant strategies and now finally had an opportunity to implement them.
Tian Mengyao smiled and gestured for him to speak. "Village Head Wu, you go first."
Wu Lei cleared his throat, then stood up and adjusted his clothes.
After doing so, he took out two small pieces of paper from his pocket.
Seeing this, Lin Fan was taken aback. "This is quite formal!"
Tian Mengyao was speechless.
Although she came from an official family, given Luofeng Village's situation, such formality was unnecessary.
"Distinguished leaders, fellow comrades, good day to all!"
Wu Lei opened his prepared speech and read with dramatic intonation, "I am Wu Lei, the village head of Luofeng Village."
"Under the care of the Party and the state, I grew up in Luofeng Village and am a native resident."
"Since the age of twenty-eight, I have worked diligently in the village committee until now. I have boundless affection for every blade of grass and every brick and tile of Luofeng Village."
"However, the current state of Luofeng Village makes me..."
Lin Fan's sword-like eyebrows furrowed upon hearing this.
He propped his head on one hand, his expression a mix of embarrassment and strangeness.
If he had known it would be like this, he would never have agreed to attend any meeting, even if it meant being beaten to death.
Such platitudes, read from a script, were played out countless times on television every day.
Were they useful?
Poor areas remained poor, and prosperous areas remained prosperous.
Some things could not be directly influenced by human effort. For example, the north-south disparity was natural, historical, and currently unchangeable.
Luofeng Village, despite its perennial spring-like climate, had roots of poverty even more complex than the north-south gap, making it virtually impossible to solve.
Lin Fan pondered this, asking himself, "Is it truly unsolvable?"
The only solution he could think of was to lead the villagers to prosperity through means beyond science once his cultivation reached a higher realm.
Tian Mengyao held her pen, intending to take meeting minutes.
However, Wu Lei's passionate, never-ending speech, filled with so much nonsense, left her very helpless. She directly called out, "Village Head Wu!"
"Huh?" Wu Lei's enthusiastic mood was suddenly interrupted, his mind full of question marks.
"Little Fan still needs to go back to see the villagers," Tian Mengyao said politely with a smile to Wu Lei. "So, our time is limited. Let's get straight to the point."
"Then... alright, I'll be brief."
Although Wu Lei was a bit displeased, since his superior had spoken, he could only comply.
"I believe Secretary Tian, your ideas are very fitting for Luofeng Village's current situation, showing foresight, great vision, and broad prospects."
Wu Lei's flattery skills were evidently learned from TV dramas.
He sat back down and continued, "I will only add a few small details."
Hearing him say this, Tian Mengyao and Lin Fan finally showed some interest, otherwise, they would have fallen asleep.
However, his ideas were not particularly useful. They were nothing more than mobilizing villagers, extensively reclaiming wasteland, and planting high-value fruits like mangoes and durians.
Then, once they had some capital, they would recall the migrant workers from outside the village to undertake large-scale construction projects, building farmhouses and entertainment venues in the village.
"Secretary Tian, the power of the people is boundless."
"The people of Luofeng Village fear neither hardship nor death. Anyone who frowns is a coward!"
As soon as Wu Lei said this, Lin Fan's sword-like eyebrows immediately relaxed.
If he frowned, wouldn't that make him a coward?
Tian Mengyao remained expressionless and silent.
Seeing this, Wu Lei immediately became anxious. "Secretary Tian, please don't disbelieve me!"
"I believe that the mobilization work can begin tomorrow. We are working for the welfare of the common people, for the future of Luofeng Village, and the common people will surely understand."
Tian Mengyao nodded thoughtfully. "Mm, I will consider it."
Wu Lei, being worldly-wise, showed an expression of disappointment.
He also knew that without money or resources, making people work for free in this era was like dreaming.
But Luofeng Village was too poor. What other method was there besides this?
In any case, he had racked his brains and done his best, and his conscience was clear.
"Little Fan, do you have any ideas?"
Tian Mengyao narrowed her eyes, looking at Lin Fan with anticipation.
Lin Fan noticed that this young girl had beautiful eyes, especially when she smiled, resembling two crescent moons.
Strange, he hadn't noticed this before.
"Ahem, it's your turn to speak, Comrade Lin Fan!"
Tian Mengyao felt embarrassed by his direct gaze.
"My ideas are not that grand, actually."
Lin Fan pondered for a moment and continued, "The saying 'live off the mountains when you are in the mountains, live off the water when you are by the water' has never been outdated from ancient times to the present."
"But Luofeng Village's terrain is steep, and the land at the foot of the mountains that can be cultivated has long since been reclaimed."
Tian Mengyao nodded repeatedly, looking very serious.
Wu Lei, on the other hand, felt uneasy.
He wanted to retort, "The working people are capable, daring to change the sun and moon!"
Tian Mengyao took a breath, looked up into Lin Fan's eyes, and asked, "Then where do you suggest we start?"
Lin Fan rubbed his chin and replied, "I think opening up mountains and leveling land is too much of a strain, consuming too much."
"Our Luofeng Village's manpower is weak, as you've seen. It's mostly old, weak, women, and children, with very few able-bodied laborers."