Tian Jing waited impatiently until Xiao Hei returned.
Upon returning, it whined and whimpered at Tian Jing.
Unable to understand, Tian Jing could only ask Xiao Song.
Xiao Song didn't understand well either and, after some unclear communication with Xiao Hei, told Tian Jing.
"Xiao Hei has taken a liking to a territory, but there's a big snake there. It wants you to drive the snake away."
Tian Jing refused, tapping Xiao Hei's head and scolding, "You're the newcomer, why should you drive others away? Aren't there any empty territories besides the one with the big snake? This place is so vast."
Xiao Song answered on Xiao Hei's behalf, "This place is too big, it definitely hasn't explored it all. Take it around again and look everywhere."
This Xiao Song was too protective of Xiao Hei. "Do you think it's like you, that it can just tell me directly if it likes something?"
"Then you go and pick one for it."
"Alright, I'll go pick."
Xiao Hei was scooped up again and dragged away.
Tian Jing, pulling the grass net bag, traversed the entire vast primeval forest and took a liking to a high mountain.
She landed with Xiao Hei and said, "Xiao Hei, go take a look around. I think this place is good."
As soon as it was out of the net bag, Xiao Hei ran off.
Tian Jing also looked around.
Earlier, looking down from the treetops, this mountaintop was situated at a higher elevation.
A stream flowed around the foot of the mountain, there were several caves on the mountainside, and the summit was densely wooded with level ground beneath the trees.
A very good location.
Xiao Hei returned quickly, wagging its tail vigorously at Tian Jing.
Was it satisfied?
Tian Jing, still uneasy, said, "Let's go check out the caves."
The caves were dry and odorless, and indeed, no other animals resided there.
"Alright, this is it. Tomorrow, I'll bring you here with a carrying pole."
"Wu wu wu."
Xiao Hei's voice was filled with joy.
...
With Xiao Hei having found a home, Li Zhengguo was relieved. "Hot Spring Valley will definitely be opened. Laying the steps for going up and down the mountain will take a long time."
"There are also tourists willing to climb for days and nights. The scenery along the way is beautiful, and we can build some inns in the middle..."
Listening to her husband's eloquent talk, and looking at the confident glow on his face, Tian Jing smiled. Men should have ideals and ambitions. "Mmm-hmm, whatever you want to do, I'll support you."
"Thank you, wife. I've already reported the matter of Hot Spring Valley to Town Mayor Ji. He said that once he secures the position of deputy county magistrate, he'll apply for Eagle Beak to be incorporated into our county."
Tian Jing, still worried, said, "Apply for the entire area from the back mountain to Eagle Beak, don't let others intercept it from the middle."
"That's true."
Li Zhengguo nodded. "Tomorrow, I'm going to the provincial capital with Town Mayor Ji to report on the Fu Han Gang. I'll also be participating in this encirclement operation, and my return date is uncertain."
"Be careful."
"Mmm."
...
Three days later, the wolf pack had finished migrating, and Li Zhengguo had still not returned.
Tian Jing simply moved into the quadrangle courtyard at the east end of the village.
It wasn't until the end of the month that Li Zhengguo returned, travel-worn.
At the same time, the village loudspeaker announced that a meeting of all villagers would be held in two days on the square in front of the village committee, convened by the new village head.
All villagers were required to attend without excuse. Those absent without reason would be deemed to have forfeited all future rights and benefits.
The villagers were speculating about what Li Zhengguo had been doing for over half a month alone.
Their half-spoken words immediately shifted upon hearing the announcement, turning into speculation about who the new village head would be.
Some guessed Yang Jianjun, others guessed Ou Junqiang.
In Secretary Yang's home, Secretary Yang sighed, "The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead. However, this time, there's hope for Kushan Village."
In Village Head Ou's home, Village Head Ou was scolding his wife, "What qualifications does Junqiang have to be the village head? Do you think this position can be inherited like a title? Besides, this was decided by the town. Can I, as a village head, cover the sky with one hand? Your knowledge is as short as your hair."
"I'm telling you, if you dare to talk nonsense outside, I'll send you back to your parents' home."
"Think about Hu Hongju's fate. If you want to be like her, I can fulfill your wish."
Thinking of Hu Hongju's current state, Yao Xiangmei quickly shook her head, "I just muttered a word, and you're still holding a grudge."
Village Head Ou glared, "Even if I step down, your past status still clings to you. Are you someone who can casually mutter things?"
"If you mutter casually, others will think that Junqiang and I are dissatisfied with the new village head."
"Moreover, I'm the deputy village head, and Secretary Yang is still the secretary. It's just that a new village head has been added, a capable new village head."
"I'm eager for the new village head to take office immediately. I've had enough of these ancestors."
...
All villagers, of course, included Li's mother.
Li Liguo drove a car to pick up his mother and the children.
It was a Sunday, and it would be good for the children to see the demeanor of their father (uncle) (maternal uncle).
Li's mother was still in the dark. Her eldest son had told her to come back to meet the new village head, and she had complained that the new village head had quite an air of authority.
When she saw the new village head introduced by Deputy Village Head Ou, her eyes welled up with tears.
Her youngest son was the new village head?
The position of village head wasn't a high one, but it was still an official position, and for her youngest son to be willing to take it on, there must be significant changes planned.
Just as surprised and delighted as she was were all the villagers, except for Secretary Yang and Village Head Ou's family, who already knew the inside story.
The crowd below was murmuring and chattering. Li Zhengguo tapped the table on the rostrum.
"Quiet! I know you're surprised, and I know you have many questions."
"Whoever is not convinced can stand up and speak. What kind of scene is this, so chaotic?"
The Huang family was the first to stand up. "How did you get this village head position? There used to be nominations and elections, but now there isn't even an election?"
Li Zhengguo raised his hand to signal them down. "Please sit down. Does anyone else have any objections? Please stand up and express them."
"After today, I will implement a policy of strong suppression. You will no longer have the chance to regret."
"I will not allow you to go back on your word after I reveal my plan."
"I don't want villagers who lack perseverance. I don't want fickle villagers."
"If you're not convinced, and you want to go to another village, I can even help you migrate. If you want to come back after migrating? Forget it."
"In the future, there will be countless people wanting to migrate into Kushan Village. Those who want to marry into Kushan Village must submit an application and undergo review by the Kushan Village Committee."
"Marrying a wife is not just your family's business; it's the village's business."
"Alright, if you have opinions, speak up quickly."
Immediately, the crowd below fell silent.
Li Zhengguo scanned the audience. "Regarding my position as village head, apart from the Huang family, do the other villagers have no objections? Is that right?"
The Huang family member who had spoken earlier was held up by his family.
"We also have no objections. We obey Village Head Li's management."
Li Zhengguo nodded. "Good, this is your only chance. If there's a next time, you'll be immediately relocated from Kushan Village. You can sit down now."
After the Huang family sat down, Li Zhengguo cleared his throat and said, "While I am speaking, no one is allowed to make exclamations of surprise or astonishment. This is a sign of poor manners."
"After I finish speaking, I will give you an opportunity to ask questions. Do you all understand?"
"We understand."
Sister-in-law Niu and Guo Hong had the loudest voices.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down."
Li Zhengguo gently tapped the table, signaling an end to the murmuring from the audience.
"The idea of me becoming the village head was proposed by the town several years ago. At that time, I didn't want to accept, not only because my family was too busy but also because I had seen through your characters."
"Now that I'm willing to accept, it's still because I've seen through your characters."
"It's been eight years since the reform and opening up. Other villages, towns, and counties are changing day by day."
"But here, it remains the same as before. The only changes have been brought about by me and Tian Jing."
"Since you only know how to follow the leader, then you must recognize that you are ordinary, incapable sheep."
"Don't wander off, don't leave the flock. If you leave, don't come back."