Li Zhengguo’s tone was stern, his sharp gaze sweeping over the few villagers who were not only defying Village Chief Ou but also inciting others.
Under Li Zhengguo's stare, those few villagers lowered their heads.
With a bang, Li Zhengguo slammed his hand on the table, startling not only the few villagers but all of them.
“Now, I will outline my plan. Those who refuse to comply will be blacklisted by the village and have all their welfare and rights revoked.”
“First, this afternoon, Deputy Village Chief Ou will lead the villagers in building a seedling nursery at the entrance of the village.”
“This year, the village will uniformly cultivate and sell watermelons.”
“Each household will be permitted to contract only thirty mu of the western hills, and watermelon seedlings will be uniformly supplied by the village nursery.”
“This way, we can estimate the number of seedlings and the weight of the watermelons to be produced.”
“If there is a significant discrepancy in the weight of the watermelons produced, I will not concern myself with whether they were sold privately or given to relatives; I will consider it a violation. You will be disqualified from planting watermelons next season.”
“Those who disagree can make a fuss, and I will continue to disqualify you for the season after that, and so on. Let’s see how long you can hold out against me?”
“You can also report me, but I assure you, you won’t win.”
“When I took office as village chief, I reported my five-year plan, ten-year plan, and my strong-arm policy to the township.”
“The township granted me considerable authority because they also know that our Kushan village has plenty of old rogues.”
“My planting plan is to grow watermelons in spring and summer, and vegetables in autumn and winter.”
“The village will uniformly build steel-frame greenhouses on the hills you are allocated. The village will provide steel, cement, bricks, and plastic sheeting on credit.”
“Steel-frame greenhouses are not permitted on the three fen of land at your doorstep or on the new homesteads.”
“This is because, in my plan, after I lead you to prosperity, perhaps in two or three years, your new homesteads will be required to have uniformly designed buildings.”
“Steel-frame greenhouses are for long-term use. If you build one at your doorstep, it becomes scrap metal after demolition. If you are willing to incur extra costs, I don’t have that much material for you to waste.”
“Therefore, villagers who feel they will lose money if they don’t cultivate the land at their doorstep can grow summer watermelons or cotton, without building greenhouses.”
“Second, I have secured a large loan from the bank in the name of the village committee. I am prepared to go all-in, so do not test my patience or my bottom line.”
“In a few days, two large trucks belonging to the village will arrive. Once the trucks are here, drivers must be assigned.”
“Li Liguo will be one. The village will recruit another driver. There will be no salary during the training period, nor during the internship.”
“Once they pass the driving test, they will be official drivers, earning a basic salary of fifty yuan per month. They will be paid during idle times, and during busy periods, bonuses will be calculated separately based on the number of trips.”
“Of course, you cannot drive frantically for bonuses; we have working hour limitations. I can also drive large trucks, and I can fill in for the drivers.”
“Otherwise, if an accident occurs, it will cost money for the driver’s injury and truck repairs, and it will delay the village’s earnings, more importantly, it will disrupt all plans.”
“Therefore, applicants must be steady, must obey instructions, and most importantly, must be literate, otherwise, how can they get a driver’s license?”
“And the most crucial point is that the village will pay for your training, and this skill does not entirely belong to you privately. You cannot casually seek outside employment; you must sign a ten-year labor contract with the village. Breach of contract will result in a lawsuit that will bankrupt you.”
“Secondly, Ouyang Meihua’s private large truck will be requisitioned by the village during the peak season. Fuel and repair costs will be borne by the village.”
“Third, starting tonight, a literacy class will begin. Each household will take turns attending. There will be an exam after the lessons.”
“Those who fail the exam will have 20% of their seedling allocation deducted.”
“Fourth, the village will uniformly repair the village roads. All haystacks and other obstructions at the entrance of each household occupying the village road must be cleared voluntarily.”
“After the village road is repaired, responsibility for each household’s doorstep area will be assigned. Potholes left on both sides of the road will be uniformly planted with apple trees.”
“Within your designated responsibility area, the pruning and fruiting of the apple trees will also be your family’s responsibility.”
“Of course, maintenance of the village road and sanitation will also be your family’s responsibility.”
“Trash cans will be installed on both sides of the village road. Villagers are prohibited from casually discarding garbage; it must be put into the trash cans.”
“Villagers are prohibited from free-ranging chickens. Keep them within your yard, and we won’t interfere, no matter how much chicken manure you produce. If it creates a foul stench, then we will intervene.”
“In short, we will build Kushan village into a sanitary and civilized village.”
“These are the initial plans. After these plans are realized, there will be plans to build bridges and to repair the township road outside Kuku River.”
“We cannot accomplish all of this this year. I will also be observing your enthusiasm and level of cooperation.”
“All items provided on credit will be partially repaid after the unified sale of watermelons.”
“Do not be stingy about it. Once you see the income, you will realize these are small amounts.”
“If the hills are too large, two or three households can contract them together.”
“If there is a loss, do not complain to me. Instead, I will punish you, because this is the result of your lack of effort.”
“The opportunity is before you. Even if you don’t eat, drink, or sleep, you must manage your contracted hills properly.”
“Next, I will appoint several positions. First, head of the seedling group, Tian Jing, with members to be chosen by her. Everyone here is familiar with her; the seedlings she cultivates are what you all dream of.”
“This time, she does not have a blacklist. The village committee has a blacklist.”
“I hope everyone seizes this opportunity. If you are put on the village committee’s blacklist, you will become a poverty-stricken household in Kushan.”
“Second, head of the sanitation group, Sister Niu. Members will also be chosen by her. I believe everyone is familiar with her temper.”
“No matter how sharp her tongue is, what she says is always fair and just advice.”
“She has a blacklist. Those who fail sanitation three times will be added to her blacklist. Those who remain on her blacklist for three consecutive times will be put on the village committee’s blacklist.”
“Third, the village committee will hire Grandpa Xiao to serve as the teacher for the literacy class. Grandpa Xiao will also set the exam questions.”
“Fourth, the engineering supervision group will be headed by Deputy Village Chief Ou. Members will be chosen by him.”
“Fifth, the ideological education group, which will primarily focus on the villagers’ enthusiasm for complying with village management. This will be headed by Secretary Yang. If anyone has something they don’t understand, they can consult him.”
“Sixth, the civilization group, which is of utmost importance for building a sanitary and civilized village. This is because the first requirement of civilization is civilized speech; no cursing, and no hitting children.”
“This group leader will be Sister Guihua. She is the one who loves to curse the most. Therefore, by assigning her as the leader, she must set an example. Members will also be chosen by her.”
“All six groups, including all leaders and members, will work without pay; they are all volunteer workers.”
“Think carefully before you accept these roles; this is not a game. If there are any instances of unfairness, villagers can lodge a complaint with the village committee.”
“Once an investigation confirms the responsibility lies with a member, that member will be dismissed. The leader will also be implicated and criticized. If a leader is criticized three times, they will be placed on the village committee’s blacklist.”
“Dismissed members will have 10% of their seedling allocation deducted, so you must think thoroughly.”
“Do not use the little power you hold in your hands to take revenge on your enemies; you will suffer more losses than gains.”
“That is all I have to say. Digest this, and then you may start asking questions.”