In late 1991, after the watermelons were sold out again, Village Chief Li called a meeting.
The meeting's agenda was a grand plan the villagers had been anticipating for a long time: developing a tourism project at Laoyingzui.
The villagers didn't understand what a "project" was. They only understood that Laoyingzui not only had a large cave but also hot springs.
Village Chief Li also explained what hot springs were.
Confused, the villagers only understood that with hot springs, they wouldn't need to fetch water, boil water, or discard water for bathing. They could just wash, scrub, and soak, which was very convenient.
Village Chief Li also said that they would walk to the easily climbable sections and install some sort of cable car for the steep and treacherous parts, which could be pulled up by electricity.
Right, Village Chief Li also wanted to bring electricity into the village, so they wouldn't need to use kerosene lamps in the greenhouses anymore, but instead use lights that turned on with a flick of a switch.
The cost sounded very high.
But the thought of the two-and-a-half-story Western-style houses on the new housing plots filled the villagers with confidence.
"We'll follow Village Chief Li's arrangements. Whatever Village Chief Li says to do, we'll do."
"Yes, whatever Village Chief Li says to do, we'll do."
"Yes, yes..."
Li Zhengguo raised his hand to signal the villagers to quiet down.
"Let me do some calculations for everyone. Your houses, because the materials are directly from the factory, the price is much cheaper.
"But two buildings per household cost about fifty thousand yuan, and each household owes the village eighty-four thousand eight hundred."
"The subsequent renovations are your own responsibility. The village will no longer manage them; we will only manage the uniformity of the exterior."
"Building the houses cost three million four hundred thousand yuan. The village still has eight million three hundred thousand yuan left, and much more funding is needed.
"I will have to continue to apply for loans, and this time the loans will have interest."
"You must work twice as hard to ensure the success of the Laoyingzui hot spring tourism plan."
"If we can't sustain it ourselves, the county will accept investment from investors."
"Then, half of the income from tickets, cable cars, and the hot spring valley will belong to others."
How could the villagers agree to this?
Although they owed the village over eighty thousand yuan, the deductions they incurred annually from the village added up to eighty thousand yuan. Then there was the annual collection of ten thousand yuan, which meant each household had invested thirteen thousand yuan in the grand plan. They definitely couldn't let outsiders participate.
"Village Chief Li, don't worry, we will definitely work hard."
"Yes, yes, Village Chief Li, just do it. We'll earn money to repay the debt."
"Yes, yes, Village Chief Li, don't worry..."
"Good!"
Li Zhengguo slammed the table and stood up. "Everyone, let's work hard for another three to four years. After paying off the debt, we won't need to rush so desperately."
"At that time, in the greenhouses, you can plant whatever you want."
"The village's seedling nursery will not be dismantled and will continue to supply seedlings to everyone."
"Good."
"Good."
The villagers applauded excitedly.
Their Kusan would eventually develop into a tourist village, a wealthy village renowned throughout the county, the province, and even the nation.
This was Village Chief Li's goal, and it was also their goal.
With such passion, the villagers walked with a spring in their step.
Li Zhengguo and Tian Jing were calculating at home.
From the back mountain to Laoyingzui, there were twelve steep and treacherous spots.
For each of those twelve spots, a single cable car would not be enough; at least two would be needed.
Each cable car would be at most two kilometers long because the couple worried about the current technology. If the cable car was too long, rescue would be difficult in case of a malfunction.
The budget for these cable cars was at least two to three million yuan.
The steps up the mountain were planned to be modeled after the Great Wall.
Even if the materials were sourced from the mountain, cement, sand, and lime were still needed.
Then there were the labor costs. Over a hundred kilometers of winding, uneven mountain paths needed to be chiseled, leveled, and cleared to pave the steps.
These were major expenses for the mountain steps.
There were also the construction of various small scenic spots along the steps, and the construction within the hot spring valley.
Overall, a budget of less than ten million yuan would not be enough.
Li Zhengguo pointed to the map he had drawn. "These areas will require more hard work from you, my wife, to plant the grass."
Tian Jing nodded. "Don't worry, I have not only cultivated grass seeds but also seeds for seven-colored wildflowers, seven-colored roses, and peonies."
"I guarantee a continuous sea of seven-colored flowers and various meadows. I'll secretly sow them as soon as spring arrives next year."
Li Zhengguo folded the map. "Thank you for your hard work, my wife. After another three years of busyness, we'll be able to relax."
"Mmm hmm." Tian Jing replied with a smile.
This year, Hao Hao and Xiao Bo had already started junior high school, and in three more years, they would be taking their college entrance exams.
Li Li had also taken her high school entrance exams, and Ran Ran was in fourth grade.
Where were the days of leisure?
But Tian Jing didn't say anything. She liked to see her husband looking so spirited and confident.
...
It was the Chinese New Year, and Da Mai and Xiao Mai had returned.
Mother Li looked at the sisters behind her with great disappointment.
Da Mai pushed her grandmother's shoulder as they entered the courtyard. "Grandma, people will be coming after the New Year."
"Really?"
It wasn't that Mother Li doubted them, but Da Mai had gone to Beijing to help out seven years ago, and every year it was just the two of them, Da Mai and Xiao Mai, returning.
"Really, really, they'll come after the New Year."
"They?"
"Yes."
Da Mai nodded. "Xiao Mai has a boyfriend too. This time, are you reassured?"
How could Mother Li be reassured?
"I haven't seen the person yet, nor have I understood their character or family background. How can I be reassured?"
Hearing her grandmother's words, Da Mai smiled happily. "When they arrive, you can get to know them thoroughly."
As they spoke, Da Mai pushed her grandmother into the main hall and greeted Li Zhengguo, who was writing and drawing at the table. "Uncle."
"Mmm hmm, Da Mai and Xiao Mai are back?"
Li Zhengguo looked up at his two nieces, then lowered his head and continued writing. "Your aunt is in the Siheyuan on the east side of the village."
"We'll go there later, after we settle in at home first."
"Mmm hmm."
Li Zhengguo replied casually.
Two minutes later, he looked up at the two nieces standing motionlessly by the table. "Is something wrong?"
Da Mai winked at her sister.
Xiao Mai understood and took her grandmother away. "Grandma, let's go see the clothes your elder sister and I bought for you."
"Always spending money recklessly."
Mother Li chided them, but still let Xiao Mai pull her into the east room.
Da Mai sat down next to Li Zhengguo. "Uncle, the area to the north has been bought by others. And because of their price hiking, we haven't been able to acquire any courtyards for six months."
Li Zhengguo put down his pen. "Has the area to the south been fully acquired?"
Da Mai shook her head. "No, there are still a few households that refuse to leave. We tried to trade them our large courtyards for theirs on a one-to-one basis, but it didn't move them."
"Do you know who is acquiring the northern area?"
Da Mai's voice became lower. "I heard they are returnees. I asked Xiao Mai to secretly find out, and it's the Xiao family."
Li Zhengguo was surprised. Why did the Xiao family make a move before the Chen family?
"Who from the Xiao family?"
Da Mai shook her head. "I don't know that. However, it seems like two groups are acquiring separately."
Li Zhengguo waved his hand. "You can go back now. I'll make a decision after discussing it with your aunt."
"Mmm hmm."
...
Tian Jing was helping the children with their homework when Afeng came to tell her that Da Mai and Xiao Mai had returned.
Tian Jing wasn't in a hurry to go home. During the holidays, spending time with the children was the most important thing.
But Afeng stood there, not leaving.
"Tiantian, there are some things I'd like to tell you privately."