Chapter 108: One Household Giving Two Piglets?

The issue of the old home's homestead was resolved too smoothly, making Chen Yang a little unaccustomed. Given his understanding of those people back home, things definitely wouldn't be that simple.

Sure enough, the next morning, Chen Dalei called. "Chen Yang, the village is holding a meeting to discuss your investment; they said they want to set up a pig farm. You need to be mentally prepared!"

Is setting up a pig farm not good?

Setting up a pig farm is good, but they're too shameless. They said you should provide each household with two piglets to raise separately, and also provide two bags of feed.

Are you sure you didn't mishear?

No. I estimate the party secretary will call you shortly.

After hanging up on Chen Dalei's call, Chen Yang's suspended heart finally settled.

Exactly, that's just their nature. How could they agree so readily to something with no benefit?

Chen Yang called Lin Wei and learned from her that the price of piglets in Clear Water County is around 120 yuan each. Moreover, the housing deed signed by all the villagers in his hand bears over 270 signatures.

One signature per household, so over 270 households total. Two piglets per household makes about 550 piglets. At 120 yuan per head, that totals 66,000 yuan.

Feed costs 50 yuan per 40‑kg bag; 550 bags come to 27,500 yuan.

In other words, to support their pig farming, Chen Yang would have to pay 93,500 yuan.

Given Chen Yang's current situation, this amount is mere pocket change. He worries that this is only the beginning, because he understands human nature.

Chen Defang's call came quickly. However, he didn't directly mention the pig farm; instead, he asked Chen Yang to return and hold a villagers' meeting.

Chen Yang's household registration hasn't been moved back yet, so he could completely ignore it. But to test these people's limits, he still drove back.

When he arrived at the village office, it was already noon. The villagers had gone home to cook. Only Chen Defang and a few village cadres remained in the office waiting for Chen Yang.

They had carefully prepared an abundantly lavish feast, arranging ten large dishes according to the rural banquet standard—besides chicken, duck, fish, and meat, there were also rare wild game caught from the mountains.

Besides that, the table held a bottle of Wuliangye and several bottles of locally brewed daqu liquor from Clear River.

"Chen Yang, eat first, we'll talk after." Chen Defang pulled Chen Yang to sit beside the chairperson and then announced the start of the meal.

Then, starting with Chen Defang, the seated village cadres took turns toasting Chen Yang.

In his previous life, when he was doing business, he often had to entertain, and his alcohol tolerance wasn't bad. Moreover, now he isn't the one asking for favors, so there's no need to push his body. Whenever someone toasted him, he merely took a symbolic sip.

After a round of drinks finished, Chen Defang finally got straight to the point.

"Chen Yang, we village cadres held a meeting yesterday and discussed setting up a pig farm. Are you interested in investing?"

Chen Yang immediately said, "Setting up a pig farm is great; this year's pig prices are also fine. After the pigs are ready for market, I can also help you find customers."

Chen Defang's main goal was to get Chen Yang to invest. Seeing him answer off‑topic, he quickly reminded: "Chen Yang, the village's economy is currently difficult. What I mean is, can you put up some money to build the pig farm?"

Chen Yang readily replied, "No problem! Just tell me how many bricks, cement, and steel you need, and I'll haul them directly from the county. As for timber, we can just cut it from the mountains! Mobilizing the whole village's strength, I estimate we can finish in a day."

Chen Defang fell silent at once. His intention had been for Chen Yang to put up money directly. He hadn't expected Chen Yang not only to buy the materials himself but also to have everyone cut trees from the mountains—completely unreasonable.

At that moment, Village Head Chen Baoshan spoke: "Chen Yang, the trees on the mountain all have owners. If the village cuts them down without notice, nobody will agree."

Chen Yang feigned surprise: "Building a pig farm is a great blessing for the whole village; what's the harm in a little personal sacrifice? Our village has over 270 households. If each household cuts one tree, that's more than enough."

Chen Baoshan said: "What if someone disagrees?"

Chen Yang said: "That's simple. Whoever disagrees just signs a statement to sever ties with the pig farm. Thereafter, any profits from the pig farm will have nothing to do with them."

Chen Baoshan and Chen Defang exchanged glances, then he added: "Then, regarding the money for buying piglets, can you help the village chip in a bit?"

Chen Yang readily agreed: "No problem. Besides the money for materials, I'll freely buy a hundred piglets for the pig farm. Once these piglets are raised and sold, you can continue to expand the scale."

Chen Baoshan was stunned. According to his plan, he would first have Chen Yang state his own budget, then quote 100,000 yuan for Chen Yang to bargain down. He hadn't expected Chen Yang to completely ignore the routine and proactively offer to buy a hundred piglets for the village.

They had previously agreed in the meeting to ask Chen Yang for the money for 550 piglets and 550 bags of feed. Now Chen Yang only offers a hundred piglets—the disparity is too great.

"Chen Yang, the village's stance is either don't do it, or if we do, do it big. A hundred piglets might be a bit few…"

Chen Yang said: "Then how about two hundred piglets, and I'll also buy two hundred bags of feed for you. Would that work?"

Chen Baoshan still wanted to say something, but Chen Defang stopped him with a glance. They had just mended their relationship with Chen Yang; if this time he lion‑mouths (makes a huge demand) and angers him, they might end up not getting even two hundred piglets.

Afraid Chen Yang might change his mind, Chen Defang immediately hammered out a decision: "Then let's follow Chen Yang's suggestion—first raise two hundred piglets. Once the pig farm is on track, we can discuss whether to expand later."

Seeing Chen Defang's decision, the others followed suit and voiced approval.

After they quieted down, Chen Yang said to Chen Defang, "Uncle, I support your pig farm, but I also have some suggestions to raise."

Chen Defang replied: "You're a college student; you know more than we do. Feel free to raise any opinions."

Chen Yang said: "Since you want to get rich from the pig farm, you must take it seriously. Don't be like some villages in our county that, after receiving government‑aid piglets, simply divided them by household to eat the meat. After a few good days, they then wait for government relief again."

Chen Defang's old face flushed. According to their original plan, they were preparing to divide the piglets. As for whether villagers would raise or eat them after receiving the piglets, the village hadn't intended to manage that. "Chen Yang, rest assured, we definitely won't divide the piglets."

Chen Yang added: "Large‑scale pig farming differs from backyard raising. Environmental hygiene must be good, otherwise disease spreads easily. My suggestion is to keep only a portion of professionals to manage the farm, practicing closed‑system breeding. Workers receive wages according to labor, while others only need to handle year‑end dividends."

Chen Defang was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected a scholar like Chen Yang to consider so much. Still, he agreed with Chen Yang's suggestion. After all, most villagers have raised pigs before and understand the reasoning.