Chapter 29: Long Laotai and Yi Zhonghai Prepare to Drive Away He Daqing

"Learning more knowledge never hurts," Li Mingyuan smiled, "I feel that agricultural production and industrial production have many things in common; perhaps I can find some inspiration."

Factory Lou Changzhang also watched Li Mingyuan curiously from the side, thinking to himself that this young man was truly different, and one never knew what he was thinking about all day long.

"If you are truly interested," Li Shouzheng said after a moment of thought, "I do happen to know Wang Jiaoshou at the Agricultural Science Academy; he is an old friend of mine, so I can get in touch with him."

Li Mingyuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately pressed, "Wang Jiaoshou? What is his field of research?"

"He mainly researches crop breeding and yield-increasing technology," Li Shouzheng replied, "Lao Wang has quite a few achievements in this area and has published many papers."

"That's great!" Li Mingyuan appeared exceptionally excited, "Could you help introduce me? I also want to ask if it's possible to obtain some high-quality seeds."

Li Shouzheng was left somewhat bewildered by Li Mingyuan's enthusiasm, "You kid, what exactly are you planning? Don't tell me you want to change professions and become a farmer?"

The people in the car all laughed, and the atmosphere suddenly became much more relaxed.

Li Mingyuan laughed along, but his gaze was very serious, "I just want to do some research; perhaps I might make some discoveries."

"Fine, I will help you contact him tomorrow," Li Shouzheng patted Li Mingyuan on the shoulder, "You kid really has so many ideas."

Cheng Yanhai chimed in from the side: "What's so strange about that? Chief Engineer Li is not only a weapons genius, perhaps he is also an agricultural prodigy!"

Laughter erupted in the car once more, though only Li Mingyuan was seriously calculating in his heart.

The knowledge from his past life made him understand that in this era of material scarcity, solving the problem of food was the most fundamental thing.

To develop industry, one must first solve the agricultural problem, otherwise, everything is a castle in the air.

The car drove into the city, and Li Mingyuan looked at the thin pedestrians on the side of the street, secretly resolving in his heart: he must use the system to help change the poverty of this era.

"By the way, Elder Li," Li Mingyuan suddenly asked again, "Besides seeds, what do you think is most lacking in agricultural production right now?"

Li Shouzheng thought for a while, "Fertilizer, farm tools, and scientific farming methods, I suppose."

"The level of mechanization is too low," Cheng Yanhai interjected, "I went to the countryside last year and saw farmers still using the most primitive tools to plow the land; the efficiency is too low."

Factory Lou Changzhang also nodded, "Indeed, back in my hometown, a family works hard for a whole year, and it's barely enough to get by."

Listening to these answers, Li Mingyuan had already begun to sketch out a grand blueprint in his mind.

Li Shouzheng saw through Li Mingyuan's thoughts and smiled kindly, "You kid is so quick-witted, do you have some more good ideas?"

"It's nothing, just some thoughts," Li Mingyuan smiled mysteriously, "I'll tell you when they are mature."

……

At the same time, inside the Siheyuan, in Yi Zhonghai's room, the lamp was dim.

Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotai were sitting at the table, both of them wearing grave expressions, seemingly discussing something important.

"Old lady, this matter must be resolved as soon as possible," Yi Zhonghai said in a low voice, "With He Daqing here, our plan is difficult to implement."

Long Laotai nodded, a flash of malice appearing in her narrowed eyes, "This person He Daqing is too much of a hindrance; we must find a way to make him leave the Siheyuan."

"But He Daqing has lived here for so many years; to just drive him away like this, I'm afraid it won't be justifiable," Yi Zhonghai frowned, "What will the neighbors think?"

Long Laotai gave a cold snort, "You, you just care too much about face. I've already inquired clearly: He Daqing was a cook for a landlord family in the past; this leverage can be put to good use."

Yi Zhonghai was taken aback, a flash of surprise appearing in his eyes, "Really? Where did you hear that?"

"I've lived for so many years; although my ears aren't good, my eyes aren't blind," Long Laotai said triumphantly.

A flash of hesitation appeared in Yi Zhonghai's eyes, "But isn't doing this too ruthless? He Daqing is, after all, Zhuzi's biological father."

"If you are so anxious to have someone provide for your old age, don't be so wishy-washy," Long Laotai said impatiently, "Once He Daqing leaves, He Yuzhu will be completely yours; isn't that exactly what you want?"

Yi Zhonghai was silent for a moment, then finally nodded, "You are right, He Daqing must go. Only then can Zhuzi completely 'belong' to me."

"Then let's act tonight," Long Laotai stood up to leave, "While there are few people around, we will go directly to negotiate with He Daqing."

Yi Zhonghai hesitated for a moment, "What if he doesn't agree?"

Long Laotai gave a cold laugh, "He doesn't agree? Then we'll go report his landlord class background and see if he still dares to stay in the Siheyuan!"

The two people's gazes met under the dim light, both seeing the determination in the other's eyes.

……

The night was deep, and the Siheyuan was in Silence, with only the occasional sound of cicadas breaking the tranquility.

He Daqing was drinking sullenly alone in his room; ever since his wife passed away, his life had been getting worse and worse.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotai walked in silently, giving He Daqing a fright.

"In the middle of the night, what are you doing?" He Daqing asked drunkenly, reeking of alcohol.

Yi Zhonghai closed the door and spoke straight to the point: "He Daqing, we know your true identity now. You aren't some poor peasant; you were a cook for a landlord family!"

He Daqing's drunkenness faded by more than half, his face instantly turning deathly pale, "You... what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Stop pretending," Long Laotai said with a cold laugh, "You were drunk yourself and said everything. You even said, 'Back then I was the head chef for a landlord,' and 'If it weren't for the Liberation, I'd still be cooking for the rich man.' Did you or did you not say that?"

He Daqing's hands began to tremble, and the water in his cup sloshed, spilling onto the table, "I... I was just rambling..."

"He Daqing, if you don't want to be reported, get out of the Siheyuan for me right now," Yi Zhonghai's eyes held not a shred of warmth, "Otherwise, tomorrow I will go to the Street Office and report your true class background."

He Daqing grew anxious, "You are trying to drive me to my death! Where am I supposed to go?"

"Where you go is none of our business," Long Laotai said coldly, "In any case, the Siheyuan cannot tolerate a landlord's lackey like you!"

He Daqing gritted his teeth, his voice trembling: "You have no evidence at all, just my drunken ramblings? Who would believe that?"

Yi Zhonghai suddenly changed his expression, his tone carrying a threat: "He Daqing, if you don't leave, the future of He Yuzhu and He Yushui will also come to an end. Do you understand what I mean?"

These words were like a knife plunged into He Daqing's heart; he understood how serious a problematic background was in this era.

"You... you are too ruthless," He Daqing's voice trembled slightly, his eyes filled with despair, "Zhuzi and Yushui are both good children; how can you have the heart to harm them?"