Chapter 105: Expansion Plan! Brother Qing Shan Will Lead the Whole Village to Prosper!

The exhilarating release that night seemed to wash away the years‑long knot of depression that had built up in Lu Qingshan's heart.

The next morning, the autumn sun was just right outside the window, spilling into the courtyard and turning the few drifting yellow leaves into a golden blaze.

Lin Yue'e had already prepared breakfast: millet porridge simmered to a golden, sticky hue, paired with the family's own crisp, lightly salted pickles.

Xiao Xue sat on the edge of the heated brick bed, swinging her legs, her little mouth eating messily; when she saw Lu Qingshan, she sweetly called out, "Daddy, good morning."

This long‑awaited peace and steadiness filled Lu Qingshan's whole body with vigor.

The news that his parents were alive was like a tonic, making his plans for the future clearer and more urgent.

He wants to put down roots on this land and achieve something, not only for his wife and daughter but also to be able to welcome his parents back with dignity.

After breakfast, Lu Qingshan first went to inspect the village's nascent assets.

The medicinal herb plot lay on a sun‑facing gentle slope at the foot of the village's back hill, delicately enclosed by a fence.

Approaching it, one could smell a faint herbal fragrance mingling with the scent of earth.

The astragalus in the field grew impressively, its leaves plump and glossy green;

Several rows of trial‑planted ginseng seedlings had also sprouted delightful red berries, crystal‑clear in the morning light.

Zhao Laonian was squatting at the edge of the field, carefully loosening soil around a somewhat wilted balloon flower; his hands, thick with old calluses, handled the herbs more delicately than embroidery.

When he saw Lu Qingshan approach, he merely lifted his eyes, the ever‑unchanging curve of his mouth softening slightly—a greeting of sorts.

"Uncle Laonian, these ginseng seedlings look much more vigorous than a few days ago."

Lu Qingshan also squatted, pinching a bit of soil to gauge its moisture.

Zhao Laonian gave a brief "mm," his words scarce, but the focus in his eyes said it all.

The nearby livestock area was even livelier.

Dozens of reed‑flower chickens leisurely pecked on the fenced clearing, occasionally emitting cluck‑cluck calls.

Liu Fugui was carrying a bucket of mixed bran, chased by a gaggle of piglets; his slight frame looked comical among the swine, and he kept exclaiming "Ouch! Ouch!"—which made Zhao Er Zhuang and Zhao Qiang, who were helping, burst into laughter.

Zhao Tiezhu, on the other side, repaired the pigpen fence; his great strength let him drive the crooked wooden stakes back into the ground with steady thump‑thump.

"Brother Qing Shan, you're here!"

After finally shaking off the piglets, Liu Fugui wiped his sweat, grinned and said, "Look at these piglets—every day they look different, they eat and sleep, and you can see them gaining fat fast!"

Lu Qingshan watched the thriving scene, his heart ablaze; this was only the beginning.

"Tiezhu, Fugui, and Uncle Laonian," Lu Qingshan called them over, "I've been away these past few days, thanks for the hard work. Our modest assets are growing well, the animals are thriving. I'm wondering if we should expand the scale a bit more?"

When Zhao Tiezhu heard that, his eyes lit up: "Brother Qing Shan, whatever you say we'll do, we'll follow you! This work isn't tiring; it's just the space that's limited, restricting us."

Liu Fugui nodded repeatedly: "Exactly, exactly, Brother Qing Shan, if we have more chickens and pigs, this plot of land won't be enough for us to handle."

Zhao Laonian, unusually, spoke up in a slightly hoarse voice: "Herbs… we could plant more of them. In these mountains… there are plenty of good lands."

Lu Qingshan felt confident, and that afternoon he sought out Village Chief Zhao Yongnian and Secretary Zhao Dazhi.

"Village Chief, Secretary, I'd like to discuss something with you."

Lu Qingshan got straight to the point: "Our village's trial‑grown herbs and the chickens and pigs we're raising have already shown some promise. I think we should strike while the iron is hot and expand this operation. The barren lands behind the village and the many cultivable spots at the mountain's foot should be put to use—more herbs, more livestock. That way, the year‑end dividends will let every household see more real gold and silver."

Zhao Yongnian took a drag of dry tobacco; amid the swirling smoke, his deep eyes met Lu Qingshan's: "Qing Shan, your idea is good. Over the past months, everyone in the village has seen what you and Tiezhu have been working on, and it's truly given people hope. But… if we scale this up, we'll need more hands, capital, and markets to keep pace."

Zhao Dazhi also nodded: "That's the point. However, this kid Qing Shan is sharp and resourceful. Since he's brought it up, he must have his calculations. Qing Shan, lay out your specific plan."

Lu Qingshan then detailed his preliminary scheme, covering how to zone the land for different herbs, how to exploit the mountain's advantages to enlarge the livestock scale, how to organize manpower, and even estimating initial costs and projected returns.

His speech was orderly and measured, his gaze radiating an unquestionable Confidence.

Zhao Yongnian and Zhao Dazhi listened, nodding repeatedly, their doubts gradually giving way to excitement.

"Good kid!" Zhao Yongnian slapped his thigh, "We'll do exactly as you say! Take the master plan, and the two of us will rally the village, wave the flags, and get everyone to work with you! Whatever you need, just ask."

Zhao Dazhi also voiced his support: "Exactly! Whether Shanwan Village can truly turn its fortunes depends on this gamble! Qing Shan, go all out, we'll back you fully!"

With the staunch backing of the village's two pillars, the matter became much easier to handle.

Early the next day, the village broadcast crackled to life; Zhao Dazhi, with his resonant voice, announced the decision to expand planting and livestock, rallying all the village's able‑bodied youth to join Lu Qingshan in clearing the flat land.

In an instant, Shanwan Village boiled with excitement.

The village, silent for years, seemed infused overnight with boundless vigor.

Men from every household shouldered hoes and iron spades, women carried thorn‑woven baskets, and the crowd marched grandly toward the foot of the back mountain.

Lu Qingshan stood on a rise, watching the bustling scene, his heart swelling with heroic ambition.

He silently extended the perception of his Mountain Wild Heart, carefully sensing each patch of earth's "mood."

Where the soil was fertile, suitable for planting ginseng seedlings;

Where the terrain was open and sun‑lit, fit for building chicken coops and pigpens;

Where tiny hidden springs lay, usable as water sources.

These pieces of information gathered in his mind, forming a clear blueprint of the plan.

He commanded the crowd, starting with the largest wasteland behind the village.

The land was overrun with weeds and strewn with stones, making reclamation truly difficult.

Yet the villagers' enthusiasm did not wane at all.

The men sweated like rain, hoes and spades flashing up and down, while the women handled weed clearing and stone gathering.

Even half‑grown children trailed the adults, helping with whatever they could; laughter, shouts, and clanging tools intertwined, composing a moving labor symphony.

Jin Hu excitedly darted through the crowd, occasionally barking at a patch of grass as if cheering everyone on.

Zhao Tiezhu was like an tireless wild ox, tackling the toughest hard stones; massive rocks became as easy as pebbles in his hands.

Liu Fugui leveraged his agility, leading a few half‑grown youths to clear the fine grass roots and twigs.

For several days, Shanwan Village was immersed in this tense yet fulfilling atmosphere of work.

Lu Qingshan spent each day on the site, his throat hoarse from shouting, his skin darkened by the sun, yet his spirit grew ever more exhilarated.

Watching the wastelands gradually level under everyone's effort, he seemed already to envision next year's bountiful harvest.

That afternoon, the group had just leveled half of the planned aquaculture area and were about to pause for a drink when a roar of a car engine came from the direction of the village entrance. In this remote mountain village, cars are a rarity.

"What was that?"

Zhao Tiezhu stopped his work and pricked up his ears.

"Sounds like... a car?"

Liu Fugui also craned his neck toward the village entrance.

Soon, a green Jiefang truck rattled into the village and stopped not far from the crowd.

The door opened, and first stepped out a middle‑aged man in a gray Zhongshan suit, wearing glasses, looking scholarly and refined.

Immediately after, a man in his twenties emerged, wearing a white shirt, clutching a folder, his expression slightly restrained.

Village chief Zhao Yongnian and secretary Zhao Dazhi also rushed over upon hearing the news.

"Excuse me, which one is Comrade Lu Qingshan?"

The bespectacled middle‑aged man adjusted his glasses, scanned the crowd, and asked gently.

Lu Qingshan felt a slight stir in his heart and stepped forward.

"I am Lu Qingshan. May I ask who you are?"

A faint smile appeared on the middle‑aged man's face as he extended his hand.

"Comrade Lu Qingshan, hello, hello. We are from the City Agricultural Research Institute; I am Sun Ming, and this is my assistant Xiao Li. We were commissioned by the city leadership to come specifically to provide technical guidance and support for your Shanwan Village planting project."

"City Agricultural Research Institute?"

"Commissioned by the city leadership?"

The words made not only Lu Qingshan but also the surrounding villagers freeze, followed by a low murmur of astonishment.

These are top experts coming from the city!

And they say they were sent by the city leadership!

Zhao Yongnian and Zhao Dazhi exchanged glances, their faces showing excitement and pride.

"Our Shanwan Village is about to become famous!"

Lu Qingshan was also stunned; he hadn't expected his modest efforts to attract the city's attention so quickly.

He reached out and shook Sun Ming's hand, politely saying, "Director Sun, Comrade Li, welcome, welcome! Our facilities are modest, we apologize for any neglect."

Sun Ming waved his hand and laughed, "Comrade Lu, no need for formalities. We just heard that your village is cultivating medicinal herbs and specialty aquaculture, and early results are promising. The city leadership attaches great importance to this and specifically sent us to see if we can help."

His gaze fell on the nearby nascent medicinal‑herb plot and the bustling clearing scene beside it, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"I heard these were all started by you, Comrade Lu?"

Sun Ming asked with genuine interest, a trace of curiosity in his eyes.

Lu Qingshan nodded, neither humble nor arrogant, "It was the villagers working together; everyone wants a better life."

Sun Ming and Xiao Li exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of surprise in the other's eyes.

The young man before them appeared barely in his early twenties, with dark skin and simple clothing, yet exuded a calm competence that made him far from an ordinary farmer.

"Comrade Lu, if you don't mind, could you show us around?"

Sun Ming suggested.

Lu Qingshan naturally wouldn't refuse; this was unsolicited technical support, and perhaps it could secure some policy assistance.

But what changes will this sudden "guidance" bring to Shanwan Village?

Is it an opportunity or a new challenge?

A faint ripple rose in his heart.