Chapter 125: True Brothers Appear in Adversity

Li Jianqiang's eyes, which had become somewhat clouded from long hours hunched over paperwork, now flickered with an unusual light.

He silently stared at Lu Qingshan, and on his weather‑worn face there was little sign of emotional change.

Beside them, Wang Ming curled his lip and muttered softly, "I told you this thing was risky. Xiao Lu, it's not that I, Lao Wang, speak harshly; it's just that you've spread your operation too wide, the foundation is shaky, and any slight wind will cause a disaster. We old folks can't endure this much turmoil any longer."

Lu Qingshan felt his heart sink; Wang Ming's words were harsh, but they were only natural.

If it were him, facing an uncertain, trouble‑ridden little mountain village, he would probably back down.

He looked at Li Jianqiang, his tone sincere: "Master Li, Brother Wang makes a good point. Shanwan Village is indeed facing a hurdle now, and whether we can get past it is still up in the air. You and the others are all capable people; there's no need for you to risk yourselves with us. I…"

"Adventure?"

Li Jianqiang suddenly cut off Lu Qingshan, a slightly mocking grin curving his mouth.

"Comrade Xiao Lu, I, Lao Li, have spent decades in the factory following the rules, and in the end my skills were locked away, I was marginalized, not even daring to let out a fart. Those days were truly a torment! Now you've drawn me a big cake; although the cake looks a bit burnt and some people want to sprinkle sand on top, I, Lao Li, actually want to taste what this cake is like!"

He slapped his thigh hard, and a sharp vigor incongruent with his age flashed in his eyes.

"What's there to fear! It's just a few jump‑beam clowns causing trouble behind us, or some bullshit expert group. I've spent half my life dealing with those bureaucrats in the machinery plant, and I'm still scared of this? Xiao Lu, if you trust me, Lao Li, I'll wade right through this murky water! I want to see which blind‑sighted one dares to mess with the talent and projects we've set our eyes on!"

His words were decisive and resonated like a hammer strike!

Lu Qingshan felt a surge of heat rise from his heart, his eyes growing warm.

He didn't expect Li Jianqiang to choose to stand shoulder to shoulder with him at a time like this!

It was not merely a timely aid, but a great trust and affirmation toward him!

"Master Li…"

Lu Qingshan's voice was a little hoarse.

"Enough, stop being so fussy."

Li Jianqiang waved his hand, turning to Wang Ming, "Lao Wang, what do you say? Stay here and keep drinking your erguotou, or come with me to Shanwan Village, see the excitement, and stretch your limbs a bit?"

Wang Ming opened his mouth, glanced at Li Jianqiang, then at Lu Qingshan, his expression wavering.

He was indeed tempted by the conditions Lu Qingshan offered, and also looked forward to Li Jianqiang's new technique.

But the current trouble in Shanwan Village also gave him a desire to retreat.

But Li Jianqiang, this old buddy, had already spoken so firmly; if he backed down, how could he ever hold his head up before the old buddy again?

"Cough," Wang Ming cleared his throat, stiffening his neck, "If we go, we go! I, Lao Wang, have lived half my life; what kind of formation haven't I seen? It's just a little mountain village—could a tiger eat us? Besides, Lao Li, your precious technology—without me, Lao Wang, the materials guy, can you still make it work?"

Li Jianqiang laughed heartily, slapping Wang Ming's shoulder hard: "Good! You truly are a buddy of Lao Li!"

Lu Qingshan felt a great calm and hurried, "What about Master Yao and Master Qian…?"

Li Jianqiang waved his hand: "I'll handle the contact! If they don't even have this little responsibility, they don't deserve to work with Lao Li! You, kid, hurry and buy a ticket; the sooner we get back, the better, so those rascals don't gloat for too long!"

Lu Qingshan nodded heavily and set about making arrangements at once.

Li Jianqiang found a phone and called Yao Bai'nian and Qian Jin separately.

He didn't waste any words, simply explained the trouble in Shanwan Village and his decision, and finally dropped: "If you still consider me a friend, tell me straight about where I, Li Jianqiang, am going; stop dragging your feet, and don't bother contacting me later!"

Yao Bai'nian was silent for a moment, then replied, "Lao Li, your temper is still that foul. Fine, with these old bones of mine I'll join you for a round. Shanwan Village, right? I want to see just how authentic the medicinal herbs from Guandong Mountain really are."

Qian Jin was even more straightforward: "Brother Li, you've spoken, what else can I say? My universal seeder is almost ready, just lacking a place to test it. Shanwan Village has plenty of land, right? As long as it's enough, that's fine!"

Receiving the affirmative replies, Li Jianqiang hung up, a long‑missing smile appearing on his face—a thrill of having found comrades with whom he would soon fight side by side.

Soon, Lu Qingshan bought a train ticket for the next trip back to Baishan.

The five of them quickly packed their luggage and hurried to the station.

The green‑skin train rumbled "clack‑clack" along the rails, and the carriage was filled with a mix of sweat, smoke, and various food aromas.

The hard seats dug uncomfortably into one's back, but at this moment Lu Qingshan, Li Jianqiang, Wang Ming, and later at the station the Yao Bai'nian carrying a bulging medicine box and Qian Jin lugging a heavy tool bag, the five squeezed together, each feeling a strange mood.

Yao Bai'nian's hair was meticulously combed, and even in the cramped carriage he retained a hint of gaunt pride.

He sized up Lu Qingshan and said lightly, "Comrade Xiao Lu, does that Shanwan Village you mentioned really have so many rare medicinal herbs?"

Lu Qingshan nodded: "Master Yao, to be frank, Shanwan Village leans against the Changbai Mountain Remnant Range, which locals call Dry Rice Bowl. The old forest there hasn't seen anyone for decades; there are plenty of good stuff! Not to brag, but decades‑old wild mountain ginseng, top‑grade astragalus, and lingzhi—if you have the skill to recognize them, I guarantee you won't waste this trip."

Qian Jin was even more interested in the agricultural‑machine upgrades Lu Qingshan mentioned: "Factory Director Lu, the potato slicer and the de‑hulling machine you spoke of—can I really tinker with them freely? Aren't you afraid I'll ruin them?" His machine‑obsessed eyes glittered.

"Master Qian, as long as it boosts efficiency and cuts loss, modify it however you wish! As for funding, if it's reasonable we'll fully back it! If it fails, that's on me; if it succeeds, you'll be our Shanwan Village's great hero!"

Lu Qingshan was unequivocal.

Li Jianqiang watched these old buddies and Lu Qingshan discuss animatedly, his heart full of countless emotions.

He recounted the trouble in Shanwan Village and the faces and words of Zhao Lao San and Zhao Lao Wu to Yao Bai'nian and Qian Jin in detail.

Yao Bai'nian snorted coldly, "Jump‑beam clowns are nothing to fear. When we get there, I'll see how they spout their nonsense. Traditional Chinese medicine relies on observation, listening, questioning, and pulse‑taking; recognizing people and things—my old eyes haven't gone blind yet."

Qian Jin stroked his chin: "Those back‑stabbing scoundrels are the most hateful. Factory Director Lu, when we return, should I design some little gadget for them to give them a taste of hardship?"

Lu Qingshan heard this and felt a stir in his heart, but shook his head: "Master Qian, I appreciate your goodwill. However, dealing with these people still requires the Yang Plan, making them lose so completely they accept defeat and never recover."

The journey jolted along, and as the train drew nearer to Baishan City, Lu Qingshan's mood grew heavier.

The expert group, Zhao Lao San's slanders, the villagers' wavering…

Each case, each incident, pressed on his heart like a mountain.

He knew this return would be a hard battle.