Chapter 126: Pulling the Firewood from Under the Pot

Lu Qingshan watched the fields and mountains rushing past outside the window, his mind rapidly calculating countermeasures.

Lin Yue'e said on the phone that the Expert Group had specifically requested to see him and to hear his personal report.

This is a crisis, but isn't it also a chance for direct dialogue and a world‑turning opportunity?

How can we, in the shortest time, dispel the Expert Group's doubts, expose Zhao Lao San's lie, and at the same time turn this crisis into a development opportunity for Shanwan Village?

His Mountain Wild Heart sensed his anxiety, a nameless throb flowing through his heart, calming his chaotic thoughts, and some overlooked details began to clear.

Suddenly, an idea exploded in Lu Qingshan's mind!

He snapped upright, his tightly knit brows suddenly relaxed, his eyes instantly brightened, and his face showed an uncontrollable excitement and resolve.

"Master Li, Master Yao, Master Qian, Brother Wang!"

Lu Qingshan's voice trembled with uncontainable excitement.

"I've thought of a method! One that might let us reverse the slump in one stroke, even make those experts take a fresh look at us!"

Li Jianqiang and the others, seeing his sudden change of expression, looked over curiously.

"What method?"

Li Jianqiang asked, and seeing the familiar, seemingly all‑consuming flame in Lu Qingshan's eyes, his heart also rose with expectation.

Lu Qingshan organized his thoughts, a challenging smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Since the Expert Group is coming to inspect and hear a report, let's give them something real! Aren't they doubting Shanwan Village's technical strength? Aren't they accusing us of just drawing big pies?"

"Then let these real heavyweights from the provincial capital—our Chief Engineer Li, Old Chinese Medicine Doctor Yao, Great Inventor Qian—personally give them a lesson!"

"Let them see what true technology looks like, what gives Shanwan Village the confidence to stand up!"

He grew more excited as he spoke, as if he already saw the Expert Group's stunned faces and Zhao Lao San and the others looking ashen.

"We won't argue with them empty words; we'll speak with facts! Speak with technology!"

"Let them see with their own eyes the kind of genius we've brought to Shanwan Village! By then, those slanders and rumors will collapse on their own, won't they?!"

Qian Jin, rubbing his chin nearby, suddenly interjected: "Wait, Director Lu, you mean we old guys should perform live in front of the Expert Group? My invention blueprints are all in Changchun; with no proof, why would they trust me?"

"Exactly," Wang Ming muttered, "the few of us just ran out of Changchun, we only have a few change‑of‑clothes, nothing else. What can we use to prove our identity and technology?"

Yao Bai'nian sneered: "Old Wang, you're speaking like an outsider. I've practiced medicine for decades, seen countless tricky cases. If anyone in the Expert Group feels unwell, I'll pulse them on the spot and prescribe a formula—more effective than any certificate."

He brushed the ash off his collar, "Besides, my eyes can identify medicinal herbs at a glance, spot‑on, far better than those academy types who only talk theory."

Li Jianqiang nodded: "My Food Preservation Technology, its theoretical basis and process, I can recite backward. Moreover, the Expert Group surely has knowledgeable members; real gold isn't afraid of fire." He thought a moment and added, "The few of us aren't unknown in our former units; someone has heard of us."

Qian Jin patted his tool bag: "The gadgets I have here, I can take anything apart and reassemble, and it'll open their eyes."

He chuckled, "What I fear least is a live‑handed technical showdown."

Lu Qingshan, seeing the others seriously consider the plan, felt even more excitement.

"Masters, our greatest advantage now is the element of surprise! Zhao Lao San and his crew slandered me for fleeing with money, calling our village a hollow shell, a big‑pie. Yet I've returned, bringing several genuine tech heavyweights! This contrast will give them a good drink!"

He stood and paced two steps down the narrow carriage aisle.

"Since the Expert Group is here to inspect a 'Rural Reform Pilot Advanced Model', what they care about most is whether we have real skill and sustainable development capability! If the few of us stand there, that's the best proof!"

Li Jianqiang, fired up by Lu Qingshan's words, slapped his thigh: "Good kid! What's this move called? Invite the lord into the jar? No, it's summoning a deity to descend and suppress little devils! Interesting, interesting!"

Yao Bai'nian stroked his beard, admiration flashing in his eyes: "Using his own spear against his own shield. Comrade Xiao Lu, your mind—it's a waste not to be a strategist."

Qian Jin, even more excited, rubbed his hands: "Let them see our real skill! My new bearing design will exactly open their eyes!"

Wang Ming, infected by the old men's enthusiasm, let his earlier worries and discontent melt away, muttering: "Alright, I'll go crazy with you, let them know we're not herbivores!"

Lu Qingshan, seeing the masters all roused, felt a quiet pride.

He added, "One more thing: this time we not only prove ourselves, we also show the Expert Group Shanwan Village's potential. Master Li's preservation technology, Master Yao's herbal formula, Master Qian's mechanical improvements—these are concrete projects that can drive the local economy. Isn't that exactly what the Expert Group wants?"

"Moreover," Lu Qingshan's eyes twinkled slyly, "we can even do a live technical docking here. Let the Expert Group see that Shanwan Village isn't closed‑door tinkering but actually importing advanced tech to push rural modernization. Isn't that the model case they seek?"

Li Jianqiang, hearing this, burst into laughter: "Xiao Lu, you're turning those Expert Group members from skeptics into our promoters! High—truly high!"

Yao Bai'nian stroked his beard and smiled: "That's using leverage against leverage. Let the Expert Group witness our tech firsthand, and when they report back, they'll naturally speak well of us."

The atmosphere in the carriage instantly heated up.

The gloom that had hung over everyone's hearts seemed largely dispelled by Lu Qingshan's bold and clever plan.

Lu Qingshan watched the outline of Baishan City drawing nearer outside the window, his clenched fist brimming with strength.

Zhao Lao San, Zhao Lao Wu, you wait!

This time, I'll not only see you disgraced, but also make you watch Shanwan Village rise from your slanders, reborn in flames, soaring skyward!

And those so‑called Expert Group should witness what folk wisdom and strength truly are!

Shanwan Village's future will never be doomed by a few petty slanders!

The train let out a long whistle and slowly rolled into Baishan City railway station.

A war without gunpowder is about to officially begin in that little mountain village called Shanwan.

Lu Qingshan's heart brimmed with unprecedented fighting spirit and anticipation. He knew this battle allowed only victory, no defeat!