Chapter 131: Three Major Companies Compete for Contracts, Shanwan Village Booms!

The moment Lu Qingshan reached out to pull up Zhao Lao San, the entire display platform fell silent. In Zhao Lao San's murky eyes a tear glimmered, and he trembled as he grasped the hand Lu Qingshan offered.

Lu Qingshan felt a tangled mix of emotions.

In his previous life he could never have such magnanimity, yet each day after his rebirth reminds him that hatred only leads to decay, while tolerance yields true power. Looking at this former enemy before him, he thinks not of revenge but of how to truly unite Shanwan Village.

"Brother Qingshan, I… I truly know I was wrong," Zhao Lao San's voice choked.

"The past is past," Lu Qingshan's voice was calm and strong, yet his mind told himself: this is not merely forgiveness, but for Shanwan Village's future. "Shanwan Village's development requires every person's strength."

Sun, the team leader of the Expert Group, pushed up his glasses, his eyes full of praise: "This is the kind of rural leader we need! Forgetting past grudges, uniting the villagers—only such cadres can truly lead the folk out of poverty into prosperity!"

Zhang Xincheng nodded silently, his assessment of Lu Qingshan rising another point. The young man not only possessed skill and vision, but also, rare among them, a magnanimous heart.

The villagers were deeply moved by the scene. Lu Qingshan's generosity reminded them of ancient benevolent rulers, forgiving even foes; such magnanimity reinforced their belief that following Lu Qingshan was the right path.

"Good! Well done!" scattered cheers rose from the crowd.

Just as the atmosphere began to ease, Wang Dahai, the purchasing manager of the Changchun First Food Factory, suddenly stepped before Lu Qingshan, his face frighteningly stern.

"Factory Director Lu, I just tasted your jerky sample," Wang Dahai paused, "There is a matter that must be clarified in person."

The words instantly tightened the atmosphere. The villagers, who had just been immersed in harmony, felt their hearts rise to their throats.

Although Lu Qingshan felt uneasy inside, his exterior remained composed: "Manager Wang, feel free to raise any issue; we will take it seriously."

Wang Dahai did not answer immediately; instead he deliberately walked to the display platform, and under everyone's gaze lifted a piece of Wild Boar Jerky. The venue was so quiet that even a needle dropping to the floor could be heard.

Crunch!

The crisp sound rang loudly in the still air. Wang Dahai snapped the jerky open, the cut surface fully exposed to all.

What perfect grain! The meat was firm yet not tough, fibers clearly visible yet never stringy, fat evenly distributed, shimmering with an alluring amber sheen in the sunlight.

Wang Dahai stared at the jerky for a full ten seconds, then…

"My heavens!" he exclaimed, voice trembling with excitement, "This quality meets export standards! I've worked twenty years in food processing and have never seen such craftsmanship! It's practically a work of art!"

The scene instantly shifted from dead silence to a boil. The villagers froze for a few seconds, then erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Factory Director Lu, such a product cannot be buried in the mountains!" Wang Dahai, thrilled, grasped Lu Qingshan's hand, "I, representing the Changchun First Food Factory, formally submit a cooperation request to Shanwan Village. We are willing to sign a procurement contract worth five hundred thousand annually, with a ten‑thousand yuan down payment!"

Five hundred thousand!

To know that a regular worker now earns only three to four hundred yuan a year, five hundred thousand equals the annual income of over a thousand workers!

The villagers stared wide‑eyed, some so excited they nearly fainted. To them, the figure was astronomical.

But that's not all.

Li Wenhua, the general manager of the Shenyang Medicinal Materials Company, could no longer sit still. He hurried to Yao Bai'nian, picked up a freshly processed astragalus root, and gently inhaled it near his nose.

"This scent… this technique…"

Li Wenhua's expression shifted from puzzlement to shock, finally to frenzy, "Sir, I've only seen this processing method from my master! Who did you study under? This is an almost lost ancient technique!"

Yao Bai'nian smiled calmly, "It's just some ancestral craft, not worth mentioning."

"Not worth mentioning?"

Li Wenhua nearly leapt, his excitement making him dance with his hands.

"Sir, do you know what this means? Herbs processed with this technique are at least thirty percent more potent than those made by ordinary methods! Our company is willing to purchase your processed herbs at twice the market price for the long term!"

Double price!

The venue boiled again.

So those herbs found everywhere in the mountains, after Master Yao's hands, turned out to be so valuable!

The vice president of the Dalian Trading Company also grew urgent, immediately stating willingness to exclusively purchase all of Shanwan Village's mountain goods, at a price fifty percent above market.

Three companies, three major contracts, the atmosphere was beyond description.

The Expert Group convened urgently for a few minutes, and Team Leader Sun announced with a trembling voice: "By unanimous decision of the Expert Group, Shanwan Village's support level is raised! Interest‑free loans increase from eight hundred thousand to one million, and we promise comprehensive policy tilt for three years!"

One million!

The figure drove the villagers completely wild.

Some cried with excitement, others rolled on the ground in joy; the whole Shanwan Village seemed to become an ocean of merriment.

Just as everyone basked in the joy of success, a burst of car horns sounded from the village entrance.

Beep—

A brand‑new black Santana slowly rolled into the village. In a 1981 countryside, it was as shocking as an alien landing; only someone extraordinary could drive a Santana.

The door opened, and a man in his fifties stepped down, dressed in a crisp Zhongshan suit, bearing an extraordinary aura—clearly a senior leader who had long held high office.

Zhang Xincheng, upon seeing the man, instantly grew serious, hurriedly jogging to greet: "Deputy Director Li, why did you come in person?"

Deputy Director Li?

The clamor fell silent. The Provincial Department of Agriculture's deputy director had arrived in person at Shanwan Village—what did this mean?

Li Guoqiang surveyed the scene, his gaze finally resting on Lu Qingshan, a slight smile curling his mouth: "You are Comrade Lu Qingshan, right? I've long admired your reputation."

Lu Qingshan hurried forward, yet a foreboding rose in his heart: "Director Li, you are too courteous."

"Not at all, not at all," Li Guoqiang's eyes flashed with a hint of depth, his voice low, "Shanwan Village's reputation has now reached the province, even higher places. I came specially today to see, and indeed the fame is well‑deserved."

Higher places? Lu Qingshan felt a knot tighten in his heart.

After a brief tour, Li Guoqiang privately sought out Lu Qingshan alone.

The two walked to a relatively secluded corner.

"Comrade Qingshan," Li Guoqiang's voice grew unusually solemn, his gaze bearing a depth Lu Qingshan could not fathom, "The province—no, higher authorities—have an extremely important mission for you. This task concerns the agricultural development strategy of the entire Northeast region."

He paused, his eyes blazing: "Are you… mentally prepared?"

Lu Qingshan felt an unprecedented pressure bearing down. He knew the real challenge was just beginning…