Chapter 179

Cao Weiguo's eyes lit up the moment he saw the mushroom, which looked like a monkey's head and was covered in fungal spines.

Monkey head mushroom, also known as Hericium erinaceus, is a traditional, precious delicacy.

The meat is tender and fragrant, delicious and tasty, rich in nutrition, and superior in color, aroma, and taste.

Since ancient times, it has been said that "mountain treasure is monkey head, sea delicacy is bird's nest," and it is ranked alongside bear paw, sea cucumber, and shark fin as one of the four great delicacies.

The woman said nervously, "I picked this in the mountains yesterday; it's still fresh."

Cao Weiguo said, "This is a monkey head mushroom; it's a good thing, but the quantity is too small for the factory to buy. If you're willing to trade, I'll pay five mao for it personally."

"Five mao!"

The woman said in surprise, "I'm willing, I'm willing, here you go."

Cao Weiguo took out five mao and handed it to the woman, "Auntie, if you happen to find more of these mushrooms in the future, you can save them for me; I'll take as many as you have."

The woman said happily, "Okay, I'll definitely save them for you."

Trading a strange mushroom for five mao was an eye-opener for the villagers.

They crowded around to look at the monkey head mushroom, wondering if they should look for more in the mountains later.

Five mao! That could buy five jin of cornmeal, or enough salt for several months.

If they could find a few more, they'd have their salt money for the whole year.

The woman took the money home and grabbed her husband, who was preparing to go work in the fields.

"Guess how much that mushroom sold for?"

The man curled his lip and said, "Would people actually want that thing?"

"Why wouldn't they? Director Cao said it's called a monkey head mushroom, a good thing, and he gave me five mao for it."

The woman proudly took out the five mao and shook it.

The man stared at the money, stunned, and asked in surprise, "Really? That one mushroom is worth five mao?"

"The money is right here, could it be fake?"

The woman said with a face full of joy, "When the farm work slows down, let's go into the mountains and find more; maybe we can earn eight or ten yuan, and then we can make new clothes for the children for the New Year."

"I know."

The man thought to himself that this was an unexpected windfall; there should be plenty of those mushroom heads in the mountains.

If they spent some time, they would surely find a few to add to the family's income.

The couple happily took their farm tools to work in the fields.

Little did they know that news had spread quickly through the village, and everyone was thinking about going into the mountains to look for monkey head mushrooms.

"Really?"

"That mushroom is so valuable!"

"I've seen them in the mountains!"

"One is five mao! Ten would be five yuan! If I find twenty, I'll have the bride price for Xiao Hua!"

"Let's go to the mountains together when we have time!"

"There's more than just mushrooms in the mountains; I heard Er Niu traded a wild pheasant for one yuan and five!"

The men, women, and children of the village looked at the mountains as if they were looking at a treasure trove.

At the brigade, Cao Weiguo was busy settling accounts and paying money, appearing like a God of Wealth in the eyes of the villagers.

His father-in-law, Song Dashan, was surrounded by fellow villagers, full of envious words.

His brother-in-law, Song Ying, ran up to Cao Weiguo, "Brother-in-law, the stone mill has been delivered to the village entrance; I have Huzi watching it."

Cao Weiguo said, "Sorry to trouble you, brother."

Song Ying smiled, "Why be so polite between family?"

Cao Weiguo handed his bag to Li Jun, "You stay busy here, I'm going out for a moment."

Li Jun said, "Alright, Director Cao, don't worry, I'll definitely handle things carefully."

Cao Weiguo rode his bicycle to the village entrance, where Song Hu was sitting on a stone mill, lost in thought.

"Brother Huzi!"

Song Hu smiled, "Brother-in-law, why did you come over? I'm watching it."

Cao Weiguo took out a cigarette and handed it to Song Hu, "Thanks, Brother Huzi, you go back first; I have other things to discuss with the person who hauled the goods."

Song Hu said, "Alright then, I'll head back."

Cao Weiguo watched Song Hu leave.

Ten minutes later, confirming no one was around,

Cao Weiguo put the three stone mills into his farm.

Afterwards, he rode his bicycle slowly back to the brigade.

By then, the villagers in the courtyard had dispersed, and dozens of bulging burlap sacks were piled on the ground.

"Director Cao, the items have been counted, and the money has been paid in full."

Li Jun handed the items to Cao Weiguo, "This is the inventory list and the receipt."

Cao Weiguo said, "Thank you for your hard work, Officer Li."

Li Jun smiled, "Serving the people, it's not hard work at all."

The village chief walked over enthusiastically, "Director Cao, Officer Li, it's almost mealtime, let's eat together."

Cao Weiguo took two yuan out of his pocket and handed it to the village chief:

"Eating is fine, but you must accept this meal money; otherwise, we'll turn around and leave right now."

The village chief smiled, "I'll accept the meal money; let's wash our hands and get ready to eat."

When they arrived at the main room of the brigade, the table was already filled with food.

Three meat dishes, three vegetable dishes, and white flour steamed buns!

This made Officer Li swallow hard.

Cao Weiguo's expression changed, "Uncle Dajiang, this meal is too sumptuous."

The village chief hurriedly grabbed Cao Weiguo, who was about to turn and leave, and the cadres also stepped forward one after another.

"Director Cao, don't misunderstand!"

"It's just some home-cooked food; we would never let you make a mistake!"

"Director Cao, Officer Li, you've both worked hard; eating a simple home-cooked meal is no big deal."

Officer Li looked at Cao Weiguo nervously, at a loss for what to do.

He had been working in procurement for several years, and eating and drinking were commonplace.

Leaders eating and drinking lavishly, with meals much more sumptuous than this, was something he was used to.

But he hadn't expected Cao Weiguo to be so rigorous.

He wouldn't even accept three meat and three vegetable dishes.

Cao Weiguo said sternly, "I appreciate the kindness of Uncle Dajiang and the fellow villagers, but I absolutely will not eat this meal today."

"We are currently on duty; if I were to eat such a sumptuous meal, that would be making a mistake. So, I ask for the fellow villagers' understanding."

The village chief and several cadres were instantly speechless, not knowing what to say.

The village chief held the two yuan and said, "Director Cao, these are all home-cooked dishes; the meal money you gave is enough. You paid the money, and we provide the food; this is reasonable and fair."

A cadre said, "Director Cao, this is our heart; the food is already cooked, please eat a few bites, otherwise it will all go to waste."

Cao Weiguo took two yuan out of his pocket and handed it to the village chief

: "Accept the meal money, and we will eat; if you don't accept it, we are leaving."

The village chief said in a dilemma, "Director Cao, this, this is too much."

Cao Weiguo said, "I know this is the kindness of the fellow villagers, but work discipline is work discipline. If you don't accept it, I absolutely will not eat a single bite."

After the meal, Cao Weiguo and Officer Li left on their bicycles.

Song Dajiang looked at a village cadre with a livid face:

"I told you not to engage in these crooked ways, but you wouldn't listen. Are you happy now? The whole village has lost face along with you."

The cadre said with a bitter face, "Isn't that what everyone else does? Who would have thought Director Cao would be different from them."

The accountant said, "Forget it, let this be a lesson; don't do this again in the future, it's embarrassing."

A cadre said, "Sigh, no wonder he became a director at such a young age; his work style is truly upright." ===== CHAPTER 181 =====