Chapter 288: Qin Huairu, the Great Swindler

Being poor, having no power or influence, one can still be respected; the way to achieve that is to work for the benefit of the masses.

In this era, people who are willing to sacrifice are still highly respected, like Lei Feng.

But just a few decades later, such sacrifice became synonymous with stupidity.

They obviously contributed wholeheartedly, benefiting you, asked for nothing in return, and you didn't have to give anything either, yet you not only gave them no respect, but also slandered and mocked them behind their backs as foolish.

Those who think themselves clever have caused the result that fewer and fewer people are willing to speak up for the lower classes.

It's like you fell into the water, someone saved you, and then they damn well say the rescuer tore your clothes and demand compensation.

Others are kind-hearted and of noble character, but they are not stupid.

Kindness and morality are what the lower classes need, because when everyone follows this rule, everyone can live relatively happily.

A society without kindness and moral constraints will see its lower strata devolve into a Shura field.

As for the upper class, they actually don't need these much, because others have ample material security, so their survival is never hindered regardless.

What the privileged upper class truly fears is the unity of the lower class.

A united lower-class society will make them hesitant and restrained, preventing recklessness; only such a society can be relatively peaceful and enter a virtuous cycle.

Violence cannot solve problems; compromise is society's consensus.

However, unity itself is the greatest violence, and the result of violence is compromise.

I've said too much.

The affirmation and respect from the villagers and village committee of Qinjiacun gave Qin Huairu immense self-esteem and satisfaction.

This affirmation and support also made her more proactive in handling affairs.

She clearly understood Yang Qing's abilities; the green reserve was certainly not his only means, and he definitely had many more cards up his sleeve.

So while Yang Qing was busy teaching the villagers how to use various equipment, Qin Huairu and Qin Delu crouched on the field ridges, watching from afar, and began to scheme against Yang Qing.

"Uncle, you must find a way to keep Yang Qing; you have no idea how formidable he is."

"Let me tell you this: the rack-grown vegetables in Jingcheng were his creation, the long-term rentals were also his doing, and moreover…"

Qin Huairu spoke at length, recounting every detail of Yang Qing's deeds, big and small.

Qin Delu was so absorbed that his pipe fell to the ground without him noticing.

Hiss……

"Such a talented person—why wouldn't we scramble to have him?"

"How did he end up at the Agricultural Machinery Factory?"

Qin Huairu didn't understand the reason, but she had her own interpretation.

"Uncle, can building houses and manufacturing machinery be the same?"

"If it were you, would you go be a bricklayer or a worker?"

Qin Delu answered without hesitation.

"Of course, a worker."

Qin Huairu clapped her hands.

"Exactly, that's why he went to the Agricultural Machinery Factory."

"Before, the Agricultural Machinery Factory was almost done for, but once he arrived, he opened up the situation."

"Based on his past record, the future will likely only get better."

"Uncle, the Agricultural Machinery Factory has just begun to take off; this is exactly our chance to hop on board."

"If our village can hook up with the Agricultural Machinery Factory, how could our future not be promising?"

Qin Delu's head felt a bit unable to turn.

"What do you mean? Haven't we already signed a contract with him?"

Qin Huairu replied angrily.

"What kind of cooperation is this? They let us use their stuff for free for a month—that's us benefiting from them, not them benefiting from us."

"Just relying on this little bit of sentimental ties, what gives them the right to have good fortune and think of us?"

Qin Delu stood up, pondering Qin Huairu's words.

"What should we do?"

"We don't have anything particularly valuable to offer."

"We need money, but we don't have any."

Qin Huairu shouted inwardly, "Me, this old lady's flesh is still decent, but the village needs to protect me."

But such things can't be spoken outright; they can only be achieved subtly, through implicit understanding.

"Uncle, if you have the determination to undertake a big project, I'll help you negotiate with Yang Qing."

"The greater the cost we bear this time, the more benefits we will reap in the future."

"Ideally, we would put the whole village on the line, so that we would be tied to Yang Qing's war chariot."

"Then we wouldn't have to fear him refusing to help us."

Qin Delu shook his head repeatedly.

"That's impossible; using the whole village as a gamble—even if I agreed, several brigade leaders wouldn't, and even if others did, there's still the party secretary and the People's Commune."

Afterward, he looked at Qin Huairu suspiciously, trying to read something from her expression.

"Huairu girl, you're not trying to shake down your uncle, are you?"

Although Qin Huairu's acting skills haven't yet reached the peak of perfection, she has made some modest progress.

Being a widow these past years has been the most tempering experience.

She was fuming, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"Uncle, how could you think of me this way?"

I don't just want to make things a bit easier for the family.

Let the villagers have a bit easier life.

Otherwise, I've missed so many days of work—how can my money hold out?

At first, Yang Qing didn't choose Qinjiacun—he wanted to pick a village near Jingcheng.

It's only because I begged them shamelessly that they gave us this chance.

Uncle, think about it: with the green silage feed technology, is it better to develop livestock near Jingcheng, or to come all this way to our Qinjiacun just to stir up trouble?

Uncle, it looks like this enormous fortune—our village can't handle it.

Forget it—I'm not doing this thankless, hard work anymore.

Saying this, Qin Huairu got up and was about to leave.

At this, Qin De Lu became anxious.

Huairu, don't be angry—Uncle's just got a sharp mouth.

I remember everything you've done for our village—rest assured, we'll look after your parents and that place; you don't need to worry.

It's just that this matter is too big for me to decide alone.

Let's discuss it tonight, and I'll give you a definite answer tomorrow morning.

Qin Huairu turned and left.

Originally, Factory Director Yang was supposed to leave today.

He can't leave today—he'll definitely leave early tomorrow.

Once they reach an agreement with the People's Commune, what will be left for our Qinjiacun?

Ah, looks like I spoke out of turn.

Watching Qin Huairu walk away, Qin De Lu's heart remained unsettled for a long time.

Is this an opportunity? Is this an opportunity?

He asked himself over and over.

They're a bunch of old farmers with no experience, but he understands one principle: following someone capable is definitely a hundred times better than blindly fumbling on his own.

Especially they, a group of farmers, truly have no prospects—drought or flood, it can cost lives.

Even when the harvest is good, it's just barely enough to fill the stomach.

It's not just like this now—it will be like this in the future; the future of their descendants can be seen at a glance.

Compared to before the founding of the country, things are indeed much better now—I shouldn't be unsatisfied.

But the opportunity is right before our eyes—not seizing it is really unwilling.

Not talking about other grand plans, just the green silage feed and livestock raising—if we could get Yang Qing's strong support.

Then their village would be much better than other villages in the People's Commune.

These are not only practical benefits, but also political achievements.

Qin De Lu stamped his foot, picked up his pipe, and headed toward the village.