59: Chapter 59 Propaganda on Enriching the People

On the threshing floor, such conversations rose and fell one after another.

If Li Dakang hadn't already spread the word that he was going to find a path to prosperity for the other villages, the threshold of the Township Government would have been trampled down long ago.

The villagers waited with bated breath, just waiting for today's on-site meeting to reveal the answer.

Half an hour later, Li Dakang brought Director Du Cheng and a group of people from the Township Government to Shixi Village.

Choosing Shixi Village as the location for the on-site meeting was something Li Dakang had considered carefully.

Shixi Village was the largest village in Guantian Township, with a population of over six thousand, accounting for more than one-fifth of the entire township.

More importantly, there were several large, lush grasslands here, which were very suitable for developing the breeding industry.

"Township Head Li, the venue has been set up."

The village party secretary trotted up to greet him, pointing to the temporarily erected rostrum on the threshing floor as he spoke.

Although the stage was simple, it was covered with red cloth and hung with a banner reading "Guantian Township Industrial Development On-site Meeting," which looked exceptionally solemn.

Li Dakang nodded and looked around.

A few simple sunshades had been set up around the threshing floor, and several village officials were busy arranging benches.

In the distance, more and more villagers were swarming toward the venue; there were old people leaning on crutches, women holding children, and groups of young and middle-aged people, with expectation written on everyone's face.

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"

As a burst of hurried gongs and drums sounded, the villagers gathered toward the center of the venue.

Before long, the threshing floor was packed with people, a dark sea of heads, numbering at least several thousand.

In addition to the villagers of Shixi Village, village officials and villager representatives from other villages had also come.

Only the people from Zhengjia Village were absent, because they were busy working enthusiastically at the Bean Products Factory at this moment.

Li Dakang walked briskly onto the rostrum and picked up the somewhat worn but still loud microphone: "Fellow villagers, hello everyone!"

His voice echoed over the threshing floor.

"I gathered everyone here today because I want to talk to you about how to increase income and achieve prosperity!"

The audience immediately fell silent, with thousands of eyes staring straight at the young Township Head on the stage.

"Although our Guantian Township is poor, we also have our advantages!"

Li Dakang pointed to the green hillside in the distance: "Look, how well our ecology is preserved here! There are grasslands everywhere, which are most suitable for developing the breeding industry!"

At this moment, a villager with dark skin and a wrinkled face squeezed to the front of the stage, speaking in a heavy local accent: "Township Head Li, to tell you the truth, I have long wanted to raise a few more pigs, but I just can't scrape together enough money to buy piglets!"

His hands were as rough as tree bark, and he kept rubbing them while speaking, appearing restless and uneasy.

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged man next to him also interjected: "That's right, Township Head Li! I used to raise pigs, but for some reason, those pigs suddenly got sick and all died within a few days!"

He shook his head with lingering fear: "Ever since then, my wife absolutely refuses to let me raise pigs again, saying we can't afford to lose that money!"

The villagers below nodded in agreement, clearly having encountered similar predicaments.

Li Dakang listened patiently, a look of understanding on his face.

"Fellow villagers, I think many of you have experienced the difficulties that these two fellow villagers just mentioned."

Li Dakang's voice was gentle yet firm: "To put it plainly, it's two problems: capital and technology."

At this point, he paused deliberately, looking around at the weather-beaten faces below the stage.

The threshing floor was silent, and even the children stopped playing.

"Today, I have brought some good news!"

Li Dakang suddenly raised his voice, his voice exploding over the threshing floor: "The Township Government has decided to cooperate with the Township Credit Union to provide guaranteed loans for villagers willing to engage in breeding! We want to ensure everyone has money to buy livestock and funds to expand their scale!"

This bombshell of news was like a bomb, instantly igniting the entire venue.

The villagers whispered to each other, discussing animatedly, their faces filled with surprise and disbelief.

"In addition!"

Li Dakang waited for the discussion to subside slightly and continued: "We will also send technicians from the Township Agricultural and Livestock Station to train everyone, teaching you scientific breeding, disease prevention, and epidemic control, so that everyone can raise livestock with peace of mind!"

Enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the audience.

Seeing Zhengjia Village getting rich because of the Bean Products Factory, who wouldn't be envious?

Now it was finally their turn!

Even if they only raised one or two pigs, selling them at the end of the year would make their families much better off.

"Next, I invite Director Du Cheng of the Township Credit Union to explain the loan details to everyone in detail."

Li Dakang handed the microphone to Director Du Cheng, who was standing to the side.

Director Du Cheng took the microphone, cleared his throat, and then pulled a stack of prepared materials from his pocket: "Fellow villagers, our Credit Cooperative fully supports everyone in developing the breeding industry! Loan interest will be calculated at the lowest standard, and the maximum repayment period can be up to three years..."

After Director Du Cheng finished speaking, Li Dakang had further conversations with a group of village officials and villager representatives to understand the needs of each village in detail.

It wasn't until near noon that the meeting was announced to be over.

But after the on-site meeting ended, the villagers did not disperse immediately; instead, they swarmed forward, surrounding Li Dakang and Director Du Cheng.