Come forward to coordinate

“Then what did Secretary Tian say about this?”

“Secretary Tian seems to be calling a meeting; he’s going to discuss a solution tonight,” Sun Yuhou said, sounding unsure.

Since things hadn’t reached an irreversible point, it would be easier to handle.

Zhao Dongchuan chatted idly with Old Man Sun for a bit, then left. Currently, he couldn’t offer much help beyond buying some things for them to ease their difficulties.

It was mainly a policy issue. He couldn’t directly give them money or grain. Although he could afford it, how would he explain where he got so much money? He might even implicate himself, and they might not accept it. Besides, he knew a little about the saying, “A peck of rice creates kindness, a bushel of rice creates enmity.”

So, at this stage, it was best to lay low!

If it weren’t for completing a task before, he wouldn’t have gone to Pengcheng to open aInstances. This was contrary to Zhao Dongchuan’s usual cautious nature. But where were there so many safe and risk-free ways to make money?

Thinking of this, Zhao Dongchuan couldn’t help but worry about Li Huiying. He wondered if she had encountered any trouble or anything had happened in his absence these past few days.

Suppressing these worries, Zhao Dongchuan returned to his cave dwelling.

He resumed his daily routine: continuing to practice questions, write, read, and practice “Wuqinxi” and “Basic Qi Cultivation.”

After this period of persistence, Zhao Dongchuan had begun to feel changes in his body. A faint, almost imperceptible warm current was flowing in his lower abdomen. Although very subtle and not obvious, he could indeed feel it, which filled him with immense joy. Hard work pays off; he finally saw results.

As dusk approached, Zhao Dongchuan was hunched over his desk, scribbling and revising, writing down the plot of “yellow earth” from memory, constantly refining it.

Tian Futang came over, having come to invite Zhao Dongchuan for dinner. As a “scholar” who had left the village, he was still highly regarded in the older generation’s eyes. Being invited to dinner was an honor for them. Moreover, Tian Futang had heard from Runye that his brother, Tian Fujun, thought highly of “Little Zhao.”

Zhao Dongchuan naturally wouldn’t refuse. His original intention was to complete his task through Tian Futang.

.........

Arriving at Tian Futang’s house, the meal was already prepared. Tian Futang’s family was one of the most prosperous in the entire village, so they naturally had white flour steamed buns, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and a plate of mutton stewed with noodles. The aroma was enticing, whetting one’s appetite.

Zhao Dongchuan picked up his wine glass and offered a toast to Tian Futang.

“Thank you, Secretary Tian, for your warm hospitality. I toast you!”

“Little Zhao, you’re too polite. You’re also a young man from our village, our pride. Welcome back often!” Tian Futang said, his face flushed with a smile after drinking a glass of wine. Being toasted by a capable person like Little Zhao gave him a lot of face.

While eating and chatting, the conversation moved from Runsheng’s studies to Runye. Perhaps a little drunk, he actually started criticizing Sun Shaoan in front of Zhao Dongchuan.

“What kind of person is that Sun Shaoan? How dare he have ideas about our Runye? He should take a good look at himself in his own piss. He’s just a dirt farmer,

A toad trying to eat swan meat—what a beautiful dream!!!”

Zhao Dongchuan naturally understood what had happened, but in such matters, positions differ, and views vary, so he found it hard to say anything.

From a father’s perspective, Tian Futang naturally hoped his daughter would marry into a good family and live a life free from worry. But affection is something that doesn’t change according to human will.

Tian Runye and Sun Shaoan grew up together. Although Shaoan later stopped schooling and they separated, Runye’s feelings were already deeply rooted. Moreover, when it comes to relationships, the more a family suppresses a girl, the more likely it is to cause a rebellious mentality.

Zhao Dongchuan just listened and nodded, offering no opinion.

Finally, the conversation naturally turned to the recent drought.

“Alas, it hasn’t rained for so long. The crops on the mountain are starting to wither. What can we do!” Tian Futang said, looking worried.

“Secretary Tian, if the heavens don’t provide rain, there’s still the river water. Pumping water from the Dongla River to irrigate the fields shouldn’t be a big problem,” Zhao Dongchuan said.

“That’s true, but the villages upstream, like Guanzi Village, have dammed up the water, so by the time it reaches us, there’s no water left.

These past few days, everyone has been restless. As the Village Party Secretary, I’ve been getting talked about behind my back by the villagers.”

“Secretary Tian, what are your plans?” Zhao Dongchuan asked.

“I’ve already notified the other village cadres. We’re having a meeting tonight after dinner. We’ll discuss it at a Village Party Branch meeting!”

“This matter is clearly unfair on the part of the upstream villages. Secretary Tian, you can go to Director Bai of the Commune to seek justice,” Zhao Dongchuan said, offering another toast.

“I went to the Commune before. Director Bai was very busy and didn’t have time to see me. I was thinking of digging a hole to secretly release water!

Once it’s done, they can’t do anything!” Tian Futang said, a little tipsy.

“Secretary Tian, you can’t do this. As the saying goes, ‘a thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant’s nest.’ If it goes wrong, the dike could collapse and people could die. Then your position as Secretary…” Zhao Dongchuan said with a strange expression.

Zhao Dongchuan naturally stated the most severe consequences. In the original work, if anyone had understood this, no one would have died.

Tian Futang was startled by these words and sobered up a bit immediately. His proudest possession in life was his “official hat.”

“This… this… no way!” Tian Futang stammered, unable to speak.

“It’s better to believe it than not. You have to consider the worst possible outcome. The safest way to handle this is to ask the Commune to intervene and have the villages along the river share the water. This water is a public resource, not anyone’s private property.

Tomorrow, I can accompany you to see Director Bai and clarify this matter!” Zhao Dongchuan said, looking at the now completely sober Tian Futang.

“Hearing you say that, I felt a chill down my spine. If the dike really collapses, I won’t be able to be Secretary anymore!” Saying this, Tian Futang drank another glass of wine to calm his nerves.

“If you come with me tomorrow, we can definitely get this sorted out. Director Bai thinks highly of you. On behalf of our Shuangshui Village, I thank you for your kindness.” Saying this, he toasted Zhao Dongchuan.

“Secretary Tian, you’re being too polite. I’m also from Shuangshui Village. It’s my duty to contribute to the village!” Zhao Dongchuan said, waving his hand.

They still had a meeting in the evening, so they didn’t drink much. After dinner, Tian Futang rushed off to the Party Branch meeting. He wanted to discuss this matter at the meeting.

After dinner, Zhao Dongchuan also returned to his cave dwelling. After washing up and changing into clean clothes, he started his studies.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, Zhao Dongchuan slowly woke up to the familiar yet strange sound of the loudspeaker broadcast.

Just after breakfast, Tian Futang rushed over. Everyone had discussed it in the meeting last night, and in the end, they decided not to mobilize the entire village to dig a hole, hoping for a negotiated solution.

Some well-informed villagers, hearing the news, had already gathered at the village entrance, discussing and hoping that Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Futang would bring good news.

Amidst the villagers’ eager anticipation, the two, each on a bicycle, rode towards Shigejie Commune.