Chapter 97: Winter Vegetable Planting Team, Mayor Wei

Inside the county government’s cafeteria, Liu Dazhu sat in front of two high-ranking officials, his legs trembling slightly.

No one had told him that the mayor would be here too!

Secretary Wang looked at the large basket of mushrooms on the ground with great curiosity. “In the middle of winter, how were these mushrooms grown?”

Liu Dazhu smiled and said, “They were grown using corncob cores.”

Secretary Wang exclaimed in surprise, “Using corncob cores? How did you grow them?”

Liu Dazhu briefly explained the process that Ming Dai had used to cultivate the mushrooms. In the end, he scratched his head and smiled honestly. “This method was thought up by the new educated youth in our village. These vegetables and mushrooms were also grown by her.”

Mayor Wei, showing great interest, asked, “How did she come up with the idea of growing vegetables in winter?”

Liu Dazhu touched the tobacco pipe tucked at his waist and explained, “First, they had just arrived in the countryside and came late, so they didn’t get a private plot of land. They didn’t have many vegetables to eat for the whole winter. Second, Ming Zhiqing wanted to help our village find a way to earn money so we could pay off our village’s debts sooner.”

After listening, Secretary Wang developed a favorable impression of this Ming Zhiqing. “This is a good comrade! This is the kind of educated youth who truly comes to the countryside to help our fellow farmers!”

Mayor Wei nodded. “That’s right. Did this Ming Zhiqing come with you today?”

Liu Dazhu quickly nodded. “Yes, yes! She’s just outside.”

Mayor Wei glanced at Secretary Wang. “Then, Secretary Wang, let’s invite this young comrade in as well.”

Secretary Wang nodded, and someone immediately ran outside.

Before long, the back door opened, and Chef Zhou led a young man wearing glasses to the side of the carriage.

The young man glanced at the group and immediately asked, “Which one of you is Ming Zhiqing?”

Upon hearing this, Ming Dai got off the carriage. “Comrade, hello. I am. May I ask what this is about?”

The young man was surprised to see that Xiao Ming was just a young girl who appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen years old. He opened his mouth in astonishment. “You’re Ming Zhiqing?”

Ming Dai nodded helplessly. “Yes, I am.”

The young man quickly regained his professional demeanor. “Ahem, hello, Ming Zhiqing. I’m Cheng Xu, the secretary of the county party secretary. The mayor and the secretary have a few questions for you. Please come with me.”

Ming Dai hadn’t expected the mayor to be present and was momentarily surprised. Then, she nodded and turned to discuss with Zhou Sinian. “Zhou Sinian, I’ll go inside for a bit. Can you wait for me here?”

As soon as Zhou Sinian heard that Ming Dai was leaving, he immediately stopped what he was doing, stuffed the ball of yarn into his basket, slung it onto his back, and got off the carriage to stand beside her, looking down at her.

His actions made it clear: No, he was going with her.

Ming Dai had no choice but to continue persuading him, promising him all sorts of delicious food. But Zhou Sinian remained unmoved and even clung to the basket on her back.

Cheng Xu watched their interaction. His first impression was that this man was really tall. His second thought was that his headscarf was incredibly red.

A grown man wearing a bright red headscarf, combined with Ming Dai’s attitude toward him…

Cheng Xu quickly understood—this person was probably not right in the head.

Seeing that several more minutes had passed, he suggested, “How about letting this comrade come along and wait at the door?”

Since Zhou Sinian was stubbornly refusing to listen, Ming Dai had no choice but to nod. Under Liu Guoqiang’s envious gaze, she followed Cheng Xu through the back entrance.

They walked through the compound quickly and soon reached the cafeteria entrance.

Cheng Xu went in first to report the situation, while Ming Dai stayed outside to negotiate with Zhou Sinian.

“Look, I’m just going right there. You’ll be able to see me, and I’ll come out soon,” she reassured him.

As she was still trying to reason with him, Cheng Xu had already finished explaining to Secretary Wang inside.

Secretary Wang nodded. “That’s fine, we can wait a moment. This comrade’s situation is special—we understand.”

Mayor Wei, who had been listening to the conversation at the door, followed Secretary Wang’s gaze and looked outside.

At that moment, his body stiffened.

Sinian?!

Although Zhou Sinian was currently wearing a red headscarf, a military-green coat, and looking down stubbornly at the little educated youth below him—his appearance quite unlike that of a normal person—

Mayor Wei still recognized him. It was Zhou Sinian!

How had he ended up like this?!

Mayor Wei steadied his emotions and spoke with a smile, “It’s fine, just let Ming Zhiqing bring him in.”

Secretary Wang nodded, and Cheng Xu ran to the entrance to let them both inside.

Ming Dai thought for a moment, then took out a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and stuffed it into Zhou Sinian’s mouth. “Don’t hit anyone later, okay? Once we finish talking, we’ll leave!”

She wasn’t joking. If he hit a government leader, not only would they fail to get their business done, but they might even end up with free meals behind bars.

As long as he could follow Ming Dai, Zhou Sinian was happy. Now that he even had candy to eat, he was even more content. He obediently nodded, sucking on the candy as he followed her inside.

Inside the cafeteria, Mayor Wei was stunned by how obedient Zhou Sinian was.

Had he recovered or not?

Secretary Wang, unaware of Mayor Wei’s thoughts, looked at Ming Dai and smiled. “So you really are a little educated youth. Comrade, are you already fifteen?”

Ming Dai smiled shyly. “I’ll turn fifteen after the New Year. In nominal age, I’m sixteen. I’ve already graduated from high school.”

Secretary Wang nodded. Although the official policy required educated youths to be sixteen to go to the countryside, some families bent the rules, sending their less-favored children in place of their cherished ones. The educated youth office, eager to meet quotas, often turned a blind eye. This young girl was probably in that situation.

Still, graduating high school at fourteen was quite rare. No wonder she had come up with the idea of growing vegetables in winter—she had a sharp mind.

“Come, come, Ming Zhiqing and this lady—uh, gentleman—please have a seat.”

Ming Dai pulled Zhou Sinian to sit next to Captain Liu and Secretary Liu.

Meanwhile, Mayor Wei discreetly observed Zhou Sinian’s movements. He watched as Zhou Sinian obediently sat down and curiously studied the people across from him.

When Zhou Sinian’s gaze passed over him, there was only curiosity and unfamiliarity—no trace of recognition.

Mayor Wei felt a pang of disappointment. It seemed he still hadn’t recovered.

Secretary Wang then began asking Ming Dai about the details of growing vegetables in winter.

Ming Dai started from the beginning, explaining the entire process of how she cultivated vegetables and mushrooms.

Zhou Sinian listened for a while but quickly lost interest. He pulled out the ball of yarn and knitting needles from his basket.

Glancing at Ming Dai, who was speaking seriously on his left, and then at Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin, who sat stiffly on his right, he reached out and stuffed a ball of yarn into each of their hands before continuing his knitting.

Mayor Wei, who had been secretly observing him, was once again shocked—especially when he noticed that Zhou Sinian was actually quite skilled at knitting. It was so surreal that he could barely process what he was seeing!

Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin held the yarn in their hands, silently regretting their decisions.

They shouldn’t have brought a madman here!

Knitting a sweater in front of the leaders—what if the leaders thought they were just as crazy as he was?

Their political futures were at risk!

Meanwhile, Ming Dai continued her speech, completely focused on the matter at hand.

“Leaders, after coming to the countryside, I was deeply moved by the simple and kind-hearted people of Liujiawan. I made up my mind to take root in the countryside, to wholeheartedly accept re-education from the lower and middle-class peasants, and to work with the villagers to build a better Liujiawan.

Because I truly want to stay long-term, I can’t bear to see our captain and secretary turning gray with worry over the village’s debts. I also can’t stand seeing the villagers work all year round yet still earn so little, struggling to afford a decent dowry or betrothal gift when they marry off their children.

So I thought—if our village could form a collective vegetable farming team during the winter, when labor is idle, we could supply vegetables to the county and even the city.

This way, not only could we pay off the village’s debts, but the villagers would also earn some extra income to improve their lives. The commune wouldn’t have to subsidize us every year.

At the same time, we could reallocate idle winter labor, preventing them from gathering to gamble or cause trouble, which would reduce issues for the commune.”

This speech struck a chord with Secretary Wang. He slammed his hand on the table.

“Good! Very good! Comrade, your ideological awareness is very high! You are truly a good proletarian comrade!”

Ming Dai touched her face, a bit embarrassed. “It’s only because the captain, the secretary, and the villagers of Liujiawan have been kind to me that I wanted to do something small to repay them.”

Mayor Wei gave her a deep, thoughtful look. “Comrade, the suggestion you’ve made is no small matter. If this plan succeeds, it will solve a major problem for Secretary Wang.”

Secretary Wang, now beaming, looked at Ming Dai with growing appreciation.

A political achievement delivered straight to his doorstep—how could he possibly refuse?

Ming Dai understood immediately—forming a winter vegetable farming team in their village was a done deal!

Acting with the boldness of a fearless young newcomer, she imitated Zhou Sinian’s straightforward approach, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at Mayor Wei and Secretary Wang.

“Can I trouble the two leaders to help us connect with the city and county government cafeterias to purchase our vegetables?”

Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin also turned their eager gazes toward the two officials, anticipation written all over their faces.

Rather than being annoyed by Ming Dai’s opportunistic approach, Secretary Wang actually appreciated it.

“You’re quite sharp, young comrade. You know how to seize the moment,” he said with a chuckle. “I can recommend you to the county departments, but whether they buy from you or not will depend on the quality of your produce.”

Mayor Wei simply smiled without saying anything, clearly agreeing with Secretary Wang’s stance.

Ming Dai glanced at Liu Dazhu, who immediately stepped forward to guarantee, “Leaders, don’t worry! We will definitely grow the best vegetables!”

Secretary Wang laughed heartily. “Alright! I’ll call your commune later. The initial funds for vegetable production will be allocated from the commune, and once you make a profit, you can repay them.”

This solved Liujiawan’s biggest problem—a lack of funds. Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin were overjoyed, looking at Ming Dai as if she were a treasure.

Then, Secretary Wang pointed at the vegetables on the ground. “We can’t take these for free. Tell me the price, and the cafeteria will reimburse you.”

Liu Dazhu hesitated when he thought of the prices Ming Dai had set. But under her encouraging gaze, he gathered his courage and spoke up.

“Secretary, Xiao Ming spent a great deal of effort growing these vegetables. The firewood had to burn continuously, and we also used charcoal, so the cost is higher than usual.”

Both Secretary Wang and Mayor Wei nodded in understanding. Scarcity increased value—that was a basic economic principle.

“Leeks and yellow chives are one yuan per jin, and mushrooms are fifty cents per jin,” Liu Dazhu stated, then anxiously observed the leaders’ reactions.

Ming Dai also felt uncertain—would they accept these prices?

Secretary Wang fell silent for a moment, as the prices were higher than he had expected.

Mayor Wei considered it briefly before saying, “This price is acceptable for this year. But if production increases next year, the prices will need to come down.”

Liu Dazhu nodded rapidly. “Of course, of course!”

Secretary Wang recalled the taste of the dumplings he had just eaten and said, “Alright, how much more of the vegetables do you have? You can start supplying them to the county government.”

Liu Dazhu turned to Ming Dai, who responded, “We can provide another batch of chives and yellow chives before the new year, about 10 to 12 pounds of each. As for mushrooms, we can supply them in stages—about 100 pounds per batch, with another two or three deliveries possible.”

Secretary Wang nodded. “Sounds good. Send everything to the county government. Let’s improve the meals for everyone before the new year. Cheng Xu, take them to get the approval slips later.”

Hearing this, the people from Liujiawan beamed with joy. Zhou Sinian, noticing Ming Dai’s bright smile, found himself curving his lips slightly as well.

Mayor Wei raised an eyebrow and said, “Since you’ve come all this way, why not stay for the night? There’s a leadership training session this afternoon. It would be a good opportunity for Captain Liu and Secretary Liu to attend.”

Liu Dazhu’s face turned red with excitement. He had never expected such an opportunity to come his way. Even the commune director usually didn’t qualify to attend such training sessions.

Although it was called a training session, it was more of a gathering where leaders exchanged ideas—a valuable chance to build connections.

Liu Qingmin, equally surprised that he was invited, was so thrilled that he momentarily lost his usual composure, completely forgetting that they had already planned to stay the night.

With everything decided, Secretary Wang and Mayor Wei had to attend their own meetings, so they left Cheng Xu in charge of hosting the group and then departed.

Before leaving, Mayor Wei cast a meaningful glance at Zhou Sinian, who was knitting a sweater, then signaled something to his secretary.

It was only after their figures disappeared from sight that Zhou Sinian finally lifted his head and looked in the direction where Mayor Wei had left. He remained in a daze until Ming Dai urged him to pack up and leave, snapping him back to reality.

 After a busy morning, they returned to the guesthouse. This time, however, Cheng Xu accompanied them and even covered their lodging expenses.

Liu Dazhu sighed in relief as he looked at the three keys they had been given.

There was no way he was sharing a room with that lunatic again—his face still hurt!