Back to 1984: I built a chicken farm on a barren mountain.

"Master, may I speak to you in private?"

The tall, thin young man said to the master.

The master didn't want to listen to this person, but his body betrayed him and he walked towards the direction where the young man was standing.

"Excuse me, sir, which gang are you from?"

The master bowed to the young man.

"I'm not from any gang. Boss Han should have told you about me. I'm Chen Wenfeng from Chen Family Village."

Chen Wenfeng looked intently into the master's eyes, making the master feel very uncomfortable.

He knew Chen Wenfeng's name; of course, it was Han Laosi who told him.

Han Laosi even went to him and paid him to have a straw effigy made, just to curse Chen Wenfeng.

The master was wary and asked Chen Wenfeng how he had offended Han Laosi. Han Laosi briefly explained the conflict between the two.

The master replied to Han Laosi that he would give him an answer after he went back and calculated it.

The master may not understand fortune-telling techniques, but he does know how to investigate and research.

This is somewhat similar to the later internet, where you can find a user's identity information, workplace, hobbies, and so on through subtle clues...

The master certainly doesn't have the internet right now, but he has a wide network of connections, which is essential for his livelihood. He has access to more information, and in the eyes of those who are out of touch with the world, he is like a god.

When the master mobilized his connections in Zunxi County, Qiwang Town, and even Chenjiazhuang, he made a very rational and correct decision:

They refused Han Laosi's request.

Because he knew that even if he made straw effigies, it wouldn't have any effect.

Even Han Laosi couldn't afford to offend Chen Wenfeng's network of connections.

But this is core information, which the master wouldn't share with Han Laosi. He merely adopted a benevolent posture and said to Han Laosi:

This way of cursing people will damage one's karma, and it's bad for both the master and Han Laosi. It's like hurting the enemy a thousand while hurting yourself eight hundred.

Moreover, the master specifically warned Han Laosi not to get involved in such crooked and evil practices.

When Han Laosi heard this, he thought the master was a truly upright person. He would never have imagined that the pile of straw figurines he bought wholesale in the master's storeroom were all used to make money.

At this moment, facing Chen Wenfeng's questioning, he did not hide anything and frankly said:

"Boss Han did mention you to me, but I definitely haven't harmed you."

Chen Wenfeng smiled with satisfaction. Actually, he was trying to trick the master, but he didn't expect the master to admit it directly. The master was a straightforward person. Since he was straightforward, he would not beat around the bush.

"Master, I see you're a straightforward person, so let's speak frankly. I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"Oh, please speak freely, young friend."

"You came from Han Laosi's place today, right? Did something unexpected happen to him?"

The master looked at Chen Wenfeng and thought to himself, "You're even better at divination than I am. I should have asked you to help me today, so I wouldn't have made a fool of myself."

"There was a slight mishap at Boss Han's place today, but it's nothing serious."

"Not a big problem? Hahaha! You should know Boss Han better than I do. Do you think that Han Lao Si won't take it to heart? You won't be able to make money from him easily in the future!"

The master looked at Chen Wenfeng in surprise. This kid really knows how to calculate. He could even calculate what I just said!

Young apprentice: Master, didn't you say that fortune telling is all a scam? How come he was so accurate? It turns out you really were a scammer (double entendre).

"Ugh...ugh..."

"The favor I want from you, Master, is simple: I just want Han Laosi to continue asking for your help and spending money on you..."

Is this helping me or helping you?

The master is a bit confused. Is there really such a good thing?

If I hadn't investigated Chen Wenfeng, and if Chen Wenfeng hadn't spoken maturely and acted calmly, just looking at his young face, I would never have believed that he was teaching me how to do things when he hadn't even grown up yet!

But reality is so amazing; this genuine young man was being taught how to do things, yet he didn't feel anything was out of place...

Of course, teaching someone requires sincerity, and Chen Wenfeng's sincerity was absolutely genuine. The master asked, with a hint of probing:

"Can I really make Han Laosi continue to trust me and spend money on me?"

"Of course, you just need to follow my instructions. After you go back, do this and that... and then send someone to find Han Laosi and do this and that..."

As Chen Wenfeng spoke, his voice grew softer and softer until his young apprentice could no longer hear him, but he noticed that his master's expressions were extremely varied.

astonishment, agreement, joy...

......

......

After parting ways with the master and apprentice, the chubby young man beside Chen Wenfeng asked:

"Brother Feng, why did you insist on coming to see this master?"

"Zhiming, do you know what the village chief is worried about?"

"Worried about the margin being too high? I've heard you guys mention that."

"He wanted Han Laosi to bleed some money out of him, but he was also afraid that if he asked for a high deposit, Han Laosi would simply rent it and wouldn't let go, and then our feed mill would be unable to operate."

"Yes, the village chief's concerns are valid."

"But for me, it's most satisfying to make Han Laosi bleed a little. This master's reputation with Han Laosi has declined, so Han Laosi can't continue to bleed anymore. I came to see the master today, firstly so that Han Laosi can continue to bleed, and secondly so that the master can help us in the future."

After hearing this, Zhou Zhiming gave a thumbs up, but then Chen Wenfeng continued:

"I suggested to the master that Han Laosi give up the brick factory. The reasons should be convincing and well-founded. This way, Han Laosi will still believe the master, and the feed factory will not be affected."

"Of course, the village chief is overthinking it. Even if Han Laosi clings to the brick factory and refuses to let go, we can still choose another place."

"I understand, but Brother Feng, how can you be sure that this master will definitely persuade Han Laosi to give up the brick factory?"

"Haha, well, that's because the master has our help..."

Nighttime, on Jiming Mountain.

Two more pairs of chopsticks were added to the table.

Hou Laizi and Fatty Xiao both arrived.

For Lai Zi and Fatty, they were here to improve their meals.

The better Han Laosi's soy sauce sold, the worse his meals became.

The workers could hear Han Laosi counting money in his office, but they only dared to grumble inwardly and not openly express it, because finding a job these days was too difficult.

Chen Wenfeng, Zhou Zhiming, Niu Da, Niu Er, and Lao Suntou ate dinner peacefully.

Hou Laizi and Pang Xiao hurriedly ate their dinner, their faces flushed red.

Seeing their starving appearance, Chen Wenfeng couldn't help but laugh:

"It's really cold now, and it's troublesome to come up the mountain after work. How about we bring you some food when we deliver the eggs down the mountain? You can heat it up and eat it tonight!"

"No need, Brother Feng. Fatty and I will come up the mountain to eat when we really crave it. Even though it's cold, it's fine for the two of us to go together."

"There's another way. You can stay here after you arrive and go back the next day."

Hou Laizi and Fatty both thought it was feasible, but it had to be Brother Feng; they hadn't even thought of that.

After dinner, Chen Wenfeng, Hou Laizi, and Fatty Xiao remained in the house.

Chen Wenfeng said to the two people:

"Master Han Laosi needs our help with a small matter, and this favor requires the two of you to handle it..."