I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

A group of grown men can't exactly date; they also need to talk about work.

"Minister Xia of the Provincial Department of Agriculture highly praised you," Zhou Zhonghai said slowly, looking at Xu Zhengtai.

Isn't that commendable? The first payment was 200,000 yuan for seeds, the second was 200,000 yuan for working capital, and so far, not a single penny has been repaid, and I still have to pay out of my own pocket to buy more seeds.

Tonggang County's fiscal revenue this year is two million more than last year, and the Provincial Department of Agriculture owes them four hundred thousand. If they don't say a kind word, are they even human?

Xu Zhengtai dared not say it outright, because the Ministry of Agriculture was the vice governor's own son. If he dared to say anything out of turn, his work next year would be difficult.

"Thank you for your affirmation, Minister Xia. Governor Zhou, your economic reforms in Huailin City have been very successful. Can our Tonggang County follow suit?" Xu Zhengtai said hesitantly.

"I modeled Huailin's reforms after Beijing's. If it's wrong, it's Beijing's fault. Look at the fat pigs in the yard; without reform, would we be able to eat such delicious meat?"

"Understood. We'll follow Huailin City's example. If we're wrong, it'll be Huailin City's fault," Xu Zhengtai said decisively.

"You, Secretary Xu, there are some things you can keep to yourself, don't say them out loud." Zhou Zhonghai glared at Xu Zhengtai with resentment.

"Yes, yes, I was wrong. I didn't say it; I kept it to myself."

He apologized verbally, but was secretly overjoyed. He said he would quickly promote individual businesses and contracting systems next year, and contract out all the dozen or so factories that had been losing money year after year, so as not to drag down Tonggang County's GDP any further.

"Governor Zhou, I... I have an idea," Gao Bing stammered.

"Just say what you want to say. It's okay if you say something wrong; it's just casual conversation, isn't it?"

Xu Zhengtai noticed that Zhou Zhonghai was very kind to Gao Bing. Why?

"Our commune's agricultural production has reached a certain scale, and I want to set up a purchasing station. During the harvest season, farmers can deliver their crops to the purchasing station, and we can then ship them to Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. This would save time and effort compared to the process of individual farmers going to the villages to purchase the crops."

After listening, Zhou Zhonghai slammed his hand on the tea table and said, "Good, very good, Gao Bing has put his heart into it. Now that land is distributed to individual households, farmers are highly motivated, and crops will only increase. If it's done on a large scale, you can just issue a notice and send everything to the purchasing station. However, you need to carefully select the person in charge of the purchasing station. If they have any selfish motives, they might end up committing crimes."

"Governor Zhou, we've found the candidate, it's Wang Jiakun. After the land was distributed to individual households, all the positions of brigade secretaries were abolished, and Wang Jiakun's position became vacant, so we'll put him in charge of the purchasing station."

"Okay, Wang Jiakun, I trust you. By the way, you still need to keep an eye on the Maojia Village brick kiln you're in charge of."

Xu Zhengtai noticed that Zhou Zhonghai was also very kind to Wang Jiakun. Why?

"Yes, Governor Zhou, I will do my job well and will never let you down."

Wang Jiakun stood up straight, almost saluting.

"Comrades, we are living in a great era. Our crops have a market, and I am here for you. As long as it serves the people, I will support your ideas."

Now that land has been distributed to individual households nationwide, don't be fooled by other provinces copying us. Just wait and see next year. I'll see where they'll sell all that crop. You're different. I have central government documents. Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou—we've seized the opportunity. Go for it! Go boldly! As long as I'm in this position, I'll protect you."

Zhou Zhonghai's heroic spirit rose, and the other comrades were also filled with excitement.

"With your support, we are willing to serve as oxen for the people and build a new countryside that is different from others."

"Okay, okay, you've worked hard. Here, have a cup of tea."

The atmosphere became lively, and everyone picked up their teacups and drank them down in one gulp.

"Commander Zhou, you're absolutely right. I will definitely convey your spirit to Secretary Mao," Jiang Deshan quickly declared.

"I've also been following the situation in Liuxian County. They're even more radical than Tonggang County. Secretary Mao is a shrewd man; he understands everything without you having to guide him," Zhou Zhonghai joked.

Zhang Dabiao went to the city several times and ordered all the fertilizer for next year.

"Yes, yes, it's all about serving the people."

Jiang Deshan smiled tenderly, how could he not tire of looking at Commander Zhou?

Zhou Zhonghai caught a glimpse of Jiang Deshan's gaze, his heart skipped a beat, his nose stung, and his eyes reddened.

"Vice Governor Zhou, what's wrong?" Xu Zhengtai asked ingratiatingly.

Even if we express our loyalty with great passion, it shouldn't be enough to make us cry, right?

Zhou Zhonghai took a sip of tea in a somber mood, then pointed at Jiang Deshan and said, "I'm reminded of Commander Pu."

"Commander Pu?"

"My old commander, he has passed away peacefully. I went to Beijing to find markets for our crops, and that's when I saw him. Just a few short months later, we are separated by death. His health had been failing for a while, but I, I didn't realize it."

"Governor Zhou, please accept my condolences. You must not collapse."

Zhou Zhonghai waved his hand and said, "Jiang Deshan, you're not allowed to look at me like that anymore. It makes my heart ache."

"I, I am!"

I was just visiting you normally, so why did I bring up something so upsetting?

"Well, everyone has their day. Commander Pu most wanted to see me become the governor, but unfortunately, he didn't live to see it," Zhou Zhonghai sighed.

"Governor? So you're only one step away from becoming governor?" Xu Zhengtai asked excitedly.

Human grief is something you can't truly empathize with. I'm so sad, and all you're thinking about is the governor.

Xu Zhengtai certainly wanted Zhou Zhonghai to become the governor; with him there, his career would also flourish.

"In-laws, the food is served. You can talk this afternoon."

Qiaoqiao's dad is knocking on the door. Perfect timing, time for dinner.

A whole table full of dishes, including stewed free-range chicken and fresh pork tripe. My goodness, it smells amazing!

The kang (heated brick bed) was very large, and all the men sat on it to eat.

Qiaoqiao's mother didn't want to sit at the table, so she ate in the kitchen with Xiaowei.

Qiaoqiao's grandmother also didn't want to sit at the table; her teeth weren't good, and she could only eat a couple of bites, so she ate whatever she could find in the kitchen.

Hu Xiaomei was even more reluctant to sit at the table. With so many leaders at the table, she didn't dare to even pick up food. She preferred to eat more comfortably in the kitchen.

The Huailin Daqu liquor, brought by Xu Zhengtai, was opened with a spring, and each person was given a full cup.

He was a driver, and he upheld his professional ethics by not drinking a drop of alcohol.

Zhou Zhonghai raised his glass: "No talking about work while eating and drinking. Anyone who talks about work should leave the table."

"Yes, just alcohol!"

Raise your glass, drink heartily, eat heartily, and enjoy yourself.

"City people eat meat with trepidation. They're reluctant to eat this piece or that piece. The countryside is great; they can eat however they want." Zhou Zhonghai said, his mouth greasy from eating.

"We have to thank our in-laws for bringing such good policies. Our Dashui Village is so grateful to you," Qiaoqiao's father said with a beaming smile.

"It's because ordinary people are hardworking and resilient. If people are lazy, they won't be able to afford meat, hehe." Zhou Zhonghai never took credit for anything.

"My dear in-laws, this year's auspicious snow promises a bumper harvest, and next year will also be a good one. I heard that several families in the village are preparing to build houses."

"Really? That's a good thing."

"Now that life is getting better, I'm thinking about building a new house and getting married."

"Very good, very good. In three to five years, every family in Dashui Village will have a new house."