Chapter 7: Abode of the Immortals

More importantly, the owner of the cement factory stated that the main guest this time is Zhang Heng, the village head of Xiangli, and while he could disregard the favors of others, he did not have the courage to ignore the favor of Village Head Zhang.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes, seeing the village headman constantly speaking on behalf of the cement factory owner, Village Head Li understood that this matter, whether he agreed or not, had to be dealt with

According to common sense, the villagers would naturally want to obstruct this. In the eyes of the cement factory owner, this obstruction is merely a form of harassment. However, the nuances involved are such that no one can grasp them with precision.

Desertification, this term is not entirely accurate; to be more precise, it is "stony desertification," which is an ecological disaster even more difficult to manage than desertification itself

The hills are covered with dense forests and shrubs, and everywhere in the woods there are mountain chickens and wild rabbits, presenting a vibrant scene of life

Under such circumstances, it is only natural for Chen Taizhong to have some complaints. This village chief is of little significance, whether he holds the position or not.

He patted his chest and assured, "Leave this matter to me. Since Boss Lü is a friend of Mayor Zhang, isn't it just a matter of a word?"

Even the Bai Feng Creek, which used to support fish farming and shrimp catching, now during the dry season is hardly more than a puddle of a child's urine

Those who think this way are mistaken; he is in office to communicate with people. As for how dire the situation is in the villages under his jurisdiction, he is completely indifferent and has no desire to care.

In fact, this individual does not express himself very accurately

In fact, an ostrich cannot emerge from a chicken coop; in such a small valley, where could there be any organized crime? It is merely a local thug. However, it cannot be denied that this fellow can be considered a bully in the village.

When it rains, it becomes a spectacular waterfall; when the rain stops, it turns into a bare pile of pebbles that cannot retain water, making it extremely unfavorable for human habitation

The arable land in Donglin Water Village is rather limited, and this land is not only barren but also has a shallow plowing layer. The annual grain output is not substantial; except in years of abundant harvest, in ordinary years, it can only provide enough for about eighty percent of the villagers to be adequately fed.

In the officialdom, there are hardly any secrets to speak of. Village Chief Li received all the information about Deputy Village Chief Chen almost simultaneously with his arrival. Like others, he could not comprehend the background of the deputy village chief, as a high school graduate civil servant unexpectedly emerged from the household of an ordinary citizen.

"It's just a small gesture," Li Fanding said, his face flushed and neck thick from drinking. He didn't even glance at the cigarettes and money, although he was very tempted to reach out for them. After all, he also cared about his pride, didn't he?

Chen Taizhong, on the other hand, is well-known for his lack of interest in political affairs; he only enjoys chatting

For instance, at this moment, the owner of a private cement factory upstream of Baifeng Creek has come to invite Village Chief Li to dinner. In addition to being the village party branch secretary, Li Fanding has also called upon Chen Taizhong.

The factory is about to commence production, but the road has not yet been completed. Among these, there is a section of the road that passes through the territory of Donglinshui. Most importantly, part of this section includes one of the few arable lands in Donglinshui Village, making this task quite challenging

However, in recent years, with the development of the economy, Donglin Water has also begun to be affected. This meager resource has been maliciously exploited by people.

However, it is regrettable that Mr. Lü does not share this view

In summary, along with fruits and other side businesses, and selling some handmade products to outsiders, life here, except in very poor years, can be considered self-sufficient.

What should be used to repair the reservoir at www.hetushu.com? There is no soil around, and apart from blasting out stone pits to store water, the only option is to use steel bars and concrete. How much would that cost?

Therefore, the relationship between Village Chief Li and Deputy Village Chief Chen is relatively harmonious. Even when there is an opportunity to indulge in a lavish meal, he does not forget to invite him along, as such extravagant opportunities are rarely seen in this small mountain village

Thirty years ago, Donglin Water Village was still a picturesque place. The entire village is situated in a hilly area, with the Baifeng Stream gently flowing to the east, where some people could navigate fishing boats to cast nets and catch fish

Li Fanding harbored some disdain for Chen Taizhong. However, this disdain was something he could only keep to himself. After all, this was a cadre sent down from above for practical training. Although he was merely a deputy, when the time came for the latter to soar to great heights, it would be too late for Li to seek favor.

As soon as he arrived in the village, he wandered around aimlessly, looking for someone to chat with. In the past, there was no reason to force communication with others, but now he is the deputy village head. Being the deputy village head makes it easy to casually grab a few people for a conversation

The unfortunate thing is that Phoenix has a consistently high temperature, and moisture easily evaporates. Living here truly tests one's endurance

This is flirting, or at least that is what Chen Taizhong believes. He has been observing and learning for half a day, and moreover, he was not originally the main character at this table

Li Fanding was well aware of the matter; in fact, it absolutely occurred with his tacit approval. His influence in the village could certainly be described as "overwhelming." However, when someone is hosting a banquet, why not partake in a meal?

It does not matter if one does not understand; as long as this person is harmless, Li Fanding will definitely not provoke him. To take a step back, even if this individual has no significant backing in the officialdom, he is so young that it is hard to say whether he might one day leap into success.

For those who practice immortality, severing emotions and cutting ties is not difficult at all

Thus, it has resulted in a scene akin to a "hell on earth"; Donglin Water Village has already begun to desertify

This is truly a paradise! Looking at Donglin Water Village under his governance, the newly arrived Chen Taizhong was filled with great enthusiasm

Here is a cigarette and five hundred yuan. The boss, seeing the opportunity ripe, smiled as he presented the gift, showing no hesitation. The village head, sitting at the edge of the table, remarked, "The villagers' work still relies on Village Head Li to handle it."

The owner of the cement factory is not simply indulging in leisure by playing among the stone piles; once his factory is operational, the profit earned in a week will surpass the annual income of the nearby water-side business. His visit is indeed for a matter of great importance.

He should say, this is a place where only immortals can stay; as for humans, it is absolutely unsuitable for them to live here, the conditions are simply too harsh.

At this moment, Chen Taizhong, who had been observing their conversation, spoke up, "Boss Lü, if your cement factory goes into production, how much cement will it be able to produce in a year?"

This is a disaster that is extremely difficult to manage. Someone once proposed the construction of a reservoir; it is a good idea, but it is not realistic

The village chief is a local, surnamed Li, and is considered one of the prominent surnames in the village—indeed, it is also a major surname in the country. He has a robust physique and is said to have some connections to the underworld.

In summary, the trees on the hills have disappeared, leaving the meager soil vulnerable to erosion by water; now, apart from the cultivated areas, Donglin Water Village is characterized by stones piled against one another.