NCCnovel Chapter 42 Zhao Zhongcai Displays His Power
Chapter 42 Zhao Zhongcai Displays His Power
It was really quiet.
Even if the captain says something at the front, there will still be scattered voices among the crowd.
But today, it's quieter than ever before.
Zhao Zhongcai, however, felt completely relaxed. He said that he had been on tenterhooks before because he was worried that everyone would be very rebellious, and he had thought about many consequences.
But after he finished speaking, he wasn't nervous anymore.
The die is cast, so we have no choice but to grit our teeth and keep going!
The villagers were stunned for a while before one of them finally asked hesitantly, "What is this 'three days of labor and seven days of rest'? And what does it have to do with anything?"
These words were like a drop of water falling into a hot oil pan, instantly causing an uproar.
"You silly boy, you don't even know the rule of 30% for people and 70% for labor? Are you out of your mind? It used to be 70% for people and 30% for labor! For example, out of 100 jin of grain, 70 jin were considered rations for people and 30 jin were considered rations for work points. But now it's 30 jin for people and 70 jin for work points. Do you understand?"
"Doesn't this mean that work points will be more important in the future, and if you earn fewer work points, you'll get less grain?"
That makes sense!
"Then why change it! We were fine the way we were before!"
"Zhao Zhongcai, give us an explanation!" An older man in the crowd shouted, pointing at the team leader.
"Yes, we need an explanation! My family is all impoverished, and we're all children. How many work points can we earn? Are you trying to starve us to death?!"
"That's right! You promised everyone would get their share of food, but now you want us to starve? Zhao Zhongcai, are you even a brigade leader anymore?!"
In fact, the "70% of people and 30% of labor" distribution system contains the element of "distribution according to labor" and is more about taking care of the five-guarantee households, impoverished households, families of martyrs and soldiers, and households with sick and disabled people!
Even if we knew it might affect people's work enthusiasm when it was first proposed.
After learning about the situation, Lu Yuanqing went to the commune and spent a lot of money to subscribe to the newspaper.
He also saw the news about this issue, and the authorities were looking to make changes, with some places already taking steps to do so.
The final result is 'three parts labor and seven parts work'.
However, Shihua Village is too far from the capital, and it's uncertain when this will actually be implemented.
Seeing Zhao Zhongcai being pointed at and scolded by a group of elders in the village, Lu Yuanqing felt deep sympathy.
The moment Zhao Zhongcai saw it, he clenched his fist and cheered him on.
Zhao Zhongcai's face turned black!
He initially thought he could tolerate it for the sake of the older generation in the village, as long as it was eventually implemented.
But seeing Lu Yuanqing's completely unconcerned and smug expression, he realized!
Why should he tolerate it? He's the captain; once he announces something, he has to carry it out.
Most importantly, he finally understood that Lu Yuanqing was no easy task and might do something that would make him take the lead in the future.
Does he have to be called a grandson every time?
Zhao Zhongcai couldn't stand it any longer and simply quit. Pointing at Zhao Wen in the crowd, who was cursing him so fiercely that he was practically going after his ancestors for eighteen generations, he roared, "Zhao Wen, what right do you have to object? You owe the team so much grain! Even if your family works until the New Year, you still won't be able to pay back the village's debts. And you still have the right to act tough in front of me!"
"And you, Zhao Si, you're lazy every day, how much are your work points and grain worth each year? Huh! Tell me! Do you have the nerve to say it? You piece of trash, you're still talking so enthusiastically here, I'm being lenient with you!"
"And you..."
"It's you bunch of slackers who are always slacking off and not taking production seriously. Every year, our village delivers the least amount of grain. When the other brigade leaders pointed their fingers at me and the commune leaders were yelling at me, why didn't you bastards step up and stand up for me?"
"I'm telling you, what I'm announcing today is non-negotiable; it's a notification."
"Everyone, I, Zhao Zhongcai, hereby state my position: this year's grain distribution will be based on 'three parts per person, seven parts labor.' No one can change that. If you're dissatisfied, go to the commune and complain to me. I'm not afraid. The commune agrees."
It is said that people who are usually mild-mannered can be quite frightening when they get angry.
Zhao Zhongcai was that kind of person.
The reason he was able to become the brigade leader was largely because he was a peacemaker and didn't want to cause any real conflict, which made him quite popular.
Having been the team leader for so many years, we've rarely seen him lose his temper like this. Everyone is used to his always amiable demeanor, so this is truly surprising.
The elder of the Zhao family who was closest to him silently took a step back!
Lu Yuanqing was also dumbfounded. Zhao Zhongcai was actually very concerned about his reputation and cared a lot about what the villagers thought of him. He never expected that one day he would see the villagers pointing at him and cursing him!
Tsk tsk tsk!
Lu Yuanqing shook his head and congratulated the captain on breaking through his limit!
Zhao Zhongcai and the others were exhausted from talking, so they stopped, panting heavily, their hearts pounding. Uh... it felt pretty good!
Everyone was stunned by him; this unprecedented experience was indeed quite exciting for him.
"Alright! That's all for today's meeting. Everyone," Zhao Zhongcai's eyes widened, his voice rising, "what are you doing not going to work! Do you want your work points deducted?!"
After saying that, he ignored their reactions, called Lu Yuanqing, and left.
As soon as they turned the corner and could no longer see each other, Zhao Zhongcai patted Lu Yuanqing on the back, saying as he hit him, "You brat, you've really made my life miserable!"
Lu Yuanqing let him hit him to vent his anger, since it didn't hurt anyway, and instead burst out laughing, "Uncle Zhao, you were really domineering just now!"
"What's so domineering about that!" Zhao Zhongcai waved his hand. "Do you know who I just yelled at? My second uncle and his gang! They're still a little unaccustomed to it!"
He yelled at others, but he didn't even spare his own elders in the Zhao family. Sigh, what a rare experience!
Lu Yuanqing looked at him with disdain as he said he was scared but couldn't hide his joy. He curled his lips and said casually, "Uncle Zhao, isn't it great!"
"Hehe, a little!" Zhao Zhongcai chuckled twice, then realized what was happening and saw Lu Yuanqing covering his mouth and chuckling. He gave him another playful slap, "You little rascal, I used to think you were honest, but that was a huge mistake!"
"Hehe!" Lu Yuanqing chuckled and pretended not to understand what he was saying.
After the two finished laughing, Zhao Zhongcai straightened his expression and said with a hint of worry, "This time, your Uncle Zhao is really going all out. I've promised the commune that if the trial doesn't go well, I'll quit being the brigade leader!"
Lu Yuanqing was shocked: "Uncle Zhao, you..." He hadn't expected that Zhao Zhongcai would be willing to pay so much.
Zhao Zhongcai is somewhat power-hungry, as Lu Yuanqing observed.
His position as captain is highly valued.
Zhao Zhongcai smiled indifferently, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Yuanqing, I have been the head of Shihua Village for several years now, but Shihua Village has not become better because of me. It is still the same as before. The word 'poverty' seems to be nailed to us. I am actually very happy that you can offer suggestions for Shihua Village."
"I feel like I've found someone who shares my vision, so... let's work together to manage Shihua Village well and make it even better!"
Lu Yuanqing's eyes held a complex mix of emotions. "Okay!" He uttered the word without even thinking.
Zhao Zhongcai nodded in satisfaction and said, "Alright, let's go to the fields!"
Hehe, this brat gets all fired up by him every day, and now he's infected his enthusiasm!
Kid, you don't know this, do you? Experience is the best teacher!