Siheyuan: What to do if there is no system

Jing Hao: "Dad, you are the village chief now. In the past two years, when our village handed over grain to the higher authorities, did we always lie or overreport it? Don't you think so?"

Liu Hong said: "Now, every village around here is like this. I must report more. For the sake of the country's call and for the reputation of our village, we are the largest village in the area. We must take the lead. Otherwise, how can your father and I hold our heads up when we go to other villages?"

Jinghao sighed. This was just a birdman. He would do anything for an honor, a small banner, or a compliment.

Jing Hao said, "Dad, Mom, brother, listen carefully. There is a brother in our courtyard who has a very good relationship with us. He married the daughter of the richest man in Beijing. In private, he told me that his father-in-law said that in recent years, village heads like us have followed the trend. Now the reported grain is increasing, but in fact there is no grain at all. It is just an illusion."

Liu Hong asked unhappily: "Second brother, what do you mean, get to the point."

Jing Hao lied, "They've found someone to settle it privately. Next year, our entire country will be short of food. It's people like you who reported it inaccurately, causing the country to sell food to other countries, and then the country will have no food. But next year will be special, and there will probably be natural disasters. By then, the whole country will be short of food. Dad, do you understand what I mean?"

Liu Hong is quite smart, otherwise she wouldn't be the village chief. After hearing Jing Hao's nonsense, she took it seriously and asked seriously, "Second brother, what's the name of this richest man you mentioned? Tell me."

Seeing his father asking this, Jing Hao probably knew Lou Bancheng, and then said, "Lou family, Lou Bancheng, she is Lou Bancheng's biological daughter, and she lives in the same compound with my uncle and me, how can I lie to you?"

Liu Hong said this time: "Yes, I once asked the leaders above me who is the richest man in Beijing, and they told me about Lou Bancheng. Many leaders and village heads have mentioned Lou Bancheng. He is very capable. If what they said is true, it is probably true."

Jing Hao was relieved this time, and then he continued to deceive: "Dad, isn't it? I also know a leader, and he told me privately that the amount of grain reported and submitted is wrong, and there will definitely be trouble in the future. It's just that the higher-ups can't see it, and no one is paying attention to it now. I guess if there is a natural disaster next year, it will be all over."

Liu Hong lit a cigarette and took a few puffs. After being scolded by Liu Haixia again, Liu Hong said seriously, "Second Brother, what did Mr. Lou say? What is he going to do?"

Jing Hao continued to deceive, "He has a special status, and you as the village chief also understand. Although he knows what is going to happen next, he has also reminded some leaders, but unfortunately, the higher-ups don't take him seriously at all. Dad, listen, he said that he asked his son-in-law to store more food this year and buy some Yifang food to prepare for the difficult times in the next two years."

Liu Jingtian said: "Second brother, if he is the richest man, he must be certain of what he said. Is his son-in-law ready?"

Liu Haixia also said: "What should we do? We have to hand in the grain soon. This year we have a bumper harvest. If there is a disaster next year, our village will be finished if we hand in the grain this year."

Liu Hong scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about, second brother, do you want Dad to store food as well?"

Liu Jinghao then said, "Dad, how could I harm you? She is Lou Bancheng's daughter. Seeing that I have a good relationship with her husband, she lent me a few hundred yuan and asked me to bring it back."

As he said that, Liu Jinghao took out all the 800 yuan he brought with him, including 500 yuan that he borrowed from Qin Huairu, and 300 yuan that He Yuzhu gave him for the ear room. Jinghao was really out of money because of the recent renovation. He originally planned to keep 200 yuan, but after seeing that his father became the village chief, he decided to leave all the money at home.

Liu Hong, Liu Haixia, and Liu Jingtian were all stunned when they saw the eight bundles of ten-yuan cash.

Liu Hong took the money anyway, her eyes showing excitement. She then grunted and said, "Mother, judging from what Lao Er said, it's probably true. Lao Er, what do you mean by your friend lending you so much money?"

Jing Hao immediately replied: "Dad, Mom, Boss, listen carefully, who is Lou Bancheng? This is likely to come true. Dad, you happen to be the village chief now, aren't you going to report the grain soon? You must not follow those idiots and report more grain. Not only do you not report more, you also have to hide it and report the lowest amount. Try to make sure that our village has more grain from this year to around March next year. Also, our village has mountains and water, so try to raise more chickens and ducks. You need to discuss the details with several elders in the village..."

Seeing Jinghao finally stop talking after half an hour, Liu Hong frowned and said, "Second brother, you can do what you said, and our village is also quite united. However, if there is no serious food shortage next year as you said, your father's career as village chief will probably end, and he will be severely criticized. What do you think we should do?"

Jing Hao said angrily, "Dad, why are you so stupid? It's already this time, and you're still thinking about your official position. If there's a real food shortage and famine lasts for a few years, many people in the village might starve to death. Forget about being an official. Just don't let yourself be criticized by everyone. Mom, big brother, you guys also have something to say. This is related to the fate of the entire village."

Liu Haixia said, "Laohong, can you please stop thinking about being an official? Just do as Lao Er said this year and talk to the village manager, the reliable one, in private. If there is no natural disaster like Lao Er said in April or May next year, you can just hand in the grain. If there is, we must protect the grain and lead our village through the disaster. Then, no one will oppose you as the village chief even if you become old."

Liu Jingtian also said, "Yes, Dad, people have nothing to do with lending money to the second son. What can they do with 800 yuan? They can just eat their fill. I think this is true. If you ask me, just listen to the second son, take the money, go to the distant village, and buy more food and poultry. If there is no food next year, we can sell it and it won't be a loss."

Seeing that his mother and eldest brother had persuaded him, Jinghao felt more stable. In order not to disappoint Liu Jinghao, Liu Hong immediately made up her mind and took the money to discuss with her two friends at night. Not only did she have to pay less food, but she also had to go to other villages far away to secretly buy some food and poultry. By the way, she would build a fish pond as Jinghao said. At worst, she could sell it next year. For the sake of the whole village, she took a gamble.

Late at night, Liu Hong led several village officials to Jinghao's house. After chatting for more than two hours, they all made up their minds to do what Jinghao said for the sake of the whole village.

When Jinghao went back, he brought four wild rabbits, two pheasants, and so on. Right now, Liu Hong had to attend a meeting and couldn't leave. In addition, she also needed to communicate with other villages and get some food, so she didn't come to Jinghao's wedding.

As for Liu Haixia, Jing Hao did not let her come, fearing that it would be unsafe on the road. When the time comes, just take Comrade Li Gai home. This is also what the family has discussed. In extraordinary times, everything must be prepared in advance, so that Jing Hao himself can rest assured. At least, when the time comes, he does not have to worry about the lives of his relatives.