Chapter 19 of 100

Chapter 19

15 min read3,673 words

"Let the facts speak, and get to the heart of the news scene. Welcome to this episode of Real News Eye."

"Are they law enforcers or lackeys, officials or bandits? Before we discuss this issue, let's watch the following short clip."

As the host spoke, the edited video that Wang Yue had secretly filmed was played. The video ended with a shot of Wang Zhe standing in front of the pig farm, giving orders. The caption read, "Block the entrance, seal the site."

Real News Eye was a key program produced by the provincial station, with a high viewership. This incident made Wang Zhe a household name.

Liu Yunxuan's parents also enjoyed watching this program. When they saw that the report was about their family, they quickly called Liu Yunxuan to watch together. Liu Yunxuan didn't expect the provincial station to act so quickly. The incident had just happened that day, and it was already being broadcast that evening.

As for our Mr. Wang, after leaving some people to guard the pig farm entrance, he took the rest to a restaurant for a celebratory banquet. He believed the operation was a success and had educational value.

He only found out about the news when someone called him.

When the waiter turned on the TV and switched to the provincial station, the video was just ending with the shot of Wang Zhe giving orders. The glass of wine in his hand fell to the ground and shattered. He knew it was over, really over.

Hearing the sound of the glass breaking, the scene fell silent. Monkey, who was already quite drunk, didn't notice the strange atmosphere. He turned his head and saw Wang Zhe, exclaiming, "Mr. Wang, congratulations! We're on TV!"

"Congratulations? Congratulations to your mother!" Hearing Monkey's words, Wang Zhe lashed out at him. After beating him, he ignored everyone and rushed home to find his father, hoping to salvage the situation.

After the news aired, reactions varied. While the city was still discussing how to handle the situation, they received a notice from the provincial disciplinary committee. The provincial government had already dispatched a special task force, and the city had to fully cooperate. The secretary and mayor realized that their attempts to cover up the incident were futile.

In fact, Wang Mingyuan played a significant role in the swift handling of the matter. He had already obtained the old man's approval. As the old man put it, some officials indeed needed to be dealt with. The corrupt officials and rats in our government must be resolutely removed to restore a clear and just sky for the people of Liaoning Province.

The special task force moved quickly. While Wang Zhe was still discussing the matter with his father, both were taken away by the task force. A search of their home revealed over one million RMB in cash, several thousand US dollars and euros, and seven property deeds, some in the provincial capital and some in the city.

Liu Yunxuan only learned the specific details the next day through Wang Mingyuan. The Wangs were already in legal proceedings. Both would be going to jail, and other officials who had interfered would also face corresponding penalties.

"Alright, after this incident, you can finally rest easy," Wang Mingyuan said.

"Indeed, this is one of the reasons I didn't dare to expand on a large scale. When the business grows, all sorts of people will come knocking. I can't always handle things this way," Liu Yunxuan said helplessly.

"Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you about this. Your current business structure is not very reasonable. The profits from watermelons and the pig farm are cyclical, and you lack a steady source of funds. People who have tasted your vegetables know they are delicious. Why don't you start growing vegetables? Don't keep saying the seeds are hard to come by. Grow as much as you can with what you have. In the future, as long as you don't break the law, no one will bother you. Why not take this opportunity to develop further?" Wang Mingyuan asked.

Liu Yunxuan understood. Growing vegetables was feasible as long as he controlled the scale and didn't cause too much of a stir. It wasn't as unprofitable as he had thought. Many vegetables, like cucumbers and beans, could be harvested multiple times, increasing yields.

"Yes, I can plan this alongside the watermelon cultivation. By the way, is the wasteland at the confluence of the Ling River part of our town?" Liu Yunxuan nodded in agreement, thinking it would ultimately benefit him. He then asked Wang Mingyuan about the ownership of the fish pond land.

"Yes, it belongs to our town. Do you want to set up a fish pond there? Shrimp or fish?" Wang Mingyuan, who had been in the area for over three years, knew his jurisdiction well.

"I plan to raise a bit of everything, mainly to find a way to handle the sludge and slurry from the pig farm's biogas pond. Next year, the pig farm will at least triple in size. The basic construction is almost complete, and we just need to wait for the cabbages and pigs to be sold to have the funds to invest," Liu Yunxuan explained.

"I suggested we use connections to get a loan, but you refused," Wang Mingyuan said, shaking his head.

"No problem, a few months won't make a difference. It's also a good opportunity for Zhao Yan and Yunhai to gain more experience," Liu Yunxuan said nonchalantly.

"By the way, now that the county magistrate has been taken down, do you have any thoughts?" Liu Yunxuan asked curiously.

"How could I have any thoughts about that position? It's too far out of reach. But I might have a chance to become a standing vice-county magistrate tomorrow," Wang Mingyuan said happily.

"Wow, you'll be a big leader. I bet there aren't many young and capable county leaders like you," Liu Yunxuan teased.

"Cut it out. If my father weren't the provincial secretary, I wouldn't have to work so hard to build my credentials. If you have nothing else, go back and make a plan for the land lease. Don't set the price too low," Wang Mingyuan advised.

"Don't worry, I won't make it difficult for you. Besides, do you think I'm short of a few small coins?" Liu Yunxuan said disdainfully.

After leaving the town government, Liu Yunxuan didn't rush home to make a plan. He needed to consult Old Ge first about the size of the fish pond. He was completely clueless about this.

When he arrived at Old Ge's house, it was already two in the afternoon, and Old Ge was just having lunch.

"Yunxuan, come in and have a seat. Have some potstickers and fish soup. It's very fresh," Old Ge invited.

Liu Yunxuan didn't hesitate and started eating. Old Ge had decades of experience with fish and shrimp, and the food was indeed delicious. Even though he had already eaten a lot with Wang Mingyuan at noon, he still drank a large bowl of soup and ate two potstickers.

"Old Ge, your cooking is amazing," Liu Yunxuan praised.

"It's nothing, I've been doing this for years. I just enjoy it," Old Ge said proudly. Liu Yunxuan was a capable person in the village.

"Old Ge, if I want to set up a fish pond and raise some loaches and herbivorous fish, how big should the pond be?" Liu Yunxuan asked.

"Do you plan to raise loaches in cages or free-range?" Old Ge asked.

"I plan to raise them free-range. I've had loaches from cages before, and they don't taste as good."

"You can raise them with carp, crucian carp, and bighead carp. I don't recommend making the pond too large, as it will be difficult to harvest in the future," Old Ge suggested.

"Alright, you're the expert. After lunch, can you come with me to check the site and see what's suitable? And you have to come out of retirement to help me manage the fish pond, we've already agreed on that."

"Who needs lunch? Let's go now," Old Ge said excitedly.

---