Chapter 47

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Xu Junran quickly became familiar with the members of the Li Family Town People's Commune under Li Qiankun's introduction.

Among them, the one who left the deepest impression on him was Hong Yanxin's husband, Feng Hongcheng, because he held two important positions: Party Organization Committee member and Discipline Inspection Committee member. He was not only responsible for organizational construction but also for disciplinary inspection work.

Xu Junran also remembered the names of the others.

After everyone dispersed, Li Qiankun led Xu Junran to his office. Sitting on a somewhat old chair, he rolled a cigarette, took a satisfying puff, and said, "Now that you're back, I can relax."

Xu Junran was quite helpless with his irresponsible attitude: "Uncle Qiankun, you can't say that. You are the Secretary, and I will work under your leadership."

"Bullshit!" Li Qiankun waved his hand and said bluntly.

"Are you making fun of your uncle? You are a student of Mr. Long Yin Yue and studied in the capital. How can I lead you? When you talked about the rice field fish farming with the old men last time, it sounded like a good idea, but I didn't understand it at all. It would be easier for me to follow your lead."

Xu Junran nodded helplessly, not refuting Li Qiankun's words.

Li Qiankun had a good personality, but his abilities were average. Otherwise, the Li Family Town Commune wouldn't be one of the poorest in Wude County.

However, he had one advantage that others lacked: he wasn't power-hungry. When he became the commune leader, it was after Long Yin Yue and Yan Wangsong had discussed it. Among the people in Li Family Town, Li Qiankun, who had served in the military and seen the outside world, was a suitable choice.

He didn't disappoint. Although the Li Family Town Commune was poor, it didn't have the chaos that other places did, and Li Qiankun's contributions were significant.

"By the way, Junran, now that you've taken office, why don't you visit the production teams and get to know the people? Although the team leaders all know you, the villagers haven't met you yet," Li Qiankun suddenly said to Xu Junran.

Xu Junran thought for a moment and shook his head: "No rush. I need to go on a long trip these days."

"Long trip?" Li Qiankun frowned. "You just took office, why are you leaving?"

Xu Junran nodded: "I plan to go to the capital to find connections. Since we want to do rice field fish farming, we can't just work in isolation. I need to find my classmates and see if we can get a professor from the Agricultural University in the capital to help. Ideally, we could set up a pilot project in our town."

He smiled bitterly and said, "The commune has no money, and the county's support is limited. Without finding other ways, this won't work."

Li Qiankun nodded, hesitated, and said, "Should we discuss this at the Party Committee meeting? Some people have already asked me. When the old men were calming the production teams, they said you would do something in the commune to ensure the villagers have enough food."

Xu Junran thought for a moment and asked, "Uncle Qiankun, how much authority do you have at the Party Committee meeting?"

Li Qiankun laughed proudly: "I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, I'll handle it. If anyone opposes, I'll make sure they can't even eat! In Li Family Town, it's still the Li family who make the decisions."

Xu Junran frowned, not quite used to this old-style leadership, but he had no choice and would have to adapt gradually.

"Alright, let's do it this way. Uncle Qiankun, you work on the Party Committee members privately, and I'll go to the capital to find support!"

Xu Junran made a decisive decision and then said, "By the way, send someone to the county brewery to bring a woman named Lin Yuqing here. Temporarily settle her in the commune office. When I go to the capital, I'll take her with me."

Li Qiankun was taken aback: "Lin Yuqing? Why are you taking a woman to the capital?"

He chuckled and said, "You're not...?" He gave a knowing look and then sighed with satisfaction, "Ah, the young boy has finally grown up and knows how to find a woman."

Xu Junran was speechless, not knowing what to say to this disrespectful uncle. He bowed and said, "I'll go to the ancestral hall to see my teacher and Grandpa. You're busy."

He hurriedly left Li Qiankun's office, leaving behind the mischievous laughter of the unscrupulous uncle.

To Li Qiankun, who had watched Xu Junran grow up like his own child, it was a pleasure to see him succeed.

Xu Junran greeted the people in the commune courtyard and strolled down the ancient streets of Li Family Town, where the most original cultural landscape of the southwestern region was preserved. The architectural style of the buildings along the road was similar to that of the 1930s and 1940s, thanks to the unity of the Li Family Town residents. During various movements, the rebels tried to attack here several times but were always repelled by the Li family.

"Perhaps, we can develop tourism here in the future."

This casual thought of Xu Junran's would later become one of the keys to Li Family Town's prosperity.

In the ancestral hall, several clan elders were sitting with Mr. Long Yin Yue, chatting.

"Grandpa, Mr. Long, I'm here." Xu Junran respectfully bowed to the elders. He had always called Mr. Long Yin Yue "Mr. Long" since he was young.

Li Youde and Long Yin Yue exchanged glances and nodded: "Not bad, you can be considered to have returned in glory."

Xu Junran smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed. In front of these elders, he lost his usual cunning and truly enjoyed the warmth of being a junior loved by his elders. Honestly, this feeling was very comforting and warm.

The tree wants to be still, but the wind won't stop; the child wants to support, but the parent is no longer there.

Everyone has such regrets, where a close elder is no longer around when they don't have the time to be with them. Recalling those times, the regret and frustration are even more heart-wrenching.

Xu Junran now寄托ed his feelings for his adoptive father on these elders of Li Family Town.

"Grandpas, Mr. Long, I plan to go to the capital," Xu Junran slowly explained his purpose to Li Youde and the others.

The elders were taken aback, looking at each other. Finally, Long Yin Yue asked, "Junran, why do you want to go to the capital?"

Xu Junran smiled and repeated the reasons he had given to Li Qiankun, then continued, "Also, I will go to Pengfei City to contact the construction team for our commune."

Long Yin Yue frowned: "Are you really willing to take this risk?"

He had heard about this from Xu Junran before and was quite worried about his actions.

Xu Junran nodded firmly: "Mr. Long, this is worth the risk!"

For his plan, Xu Junran had to go to the capital, no matter what.

Though millions may oppose, I will go forward!