Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 180

The Lunar New Year is approaching, and in this era, the festival holds immense significance. Children want to enjoy a good meal and buy new clothes. The elderly also look forward to drinking some liquor and eating a bowl of roasted pork to satisfy their cravings.

But no matter what, having a peaceful and healthy Lunar New Year is the best thing.

Furthermore, humans are emotional beings. When they are unhealthy or sick, not only do their thinking and reactions slow down, but they also lose faith in life. Even a minor headache, fever, or cold can be extremely unpleasant, and at its worst, one might think, "I'm so tired of living..."

Zhao Tingming wanted the villagers to have a peaceful New Year.

Zhao Tingming then shared some of his thoughts with the older generation of men and women, concluding, "It's not that I'm acting impulsively today. You all know what kind of person I've been all these years. I just want everyone to have a good New Year. We're all so old, let's not argue over food. We won't die if we don't eat. Don't insist that I'll be fine if I eat, and he'll be fine if he eats. What if you're the only one who's unlucky and something happens? In this freezing weather, we'll have to trouble everyone to carry you to the back of the mountain..."

After listening, Grandpa Liu fell silent. He had to admit that Zhao Tingming's words made some sense. Why should he take such a big risk to eat chicken, duck, and goose meat contaminated with fowl plague? He was perfectly healthy now, but if he ate that meat, things might not be so simple. He might actually develop a serious illness, and what if it ruined his health? He was getting old, and his body wasn't as resilient as it used to be.

Seeing that Grandpa Liu looked like he was about to be persuaded by Zhao Tingming, Qian Bin couldn't sit still any longer. If Grandpa Liu was persuaded, there would be fewer people speaking up for him. Besides, he had been slapped a few times by Zhao Tingming, and he felt uncomfortable seeing Zhao Tingming so pleased.

"Hey everyone, don't listen to the village chief. Who said those chickens and ducks died of fowl plague? They could have frozen to death. Besides, ducks can get fowl plague? That's ridiculous! Who would believe that? Jurenzhang lives so close to our village, how come their chickens suddenly got sick? We've never heard of that before. Making money isn't easy these days, and this price drop is a rare opportunity. If you don't seize this chance, don't be envious when you see the good chickens and ducks I bought with Aunt Li."

Aunt Li chimed in, "That's right, that's right. Everyone should listen less to what the village chief is saying. Just trust me. Chickens, ducks, and geese infected with fowl plague can be cured by simply cooking and eating them. It's not as serious as the village chief makes it out to be."

Zhao Tingming grew angrier the more he listened, "You people are really..."

There's really no hope.

Zhao Tingming's anger grew increasingly intense. In the past, when he spoke, his words were like a nail stuck in the sand; no one dared to argue or bicker with him. Whenever Zhao Tingming spoke, his voice boomed, and who dared to utter a word of dissent?

But it doesn't seem to work anymore.

"You bunch of nitpickers, don't wait until I lose my temper. Let me tell you, what I say is right. Just do as I say. If anyone doesn't listen, don't blame me for being ruthless later."

Seeing this, Qian Bin chuckled and mocked, "Hey, village chief, you're putting on airs now. What a show of officialdom! Zhao Tingming, come on! So many people here don't want to listen to you, and you still insist on this order that strictly forbids buying chickens, ducks, and geese from Jurenzhang. Aren't you just making a joke? I think you should stop doing this and stop meddling in other people's business. Let everyone have a good New Year. Who doesn't eat chicken, duck, and geese during the New Year? Who doesn't go? If you don't let everyone eat chicken, duck, and geese during the New Year, isn't that breaking the tradition?"

"Guys, do you think what I'm saying makes sense?" Qian Bin shouted to everyone.

Many people were convinced by Qian Bin's words, and they echoed, "That's right, what Qian Bin said makes a lot of sense. What kind of talk is it that the village chief won't let us buy chickens, ducks, and geese? Are we not allowed to eat meat during the festive New Year?"

Wu Er couldn't stand the overwhelming criticism directed at Zhao Tingming and spoke up for the village chief, saying, "You guys are really going too far! How can you talk about the village chief like that? He's doing this for your own good. Think about how much effort he went through to issue this ban and persuade you. It's all to prevent anyone from eating chickens, ducks, or geese infected with fowl plague and ending up in the hospital. As the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry. If eating chickens, ducks, or geese infected with fowl plague really makes you sick, you'll have to spend a lot of money on treatment. Who wants to see that happen during the New Year? The best way to avoid this is simply not to eat them. It's just a matter of controlling your diet for a few days. Why can't you understand?"

Zhao Tingming was also hurt by these distrustful villagers. His heart sank. He raised his head and looked at the people in front of him with extreme disappointment. Finally, he fixed his gaze on Grandpa Liu. Zhao Tingming just wanted to say, "Old Liu, I just want to know, do you believe me?"

He and Lao Liu had been friends for decades, practically childhood friends. He could accept others not listening to him, but he couldn't accept Lao Liu not listening to him. One reason was that he and Lao Liu had a good relationship, and another reason was that Lao Liu was old and his body really couldn't take any more exertion. What if this exertion really caused something serious?

Will Lao Liu choose him? Zhao Tingming wasn't sure, but he hoped that Lao Liu would stand by his side.

Faced with Zhao Tingming's intense and direct gaze, Grandpa Liu dared not look directly at him, only lowering his head and saying somewhat guiltily, "Old Zhao, I know you're doing this for my sake, but I think what young Qian Bin said makes some sense..."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Zhao Tingming's heart. He felt a chill in his heart and didn't want to say anything. He didn't even have the strength to speak. He only felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

He should have guessed this long ago. He knew Lao Liu's personality best. Lao Liu was unwilling to miss an opportunity to take advantage of others. Moreover, Lao Liu had never been to the city and his knowledge of things was limited to what he had seen in the village. He wouldn't have thought about the serious consequences. Besides, Lao Liu was easily swayed and believed whatever others said without having any of his own ideas.

Old Liu's choice was in line with his personality, but Zhao Tingming found it really ridiculous. He had gone to great lengths to explain things to them, but they wouldn't listen at all. All they were thinking about was taking advantage of him. He was thinking about their health, but what about the other party? They didn't care about their own health at all. What could he say? Zhao Tingming was speechless.

And these villagers are just following the crowd, without any of their own insights or judgments. They believe whatever Aunt Li and Qian Bin say.

Zhao Tingming was tired now, and he didn't want to say anything more. It was really heartbreaking to be misunderstood. He was doing it all for their own good, so why couldn't they understand?

"Since none of you want to listen to me, then don't. I don't want to meddle in other people's business. Do whatever you want. If anything happens in the future, don't come crying to me. I've done all I can. If you don't listen, that's your problem. I've fulfilled my duties as the village chief. I'm tired of talking to you. You're really ungrateful."

Zhao Tingming was furious and didn't want to get entangled with them anymore. He wanted to turn around and leave, but he suddenly caught sight of Zhao Da'e and Xiangzi's figures. He paused for a moment, then narrowed his eyes and coldly considered how to end the situation.

Seeing Zhao Tingming's reluctance to get involved, Aunt Li couldn't help but mutter a few words, "It's as if it's all our fault. It's clearly the village chief who's making a mountain out of a molehill. I really don't understand. It's just a small chicken plague, why are you so alarmed?"

Wu Er was furious when he heard Aunt Li speak like that. He felt indignant on behalf of the village chief. "Aunt Li, how can you say that about the village chief? He always does his best and has done a lot for Dongtaizi Village. He is responsible for handling all kinds of matters, big and small. He issued this ban for the sake of the village's future, but in your mouth, it's become that the village chief is making trouble for nothing and making a mountain out of a molehill. You're really hurting people's feelings."

Aunt Li, who couldn't stand being talked about, immediately retorted, "What did I do? Wasn't the village chief making a mountain out of a molehill? Besides, why do you always speak up for the village chief? Did you take some bribes from him to keep supporting him like this? Let me guess, are you a helper the village chief specifically hired? Did you take rice or eggs from him? Speaking up for the village chief like this, aren't you afraid others will find out about your relationship?"

Wu Er was enraged by Aunt Li's words. He raised a trembling finger and pointed at her, unsure of what to say, only stammering, "You...you..."

Seeing this, Aunt Li understood that Wu Er had nothing to say. She was also pleased and said directly, "What do you mean 'you'? What's wrong? Can't argue with me? I think you're just a helper that the village chief found. This matter is uncertain, and now you can't say anything to refute it, can you?"

Wu Er said speechlessly, "I was clearly made angry by you!"

Qian Bin, hiding behind Aunt Li, said, "Then say something to refute it."

Wu Er was speechless for a moment, which made Qian Bin laugh. He said to the villagers next to him, "Look, look, he can't even say anything. This is clearly a helper the village chief found. In my opinion, the village chief's pretense of doing what's best for everyone is fake. He even said that eating too many chickens, ducks, and geese with fowl plague will lead to hospital bills and cost a lot of money. These are just excuses to scare us and tell us not to buy chickens, ducks, and geese from Jurenzhang. I think the village chief just wants to monopolize all the chickens, ducks, and geese from Jurenzhang and then sell them to us at a high price to make a fortune."

Wu Er wanted to say something more, but Zhao Tingming stopped him. "Wu Er, stop speaking up for me. Otherwise, you'll get scolded for me. That's enough. I'm tired too. You're a good kid, always speaking up for me, but they won't listen. There's nothing I can do about it. Just mind your own business and let others do what they want. You can eat chicken, duck, and goose after this chicken plague is over."

Zhao Tingming had a good impression of Wu Er, who had spoken up for him. Wu Er was usually an outsider and rarely went out, so he hadn't expected him to speak up for him this time.

Finally, Zhao Tingming addressed his fellow villagers, saying, "I, Zhao Tingming, swear to my ancestors that I never intended to profit from your hard-earned money by issuing this ban. These chickens, ducks, and geese infected with fowl plague are truly inedible. If you trust me, please heed my advice: don't buy chickens, ducks, or geese from Jurenzhangzi. Even when hunting in the mountains, don't hunt wild rabbits or pheasants, as these are unhealthy. I've said my piece. Listen if you want, don't listen if you don't. I've done what I can to help you, but I can't change some of your misunderstandings about me, and I'm too lazy to explain anymore. Do whatever you want. Your health is your own responsibility; if you get sick from eating these things, you'll be responsible for it. I, Zhao Tingming, don't want to get involved anymore. I'm tired and want to go back and rest."

Zhao Tingming felt that arguing any further was pointless and would only make him angrier. Anyway, his real helpers had arrived, so he didn't need to explain anything anymore. He just needed to remain aloof and let his helpers scare the villagers.

Some people actually think Zhao Tingming's words make sense. After all, he's the village chief, and at his age, there's no need for him to lie. There's even less reason for him to risk not making a penny and being scolded by stopping everyone. Besides, Zhao Tingming doesn't own many chickens or ducks; even if Dongtaizi Village gets chicken plague and suffers losses, Zhao Tingming will be fine, while the large-scale poultry farmers will suffer.

But those who have nothing at home don't care. This makes some people very dissatisfied. These days, it's hard to be a good person, but easy to be a mediocre one.

Qian Bin had been drinking today. Although he had been slapped twice by Zhao Tingming, he was now seeing Zhao Tingming's sullen face. He even said, "Village chief, you're getting old. You're willing but unable to manage this village. I think you should just quit being the village chief. All you do is issue random orders and say things to scare us. I think it would be better to let someone more capable be the village chief."

Qian Bin's words were harsh; he didn't give Zhao Tingming any face at all.

The others were also uncomfortable with what they heard and advised, "Qian Bin, you should say less of these things. It's good that Lao Zhao is the village chief."

Aunt Li said, "Sigh, Uncle Liu, I think Qian Bin is right. The village chief is getting old, and I always feel that he is not up to the task of handling some things. For example, this time with the chickens, ducks and geese, he made a big deal out of such a simple matter."

……

As Zhao Tingming listened to the murmurs of the crowd, he couldn't help but sneer.

It seems that the thankless and arduous job of village chief is indeed coveted by someone. It's just a mystery who was behind it all, encouraging Qian Bin, that firecracker, to cause trouble.