Chapter 108: Medicinal Cuisine, Leading the Village to Prosperity

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Hey, did you know? Our ever-busy Big Brother Li Chao is truly a restless soul. In a flash, he handed the village chief, Li Xitian, a list of the magical medicinal food ingredients, urging him to quickly arrange for the seeds and organize the villagers to learn how to tend to these precious treasures.

And you know what? The villagers here are seasoned experts in farming; this small task was a piece of cake for them—effortless and straightforward!

Take a look at our village chief, Li Xitian—his mind works lightning fast! When buying seeds, he not only swept up all the medicinal food ingredient seeds but also loaded up on various vegetable and fruit seeds for daily use.

He was crystal clear in his thinking: a production base must have everything to be considered comprehensive and professional!

Meanwhile, our other protagonist, Boss Jiang Nanchun, wasn’t idle either. He personally took charge, treating the establishment of the raw material production base as a grand event for his own business, shouting its praises far and wide.

His slogan was simple, direct, and resonant — “Freshness you can see!”

Those four words acted like a magnet, drawing everyone’s attention.

His hands-on approach to building the production base and creating a pollution-free green food supply chain elevated the reputation of Jiang Nanchun even more, like flowers blooming brilliantly in the spring breeze.

However, good things travel fast, and the irresistible aroma of success naturally attracted many “hungry wolves.”

At that moment, Big Brother Li Chao was busy in the clinic teaching Young Sister Yu Xin medical secrets when Village Chief Li Xitian’s call came through, saying a distinguished guest had arrived in the township and was specifically requesting to meet him.

Ah, Big Brother Li Chao truly lives up to the old saying:

“The capable bear more burdens, busy yet joyful!”

Leaving the busy clinic behind, Li Chao stepped into the village committee office.

Upon entering, he saw Li Xitian chatting animatedly with a portly man dressed in a crisp shirt.

This man was none other than Director Gao from the township office. Upon meeting, Director Yang praised Li Chao highly, calling him a gifted young talent leading the villagers toward prosperity and emphasizing the importance of promoting this success, suggesting it might even win the village some honors.

Li Xitian smiled like a blooming flower and expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

Yet Li Chao’s face revealed no emotion, as calm and untraceable as a breeze over a lake.

Director Yang then shifted gears, praising the township leadership’s wise guidance and emphasizing the need for continued support from the township.

He glanced deliberately at Li Xitian, as if signaling something.

Li Xitian understood instantly, nodding eagerly, promising that Director Yang’s efforts would not be in vain.

Just as they were about to perform a “deep and heartfelt” handshake scene, Li Chao suddenly interjected:

“Director Yang, have you really helped at all? I don’t recall anything.”

At these words, Director Yang’s Buddha-like smile withered instantly, his face turning as shriveled as a frostbitten eggplant.

He appraised Li Chao up and down, a teasing smile curling his lips:

“Kid, you’re still green! With your blunt nature, your path will only get rougher!”

With that, the atmosphere shifted subtly, like the eerie calm before a storm, making hearts race nervously.

Li Chao smiled lightly, a touch of rebellious confidence in his expression:

“The road’s width and narrowness you only know by walking it yourself; others’ words don’t count.”

Director Yang stared at Li Chao for a long moment, then patted his shoulder, saying, “You’re a good kid, got some stubborn spirit,” before grabbing his briefcase and leaving with flair.

Watching Director Yang’s retreating figure, Li Xitian felt a mix of emotions. Turning to Chen Shan, he sighed:

“Xiao Yang, you really need to learn some social graces. Director Yang is clearly fishing for favors—if we just play along a little, future dealings will go much smoother. Your approach might offend people!”

Li Chao shook his head firmly:

“Village chief, this contract was painstakingly secured by me, and the work was done by our villagers’ own sweat. They haven’t done anything, so why should they reach out for kickbacks? If we give in to Director Yang today, tomorrow Director Liu or Director Zhu will come knocking. Can our little village withstand a string of such ‘directors’?”

He paused, then continued:

“With this money, we’d better invest more in the village’s development and do real work so the villagers truly benefit. As for those ‘directors,’ leave them to me.”

Li Xitian was hesitant but, seeing Li Chao’s earnestness, nodded in agreement. After all, Li Chao had handled the Jiang Shiren incident so smoothly last time that he couldn’t help but trust him a bit.

Meanwhile, Director Yang sat in his car, gazing through the window at the bustling construction site at the village entrance, a cold smile playing on his lips:

“Youngsters just don’t understand the rules. If they don’t learn to restrain themselves now, they’ll suffer plenty later.”

He stepped on the gas, the car speeding away, leaving behind a trail of exhaust and the busy villagers far off in the distance.

With the village infrastructure project advancing, more outsiders gradually arrived, but this also brought discordant notes—several thefts of construction materials occurred quietly.

Faced with this, Li Chao and Li Xitian deliberated and decided to take action by forming a professional security patrol team within the village.

This team’s primary duty was not only to protect the precious ingredient planting area but also to maintain overall village peace.

Funding was cleverly allocated from the planting base’s budget to ensure smooth progress.

The choice of personnel had been carefully planned.

Sun Peng, a laid-back individual at the clinic with previous security work experience in the county town, was the obvious pick.

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Li Chao entrusted him with the task of building the patrol team and appointed him captain, responsible for recruiting like-minded members from nearby villages.

With work close to home and good pay, the news spread quickly among villagers, sparking enthusiasm.

After rigorous selection, fifteen elites emerged to form this new force.

However, there was a minor incident during selection.

A villager who had been a security captain in the county town, confident in his experience, tried to challenge Sun Peng for the captaincy.

Sun Peng responded without words, proving his strength and skill in a contest held in an open area, decisively subduing the challenger three times in a row.

This erased all doubts and secured Sun Peng’s leadership, reaffirming that strength is the surest path to respect and authority.

Dressed in brand-new security uniforms and armed with rubber batons, the patrol members energized the streets and alleys of Lijiabao, becoming a vibrant sight in the village.

Sun Peng seemed to find meaning in this new job; though busy, his heart was full of satisfaction and happiness.

Just as Lijiabao’s construction fever continued to rise, several vehicles bearing township government department logos quietly pulled in—finance, land, agriculture, forestry, and others—with none other than Director Yang leading the group.

Upon hearing this, Li Xitian hurried to greet them personally. Seeing the scene, a vague unease stirred in his heart.

Ah, trouble indeed “comes with ill intent.”

Li Xitian greeted them warmly:

“Director Yang, what a grand visit today, bringing so many leaders along! This surprise inspection caught me off guard.”

Director Yang smiled meaningfully:

“Haha, this is a ‘joint operation’ by all township departments, quick and sudden, aiming to catch each village off guard and inspect local conduct!”

Then his tone shifted:

“I hear your village has linked up with Jiang Nanchun Restaurant, a pride of our township—we came to share in the good fortune.”

But then he became serious:

“Are all the procedures in order?”

At this, Li Xitian’s heart dropped like a hammer striking metal. The procedures, everyone knew, were complicated.

Sometimes, a leader’s word outweighed a thousand documents; but if they wanted to cause trouble, even the smallest matter could be twisted endlessly.

Indeed, in adjusting farmland for Jiang Nanchun’s investment, some flexible handling was inevitable, and upon careful scrutiny, there were bound to be flaws.

Li Xitian quickly tried to smooth things over, smiling brighter than the summer sun:

“It’s hot today; leaders must be tired. We’ll sort out the paperwork soon. How about we move somewhere cooler to rest a bit?”

Director Yang’s face darkened, his voice thunderous:

“We’re here on official business, not for leisure! The paperwork, immediately! If there’s any irregularity, stop construction at once and rectify until it meets standards!”

He pointed directly at Li Xitian:

“And you, as village chief, if involved in any misconduct, will be held fully accountable!”

His words were resolute and unyielding.

The atmosphere instantly tightened to the point it felt suffocating.

Reluctantly, Li Xitian gathered the village leaders at the committee office and produced a series of related documents and permits.

Director Yang, clearly intending to cause trouble, keenly spotted their shortcomings and seized upon them.

Faced with this, Li Xitian felt helpless but tried to explain:

“Director Yang, our village’s handling wasn’t thorough, but there were many unspeakable difficulties. We hope you understand!”

“Moreover, once the production base is completed smoothly, it will bring significant benefits to the township—a truly good thing!”

“Could you perhaps show some leniency and treat this special situation with special measures?”

But Director Yang shook his head, sneering coldly:

“Leniency? Hmph! Do you think that’s reality?”

“That’s enough! No more talk. Immediately halt construction and require those responsible to draft a detailed rectification plan for township review before proceeding!”

Though Jiang Nanchun Restaurant was powerful, business and officialdom have long been a contest where merchants often hold the weaker hand.

Director Yang was confident he could exert some pressure, expecting Liu Lele to cave and choose to smooth things over with money.

At this moment, Li Chao hurried to the village committee upon hearing the news.

After understanding the entire situation, he did not panic but smiled.

Scanning the room, his gaze finally fixed on Director Yang. No words were needed—Li Chao knew all the trouble stemmed from this man.

With narrowed eyes, he calmly and indifferently asked:

“Your authority comes from the trust of the people.”

“Yet now you use it to oppress the common folk. Have you considered the consequences of such behavior?”

Director Yang smiled, mocking inwardly:

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“This kid is still too naive, actually believing those empty words about the township’s authority.”

Li Chao shook his head softly, sighing inwardly.

A township-level department director, so arrogant—there must be corrupt dealings behind it.

Faced with such an opponent, most would have long since compromised, but not Li Chao.

Especially now, having begun to establish his own network of connections.

He stepped to the door, took out his phone, and first called Liu Lele, briefly explaining the current situation.

After some thought, he then called Ye Wuji for further communication.

Having handled these, Li Chao returned indoors, his expression calm, beginning a patient wait.

Director Yang still wore a smile, oblivious to the storm about to break.

At the county level, the finance department leader had just hung up the phone, his face dark as iron, slamming his palm heavily on the table, clearly furious. The call was from Liu Lele of Jiang Nanchun Restaurant.

As a newly risen business magnate in the county, Liu Lele had gained fame from the medicinal cuisine’s popularity and had the strong backing of the Liu family of Huaxi City, making her influence considerable.

Though a businesswoman, her substantial tax contributions earned respect and attention from various departments, marking her as an economic pillar of the county.

Her new raw material base signaled further expansion, and county leaders had privately agreed to make Jiang Nanchun Restaurant a shining business card of Kaiyuan County, nurturing its growth carefully.

However, some in the township dared to act independently and extort bribes, effectively courting disaster!

While the leader was vexed and trying to calm down, the phone rang again, interrupting his thoughts.

The flashing name on the screen—Ye Wuji—made him respond swiftly, adjusting his mood to answer.

Ye Wuji, though lacking formal power, possessed a complex web of connections that commanded respect and caution, especially given his past posts in the provincial capital.

The county leader vividly recalled how respectfully his former superior treated Ye Wuji.

Now, with the matter of Li Chao and Ye Wuji’s involvement, pressure mounted, their combined influence formidable.

Frustrated, he decisively called the township, severely reprimanding the main responsible party, demanding immediate and proper handling of Lijiabao’s issues, with unprecedented firmness.

Meanwhile, Director Yang awaited Li Chao’s surrender, unaware that an unexpected storm was brewing.

His phone buzzed repeatedly, each message striking like thunderclaps:

“Abuse of power,” “serious dereliction of duty,” “accepting bribes,” “personal misconduct”…

A string of accusations plunged him into despair, culminating in his immediate dismissal and investigation.

When the enforcement team arrived, Director Yang was pale and collapsed to the ground.

His once-blustering dominance had turned to shame and ruin, the police car marking a turning point in his fate.

Those powers he once deemed trivial now pushed him into the abyss.

As for the accompanying officials, upon urgent instructions from the township, they rapidly changed their tune, showing all manner of goodwill to Li Chao, their starkly contrasting attitudes astonishing all.

Li Chao, knowing when to stop, seized the moment to complete all necessary production base paperwork, thoroughly resolving the crisis.

This incident served as a stern warning.

From then on, Lijiabao ceased to be a soft target for exploitation; its peace and development were finally secured.

Li Xitian’s admiration for Li Chao grew deeply, thinking:

“This Li Chao’s methods are formidable—he toppled a township cadre so effortlessly. Truly remarkable!”

Yet Li Chao remained unusually calm, as if the whole affair was but routine, strolling out of the village committee with hands in pockets, as if solving a mere daily chore.

Yu Xin, seeing this, hurried over to ask about the situation. Hearing it was resolved smoothly, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

By afternoon, Liu Lele arrived in person, her gaze fixed intently on the land destined to become Jiang Nanchun Restaurant’s vital raw material base.

She knew the future of medicinal cuisine hinged on this soil’s harvest, allowing no margin for error.

When they met, Li Chao’s eyes involuntarily drifted to Liu Lele’s upper body, silently admiring: the effects were indeed remarkable!

Sensing his gaze, Liu Lele blushed slightly, clearing her throat to mask her embarrassment, then inquired about the base’s status.

Li Chao nodded, confirming everything was in order. The two then strolled side by side beside the base, admiring the scene of impending abundance.

During their chat, Liu Lele suddenly changed subject, whispering:

“About that breast-enhancing ointment you gave me last time—could it be mass-produced?”

Her eyes sparkled with expectation and curiosity.

Li Chao was momentarily taken aback, then laughed:

“Sis Liu, you’re crossing into a whole new field—thinking of selling ointments now?”

His words carried surprise and teasing.

Yet, in his heart, he pondered: if that ointment could be mass-produced, it might indeed open a new commercial path.