Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 172 Hidden merit and fame

At this point, Wang Zidong seemed to suddenly realize something and asked in surprise:

"Pengzi, you said your name also has the character 'Peng' in it. Could that be related to the name of our village's sugar factory?"

Sometimes Wang Chengpeng had to admire Wang Zidong's imagination, and ironically, he actually hit the nail on the head.

Just as Wang Chengpeng was about to explain, Wang Zidong seemed to just realize something and muttered:
"That's impossible, this name shouldn't have anything to do with you."

“You didn’t contribute anything, so how could the production team leader name it after you?”

"This should just be a coincidence."

Wang Chengpeng thought to himself that Wang Zidong really did come up with something on a whim, but thankfully, thanks to his simple-mindedness, Wang Chengpeng didn't have to make up excuses to appease him.

……

The news that Wangjia Village was going to build a sugar factory was like a drop of water falling into hot oil, quickly causing it to boil over.

As expected, this will likely be a topic of discussion in Wangjia Village for quite some time to come.

Especially those sugar beets that grow in the ground, which were originally disliked by everyone, have now become a hot commodity in everyone's eyes, and are being taken care of very well.

With the commune's project support funds, Wang Fucheng lived a very comfortable life.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that he embezzled money, but that he finally doesn't have to worry about money anymore.

Although the amount of money is not much, it is more than enough to open a sugar factory in an era where most things can be self-sufficient.

After all, labor can be paid with work points, bricks can be hauled from the village brick factory, and timber can be cut down in the mountains.

Based on this calculation, building a sugar factory would not even cost a few hundred dollars.

Of course, this is only the construction of the site; the real trouble lies in the related equipment.

Since the plan is to open a sugar factory, it is naturally not possible to slowly boil sugar in a small iron pot as Wang Chengpeng demonstrated.

This is not only inefficient, but also extremely time-consuming, making it difficult to meet the needs of sugar factories.

However, everyone was completely clueless about the equipment needed for sugar production, having almost no understanding of it.

If you want to wear his crown, you must bear its weight!
Wang Yong, in particular, was the "discoverer" of the sugar-making method from beets, and he was highly anticipated by everyone, but he couldn't come up with a solution and was so anxious that several strands of his hair turned white.

At Wang Fucheng's house, Wang Yong was like an ant on a hot pan, pacing around anxiously.

After a long pause, as if remembering something, he said to Wang Fucheng:
"Father, the sugar factory will be completed in the next few days, but the equipment hasn't been finalized yet. This can't go on like this!"

"You need to think of a solution quickly, how should we resolve this?"

“If the villagers find out that there is no hope for the equipment, the more we were praised before, the worse things will be.”

Wang Fucheng rolled his eyes at his son and scolded him:
"Of course I know I need to think of a solution, but can a solution just be thought of?"

"No wonder Cheng Peng said that even if they knew that sugar beets could be made into sugar, not every village would dare to follow suit. The equipment problems alone have already given us a lot of headaches, not to mention the possible accidents that might happen later."

At this point, Wang Fucheng seemed to suddenly realize something and said:
"The one who tied the knot must untie it. Just because we can't do it doesn't mean Cheng Peng can't. Why don't we go ask him?"

Reminded by Wang Fucheng, Wang Yong suddenly realized what was going on and said:
"Yes, we can't do anything about it, but that doesn't mean our master can't."

"Although this method was learned from a book, Master's mind is much more flexible than ours. He might have a solution."

The father and son hit it off immediately and decided to take gifts to Wang Chengpeng's house to ask for advice.

However, this time, walking the same road again, Wang Fucheng had a completely different feeling than before.

Last time, this place was overgrown with weeds, but now it has been trampled into a solid road by everyone.

The construction of the sugar factory had an impact on the entire Wangjia Village, but the Wang Chengpeng family, who lived near the sugar factory, were undoubtedly the most affected.

As Wang Chengpeng had predicted, the sugar factory required sufficient space and water supply, and unsurprisingly, it was built near Wang Chengpeng's home.

Thanks to the start of the sugar factory project, more people are engaged in production in the vicinity, and even the newly sprouted weeds have been trampled and can no longer grow.

Once the sugar factory officially starts operations, this place will definitely become even more lively.

It was precisely because of this that the sugar factory's affairs were once again linked by busybodies to the previous mysterious sponsor.

Perhaps this is the real auspicious place, otherwise why would it be favored by both a mysterious sponsor and a sugar factory?
Influenced by this idea, the homesteads that were originally unwanted have suddenly become highly sought after.

Even if they wanted to apply, the most they could get was around 100 square meters.
It's impossible for them to apply for a 300-square-meter residential plot like Wang Chengpeng.

Thanks to his soaring reputation, villagers would greet Wang Fucheng warmly whenever they saw him. In addition, with the recent construction work underway, he would inevitably run into some acquaintances.

Xie Feiyue greeted Wang Fucheng warmly while asking curiously:
"Captain Wang, what brings you here? Are you here to inspect the construction progress of the sugar factory?"

"Don't worry, this sugar factory is our village's own business. We can't let anyone else down."

Nodding with a smile, Wang Fucheng explained, "I did come here today because I have some things to discuss."

"You guys go ahead and get busy, I also need to take care of my own things."

As Wang Fucheng got further and further away from him, Xie Feiyue wondered where the production team leader would go if he wasn't going to the sugar factory.

Touching his chin and glancing in the direction Wang Fucheng and the other man had gone, Xie Feiyue suddenly realized that the production team leader had gone to Wang Chengpeng's house.

Although he knew the truth, Xie Feiyue's doubts did not diminish at all; on the contrary, they grew even stronger.

Judging from the large bags and packages Wang Fucheng was carrying, he was clearly asking for a favor, or perhaps visiting an elder.
He had met Wang Chengpeng before; he was a handsome young man who was kind, but he didn't seem to have any special talents. So why would Wang Fucheng need anything from him?

Shaking his head slightly, Xie Feiyue felt that he must have been wrong; Wang Fucheng had just happened to be passing by in that direction.

He immediately ignored it and continued walking in the direction of the sugar factory.

This sugar factory is the hope of Wangjia Village now, and no one dares to cut corners or slack off in the slightest.

The only pity is that, to this day, no one in the village knows who came up with this brilliant idea.

At first, everyone thought that Wang Yong, who was in charge of demonstrating the sugar-making method from beets, was the real person, but to their surprise, he simply shook his head slightly and said:
"Growing sugar beets and using ingenious planting methods to open a sugar factory was not my idea; I was just copying what others had said."

"Although Master is also from Wangjia Village, he is unwilling to accept this empty title, so I can only take on the responsibility of leading everyone to develop the sugar industry." "Don't worry, everyone, with Master watching over me, I will not slack off in the slightest and will lead everyone to run the sugar factory well."

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

The villagers began to speculate about the identity of the "master" Wang Yong had mentioned, a man of great merit and fame. Various guesses, both plausible and implausible, flew around, but no one guessed it was Wang Chengpeng.

After all, in their view, someone capable of doing such a great thing could never be a young punk like Wang Chengpeng.

Of all those present, perhaps only Wang Fucheng was speechless in the face of Wang Yong's self-disclosure.
He thought to himself that his son was really too lawless, actually saying something that would damage his reputation at a time like this.

However, what seemed like a foolish idea to Wang Fucheng not long ago now seems to him to be absolutely right.

Now that Song Zhiyuan has been completely subdued, and he is now the acting village head of Wangjia Village, it is almost a certainty that Wang Yong will become the director of the sugar factory.

At times like these, relinquishing a little prestige would actually make it easier to pull Wang Chengpeng onto your side.

After all, it was Wang Chengpeng's idea, and he also gained the credit.

If he were to encounter a problem like he is now and ask for help, he probably wouldn't be able to refuse.

Thinking this, Wang Fucheng realized that Wang Chengpeng's yard was very close, so he quickly and carefully knocked on the door.

At this moment, Zhu Hong was working in the yard. Looking at the two uninvited guests outside the gate, he frowned and said:
"Why is it you again, you old codger?"

"By the way, what about that big oaf from last time? Why didn't he come this time?"

After speaking, Zhu Hongcai realized he had promised Wang Chengpeng not to speak carelessly in front of others. However, his mouth moved faster than his brain, and he quickly covered his mouth, as if trying to cover something up, and shouted into the house:
"Brother Wang, someone is looking for you, it's your village's production team leader."

Hearing this, Wang Fucheng couldn't hold back any longer and thought to himself, "You know I'm the village's production team leader and you still call me 'old thing'?"
However, Zhu Hong was, after all, Wang Chengpeng's helper, and he couldn't afford to offend him, so he could only force a smile and say:

"I'm sorry to bother you, I'm sorry to bother you."

However, even in the face of such an unbelievable scene, Wang Yong showed no intention of standing up for his father.

How could he dare to be presumptuous in front of his master, Wang Chengpeng?

Wang Chengpeng, who was busy inside, sighed upon hearing Zhu Hong's loud voice and gave the order:
"Zhu Hong, bring the guest to the study, and then make him a cup of tea."

Led by Zhu Hong, Wang Fucheng and Wang Yong soon arrived at Wang Chengpeng's study.

But Wang Chengpeng was busy with something at his desk and showed no intention of paying them any attention.

If an ordinary person had dared to keep him hanging like that, Wang Fucheng would probably have already started cursing.

Unfortunately, the person in question was Wang Chengpeng, so he could only patiently sit down, drinking tea while looking around Wang Chengpeng's study.

But this study was not only ridiculously large, but also filled with all sorts of books, making it more impressive than the studies in many city homes.

While marveling that perhaps only a study like this could have nurtured such an outstanding individual as Wang Chengpeng,
Wang Fucheng, however, also curiously examined what Wang Chengpeng was drawing in his hands.

He knew that Wang Chengpeng was usually polite and didn't seem like the type to deliberately embarrass his elder.

The reason they didn't pay attention to the two of them was probably because they had something extremely important to do.

This one look completely baffled Wang Fucheng.

Wang Chengpeng was drawing something on a large sheet of white paper, sometimes frowning, sometimes deep in thought, and sometimes making corrections, as if he were working on some major project.

Upon closer inspection, what Wang Chengpeng is doing does indeed appear to be a large-scale project.

The small piece of paper was now densely covered with drawings of various small objects, each with its size marked.

By simply piecing these small items together, you can obtain the mysterious instrument in the very center of the blueprint, the purpose of which is unknown.

The only problem was that Wang Chengpeng's notes were too few, making it difficult for Wang Fucheng to see clearly what the mysterious instrument was for.

Shaking his head slightly, Wang Fucheng thought to himself that Wang Chengpeng was indeed doing something extremely important.

The instrument shown on this blueprint is slightly more complex than the instruments I've seen in many large factories before.

Therefore, he could only continue to wait.

Wang Fucheng never expected that he would wait for three or four hours, from noon until evening.

Just as the clock struck five, Wang Chengpeng put down his pencil and said apologetically:

"Uncle, cousin, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

"I was really busy with something just now, but I finally have some free time now."

In response to Wang Chengpeng's apology, Wang Fucheng smiled and said:
“My nephew is so capable, it’s normal for him to be busy. In that case, it’s us, father and son, who are bothering him.”

At this point, Wang Fucheng's smile gradually turned bitter, and he said:

"I really didn't want to bother my nephew, but I'm having some unsolvable problems, so I had no choice but to swallow my pride and come to you for help."

With a sigh, Wang Fucheng complained, "Nephew, it's tough being an uncle."

"The sugar factory is about to be built, but we don't even have a clue about the equipment needed for sugar production. I'm so anxious that I can't even sleep."

"Although we can make do with the most primitive methods for now, it's not a long-term solution."

"If we really want to set up the sugar factory and lead the villagers of Wangjia Village to a better life, we still need to solve the equipment problem."

"But there are only so many capable people in the village. I asked them one by one, but they all said they didn't have a single clue."

"After thinking it over, I think I should ask my nephew."

"After all, you are the most capable person in our village. You might be able to solve things that others think are impossible."

Although Wang Fucheng could have brought up the issue of the homestead or promised Wang Chengpeng three positions, he chose the softest approach to ask for help, directly flattering Wang Chengpeng.

After saying that, Wang Fucheng looked at Wang Chengpeng with hopeful eyes, hoping to hear the answer he wanted from him.

(End of this chapter)