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

Chapter 205 Release of List
As it turned out, Long Yongde's concerns were not unfounded. When the recruitment results were announced, everyone was immediately drawn to Wang Chengpeng's outstanding performance.

While others were still fighting tooth and nail for a fraction of a percent, Wang Chengpeng had a precipitous lead of nearly two percent over the second-place finisher.

Such a huge gap is hard not to raise suspicions, and some people immediately questioned:

"What's going on with Wang Chengpeng? His recruitment results are just too good."

"After the job recruitment test, I spent half a day yesterday working hard on radishes and potatoes, but I just couldn't come up with such an unbelievable result."

“I can’t even surpass the second place’s 87.1%, which is absolutely outrageous.”

Even though we know that it's pointless to try again afterward, there will always be someone who does the debriefing.

Although this is pointless except for making them regret it, many people still enjoy doing it.

However, it is precisely because they felt the difficulty that they questioned Wang Chengpeng's performance so much.

Whose radish and potato skins are so thin that they can be easily peeled off without any excess?

In this situation, it's natural that some people would question Wang Chengpeng's performance.

Immediately, one person was very dissatisfied and said:
"I think there must be something wrong with Wang Chengpeng's grades, otherwise how could he have such outrageous results?"

"No wonder he submitted it so early yesterday, the first one among everyone. It turns out he did it to cover up the fact that he had tampered with the documents when there were fewer people around."

This recruitment test was extremely serious, and it even affected the scores of many people.

In addition, since the sugar factory is the largest, they don't dare to directly question whether the sugar factory cheated, and only dare to say that Wang Chengpeng tampered with the goods.

Moreover, soon some sharp-eyed people noticed something amazing: the entire Wang family of three was among the top performers and made it onto the list of those who passed the test.

A family of three all passed the test—could it get any more outrageous?
Those whose families hadn't passed the recruitment test immediately became red with envy and started shouting, directly questioning the results and saying that someone had tampered with them.

While everyone was feeling incredibly distressed, there was one person who was feeling the worst: Wang Jinshan, who had made those outrageous remarks yesterday.

He even rubbed his eyes, trying to make sure what he was seeing wasn't a hallucination.

On the job posting list, Wang Tieshan and his wife, whom he had once ridiculed, were prominently listed.

On the contrary, the one who was confident of success was completely overlooked and his name was nowhere to be found on the job postings.

Looking closer, another extremely familiar name appears on the list: Wang Dani, the eldest daughter of the second son, Wang Yinshan.

In other words, of the three branches of the Wang family, only the eldest branch had no offspring.

This humiliation even made him feel ashamed.

At the same time, there was a faint sense of relief in his heart, that is, it was fortunate that he stopped Wang Chengpeng's banner, otherwise he would have lost face to the moon.

Actually, when he first heard that Wang Chengpeng was going to put up a banner to celebrate for him, he was secretly pleased.

However, his reason told him that he couldn't let Wang Chengpeng do that, so he persuaded Wang Chengpeng to stop.

However, after returning home, Wang Jinshan felt increasingly uncomfortable, feeling that he had missed out on such a wonderful way to celebrate. He planned to make a banner to celebrate once he successfully recruited workers.

However, reality dealt Wang Jinshan a heavy blow. Despite his confidence, he failed to recruit any workers, while the Wang Chengpeng family, whom he had belittled, were all hired.

Thinking this, Wang Jinshan grumbled indignantly:
"The fairness and rationality of the sugar factory's recruitment process are obvious to all, but some people still resort to cheating to improve their grades, which is utterly shameful."

"I suggest that this situation be thoroughly investigated and that all participating villagers be given an explanation."

Wang Jinshan was quite cunning. Even though he was just stirring up trouble and everyone knew who he was talking about, he took his words out of context and found them perfectly reasonable.

Kong Xiu looked at the ranking list and at her first-place finish among the losers, and she was so jealous she felt like she was going crazy.

If there's anything more upsetting than failing to land a job, it's definitely number one on the list of failed recruitment attempts.

Looking at Wang Chengpeng's dazzling achievements, and considering his own embarrassing ranking, an idea suddenly came to mind.

If Wang Chengpeng is reported and dismissed, wouldn't I be able to take his place and become the last person on the job posting list?
Thinking this way, fueled by both old and new grudges, Kong Xiu grew increasingly displeased with Wang Chengpeng, and immediately shouted:

“Some people are definitely involved in the problem. I demand a thorough investigation, and the village must give us an explanation.”

Seeing Wang Fucheng stepping forward to maintain order, Kong Xiu became even more audacious and said:

"Captain Wang, you can't just help Wang Chengpeng's family cheat because only they supported the joint petition back then, can you?"

Kong Xiu's words were utterly outrageous; he openly questioned the fairness of the recruitment process.

If Wang Fucheng had really done something underhanded, that would have been fine, but he didn't do anything at all. Wang Chengpeng and his family of three got the jobs entirely based on their own merits.

Thinking this, Wang Fucheng's face immediately darkened, and he shouted at Kong Xiu:
"Kong Xiu, do you really think I, Wang Fucheng, am so worthless?"

Kong Xiu didn't reply, but just kept talking to herself: "Oh my, 89%? How did you even get that score?"

Her words, though not an answer, were more than an answer, infuriating Wang Fucheng to the point of near death. He immediately grabbed the microphone and shouted:
"Quiet down, everyone quiet down."

"I, Wang Fucheng, dare to guarantee with my reputation that this recruitment is absolutely fair and just, without any shady dealings."

"If people trust me, they will trust the results on the list."

"Do you think I, who is under so much pressure to lead everyone to develop sugar beet cultivation, would tamper with such a trivial matter? Wouldn't that be letting down the people?"

Having said all that, the dissenting voices have finally subsided considerably.

After all, Wang Fucheng's reputation was well-known. He didn't even mention the money he was owed for using connections; he used it all to support the construction of the sugar factory.

If you question such a local official too much, you'll really hurt his feelings.

Whether the other party will still be willing to help Wangjia Village get rich when the time comes is another matter entirely.

Seeing the discussions gradually subside, Kong Xiu was extremely anxious.

If Wang Chengpeng isn't defeated, how can Kong Xiu rise to the top?

This is a job at the village's sugar factory. Although it can't compare to a job in a city factory, it's definitely thousands or tens of thousands of times better than toiling in the fields for a living.

Kong Xiu felt she would cry in her dreams if she were spared this opportunity because of Wang Fucheng's protection.

Thinking this, Kong Xiu immediately shouted at the top of her lungs:
"Who can know this?"

"After all, I saw Wang Chengpeng go to your house back then, and your Xiuying welcomed him in with smiles and laughter." "If you say there's no relationship between you two, I'm afraid no one with eyes can believe it."

Perhaps because someone else was leading the way, the voices that Wang Fucheng had managed to suppress suddenly erupted again, leaving Wang Fucheng completely embarrassed.

He even had a feeling that developing a sugar factory in the village was a mistake.

So much trouble has already arisen from just recruiting workers; who knows how many more messes he'll have to clean up in the future.

Just as everyone was discussing this, Wang Chengpeng, having had his fill of watching the show, climbed onto the stage and said to Wang Fucheng:

"Uncle, could I borrow the microphone for a moment?"

Wang Fucheng naturally couldn't refuse Wang Chengpeng's simple request, so he immediately handed the microphone back and said:

"of course can."

Then, in a very low voice, he said to Wang Chengpeng, "Nephew, you have absolutely no need to go on stage."

"If I can't even handle this little mess, what kind of production team leader am I?"

Wang Chengpeng gave Wang Fucheng a reassuring look, then picked up the microphone and began to speak:

Hello everyone, uncles, aunts and uncles.

"I was actually prepared for everyone's doubts. After all, as the old saying goes, 'A mediocre person is not envied.'"

"Now that I've become number one on the job posting list, I'm naturally going to have to face the criticism of being number one."

"Originally, I didn't intend to clarify this matter publicly. After all, the innocent will remain innocent and the guilty will remain guilty. I can accept this achievement with a clear conscience."

"If there really was some kind of manipulation, why put me in first place? Wouldn't a ranking in the middle be less noticeable?"

"It would be truly disheartening to doubt Captain Wang's character and question such a caring official as him simply because I am too outstanding."

"Fine, since everyone has doubts about my performance, I'll give it another try in front of everyone."

"This test is being conducted in front of everyone, so I can't possibly have some kind of shady dealings with Captain Wang."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng handed the microphone back to Wang Fucheng, saying apologetically:

"Uncle, I'm so sorry that you've been criticized because of my excellence."

"Now we may need to trouble you to prepare another individual test. After seeing the results, I believe everyone will be convinced."

Wang Chengpeng wasn't originally a particularly outspoken person, but these people were pressing him relentlessly, so he naturally had to show the arrogance that a strong person should have.

Since they're questioning my achievements, I'll prove them all wrong with even better results!

Taking the microphone, Wang Fucheng looked at Wang Chengpeng with a deep sense of emotion, his face full of confusion.

What a wonderful nephew! When he saw himself being questioned and criticized by everyone, he immediately stood up to help him out of the predicament.

If it weren't for his own sake, Wang Chengpeng would never have willingly taken on such troublesome matters.

However, it is precisely because he is such an outstanding nephew that these people cannot stand him and always cause trouble for no reason.

It seems that my nephew's words really hold true: "A person who is not envied is mediocre." These people are simply jealous of their nephew's excellence.

Thinking this, Wang Fucheng picked up the microphone and said:

"Originally, I didn't intend to clarify this mess. After all, I, Wang Fucheng, have a clear conscience and don't need to do anything unnecessary."

"But since Comrade Wang has agreed to prove himself to you, I will cooperate with him and make you accept your defeat wholeheartedly, so that you will understand just how big the gap between people really is."

"But this is a one-time exception, and there will be no next time."

"If anyone makes trouble here again for something similar, and causes rumors that Wangjia Village cannot tolerate talent, then I will make sure you suffer the consequences."

"The test is simple. It just so happens that it wasn't completely moved to the sugar factory yesterday, so let Comrade Wang demonstrate it for us now."

"But you'd better watch carefully, lest rumors spread that there are behind-the-scenes deals happening in broad daylight and in full view of everyone."

"Then I'd rather risk the reputation of Wangjia Village than not have the police come and charge you with spreading rumors and causing trouble."

The fact that Wang Fucheng described the situation as so serious shows just how angry he was.

It's disheartening that Wangjia Village, which finally produced such a talented person as Wang Chengpeng, is so envied by these people.

If Wangjia Village were to gain a reputation for being intolerant of talented individuals, how could any capable person possibly settle there in the future?
Upon hearing Wang Fucheng's words, even Kong Xiu fell silent.

At least given that Wang Chengpeng was indeed found to have cheated, she would absolutely not dare to be the first to speak out again.

Last time, Wang Chengpeng showed great mercy and forgave her. This time, she dared not gamble that Wang Fucheng would forgive her for spreading rumors and causing trouble.

If I get arrested by the police and have a criminal record, then my son and grandson will be finished!
Under Wang Fucheng's orders, preparations for this individual test were completed in just a short time.

Looking at the potatoes and radishes in the basket, under everyone's watchful eyes, Wang Chengpeng chose the two with more wrinkles and holes.

Wang Chengpeng waved the potatoes and radishes in front of everyone and deliberately said:

"To prevent people from saying that the challenge I chose was different from everyone else's, I directly chose the most difficult potatoes and carrots to handle."

"Does anyone have any objections to these two potatoes and carrots?"

"If you have any objections, please raise them as soon as possible. If you have no objections, I will use them directly for testing."

Everyone gasped in astonishment at the potatoes and radishes that Wang Chengpeng had deliberately chosen.

At this moment, even the most demanding person couldn't find fault with Wang Chengpeng at all, and even felt a little guilty for doing so.

How can potatoes and radishes, which are so difficult to process, retain more of their flesh while ensuring they are completely clean?
Isn't it a bit too much for them to make things difficult for a young person like this?
This time, no one dared to question Wang Chengpeng anymore. If they continued to make trouble, Wang Fucheng, who was standing by, would not be one to be trifled with.

After about three minutes, Wang Chengpeng smiled and said:

"It seems that everyone agrees that I can use these two potatoes and carrots for the test."

"Since that's the case, then I'll make a fool of myself in front of everyone. I just hope you won't mind my poor skills."

(End of this chapter)