In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 123 Leader

After a brief commotion.

Someone stood up and asked, "Lu Laohu... cough cough cough, Chief Lu, how can you guarantee that this so-called peasant representative is a peasant?"

As soon as these words were spoken, other people immediately asked questions.

“These days, there are all sorts of tricks and schemes. Although I’ve been farming for over a decade, I’m not illiterate.”

"How should these farmer representatives be elected? Do we need to pay to join? What happens if we don't pay?"

“Lu Bapi once organized a mountain product harvesting team, saying that some people would be allowed to enter Ant Ridge to harvest mountain products, and he even promised to send troops to escort them. I borrowed money from all over the place and paid 10,000 yuan, and after half a year, the escorting troops disappeared without a trace.”

The crowd was filled with righteous indignation, and they gritted their teeth as they spoke of the late Station Chief Lü.

This reflects normal public sentiment and is not due to malicious interference.

Zhang Like sighed inwardly.

This is why he objected: the border station's reputation score had been reduced to negative by Lü Jinshan.

Unless you point a gun at the farmers' heads, they probably won't cooperate.

But they were border garrison troops, not bandits.

Compared to mobilizing the masses, seizing power from the system is simpler and more efficient.

Lu Zhao had anticipated this, and seeing that everyone's emotions were about to spiral out of control, their anger intensified amidst the discussions.

Of course, there were a few troublemakers among them who fabricated rumors.

For example, it is said that Lü Jinshan condoned border guards' robbery, that he protected his brother-in-law who was a murderer, and that the border guards were all bad.

Normally, people would just think he's crazy for saying these things.

The federal government faces many problems, but beyond those problems it also provides public services and maintains social order.

But when emotions run high, people are prone to extremes, going from only good to only bad.

This is how public opinion is often ruined.

Lu Zhao gained a new understanding.

Next time we hold a similar event, we need to assign a few people to generate discussion in the comments.

He interrupted, saying, "Everyone, come one by one. You can talk about any issues openly, thoroughly, and clearly."

The mental energy, combined with the sound, poured into everyone's minds, causing them to momentarily lose their focus and interrupting the build-up of their emotions.

This can also be considered a function of mental power, with extremely strong control over the situation.

"First, there are the issues that everyone is most concerned about: farmer representatives and village grain and farmers' associations. Farmer representatives are elected by the villagers through a vote by all villagers, and the top three with the most votes are elected. There are no fees to join the village grain and farmers' association, and all operating expenses are borne by the Border Garrison Corps."

Lu Zhao pointed to Zhao Zhili and said, "Comrade, you're sitting closer to the front, so you can go first. Do you have any questions?"

"what?"

Zhao Zhili was taken aback for a moment, then quickly stood up, pondered for a moment, and said, "I want to know if the village's grain and farmers association takes care of water conservancy. The grain office has been inactive for years, which has led to the uneven distribution of water use."

Lu Zhao nodded and said, "If there are no problems, we will take care of the follow-up, but I think it should also be discussed by everyone. No one wants to rely on fighting for water. The South China Sea West Road does not lack water, but it lacks effective management."

"From now on, the border garrison corps will also take on the responsibility of constructing water conservancy projects."

This question set a good precedent, drawing everyone's attention back to the present moment, and many people murmured their agreement.

Regardless of his past, Lu Zhao seems genuinely interested in getting things done.

Then Lu Zhao pointed to his uncle and asked, "It's this comrade's turn."

Luo Yingtu stood up and asked, "Uh... if the threshing grounds are under unified management, does that mean we can pay less in transportation fees?"

This uncle has great potential.

Although they weren't informed beforehand, they knew how to ask questions that would benefit them.

This is also why Lu Zhao first chose Zhao Lizhi and Luo Yingtu to answer; choosing someone who is biased towards him would at least prevent them from asking some tricky questions.

Lu Zhao nodded and said, "Naturally, the Border Garrison Corps is in charge. Now, please let the next comrade ask a question."

The subsequent people mostly pointed randomly, but the first two set a good example, and most of the questions returned to normal. There were a few deliberately difficult questions, but no one paid much attention to them.

As long as the border garrison troops can cover the transportation costs of everyone paying public grain, thus reducing the burden on farmers, then everything will be fine.

The meeting lasted for two and a half hours, and Lu Zhao and a group of border defense leaders also stood for two and a half hours. Some of the people with low life development had numb legs from standing.

Finally, Lu Zhao asked, "I hope everyone has no further questions?"

Someone stood up and said, "There's only one question: does Chief Lu need a wife? My daughter is twenty-three years old."

Everyone burst into laughter, and the topic immediately shifted to matchmaking, with all the eligible women in the family jumping out to speak.

The atmosphere changed from its initial tense tone to a much more cheerful one.

Zhang Like and a group of border defense leaders watched as Lu Zhao mingled with the farmers, his handsome face beaming with smiles, showing none of his usual coldness.

All eyes were on him, and everyone crowded around him.

They all fell silent.

Lu Zhao seemed to have genuinely persuaded the farmers through conversation.

Anyone can make empty promises, but not everyone has credibility.

Zhang Like once asked Lu Zhao why he worked so hard, saying that his feet were raw and calloused from walking so much every year to help with flood control.

At the time, Lu Zhao simply replied that it was his duty, and now gathering farmers in his jurisdiction to restore production order is also his duty.

How many people can actually do what those four simple words say?

At noon, the border garrison prepared a sumptuous lunch for everyone.

Lu Zhao led a group of border defense leaders away, with Zhang Like following closely behind.

As he walked, he looked back and said, "The negotiations went much more smoothly than expected. Although the city tried to trip us up, as long as we have the support of our fellow villagers, all problems will be solved."

The midday sun shone on his tall and straight figure, and his handsome face was beaming with a smile, sweeping away the gloom of the past.

Zhang Like and the others were stunned, then followed Lu Zhao, walking forward step by step.

The road to the border post was bumpy and hadn't been repaired in a long time. They walked unsteadily, but under Lu Zhao's leadership, they would eventually reach their destination.
-
in the afternoon.

After finishing their meal, most people left one after another to go back and relay the orders from the border garrison and the establishment of the village's grain and farmers' association to the villagers.

Everyone agreed that they could reduce the cost of the tractors used for paying grain taxes each year.
Lu Zhao also revised the schedule for the use of the threshing grounds based on previous years. A small number of villages that benefited from the project had objections, but since they were not in the right, they did not dare to voice their opposition.

Lu Zhao doesn't seem like someone to be trifled with either; they might actually get caught in the end.

It's impossible for a decision to satisfy everyone; often, most people will be dissatisfied. But as long as everyone understands its necessity, it can be implemented.

Zhao Zhili and Luo Yingtu did not leave, but were led into the administration building by the staff of the border garrison.

The two whispered to each other in the back, still finding it unbelievable. "Brother, you really kept it a secret. Lu Zhao has become the head of the border station, and you haven't let a word out."

"I only get to see them once a year during holidays, so I don't know either."

"Then your family is going to prosper. The Lü family was so powerful before, now it's your Luo family's turn."

"What does this have to do with my family? Our two families haven't been in contact for years. We couldn't help them when they were being bullied on the spot, and now that they've become officials, it's inappropriate for us to get involved."

Luo Yingtu shook his head repeatedly.

It's a good thing that Lu Zhao has become a high-ranking official, but I don't have a deep relationship with him. Rushing into his arms would only make me an enemy.

That tiny bit of friendship is better saved for when you encounter a real, unsolvable problem in the future.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhili was filled with respect and gave a thumbs up, saying, "Brother Lu is an honest man, so we really shouldn't get involved. But since Lu Zhao has come to us, he must have something to ask of us. If we can help, we shouldn't be careless."

Luo Yingtu nodded: "I know."

Zhao Zhili couldn't help but fantasize: "Maybe the village's grain and farmers association will let the two of us help them take control, and that will be a good identity for us when we go out into the world. Brother Luo is his uncle, so he'll definitely be the chairman of the village's grain and farmers association."

"How could I do that?"

Luo Yingtu verbally refused.

A thought couldn't help but rise in my mind: who wouldn't like power?

Even the smallest amount of power is not something everyone can come across.

The soldiers in front stopped; the stationmaster's office was right in front of them.

He stepped forward and knocked on the door, saying, "Sir, I've brought the person to you."

"Let them in."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Zhao Zhili and Luo Yingtu unconsciously tensed up. The soldier opened the door and let them into the office.

Two people were already seated in the office.

One was Lu Zhao, and the other was a middle-aged man who was simply dressed, had dark skin, and looked quite honest.

Lu Zhao had a good first impression of Feng Zelin, the director of a grain depot in the Ant Ridge area, so he tried to invite him.

Farmers need unity, and so do grain officials.

Lu Zhao stood up to greet the two, saying, "Uncle, Uncle Zhao, you've arrived."

"Hello, Commander Lu..."

Zhao and Luo spoke at the same time, without prior arrangement.

Although both of them were of a higher generation than Lu Zhao, and they used to treat Lu Zhao as an elder, Lu Zhao is now an official.

When you're not very familiar with someone, it's always good to be humble.

Lu Zhao corrected, "Just call me Lu Zhao in private. Uncle Zhao is my elder, after all."

As for public occasions, one should naturally refer to their official title.

To prevent some people from confusing the big and small kings and causing trouble for themselves by relying on their status.

He introduced them to the two men: "This is Feng Zelin, Director Feng. I plan to nominate him to become the head of the village's grain and farmers' association."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the two men flickered for a moment.

Disappointment, resentment, regret.

He then quickly disappeared and warmly greeted Feng Zelin.

Feng Zelin knew their identities and dared not be negligent.

Lu Zhao saw all of this. Most people cannot hide their emotions in front of mental superhumans; not everyone can be so shrewd.

'Uncle Zhao and my maternal uncle are both suitable.'

With this certainty in mind, Lu Zhao pulled everyone to sit down and said bluntly, "The Border Garrison Corps has just been reorganized, and our camp lacks personnel related to agricultural production."

“Uncle Zhao, Uncle, you are experienced and locals. I would like to invite you to join the village’s grain and farmers’ association to help Director Feng better arrange production work.”

Faced with the invitation, Zhao Zhili and Luo Yingtu nodded in agreement without hesitation.

The former patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll definitely get things done for you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Zhao interrupted, "I know, and I trust Uncle Zhao. But we have to keep public and private matters separate. The village grain and farmers' association also pays salaries. How about I pay you three thousand yuan a month?"

"How can this be so embarrassing?"

Zhao Zhili immediately beamed with joy, as his family's annual income was less than 40,000 yuan.

Luo Yingtu also smiled.

For them now, three thousand yuan is enough.

Only Feng Zelin looked surprised and gave Lu Zhao a deep look.

Separate public and private matters.

This Station Master Lu is no ordinary person.

To become the head of a grain depot is no ordinary person; among millions of officials, that's one in several thousand.

Lu Zhao then discussed the village's grain and farmers' association with Feng Zelin, mainly focusing on the latter's opinions.

This seemingly honest and unassuming grain depot director is no ordinary person; he is a doctoral student at the Federal National Agricultural University with extensive practical and grassroots experience.

The Federation has never lacked talent; the talent of a single county can govern the entire country.

Many people are just missing an opportunity, and Lu Zhao is willing to give him that opportunity.

The village food and farmers' association is not a formal organization, but rather a place for farmers to govern themselves and resolve disputes.

One president, one vice president, and eighty directors.

The goal is to ensure that every clan, large or small, receives a quota, both to expand their power and to prevent any unrest.

A relative of the family served as a director, and anyone who wanted to cause trouble would be dealt with by this director.

Grassroots governance doesn't require scheming or elaborate systems; it only needs to be functional and stable.

Most importantly, it is about public credibility.

Feng Zelin pointed out: "The village's food and farmers' association was accepted by the villagers because of Chief Lu."

Lu Zhao shook his head and said, "Without Director Feng and the support of the villagers, would I be farming all by myself?"

Feng Zelin was slightly taken aback and couldn't answer for a moment.

This young border region leader is indeed an extraordinary person.

(End of this chapter)