Fishing and Hunting 82, Starting with Three Sisters Who Overprotect Their Brothers

Zhang Wenshan pressed on Li Yuejin's shoulder, deliberately not finishing his sentence and controlling his volume.

The villagers watching outside couldn't hear clearly, but those inside could hear every word perfectly.

As soon as he finished speaking, his hand suddenly felt lighter.

Looking at Li Yuejin, his legs were shaking uncontrollably, and he only managed to stay upright by supporting himself on the table with his hands, thus avoiding collapsing to the ground and making a fool of himself in public.

So you're backing down already?

Zhang Wenshan raised an eyebrow, quite surprised. He was prepared to put in all his effort for a long battle, but he didn't expect his opponent to surrender as soon as he made his move.

"No, I didn't, Secretary..."

Li Yuejin was immediately terrified and at a loss for what to do.

Deliberate distortion?

If this is confirmed, we're doomed.

In his desperation, he couldn't find a reason to refute the argument, so he could only keep gesturing with his eyes, hoping that someone would stand up and say something in his defense.

But everyone kept their distance from what they could see.

Is the accusation that the brigade leaders are not doing their job?

Distorting policy?

Both charges are serious, but the most important thing is that Zhang Wenshan is acting strangely today; he speaks with reason and evidence.

If you rashly respond, who knows what else he might say?

"You didn't fully grasp the Great Leap Forward policy, and your handling of stopping the digging of the 'Toad Pond' project was ill-considered. You should apologize to the construction company first."

At the crucial moment, the old Party Secretary, his eyes clouded, slowly spoke, keeping his eyes fixed on Zhang Wenshan throughout.

Seeing that he didn't stop her, she breathed a sigh of relief.

I know this kid knows what's good for him and isn't here to cause trouble.

"Ah, I..." Li Yuejin's eyes widened.

An apology? Isn't that the same as admitting fault?

Who will respect me as the squad leader after that?

"If it wasn't you, then who else could it be but me?" The old Party Secretary slammed his fist on the table, his roar shaking the heavens.

An uproar immediately erupted outside.

"Did I hear that right? Li Kuai-zui is supposed to apologize?"

"Does that mean raising toads is feasible?"

"It's still more reliable than growing crops on sandy or gravelly land."

Li Yuejin shuddered, realizing what was happening.

Given the current situation, being able to extricate oneself from the deliberate distortion of policies is already the best possible outcome.

He turned to Zhang Jianshe, who was huddled to the side, and mumbled, "Old Zhang, this... was my fault."

"I..." Zhang Jianshe was flattered and trembled even more than Li Yuejin. He subconsciously wanted to wave his hand and say that it was no need.

Farmers who grew up in the era of the "iron rice bowl" system have great respect for the team leader.

This position may not wield much power, but it holds the key to every household's livelihood; with a mere gesture, it can sway the entire family's fortunes.

They could get involved in everything from the weight of the work to the number of work points, and even when their children were going to school or joining the army.

"Captain Li, could you please speak louder? My father is elderly and hard of hearing."

Zhang Wenshan pulled his father back, his face showing displeasure.

Who apologizes with their head held high?

The voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, and the content was even less sincere; from a distance, it was clearly the squad leader giving a speech.

Who are you trying to fool?

Upon hearing this, Li Yuejin instinctively glared, about to put on his usual intimidating air, but Zhang Wenshan looked at him with a half-smile, completely unmoved.

As the saying goes, one should always be wary of others.

Once I make money, there will definitely be people who are envious. Today, I deliberately made a big fuss to intimidate others and seize the initiative.

Today, we'll keep Li Yuejin under control.

From now on, anyone who dares to have such thoughts will have to think twice, which will save them a lot of trouble.

"Old Zhang, I was wrong about this today. I didn't fully understand the policy. Please don't take it to heart."

In the end, Li Yuejin gave in and, gritting his teeth, shouted loudly.

"Captain Li is able to admit his mistakes and correct them, he is a good role model for our Chishong Village." Zhang Wenshan changed the subject and added, "I was also wrong, making such a commotion and delaying everyone's lunch break."

That's all.

He turned around and bowed deeply to the crowd watching outside the house, then turned back and bowed to the brigade cadres inside the house to apologize.

His attitude was sincere, and his movements were efficient.

"Shanzi is different after he's been to town; he speaks and chats with much more order and method."

"They used to say they would never gamble again, but the Zhang family has finally made it through."

"Wenshan, how exactly did you set up that toad pond? Can you really raise toads there?"

"Yes, I also have a gravel plot of land at home, can I do the same?"

Compared to the conflict between Zhang Wenshan and Li Yuejin, the people of Chishongtun were more concerned about how to earn extra money.

The grain grown in the fields had to be handed over to the state as grain, and there was also a unified purchase quota. Each mu of land had to sell for at least 70 or 80 jin, and the price was low. In addition, the collective also had to retain some grain.

Miscellaneous items account for about 15% to close to 20%.

When something happens at home, there's no emergency money available, so we have to borrow.

Previously, the production team could provide a safety net, but now that the land has been distributed, everyone is eager to find alternative ways to make a living, but they just can't figure out where to start.

"Dear uncles, aunts, and grandmas, as you just heard, raising frogs is still in the experimental stage. I will report to the Party Secretary later."

Whether it will succeed or not depends on the Party Secretary's decision.

Zhang Wenshan decisively shifted the blame.

Upon hearing this, the old Party Secretary glared at him, stood up, and waved his hand: "Folks, whether raising frogs complies with policy or not, we still need to study and report it. Go back and wait for our reply!"

"That's all for now, we still have work to do this afternoon."

"Let's go, let's just wait for news."

The other members of the team also got up and soon persuaded the people outside to leave.

"Father, Mother, you go back first. Eldest sister can stay and keep me company." Zhang Wenshan also told his family to leave, leaving Zhang Fengxia alone.

As the team's doors closed, the light suddenly dimmed.

Zhang Fengxia gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, feeling panicked.

She used to listen to the cadres speak from outside, but now, facing the three leaders of the team, she had no confidence at all.

"Why did you let the factory open?"

The first to speak was the battalion commander, his brow furrowed with a hint of doubt.

Judging from the conflict just now, Zhang Wenshan is quick-witted and experienced in handling affairs, unlike someone who acts recklessly.

"Hey, when you're gambling, you don't care about anything else," Zhang Wenshan sighed. "I only realized this after I lost my job."

"It's good that you admit your mistakes and are willing to correct them." The old Party Secretary tapped the table. "Tell me the specific procedures for raising toads?"

"Could I borrow the blackboard?"

Zhang Wenshan went straight to the thick wooden board painted with black paint, picked up a piece of chalk the size of a fingernail, and started drawing.

He first sketched out a rectangle, then marked circles inside it, and then expanded the outer edge by another circle.

"The toad pond is divided into three layers. The outermost layer is a shallow area, filled with water up to the height of a palm, and covered with a layer of fine sand and chopped grass to facilitate the toads laying eggs."

A squad leader, squinting, interjected, "Even your ditch isn't this shallow."

Zhang Wenshan really didn't want to answer such a brainless question, so he pretended not to hear and continued explaining.

At the end of June, in the experimental pond, what were we digging that thing for?

He then drew several downward-curving arcs in the middle of the rectangle.

"This is the deep water area in the middle, it's like the bottom of a pot, the water is about thigh-deep."

Regardless of temperature or encountering predators, they can survive inside.

Finally, there's the issue of site selection. Ideally, the base layer should have mortar to prevent leaks after compaction.

As he spoke, he patched up small openings at both ends of the rectangle.

"These two places are the water inlet and outlet; when the water is full, it flows out on its own."

The team headquarters fell silent for a moment, everyone intently staring at the blackboard.

Zhang Wenshan's drawing skills are not high; his work leans towards practicality.

Compared to professional surveyors and architects, it was nothing short of impressive in Chishongtun during that era.

"The drawing you did..." the brigade secretary couldn't help but ask, "is no worse than the drawings of the technicians who went to the countryside."

Zhang Wenshan was taken aback, then quickly scratched his head, feigning an honest and simple look: "If I were to work as an apprentice in the agricultural machinery factory, I would definitely have to learn how to draw."

The old Party Secretary nodded, half believing and half doubting.

The squad leader spoke again, his tone disdainful: "In the end, it's just digging a hole."

Toads have long legs and aren't stupid. The outside world is vast and free, so why should they stay here with you?

"Wouldn't they all die if they were to cause such a commotion?"

"Then what are you doing staying at home?" Zhang Wenshan turned his head and gave a professional fake smile. "The outside world is vast and free."