Wang Xiaoqiang immediately understood Wang Dazhong's suggestion. Zhu Erpeng had once been a well-known vegetable farmer within a ten-mile radius. In the early 1990s, when he had just left school and nobody thought much of it, he built his own greenhouse and started growing vegetables. To everyone's surprise, he eventually made some money and his business grew larger.

However, later on, due to romantic issues, he let his vegetable field go to waste. It was said to be because of a woman from the city, his classmate, who naturally refused to marry into the countryside. Although Zhu Erpeng later emerged from the shadow of his heartbreak, married a rural woman, and had children, he never farmed again.

After that, he seemed very lazy and defeated, never recovering from his fall.

Zhu Erpeng certainly had a set of methods for setting up greenhouses and growing vegetables, and Wang Xiaoqiang thought Wang Dazhong's idea was good, so he decided to seek Zhu Erpeng's help.

Ultimately, the construction of the three-story building on Wang Xiaoqiang's old house was entrusted to Wang Dazhong, who gave Wang Xiaoqiang a business card from a foreman named Xiao at a provincial construction team, saying the team was known for its skills and reputation.

Wang Dazhong, a clan elder of his own, was someone Wang Xiaoqiang knew wouldn't deceive him, so he called the number on the business card to contact Boss Xiao.

Boss Xiao's company was large, and a villa was considered a small project for them, but they always took on small projects. After Wang Xiaoqiang's call, Boss Xiao immediately sent a construction crew, to whom Wang Xiaoqiang explained the site selection for the villa.

Wang Xiaoqiang finally chose to locate the villa near the village committee building next to the fishpond and planned to construct a two-story office building in front of the villa.

Then, the engineering team's personnel began to measure the building site and provided Wang Xiaoqiang with several villa design options. He chose one that was a mix of Chinese and Western styles, generous and elegant in appearance.

After the selection, staff members based on this villa's cost and according to Wang Xiaoqiang's requirements, sketched a design that included a garden, a swimming pool, and a parking lot in front of the villa. Finally, they presented a budget of approximately one million yuan. Together with a two-story office building, it was about 1.3 million yuan in total.

Wang Xiaoqiang unhesitatingly prepaid half of the construction cost, which surprised and pleased the construction crew. They wondered why this rural youngster under twenty was so lavish with money. Now, many people in rural areas built villas, but like Wang Xiaoqiang, with both a garden and a swimming pool, it was indeed rare.

The parking lot was even more ridiculous—there was plenty of parking space in the countryside, why bother building a parking lot? He must have too much money!

But Wang Xiaoqiang thought differently. Ultimately, people live for the sake of living, and once one's assets exceed what's needed for living, it's about enjoying life!

After the villa was built, it would undeniably be necessary for guests who drove to his place to park; should he let people park their cars haphazardly?

Having a parking lot not only maintains order but also prevents people from looking down on him.

The provincial construction team and the village construction team started the construction almost simultaneously, that's when Wang Xiaoqiang found Zhu Erpeng.

When Wang Xiaoqiang arrived at Zhu Erpeng's house, it was a bad time as Zhu Erpeng and his wife were having a disagreement. Zhu Erpeng was lying in bed watching TV, while his wife, Deng Lihua, was washing clothes in the yard and complaining about Zhu Erpeng.

The arrival of Wang Xiaoqiang halted Deng Lihua's complaints, she greeted Wang Xiaoqiang warmly, invited him to sit down in the main room, and offered him a cigarette with enthusiasm. Wang Xiaoqiang, now considered a rich man in the village and having just been praised by the village secretary at the recent school inauguration, was welcomed wherever he went.

However, Zhu Erpeng didn't seem very enthusiastic and continued to lie in bed watching TV. Deng Lihua called out to him, but he ignored her.

Deng Lihua began complaining to Wang Xiaoqiang about Zhu Erpeng: "Little Qiang, look at him, a grown man lying in bed watching TV all day, doing nothing, not even going out to work. I had to borrow money for our children's tuition from my family... Ah, I can't live this way any longer..." She started crying.

At her tears, Deng Erpeng suddenly sprang from the bed and walked out, clearly annoyed.

Deng Lihua pointed towards her husband as he walked out the door, lamenting to Wang Xiaoqiang, "Look at him, that's just the type of man he is, not even caring to greet a guest. Little Qiang, please don't take it the wrong way..."

Wang Xiaoqiang was displeased; he had heard that Zhu Erpeng had always been negligent, but he hadn't expected him to be this bad. His murky eyes, his hair as messy as a bird's nest, convinced Wang Xiaoqiang that Zhu Erpeng was not just negligent but also had a defeatist attitude. Such a person couldn't be employed—had he known it would be like this, he wouldn't have come!

But since he was already there, it wouldn't be right to leave in a hurry. Thus, he explained to Deng Lihua his reason for coming: if Zhu Erpeng agreed, he would be in charge of the Vegetable Base, which involved managing everything from the structure of the vegetable greenhouses, choosing the seeds, and growing the seedlings—everything except sales.

Zhou would certainly be paid more than ordinary workers, how much more was not specified by Wang Xiaoqiang but was to be determined by Zhu Erpeng's attitude toward his work.

Upon hearing Wang Xiaoqiang's words, Deng Lihua's eyes suddenly lit up, like someone who had seen hope in despair, and she couldn't help but grasp Wang Xiaoqiang's hand tightly, "Little Qiang, thank you so much, you've found a way for our family to survive..."

Wang Xiaoqiang quickly withdrew his hand, saying in a fluster, "Please don't do this, it would be misunderstood if someone saw us..."

Deng Lihua immediately smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, Little Qiang, I got too excited. Please don't mind."

"It's okay, I understand your feelings and hope that your family's situation can improve. However, I just looked at Big Brother Zhu's condition, and it's not good. I hope you won't take it wrong that I've come here, of course hoping that Big Brother Zhu can help me, but I certainly do not want lazy people, those with no passion for work, as they only become a burden..."

Wang Xiaoqiang hadn't finished speaking when Deng Lihua grabbed his hand again, fearing he might change his mind, and excitedly said, "Little Qiang, rest assured, I will definitely persuade Erpeng to follow you and work hard. Actually, everyone knows, our family's Erpeng is straightforward and doesn't beat around the bush.

As long as he agrees to work with you, he'll definitely take his work seriously and do a good job..."

Wang Xiaoqiang, of course, was well aware of Zhu Erpeng's character. Just as his wife had said, he was not sly, which is why he didn't even greet a guest when one arrived, but straightforward people are indeed most suitable as employees. Thus, Wang Xiaoqiang withdrew his hand from Deng Lihua's grasp, "Alright then, I hope you can convince him. If he agrees, let him come to me!"

Wang Xiaoqiang said this and then walked away from the Zhu Family.

"Ah, Little Qiang, rest assured, I will definitely persuade him!" Deng Lihua again assured him, accompanying Wang Xiaoqiang all the way to the door.

Actually, Wang Xiaoqiang wanted Zhu Erpeng mostly because he didn't know where to start with setting up greenhouses. As for growing vegetables, he believed that with the Five Elements Spiritual Spring, nothing was too difficult for him, but there were many things he couldn't do himself. It was best to have someone experienced to handle things for him.

Seeing Zhu Erpeng's despondent demeanor, Wang Xiaoqiang sighed and felt that Zhu Erpeng might be unwilling to come, and even if he did come, he might not be able to do well.

What Wang Xiaoqiang hadn't expected was that Zhu Erpeng came looking for him the next day, and at that time, Zhu Erpeng had tidied himself up, sporting a tidy crew cut and wearing new clothes. More importantly, his face didn't show the indifference and despondency of the previous day, but was full of enthusiasm. Upon seeing Wang Xiaoqiang, he even smiled and unusually offered him a cigarette.

Wang Xiaoqiang asked, "Big Brother Zhu, you've changed so quickly, I can hardly keep up!"

Zhu Erpeng smiled sheepishly and said, "I'm sorry, Little Qiang. I neglected you yesterday, but your arrival made me realize something—I can't go on like this anymore. I have to be responsible for my kids, for that home."

Zhu Erpeng's words surprised Wang Xiaoqiang, who then said, "Big Brother Zhu, you are straightforward, and so am I. I don't like to beat around the bush. I truly hope you can help me, but let me make this clear. Today I still have to recruit workers. Your salary might be higher than the ordinary workers, but it could also be lower, depending on your performance..."

Use those you trust and do not suspect those you use. Zhu Erpeng's transformation still felt a bit too sudden, and he had to make it clear.

"I understand. Little Qiang, don't worry, I'll do my best!"

"Alright, then let's start work today. Come with me to the village to pick workers."

Wang Xiaoqiang said this and took Zhu Erpeng to the village.

When the villagers heard that Wang Xiaoqiang was recruiting workers, a crowd swiftly gathered. Xia Sanwa also came, standing at the forefront—after all, Wang Xiaoqiang had promised him a leader's position last time, and he certainly hadn't forgotten.

Although many people came, Wang Xiaoqiang only needed twenty. Those chosen were overjoyed, while those not selected sighed with disappointment. It was clear that everyone really wanted to be a worker for Wang Xiaoqiang, which was inseparable from his generosity.

For those not selected, Wang Xiaoqiang offered some comfort. Everyone understood and dispersed.

Xia Sanwa was selected, but Wang Xiaoqiang didn't promise to let him be the leader.

In terms of selecting personnel for the Vegetable Base, Zhu Erpeng gave Wang Xiaoqiang plenty of suggestions, showing that he was indeed enthusiastic about the work.

Wang Xiaoqiang chose twenty workers, then under Zhu Erpeng's leadership, they began the construction of the vegetable greenhouses. Over at the orchard, Wang Xiaoqiang took Xia Sanwa to select fruit saplings.

All the way, Wang Xiaoqiang was considering the choice of saplings, but eventually, it was Xia Sanwa who reminded him, mentioning that apple prices had been rising in recent years and suggested planting apples.

Since quitting gambling and starting his business last year, Xia Sanwa's main trade had been in selling fruit, so he was quite familiar with the prices of fruit.

Impressed by Xia Sanwa's suggestion, Wang Xiaoqiang deeply agreed. After all, the orchard was there to make money, so naturally, it should plant whatever brought in more money. Apple prices had been consistently high and seemed to be increasing every year. Moreover, apple yields had always been high.

Although apples were not a rare commodity, and their prices were high but not too high, Wang Xiaoqiang didn't see it that way. If someone could grow apples that tasted even better than the Fuji apples, they'd certainly have the leverage to raise the price to an all-time high. Of course, his apples would then be a rare commodity!

With the Five Elements Spiritual Spring, Wang Xiaoqiang believed he had the capability to turn apples into a rare commodity! (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for it with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)

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