"Of course, of course, it's all necessary. Now let's get started. Everyone feel free to speak your mind, treat Zhenfei as our village head, not some big boss, feel free to speak."

Ling Zhenfei said with a smile, "Right, right, right, let's separate these matters. I am the owner of Xishan Manor and also the village head of Qinghe Village. Everyone feel free to speak. Just say whatever you have in mind."

At that moment, one of the committee members stood up, looking dejected and said, "Actually, it's not a big deal. Now, Xishan Manor has rented eighty percent of our village's land, and eighty percent of the people in the village have gone to work for Xishan Manor. Soon, our village will exist in name only."

"I think, in the future, let's just rename it Xishan Manor Village. Xishan Manor has benefited so much, shouldn't it show some gratitude?"

After the two of them finished speaking, they all looked at Ling Zhenfei, waiting for his reaction, not just them, almost everyone was watching Ling Zhenfei.

Ling Zhenfei had not expected them to start making things difficult as soon as they got up, without any preamble.

"Oh, then what do you think Xishan Manor should do to show its gratitude?"

Ling Zhenfei pretended not to understand, trying to test what these people really wanted to do.

The man looked at Ling Zhenfei: "Xishan Manor has gained so much, how much money does it make a year from so much land? I think Xishan Manor should spend money to repair the school, Village Committee, and the village roads."

"There's no need to repair the school; that broken school should be rebuilt instead. Let the children attend for free. The Village Committee does need rebuilding; it's the face of our village, and it must be built beautifully."

"I think we should also install internet cables in the village, offering free access to everyone, and the costs should be covered by Xishan Manor."

"No, no, Xishan Manor should also pay a portion of money to the village every year, and all the things you just mentioned should be done in the name of the Village Committee."

These people started talking all at once, almost all addressing Ling Zhenfei. Ling Zhenfei finally understood, they were treating Xishan Manor like a scapegoat.

He looked over at Guo Ju and instantly figured it out. Though Guo Ju remained silent, the sneer at the corner of his mouth was revealing. Clearly, he had arranged this beforehand, indeed quite sinister.

Ling Zhenfei had intended to lead the villagers to prosperity, but with the situation at Xishan Manor being so tense and he himself not yet wealthy, how could he lift everyone to prosperity?

Besides, even if Ling Zhenfei had plenty of money, these initiatives should be proposed by him. Others suggesting that Xishan Manor should do this or that was entirely different in nature.

"Everyone quiet down, I think I understand. You feel that since Xishan Manor is renting the land from the villagers and has gained a big advantage, it should therefore give part of the money to the Village Committee to do good, right?"

Guo Ju said with a grin, "Yes, university graduates are different, instantly getting to the heart of the matter. This is the situation, and as our village head, shouldn't you strongly support this approach?"

Ling Zhenfei was so angry he could have burst into flames, these people were treating him like a naive child, making their money-grab sound so noble.

"But why should Xishan Manor give this money to the Village Committee, just because it earns money, it has to give the village money? That's a bit unreasonable."

"Look at what you're saying, Xishan Manor is now on such a large piece of land, all on the best feng shui spots. Could it have been built without the support of the village?"

One of the committee members said to Ling Zhenfei with a sneer.

Ling Zhenfei laughed. "That place, you all grew up there since you were kids. Don't you know it? When I leased that place, it was just wasteland, and I paid for the lease. The village didn't offer any support."

"Ling Zhenfei, stop acting like you got a bargain and are above it all. You've leased eighty percent of the land in Qinghe Village and made so much money without wanting to give a penny back. You are being too stingy."

One of the committee members said excitedly, looking like he was on the verge of making a personal attack.

Ling Zhenfei laughed again. "You're right, leasing the villagers' land has indeed been very profitable, greatly profitable. But don't be jealous; I'm offering you a chance too."

"Xishan Manor made money leasing land, and you can lease too. I'll go gather the villagers right now and tell them their land isn't being leased to Xishan Manor anymore, but to the deputy head and members of the Village Committee instead."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Zhenfei stood up and walked towards the door; Guo Ju hurriedly pulled Ling Zhenfei back. "Zhenfei, what do you mean by this? Why are you walking out after just a few words? We can discuss whatever it is."

Ling Zhenfei turned around and walked back. "What is there to discuss? I'm doing this for your benefit. We can all make money together, and right now, Xishan Manor isn't even interested in making this money."

At this, the committee members fell silent. No one is a fool; the rent offered by Xishan Manor was high. Moreover, villagers who rented their land to Xishan Manor also worked there and received bonuses at the end of the year. That was three sources of income.

Farming was hardly profitable already, and apart from Xishan Manor, probably no one could afford such a price.

Seeing that the committee members had stopped talking, Ling Zhenfei addressed them. "Gentlemen, although I, Ling Zhenfei, am young, I am not someone to be trifled with. I leased the village's land because I wanted the villagers and myself to prosper together."

"Look at these past years, has there been any development in the village? It's still a famously impoverished village. The land in the mountain village is so barren, what can possibly grow there? Why do you think I lease land in the village instead of the vast plains?"

"Leasing land on the plains is cheaper than my rates, and it doesn't require effort to level the land. Plus, the soil is far more fertile than in the village. So, why would I lease land here?"

"It's because I want to enrich everyone together. It's ironic; just as the villagers start to see some benefits, the Village Committee can't stand it. Without the village's support, I think I'll call it quits on leasing; I don't feel like leasing anymore."

"You should come see for yourselves at Xishan Manor. There are too many people now, and I simply can't accommodate so many. So, thankfully, the Village Committee has saved me. I'll go tell the villagers it's not that Xishan Manor doesn't want to lease, but because of the Village Committee. You explain it to the villagers."

Ling Zhenfei stood up again to leave, but Guo Ju quickly grabbed him. "Zhenfei, don't go. We were just messing with you, and you took it seriously."

"What 'just messing around'?"

"The stuff about donating to the village was just a joke. It was an unconventional welcome ceremony prepared by our Village Committee. Everyone agrees, right?"

Guo Ju said with a smile, his quick thinking impressive although the excuse was a bit far-fetched.

"Yes, yes, it was a welcome ceremony. I said we shouldn't joke like this with Zhenfei, but you wouldn't listen."

"Yeah, Xishan Manor has solved the employment problems for our villagers. It's been a great benefactor to our village."

"Exactly, we should support the work of Xishan Manor more."

Listenting amusedly, Ling Zhenfei thought to himself, these people really had shot themselves in the foot.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.