Chapter 69: Head-on Counterattack (Seeking Bookmarks)

  Thank you very much "Ivanov" for your generous reward and support!

  ————————————————

  In the Shanhe Township Government, Yang Jishan, the deputy director of the Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, was furious. The Shanhe Township agreed to allow tobacco farmers to purchase pesticides and fertilizers on their own, which was said to be a new policy implemented by the young and inexperienced township head Lu Zhengdong. When the bureau found out about this, they took it very seriously. This was an easy thing to do, and it was also an important source of profit for the tobacco company. So, Yang Jishan went to negotiate with Lu Zhengdong. Originally, he thought that a simple warning would be enough to stop him, but unexpectedly, it had no effect at all. The Shanhe Township actually dared to go against the rules, which was outrageous! Upon receiving the news, Director Tan Xing'an, who was playing cards, slammed his fist on the table and stood up:

  "This is just a rustic village chief, really doesn't know the height of heaven and earth. Old Yang, you go to Shanhe, and get him settled for me!"

  The director spoke, and Yang Jishan naturally didn't say a second word. He also thought that Lu Zhengdong was just a silly young man who wouldn't take much effort to handle things well. However, he never expected that in the morning, he would call the countryside to say that he wanted to come to the countryside, but that silly young mayor had not taken it seriously at all. Instead, he left him here, drinking a belly full of water and running to the toilet countless times, but Lu Zhengdong's hair hadn't even been seen once.

  Such treatment, he had never encountered in the lower towns before, but this time, he was actually arrogant in this mountainous area. This Lu Zhengdong is really arrogant. He needs to be taught a lesson and let him know that the pot is made of cast iron!

  Director Yang had complained countless times and had gone to the bathroom several times. Just when his patience was about to disappear, footsteps were finally heard outside the door, and a voice rang out:

  "Director Yang, I'm really sorry, rare guest comes to the door, but made you wait for a long time, tonight I'll punish myself with three cups..."

  A young man came in and said with a bow.

  The Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and the tobacco company are actually two brands with one team, the director and deputy director are actually the manager and deputy manager, generally referred to as the manager and deputy manager, but the heads of the tobacco company prefer to be called director and deputy director, which is more prestigious.

  "Director Lu, it's harder to see the leaders in your village than to see the central leaders. It seems that Director Lu is even busier than the Premier who handles all state affairs..."

  Yang Jingshan sat on a cold bench for half a day, drank a bellyful of water, and also swallowed a bellyful of anger, so he didn't have any good facial expressions.

  After finishing speaking, he also sized up this young village chief, his first reaction was that he was young, and his second reaction was still that he was young.

  The smile on his face is like a spring breeze, not as flashy as imagined, but the smile seems to carry a sense of ease, always with an inexplicable flavor. In short, it's somewhat different from what he had imagined...

  Lu Zhengdong listened to Hu Litzhong's introduction while also sizing up the people in the room. Yang Jingshan, who appeared to be in his 40s, had a square face and an air of authority about him. Next to him was Qi, the legal advisor for the tobacco company, who was slightly older than Yang Jingshan and wore black-framed glasses with a searching gaze. Yang Jingshan had brought him along, seemingly as part of his preparations.

  Lu Zhengdong smiled faintly after hearing Yang Jingshan's indignant words:

  "Director Yang also knows that the countryside is currently busy with tobacco drying and other things, and progress is not going smoothly. It's a headache, so please ask Director Yang to understand..."

  Yang Jingshan also knew this was just a perfunctory remark, which was just a gesture.

  "Never mind, Director Lu. I'm not here for nothing, today I came for the tobacco planting issue. Our tobacco company provides fertilizer and pesticides to tobacco farmers, mainly to ensure the quality of tobacco, which is related to the county's financial income of tens of millions of yuan. It will also be beneficial to the township's financial revenue. I hope the township can support our work, otherwise, it won't be good if there are problems and we have to report to the county government. Director Lu, you know what I mean..."

  Since he had been cooled down for so long, Yang Jingshan didn't have the heart to make small talk and waste words. Although he was angry in his heart, he came to solve problems after all, so he also held back his temper and said.

  Lu Zhengdong smiled, Yang Jingshan was both wearing a big hat to intimidate him and nakedly using the acquisition to threaten him. If he did this to him, then it's even more so for the ordinary people below, this monopolistic industry's arrogance is evident, no wonder the ordinary people have such strong opinions about the tobacco company, making work in the countryside so difficult.

  Both sides were engaged in a war of words, with Yang Jingshan originally intending to overpower Lu Zhengdong. However, he found that his opponent was extremely well-prepared, having a thorough understanding of the income from tobacco farming and being very familiar with the prices of pesticides and fertilizers. His arguments were logical and convincing, rendering Yang's threats ineffective. This truly proved the saying: "What I fear is not the fierce, but the foolhardy." This foolish young man was indeed difficult to deal with...

  Lu Zhengdong was also annoyed by Yang Jingshan's tone, but since they were sitting together, they had to solve the problem after all. Lu Zhengdong brought up the issue of tobacco companies lowering their prices again. As long as they were on par with the supply and marketing cooperatives and agricultural material companies, the ordinary people would still be able to accept it. However, Yang Jingshan flatly rejected it, leaving no room for negotiation. Seeing his attitude, Lu Zhengdong did not dwell on the price issue anymore.

  "Director Yang, our township is very supportive of the tobacco company's work. As you can see, almost everyone in the township is now busy with tobacco-related activities, it's like a whole-town effort. Director Yang, I'm afraid you haven't worked in Shanhe before and don't know the situation of the farmers here. They are very poor, they even hesitate for half a day when buying needles and threads that cost only a few cents, let alone other things. Pesticides and fertilizers are sold everywhere, and the prices are well-known to the common people, so it's also difficult to do publicity work in the township. I think it would be better if the tobacco company, which is more familiar with this aspect, takes charge of promoting and explaining how their fertilizers and pesticides can guarantee the quality of tobacco leaves. Our township government will fully support and cooperate..."

  Yang Jingshan did not expect that Lu Zhengdong would also kick the ball so smoothly, and immediately pushed the responsibility to the tobacco company. This ball he will definitely not catch.

  "The quality is good, the price will definitely be a bit more expensive. The tobacco farmers can make money by growing tobacco, and this slightly higher price is just a drop in the bucket for them. They have been using it for so many years that they don't need our tobacco company to promote it at all. Secretary Lu, please consider the bigger picture, your village should not let things slide, otherwise when the time comes and the quality of the tobacco leaves becomes a problem, the ordinary people will not be able to sell them for a good price, and the work in your village will become very passive."

  On the other side, Lawyer Qiu was also tapping on the edge of the drum: "Director Lu, this is a signed agreement. If the tobacco farmers do not follow the agreement, the tobacco company has the right to take various measures, including legal action. The tobacco company is doing this to complete the county's task, our goals are consistent, so we should work together and not let this small matter damage the harmony between our two families, Director Lu, don't you think?..."

  Lu Zhengdong saw Yang Jingshan's desperate situation, and finally revealed his trump card. Qiu lawyer was threatening and mediating at the same time, singing in harmony, it seemed that he wouldn't give up until he forced him to surrender. So he smiled and said:

  "Director Yang, for the sake of the overall situation, the village has already done enough work. However, whether tobacco farmers can make money or not is something they naturally have a measure of in their hearts. If it were truly profitable, who would complain about making too much money? They should be eager to plant more and better tobacco, and there would be no need for us to mobilize village cadres in such a difficult way. But the reality is just the opposite. Director Yang, please have your tobacco company conduct some thorough research on this matter, don't do things that kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, or everyone will end up being passive..."

  Lu Zhengdong said as he glanced at Qiu lawyer:

  "As for the agreement, regarding the refusal to accept the content of not using fertilizers and pesticides provided by tobacco companies, Lawyer Qiu is a professional, he knows better than me how things are."

  The content of this part of the agreement is completely unfair and tyrannical, and if it were to be strictly enforced, it would be invalid. As a professional, Lawyer Qiu said that even with the support of the county government, winning the lawsuit would not allow the tobacco company to do anything to the tobacco farmers except refuse to accept their goods. Refusal to accept was their trump card, but Lu Zhengdong also had his own killer move.

  "Of course, this is not important, what's important is that the roads in our village are now open to traffic, and it's more convenient to go to neighboring counties or even provinces than before. The quality of tobacco leaves in our village is quite good, those tobacco companies are really envious...this is the most troublesome thing..."

  Yang Jingshan was taken aback as soon as he heard it, this headache wasn't from the countryside, but from the county tobacco company!