Yun Que'er couldn't help but cast a glance at Liu Kui. How could such a big, burly man be more garrulous than a woman?
Just because he had a good relationship with the village head and sent him firecrackers and gifts every year, did he think he could interfere in the major matter of farming in the village?
Yun Que'er scorned this. Last year, because of the incident where his son Liu Yu got beaten up, didn't Liu Kui even beat up the village head?
It hadn't been that long, and yet they were colluding again.
The village head was such a spineless person. He forgot the pain once the wound healed. Just because he could often eat meat by being on good terms with Liu Kui, he forgot about being beaten by him.
Not only was he not bothered by Liu Kui's meddling, but he even chimed in.
"Farming depends on the right time, place, and people. This year's situation is not good. If we common folks don't work harder, we won't be able to grow any good crops. You see, isn't that the truth?"
The village head had even learned to use fancy words. Yun Que'er curled her lips.
If people didn't know better, they'd think he was a college - educated high - achiever.
But no matter how nicely he put it, the people below just weren't willing.
"What do you mean? It sounds like we're not working hard!" a villager said angrily. "My dear village head, can you open your eyes and take a look? Which one of us in this village hasn't worked hard and spent all our time in the fields? Even an eight - year - old kid has been out there with a small hoe to pull weeds. Aren't you ashamed to say that?"
As he spoke, he pointed at Yun Que'er.
Yun Que'er looked up in surprise. Why were they dragging her into this when they were just talking?
Since she had been mentioned, it wouldn't be right if she didn't say something. So she replied,
"We've all worked hard enough. What we lack is a good method. We're not forcing you, village head, to do something, but at least you should show some attitude. Always dodging like this, what's that all about?"
The village head winced. He knew this little girl from the Yun family was sharp - tongued and didn't want to suffer another loss at her hands, so he just snorted and ignored her.
Just as he was about to move on, Liu Kui suddenly said sourly,
"How old are you, and you're already meddling in village affairs? If people don't know better, they'd think you're the village head. Right, your family is so lucky to have you. Everything goes smoothly for you. Village head, you may not know this, but they've already opened up a piece of land on the back mountain. Before, they earned work - points for food. Maybe in the future, they won't even rely on the village for their meals."
Yun Que'er frowned. She knew Liu Kui wouldn't say anything good once he opened his mouth, but she didn't expect him to be so straightforward about their family's land.
It seemed that Liu Kui had been eyeing them for a long time and had always known about this. He was just waiting for the right time to tell the village head.
The village head raised his eyebrows in surprise and turned to look at Yun Que'er.
"Your family dares to farm on their own? How bold!"
Liu Kui immediately echoed, "Village head, who do you think I was talking about just now? It's them! They've managed to farm their land well. They carry water there every day, so that's why they don't seem tired."
Liu Kui folded his arms and took two steps towards Yun Que'er.
"Little girl, your family's land is growing quite well. I wonder what good things you've used. I don't think it's just about watering and weeding every day, right?"
Yun Que'er glared at Liu Kui. She didn't expect him to be so observant that he even knew they had used chemical fertilizers. So she put the small hoe aside and stood up.
"The land my family has is just for fun. I've not only planted vegetables but also flowers. I don't like the wild flowers and weeds in the village, so I plant some nice ones. Can't I? You sure do have a long reach."
Liu Kui sneered, "Who knows what your plans are? Weren't you at the market the other day? I bet you were selling things. Once the vegetables grow in a few days, are you going to take them to the market to sell? Village head, there doesn't seem to be such a rule in our village, does there?"
The village head thought for a while and said,
"Now the policy allows you to sell things, but even if you do, it's just selling some eggs or some household items. Selling the vegetables you've grown yourself, isn't that speculation?"
Yun Que'er was extremely speechless. Sure enough, the village head only knew how to accuse people of speculation.
"How can you prove that I'm going to sell them?" Yun Que'er retorted. "It's already this season. Even if the vegetables grow, they won't look as good as the ones planted earlier. If I want to sell them, I need someone to buy them first. If you don't believe me, you can go to the field and take a look. The green beans are not even as big as a palm. Who would eat them?"
The village head was thoroughly silenced by Yun Que'er. His face turned bright red.
It took him a long time to finally come up with a retort, "All the land in the village belongs to the public. You farming privately is breaking the rules!"
Yun Que'er had already anticipated that the village head would say this. Otherwise, why would she go to the back mountain to farm? So she immediately said,
"Village head, listen carefully. I've opened up a small piece of land on the back mountain. The back mountain doesn't seem to belong to our village, does it? It's just closer to our village, but there's another village next to it. If they say the mountain is theirs, you can't prove that it's our village's property, can you? There are so many rivers and mountains in the world. Can you claim them all as your own?"
Sure enough, she was sharp - tongued and her words made perfect sense, leaving the village head speechless.
But he still wasn't willing to give up and retorted,
"Fine, you're right about everything. Since it's not the village's land, I can't control you. And since you're not selling it, I have even less to say. But what are you growing those vegetables for? To eat them on your own? We used to eat from the communal pot. Now we earn work - points to exchange for food and then cook at home. What do you think you're doing by farming on your own?"
Yun Que'er laughed. "I'm not even sure if the things I've grown are edible. Besides, village head, don't you also grow eggplants and potatoes in your backyard? There are always some leftover seeds after the spring plowing every year. Every household grows some vegetables in their own yard. Why don't you interfere with that? Is it wrong for me to eat the things I've grown? If you think it's wrong, then plow up your own land first and tell everyone to clear their yards. Then I'll be convinced."
Appealing to emotions couldn't convince the crowd, and few people listened to the grand theories. But when it came to their own interests, someone would always step forward.
As soon as Yun Que'er finished speaking, sure enough, someone stood up and sided with her to argue with the village head.