At Patriarch Liu's house, when I arrived, he had already prepared a large table of wine and food.
Patriarch Zhou is also here, as are two people who are very dignified in the village. They have prepared a Hongmen Banquet for me!
However, I went to the meeting alone and had overcome so many difficulties, so I am not afraid of it now.
After seeing me coming, Patriarch Liu hurriedly asked me to take a seat, and he took the middle seat, which gave me enough face.
After sitting down, Patriarch Liu asked his servant to pour me wine, and said to me: "Da Shan, you have to taste my wine. This is a good wine that I have treasured for many years."
The wine is really good, just by smelling the aroma, you know it is a good wine.
It's just that I don't plan to drink today, and I won't eat a bite of his food, because I know this is the Hongmen Banquet.
After pouring the wine, Patriarch Liu and Patriarch Zhou raised their glasses together and said, "Come on, let's go together."
I didn't hold the wine glass, I just sat on the chair demurely, looking at the two of them with a smile.
They both seemed a little embarrassed when they saw that I didn't pick up the glass.
After the two looked at each other, Patriarch Zhou said: "Da Shan, don't you like drinking this kind of wine?"
I still replied with a smile on my face: "The two patriarchs are here well. I'm afraid you asked me to come here not just to have a drink with me?"
Both of them were stunned, and then Patriarch Liu smiled again: "Da Shan, what are you talking about? We called you here just to treat you to a meal, otherwise what else could we do?"
I didn’t want to talk nonsense with them, so I said directly: “If you have anything to say, just say it!”
The two of them still said with a smile on their faces: "Da Shan, you have been here with us for more than three months, and we have become so familiar. We really haven't treated you to a proper meal. Don't you think of this?
."
I stood up, moved my chair and said, "If it's just eating, then forgive me for offending the two clan leaders. I still have a lot of things to do in the field, so I won't accompany you."
After saying that, I turned around and walked outside.
At this time, Patriarch Liu suddenly placed the wine glass heavily on the table, and his voice became lowered and he said: "It seems that you are toasting and not eating, so you have to drink as a penalty!"
As soon as he finished speaking, two tall men appeared at the door and blocked my way.
I knew it would be like this, so I didn't panic at all. I concluded that he didn't dare to do anything to me.
I turned around, still looking at them with a smile, and said, "Patriarch Liu, let's get straight to the point, okay? There's no need to make it so embarrassing."
Patriarch Liu smiled coldly and said, "You are right, then let's open the skylight and speak openly."
After a pause, he continued: "Clan Chief Zhou and I both agree with your idea of breaking land boundaries, including the fact that you helped so many farmers in two townships solve the problem of agricultural product retention some time ago. We all think you are capable of it.
But aren’t you being a little hasty in pursuing this tourism project now?”
As soon as Patriarch Liu finished speaking, Patriarch Zhou echoed: "Da Shan, you know who I am, and I support any decision you made before, but you are the only one who makes this suggestion now, and I don't understand it.
"
After they all finished speaking, I said calmly: "Why can't you understand? Is it because it touches your interests?"
Patriarch Liu frowned and said coldly: "I advise you to speak properly and stop being so insignificant."
I laughed: "Forgive me for being straightforward. I don't like to beat around the bush. I did all this for the people of the township. Maybe I have touched the interests of some people. I'm sorry."
Patriarch Zhou spoke again: "Da Shan, you are from out of town. There are many rules here that you don't know. You want to change our place. I can understand this, but have you ever thought about whether the villagers themselves are willing to change it?"
?”
"Why are they unwilling to do something that can bring benefits to the villagers?"
Patriarch Liu had a bad temper, and he suddenly said angrily: "Then tell me, why did most of the villagers refuse at the meeting the day before yesterday?"
I smiled calmly and said, "I should be the one to ask you what Liu Clan said, right?"
Patriarch Liu's eyes became colder and colder. He was silent for a moment and then said: "In short, Patriarch Zhou and I can agree to other things, but if you want to develop tourism, I advise you to give up this idea."
Patriarch Zhou also followed up and said: "Da Shan, we are talking about this. I hope you understand that being a smart person will not harm you."
"What if I insist on doing it?" I said without changing my expression.
"I've betrayed you!" Patriarch Liu slammed the table angrily, stood up in vain, and stared at me with a fierce look in his eyes.
Immediately afterwards, the two strong men guarding the door also walked in.
That posture seemed like they wouldn't let me go if I didn't do what they wanted today.
I have seriously irritated Patriarch Liu, and he has already had a problem with me, but this is the first time an open dispute has occurred between us.
He glared at me and said: "I'm warning you, you can't do whatever you want in Qinglong Township. You have to weigh your own weight and don't know what is good and what is bad!"
"Patriarch Liu, I don't understand. I'm thinking about the people of the whole township. I don't know what I did wrong that affected your interests?"
Patriarch Liu waved his hand: "Don't tell me that this is for the sake of the whole township. You are an outsider, what qualifications do you have to dictate to us."
Patriarch Zhou raised his hand and said slowly: "Okay, okay, let me say a few words."
Only then did Patriarch Liu calm down, and then Patriarch Zhou said to me: "Don't be angry, Dashan. This is Patriarch Liu's character. You understand that this matter is actually not complicated. This has been like this for hundreds of years here. It's not like that."
If you can change it, you can change it. Our lifestyle is also like this. If it suddenly changes, have you thought about the consequences?"
Patriarch Zhou's tone is much more polite than Patriarch Liu, but I also know that he is just a smiling tiger.
I smiled and replied: "Patriarch Zhou, I understand what you are saying, but now the whole country is promoting comprehensive poverty alleviation. We obviously have conditions here, so why should we hinder the country?"
After finishing speaking, I paused and added: "Also, if it is really the villagers who disagree, I have nothing to say. But the question is, have you really listened carefully to the villagers' ideas?"
Patriarch Liu shouted angrily again: "No matter what you say, you can't do whatever you want here."
I was silent for a moment and said: "How about this! Let's let the villagers decide for themselves again. If more than half of the people oppose it, I will abandon this project."
Patriarch Liu still refused without thinking: "Don't even think about it, I said it's impossible!"
But Patriarch Zhou patted Patriarch Liu on the shoulder, told him to calm down, and said, "Patriarch Liu, I think what Dashan said makes sense. Let's let the villagers make their own decisions."
Patriarch Liu frowned, looked at Patriarch Zhou and said, "Old Zhou, didn't we agree?"
Patriarch Zhou said hurriedly: "Give him a time, just three days! If more than half of the people object after three days, this matter can't be done."
Patriarch Liu fell silent and seemed to be thinking about it.
After a moment, he nodded, but still somewhat calmly said: "Okay, okay, let's do it like this!"
I nodded and said, "Then I won't disturb the two clan leaders' enjoyment and say goodbye!"
After saying that, I walked outside, and the two strong men made way for me.
After leaving Patriarch Liu's house, I breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, I breathed a sigh of relief ever since I entered his house.