Ling Zhenfei spoke with such sincerity that his words quickly resonated with the villagers. While people were previously chatting and laughing as Wang Kang and He Dalong talked, now everyone was listening attentively.
"Zhenfei, stop with the empty promises. If you want to lead us to prosperity, what's your concrete plan?" soone from the crowd shouted at Ling Zhenfei.
Ling Zhenfei smiled: "An elder asked if I have a specific plan. Of course, I do. Just look at the scale of Xishan Manor now; it's expanding day by day. As the manor grows, we'll need many people to work."
"My plan is this: as long as you want to work for Xishan Manor, it will provide employnt opportunities for all villagers under sixty. The wages will be on par with the standards of Binyang City, allowing you to earn city-level salaries without leaving the village."
"As for the elders, although you can't work for Xishan Manor, we will provide certain economic compensation every quarter."
Ling Zhenfei's words were astonishing. Just the promise of subsidies for those over sixty attracted many people, especially the elderly.
"Ling Zhenfei, stop blowing smoke. How can you provide jobs for everyone in the village? Who are you trying to fool?"
Ma Ergou shouted at Ling Zhenfei, clearly not believing his words. But he was also trying to stir up the villagers' emotions, as Ma Ergou was one of He Dalong's n.
"I know many villagers don't believe . But you all watched grow up; you know my character. Ask the current employees at Xishan Manor about their benefits. Have I ever owed them a cent?"
"I have an even bigger plan. Villagers can lease their land to Xishan Manor. The rent will be twice the market rate, and each acre of land will count as shares of Xishan Manor. Besides the rent, you'll also receive dividends at the end of the year."
"What? That's impossible. Fellow villagers, Ling Zhenfei is deceiving us. This is absolutely impossible." People in the crowd, especially Ma Ergou and his followers, started shouting.
Ling Zhenfei's words were too compelling. Such temptations were hard for any villager to resist. Xishan Manor's wages were already high, sothing everyone in the village knew, with many people trying to get in.
Now, Xishan Manor offered even more generous policies, providing job opportunities and better conditions than before. It seed like a windfall.
"Ma Ergou, how do you know it's fake? You're not Ling Zhenfei."
"Exactly. I trust Zhenfei; he's an honest kid who wouldn't lie."
Many villagers knew Ling Zhenfei well. He was the village's only college graduate, who returned and expanded Xishan Manor. If what he claid was true, no one could resist such an offer.
At this ti, Wang Kang walked up to Town Mayor Xu Cai, shouting loudly: "Town Mayor, isn't Ling Zhenfei bribing voters with money to win their votes? I want to report him."
"Exactly, this is cheating." Wang Kang's supporters echoed from the crowd.
Town Mayor Xu Cai quickly stood up and addressed the crowd: "Fellow villagers, you're mistaken. This isn't bribery; it's Ling Zhenfei's promise should he be elected as village head. It's his plan for the future of Qinghe Village, and I'm very excited about it."
"If every village in Yuxi Town had soone like Ling Zhenfei, who beca prosperous and didn't forget to lift the villagers with him, our town would long be among the top hundred in the country."
Xu Cai's words were shocking, seemingly an open endorsent of Ling Zhenfei. As a newly appointed town mayor, who wouldn't want prosperous enterprises under their administration? It would be hugely beneficial for his own career.
Given Xu Cai's statent, Wang Kang and He Dalong dared not say anything more.
Xu Cai then turned to Ling Zhenfei and asked: "Ling Zhenfei, can you deliver on your promises? Do not deceive the villagers' trust."
Ling Zhenfei confidently replied: "Of course I can. I can sign agreents with the villagers right now. As long as they lease the land near Xishan Manor, everything I've said will hold true. The town mayor can witness this."
Xu Cai laughed heartily: "Good, good. If you can guarantee this, I'll supervise the matter for the villagers."
"I want to sign. My land is near Xishan Manor."
"I want to work at Xishan Manor."
" too. I'll work hard, no matter the pay."
The villagers were all excited, shouting at Ling Zhenfei, as if they had forgotten this was an election.
"Everyone, calm down. This is an election. If you want to sign the contract, wait until after the voting. Also, Ling Zhenfei said all this depends on him becoming the village head. There's no guarantee yet."
Xu Cai's words seed to soothe the villagers, but it looked more like he was helping Ling Zhenfei garner votes. Ling Zhenfei was stunned, not understanding why Xu Cai was so supportive. Was it really just because of the taxes?
"What are we waiting for? Let's vote now."
"Yeah, hurry up and vote. I want to sign the contract with Xishan Manor."
The villagers were very excited. Xu Cai originally intended to give a speech, but it was canceled, and the voting began imdiately.
The voting process was beyond Ling Zhenfei's control. He stepped off the stage and walked over to Chen Qian.
Chen Qian gave a thumbs-up to Ling Zhenfei: "Well done, the village party secretary position is almost certainly yours."
Before Ling Zhenfei could reply, Zhou Yun approached, looking at him in shock: "Zhenfei, are you out of your mind? Was everything you said true?"
Ling Zhenfei nodded: "Yes, of course. With so many people watching, I had to be honest. Get ready, though. There's likely to be a flood of contract signings."
Zhou Yun's complexion was not good: "Zhenfei, you're crazy. Where will we get that much money, and how can Xishan Manor provide that many jobs?"
Ling Zhenfei smiled: "By tomorrow morning, there will be over two billion deposited into Xishan Manor's account. I think that should be enough."
Zhou Yun was shocked: "Two billion? Zhenfei, where did you get that much money?"
"Don't worry, sister-in-law. My money is all legitimate, and today's speech was discussed with President Chen. If you have any concerns, ask him. He'll handle everything." Ling Zhenfei quickly passed the responsibility to Chen Qian.
Chen Qian was taken aback, not expecting Ling Zhenfei to shift the responsibility to him. Smiling, he said: "Sister-in-law, it was indeed my idea. Rest assured, I've planned everything. What Xishan Manor needs now are land and money. With the money settled, the land seems to be secured as well."
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