No matter what, the Village Chief still carries weight in this village, and once again the square fell silent.
Seeing the villagers quieten down, the Village Chief’s tightly knit brow relaxed slightly. He began, "The Zhong Family’s Stone Mountain has been mined for decades now. Many elders in our village have grown up watching that mountain, just like . Many of you have worked on that mountain, and you all know how stones are extracted there. Many witnessed the accident too. Honestly speaking, is that mountain really that dangerous? Are there stones hanging mid-air every day?"
The Village Chief’s words slightly swayed the villagers’ hearts.
"Talking about that day’s incident, it was indeed an accident. The Zhong Family’s mountain hasn’t had such incidents in decades."
"When we work on the mountain, after the firecrackers are used, we always wait for two hours. Then, we check thoroughly to ensure no stones are left hanging. The Zhong Family is very careful about safety."
"When you say it like that, it seems true."
"But I’m still afraid of more accidents, after all, no one wants to die."
"..."
"..."
Listening to the villagers, Zhong Lihui beside them was sowhat agitated. He had previously tried to persuade everyone to work on the mountain, using much effort, yet they didn’t believe him. Now with the Village Chief stepping in, a few words reduced the villagers’ resistance.
The Village Chief then spoke up, "Given the incident on the Zhong Family’s mountain, I won’t say much. You all have a asure in your hearts; go back and think it over slowly yourselves."
Upon hearing these words, the voices gradually faded away, and soone asked, "Village Chief, what’s this silver earning opportunity you’ve called us for? Is it still about working on the Zhong Family’s Stone Mountain?"
Having being asked, the Village Chief continued, for indeed this was the purpose of gathering everyone. He cleared his throat and said, "It certainly is about this. Didn’t Zhong Lihui offer work on the mountain a few days ago? You didn’t go. Is it that you all don’t want to earn silver?"
Hearing this, the villagers spoke softly, "Considering there was a fatality up there, naturally we are afraid."
"Who wouldn’t want to earn silver? But life is still more important, and there isn’t much work on that mountain anyway. Even if we go out to work, we can earn the sa, so we thought there’s no need to risk it on the mountain."
"..."
"..."
Upon hearing these words, the Village Chief nodded, having predicted most of the villagers’ thoughts. To make this work, a reverse approach might be needed, and so he spoke, "Yesterday when I t Zhong Lihui, I asked him. He said you all refused to work on the mountain. To be honest, I was quite anxious hearing that. Not earning silver would let people from outside the village get the advantage. So, I suggested to Zhong Lihui to wait and ask you again."
"The Zhong Family are straightforward people. They live in the sa village and want you to earn silver first. They spent a night discussing this, considering how everyone could earn silver and live good lives. Like city folks, sending children to school. They thought of a way and ca to this morning. Upon seeing it, I felt it was a great opportunity. Perhaps, Stone Village’s villagers could beco wealthier in the future. That’s why I urgently gathered you all here. Such a good thing should be reserved for our villagers."
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