Chapter 1033: Raising Funds
However, the wheat grains in the warehouse and the stacks of wheat on the threshing ground are also in danger of being ruined. Either way, it’s a matter of concern.
"Alright, stop smoking."
"No, this year we must buy another tractor."
"Does the village have that much money?"
This struck Wang Shu’s sore spot, as the village simply didn’t have the money to buy another tractor.
Back then, Li Family Village was the most backward village in the township. Now, who can compare with them?
No one’s a fool; knowing how much money Li Family Village has now with their auxiliary businesses? Or perhaps we should borrow some?
Wang Shu could only think about it, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak. After all, it would be difficult to talk about later.
If things are awkward after borrowing, it would not be good. There’s no need to sour relationships. Li Yungui will definitely buy another tractor without even asking.
"We have to figure something out; Li Yungui is definitely going to buy a tractor. When the time comes, we should buy one together with them. I have to talk this over with them. How much money do we have?"
"Why? You want our family to pay?"
"Yeah, since the collective funds aren’t enough, everyone should pitch in."
"We have a thousand yuan left at home, but we can’t not save some, right? The kids are getting older, and I’m thinking of building a house this year."
"Building a house? Let’s hold off on that. Our family will contribute six hundred."
Wang Shu went directly to Secretary Zhou Zhenjiang’s house.
"Shu, what brings you here? Hurry up and have a seat."
"Brother, I came to discuss borrowing some money from your family. I was thinking of buying a tractor together with Li Yungui. We only have three thousand yuan from the collective, my family has six hundred, but we’re still way off, so let’s all pitch in together. If we have another tractor, we wouldn’t have this problem harvesting the hundred acres of wheat, would we?
We can also use it for planting after the fall. The more I think about it, the more we should buy another. Li Family Village is such a small village with two tractors, we have a thousand more acres than them, how can one tractor be enough?"
Zhou Zhenjiang nodded, "We definitely should prepare for this. I can contribute a thousand yuan."
"Alright, I’ll go ask brother Shouli, we all have to pitch in."
"Good, even with the three of us contributing, it’s not enough. Every accountant and team leader should contribute too."
"That’s what I was thinking. If it’s still not enough, each family can contribute five yuan, and we’ll repay everyone with the funds from the fall."
"Fine, let’s do it that way. It’s embarrassing if we can’t even buy a single tractor. Now, Li Family Village is quite developed, and it’s fortunate that you’re close with Li Yungui, otherwise, we wouldn’t even have these three thousand yuan from the collective."
Looking at their tractors driving over, a swath of wheat falls, how many strong laborers does this replace?
How can one not be envious? They’ve paid their public grain dues, and the land is planted. It’s good for oneself now, but we still have one hundred acres of wheat unharvested.
Still, knowing Li Yungui’s kindness counts for something, as they’ve sent both of their tractors over to help, and even lent the harvester. That’s friendship.
Wang Shu didn’t stay idle, he went to Captain Tian Shouli’s house, contributing another six hundred. Now they have five thousand two hundred yuan. An accountant and six team leaders, each with at least six hundred yuan.
This sum should be attainable, and by the end of the year, we’ll start repaying them.
Everyone agreed in the end, and pooled nine thousand four hundred yuan together.
Aside from the rotary cultivator, the seed sowing machine and the harvester could also be acquired at once without making another trip for the harvester.
Now Wang Shu felt more relaxed. It might be too late today, but tomorrow, come what may, he has to find Li Yungui. Don’t let time slip by and miss out while they’re buying a tractor.
After borrowing money, Wang Shu felt much relieved; if not this year, then next year, surely there will be good times ahead.
The remaining villages are also worried, how long will this rain last? Nearly half of the wheat hasn’t been harvested yet. The only relaxed ones are in Tangjiazhuang. Last year, Tang Manyin planted only a few dozen acres of wheat due to slow autumn harvest, not enough to fulfill public grain dues. Originally, everyone resented him, but with such heavy rain, Tang Manyin had his say.
Thankfully he planted less, and all is harvested now. He wishes it would rain all week or ten days, so that wheat in the other villages rots in the fields.
Though short on wheat to pay public grain, it’s better than others, at least no losses with corn planting more than others. So there’s a lot of rejoicing and schadenfreude.
When Wei Kaiyun arrived at the city, seeing it’s already clear skies, he broke into a smile. Even though it would take until midnight to walk back home, at least he could return home.
Song Yanling wasn’t happy; she came to interview Wei Kaiyun, and he just left her, what does that mean?
"Mr. Wei, let me accompany you to your village."
Wei Kaiyun shook his head, "Comrade Song, you won’t be able to walk that far. It’s better to wait until the weather clears and the road is easier to travel, then it’s not too late to go to our village."
"Mr. Wei, this is a waste of time."
Wei Kaiyun frowned, "Comrade Song, this is an exceptional situation, don’t you understand? If you insist on walking with me, I don’t mind, but please don’t waste my time."
"Wei Kaiyun, what kind of attitude is that?" Throughout the journey, Song Yanling had endured enough, always facing a deadpan expression, though she had good feelings for him, she couldn’t accept such dismissive treatment.
"Comrade Song, what’s wrong with my attitude? Am I not stating the facts? Now with the afternoon approaching, even walking will be difficult.
Moreover, I support your work, but also consider your situation. If you insist on walking back with us, I don’t mind, but you see, I have so much luggage, I won’t be able to assist you."
Li Yunqiao listened with a sense of helplessness and came over to mediate.
"Comrade Song, Xiao Wei is right. The road to their village is all dirt paths, and walking can stick your shoes right off. Comrade Song, you grew up in the city, you can’t handle this; better wait a few days until vehicles can pass and I’ll have someone send you over."
Song Yanling took several deep breaths. Her face looked extremely unpleasant. But she knew what they said was true.
Still, she wasn’t willing to accept, "Mr. Wei, stay and assist me with my work."
Wei Kaiyun’s complexion turned particularly sour, "Comrade Song, you came to interview, not to cause trouble. We farmers are facing urgency with the wheat harvest due to heavy rains; you have no idea how anxious we are! Yet you come up with such demands? Then I refuse the interview. Speaking narrowly, I’m concerned for the grain in the fields, broadly, I’m anxious for everyone’s food supply."
After speaking, Wei Kaiyun no longer paid attention to Song Yanling.