Chapter 211: Chapter 211: Start Raising Pigs
211 Beginning to Raise Pigs
The arrival of his younger cousin livened up Uncle’s home, and Uncle himself became more determined to make money and support his family by following Zhao Dong’s lead. Their pigsty was the first to be constructed in the village.
As spring arrived, the pig-raising project was about to commence. Zhao Dong picked up a pen, lit a lamp, and began planning.
He first calculated that there were now fifteen households interested in raising pigs together.
In Zhao Village, there were a total of sixty-nine households, so fewer than half of them planned to participate.
If the money they made from selling pork provoked jealousy from other villages and caused them trouble, it was likely that those in their own village who didn’t profit wouldn’t help. They might even add insult to injury. Lacking power and connections at this time, their best chance to endure was to stick together.
With this in mind, early the next morning, after sending Zhao Zhitong to school, Zhao Dong took Zhao Cheng to the Village Chief’s house.
Zhao Dong and the Village Chief talked for a long time in the study, after which the Village Chief saw them out with a smile.
By that evening, after the villagers who had been working in the fields had all returned home, the Village Chief went door to door, gathering everyone by the well in the center of the village.
He stood before the crowd, explained the pig-raising plan, and concluded, "This isn’t compulsory; it’s completely voluntary. If anyone’s family is interested in joining Zhao Dong to raise pigs and earn money, just come to me and sign up."
As soon as the Village Chief finished speaking, the villagers erupted. Some were skeptical, while others thought it feasible.
Naturally, those like Shi Tou, who had already learned about the project from Zhao Dong, remained silent.
Zhao Dong had asked the Village Chief not to reveal his ability to remove the strong smell from pork. Instead, the Chief only mentioned that Zhao Dong had a special pig-raising technique and that those interested could sign up. Consequently, those unaware of the full details naturally harbored doubts.
"Raising pigs? How much money can you make from that! We common folk rarely eat meat. One butcher is enough for the village; two would mean one starves. Is Zhao Dong trying to ruin Butcher Zhao’s business?"
"Exactly! How much money can raising pigs make? Besides, you have to cut pig feed every day. It’s better to plant a few more mu of land."
Someone called out to Butcher Zhao, trying to provoke him, "Butcher Zhao, did you offend Zhao Dong somehow? He’s trying to cut off your livelihood! How can you be so calm?"
But Butcher Zhao was not provoked at all. He simply smiled and said, "I think Zhao Dong is quite reliable. Didn’t he make a lot of money selling tofu before? He even brought us along to sell tofu with him. Have you all forgotten that?"
"Now, he has a new way to make money, and he thought of us villagers first, offering to let us join him to get rich. That’s very considerate of him! Yet here you are, slandering him. That’s truly improper of you."
The person who had tried to provoke him blushed and sputtered, "I’m just looking out for you! Ungrateful! I won’t say another word!"
Butcher Zhao snorted. "Don’t think I’m foolish just because I’m big and strong. I can tell the difference between good intentions and bad. Anyway, I’m definitely following Zhao Dong!"
With that, he went to find the Village Chief to sign up.
After Butcher Zhao stepped forward, Shi Tou and several others also went up to register.
"I trust Brother Dong!"
"Me too!"
Mrs. Zheng was shocked to see more and more people signing up.
Then, an idea struck her, and she maliciously said to Xiao Wang, "Have they all gone mad? Pork isn’t some rare commodity. With so many people raising pigs, they’ll never sell them all. When the pork rots on their hands, let’s see what they do then!"
Xiao Wang had grown thinner, her eyes deep-set, and she looked sinisterly at Zhao Dong.
Zhao Chun was still locked up in the yamen, and the restaurant he had planned to open in the county town had to remain closed. With Zhao Chun, their main worker, gone, the Xiao Wang family had to remain in their old home and farm. These days, Wang Pozi had tormented her terribly, and even her two young daughters were forced to work in the fields; they had no choice, as the family completely lacked able-bodied workers.
In contrast, Zhao Dong’s family was doing better and better; Sun Mei was growing fairer and plumper. Xiao Wang’s eyes seemed to spit fire every time she looked at Zhao Dong and Sun Mei.
She firmly believed that Zhao Dong was responsible for her husband being imprisoned in the yamen.
Now she said coldly, "Just let them all go. When they can’t sell the pork and it all rots on their hands, my Brother will be the village’s sinner. He’ll deserve to be drowned in Chenghe Pond!"
Upon hearing this, a villager’s eyes darted, and he asked loudly, "Village Chief, how can you let Zhao Dong lead the villagers astray?"
"Our Zhao Village has survived so many disasters to reach its current state! If Zhao Dong causes the villagers to lose everything, who will bear the blame?!"
At this point, Zhao Dong stepped forward. "Everyone, don’t worry. As the initiator, I will naturally bear the responsibility."
Mrs. Zheng and a few others, who had long been jealous of Zhao Dong, began to speak up.
"Fine, you said it! If those who raise pigs with you don’t end up making money, then you’ll be the sinner of the entire village, and you’ll have to atone with your life!"
Before Zhao Dong could speak, Shi Tou and the others interjected.
"You’re all so shameless! Brother Dong treats you as fellow villagers, as family, that’s why he wants to help us all make money!"
"Look at you now, doubting and mistrusting him. If you don’t want to join, then don’t! But why say such ruthless things? It’s truly shameless! I’m telling you, even if we make money in the future and you come crying to join us, we won’t want you!"
"Exactly! Shameless!"
Mrs. Zheng and the others turned pale with anger.
"Pah! You really don’t know what’s good for you. Us, beg to join you? What a joke! When you all lose your money and can’t survive, it’ll be a blessing if you don’t come begging us for help!"
"Yes, yes. Ha, ha, ha."
...
Zhao Dong naturally knew such people existed, so their words didn’t surprise him.
Besides, Shi Tou was right; he wouldn’t want such people in his project, even if they begged to join later.
Today, he had asked the Village Chief to call all the villagers together for two reasons. First, he hoped to attract more collaborators. Secondly, he wanted to publicize the pig-raising project. That way, when they eventually made money, these shameless individuals would have no grounds for complaint. After all, he had invited them, and it was their own choice not to join. If they didn’t earn money from it, they would have no one to blame but themselves.
Now, many villagers were indeed tempted. Although they didn’t sign up immediately, his goal had been achieved.
The Village Chief stepped forward, stopping those who were trying to find fault. He said, "Alright, alright. This is a good thing; let’s not make it so unpleasant. I’ve informed everyone. Go home and think it over. If you want to give it a try, you can find me or go directly to Zhao Dong!"