Liu Jingming's heart felt like it was bleeding. The thought of handing over the village chief position to Liu Ergou was simply unthinkable.

Just as Liu Jingming was about to speak, he suddenly remembered something critical. He had embezzled the funds for Liu Ergou's clinic. Almost immediately after he did, a warning had come down from the town officials. If he went after Liu Ergou again, he feared he wouldn't just be unable to keep his position as village chief—he'd be stripped of it completely and reduced to a common villager.

A cold sweat broke out on his brow at the thought. Liu Jingming was now in a complete dilemma, unsure of what to do. So, he hesitated, saying nothing. A considerable time passed, and Wu Dahu grew impatient.

Finally, it was Wu Dahu who broke the silence.

"I say, Chief, why have you suddenly gone quiet?" he pressed. "I'm waiting for an answer over here!"

Urged on by Wu Dahu, Liu Jingming finally reacted. "Ah!" he replied distractedly. He paused for a moment, then asked, "Well, why don't you tell me what you want to do first? I need to hear it."

Looking at the timid Liu Jingming, a flicker of disdain crossed Wu Dahu's eyes.

This cowardly old fool… how did he ever become the village chief?

Taking a deep breath, Wu Dahu began, "Chief, you must have heard what happened in the village today! The police paid Liu Ergou a visit!"

Liu Jingming nodded. Even though he hadn't left his home, news of any major event in the village always found its way to him. Naturally, this matter was no exception.

"So what? The police just came to see him. That's not a big deal," Liu Jingming said dismissively. "Now, if the police had taken him away, that would be a big deal!"

Hearing this, Wu Dahu sneered. "Hah. Chief, it may not seem like a big deal to you, but it won't look that way to others. Nobody else knows why the police came looking for Liu Ergou! If word of this gets out, won't his reputation in the village be ruined? And when that happens, do you think he'll find any peace trying to lease that wasteland? At that point, would he still be a threat to your position as village chief?"

Liu Jingming was incredibly tempted by Wu Dahu's words. However, he kept his expression neutral and frowned deeply.

"This… this is not good! Isn't this just spreading rumors? Wu Dahu, you have to know that starting rumors and stirring up trouble is illegal. You could be detained for ten days, maybe even half a month! I'm too old for this! If I get locked up for something like that, I'll be utterly shamed! Forget about being the chief—I wouldn't have the face to hold any position at all!"

Seeing Liu Jingming's deeply furrowed brow, Wu Dahu knew exactly what he was thinking. He promptly slapped his chest. "Chief, don't you worry! You think you need to lift a finger for this? Just leave it all to me. If any trouble comes of it, I guarantee no one will ever trace it back to you! So, what do you say, Chief?"

As the village chief, Liu Jingming was no fool. He immediately detected the problem in Wu Dahu's proposal.

"Hmm?"

"Wu Dahu, I'm not sure I follow," he said, his voice flat. "If this matter doesn't require my involvement, why did you come to me? You aren't just trying to implicate me, are you? If that's what this is…"

At this, Liu Jingming's expression turned grim.

Seeing the change, Wu Dahu quickly explained, "Chief, what are you talking about? Why would I try to implicate you? The fact is, this matter really does require your help!"

Wu Dahu gestured toward the nearby broadcast system. "I want to use the broadcast system. But that's not something just anyone can borrow, is it?"

Liu Jingming understood immediately.

"Oh, I see!"

With that, Liu Jingming stood up and started walking toward the door, speaking loudly as if to himself. "Oh my, I don't know what's come over me today, my head is killing me! I need to go home and get some rest! And wouldn't you know it, I've carelessly lost the key to the broadcast room. What am I to do? Oh well, it's not like I'm the only one with a key. I'll just tell Old Lu tomorrow and have him make me a new one. That should solve it!"

Having said his piece, Liu Jingming left the village committee office, staggering theatrically all the way back to his house.

Wu Dahu watched his retreating back, a wide, gleeful smile spreading across his face.

At this moment, he had only one thought. This time, Liu Ergou is really done for! Liu Jingming himself is helping me. How could Liu Ergou possibly survive?

Laughing to himself, Wu Dahu hurried over to the microphone and pulled the red cloth off it. He blew into the mouthpiece. A loud screech echoed from the speakers outside. After confirming the microphone was working, Wu Dahu leaned in and spoke clearly into the broadcast system.

"Testing, testing! Can all villagers hear me? This is Wu Dahu!"

His voice instantly echoed throughout the village.

Inside his room, Liu Ergou shot up from his bed when he heard the broadcast. He furrowed his brow and stared out the window.

He couldn't understand how Wu Dahu had gotten access to the village broadcast system. As far as he knew, only the village chief and the party secretary could use it. No one else should even be able to dream of it.

Lifting his head, Liu Ergou listened intently. Wu Dahu's voice came through the broadcast again.

"Fellow villagers, this is Wu Dahu, and I have something extremely important to tell you all! This morning, our very own Liu Ergou was visited by the police!

"The reason is simple: there's a problem with his wasteland. I heard that the harmful substances in the soil have exceeded safe levels, and the police ordered him to stop farming it. If he continues to farm that land, those harmful substances will spread and threaten our entire village!

"Now, you'd think any normal person would stop after hearing that, but not Liu Ergou! He's just carrying on as he pleases! I happened to be standing nearby when the police came and I heard everything. I might be uneducated, but I'm a resident of Fengzhu Village too, and I can't bear to see my fellow villagers come to harm!

"That's why I've chosen to tell you all the truth! I've said my piece!"

As Wu Dahu's last words fell, the once-quiet village instantly erupted into an uproar.

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