「The next morning.」

When Dong Yuezhang called, Du Heng was just about to head out. Picking up, he said helplessly, "Don’t rush me, I’m on my way."

"Why don’t you pick me up then? I won’t drive; it’s not convenient."

"Are your legs crippled or your hands broken? What’s so inconvenient?" Du Heng was speechless at Dong Yuezhang’s excuse. "Tell me, what is it? I’m proficient in both internal medicine and bone injuries now, you know. I can fix whatever’s wrong with you."

Dong Yuezhang laughed. "Alright, let me be blunt: I just don’t want to drive. SIGH. I just want to hitch a ride in your car. Just tell me, yes or no?"

"Then you just wait there."

Although Du Heng expressed reluctance on the phone, he still drove to Dong Yuezhang’s house to pick him up.

After getting into the car, Dong Yuezhang immediately sprawled out flat on the passenger seat.

Du Heng shot him an exasperated glance and said resentfully, "Sir, could you at least try to sit properly? You’re a government official, after all. This image of yours is truly unbearable to look at."

Dong Yuezhang remained unmoved, drawling lazily, "Just focus on driving. I’ve been incredibly tired these last couple of days; I’m still trying to recover." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Seeing Dong Yuezhang’s shameless demeanor, Du Heng could only shake his head helplessly. Then, with great reluctance, he started the car and pulled onto the road. "Let me tell you, it’s at least a two-and-a-half-hour drive from here to Wangjiazui. You’ll have to take a turn driving on the way."

Dong Yuezhang gave a noncommittal grunt, the perfunctory tone of which made Du Heng’s teeth itch. "What have you been up to these past few days? Are you really that tired?"

"It’s a long story." Dong Yuezhang sighed deeply. "The day before yesterday, I chatted with Liao for a whole afternoon. Yesterday, Liao and I went to several villages to inspect the fields firsthand, walking around the farmland.

"Honestly, Du, just from spending one day in the fields yesterday, I was sore all over last night and couldn’t sleep well. I really don’t know how our villagers manage to work in the fields day in and day out for years."

Du Heng showed immense disdain for Dong Yuezhang’s complaint. "They’re all much smarter than you. They drive to their fields, work for just two hours, and spend the rest of their time smoking and playing cards by the wall. Who but an idiot would walk to the fields and then toil there all day long? Besides, haven’t the experts said that crops practically grow themselves once the seeds are sown? That it has little to do with the farmers? So how could farmers possibly be tired?"

Ignoring Du Heng’s sarcasm completely, Dong Yuezhang continued to lounge in the passenger seat. "Cut the cynical tone, and don’t try to pin that brainless drivel on me.

"Of course, I understand how hard farmers work. I was just using my one day’s experience to reflect on the hardships they face."

Du Heng chuckled. "Well, well. So you’re saying that you, a lofty Official, got a taste of the common people’s suffering, and I’m supposed to commend you for it, is that it?"

Dong Yuezhang finally turned his head to look at Du Heng. "Why do you get so hostile whenever the topic of farmers comes up?

"You know farmers have it tough, and so do I. Many of us, many of my colleagues, are constantly striving, working hard to change and improve the farmers’ environment and economy.

"And let me tell you straight, there are quite a few people like me. Take you, for example. Aren’t you also one of us working towards this?

"At the same time, you’re well aware that the issues in our rural areas are diverse. These include problems with education, the environment, and overall societal development. Such contradictions cannot be resolved instantly by me or any single person with a snap decision.

"In this process, everyone is pooling their wisdom and effort, cautiously feeling their way forward like crossing a river by touching the stones. We’re all searching for development strategies suitable for our local areas. It’s just that some suggestions are pertinent, while others are completely off the mark."

Glancing at the silent Du Heng, Dong Yuezhang continued, "As the old saying goes, the people have sharp eyes. They can tell at a glance who’s actually doing practical work and who’s just spouting senseless nonsense.

"Everyone knows why such idiotic statements come from the mouths of those whose positions are compromised. Nobody is a fool.

"Now, the common sentiment is: You go on with your lofty pronouncements and make your big money. I’ll just live my life. If I paid you any mind, I’d have to be crazy."

Du Heng asked with a smile, "You’re quick to count yourself among those who do practical work, huh? You’ve really got some nerve."

Dong Yuezhang smiled faintly. "What’s there for me to be ashamed of?"

"Then tell me, what practical work have you actually accomplished this past year? If you make a good case, I’ll rally the villagers to present you with a silk banner."

Dong Yuezhang cocked his head, looking at Du Heng. "Alright, then let me give you a report."

Even though he sounded serious, Dong Yuezhang settled into an even more comfortable reclining position. "In the second half of last year, my main focus was sorting things out at the workplace. I won’t bore you with the details.

"This spring, when it started to warm up, I helped connect with several major lily bulb buyers. We managed to raise the price by one yuan and fifty cents and keep it stable, which meant a bit more income for our ordinary people.

"And just yesterday, Liao and I toured a few villages and identified two potential astragalus planting pilot plots. If they prove successful, I’ll push hard for a partnership between our Central Lake and Liao’s company. This would help our township diversify its agricultural economy and open up another path for development."