Carrying a Jurassic on me
Chapter 474 - 169: The first plan - prioritizing escape_1

Chapter 474: Chapter 169: The first plan - prioritizing escape_1

"Cough, cough!"

Underneath a small roadside shed, Old Xu coughed twice, cleared his throat, and began patiently explaining the intricacies to Yan Fei: "Do you know what our leaders fear most?"

To show his humility, Yan Fei immediately asked in response, "What?"

"They’re not afraid of anything else — not fights, not even murder or arson. What they fear most is mass incidents involving the whole village. Despite the fact that these people are just making some noise here, they’re not hurting anyone, nor are they losing any money. But if things escalate, those leaders could lose their positions. It’s called inciting public outrage, you know?"

Old Xu, who seems to ruminate on these matters every day, spoke with expertise, "With other problems, an individual can be held accountable. But with these incidents, it’s a bigger picture. Haven’t you seen on TV what happened in the past? Officials encountering incidents like this could seriously risk their necks."

Yan Fei was somewhat skeptical. Could these people’s shenanigans genuinely hold such dire consequences?

"You don’t believe me?" Seeing Yan Fei’s expression, Old Xu realized what he was thinking and became slightly irate. "Believe it or not, you’d better start now. Otherwise, I’ll have Third Ni’er come back tomorrow and stop her from going to your place until you’re married. Do you believe me now..."

"I believe you!" Yan Fei’s response was swift. Once Old Xu had made his point, he immediately chose to ’believe’.

Old Xu didn’t care whether Yan Fei genuinely believed him or not. Seeing that Yan had agreed, he continued, "In the past, these people would have been considered troublemakers. They’re acting like this because they’re certain that the local authorities won’t let the situation escalate. Listen, aren’t they threatening to complain to the county if the township doesn’t address their grievances?"

Old Xu was absolutely on the mark. As soon as he finished speaking, Yan heard the villagers inside shouting, "If the township won’t take care of our village, we’ll go to the county to seek justice. We don’t believe that under the Party’s rule, there’s nowhere for us to lodge our complaints..."

Hearing this, Yan Fei immediately began to believe what Old Xu had told him earlier, and he started to regard him with a bit more respect.

Old Xu paid no mind to his respect and continued: "You think if you let them go, they wouldn’t dare? They’ve got nothing to do on the land right now, going to the county would be no big deal! But would the township let them go? If they did go, even if they didn’t have a reason, the county would have to show some attitude. At the very least, the township leaders would get a good scolding. This is called failing to handle the relationship between officials and the masses. Understand?"

"So, how should the township handle this?" Yan Fei asked sincerely. Old Xu may seem dull and uninspiring most of the time, but right now, he was like Zhuge Liang, speaking convincingly, making him hard to disregard.

"How to handle it? Hmph! Just wait and see! In the end, it will certainly fall on your shoulders." Old Xu said grumpily, showing his irritation to someone. "Why couldn’t you just quietly do your thing? Why have to drum up such a fuss?"

"Isn’t it enough that I admit I was wrong? Uncle Old Xu, you can continue talking." While under another’s roof, one must lower the head! Yan thought to himself as he began to appease him.

"You little rascal, you’re just realizing my value now, eh? Weren’t you annoyed earlier?" Old Xu chuckled before continuing, "Think about it! They’re blocking the government gate and they won’t leave; they refuse to listen to anyone, appearing to create a big commotion. Will the township give in? Of course, they will! So how would they submit? If someone suggested you provide the village with some cows, would you agree?"

"Why should their problem fall on me? I certainly wouldn’t agree! I decide who I give my cows to. Given their behavior, I wouldn’t trust them!"

"Your Uncle is the police chief, aren’t you also a militia? The time for you to prove your awareness has come, would you just refuse in one sentence? Ignoring the bigger picture, failing to grasp the overall situation?" Old Xu said with a smirk.

"Oh?" Yan Fei queried. "So to grasp the overall situation, I have to entrust my cows to these people I plainly don’t trust?"

"Exactly! You have enough money to spare anyhow. You spend a little to keep everyone safe, isn’t that a win-win?" Old Xu laughed even more at this!

"But I’m not in on the win!" Yan Fei objected. "I don’t trust these people!"

"Someone has to step forward during critical moments! This is about sacrificing your personal interests for the general good. Everyone is watching you now. Will you let these people keep blocking the entrance? These are our fellow villagers of Sancha River township, what’s not to trust? The current disagreement is temporary, talk it out, and it’s all good. Everyone is waiting for a word from you! Think about it, the entire township is watching you!" Old Xu continued to smirk.

"Hold on, Uncle Old Xu, the money I earn is for my future wife to live a good life. That’s your own daughter, mind you. If I go broke, should I take her to beg? Are you really hoping for me to lose money in this?" Yan Fei noticed that something was wrong with Old Xu and couldn’t help but voice his opinion.

Seeing him getting agitated, Old Xu laughed even more: "Are you worried? Good, you’re supposed to be worried. These are not my words, but what you’re going to hear from your...I guess your Uncle and Old Pan might not be the ones, but some other leaders will. I’m just preparing you. Do you know what practice is? Have you seen the TV show ’People’s Soldiers’? Before going to war, they first pretend..."

"I know, I know. You’re making it sound like I don’t understand anything!" Yan Fei complained. "Then what should I do now? Will they really come after me like you said?"

"If you don’t believe me, then I won’t tell you. Just wait here!" Old Xu was starting to resemble a cunning old fox.

"If you don’t tell me, I might end up begging with your daughter! I won’t buy your excuses now," Yan Fei noticed Old Xu was about to leave. "Hurry up and say it, don’t you feel suffocated keeping it all in?"

"Well...You cheeky boy, are you planning on burning your bridges before crossing the river? I’m really not going to tell you now!"

"Alright, alright, Uncle Old Xu, you’re such a good man. Come on, what time is it now? I still need to go back and cook for your daughter!"

"Forget it, I won’t stoop to your level. Let’s not stand here anymore, wheel your cart and follow me. I’ll explain as we walk."

Without a word, Yan went to move his cart and started following Old Xu down the street.

"That’s more like it!" Old Xu grinned. "Do you know the first of the thirty-six strategies? It’s ’the best strategy is to retreat’!. Don’t show your face to them now, go home tonight and tell Third Ni’er, then lie low and make yourself scarce. As for what to do tomorrow, listen to me."

(I’m begging for monthly votes here!!)