Chapter 123: Are These Reasons Enough?

"Xiue, be honest with me. Is that kid Tang Long trying to pull some crooked stunt?" Wu Zhengyao asked, his face stern and his brow slightly furrowed as he looked at Zhang Xiue.

Zhang Xiue could only offer a bitter smile. At the beginning, she had held the same opinion as Wu, thinking Tang Long was just looking for trouble or trying to grab attention.

"Whatever I say now, you won't believe me anyway. How about I don't say anything at all? You should just go to Yutou Village and see for yourself."

Her response left Wu Zhengyao momentarily stunned.

"Fine!"

Wu did not press the issue further, instead shifting the conversation to the development of Yutou Village.

"Yutou Village is short on money," Zhang Xiue admitted truthfully. Right now, the village lacked for nothing except capital. If the funding were in place, she believed that with Tang Long's relentless drive, he could make the village flourish.

Wu Zhengyao gave a wry smile. It wasn't just Yutou Village that lacked money; the entire Taoyuan County was strapped for cash, and he, as the county head, was no exception.

"How much money are you looking for?" Wu inquired.

Zhang Xiue blinked twice and whispered, "According to our village chief, Tang Long, if the county is willing to provide a guarantee, we would like to borrow one billion from the bank."

"..."

Hearing this, Wu Zhengyao nearly bit his tongue. One billion? Even if the entire Taoyuan County were put up as collateral, would anyone lend them that much?

"You two!" Wu sighed. He really couldn't fathom what was going through the minds of these young people, Tang Long and Zhang Xiue.

Asking for a billion right off the bat—had they struck gold in Yutou Village?

Wang Feiyue, sitting in the front passenger seat, couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile. Are they crazy? One billion? Do they even have a concept of what one billion means?

Zhang Xiue remained unfazed. She knew that one billion was a massive, staggering sum of money. But Yutou Village now had its "Guardian Beast"—and that was no ordinary creature!

Upon arriving at Yutou Village, Tang Long rushed ahead to open the car door for Wu Zhengyao, stealing the task from Wang Feiyue.

"Don't pull that act with me," Wu Zhengyao said with a straight face, showing no mercy. "You tricked us into coming here today; you’d better make sure there is something worth seeing, or you'll see how I deal with you!"

"Hehe!"

Tang Long chuckled. "You chose to come here yourself; we didn't trick anyone. That’s a charge we certainly won't accept!"

Wu Zhengyao didn't expect the brat to talk back to him like that. He pointed a finger at him, offering no smile in return.

"Lead the way!"

Stepping out of the car, Zhang Xiue felt speechless. Who did Tang Long think Wu Zhengyao was? Was this the kind of person you could joke with?

"County Head Wu, please." Zhang Xiue respectfully led the way.

Wang Feiyue followed behind and whispered to Tang Long, "The County Head is genuinely angry now. You’d better think of a way out. If you can't produce anything to show him, he definitely won't let you off easily!"

Tang Long knew Wang Feiyue meant well. He winked at him and whispered, "Since you and the County Head have finally made the trip to our Yutou Village, why not stay the night and experience our signature tents?"

Wang Feiyue: "..."

At a time like this, the kid still had the nerve to talk about that? If Wu Zhengyao exposed his lies in a moment, let's see how he would wrap things up!

Halfway there, Tang Long’s phone rang. It was Jiang Xiuzhi, the manager of the Flower Yutou Resort. He gestured for Li Ergou to escort Wu Zhengyao and the others, while he lagged behind to take the call.

"Boss Tang, our President Wen would like to meet with you in person. Do you have any time?" Jiang Xiuzhi asked, getting straight to the point.

"Sure!" Tang Long smiled. Wen Nuanchun’s desire to come was well within his expectations.

Jiang Xiuzhi hesitated before asking, "Then, what time would work for you tomorrow?"

In truth, Wen Nuanchun was already on her way back, but she wouldn't reach Taoyuan County until late at night, making a meeting at that hour inappropriate. Her intent was to meet Tang Long as soon as possible.

Tang Long laughed, "The choice of time is up to you. I'm available whenever!"

After all, she was the one bringing money to Yutou Village; they had to show some sincerity. Besides, he was quite curious to meet the woman from the Wen family himself.

"Understood!" Jiang Xiuzhi said. "Then you go ahead with your business, Boss Tang. I will communicate with President Wen on this side."

After hanging up, Tang Long’s lips curled upward. It seemed everything was developing exactly as he had planned.

Catching up to Wu Zhengyao and the others, Tang Long leaned in and asked with a grin, "So, County Head, are you tired? If you are, we can rest for a while before moving on. There's no rush anyway."

Rest for a while? They had only just gotten out of the car and walked a few steps!

The more Tang Long acted this way, the uglier Wu Zhengyao’s expression became. He was determined to see how this brat would finish his act!

"No need," Wu said expressionlessly. "I’m not some seventy or eighty-year-old man; I can still walk. Stop the nonsense and lead the way!"

He couldn't be bothered to waste time with Tang Long. If he wasn't satisfied by the end of today, not only would Tang Long lose his position as village chief, but he would also be in for a real punishment!

"Hehe!"

Tang Long chuckled cheekily. "County Head, as you can see, our Yutou Village is in its infancy, and everything is starting from scratch."

Wu Zhengyao remained silent, determined to keep trekking up the mountain regardless of what Tang Long said.

Tang Long continued, "Look, even before Yutou Village was fully built, some people were already jealous, throwing money around to buy land and setting up the 'Flower Yutou' Resort. If it happens once, it will happen again. Against those capitalists, our little Yutou Village is too weak to fend for itself!"

Wu Zhengyao frowned and couldn't help but ask, "What exactly are you trying to tell me?"

Tang Long dropped his playful demeanor, his expression turning serious. "We hope that Taoyuan County can provide Yutou Village with sufficient policy support. For instance, incorporating the area within a ten-kilometer radius of Yutou Village into our jurisdiction to form the 'Yutou Village Scenic Area'."

"A ten-kilometer radius for your Yutou Village?" Wu Zhengyao was so exasperated he laughed. He shot back, "On what grounds does Yutou Village deserve that?"

Ten square kilometers wasn't exactly huge, but it wasn't small either. Giving it all to Yutou Village to manage—what would that leave for Donghe Town? Why not just hand over the entire town to them while he was at it?

Tang Long didn't laugh, his voice level and calm. "On the grounds that we are the native inhabitants. We created the 'Yutou Village' brand. We have the 'Ghost King Cave,' which has the potential to be declared a national 5A-level scenic spot. And we have the 'Guardian Beast,' the Black-Scaled Dragon. That beast only obeys the people of Yutou Village; it doesn't matter who else comes, they won't get anywhere with it!"

"County Head, are those reasons enough?"