Chapter 126: The Monster Economy

The sky was turning dark. Big Black’s massive frame was impossible to bring into the village, and Tang Long figured the creature would prefer to get some fresh air rather than stay in the suffocating darkness of the underground. In the past, circumstances didn't allow for it, and the fear of discovery and the potential for a fatal catastrophe kept them hidden.

But things were different now. Since aligning with Fish Head Village, there was no need to worry about exposure. Even if it were seen, Tang Long and his team could handle the aftermath.

"If you want to wander around outside, go ahead. Just be careful not to roam too far, don't crush the trees or flowers, and whatever you do, don't scare anyone, understand?" Tang Long instructed.

The Black-Scaled Flood Dragon sat coiled on the edge of the cliff, silhouetted against the sunset—a sight that would leave an indelible mark of awe on any ordinary person. Tang Long, however, was accustomed to it. Since the creature chose to trust him, he treated Big Black as a friend, not a monster.

It was a relationship of mutual benefit; they would look out for each other and try their best to keep things under control to avoid causing trouble for everyone else.

As they descended the mountain, Wu Zhengyao and his companions felt somewhat dazed. The shock of witnessing the Black-Scaled Flood Dragon was beyond words.

"Magistrate Wu, we’ve prepared a meal back at the village. We can eat and chat as we go. Would you like to call home first?" Tang Long asked with a polite smile as they neared Fish Head Village.

Ordinarily, Wu Zhengyao wouldn't dine out if he could help it, preferring to get home to his wife and children. In his political life, he was an upright official; at home, he was a devoted father and husband—or at least, he tried his hardest to be, though it was often difficult. Fortunately, his family understood the demands of his work.

"Alright," Wu agreed readily, as he also wanted to discuss the future of Fish Head Village with Tang Long and Zhang Xiu'e.

The monster was terrifying, but it also held the power to give Taoyuan County wings, providing immense potential for development. Whether the county could use tourism to lift itself out of poverty and find prosperity now rested entirely on this "monster."

Tang Long and Zhang Xiu'e exchanged a knowing smile. It seemed the Magistrate was being very accommodating today.

***

The open-air food stall still had a smattering of customers, though most had already departed. A new group of over a hundred college students had arrived earlier, brought by Jiang Xue’s campus travel agency, and Zhao Xiaoyue was busy hosting them.

Without finding a special venue, they simply rearranged some tables in the open space beside the Liangou Hollow, finding a relatively quiet spot to sit.

"This is our Fish Head Village specialty: clear-stewed wild fish soup!" Tang Long introduced with a grin. Despite the modest name, the pot contained an entire wild silver carp, its aroma so enticing it immediately whetted their appetites.

"Is this the 'wild fish' that comes from your Liangou Hollow?" Wu Zhengyao asked curiously.

Tang Long nodded. "That's right. It grew up right there in the hollow. It’s absolutely wild. We’ve been harvesting quite a lot lately, so we’re planning to establish a professional aquaculture company to fully utilize the area. It’s a natural fishery, and it would be a shame to leave it idle. When the Qiangyuan Company tried to seize our land, they were eyeing these very resources."

He never missed an opportunity to cast a shadow over the Qiangyuan Company. For now, he didn't have the means to strike back, but if the opportunity arose and his capital was sufficient, he wouldn't mind settling the score—if not against a specific person, then against the company itself.

Wang Feiyue chimed in with a smile, "The fish I took home last time—my wife said the taste was truly different from what you buy at the market. If you manage this well, it should become a major revenue stream for your village. Most fish on the market today are raised on feed and forced to grow quickly."

Both Wu and Wang had tasted the fish from the hollow when Tang Long brought some to the county office previously.

"I agree. I’ve been discussing with Secretary Xiu'e whether we can market these wild fish as a local specialty," Tang Long said.

The hollow was teeming with fish. If they could establish a sustainable farming model, the annual yield would be more than enough to be self-sufficient.

"Beyond the fish, we have wild mushrooms, wood ear fungus, and other mountain produce," Zhang Xiu'e added with a smile. "I believe these can be promoted as well. It won't just drive the development of Fish Head Village; it will also pull the surrounding mountain folk along with us."

Every industry follows the same rule: rely on the mountains if you live in the mountains, rely on the water if you live by the water. Fish Head Village was blessed with both. Why wouldn't it thrive? A train's progress depends on its engine, and with young, ambitious leaders like Tang Long and Zhang Xiu'e, the village was well-equipped to move forward.

***

The conversation drifted from the wild fish to various mountain goods, and inevitably, to the Ghost King Cave and their ancestral guardian, the Black Dragon King.

"Can you tell me a bit about your immediate goals or your development direction? Just for a chat, of course. I’ll need to go back and organize my thoughts on this," Wu Zhengyao said cautiously. He wasn't blinded by the "monster economy." As a county leader, he knew he had to keep a clear head.

Tang Long glanced at Zhang Xiu'e and chuckled. "Secretary Xiu'e, why don't you explain our current development plans to the Magistrate?"

Tang Long had no desire to be the center of attention. He preferred to push Zhang Xiu'e to the forefront, wanting her to be the face of the village. He didn't want to be the spokesperson; he preferred the role of the big boss who stays in the background, calling the shots.

Zhang Xiu'e gave him a playful, sidelong glance. She knew he was trying to be kind by giving her the spotlight, even if she didn't care for such things.

"In the short term, we are launching a village-wide housing renovation project. We initially budgeted six million, but after consulting with the village committee, we’ve decided to increase that tenfold to sixty million. We intend to hire the best design and construction firms in the country. Beyond that, we plan to build a kindergarten, a village-level hospital, and..."

Wu Zhengyao nodded repeatedly, while Wang Feiyue listened in astonishment. If he had heard this before, he would have dismissed it as empty talk. But after seeing the Black-Scaled Flood Dragon, it all seemed perfectly logical. If Fish Head Village truly flourished, there would certainly be no shortage of visitors.