Chapter Thirteen: Seeking Treatment in the Provincial Capital

Aside from contacting the hospital, who would accompany Ermao to the provincial capital?

When Tang Long returned to the village, it was the first time he met Ermao. Climbing trees to catch birds, wading in hollows to fish—he had thought she was a little boy, but to his surprise, she was a girl. Her skin was dark and thin, with a pair of clear, bright eyes, hiding behind her parents and peeking at Tang Long.

“Come here!”

Tang Long called to her with a smile. Ermao looked first at her parents, and with their encouragement, walked over to Tang Long, though she was wary, as if afraid of strangers.

The village doctor, Qiu Yuxia, spoke softly, “Ermao wasn’t like this before, she used to be a lively child.”

Tang Long squatted in front of Ermao, pulled her into his arms, and lifted her from the ground. She was very light, a child of twelve or thirteen, weighing barely fifty pounds.

“Doctor Qiu, you studied in the city, and I can’t get away right now. Could I trouble you to take Ermao to the provincial capital?” Tang Long asked, his eyes red.

Qiu Yuxia thought for a moment. “I can go, but I’m afraid I can’t handle everything alone, taking Ermao by myself.”

“Let Brother Erdog and Xiaoyue go with you, they’ll assist you and follow your instructions,” Tang Long said directly.

Zhang Xiu’e chimed in, “When you arrive in the provincial capital, I’ll have a friend pick you up at the train station. She’ll arrange the hospital and help with Ermao’s examination.”

Ermao’s parents were honest, hardworking farmers. Tang Long was uneasy about sending them alone with Ermao for her checkup. Qiu Yuxia, a top medical graduate familiar with the healthcare system and close to Ermao, would give her comfort and reassurance.

“Let Aunt Li go with them too,” Zhang Xiu’e suggested. Aunt Li was Ermao’s mother.

“Alright!” Tang Long nodded. “Then five people will go. We’ll allocate one million from the village’s special fund for Ermao’s ear treatment. No matter the cost, the village will pay if it can be cured.”

Ermao’s father, Li Dayong, a man in his early forties, honest and simple, squatted on the ground, covering his face as he wept.

Ermao was their only daughter. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to treat her illness, but rather they simply had no means.

Tang Long looked at the villagers around him and spoke loudly, “Of the ten million we reclaimed from Qiangyuan Company, five million is compensation for those of you who suffered from their bullying. Besides Ermao’s ear, anyone who was beaten by Qiangyuan Company and is injured can use this money for treatment.

If you’re shy about coming forward now, it’s alright; later, you can register with Secretary Xiu’e.

This money will be set aside for you, dedicated to transfers for this purpose.”

Zhang Xiu’e frowned but said nothing. Tang Long was correct—the five million out of the ten million indeed belonged to those villagers who had been bullied by Qiangyuan Company. But taking out this sum would leave less than five million from the original ten.

“Secretary Xiu’e, please contact your friend in the provincial capital now. Have Doctor Qiu take Ermao and the others first thing tomorrow morning,” Tang Long said to Zhang Xiu’e.

When it comes to healthcare, sooner is always better.

“Alright!” Zhang Xiu’e turned to call her friend in the provincial capital. Her confidence spoke to her ability to get things done.

“As for the remaining money, since no one wants to split it, let’s register a company under the name of Yutou Village collective. Each villager will have a share. When the company earns profits, everyone will benefit.”

Tang Long saw that no one proposed dividing the funds and decided on how to use the rest.

That evening, at the Yutou Village Committee.

Yutou Village had no dedicated committee office; the old village chief Zhang Deshun’s house was where villagers gathered. Tang Long now lived there, while Zhang Xiu’e was still staying at Aunt Yang’s house, sharing a room with Zhao Xiaoyue.

Rumble!

Lightning split the dark sky, thunder shook the air, and soon a heavy rain began to fall.

“Tang Long, Aunt Li is going with Sister Yuxia to the provincial capital. Do I still need to go?” Zhao Xiaoyue asked Tang Long quietly.

Tang Long looked at her and smiled, “Why, don’t you want to go?”

Zhao Xiaoyue twisted her clothes and whispered, “I feel with Sister Yuxia, Aunt Li, and Brother Erdog, three people are enough to take Ermao to the provincial capital. If I go, it’s just extra, and it’ll cost more.”

“Silly girl!” Tang Long ruffled her hair. “That little bit of money, your brother can afford it. Go to the city, broaden your horizons, see the world—it’ll do you good. Once Ermao’s ear is cured, let Secretary Xiu’e’s friend show you around. You don’t have to rush back, and don’t worry about expenses. When I return, Yutou Village won’t lack for money anymore!”

“Well, alright then!” Zhao Xiaoyue blushed as she agreed, though she really wanted to go, but Aunt Yang had scolded her that evening.

Tang Long busied himself inviting village representatives for a meeting to discuss the next steps for village development. Not everyone had arrived yet.

Approaching Zhang Xiu’e, Tang Long asked quietly, “Secretary Xiu’e, just between us, tell me honestly—can your friend in the provincial capital be trusted? I mean no offense, just asking.”

He wanted to know whether he needed to make backup arrangements, in case Doctor Qiu couldn’t make an appointment or find a doctor.

Zhang Xiu’e glared at him, displeased. “What do you mean, are you doubting my abilities?”

“No, you misunderstand! Absolutely not!” Tang Long hurriedly smiled and waved his hand.

“Hmph!” Zhang Xiu’e ignored his protest. “Don’t worry, my friend will find the best hospital in the provincial capital for Ermao. The attending doctor has already been contacted. Once they arrive, Ermao can see the doctor immediately.”

“Secretary Xiu’e, is your family from the provincial capital?” Tang Long asked curiously.

“Indeed!” Zhang Xiu’e looked up with a half-smile. “Are you going to ask what my family does?”

Tang Long grinned and nodded. The village’s Secretary Xiu’e certainly had deep roots.

Zhang Xiu’e gave him a coquettish, mischievous look. “I’m in a bad mood, so I’m too lazy to tell you.”

She stood, patted her backside, “Most people are here, let’s start the meeting!”

Tang Long glanced at her as she walked away, amused—Secretary Xiu’e was becoming ever more approachable with the villagers.

“Tonight’s meeting is about starting the company.”

The village committee meeting was led by Zhang Xiu’e. She spoke, and even Tang Long sat quietly listening, waiting for his turn to add comments.

“Village Chief Tang Long intends for us to manage the ‘Liangou Hollow’ ourselves from now on. Qiangyuan Company must leave,” Zhang Xiu’e said, glancing at Tang Long.

A villager frowned and asked, “What if Qiangyuan Company refuses to hand over ‘Liangou Hollow’?”

“They have no choice!” Zhang Xiu’e replied sternly. “We’ll give them three days. After that, whether they want to or not, they must leave.”

She had already decided that if things were going to fall apart, they might as well be resolute to the end. If Qiangyuan Company wouldn’t comply, Yutou Village would simply demolish their illegal structures.