Chapter 68: Appointments and Personnel Decisions

"Ergou, Liansheng, go find the representatives from the village committee. Let's have a meeting!" Zhang Xiu'e entrusted Li Ergou and Liansheng to call the people.

They gathered the backbone of Yutou Village and the representatives of the villagers.

Yesterday, Jiang Xue's '326 Campus Travel Agency' sent sixty-seven tourists. This morning at nine-thirty, she called to confirm that there would be one hundred twenty visitors coming, and tomorrow’s number wouldn’t be less than one hundred either. Friday would see the largest influx. All these are groups organized by Jiang Xue's '326 Campus Travel Agency' at the university; individual tourists aren’t included.

"Will you speak first, or shall I?"

Once all the village committee representatives and key personnel had arrived, Zhang Xiu'e made a subtle gesture toward Tang Long, asking.

Tang Long raised his hand, signaling 'ladies first,' allowing her to speak. In truth, it mattered little who spoke first; many matters had already been discussed between them the previous evening. Now, it was more about presenting them to everyone and briefly soliciting opinions.

But, whether there were opinions or not, the general direction would follow what they proposed.

In Yutou Village, though no one said it outright, everyone knew Tang Long possessed 'absolute authority.'

This authority was hereditary, but more than that, it was the villagers’ respect for Tang Long as their village chief.

In a remote, impoverished mountain village like this, not just anyone can become the chief. First, you must earn the people's respect, whether through virtue or through strength.

Tang Long returned and, with his men, confronted the Qiangyuan Company three times, forcefully demolished their settlement beside Liangou Hollow, and reclaimed ten million yuan in compensation.

This was 'strength.' Since ancient times, kind horses are ridden, kind people are bullied.

To drown Liu Jianming, the blackmailer, in the river, to single-handedly defeat a dozen security guards from Qiangyuan Company—Yutou villagers knew Tang Long could fight, could kill, and was not someone to be trifled with.

Regardless of how he managed it, Tang Long reclaimed ten million from Qiangyuan Company, demanding overdue rents and compensation owed over the years.

He sent people, taking Ermao to the provincial capital for ear treatment, went door-to-door in the pouring rain for hours, ensuring no villager was lost to the storm, and used all village funds for collective renovation—this was 'virtue.'

Thus, Tang Long returned and firmly secured his position as village chief. No one dared utter a word against him.

Everything has its cause and effect. Had Tang Long not displayed these feats in such a short time, could he command the village merely by virtue of the old chief's relationship? Impossible!

"Let’s not waste words today; let’s get straight to the point!" Zhang Xiu'e looked at the village committee representatives and key members, her expression earnest. "Right now, Yutou Village has reached a critical juncture.

Perhaps some of you have already noticed that the number of outside tourists visiting Yutou Village these past two days is greater than the total from the previous ten or so days.

Yes, this is something none of us anticipated. We owe much of it to 'Miss Xiaoyue.' She’s become a sensation online, bringing huge traffic to our village. Some of you may not understand what 'traffic' means—it can be understood as exposure, as tourists. Yesterday, many people came to the village, today’s number is even higher, and tomorrow, there will be more.

More people means the village will begin to make money.

Yesterday, with the university student tour group, we sold over one hundred twenty tickets to 'Ghost King Cave,' earning more than thirty-six thousand yuan in one day.

Today, we expect to sell two hundred tickets, generating about sixty thousand yuan.

But our capacity is limited—hosting two hundred tourists a day is about the maximum. That’s mainly because the university tour groups enter collectively, making things easier."

Here, Zhang Xiu'e paused before continuing, "From today, Liansheng is officially appointed as the 'Ghost King Cave' scenic area manager. He currently has about thirty people under him, but that’s not enough."

She turned to Liansheng and added, "One hundred people—fifty recruited from our village, fifty from neighboring villages—as the security team. Additionally, thirty female guides can be hired, totaling one hundred thirty people.

Security is mainly responsible for the internal safety of Ghost King Cave, guides lead visitors inside. Every day, twenty percent of ticket revenue from Ghost King Cave will be allocated as special funds for the scenic area’s personnel department.

You will be in charge of distributing these funds."

At first, everyone was a little confused, not fully grasping this talk of Ghost King Cave and twenty percent. What they did understand was that Liansheng would soon be managing over a hundred people.

Then, those quick-witted realized: if two hundred tickets are sold per day at three hundred yuan each, twenty percent is twelve thousand yuan.

Even if it’s divided among one hundred twenty people, each could get over a hundred yuan a day—about three thousand a month.

And all this right at their doorstep!

Guarding the cave on the mountainside, escorting tourists inside, barely any effort, earning thirty or forty thousand a year? Many people’s eyes instantly lit up, staring eagerly at Liansheng.

"Secretary Xiu'e, with such a good opportunity, why bring in outsiders? Can’t our own people do the job?"

Someone quickly voiced concerns. Zhang Xiu'e’s plan included recruiting from neighboring villages, meaning money would go to outsiders. If the income stayed within the village, people might grumble but accept it. But if outsiders benefited, they’d object.

Zhang Xiu'e didn’t get angry—instead, she smiled at the representative. "Guarding Ghost King Cave isn’t easy. Cold in winter, hot in summer, and shifts inside the cave last several hours—it’s tough work.

Those who work under Liansheng will certainly earn good money, but the hardship won’t be less."

She paused, then continued, "We need 'tough hands' there. Our villagers can’t all guard Ghost King Cave; other places need people too. That’s why we recruit from outside.

Of course, if any villager wants the job, they get priority."

She looked at the other committee members and continued, "Besides Ghost King Cave, the village renovation is something I discussed with Chief Tang Long. Our plan is to contract a construction team from the county to speed up the project.

Apart from the renovation, we’ll build a hotel. Chief Tang Long wants it to have some character, so we’ll call it an 'Inn.'

This 'Inn' will be constructed in three phases—the first phase accommodates one hundred guests, the second expands to three to five hundred, and the third will house at least a thousand.

Once the Inn is built, a special tourist area will be developed around it.

Let’s talk about the Inn first—it will need dozens of employees, who will receive preliminary training. Monthly salaries won’t be less than eighteen hundred yuan, mainly for cleaning rooms.

Construction will take a month or two. Before it’s ready, we’ll set up a 'food court' or 'street market.'

This will be assigned to Liu Yishou, who will need at least fifty kitchen helpers and waiters. Monthly wages start at fifteen hundred, with bonuses after profit!

At Liangou Hollow, we’ll need supervisors, emergency personnel, waiters—at least fifty people.

Yutou Village will also establish a procurement department, temporarily led by Li Ergou, with thirty people.

Environmental supervision and disciplinary committee will require a hundred people, with no age limit, solely responsible for monitoring tourists’ behavior and preventing littering and cigarette butts."

After Zhang Xiu'e finished, the committee representatives were stunned. By her calculations, even if every villager joined in, there still wouldn’t be enough people.

"Ghost King Cave scenic area, manager: Liansheng."

"Liangou Hollow scenic area, managers: Uncle Guaizi and Li Dayong."

"Dining department, manager: Liu Yishou."

"Procurement department, manager: Li Ergou."

"Logistics and medical department, manager: Qiu Yuxia."

"Environmental supervision department, manager: Wang Youfu."

Zhang Xiu'e appointed several 'department heads' in succession—all people she interacted with regularly and trusted.

It’s only natural—if you never circle around Secretary Xiu'e, how could she know your capabilities?

Wang Youfu’s eyes widened; he hadn’t expected to land an 'official' position. In his family, only he stayed in the village—even for the old chief’s funeral, he didn’t return, no matter the reason.

"The environmental supervision department has the authority to issue fines. Of course, the first couple offenses are just warnings. But if someone ignores advice or behaves rudely, a fine of two yuan must be imposed. How you administer this, use your own judgment."

She looked at Wang Youfu. "Any questions?"

Wang Youfu swallowed, shook his head. He still hadn’t fully wrapped his head around it—how could he have any questions?

"Aside from the departments mentioned, we also need to establish a 'Yutou Village Reception Office,' which will require dozens or even a hundred people. The requirements are high, mainly women, so we’ll need to recruit from outside.

And then there’s Xiaoyue. From now on, Yutou Village officially hires Zhao Xiaoyue as the village’s ambassador and spokesperson. At the end of the year, depending on how much the village earns—if it’s under ten million, 'Miss Xiaoyue' will be rewarded with one hundred thousand; if it’s over, three hundred thousand."

Three hundred thousand?

The committee representatives nearly popped their eyes.

Zhang Xiu'e smiled, "Don’t be so shocked. Without 'Miss Xiaoyue,' we wouldn’t even have soup to drink. Besides the bonus, Miss Xiaoyue will earn three hundred yuan a day as a guide in the village!"

Three hundred a day? At least a hundred thousand bonus at year’s end?

Aunt Yang couldn't help but say, "Isn’t that a bit much?"

"Too much?"

Zhang Xiu'e smiled and shook her head, "Auntie, it’s not much at all. Forget three hundred a day—outside, just chatting with fans for an hour can earn thousands.

Right now, Xiaoyue is our village’s treasure. Among ten tourists, nine come specifically for 'Miss Xiaoyue.' She’s boosted our village’s tourism economy, letting us earn tens of thousands a day. Is three hundred yuan a day too high?"

"Ahem!" Tang Long interjected, "Let me add—right now, 'Miss Xiaoyue' is the village’s precious asset, a top-tier talent. In the future, we’ll rate village talents in five levels. Those rated as such will have increased rights and dividends.

Secretary Xiu'e and I are both 'first-level talents.' Second-level talents are currently Uncle Guaizi and Liu Yishou. Third-level hasn’t been evaluated yet. The newly appointed 'leaders' and 'department heads' today are fourth-level talents.

Top-tier talent is reserved for those who make 'major contributions' to Yutou Village. In the future, we’ll build a Yutou Village Memorial Hall. Those selected as top-tier talent will be honored for generations, their names recorded in history.

Besides 'Miss Xiaoyue,' the other top-tier talent is the old chief—evaluation will happen at year’s end.

I just wanted everyone to understand the importance of top-tier talent. Right now, Zhao Xiaoyue is Yutou Village’s top-tier talent. Even Secretary Xiu'e and I haven’t contributed as much as she has."

The villagers didn’t know the significance of 'Miss Xiaoyue' to Yutou Village, but Zhang Xiu'e and Tang Long certainly did.