Chapter Seventy-Eight: Fees and Freedom

Hundreds of millions in investments, decided so simply during a casual evening chat? If word got out, people’s eyes would surely pop in disbelief. These weren’t underworld bosses or heirs of wealthy families, just a handful of young people barely into their twenties.

As for Shan Xiu’s plan to invest in the mineral water company, Zhang Xiu’e felt it was rather ordinary and not particularly promising. Her optimism lay with the tourism industry in Yutou Village, as she had already seen results.

Today alone, visitors from outside numbered over a thousand. If each spent just ten yuan in the village, that would mean over ten thousand yuan in revenue. This was merely an analogy—the actual amount spent by tourists was far more than ten yuan each.

When they arrived in the morning, they needed somewhere to eat. Even if they brought their own food, upon seeing the prices at the village food stalls, most would still choose to spend.

“Secretary Xiu’e, Village Chief, are you finished discussing your affairs?” Li Ergou asked with a dry laugh. He couldn’t get involved in a hundred-million-yuan investment, but he knew about some matters in the village.

Zhang Xiu’e turned to him, smiling, “If you have something to say, go ahead.”

Li Ergou said, “It’s a minor issue, but now that more people are coming to the village, there are quite a few litterbugs. Most do correct themselves on the spot and apologize, so we don’t fine them.”

He paused, then continued with an awkward laugh, “Usually, this is Wang Youfu’s responsibility, not mine, but his team is mostly elderly folk. When they encounter someone who resists discipline and refuses to accept fines, they call us in to handle it.”

Zhang Xiu’e thought for a moment. “Try to use persuasion and education first. If that fails, then fine them. If they won’t accept the fine or pick up their trash, then... send them back to wherever they came from. We don’t welcome such people!”

Tang Long interjected, muttering, “We’re reasonable here, but if we can’t control them, just give them a good beating. If anything happens, the village will take responsibility!”

Zhang Xiu’e glared at him, her face stern. “Always talking about fighting! Do you think no one can do anything to you just because you’re at home?”

Tang Long grinned. Indeed, at home, who could do anything to them?

She knew his nature well. “If you injure someone, you’ll have to pay for their medical bills, won’t you?”

Tang Long winked at Li Ergou. “Did you hear that? If you do have to fight, be careful, don’t hurt anyone badly. Aim for the fleshy parts, use your palm instead of your fist if possible, and keep weapons out of it.”

“Alright!” Li Ergou nodded with a goofy smile.

Zhang Xiu’e kept her stern face. “Enforce the rules civilly. If I find out anyone’s deliberately making trouble for outsiders, I’ll have their hide!”

She’d realized that with this group of men, she couldn’t afford to be too gentle.

“There’s another matter,” Li Ergou continued. “Parking. Outsiders are parking their cars everywhere, some even in the low-lying areas. Should we designate a parking area for them?”

A dozen or even a few dozen cars wouldn’t be too noticeable, but with hundreds every day, random parking would become quite the mess!

Tang Long looked at Zhang Xiu’e, who replied with a stern face, “Why are you looking at me? You handle it!”

She stood up from her stool. “Shan Xiu, come here. I want to talk to you privately.”

Shan Xiu glanced at Tang Long, then obediently stood and followed Zhang Xiu’e.

Tang Long watched her walk away, his gaze lingering below her waist for two seconds before turning back.

He asked Li Ergou, “Do you have any plans?”

Since Li Ergou raised the issue, he must have an idea.

“We could designate an area at the village entrance and assign someone to watch over it. There’s also a large open space at the foot of the mountain that could be used for parking,” Li Ergou said, pausing before he continued, “As for other areas, especially the low-lying spots, only village vehicles should be allowed there. Outsiders’ cars should be kept out. There are adults and children playing there, so accidents could easily happen.”

Tang Long thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, let’s do it that way. We’ll set up a guarded parking lot and charge a symbolic fee—a yuan per car per day. We’ll also set up a further parking area for free parking, but we won’t watch over those cars.”

Li Ergou was puzzled. “Village Chief, why make it so complicated?”

Tang Long smiled. “It takes people to watch the parking lot, and labor costs money. One yuan per car is just a symbolic management fee. It’s not much for visitors, but with hundreds of cars a day, that covers our labor costs.”

Li Ergou scratched his head. “Why have a paid and a free option?”

Tang Long explained, “Some people don’t mind paying a yuan, others might think it’s unreasonable. Those willing to pay can park close by and have someone watch their car, so they don’t have to worry about scratches or bumps. For those unwilling to pay, they can park farther away and walk a bit more. No one will guard those cars, and we won’t be responsible for any issues. Whether they pay or not is up to them—we’re just offering two services.”

Li Ergou grinned, “If we’re offering a service, why not charge three yuan instead of one?”

Tang Long was taken aback, looking up at him. Li Ergou’s eyes sparkled with cunning. “Anyone who can drive here won’t care about a yuan or two. Those willing to pay for the service won’t mind if it’s one or two yuan. If we charge one yuan, we cover labor. If we charge two, we’ll make a few hundred in profit. That’s thousands a month—rural folks build up their savings bit by bit. Over a year, it’s not a small income.”

Tang Long laughed, nodding. “Alright, let’s charge two yuan per car.”

“Great! Why not let our logistics team manage it?” Li Ergou smiled, taking on the task. If Wang Youfu’s team managed it, they’d end up doing the work but not seeing the benefits. Better to take it on and create some revenue for his crew.

Tang Long grinned, “It’s yours, but you have to promise me nothing goes wrong. If Secretary Xiu’e comes after me, I’ll come after you!”

Li Ergou patted his chest. “Such a small matter—we’ll handle it just fine!”

Zhao Xiaoyue sidled up to Tang Long, blinking. “Brother Tang Long, those outsiders are so troublesome and hard to manage. Why not just host Jiang Xue’s tour groups?”

Tang Long shook his head. “It’s not the same. University student tour groups are one thing, but for Yutou Village’s tourism to thrive, we need all kinds of tourists.”

Whether individual visitors or university tour groups organized by Jiang Xue, everyone in Yutou Village would be treated equally.

At least, when it came to spending money and enjoying services, there wouldn’t be any big differences.

“Village Chief, Sister Xiu’e asked me to call you. She wants you back in the village for a meeting!” Little Leopard ran over to summon them.

Tang Long frowned. Zhang Xiu’e and Shan Xiu had left only moments ago. They’d discussed everything together just now, so why another meeting?

“Alright, we’ll go right away!” Tang Long nodded, stopping Little Leopard as he turned to run. “Wait a moment!”

Little Leopard was startled, his eyes puzzled.

“What’s your full name?” Tang Long asked Zhao Xiaoyue beside him. He’d only just returned to the village and was used to nicknames, not knowing their real names.

Zhao Xiaoyue chuckled, “His full name is Li Bao, or Li Xiaobao. Everyone in the village calls him ‘Little Leopard’ or ‘Leopard’.”

“Li Bao, how old are you today?” Tang Long nodded, smiling at him.

Li Xiaobao scratched his head. “Village Chief, I’m fifteen by calendar years, sixteen by traditional reckoning!”

Sixteen? In the countryside, that’s nearly a grown lad.

“Not in school anymore?” Tang Long asked.

Li Bao shook his head. Zhao Xiaoyue piped up, giggling, “He’s got a yam for brains, a real fool. He got sent home by the teachers in town after only a year of middle school.”

‘Yam brain’ was a village insult for anyone slow-witted.

Tang Long tapped her head, smiling, “Look who’s talking. You didn’t last long in high school either, so are you a yam brain too?”

Zhao Xiaoyue stuck out her tongue. “But I’m still smarter than him!”

Li Bao listened without getting angry. They usually played together, and being scolded by their ‘big sister’ was nothing.

“You’re still too young. Not going to school won’t do!” Tang Long muttered. Once things settled down in the village, he’d have to deal with these half-grown kids. The other children too—those who should be in school must go, and those really unsuited for studying would need another path.

As long as they could, and wanted to, they should be encouraged to study.

For ordinary people, no matter when, education was always a shortcut to success.

Never mind those who claim schooling is useless—they’re just talking nonsense.

“Any hobbies?” Tang Long invited Li Bao to walk back with them, asking as they went.

Li Bao was somewhat shy in front of Tang Long.

Zhao Xiaoyue laughed, “He likes driving, always wants to learn!”

“Driving?”

Tang Long smiled. “If you want to learn, then learn. We have several cars in the village. Starting tomorrow, you can follow your brother Ergou and let him teach you. Practice when no one’s around, just don’t run anyone over. Once you’re old enough, you can get a license.”

On the topic of driving, Tang Long said to Zhao Xiaoyue, “Tomorrow, go to the county driving school with Ergou and sign up for your license.”

“Me? Get a license?” Zhao Xiaoyue pointed to her nose, eyes wide. “Why should I? I don’t want to drive the village’s grocery car!”

Currently, the village vehicles were mainly used for procurement, especially for buying groceries.

Tang Long smiled. “No one said you only need a license to drive the grocery car. Someday, you’ll all have your own cars, and it’ll be convenient to get out and about.”

Zhao Xiaoyue’s eyes flickered and she whispered, “Oh. Should I go alone?”

Tang Long asked, “Who else do you want to take?”

She tilted her head, giggling, “Maybe I’ll ask Sister Qiuxia to go along. She can’t drive either!”

“Alright!” Tang Long agreed without hesitation. The village doctor Qiu Yuxia couldn’t drive yet, so she’d need to learn too.

He patted Li Bao’s head, laughing, “When you’re old enough, you’ll all have to learn!”