The matter of contracting the mountain was significant, and it was fine for the family to accompany him. The third team leader said nothing, and the three of them left the room and soon arrived at the brigade headquarters.
"The in-laws have also come," Zhang Changhe said with a smile as he saw Gu Shoufu enter with his hands behind his back, pointing to a seat beside him.
As everyone took their seats, they quickly got down to business.
"Our village committee held a meeting and discussed it. The entire Qingshan covers an area of about 1,400 mu. The contracting price will definitely be cheaper than the current farmland. For five years, it will be seventy thousand yuan. As for the distribution of profits, everyone unanimously agreed to the forty percent."
"The money that should be paid for the contract has been paid in full, why are there still profits?" Although Chen Lishu had already told him about this, Gu Shoufu feigned ignorance and asked with a displeased expression.
Zhang Changhe did not answer. The accountant Zhou Fugui smiled and explained, "This was agreed upon by Dongzi's wife and the Party Branch Secretary from the beginning."
Gu Shoufu pressed, "It was agreed from the beginning that it would be forty percent?"
Sun Yuzhu chimed in, "It was agreed from the beginning that it would be twenty percent, but everyone was afraid they couldn't explain it to the members, so they set it at forty."
Gu Shoufu raised his eyes, "Have you asked the members?"
Sun Yuzhu fell silent.
Having lived in the same village for so many years, Sun Yuzhu knew Gu Shoufu better than anyone. He usually didn't talk much, and those who didn't know him might think he was just an ordinary old man, but in reality, he was very clear-headed and saw things more thoroughly than anyone else, he just didn't show it most of the time.
Zhou Fugui said, "Isn't this a clear matter? This mountain belongs to the team, and we, as village cadres, should also seek welfare for the team. Dongzi's wife wanted to contract it, and we were already taking special care of her. Otherwise, according to the original intention, we would have had to hand over half the profits."
The others remained silent. Zhou Fugui was the most active in this matter. It was as obvious as a louse on a bald head; this was his instigation.
"At most twenty percent. If my children hadn't spoken out of turn beforehand, I wouldn't have agreed to this at all. Besides, she is still studying. In the future, this mountain will definitely be managed by us old couple. If you insist on forty percent, then there's no point in contracting this mountain."
Chen Lishu had brought up the matter. If she were to bargain with everyone at this time, she would definitely be at a disadvantage. It was different for Gu Shoufu to step forward. He was the head of the family, and it was natural for him to make decisions for the younger generation.
When everyone heard that he was not going to contract it, they were all a little flustered. Zhou Fugui was counting on Chen Lishu to bring it up, sure that this was a profitable venture and she wouldn't give up easily.
After all, she was the first college student in the village. Not only was she well-informed, but he had even heard that she was doing business privately. Otherwise, with a contracting fee of sixty to seventy thousand yuan, an ordinary family might not be able to scrape it together even if they sold everything.
Now that Gu Shoufu had stepped forward to make this decision, he was really unsure. His gaze fell on Chen Lishu, who had been lowering her head, and he asked, "Dongzi's wife, do you have any thoughts? After all, it's your business. Why don't you say something?"
No matter how much the elders interfered, as long as Chen Lishu was willing, Gu Shoufu couldn't say anything.
Chen Lishu had been listening to Gu Shoufu speak and admired her father-in-law immensely. With a few words, he had seized the initiative. She was delighted when Zhou Fugui called her name and quickly looked up and replied earnestly:
"I have little experience in farming. My father said it wasn't cost-effective, so I won't contract it. I'll listen to him."
What did that mean? She was going to back out of the contract after just a few words?
If this great opportunity were missed, it was unlikely that anyone else would be able to offer such a high price. Those present cast their eyes on Zhang Changhe.
Zhang Changhe was also angry. The twenty percent that was agreed upon earlier, they greedily demanded forty percent. Now they had angered the person.
"Brother, don't worry. We are all sitting here to discuss it first. Lishu, you should also talk about your thoughts."
Chen Lishu said a little shyly, "I am young and don't understand many things. My elders' wishes are my wishes."
Zhang Changhe was stunned. This child hadn't said this when they were discussing the contract before. He thought she understood many things better than he, the Party Branch Secretary.
Sun Yuzhu smoothed things over, saying, "How about we compromise and make it thirty percent? If it's any less, I'm afraid the members will have opinions, and if it's thirty percent, it will be easier for us to speak up for Dongzi's wife."
The contracting matter had reached this point, only needing the final step. No one wanted any mishaps. Zhou Fugui and the other village cadres said nothing more, tacitly agreeing to Sun Yuzhu's proposal.
The village committee would still need a few village cadres to explain to the members. They felt that if it was acceptable, they could surely smooth things over. It was better than being too strict now and the members not cooperating with signing later.
So Gu Shoufu turned his head to look at Chen Lishu, who nodded almost imperceptibly, and the matter was settled.
Soon, the village committee organized a meeting for the members, and a representative from each household signed and thumb-printed the contracting agreement.
Not only could they get money back, but they could also have income every year just by sitting there. With such a good thing, everyone expressed their support. In the end, only two families remained: Liu widow's family and Chen Mancang's family.
"If you want me to sign, hell no. You want to contract the mountain? Dream on." Liu widow stood in her yard and deliberately cursed loudly in the direction of the Gu family.
"You were so capable before, weren't you? Your nose was so high up in the sky. How about that? Karma comes around. You say I'm shameless, but I'm telling you, with me, Wang Juhua, you won't be able to contract this mountain..."
Li Xiulan was working inside when she heard her yelling. Angered, she threw down her work, turned, put on her shoes, and quickly walked out.
Zhang Qin and Liu Yuemin, seeing that the situation was not right, also hurried out.
"I say, you shameless woman, who are you standing by the wall and talking about? If you want to die, find a deserted place and drink poison to hang yourself. Don't be an eyesore here. You're always doing things that harm others and yourself. Be careful not to be struck by lightning when you go out someday."
If it were anything else, Li Xiulan wouldn't be so angry. The key was that Qingshan was collective property. As long as one member disagreed to sign, the contract could not take effect. Just as everything was ready, Liu widow sang a different tune and refused to sign. The Party Branch Secretary and the village head had both tried to reason with her, but it was all to no avail.
Liu widow jiggled her legs and put her hands on her hips provocatively, saying, "Oh my, you don't need to worry about that. What's the use of your family being capable? If you offend me, Wang Juhua, you still won't be able to do anything. Don't stare at me like a black-eyed chicken. You guys should just give up on that idea early."
Li Xiulan was extremely angry and pointed at her, wishing she could climb over the wall and fight with her! "You, you damn nuisance, you'll get retribution sooner or later!"