NOVEL NEXT Chapter 190 Roadblock
After Jiang Xiaoxiao and the others finished eating, they naturally had to prepare to leave.
The train car's grain would arrive tomorrow, and Jiang Xiaoxiao and the others had many things to attend to, so they couldn't stay at the Liu family any longer.
However, Jiang Xiaoxiao and the others left their phone number with Liu Shuren and Liu Guizhi.
They told them to call if they needed anything and not to worry about bothering others; having someone to help them now would be better than worrying alone.
Jiang Xiaoxiao told Liu Guizhi that what they should think about now is how to stand on their own.
To protect their younger brothers and sisters, don't worry about losing face or hiding family shame—think more about the siblings.
What does reputation matter? Living is the most important thing.
If she couldn't stand up, her second uncle and aunt seemed like people who weren't easy to deal with.
Those two probably could skin and eat them alive to the bone.
Liu Guizhi agreed, biting her lip tightly.
She envied Jiang Xiaoxiao, who was strong, self-reliant, and so decisive.
Despite being younger, Jiang Xiaoxiao was much stronger than her. Indeed, as Jiang Xiaoxiao said, she must stand up for herself, as she was the eldest in the family now.
If she couldn't protect her siblings, how could she face their parents in the grave!
Jiang Xiaoxiao and her group returned to the city.
When they arrived in the county city, Jiang Xiaoxiao and Song Moting went directly to the freight station house, while Fan Jianguo went to his niece's home.
Jiang Xiaoxiao took the freight bill, and sure enough, the 5,000 jins of grain had arrived, so she directed the movers to unload the grain into the yard.
Seizing this opportunity, she took out over 10,000 jins of grain, which added up to another 20,000 jins.
Once her uncle left, she would then take out another 50,000 jins, claiming it was from him from Jingbei. Who could find evidence against that?
Song Moting and the others, after working through the night, called the forest farm at dawn.
The forest farm manager received the call and immediately sent over a vehicle to haul the grain, and he came personally after hearing Fan Jianguo was there.
He was a great benefactor to their entire forest farm and even the whole farm.
This several tens of thousands of jins of grain not only saved their forest farm but also benefited the surrounding farms. Although there were hundreds of educated youths, each could get at least 100 jins.
Don't underestimate these 100 jins of grain; they could provide for at least four months.
This additional grain meant that everyone could get through until the fall harvest without issue.
In times like these, having grain meant being rich.
Isn't that being a benefactor? Considering that when the farm distributed the grain, the nearby farm production teams were already envious.
Many were privately inquiring.
Some even visited him to establish rapport, especially the few familiar farm team leaders.
They came directly to ask, are we still friends or not?
If they were friends, could they first get a few thousand jins of grain to help resolve their difficulties?
The manager was as pleased as punch, and Guo Dongjun personally came to thank the benefactor.
Upon seeing Fan Jianguo, Guo Dongjun eagerly shook his hand, his words of gratitude were pouring out non-stop.
Fan Jianguo's face turned red from receiving such gratitude. He had only brought a limited amount of grain, yet people were this thankful.
One could imagine how severely this place was affected by the disaster.
He silently resolved to figure out a way to assist Jiang Xiaoxiao and the others with more grain upon his return.
Fan Jianguo hinted at this, and Guo Dongjun was quick to express gratitude.
The two agreed that once Fan Jianguo returned, he would think of another way to provide them with more grain.
Privately, Fan Jianguo was puzzled. He was confused about why Guo Dongjun seemed to imply that he had brought much more grain.
He had only brought 5,000 jins of grain. Could Guo Dongjun have mistaken it for 50,000 jins?
Guo Dongjun didn't say much; he just mentioned it in passing.
Fan Jianguo thought either he misheard or perhaps Guo Dongjun misspoke.
It was the first meeting, so he couldn't say much. Anyway, when settling accounts, the truth would come out; surely, they wouldn't mix up the money as well.
Jiang Xiaoxiao had already hurried over to stay by her uncle's side, fearing her actions would be exposed.
Song Moting assisted the educated youths with loading the goods and oversaw its transportation back.
Seeing Zhang Chaoyang, Song Moting didn't speak.
The two didn't get along, so saying more wouldn't make a difference.
However, because of Song Moting's presence, Zhang Chaoyang and his group worked like their lives depended on it, seemingly wanting to outdo Song Moting.
Two trucks headed back, with Jiang Xiaoxiao and Fan Jianguo riding to the forest farm, as Fan Jianguo needed to inspect the lumber and finalize transportation details.
This time, he bore a heavy responsibility, having already made arrangements with others for these materials.
He had pulled many strings, and others were waiting for these goods. Although they didn't need approval, these were still hot commodities.
He couldn't relax until he personally saw them loaded onto the train, and he'd accompany them back, regardless.
Guo Dongjun had long checked the list Fan Jianguo provided; the lumber wasn't a problem for them.
Their forest farm backed onto Da Shan, a renowned forested area.
These trees weren't an issue; even their forest farm's stock could cover the need.
Not to mention, once spring began, they could start operations on the mountain.
The workers could go up and cut the trees easily enough, especially since they were helping a brother unit in trouble, naturally choosing the best available.
This matter needed to be handled transparently.
Both parties agreed on a price.
Since Fan Jianguo had already delivered the grain, no down payment was required. After returning, he would send the balance.
Jiang Xiaoxiao, acting as the guarantor, would be responsible for ensuring the forest farm received all payments.
Fan Jianguo assured them that he would try to secure more grain upon his return.
Everyone happily headed towards the farm, but halfway there, the truck couldn't go on.
They were stopped on the road.
They saw fifty to sixty aggressive people wielding hoes, poles, even sickles, and various weapons, blocking their path with a log across the road.
The truck couldn't move forward.
As soon as they stopped, these people surrounded the vehicle.
If not for Song Moting and Zhang Chaoyang realizing something was wrong, a few male educated youths stepping in with weapons, the grain might have been snatched.
Song Moting's heart sank; it seemed these people were after the grain on the trucks.
Guo Dongjun quickly got off the truck, and the two groups confronted each other in front of the vehicles.
Guo Dongjun recognized the team leader from Spring Breeze Farm's Fifth Brigade; they'd met during county meetings, at least to nod acquaintances.
Was this going to be an outright robbery?