The Fantastic Little Farmer

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: 2nd Uncle’s Purpose of Visit

Zhang Yun was completely baffled. ”What secret about my market prospects?”

”Six Records!”

”Six Records?” Zhang Yun frowned. He Xiong was indeed a market channel he highly valued. If he could break into the medicinal herb circle, he could sell ginseng long-term.

”Let’s talk in the car!” Zhang Lifeng said. Even though no one was around, he didn’t want to risk being overheard, and it was too hot outside anyway.

”This time-honored brand, Six Records, is actually a massive family. They’ve branched out everywhere. He Xiong’s family is quite prominent in our county, but within Six Records, they’re merely a declining offshoot.”

Zhang Yun was rendered speechless. The man had eight or ten branches across the county and could casually toss out a million yuan, yet he was just a *declining offshoot*? It was true that all roads lead to Rome, but some people were simply born in Rome.

”Every year, Six Records holds an internal evaluation. The various branches gather to present the precious medicinal herbs they’ve collected. The rarer the herbs, the more it proves their capability, which earns them more of the family’s resources. In turn, this allows those branches to develop even further and have more money to acquire rare herbs.

”He Xiong only took over the family business in the last couple of years. He’s ambitious and eager to make a name for himself so he can enter the core circle of Six Records. Now do you understand why he absolutely had to have that centennial ginseng?”

The secret Zhang Lifeng revealed truly concerned Zhang Yun’s market prospects.

Zhang Yun slowly nodded. ”If I can help him come out on top, he’ll be highly valued, which means he’ll have more funds to buy ginseng...”

”Exactly! You’ve been good to me, so I’m leveling with you. Even though this is someone else’s secret, it concerns your future! If you can really get your hands on an old ginseng that’s twice as old, don’t try to play games. Helping He Xiong will definitely pay off!”

After saying this, Zhang Lifeng sounded a bit sour. ”Honestly, from my standpoint, I should be tricking you into giving me all your good stuff instead of pushing you toward someone else...”

Zhang Yun laughed. ”Don’t worry! I won’t treat you poorly.”

”Why does that sound so weird? I’m a renowned doctor and a Deputy Director. I’m the one lifting you up, and here you are saying you won’t treat me poorly!” Zhang Lifeng glared at him, slightly dissatisfied.

Zhang Yun patted his shoulder. ”Alright, alright. I trust your character. I won’t demand cash on delivery either—just remember to transfer the money to me.”

With that, he stepped out of the car, hopped onto his motorcycle, and headed home.

Holding the ginseng, Zhang Lifeng sighed emotionally. Previously, his attitude toward Zhang Yun had been entirely because of Ouyang Mingruo, but now he realized this kid was incredibly mysterious.

”This kid is no ordinary fish in the pond...”

Since Zhang Yun had already bought plenty of groceries earlier, he didn’t need to shop for more even if guests had arrived. He sped straight home.

Riding the new motorcycle felt amazing. When he looked at the scratched paint, he would normally have felt a pang of heartache, but now it only made his heart flutter... It immediately reminded him of the significantly ’grown-up’ teacher, Yang Xiaoyun...

The guest Zhang Yun had seen earlier wasn’t his biological uncle. His mother had no biological brothers; this was her cousin, Wang Fugui. When Zhang Yun arrived home, the two men were having lunch.

”Uncle Fugui!”

After calling out, Zhang Yun washed his hands and went to the living room to eat. Out of respect for his late wife’s relatives, his father had already opened the bottle of Maotai that Zhang Lifeng had given him and was drinking it.

”Zhang Yun, you’ve really made something of yourself! You bought a new bike, and you even have your dad drinking Maotai and smoking good cigarettes!” Wang Fugui praised with a smile.

Zhang Fu revealed a simple, honest smile, his heart swelling with pride!

Previously, when his son returned home to farm and raise fish after finishing his education, people had gossiped plenty behind their backs, and even their relatives thought he was a disappointment. But now, no matter what, Zhang Fu felt proud.

To an ordinary farmer, was Maotai just liquor? No, it was prestige!

If he were drinking it alone, what magic could he possibly taste? In his eyes, spending one or two hundred yuan on a small glass was a total waste of money—one glass could buy ten bottles of local white liquor!

But bringing it out to share with relatives, even if it pinched his wallet a bit, was a display of his son’s filial piety and proof of his success! It felt fantastic!

Zhang Yun chuckled. ”Uncle Fugui, how did you find the free time to come over today?”

”Hehe, your uncle wants to introduce a wife to you. He specifically waited for you to come back so he could ask what kind of girl you like.” Zhang Fu poured another glass of Maotai for Wang Fugui.

”A wife? Isn’t it a bit early?” Zhang Yun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. His dad was really impatient, broadcasting it to everyone already?

Wang Fugui downed the Maotai in one gulp and SMACKED his lips. ”You think it’s a bit early too? I think so too. Your dad just wants to hold a grandson sooner!”

Zhang Fu laughed. ”Hehe, we can make the introductions first. You can just start dating.”

”I think Zhang Yun is still young. Now that he has some money... I heard you dug up some ginseng?” Wang Fugui asked curiously.

Naturally, he had heard this from Zhang Fu. Zhang Yun smiled and admitted, ”That’s right. I dug up some good ginseng.”

”Well then! Today, as your uncle, I’m going to pull rank and teach you a little lesson.”

Seeing Wang Fugui’s serious expression, Zhang Yun also grew serious. ”Go ahead, Uncle Fugui.”

”Young people are too vain! Is ginseng something you can dig up every day? Even if you found an old ginseng and sold it for a good price, how can you only focus on enjoying yourself?” Wang Fugui pointed at the new motorcycle by the door, then at the Maotai in front of him.

An uncle educating his nephew—his words made sense. Zhang Fu also nodded, as he couldn’t bring himself to put on a stern face to lecture his son.

”A motorcycle only needs to be practical; you don’t need to chase the newest models. As for liquor, a ten-yuan bottle of Laobaigan is perfectly fine to drink. There’s no need for a bottle of Maotai that costs thousands. It all turns into piss anyway, doesn’t it?”

Zhang Yun maintained a polite smile. The man was an elder, so he didn’t argue or talk back. One’s views on consumption were tied to their income. If it had been the old him, he wouldn’t have been willing to spend the money either.

”So...” Wang Fugui coughed dryly, lowering his head to pick up a cup of tea. He spoke a bit vaguely, ”If you have money, you should first pay back what you owe us...”

”Fugui!” Zhang Fu immediately called out, not expecting Wang Fugui to suddenly bring this up.

”It’s the truth, isn’t it!” Now that he had spoken, Wang Fugui no longer felt embarrassed. ”Zhang Fu, you’re getting on in years. Just by farming, when will you ever be able to pay it back? Zhang Yun is grown up and making money now, so of course he should be the one to pay it off. He’s even got the money to drink Maotai!”

”Wait a minute! Are you saying...” Listening to his uncle’s words and seeing his father’s grim expression, Zhang Yun already guessed the gist of it.

”Your dad didn’t tell you? A few years ago when you built this house, he borrowed money from me, your eldest uncle, and your aunts!”

Wang Fugui laid it all out in the open. ”We didn’t have much money either, but your mom passed away, so we had to look out for you. When your dad asked, we scraped together what we could to lend to him.”

He pointed at the house. ”The house was built just so it would be easier for you to find a wife. But just because you have money now doesn’t mean you should only focus on living the high life.”

”Dad...” Zhang Yun suddenly felt a pang of distress. Did he even need to ask, ”Why didn’t you tell me?” It was obvious his dad hadn’t wanted to burden him with the pressure!

Zhang Fu squeezed out a smile that looked worse than crying. ”You’re still young! Your old man can still carry the load. Fugui, I’ve been trying to find a way to pay back the money I owe you...”

”Enough! Everyone knows exactly how much you have left over from farming each year. When will you ever clear the debt?”

Wang Fugui grew a bit impatient, then turned directly to Zhang Yun. ”Zhang Yun, you’re all grown up now, a man in your own right. It’s time you became the breadwinner of the household. Since you’ve got some cash, you should pay back a portion of it first...”