Chapter 123: Danger Approaches

Time flew by amidst the busy work, and soon it was May 12th.

Thanks to improvements in shoemaking tools, the number of shoes in the cabinets had grown rapidly. Including the stock in the backyard, the total count had surpassed one thousand, not even counting those made that very day. Liu Xing was overjoyed. At the current price, a pair of shoes sold for about four yuan on average. Ten pairs meant forty yuan, a hundred pairs four hundred, and a thousand pairs... if successfully sold, that would be a full four thousand yuan. After deducting labor, materials, and other expenses, he would easily clear at least half in profit. In other words, as long as the shoe store opened successfully, becoming a "ten-thousand-yuan household" by the end of the year was no longer just a dream.

But good news is often followed by bad. This time was no exception. Just as Liu Xing finally sat down in the backyard to take a break, Zhao Gou and Zhao Liang appeared in a rush.

Zhao Liang looked anxious. "It’s bad, it’s really bad! The Supply and Marketing Cooperative just posted a notice in red paper saying that from now on, no ration coupons are needed to buy shoes there, and there are even discounts."

"And Xiao Yang, who posted the notice, said that anyone who buys shoes there will also get discounts on pesticides and fertilizers, and big customers won't even need coupons for those either," Zhao Gou added.

Liu Xing didn't feel a hint of worry upon hearing this; instead, he couldn't help but laugh. "No coupons for shoes? That might look like a big selling point, but in reality, it’s outdated. My shoe store was already ahead of that curve, which means his announcement is useless."

"You're wrong! I saw many villagers from the Old House Village heading into the Cooperative to ask about it!" Zhao Liang reminded him, his brow furrowed with concern.

"I also think you're underestimating Xiao Yang," Zhao Gou chimed in. "It’s the peak season for plowing and rice transplanting. If there are discounts on pesticides and fertilizers, many people will be tempted. Even I am tempted."

That was the plain truth. From the early eighties to the late nineties, it was a true agricultural era. What farmers cared about most wasn't clothes, shoes, or delicious milk candy; it was the pesticides and fertilizers that determined their annual harvest.

"Heh... do you think Xiao Yang is selling pesticides and fertilizers at a discount to compete with my shoe store?" Liu Xing shook his head, amused. "You are dead wrong. It’s because their Cooperative has been trading in fake pesticides and fertilizers. If they don't sell them off at a discount, once the verdict on Xiao Daode comes out, that branch of the Cooperative will likely go bankrupt."

"What?" Zhao Liang was stunned. Zhao Gou was also incredulous. Although they knew Xiao Daode had been arrested because of the fake agricultural products, could it really be so dire as to affect the normal operation of the Cooperative? Did that mean Xiao Daode’s crimes were even more severe than they thought?

"Don't be so jumpy. Just focus on your own tasks," Liu Xing said, glancing at the sky. "It’s almost noon. Don't go on patrol later. After eating, help me put up the red paper and prepare for the store’s opening."

"Alright!" Zhao Liang nodded.

"There is one thing I must mention," Zhao Gou said, suddenly serious.

"Oh?" Liu Xing listened.

"It’s like this: Xiao Yang has a lot of unfamiliar young men around him. They look like thugs, and I’m worried they aren't good people. I fear they might cause trouble when your store opens tomorrow. Should we call in some people to keep the peace?" Zhao Gou lowered his voice, glancing at Guazi and the little one playing nearby.

"No need for that," Liu Xing laughed after hearing him out. "If Xiao Yang tries to pull any stunts these next few days, he’s practically asking for death."

"Why?" Zhao Gou was confused. He remained doubtful. After all, the forces behind Xiao Yang were enough to make even Xie Zhong wary. If they didn't prepare for the store opening, they would suffer, and it would be too late for regrets.

"Don't ask too much; you'll understand later." Liu Xing walked out of the backyard with his hands behind his back, his eyes full of confidence. He was confident because he knew that many of the police officers Bureau Chief Wu had deployed to capture Zhu Dachang were stationed right there in the market. If Xiao Yang dared to act recklessly at such a critical moment, he would be walking straight into the line of fire and would face severe punishment. This wasn't alarmism; it was an understanding of the authorities' policy toward desperate criminals. While Xiao Yang wasn't a desperate criminal, he was obstructing the course of justice.

Therefore... who would be the one laughing at the end remained to be seen.

...

After lunch, Liu Xing mixed rice bran with wild vegetables and went to the cowshed to feed the black calf. There was no other choice; he had to prepare for the store opening and wouldn't have time to graze the calf, so he had to take good care of it while he could.

However, he was uneasy about the environment around his elder sister’s cowshed. Just as he was about to go back and get a hoe to clear out the dense trees and thorns, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and was stunned. It was Bureau Chief Wu in plain clothes, accompanied by Niu Lianfang. Two plainclothes officers followed them, but they stayed back, spreading out to survey the area.

"Uncle, why are you here?" Liu Xing walked over once he regained his composure.

"Just here to see you, and to check on the black calf," Bureau Chief Wu said with a smile, patting Liu Xing on the shoulder. "Don't worry about the calf's safety. I have over a dozen officers deployed in the surrounding area!"

"That’s a relief," Liu Xing sighed.

"But the situation isn't optimistic. According to the latest intelligence, Zhu Dachang has come to the Old House Village market and is hiding somewhere around the Supply and Marketing Cooperative," Niu Lianfang whispered a warning.

"What?" Liu Xing was startled. If he had known this Zhu Dachang was so persistent, he wouldn't have brought the black calf to his sister's house. But then he realized that since Zhu Dachang had his sights set on the calf, he would likely follow them like a parasite no matter where they were. So, he decided to trust Bureau Chief Wu’s security measures and stop worrying about the calf's safety.

"Don't worry. What Lianfang says is true, but we aren't just sitting idle," Bureau Chief Wu said, smiling at Liu Xing’s expression. "By the way, how is the preparation for your store opening?"

"Everything is on schedule," Liu Xing replied.

"Good." Bureau Chief Wu glanced at the surroundings. "I don't have time to stay with you now, so you should leave immediately. As for why, don't ask."

"This..." Liu Xing hesitated. Niu Lianfang helped by taking the feed bucket and urging Liu Xing to leave the cowshed. Liu Xing had no choice but to head back toward his sister's house.

He realized immediately what Bureau Chief Wu was doing. He was setting a trap around the cowshed, a massive net waiting for Zhu Dachang to walk right into it. The plan seemed simple, but it was a fatal temptation for Zhu Dachang. The fact that Zhu Dachang had appeared in the market at all proved that he hated the calf to his core; otherwise, he never would have risked coming to such a crowded place after escaping. Perhaps this was Zhu Dachang’s fate: he would succeed because of a plow ox, and fail because of one.

Liu Xing couldn't help but find it ironic. Seeing Village Chief Zhao and Zhao Jing appear on the road, he quickly collected his thoughts and went to greet them.

"Oh! I’ve been home transplanting rice for the past two days and haven't had time to see you. How are the preparations for the store opening?" the Village Chief asked with concern. Zhao Jing, seeing Guazi and the little one helping organize firecrackers at the gate, ran over on her short legs.

Liu Xing answered the Village Chief, "Everything is going well. Thank you for your concern, Village Chief."

"Oh, why be so formal between us?" The Village Chief stroked his beard and laughed. "I made a few winnowing baskets and some burden baskets these past few days. I was going to sell them at the market tomorrow, but since we are busy with the fields, I was thinking of putting them in front of your store and letting Jing'er watch them. What do you think?"

"That’s fine!" Liu Xing agreed without hesitation.

"Then I’ll go back and get them now." The Village Chief laughed and turned to leave. Half an hour later, he appeared on the road with a handcart loaded with baskets and small stools made of pine, followed by Nie Quan and Nie Sun. It was clear they were still afraid to do business in the market themselves, otherwise, they wouldn't have gathered all their goods to send to Liu Xing’s store.

Liu Xing shook his head at the sight but said nothing. Just as he was about to step forward to help, four or five strange young men, each carrying a heavy bucket of manure, blocked the path to his sister’s front gate. Niu Lianfang, who was eating a roasted rice cake, was furious at the sight and was about to shout at the young men.

The Village Chief, who was pushing the cart, along with Nie Sun and Nie Quan, didn't exchange more than a few words with the strangers before a fight broke out. Three against five, they were clearly outmatched. In the blink of an eye, all three were knocked to the ground.