47: Chapter 47: Playing Big 47: Chapter 47: Playing Big “Yes!

It’s unreliable.

This whole thing is not trustworthy at all.

I thought it might be something, but it turns out to be a fool’s errand!

We should still be asking for help from the authorities!

We must!”

“…”

Listening to the opinions of the surrounding villagers, Liu Hun didn’t take it to heart.

He knew exactly what he was capable of and what he could or couldn’t achieve.

“Of course, these mushrooms can’t just be found by walking around; it’s hard for us to find wild mushrooms on the mountain, but isn’t cultivating our own mushrooms right under our eyes?” Liu Hun said to the villagers around him.

He still wanted to try his best to persuade all the villagers to join him in this endeavor.

“Hunzi, no offense, but have you ever cultivated mushrooms?

I’ve only heard about wild mushrooms.

I’ve never heard of anyone successfully growing their own.

I think, as far as mushroom cultivation is concerned, our entire village is blind, deaf, stuffed-nosed, mute, and utterly clueless!” Another villager stood out and poured cold water on the idea.

Du Yueling, standing beside Liu Hun, tugged at his sleeve and said, “These people are older than you and have grown up farming the land.

They naturally resist what they think can’t be grown.

Picking on their perceived strengths is probably not going to persuade them.”

Liu Hun turned around and gave Du Yueling a faint smile.

Even if she hadn’t mentioned it, he had already realized this point, but he couldn’t treat his fellow villagers the same way he would treat the hooligans from neighboring villages; he had to be gentle rather than confrontational.

After coming up with a plan, Liu Hun said to the villagers around him, “Listen up, everyone.

If you’re willing to join me, Liu Hun, then let’s do this together.

Consider it a loan from me to you.

Once we make money, you can pay me back.

And if you don’t want to join me, then you’ll have to figure out how to get through the tough times on your own.

What do you say to that?”

“Deal!

I’m in with Hunzi!

I missed out last time, can’t fall behind again this time.

Taking a loan is fine.

Better than waiting to die at the temple!”

“Well, we need to think this through.

If you’re not talking about lending money, I might consider it.

Nobody’s grown mushrooms before.

If it doesn’t work out, then what?”

“Forget it!

I’ve never heard of anyone cultivating mushrooms.

You might as well say you’re growing lingzhi mushrooms—that would be even more impressive.

Anyway, I’m out.

We should just wait for relief from the town.

If they don’t provide, let’s make a fuss!”

“…”

The villagers, as they talked, split into three factions, with the younger women mainly choosing to join Liu Hun in mushroom cultivation.

As the people who were leaving left, and those who were staying stayed, those who remained gathered in the temple, ready to hear what Liu Hun had to say.

“Alright, folks, those of you who are able-bodied, head up the mountain to look for mushrooms, but be sure to stay safe.

Those who remain, go and collect rotting wood.

After that, let’s pile all the mushrooms and wood together here in the temple,” Liu Hun instructed the people around him, then waved his hand to set them in motion.

After a few busy days, the temple courtyard was stacked with a mountain of rotting wood, but there were only a basketful of mushrooms, far fewer than Liu Hun had anticipated.

“Yo-ho!

Hunzi, what’s this all about?

Preparing to go into agriculture now?

Impressive!

Truly a capable man!”

Suddenly, a very grating voice came from the entrance of the temple.

Liu Hun turned his head to look, and his eyes instantly narrowed as he said, “Sun Xing!

You really are like a dead fish slipping back into the pond, daring to show up here in Wanbao Village!”

“Hunzi, take a good look!

Sun Xing is my brother, I am Sun Ke!

I made a name for myself in the county seat over the past few years; all the big shots have to call me ‘Boss Ke’!

I heard someone hurt my brother recently, so I specifically came over to see what kind of deity has such great skills!” Sun Ke was twirling a hair on a mole on his face with a mad dog’s brazen arrogance.

Liu Hun listened carefully and then noticed that Sun Ke did have some differences from Sun Xing.

He was about to speak when he saw Sun Ke had brought quite a number of people with him, and to Liu Hun’s surprise, they were not just any hooligans—they were villagers from Wanbao Village who didn’t trust him or were hesitant.

“We need to be careful.

I think this Sun Ke is more trouble than Sun Xing.

He must have played dirty to get so many villagers to follow him,” Du Yueling warned from behind Liu Hun, her hatred still fresh from the near fatal encounter with Sun Xing.

Sun Ke laughed heartily and said, “Hunzi, I’ve heard you’re planning to grow mushrooms.

I find that truly fascinating!”

“Eh!

Sun Ke, did you know that not too long ago, we caught something in the temple that wasn’t quite animal nor monster?

I bet you’d find that even more fascinating.

I reckon others might not know what it was, but you definitely would,” Liu Hun said, not directly responding to Sun Ke’s remark but instead throwing a question back at him.

Sun Ke had planned to come and help his brother save face, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he found himself swallowing a bitter pill that wouldn’t go down his throat.

His own brother had been made a fool of by Liu Hun, strung up like a monster with a string of fireworks and sent home, now a notorious and humiliating village scandal in Wanbao Village.

He felt such an itch in his teeth from hatred.

Sun Ke was a man who used his brain.

He knew that trading verbal blows with Liu Hun right now wouldn’t amount to much, so he just gave a cold laugh and said, “Hun, you’ve done quite a bit here in Wanbao Village, but…” Sun Ke spoke, then turned to the people around him and said, “Has anyone noticed something?”

“What’s up?” A curious villager behind him blurted out.

Sun Ke had been waiting for someone to ask.

His face wore a smug look, full of mischief, like a winter melon with its insides hollowed out.

He chuckled and said, “Think about it, everyone.

Since when did any business this rascal started ever benefit him alone in the end, with the rest of us left holding the short end of the stick?”

As soon as Sun Ke uttered these words, those who already had their doubts about Liu Hun felt their misgivings flare up, and they started muttering among themselves, clearly agitated by Sun Ke’s provocation.

“Sun Ke!

This is Wanbao Village!

You’re not welcome here!

Get out!

Stop spouting nonsense here.

When has Hun ever thought only of himself and forgotten about us?

When he makes money, don’t we all make some too?

Isn’t it a big deal to be able to make money?

Let’s see who among you has the capability to farm dozens of acres—come on, stand up so I can take a look!” Qin Yue was straightforward and had a fiery temper; she couldn’t stand Sun Ke’s whining and immediately stepped forward in rebuttal.

“Qin Chunhua!

You sure are spirited and sassy!” Sun Ke’s shifty eyes swept over Qin Yue, feeling as refreshed as if he’d just eaten a watermelon on a hot summer day.

He chuckled and then targeted Liu Hun again, “I heard that this whole mushroom farming venture of yours requires everyone to put up their own money.

No money?

Well, aren’t you the good samaritan, lending it to them!

How delightful is that?

But don’t celebrate too soon.

What if the mushrooms don’t grow and everyone ends up losing money?

Then you’ll all be in real trouble!”

“Sun Ke, this is our business, and even if we lose money and get into debt, it has nothing to do with you!

You can leave now!” Fen Ran too stood up and spoke out, feeling disgusted looking at Sun Ke.

“Village chief’s wife, you’ve got a pretty face and a sharp tongue, leaving your man at home to guard Hun so closely,” said Sun Ke with a sarcastic tone, his words piercing to the ear.

“Sun Ke, save your breath.

If I can handle one Sun Xing, I can handle an additional Sun Ke just as easily.” Liu Hun spoke, stepping closer to Sun Ke.

Sun Ke really feared Liu Hun might get physical, so he hurriedly said, “Hey!

If you start a fight, you’ll be the one in trouble.

Unlike some, I understand the law; I’ve lived in the county city, after all.

Don’t try to pull any of that stuff here!”

“What’s there to be afraid of?

Did I say I was going to clean your clock?

Look at you, all scared.

I’m busy, so cut the crap.

What do you want?” Liu Hun said bluntly to Sun Ke, thinking that it was better to cut to the chase rather than let him incite the villagers any further.

Sun Ke sneered inwardly, thinking Liu was such a simpleton for falling right into his trap.

So he immediately said, “Hun, I heard you’ve got some cash on hand.

How about you and I play a little game?”

“What game do you want to play?” asked Liu Hun, looking at Sun Ke as if he were a toad trapped in a jar.

“I’ve got fifty thousand, and you should have about the same.

Let’s play it this way: you say you can grow mushrooms and make money for everyone, right?

Let’s bet on this crop of mushrooms.

I’ll give you twenty days to produce five kilos.

For every kilo over, I’ll pay you ten thousand, and for each kilo under, you pay me ten thousand.

How about it?

Do you dare to play or not?” Sun Ke said, revealing his fox tail.

“Five kilos of mushrooms?

That’s not a lot!

Ten thousand for a kilo?

Sounds too good to be true.

Is this Sun Ke an idiot?”

“I think he’s cunning as a fox, not dumb!

Hun would be the fool to agree to this.

Just look at the basket on the ground, it took days to gather just that much.

If you can’t even get five kilos out of the wild, how is he supposed to grow any?”

“I have a feeling Hun is about to eat humble pie.

He’s been leading us on with this and that, saying it makes money, but I haven’t seen a dime.

I reckon what Sun Ke says is mostly right.

What can a greenhorn like Hun possibly do?”

“…”

Facing the villagers’ myriad whispers, Du Yueling couldn’t help but whisper to Liu Hun, “Liu Hun, we only have forty-seven thousand left in the accounts.

Mushrooms are true fungi and extremely demanding regarding climate, environment, and humidity.

You can’t agree to this bet.”

“Have you forgotten that I am capable?

When have I ever let down Wanbao Village?

When have I ever disappointed you?

Don’t worry!” Liu Hun replied to Du Yueling with a confident smile, offering a full assurance borne of utter conviction.

“Twenty days is too long!

Seven days will do!

Sun Ke, words are wind, so let’s put our money where our mouths are!” Liu Hun turned to Sun Ke and said.

Sun Ke’s timely arrival was like manna from heaven; Liu was worried about whether the proceeds from the mushroom sales would cover expenses, but Sun Ke had just made up the difference.

“Humph!

You’re really not afraid of your tongue getting caught in the wind!

Fine!

Let’s get Ye Village Chief here; that should make you feel safe, huh?” Sun Ke was so smug, feeling like he’d just found a pile of cow dung by the road, already counting the money he would make in the next few days.

In the end, the two men, in front of the entire village, drew up a written agreement, and each handed over forty-seven thousand to Ye Canghai, thereby formally sealing the bet.