Tian Xin heard this and laughed, "Everyone's concerns are valid, and I understand them too! It's not just about planting, it's about turning it into money, putting real cash in your pockets, right?"
"Exactly, that's right! Looks like our Xinxin knows what's up!" Uncle Li shouted from the back.
Tian Xin nodded towards Uncle Li and said with a smile, "Uncle Li has it right. Planting is the first step; technology is the second; and the most important, sales, is the third! I plan to implement the first round of these steps this year. When October comes and the persimmons we've planted turn red, I'll lead everyone in making dried persimmons."
"As for the technology, I'll teach everyone! Selling! I'll also look for businesses and specialty stores, and in a few years, using computers and the internet, we'll sell them across the globe, no problem!"
The crowd laughed out loud when they heard "sell them across the globe."
Tian Xin laughed along with them, "Rest assured, since I'm bringing this up, I'm confident I can help everyone sell it! No matter how difficult it is, as long as it helps everyone make money, I'll do my utmost."
"Getting started is tough, I know it! And everyone else knows it too! I'm not saying this to gloss over things or make excuses!
Lately, I've started working on the agricultural product company for the later stages! Once that's up and running, we will officially go public, register trademarks, and sell all the dried persimmons in unified packaging, not leaving anyone behind!"
"Great!" someone suddenly shouted, and before Tian Xin could see who it was, applause broke out: "Well said!"
The applause grew louder and more enthusiastic.
Tian Xin raised her hand to gesture for quiet, "Thank you, everyone, but there's more I want to say!"
"Go ahead, we're all listening!" Tian Fushun shouted. The crowd turned to see the village chief there as well, and they all greeted him.
Tian Xin cleared her throat and continued, "When all the persimmon trees grow up and bear fruit, at the latest by the year after next."
She paused, then said loudly, "I want to turn our place into a 'Ten-Thousand Mu Persimmon Estate,' and develop tourism! By then, we can open inns, run restaurants, and offer picking activities. Whatever makes money, we'll do it, as long as everyone dares to think big and act! There will be plenty of opportunities!
But first, we need to get what's at hand up and running, to earn some capital first. Once our dried persimmons make a name, we'll have confidence in whatever we do. Don't you think so?"
These words completely fired up everyone's emotions.
"Is what you're saying true? Or are you just painting a big picture for us? We've never heard of such things before! We're afraid to even think about it!"
"Exactly, Xinxin is young, youthful and energetic."
Tian Xin smiled as she listened to everyone finish speaking, "We'll see if it's just big talk once we make the dried persimmons this year! Don't worry, just like I said!
As long as everyone believes in me, I'll do my absolute best!
Many of you were there to see me off when I went to college. I always remember what you all said to me: 'You're our pride!'
It's because of these words that I became this village official. First of all, it's because I love you all, love this village, and love this land. This is my original intention and it will never change.
Even if, in the future, I'm no longer this village official, I have to make sure that before then, everyone's pockets are filled!
Please believe in me!"
After speaking, she bowed deeply to the crowd and remained bowed for a long time.
Women's director Li Dongmei came over, helped her up, and turned to address the crowd, "Do you all believe in Xinxin?"
The crowd that was noisy before fell suddenly silent!
Everyone looked at each other, no one dared to speak.
After a few minutes, a voice suddenly emerged from the crowd!
"I believe! I believe in Xinxin!"
Uncle Guo stood up and looked at everyone, "I've watched this kid grow up since she was little, and last time I went with her to sell peppercorns! Who among us would have thought to divide the peppercorns into three grades for sale?"
No one made a sound below; everyone quietly listened to Uncle Guo.
"No one thought of that when we were begging the traders to raise prices, and how did Xinxin help everyone then? What was she after at that time? Nothing at all, what did our village have?
We're already this poor, what is there to fear? Afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind, even if the God of Wealth came to give us money, we couldn't catch it! I believe in Xinxin! I've already planted all my persimmon trees! Whether or not you all believe is up to you, but I trust Xinxin, and I'm the first to support her!"
Uncle Guo's impassioned speech made many follow along in agreement.
"That's right, well said! We've all received help from Xinxin! If she could sell peppercorns, she can sell dried persimmons too! I believe in Xinxin too!"
"Then I also believe in Xinxin! I'll go back and plant trees right away!"
"Plant, I'll plant too!"
The crowd's voices grew louder, followed by everyone clapping, the applause lasting long and passionately! As they looked at Tian Xin, there was expectation, appreciation, and most importantly, heartwarming affection in their eyes!
Tian Xin turned her back to them, wiped her teary eyes, and bowed deeply to the crowd once again!
Thus, Tian Xin started her long journey as a village official.
She knew how difficult the Sichuan roads were, harder than reaching the blue skies!
But she would hold on to that original intent, guard this land, and use her strength to do real work for them!
The crowd gradually dispersed. Tian Fushun and Li Dongmei came over and patted her. Tian Fushun smiled and said, "Do well! We believe in you!"
"Exactly, even if others from the village committee cause trouble for you, the director and I have faith in you!" Li Dongmei said.
"Alright, I will definitely do well!" Tian Xin said earnestly to the two.
Everyone left the threshing floor to work, and Tian Xin went over to pick up the discarded trash cigarette butts. After calling out for so long, her throat was almost dry!
She had just sat down to catch her breath when the security guard from the adobe factory, Xiao Liu, hurriedly ran over, gasping to tell her: something happened at the factory.