Leng Yuan knew that three hundred pigs were nowhere near enough to go around.

It was impossible for any single village to get fifty pigs. In the past, when five hundred pigs were available, a village like Li Jiawan might get fifty. But this year, there were only three hundred, a reduction of almost half from the previous year. On average, that meant each village would only get about twenty pigs.

With twenty pigs, by the end of the year, they’d have to turn half over to the state. The Qingshan Team would slaughter two for the New Year’s feast and sell the rest for cash. It would barely make a dent.

Leng Yuan always paid close attention to news from the outside world. The people at the newspaper agency would also keep him informed about current developments, and one thing they had mentioned was a type of white pig imported from abroad.

Supposedly, they could be raised to over two hundred jin in just six months. Although the meat wasn’t as good as that from the domestically-raised black pigs, with most people struggling just to have enough food and stay warm, who could afford to be picky about quality?

Quantity had to come before quality. The main thing was to solve the problem of getting enough to eat.

If they were ready for slaughter in six months, everyone would be able to eat meat in the future.

Information about the white pigs flashed through Leng Yuan’s mind.

’If our village could also get some of those white pigs, it would be a huge boon for us.’

’But for something like that... I’ll have to ask my uncle for help.’

As he thought about it, an idea began to form in Leng Yuan’s mind.

’It’s impossible to get dozens of white pigs all at once, but I could ask for a few breeding sows. Once they’ve farrowed, I can just return them.’

’No one would likely refuse that.’

Leng Yuan made up his mind. But before he had a chance to explain the details to Chen Beiguo, it was his turn to speak.

He stood up, his voice cool and steady.

"Qingshan Team’s crop yield increased by twenty percent this year compared to last. Last year’s yield was enough for everyone in Qingshan Team to live well, with some left over. This year’s twenty percent increase can be fully invested into the pig farming industry."

"Furthermore, there is a tract of wasteland near Qingshan Team that can be reclaimed. This will guarantee that next year’s yield will be even higher than this year’s."

"Based on these calculations, our village can support at least one hundred pigs."

’What the hell?’

’Your village wants a hundred pigs all for itself?’

’What about the other villages? Are we supposed to get none?’

The other team leaders wouldn’t stand for it. There was no way they would let Qingshan Team take a hundred pigs. They were about to fly into a rage.

It wasn’t just the other team leaders; even Chen Beiguo and the county magistrate were startled by Leng Yuan’s words.

’There are only three hundred pigs in total, and Qingshan Team wants a hundred for itself? The other villages would raise hell!’

But Leng Yuan wasn’t finished.

"I know that three hundred pigs aren’t nearly enough for a dozen teams to share. Therefore... we won’t take a single one of them."

"Not even one?" a team leader asked suspiciously, wondering what game Leng Yuan was playing. Just a moment ago he was demanding a hundred, and now he didn’t want any at all.

He couldn’t help but press, "Are you serious? Your team really won’t take a single pig?"

This year, Qingshan Team had earned the title of "Advanced Village." Logically, that meant they should be allocated the most piglets.

’Getting piglets was a lucrative task. Whichever team raised pigs would see the value of their work points increase. Had Qingshan Team really just given up such a golden opportunity?’

All eyes turned to Chen Beiguo.

For a moment, Chen Beiguo didn’t know what kind of expression to make.

’Did I say something wrong just now?’

’Didn’t I tell Leng Yuan to fight for the pigs?’

’How did it turn into us not taking a single one?’

Chen Beiguo gave Leng Yuan’s sleeve a hard tug and whispered urgently.

"Leng Yuan, we need the piglets."

He whispered, reminding Leng Yuan to quickly take back his words.

’If the county magistrate takes him at his word, they’ll really end up with no piglets!’

Leng Yuan couldn’t explain everything at that moment, so he could only ignore Chen Beiguo.

Chen Beiguo was left speechless.

’Just who is the team leader here?’

’Does my word as team leader not count for anything anymore?’