The two walked along the road, occasionally pointing to abandoned farmland and undeveloped hillsides covered in weeds and bamboo groves, discussing their experiences.
There were many places here that could be developed, but they weren't open to the public because the roads were impassable. The roads were passable, but not well-maintained.
Large-scale commodity trading definitely requires unobstructed roads.
Relying solely on manual labor and carrying goods on shoulders...
This inefficient method makes it extremely difficult to develop the economy and make money.
"Teacher, are you really sure our village can develop?"
Old Pang asked, a mixture of hope and worry, a blend of hope and disbelief.
It wasn't for any other reason.
It was simply because the village was too poor, causing all the young people to leave to work elsewhere, leaving only the elderly, the weak, and the disabled behind. There wasn't even a doctor.
But people can't all leave their homes; a family needs someone to stay.
This was their home. At least after their time working away from home, they would have a safe place to return to. Zhao An flicked his cigarette ash and nodded firmly. "Sure, I guarantee it.
I've done development work back in my hometown, I have experience.
My hometown is also very poor, similar to here.
Although there are cement roads, they're not wide or sturdy enough.
Don't worry, Old Pang, I'll also build a vegetable and meat processing plant here and hire people from the village to work.
I've tried pickling vegetables, pickled radishes, and other pickled dishes, and they're all very good.
Fish can be canned; I've acquired a canned fish factory and a meat canning factory, so there's no worry about sales."
Old Pang didn't understand these things, but it sounded both sophisticated and down-to-earth.
This down-to-earth approach was truly exciting.
"Teacher, then it all depends on you!
I really don't know how to thank you. Why don't you come to my house for dinner tonight? It's my treat, don't refuse! Teacher, come to my house for dinner tonight, I have something to talk to you about!"
Zhao An looked at Old Pang's pleading eyes and asked somewhat strangely, "Didn't you have something to talk to me about?
Tell me first.
If it's about treating an illness, I'll have to take a look. I can't guarantee I can cure it; I'm not a miracle doctor.
But if it's within my area of knowledge, I can still help."
Old Pang scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly, "Um, teacher, do you have any remedies to stimulate a man to do 'that'?"
He then laughed awkwardly, finding it rather embarrassing to say.
Zhao An didn't mock him; instead, he asked seriously, "How long have you had this condition?"
"A long time, seven or eight years, anyway, a long time."
Old Pang replied seriously as well…
Looking at Zhao An's expression, he became a little nervous. Could it be that there was no cure?
"Put your hand up, let me check your pulse."
Zhao An began to take Old Pang's pulse, his eyes narrowed, seemingly lost in thought.
Time passed slowly, a full three minutes…
Zhao An then withdrew his hand and shook his head. "It's due to the depletion of bodily functions, too much fatigue, that's why you're like this.
It's alright, I'll think of something, see if it works.
I'll let you know tonight, I have to go to class now."
"Okay, okay, teacher, I'll see you off."
Old Pang's heart was filled with gloom, but hearing Zhao An's words rekindled a glimmer of hope.
Zhao An lectured as usual, and not a single student was sleeping.
Whether students sleep in class depends largely on how engaging the lecture is. Unless a student stayed up all night to catch up on sleep, almost no one would fall asleep.
"get out of class dismissed."
"Goodbye, teacher."
"Goodbye, students, see you tomorrow."
Zhao An packed up his textbooks, not assigning homework. There was no need; what homework did first graders need?
At most, they'd practice their handwriting at home, nothing else.
Knock, knock, knock. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
A simple-looking peasant woman entered, looking at Zhao An with a somewhat ingratiating expression. "Teacher, hello, I'm from Chun Tao's family across the river."
Zhao An sized up the woman. Her cheeks were sallow, and her skin was somewhat dark yellow, a result of years of hard work.
While not as beautiful as those with delicate skin, she possessed a healthy aura.
And her breasts were so full, so swollen, that one hand couldn't even encircle them.
And she didn't seem to be wearing a bra, as they swayed a few times with each step.
He immediately got an erection; she was so alluring!
What was most alluring was the peasant woman's simple expression; she didn't see it as seduction at all; this was her natural attire.
"Oh, what is it, Auntie?"
Chun Tao rubbed her hands somewhat shyly. "Um, teacher, my mother isn't feeling well. Could you go see her?
I... I heard you can treat illnesses."
Zhao An nodded. "Okay, wait a moment. I'll pack my things and then we'll go together."
"Thank you, thank you, teacher. You're such a kind person, a living saint."
Chun Tao immediately began to flatter him, without mentioning how much money she would need.
Because she couldn't afford it either.
Zhao An packed his things, picked up his backpack, and followed Chun Tao.
He greeted other residents along the way, openly and without any pretense.
"Teacher, where are you going?"
Old Pang also came over, carrying a hoe, apparently heading to the fields.
"This auntie said an elderly person in her family needs to see a doctor, so I'm going to check on them.
I saw there are quite a few wild medicinal herbs nearby, which might come in handy."
Zhao An explained with a smile.
Old Pang nodded. "Yes, Chun Tao's family is quite pitiful.
Her husband came to live with her family, and he died of illness a few years ago. Her mother is also plagued by illness, and she has to raise three children. It's not easy.
By the way, Teacher, come to my house for dinner tonight! I'll be waiting for you."
"Okay, see you tonight."
Zhao An smiled, having roughly understood the other party's situation.
Actually, it didn't matter whether he knew or not; he already knew.
It was just a matter of whether he wanted to know or not.