"Indeed, if he switched to growing astragalus, his land would not generate income for two consecutive years. But what about the third year? With a price difference that’s double, he could make up for the losses of the first two years all at once. Furthermore, every subsequent year, he’d earn more than double what others make from selling lilies. This calculation is straightforward, isn’t it?"

Liao Quansheng chuckled softly and shook his head.

He and Dong Yuezhang, one a second-generation official and the other a rich second generation, had never done farm work in their lives. Nevertheless, having worked in the herbs purchase industry for nearly a decade, Liao Quansheng knew the basic essentials of farming.

"Mayor Dong, allow me to answer your question on behalf of Shi Kaimin," Liao Quansheng said softly. "Firstly, Shi Kaimin has been growing lilies his entire life. He knows how to tend to them—like when to weed, when to fertilize, or when to deadhead. For example, just by looking at the color of the lily stems, he can tell whether they’re over-fertilized or suffering from drought.

But growing astragalus is another matter. He’s new to it. He doesn’t understand its growth patterns and characteristics, doesn’t know what to do when, and would also be concerned about the yield.

Even if I assigned a technician to him, everything would remain uncertain until the final product is dug up. So, he won’t take the risk."

Liao Quansheng gestured at Dong Yuezhang, who wanted to retort, indicating that he should let him finish. "Secondly, this year’s purchase price for astragalus is double that of lilies, even more. But can you guarantee that the price will still be double that of lilies next year or the year after? Can you promise that the price of lilies won’t go up next year? Or that their price won’t return to what it was ten years ago?

If everyone heeds your advice and switches to growing astragalus, what if the price of lilies rises and the price of astragalus drops? Who will compensate him for the difference?"

At this, Dong Yuezhang fell silent, but Liao Quansheng wasn’t finished. "Moreover, he is currently growing lilies and has an income every year, meaning he always has some money available.

Seeing a doctor, buying medicine, buying fertilizer, giving gifts when visiting relatives, and buying things for himself and his family—these are all possible for him.

But if he changes to growing astragalus, his income will sharply decrease for two or three years.

When he needs money urgently then, especially for medical treatment, what do you propose he do? Can the Township Government find a way to help him?"

Dong Yuezhang took a deep breath and, after a moment of silence, said, "I was a bit impulsive. Alright, let’s go. We’ll discuss a solution after we get back. I’ll also ask the Director Party Secretaries of every village to gather data. Then we’ll talk."

Dong Yuezhang, a little dispirited, started walking back, and the others followed. Du Heng glanced into the field, noticed that Shi Kaimin’s daughter hadn’t arrived yet, and hurriedly called out to Dong Yuezhang, "Wait."

"What’s the matter? Is something wrong?" Dong Yuezhang stopped and turned to look at Du Heng, puzzled.

Du Heng quickly explained what had happened. "Let’s wait. We’ll take this woman with us, and I’ll get her medicine ready at the Health Clinic."

Dong Yuezhang frowned and asked, "Can’t she get medicine from the village clinic?"

Du Heng sighed. "The village clinic doesn’t even stock slightly more expensive medications. Besides, the prescription I’ve written this time contains pinelliap, which the village rarely stocks. So, if she tries to get it there, she’ll definitely have to make a trip to the Health Clinic herself later anyway. It’s better if we just take her with us now."

"Alright, waiting a bit is fine."

Just as Dong Yuezhang finished speaking, they saw Shi Kaimin’s daughter in the field, waving vigorously at Du Heng. Meanwhile, Shi Kaimin was striding purposefully towards them.

This action puzzled everyone around. Seeing the old man’s grim face, they all turned their gazes to Du Heng, suspecting that Shi Kaimin was approaching because of him.

And their guess was correct. Shi Kaimin walked up, looked at Du Heng, and asked seriously, "President Du, are you really sure you can cure my girl’s illness?"

Du Heng said, "Ah," and nodded directly. "Your girl is suffering from a deficiency of lung and kidney yang. Right now, she only needs to warm her kidneys and regulate qi, and warm her lungs and dissolve phlegm.

However, her condition has been dragging on for a while and has become quite serious. At the very least, she will need about a month of careful treatment to recuperate."

Shi Kaimin just stared at Du Heng. Even after Du Heng had finished speaking, Shi Kaimin kept staring, making Du Heng feel a little uneasy.

Just when Du Heng felt he couldn’t bear the silence any longer and was about to speak, Shi Kaimin suddenly said, "President Du, I’ve heard about your reputation. I know you saved that man from our brigade who was on his deathbed, so I believe in your skills.

Besides, you’re a leader now; there’s no need for you to deceive a mere farmer like me. I’ll let my girl go with you."

Saying this, he reached out and grasped Du Heng’s hand. Du Heng could feel that the old man wasn’t as composed as his expression suggested; his hands were trembling noticeably.

"President Du, my girl has had a very hard life. She... Never mind, I won’t say any more. President Du, I’m entrusting her to you."

Du Heng quickly reassured him, "It’s not a major illness. She’ll be fine after a period of recuperation. Don’t worry."

Shi Kaimin wanted to say more words of thanks, but for a man who had worked the farmland his entire life, expressing such sentimental words was clearly difficult. He merely opened his mouth, then closed it again.