Chapter 42: A Large Warehouse of Sweet Potatoes Disappears

**Everyone was very proactive and quickly went back home to package their dried sweet potato slices and sweet potato flour. They delivered them to the production team's large warehouse under the cover of darkness, filling it to the brim.

However, everyone's hearts were still uneasy. One reason was the fear that the sweet potatoes stored in the warehouse might be stolen, and the other was the concern that they might be requisitioned by the officials. After all, in difficult times, these were life-saving provisions, even if they were mixed grains.

Dragon Nine, too, was deeply worried, but he had no choice but to trust Tang Ailian. Although she was just a one-and-a-half-year-old child, she had a mysterious master behind her who could predict droughts, obtain sweet potato vines, and hopefully, hide the dried sweet potatoes effectively.

For the sake of the entire village, he was willing to take this risk.

The next day, the investigation team arrived, led by Zeng Shuji. Zeng Shuji went directly to Dragon Nine's house and asked, "Did you hide the real sweet potato yield of your team last year?"

Dragon Nine immediately denied, "Shuji, our village's sweet potato yield last year was indeed over 500,000 catties."

Zeng Shuji rolled his eyes internally but maintained a serious tone, "Nine, I promoted you, but I can't afford to be too lenient. Let's do this: if you voluntarily confess the truth about hiding the yield, I'll do my best to secure a more lenient punishment for you, considering your genuine concern for the village."

Dragon Nine sighed regretfully, "Who would stoop so low as to report our team? I swear, if I have hidden the yield, may I not die in peace."

At times, the rural population placed great importance on oaths.

Zeng Shuji gazed into Dragon Nine's eyes, "Are you absolutely sure that you didn't hide the yield?"

Dragon Nine helplessly smiled, "Shuji, you know me well. I grew up under your watchful eyes. Regarding last year's sweet potato yield, you are aware that our village planted over 420 mu of sweet potatoes. Due to last year's drought, most areas yielded only 500-600 catties per mu. Even with our team's hard work and round-the-clock effort, the yield could reach at most 1,000 catties per mu. So, how could our team possibly produce such an enormous yield?"

After some thought, Zeng Shuji believed Dragon Nine. He trusted his judgment and integrity, and he doubted Dragon Nine would hide the yield or engage in private distribution of provisions.

Moreover, in the entire commune, most sweet potato yields were around 500-600 catties per mu due to the drought. If Dragon Head Village reported an over 1,000 catty per mu yield, it was already impressive.

Zeng Shuji chuckled, "Nine, I didn't want to do this, but someone filed a complaint against your team. With so many mouths to feed in the commune, when they heard that your village had extra food, they got envious. Let's go, and we'll check the households. I believe we'll find results."

Dragon Nine was relieved. Apparently, while Zeng Shuji came to his house to calm him, the investigation team had already gone to search the village. Fortunately, he had made prior arrangements.

The first place they searched was the team's warehouse. All the team members watched nervously as the investigation team looked around. Although they found sweet potatoes, there was no unusual activity. There were no massive quantities of hidden provisions.

However, a shocking discovery was made when they entered the large warehouse. All the dried sweet potato slices and sweet potato flour had disappeared.

Subsequently, they inspected several households, and to Dragon Nine's chagrin, some households were found to have more sweet potatoes than they should. Everyone in the village knew about Dragon Head Team's decision to allocate sweet potato vines to the commune members. So, with these households secretly keeping extra sweet potatoes, they managed to accumulate an excess of around 100,000 catties.

Although Dragon Nine had ordered everyone to submit their sweet potato products, some people were apprehensive. They were afraid that their provisions would be requisitioned, leaving them without enough to eat. They believed their secret stash of sweet potatoes could remain undiscovered.

Dragon Nine couldn't help but feel frustrated with these people. If the team was officially declared to have hidden the yield, they would not only lose their provisions but also face disciplinary action.

Zeng Shuji, on the other hand, understood the complexity of the situation. He knew that every household in the village had its own private plots, and during a difficult period like this, it was only natural for people to try to secure extra provisions. Besides, the sweet potato yield was already high in normal years, often reaching 2,000-3,000 catties per mu. Therefore, Dragon Nine couldn't be expected to include the sweet potatoes from private plots in their official report.

After some contemplation, Zeng Shuji finally sighed in relief. He patted Dragon Nine's shoulder and said, "Nine, I understand it's difficult. These are trying times. You are my trusted aide, and I expect you to handle this. Give me 100,000 catties of sweet potatoes within three days to distribute to other teams through the commune."

It was no longer a discussion but an order.

Dragon Nine could only smile wryly and replied, "Shuji, the sweet potatoes from private plots are in the hands of the villagers themselves."

Zeng Shuji interrupted him, patting his shoulder, "I know it's not easy, but this is a time of crisis, after all. You're one of my capable leaders. Don't tell me you can't handle this minor issue. Stop talking, this is how we'll do it. You have three days to deliver 100,000 catties of sweet potatoes to the commune."

After giving Dragon Nine his instructions, Zeng Shuji and the investigation team left. Only when they were far away did Dragon Nine breathe a sigh of relief.

(End of this chapter)