Every family name has a clan leader.
In the Luo family clan of the Hongyun Brigade, there was also a clan leader.
Luo Yang had heard the term "clan leader" numerous times.
But "honorary clan leader" was something he was hearing for the first time.
Xie Runfa said earnestly, "Niu Zai, this is the result of our serious deliberation; there's no joking about it."
Subsequently, the Xie family villagers present all echoed the sentiment and nodded.
"I'm so young, being your honorary clan leader seems inappropriate," Luo Yang said with a smile.
"Niu Zai, you are mistaken. Among those of us here, you are more famous than any of us. You being our honorary clan leader is absolutely no problem. Please agree to it," Xie Runfa earnestly requested.
Luo Yang chuckled, his thoughts racing.
Being offered the title of honorary clan leader for no reason and being showered with unsolicited favors meant there was either a trick or a theft involved.
"Village head, no need to be so polite. If there's something you need help with, just ask," Luo Yang said generously.
"Tonight, we are here specifically to invite you to become the honorary clan leader. Several of our clan's decision-makers are here, waiting for your agreement," Xie Runfa indicated around the room.
Among those present were the elderly and those in their forties, indeed the managers from the Xie family clan.
"I don't think I'm capable of being the honorary clan leader," Luo Yang declined courteously.
He felt that by agreeing, he would be obliged to help Xie Runfa with a very troublesome matter.
Thus, it was simpler to decline straightforwardly.
"Niu Zai, we are offering you the role of honorary clan leader with definite compensation. Here, this is ten thousand yuan. Just by being our honorary clan leader, you can get ten thousand yuan a year," Xie Runfa said insistently, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, while he pulled out a stack of money from a bag.
By its thickness, it seemed to be ten thousand yuan.
Luo Yang said with a laugh, "Village head, no need, no need."
Ten thousand yuan was not something Luo Yang considered significant.
Of course, two months ago, ten thousand yuan would have been a considerable amount to him.
"Take it," Xie Runfa insisted, putting the money in Luo Yang's hand.
Being an honorary clan leader was an easy job with money to be made; wasn't it just like catching a pie falling from the sky?
Knowing that the village head, Xie Runfa, needed a favor but in front of so many fellow villagers, it was inappropriate to refuse over and over again.
Luo Yang thus accepted the ten thousand yuan.
Sure enough, after another round of work tea, Xie Runfa got to the point.
"Niu Zai, to be honest, we need a favor," Xie Runfa said.
"Village head, just say what it is," Luo Yang discarded his cigarette butt.
"The situation is this: one of our ancestor's old graves from six generations ago was damaged due to a landslide, and we want to rebuild it," Xie Runfa looked at Luo Yang.
Hearing this, Luo Yang wondered if Xie Runfa was hinting at a donation for the shrine.
If he donated to the Xie family clan, then the Luo family clan would likely ask for a donation too.
"Of course, if it's damaged, it must be rebuilt," Luo Yang agreed.
"The problem is, the hill where this ancestor's grave is located belongs to the Xingang Brigade... you know," Xie Runfa said with a helpless smile.
Upon hearing this, Luo Yang understood the situation.
The Hongyun Brigade and the Xingang Brigade had been feuding for generations.
Recently, the two brigades had an extremely unpleasant conflict.
At that time, Luo Yang had gotten into a fight with people from the Xingang Brigade.
Although he was acquainted with the village head Cheng Nan from the Xingang Brigade, he had upset the clan leader of the Yu family from the same brigade, straining their relations.
The matter of Luo Yang wanting to dig an irrigation channel was still unresolved.
Seeing Luo Yang ponder, Xie Runfa said, "Niu Zai, only you can help us."
Cheng Nan probably wouldn't oppose it, but the Yu family clan would definitely come to obstruct.
"Village head, I can't guarantee success, but I can only promise to do my best. If it doesn't work out, don't blame me," Luo Yang said.
"You're a big name now, as long as you're willing, what can't be done?" Xie Runfa gave a high compliment.
Such bootlicking words would not anger anyone.
Luo Yang smiled and said, "Chief, their village and ours don't interact; it's not easy to discuss matters with them."
Xie Runfa quickly offered another cigarette to Luo Yang, saying, "Niu Zai, you must help us no matter what. As long as they agree to let us repair the ancestral graves, we are willing to pay a toll."
Lighting the cigarette, Luo Yang said, "Then I'll make a call now."
With that, Luo Yang walked out the door.
He dialed Cheng Xin's cell phone number, and it connected quickly.
Cheng Xin still owed Luo Yang a favor.
"Niu Zai, I heard from people in the village that someone from your village was competing in the county town, is that you?" Cheng Xin asked to start.
"It's me," Luo Yang smiled and said.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Luo Yang got straight to the point.
"I have something to ask."
He then explained the situation about the Xie clan wanting to repair their ancestral graves.
After hearing it, Cheng Xin said, "Our villagers saw that the grave was damaged and are discussing whether to let your villagers repair it."
After chatting a bit more, Luo Yang felt the situation was not optimistic.
He heard that most of the villagers in the Xingang Brigade did not want the Xie clan to repair the grave.
The hill where the graves are located has good feng shui and belongs to the Xingang Brigade.
The Yu clan of the Xingang Brigade planned to take over that hill for themselves.
Since the Xie clan's old graves were built before the feud started between the two villages, the villagers were hesitant to tamper with it.
Exhuming graves, even if the villagers from both villages held a deadly feud, was too dishonorable an act for anyone to dare.
Now, due to a landslide, the sixth ancestor's grave of the Xie clan was damaged.
The villagers from the Xingang Brigade saw an opportunity—if they could prevent the Xie clan from making repairs, the grave would completely collapse under the erosion caused by rainwater soon enough.
At that point, the Yu clan of the Xingang Brigade could bury their ancestors there.
After talking for a couple of minutes, Luo Yang said, "Sister Cheng, help me think of a way to solve this, if there's any."
Cheng Xin responded, "I'll think about it. I'll call you if I come up with anything."
Ending the call, Luo Yang went back inside.
Chief Xie Runfa and the others were staring at Luo Yang without blinking.
"Chief, this matter is quite troublesome."
Luo Yang then repeated what the Yu clan intended to do with the hill used for graves.
"If they dare to take over our ancestral hill, even if it means fighting to the last man, we'll wipe out the Yu clan!" Xie Runfa exploded in anger and slammed the table.
The little teacups jumped, and tea splattered everywhere.
The other people with the surname Xie also brimmed with righteous indignation.
The Yu surname was also a major clan in the Xingang Brigade, with numerous members.
If the Xie and Yu clans were to fight, at least a hundred or so people would die.
"Chief, there might still be other ways to resolve this," Luo Yang tried to persuade him.
"Niu Zai, you are now the honorary clan leader of our Xie clan. If it comes to a fight, you have to help us," Xie Runfa said excitedly as he stood up, grabbing Luo Yang's hand.
If Luo Yang were to fight, then the Yu clan might be wiped out completely.
Although the two villages held a long-standing feud, it wasn't severe enough to justify extermination.
"Chief, I will definitely help you," Luo Yang said. "If it comes to war, please count me in."
Luo Yang meant well; if he were present, he could still prevent a massive conflict.
With his current ability, even if a few hundred people were involved, Luo Yang could still manage the situation.
"Niu Zai, it's up to you now! Tomorrow morning, we'll have a big feast after slaughtering a pig, arm ourselves, and head to their Xingang Brigade!" Xie Runfa declared, waving his arms forcefully.