Chapter 830: Shennong No. 24

Hearing Lao Jia’s words, everyone was slightly surprised. Chen Shi asked, “Were the rice harvesters here on the 17th during the day?”

“They were. They only left after harvesting the rice on the night of the 18th.”

“Harvesting a ton of rice only earns a few bucks. They wouldn’t make even a hundred per acre. Yet they stayed for three days?” Chen Shi found it hard to believe.

“I’m not sure. Maybe it was convenient for them. They usually harvest here first and then move to the next village. It’s the same every year.”

“They only harvest that type of rice?”

“No, they harvest all kinds of rice. But it might be due to the maturity period. They harvest Shennong No. 24 first and then the other types.”

Chen Shi glanced at the other policemen and said, “Let’s stick to our original plan and investigate.”

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue drove to the village where the rice harvesters were staying, about fifty kilometers from Wangchenggang. Chen Shi listened to the radio to pass the time, while Lin Dongxue reclined her seat to take a nap.

When they finally arrived, they saw a bustling scene of harvest. Agricultural machines neatly harvested rice ears in the fields. The two got out of the car and asked the local farmers, who said the rice harvesters had already left. Chen Shi asked, “Where did they go?”

“They probably went to X village.”

Looking at the piles of rice stacked high in the clearing, Chen Shi asked, “Did they harvest Shennong No. 24?”

“Yes, those two guys always harvest that first, then the other rice.”

“How many people in this village grow Shennong No. 24?”

“Just a few households.”

“I’d like to talk to them.” Chen Shi took out a cigarette to be polite, and a young man got up to call the others.

Lin Dongxue asked, “Do you suspect there’s a problem with Shennong No. 24?”

“Not sure, there’s too little information now… Oh, I forgot. Have Xiaodong take some rice for testing.”

“I’ll contact him.”

Lin Dongxue took out her phone and saw new messages in the group chat. She said, “They checked Jia Laosi’s income. Look, it seems normal. The money for building the house came from his father’s inheritance.”

Jia Laosi, who worked part-time in town, earned about five to six thousand a month, which wasn’t suspicious.

“Also, the two rice harvesters—Chu Wei and Luo Chuanlong—seem pretty ordinary too.”

“We’ll see when we meet them!”

Soon, an older man was brought over. As he talked to Chen Shi, he kept glancing at Lin Dongxue. Chen Shi thought he had a stroke but realized he was just stealing glances at Lin Dongxue.

The man had been growing Shennong No. 24 for five or six years. Besides fetching a higher price, it wasn’t particularly special. The rice grains were small, but the leaves were large.

“A few years ago, I saw the rice grains were too small, so I trimmed the leaves. When the harvesters came, they said I shouldn’t have done that and didn’t want my rice. After much pleading, they finally accepted it but docked a few hundred from the price. I was furious! Since then, I learned they collect the whole plant. The size of the grains doesn’t matter. It’s less trouble to grow, needing less fertilizer and ing. Just spray some pesticide and it’s good to go at harvest time.”

Chen Shi was curious. “We don’t understand this. What use are the rice leaves?”

“I wonder too, but I’ve heard there are ornamental rice varieties, not for eating but for viewing. Or maybe they’re used for cooking, like wrapping meat in rice leaves. Anyway, they must have a use since they collect them!”

“Have the harvesters always been Chu Wei and Luo Chuanlong? Winter Snow, show him the photos.”

The older man glanced at the ID photos and said, “Yes, it’s always been them!”

“One more question. Did they give you any extra benefits or make special requests while you were growing this rice?”

“No, no, no. Just grow it and harvest it at the right time. Very ordinary.”

Chen Shi noticed a flicker in the man’s eyes.

After he left, Lin Dongxue said, “There’s definitely something wrong… Should we stay in this village to continue our investigation or go find the harvesters?”

“Prioritize. Let’s find the harvesters first. This village isn’t going anywhere. We can come back tomorrow.”

They quickly drove to the next village, where dozens of acres had already been harvested. Chen Shi saw truck tire tracks on the ground and said, “Damn, they left again. Let’s ask around the village!”

The village had a disco, with loud music thumping from inside. It seemed like a good place to ask around, so they went in.

Amidst the flashing lights, a group of young people were dancing. Lin Dongxue frowned. A young man with his tongue out danced around Lin Dongxue, panting, “Which village are you from?”

Lin Dongxue showed her badge, and his eyes widened. He disappeared into the crowd.

“It’s too loud here. Let’s go. Why did we come in?” Lin Dongxue regretted it.

“Let’s try the village committee,” Chen Shi suggested.

As they left, they noticed someone following them. Chen Shi stopped and turned around. A short guy with long hair and a cigarette also stopped, grinning. “You’re finally here. I know what you’re investigating!”

“What are we investigating?” Chen Shi asked.

“Follow me!”

They followed him, puzzled. He led them through the village and into a wasteland, pointing to a spot under a locust tree. “Dig here. He’s been waiting for you for four years!”

Then he held out his hand. “Where’s my reward?”

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue were bewildered, not knowing what he was talking about.

The young man grabbed a shovel from a nearby yard and started digging. As he dug, he winked at Lin Dongxue. “One or two grand? I brought you the body. Should be worth at least ten grand! City cops are always generous, right? Damn!”

He looked down, his face turning pale. He dropped the shovel and ran. Lin Dongxue suspiciously walked over. Chen Shi asked what was inside. She replied, “Nothing.”

“What a weirdo!”

Suddenly, a scream came from the village. Someone was shouting, “Murder!” Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue exchanged glances and rushed towards the sound. A crowd was gathered at the disco entrance. They pushed through and saw the young man lying on the ground, his throat slit, blood gushing out, but he was still breathing.

Chen Shi quickly knelt down to press on his wound. The young man stared wide-eyed, his face growing paler with blood loss. He struggled to say, “Rice…”

Then he died.