Farmer works to pay off 17 year old debt

By Shen Yuan, Yichang International Communication Studio

Chen Tinghai, a 62-year-old farmer from Hongguang Village in Yichang City, has kept the promise to pay back all of his lenders after he was stuck deep in 980,000 yuan (US$143,570) of debt 17 years ago. 

 

Hongguang Village is one of the major oil crop producing areas in Hubei. People who live here depend mainly on these crops to earn a living throughout the year.

 

In 1996, Chen became a middleman who purchased grain from nearby farmers and would sell it to grain and oil mills. 

 

In June 2006, as in previous years, the villagers handed over millions of pounds of harvest that year to Chen for sale.

 

This year, however, the owner of the oil factory claimed that the working capital was not enough and ran away with all the grain in the warehouse.

 

To dodge the debt, many other grain middlemen in the village fled, but Chen stayed and decided to pay back the money. He sold off most of his belongings and grain, but it still wasn't enough. 

 

Sine then, Chen has worked every day to keep his 13-acre field without a single weed. Due to his good reputation, Chen continues to earn income as a middleman.
 

Chen Tinghai「Photo by Liu Shusong」

In November 2022, Chen was elected as one of the "Good People of China" for his honesty.

 

"It’s unfair that Chen ever owed so much money, but he never complained. During the harvest season, he was often busy until 3 a.m., and had to go back to the field again at 5 a.m. Bit by bit, he paid off the 6,000-yuan debt to me," said Ren Zhifen, a farmer in Hongguang Village.

 

Many villagers decided not to ask Chen for their money back at that time.
 

"If he can't pay it back, forget it," Yang Zhiqiong said with a smile.

 

Chen said, "What is more difficult to repay than debt is the kindness and generosity of the folks in my village."

 

At the end of each year, Chen pulled out his old account book, carefully counted the money and put it in envelopes. Chen said his only wish is to pay off the total 140,000-yuan debt before he dies.
 

When the debt is paid off, he says he wants to go on a trip with his wife. They have stayed in the village for most of their lives.