Zhang Quan, a villager, said he used to carry dozens of kilograms of red rice on his back to sell at the market. Now, with the village collective guaranteeing purchases at minimum prices, he grows more than 20 mu of red rice, earning about 80,000 yuan a year from the crop alone, while also running small side businesses during the off-season to supplement his income.

　　On top of stable raw grain sales, Jieshang has further expanded its industrial chain by bringing in a business partner to produce red rice wine, boosting the added value of local agricultural products. The village has also converted idle farmhouses into a "Red Village Supermarket" to display and sell local specialties, including red rice and black pork products.

　　Like He, Li Linghui, who runs the supermarket, is another young returnee. After working away from home for years, she had built up solid business experience. At the urging of the former village Party secretary, she invested in the village"s collective company.

　　"I wanted to do my part to help drive the village"s development," Li said. "I felt it was a meaningful thing to do, so I came back."

　　Before the rural revitalization efforts, the village"s collective revenue stood at barely 200,000 yuan in 2023. It exceeded 430,000 yuan in 2024 and jumped to 570,000 yuan last year.

　　"Our principle is to provide support without overstepping, and to assist without taking over," Yan said. The resident task force, he explained, aims to help the village build its own industries and leave behind a development model that can sustain itself over the long run.