Chapter 48: The Road-Building Madman (Part 1)

Chapter 48 The Road-Building Madman (Part 1)

Build roads. Build roads. Build roads!

Once this idea took root in Hou Weidong’s mind, it became uncontrollable. He returned to his small courtyard and sat in his office, immediately beginning to plan how to construct the road. The promise of being transferred back to Shazhou within three years had weighed on his heart like a massive mountain. Now, the prospect of building the road was like a bolt of lightning, illuminating his inner world.

“Completing a road would add a major achievement to my record, which would undoubtedly benefit my future development.” The more Hou Weidong thought about it, the more excited he became. He lost interest in reading the People’s Daily and began pacing back and forth in his office.

To build the road, he first needed to seek the opinion of Gao, the head of the work group and the township head. Hou Weidong hurried up to the second floor. Upon reaching Gao’s door, he tried to suppress his inner excitement and knocked on the screen door.

Gao was wearing shorts and a tank top. Seeing Hou Weidong standing outside, he opened the screen door and said, “Township Cadre Hou, come in. Did you drink too much yesterday? Qin Dajiang is a bottomless pit when it comes to alcohol. Only you and Mayor Su could keep him in check. You truly have a strong tolerance for liquor.”

Hou Weidong offered a bitter smile. “I should drink less of that kind of wine in the future. I got too drunk, and my head is still pounding.”

After a few casual exchanges, Hou Weidong brought up his idea of building the road. Gao remained silent for a long time, looking at Hou Weidong several times before finally speaking. “Building a road is a good thing, and it is the wish of the people of Shangqilin Town. However, it is not a simple matter. The work group has no way to handle it alone.”

Hou Weidong had prepared his argument in advance. “Chairman Mao once said, ‘As bold as you are, so productive is the land.’ As long as we work together with one heart, we can build the highway.”

Gao thought to himself, “A young bull is not afraid of a tiger. He really thinks building a highway is as easy as pie.” But out of encouragement for the young man, he said, “If you can really get the highway built, you will be a hero to the people of Qinglin.”

Hou Weidong was thrilled to hear this. “As long as you support me, Township Head Gao, I believe we can succeed in building the road.”

“I am just an old man who has stepped back to the second line. What ability do I have? Before Shangqilin Township was abolished, I once invited Engineer Liu from the County Transportation Bureau to survey the terrain. The plan was to build a road down the mountain from the third cooperative of Dushi Village. It is six kilometers long and connects to the highway at the foot of the mountain. This is the shortest route, the terrain is relatively gentle, and there is not much rock.”

Gao’s description was basically consistent with what Secretary Qin had told him.

“Township Head Gao, since we have this foundation, let us mobilize the masses and build a road to prosperity.”

Gao’s wife brought a cup of hot water and interjected, “The Shangqilin Township government spent a lot of money on this road. They tried to start construction several times, but every time they just began, they stopped. It has cooled the enthusiasm of the commune members.”

Gao sighed. “Engineer Liu hired people to do geological surveys and drew the design plans. He advanced twenty thousand yuan, which we still haven’t paid him. Every time I see him, I feel very embarrassed. The road needs to pass through a section of state-owned forest, and getting approval for that land is difficult. Also, although Shangqilin has more than seven thousand people, apart from Dushi Village, many commune members in the other two villages are not very interested in building the road. If we want them to contribute labor or money, it will be a headache to manage.”

Hearing Gao’s words, Hou Weidong felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. However, he persisted in his heart. “Building a road is a blessing for future generations. As long as our propaganda work is thorough, the masses will understand.”

They talked for a while longer. Seeing that Hou Weidong was determined to build the road, Gao said, “My health is poor, and I have stepped back to the second line. Appointing me as the head of the work group is, frankly, just ringing the bell for the day I am a monk. If the highway is to be built, it must be under your leadership, younger brother. Do you dare to take on this task?”

Hou Weidong thought to himself, “Rather than suffocating in this half-dead state, I might as well take a bold gamble. Within three years, I must be transferred to Shazhou.” He added fiercely in his mind, “If I die, my eggs face the sky; what is there to fear?”

“With Township Head Gao steering from behind, I will be like a pawn that has crossed the river, charging forward desperately. If I do not build the highway, I am nothing but a bug in the anus.”

Hearing Hou Weidong use such coarse language, Gao felt a flicker of enthusiasm. He said seriously, “Younger brother Hou, are you really going to do this? If you give up halfway, I am too old to afford the consequences, and it will certainly leave a bad impression on the town.”

Hou Weidong slapped his chest loudly. “Rest assured, Township Head Gao. If I cannot persist in this matter, I will not work in Qinglin Town anymore. I will roll up my bedding and leave.”

Hearing these words, Gao stood up. “Good. With your word, younger brother, I am at ease. Tomorrow is market day. I will notify the secretaries, directors, and stationed cadres of the three villages to the conference room. We will hold a meeting. If we can unify our opinions, the two of us will report to Secretary Zhao and Mayor Qin. First, to request their support, and second, to see if they can allocate some funds.”

Gao had always addressed Hou Weidong as “Township Cadre Hou.” Hearing his determination to build the road, his address had unconsciously changed to “Younger brother Hou.”

Gao was quite decisive. He quickly called Zheng Faming, the broadcaster stationed in Jianshan Village, and Duan Pangwa, the agricultural technician stationed in Wangri Village, to his office and arranged the work for the next day. Duan Pangwa was in the middle of playing mahjong with Li Yong, fully engrossed in the game. He complained dissatisfiedly, “It’s so hot. Why are we holding such a damn meeting?” Gao glared at him. “When I tell you to go, you go. Stop complaining.”

Duan Pangwa was not actually fat; he was a very capable young man. It was said that he had been extremely fat in elementary school, and the nickname “Duan Pangwa” (Duan the Fat Kid) had stuck with him from school into his working life. Seeing that Gao was angry, he smiled and said, “Okay, okay. I will go early tomorrow morning, Township Head Gao. Don’t glare at me.”

Gao patted Duan Pangwa. “You are always so unserious. Focusing on your business is the real serious matter.”

Zheng Faming was a broadcaster, with a face that was dark and wrinkled. After accepting the task, he slung a shoulder bag full of tools over his back and left.

With the idea of building the highway, Hou Weidong felt that life in Shangqilin had become much more bearable. With ideals in his heart, looking at the idle Chen Ming, Li Yong, Bai Chuncheng, and others, he felt they were truly wasting their time.

However, in order to maintain good relations with Li Yong and the others, and having received one thousand yuan from his mother, he accepted Li Yong’s invitation to join the mahjong battle. Perhaps because beginners often have good luck, Hou Weidong, who rarely played mahjong, managed to win three consecutive hands, earning over three hundred yuan. That evening, he specifically notified Yao Shouzi and had a meal at his small restaurant.

He only drank a little wine that night and was not very drunk. As agreed, he went to Tie Bingsheng’s house. The couple had been waiting for him. As soon as Hou Weidong entered, he apologized hastily. “Principal Tie, I am truly sorry. Yesterday, I went to Dushi Village and got drunk. I stayed at Secretary Qin’s house and did not return, delaying a day of tutoring.”

Tie Ruiqing brought a cup of water. “Teacher Hou, this is honey water. Drink it to sober up.” Beside her, Tie Bingsheng laughed and scolded, “This Qin Dajiang has such a good tolerance for alcohol. Every time someone visits, he tries to kill them with drink. Last time, I got drunk by him too.” Hou Weidong chuckled. “I was drunk, but he was about the same. He woke up even later than I did in the morning.”

Tie Bingsheng began to look at Hou Weidong with new respect. “To get Qin Dajiang drunk, Teacher Hou also has a strong tolerance for alcohol.” Tie Bingsheng was very satisfied with Hou Weidong’s tutoring. He had already started calling Hou Weidong “Teacher Hou” along with his daughter, Tie Ruiqing. At the Tie household, Hou Weidong tried several times to bring up the matter of building the highway, but the words died in his throat. After all, Tie Bingsheng was only a primary school principal and had little to do with road construction.

Tie Ruiqing had a talent for learning English. She listened to the tapes Hou Weidong brought all day long and quickly mastered the phonetic symbols. Her pronunciation was very accurate, and when she read the text, it already sounded quite professional. Seeing Tie Ruiqing’s progress, Hou Weidong did not dare to be careless. He specifically found a first-year high school textbook and took time to prepare lessons.

The next day was market day in Shangqilin Town. Hou Weidong bought a pack of pickled vegetables and a two-jin white carp, which he placed in a bucket, planning to cook a home-style fish dish to reward himself that evening.

At ten o’clock, the leaders of Dushi Village, Jianshan Village, and Wangri Village entered the conference room one after another.

After drinking heavily, Hou Weidong had become quite casual with Secretary Qin and Director Jiang. He took out his cigarettes, first distributing them to Secretary Qin and Director Jiang, and then to Tang Guiyuan, the secretary of Jianshan Village, whom he had met once. Secretary Tang Guiyuan was in his fifties, looking somewhat listless. He took the cigarette and pointed to a man in his thirties. “This is Director Zeng of Jianshan Village.”

Hou Weidong handed a cigarette to Director Zeng. “Hello, I am Hou Weidong from the work group.” Director Zeng was very straightforward. “I am Zeng Xiangang. I heard from Secretary Qin that you have a large capacity for alcohol. When will you come to Jianshan? We brothers should have a drink together.”

After distributing cigarettes all around, Hou Weidong had acquainted himself with several of the leaders. Township Head Gao walked in, fanning himself with a large palm-leaf fan.