Chapter 73: Gods Fighting (Part 3)

After Gao Zhiyuan left, Hou Weidong’s excitement lingered, refusing to settle.

Back in college, he had often encountered this sentiment in literary works from the 1970s and 80s. At the time, he lacked the concrete experience to truly grasp it, so he generally dismissed it. But today, having met the Director of the Shazhou Municipal People’s Congress—a full divisional leader of the department level—just a few encouraging words had sent a surge of blood to his head. His sturdy heart pounded relentlessly, thump-thump, thump-thump.

Is it really necessary? Although Gao Zhiyuan holds a high office, there’s no need to be this agitated. It seems my cultivation is still insufficient.

Yet, Hou Weidong couldn’t help but recall Gao Zhiyuan’s amiable face, his warm conversation, and his sincere expressions of support. Could this be the opportunity that fell from the sky?

He paced around the room, lost in thought, when he suddenly realized that Gao Zhiyuan had not made any specific promises or commitments to him. The so-called opportunity was like the moon in the sky—beautiful, yet distant and out of reach.

Township Head Gao walked in and asked, “I heard Secretary Gao came to Shangqinglin.”

“He arrived this morning. Liu Wei took him directly to the road construction site. After inspecting the site, he had lunch at Qin Dajiang’s house and left immediately after.”

Township Head Gao and Gao Zhiyuan were relatives. Gao Zhiyuan had provided much support and guidance in the past, so Township Head Gao sighed, “Brother Hou, why didn’t you call me? Secretary Gao hasn’t returned to Shangqinglin in years. To miss the chance to meet him this time is truly a pity.”

Hou Weidong paused, then spoke honestly, “Seeing a leader from Shazhou City so suddenly, I got carried away by the excitement and forgot about it.”

Township Head Gao repeated, “What a pity.”

Hou Weidong thought to himself, Township Head Gao has already moved to a secondary role. What would be the point of meeting Gao Zhiyuan anyway? Out loud, he said, “Secretary Gao came to visit graves. He arrived in a hurry and left just as quickly.”

After quickly packing his belongings, Hou Weidong carried a soft bag issued by the school and headed down the mountain. He went to the Qinglin Township Government to pick up the registration notice, then headed straight for Yiyang County. After more than three hours of bumpy travel, he finally stepped off the bus, his face covered in dust.

So many curves, such steep slopes, no shoulders on the road. Who built this? Their skill isn’t even as good as mine. When I become an official, I must ensure the road from Qinglin to Yiyang is built to a high standard.

Hou Weidong had been intensively studying road construction knowledge recently. Seeing the poor condition of the main roads in Yiyang, he couldn’t help but boast to himself in his mind.

The Yiyang Party School was located in the south of the city. It was an old facility with a small courtyard, but the buildings were typical of government offices: a row of large structures, stable and symmetrical. In front of the building was a playground with two basketball courts, and to the right were several cement ping-pong tables.

After registering, Hou Weidong picked up an enamel mug issued by the Party School and headed toward the dormitory.

There were two beds in the room. A young man was lying on one, smoking. Seeing Hou Weidong enter, he didn’t get up but merely studied him with a steady gaze.

Hou Weidong put his things away and said, “Hello, I’m Hou Weidong from Qinglin Township.”

The young man tossed a cigarette over and said, “Damn, so you’re Hou Weidong. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Hou Weidong was confused and smiled, “What fame do I have? May I ask who you are?”

“Ren Lindu, from Lishan Town. Like you, I was hired through the public recruitment. You’re from the Political Science and Law Department of Shazhou College, and you scored second place.”

Hou Weidong teased, “Ah, so my background has been thoroughly investigated.”

Ren Lindu laughed, “I have the list and detailed information of the ten public recruits. These ten of us might become the future political stars of Yiyang. There’s a saying that connections are also a productive force. That theory is quite popular now.”

Hou Weidong was still unclear about the scale, significance, and organizing body of this Young Cadres Training Class, so he asked, “I heard this class is organized by the Youth League Committee. I’m not a Youth League cadre, so I don’t know why I was notified to come.”

Ren Lindu looked at him with surprise and said, “Are you really unaware, or are you pretending to be confused?”

“I really don’t understand.”

“What do you do in the township? I’m currently the Deputy Secretary of the Township Youth League Committee.”

Hou Weidong smiled, “Does the Township Youth League Committee have a Deputy Secretary? It seems Qinglin Township only has one Youth League Secretary, with no deputy position.”

Ren Lindu laughed, “It’s a transitional period. Once the Youth League Committee changes hands, the township plans to make me the Secretary.”

Hou Weidong listened and自嘲 (self-mockingly) said, “I’m in the Shangqinglin Working Group. I don’t even know which department I belong to now. My main work recently has been road construction.”

Ren Lindu was completely baffled. “Brother, how have you managed your career? The working groups in each township are far from the government center. Leaders can’t see you, they don’t understand you, so how can they promote you? You need to find a way to transfer to the township. Coming to this Young Cadres Class is an opportunity. Make sure to report your work to the leaders in the Organization Department.”

Hou Weidong had been staying on Qinglin Mountain every day, immersed in the construction site, mingling with villagers. Their conversations revolved around roads and drinking. He hadn’t had contact with the outside world for a long time. Hearing Ren Lindu’s words, he thought, Although Qinglin Mountain is beautiful with clear waters and green hills, it is too isolated. He asked humbly, “What exactly is this Young Cadres Class about? I don’t understand. Please explain it to me. Actually, since it’s almost dinner time, let me treat you. Let’s go out, order a couple of dishes, and chat while we eat.”

Ren Lindu snapped his fingers. “Free food again. That’s really awesome. The two people in the next room are also public recruits. I’ll call them over.”

Hou Weidong agreed readily, “Good. The four of us can finish two bottles of Yiyang Red.”

Ren Lindu smiled mysteriously, “We only get opportunities after drinking. Come, I’ll go get them.”

He knocked on the door, and a female voice came from inside, “Who is it? Please come in.”

Hou Weidong was startled. How can it be a woman? Then he realized, This is the Party School. Adults live here, and both men and women stay on the same floor.

“I’m Ren Lindu. Let’s go eat at a restaurant outside.”

A female voice said, “Sister Yang Liu, Ren Lindu is treating us to a restaurant meal.” Ren Lindu laughed, “It’s Hou Weidong from Qinglin Township who is treating.” The female voice replied, “Wait for us a moment. We’ll be out soon.”

The two men waited outside for a while before two women walked out.

Ren Lindu introduced, “This is Hou Weidong, from Qinglin Township, Shazhou College.” He pointed to a petite woman and said, “This is Yang Liu, from Sichuan Normal University.” The slightly taller woman introduced herself, “I’m Qin Xiaohong, from Hubei University.”

The four of them walked out. There were many restaurants outside the Party School, so they chose a fish restaurant and ordered a large basin of sour cabbage fish. All four had just graduated from college and were assigned to townships, so they had endless common topics. They opened a bottle of Yiyang Red. Yang Liu and Qin Xiaohong also poured themselves about half a cup, roughly two liang.

Yang Liu was a girl with average looks but a distinct temperament. She raised her glass and said, “The ten of us public recruits have finally met. We should look out for each other in the future. Qin Xiaohong and I are weak women. When you become successful, you must remember us.”

Hou Weidong raised his glass and said, “Let’s support each other.”

After clinking glasses, Ren Lindu said, “This Young Cadres Class is jointly organized by the Organization Department and the Youth League Committee, mainly focusing on reserve cadres. The ten of us public recruits are participating as exceptions. This shows that the Organization Department values us highly.”

Qin Xiaohong spoke frankly, “Recruiting cadres from fresh college graduates was strongly advocated by Secretary Zhao of the County Party Committee. The ten of us are Secretary Zhao’s experimental field. I heard from Guo Lan in the Organization Department that he will personally attend the opening ceremony tomorrow.”

After finishing one bottle, Ren Lindu said, “We’re happy today. Let’s open another one. What do the two beauties think?” Yang Liu covered her glass with her hand and said, “My tolerance is low. If I drink more, I’ll get drunk.” Ren Lindu didn’t press her further and turned to Qin Xiaohong, “Qin Xiaohong, I heard you have a huge capacity. Have another cup.” Qin Xiaohong said casually, “Sure, one more cup.”

The four of them chatted enthusiastically and finished another bottle of wine before returning to the dormitory.

At the dinner table, Ren Lindu had been the loudest, but his tolerance was average. Back in the dorm, he crashed onto the bed like a sack of rice, without even taking off his shoes or clothes.

Hou Weidong took off Ren Lindu’s shoes, covered him with a blanket, and then sat by the desk, staring into space.

Of the four who had been drinking, Ren Lindu was the Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Committee, Yang Liu was a staff member of the Civil Affairs Office and also the Township Women’s Director, and Qin Xiaohong studied industrial management and worked in the Enterprise Office. Hou Weidong had been left on the mountain, far from the political center of the township, like an abandoned orphan.

Why had he ended up in such a situation?