Chapter 82: Unintentional Willow (Part 3)

After the meeting dispersed, the village cadres gathered in small groups of two or three, discussing the road project. A short while later, they left one by one. Unlike their usual habit of gathering for drinks, they were in a hurry to return to their respective villages to consult with their local teams on how to handle the situation.

Over the past six months, Hou Weidong had been in close contact with these village cadres and had gained a general understanding of their personalities. He saw Qin Dajiang almost every other day and knew his temper well. Judging from Qin Dajiang’s expression, Hou Weidong realized that he had not fully accepted Township Head Gao’s opinion. He had only held back from making loud objections because other village cadres were present. Once he left the meeting room, Qin Dajiang and Jiang Shangshan were the first to run off, undoubtedly heading back to discuss countermeasures with Chen Dachuan and others.

Hou Weidong felt a tremendous pressure weighing on him. He did a quick mental calculation: just for lost wages, if five hundred people worked on the road every day at a rate of ten yuan per person per day, that amounted to five thousand yuan daily. Ten days would cost fifty thousand, and a hundred days would reach five hundred thousand. This figure did not even include compensation for occupied farmland or crop losses.

Faced with such a huge expense, it was understandable that village cadres like Qin Dajiang were tempted and harbored various thoughts.

However, if they stopped work rashly while the county’s planning remained unconfirmed, the road project would become an unfinished "rotten tail." Once the villagers' enthusiasm for building the road was dampened, it would be extremely difficult to mobilize them again.

Hou Weidong felt the heavy burden on his shoulders. He cursed inwardly, "Damn it. For something this important, they should have at least sent a deputy township head to unify the village cadres' thinking. Why throw it all on me? They really overestimate me." But then he thought again, "If the county finance were to invest in building the road, my newly opened quarry would never lack customers."

The key issue now was the direction of the county government's investment. If the Shangqinglin Road were truly scheduled for construction in 1994, all problems would be solved.

Hou Weidong turned the matter over in his mind repeatedly and could no longer sit still in his office. He went to Township Head Gao’s house. Entering the room, he got straight to the point: "Township Head Gao, this situation is difficult to handle. I think we should go to Shazhou soon to see Secretary Gao Zhiyuan and ask him to help our hometown solve this major problem."

Township Head Gao was afraid of the cold, so he had a tin stove burning in his home. A metal pipe outside the stove carried away all the coal smoke, so the air inside didn’t smell bad. He was sitting by the fire, looking quite content, enjoying the aroma of roasting sweet potatoes drifting through the room.

As soon as Hou Weidong sat down, he said anxiously, "Township Head Gao, I really couldn’t sit still in the office. Although we held the meeting just now, the village cadres’ thinking hasn’t been unified at all. What do you think we should do?"

Township Head Gao held his hands near the stove. He had been thinking about this problem for a long time. Seeing Hou Weidong’s anxious expression, he said, "Sit down and warm yourself first. You can’t eat hot tofu if you’re in a hurry. Let’s discuss this properly."

The stove was burning fiercely, sending waves of heat that felt much more comfortable than sitting in the cold, empty office. Hou Weidong blew on his hands, and a faint mist rose from them.

Before coming to see Township Head Gao, he had harbored some resentment toward the town leaders. But after sitting down, he realized that the road project was something he had initiated himself, so he couldn’t blame others. He suppressed his complaints.

"Township Head Qin repeatedly said that you should go and see Secretary Gao Zhiyuan. If he is willing to step in, there won’t be much of a problem. Township Head Gao, when are we going?" Hou Weidong used a subtle tactic here. He brought up Township Head Qin’s name again and didn’t ask if Township Head Gao would go, but when he would go, effectively cornering him.

"It is inappropriate for me to go to Secretary Gao on official business regarding the road. After all, I have already stepped back to the second line. It would be best for Township Head Qin or Secretary Zhao to lead the delegation. That would appear more formal and show respect to Secretary Gao. Su Ming is a capable man; how could he not have considered this?"

"Also, what gifts should we bring to see Gao Zhiyuan? He won’t accept money. If we send expensive items, the town hasn’t authorized funds for that, and he might not appreciate them anyway. If we send local specialties, which ones have distinctive characteristics? These small details need careful discussion. Rushing in blindly might not yield good results."

"I know Qin Feiyue’s mindset. He wants to cut the tofu with a fast knife—smooth on both sides. He currently has no intention of spending money on the road. Money enters the treasury easily, but taking it out is like cutting off flesh. Qin Feiyue wants the three villages to complete the rough structure of the road, so they will have more advantages during the competition."

Township Head Gao spoke at length. Hou Weidong hadn’t expected the matter to have so many twists and turns; it was far more complex than he had imagined. He thought to himself, "Old people become spirits; this saying is truly correct."

"Township Head Gao, what do you suggest we do?"

Township Head Gao paused and said, "Shangqinglin has always wanted to build a road. For several years, they talked about it but never started. This time, work has begun, and Brother Hou has played a significant role."

He changed the subject slightly: "The reason you can play such a big role is that a young bull is not afraid of a tiger. You are bold and act without hesitation, which allowed you to get this difficult road project moving. Others wouldn’t dare to touch this issue."

Township Head Gao’s words had a special flavor. Hou Weidong pondered them and found himself laughing and crying at the same time. Since the Shangqinglin Road construction started, he had been secretly proud, feeling that his abilities were extraordinary. But in Township Head Gao’s eyes, he was just a reckless fool. Although he didn’t say it explicitly, the implication was clear.

This was truly disheartening.

Hou Weidong stared at the stove for a long time. He thought, "To be transferred back to Shazhou within three years by following the rules is pure daydreaming. No matter what others say, the road construction must not be abandoned halfway."

He自嘲 (mocked himself), "Being a young bull has its advantages too—you just charge forward regardless. Township Head Gao, my opinion is still that we should go to Shazhou as soon as possible. I’ll call Township Head Su right now and say that we will visit Secretary Gao Zhiyuan’s home the day after tomorrow, with a town leader accompanying us."

Township Head Gao stared at Hou Weidong, seeing his determined expression, and said, "Brother Hou, I really admire you."

Hou Weidong tried to simplify the complex situation. He said, "I’ll go call Township Head Su now to convey this idea." Township Head Gao was about to say, "Why the rush? Sit for a while longer," but Hou Weidong had already hurried out the door.

"Township Head Su, this is Hou Weidong. I’m reporting on the road construction situation. The working group just held a meeting, and the villages’ opinions are not unified. He Hequan wants to continue building the road. Qin Dajiang wants to stop. Jianshan Village is undecided."

Su Ming had anticipated this. He said, "I will try to go up the mountain tomorrow to talk to Qin Dajiang. The town’s attitude is that this section of the road must be built at least before the Spring Festival. The county’s People’s Congress session will be held before the Spring Festival. After the festival, it will be clear which section of the road the county will build."

Su Ming’s voice was calm. He spoke slowly and clearly, with good logic.

"Township Head Su, seven thousand people in Shangqinglin have made great efforts to build the road. We plan to contact Secretary Gao the day after tomorrow. If he is in Shazhou, we will visit him and ask him to intervene."

Hou Weidong said solemnly, "Building a highway is a major issue involving county-level decisions. Can the town send a leader to lead the delegation? This would combine public and private interests and appear more formal."

Su Ming thought for a moment and praised him, "You’ve thought of this in detail. I’ll discuss it with Secretary Zhao and Township Head Qin to see if either of them is willing to go. There is a meeting this afternoon. I’ll get back to you after it ends."

In the afternoon, another joint party and government meeting was held to resolve issues that hadn’t been discussed previously. The sensitive issue of loans for town-owned enterprises was temporarily not put on the agenda.

When Su Ming proposed which leader should lead the delegation to visit Gao Zhiyuan, all the team members remained silent, their eyes turning to Zhao Yongsheng and Qin Feiyue.

Gao Zhiyuan was the Director of the Shazhou Municipal People’s Congress. Although he had left the party and government system, he still had significant influence in Shazhou. Establishing a good friendship with him would be beneficial for future career advancement. Zhao Yongsheng and Qin Feiyue both remained silent, indicating they had their own ideas. Naturally, the other deputy officials did not speak up.

Qin Feiyue was somewhat angry at Su Ming’s surprise attack. He thought, "You should have told me about this first. We could have handled it behind the scenes. There was no need to bring it up at the joint party and government meeting."

Zhao Yongsheng had the same thought. He glared fiercely at Su Ming.

Su Ming kept his eyes on his nose, and his nose on his heart, sitting steadily without moving.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Yongsheng spoke first, saying, "I will make the trip." He explained, "When I was working in Xiaqinglin Township, Secretary Gao was still the secretary of Shangqinglin Township. We are quite familiar with each other, so it will be easier to talk."

Zhao Yongsheng’s reason was presentable, so Qin Feiyue couldn’t argue against it and suffered a silent loss. He thought, "If you go to see Gao Zhiyuan, I will go to report to Secretary Duan of the County Party Committee and County Head Ma. Local officials are not as powerful as those in direct charge. Those two are the true parents’ officials. Gao Zhiyuan is after all one step removed."

When Su Ming called back, Township Head Gao shook his head continuously, saying, "Brother Hou, you are truly a reckless fool. You actually commanded the Party Secretary. But fools have their own luck. You always manage to get things done."

"I remembered something. Secretary Gao has a small hobby. He particularly likes the air-dried wild pheasant from Wangri Village in Shangqinglin. You ask He Hequan and others to get ten of the best air-dried wild pheasants. This will represent the goodwill of the Shangqinglin masses. Remember, tell him to select the very best ones."

Hou Weidong didn’t waste time. He took a sweet potato that was roasting fragrantly under Township Head Gao’s stove, held it in his hands, and headed for Wangri Village.

Having lived in Shangqinglin for more than half a year, Hou Weidong was already familiar with the homes of the village directors and secretaries. He walked quickly, covering a distance that usually took an hour in just thirty minutes.

"Secretary He, find me ten air-dried wild pheasants. Remember, the best ones." Upon seeing He Hequan, Hou Weidong got straight to the point.

He Hequan didn’t understand the full context and said, "Hou Madman, an air-dried wild pheasant costs fifty yuan each. What do you need so many for? Who is paying?"

He Hequan had very little hair on his head and had a nickname, He Jueding (He Balding), derived from the idiom "smart to the point of baldness." It was said that the creator of this nickname was Principal Tie Bingsheng.

"The road cannot stop. However, we shouldn’t refuse the county’s money if it’s available. We are preparing to go to Shazhou to ask Secretary Gao Zhiyuan to intervene and strive for the county to start the Shangqinglin Road project as soon as possible."

The people of Shangqinglin Mountain regarded Gao Zhiyuan as an embodiment of power. Hearing that they were going to see Gao Zhiyuan, He Hequan said, "I’ll go find them immediately. Will the town cover the cost? Ten pheasants are five hundred yuan. The village can’t afford it."

Hou Weidong said, "The pheasants must be collected by tomorrow. We’ll discuss the money issue when we return. If the town can’t solve it, the three villages will split the cost."

"Hou Madman, you must keep your word." He Hequan added angrily, "That hammer-headed Qin Dajiang. Once the road up the mountain is pulled out, he wants to stand on the sidelines. He’s absolutely unfair."

***

Chapter 82: Unintentional Willow (Part 4)

To execute the town leaders’ requirements, Hou Weidong acted like a diplomat, shuttling between the homes of the three village cadres. He constantly lobbied each village, urging them to continue investing labor according to the original plan and not to halt the project.

Qin Dajiang gave Hou Weidong a small amount of face and did not immediately stop the work.

On the morning of the third day, Township Head Gao and Hou Weidong got up at 6:30. The sky was still pitch black. The two men turned on their flashlights and rushed down to Xiaqinglin amidst the barking of dogs. By the time they reached the government office, the sky was slowly brightening. They went to a noodle shop outside Qinglin Town and ordered a bowl of mixed sauce noodles each, slurping them noisily.

At Hou Weidong’s feet was a large bamboo backpack containing air-dried wild pheasants packed in a snake-skin bag. These were gifts collected from Wangri Village. Although it was winter, carrying this basket of goods up the mountain made his forehead slightly sweaty.

They waited at the government gate until eight o’clock. A Santana slid over. The driver, Xiao Zhang, was not young; he looked to be around thirty. He usually had an indifferent attitude toward people. He parked the car in the courtyard, got out, took a bucket, filled it with tap water, and began wiping the car by himself.

Township Head Gao walked over and said, "Xiao Zhang, have a cigarette." Xiao Zhang wiped the car a few more times before taking the cigarette. He complained, "Township Head Gao, what’s the matter now? We have to run to Shazhou. It’s a forty-hour round trip. It’s really killing us."

Hou Weidong brought the air-dried wild pheasants over and politely said, "Master Zhang, could you please put this in the trunk?" Xiao Zhang continued smoking, ignoring Hou Weidong as if he were nothing. He didn’t even glance at him, let alone react.

Hou Weidong, holding the snake-skin bag, felt somewhat embarrassed. He patiently said, "Master Zhang, these are the Wangri Village wild pheasants we’re taking to Shazhou."

Xiao Zhang still didn’t react. He took two strong puffs of his cigarette, picked up the bucket, and started wiping the car again, saying, "Take it aside."

This time, Hou Weidong lost face. But since the other party was Secretary Zhao Yongsheng’s driver, he suppressed his anger. He stared at the man; if his gaze were a knife, he would have killed Xiao Zhang countless times.

Xiao Zhang, relying on his position as the Party Secretary’s dedicated driver, always looked down on others. One day, after Hou Weidong had picked up the drawings from Engineer Liu Wei’s home and come to town, he had dinner at Su Ming’s house. At that time, Qin Feiyue, Su Ming, Huang Pangzi, and Director Huang were all present. Someone must have reported this to Zhao Yongsheng, who cursed in the car, "Hou Weidong doesn’t work properly in town; he’s always scheming and flattering. His quality is too low. He’s even a Party member. I don’t know how he joined the Party."

Later, Hou Weidong specially delivered the road construction progress schedule. Zhao Yongsheng, with his rich experience and struggle tactics, did not easily change his view because of Hou Weidong’s proactive flattery. He continued to observe his face and actions.

Xiao Zhang followed Zhao Yongsheng every day and was one of his confidants, deeply understanding his likes and dislikes. Therefore, when he saw Hou Weidong, he gave him a lesson.

Looking at Xiao Zhang, who was deliberately humiliating him, Hou Weidong swore in his heart: "A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years. You damn Xiao Zhang, you will pay for today’s arrogance."

He was after all a young man in his twenties, and his self-cultivation was far from perfect. Anger began to show on his face.

Township Head Gao, watching from the side, couldn’t stand it anymore. Knowing Xiao Zhang’s bad temper, he worried that Hou Weidong might lose control of his emotions. So, he deliberately made small talk with Hou Weidong, saying, "Hou Weidong, when we get to Shazhou today, you can take some time to visit Zhang Xiaojia. Xiaojia is quite nice. Although she’s a girl from a big city, she’s not arrogant at all."

Hou Weidong took a deep breath. He understood Township Head Gao’s intention and mocked himself, "I’m not worthy of her."

Township Head Gao laughed, "Don’t