Chapter 294: The Hard Truth (Part 2)

The next day, Wang Hui and his team met Liu Yang, the new director of the New Management Committee’s office, in the hotel lobby. Liu Yang brought the latest printed brochures for the committee, along with some local specialties: Yiyang Mingqian tea and dried wild pheasant from Wangri Village in Shangqinglin.

These were high-quality local products, not cash. After a brief, polite refusal, Wang Hui accepted the gifts.

Hou Weidong had initially considered giving red envelopes, but he worried that handing over cash directly might cause resentment. After discussion, they switched to local specialties. This approach expressed their goodwill while demonstrating that the New Management Committee had nothing to hide.

Liu Yang accompanied Wang Hui to the intersection of the Yi-Wu Highway. Before parting, she specifically asked for Wang Hui and his team’s phone numbers.

At this point, Hou Weidong understood Wang Hui’s intentions. As a native of Wu Hai County, Wang Hui was familiar with the situation there. He knew that besides the issue of large tracts of abandoned land, the pollution in the development zone was particularly severe. Hou Weidong had originally intended to warn Ren Lindu and had even dialed two phone numbers. However, he changed his mind, thinking, "Since the provincial reporter is here to investigate problems, let him see the true state of the development zones across the region. This will prevent the New Management Committee from being singled out as a target."

"Besides, Ren Lindu is only the Deputy Director of the Commission Office, not the Director of the Development Zone." With this thought, Hou Weidong abandoned the idea of calling to report the situation.

Hou Weidong called Duan Ying to express his gratitude. Duan Ying was busy discussing matters in the editing room and whispered, "I’m tied up right now. I’ll call you back in a bit." Five or six minutes later, Duan Ying called back.

Hou Weidong did not hide anything; he told Duan Ying about the subtle tactics he had used to handle Wang Hui. Duan Ying covered her mouth and laughed uncontrollably. "I always thought you were serious and focused on big things. I didn’t expect you to have so many tricks up your sleeve." After laughing, she added, "Wang Hui is a veteran journalist. He never returns from a reporting trip empty-handed. Since he didn’t find any 'bombs' in Yiyang this time, other counties might get dragged into the fallout."

Hou Weidong did not take Duan Ying’s words seriously at the time. More than ten days later, her prediction came true. An article titled "Where Are the Development Zones Heading?" appeared in the Important Situation Bulletin of Lingxi Province, complete with an editor’s note. The Provincial Party Secretary immediately issued an instruction: "The problem of excessive and indiscriminate development zones must be taken seriously by all regions. In the near future, the Provincial Party Committee will inspect the development zones. Those that meet the criteria will receive priority support, while those that do not will be closed immediately, and the land will be returned to the people."

In Wang Hui’s article, he specifically mentioned the five measures taken by the Yiyang New Management Committee to guarantee the livelihoods of farmers who had lost their land. Because of this, the Yiyang New Management Committee was the first to accept the provincial inspection team. Coincidentally, at that time, the Yiyang County Government had just signed a loan contract with the Development Bank, and the inspection team was invited to attend the signing ceremony.

The inspection team had a good impression of the Yiyang New Management Committee. They unanimously agreed that it met the requirements, but they suggested to the provincial authorities that the "Yiyang New Management Committee and the Development Zone" be merged.

The provincial inspection team was divided into eight groups. Within a week, they visited development zones across half the province. Finally, in the name of the Provincial Government, sixteen development zones with incomplete procedures, small scales, and remote locations were closed. The New Management Committees, however, were allowed to continue.

Upon hearing this news, Qin Feiyue found himself in a difficult position. Merging the development zone with the New Management Committee meant combining two leadership teams into one. Knowing of Hou Weidong’s deep relationship with Zhu Yan, Qin Feiyue did not dare to compete. He readily expressed his support to Hou Weidong and actively sought connections to maneuver for position.

Hou Weidong had just started gaining momentum in his role at the New Management Committee and was naturally unwilling to hand over the top position to someone else. As soon as the inspection team made their suggestion, he rushed to the Lingxi Provincial Party School to report to Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan insisted on exercising every day at the party school and strictly avoided alcohol. Even when he could not refuse social engagements, he only drank red wine. After dozens of days, his slightly prominent belly had不知不觉 (unconsciously) shrunk.

After listening to Hou Weidong’s report, he said, "The suggestion from the provincial inspection team is good. I had this idea before I left Yiyang."

"After merging the New Management Committee and the Development Zone, the two areas will effectively become one. The high-tech park in the southwestern New Management Committee and the development zone can form the New Management Committee’s industrial park. The land near the highway can concentrate banks, hospitals, schools, commercial centers, and high-end residential areas. This will make the urban functional zoning clear and establish the framework of a medium-sized city."

Hou Weidong clearly reported his thoughts: "The New Management Committee and the Development Zone are units of the same level. Now that they are merging into one, the leadership team needs to be reappointed. I have just started gaining momentum and want to continue working."

Zhu Yan had a clear understanding of the situation. He said lightly, "You don’t need to worry about this. Just focus on your work for now. If you achieve results, the position will naturally be yours."

As they were speaking, Zhu Yan’s mobile phone buzzed several times. He took it out, glanced at it, and a smile appeared on his face. He handed it to Hou Weidong and said cheerfully, "This little one sends me several text messages a day."

It was a trendy and humorous text message: "A fruit farmer found a boy stealing apples: 'You little rascal, wait! I’m going to tell your dad!' The boy looked up at the tree and shouted, 'Dad, someone downstairs is looking for you.'" To be honest, the text message was not particularly outstanding, but because it was sent by Zhu Mei, its meaning was格外 (extraordinarily) different.

Since getting a computer and a mobile phone, Zhu Mei’s suppressed nature had suddenly burst forth. She was the "Fast-Talking Little Lotus," the most active user in the "Drifter" chat room. Besides chatting online and drawing, she had another hobby: sending text messages daily was one of her life’s pleasures.

Zhu Yan felt a deep sense of guilt toward Zhu Mei in his heart. Seeing his usually melancholy daughter happy, his joy was genuine. He had not expected that a computer and a mobile phone could bring so much happiness to a deaf-mute girl. Thinking of this, his gaze toward Hou Weidong became even warmer.

He said enthusiastically, "Political economy is the class this afternoon. That old scholar is out of touch with the times. He only rigidly applies red classics and cannot connect them with the present. It’s better not to listen."

They got into the Mitsubishi driven by Wang Bing. The car sped along, yet the ride felt extremely smooth. Zhu Yan said, "Weidong, where was this driver transferred from? He drives well."

Liu Yang’s driving skills were also top-notch, but he was older, his energy was not what it used to be, and his reflexes had slowed. Zhu Yan had long wanted to change drivers but had not yet found a driver with both good character and driving skills.

Hou Weidong understood the implication. He introduced Wang Bing in detail: "Master Wang was originally a coach at the driving school under the Transportation Bureau. I recruited him. He has high skills, served in the army, and is very loyal." Having expressed the main points, Hou Weidong did not say more.

When they arrived at the school for the deaf and mute, they just reached the school playground when they saw Principal Yang pacing around with his hands behind his back.

Seeing Zhu Yan, Principal Yang replaced his worried expression with a smile. He crossed the playground and walked over, saying, "Secretary Zhu, you’ve come." Although Hou Weidong had visited several times, Principal Yang still could not remember his name. He only knew he was Zhu Yan’s secretary, so he just nodded without greeting him.

During the Spring Festival this year, Zhu Yan had found a company to sponsor 50,000 yuan for the school for the deaf and mute. With this money, Principal Yang barely managed to have a relaxed Spring Festival. He gave each teacher a holiday bonus of 500 yuan, bought thick cotton quilts for the deaf-mute students, and purchased two pigs. He invited a butcher to the school to slaughter them, allowing the twenty or so deaf-mute children who could not go home to enjoy a hearty feast for several days.

To ensure the teachers and students at this school lived well, Principal Yang had calculated every detail. However, due to tight funds, many of his ideas could not be realized. "Secretary Zhu, I always want to trouble you, but I’m embarrassed to ask," Principal Yang said as he accompanied Zhu Yan upstairs.

"Don’t be polite. If you have any requests, just say them," Zhu Yan said politely, in a good mood.

"Our school for the deaf and mute is the largest in Shazhou and even in Lingxi. We have basically assembled the teaching staff, but we lack textbooks. Beijing has published a batch of Braille books, and the teachers all want to buy them, but we don’t have the money."

Hou Weidong thought to himself, "Shazhou’s annual fiscal revenue is 1.7 or 1.8 billion yuan. Why can’t they squeeze out a little more money to help these deaf-mute children? The people from the Finance Bureau should also come to the school for the deaf and mute to see for themselves."

He clearly remembered that once, the finance office of the New Management Committee had invited the Section Chief of Administrative Finance from the Finance Bureau to dinner. To be precise, the Section Chief was not a genuine section-level cadre; in plain terms, he was a division chief. To secure funding, he even put aside his pride and personally accompanied them. That meal involved four bottles of Moutai, cigarettes, and red envelopes, costing more than 5,000 yuan in total.

Thinking of that meal and looking at the children, Hou Weidong felt a lump in his throat.

At this moment, Zhu Yan turned to Hou Weidong and asked, "Do you have a channel to solve this funding issue?"

"No problem," Hou Weidong said. He then turned to Principal Yang and asked, "How much does it cost to buy this batch of books? I’ll figure out a way."

"30,000 yuan."

"Alright. I’ll bring it over in a couple of days."

Principal Yang was extremely grateful. He held Hou Weidong’s hand and said, "Thank you, thank you so much. Now the children will have textbooks. How can I trouble you to bring the money over? My finance officer and I will come to Yiyang to collect it." He still could not recall Hou Weidong’s name and asked embarrassedly, "May I ask your surname, comrade?"

He took out his phone book and carefully wrote down Hou Weidong’s name, position, and phone number.

Zhu Mei was naturally happy to see her father and Hou Weidong appear before her.

Zhu Yan was also in high spirits. He took Zhu Mei to ride on the highway, and inadvertently drove all the way to Lingxi. He took his daughter, Zhu Mei, to the mall to buy things, and both had a great time.

After eating at Dicos in Lingxi, the Mitsubishi headed straight for Shazhou.

After dropping Zhu Mei off in Shazhou, Hou Weidong drove Zhu Yan back to Lingxi.

At parting, Zhu Yan said with deep feeling, "The school for the deaf and mute in Shazhou is built to such a standard that it counts as first-class in Lingxi. Yet, it still faces tight funding and outdated facilities. In the end, it is because the economy is not developed enough."

He added, "After you return, don’t think about anything else. Focus entirely on your work. Remember what Comrade Deng Xiaoping said: Development is the hard truth."

"After the merger of the New Management Committee and the Development Zone, responsibilities will increase, and tasks will be heavier. Handing this burden to you is both an opportunity and a challenge. I hope to see a temporarily new New Management Committee next year."