Chapter 373: The Rupture (Part 1)

Chapter 373: The Rupture (Part 1)

Minor Cold had arrived. The days were truly biting, with a drizzle falling from a leaden sky. Back home, I drew the curtains tight, sealed out the gloom, and drank a cup of tea. Only then did warmth return to my bones. In the dead of winter, home is the warmest sanctuary. If you have a home, hurry back; if you don’t, hurry up and get married.

Heh, that’s just Xiao Qiao’s rambling.

Seven days later, the Shazhou City Reserve Cadre Inspection Team completed their mission successfully.

During those seven days, Hou Weidong listened to Guo Lan’s confidences, and a deeper tacit understanding grew between them. Yet, beyond holding hands on the beach, both Hou and Guo maintained a dignified restraint. At most, they exchanged glances or whispered a few words when no one was around. That was all.

Returning to the familiar secretary’s office, Hou Weidong stepped back from the vast landscapes of the motherland into the harsh reality of daily work. Taking advantage of Zhou Changquan’s ongoing inspection tour in the United States, he meticulously reviewed documents and studied the speeches Zhou Changquan had delivered over the past few years.

“You must be strong yourself to forge iron.” Since arriving in Shazhou, Hou Weidong had felt this truth deeply. He picked up his thick notebooks, long neglected, and even had Xiaojia enroll him in a spring graduate program at Lingxi University. Pay the fees, attend classes, get the diploma, and make connections along the way.

At ten o’clock, Yang Teng, Deputy Section Chief of the Comprehensive Section, walked in.

The working order in the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee Office was always strict. Secretaries rarely visited each other’s offices or discussed private matters within them. In Hou Weidong’s memory, this was the first time Yang Teng had entered Zhou Changquan’s office.

“Section Chief Hou, let’s eat together at noon.” Yang Teng sat opposite Hou Weidong. Since Hou was the only one in the room, Yang relaxed, lit a cigarette, and blew a smoke ring. The ring drifted lazily until it hit the partition door and burst.

In the Municipal Party Committee Office, Hou Weidong was the de facto chief secretary. Yang Teng, as Huang Zidi’s dedicated secretary, was the second secretary. Of course, these were colloquial terms; in formal settings, they were addressed as Section Chief and Deputy Section Chief.

“Your former leader is here. Just now, Secretary Ma and County Magistrate Yang of Yiyang reported their work to Secretary Huang. They’ve agreed to lunch together, and Secretary Huang has invited you as well. I came specifically to inform you.”

Hou Weidong agreed while frowning slightly. “Ma Youcai and Yang Senlin have never gotten along. It’s rare to see them together. Did the sun rise from the west today?”

The sun in Shazhou did not rise from the west. It was merely that a north wind had blown away the clouds, thinning the sky and allowing slanted sunlight to strike the ground, adding a touch of light and warmth to the world.

Ma Youcai, Secretary of the Yiyang County Party Committee, was drinking tea with County Magistrate Yang Senlin in the teahouse of the Shazhou Hotel. Neither had brought their secretaries on this trip. Their two drivers, knowing their place, were drinking tea in a separate corner, careful not to disturb their leaders’ conversation.

Ma Youcai loosened his tie for a more relaxed feel. “County Magistrate Yang, we’ve been working together for two years now, haven’t we?”

Yang Senlin replied, “Counting the time I served as Deputy Secretary in Yiyang, it’s been two years.”

Ma Youcai paused, lost in thought. “The Buddha says it takes a thousand years of cultivation to share a bed, and five hundred years to share a boat. For us to serve on the same leadership team, we must have at least eight hundred years of karmic connection.”

Yang Senlin chuckled. “Indeed, it is fate. Otherwise, in this vast world with its myriad people, how would we have ended up together?” In his heart, he wondered, Ma Youcai usually reports work alone. Why insist on including me today? Why this posture of heart-to-heart talk? What does he intend?

Ma Youcai slowly produced a cigarette. “Old brother, have one. I’m older, so I’ll call you younger brother.”

Yang Senlin had quit smoking, but since the Secretary offered personally, he accepted. The two leaned in, puffing away, their expressions relaxed, a stark contrast to their usual serious demeanor in the county.

Ma Youcai said, “Over the years, I’ve worked with several comrades on leadership teams. I’ve learned a lesson: harmony brings mutual gain; conflict brings mutual ruin. In my view, our two years together have seen minor disagreements but unity on major issues.”

Yang Senlin snorted internally. Besides Ji Haiyang, all the Standing Committee members follow you. Now you’re preaching big words. He wanted to see what medicine Ma Youcai was selling from his gourd, so he smiled calmly. “Secretary Ma is a good team leader. With you steering the ship, Yiyang will naturally move forward.”

Seeing Yang Senlin’s lingering wariness, Ma Youcai spoke from the heart. “I am forty-six this year. If I finish this term, I’ll be fifty. If things go well, I might move up. If not, I’ll go to the People’s Congress or the CPPCC. You’re just turning forty, younger brother. You have ten good years ahead of you.”

Mentioning this stirred Yang Senlin’s anger. If it weren’t for you, Old Ma, sticking your nose in, I would already be County Party Secretary. Although County Magistrate and County Party Secretary were of equal rank, the latter was a necessary threshold for moving to city-level leadership. Yang Senlin still harbored resentment over the missed opportunity.

Ma Youcai knew this well. He had already marginalized Yang Senlin, and now, having secured his position, he sought reconciliation with confidence. “I also had differences with Secretary Zhu Yan back then. Differences aren’t the problem; the key is unity and principle on major issues. Secretary Zhu Yan’s appointment as Deputy Secretary of the Maoyun Prefecture Committee shows he has real capability.” He paused, then added, “Conflicts between the Party Secretary and the Magistrate are, in essence, struggles for power. I, Old Ma, speak with authority on financial matters. Therefore, there is no fundamental conflict of interest between us. Our past minor disputes were all for the sake of work.”

Ma Youcai spoke sincerely, leaving Yang Senlin somewhat confused. With Ma holding all the advantages and extending an olive branch, Yang had no reason to refuse. He nodded and agreed continuously.

Once the air was cleared, both felt lighter. Reflecting on the past two years, they realized most issues could have been resolved through communication. Only the struggle for the County Party Secretary position had been a bloody clash. That matter was settled, and both carefully avoided the topic.

As their conversation deepened, Ma Youcai’s mobile phone rang. He glanced at it, set it aside, and ignored it. “Let us brothers chat properly. No phones.” His tone was light, but his heart was troubled and angry.

The caller was Yi Zhongling. At this point, Yi Zhongling had shed the mask of the state-owned enterprise boss, revealing a naked, almost疯狂 (crazy) nature.

When Yi Zhongling was the SOE boss, he had given Ma Youcai two million yuan. To Yi, this money was a rope around Ma’s neck. He believed Ma was his dog, controlled by that rope.

With this belief, he wanted his cousin Yi Zhongcheng to get promoted. Yi Zhongcheng was promoted from Director of the Research Office of the Yiyang New Management Committee to Deputy Director.

With this belief, he wanted tax rebates for his enterprise. It was done.

Next, he wanted to seize a plot of land in the old city district. It was the site of the old Hardware Company. Although the factory had collapsed, the buildings occupied an excellent location, housing dozens of veteran workers.

And then…

Such demands made Ma Youcai weary. He secretly rejoiced: Transferring the entire two million secretly into the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission’s integrity account was a wise decision.

Back then, Zhu Yan had pressured Ma Youcai through the Procuratorate. The result was an arson case and a murder case. These two cases shocked the city and remained unsolved. Through this incident, Ma Youcai witnessed Yi Zhongling’s ruthlessness. In his eyes, the two million yuan had become a bomb ready to explode at any moment.

He had initially considered donating the money to a Hope Primary School but felt it inappropriate. After much thought, he transferred the two million directly to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission’s integrity account. That night, Ma Youcai slept soundly, dreamless.

After Yi Zhongling returned from the provincial capital to Yiyang, Ma Youcai had been reluctant to tear off the mask. After all, accepting two million yuan in bribes was an absolute political stain. Even though he had handed it over later, he had accepted it at the time. However, Yi Zhongling’s insatiable greed forced Ma Youcai to make a decision: tear off the mask, cut ties completely. Short-term pain was better than long-term suffering.

Relying on his understanding of Yi Zhongling, Ma Youcai prepared fully for the confrontation. Repairing his relationship with County Magistrate Yang Senlin was one of his moves.

Hou Weidong left the office half an hour early and entered the private dining room. He saw the two leaders standing by the window smoking. Judging by their proximity, they seemed to be getting along well.

“Secretary Ma, County Magistrate Yang, hello.” Seeing Ma and Yang standing shoulder to shoulder, Hou Weidong felt a bit awkward.

“Hello, Section Chief Hou.” Ma Youcai was enthusiastic, shaking Hou Weidong’s hand proactively.

Having served as a secretary for two terms, Hou Weidong noticed the absence of secretaries beside the two leaders. He asked impulsively, “Has no one from the office come?”

Ma Youcai smiled. “Leaders are spoiled these days. Without secretaries, they can’t move an inch.”

Ma Youcai usually carried an air of authority in Yiyang County, but today he was exceptionally approachable. Since becoming Zhou Changquan’s secretary, Hou Weidong had grown accustomed to dealing with department-level leaders. He chatted with the two Yiyang leaders with neither arrogance nor servility.

“When will Secretary Changquan return from the United States?”

“He will return before the Spring Festival.”

Ma Youcai said, “Section Chief Hou, once Secretary Changquan returns, please give me a heads-up. Now that the Shazhou-Maoyun Highway is open, the phosphate mines in northern Yiyang should be developed comprehensively. We cannot let it become chaotic like Maoyun. The overall plan must be reported in detail to Secretary Changquan.”

“Rest assured, Secretary Ma. I keep Yiyang’s affairs in mind.”

At 12:30, Huang Zidi, Deputy Secretary-General Zeng Yong, and Deputy Section Chief Yang Teng arrived at the Shazhou Hotel. Before arriving, Yang Teng had called Ma Youcai. Ma, Yang, and Hou waited in the hotel lobby.

***

Chapter 373: The Rupture (Part 2)

I got drunk twice in two days. Last night, I vomited into the toilet until 3 a.m. and swore never to drink again. With the New Year approaching, I recall a saying to share with friends: “When away from home, remember your wife’s love. Drink less, eat more.”

Yi Zhongling waited at the gate of the Provincial Party Committee for a while before seeing his cousin, Yi Zhongcheng, walk out with steady steps.

“Brother Zhongling, why are you at the gate?”

Yi Zhongling did not get out of the car. He rolled down the window, waved, and said, “Zhongcheng, this is the heart of the Provincial Party Committee, a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den. How dare I enter? Get in the car, let’s go eat.” Yi Zhongcheng knew his cousin was full of tricks. He got in and said, “Brother Zhongling, what joke is this? You’ve entered the Provincial Party Committee before. You walked in freely in the past. Why are you afraid today?”

Yi Zhongling smiled but did not answer. He drove directly to a small shop. “In Lingxi, this is just a small shop. The storefront is tiny, but it serves authentic Yiyang hometown cuisine. I only come here when with close friends or when I don’t need to save face. The taste here suits my palate. I can never get full in five-star hotels.”

The hotel owner was familiar with Yi Zhongling and warmly guided him to a small private room. “Brother Yi, just the two of you? I’ll arrange a few dishes for you.” Yi Zhongling tossed him a cigarette. “Don’t order too many dishes, but make sure they are authentic Yiyang cuisine.”

The two brothers chatted about family matters for a while. Yi Zhongling slowly steered the conversation toward officialdom. “Zhongcheng, you are a big shot in the Provincial Party Committee. The city’s top leaders must give you face. Can you introduce me to someone?”

Yi Zhongcheng came from the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee. The halo of city leaders had long faded in his eyes. “I am no big shot in the Provincial Party Committee, just a small section chief.” Despite this, he was still proud of his position as Section Chief. He said casually, “I am familiar with all the Shazhou city leaders. Who do you want to meet? Why so formal?”

“Deputy Secretary Huang Zidi.”

Huang Zidi was the Deputy Secretary in charge of organization. During the “Three Speaks” education campaign, Yi Zhongcheng had frequent contact with him and was very familiar. “This is simple. I’ll just make a phone call. Do you have specific business?”

Yi Zhongling said, “Not yet. I’m just doing business in Shazhou. It’s always beneficial to know some people with real power.”

“That’s a small matter. I’ll call Huang Zidi immediately.”

At this moment, several dishes of Yiyang cuisine were served. Looking at the large chunks of fatty meat, Yi Zhongling said, “Eat while it’s hot. Don’t mind the fat. We couldn’t afford this when we were children. We only ate it once during festivals. The memory is too deep.”

Yi Zhongling’s family conditions were slightly better than Yi Zhongcheng’s. One year, Yi Zhongcheng’s family did not have this braised fatty meat for the New Year. It was Yi Zhongling’s father who brought over a small basin. Yi Zhongcheng’s family finally got a taste of oil. In Yi Zhongcheng’s memory, that was the best meat he had ever eaten. His siblings each got two pieces. The feeling of fat melting in the mouth was incomparably wonderful. To this day, no delicacy he had eaten could compare to that mouthful of fatty meat from years ago.

Yi Zhongling ate the meat, but his mind was on Ma Youcai’s increasingly official attitude. “Ma Youcai has taken the wrong medicine. As long as I submit materials to the Discipline Inspection Commission, he’s finished. What is he so arrogant about?”

After the “Three Speaks” campaign, Ma Youcai had given Yi Zhongling several cold shoulders. Yi Zhongling had set his eyes on a plot of land in the old city district and wanted to lower the price. Ma Youcai smiled without warmth. “We must follow county rules and participate in the bidding. I can do some work, but I cannot guarantee you will win. This matter is up to County Magistrate Yang. As Party Secretary, I should not directly interfere with the Magistrate’s affairs.”

Ma Youcai had said this several times. Yi Zhongling had lost patience. On one hand, he prepared to give Ma Youcai a warning; on the other, he sought another mountain to lean on. He had heard a friend say in a drunken state: “Huang Zidi of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee dares to take money and can get things done.” So, he turned to his cousin Yi Zhongcheng.

In Shazhou, Hou Weidong and Yang Teng accompanied Huang Zidi upstairs. Just as they reached the third floor, Huang Zidi’s mobile phone rang. He looked at the number and smiled warmly. “Section Chief Yi, what are your instructions? Heh, if Section Chief Yi invites me to dinner, I must make time even if I have none.”

Hou Weidong heard clearly and thought to himself, Section Chief Yi must be Yi Zhongcheng from the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department. Why is he treating Huang Zidi to dinner?

Several years ago, during the investigation of the Yiyang Native Produce Company case by the Yiyang Procuratorate, an arson case and a murder case occurred. The case remained unsolved. Hou Weidong was convinced it was Yi Zhongling’s doing. His impression of Yi Zhongling was too deep. Anyone with the surname Yi triggered his vigilance. Upon arriving at the New Management Committee, he had transferred Yi Zhongcheng, Yi Zhongling’s cousin, away from the office. Hearing that Yi Zhongcheng from the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department was contacting Huang Zidi, he began to ponder.

Just back in his office, Hou Weidong encountered Yang Liu in the corridor. Seeing no one around, Yang Liu whispered, “I heard Chairman Liu of the CPPCC suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage and is being rescued in the hospital.”

Hou Weidong opened his office door. “What happened? Come to my office and tell me.” As Zhou Changquan’s dedicated secretary, he was sensitive to such major events.

“Secretary Gao and I just returned from the hospital. I heard Chairman Liu got angry with Director Kong of the Finance Bureau over the CPPCC office building issue. After Director Kong left, around eleven o’clock, he called the vice chairmen to a meeting. He cursed Director Kong as an ungrateful wolf. As he cursed, he suddenly collapsed on the floor.”

Hou Weidong immediately called Zhou Changquan. Zhou Changquan had two phones; one was placed beside Hou Weidong, the public line, and the other was known only to a few. He reported the matter to Zhou Changquan in the most concise language. After listening, Zhou Changquan said calmly, “I know.”

Hou Weidong thought, It seems Secretary Changquan has already received the news. Huang Zidi is with me and is unaware. It must be Hong Ang who reported it. His reaction is indeed quick.

He got up to pour water for Yang Liu, but she naturally said, “I’ll do it myself.” She opened the tea canister and smiled. “I guessed Director Hou drinks Tieguanyin. Still the old habit from the New Management Committee.”

Yang Liu held a cup of hot tea, warming her hands. “Today, after the Secretary-General talked with Guo Yongguo, he seemed to have cried. This man is actually quite talented. His downfall is his mouth. A good sentence comes out of his mouth sounding sarcastic and strange.”

Guo Yongguo had previously worked in the Comprehensive Section of the Municipal Party Committee Office, one of the key departments in the municipal organs. Many leading cadres had emerged from this section. After working there for years, he was now kicked to the Local Chronicles Office. His prospects were much dimmer compared to before.

“Character determines destiny, details determine success. These sayings make sense.” Hou Weidong only had a nodding acquaintance with Guo Yongguo. They had no enmity or affection. He just felt a bit sentimental.

After some small talk, Yang Liu left. A moment later, she returned, holding a canister of tea. “This is West Lake Longjing. The Propaganda Department went to Hangzhou for study, and the department gave this to Secretary Gao. They say it is authentic Longjing.”

Hou Weidong did not stand on ceremony. “Longjing is indeed good. Thank you.”

The next day, Chairman Liu of the CPPCC died due to ineffective rescue. He was a veteran leader in Shazhou. The Provincial CPPCC attached great importance to it and sent a vice chairman to express condolences. Shazhou City established a funeral leadership group. Although Secretary Zhou Changquan was not in Shazhou, to show solemnity, Zhou Changquan was appointed as the head of the funeral leadership group, and Mayor Liu Bing as the deputy head.

On the day of the funeral, Hou Weidong attended. He saw Gao Zhiyuan, Director of the People’s Congress, with a greenish face, refusing to speak. When the Finance Bureau sent a wreath, Chairman Liu’s son accepted it but placed it in the most inconspicuous corner.

Sixteen days before the Spring Festival, Zhou Changquan returned to Shazhou. Huang Zidi, Hong Ang, Bu Haiyun, Kong Zhengyi of the Finance Bureau, and Old Fang, the Public Security Bureau Chief, went to Lingxi Airport to welcome him.

Kong Zhengyi booked a table at the Jinxing Hotel to welcome Zhou Changquan. After everyone was seated, Zhou Changquan said, “Old Kong, Chairman Liu had that temper. He is an old comrade. What should be satisfied should be satisfied. Why did you argue with him?”

Although it was the coldest days of winter, the air conditioning in the room was high. Sweat beads appeared on Kong Zhengyi’s broad forehead. He said grievancefully, “How dare I withhold the CPPCC’s money? Today, the three vice chairmen of the CPPCC all got new cars. Chairman Liu called me to his office and asked me to buy another car for the office. He specified an Audi. This exceeds the standard configuration. I said the city’s funds were tight and asked if we could delay the purchase or buy a Santana. Chairman Liu was unhappy and said some sarcastic things.”

“In the end, I violated principles and agreed to buy an Audi for the CPPCC office. If I had known Chairman Liu would have this incident, I would have agreed immediately. After all, it’s not my money. I was still saving for the government.”

Bu Haiyun said from the side, “Chairman Liu is a former mayor. Everyone gives him face. The CPPCC’s cars are better than the government’s. Old Kong has it hard. All departments want to take more money from the finance bureau, but the annual budget is fixed.”

Zhou Changquan then said, “Old Liu’s passing is sad. The CPPCC has contributed many good ideas to Shazhou’s development. We need to consider a capable person to lead the work.” As he spoke, he glanced intentionally at Bu Haiyun.

Bu Haiyun nodded. “Chairman Liu is a former mayor. The new CPPCC Chairman should at least be the Executive Vice Mayor. This conforms to the tradition of the Shazhou CPPCC.”

Everyone showed an expression of understanding.

Hou Weidong pondered briefly and understood. Bu Haiyun is eyeing the position of Executive Vice Mayor. If the current Executive Vice Mayor, Zheng Rulin, moves to the government, Bu Haiyun is likely to become the Executive Vice Mayor.

Most things in the world can turn from bad to good if you change your perspective. This conforms to dialectics and is also a capability.