Chapter 374: The Rupture (Part 2)

*Chapter 374: The Rupture (Part 2)*

Upon returning to Shazhou, Zhou Changquan rested briefly before visiting the family of Chairman Liu.

Before setting out, Hou Weidong had called Chairman Liu’s home in advance. When Chairman Liu’s wife heard that Secretary Zhou Changquan was coming to their house immediately after getting off the plane, she was deeply moved. She hung up the phone, wiped away her tears, and spoke絮絮 (絮絮 – 絮絮叨叨, murmuring continuously) to several comrades from the CPPCC Office who happened to be at home.

"Secretary Changquan is a good man. He remembers favors. Unlike some people who are willing to act like grandsons when they need something, only to treat our old Liu like a rag when they no longer need him."

The CPPCC Office had worried greatly about the Liu family’s affairs, exhausting themselves in the process. Hearing these words left them with a bitter taste in their mouths. However, the news that Zhou Changquan was coming suppressed the resentment they had been holding in their hearts.

Upon meeting, Chairman Liu’s wife grasped Zhou Changquan’s hand and began to weep again. "Secretary Changquan, if you had been in Shazhou, my old Liu would not have ended up like this. He was provoked to death by petty people. Secretary Changquan, you were old Liu’s colleague for so long; you must uphold justice."

The photograph of the late Chairman Liu was taken ten years ago, when he was still the Director of the Shazhou Prefecture. In the photo, old Liu looked vigorous, his gaze sharp and piercing.

Zhou Changquan was very familiar with that expression. He held Chairman Liu’s wife’s hand and said, "Sister-in-law, please restrain your grief. The organization will consider any matters that need attention."

Hou Weidong stood by silently, his mind preoccupied with the implications behind the funeral. Chairman Liu is dead. If Secretary Zhou’s plan succeeds in moving Liu Rulin to the CPPCC, Bu Haiyun will become the Executive Vice Mayor. It is highly likely that another Vice Mayor will also be promoted. This will trigger a chain reaction, causing a whole series of cadres to change positions due to Chairman Liu’s death.

After leaving Chairman Liu’s home, Zhou Changquan remained serious throughout the ride. No one knew what he was thinking. Adhering to the principle of "speak less, observe more," Hou Weidong did not ask questions. He simply watched the street scenery blur past, maintaining a mature, thoughtful, and steady demeanor.

Back in the office, Zhou Changquan stood by the window smoking—a rare occurrence. Hou Weidong brewed tea, placed it on the desk, and returned to his own workstation.

"Hello, Secretary Zhu. This is Zhou Changquan. Are you free tomorrow? I’d like to come over to report on my work. I only need half an hour." Zhou Changquan called Zhu Jianguo, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee.

Hou Weidong kept his head down, reviewing documents, but he memorized every word of Zhou Changquan’s call. This was not eavesdropping; it was necessary to better arrange the schedule.

Secretary-General Hong Ang entered the room. Usually, comrades reporting to Zhou Changquan would first go to the secretary’s office. However, Hong Ang, Huang Zidi, and a few others had long been accustomed to entering through a different door. This was an exception, tacitly permitted by Zhou Changquan.

Hong Ang reported, "Chairman Liu’s wife has made a request. She wants her daughter transferred to the Finance Bureau. She is currently the Labor Union Chairman at the Transportation Bureau and wishes to move to the Finance Bureau."

Zhou Changquan showed a hint of impatience. "We just resolved the issue with her son, and now she’s talking about her daughter? The benefits at the Transportation Bureau are not bad. These people are never satisfied."

After saying this, he suddenly thought of old Liu, who had now become ashes. Old Liu had once been formidable in Shazhou; if he stomped his foot, the ground of Shazhou would tremble. Now, he lay quietly in the cemetery, waiting for descendants to visit his grave during Qingming Festival or Spring Festival. Waiting, and waiting. The number of visitors would naturally decrease over time. Eventually, the cemetery would become merely a scenic spot, and few people would remember the status of those buried within.

Zhou Changquan’s mind raced with countless thoughts, even stirring a faint sense of sorrow akin to "the fox mourning the death of the rabbit." After a moment of silence, he said, "Forget it. Old Liu did contribute to Shazhou. You should handle the widow’s request."

Hong Ang acknowledged and left.

Hou Weidong had heard the entire conversation clearly. At his age, he could not fully comprehend Zhou Changquan’s state of mind, but he thought to himself: The children of leaders are indeed different from ordinary citizens. They have many more choices. If an ordinary citizen could get a job at the Transportation Bureau, it would be because their ancestors had burned high-quality incense for blessings. Yet, the children of leaders can easily jump from one department to another.

"Fortunately, we are in a market economy now, and people’s choices are diversified. If one cannot become an official, one can still do business. Otherwise, most ordinary people would lose their passion to strive, forced to live along a predetermined track."

Just as he was wandering in thought, his mobile phone rang again. It was Director Qiao from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Hou Weidong answered politely, "Director Qiao, tomorrow is not suitable. Secretary Zhou has other arrangements. Let’s change the time."

Director Qiao said, "Spring Festival is approaching. I would like to report to Secretary Zhou on two issues: the organization of goods for the Spring Festival and the management of fireworks and firecrackers. Please, Secretary Hou, help arrange a time."

Hou Weidong made a note in his small notebook and said, "I’ve noted it down. I’ll find an opportunity to report to Secretary Zhou and see if he can spare some time."

Director Qiao hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Secretary Hou. I’m counting on you."

Hou Weidong held a second mobile phone belonging to Secretary Zhou Changquan. When Zhou Changquan returned from the United States and his image appeared on Shazhou television, officials in the municipal organs knew he was back. Consequently, the phone in Hou Weidong’s hand rang incessantly.

The city had four counties, three districts, dozens of bureaus and departments, plus units from Lingxi. If Zhou Changquan were to receive every head of department individually, it would take nearly half a year to go through them all. Given Zhou Changquan’s limited time and energy, Hou Weidong, as his full-time secretary, played a crucial role. He could gather information and help arrange the timing for work reports.

His small notebook recorded calls from various bureau directors. He would selectively report these based on Zhou Changquan’s schedule. This was his responsibility, but also his privilege.

The next day, Zhou Changquan went to the Provincial Party Committee to report his work to Secretary Zhu Jianguo. He did not stay in the province but returned directly to Shazhou. Hou Weidong knew Zhou Changquan was doing this for the position of CPPCC Chairman, so he tried to read something from Zhou’s face, but he saw nothing.

Back in Shazhou, Zhou Changquan did not go to his office but went to the Small Guesthouse. Ma Yundong, Chairman of the Provincial CPPCC, had agreed to visit Shazhou, and Zhou was waiting there to welcome him.

After dinner, Zhou Changquan went to Building No. 1 to rest. Building No. 1 was a two-story small building. Zhou Changquan usually rested upstairs, while Hou Weidong waited downstairs.

"Secretary-General, I’ll open Building No. 3 for you." Zhu Dajiang, the director of the Small Guesthouse, had been serving diligently. In the Small Guesthouse, Building No. 1 was usually used by Zhou Changquan, Building No. 2 by Mayor Liu Bing, and Buildings 3 through 6 had no fixed leaders assigned. Since Secretary-General Hong Ang was Zhu Dajiang’s direct superior, he was particularly attentive.

Hong Ang spoke bluntly to Zhu Dajiang: "Director Zhu, stop thinking about opening rooms for me all day. I’ll just chat with Secretary Hou here here. I’ll inspect the venue at 1:30. Don’t put too many flowers; three pots are enough. Don’t put out fruit. If you put out fruit, it will look like a tea party."

He added, "Turn on the air conditioning. Set it to around 23 degrees. Don’t make it too hot."

After Zhu Dajiang left, Hong Ang walked to the room on the ground floor where Hou Weidong usually slept. He sat by the window, looking at the plum blossoms budding outside, and said, "The most impressive feature of the Small Guesthouse is the plum blossoms outside. Without these few trees to complement it, the Small Guesthouse would just be an ordinary courtyard."

Hou Weidong said, "They are very fragrant."

Hong Ang stood by the window for a while, looking at the plum blossoms, and recited, "The sword’s edge comes from grinding; the plum blossom’s fragrance comes from bitter cold."

Hou Weidong sensed a tone of emotion in Hong Ang’s voice but did not feel it appropriate to ask further. He simply stood beside him, looking out the window at the plum blossoms together.

After a while, Hong Ang asked abruptly, "Secretary Hou, you used to be Secretary Zhu Yan’s secretary. Why didn’t you go to Maoyun to develop your career?"

Hong Ang had served as a County Party Secretary and was now a member of the Municipal Party Standing Committee and Secretary-General. He was experienced and knowledgeable about human relations. More importantly, Zhu Yan had once told Hou Weidong that Hong Ang was a trustworthy friend. Therefore, Hou Weidong did not want to lie to him.

"I once considered going to Maoyun," Hou Weidong said. "However, the previous leadership team in Maoyun experienced an earthquake, and the development environment was not good. The timing is not right to go now."

Hong Ang nodded. "Zhu Yan and I are good friends. After you transferred here, he specifically called to introduce your situation. He appreciates you very much." He changed the subject, saying, "Being a secretary to the Municipal Party Secretary is not a high rank, but you are at the center of attention. Many people are watching you. You must handle yourself well."

The words were straightforward and practical, hitting the mark for Hou Weidong. He sincerely said, "Secretary-General, thank you."

At 3:00 PM, Ma Yundong, Chairman of the Provincial CPPCC, arrived in Shazhou on time. Zhou Changquan, Huang Zidi, Hong Ang, and several vice chairmen of the CPPCC welcomed him at the highway exit. They then returned to the Small Guesthouse. Inside, Liu Tiesong, the Executive Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, first reported on the CPPCC’s work, followed by a speech from Zhou Changquan, and finally, remarks from Ma Yundong.

Procedurally, this was just a routine meeting. For those present, handling such matters was as smooth as an assembly line in a factory. They understood that the real matters Ma Yundong wanted to discuss were not on the agenda. Sure enough, after the symposium ended and before the banquet began, Ma Yundong and Zhou Changquan went to Building No. 1 together. They sat inside for about half an hour. After Mayor Liu Bing rushed back from Linjin County, the dinner officially began.

At the dinner, the atmosphere was warm, and the hosts and guests chatted happily.

A few days later, rumors began to circulate in Shazhou: "Zheng Rulin, member of the Municipal Party Standing Committee and Executive Vice Mayor, is to be promoted to Vice Chairman of the CPPCC. Vice Mayor Bu Haiyun will become a member of the Municipal Party Standing Committee and Executive Vice Mayor."

This news was undoubtedly accurate. Although both the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government had confidentiality agencies, these matters that should have been kept secret always pierced through layers of fog like X-rays, revealing the truth to the public in advance.

When Xiaojia came home and asked about this, Hou Weidong was polite but said, "Do not discuss public affairs at home. At home, I only want to be your pure man." Xiaojia was long accustomed to his style but chided him, "You keep your mouth shut. This matter has already spread through all the major organs of the Municipal Party Committee."

"If I don’t say it, I haven’t violated discipline. At least I can have peace of mind. Moreover, the less you know about the decisions of the Municipal Party Committee’s leadership, the better."

Xiaojia pursed her lips and said, "There is one thing I still need to pull strings for. Our Director Zhang wants to report his work to Zhou Changquan before the Spring Festival. You must act as the intermediary."

"As for this matter, let’s wait until after the Spring Festival."

Seeing Xiaojia preparing to extend her "Nine Yin White Bone Claw," Hou Weidong hurriedly said, "For Xiaojia’s sake, I’ll try to find an opportunity."

(End of Chapter 374)