Chapter 426: The Drunkard’s Intent (Part 2)

Chapter 426: The Drunkard’s Intent (Part 2)

The title was wrong. My apologies for the error.

By late June, the heat was already intense. The courtyard was shaded by lush green trees, which attracted a variety of small insects. Taking advantage of the slight coolness of the night, they all emerged, chirping and buzzing in a continuous, lively chorus.

After playing a round of mahjong, Wu Ying had missed her usual bedtime. Lying in bed, she found herself unable to sleep. Seeing the moonlight pouring in like water through the window, she decided to get up and take a walk in the courtyard. Unexpectedly, she ran into Hou Weidong from the office of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wu Ying asked, “Shazhou has been developing vigorously in recent years. How is the construction market doing?”

The question was broad. Hou Weidong carefully considered Wu Ying’s true intentions. In official circles, the most essential skill is comprehension—being able to discern the real issues behind vague bureaucratic language and seemingly casual remarks. This was a necessary quality for any successful leader, and Hou Weidong was constantly cultivating this ability.

He turned the matter over in his mind several times before replying, “The construction market in Shazhou is quite standardized. Secretary Zhou places great emphasis on institutional building. Since last year, we have established the Shazhou Government Procurement Center and the Shazhou Municipal Trading Platform. In the construction sector, all land transactions must go through the trading platform to ensure openness, fairness, and justice. For any government investment exceeding 500,000 yuan, public bidding is mandatory.”

Wu Ying nodded. “In terms of institutional building, Shazhou is ahead of the curve.”

There were two main reasons for her trip to Shazhou.

First, it was a form of paying back a vow. Years ago, she had been sent down to work in Chengjin County, Shazhou. Those days of being a sent-down youth had been extremely bitter. However, time is the best medicine for healing wounds. Now, looking back on those youthful years, she felt more nostalgia than pain. Life in the sent-down youth compound seemed like it was just yesterday. This echoed the old saying that one becomes more timid as one approaches their hometown. Wu Ying had had countless opportunities to return to the place where she had been sent down, but every time the moment came, she backed out. There were some past events she simply could not face.

Secondly, she had come to Shazhou largely due to Liu Tiesong’s strong encouragement. Liu Tiesong had a restless nature; he couldn’t sit still in the provincial capital and spent much of his time traveling around the province. With his seniority and position as Executive Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, local officials naturally gave him some face. Consequently, Liu Mingming’s business deals had been quietly facilitated.

Liu Tiesong’s invitation for her to come to Shazhou had ulterior motives. His interest lay not in the trip itself, but in the construction projects in the new southern district. By bringing her along, he was using her influence as a banner to lend weight to his efforts. Wu Ying saw this clearly. However, considering their friendship and his attentiveness over the years, she didn’t mind playing the role of the “tiger skin” for him. After all, the project would be done by someone regardless, and it was a chance to look after a friend. Why not?

Hou Weidong continued, “There is another important system in Shazhou: the rules of procedure for the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee. Simply put, all major matters must be discussed and decided by the Standing Committee.” He spoke directly to the point, clearly outlining the current political landscape of Shazhou in just a few sentences.

Having followed Meng Haofang for decades and being a leader in the Water Resources Department herself, Wu Ying grasped the essence of the matter immediately. She smiled and said, “Secretary Zhou is indeed an experienced veteran. Managing people through systems is the right path.”

Hou Weidong smiled faintly.

Wu Ying waved her hand. “Xiao Hou, it’s getting late. You should head back. You’ve worked hard today.”

On his way home, Hou Weidong reflected on his conversation with the wife of the Provincial Party Secretary in the courtyard. He felt a surge of emotion. “Back when we were building roads in Shangqinglin, I felt honored just to meet figures like Guo Guanghui, the forestry farm director, or Qin Feiyue, the town mayor. Now, I can stand in a small courtyard and chat with the wife of the Provincial Party Secretary. Life’s twists and turns are truly unpredictable.”

He thought of his old friends in Shangqinglin: He Hongfu, the high school graduate who was now the manager of Huofu Coal Mine; Yang Feng, the staff member in the Party and Government Office who loved to gossip; Gou Lin, the college graduate who was still the office director; Yang Xinchun, the frugal broadcaster; Li Yong, with his thick sideburns; and Xi Zhaoyong, the police officer who had made a fortune. These people were still living in Shangqinglin, continuing the stories of their past. As for himself, he had completely stepped out of Shangqinglin, gradually distancing himself from them step by step.

When he returned home, Xiaojia was still awake, waiting for him with the desk lamp on. Learning that Shen Hao was still fast asleep, she expressed her relief. “Don’t do such foolish things again. If Shen Hao had really died, neither you nor Bu Gao could have escaped responsibility. What would have happened to me and the baby?” Her voice carried a trace of sadness.

Hou Weidong changed his clothes, feeling a sense of having survived a disaster. “I really didn’t expect that alcohol mixed with sleeping pills would be poisonous. I will never do such a foolish thing again.”

The next morning, Zhou Changquan came down from upstairs and instructed, “I haven’t had breakfast yet. Let’s go to Xiao Zhao’s restaurant.”

Hou Weidong thought to himself, “Officialdom knows no bounds; there is always a higher official above. Secretary Zhou is the absolute authority in Shazhou, the center around whom all people and affairs revolve. But now that the wife of the Provincial Party Secretary is here, that center seems to have shifted.”

Upon entering Xiao Zhao’s, Zhou Changquan’s face lit up with a smile. By the time they entered the dining room, he looked radiant. Meng Ning and Zhu Xiaoyong, accompanied by two children, were already eating. Seeing Zhou Changquan enter, Meng Ning raised her hand to greet him. “Uncle Zhou, sit over here.” Zhu Xiaoyong stood up politely. “Good morning, Secretary Zhou.”

Zhou Changquan sat with them at the table. He smiled and said, “Xiaoyong, being a university professor, you have a good memory and strong analytical skills.” Zhu Xiaoyong chuckled. “It was because the three elders let me win. It was purely luck.”

The previous night, while playing mahjong, Wu Ying had set strict rules: everyone had to play seriously, with no letting others win. Since it was small-stakes mahjong, the financial loss or gain was minimal, so all four players competed earnestly. People who could become Municipal Party Secretaries, Deputy Directors of the Water Resources Department, or Executive Vice Chairmen of the CPPCC were all extremely intelligent. Yet, the result was that the least conspicuous Zhu Xiaoyong defeated the other three.

The waiters naturally recognized Zhou Changquan. Without waiting for instructions, they served him a steaming basket of small buns, thick porridge, and a large plate of fresh seasonal vegetables.

Meng Ning said, “Uncle Zhou, my mom went to bed late last night, so she might sleep a bit longer. She said she wants to go to Chengjin County today, so she won’t disturb you.”

Zhou Changquan picked up his chopsticks. “Why leave so soon? It’s rare to come out. Stay for a few more days.”

Meng Ning smiled. “My mom has always wanted to return to Chengjin to visit, but she never had the resolve. This time, she has finally decided to revisit the place where she was a sent-down youth.”

Zhou Changquan turned to arrange matters with Hou Weidong. “You arrange Director Wu’s itinerary. Call Zhang Yongtai and tell him to ensure absolute safety.” Zhang Yongtai was the Secretary of the Chengjin County Party Committee, a person personally promoted by Zhou Changquan.

Meng Ning said, “No need. Xiaoyong and I will accompany Mom. Uncle Liu and the others won’t go. The two little ones will stay in Shazhou; Liu Mingming will take them to the zoo.” As she spoke, she looked around but did not see Liu Mingming or Shen Hao. Instead, she spotted Liu Tiesong just entering the door.

Liu Tiesong looked slightly displeased. That morning, he had gone to wake Liu Mingming, only to find his room tidy. Knowing his son well, he immediately concluded that Liu Mingming had gone out to party. In itself, being promiscuous wasn’t a major issue, but this trip was with Wu Ying and Meng Ning. If he left a bad impression on them, even if they secured the major projects in Shazhou, the loss would outweigh the gain.

After coming out of Shen Hao’s room, Liu Tiesong tried calling Liu Mingming again, but the phone was off. He cursed inwardly. “He usually has some street smarts, but yesterday he was blinded by greed. He doesn’t know轻重 (weight/importance) or decency. He’s even worse than Shen Hao. Shen Hao was just drunk; going out to party is a much more serious offense.”

But since Liu Mingming didn’t answer, Liu Tiesong had no outlet for his anger.

When he arrived at the small restaurant and didn’t see Wu Ying, his mood improved slightly. Hearing that Wu Ying was going to Chengjin alone, he said, “How can you go alone? Before we left, Secretary Meng gave me a task. No, we must go together.”

Meng Ning did not want Liu Tiesong sticking to her side all day. She smiled and said, “Uncle Liu, your reputation in Lingxi is too high. You’ll be recognized everywhere, which is neither free nor comfortable.”

Liu Tiesong shook his head like a rattle drum, firmly opposing the idea.

Zhu Xiaoyong said, “Uncle Liu, don’t worry. On Uncle Zhou’s turf, can you not trust us?”

After some discussion, Liu Tiesong still felt uneasy. “Let’s wait until Director Wu wakes up and decide then.”

Everyone sat in the small restaurant waiting for Wu Ying.

Hou Weidong had remained silent, quietly enjoying his meal on the side. At that moment, a call came from Liu Dazhi of the Construction Commission. Hou Weidong spoke in a low voice, “There’s no time right now, and maybe not in the morning either. Let me ask for instructions and get back to you.”

Liu Dazhi said, “It will take at most half an hour of Secretary Zhou’s time. Several key projects, such as the relocation of the four major leadership bodies, need Secretary Zhou’s decision. Please, Director Hou, arrange the time.”

Hou Weidong could not elaborate. “No need for formalities. I’ll get back to you soon.”

After waiting for a while, Wu Ying still hadn’t appeared. Knowing that Zhou Changquan was busy, Meng Ning made an excuse to return to the room and woke Wu Ying up. Meng Ning said, “Mom, let’s just the three of us go back. What is Liu Tiesong following us for?”

Wu Ying rubbed her eyes. “His enthusiasm is well-intentioned.”

Meng Ning complained, “If Dad weren’t the Provincial Party Secretary, he would run away faster than anyone else. I guarantee it.”

“What nonsense are you talking?”

“It’s not nonsense.”

Wu Ying said, “We all know these things in our hearts. There’s no need to say them out loud.”

After breakfast, Wu Ying listened to Meng Ning’s advice. “This trip to Chengjin is to see the old compound where we were sent-down youth. Let’s not disturb the local officials. Just me, Meng Ning, and Xiaoyong will go. Xiaoyong once drove to Tibet alone; his driving skills are good. You can rest assured.”

Seeing that Wu Ying had made up her mind, Zhou Changquan said, “I have a suggestion. Let Hou Weidong accompany you to Chengjin. Try not to disturb Chengjin County, but if any inconvenient matters arise, let Hou Weidong handle them. Keep it tight internally but relaxed externally. I won’t send any guards.”

This was a reasonable suggestion. Wu Ying thought for a moment and agreed.

Only after Wu Ying, Meng Ning, Zhu Xiaoyong, and Hou Weidong left in the car did Liu Tiesong breathe a sigh of relief. He thought to himself, “That brat has finally passed the halfway mark.” He said to Zhou Changquan, “Secretary Zhou, I have something I want to discuss with you. It’s about Liu Mingming. It’s a minor matter, but as an uncle, you should help out.”