Chapter 44: Why on Earth (Part 6)
The conference room remained thick with smoke.
Township Mayor Su continued, his voice cutting through the haze. "The retention and coordination fees are a crucial source of income for both the township and village levels. We must exert significant effort to resolve the difficulties in collection. First, we must strictly ensure that collection rates remain within 5 percent, and we must publicize the calculation methods to gain the farmers' recognition. Second, we need to refine the collection methods; for households facing genuine difficulties, we should allow for deferred payment or exemptions based on public evaluation by the community. Third, we must strengthen democratic financial management, implement financial transparency, and regularly publish the income and expenditure details of these fees to accept public supervision. Fourth, for those who have the ability to pay but refuse, we must take necessary punitive measures to drive the collection work forward."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "That is precisely why we are here today—to implement those punitive measures. We are focusing on a single household: He Hongfu from the He Family Courtyard. He did not pay his retention and coordination fees last year, nor has he paid them today. Furthermore, he has been spreading twisted logic and misinformation. If we do not make an example of him, we will be unable to collect the dues from the rest of Dushi Village."
After outlining the task, Secretary Qin added, "He Hongfu is full of sophistry. If you try to reason with him, he will have more arguments than you. Logic won't work this time; we have to be firm. He has two pigs, and there is grain in his granary."
Mayor Su nodded. "We will only take one pig and carry away four loads of grain. We must leave him one pig for the New Year." He turned his gaze toward Hou Weidong. "The police station will not intervene in matters like this anymore; we have to rely on ourselves. Li Yong will be responsible for leading the pig, and Secretary Qin will find a few village cadres to carry the grain. Unless we show some strength, He Hongfu will never back down."
Hou Weidong listened to the assignment and sighed internally. Why is it always me who has to do this kind of work? It seems my bravery has brought me nothing but trouble. However, since Mayor Su had already assigned the task, he had no choice but to obey.
Mayor Su led the group toward Dushi Village. This visit was different from their previous trip to enforce family planning policies. That operation had been like a night raid—swift and stealthy. This time, the collection of retention and coordination fees was done openly and loudly, employing a strategy of "killing the chicken to scare the monkey."
As they entered Dushi Village, villagers stopped them along the way. "Secretary Qin, where are you headed?" "Director Jiang, come drink some water." "Director Jiang, I need you to resolve an issue for me soon."
Upon entering the He Family Courtyard, Secretary Qin looked at the villagers gathered in the yard and called out, "He Hongfu, are you home?"
A young woman emerged, holding a small child. She was quite pretty and stood at the doorway without showing any fear. "Secretary Qin, He Hongfu is not here."
Secretary Qin said, "Yin Xiaohong, this is Township Mayor Su from the town government. He has led a team here to collect the retention and coordination fees. Go and call him back."
Yin Xiaohong glanced at Mayor Su and replied, "He Hongfu went up to the slope. I am just a woman and cannot make decisions. If you want to see him, you will have to wait here for a while."
Director Jiang, sweating profusely, urged her, "Xiaohong, hurry up and find He Hongfu. We will wait right here."
Yin Xiaohong then carried the child outside and walked to a field ridge. She shouted toward the bamboo forest, "He Hongfu, the officials are here!"
After a while, a clean-shaven, fair-skinned young man walked back. He muttered, "These people really have nothing better to do. They are here again."
Hou Weidong had originally expected He Hongfu to be a rough character like Guo Manzi, but instead, he looked like a scholarly intellectual. Upon his return, He Hongfu did not resort to violence. Instead, he invited everyone into the house. Mayor Su was skilled at reasoning, and He Hongfu possessed considerable eloquence. Soon, the room was filled with the sound of their debate.
"I won't even talk about the retention fees yet. Let's discuss the coordination funds. One item in the coordination funds is the rural road construction fee. This money is supposed to be used for building rural roads. Dushi Village has paid this fee for years, so why is there not a single road built in Shangqinglin Township? The small path in our village was built at our own expense. If you build a road connecting us to Shangqinglin, I will immediately pay off all my arrears."
He Hongfu pulled out a small booklet, flipping through the items as he debated with Mayor Su.
"The road in Shangqinglin will definitely be built. The town government has already planned it. This road winds up the mountain, and a little money won't be enough to flatten it. We are currently striving to secure funding from higher authorities."
He Hongfu rolled his eyes. "You've been talking about plans for years, and there is still no movement. I only recognize one thing: once the road construction begins, I will pay immediately. But asking me to pay now is not acceptable."
Mayor Su countered, "How the coordination funds are used is not decided by one person. It requires the approval of the Township People's Congress and must be part of a comprehensive plan. What you are saying is unreasonable trouble-making."
"Furthermore, the village must publish how much money they have spent," He Hongfu added, ignoring the presence of Secretary Qin and Director Jiang. "The retention fees we pay are not meant for the village officials to eat and drink extravagantly. If you publish the village accounts, I will pay the retention fees."
Secretary Qin became angry. "He Hongfu, do not speak nonsense. Every transaction in the village can withstand scrutiny. Station Master Huang from the Agricultural Economy Station is here. They organize audits every year. Ask him—hasn't the accounting of Dushi Village been clear and honest every year?"
He Hongfu sneered, "Even if the Agricultural Economy Station audits it, what can they find? The accounts are already balanced."
When interests are in severe opposition and conflict, debate cannot solve the problem. Mayor Su finally realized this. He said, "He Hongfu, you can raise your opinions, but you must pay the arrears for the retention and coordination fees."
He Hongfu replied, "Until the issues are clarified, I will not pay."
Mayor Su’s face darkened. "You have received all the relevant notices. We are being polite first, then using force. If you do not pay today, we will carry away your grain and lead away your pig."
He Hongfu flew into a rage. "You are cadres of the Communist Party. Your purpose is to serve the people wholeheartedly. When did you become bandits?" He blocked the doorway. "If you dare to carry away my grain today, I will go to Beijing to petition."
Mayor Su adopted a strictly official tone. "I am collecting according to policy and the standards set by the Township People's Congress. You can sue me anywhere you like; I am not afraid." He stopped纠缠ing with He Hongfu and shouted, "What are you standing around for? Carry the grain and lead the pig!" He exchanged a glance with Hou Weidong and Li Yong, adding, "Everyone do your own job. Do not rush."
Hou Weidong and Li Yong, following their prior arrangement, had already subtly moved closer to He Hongfu. Hearing Mayor Su’s command, they stepped forward. Li Yong, who knew He Hongfu, advised, "Fuwa, imperial grain and national taxes have always been required since ancient times. You can delay for one year, but not two. It is better to pay now to avoid having your pig led away."
He Hongfu looked around nervously.
Seeing his demeanor shift, Hou Weidong warned, "Do not make trouble. A wise man avoids immediate loss." He Hongfu tried to move toward the inner room, but Hou Weidong stepped in first, blocking his path. He Hongfu pushed against Hou Weidong’s chest, but could not move him. Hou Weidong grabbed his hand, and they struggled for a moment. Unable to shake off Hou Weidong, and with Li Yong grabbing his other hand, He Hongfu found himself tightly blocked from entering the house. He was a high school graduate who had missed the university entrance exam by only a few points, making him the most educated person in the village. Seeing the numerical superiority of the officials, he did not act recklessly. After a few failed attempts to break through, he stood outside the door, panting heavily in anger.
The others entered the house to carry the grain. The fat pig in the pen cried out continuously. Seeing the grain being carried out, Yin Xiaohong immediately began to wail and cry, "Robbers! Robbers are stealing people in broad daylight!"
The He Family Courtyard was a large compound housing seven families, all surnamed He. Hearing Yin Xiaohong’s commotion, they all gathered over.
Mayor Su shouted loudly, "I am from the town government, executing official duties. He Hongfu has defaulted on his retention and coordination fees for two years. Tell me, should imperial grain and national taxes be paid?"
Yin Xiaohong, holding her child, rushed to Mayor Su and yelled, "We have paid our grain and agricultural tax. That is the imperial grain and national tax. What are retention and coordination fees? They are just eaten by dogs."
Hearing these words, Secretary Qin felt uncomfortable. "Yin Xiaohong, how can you speak like that? Your father was once the brigade accountant. If he was a dog, then you are a dog’s offspring."
Among the He family members in the courtyard, some spoke up to support He Hongfu, while others stood with their hands in their pockets, watching the spectacle. The children, regardless of the situation, ran around happily. For a moment, the courtyard was a chaotic scene of shouting people, flying chickens, squealing pigs, and barking dogs.
Four loads of grain were carried out, and the fat pig was led from the pen. Mayor Su announced, "The grain and the pig will be taken to the town government. You have two days. If you do not pay the retention and coordination fees by then, we will sell the grain and the pig to offset the arrears. We will not shortchange you; we will sell them at market price."