Chapter 128: Deep Love (Part 5)
"If you haven't served as the top leader governing a region, no matter how high your rank, you aren't truly considered an official."
Zhao Yongsheng held absolute authority in Qinglin Town. He commanded dozens of cadres under him. Aside from the core leadership team, he alone determined their promotions and demotions. Even for members of the core team, as the Town Party Secretary, he wielded significant influence during organizational evaluations. Consequently, looking around Qinglin Town, he reigned supreme, possessing a strong sense of psychological superiority and a deep sense of accomplishment.
He would lean back in his chair, head tilted up, listening to reports from his subordinates. He would shift his body occasionally, comfortable and casual. This was his favorite posture; compared to the拘束 (constraint) of his subordinates, it highlighted his authority and status.
When Su Ming entered, Zhao Yongsheng was reading the Lingxi Daily. Hearing the knock, he said, "Come in." Seeing it was Town Mayor Su Ming, Zhao Yongsheng’s expression softened considerably. "Mayor Su, I have something to discuss with you."
"Regarding the underperforming Party branch, I’ve given it some thought. Let’s designate Xingping Village. The stationed cadre for Xingping Village will be adjusted to Fu Hong, and the supervising leader will be Hou Weidong."
Among the three newly promoted deputy town mayors, Tang Shugang was the Director of the Party and Government Office, considered Zhao Yongsheng’s confidant. The other, Deputy Mayor Zhong Ruihua, had transferred from the role of Party Committee Member and Head of the Armed Forces Department; their relationship was also good. The only person Su Ming could truly command with ease was Hou Weidong.
Because of the connections involving Zhao Xiaojun and Zhang Xiaojia, Zhao Yongsheng did not wish to make things difficult for Hou Weidong. However, presenting a minor challenge to test Hou Weidong, making him less convenient for Su Ming to use, was something Zhao Yongsheng was quite willing to do.
Su Ming expressed his opposition. "Secretary Zhao, Hou Weidong lacks seniority and has no experience in Party affairs work. Having him supervise the underperforming Party branch might not yield good results. Mayor Zhong is a Party Committee Member and has served as Head of the Armed Forces Department for many years. Could he supervise Xingping Village? Or perhaps Liu Kun? As the Full-time Deputy Secretary, he certainly has effective methods."
"Mayor Su, do not underestimate Hou Weidong. Although he lacks seniority, he is an expert in rural work. In Shangqinglin, most village cadres revolve around him. That is capability. Although Liu Kun is the Full-time Deputy Secretary, his experience in rural work is inferior to Hou Weidong’s. Hou Weidong is currently in charge of transportation. Let him go to Xingping to resolve the road issues."
Zhao Yongsheng chuckled, "Ha, ha. Young people need burdens placed on them to mature quickly. If you doubt someone, do not use them; if you use them, do not doubt them. Mayor Su, you must trust Hou Weidong. Place more burdens on him."
Language is indeed magical. With just the movement of two lips, one can turn black into white, curved into straight, left into right, and bad into good.
Su Ming felt stifled. It was clearly he who intended to重用 (heavily utilize) Hou Weidong, yet in Zhao Yongsheng’s mouth, it became as if he wanted to重用 Hou Weidong. Zhao even casually pinned a label on him of "not trusting young comrades." Su Ming thought to himself, "He truly went through the Cultural Revolution. He can summon clouds with one hand and rain with the other. He is truly made to be a Party Secretary." Outwardly, he said, "Very well. Since Secretary Zhao has decided, let Hou Weidong and Fu Hong go to reason with Yan Daoli."
Xingping Village was the most remote village in Xiaqinglin, separated by a small river. Building a road required crossing the river with a bridge, which demanded significant funds. This had become a long-standing difficult problem. Moreover, Xingping’s Party Secretary, Yan Daoli, was a veteran secretary with strong work capabilities and a solid mass base. However, he was not very obedient and often sang a different tune from the town government. Ordinary stationed cadres could not control him; those with weaker capabilities were often manipulated by him.
"I have another matter," Su Ming continued. "Hou Weidong proposed entrusting the collection rights of the market town cleaning fees to the Neighborhood Committee. The town government neither pays nor collects the money; it only inspects. I’ve calculated, and this is feasible. What is your opinion, Secretary Zhao?"
Zhao Yongsheng did not pay much attention to the hygiene of the market town, so he was happy to grant this favor. "This is a government matter. You arrange it."
After receiving Su Ming’s clear answer, Hou Weidong went excitedly to the Neighborhood Committee office.
Yin Rong was playing with his grandson. Seeing Hou Weidong, he said, "Deputy Mayor Hou, come and sit." Yin Rong’s son, Yin Bing, was sitting in a chair holding a book. He had heard of Hou Weidong’s name but had never met him. He couldn’t help but look up, though he did not stand up.
Yin Rong said to Yin Bing, "Go get a pack of cigarettes."
Hou Weidong had already taken out his Hongtashan cigarettes. After distributing them, he said, "I carefully considered the matter discussed this morning, but I still have no clear idea. I’ve come to seek Director Yin’s advice."
"I really have no good method either. Only if the town government is willing to provide funds to hire two more people to sweep, the environmental hygiene will naturally improve."
Yin Bing interjected, "Deputy Mayor Hou, I’ve heard Principal Tie speak of you. Without you, the road in Shangqinglin might have been delayed for years. You are someone who gets things done. Now that you are Deputy Mayor, you should really focus on the market town’s hygiene. It is too dirty to bear."
Hou Weidong already had a plan in mind. He slowly began to probe. "I personally feel that the market town’s hygiene should rely on the Neighborhood Committee." Yin Rong hurriedly waved his hands. "The Neighborhood Committee has only four people and no office funds. How can we manage environmental hygiene well, Deputy Mayor Hou?"
Hou Weidong pressed, "Director Yin, how much money do you think is needed to manage the hygiene well? Give me a realistic figure so I can争取 (strive for) it from the government." Director Yin calculated and said, "Twenty thousand yuan a year. The Neighborhood Committee guarantees to manage the hygiene well."
Hou Weidong deliberately said, "Currently, it is only over seven thousand. This increase is too large." Yin Rong thought Hou Weidong was bargaining and explained, "For such a large market town, twenty thousand yuan is not actually much. If it is really not feasible, we can reduce it to eighteen thousand. Our Neighborhood Committee can still take over the market town’s hygiene."
Hou Weidong then revealed the town government’s decision. "Previously, the market town’s cleaning fees were collected by the Neighborhood Committee. Later, it was adjusted to be collected by the Village Construction and Land Office. If the Neighborhood Committee collects it again, the collected fees will serve as the market town’s cleaning fees. Can you accept this plan?"
Yin Rong had previously collected cleaning fees. He knew that as long as the relationships were smoothed out, there would be at least over two thousand yuan per month. He was secretly delighted but deliberately acted hesitant. "The cleaning fee standard was set several years ago. With such high prices and increased wages now, we probably won’t collect much. The people in Qinglin Market Town are poor and stubborn. Even collecting three or five yuan can lead to half a day of arguing."
Hou Weidong had a clear idea in his heart. "If it is feasible, let’s settle this matter. You collect the money and clean, while the town is responsible for supervision and inspection. Of course, your collection plan and cleaning plan must be submitted to the town government." Yin Rong was secretly joyful, but his expression looked pained. "I didn’t want to take on this task, but for the sake of Deputy Mayor Hou’s face, I will agree to handle it."
"I am entrusting the environmental hygiene of Qinglin Market Town to Director Yin. I have an idea. In the near future, we will mobilize government cadres, market town residents, and students to conduct a thorough cleanup of Qinglin Town, eliminating hygiene dead corners. Then you can take over, ensuring that trash is collected and cleared daily."
"Also, there is the issue of greening. Qinglin Market Town is bare, with no street trees or greenery. It looks very ugly. I plan to launch a tree donation campaign during Arbor Day. The trees must be at least as thick as a bowl. Villages, schools, and various units in the market town can donate. The town will then uniformly produce a batch of tags, writing the names of the donors or their units."
Hou Weidong’s idea was borrowed from the practice at Shangqinglin Primary School. Qinglin Mountain had rich forest vegetation. Selecting a batch of trees as thick as a wrist was both economical and could produce results quickly.
Hearing Hou Weidong’s idea, Yin Bing clapped his hands in praise. "It’s different when a college graduate becomes a leader. This line of thinking is something Zhao Yongsheng would never think of in his lifetime. If this activity is really launched, I personally want to donate a tree."
Within a day, Hou Weidong successfully completed the institutional adjustment of the market town’s environmental hygiene. He felt his work capability was quite good. Seeing the exposed garbage, he no longer found it as glaring as he had in the morning.
Before he even reached the town, the mobile phone hanging at his waist vibrated violently.
"Director Zhu, what are your instructions?" Hou Weidong smiled. "How could you leave me alone in Hanhu that day? That wasn’t very nice of you."
"We left the beautiful Li Jing with you, creating a strategic opportunity for you. Instead of thanking your brother for his good intentions, you accuse me. You are truly ungrateful."
After joking for a while, Zhu Bing said, "I have good news for you. We are about to pick up a new car. You will soon be part of the car-owning class."
Hou Weidong was also happy. "I don’t know how to drive yet. Director Zhu, you are now the boss of the Transportation Bureau. Can you find me a good instructor and a car? Of course, I will pay the costs. If you handle this well, the matter of leaving me in Hanhu will be forgiven."
Hou Weidong had been helping Zhu Bing manage the Dawan Stone Quarry. Their interests were linked, so their conversation was extremely casual.
"Okay, okay, I’ll do as you say. I received accurate news that the Lingxi Expressway is about to start construction."
Hou Weidong said, "Li Jing went to Shangqinglin that day mainly to inspect the stone material base for the company. Relying on Shangqinglin’s production capacity, there should be no problem."
"That’s good if there are no problems."
Just as Zhu Bing hung up, the mobile phone rang again.
It was a call from Director Qin of the police station. He said, "Deputy Mayor Hou, I have good news for you. The murder case in Shangqinglin has been solved." Hou Weidong was stunned for a moment, then said loudly, "The murder case? The one at Zeng Xiangang’s house?"
"Yes, that very case. This morning, I received a call from the County Public Security Bureau. They said the Shazhou Criminal Investigation Detachment solved a home invasion robbery case. During interrogation, the criminal confessed to the crime committed in Shangqinglin. I went to Shazhou with the comrades from the county bureau. It was confirmed that it was indeed their gang who committed the crime, although the ringleader escaped."
Director Qin said excitedly on the phone, "The person who solved the case is your eldest brother, Hou Weiguo. He is right beside me. Let him say a few words to you."
Hou Weiguo’s voice was somewhat hoarse. "Third brother, did you come to Shazhou yesterday? Why didn’t you call me? Your sister-in-law has been wanting to treat you to a big meal. Next time you come, you must call me no matter what."
Hearing his eldest brother’s voice, Hou Weidong said happily, "I’ve been to Shazhou several times, but you never answered my calls. Sister-in-law, however, often contacts Xiaojia. Their relationship is quite good."
"There have been many major cases recently, and I’ve been extremely busy. Now that this robbery and murder case is solved, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Director Qin is my good friend. I heard you are in charge of political and legal affairs and comprehensive social security management. You should contact Director Qin more often." After giving a few instructions, Hou Weiguo still couldn’t resist mentioning one more thing. "You should contact Xiaojia more. She has good conditions in all aspects. You need to be careful. It’s best to get married soon."
After hanging up, Hou Weidong quickly called Zeng Xiangang. However, the phone at Zeng Xiangang’s house was busy for a long time before it finally connected.
Before Hou Weidong could speak, Zeng Xiangang’s voice choked with emotion. "Madman, I just received a call from Director Qin too. He said the case is solved. The County Public Security Bureau is sending a car to pick me up immediately."
"I just received Director Qin’s call too. The nature of this case is extremely恶劣 (vile). Someone will definitely be executed. If heaven has spirits, it has finally avenged your sister-in-law."
Zeng Xiangang said bitterly, "I heard that the ringleader has not been caught. I want to write down his name and wait at his house. If I meet him, I will definitely beat him into minced meat."
Hou Weidong advised, "Our country prohibits vigilante justice. If you take action, it will be illegal. This matter must rely on the public security organs."
Zeng Xiangang was so angry on the phone that his teeth clenched. "Your sister-in-law suffered with me all these years. We finally had some money, and she was killed. Moreover, my son still hasn’t started speaking. I simply cannot hold back this anger. If I don’t avenge this, I am not a man."
Hou Weidong tried to persuade him a few more times on the phone, but he still could not untie the knot in Zeng Xiangang’s heart.
Back in his office, Hou Weidong remembered the few words his eldest brother had said. Connecting this with the incident of being followed, he felt very uneasy. "There must be a powerful person pursuing Xiaojia. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a grand gesture, following from Yiyang to Hanhu. It seems my brother and sister-in-law have also heard something."
Thinking of Hanhu, Hou Weidong had a sudden inspiration. "How stupid am I? Those who can enter Hanhu must be people of status. Asking Li Jing will make it clear."
He called Li Jing, but she gave a vague answer. "Our residents’ information is confidential. Out of personal relationship, I am violating discipline to tell you this. Last night, seven groups of people entered Hanhu. Three groups were big bosses from Shazhou, and there were also several Shazhou government officials. I am sorry, but I cannot disclose their names."
Li Jing was cold on the phone, so Hou Weidong did not ask further. After waiting a while, he sent a pager message to his eldest brother.
After a while, Hou Weiguo called back. "I am in a meeting. Is there something urgent?"
"Eldest brother, the few words you said earlier made me feel uncomfortable. What exactly is going on with Xiaojia?"
"Sigh. You ask about this. I knew I shouldn’t have told you. Actually, it’s not a big deal. One day, your sister-in-law and Xiaojia were shopping at a mall. They met a man in his thirties who looked very wealthy. He was very attentive to Xiaojia, acting like a suitor."
"Who is this person?"
"Your sister-in-law didn’t ask too much at the time. In short, he is a wealthy man and looks quite good. You have already bought a house. You should get married soon to avoid complications."
His eldest brother’s repeated suggestion reminded Hou Weidong. They had a house, and Xiaojia’s parents had basically accepted the fact. Once the car was bought, the transportation issue would be resolved.
All conditions were ripe. They could indeed get married.
Hou Weidong thought for a long time in his office, then called home.
Hearing that her son wanted to get married, Liu Guangfen was so happy she couldn’t close her mouth. "This is great news. We support you. Xiaojia is a good girl. Our whole family accepts her. Jiang Chu often mentions her when he calls home."
After the joy, Liu Guangfen sighed on the phone. "People say that marrying off a daughter means losing a son. Your eldest brother hasn’t returned for a long time. And you, after buying a new house, didn’t even invite your father and me to see it."
Hou Weidong hurriedly said, "Mom, after Dad retires, I will buy a house for you two in Shazhou. Our whole family can reunite in Shazhou."
"You are truly a good son. Mom hasn’t loved you in vain. I don’t have acquaintances in Shazhou. I’d rather stay in Wu Hai." At this moment, Liu Guangfen shouted loudly on the phone, "Xiao Ying, your younger brother is getting married too."
Hou Xiaoying walked over and grabbed the phone. "The matter I told you about last time, have you handled it or not?"
"What matter?" Hou Weidong was somewhat bewildered.
"The loan matter. We are still short of some working capital."
"Didn’t you handle this matter last time? How much is still missing? Why is it a bottomless pit?"
"Four hundred thousand. Good younger brother, find a way to give us four hundred thousand to solve our urgent need."
Hou Weidong thought for a moment and said, "We are