Chapter 129: Deep Love (Part 6)
"Let's get married."
The thought flashed through Hou Weidong’s mind, spreading like creeping vines. After pondering it carefully for a moment, he called Xiaojia. On the phone, Xiaojia was clearly taken aback. "Why are you suddenly thinking about marriage?" she asked, her words tumbling out in surprise.
"No particular reason. I just feel it’s time," Hou Weidong replied.
Xiaojia paused to think, then said, "That’s good, too. It gives us a stronger reason to transfer my job."
Hou Weidong laughed. "Xiaojia, in such a beautiful moment, why are you thinking about transfers? Put those mundane matters aside. Let’s talk about love. I’m planning to buy you a diamond ring. Which style do you like?"
Xiaojia responded, "In my heart, you’ve already been my husband for a long time. We don’t need a piece of paper to prove it, nor do we need anyone else’s acknowledgment. As for a diamond ring, it’s just an external object. Our love doesn’t need a ring to validate it."
Hou Weidong felt a surge of happiness from Xiaojia’s confession. After hanging up, he sat at his desk, grinning foolishly. Fu Jiang, the director of the Comprehensive Management Office, walked in with a short, slightly balding man. Fu Jiang called out twice, but Hou Weidong didn’t snap out of his reverie.
Fu Jiang tapped the desk with his finger and said loudly, "Township Leader Hou, what good news have you received to be so happy?"
Hou Weidong finally came back to his senses. "Director Fu, Secretary Yan, please sit down."
The short man was Yan Daoli, the party branch secretary of Xingping Village, a notorious figure known for being difficult to deal with in Xiaqinglin. After sitting down, he took the cigarette Hou Weidong offered, his face dark, and began smoking without saying a word.
Fu Jiang turned to Hou Weidong. "Township Leader Hou, Xingping Village still hasn’t paid half of last year’s retained funds and统筹 (comprehensive management fees). The township is pressing hard for payment. Secretary Yan has come here today so we can discuss a solution."
Hou Weidong thought to himself, Yan Daoli looks like a shrewd and slippery character. I must find a way to win him over; otherwise, the work of staying in the village will be even more difficult. He kept his expression neutral and said, "Secretary Yan, please give us an overview of the specific situation."
"Xingping Village is a large village in Xiaqinglin, with a population of 2,826 and six production teams. It is also the most remote village, with no road access yet, making it the poorest as well."
Yan Daoli was articulate and had a clear grasp of the village’s conditions. After introducing the situation, he added, "Because the village is poor, the retained funds, comprehensive management fees, and agricultural taxes have not been fully paid. It is the village with the highest arrears in recent years. Secretary Zhao spoke with me earlier, stating that Xingping Village has been designated as a backward party branch, and Township Leader Hou has been sent here to help remove that label. On behalf of the village’s two committees, I welcome him. Township Leader Hou is a university graduate, young, and full of ideas. He will surely find ways to help Xingping Village escape poverty and achieve prosperity."
Fu Jiang knew well how difficult the work in Xingping Village was. He thought to himself, It seems Zhao Yongsheng is giving Hou Weidong a hard task. I’m really being dragged into this suffering. Let’s see how Hou Weidong handles it.
Fu Jiang had previously been stationed in Xinglong Village, near the town center. Xinglong Village had relatively good conditions, was close to the town, and its members were generally wealthier. Arrears on retained funds, comprehensive management fees, and agricultural taxes were minimal. Moreover, Fu Jiang had built close relationships with the village and team cadres, so he rarely had to worry about village affairs. Now transferred to Xingping Village, he had to walk for over an hour to reach it, and the long-term failure to complete tasks meant he would inevitably face criticism at various meetings.
Fu Jiang had objections to this adjustment.
For the past two years, Hou Weidong had been stationed in Shangqinglin and was unfamiliar with the villages in Xiaqinglin. He had never been to Xingping Village and had no specific impression of it. He said, "Since the township party committee has assigned Director Fu and me to stay in Xingping Village, we have an undeniable responsibility toward it. The designation of Xingping Village as a backward party branch is only temporary. I don’t have a full grasp of the specific situation yet, so I won’t make empty promises. I only hope that the village’s two committees will cooperate closely with us so we can quickly remove the label of backward party branch."
Yan Daoli was unimpressed by Hou Weidong’s statement. He narrowed his eyes and continued smoking.
Hou Weidong emphasized his tone. "As the old saying goes, whether it’s a donkey or a horse, you’ll know once you let it run. We’ll see the results in future work."
After finishing his cigarette, Yan Daoli said, "Township Leader Hou speaks well. Let’s not discuss specific work details now; there will be plenty of time for that later. Let’s go out for lunch together in a bit. Director Liu and several other village cadres will also be coming."
Hou Weidong nodded. "That’s fine. It’s a good opportunity for everyone to gather and get to know each other." He turned to Fu Jiang. "Does the Comprehensive Management Office have funds? Since we’re in the town, Director Fu and I will treat everyone to this meal."
The Comprehensive Management Office was a department within the township government that dealt with many troublesome issues but had virtually no funding. As its director, Fu Jiang lacked the confidence and leverage that directors of the Social Affairs Office, Family Planning Office, or Land Resources Office possessed, simply because he had no money in his hands.
Yan Daoli, a veteran of local politics, naturally knew the situation of the Comprehensive Management Office. He glanced at Fu Jiang and said, "Although Xingping Village is poor, we can still afford this meal."
Fu Jiang wanted to say something, but Hou Weidong stopped him with a look. Hou Weidong said to Fu Jiang, "In that case, we won’t stand on ceremony. Let’s meet everyone first."
At lunchtime, Hou Weidong went downstairs, called Fu Jiang and Fang Jin from the Comprehensive Management Office, and they all went to Zhang’s Restaurant.
Liu Yong, the director of the village committee, Old Tang, the clerk, and Qin Mei, the women’s director, were already waiting at Zhang’s Restaurant. As soon as Hou Weidong arrived, Liu Yong explained, "Secretary Yan is delayed by some matters. He’ll be here shortly." Qin Mei, the women’s director, quickly poured tea for Hou Weidong and said, "Township Leader Hou, welcome to our village. My brother-in-law is the head of the third team in Dushi Village. He often talks about you."
Zeng Zhaoyong, the head of the third team, and Zeng Xianqiang were distant relatives, and their generational ranking aligned. Hou Weidong knew him and smiled. "Qin Mei, you’re Zeng Zhaoyong’s sister-in-law. I’ve heard him mention you." Liu Yong, a chubby middle-aged man, laughed. "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, the brother-in-law comes to sleep."
Qin Mei was around thirty years old and had a cheerful personality. She didn’t get angry at Liu Yong’s joke and replied, "Director Liu, you have three sisters-in-law. Have you slept with all of them? I should go ask your wife."
The joking lightened the atmosphere.
A few minutes later, Yan Daoli walked in, with Deputy Secretary Liu Kun following behind him. Seeing Hou Weidong sitting there, Liu Kun turned to Secretary Yan and asked, "Secretary Yan, didn’t you say only people from Xingping Village would be here?"
Yan Daoli knew the situation from the election. When Liu Kun asked this, he immediately confirmed the rumor that Liu Kun and Hou Weidong were on bad terms. He pretended to be ignorant and said, "Township Leader Hou is the leader in charge of Xingping Village. Director Fu and Brother Fang Jin are the cadres stationed in the village. Of course, they are all part of Xingping Village."
After the new leadership team was formed, Liu Kun had tried several times, following his father’s advice, to resolve the resentment accumulated during the election. However, after many attempts, he found it difficult to face Hou Weidong calmly. The two had formed a pattern of going their separate ways. Now, having been invited to Zhang’s Restaurant by Yan Daoli, Liu Kun felt he couldn’t leave.
At this table, Liu Kun and Hou Weidong held the highest ranks, so they sat side by side at the head of the table. Secretary Yan Daoli and Village Director Liu Yong sat on either side.
The dishes were served quickly, along with two jin of Qinglin Town’s Old Bai Gan, a strong liquor brewed by the local distillery. It had an extremely high alcohol content, exceeding sixty degrees, but it was said not to cause a hangover. Although Hou Weidong had a good tolerance for alcohol, he was somewhat wary of this type of liquor. Smelling the pungent aroma, he felt a hint of apprehension. Liu Kun had a poor tolerance for alcohol and was now at the point where the mere mention of drinking made him anxious. Cornered by Yan Daoli, he had no chance to escape.
Zhang’s Restaurant usually had two types of glasses: small ones holding about half a qian (approx. 3 grams) and larger ones holding nearly one liang (approx. 50 grams), locally known in Qinglin Town as "good seed" glasses. The table was set with the "good seed" glasses.
Yan Daoli personally poured the wine, one glass for each person. He raised his glass and said, "As a backward party branch, Xingping Village is honored to have Secretary Liu and Township Leader Hou here. You two leaders are giving Xingping Village immense face. After drinking this meal, Xingping Village will begin its one-year effort to remove the backward label. If we fail to remove the label within a year, I, Yan, will write my name upside down. Everyone, raise your glasses and drink."
His words sounded pleasant, but his tone was not. Hou Weidong thought to himself, Seeing Xingping Village designated as a backward party branch, Yan Daoli is harboring resentment. Since he didn’t yet understand Yan Daoli’s personality, he didn’t say much. He raised his glass and drank it down in one go. A burning sensation rushed from his throat to his lower abdomen. He couldn’t help but say, "What a spicy liquor."
Yan Daoli stared at Liu Kun. "Secretary Liu, you are a party secretary. Drinking style reflects work style. You must drink this glass."
Liu Kun covered his glass with his palm. "Secretary Yan, I can’t drink. Moreover, I have a meeting this afternoon."
Yan Daoli persisted. "Xingping Village is a backward village, and Secretary Liu is the deputy secretary in charge of party affairs. To help Xingping Village remove the backward label, you must drink this glass. If you don’t, it means you look down on Xingping’s backward party branch."
Placing oneself in a weak position and using words to corner the opponent, forcing them to drink due to face-saving concerns, was one of the most common tactics in persuading others to drink. Yan Daoli mastered this art and immediately put Liu Kun on the defensive.
Liu Kun deeply detested such rogue behavior. The previous election had taught him a harsh lesson, but he couldn’t really lose face by refusing Yan Daoli. Helplessly, he smiled bitterly. "I’ll drink at most one glass today. Otherwise, I’ll have to go to sleep this afternoon. My tolerance is low, so please forgive me."
Yan Daoli watched Liu Kun drink it down, then ladled a bowl of chicken soup for him. He said, "Township Leader Hou is the new leader assigned to our village, effectively a cadre of Xingping Village. Secretary Liu, you must have a drink with Township Leader Hou. With the support of you two, Xingping Village can smoothly remove the backward label."
As he spoke, Yan Daoli winked at Hou Weidong. Hou Weidong understood his intent. He thought to himself, Liu Kun and I are both members of the leadership team. We see each other every day. If he keeps wearing a sour face, it’s unpleasant for everyone. Knowing that Liu Kun’s tolerance was indeed poor, he said, "Secretary Yan, let’s switch to smaller glasses. We can have a couple more rounds."
Yan Daoli shook his head repeatedly. "A new year brings a new atmosphere. How can we still use small glasses? Township Leader Hou is a township leader; you can’t be so stingy. Although Xingping Village is poor, we can afford this much liquor."
Yan Daoli was notorious among the village cadres in Qinglin Town for being unreasonable and stubborn. Hou Weidong had finally experienced a bit of it. He smiled and said, "Fine. Today, I’m reporting to Xingping Village, so I’ll follow Secretary Yan’s arrangements. But let me make it clear: next time, you’ll have to follow my arrangements."
He stood up and sincerely said to Liu Kun, "Secretary Liu, let’s two classmates clink glasses. We were classmates for four years, and now we work together again. It’s fate, and it’s not easy. This glass is for you. Please continue to support Xingping Village in the future."