Chapter 136: The Fierce Struggle (Part 1)
Hearing the sound of an argument coming from Liu Kun’s room, Hou Weidong quickened his pace and passed by quickly. Tian Xiuying and Liu Kun were in the midst of a heated debate, completely unaware of Hou Weidong’s presence.
He hurried down the stairs and entered the office of the Comprehensive Social Management Office on the first floor. The walls were lined with framed regulations, beneath which sat a dilapidated coffee table piled high with yellowed newspapers and various dark, stained documents. Fu Jiang was rubbing his messy hair with both hands, joking with Fang Jin.
Seeing Hou Weidong enter, Fu Jiang smiled. "Fang Jin said he wanted to eat spicy chicken with chili peppers. I’ve already contacted Zhang’s Restaurant to have them start pressure-cooking it. Heh heh, let Town Mayor Hou foot the bill." Hou Weidong, now a man worth a million yuan, didn’t give such small expenses a second thought. He joked back, "Director Fu, no need to be so polite with me. I’m a bachelor; if I’m full, my whole family is fed."
As Hou Weidong, Fu Jiang, and Fang Jin walked out of the office, Hou Weidong pricked up his ears and heard that the argument upstairs seemed to continue. Fu Jiang also noticed the anomaly upstairs and said, "It sounds like someone is arguing upstairs."
Hou Weidong remained silent and just kept walking.
Fang Jin, being young and curious, wanted to go up and take a look. Fu Jiang pulled Fang Jin’s arm and said, "Don’t go up to look. The leaders are all upstairs. What are you looking at blindly?" Fu Jiang was a veteran who had seen many struggles within the township. Holding the attitude that it was better to avoid trouble than to create it, he followed Hou Weidong and headed toward Zhang’s Restaurant.
Zhang’s Restaurant had two private rooms. Fu Jiang had booked one, while the other door was slightly ajar, with several people already seated inside.
Cold dishes such as salted peanuts and pig ears were already laid out in the private room. As soon as Hou Weidong sat down, Fat Zhang came in to distribute cigarettes. "You can start with the cold dishes. It will be ready in at most ten minutes."
Sitting in the host’s seat, Hou Weidong discussed road matters with Fu Jiang and began to ponder how to operate the quarry. Thinking that explosives would be needed, he took out his mobile phone and sent a pager message to Director Qin.
Director Qin returned the call quickly. "Town Mayor Hou, looking for me at noon? Are you inviting me for a drink?"
Director Qin was a regular guest at the Shangqinlin Quarry. It was precisely because of the Shangqinlin quarry that his life had become quite comfortable. The Yiyang County Public Security Bureau faced tight budgets, with each police station allocated only 800 yuan per month for fuel. This amount was far from enough to cover the expenses of their Jeeps. The Gravel Association provided 1,000 yuan per month for gasoline for the police station, and additionally sponsored 2,000 yuan per month for office expenses. These were all open, official sponsorships.
In addition, each quarry secretly contributed varying amounts of funds. The exact figures were known only to the quarry owners themselves.
Hou Weidong’s relationship with Director Qin was also special. He smiled and said, "I’ve arranged a pot of spicy chicken at Zhang’s Restaurant. Are you free? It’s just Fu Jiang and Fang Jin, no one else. Don’t worry, I won’t make you drink."
After hanging up, Hou Weidong said to Fang Jin, "Director Qin, Zhou Qiang, and Wang Yibing are all coming. Go arrange for some other dishes."
The full name of the Comprehensive Social Management Office was the Office for Comprehensive Management of Social Security. Theoretically, the Qinglin Town Comprehensive Social Management Office was responsible for organizing and coordinating relevant units and departments within the jurisdiction to carry out comprehensive social security management and maintain social stability. However, since the police station was directly under the leadership of the Public Security Bureau, the Comprehensive Social Management Office could not command the police station.
This was a systemic issue that the township Comprehensive Social Management Office could not resolve. Its operational capacity was severely limited, turning the office into a "clear-water衙门" (a bureaucratic department with little real power or responsibility).
Just as Director Qin, Zhou Qiang, and Wang Yibing entered the room and sat down, Fat Zhang brought in a large basin of spicy chicken, steaming with intense aroma. He asked, "Town Mayor Hou, what kind of wine would you like?" Hou Weidong said, "Today is a private treat, so let’s drink good wine." Fat Zhang smiled broadly. "I have Luzhou Laojiao Tequ here. It’s excellent wine."
After ordering the wine, Hou Weidong took out a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes and distributed them to everyone present.
Wang Yibing took the Hongtashan cigarette Hou Weidong tossed him and said, "Town Mayor Hou, you have wide connections. Find me some work too. A fixed monthly salary isn’t even enough to cover my cigarette money."
Wang Yibing was an ordinary police officer at the Qinglin police station. Seeing Xi Zhaoyong get rich from running a quarry, he had also considered going up the mountain to open a gravel quarry. However, in the two years since the development of Shangqinlin Mountain, the best quarry sites had already been taken by early arrivals. Moreover, the Land and Resources Bureau had strengthened its approval process for mining enterprises. The handling fees alone to open a quarry were at least 100,000 yuan. With other costs added, the startup costs for gravel enterprises had increased several times compared to early 1994.
The skyrocketing startup costs were largely due to the efforts of the Gravel Association. This was the result of discussions among Hou Weidong, Qin Dajiang, Zeng Xiangang, and Xi Zhaoyong. They deliberately raised the entry barriers to reduce competition.
Hou Weidong took two bottles of Luzhou Laojiao from Fat Zhang and said, "We won’t drink much today. There are six of us, so two bottles will give each person a bit more than three taels. Let’s see if that satisfies everyone." Director Qin waved his hand. "That’s fine. Two bottles it is. If we let loose, this table would need at least six bottles."
Hou Weidong sat next to Director Qin. Director Qin raised his glass and said, "The successful resolution of the robbery and murder case in Shangqinlin this time is largely due to your brother, Hou Weiguo. Town Mayor Hou, you must invite your brother down so we can properly toast him."
He then added, "Zeng Xiangang’s mood is off. When he found out that the ringleader hadn’t been caught, he didn’t speak for half a day. He also quietly asked for the basic information of the ringleader. I’ve been thinking these past two days that he might try to take revenge on the ringleader privately. I have no evidence; it’s just my intuition."
Since the tragic incident involving Yi Sheng’s family, Zeng Xiangang had changed completely. Previously, he was cheerful and generous, with a bold personality. Now, he had become even more withdrawn than the famous "withered" Party Secretary Tang Guiyuan. He was silent every day, and his eyes held a gloomy look.
The smile on Hou Weidong’s face froze. Although the incident was in the past, thinking about the horrific scene made him uneasy.
As they ate and drank, Zhou Qiang, the boss of Huofu Coal Mine, walked in holding a glass. He said in a loud voice, "Director Qin, it’s been a long time since you came to inspect our work. Have you forgotten your brother? Let me toast you." Seeing Hou Weidong there, he smiled warmly. "Town Mayor Hou, you’ve become the town mayor, but you haven’t yet received us, your fellow sufferers."
Zhou Qiang clinked glasses six times. He shared the same name as a police officer at the police station, so he jokingly added an extra drink. After seven glasses, he sat down at the table and chatted with Director Qin and Hou Weidong.
"Coal mine bosses have lost a fortune these past two years. We can only watch you quarry bosses make money. Town Mayor Hou, please help your old brother out. Let me join your Gravel Association too."
Since the Shangqinlin road was completed, the quarries in Shangqinlin had risen rapidly. Riding the wave of the transportation construction boom, the quarries were doing well and making lots of money. In contrast, due to the broader economic environment, coal prices had plummeted. Zhou Qiang’s money was all tied up, and his working capital was in critical shortage. He was so desperate he even considered hanging himself.
Director Qin asked, "Who is in the next room?" They were all town leaders: Mayor Su, Mayor Tang, and Station Master Bai.
Zhou Qiang said dejectedly, "If I don’t get some money for the mine, I’ll have to stop production."
Hearing that these people were drinking together, Hou Weidong’s mind became clear: "Zhou Qiang must be looking for a loan from the foundation."
Hou Weidong had his own enterprises and understood the difficulty of a shortage of working capital. He poured a glass of wine for Zhou Qiang and said, "Mine Manager Zhou, the quarry business is good now, but once the major roads are finished, the quarries won’t have much business. Fortune turns like a wheel. Who knows, maybe one day the coal business will thrive again."
Since Su Ming was drinking nearby, Hou Weidong raised his glass to toast him. Just as he stepped out of the room, his mobile phone rang.
"This is Hou Weidong. What’s up?"
On the other end of the line, He Hongfu’s voice was anxious. "Madman, the trucks hauling goods from Qin Dajiang’s quarry were smashed today. Zeng Xiangang and Qin Dajiang are waiting for you to come up."
"Why were the trucks smashed? Was anyone hurt?"
"Yesterday, people stopped the trucks, claiming our heavy vehicles damaged the road. They want to charge ten yuan per truck for road repair fees. Otherwise, they won’t allow our vehicles to pass."
Hou Weidong snorted. "Ridiculous. The road is a county road. The road maintenance section has entrusted the townships with maintenance. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Which section did they smash the trucks in?"
"About a mile out of Qinglin Town, around the Sancha Road area. We reported the case to the Wutan police station."
Sancha Road was already in the territory of Wutan Town. Since it was the intersection of three roads, criminals could flee toward Yiyang County, run toward Wu Hai, or head back toward Qinglin Town. The public security order there had always been poor.
"The driver brought this news back yesterday. Qin Dajiang and Zeng Xiangang both said to ignore it. I tried calling your mobile phone but couldn’t get through. As a result, the truck smashing happened this morning."
"If they smashed the trucks, they must have identified themselves. Who did it?"
"The driver said they were Hei Wa’s men. I don’t know if it’s true or false."
Hei Wa was a local bully in Yiyang County, but he usually only operated in the city. This time, he had extended his reach to the suburbs, so no one was sure if it was true.
Hei Wa had a good relationship with Liang Bifa. Through Liang Bifa’s introduction, Hou Weidong had met Hei Wa once. Hearing that it might be Hei Wa’s men, Hou Weidong immediately called Liang Bifa. "Brother Liang, this is Hou Weidong. I need you to help me inquire about something."
Liang Bifa was still on a business trip in Chengdu. The phone line carried some靡靡之音 (decadent music) and the sound of a woman panting. He shouted loudly, "What is it? Just say it. We are brothers, why are you being so polite?"
"The trucks from Qin Dajiang’s quarry in Shangqinlin were smashed by a group of people at Sancha Road. It’s said to be Hei Wa’s men. Can you ask if they did it?"
On the other end of the line, Liang Bifa pushed away the girl sitting on his lap. "Get out. Come back later."
Hearing it was Hei Wa’s men, Liang Bifa only believed it thirty percent. Hei Wa controlled most of the territory in the county town and had accumulated significant economic strength. He had always wanted to control the surrounding building materials market. He had asked about the Shangqinlin quarries several times. This time, it seemed he was making a move against the Shangqinlin quarries.
He still called Hei Wa and mentioned the incident at Sancha Road. Hei Wa smiled insincerely on the phone. "This has nothing to do with me. It was done by one of my brothers. Brother Liang, I will certainly give you face. But that brother of mine has long since established his own household. He may not listen to me. He has many men under him, and everyone needs to eat. Asking the Shangqinlin quarries for some 'porridge money' is something those bosses should be able to handle."
He chuckled twice. "The Shangqinlin quarries have made a fortune these past two years. Ten yuan per truck is like giving alms to beggars. They can afford it."
This was a large piece of fat meat. Liang Bifa knew Hei Wa wouldn’t give it up, so he said, "I’m just passing the message. In the end, you two need to negotiate. My task is considered complete." He added, "The Shangqinlin quarries are not to be trifled with. They have connections with county leaders and many friends in the police force. Brother Hei, you decide how to handle it."
While Liang Bifa was calling Hei Wa, Hou Weidong called Wang Bing and told him to come to Yiyang immediately.
Because he had matters on his mind, he didn’t continue toasting. He returned to the private room and seriously called Director Qin out.
"Director Qin, we’ve encountered a troublesome situation. What do you think we should do?"
Director Qin slapped the table with a bang. "This is simply lawless. Leave this matter to me. This afternoon, I will guard the Sancha Road intersection. Let’s see who dares to make a move."
With Director Qin’s promise, Hou Weidong felt much more relieved. He called Qin Dajiang to discuss a few things, then ate his meal with peace of mind. However, since he had to go up the mountain, he controlled his alcohol intake. After finishing the two bottles of wine, the lunch ended.
Wang Bing was extremely fast. He drove from Yiyang County town in just over an hour. Hou Weidong jumped into the car, and they headed toward Shangqinlin.
"Wang Bing, I want to discuss a business deal with you. Are you willing?"
Wang Bing, with a cigarette in his mouth, said coolly, "Town Mayor Hou, whatever the matter, just give the order. The driving school’s task for me is to be at your service twenty-four hours a day, ready to teach driving anytime."
"For a while, drive your car to Qinglin Town every day for work. Besides being a coach, also serve as my temporary driver. I will pay you 100 yuan per day. As for the driving school, I will talk to the Transportation Bureau."
Wang Bing knew that Hou Weidong had a close relationship with Zhu Bing at the Transportation Bureau. He snapped his fingers happily. "If there’s money to be made, I’ll definitely take it. One hundred a day means my salary this month will exceed 3,000. Damn, that’s awesome."
Although he had Director Qin’s assurance, Hou Weidong was still uneasy. He transferred Wang Bing over to be prepared for any unforeseen emergencies.
Upon reaching the mountain, Qin Dajiang, Zeng Xiangang, Xi Zhaoyong, He Hongfu, and He Fugui were all at Qin Dajiang’s house. They were discussing the matter with indignation. Seeing Hou Weidong arrive, Qin Dajiang yielded the main seat to him. "Madman, come over quickly. The situation is a bit troublesome. We need to discuss a countermeasure."
Among the five major quarries, only Tian Dadao was absent. Tian Dadao’s quarry was originally smaller in scale. After making money, he had been spending his time in Yiyang and Shazhou, indulging in pleasure. Hou Weidong had gone up the mountain several times but had never seen Tian Dadao. Therefore, Tian Dadao had not attended the numerous meetings of the Gravel Association, and they couldn’t find him today either.
Seeing Qin Dajiang yield the seat, Hou Weidong did not decline. He sat directly in Qin Dajiang’s seat and said, "I’ve already clarified it. It was indeed Hei Wa’s men. They want to control the surrounding building materials market." He paused and added, "I just talked to Director Qin. He will personally bring a car to guard Sancha Road tomorrow."
Xi Zhaoyong interjected, "I heard from the Security Section that Hei Wa is ruthless and cunning. He rarely acts directly now; most things are handled by his subordinates. How many days can Old Qin guard Sancha Road? I predict there will definitely be more trouble."