Chapter 186: The Solution (Part 1)
The timing for Li Jing to leave the Shadao Construction Company had matured. Therefore, while in Lingxi, she conducted her activities under the guise of the group. Although her circle of influence was small, it was not an impenetrable wall; there was always a risk that the Shadao boss might discover the精工 Group’s involvement.
Consequently, Li Jing firmly took on the role of an inside mole. Under her arrangement, the Shangqinglin Crushed Stone Association issued a formal letter requesting the payment of the first installment.
The Lingxi highway construction had already entered its fourth phase, yet the funds for the second phase had not been disbursed. Since its establishment, the Shangqinglin Quarry had survived by maintaining the posture of a vulnerable minority. During the construction of the Shayi and Yiwu roads, under the pressure exerted by the former Transportation Bureau Director Zeng Zhaoqiang, they had been forced to advance the full capital twice. They had developed a high tolerance for such arrears.
In reality, it had become a convention that the debtor held more power than the creditor. Thus, the members of the Crushed Stone Association did not take the unpaid debts too seriously.
With Li Jing acting as the inside mole, Hou Weidong knew that the highway construction had entered a critical period. Halting the supply of crushed stone would result in significant losses. He persuaded the members of the Crushed Stone Association to use the pretext of the Yiyang County Foundation’s forced repayment demands to request that the Shadao Company pay the first installment. Otherwise, the Association would be unable to continue production, leading to a complete halt of the entire project.
This move struck a soft spot for the Shadao Company.
Furthermore, due to the crackdown on the foundation, the county and township governments had organized study sessions, detaining many small and large business owners who usually frequented restaurants and karaoke halls. The Shadao boss assumed that the Crushed Stone Association was merely being coerced by the government and did not suspect that there was a mole within their ranks. After urgent consultations, to maintain normal production, they agreed to pay the second installment.
The Shadao Company was financially strong. Although they were affected by the foundation crackdown, paying the first installment for the crushed stone posed no difficulty. On the third day after Hou Weidong returned from Lingxi, he received the first payment. He now controlled one sole proprietorship and two partnerships. The Goubeibend Quarry belonged solely to him and was the highest-yielding quarry in Shangqinglin. The Yinggang Quarry was a partnership with Zeng Xiangang, ranking second in production. The Xingping Village Quarry was a partnership with Li Jing.
Hou Weidong received 1.9 million yuan. After deducting costs, his net profit was nearly one million. Holding the money, he thought to himself, “Once the Lingxi highway is completed, the income will likely reach four or five million. The quarry business is indeed profitable. However, once the highway project ends, the quarry business will likely cool down for a while.”
After leaving the Shadao Company gates, Hou Weidong received a call from Fu Jiang. “Township Head Hou, Secretary Zhao just asked our team how much debt we have recovered. He told us to step up our efforts. Are we going to collect debts today? We are waiting for your instructions.”
Hou Weidong was in high spirits. “I am handling matters in Yiyang. You go to Shangqinglin first and collect debts according to the list. I will return after finishing my business. If I haven’t arrived by noon, go to the restaurant next to the Foundation and order a table. I will pay.”
He added a joke, “Keep the bill under two hundred yuan. Don’t let me eat too much.”
Fu Jiang was familiar with Hou Weidong’s temperament and knew he had money. “Two hundred yuan is for the dishes, not including the alcohol.”
“If you collect payments from two families today, you can drink freely. If you get nothing, you can only drink Yiyang Red wine.”
After assigning the tasks, Hou Weidong hung up and said to Zeng Xiangang, Qin Gan, and Xi Zhaoyong, “Receiving the check today solves our urgent need for coal. We should celebrate.”
Qin Gan had fully inherited his father Qin Dajiang’s legacy. He had not expected his father’s quarry to make so much money and now understood why people like Heiwa always wanted to take a cut from the quarry profits. He said, “Brother, we all have cash on us today. It is best to go home directly. Please send us back to the mountain safely, and we will find another time to celebrate.”
Hou Weidong agreed. With over three million yuan in cash among the four of them, it was indeed inappropriate to go out for food and drink. To ensure safety, he called Wang Bing over and asked him to drive Zeng Xiangang and the others back up the mountain.
When Wang Bing arrived, Hou Weidong threw him the car keys. “Big Bing, please send Brother Zeng and the others back to Shangqinglin. Call me when you return to the city. I still need to go to Wu Hai.”
After Zeng Xiangang and the others left, Hou Weidong made a trip to the bank to complete the procedures, then returned to his residence at Shazhou College.
“Mom, this is Hou Weidong. The money matter has come to light. Please discuss with Second Sister what the minimum amount is to get her released.”
Liu Guangfen was overjoyed. “Little San is truly Mom’s good youngest son. I will ask immediately. Keep your phone on; do not turn it off.” She added, “Do you remember Liu Xing? He was your father’s partner. He was recently transferred back from the Shazhou Public Security Bureau to Wu Hai County. He is now a member of the County Standing Committee, Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and Director of the Public Security Bureau. Your father has already called him.”
While waiting for Wang Bing to return, Hou Weidong took a quick shower. He then stood shirtless, wearing loose shorts, and turned on the speakers.
Richard Clayderman’s piano music spread through the room like spilled mercury. Compared to the overwhelming Northwest Wind songs like “My Home is on the Loess Plateau,” which were suitable for collective singing in crowded squares, soothing music was more calming in a quiet home.
After listening to the piano pieces, he played the Four Brothers album he had bought in Lingxi. Ever since hearing the Four Brothers’ songs in Li Jing’s car, he had become completely captivated by American country music, feeling that it was a voice from heaven.
With his eyes half-closed and his large feet propped up on the coffee table, he was immersed in the music when a knock came at the door.
No outsiders had visited this room except for Xiaojia, Ren Lindu, and Guo Lan. Hou Weidong quickly put on a cotton vest and looked through the peephole. It was his neighbor, Guo Lan.
“You’re not working? Running home to slack off?” Guo Lan rarely cracked a joke. Hou Weidong smiled. “You and I are about the same.”
“I am on annual leave.”
Guo Lan’s hair was slightly damp and loose, making her skin look exceptionally fair. Simple elegance suited her perfectly. “I bought this disc in Lingxi. I have been looking for it for a long time.” Guo Lan was a music enthusiast who had searched for the Four Brothers album for a long time without finding a suitable copy. Hearing the music from Hou Weidong’s room, she recognized the excellent sound quality—it was the latest large-disc edition.
“I bought it in Lingxi. Have you heard this song?” Hou Weidong asked, then realized it was a foolish question. Guo Lan, being a music lover, had definitely heard it.
Guo Lan worked in the County Organization Department, so she was technically part of the officialdom. However, she carried no bureaucratic air, only a faint scholarly aura, resembling a university student or teacher. This was a reflection of her good family education.
Her knowledge was also profound. She spoke gracefully, “The Four Brothers are one of the old American folk bands, even more famous than the Beatles in their early days. The band has been together for over forty years, always singing traditional popular folk songs. Their music is mostly accompanied by acoustic guitars, upright basses, banjos, and mandolins, with perfect four-part harmonies. Whether adapting folk songs from the Appalachian region of the United States or reinterpreting works by contemporary singer-songwriters, they have consistently maintained a smooth, pleasant, and professional singing style.”
The living room sofa set included a leather single-seater, a double-seater, and a four-seater long sofa. Guo Lan sat upright on the single-seater, listening attentively. “There are several versions of the Four Brothers albums. This is the best one. You have good taste.”
Hou Weidong had never received music training; he judged music purely by feeling. He said, “I listened to their songs in the car and thought they were nice. When I went to Lingxi to buy them, I just picked the most expensive disc. I didn’t know there was so much depth to it.”
Guo Lan smiled slightly. “You are quite straightforward, admitting what you don’t know.”
Regardless of whether he admitted it or not, being with Guo Lan always made him feel refreshed. After finishing the album, Guo Lan stood up, still wanting more. “If I have time, I will come over to listen.”
Hou Weidong took out the disc. “Guo Lan, since you like it, I will give this disc to you.” Guo Lan’s eyes lit up. “How can I take your beauty?” Seeing that she did not firmly refuse, Hou Weidong smiled. “I often listen to you play the piano for free. Consider this a token of appreciation.” Guo Lan accepted the disc and looked at Hou Weidong’s equipment. “My equipment is not good enough to produce this effect. It is a pity.”
As he saw Guo Lan to the door, she casually mentioned, “Dean Ji has been transferred to Shazhou City to serve as a member of the Municipal Standing Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.”
Ji Daolin lived upstairs, but in two years, Hou Weidong had never met him. He suddenly understood. “No wonder I haven’t seen Dean Ji in over two years. How did he become a leading cadre in Shazhou City?”
“Experts taking administrative posts are part of the cadre pilot program. Last year, Dean Ji went to the Lingxi Provincial Party Committee for temporary training and received high praise. The appointment document was issued last week.”
After Guo Lan left, Hou Weidong sat on the leather sofa, pondering this new information. “I wonder if Ji Daolin still remembers me, his student.”
Shazhou College had thousands of graduates. Although Hou Weidong was one of the more outstanding ones and had interacted with Ji Daolin, their friendship was not deep. Three years had passed, and Hou Weidong was unsure if Ji Daolin still remembered him.
“Even if he remembers, so what? After all, I was just an ordinary student, and we did not have a deep connection.” Hou Weidong shook his head vigorously. “Friendships can be created. I at least know him. I must find a good opportunity to connect with him in the future.”
At that moment, the phone rang. Fu Jiang sounded jubilant. “Township Head Hou, today we collected a loan from one family—over four thousand yuan. Ha, we can drink two bottles of Jiannanchun at noon.”
Hou Weidong spat. “Only four thousand yuan, and you want to drink two bottles of Jiannanchun? That’s too exaggerated. Only one bottle.”
After a few jokes, Hou Weidong hung up and immediately called Xiaojia.
“Xiaojia, today I received the first installment for the Lingxi highway. It was arranged by General Manager Li from Shadao Company. I am going to Wu Hai in a while. After seeing Second Sister, I will return to Shazhou.”
Telling one lie required ten more to cover it up, which was exhausting and risked exposure. Therefore, Hou Weidong decided to tell Xiaojia the truth about his relationship with Li Jing.
Hou Xiaoying’s loan from the Wu Hai Foundation was 700,000 yuan. Hou Weidong brought 300,000 yuan and, along with his father Hou Yonggui, found Liu Xing, the member of the County Standing Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. Liu Xing was not old, only forty-two. When Hou Yonggui was a station chief at the grassroots level, Liu Xing had been an instructor. Later, he was transferred to the Shazhou Public Security Bureau and had recently returned to Wu Hai County.
Liu Xing took Hou Yonggui and Hou Weidong to the Vice County Mayor in charge. Seeing the genuine 300,000 yuan, the Vice County Mayor readily signed the order to release her.
Hou Weidong and Hou Yonggui then took Hou Xiaoying home.
Back in his office, Liu Xing called County Mayor Li. “Old partner, thank you.”
County Mayor Li was eager to cultivate a relationship with the newly appointed Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. “Secretary Liu, what are you talking about? No need to thank me. You are too polite. To be honest, the people detained in the study sessions are mostly small-to-medium bosses. The big bosses with large loans never enter the study sessions; their backing is too strong.”
Liu Xing sighed. “Most of these bosses are legitimately borrowing money for business. Keeping them in the study sessions for a long time is not a solution. They need to go out, do business well, and earn the money back. I heard that the study sessions in Shazhou are changing their strategy. Anyone who pays a partial amount and signs a repayment agreement can leave.”
When Hou Xiaoying arrived home, she went straight to the bathroom for a refreshing shower. When she came out, her face was glowing. “Little San, if I had known running a quarry was this profitable, we would have started one too.” Hou Weidong recalled Zeng Zhaoming’s words. “Business should be done in one’s original field. Do not do what you are not familiar with. It is a self-evident truth.”
Liu Guangfen was so happy she was in a flurry. Although it was not yet mealtime, she had prepared a table full of dishes. Hou Xiaoying had spent her days in the study session eating and sleeping. She had not lost weight but had actually gained some. Seeing the table full of food, she exaggeratedly cried, “Mom, I need to lose weight. I absolutely will not eat pork.” After drinking a bowl of chicken soup, she added, “My husband is still in the study session. Little San, take me to see him.”
“I need to return to Shazhou to see Xiaojia.”
Hou Xiaoying said domineeringly, “No. Accompany me to see your brother-in-law. Good brother, I haven’t seen your brother-in-law for over a month. Hurry and take me to Linjiang County.”
(End of Chapter 186)