Chapter 102: The East Wind and the West Wind (Part 6)

The second accident finally led to the forced closure of the Shangqinglin quarry.

By this time, the Shayi Highway was essentially complete, so the Transportation Bureau had little interest in monitoring the Shangqinglin quarry. With the Spring Festival approaching, every household in the village had slaughtered their New Year pigs, preparing to enjoy the fruits of a year’s labor. Consequently, the explosion sounds and fan noises that had echoed through Shangqinglin for half a year finally fell silent.

Hou Weidong, with his background in law, had his own views on the forced closure. The quarry was a private enterprise with all necessary industrial, commercial, and tax registrations in order. It had no formal relationship with the Qinglin township government. For the government to step in and shut down a private business was, in his view, an overreach of authority.

However, on the ground in Qinglin Town, almost no one agreed with Hou Weidong’s perspective. This left him speechless. Laws are made by people and require people’s recognition to be enforced. Without such recognition, the law is merely a piece of empty paper.

After six months of hard work, Hou Weidong was now completely idle. He found life in Shangqinglin utterly boring. Although he was technically a wealthy man—with all his assets tied up in the quarry and a large sum of money still owed by the Transportation Bureau—he had less than one hundred yuan in cash on his person. With no money in hand, he had no desire to wander around aimlessly. Instead, he patiently waited for the township government to issue his salary and year-end bonus. Only after receiving these two payments could he return home and visit Xiaojia in Shazhou.

Hou Weidong returned to the routine of reading newspapers, much like when he first arrived in Shangqinglin. The only difference was that every day after ten o’clock, villagers would inevitably invite him to eat. To show their hospitality, they always went out of their way to ensure he ate and drank well. After going through this round of meals, Hou Weidong got drunk many times, reaching a point where he became terrified at the mere sight of alcohol.

Living like an immortal above the fray, Hou Weidong paid no attention to the struggle between Party Secretary Zhao Yongsheng and Town Mayor Qin Feiyue. Whether the east wind or the west wind prevailed, what did it matter to him?

As the Spring Festival approached, Zhao Yongsheng’s days were far from easy. After the first production halt, the hidden dangers in the quarry had not been thoroughly eliminated, yet operations were hastily resumed. Although this was due to pressure from the county government’s key projects, the label of "lax oversight" was firmly placed on Zhao Yongsheng’s head.

Moreover, in the second accident, the blaster who was killed did not yet hold a blasting certificate. This was a serious violation of regulations. Qin Feiyue subtly raised this issue in front of Secretary Zhao of the County Party Committee, who was in charge of organization and personnel. Although the county’s Secretary Zhao and the town’s Secretary Zhao shared the same surname, their relationship was not close because of it. They maintained a strictly formal superior-subordinate relationship. Consequently, the county’s Secretary Zhao began to view Zhao Yongsheng unfavorably.

As the saying goes, pigs root forward and chickens scratch backward; everyone has their own path. Zhao Yongsheng ran errands in the county town for two days, then returned to the town calmly. He continued to work seriously and engaged in open and covert struggles with Qin Feiyue.

Near the Spring Festival, the county’s punishment decision finally came out: Deputy Town Mayor Huang, who was in charge of enterprises, received a major demerit.

In addition to ordering Qin Dajiang to pay the full compensation, the township government also fined him ten thousand yuan. These two penalties totaled thirty-six thousand yuan, leaving Qin Dajiang in tears. Hou Weidong had reported Qin Dajiang’s situation to Deputy Director Zhu Bing several times. Director Zeng Zhaoqiang, pleased with the successful completion of the Shayi Highway, saw that Qin Dajiang’s situation was indeed special. He authorized the Transportation Bureau to advance four thousand yuan in payment to help Qin Dajiang settle the compensation.

This sum was like sending charcoal in snowy weather for Qin Dajiang. Holding the thick stack of four thousand yuan in RMB, tears welled up in his eyes. When leaving the Transportation Bureau’s finance office, he even had to support himself on Hou Weidong’s shoulder before he could descend the stairs.

Knowing that Tian Dadao had no money for compensation and had been forced to flee, Zhu Bing suggested paying part of Tian Dadao’s outstanding balance as well. Director Zeng Zhaoqiang nodded in agreement. Zhu Bing returned to his office and immediately sent this news to Hou Weidong.

Aware that Tian Dadao was in dire straits, Hou Weidong asked Qin Dajiang to rent a taxi while he went directly to Chi Ming’s hometown.

After Chi Ming was injured, a scar remained on her face. She had taken six months of sick leave to recover at home. However, recovery was only temporary; her main goal was to evade debt collectors.

Hou Weidong asked his way to Chi Ming’s house. He knocked several times and called out several times before the door finally opened. Chi Ming had a long scar on her face, which looked quite startling. Seeing Hou Weidong, she instinctively covered her face with her hand.

"Hurry and call Tian Dadao over. Good news: the Transportation Bureau has advanced four thousand yuan in payment."

Hearing the news about the payment, Chi Ming’s tense expression relaxed. "Come in quickly. People from the Liu family have come here twice. I’m really scared. After paying the compensation, I’ll never run a quarry again."

Chi Ming’s mother was heavyset but looked young, appearing to be under fifty. She said angrily, "It’s a good thing the money arrived, otherwise we couldn’t have gone on. The day before yesterday, people from the Liu family came again. I chased them away with a kitchen knife. These people are unreasonable. They beat Chi Ming so badly, and I want to sue them." Chi Ming replied dissatisfiedly, "Mom, forget it. Liu Erwa died tragically too. It’s understandable that his family is making a fuss."

Hou Weidong interjected, "Chi Ming, your face is severely scarred. You can sue the Liu family in court for damages. I studied law, and with witnesses and evidence, you will definitely win."

Chi Ming closed her eyes, often recalling the bloody gash on Liu Erwa’s head. She shook her head. "Liu Erwa died tragically. Let’s drop it." Chi Ming’s mother asked, "Tian Dadao said the Transportation Bureau owes over a hundred thousand yuan in payments. Is that kid just bragging?"

"I don’t know exactly how much stone Tian Dadao delivered to the Shayi Highway, but I’m sure it’s over a hundred thousand."

A smile appeared on Chi Ming’s mother’s face. "So, after paying twenty-six thousand in compensation, we still make over a hundred thousand." Chi Ming added, "There’s also unpaid wages." Chi Ming’s mother said, "How much can wages be? It seems the quarry business is still profitable. After the Spring Festival, let Tian Dadao reopen the quarry."

Chi Ming said unhappily, "I heard Qin Dajiang’s quarry killed another person. Running a quarry is too dangerous. I’ll never do it again."

Chi Ming’s mother scoffed, "You fool. How can you give up such a profitable business? What’s the fear of someone dying? At worst, you just pay compensation."

Chi Ming asked Hou Weidong, "What will you do with your quarry after the Spring Festival?" Hou Weidong replied, "After standardizing safety regulations, we will still operate it." Chi Ming’s mother said happily, "See? Others are so smart. Chi Ming is really stupid. She married a husband with no job, and even when there’s money to be made, she doesn’t want to do it." Chi Ming was truly angry. "Mom, what nonsense are you talking?"

Having delivered the message, Hou Weidong had completed his task. Chi Ming’s mother was eager to go to the Transportation Bureau to collect the money. Hou Weidong, being a sensible man, declined Chi Ming’s invitation to stay and left the Chi family.

He had not gone far when his pager beeped. A Chinese message appeared: "Meeting at 3:00 PM in the Shangqinglin large conference room."

It was strange. Why hold a meeting at this time?

The Shangqinglin work group was already immersed in the joy of the approaching holiday. No one was working seriously. Holding a meeting at this hour seemed almost crazy.

Despite feeling bewildered, Hou Weidong found a way back to Shangqinglin. Although it was winter, sweat beaded on his forehead. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Qin Dajiang standing there. His back, which had been hunched for days, was now straight. He was chatting and laughing with Village Director Jiang Shangshan. Seeing Hou Weidong, Qin Dajiang punched him hard and said, "Madman, come to my house tonight. The three of us must get thoroughly drunk."

Hou Weidong had played a significant role in securing the four thousand yuan, and Qin Dajiang’s gratitude was genuine.

Hou Weidong looked around and asked, "Did you get the money?"

Qin Dajiang nodded vigorously. "I drove directly to the Jiang family. The two brothers were still fierce when they saw me, but as soon as they heard about the money, they immediately served me tea and water. After counting the money, they held my arm and treated me like a brother. Damn it, just a few days ago they were threatening to chop me with knives. They are all money-grubbers. Jiang Xiong died tragically, and these two dogs benefited."

Seeing Qin Dajiang relaxed, Hou Weidong felt happy too. Since running a quarry indeed carried risks, today it might be Qin Dajiang’s quarry, and tomorrow it could be Goubeiwan. Hou Weidong understood the principle of being in the same boat.

"What meeting is it today?"

"Town Mayor Qin notified us. It’s a pre-Spring Festival safety production meeting."

"Haven’t we already held that meeting? Now that the quarries and coal mines are closed, is it necessary to hold another one?"

Qin Dajiang smiled brightly. "Who cares? Anyway, tonight we won’t go home until we’re drunk."

The sound of a car engine broke the silence. Qin Feiyue’s Santana drove in and stopped. Qin Feiyue got out with a smile on his face. Seeing Qin Dajiang looking energetic, he said, "Old Qin, the money matter is settled."

"The Transportation Bureau paid some funds, and I’ve settled things with the Jiang family."

Qin Feiyue laughed. "I know about this. I called Director Zeng Zhaoqiang this afternoon, and he said you received forty thousand, and Tian Dadao also received forty thousand."

The news of Qin Dajiang receiving money was known only within a very small circle. Qin Feiyue stated the amount accurately, which indicated that he had indeed called Transportation Bureau Director Zeng Zhaoqiang. Qin Dajiang had little formal education but possessed great intuition and experience. He cupped his fist in a gesture of respect and said, "Town Mayor Qin, you’ve really gone to great trouble."

The party secretaries and directors of the three villages arrived at the conference room one after another. Among the work group members, only Bai Chuncheng, Township Head Gao, and Hou Weidong were present.

After the meeting began, Qin Feiyue repeatedly emphasized safety issues. After two safety accidents, the cadres from the three villages had grown tired of hearing about safety, their ears practically calloused. Fortunately, Qin Feiyue spoke for only half an hour before inviting the village cadres to speak. After another half hour of mingling, Qin Feiyue waved his hand and said, "The New Year is approaching, so I won’t waste words. The meeting ends here. Tonight, I’m treating everyone to dinner. We’ll drink good wine, and you can all spend the Spring Festival in peace."

At this proposal, everyone cheered loudly.

It was indeed good wine—Fenjiu, which was rarely seen in Yiyang. No one knew where Qin Feiyue had obtained it. The dozen or so people drank ten bottles. As the gathering dispersed, Qin Feiyue, riding the wave of alcohol, shook hands with each village cadre and exchanged warm words. As they left, the driver handed each village cadre a preserved duck.

Hou Weidong received one as well. Holding the duck and watching the village cadres disperse, his mind was clear: Qin Feiyue was calculating. This was undoubtedly laying the groundwork for the 1995 election.