Chapter 177: The Study Session (Part 1)

Rectifying the foundation was a monumental task affecting thousands of families. It was impossible to resolve overnight. For the first few days, Hou Weidong completely set aside his regular duties, staying at the township government compound day and night. While maintaining order, he also took the opportunity to do ideological work with the masses.

As the liquidation team’s investigation deepened, the basic situation of the Yiyang County Foundation became clearer. Although Hou Weidong had mentally prepared himself, the reality still shocked him.

The foundation was a tangled mess, impossible to untangle or explain. Through the constant stream of bulletins, Hou Weidong grasped the true state of affairs: the ratio of non-performing and bad loans in the Qinglin Foundation was alarmingly high. It had long been insolvent, surviving only because the government’s credit rating encouraged people to continue depositing money. Now that the rectification had begun, no new deposits were coming in.

The foundation was running on empty, its dire situation fully exposed. It was completely unable to pay out deposits and required government bailout funds to repay the people. Just for Qinglin Town, the outstanding deposit slips amounted to nearly fifty million yuan.

In the entire Yiyang County, this was actually one of the foundations with relatively smaller debts. The total county-wide figure was even more staggering, startling Hou Weidong. Yiyang County’s fiscal revenue had barely broken two hundred million yuan. Even if the county spent zero on other expenses, it would take three years to clear this debt.

It was Friday afternoon, June 7th. Hou Weidong had been holding the frontline at the township government for over ten days. He was physically and mentally exhausted. Past three o’clock, the sun blazed fiercely overhead, though it had driven some of the crowd away from the town square. People hid in the shade, chatting occasionally. To an outsider unaware of the truth, it might have looked like a bustling market day rather than a siege of the township government.

Seeing only a sparse few people left in the courtyard, Hou Weidong went to Su Ming’s office. “Township Head Su, I’d like to take two days off to rest. Look at me—I’ve been晒 (sun-baked) into a dark-skinned man.” Hou Weidong rolled up his sleeves, revealing skin that had turned a deep brown-black. If this tan had appeared on a beach, it would be the masterpiece of a beautiful sunbath. But on Hou Weidong’s arms, it only proved how vicious the Qinglin sun was.

Su Ming sat in his office, looking calm. “This is an extraordinary time. I can only let the most capable person hold the first line of defense; otherwise, the agency cannot function. Township Head Hou, my brother, you must understand. Endure a few more days, and the county will have a solution.”

Hou Weidong sat in the office, refusing to leave. “Let Township Head Zhong come in for two days. Standing at the door every day, the saliva on my face is an inch thick.”

Su Ming soothed him, “Township Head Zhong has to accompany the liquidation team every day; there are many specific matters to handle. Township Head Tang is on a business trip and hasn’t returned yet. Secretary Liu is not very familiar with grassroots work and might not be able to hold the line. Township Head Hou, consider it helping your big brother. Hold on for two more days.”

With the conversation reaching this point, Hou Weidong had no choice but to return to his post.

At that moment, the Party and Government Office received an urgent meeting notice from the County Government Office. Zhao Yongsheng and Su Ming hurried off toward Yiyang County.

Hou Weidong guarded downstairs until four o’clock, then slipped back to his office to rest. He hadn’t even finished half a cup of tea when Huang Weige, the former head of the Agricultural Economy Station, walked in. Since the prostitution incident, he had been demoted to an ordinary staff member at the station, while Bai Chuncheng had risen to become the director of the foundation.

Huang Weige reeked of alcohol, his eyes completely vacant. He plopped down opposite Hou Weidong, swaying his head. “Township Head Zhong, you must do justice for me.”

Hou Weidong had little connection with Huang Weige and rarely interacted with him. For Huang to suddenly show up during the critical period of foundation rectification, and to address him as “Township Head Zhong,” raised Hou Weidong’s guard. He smiled broadly. “I am Hou Weidong. How could Station Chief Huang mistake me for someone else?”

Huang Weige didn’t seem to hear a word. His smile was stiff. “I’ve worked in Qinglin Town for over twenty years. I participated in the foundation from its inception to now. Even if I have no merit, I have suffered hardship. Now, someone wants to frame me.”

Hou Weidong glanced out the door. “Station Chief Huang, you drank at noon. Go home and rest. Let’s talk when you’re sober.”

Huang Weige propped his left hand on the table to barely stay upright. “Township Head Zhong, you’ve been in charge of the foundation for a short time; you don’t understand the depth of the water here.” He looked full of resentment. “It’s a fact that the foundation has many bad loans, but Qinglin is not the only one.” After rambling for a bit, he added, “When it comes to large loans, it’s not my place to speak. Zhao Yongsheng, Qin Feiyue—aren’t they all big-mouthed and deep-nailed? If someone really wants to frame me, I’ll find someone to take the fall with me.”

As he spoke, he waved the materials in his hand. “I’m not stupid. For the past few years, for every loan over one hundred thousand yuan, I’ve kept a copy of who signed it.”

Hou Weidong stared intently at Huang Weige, thinking, This man is a ticking time bomb. I must not get involved with him in any way. He quickly stood up. “Station Chief Huang, you’re drunk. Go back to sleep. I have things to do.” His tone was firm. As soon as he finished speaking, he walked out, leaving Huang Weige alone in the office.

At the stairwell, he slowed his pace from a brisk walk to a leisurely one, descending calmly.

Yang Feng was leaning against the Party and Government Office building, holding a bag, surrounded by a group of villagers. Her tone was sorrowful. “My family deposited over ten thousand yuan in the foundation. It was money for my brother’s wedding. We had already agreed on terms with the bride’s family and were preparing the betrothal gifts. Now that the money can’t be withdrawn, this marriage will likely fall through.”

She spoke vividly, completely captivating several middle-aged and elderly women. One middle-aged woman offered advice. “Comrade Yang, go explain the situation to the bride’s family and show them the deposit slip. They will likely believe you.” Another middle-aged woman said, “The groom’s family is too harsh. Just because they can’t withdraw the money temporarily, they cancel the engagement. It’s best not to form such in-laws; they won’t last.”

Hou Weidong admired Yang Feng immensely. In such an atmosphere, she could still use her eloquence to unite these middle-aged and elderly women around her. He thought to himself, No wonder the ancients sighed that fine horses are common but Bo Le (the discerning judge) is rare. If Yang Feng were in a sales position, she might become a great salesman.

He wandered around a bit; everything was normal.

Hou Weidong had become familiar with these stubborn depositors. He went out and bought a carton of Hongmei cigarettes. He didn’t take them all out at once but kept a pack on his person, handing them out one by one when he wanted a smoke. By the time the carton was gone, most of the depositors had smoked his Hongmei cigarettes. Although they remained in opposing camps, the atmosphere had improved significantly.

Hou Weidong knew that all he was doing was calming the depositors’ anger. To truly settle this, the foundation had to repay the money.

After smoking a few cigarettes, Hou Weidong chatted with some young villagers from the villages above Qinglin. For the past few days, Da Sha, Er Wa, and others had not returned, but villagers from Jianshan, Dushi, and Wangri villages continued to trickle down. Most of them knew Hou Weidong. Seeing him guarding the door, they gave him face. Hou Weidong also tried his best to do ideological work with them, stabilizing their emotions.

As they chatted, the conversation turned to Qin Dajiang. Everyone sighed with regret.

Half an hour later, shouting suddenly erupted from upstairs. Hou Weidong paused, listened carefully, and realized it was Huang Weige and Zhong Ruihua. Their voices grew louder, accompanied by the thumping sound of slapping tables.

Such noise was rare on the third floor of the township government. Yang Feng immediately stopped her speech. After listening for a moment, she said to the middle-aged women, “Sit here and rest for a while. We’ll continue chatting later.”

Hou Weidong knew Huang Weige was drunk. He realized he absolutely could not intervene. Watching Yang Feng’s back as she went upstairs, he walked to the stairwell and deliberately sat down with Fu Jiang and others, straining his ears to listen to the argument above.

Zhong Ruihua’s voice was loud. “Huang Weige, even though you’re no longer the station chief, you are still a state cadre. Coming to work drunk, making trouble, talking nonsense—you’re trying to turn the sky upside down.” Huang Weige’s voice was even louder. “Give me back the materials, and I’ll go home. You *** won’t return them?” Two more thuds echoed from the table.

Yang Feng had her ear almost pressed to the door, listening with great interest.

At that moment, Liu Kun walked out of his office, followed by Deng Ziqiang, the Party Branch Secretary of Qinglin Middle School. Liu Kun looked fierce. “Yang Feng, have you heard enough? Call Ouyang Lin up here. This is working hours; it’s too improper.”

Ouyang Lin had already appeared in the alley. Liu Kun said angrily, “You’re arguing so fiercely, why didn’t you come to greet us?” Ouyang Lin thought, You are the Deputy Secretary in charge of party affairs, sitting right here on the third floor. You should have come out to handle it long ago, yet you blame me. You’re really looking for an excuse where there is none.

Liu Kun, Ouyang Lin, and Yang Feng entered Zhong Ruihua’s office. Zhong Ruihua was so angry his face was green and black, standing before his desk, his chest heaving. Huang Weige, reeking of alcohol with red eyes, pounded the table. “Zhong Ruihua, I didn’t see before that you were a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Give me back the materials!” Zhong Ruihua cursed, “Huang Weige, if you can’t handle liquor, drink less. Don’t embarrass yourself here. Who saw your dog-dick materials?”

Seeing Huang Weige was severely drunk, Liu Kun said to Ouyang Lin, “Find some people to help him back.” Ouyang Lin didn’t look for anyone else but said to Deng Ziqiang, “Secretary Deng, help out. Take Huang Weige home.”

When Ouyang Lin tried to pull Huang Weige, Huang was still spouting wild words. Ouyang Lin and Huang Weige had a decent relationship. Ouyang Lin gripped his wrist tightly. “Huang Weige, come back with me.” Deng Ziqiang helped from the side. Between dragging and pulling, they finally got Huang Weige out. As soon as they exited the compound gate, Huang Weige vomited a large puddle. He could no longer walk, so Ouyang Lin and Deng Ziqiang dragged him home.

This minor disturbance provided a visual treat for the villagers guarding the courtyard. Although many cursed government officials for corruption in their hearts, they were bored in the courtyard, so the cadres’ argument became free entertainment. Unfortunately, after the drunk cadre was dragged away, the township government resumed its usual dignity, and there was no more excitement to watch.

Hou Weidong saw that these unruly people were quite docile, with zero possibility of a sudden uprising. At five o’clock, he slipped upstairs to drink tea. On the third floor, he saw his office door slightly ajar and a stack of papers thrown under the chair. Hou Weidong realized these were Huang Weige’s materials. He instinctively looked back, closed the door, and opened the files.

These were the dark materials of the Qinglin Foundation since its establishment. The large-sum transactions were clear as day. Zhou Qiang’s Huofo Coal Mine was obviously a key focus. Over the years, it had cumulatively borrowed over four million yuan from the Qinglin Foundation. Chao Jie had the most signatures, followed by Qin Feiyue, and there were also signatures from Zhao Yongsheng. However, Zhao Yongsheng’s signatures were very “artistic.” Several times, phrases like this appeared: “This is beneficial to the economic development of Qinglin Town. I agree in principle with Comrade XX’s opinion. Please have Comrade XX handle it according to the foundation’s relevant regulations.”

This Zhao Yongsheng is truly cunning. As Party Secretary, he actually controlled the foundation’s lending power, but he left no specific procedural words. Even if Huang Weige had these materials, what could they prove? Probably, Huang Weige wouldn’t get much use out of them.

But why did Huang Weige treat these materials as treasures?

Hou Weidong flipped through them again. He suddenly noticed that all the forms with Zhao Yongsheng’s “artistic” signatures involved people with the surname Chen: Chen Bing, Chen Bo, Chen Yong. They had borrowed over 1.9 million yuan in total. Among them, Chen Yong had taken out three loans over four years, totaling 800,000 yuan.

Chen Bing, Chen Bo, Chen Yong—are they three brothers?

How much of this 1.9 million has been repaid?

Can Zhao Yongsheng clear himself of any relationship with the three Chens?

Hou Weidong thought for a while and felt the materials were still valuable. After considering it, he placed the materials in his leather bag. When work ended, he drove back to Yiyang County.