Chapter 191: Farewell to Qinglin (Part 2)

Hou Weidong was somewhat tempted by Lin Yong’s suggestion, but he was not ready to agree immediately. Buying Lin Yong’s coal mine under these circumstances might bring trouble once profits started rolling in. Moreover, even if the mine were profitable, it remained an unknown variable when those profits would actually materialize.

Hou Weidong wanted to buy the mine, but he was in no rush to make a move.

The study class was bustling with activity. The remnants of the spicy chicken stew—bones and grease—had not yet been cleared from the tables or the floor when the next shift of personnel began to arrive. The group leader was Ouyang Lin, the Office Director.

Ouyang Lin looked visibly displeased. He lowered his voice and said, “Township Head Hou, could we transfer Gou Lin out of my group?”

Gou Lin, like Ouyang Lin, had been assigned to Qinglin Township after graduating from university. Hou Weidong had arrived slightly later than both of them.

After graduation, Gou Lin had ended up at the township government through a series of unfortunate coincidences. Many of his classmates had been assigned to major departments in the province or the city. In his mind, the township government was no better than a neighborhood committee—a place where a group of older women guarded bare, empty offices. Consequently, he was deeply dissatisfied with his assignment.

When he first arrived in Qinglin Township, he had failed to adjust his mindset. He openly expressed his resentment toward what he perceived as an unfair distribution of resources. He exhibited all the typical traits of a disgruntled university graduate: arriving late, leaving early, and constantly complaining. Although the township government was small, it possessed all the necessary bureaucratic structures and a strong official atmosphere. After Gou Lin displayed this behavior three or four times, Zhao Yongsheng and Qin Feiyue quickly sidelined him, transferring him to the Agricultural Technology Station. From that point on, they refused to take him seriously.

In official life, being frequently criticized by leaders is not the worst fate. The true outcasts are those whom leaders treat as air—ignored and shelved. Without a special opportunity, such individuals rarely advance further in their careers.

Gou Lin was precisely such a failure. After several years, he had lost all confidence in the official system. He had already passed the examination for Assistant Accountant and was now reviewing comprehensively, preparing to take the Certified Public Accountant exam. If he succeeded, he believed he would be on the path to a new life.

Therefore, after being assigned to Ouyang Lin’s group, Gou Lin showed no interest in his work. He spent his days holding thick examination books, studying harder than he had during the college entrance exams.

As the group leader, Ouyang Lin naturally disliked having such a member. Facing the increasingly volatile participants in the study class, he felt unprecedented pressure. Hence, he requested a personnel change.

Hou Weidong was well aware of the background. He advised, “I understand Gou Lin. Like me when I was building roads, he is trying to save himself, just in a different way. We all came from universities, so let’s try to understand him a bit more.” He added, “I just treated these participants to spicy chicken stew. I expect things will calm down tonight. My phone is on twenty-four hours a day; you can contact me anytime.”

Ouyang Lin’s expression relaxed slightly. “Township Head Hou, the study class is an illegal act. I suggest we dismantle it sooner rather than later. If something goes wrong, no one can bear the responsibility.”

Hou Weidong felt helpless about this as well. He simply said, “I also want to get out of this muddy water as soon as possible.”

Leaving the study class, Hou Weidong walked leisurely toward the dormitory at the Grain Station.

Old Xing was still busy in the garden. Seeing Hou Weidong enter, he smiled with delight and said, “Township Head Hou, come quickly and look at my new varieties.” Previously, Old Xing’s bonsai collection had mostly consisted of Podocarpus trees. An unexpected transaction had previously given him a taste of profit. The forests on Mount Qinglin were lush, containing many old tree roots suitable for bonsai. Old Xing often ventured into the mountains with a hoe and a machete, searching for good specimens.

Hou Weidong had always enjoyed drinking tea. Tea drinking was inseparable from appreciating flowers and stones. He brewed a pot of Qinglin Spring Tea and sat in the courtyard, observing the plants.

Old Xing was in high spirits. “I plan to open a bonsai shop in Lingxi. With the excellent resources from Mount Qinglin, I should be able to make a name for myself.” Passion shone in his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual detached demeanor as a cultivator of self. He sighed with emotion, “I used to dream only of becoming an official. After being dismissed, my heart turned to ash. Now, I finally realize I still have some use. I am not a useless person living off others.”

Old Xing’s back was slightly hunched, but now he stood straight. He had fallen from his high position as Deputy Director for unknown reasons. For over a decade, he had relied on tending flowers and grass to cultivate his character, living with a mindset of getting by day by day. However, the unexpected income of five thousand yuan had opened a window for him. Beyond that window lay another world. In this new world, administrative rank and official titles were no longer the sole criteria for judging a person. Money, once considered the devil of the capitalist world, had transformed into one of the standards for measuring success.

For the new generation in large cities, this standard was already accepted. There was even a legend in the economically developed Pearl River Delta: “If you don’t study hard, you’ll end up becoming a cadre.” But for old-school figures like Old Xing, this was a suddenly discovered new window.

His life had found new coordinates and new meaning. This was a disruption and subversion of traditional social values by the socialist market economy, a shift that aligned with the trend of social development.

—

Strolling amidst the lush green scenery was a pleasure. When Hou Weidong finished his tea and returned to the room, his mood was exceptionally peaceful.

“Xiaojia, it’s me. Are you still angry?” Hou Weidong’s voice was gentle as he dialed Zhang Xiaojia’s number.

Xiaojia was currently in a hotel near the Shenyang Railway Station. She sat by the window, having opened the double-paned glass, watching the bustling pedestrians on the busy streets. Shenyang was a large city with a long history. Although its municipal facilities were somewhat dilapidated and the color palette slightly gray, it still retained its grandeur and was quite impressive.

Any intense anger she had held toward Hou Weidong had subsided after traveling across half of China. However, when she spoke, her tone turned cold. “What do you want? If there’s nothing important, I’ll hang up.” As soon as she said this, she regretted it. If Hou Weidong actually hung up, she would feel distressed for a long time.

Fortunately, Hou Weidong did not hang up. His attitude was sincere and direct. “Xiaojia, let’s get married when I return this time. Let’s skip those superficial proposal rituals. Let’s just get the marriage certificate. That way, we won’t be disturbed by outsiders.”

Xiaojia recalled the two times he had come to her home to propose, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her face. “Alright. I’ll go get the certificate as soon as I return.” She immediately felt she had agreed too readily, so she added, “Just to prevent Li Jing, Zhang Jing, Wang Jing, and others from teasing me again.”

Hou Weidong was in high spirits. “You’ll be back in two days. I’ll come to the airport to pick you up.” At this moment, under the combined influence of time and space, the couple inexplicably reconciled and returned to their previous harmony.

Xiaojia said, “I’ve been in contact with Sister Zhao these past few days. She said Minister Liu of the Yiyang County Party Committee is making every excuse to avoid accepting you. Brother Su did a lot of work, and only then did Minister Liu agree to transfer you to the Organization Department. The transfer order will be issued soon.”

Hou Weidong already knew about this, but hearing the result still brought a complex mix of emotions. He saved these feelings to savor later and joked lightly, “I am currently a deputy section chief. I wonder what position they will assign me in the Organization Department?”

“According to convention, no specific position will be assigned. Transferring to the County Party Committee Organization Department is a temporary measure. In the second half of the year, the Municipal Organization Department will recruit from the county departments. Brother Su will then transfer you over.”

Although Su Mingjun was the Executive Deputy Director of the Organization Department, the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee Organization Department required the approval of the top leader to recruit new personnel. To facilitate future transfers, Su Mingjun had proactively ensured that Hou Weidong’s qualifications met all the requirements of the Municipal Organization Department, thereby reducing potential complications.

The next day, Hou Weidong was in the middle of a fierce card game with Lin Yong and others at the study class when Yang Feng ran down, her plump body swaying. “Township Head Hou, Secretary Zhao wants to see you.” Her face was full of mystery. Seeing everyone in the study class looking at her, she deliberately swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.

As soon as Hou Weidong stepped out of the study class door, Yang Feng eagerly said, “Township Head Hou, Deputy Director Xiao from the Organization Department has come to the township. Secretary Zhao notified you to go to his office immediately. Township Head Hou, this must be good news. You’ll have to treat us to a meal!”

Hou Weidong was fully aware of the situation. He thought to himself, “The Organization Department moves fast.”

In the office, Zhao Yongsheng shook his head repeatedly. “Hou Weidong has progressed rapidly this year. He has handled many thorny issues in the township. I was just finding him useful. Why didn’t they give any prior notice? Why do they want to transfer Hou Weidong?”

Organization cadres always held many secrets, knowing well what could and could not be said. As a deputy director, Xiao naturally had a clear understanding. “This is a task assigned by Minister Liu. I am not clear on the specific details.”

Zhao Yongsheng was familiar with Director Xiao. “Don’t try to brush me off.”

Just as they were speaking, Hou Weidong entered the office. Zhao Yongsheng smiled brightly, stood up proactively, and shook Hou Weidong’s hand. “Township Head Hou, congratulations. When you are in the Organization Department, don’t forget Qinglin Township if there is any good news. This is the place where you once lived and worked.”

After Hou Weidong reviewed the transfer order, Director Xiao explained, “You will be assigned to the Comprehensive Cadre Section in the Organization Department. As for the position, there is none for now, but your deputy section chief treatment will be retained. Do you have any objections?”

When transferring from a township to the county level, many people lose their specific positions. This was a common practice. Hou Weidong knew this rule and had mentally prepared himself the previous day, so he raised no objections. He smiled and said, “I firmly obey the organization’s arrangement.”

Director Xiao added, “The Comprehensive Cadre Section is currently led by Deputy Section Chief Guo Lan. She is a very capable female comrade. After you arrive at the department, you must cooperate with her well.”

During lunch, Su Mingjun also rushed over. On the way, he had been calculating: “Last time, I heard the implied meaning in County Mayor Gao’s words—that Hou Weidong had connections with a certain leader in the Municipal Party Committee. It seems this leader is Minister Su.” Upon returning to the township, he instructed Ouyang Lin, “Township Head Hou is being transferred to the Organization Department. Go buy a silk quilt, the best kind.”

After arranging this matter, he headed toward the Zhang Family Restaurant.

The days in Qinglin…