Chapter 243: Flaws (Part 1)

The demolition work at Jianshan was under the responsibility of Town Mayor Liu Kun. Upon hearing Ji Wen’s inquiry, Su Ming turned his head to look at Liu Kun.

Liu Kun was in charge of the entire Jianshan demolition project. He had only attended the initial mobilization meeting once before delegating the day-to-day management to Zhong Ruihua, the Deputy Town Mayor and Director of the Office of the Cement Plant Project Leading Group. Liu Kun was well aware of the situation regarding the three households and was preparing to convene a coordination meeting to address it.

Facing Standing Committee Member Ji, Liu Kun coughed lightly to clear his throat and said, “The Jianshan demolition involves two villages. Most of the villagers have already relocated, leaving only three households at the foot of Jianshan. Their homes are situated near a perennial spring flowing from a cave. The water quality is excellent, and they have maintained fish ponds there for over a decade. The relocation sites lack such water sources. The township government has attempted to negotiate compensation agreements several times, but due to the three families’ exorbitant demands, no agreement has been reached.”

Ji Haiyang knew that demolition work was a difficult task that often sparked conflicts. He did not criticize the two town leaders in front of Gao Yingbing, the head of the cement plant. Instead, he naturally turned his head, pointed to the construction site where work was proceeding vigorously, and said, “Director Gao, I understand that the site may be somewhat chaotic during the infrastructure construction of the cement plant. However, when Secretary Zhou comes to inspect, the site must be thoroughly cleaned. Building materials should be stacked neatly, and parking areas must be free of standing water and mud. If the weather remains clear, water should be sprinkled on the ground to prevent excessive dust.”

“Regulations for the temporary office should be posted on the walls. It would be best to plant some flowers and grass and hang banners with slogans from the Qingda Group. This will present a vibrant image of the cement plant and demonstrate the high quality of the enterprises under the Qingda Group.”

He smiled slightly and added, “Shazhou is gradually becoming an important industrial base in Lingxi. I have communicated with Chairman Mushan, and the Qingda Group has expressed interest in developing in Shazhou. Leaving a good impression on Secretary Changquan will be highly beneficial for the group’s future development.”

Gao Yingbing, wearing a safety helmet with a dark complexion that exuded the aura of a seasoned worker, listened to Ji Haiyang’s words, which were soft yet firm. He responded readily, “Rest assured, Standing Committee Member Ji. Before the 10th, I will organize the site according to the requirements of the County Party Committee. We will absolutely not cause trouble for Yiyang County. However, I request that Standing Committee Member Ji intervene to resolve the issue with the three households. Once that is settled, our plant can fully devote itself to production.”

He laughed heartily twice and said, “The earlier the cement plant begins production, the sooner it can contribute tax revenue to Yiyang County. It is a win-win situation. Ha, ha, a win-win.”

Gao Yingbing accompanied Ji Haiyang on a tour of the entire factory area, providing a detailed introduction to the infrastructure progress. When they reached the three-story factory building, Gao Yingbing said, “Standing Committee Member Ji, we have another difficulty. We were preparing to submit a report to the county, but since you are here for inspection today, I will report it to you directly.”

Ji Haiyang said, “The cement plant is a key project for the county. It is the government’s duty to help you solve these problems. Please go ahead.”

“We have several oversized and ultra-long pieces of equipment arriving at Jianshan in the near future. There is a bridge tunnel along the route that is too low. It may need to be demolished to allow the equipment to pass. Additionally, some power lines require elevation measures. These are critical pieces of equipment; if they cannot be transported in, the cement plant simply cannot begin operations.”

Ji Haiyang said, “I am aware of this matter. You should submit a formal report to the government detailing the situation. We will then organize the power, transportation, and public security departments to assist you in transporting the equipment.”

Gao Yingbing was pleased to see Standing Committee Member Ji’s straightforward commitment. He said, “Standing Committee Member Ji, Secretary Su, and Mayor Liu are our honored guests. Please join us for lunch at the factory. However, the conditions on the mountain are poor, and the food may not be up to standard. Please do not mind.”

Seeing that it was already lunchtime, Ji Haiyang did not decline. He nodded and said, “We will eat whatever is available. Director Gao, please do not make special preparations.”

In the factory’s temporary reception room, while Director Gao was out, Ji Haiyang said to Su Ming beside him, “Secretary Su, the cement plant is a key project for our county and was personally connected by Secretary Zhu. You must demonstrate a fighting spirit and relocate these three households in a reasonable and legal manner. I believe Secretary Su possesses the political wisdom to handle this.”

In this situation, Su Ming had no choice but to make a solemn pledge. He said, “Standing Committee Member Ji, rest assured. We will definitely complete the task.”

Hou Weidong had been listening silently all along. He thought to himself, “Liu Kun is not familiar with the terrain of Shangqinlin.” He offered a suggestion: “There are still several places with good water sources in Jianshan Village. Along the route managed by Director Zeng Xiangang, there is a small stream that never dries up year-round. We could consider relocating these three families next to this stream. The factory could contribute some funds, and the village could provide subsidies, allowing us to build three ponds of similar scale.”

Liu Kun had previously visited the villages of Shangqinlin by car, going directly to the village offices. He rarely walked door-to-door and did not know the location of the small stream Hou Weidong mentioned. He looked at Su Ming with a questioning gaze.

Su Ming knew the location of the stream. After thinking for a moment, he nodded and said, “Secretary Hou makes a valid point. This afternoon, Mayor Liu and I will discuss this with Old He and Old Zeng to see how much flexible land their villages have available.”

Liu Kun felt slightly embarrassed.

After lunch at the factory, Ji Haiyang did not wish to delay further. He gave Su Ming a few final instructions and then returned to the city.

Back in his office, it was not yet three o’clock. Hou Weidong went to the General Affairs Section and saw that Ren Xiaowei was still in the office. He asked, “Has Secretary Zhu gone out this afternoon?” Ren Xiaowei rubbed her nose and said, “Secretary Zhu originally planned to go to Shawanzi, but a Deputy Director from the Shazhou Commerce Commission arrived. He is still in Secretary Zhu’s office, so Secretary Zhu has not left yet.”

Hearing that a Deputy Director from the Commerce Commission had arrived, Hou Weidong suddenly thought of Wu Yi. He wondered, “I wonder if Wu Yi has come?” This woman with white clothes and long hair had left a deep impression on Hou Weidong. Although he could not definitively confirm that Wu Yi was the woman in white from those days, in his heart, it was highly likely that she was the dancer in white. However, that dance in the small hall was a distant memory. While Hou Weidong remembered it vividly, whether the other party remembered it was unknown. Therefore, although Hou Weidong had wanted to ask Wu Yi at the time, he had restrained himself from asking abruptly.

Holding the materials Secretary Zhu needed to review, Hou Weidong waited in the office. About ten minutes later, he heard footsteps in the corridor. He took the materials to the office door and saw a cadre from the County Commerce Commission accompanying Qian Ning, the Deputy Director of the Municipal Commerce Commission, walking out. Qian Ning was wearing a light-colored suit and had a smile on his face. Behind him was Wu Yi with her long hair. She was not wearing a white dress today but rather a professional small suit.

“Hello, Director Qian.”

Hou Weidong proactively greeted them at the door. Qian Ning, coming from the commercial system, did not have a strong bureaucratic air. Having eaten with Hou Weidong before, he had some impression of him and nodded, saying, “Hello.” Hou Weidong also nodded to Wu Yi, and Wu Yi smiled with her lips pressed together.

Qian Ning and Wu Yi did not stop. They quickly walked down the corridor to the corner. Hou Weidong’s gaze followed Wu Yi until her back completely disappeared. He自嘲 (mocked himself) silently, “Dancing was popular in those years. That night’s experience might not have meant anything to Wu Yi at all.”

Entering Zhu Yan’s office, Zhu Yan was standing and stretching his waist. “How is the situation at Jianshan?”

Hou Weidong reported everything that had happened in detail.

Zhu Yan instructed, “Ji Haiyang has many responsibilities. Find time to visit Shangqinlin again to check if they are implementing the plan. When Secretary Changquan comes to inspect, those three households must absolutely not cause trouble.”

“Call Vice County Mayor Zeng and Zhu Bing from the Transportation Bureau to meet at the government compound. Let’s go check the preparation of the roads. Bring the Iveco minibus from the Transportation Bureau.”

Ten minutes later, Hou Weidong followed Zhu Yan downstairs. The Transportation Bureau’s Iveco was already parked in the courtyard. Zhu Yan shook hands with Zeng Zhaoqiang and said, “Secretary Changquan’s first stop in Shazhou will be to inspect the roads. We cannot afford to be careless. The three of us will take the Iveco to look along the route.”

Zeng Zhaoqiang had a slicked-back hairstyle and a burly build. As Zhu Yan spoke, he bent slightly and nodded continuously, saying, “Rest assured, Secretary Zhu. I have already given the orders. In the past few days, all personnel from the road maintenance section have been on the road. On one hand, they are repairing the roads; on the other hand, they are cleaning up along the route.”

The view from the Iveco was better than from a small car. Because the County Party Secretary was on board, the Iveco driver drove particularly smoothly. After passing the suburban area, garbage from rural households was dumped on both sides of the road. One might not notice this when riding in a small car, but from the Iveco, the garbage was particularly conspicuous. Zhu Yan’s expression grew increasingly gloomy. He said to Hou Weidong, “Call Zhang Youfa from Mengdong Town and have him wait by the roadside. After we return from Shawanzi, let him see the garbage along the route.”

He then said to Zeng Xiangang, “County Mayor Zeng, this is a provincial road. I recall that fifteen meters on either side are considered part of the road’s jurisdiction. Do you only have the power but not the responsibility to manage the hygiene on both sides?”

Zeng Xiangang was also troubled by the thick garbage on both sides. He said, “Secretary Zhu, the Transportation Bureau is mainly responsible for cleaning the road surface. We indeed lack the capacity to clean the garbage from rural residences on both sides. We must rely on local grassroots organizations.”

Zhu Yan did not dwell on the garbage issue. He said, “This road has been repaired for over two years, yet the roadside trees are still as thin as toothpicks. Also, there is too much weeds in the central isolation belt. They must be cleared immediately.”

As they approached Shawanzi, workers from the road maintenance section were patching the road. Hou Weidong’s heart sank. He asked Zhu Bing, who was sitting nearby, in a low voice, “Director Zhu, why is the road already damaged?” Zhu Bing whispered, “There are too many heavy trucks now, all severely overloaded. A single heavy truck can weigh forty or fifty tons, so the road damage naturally occurs quickly.”

Hou Weidong had good relationships with Zeng Zhaoqiang and Zhu Bing. Seeing Zhu Yan’s displeased expression, he said, “Secretary Zhu, should we set up display boards at Shawanzi to introduce the achievements in transportation construction?” Zhu Yan thought for a moment and said, “Secretary Changquan will get off at Shawanzi to meet with the four major leadership teams. Let’s prepare a few display boards and assign a narrator. This will allow Secretary Changquan to feel a strong atmosphere as soon as he enters Yiyang.”

With this distraction, Zhu Yan did not notice the road patching work. Zhu Bing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.