Chapter 300: People and Affairs (Part 2)

Chapter 300: People and Affairs (Part 2)

The banquet in Lingxi Province concluded at exactly eight o’clock. The Provincial Development Bank offered high praise for Yiyang County’s work in developing the New Management Committee. Half of this praise was standard bureaucratic courtesy; the other half was genuine. The fact that Zhu Yan and Yang Senlin had come personally to report on the progress demonstrated that the Yiyang County Party Committee held a correct attitude. And in the end, attitude determined the success or failure of the ten-hundred-million-yuan loan.

After seeing off the leaders from the Provincial Development Bank, Zhu Yan and Yang Senlin chatted casually in the small garden within the hotel courtyard. Hou Weidong and Yang Dajin followed at a respectful distance, keeping their presence unobtrusive. Taking a moment, Hou Weidong called Li Jing.

“President Li, I’m still accompanying Secretary Zhu. I probably won’t be able to come over tonight.”

Li Jing had been waiting eagerly in her room. Hearing his words, she sounded disappointed. “Forget it. The白骨精 (white-bone spirit) isn’t waiting for you anymore. I’m going out too.”

Zhu Yan and Yang Senlin stood in the garden for over half an hour before bidding each other farewell.

As they parted, Yang Senlin gave a specific instruction: “Director Hou, you must escort Secretary Zhu back to the Party School.” In truth, whether Yang Senlin instructed him or not, Hou Weidong would have seen Zhu Yan back to the Party School anyway.

They arrived at the Party School gate just as the clock struck nine. Zhu Yan was slightly tipsy. He had no desire to hold that beautifully printed copy of Zeng Guofan’s Family Letters tonight. That book was meant for quiet reading with a cup of tea. After drinking, his mind was unsettled; it was better not to read at all.

Hou Weidong had many things he wanted to say. He accompanied Zhu Yan to the entrance of the dormitory building and said, “Secretary Zhu, it’s still early. Let me accompany you for a sit.”

Zhu Yan glanced at his wristwatch. “You haven’t been to Tietashan yet. Let’s go drink tea, chat, and watch the Lingxi night view.”

“How is your driving?”

“Not bad.”

“No problem after drinking?”

“This little bit of alcohol is nothing.”

Zhu Yan took out a set of keys. “A friend gave me a Passat a few days ago to use as a daily driver. There are too many cars and people in Lingxi, and my skills aren’t great. I’ve only driven out twice at night. Tonight, you drive.”

Hou Weidong suggested, “Secretary Zhu, Wang Bing has good driving skills. Why not leave him in Lingxi to serve as your dedicated driver? It would be more convenient.”

Zhu Yan shook his head. “There’s no need for that. I came to the Party School to quiet down and read some books.” He paused, then added, “It is indeed very inconvenient without a car. Here’s what we’ll do: have Wang Bing stay for a few days to act as my coach. Once I’ve graduated from his training, his mission will be complete.”

Tietashan stood at an altitude of about one thousand meters, with a flat plateau at its summit. Someone had contracted the land, setting up rows of small tables and parasols, and hanging strings of fairy lights. It had become an open-air bar. Although the prices were double those at the foot of the mountain, business was consistently good.

Sitting on the summit, one could look up at the vast expanse of stars, or look down to see the dazzling lights of Lingxi City.

“When will Shazhou have lights this bright?” Zhu Yan moved his small chair to the edge of the plateau. Below lay a cliff so deep it seemed bottomless. Gusts of mountain wind blew up from the valley, sweeping away the summer heat.

Hou Weidong keenly noticed that Zhu Yan had said “Shazhou,” not “Yiyang.” Following Zhu Yan’s gaze toward the distant city, he said, “Once the New Management Committee is built, the lights there will be just as brilliant.”

Zhu Yan did not reply. He silently held his teacup. After a long while, he suddenly turned his head and asked, “How is the profitability of your quarry?”

Hou Weidong answered honestly, “The construction tasks in Yiyang are substantial, so the quarry’s profits are quite good.”

Hou Weidong had confessed the matter of the quarry to Zhu Yan long ago. Zhu Yan did not dislike it from the bottom of his heart; instead, he appreciated Hou Weidong’s sharp mind. “Your generation is fortunate to have coincided with the era of reform and opening up. Much luckier than us. When I was your age, I was earning a salary of thirty-something yuan, living in a unit dormitory, riding a second-hand bicycle, and yet I was still cheerful every day.”

“Through your experience, I’ve gained some inspiration. An inland city like Shazhou must use unconventional methods to catch up with the coastal regions. Generally speaking, cadres in Shazhou are a group with relatively high quality. We should introduce more relaxed policies to allow them to take the lead in running enterprises.”

“I saw a document at the Party School detailing the development history of the Shunde enterprise cluster. One-third of the nation’s home appliance production is in Guangdong, and Shunde accounts for half of that. It is the nation’s largest production base for refrigerators, air conditioners, water heaters, and disinfection cabinets, and the largest manufacturing center for electric fans, microwaves, and rice cookers. Brands like Ronshen, Midea, Macrolife, and Galanz have all become national names.”

Zhu Yan had clearly studied this matter, reciting the details with ease.

“Why did Shunde enterprises develop so well? Government officials played a major role. For example, Pan Ning of Pearl River Refrigerator Factory was the Deputy Director of the Industry and Trade Office in Gui Town, Shunde. Liang Qingde of Galanz, the world’s largest microwave oven manufacturer, was the Deputy Director of the Industry and Trade Office in Guichuan Town, Shunde. He Boquan of Labasa was the Secretary of the Youth League Committee in Xiaolan Town. Shazhou must liberate its thinking and allow government officials to engage in business. Only then can we carve out a bloody path forward.”

“What is your view on this? This is a private discussion, so speak boldly.”

Hou Weidong had years of enterprise experience, and his perspective differed slightly from Zhu Yan’s. “Things were different in previous years. Current policy does not allow county and township governments to invest in running enterprises. Moreover, government officials themselves lack the startup capital for businesses. So even if there were policies, the difficulty would still be significant.”

Zhu Yan dismissed this concern. “If they want to live, they will find a way. I am confident in this. The key lies in the attitude of the leadership and the operability of the policies. For instance, we could allow officials to leave their posts for a few years while retaining their public status, focusing entirely on developing enterprises. Of course, this requires a complete set of systems. I have been thinking about this issue while at the Party School.”

He tapped his head. “The New Management Committee does not have a significant geographical advantage. Compared to the provincial capital and regional cities, it actually has disadvantages. It will be difficult to stand out among the many development zones in the province. As the head of the New Management Committee, you must boldly liberate your thinking. Otherwise, it will be hard for the committee to carve out a path forward.”

The two men looked out at the distant starry sky and the beautiful city lights, blowing in the mountain wind and discussing abstract issues. Both mentally and physically, they felt relaxed. Hou Weidong viewed Zhu Yan as a knowledgeable senior, rather than a county party secretary wielding great power.

It was eleven o’clock before they slowly descended the mountain.

As they parted, Zhu Yan said, “You need to find a way to get a master’s degree from Lingxi University as soon as possible. The higher you go in the major organs, the higher the requirements for credentials. You should prepare early.” He added, “After this study session ends, I estimate I won’t return to Yiyang. It’s unclear where I will be assigned.”

After leaving the Party School gate, Hou Weidong did not bother having Wang Bing drive the car over. He took a taxi back to the hotel, his mind constantly turning over Zhu Yan’s words. “Zhu Yan likely intends to take me with him. Should I follow him?”

As the head of the New Management Committee, he could basically fully exert his own will. This was far more comfortable than serving as a secretary to a leader. However, Zhu Yan would definitely hold a municipal-level leadership position after graduation. Following him would surely offer greater prospects for development. Thus, Hou Weidong remained quite hesitant about the matter.

As he walked and thought, he heard someone shout from the lobby: “Hou Weidong.”

Following the sound, Hou Weidong was surprised to see Zeng Xiangang. He was walking toward the elevator with another sturdy-looking man.

Zeng Xiangang hurriedly introduced him to the sturdy man: “This is Director Hou of the Yiyang New Management Committee, my iron brother.”

“This is my Fujian comrade-in-arms, He Zhu. I’m helping him sell building materials. The factory in the development zone belongs to him.”

Hou Weidong politely said, “Welcome, President He, to invest in the New Management Committee. If you need anything, give me a call. Xiangang has my number.”

He Zhu wore a thick gold chain around his neck. His skin was dark, and his build was solid. After shaking hands with Hou Weidong, he said, “Director Hou, I’ll need your continued support. I’ll be coming to Yiyang in a few days. I’ll treat you to a meal then.”

He was not a man of many words. After a few polite exchanges, he fell silent.

The sorrowful aura around Zeng Xiangang’s eyes had faded considerably. “Our sales center in Lingxi is built, and I’ll be in charge. It opened the day before yesterday, and we made a full house.” He asked, “Why are you also in Lingxi? Attending a meeting?”

Hou Weidong nodded, answering vaguely, “I’m currently responsible for investment promotion, so I’m often running around.”

Zeng Xiangang pointed upstairs with his hand and whispered, “There’s a massage center upstairs. They offer three-piece service. The girls are very obedient. After a tiring day, let’s go relax together.”

Hou Weidong was now the Party Secretary and Director of the New Management Committee, a young cadre with great promise. He was much more vigilant than when he had first started working. He felt that He Zhu had a bit of a gangster vibe, so he naturally refused to go to the massage center. He made an excuse, “Someone is waiting for me upstairs. I need to go up first.” This was half true and half false; Yang Dajin was also staying at the Jinxing Hotel, but he was not actually waiting for Hou Weidong.

Inside the elevator, Zeng Xiangang pressed the button for the seventh floor. Hou Weidong saw the sign for the seventh floor: Massage Center.

“Xiangang, now that you’re in Lingxi, who is managing the Yiyang store?”

“I’ve handed the Yiyang store to Zeng Xianyong. I’ll just go back periodically to check on it.” Zeng Xiangang handed over a business card. “This is my card. It has my address. You must come to my store tomorrow to take a look.”

“I’ve brought my son to Lingxi too, to change his environment.” As he said this, Zeng Xiangang’s usual gloomy mood resurfaced.

Back in his room, Hou Weidong couldn’t help but recall the first time he and Zeng Xiangang had treated the former financial section chief of the Yiyang Transportation Bureau to a meal. At that time, Zeng Xiangang had looked completely helpless and拘谨 (restrained) in the dance hall. Now, although he was still dark and rough, his temperament had changed greatly. His single eye and burly physique actually gave him a masculine flavor.

The next day, Hou Weidong followed the address on the business card to find the Lingxi store. Upon entering, he saw Zeng Xiangang standing in front of the counter, with a young woman of slender figure standing beside him.