Chapter 352: Another Village (Part 1)

In October, the Provincial Party Committee’s policy宣讲 group arrived in Yiyang. All section-level cadres across the county were required to attend. The lecturer was an elderly professor with graying hair, his face radiating scholarly depth. His topic was “The Southeast Asian Financial Crisis and Lingxi’s Economy.”

“Since 1993, when China unified its exchange rate system, the RMB has remained strong against the US dollar. The exchange rate has gradually appreciated from 8.7 RMB per dollar…”

“Since 1998, the significant devaluation of currencies in Southeast Asian countries has increased their attractiveness to foreign investment and boosted the competitiveness of their exports. This will inevitably have some impact on Lingxi…”

“Expanding domestic demand is a key method for addressing the financial crisis. This is a unique advantage of our country…”

The Provincial Party Committee’s宣讲团 held policy briefings across Lingxi Province every year. This year’s focus was on the Southeast Asian financial crisis and its implications for Lingxi’s development. Several well-known economists from within and outside the province joined the宣讲团. Originally, the group only visited prefecture-level cities. However, after arriving in Shazhou, Secretary Changquan felt the timing was perfect and the content excellent. During the post-meeting banquet, he suggested to the head of the宣讲团: “Yiyang County is showing strong development momentum and has already taken on the structure of an industrial county. I’d like to invite the宣讲团 to make the extra effort to speak to the cadres in Yiyang, so they can broaden their horizons and understand the broader national and international landscape.”

The宣讲团 gladly accepted Secretary Changquan’s invitation.

Hou Weidong, unsure of the caliber of the lecture, had often been bored by long, empty speeches in the past. So, he brought a novel to the venue. If the lecture was good, he would listen; if not, he would read.

As he entered the hall, he ran into Gui Gang, the Director of the Finance Bureau, at the entrance. Gui Gang was walking briskly while talking on the phone. Seeing Hou Weidong, he merely nodded slightly and passed by. Hou Weidong walked in at a steady pace, entered the main hall, and found his seat in the Science and Technology Commission section according to the seating chart in his hand.

In the time before the meeting started, the heads of various bureaus and departments liked to take advantage of the gaps to crack jokes. Of course, even joking followed certain rules. Leaders from important departments like the Transportation Bureau, Construction Commission, and Finance Bureau usually sat together, chatting casually with one another. Meanwhile, heads of departments like the Archives Bureau, Science and Technology Commission, Youth League, and Women’s Federation were often seated together. They enjoyed their own company and joked among themselves.

Although there wasn’t a clear dividing line separating the boys' and girls' dorms between these two groups, everyone understood the unspoken rules. They generally didn’t cross over to joke with the other group. This was an unwritten rule in Lingxi’s official circles, a nuance that could be understood but not easily explained.

Sitting next to Hou Weidong was the Chairwoman of the Women’s Federation, a woman in her forties. Next to her sat the Director of the Archives Bureau. The two women, of similar age, chatted about sweater styles as if no one else was around. Hou Weidong merely nodded slightly to those beside him and lowered his head, focusing on his novel.

Occasionally looking up, Hou Weidong saw Yang Senlin enter the hall, with Liu Kun closely following behind. Liu Kun’s hair was neatly combed, and he wore a black suit. With a smile on his face, he held Yang Senlin’s cup in one hand and carried a leather bag in the other. He escorted Yang Senlin to his seat before turning to find the seat of the Director of the Government Office.

Liu Kun stood in front of Zhang Yajun, the Director of the Construction Commission, and they chatted amiably for a few moments. Only when the meeting was about to begin did Liu Kun return to his own seat.

Hou Weidong shifted his gaze from his book and watched coldly for a moment, thinking to himself: “This society is truly realistic. Status levels are crystal clear, with no ambiguity. Yet books claim that work has no hierarchy of nobility or baseness. It’s just fooling people.” He glanced at the back of Ji Haiyang’s head in the front row and thought further: “I can’t always rely on Ji Haiyang to introduce me to Huang Zidi. If this continues, I’ll never form a true strategic partnership with Huang Zidi. Next time, I need to find a way to meet Huang Zidi alone.”

Lost in thought, the gray-haired professor walked up to the podium. Hou Weidong had initially planned to listen casually, but to his surprise, the professor was genuinely skilled. His analysis of the domestic, international, and Lingxi-specific economic situations was accurate and engaging. Hou Weidong, who had run a quarry for years and was a director at Jinggong Group, was no stranger to economics. He was at least more familiar with it than most people in the room. Recognizing quality when he heard it, he put his novel aside and listened intently.

After the meeting, county leaders and heads of key bureaus and departments dispersed in their cars like locusts, quickly vanishing from the grand hall. Hou Weidong didn’t have a car. After leaving the compound, he walked toward the Chongqing Jianghu Cuisine restaurant. As he walked, he called Li Jing. “It’s Hou Weidong. Are you having a good time in Hainan?”

Li Jing leaned against the wooden railing, looking out at the endless sea. “I’m by the seaside, not doing much. Just watching the ocean and enjoying life.” This trip to Hainan was purely accidental. Li Jing had stumbled upon a photo of Sanya’s scenery and suddenly felt an urge to stay by the beach for a few days. She had originally wanted to go with Hou Weidong, but since he was in Maoyun, and she was eager to dive into the azure sea, she didn’t wait for him and flew directly to Hainan.

Leaving business and social engagements behind, Li Jing enjoyed the food and scenery alone in Hainan, feeling free and comfortable. Of course, this freedom and comfort were supported by her financial strength. Without it, she would have no access to flights, five-star hotels, or the sea, and would have to struggle hard for a meager salary.

“I just listened to the lecture by the Provincial Party Committee’s宣讲团. It was very inspiring. After this financial crisis, the state is adjusting its industrial structure, trying hard to stimulate domestic demand and consumption. The real estate industry has a long supply chain and is one of the key sectors being boosted.”

Li Jing was in a good mood and laughed. “So, my initial decision was quite good.” Hou Weidong praised her: “You have a natural talent for business. You chose the right industry.”

Li Jing looked at the beautiful scenery and gently rubbed her abdomen, thinking to herself: “I heard that it’s easier to get pregnant in beautiful environments. Being by the sea must increase the chances of conception.” Out loud, she said, “Monkey King, it’s such a pity you didn’t come to Hainan. Life isn’t just about work; it’s also about enjoyment.” Her voice softened slightly at the end.

Hou Weidong laughed. “Once the State Council’s policies are released, the moderately tight financial policy will change. Lingxi will inevitably see a new wave of investment. By then, you definitely won’t be interested in staying by the beach.”

Hou Weidong hung up only when he reached the Chongqing restaurant. He had been on the phone for nearly ten minutes. Entering the restaurant, he ordered a home-style fish dish and settled down to think.

“Being an official is so tiring. Why not just dive into the business world and become a free, wealthy man?” As the steaming home-style fish was served, Hou Weidong thought of Li Jing’s words. He bit into the fish maw fiercely, saying to himself, “I won’t be this lousy official anymore. I’ll become an entrepreneur, travel the world, and eat my way through it.”

Just as he was aggressively tackling the fish pieces, his mobile phone vibrated vigorously in his pocket. Seeing the number, it was Zhu Yan. Hou Weidong quickly answered. “Secretary Zhu, hello.”

Zhu Yan’s steady and friendly voice came through the line: “Xiao Hou, I was at a meeting in Lingxi Province the day before yesterday and ran into Secretary Changquan. I accidentally heard some news. Secretary Changquan’s secretary is preparing to be transferred out to become the Deputy Director of the Municipal Local Tax Bureau. Are you interested in becoming Secretary Changquan’s secretary?”

Hou Weidong knew well that serving as a secretary to a high-ranking leader was a shortcut to promotion. He said, “If there’s such an opportunity, I’m willing.” He immediately added, “Secretary Zhu, I still most want to serve you.”

Zhu Yan replied, “Things are too complicated here in Maoyun. Zheming is a diligent Prefectural Party Secretary, but he’s too hardworking. As the Deputy Secretary of the Prefectural Party Committee, I basically have nothing to do. Don’t come over now, or you might get caught in the crossfire and affect your future development.” This was the first time Zhu Yan had expressed the situation in Maoyun so bluntly. After working in Maoyun for half a year, his conflicts with Zheming had begun to surface like weeds. He had decided to make an appropriate counterattack; otherwise, he would lose his voice completely in Maoyun. Therefore, he didn’t want his most admired young man to wade into this muddy water.

“This is a good opportunity. I’ve mentioned your situation to Huang Zidi, and he agreed to help. However, whether it succeeds depends on Secretary Changquan’s attitude. You also need to proactively contact Huang Zidi.”

“I understand. Thank you, Secretary Zhu.”

Just minutes ago, Hou Weidong had been thinking about jumping into the business sea. But when Zhu Yan’s call came, his attention was instantly pulled back to his original track.

After finishing the home-style fish at the Chongqing Jianghu Cuisine restaurant, Hou Weidong broke into a light sweat. He made up his mind not to be a deserter at the first sign of minor setbacks. He drove to Shazhou, arriving there in over half an hour. He parked his car in front of the Municipal Party Committee building, under a large tree, smoked two cigarettes, and then directly dialed Huang Zidi’s mobile phone.

Just as the ringtone was about to end, Huang Zidi’s voice came through. Unfamiliar with the number, he said, “I’m in a meeting. Let’s talk later.” Hou Weidong quickly said, “Secretary Huang, this is Hou Weidong. I’m here to report on my work.”

Realizing the unfamiliar number belonged to Hou Weidong, Huang Zidi understood what it was about. He laughed, “I saw the number was strange and wondered who knew my mobile number. So it’s Xiao Hou.” He wasn’t actually in a meeting; he had just finished one and was sitting in his office drinking tea.

Hou Weidong said, “Secretary Huang, I heard that Secretary Zhou needs a secretary. I don’t know what the requirements are. Do I have a chance?”

“Your news travels fast.” Huang Zidi already had an idea. He hummed thoughtfully for a moment before saying, “This ultimately needs Secretary Changquan’s approval. I can only create some opportunities. Next week, the Shazhou Municipal Youth League Committee will hold a Youth Talent Forum. Secretary Changquan will attend the discussion. You need to prepare thoroughly and strive to be the first to speak.”

Hou Weidong asked, “What issues does Secretary Changquan care about most?”

“Of course, it’s the development of Shazhou. After the financial crisis, how Shazhou should develop and which path to take are topics Secretary Changquan has raised multiple times in the Standing Committee meetings. You should study the spirit of his several speeches carefully and prepare fully.”