Chapter 52: The Road-Building Madman (Part 5)

Chapter 52 The Road-Building Madman (Part 5)

No matter how much persuasion was applied, Township Head Gao refused to travel to Yiyang. The primary reason was that his heart condition was showing signs of flare-ups, making the climb up Qinglin Mountain a genuine hardship. Hou Weidong understood that Gao’s concerns were entirely valid and felt it would be inappropriate to force him to go to Yiyang County to seek out Engineer Liu. Instead, early the next morning, Hou Weidong arrived at the foot of Qinglin Mountain, found Yang Feng, obtained a letter of introduction, and headed straight for Yiyang County.

Before setting off, Hou Weidong devised a small strategy. To ensure he could actually meet Engineer Liu, he deliberately avoided making a phone call beforehand, preferring to launch a surprise visit.

The County Transportation Bureau was housed in an old-style courtyard. The small yard contained several gleaming sedans. Although the buildings were aged, the landscaping was exquisite, featuring high-quality purple ceramic pots adorned with various patterns, which lent the place an air of dignity. People hurried in and out constantly, creating a scene of bustling activity.

Hou Weidong steadied his nerves outside the gate before walking to the first floor. In the corridor, a man sat behind a desk and asked, “Who are you looking for?”

“Engineer Liu Wei.”

“Come over and register.”

The man recorded Hou Weidong’s name and work unit, then waved his hand. “Engineer Liu is on the third floor.”

The Engineering Section consisted of four desks, with numerous charts hanging on the walls and various drafting tools scattered about. Only one short man sat at a desk, head down, deeply engrossed in drawing.

For days, the name “Engineer Liu” had been circling in Hou Weidong’s mind, becoming almost like an old friend. Now, seeing the man himself, Hou Weidong greeted him warmly. “Hello, Engineer Liu. I’m Hou Weidong from Qinglin Town. Township Head Gao has spoken with you on the phone.”

Engineer Liu was very short, wearing thick-rimmed glasses. His face looked like a wind-dried radish, perfectly matching Hou Weidong’s mental image of an intellectual. He looked up, removed his glasses, and placed his pen and ruler on the blueprints on his desk. He studied Hou Weidong for several seconds, then asked with suspicion, “You’re from Qinglin Town? Why haven’t I seen you before?”

“My name is Hou Weidong. I only started working in Qinglin Town this year, assigned to the Qinglin Work Team.”

Judging by Hou Weidong’s appearance, Liu Wei had assumed he was a university graduate assigned to Qinglin Town. But upon hearing he was part of the Work Team, he asked, “From the Work Team? Did you just return from military service?” Hou Weidong gave a vague reply, “Yes, I was just assigned here.”

Engineer Liu put his glasses back on, picked up his pen, and resumed his work, effectively leaving Hou Weidong standing there in silence.

“Engineer Liu, we are preparing to build a road connecting Lower Qinglin to Upper Qinglin. This road affects more than seven thousand people in Upper Qinglin. We need your help.”

Before he could finish, Engineer Liu interrupted him bluntly. “The geological survey was done by contractors I hired. I have already paid them. Twelve thousand yuan, which I advanced from my own pocket. Once you bring me that money, I can consider handing over the blueprints.”

Hou Weidong made his expression exceptionally sincere. “The money will definitely be paid. Please trust me. It’s just that the finances are tight right now. We will certainly pay next year.”

Engineer Liu remained unmoved. “Hou Weidong, what is your position? Do your words carry any weight?” Without waiting for an answer, he gathered his blueprints and said, “I have something to attend to and need to leave. Next time you come for the blueprints, it would be best to bring the money.”

Just then, the phone on his desk rang. Engineer Liu picked it up and said repeatedly, “Director Wu, I’m coming down right away.”

Seeing that Engineer Liu was about to leave, Hou Weidong urged, “Engineer Liu, please don’t go. Let’s discuss this further.”

“Hou Weidong, I understand your feelings, but you must also understand mine. Initially, to support the construction in Upper Qinglin, the standard fee set by the Ministry was seventy-five thousand yuan. I only charged twenty thousand yuan, essentially working for free. This amount was agreed upon with Township Head Gao and Town Head Qin. I don’t know why the payment has been delayed for so long.”

Engineer Liu stood at the door and said, “Sorry, I have to go out.”

“Hou Weidong, this isn’t your fault, and I have no personal grievance against you. However, this handling of affairs is truly unprofessional. Please tell Town Head Qin that Liu Wei is a man who values loyalty, but he cannot be treated so unfairly. You cannot drag out my money due to your internal issues.”

Liu Wei reached the ground floor, where a sedan was already idling. He got into the car and disappeared in a flash, leaving Hou Weidong alone in the courtyard.

Hou Weidong felt deeply embarrassed and even more disappointed. He stood dazed at the entrance of the Transportation Bureau for a long time. After wandering aimlessly on the street for a while, he entered a small restaurant, ordered stir-fried pork with green peppers and a soup, and ate two bowls of dry rice. Only then did his mood gradually settle.

“I cannot give up like this.” Hou Weidong constantly encouraged himself. He wandered around the streets for over an hour, then spent some time browsing in a bookstore to kill time until two o’clock. He then went to a public phone booth and tried calling Engineer Liu’s office.

Engineer Liu was not there; someone else in the office answered.

Learning that Engineer Liu would return for a meeting after three o’clock, Hou Weidong immediately called Township Head Gao and explained the situation. Gao’s response was filled with helplessness. “Engineer Liu is telling the truth. When I was in Upper Qinglin Township, I promised him that payment would be made upon commencement of work. However, the blueprints were just completed when Upper and Lower Qinglin merged, and the matter was delayed.”

“Township Head Gao, Engineer Liu said that if we pay the twelve thousand yuan first, he will provide the blueprints.”

Township Head Gao sighed. “The town’s finances are very tight, and there is little enthusiasm for road construction. It will be difficult to come up with these twelve thousand yuan. Moreover, Town Head Qin has already made his stance clear: he will consider it as a reward-based subsidy next year.”

After hanging up, Hou Weidong was stunned for a long time. He then called Town Head Su’s office. Town Head Su’s attitude was good, offering some words of encouragement, but when it came to the money, he also expressed his inability to help.

Holding onto his last hope, Hou Weidong returned to the Transportation Bureau. He waited until four o’clock, when Liu Wei finally returned to his office in his sedan. Seeing Hou Weidong, Liu Wei was somewhat surprised. Noticing that other colleagues were in the office, he spoke softly, “Hou Weidong, I want to tell you something.”

They went downstairs to a secluded spot. Liu Wei asked, “Did you bring the money?” Upon receiving a negative answer, Liu Wei said, “Drawing the road blueprints was a private job I took. I did the drawing, but it was registered under someone else’s name. The nominal engineer takes two thousand yuan from the twenty thousand. So, after working hard for several months, I haven’t earned much.”

Hou Weidong had no better argument, so he said, “The town has established a Road Construction Leading Group, with Town Head Su as the leader. I am handling the specific logistics. Town Head Qin has promised that once the finances ease up next year, a portion of the funds will be allocated. The respectable Qinglin Government will not shortchange Engineer Liu.”

Having dealt with township leaders for many years, Engineer Liu was too familiar with their styles. He said, “If there is no money, the road simply cannot be built. Little Hou, you have just moved from the military to local work and do not understand the complexity of local affairs. If Town Head Qin is transferred next year, who will I ask for the money? Also, please do not come to the office to find me in the future, as it might cause bad impressions.”

After talking for a long time with no result, Hou Weidong could only leave the Transportation Bureau in disappointment. He thought gloomily, “Am I really dreaming of the impossible?”

He walked around the bustling pedestrian street. Although the crowd was lively, Hou Weidong felt as if he were walking through a desolate desert. He still couldn’t resist calling home.

On the other end of the line, when Liu Guangfen heard that Hou Weidong wanted to borrow money to pay for the blueprints, she immediately said, “My son, there is no reason for private individuals to pay for public matters. Moreover, you don’t even hold an official position. It’s not worth doing such a foolish thing.” She then said angrily, “When your father comes back tonight, I will tell him. We will find a way to get you transferred to the Yiyang Public Security Bureau through acquaintances. I’ve heard Qinglin Town is just a mountain valley; we won’t stay there.”

Hou Weidong pleaded and persuaded her. Liu Guangfen, heartbroken for her youngest son, eventually agreed to lend him five thousand yuan. With his mother’s support, the lights on the pedestrian street seemed much brighter. After eating hastily, Hou Weidong prepared to stay at the guesthouse of Shazhou College.

He had not yet reached the bus station when he heard a greeting.

Duan Ying, dressed in a red skirt, came out of a shop and said happily, “Hou Weidong, what a coincidence.” After exchanging a few pleasantries, Duan Ying looked at her watch and said, “The last bus back to the college leaves at ten o’clock. It’s still early. How about I treat you to a dance?”

Hou Weidong had danced with Duan Ying in the college ballroom before. Hearing her suggestion, he hesitated for a moment, then agreed readily.

“It’s just dancing. There’s nothing big about it.” Hou Weidong comforted himself again as he entered the ballroom.

The ballroom was crowded. Duan Ying stood beside Hou Weidong and said, “This is the best ballroom in Qinglin. The sound system is good, and the lighting is excellent.”

Qinglin Days