Chapter 32 People's Congress Representatives (I)

  It was already March 1978, and it had been about a year and a half since I returned from my journey. Except for the English and Russian words in my head and the "Zi Yue Shi Yun" being more crowded, nothing else has changed. Because I no longer live in the commune, I also can't help Fang Wentuo repair wireless telegraphy anymore, and my financial resources are cut off, which makes me very depressed. With less than 10 yuan of "personal total assets", after buying a few "mingqian" (a type of currency), only 5 yuan is left, with severe shrinkage. I was so scared that I had to tighten my purse strings, reduce expenses, and dare not spend a single penny recklessly.

  Before crossing over to this life, I coincidentally encountered the global financial crisis. Although my boss didn't lay off employees, he did severely cut our salaries, those of us who were wage earners. With elderly parents and young children at home, it's easy to imagine how economically strained we were. To use a very common saying, "I hated that I had to split one coin into two halves to spend." But unexpectedly, after crossing over, things got even worse - splitting coins in half to spend was still spending, but now I don't dare move at all.

  This is awesome!

  Others are poor for a lifetime, I am not rich for two lifetimes, it's not excessive to be a bit vulgar, is it?

  Dad became more and more leisurely, even being dragged by Yuchen to the riverbank and reservoir several times, I don't know if it was fishing or snow-fishing, anyway, fish were never seen, but he caught a cold once.

  Whether or not he catches any fish, I fully support Dad's fishing trips. As mentioned earlier, fishing can dispel anxiety and unease. If Dad wants to continue navigating the complexities of officialdom, this transformation is essential for him to undergo. His temperament has clashed with that of Yan Yucheng, making it difficult for them to complement each other.

  In March, Xiangyang County is about to hold a People's Congress. During the Great Revolution, many things were turned upside down, and the system of people's congresses was also impacted to some extent, but as it concerns the country's fundamental political system, it has still been maintained.

  For years, the People's Congress has been a major event in Yang County politics. If not for that suspension to reflect, Yan Yucheng was sure to be elected as a delegate to the People's Congress. Although Dad ranked last and may not necessarily get elected, there is still great hope.

  It's definitely over now.

  Looking at Father's seemingly carefree but actually anxious state, I wanted to tell him that by May or June at the latest, the famous article "Practice is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth" would be published. At that time, Yan Yucheng and Father's political predicament would not only undergo a thorough change, but also no longer be isolated and helpless.

  Mr. Zhou once said that those who engage in politics must recognize the overall situation, be clear about progress and retreat, and at critical moments, they must be able to advance without hesitation. These words are very reasonable, but not comprehensive. There is another skill that people engaged in politics must also possess, which is to be able to endure!

  Endure what ordinary people cannot endure, then you can achieve what ordinary people cannot achieve.

  It's just a suspension for reflection, and the salary is still paid. If you can't even get through this little hardship, I think it's better for Dad to go back to repairing things.

  After understanding this layer, I felt calm and peaceful, no longer worried about Dad.

  But I'm not in a hurry is one thing, and someone else is in a hurry is another matter.

  This man is Wu Bo, Comrade Liu Jinwen, Secretary of the Party Branch of the Liujia Mountain Brigade.

  Wu Bo and Father, although they are brothers of the same clan house, but in terms of closeness, it's probably necessary to go back six generations. They didn't have much contact with each other on ordinary days. However, since Father became the deputy director of the Red Flag Commune, Wu Bo's attitude has been completely different. It's not that Wu Bo is a self-interested person, on the contrary, he is very straightforward. He values Father because he thinks Father is the hope of the entire Liu family house. If Father can really make a name for himself in politics, the revival of the Liu family house can be expected. As the leader of the clan house, Wu Bo has always regarded the revival of the Liu family as the top priority.

  Unexpectedly, Father's career was extremely bumpy, and he was suspended from work for almost half a year. Fifth Uncle was very anxious. However, he was just a brigade branch secretary, not even a small official, and could only feel anxious when faced with such a situation.

  The People's Congress is about to convene, and Wu Bo thinks an opportunity has arrived.

  "Jin Cai, I have an idea..."

  Wu Bo arrived in the evening and had just accepted a "Fei Ge" cigarette from his father. Before he could even warm up the stool, he couldn't wait to express his own thoughts.

  "Bixiu, pour tea for Fifth Brother."

  It's time to transplant seedlings, and my mother also took the opportunity to return home. My father saw Wu Bo's impatient look, but still didn't want to be rude, so he waited until my mother poured tea and came over before saying to Wu Bo: "Fifth brother, what do you have to say? I'll listen carefully."

  "Bixiu is back too, just in time, come sit together and discuss."

  My mother saw that Wu Bo was being very serious, so she sat down beside him. I had already put down "Pride and Prejudice" and moved a small stool over to sit closer.

  "Jin Cai, it's like this, the people's congress is about to open soon, I want to elect you as the People's Congress representative of Liujiashan Brigade."

  Dad was shocked.

  "Brother Wu, this is not allowed. The selection of people's representatives has regulations from above."

  "I know..."

  "Our Liusanjia village's people's congress representative has always been you, Fifth Brother?"

  "That's right, since I became the branch secretary, the people's representative of Liusanjia Village has always been me, um... for sixteen or seventeen years now."

  "Has the meaning changed this time?"

  "Not above, but me."

  Dad couldn't help but sigh with a bitter smile.

  As is well known, the election of people's congress representatives in Xiangyang County has always been predetermined by those in power. Even during the Great Revolution, this fact has never changed.

  "Big Brother Wu, since the higher-ups still mean it that way, if we privately change this rule, wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

  "I also know it's not right."

  Wu Bo is a straightforward person and doesn't beat around the bush.

  "But he, Wang Benqing, won't let you get ahead, and I'm not going to take this lying down. Jin Cai, Fifth Brother knows that you haven't done anything wrong, it's just that you don't follow Wang Benqing's way of doing things. In the county, Wang Benqing has the final say, we can't do anything about it. But as for the matter at Liujiashan, it's not up to him to interfere either. I'm going to make him understand what the people really think."

  I couldn't help but secretly admire him, and my eyes shone with admiration. In terms of bravery and color, the five uncles were truly unmatched.

  "Old mother worriedly said: 'Fifth brother, is this okay? If the higher-ups investigate, it's likely to be...'"

  "Am I even capable of being the branch secretary?"

  Mom also nodded in agreement without hesitation.

  Wu Boha laughed: "Bixiu, I know you're afraid I'll take responsibility. But I'm also telling you, no matter who comes to be the branch secretary, the affairs of our Liu family mountain still have to be decided by me, Liu Jinwen."

  This is absolutely right. The Liu family in Liushan Village accounts for half of the population, and as the head of the Liu family, whether or not Wu Ba does the branch book, it's unlikely to shake his authority in Liushan Village unless Dad becomes the commune director first. Moreover, that would be a normal transition of old and new leaders among the Liu family, and outsiders can't intervene. Besides, even if Dad becomes the commune director, he will only have prestige outside, but the affairs of Liushan Village still need to be handled by Wu Ba.

  The old man was still hesitating, but Wu Bo had already made up his mind.

  "That's settled then. Jin Cai has been suspended for half a year, if he doesn't show his face or make some noise soon, he'll probably be forgotten by others."

  Old Dad was unanimously elected as a representative of the People's Congress of Liujia Mountain Brigade, and Zhang Mulin was shocked with his eyes wide open.

  Since Dad stopped working and reflected, he has been careful in everything, following the county revolutionary committee's pace, and has received some praise. Wang Benqing and Cui Xiuhua are both satisfied, and life is still relatively stable.

  He finally managed to get a promotion to a formal position, and for the time being, he didn't think about getting promoted again. As long as he could steadily do his job as the head of the revolutionary committee, after a few years, based on seniority, he might be able to move up another level. If everything went smoothly, before retirement, he might even have a chance at getting treated like a deputy county-level official. As for actually having power at the deputy county level, that was something he had never thought about.

  One's own character is something one knows oneself.

  But this Liu Jincai was not willing to make things easy for himself.

  NPC deputies!

  Can you be a people's congress representative? You, a grassroots cadre who has made mistakes in your line of work, are always causing trouble. Your superiors have only asked you to suspend your duties and reflect on your actions, without removing you from public office or expelling you from the party, which is already very lenient. What more do you want, Liu Jincheng? If you were sent back for reeducation through labor for two or three years, it would be strange if they didn't put a big "counter-revolutionary" hat on you!

  Complaints will be complaints, Zhang Mulan also knew that this matter must be reported immediately. Otherwise, if Old Dad really appears at the Yangguang Grand Auditorium's People's Congress, Wang Benqing won't forgive him first. If Old Dad deliberately causes trouble and makes a scene again during the meeting, making it impossible for Wang Benqing to show his face, he might as well have reached the end of his tenure as Commune Director, a position he has held for less than a year.

  Wang Benqing received the report, whether he was angry or not is unknown, with his temperament, it's unlikely that he would show it openly. In any case, in the eyes of outsiders, Yan Yucheng might barely qualify as his opponent, but Liu Jinchao still lacked a bit of fire.

  Chui Xiuhuo drove to Hongqi Commune early next morning.

  Zhang Mulan also understood that the county would definitely attach great importance to this matter, but he did not expect it to be so serious. Cui Xiuhuo was originally a hot-tempered rebel, how could she give Zhang Mulin a good face?

  Zhang Mulan was scolded severely, but when he walked out of the office, his face didn't look disheartened at all. On the contrary, he seemed a bit relieved and repeatedly urged the staff to hurry up and summon Liu Jinwen from Liujia Mountain to the commune.

  Haha, let's get trained then. It's not that hard to deal with Cui Xiuhuo. With a slap on the table and a barrage of curses, he took all the blame upon himself. Liu Jincan was already enough of a handful, but Liu Jinwen? The head of the 21st production team in Hongqi Commune, Zhang Mulian's greatest fear is Liu Jinwen. Hmph, if Director Cui wants to play hero, let him go and experience Liu Jinwen's tactics for himself.

  As a result, Zhang Mulan didn't have to worry about it anymore. Since the big leaders of your county have all shown up, what does it have to do with me, a small commune director? Things are really messed up, and Wang Benqing can't blame himself either.

  The clerk reminded Zhang Mulan: "Director, Liujiashan is about ten miles away from here. If you ride a bicycle there and back, it will take at least two hours. Can Director Cui bear the wait?"

  Zhang Mulan slapped her forehead.

  This is true. If it were Wang Benqing, he might still be able to bear it, but Cui Xiuhuo would definitely not be able to bear it. In these two hours, he didn't know how many scoldings he would have to endure.

  Even if it's a superior leader, being scolded is still better avoided.

  Zhang Mulan turned back to the office, with a smile on his face, and asked: "Director Cui, Liujia Mountain is not close from here, it will take two or three hours for a round trip, what do you think..."

  Chui Xiuhuo's eyes widened: "What, do we need to send a car to pick him up? He's Liu Jinwen, the head of a large team, and his attitude is even bigger than that of the regional leaders?"

  Zhang Mulan couldn't help but sneer inwardly, yet had no choice but to make her smile appear even more sincere.

  "It's not that he, Liu Jinwen, can put on airs in front of Director Cui, is it? I'm just afraid that you leaders will have to wait too long, which wouldn't be suitable."

  Choi Soo-hee waved her hand impatiently: "Go quickly, just let him take a big one!"

  The Jeep driver was also very temperamental and refused to budge.

  "Hey, Director Zhang, your Hongqi Commune really produces talented people! Even a small branch secretary like me has to be picked up and dropped off? Let me tell you, even the deputy director of the county government has to wait in line for a car."

  Zhang Mulin was so angry that he gritted his teeth, but he didn't dare to really turn against them. The county revolutionary committee only had these two jeeps, and apart from Wang Benqing and Zheng Xingyun, even Tang Haitian had to make arrangements in advance if he wanted to use a car. The two drivers thought they were people close to the leaders, and sometimes their airs were even bigger than those of the leaders themselves. If you really offended them, wouldn't it be easy for them to often report against you in front of the leaders?

  Zhang Mulan had no choice but to continue smiling and flattering, saying a lot of nice things, and even asked the clerk to buy two packs of "Da Qian Men" cigarettes from the cooperative store to give to the driver, only then was he able to persuade him.

  "Director Cui has arrived at the commune? Wants to see me? Hehe, Comrade Zhou, please inform Director Cui that our team is busy with spring plowing and production, no time!"

  Wu Bo Ming was chatting with my dad in our living room, but he was talking nonsense right to his face, and I couldn't help but laugh secretly.

  Zhou Gan's face was awkward.

  Wu Bo was notorious for his bad temper, and Zhou Gan had heard about it despite not having worked with him for long. On the grounds of Liujiashan, he didn't dare to put on airs as a commune cadre. It would be self-inflicted humiliation. Moreover, his father was right next to him, although he was suspended from duty for reflection, he still held the title of Deputy Director of the Hongqi Commune Revolutionary Committee, which made him Wu Bo's superior.

  "Director Cui has come all the way from the county, he's a superior leader, you should at least show some respect, even if you're busy."

  "Hmph, is face more important or is spring plowing production more important? If Cui Xiuhao wants to see me, won't he come to the Liu family mountain himself?"

  I secretly cursed. The temper of the five uncles, I'm afraid it's comparable to Mr. Zhou's. If we really go to the commune, there may not be good fruit for Cui Xiuhuo to eat.

  Although Zhou was young and quick-witted, seeing that Wu Bo's words were falling on deaf ears, he immediately turned to his father for help.

  "Director Liu, look at this... I'm just a errand boy, this thing is really troublesome..."

  Dad's heart is soft and he's still not used to being stern in front of his subordinates, seeing Zhou Gan's pitiful words, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

  "Big Brother Wu, since Cui Xiuhuo has arrived at the commune, things should be discussed with him face to face and clearly, also don't make Comrade Zhou embarrassed..."

  Dad spoke up and Fifth Uncle was delighted.

  "Alright, I'll go with you to the commune, can Cui Xiuhuo eat me up?"

  Zhou Gan was overjoyed and quickly ran to the highway to help Wu Bo open the car door, extremely enthusiastic.

  "Wǔ bó, wǒ gēn nǐ yī dào qù."

  Translation: "Wu Bo, I'll go with you."

  "You..."

  Wu Bo was taken aback and saw his father nodding, then said: "Alright, Wu Bo will take you to the commune to buy some sugar to eat."

  Zhou Gan Shi just hopes that Wu Bo will no longer be stubborn and naturally does not want to have any more trouble with this little kid.

  "Okay, okay, let's go together, when we arrive at the commune, Uncle will take you to buy some sugar to eat first."