Chapter 444

Don't make excuses here; you clearly said your body is upright and at its peak, and if you don't make good use of it, it will be wasted. I consider this reasonable development—what's the problem?

Don't make excuses here; you clearly said your body is upright and at its peak, and if you don't make good use of it, it will be wasted. I consider this reasonable development—what's the problem?

I look at you—your whole body should be firm but isn't; the only thing hard about you is your mouth. Zhou Ruohan says this while going to the bathroom to squeeze toothpaste and prepare warm water for Su Yang to brush his teeth.

I look at you—your whole body should be firm but isn't; the only thing hard about you is your mouth. Zhou Ruohan says this while going to the bathroom to squeeze toothpaste and prepare warm water for Su Yang to brush his teeth.

Let's translate: 【2】 "I look at you—now everything that should be hard isn't, only your mouth is hard left..." Zhou Ruohan said while heading to the bathroom to squeeze toothpaste and prepare warm water for Su Yang to brush his teeth.

Squeeze toothpaste and prepare warm water for Su Yang to brush his teeth.

Su Yang felt a bit embarrassed from being told, thinking, "Could it be that I'm not strong enough? Even with this, you're still not satisfied—what do you want?"

Su Yang felt a bit embarrassed from being told, thinking, "Could it be that I'm not strong enough? Even with this, you're still not satisfied—what do you want?"

He didn't say it out loud; he didn't want to be a mere talker, but to prove with action that he's a tough guy.

He didn't say it out loud; he didn't want to be just a talker, but to prove with action that he's a tough guy.

He got up, tidied up in three minutes, then wolfed down a few bites of breakfast, drove straight to the provincial capital. Regardless of how close Huang Dacheng and Zhou Weiguo are, as a junior he certainly can't be late for the visit.

Translate: He got up and tidied up within three minutes, then wolfed down a few bites of breakfast, drove out heading straight for the provincial capital; regardless of how good the relationship between Huang Dacheng and Zhou Weiguo is, as a junior paying a visit he certainly can't be late. Let's translate: 【5】 He got up and tidied up within three minutes, then wolfed down a few bites of breakfast, drove out heading straight for the provincial capital; regardless of how good the relationship between Huang Dacheng and Zhou Weiguo is, as a junior paying a visit he certainly can't be late.

Along the way he was driving. Zhou Ruohan said a few words, then leaned back and fell asleep; Su Yang felt bitter, thinking, "Why is it always me who has to work?"

Along the way he was driving; Zhou Ruohan said a few words, then leaned back and fell asleep. Su Yang felt bitter, thinking, "Why is it always me who has to work?"

…… (ellipsis). We need to output exactly the same? The line is just "……". We should translate as "……" maybe keep as ellipsis. Since it's just punctuation, we can output same. So 【7】 ……

Around 11:20, the two of them arrived at the residential compound of the provincial Party committee and government.

Translate: Around 11:20, the two of them roughly arrived at the residential compound of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. Let's translate: 【8】 Around 11:20, the two of them roughly arrived at the residential compound of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government.

Because Zhou Ruohan was with them, the guards at the gate didn't ask many questions; they just had them register and then let them in, since Zhou Ruohan had previously lived there all along.

Translate: Because Zhou Ruohan was present, the guards at the gate didn't ask too many questions, just had them register and then let them in; after all, Zhou Ruohan had previously lived here all along. Let's translate: 【9】 Because Zhou Ruohan was present, the guards at the gate didn't ask too many questions, just had them register and then let them in; after all, Zhou Ruohan had previously lived here all along.

Returning to this compound now feels especially familiar—they used to live in Building 4, and Huang Dacheng is still living there after his return, so for Zhou Ruohan it's like coming home easily, except that the people inside have changed.

Translate: Returning to this compound now feels especially familiar; they previously lived in Building 4, and even after Huang Dacheng returned, he still lives in Building 4, so for Zhou Ruohan it's like coming home on a familiar route—only the people inside have changed. Let's translate: 【10】 Returning to this compound now feels especially familiar; they previously lived in Building 4, and even after Huang Dacheng returned, he still lives in Building 4, so for Zhou Ruohan it's like coming home on a familiar route—only the people inside have changed.

After ringing the doorbell, a well-kept woman opened the door; upon seeing her, Zhou Ruohan sweetly called out, "Aunt Lu."

Translate: After pressing the doorbell, a well-maintained woman opened the door; upon seeing her, Zhou Ruohan sweetly called out, "Aunt Lu." Let's translate: 【11】 After pressing the doorbell, a well-maintained woman opened the door; upon seeing her, Zhou Ruohan sweetly called out, "Aunt Lu."

The woman smiled and said, "Ruohan, you've come! The young man looks quite energetic—I'd only heard from your Uncle Huang that I hadn't met him yet, but now I see he's indeed the sunny, handsome type. I have to say, Ruohan, you really have good taste."

Translate: The woman smiled and said, "Ruo Han, you've come, young man, you look quite energetic; I'd only heard from your Uncle Huang that I hadn't met you yet, but now I see you're indeed the sunny, handsome type—I have to say, Ruo Han, you really have good taste." Let's translate: 【12】 The woman smiled and said, "Ruo Han, you've come, young man, you look quite energetic; I'd only heard from your Uncle Huang that I hadn't met you yet, but now I see you're indeed the sunny, handsome type—I have to say, Ruo Han, you really have good taste."

Zhou Ruohan chuckled and said, "That's right—when it comes to big life decisions, I always pick someone good-looking; I can't afford to be careless about that."

Translate: Zhou Ruohan chuckled coquettishly and said, "That's right; when it comes to big life matters, I always have to pick someone handsome, with no room for carelessness." Let's translate: 【13】 Zhou Ruohan chuckled coquettishly and said, "That's right; when it comes to big life matters, I always have to pick someone handsome, with no room for carelessness."

She then said to Su Yang, "Su Yang, this is Aunt Lu."

Translate: Then, turning to Su Yang, she said, "Su Yang, this is Aunt Lu." Let's translate: 【14】 Then, turning to Su Yang, she said, "Su Yang, this is Aunt Lu."

Su Yang politely greeted, "Hello, Aunt Lu."

Translate: Su Yang politely greeted, "Hello, Aunt Lu." Let's translate: 【15】 Su Yang politely greeted, "Hello, Aunt Lu."

"It's Ruohan and Su Yang, right? Don't linger at the door—come on in."

Translate: "It must be Ruo Han and Su Yang who've come; don't linger at the door, hurry inside." Let's translate: 【16】 "It must be Ruo Han and Su Yang who've come; don't linger at the door, hurry inside."

"I got up this morning and didn't go out—I've been waiting for you. Ruohan, does being back feel familiar? This time your father went to Jiangnan, so he asked me to look after you two. Nothing in the room has been moved; it's still exactly as it was."

Translate: "I got up early this morning and didn't go out, just waiting for you. Ruo Han, do you feel familiar being back? This time your dad went to Jiangnan, so he asked me to look after you two. Nothing in the room has been moved; it's still as it was." Let's translate: 【17】 "I got up early this morning and didn't go out, just waiting for you. Ruo Han, do you feel familiar being back? This time your dad went to Jiangnan, so he asked me to look after you two. Nothing in the room has been moved; it's still as it was."

"Come over and sit, you two. Little Su, I haven't seen you in a while—I heard you're now at the poverty relief office; how's your work going, is it going smoothly?"

Translate: "Come over and sit, you two; Little Su, I haven't seen you in a while. I heard you're now at the Poverty Alleviation Office—how's the work going, is it going smoothly?" Let's translate: 【18】 "Come over and sit, you two; Little Su, I haven't seen you in a while. I heard you're now at the Poverty Alleviation Office—how's the work going, is it going smoothly?"

"Ruohan and Su Yang just arrived and haven't even had a sip of water, and you're already asking about work—is that appropriate?"

Translate: "Ruo Han and Su Yang just arrived and haven't even had a sip of water, yet you're asking about work—are you being appropriate?" Let's translate: 【19】 "Ruo Han and Su Yang just arrived and haven't even had a sip of water, yet you're asking about work—are you being appropriate?"

"Don't pay attention to him; I'll pour you some tea," Aunt Lu said.

Translate: "Don't pay attention to him, you two; I'll pour you some tea." Aunt Lu said. Let's translate: 【20】 "Don't pay attention to him, you two; I'll pour you some tea." Aunt Lu said.

Zhou Ruohan said, "I'll do it myself; I'll do it myself—didn't Uncle Huang just say nothing here has been moved? I'm still quite familiar with the place, hehe."

Translate: Zhou Ruohan said, "I'll do it myself, I'll do it myself—didn't Uncle Huang just say nothing here has been moved? I'm still quite familiar with the place, hehe." Let's translate: 【21】 Zhou Ruohan said, "I'll do it myself, I'll do it myself—didn't Uncle Huang just say nothing here has been moved? I'm still quite familiar with the place, hehe."

Su Yang sat on the sofa beside Huang Dacheng, sitting up straight. The last time he saw Huang Dacheng, Huang Dacheng was a deputy director of the bureau office. He and Su Yang, a minor official, actually had no direct relationship—at most he was just an elder. But now it's different: Huang Dacheng is considered a parent official of Gansu Province, so Su Yang naturally shows him more respect.

Translate: Su Yang sat on the sofa beside Huang Dacheng, sitting upright; the last time he saw Huang Dacheng, Huang Dacheng was a deputy director of the bureau office. Actually, he and this petty official of mine really had no direct connection—at most he was just an elder. But now it's different: he counts as a parent official of Ganzhou Province, so naturally he should show more respect. Let's translate: 【22】 Su Yang sat on the sofa beside Huang Dacheng, sitting upright; the last time he saw Huang Dacheng, Huang Dacheng was a deputy director of the bureau office. Actually, he and this petty official of mine really had no direct connection—at most he was just an elder. But now it's different: he counts as a parent official of Ganzhou Province, so naturally he should show more respect.

Although Aunt Lu had just scolded not to let Huang Dacheng ask about work right away, Su Yang couldn't take it lightly; he had already organized his thoughts on the way over.

Translate: Although Aunt Lu had just scolded not to let Huang Dacheng ask about work as soon as he arrived, Su Yang couldn't not take it seriously; he had already organized his thoughts on the way over. Let's translate: 【23】 Although Aunt Lu had just scolded not to let Huang Dacheng ask about work as soon as he arrived, Su Yang couldn't not take it seriously; he had already organized his thoughts on the way over.

He said, "Uncle Huang, we're responsible for poverty alleviation work, mainly focusing on the relatively remote, economically underdeveloped Xiushui Township in Jincheng County."

Translate: He said, "Uncle Huang, we're responsible for poverty alleviation work, mainly for the relatively remote, economically backward Xiushui Township of Jincheng County." Let's translate: 【24】 He said, "Uncle Huang, we're responsible for poverty alleviation work, mainly for the relatively remote, economically backward Xiushui Township of Jincheng County."

"Xiushui Township's development is constrained by its geographical conditions, and all ten of its natural villages lie below the poverty line."

Translate: "Xiushui Township's development is constrained by its geographical conditions; all ten of its natural villages lie below the poverty line." Let's translate: 【25】 "Xiushui Township's development is constrained by its geographical conditions; all ten of its natural villages lie below the poverty line."

"Of course, this is closely related to the local government's inaction; looking at the overall work style of Xiushui Township, it's completely corrupt and chaotic."

Translate: "Of course, this is closely related to the local government's inaction; looking at the work style of the whole Xiushui Township, it's completely corrupt and dysfunctional." Let's translate: 【26】 "Of course, this is closely related to the local government's inaction; looking at the work style of the whole Xiushui Township, it's completely corrupt and dysfunctional."

"When I first went there, at least 80% of the township government staff were absent from their posts; even those who were present hadn't gotten out of bed by 11 a. m."

Translate: "When I first went there, at least 80% of the Xiushui Township government staff were absent from their posts; even those who were present hadn't gotten up by 11 a. m." Let's translate: 【27】 When I first went there, at least 80% of the Xiushui Township government staff were absent from their posts; even those who were present hadn't gotten up by 11 a. m.

"Despite the size of the township government, only one person was actually working, and even that person was overtime preparing previous poverty alleviation materials and family planning reports."

Translate: "In such a large township government, only one person was working, and even that was overtime work on previous poverty alleviation materials, planning, and birth statistics forms." Let's translate: 【28】 In such a large township government, only one person was working, and even that was overtime work on previous poverty alleviation materials, planning, and birth statistics forms.

"As for the township head, needless to say, he's out eating meat and drinking alcohol with a bunch of people; to them, work might be a side job, while eating, drinking, and enjoyment are their main business."

Translate: "As for the township head, needless to say, he's out eating meat and drinking alcohol with a bunch of people at restaurants; in their view, perhaps work is just a side job, while eating, drinking, and enjoyment are their main business." Let's translate: 【29】 As for the township head, needless to say, he's out eating meat and drinking alcohol with a bunch of people at restaurants; in their view, perhaps work is just a side job, while eating, drinking, and enjoyment are their main business.

"During the week I spent there, I surveyed and visited dozens of farming households, and the final result was that the households that should have been classified as five-guarantee or poor households received no assistance at all; all those quotas were taken by relatives of township and even village cadres."

Translate: "During the week I was there, I surveyed and visited dozens of farming households; the final result showed that the households that should have been classified as five-guarantee or poor households received no care at all. These quotas were entirely taken by relatives of township and even village cadres." Let's translate: 【30】 During the week I was there, I surveyed and visited dozens of farming households; the final result showed that the households that should have been classified as five-guarantee or poor households received no care at all. These quotas were entirely taken by relatives of township and even village cadres.

"What's worse, these elderly people who can't even make a living are being used by them to fraudulently claim subsidies and poverty relief. The elders are taken to sign a prepared roster, then it's just a formality, after which the items are taken back—even the relief grain is merely circulated within the township and then sold to the grain station."

Translate: "What's even more outrageous is that these elderly people, whose livelihoods cannot be solved, are actually being used by them to fraudulently obtain subsidies and poverty relief. The elderly are taken to sign in on a roster they've prepared, then go through a mere formality, after which the benefits are taken back; even all the relief grain is just circulated within the township and then sold to the grain station." Let's translate: 【31】 What's even more outrageous is that these elderly people, whose livelihoods cannot be solved, are actually being used by them to fraudulently obtain subsidies and poverty relief. The elderly are taken to sign in on a roster they've prepared, then go through a mere formality, after which the benefits are taken back; even all the relief grain is just circulated within the township and then sold to the grain station.

"The township's economic situation and work atmosphere are so bad that I couldn't even have imagined it before."

Translate: "The township's economic condition and work atmosphere are so bad that I previously couldn't even imagine it." Let's translate: 【32】 The township's economic condition and work atmosphere are so bad that I previously couldn't even imagine it.

"Moreover, the township head, being a native local, is essentially the same as a local tyrant; his so-called title of 'local emperor' isn't just a label like in other towns—he truly is a local emperor. The township Party committee secretary in his domain is merely a figurehead, and within three years he's replaced three secretaries, each ousted by him."

Translate: "Moreover, this township head, being a native local, is essentially the same as the local tyrant in the township; his so-called local tyrant is not just a title like in other towns—he is a genuine local tyrant. The township Party Committee secretary there is merely a figurehead, and within three years they've gone through three secretaries, each one ousted by him." Let's translate: 【33】 Moreover, this township head, being a native local, is essentially the same as the local tyrant in the township; his so-called local tyrant is not just a title like in other towns—he is a genuine local tyrant. The township Party Committee secretary there is merely a figurehead, and within three years they've gone through three secretaries, each one ousted by him.

"Those are the township's problems, but I'm mainly doing poverty alleviation work now, and I still want to understand the actual reasons behind poor households through visits, perhaps achieving precise poverty alleviation—including providing poverty relief supplies and assistance to families that haven't been classified as poor or five-guarantee households, of course, which also requires support from the civil affairs department."

Translate: "Those are the township's problems, but I'm mainly doing poverty alleviation work now; I still want to, through visiting poor households to understand their actual causes, perhaps achieve precise poverty alleviation, including providing poverty relief materials and assistance to families that haven't been classified as poor or five-guarantee households—of course, this also requires support from the civil affairs department." Let's translate: 【34】 Those are the township's problems, but I'm mainly doing poverty alleviation work now; I still want to, through visiting poor households to understand their actual causes, perhaps achieve precise poverty alleviation, including providing poverty relief materials and assistance to families that haven't been classified as poor or five-guarantee households—of course, this also requires support from the civil affairs department.

"Relying on relief-based poverty alleviation isn't real poverty alleviation; we must first solve the basic problem of not having enough to eat, then develop resources and projects for the township, so they can truly shake off the poverty label."

Translate: "Relying on relief-based poverty alleviation work isn't real poverty alleviation; first we must solve the basic problem of not having enough to eat, then develop resources and projects for the township, so they can truly shake off the poverty label." Let's translate: 【35】 Relying on relief-based poverty alleviation work isn't real poverty alleviation; first we must solve the basic problem of not having enough to eat, then develop resources and projects for the township, so they can truly shake off the poverty label.

After hearing that, Huang Cheng also frowned and said, "To be honest, I've been mainly doing liaison work; regarding the work style and conditions at the grassroots level, I've often only heard about them without actually visiting or investigating."

Translate: After hearing that, Huang Dacheng also furrowed his brows, saying, "To be frank, I've been mainly doing desk work; regarding the work style and conditions at the grassroots level, many times I've only heard about them without actually visiting or investigating." Let's translate: 【36】 After hearing that, Huang Dacheng also furrowed his brows, saying, "To be frank, I've been mainly doing desk work; regarding the work style and conditions at the grassroots level, many times I've only heard about them without actually visiting or investigating."

"But I didn't expect the situation to be worse and more serious than I imagined; given this, Ruohan, has your county made any related adjustments, or do you have ideas for adjustments?"

Translate: "But I never imagined the situation would be worse and more serious than I thought; Ruo Han, given this situation, has your county made any related adjustments, or do you have ideas for adjustments?" Let's translate: 【37】 But I never imagined the situation would be worse and more serious than I thought; Ruo Han, given this situation, has your county made any related adjustments, or do you have ideas for adjustments?

"How can such cadres remain in these grassroots positions? They not only fail to lead the villagers out of poverty, but they become the biggest tumor in normal work."

Translate: "How can such cadres remain in these grassroots positions? They not only fail to lead the villagers out of poverty, but become the biggest tumor in normal work." Let's translate: 【38】 How can such cadres remain in these grassroots positions? They not only fail to lead the villagers out of poverty, but become the biggest tumor in normal work.

"You can't rely on being a local or on seniority to lord it over others and engage in these corrupt and chaotic practices."

Translate: "One can't rely on being a local or on seniority to lord it over others and engage in these corrupt practices." Let's translate: 【39】 One can't rely on being a local or on seniority to lord it over others and engage in these corrupt practices.

Zhou Ruohan said, "Uncle Huang, this is our previous work mistake; after taking office I reviewed the personnel files of all township party secretaries and township heads. This Cui Mingjiu rose step by step from a local village head, his style is extremely domineering, and outsiders simply can't stand firm there."

Translate: Zhou Ruohan said, "Uncle Huang, this is our previous work mistake; after I took office, I reviewed the personnel files of all township secretaries and township heads. This Cui Mingjiu grew up step by step from a village head in their locality, his work style is extremely domineering, and outsiders basically can't get a foothold there." Let's translate: 【40】 Zhou Ruohan said, "Uncle Huang, this is our previous work mistake; after I took office, I reviewed the personnel files of all township secretaries and township heads. This Cui Mingjiu grew up step by step from a village head in their locality, his work style is extremely domineering, and outsiders basically can't get a foothold there."

"Moreover, we haven't been there long, so we haven't yet carried out a large-scale replacement of these non-performing leaders across the townships."

Translate: "Moreover, we haven't been there long, so we haven't yet carried out a large-scale reshuffle of these non-performing leaders across the townships." Let's translate: 【41】 Moreover, we haven't been there long, so we haven't yet carried out a large-scale reshuffle of these non-performing leaders across the townships.

"Especially given the situation in Xiushui Township, if adjustments are to be made, their township party secretary Lu Kai and township head Cui Mingjiu should both be transferred elsewhere."

Translate: "Especially the situation in Xiushui Township—if adjustments are to be made, the township Party Committee secretary Lu Kai and the township head Cui Mingjiu both need to be transferred elsewhere." Let's translate: 【42】 Especially the situation in Xiushui Township—if adjustments are to be made, the township Party Committee secretary Lu Kai and the township head Cui Mingjiu both need to be transferred elsewhere.

However, considering the actual situation of Xiushui Xiang, for a while no suitable person has been found to take charge of the overall work of Xiushui Xiang...