Chapter 151: Deng Hanyu

With no news from Boss Qian, Deng Hanyu couldn't wait. He first called me, beating around the bush to ask about Boss Qian's whereabouts. Only after learning that I was completely in the dark did he reveal a piece of news: the County Party Committee had already agreed that Boss Qian's land acquisition compensation for Yuetang Village would be directly invested as shares in their Cement Products Factory, and Boss Qian would soon become the largest shareholder of the Cement Products Factory.

This news was no less than a thunderclap exploding over my head. I was stunned for a long while, then feigned indifference, laughing loudly as I said, "Town Mayor Deng, congratulations. By injecting fresh blood into the Cement Products Factory, this factory will become the leading enterprise in the county. You, Town Mayor Deng, deserve the credit."

Deng Hanyu didn't take my bait, instead turning to ask me, "I heard a group of experts came to your Suxi Township. What are they preparing to do?"

I laughed and said, "My place is a poor, remote area; nothing can be accomplished here. Inviting experts is just to see if there's any gold mine or something underground. Nowadays, to get rich, mining is the fastest way. Don't you agree?"

Deng Hanyu laughed loudly, mocking me, "Good thinking, little brother. Stuff your pillow higher; maybe there really is a gold mine hidden under Suxi. I also congratulate you and wish you find a gold mine soon."

Deng Hanyu's call couldn't be without reason. He called me, and there must be some ulterior motive hidden behind it. Or perhaps he was feeling guilty and wanted to get a conclusion from me. He kept saying the County Party Committee agreed, but I thought the Chunshan County Party Committee didn't have the guts to use villagers' land compensation to buy shares without the villagers' consent.

Thinking of Boss Qian vanishing like a crane, I couldn't calm down either. If what Deng Hanyu said was true, my mineral water factory would be ruined. Boss Qian not coming to invest, and even Yue Bai disappearing along with him—the thought of losing both the wife and the soldiers began to swirl in my mind.

Rather than sitting and waiting for death, it was better to take the initiative. Anyway, the game was a mess; I might as well treat a dead horse as a live one. Thinking of this, I decided to go to the county and ask County Magistrate Liu Qimeng for advice.

Taking the carefully prepared feasibility report from the cabinet, I didn't even greet Guo Wei, climbed onto the minibus belonging to Sun Demao's family, and sped off to Chunshan County.

County Magistrate Liu was in a meeting, so I had to sit in the county government office, chatting with a few young girls, waiting for him to summon me after the meeting.

After waiting for a long time, the county magistrate's secretary hurried over to find me, saying I only had ten minutes, as the magistrate had to go to the city to report on work later, so I should be quick if I had anything to say.

Clutching the report, I rushed into County Magistrate Liu's office and shouted as I entered, "Magistrate, you must make the decision for us."

County Magistrate Liu looked like a monk who couldn't figure things out, smiling as he said, "Little Chen, it seems you have some grievances."

I told him about Deng Hanyu saying the County Party Committee had agreed to use Yuetang Village's land compensation to buy shares in their Chengguan Town Cement Products Factory. County Magistrate Liu kept checking his watch, and after I finished, he was even more confused, strangely asking me, "What does this have to do with you?"

I quickly handed over the report and said, "Magistrate, I'm still waiting for Qian Youyu of Yuetang Village to invest in our Suxi Township's mineral water factory."

County Magistrate Liu looked at me with a smile and said, "Why are you all staring at this land compensation?"

I smiled bitterly and said, "There's no money, Magistrate. Even a clever housewife finds it hard to cook without rice. Not to mention we aren't clever housewives; now you want the horse to run, but you won't let the horse eat grass?"

County Magistrate Liu lowered his head to flip through my report and said, "Little Chen, go back first. I'll read the report on the way to the city and contact you when I return."

I said anxiously, "Magistrate, Town Mayor Deng digging the wall like this is not decent. You must uphold fairness."

County Magistrate Liu smiled and said, "I have it in mind."

Standing on the steps of the County Party Committee building, watching County Magistrate Liu drive away, my heart felt like it was stuffed with cotton—stifled and powerless.

Deng Hanyu, oh Deng Hanyu, this move of yours is pulling the firewood from under the cauldron. If I don't give you a lesson, you'll think Lord Ma Wang only has one eye! I stomped down the steps, hailed a three-wheeled motorcycle at the entrance, and went to the Chengguan Town government.

Approaching the town government entrance, I told the driver to stop and walked the rest of the way. Officials have to be particular when going out. Other township heads go out in cars; if I arrived in a three-wheeled motorcycle, it wouldn't be my face that was lost, but Suxi Township's face. I'd rather walk and be conspicuous than make a fool of myself in a three-wheeled taxi.

Deng Hanyu seemed to have calculated that I would come. As soon as I entered the gate, I saw him coming over with a grin, shaking my hand and saying loudly, "Welcome, Township Head Chen, for your guidance."

His voice drew a lot of attention. I said magnanimously, "Town Mayor Deng, I wouldn't dare. I'm here to learn."

Entering his office, I slumped into a chair and aggressively questioned him, "Town Mayor Deng, what kind of game are you playing?"

Deng Hanyu looked at me with a fake smile and said, "What game am I playing? It seems you've come to hold me accountable, little brother?"

I said with a dark face, "I wouldn't dare. Your place is a dragon's pool and tiger's den; I'm no Yang Zirong."

"Hahaha," he laughed loudly and said, "You're comparing me to a bandit now."

"Pretty much," I deliberately feigned anger.

"Township Head Chen, tell me, how did I become a bandit?"

"Ambushing halfway, making decisions without authorization, lacking organizational discipline—isn't that a bandit?" I said, tossing him a cigarette.

"Didn't you also ambush halfway?" he mocked me, "I really regret letting you meet Qian Youyu."

I smiled and said nothing.

Deng Hanyu cursed, "That old dog Qian Youyu, just because he has a few bucks in his hand, look, now he's toying with us brothers."

"He has money, that's not wrong. He's not stealing or robbing."

"Can having money allow him to toy with us cadres? What does he take us for?" Deng Hanyu said indignantly.

He was clearly genuinely angry. In this light, Deng Hanyu's so-called "County Party Committee agreement" was just a front. My heart felt relieved. You, Deng Hanyu, called to probe my reality, and I, Old Chen, came directly to your door. Let's see who's tougher!

I said calmly, "Town Mayor Deng, after all, they have their own ideas now; it's not the era of a planned economy anymore. As the government, we can only guide, not force."

Deng Hanyu looked at me strangely and said, "Confess honestly, what promises did you make to that old guy Qian Youyu? He didn't answer my calls a while ago, and now he can't be reached at all."

I said aggrievedly, "Town Mayor Deng, what do you take your brother for? No matter what, he's a peasant, while we are state cadres."

I chuckled inwardly. Actually, I just used a beauty trap. At the thought of the beauty trap, my heart ached inexplicably. Yue Bai, oh Yue Bai, can't you even give me a call?

"Little brother, let me tell you the truth. That old lecher Qian Youyu has been completely bewitched by that widow in your township. This old lecher is not right in his uprightness, but has plenty of evil."

Deng Hanyu sighed, kicked the chair, and winced in pain.

I deliberately asked in surprise, "What widow?"

"Stop pretending! Chen Feng, I've known about your little tricks for a long time. Do you think I don't know what game you're playing? A mineral water factory? You're just pissing around."

I smiled and said nothing, no longer angry. Deng Hanyu's behavior was just a sign of being at his wits' end. People only say angry things to comfort their own fragile hearts when they reach a dead end.

"I have one request; you must agree to it," Deng Hanyu held up a finger and stared at me.

I laughed, "Town Mayor Deng, what act are you putting on? What could I possibly agree to?"

Deng Hanyu asked me mysteriously, "Do you know how much land acquisition compensation Yuetang Village has?"

I shook my head.

He held up three fingers and shook them, saying, "The expressway has an exit at Yuetang Village; all the village's land has been acquired, and they're also building a management office."

I still shook my head to indicate I didn't know.

"How about this: you eat the meat, and I drink some soup. That should be okay, right?" His pitiful look made me want to laugh.

"Seriously, 30 million in land compensation—building a mineral water factory doesn't need that much. You should still persuade Qian Youyu to invest some money in our Cement Products Factory; I guarantee he'll make money."

He stared at me, waiting for my answer. I nodded helplessly. In fact, I knew very well that whether Qian Youyu invested in his Cement Products Factory or not, my words wouldn't have the slightest effect. Who was Qian Youyu? A man who had seen both gods and ghosts, a cunning old fox who killed gods if he met gods and ghosts if he met ghosts. Otherwise, how could he have stood his ground in Hengyue City with less than a basketful of literacy?

"Then it's settled," Deng Hanyu smiled satisfactorily, hugging my shoulder and saying, "Little brother, today your big brother will treat you. Let's go to the Seafood Restaurant and have a few drinks. Remember, no matter what, we represent the government. Someone like that old lecher Qian Youyu is not on our path. Damn it, he's the type who calls anyone 'mother' if they have milk."

I declined his invitation and stood up to leave.

Deng Hanyu grabbed me and said, "Little brother, if you don't want to eat, I won't force you. Anyway, there's plenty of time. You must remember your big brother."

I smiled and said, "Don't worry, Town Mayor Deng. Whether it's you or me, we have a common goal: to let the common people get rich sooner. We are not divided!"

He beamed and said, "I said it! Little brother Chen, you have a broad mind and a long-term vision; your future is limitless."

I was so disgusted by his flattery that I almost got goosebumps all over. I smiled, said goodbye, and came out, standing in front of the Chengguan Town office building, letting out a long breath. ===== CHAPTER 152 =====