Chapter 167

Guo Wei is getting busier and busier; one could almost describe it as his feet never touching the ground.

Relocating the township government is the biggest thing since he took office, and for this, he meticulously organized a report. As soon as the report was finished, he ran to the county overnight. He had spent three years in Chunshan County doing social education, and he was very familiar with all the bureaus and offices. According to Guo Wei's own words, in those three years, he had touched the butts of all the bureaus and offices in Chunshan County.

Relocation is no small matter; no matter how small the township government is, it is still a first-level administrative organ. The country is like a machine, and the township government is a part of this machine, and there is a science to where it is installed. Perhaps this part of the township government is not important, but without this part, the machine might not turn, and even if it barely turns, it might suddenly shut down. Therefore, moving a township government is like moving a part to a different place for installation.

Guo Wei's grand goal was finally passed at the Standing Committee meeting of the County Party Committee. Guan Peishan expressed great interest in the relocation, personally arranged various tasks for the relocation at the meeting, and sighed, "Only by breaking can there be building."

Guo Wei is not interested in these; his focus is on the implementation of relocation funds. The financial situation of Suxi Township has always been poor, and it is impossible to come up with a large sum of money to finish this matter. Guo Wei, who was attending the Standing Committee meeting, finally waited for his chance to speak, and he went straight to the point, stating that the funding gap is large and requires the support of the County Party Committee.

Guan Peishan ponders for a long time and finally says, "When Suxi Township was building the road, all the townships, towns, and bureaus had already contributed money and effort. Now, less than two years later, asking them to help again, I'm afraid everyone will have grievances. Everyone loves their own money, and it's not easy to come by. Suxi's problem is also a practical problem; to solve the problem, we must have new ideas. We can't stay in the seventies; we are about to enter the twenty-first century, and cross-century cadres should have cross-century thinking. Everyone, please offer your opinions on the funding problem for relocation, and most importantly, I ask County Magistrate Liu to consider it."

He kicks the ball to Liu Qimeng's feet with one kick, making it impossible for him not to kick it.

Everyone knows that the Finance Bureau is controlled by the Secretary, and the Finance Bureau Chief is the Secretary's confidant. In the eyes of the Finance Bureau Chief, the County Magistrate's instructions are just a piece of paper to wipe their butt. Liu Qimeng has been County Magistrate for several years, and the number of times he has truly instructed to solve funding issues can be counted on one hand.

As soon as Liu Qimeng receives the ball, he stammers for a long time before saying, "Regarding the funding, I suggest that the County Party Committee take the lead. Suxi Township's relocation is a major historical event, and all parties must give strong support. My personal idea is, can we ask the Municipal Committee to solve a little, the county to raise a little, and the township to find a way to solve a little? This way, the pressure is dispersed, which is conducive to completing the relocation task faster and better."

As soon as Guo Wei hears this, he immediately indicates that the township can raise funds, but the county needs to provide policies.

Guan Peishan asks with a smile, "What policy does Little Guo want?"

Guo Wei says, "Land policy. As long as the county gives our township the right to decide on land, we can completely find a way to solve the funding ourselves."

As soon as Guo Wei's words come out, everyone understands that he just wanted to ask for a policy. Everyone thinks that this young man is quite deep. One must know that once the land policy is liberalized, it might become chaotic, and all townships and towns in the county will come to follow suit, making it very difficult for the county to control in the future.

In fact, the land policy Guo Wei asked for is the result of my careful consideration. I presented this result to him with both hands before he went to the County Party Committee meeting, which moved Guo Wei for quite a while.

Of course, land alone still cannot solve practical problems. I also have a clever plan hidden, but I won't tell Guo Wei now.

"Speak specifically." Guan Peishan says lightly.

"Actually, it's very simple." Guo Wei licks the corner of his mouth and says, "I think, when the township government relocates, we shouldn't just build a simple administrative organ. If we support it with a market and develop a new town model, the funding problem can be solved easily."

Having said this, even a fool can understand Guo Wei's idea; it's nothing more than exchanging land for money.

The committee members are silent, and no one dares to take the lead in expressing their position.

Guan Peishan scans everyone and says, "The idea is good. However, the county has a requirement: for this relocation, the county will give you the right to one thousand mu of land, no fees, no interference, is that okay?"

Guo Wei is happy in his heart; before coming, he only wanted three hundred mu, and now he is given one thousand mu, almost three times the original amount. How much money can one thousand mu of land be exchanged for? Let alone building a township government, even building half a county town would be enough.

He immediately expresses happily, "Thank you for the support of the County Party Committee and County Government. Suxi Township will definitely not live up to the expectations of the leaders."

Finally, by a show of hands, only Liu Qimeng abstained and did not raise his hand, while the others unanimously agreed.

The spirit of the meeting was issued to the whole county in an official document less than two days after the meeting. Guo Wei, holding this Shangfang Sword, was in high spirits and was busy preparing to start construction.

The land is in hand, but to exchange it for money, a process is still needed.

Guo Wei wants to find me to discuss exchanging land for money.

Just as I bring Qian Youyu over, he sees me at a glance and says with a laugh, "Town Mayor Chen, the big thing is done."

I look at him inexplicably and say, "What good thing? The Secretary is laughing so happily."

Guo Wei looks at Qian Youyu behind me and stops talking.

I quickly introduce, "Boss Qian Youyu, here to develop in our township."

Guo Wei laughs and says, "I've heard of the big name for a long time." Then he asks strangely, "Does Boss Qian have an electronic nose? How did you smell the fragrance so quickly?"

Qian Youyu is stunned, unconsciously touches his nose, and says, "No?"

Guo Wei laughs even more heartily, waving the document in his hand and saying, "The county just approved one thousand mu of land for us. I haven't even fully understood the document, and you smelled the scent and came. And you say you don't have an electronic nose?"

I give him a wink and say, "Secretary Guo, Boss Qian is here in our Suxi Township to invest in building a mineral water factory. I have reported this matter to you."

Guo Wei is stunned for a moment, says "oh" after a long time, and says, "Is the investment promotion effective?"

I nod, showing joy on my face, and say, "Under your leadership, there is nothing that cannot be done well."

Guo Wei laughs, "Good, good, good, that's how you should work."

I tell him about Boss Qian's intention to sign a contract with the township government. Guo Wei says without thinking, "You make the decision on this matter, I support it. We must let investors enjoy policy preferences."

As soon as we come out of Guo Wei's office, we run into a good-looking woman, about fifty years old, who looks at me for a long time, wanting to say something but stopping.

I say with a smile, "Who are you looking for?"

"I am Xue Bing's mother." She says, "Looking for you."

My heart is startled. This is the first time I've seen Xue Bing's mother. Although I said I would go to pay a New Year's call before, it was delayed because of other things, and I never made the trip, so I still don't know her family.

I quickly say, "So it's Auntie, please come to the office and sit for a while."

Qian Youyu follows for a few steps and says, "I won't go, I'll go find Little Liu to draft the contract."

After sending Qian Youyu away, I take Xue Bing's mother back to the office.

Xue Bing's mother's manner and behavior are not at all like an old woman from the countryside. No wonder she could raise a daughter like Xue Bing.

"Do you have something to look for me?"

"Yes, I do." She says calmly, "Xue Bing has been thinking about you, and the family also wants you to come over and sit for a while. But you are busy, and I understand. However, Little Chen, no matter how busy you are, you can't ignore your personal problems, right?"

My face turns red. To tell the truth, it's been several months since I've been with Xue Bing. Ever since I found out she went to find my cousin-in-law behind my back, I haven't taken the initiative to find her again.

"Bing'er said, you are going to buy a house in the city?"

I shake my hand and say, "No such thing."

I want to buy a house in Hengyue City; except for Huang Weiwei's family, I have never mentioned this news to anyone.

How did she know?

My mood is extremely frustrated, and it's not good to show it, so I can only foolishly scratch the back of my head and smile bitterly.

"Little Chen, a man must have responsibility. A bright person doesn't need heavy words, and I won't say much. Bing'er has looked wrong lately, and I know there must be some problem between you two. So I came today to ask you for a word: how are you preparing to handle this matter?" Xue Bing's mother says word by word. She seems to have smelled some wind, and her words carry inquiry, questioning, and dissatisfaction.

"Wait until I finish this period of time. I will give you an explanation." I say, stalling her.

"Men always have endless things to do." She sighs, tidies up the messy hair by her ear, and says, "I am a woman, although they say long hair and short knowledge, I also know one truth: if a man has no home, how can he establish a career?"

I nod in agreement and pour her a cup of water.

"We people in the township pay attention to being consistent from beginning to end. An unmarried woman in the township is more precious than gold. If a woman leaves gossip for others before marriage, she will never be able to lift her head for the rest of her life. Do you understand my words?"

I nod busily, and a layer of cold sweat oozes from my back.

How could I not hear the insinuation in Xue Bing's mother's words?

"It's good that you understand!" A smile appears on her face: "You are a smart person and a big cadre. You won't not understand my words. Although my words are not pleasant to hear, the reason is there. Don't you think?"

I am almost on the verge of collapse! I never expected Xue Bing's mother to be so good at speaking. She is warning me, telling me not to mess around!

"There is one more thing," she says embarrassedly, "I heard that the township government is going to move to Laoyingzui, I have an idea, what do you think?"

I look at her with interest and say, "Please speak."

"I want to buy a piece of land where the new township government is. Bing'er is the only girl, and she will have to marry in the future. We old couple are old, and we have a place to do some small business, so as not to add trouble to her."

"This is a good thing." I say, insincerely.

"You help me keep an eye on it. We are our own family, choose a better place, don't you think?" She smiles, gets up, and says, "I won't disturb your work. If you have time, go see Bing'er more. Girls need men to take care of them."

I stammer. This woman is not simple. I think, not many words, but every sentence hits the point.

Her wanting to buy land is fake. With her savings from facing the loess and backing the sky, what can she use to buy land?

But she brought it up, which is actually testing me and inquiring about me.

Her family buying land is a double-edged sword!

If I don't agree, it means there is really a problem between me and Xue Bing. If I buy it, as the son-in-law, I must contribute to it.

"Do you have anything else to explain?" I ask, cold sweat on my back.

"No."

I send her downstairs, stand under a magnolia tree, and she turns to me and says, "You are not young anymore, you should consider what you should consider. Work is work, life is life. How about this, at the end of this month, you and Bing'er come to the house for dinner, our family needs to get to know each other."

I nod busily again.

"I'm leaving." She says, "I'll go to Bing'er's school to see, and by the way, tell her you'll be back at the end of the month."

She walks down the steps slowly. I look at her back, and an indescribable taste surges in my heart.