Chapter 9

After Chen Hongfu and Su Xinghui went in, Gao Daping scalded two enamel mugs several times with boiling water, then put two cups of cold boiled water for the two of them from a large enamel tea bucket and placed them in front of them.

Chen Hongfu drank the mug of water in one gulp, and Su Xinghui also drank a mug of water in one breath. After walking such a long way, they were indeed thirsty. Gao Daping quickly took the two enamel mugs and poured them each another cup.

Chen Hongfu smiled, "Why isn't Xia Lan here?"

Xia Lan was the women's director here, less than thirty years old, just at the most mature time of her life. She was beautiful and had a spicy personality. Because she had been married and had children, and also managed the village's family planning, she could make some jokes that were not taboo. When the township government leaders arrived at Yezhugou, they liked to have Xia Lan accompany them. Of course, it was at most just joking. If anyone really wanted to get handsy, Xia Lan had the courage to take a knife and hack them.

Fang Youcai said, "She was just here. It seems she went to the village to distribute family planning supplies."

Family planning supplies were, of course, free condoms. Some women of childbearing age were unwilling to be sterilized, so they had to be given these things for contraception. When distributing condoms, they also had to explain how to use them. This work really couldn't be done by anyone who wasn't spicy.

Hearing Fang Youcai's words, Chen Hongfu laughed, but didn't say anything. If it were usual, he would have made a few dirty jokes. Now that there was a Su Xinghui present, he couldn't make such jokes. He said to Fang Youcai, "Youcai, what is the matter that you called me here yesterday? You said there was some good news."

"Of course it's good news." Fang Youcai pointed to Village Director Zhao Zhongfu and said, "Zhongfu dug a hole next to his cornfield a few days ago. Yesterday, a wild boar fell into it and was beaten to death by us. Today there is wild boar meat to eat, so I specially called you to eat wild boar meat."

Chen Hongfu became interested, "How big is the wild boar?"

Zhao Zhongfu smiled honestly, "About seventy or eighty jin, not too big."

Zhao Zhongfu was a young man in his early thirties who had been a soldier. His age was considered young among these village directors in the township.

Chen Hongfu nodded, "Seventy or eighty jin is best. It can't be too big, or the meat won't be good. But it's only nine o'clock now. If you had told me earlier, I would have come later."

Fang Youcai said, "It doesn't matter. We happen to have some things to tell the secretary."

Chen Hongfu laughed while pointing at Fang Youcai, "I knew you didn't have such good intentions to call me here just to eat wild boar meat. What's the matter, tell me?"

Fang Youcai looked at Gao Daping. Gao Daping said, "It's like this, Chen Shuji. Everyone in the village says that this year's retention and coordination standard is too high, and they can't afford it! Do you think it can be reduced or exempted?"

Chen Hongfu's brow immediately wrinkled, "Reduced or exempted? The township's expenses all depend on this retention and coordination. If it's reduced or exempted, what will happen to these expenses? The teachers' salaries in the township school haven't been paid for several months, and the elementary school classrooms need to be repaired. Money is needed everywhere. You tell me how to reduce or exempt it? Your salaries also come from this. Maybe you are willing not to take your salaries?"

Zhao Zhongfu said, "Chen Shuji, we know that the township is not easy, but it is an objective fact that the retention and coordination standard is too high. Last year, the average retention and coordination was more than ten yuan per person, which was barely affordable. How many items were added this year? A school building renovation fee, twenty yuan per person, plus water conservancy funds, agricultural and forestry special product taxes, education surcharges, military service surcharges, tobacco taxes, two-daughter household pensions, etc., adding up to more than ten yuan. Now the average retention and coordination to be paid is more than fifty per person. For families with many people, they have to pay hundreds. You tell me how they can afford it? Our annual per capita cash income here is at most more than ten yuan. They can't afford it even if they sell all their rations."

Chen Hongfu's brow twisted into a "river" shape. In fact, he knew that coming to Yezhugou today would definitely have some troublesome things, but he didn't expect things to be so troublesome. Reducing or exempting retention and coordination, how easy is it to talk about? The township's annual expenses, if relying on financial allocations, are not enough, basically relying on these retention and coordination. And this is a task assigned by the county. Is it something he can reduce or exempt just by saying so? Even if he had this power, he couldn't open this gap. Once this gap is opened, the retention and coordination of more than a dozen villages in the whole township will not be collected.

However, Chen Hongfu still knew how difficult life in the countryside was. What Zhao Zhongfu said was basically the truth. This year's retention and coordination increased several times compared to last year, which made the villagers really unable to bear it.

Thinking of this, Chen Hongfu's tone softened a bit, "I also know that the days of the people in the village are not easy, but it won't work if the retention and coordination are not paid. This is a task assigned by the county, and I have no way. Besides, our county's tasks are not the ones that have been added the most. The average retention and coordination in Hongshan County is almost more than one hundred yuan per person, and their income will not be higher than ours. So, you still need to do more work in the village."

A crisp voice came from outside the door, "Chen Shuji, our work is really not easy to do!"

Chen Hongfu and Su Xinghui turned their heads together and saw a young young woman walking in from outside the door. She was of medium height, her figure was slightly plump, she had a delicate goose-egg face, and her long black hair was tied into a long ponytail behind her head. She was wearing a red T-shirt that rural women rarely wore, looking full of vitality.

She was the women's director of Yezhugou, Xia Lan.

Chen Hongfu smiled, "Xia Lan is back. I heard you went to distribute family planning supplies. Did you teach others how to use them hand-in-hand!"

Chen Hongfu's joke was a bit dirty, but Xia Lan didn't take offense. If you can't stand such jokes when doing women's family planning work, how can the work be carried out? She smiled and said, "I'm clumsy with my mouth and hands, so I can't teach well. Chen Shuji is here, so you can just go and teach the women in the village how to use them."

Chen Hongfu laughed loudly, and the others couldn't help but smile. The slightly solemn atmosphere in the room was immediately diluted a lot.

Xia Lan took the opportunity to say, "Chen Shuji, this year's retention and coordination task is really a bit heavy. Can you reflect it to the county? Reduce or exempt a little?"

A bitter smile appeared on Chen Hongfu's face. Fang Youcai said, "Everyone, stop forcing Chen Shuji, lest Chen Shuji has no mood to eat meat and drink later. Chen Shuji is the kindest, he will definitely agree."

Chen Hongfu pointed at Fang Youcai and smiled, "Youcai, you are forcing the palace! No matter how you force it, the money that should be collected still has to be collected. For families with real difficulties, the township will consider it."

In fact, Fang Youcai was not wrong. Chen Hongfu was indeed kind. Su Xinghui knew this. After all, he was also from a farming family and knew the hardship of farmers, so he was not as hard-hearted as many cadres. Sometimes, within his power, he was still willing to take care of the people under his rule.

Fang Youcai said happily, "Then I thank Chen Shuji on behalf of those difficult households."

Chen Hongfu waved his hand, "Don't thank me yet, I don't know if it can be done. By the way, don't tell others, otherwise not a single one can be exempted."

Several village cadres nodded happily. Su Xinghui was full of emotion. At this time, many village cadres were still willing to do some good things for the common people. The fact that these village cadres could painstakingly invite Chen Hongfu here today was just to let the villagers reduce some retention and coordination. It was really too difficult.