Chapter 81: Witnessing Corruption (2)

  "Ladies and gentlemen, leaders, it's rare that we're all out for a meal together today. On behalf of Yudu District, I'd like to offer you all a toast, let's just have some tea and food, please don't be polite."

  The banquet began with a burst of laughter and chatter, no one cared about the time being noon, everyone drank freely and made casual jokes with each other, the atmosphere was very harmonious, as if they were all old friends. Of course, the people eating had different thoughts in mind. The director and deputy director of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau had no worries at all, their smiles on their faces were bright and cheerful. The leaders of the Industrial and Commercial Bank were more reserved, they probably knew that there were things waiting for them in Yudu District, such scenes of eating and drinking were nothing new to them, if one or two meals could get things done, wouldn't it be easy? Looking at today's society, isn't everything easy? Xu Shaojie and others had completely different feelings, they had something to ask of others, whether they would succeed or not was unknown, their mood was naturally different.

  By the time Zhang Shikui stood up after drinking his third bottle of Maotai, it was now time to get down to business.

  "Secretary Xu has already toasted the leaders, I don't want to fall behind. After three rounds of drinks, we'll recharge and start again. I'll make a fool of myself and toast the leaders one by one. Although Yudou District is not in good condition, our enthusiasm is genuine and our hearts are sincere. So, please don't look down on me, leaders."

  Zhang Shi-kui walked to each person's side, offering a toast one by one. Although the cup was not large, about three coins of wine, he had already drunk quite a bit before this, and now, after one round, Zhang Shi-kui's face also showed a red color.

  "The wine has been drunk, and all the leaders have shown their appreciation for me. I'll speak my mind now. This afternoon we can't disperse yet, let's stay together. Revolutionary work can't be accomplished in just one day, it requires a combination of hard work and rest. The big celebration in Yudu District can't lack the presence of all the leaders. The Industry and Commerce Bureau has already approved our license, so now we can focus on building the cement factory. We remember the leaders who helped us."

  Just after Zhang Shikui finished speaking, the director of the Industry and Commerce Bureau applauded vigorously, shouting "good" at the same time, and wished the cement plant in Yudu District to start work as soon as possible, with a wide range of financial resources. The people from the Industrial and Commercial Bank did not speak for the time being. Seeing this situation, Xu Shaojie spoke up.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, I am newly appointed, Director Zhang is an old leader of Yudu District. He has expressed our true feelings on behalf of Yudu District, and I completely agree with him. Let's do this: during dinner, we won't discuss official business, let's just enjoy drinking, in the afternoon we'll have fun upstairs, and tonight we'll continue drinking."

  Xu Shaojie saw the people from the Industrial and Commercial Bank with a smile of relief on their faces, he knew that this meal was just the beginning, wanting to get several leaders to make a statement with just one meal might not be that easy.

  After dinner, it's playing mahjong. Since everyone has things on their mind, no one is drinking excessively. Drinking has an art to it - when you're asking someone for a favor, you mustn't let them get drunk. If they get drunk, how can you negotiate? Whatever they say will be nonsense. But if they've made a commitment while sober, then you can drink freely.

  Zhao Deli led everyone upstairs when Zhang Shikui pulled Xu Shaojie back.

  "Secretary Xu, when I went upstairs to the Industrial and Commercial Bank building, I briefly mentioned this matter. The bank president and vice-president both said they would study it. Just now, I made a tentative inquiry, and at lunchtime, they didn't express any opposition. This matter has some hope, about 80 or 90% chance of success. However, we are asking them for a favor, so we can only compromise. This afternoon, my plan is to accompany several leaders to play mahjong. The two leaders from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau will soon find an excuse to leave, but they will help say a few words to the bank's leaders. You may need to accompany them first. I have booked two rooms upstairs, and around 4 o'clock, I will appear to take over for you. The bank president will come over to talk to you directly. My idea is to discuss one by one, and it would be best to finalize this matter today. The current loan procedures are simple, but if we make them complicated, they can't be done at all. If we succeed today, then we'll have succeeded. If not, there will be a lot of trouble later."

  Zhang Shikui finished speaking and took out three red envelopes from his bag.

  "Secretary Xu, this is a gift for meeting, to be given when talking alone, the mahjong money, Zhao Deli will bring it, during the conversation, give it to them directly, I have already figured out how to do the account, and it will go directly into the cement plant's account."

  "How much money is in here?"

  "There's 5,000 yuan in each red envelope, Secretary Xu must have received them."

  Xu Shaojie suddenly remembered something and pushed away the red envelope.

  "Old Zhang, no way, you handle this matter. I'm not familiar with them, if they don't accept the money, it might mess things up and affect our loan. You have more contact with them, they trust you, besides, the more familiar you are with such matters, the easier it is to deal with."

  "Secretary Xu, is there something on your mind?"

  Zhang Shikui's face showed an unhappy expression.

  "Secretary Xu, I know this isn't right, but we have no choice. You're the secretary and the one in charge. If you don't take direct action, the leaders of the bank will have even stronger opinions, and the loan might really fall through. Besides, everything has been taken care of financially, there's not a single problem. All expenses were reimbursed through entertainment fees, so they can't be traced. That's the situation we're in now, if we don't do it, it won't work."

  "Oh, I see, Old Zhang, you misunderstood me. I didn't say we can't do it this way, it's just that I'm not familiar with them and I'm worried they won't accept it."

  "Secretary Xu, don't worry about this. You are representing Yudu District and besides, it's just two people in a room, nobody knows, they're not doing it for the first time with that kind of money."

  After Xujie went upstairs, the director and deputy director of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau hurriedly stood up, saying that there was still a meeting in the bureau in the afternoon, and they would definitely attend during lunch. Xujie, Zhang Shikui and two others shook hands, and Zhang Shikui sent them off. There was no need to say more, Xujie and the president, vice-president, and credit manager of the Industrial Bank sat down at the table, and a group of people started playing mahjong.

  Xu Shaojie's luck was particularly bad, always not getting a good hand of cards. Just as he was about to leave and count his money, Zhang Shiqiu came in around 4 o'clock and saw Xu Shaojie wasn't getting any good hands. He smiled and said "Let me take over for Secretary Xu for two rounds." At this time, the bank manager also said he was a bit tired and called the driver to come up and play a few rounds.

  "Director, I'm counting on you for the loan in Yudou District."

  Xu Shaojie handed the red envelope directly to the bank president, who smiled.

  "Secretary Xu, you are building a cement factory in Yudu District, and our Industrial and Commercial Bank should support it. It's only right that we should waive this."

  "You think I'm looking down on you, is it because I look young? Although you're the leader, when handling procedures, you're always busy running around, working hard. This is just a little hardship allowance, mainly because our Yudong District is poor. But Old Zhang has already said that we don't forget the people who dug the well for us to drink from, among ordinary people, we help each other and still follow the rules of courtesy."

  "Ah, Secretary Xu said so, I'm embarrassed. For the loan, I'll discuss it with the people below and try to process it. We'll study the specific situation and there will be a result soon."

  "Hehe, then I'll leave it to you."

  It was very natural for the deputy director and the head of the credit department to enter the room one after another and take the red envelopes.

  The situation at lunch was different, Zhang Shikui brought out his greatest skills, accompanying everyone to drink, in the end, the director of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau fell down, and everyone ended the banquet in a joyful atmosphere. Zhang Shikui suggested continuing to go for a foot massage that night, but everyone politely declined, feeling tired after a day's activities.

  "Secretary Xu, I'm waiting for news at the hotel and estimate that there will be a result by tomorrow afternoon. When I go to work, I'll bring Zhao Deli and Song Tao to the bank. As long as they agree, Song Tao will handle the specific procedures. I also have another suggestion: let Secretary Tian bring Song Tao along, as Song Tao is still young. After the results come out tomorrow, I'll set off with Old Zhao and Old Ma. The machine business can't be delayed. During the loan processing, there will definitely be some additional expenses. I've already arranged for the finance department to prepare the funds. Secretary Xu, we're at a point of no return now."

  "Okay, so it's settled then. I'll call Old Tian tonight and tell him to come down immediately. Tomorrow, we'll go to the bank together to get familiar with things, so we can handle the procedures later on. The cement factory needs to start operating as soon as possible, otherwise this year will be just as tough for us."

  "Secretary Xu, there's nothing tonight, is there?"

  "No, Old Zhang, what's up?"

  Zhang Shikui hesitated for a moment before speaking, and the two of them went out to take a walk on the main street. Xu Shaojie agreed without hesitation. On this early summer evening, there were not many people on the main street, and the weather was not too hot.

  "Secretary Xu, when you first took office, I thought for sure you'd find a way to deal with me. At that time, I was thinking of leaving Yudu District and going to work in the city, even if it meant being demoted. I'm willing to do that, won't you blame me?"

  "Old Zhang, what are you talking about? We working together is fate."

  "Liu Secretary's style, many members of the team are not satisfied with him. Although everyone doesn't say anything, they are unhappy in their hearts. You've just taken office for a short time and every decision you make is scrutinized and discussed. I must say, I'm very impressed. As the district head, it's actually quite difficult. The district finance is tight, everyone needs to eat and ensure daily expenses, especially at year-end. It's miserable. Now, all city leaders have mobile phones, and many district and town leaders also have them. I inquired about it, a mobile phone costs several thousand yuan. Given the current state of our district finances, we dare not even think about equipping them. Liu Secretary asked me to equip mobile phones at the beginning of the year, but I put it off for now. The accounts for external entertainment are still not fully settled, and if we equip mobile phones, who knows what the lower-level cadres will think? That's why Liu Secretary is unhappy with me, and I'm also uncomfortable."

  Xu Shaojie smoked silently, without saying a word.

  "Everyone outside thinks I was promoted by Secretary Liu, so I shouldn't have any complaints. But it's not like that. I also want to do something, always following the routine, financial income is not increasing, work has no outstanding place, time passes, can superiors have a good impression? I don't have many twists and turns in my intestines, nor do I have any outstanding abilities. From now on, I'll just follow Secretary Xu's lead."

  "Old Zhang, don't say that. You're the district head, let's work together to do a good job in Yudu District. At least our lives will be better and farmers will be richer than before, so we can hold our heads high when speaking."

  Xu Shaojie returned home when the sky had already turned completely dark.

  Zhang Xiaoyu hadn't gone to bed yet and was watching TV. Xu Shaojie reeked of alcohol, causing Zhang Xiaoyu to frown.

  "Shao Jie, how can you drink so much alcohol? It's bad for your health."

  Xu Shaojie was in a state of intoxication, his spirit was very excited, and when he saw Zhang Xiaoyu, he didn't say a word, and hugged her tightly. Zhang Xiaoyu was startled and quickly took Xu Shaojie upstairs. Their daughter was still watching TV. Zhang Xiaoyu prepared bath water for Xu Shaojie and then went downstairs. The daughter wanted to sleep as she had to get up early for school the next day.

  After Zhang Xiaoyu went upstairs again, Xu Shaojie couldn't hold back anymore. After a while, Xu Shaojie fell asleep soundly. Zhang Xiaoyu looked at the sleeping Xu Shaojie and saw his true nature revealed on his face, without any maturity, only a kind of satisfied tranquility. At 23 years old, he shouldn't be so mature. Zhang Xiaoyu couldn't help but feel some heartache. In fact, Xu Shaojie was very bitter, the hardships outside, Zhang Xiaoyu knew some of it, although she didn't know about officialdom, but people who struggled were all the same. Zhang Xiaoyu put Xu Shaojie's head on her chest, letting him sleep as comfortably as possible, Xu Shaojie liked this very much.

  At 10 o'clock in the morning, Xu Shaojie arrived at the hotel and indeed received good news. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China agreed to lend 300,000 yuan to Yudu District, and the relevant procedures could be started immediately.

  Xu Shaojie let out a sigh of relief. With Zhang Shikui and Tian Lixin around, he didn't need to worry too much about the cement plant's affairs. He knew that now, Zhang Shikui, who was directly in charge of the finances, was even more anxious than him to start production as soon as possible and reap the benefits sooner.

  Xu Shaojie needs to take care of the vegetable greenhouse now, the location has been selected, and the construction is underway. Hu Deyong is almost always guarding at Huaguang Village. The two experts from the Provincial Agricultural Science Institute have very strict requirements. The person in charge of building the greenhouse was brought by Liu Fugui, and the needed materials such as wood were purchased locally. According to the time calculation, it should be completed soon. If vegetables are planted immediately, according to the expert's words, some vegetables can be put on the market ahead of schedule.