Chapter Fourteen: The Changing Weather

  Lu Zhengdong earned over a million yuan for the craft factory, and the news spread quickly. The good news about expanding the factory and repairing roads was even more eagerly anticipated, spreading rapidly to every corner of the countryside like wings sprouting from their backs. The common people were all abuzz with discussion, although they didn't know if the road would actually be repaired, but everyone knew that this time "Little Village Chief" had brought back money, and with money, the hope for repairing the road was great.

  Everyone in the village who eats financial rice is beaming with joy. The money that has been dragged on for a year or two finally has a place to go, and everyone's hands can also relax a bit.

  By the time Wang Liben returned from the meeting in the county seat, the news had almost spread throughout the entire township...

  In the meeting room of the township government, six or seven people sat around a long table, holding an enlarged party committee meeting to discuss and formulate a work plan for the election of party representatives. The attendees were several party committee members and deputy town leaders from the township. After discussing related work, Wu Zhonghe brought up the matter of issuing bonuses and subsidies for expanding factories and repairing roads.

  Wang Liben was not happy in his heart, but Wu Zhonghe and Lu Zhengdong were following the normal procedure. Wang Liben's heart was uncomfortable again, but he couldn't avoid discussing this matter, so he nodded slightly. Wu Zhonghe then turned his head and said:

  "Zhèng Dōng, can you describe the situation in detail?"

  For these things, Lu Zhengdong thought for a long time and naturally spoke clearly about the sales situation of the craft factory, the future development trend, the road repair plan, how to implement it, and the difficulties that would be encountered.

  After Lu Zhengdong finished speaking, all the party committee members nodded frequently.

  The members of the party committee actually all have their own thoughts, opposing such a proposal would offend too many people, and Wu Zhonghe is also someone who needs to be transferred, presumably Secretary Wang will not continue to hold onto Wu Zhonghe. So they all expressed their agreement.

  Lu Zhengdong glanced at Wang Liben, who was expressionless, and thought to himself that since all the party committee members were in support, the proposal should be passed. Wu Zhonghe had the same thoughts as Lu Zhengdong, and seeing the situation, he smiled and said to Wang Liben:

  "Secretary Wang, then it's settled..."

  Wang Liben waved his hand to interrupt Wu Zhonghe's speech:

  "Wait a minute, I have something to say... Let's discuss this matter again."

  Wu Zhonghe smiled slightly:

  "Secretary Wang, is it necessary to discuss this further? You give the order and we'll go implement it."

  Wang Liben's face sank: "This is no small matter, how can it be so casual?"

  As soon as Wang Liben said this, the originally relatively relaxed atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became somewhat oppressive.

  Several members of the party committee bowed their heads and drank tea, everyone understood that Wang Liben did not agree with Wu Zhonghe's opinion, but they had just expressed their support for Wu Zhonghe, so they all pricked up their ears to listen to Wang Liben's words, thinking about countermeasures.

  "The sales channel for the craft factory seems to be available now, but how it will go in the future still needs to be observed carefully. We can't rush into investing money to expand and risk losing everything. As for the road repair, it's even more complicated. Our village is a poor and remote mountainous area with strong small farmer consciousness. Repairing roads is just an excuse for them not to pay taxes and fees. If we really want to fix the roads, we'll have to deal with the village authorities again. They always find reasons to delay, and if construction starts, farmers won't allow it. The result will be a mess, and the money will be wasted. As for bonuses and subsidies, I think it's better to discuss them after the Spring Festival, so that everyone doesn't slack off before the New Year... In short, my opinion is to be cautious, think carefully about how to use our funds, and not spend all our money at once. After the Spring Festival, the village will start another lean month..."

  Wang Liben's words seem reasonable at first glance, but are actually completely unreasonable.

  Lu Zhengdong took one look at Wang Liben's attitude and basically knew what he was thinking. In fact, Wang Li definitely wasn't unaware of the benefits of repairing roads, expanding factories, and issuing bonuses and allowances, but such things couldn't be decided by Wu Zhonghe alone; they had to be proposed by him, the top leader.

  Wang Liben did this solely to oppose, his goal was not to allow anyone to challenge his authority in the mountains and countryside. For this purpose, even if it means sacrificing the overall development of the countryside, he would not hesitate.

  For Wang Liben's outrageous approach, the party committee members were generally accustomed to it, except for Wu Zhonghe. The other party committee members saw that Wang Liben had already spoken up and immediately turned their heads around, without caring whether Wang Liben's words made sense or would hinder the development of the countryside. They all nodded in agreement.

  "Right, right, right, Secretary Wang is correct, we still need to balance our income and expenses..."

  "Secretary Wang is right, this matter should be handled with caution..."

  ……

  Before long, the red flag had changed hands and Wu Zhonghe became a lone wanderer.

  Wang Liben's face looked a bit better when he saw that all the party committee members were supporting him. He coldly snorted in his heart, thinking that Wu Zhonghe was just trying to get some credit for himself. However, when it came to matters of the mountain and river, Wang Liben still had the final say as the first-in-command. As he thought this, Wang Liben glanced at Wu Zhonghe beside him with a look of disdain.

  Wu Zhonghe felt a bit awkward when he saw the party committee members who had just supported him suddenly change their minds, but since he was going to be transferred anyway, whether this proposal passed or not didn't have much impact on him. However, looking at Wang Liben's expression and thinking about how Wang Liben had been suppressing him for the past two years, Wu Zhonghe felt that even though Wang Liben knew he was going to be transferred, he still didn't give him any face in this matter. The more Wu Zhonghe thought about it, the angrier he became, and he countered Wang Liben's views without giving in.

  Wang Liben, however, was fundamentally disinclined to confront Wu Zhonghe directly. At times he would let the deputy secretary talk, at other times he would let the organizational committee member speak, and mobilize other party committee members to gang up on Wu Zhonghe together.

  Lu Zhengdong watched Wu Zhonghe being attacked, but he couldn't help either - he was not a member of the party committee, just an observer attending the meeting, and if he wasn't allowed to speak, he didn't have the right to speak at all.

  Wu Zhonghe alone could not contend with the majority, pounding the table and glaring with his eyes was of no use, a minority must obey the majority, soon he was defeated and sat there with an ashen face.

  The result didn't surprise Lu Zhengdong too much. The other party committee members were all looking up to Wang Liben, and the so-called principles had all been set aside. In fact, from the moment Wang Liben started speaking, he knew it was bound to be this outcome...

  Lu Zhengdong thought to himself while also closing his notebook along with the others, waiting for Wang Liben to announce the end of the meeting. However, Wang Liben showed no intention of ending it, gesturing with his hand and saying:

  "Everyone wait a minute, taking this opportunity, I'd like to talk about some things."

  When Wang Liben said this, the people who were about to get up straightened their bodies again. Lu Zhengdong saw Wang Liben's gaze towards him and thought that what Wang Liben was going to say might be aimed at him...