Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 363 Taking a Different Approach to Secure Transportation Projects 2

The county transportation bureau chief felt a chill in his heart. Hu Tianlong's words simply meant there was no hope; it was just a euphemistic way of putting it.

Wu Zhiyuan could tell that Hu Tianlong harbored resentment towards Qingyan County.

If it weren't for that incident, as someone who once worked in Qingyan County, I would have to give some preferential treatment to Qingyan County, which wouldn't violate any regulations and is only human nature.

Yuan Zhibei, the deputy county head in charge of transportation, also realized that the trip had been in vain.

Although Hu Tianlong gave Qingyan a show of hospitality, it was purely for show; Hu Tianlong's attitude towards Qingyan remained indifferent.

Let alone special treatment, even normal project approvals will probably be delayed.

Wu Zhiyuan listened attentively with a smile on his face, nodding occasionally.

After Hu Tianlong finished speaking, he said, "Director Hu, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with us."

We will definitely take your suggestions seriously when we get back.

Besides reporting on my work, I'd also like to share something with you privately today. I'm only asking for a few minutes of your time; is that convenient?

A separate report?

Hu Tianlong was slightly taken aback. Wu Zhiyuan had come today mainly to discuss the highway project connecting Wuhe Town to Jiangzhou, the provincial capital. Qingyan County and Longcheng City had submitted proposals multiple times, but they had all been rejected. Wu Zhiyuan's separate report—could it be related to his past experience as a sent-down youth?

"Okay, it'll only take a few minutes. I have a meeting later." Hu Tianlong was making an excuse; there was actually no meeting.

Wu Zhiyuan nodded: "That's enough, thank you, Director Hu."

"Then let's go to my office." Hu Tianlong stood up.

Wu Zhiyuan also stood up.

Hu Tianlong's office and meeting room are on the same floor.

After taking their seats, Wu Zhiyuan did not talk about transportation or Liu Yue'e, but instead began to talk about poetry: "Director Hu, you are a prolific poet, and I have read many of your poems."

Wu Zhiyuan himself found it cheesy.

What are some of his prolific writings?

It's just a few rhymes, isn't it?

Some officials publish books solely to make money. Subordinates, catering to their tastes, buy these books at high prices.

For example, a fallen official published a book called "Shou Shi Bu Yuan" (Supplement to Longevity), priced at 566 yuan per set, and sold 40,000 to 50,000 sets in a year.

There was also a writer who was an official, and he made tens of millions by selling collections of poetry and calligraphy.

Whether Hu Tianlong published the book to make money, as a hobby, or both, Wu Zhiyuan did not know.

However, judging from the book's price, it seems more like a hobby, as it's not expensive.

Hu Tianlong humbly replied, "You flatter me, you flatter me. It's just a few easy-to-understand rhymes. I just enjoy writing poetry in my spare time."

I write whatever comes to mind, without any structure or method; it's not presentable.

It seems that Hu Tianlong is still self-aware.

Wu Zhiyuan said sincerely, "Director Hu, you are being too modest."

In my opinion, the most commonplace is the most elegant. The more down-to-earth and heartfelt the writing, the more flavorful and moving it is.

Unlike those pretentious poems on the market that look fancy but are actually empty and meaningless.

Your work is simple and sincere, easy to read aloud, and full of life, while also revealing your life experience and perspective. This is truly good writing.

For example, the song "Road Repair Ballad":

If you want to get rich, build roads first; make roads reach every household.

Trucks and cars of all sizes are running around happily, and mountain products are being sold, making wallets bulge.

Bridges are the beams, roads are the bones; smooth transportation brings prosperity to all industries.

Every road leads to a smooth path, and every family prospers with a thriving life.

This is so well written! Considering the traffic situation and the expectations of the people in Wuhe Town of our county, your poem is practically written for the people of Wuhe Town.

"To get rich, build roads first"—the county road leading to the provincial capital in Wuhe Town has been longed for by the people for decades. There have been accidents, accidents, and even deaths, but it is still the same dilapidated road.

Every time I read your poem, I think, if the road to Wuhe Town could be repaired, we could finally "get our mountain products out of the mountains and fill our wallets."

Wuhe Town.

Hu Tianlong's expression changed as soon as he heard those three words.

He was beaten by Liu Yue'e's parents-in-law in front of many villagers, which was a disgrace no matter how you looked at it.

"County Chief Wu, I understand your feelings. Grassroots work is not easy, especially transportation, which is the lifeline of development."

But as I just mentioned, the province has its own plans and frameworks. Project approvals and funding arrangements must be considered holistically and followed according to procedures.

The department has studied the situation of this road in Wuhe Town before and found some problems, which require you to further improve the plan.

Here's what you should do: go back and make the preliminary work more thorough, and complete the supporting materials for the planning scheme, especially for key aspects such as investment benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, and land pre-approval.

We'll discuss it further once next year's plan is finalized. That's all for today.

This is a clear invitation to leave.

Wu Zhiyuan knew that the words "Wuhe Town" touched a nerve with Hu Tianlong.

But instead of getting up to leave, he calmly opened his briefcase and took out a photograph.

Yellowed photos.

He gently placed it in front of Hu Tianlong.

"Director Hu, before I came here, I visited Lizhuang Village, where you used to work."

A villager asked me to bring you a photo.

Hu Tianlong looked down and was completely frozen in place.

In the photo, a young woman wearing a floral dress stands under a locust tree, smiling sweetly.

Standing next to him was a tall, thin young man wearing a white shirt and a shy smile on his face.

That was him twenty-three years ago.

That was her twenty-three years ago.

But it all seems like yesterday.

Wu Zhiyuan said softly, "Director Hu, when you were in Lizhuang Village, you were full of vigor and wanted to make a name for yourself."

The old Party Secretary said that during the great flood that year, you took the lead in jumping into the river to plug the breach and almost got swept away.

Back then, you were in your twenties, about the same age as I am now. You cared deeply about the people, thinking about building roads and improving the lives of your fellow villagers.

Hu Tianlong didn't speak, he just looked at the photo.

Wu Zhiyuan continued, "The old Party Secretary asked me to pass on a message to you: They still remember Xiao Hu, who jumped into the river to plug the breach during the flood."

They're still hoping for that road you wanted to build but didn't.

Hu Tianlong picked up the photo and examined it closely.

In the photo, I have clear eyes and a scholarly air, but my face shows the fearlessness of a newborn calf.

That was him twenty-three years ago.

The village's first secretary who toiled tirelessly at the grassroots level, the village cadre who wanted to do something practical for the people, and the young man who fell in love with a widow.

Looking at himself in the photo, Hu Tianlong recalled events from over twenty years ago, including that beautiful widow named Liu Yue'e, and felt a mix of emotions.

But that fluctuation was quickly suppressed by reason.

He raised his head, looked at Wu Zhiyuan, and said coldly, "County Chief Wu, it seems you've done your homework. You've even dug up my old stories from twenty-three years ago!"

What, do you think that reminding me in this way will make me turn a blind eye to Qingyan and Wuhe Town?

Or do you think that by possessing this so-called privacy, you can use it to negotiate with me or even threaten me?

Wu Zhiyuan remained calm, anticipating Hu Tianlong's anger, and explained, "Director Hu, you've misunderstood. I'm not here to threaten you, I just..."

Hu Tianlong interrupted Wu Zhiyuan: "You, a mere county magistrate, dare to come to my office with photos from more than 20 years ago and talk to me about the roads in Wuhe Town!"

Do you think I don't know what you're up to? Are you trying to blackmail me with these old stories to force me to give Qingyan County the green light?

"You've come to the wrong place threatening me! Back when I was single, who says a single young man can't fall in love with a widow?"

Wu Zhiyuan shook his head and said, "Director Hu, I really didn't mean to threaten you. I just hope you can think more highly of Qingyan County. After all, it's a place where you used to work."

Here, you'll find your youthful dreams and the people you once truly cared for.

I'm not here to dredge up old grievances, nor am I here to blackmail you.

I am the county head of Qingyan County. All I want is for that road to be built so that the lives of the people can be a little better.

Hu Tianlong sneered, "Youthful dreams? People who have truly served you? County Chief Wu, you're too naive!"

Do you think you can use the past as leverage?

Do you think that showing me this photo will soften my heart and make an exception for Qingyan?

After a pause, Hu Tianlong emphasized, "County Chief Wu, you are young, energetic, and eager to do practical things for the people, which I can understand."

But you're using the wrong approach. Everyone has their own privacy and their own past.

Bringing these things to me will only make me feel disgusted!

Regarding that road, follow the proper procedures. If it can be approved, then approve it; if not, then don't.

Don't expect to influence me this way. That's all for today! I have a meeting to attend!

Wu Zhiyuan calmly took out another photograph.

"Director Hu, please look at another photo."

This is a photo of Liu Siyu.

The photo shows a young and beautiful girl with long, flowing hair, exquisite features, and a radiant smile.

Those eyebrows, those smiles, are exactly the same as Liu Yue'e's from over twenty years ago.

"Who is this?" Hu Tianlong had a premonition, but wanted to confirm it.

"Director Hu, I'm not threatening you, but congratulating you on having a beautiful and intelligent daughter."

Although Hu Tianlong had a premonition, he was still very surprised when Wu Zhiyuan said it.

"What...what did you say? Daughter? What daughter?"

"Her name is Liu Siyu, she is twenty-two years old, she is the daughter of Sister Liu Yue'e, and also your daughter."

When Sister Liu Yue'e left Lizhuang Village, she was already pregnant with your child.

Sister Liu Yue'e did not have an abortion back then; she couldn't bear to give birth to her and raised her alone.

To prevent her daughter from living amidst gossip and to completely sever ties with the past, Sister Liu Yue'e has always publicly claimed that Siyu is her deceased husband's posthumous child, and has never revealed your existence to anyone, including Siyu herself.

"Impossible..." Hu Tianlong subconsciously denied it, but his gaze could not be taken off the photo.

Those eyebrows, those smiles, vaguely resembled Liu Yue'e from back then, and also seemed somewhat like myself.

"Director Hu, if you don't believe me, you can do a DNA test."

Hu Tianlong thought of his son who died young, and felt a pang of pain in his heart.

In recent years, his career has been on the rise. However, what many people don't know is that his only son was left behind in a foreign land forever.

Four years ago, his son, who was studying in high school abroad, was tragically killed in a car accident.