Chapter 64: A Toast for Road Construction

Wang Bensheng occupied two large offices, one inside the other. Upon entering, one could see the shiny floor, splendid walls, leather sofas, and rosewood desks and chairs, which were far superior to the working conditions in the townships below.

A service staff member followed them in and served Zheng Shiguang and Wang Jian a pot of high-quality Biluochun tea. The service staff's smile resembled that of a hotel attendant. Wang Jian thought for a moment, "Isn't this place just like a hotel? The entrance is the Traffic Hotel! The office and business operations are integrated!"

"Old Wang, the conditions here are really beyond comparison. All facilities are complete. No wonder you don't want to go back to Xianhe Township. You must be enjoying life here!" Zheng Shiguang stood in the middle of the room, scanning the surroundings with a teasing tone.

Wang Bensheng had previously served as the township head of Xianhe before Li Jiarong. At that time, he and Zheng Shiguang were colleagues and got along very well. Later, through some connections, he became the director of the county transportation bureau, holding significant power. Once he gained power, his attitude changed, and he no longer regarded his former colleagues as important.

Seeing Zheng Shiguang reveal his past, Wang Bensheng smiled awkwardly and said, "The conditions are average. I don't want to be impolite to you two. Please sit down!"

Wang Jian looked around and sat on a leather sofa. Zheng Shiguang took a soft Zhonghua cigarette from Wang Bensheng and then sat down. Wang Bensheng offered another cigarette to Wang Jian, who stood up to accept it. Seeing it was a soft Zhonghua, Wang Jian's eyes widened, thinking, "This director's life is like that of a god. I can't compare to him!"

Zheng Shiguang lit Wang Bensheng's cigarette, but Wang Bensheng waved his hand, not wanting him to do it. However, Zheng Shiguang insisted and leaned forward to light it. Wang Jian took out a lighter and lit his own cigarette. After seeing Wang Jian finish, Zheng Shiguang sat down again.

The three began to smoke, but no one spoke. Wang Bensheng saw that the top two leaders of Xianhe Township had come, and he guessed that they must have come for something important. The big thing in the transportation bureau was road construction. He thought they must have come to ask for funds to build roads!

"Old Wang, the township wants to build a few roads. Can the village-to-village road project be tilted towards our township? Can you allocate some funds to us?" After a few puffs, seeing that Wang Bensheng was only frowning and smoking, Zheng Shiguang had to speak first.

Looking at Zheng Shiguang and Wang Jian, Wang Bensheng's fat face broke into a smile. "Old Zheng, I knew you would come for the road project. However, the village-to-village road project has just started, and all the townships in the county are eager to start. Moreover, the project requires local funding. Have you raised the funds?"

Xianhe Township and its villages were poor. If they had to raise funds, they would have to collect money from the villagers, which would surely be met with resistance. Not only would it be difficult to implement, but it would also take a long time to raise the funds. Clearly, Wang Bensheng did not believe that Xianhe Township could raise the funds first!

After looking at Zheng Shiguang, Wang Jian continued, "Director Wang, you know the conditions in Xianhe Township. To get rich, we must first build roads. We are in a difficult situation. The township has no money and can only rely on the county for support. The state provides a lot of poverty alleviation funds to the county each year, including funds for road construction. Please help us, Director Wang, and include our township in the road construction plan and build the roads!"

Wang Jian's words were more pleasant to hear than Zheng Shiguang's constant "Old Wang." However, road construction involves a large amount of money, a big piece of the pie that everyone wants. It's not something that can be obtained just by talking. Wang Bensheng laughed and said, "Township Head Wang, you know the policies well! However, the transportation bureau must make a comprehensive plan. If it's your turn, I will notify you!"

Seeing Wang Bensheng's evasive attitude, Zheng Shiguang felt embarrassed. He thought that with his current position as the township party secretary and their old acquaintance, Wang Bensheng would at least agree to build some roads for Xianhe Township. However, Wang Bensheng did not budge, treating the state's money as if it were his own. But if he were truly protecting state assets, no one would believe it. It was likely that he was keeping the money for himself!

"Old Wang, you must build some roads for us. It would be a support for my work, wouldn't it?" Zheng Shiguang pleaded.

Wang Bensheng spread his hands and said, "Old Brother, it's not that I don't want to help you, but the county's funds are not abundant. It's not your turn yet. Let's wait until it's your turn, okay?"

Just as Zheng Shiguang was about to speak, Wang Bensheng's phone rang. He made a gesture and walked out of the office to answer it.

"Old Zhang, ... Oh, to the city? ... Oh, good, good, see you tonight!" Zheng Shiguang and Wang Jian heard some of Wang Bensheng's conversation intermittently. They looked at each other, speechless!

After finishing the call, Wang Bensheng smiled like Maitreya and said, "Secretary Zheng, Township Head Wang, it's noon. Let's go down for lunch! I'll treat you two!"

They probably would eat at the Traffic Hotel, which was very convenient, like a township government canteen. Zheng Shiguang's face darkened, as this trip had yielded no results. Wang Bensheng seemed to want to dismiss them with a meal. Wang Jian felt that just finding the county transportation bureau was not enough; they needed to find a higher-level leader to influence the transportation bureau.

Neither of them wanted to eat at the transportation bureau. Zheng Shiguang said, "Old Wang, we have other matters and won't eat here!"

"Old Zheng, what's the matter? What's more important than eating? We have to eat anyway, right? Come on, don't let others say I don't remember old friends and can't even treat you to a meal!" Wang Bensheng waved his hand and said to Zheng Shiguang.

Faced with this situation, Zheng Shiguang did not want to create a rift with Wang Bensheng over work matters. If they didn't eat there, it would be a complete loss of face, and they wouldn't be able to get along in the future.

Looking at Wang Jian, Zheng Shiguang remained silent. Wang Jian thought for a moment and said, "Director Wang, we really have matters to attend to, but your hospitality is hard to refuse. How about this: you buy us a few buns, and we'll eat here!"

Wang Jian spoke sincerely, and both Wang Bensheng and Zheng Shiguang looked at him, as if they couldn't believe their ears!

"Ha ha, Brother Wang, are you trying to embarrass me? The transportation bureau can afford a meal. If I give you buns, how can I face the officials in Dongting County? Secretary Zheng, what do you think?" Wang Bensheng laughed and looked at Zheng Shiguang.

Zheng Shiguang felt that Wang Jian was not following the rules of the official world. After all, Wang Bensheng was an old acquaintance, and this made things awkward.

Just as he was about to speak, Wang Jian said, "Director Wang, we can eat anywhere and eat anything, but if the roads are not built, the people can't travel, and the economy can't develop. We want to save money for road construction. If we don't build the roads, others will. Isn't that right?"

The atmosphere became very awkward. Wang Bensheng looked at Wang Jian's determined face and realized he couldn't underestimate him. In the official world, it's better to be slapped than to offend important people, or you might end up dead without knowing how!

"Ha ha, Brother Wang, you are truly a good official who cares for the people! Old Zheng, having Brother Wang as your deputy is a blessing for you. How about this: when we hold the bureau meeting, we will prioritize building a few kilometers of cement roads for Xianhe Township, okay?" Wang Bensheng, with his years of experience, was flexible and adept at playing the game. He agreed first and would deal with it later.

Building a few kilometers of road was already a good start. Wang Jian didn't expect Wang Bensheng to agree, and his expression softened. He extended his hand to Wang Bensheng and said, "I and Secretary Zheng thank Director Wang on behalf of the people!"

"Ha ha, Brother Wang, you truly care for the people!" Wang Bensheng laughed heartily.

Unexpectedly, Wang Jian managed to secure the project for a few kilometers of road. Zheng Shiguang felt a bit jealous but had to laugh along.

"Let's go, Brother Wang!" Wang Bensheng extended his hand in a gesture of invitation.

Not eating would be a loss of face, so Wang Jian also extended his hand and said, "Director Wang, please go first!"

Wang Bensheng led Zheng Shiguang and Wang Jian to the Traffic Hotel with a hearty laugh.

The waitresses inside were very beautiful, standing there providing service. Wang Bensheng greeted Zheng Shiguang and Wang Jian and called the office director to join them.

After the four sat down, they started drinking. Wang Bensheng was known as a big drinker, unmatched in Dongting County, so he didn't take Zheng Shiguang and Wang Jian's drinking capacity seriously. He knew Zheng Shiguang's drinking capacity; he wanted to drink but would get drunk easily, a type who would get into trouble for no reason.

Wang Bensheng didn't know Wang Jian's drinking capacity but didn't think he could drink much. A recent college graduate couldn't compare to him, a veteran of the drinking table for decades.

"Brother Wang, you should drink more today. I know Old Zheng's drinking capacity!" Wang Bensheng said as soon as they sat down.

Wang Jian waved his hand and said, "I can't drink, I won't drink!"

Zheng Shiguang felt strange. He knew Wang Jian could drink well and looked at him, not understanding his intention.

Wang Jian saw the table full of high-end dishes and good wine. After spending so much time asking for the project, although Wang Bensheng finally agreed, he still felt uneasy, thinking Wang Bensheng might be just fooling him. With this mindset, he had no interest in drinking.

"Township Head Wang, drink a little. I can't drink, so you have to drink well with Director Wang. The road project depends on him!" Zheng Shiguang joined in.

Seeing Wang Jian frown, Wang Bensheng thought he really couldn't drink. He put the wine on the table and said boldly, "Brother Wang, if you drink with me, I'll build two more kilometers of road for each cup you drink. How about that?"

Wang Jian's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Two kilometers or two li?"

"Whatever you say!" Wang Bensheng said with a nod.

"Then it's two kilometers. This cup is more than two li. One li for one kilometer of road. This deal is worth it, Director Wang, we must keep our word!" Wang Jian picked up the cup, looked at it, and said to Wang Bensheng.

Wang Bensheng slapped his chest and said, "The length of the road is up to me. I'll build as much as I promise, no breaking my word!"

Zheng Shiguang laughed, thinking Wang Bensheng was about to fall into a trap. Wang Jian was setting up a trap for him!

"Great! Director Wang, I'll drink with you!"

Wang Jian reached out, took the wine bottle, and poured a cup for Wang Bensheng.

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