Chapter 6

After the second-level leadership meeting, they took a five-minute break and then urgently convened the Mashi Township Party Committee meeting. Although Ye Ziran was not a member of the Party Committee, as the director of the Party and government office, he was responsible for recording the Party Committee meetings and usually attended as an observer. Zhang Liren was the police station chief and generally also attended the meetings.

The two went to the corridor and lit a cigarette. Zhang Liren asked, "Xiao Ye, were you very busy last night?"

Ye Ziran nodded and said, "With the major incident involving Director Lin, it was already very busy. Adding to that, He Guitian, that 'Cao family member,' made things even more complicated."

"Cao family member" was a term Ye Ziran invented during his university dormitory days to curse someone who deserved to be "fucked." "Cao" and "fucked" are homophones, and with the historical figure Cao Cao, it was a term everyone could understand.

Seeing no one nearby in the corridor, Zhang Liren whispered, "After Director Lin's position becomes vacant, your opportunity has come, Xiao Ye. You need to seize it."

Ye Ziran smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying. He said, "Let's go in, the meeting is about to start."

The Party Committee meeting was still chaired by Secretary Qin Daming: "Comrades, I have temporarily convened this Party Committee meeting to discuss two personnel matters. First, due to He Guitian's work errors, which have caused a passive situation for the township party committee and government, I suggest transferring He Guitian to the township agricultural science station to serve as deputy party branch secretary. Now, let's vote."

This issue had already been mentioned at the second-level leadership meeting, and now it was just a formality. Secretary Qin directly proposed a vote without allowing anyone to express their opinions.

Ye Ziran saw that everyone, except for Township Chief Lin, immediately raised their hands in agreement. Township Chief Li hesitated for a moment and then also raised his hand.

Secretary Qin glanced at Township Chief Li and said, "Very good, the first proposal has been unanimously approved. The second matter: the county party committee has instructed that after Director Lin's unfortunate incident, to ensure the normal operation of the Mashi Township government, the township party committee should recommend two deputy township chief candidates, to be evaluated by the county party organization department. Now, let's have the organizational committee member Pan Qiusheng propose the candidates."

Pan Qiusheng had already received a hint from Secretary Qin before the meeting and now proposed the candidates: "Based on the instructions of the county party committee and the principles of cadre selection, I recommend Ye Ziran from the Party and government office and Yang Zheng from the family planning office."

"Comrade Pan Qiusheng has recommended Ye Ziran and Yang Zheng. Let's discuss Ye Ziran first," Secretary Qin said calmly. Through the incident with Director Lin, a rift had formed between him and Township Chief Li, and this was a good opportunity to observe the attitudes of other party committee members.

Ye Ziran was known to be close to Secretary Qin, and everyone in the township party committee was aware of this. Secretary Qin hoped that Township Chief Li would oppose Pan Qiusheng's nomination, which would make him lose face in front of Secretary Tang.

Unexpectedly, Township Chief Li did not oppose it. He raised his hand and said, "Comrade Ye Ziran has strong work capabilities and is young and promising. I agree."

Secretary Qin's expression changed, feeling as if he had thrown a punch into thin air.

The other committee members understood the implications and all praised Ye Ziran's work, unanimously raising their hands in agreement.

Secretary Qin then said, "Since everyone has a consistent opinion on Comrade Ye Ziran, I also agree. Now, let's discuss Comrade Yang Zheng."

Township Chief Li said, "Comrade Yang Zheng is already forty-five years old and does not meet the requirement for youth."

Yang Zheng was a candidate, and according to Secretary Qin's hint, Pan Qiusheng had proposed him to ensure Ye Ziran's success at the county party standing committee. The appointment of section-level cadres must be approved by the county party standing committee, and the township party committee only makes recommendations. Township Chief Li understood this and was intentionally making a statement to highlight his presence.

Yang Zheng was a supporter of Deputy Secretary Wang, who said, "Comrade Yang Zheng has a positive work attitude and strong capabilities. As a candidate, he is suitable, and I agree."

Since Yang Zheng was a candidate, the other committee members all agreed.

Unexpectedly, the recommendation of deputy township chief candidates went smoothly.

Secretary Qin said, "Since everyone agrees, the candidates are decided. Ye Ziran is the first choice, and Yang Zheng is the second choice. After the meeting, we will report the results to the county party organization department. The meeting is adjourned."

After lunch, Ye Ziran went to town to buy a flower basket and went to Director Lin's memorial hall to pay his respects.

In July, the temperature was high and the humidity was heavy. Director Lin's body was placed in a refrigerated coffin in the memorial hall, covered with a white cloth, and a copy of the Chinese Communist Party Constitution was placed on his chest. The room was filled with wreaths and flower baskets. Ye Ziran presented the flower basket, bowed before the body, and was then led to the adjacent room to drink tea by Director Lin's relatives.

Ma Yanli was accompanying Director Lin's widow, He Chunying. Seeing him arrive, she came over and greeted him softly. Ye Ziran thanked her for her hard work. He Chunying came over and sat down beside him, thanking him, "Director Ye, Township Chief Cheng has already come. Thank you for helping me with my affairs."

Ye Ziran did not take credit, saying, "Sister, this is a decision of the township party committee, not just my personal effort. Please take care of yourself. Director Lin has passed away, and you need to take care of your health and think more about the children."

He Chunying and Director Lin had been married for many years and naturally understood the ways of the political world. As the old saying goes, "When the master dies, no one cares; when the mistress dies, the bridge collapses." The political world is full of opportunists, and when a leader dies, there are more who avoid than help. Moreover, since Ye Ziran and she had a general relationship, his help was even more commendable. "Director Ye, I know the difference. Director Lin's funeral has caused you so much trouble. I thank you on his behalf from the netherworld."

" Sister, don't say that. Although I helped, it was part of my duty." He paused and asked, "Has the compensation from Changrong Company been settled?" Changrong Company was the unit responsible for the truck involved in the accident. Although Director Lin was fully responsible for the traffic accident, China is a humane country, and even if the other party has no legal responsibility, they still need to provide economic compensation. After the accident, he instructed the Party and government office staff to assist Director Lin's family in negotiations with the other party. Changrong Company, upon learning that the deceased was a deputy township chief, was more cooperative.

"It has been settled. The other party compensated 60,000 yuan," He Chunying replied.

Ye Ziran nodded and said, "Oh." In general, the compensation for a traffic death is less than 30,000 yuan, so 60,000 yuan from Changrong Company was quite good. Ye Ziran calculated that the township government, according to the standards for a work-related death, would provide 180,000 yuan in compensation, including bereavement benefits, support fees, funeral expenses, and additional assistance. The family's living conditions should be manageable in the short term.

As they talked, half an hour passed. Just as Ye Ziran was about to leave, he saw a "Crown" car drive up. Upon closer inspection, it was County Party Standing Committee member and Deputy County Chief Ma Tiancheng. He quickly told He Chunying, "Go welcome him, County Chief Ma has arrived."

He Chunying was surprised and went to greet him with Ye Ziran.

County Chief Ma did not speak, shook hands with He Chunying and Ye Ziran, and then went to the memorial hall to present a wreath and bow. He was then led by He Chunying to the adjacent room to drink tea.

"How long have you been here, Xiao Ye?" County Chief Ma asked after sitting down.

Ye Ziran and County Chief Ma had met at the County Party School, where Ye Ziran had left a deep impression on County Chief Ma during his three lectures.

"Not long, County Chief Ma," Ye Ziran replied humbly. He had heard that Deputy Township Chief Lin was a supporter of County Chief Ma, which seemed to be true. However, after Deputy Township Chief Lin's passing, County Chief Ma's personal visit to the memorial hall only showed that he was a man of sentiment and treated his people with kindness.

County Chief Ma turned to He Chunying and said, "Director Lin's passing was sudden. You need to take care of yourself. Do you have any difficulties at home? If you need help, just say so."

He Chunying was deeply grateful for County Chief Ma's visit. She thought about it and realized that Director Lin's funeral had been arranged very well, and Ye Ziran had helped her a lot. She was worried about how to repay him, and now it was a chance to "return the favor." She said, "Thank you for your concern, County Chief Ma. If Director Lin knew, he would be very comforted. The funeral arrangements are almost complete, and I owe a lot to Director Ye..."

She then softly recounted how Ye Ziran had classified the accident as work-related, how he had negotiated the compensation, and how he had advocated for her job at the Party Committee meeting.

County Chief Ma also felt that the arrangements were very well done. He was a man of sentiment, and otherwise, he would not have come to the deceased subordinate's home to offer condolences. He had planned to greet the township and help solve some of the family's difficulties, but now it seemed unnecessary. He felt much more at ease and found Ye Ziran even more likable.

"Xiao Ye is good," County Chief Ma praised Ye Ziran.

"I dare not, County Chief Ma, this is all part of my duty."

"If every cadre could do what they should and not do what they shouldn't, our county would have a bright future," County Chief Ma said with a smile. "Work hard. You are a capable person, and I support you in taking on more responsibilities." His words were brief but to the point.

Ye Ziran quickly responded, "Thank you for your encouragement, County Chief Ma. I will remember your instructions and do my best."

Ye Ziran was a perceptive person. The implication of County Chief Ma's words was that if the county party standing committee discussed the candidates for deputy township chief of Mashi Township, he would vote for him. This was an unexpected joy. With the support of Secretary Tang and County Chief Ma, his chances of passing were high. Moreover, the greater significance was not just in this, but in the successful collaboration between County Chief Ma and Secretary Tang.

Although Ye Ziran did not work in the county, he was very clear about the power struggles within the county party committee.

After Secretary Tang was appointed to Changjia County, he blocked the path of County Chief Yin Mingquan's promotion. Although County Chief Yin did not show much on the surface, he did not cooperate much in the county party standing committee. He had been a vice-county chief and county chief for seven or eight years and had deep roots and significant influence. Although Secretary Tang could rely on the support of the city party committee and his authority as the top leader to压制 him,但在县常委会中，他的优势非常微弱。如果通过与马县长的这次合作，改变了县常委会的权力结构，对唐书记掌控常委会意义重大。要知道，马县长以前大多数时间都是站在殷县长一边的。

所谓“赠人玫瑰手留余香”，而这“余香”却是何春英、马县长还给他的。

马县长坐了一会儿，起身对何春英说：“小何，我最近比较忙，追悼会可能参加不了，先和你打个招呼。”

何春英忙说：“马县长，工作要紧，您已经来看过老林了，老林在泉下只会感激的，我们全家也为您的到来感到无比温暖。”

叶之然顺势送马县长上车。

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(Translation of the last part:)

County Chief Ma sat for a while, then stood up and said to He Chunying, "Xiao He, I am quite busy recently and may not be able to attend the memorial service. I wanted to let you know in advance."

He Chunying quickly replied, "County Chief Ma, work is important. You have already come to see Old Lin, and he will be grateful from the netherworld. Our whole family feels very warm from your visit."

Ye Ziran then escorted County Chief Ma to his car.

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