Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty

Crossing Xinlin County from the desert and entering the sea of ​​clouds, it was already the second night, and the research team was getting bigger and bigger.A jeep with a front afterburner and two minivans were full of people.After arriving at Sanchahe Town, Mi Changshan, Secretary of the Yunhai Municipal Party Committee, and Shang Dequan, Mayor of Yunhai City, came to greet them with a group of people. Cars were parked in the brightly lit town government compound. Wu Mingxiong was a little displeased, and asked Mi Changshan, "How do you know I'm going to Sanchahe?" Mi Changshan said: "Secretary Chen Zhongyang called to tell us. Secretary Chen is also a veteran of water conservancy. He said that the Sancha River is the only way you must pass on this trip. He asked me to wait for you here. Secretary Chen also said , you and your comrades ran out on such a hot day, you only brought a few boxes of instant noodles and mineral water, you can’t eat well, you can’t sleep well, it’s been a hard journey, let me treat you well.”

Mi Changshan didn't mention Xiao Daoqing at all. But Wu Mingxiong said to Xiao Daoqing: "Secretary Xiao, look, shall we accept the hospitality from Secretary Mi and the others? Shall we drink this wine or not?" Xiao Daoqing thought that Wu Mingxiong was going to perform a clean government in front of his subordinates, so he made a gloomy look and said, "Secretary Wu, can we drink it? The people in Damo and Xinlin can't even drink water, and we still have the heart to drink it." Secretary Mi’s wine?” Only then did Mi Changshan narrow his eyes, and sweetly called Secretary Xiao: "Secretary Xiao, don't say that, there are deserts and new forests, there are deserts and new forests, and our sea of ​​clouds has the situation of seas of clouds. We This place is closer to Daze Lake, and when Secretary Chen presided over the work here, he paid special attention to water conservancy, so neither the Damo River nor the Baima River has stopped flowing. Today we have live fish to entertain you."

Wu Mingxiong obviously had no interest in performing a clean government. As soon as Mi Changshan finished speaking, he immediately said, "Okay, if the drought is like this, you Yunhai can still bring out live fish. Secretary Xiao and I will drink this wine." Xiao Daoqing also said: "Secretary Wu said to drink, so we will drink. We ate several instant noodles along the way, and everyone really worked hard. However, Secretary Mi must pay for the wine. The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection clearly stipulates: Liquor receptions are not allowed." Mi Changshan said with a smile: "Okay, okay, the money for the wine will be paid by me and the mayor."

Wu Mingxiong hurriedly said: "No, no, just pay for the wine, but it's too cheap for you. I drink the wine, and I eat the fish, but you have to get the wine and banquet donated to Yunhai City. This time, the city is determined to go to the South-to-North Water Diversion Project The project is finished, and you, Secretary Mi, have to donate to me anyway!" Mi Changshan was stunned, and said, "Secretary Wu, are you here to kill the rich and help the poor? According to the spirit of the province, in matters of water conservancy, whoever benefits will pay for it. Our sea of ​​clouds and three rivers converge, which is a water network zone. Basically there is no shortage of water resources, what kind of donation do you want us Yunhai to accept?"

Wu Mingxiong raised his face, and said: "Are you so embarrassed to say?! The section of the Damo River in your sea of ​​clouds is as thin as chicken intestines. Can the downstream flow continuously? The river channel should be widened to about 150 meters, and the Baima River should also Comprehensive dredging, a lot of responsibilities, and a lot of things. You can either contribute money or work hard. In contrast, your city is relatively rich, and I think for you, it is better to pay money." Mayor Shang Dequan put on a bitter face, rubbed his hands together and shouted: "Secretary Wu, you are really mistaken, how can our city be considered relatively rich? It's really a false name, it's miserable! If you don't believe me, ask Secretary Chen, How are we dragged by the triangular debt now?"

Wu Mingxiong waved his hand and said, "Okay, okay, don't shout, we'll talk about it later, and it doesn't matter if you don't pay. This winter and next spring, you prepare 150 to 200,000 people to work on the river." Shang Dequan and Mi Changshan were silent for a while, and then warmly greeted Wu Mingxiong and his group for dinner.A wine feast is almost a fish feast.Seeing all kinds of fish on the table, Wu Mingxiong immediately understood the intention of Shang Dequan and Mi Changshan to report the work in disguise, so he also pointed at the fish and made a lot of comments, greatly praising Mi Changshan, Shang Dequan and Yunhai's cadres In one call, the deputy mayor Bai Yulong and the Municipal Water Conservancy Bureau were asked to summarize Yunhai's water conservancy work experience, and printed materials were sent to all counties and cities. They also said that "Pingchuan Daily" should be specially reported.

Mi Changshan was now happy. During the toast, on behalf of the Yunhai Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, he stated that regardless of whether the city can participate in the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, Yunhai's water conservancy work will continue unremittingly for a long time. Will not hold back the city. After dinner, led by Mi Changshan, Wu Mingxiong and his party went to the Chahe Gate. It was a starry night, with a bright and big full moon hanging in the middle of the sky. The cool night wind dissipated the heat of the day, which made Wu Mingxiong feel very comfortable.

Wu Mingxiong asked Mi Changshan: "Do you know who presided over the construction of this river gate?" Mi Changshan said, "Is there a need to ask? It's Secretary Chen." Wu Mingxiong nodded, and asked again: "What year was it repaired?" Mi Changshan said: "1959, during the Great Leap Forward." Wu Mingxiong said: "To be precise, it was from 1959 to 1961. I was there when this river gate was built. The south of this river gate belongs to Chen Zhongyang, and the north belongs to me. We brought 200,000 migrant workers from three counties to eat Live on the construction site. What do you eat? Melons and vegetables, some grain, some corn cobs, dried ash, locust tree leaves, poplar leaves, and sesame leaves. The famine had already begun in 1961, and we carried out work-for-work relief In the end, it was the first time that the waterway of the Damo River was carefully dredged, and then the stability of the next 20 years was achieved.” Wu Mingxiong turned his face to Xiao Daoqing and the people in his company, “Today, can we do another job? What about relief? In poor counties like Damo and Xinlin, where the finances are upside down, I think it is entirely possible to use work for relief. Poor places have no means of income, and winter and spring are fine. Instead of basking at home and eating idle food, it is better to go to the river construction site With a little effort, I ate cabbage, roasted pork, and white flour steamed buns from the big house on the construction site. In counties and cities with relatively affluent economies like Yunhai and Minjiao, the people have money at hand and many ways to live. They earn more than ten yuan a day working in township enterprises. If you ask him to do this, and he won’t earn much money, of course he won’t do it. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t do it, just pay some money. It’s like when the whole people fought in the War of Resistance, some people contributed people, and those who had money contributed money.”

Mi Changshan asked: "If it is money, how much will our city pay?" Wu Mingxiong said: "This will be the final settlement, and it is estimated that it will not be much. Your city's finances will pay a part, and each agricultural population is only a few tens of dollars, right?" Mi Changshan said: "It's okay to pay a little from the county's finances. I'm afraid it's not easy to ask farmers for money." Xiao Daoqing also reminded again: "The central government has repeated orders and repeated orders, and it is not allowed to increase the burden on farmers."

Wu Mingxiong said: "This cannot be said to increase the burden on farmers unilaterally. As long as we look a little longer, we can see that what we are doing today is for the fundamental interests of farmers in the entire Pingchuan area. The water problem is solved, and the land production increases. , increasing farmers’ income can permanently reduce the burden on farmers? Comrades from the Agriculture Bureau can give you a report.” Director Zheng of the Agricultural Bureau reported an account immediately, saying: "If the South-to-North Water Diversion Project is successfully implemented, the rice planting area along the route will be increased by 680,000 mu, and the irrigated land will be expanded by 1.2 million mu, and the annual grain production will be increased by at least 500 million kilograms."

Wu Mingxiong said with obvious doting: "I'll investigate and deal with you! You little fellow, I personally named you to be the secretary of the Municipal Youth League Committee, but you didn't go! Not only didn't you go, but you even said weird things, what 'since you came out of kindergarten , I don’t want to go to the kindergarten to play the game of sitting in a row and eating fruit, right? Director Sun of the Organization Department told me.” Qi Bensheng said: "Secretary Wu, you really wronged me. My original words are not like this. When Minister Sun talked to me, I told Minister Sun that if possible, I still hope to do some practical work below. Don't let a Adults who have just seen a little bit of the world will go back to kindergarten." Wu Mingxiong pointed at Qi Bensheng, laughed at Xiao Daoqing and the accompanying comrades, and said, "Listen, what is this called? Is our city Youth League Committee a kindergarten? Even if it is a kindergarten, you, Qi Bensheng, have seen a little bit of the world. Can't you be an aunt for a few days?!" Bai Yulong said with a smile: "It's fine if Xiao Qi doesn't become an aunt. The section of Damohe Quanshan County can be handed over to him. Right now we really lack such young cadres who don't care about personal fame and fortune and do practical things." Wu Mingxiong stopped joking and said seriously: "Yes, if our cadres can be like Qi Bensheng, dare to stand up at critical times, dare to be responsible for the long-term interests and fundamental interests of the people, the matter of Pingchuan There is no need to worry. For us in Hirakawa, the most important issue now, in my opinion, is the issue of cadres. As long as we have a team of cadres who emancipate their minds and have the courage to forge ahead, our cause will have the backbone and we will be able to lead 1,000 people. The people of Wanpingchuan fought vigorously and changed Pingchuan completely! Don’t always complain about our masses. Facts in Zhouji Township prove that our people are very conscientious. Whoever does good things for them, does practical things, They all see clearly. They may misunderstand you for a while, but they will always remember you." Wu Mingxiong called Qi Bensheng in front of everyone and asked Qi Bensheng to talk about his feelings. Qi Bensheng didn't want to talk about it, but murmured: "This is all in the past, why are you talking about it?" Zhang Zhaojin, the current party secretary of Zhouji Township, spoke on Qi Bensheng's behalf. Zhang Zhaojin said: "Back then, there might be disturbances at the Shangbanshan Reservoir. Our township party committee thought about it when it made a resolution. Later, Secretary Qi was transferred away, and there was another petition disturbance, which was really beyond our expectations. One I heard that Secretary Qi was going to be the deputy director of the County Water Conservancy Bureau. First, a group of comrades from the township party committee saw Secretary Qi off, and then some people spontaneously sent plaques, mirrors, and silk banners to Secretary Qi. The hospital was so noisy that it was impossible to work. Secretary Qi didn't like it and wanted to leave at night, but he failed twice, which made the county party committee change his mind and let Secretary Qi stay in Zhouji for ten months. Last month, Qi The secretary mentioned the deputy secretary of the county party committee. In the words of ordinary people, he was promoted, so he left. He walked through the alley where thousands of fathers and villagers saw him off with tears. At that time, Secretary Qi was crying. Comrade also cried. According to the old people in Zhouji, apart from sending a political commissar of the Fifth Regiment of the Eighth Route Army to us in 1945, there has never been such a scene in Zhouji Township.” Qi Bensheng couldn't help but sighed with red eyes: "Our people are so kind and easy to be satisfied. As long as we as cadres sincerely do some good things for them and solve some practical difficulties, they will feel grateful." I want to repay you with love. Now, as soon as I close my eyes, I can see the scene of seeing off, and I feel ashamed in my heart, and I feel that I should be worthy of the love of the people at any time, and I dare not slack off in the slightest. This time I heard that the water diversion project was going to be carried out. I heard that Secretary Wu and Secretary Xiao personally led a team to conduct investigations along the Damo River. I asked the people around me, and everyone basically agreed. So, let me state that as one of the main beneficiary counties of the water diversion project, Quanshan County will never bargain with the municipal party committee, and will go all out to complete the project tasks assigned by the municipal party committee." As soon as Qi Bensheng finished speaking, Wu Mingxiong took the lead in applauding.Xiao Daoqing, Bai Yulong and a group of entourage also applauded.While applauding, Xiao Daoqing thought, maybe Wu Mingxiong is really right?Maybe Wu Mingxiong will become a new Qi Bensheng?Qi Bensheng at a higher level?If this is the case, it may not be a bad thing for Xiao Daoqing to be the commander-in-chief. After all, he also needs some outstanding achievements to support his future. Xiao Daoqing's mood improved a lot, and he publicly expressed his attitude for the first time. Xiao Daoqing said: "I walked for three days and saw many places. Today in Zhouji, I think it is the most meaningful. Under the strong leadership of Comrade Qi Bensheng, Zhouji Township took the first step and went very successfully. From Zhouji According to the experience of the people, under the premise that the people's financial ability can afford it, it is feasible to use part of the people's money to solve some fundamental problems for the people, and it is also in line with the spirit of the central and provincial committees. Secretary Wu has a general idea In addition to fighting with the government and allocating part of the funds from the city and county finances, poverty-stricken areas will use work as relief, and rich areas will use capital as labor. I hope everyone can have the work spirit of Comrade Qi Bensheng.” The change in Xiao Daoqing's attitude made Wu Mingxiong very happy. On the way back to Pingchuan, Wu Mingxiong said: "Secretary Xiao, we must strike while the iron is hot, and start moving immediately after returning home. First, set up a standing committee for special work, unify our thinking, and make a decision. Decided. You can personally grasp the drought report to the province. You can write it more seriously on the basis of respecting the facts, and try to ask for more money from the province. At the same time, turn the city’s drought relief headquarters into a water diversion project headquarters, and conduct various surveys. Preliminary work such as planning, design, and fundraising should be done first, and by the end of the winter, we will have everything ready, and we will pull out 1 million to 2 million people to work on the river, and you will be responsible for this. Do you think about it?" Xiao Daoqing nodded and said: "Okay, after the Standing Committee meeting, I will take the report to the provincial capital immediately, mainly to grasp the implementation of a large amount of funds. I think, if we can ask less from farmers, we will ask less." A little." After thinking for a while, he said, "Pingchuan City is also a beneficiary of this water diversion project. Can we study it and raise some funds from the units in the city?" Wu Mingxiong waved his hand and said: "Don't think about it, there are things in the city. What about the roads in the city? You have to go to Matthew. I have asked Deputy Mayor Yan Changqi and comrades from the Transportation Bureau to investigate We have studied it, and see if we can raise 300 to 500 million yuan to build a road around the city when the peasant comrades are harnessing the river?" Xiao Daoqing was so surprised that he could barely close his mouth from ear to ear, he was stunned for a long time before he said: "Secretary Wu, this... this..." Wu Mingxiong didn't seem to notice Xiao Daoqing's surprised expression and surprised words. Looking at the whirling night outside the car window, he rarely lit a cigarette and smoked it with gusto. Outside the car window, the sky full of stars and moons is dotted with a confusing dark blue world.