Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

On Taoling, there are about 20 houses of the same style as Tao Fan's house. The layout is scattered, and the peach trees are screened.The residents are all the heads of the prefectural committees and administrative offices.He has been the deputy secretary of the prefectural committee here for two years, and the top leader for ten years, with more influence than any of his predecessors.Some very small things seem to have his shadow flickering in them.The peach tree on this hill was planted by him, the name of the mountain Taoling was given by him, and the Taoyuan Hotel at the west end of Taoling was named by him. Of course, the word Taoyuan Hotel was also inscribed by him.Gradually, Taoling became the symbol of the highest power in this area.When the cadres below discuss certain mysterious things, they often say that this is news from Taoling.

It only takes six or seven minutes for Tao Fan to walk from his home to Taoyuan Hotel.The major conferences of the region are held there.Now that the region is holding an important regional meeting, Tao Fan has been invited to sit on the rostrum.Every time, Zhang Zhaolin called in advance to ask for instructions. Before the meeting, he walked to Tao Fan's house, and then went with Tao Fan to the hotel along the Taoling trail.As soon as Tao Fan entered the venue, Zhang Zhaolin applauded behind him, and the audience immediately applauded like thunder.Of course Tao Fan could see what Zhang Zhaolin meant.On the one hand, Zhang Zhaolin knows that he is not qualified, so he wants to use him to dominate the battle; on the other hand, he can also show respect for him and win his support.

Tao Fan was also reluctant to attend the meeting, and it was inconvenient to refuse.At the meeting, he never expressed opinions that were contrary to Zhang Zhaolin's. His speeches were all affirmations of Zhang Zhaolin's speeches and elaborations in a deeper sense.His secret speech at the veteran cadre meeting was just an exception.He not only wanted to express his aloof attitude that he no longer interfered in political affairs, but he was also somewhat dissatisfied with Zhang Zhaolin's unusual emphasis on the work of veteran cadres. One day, the wife said to Tao Fan: "Try not to go to meetings in the future, and retire well after retirement."

Tao Fan said, "Who would I want to go? Zhang Zhaolin always wants to invite himself." Tao Fan felt some kind of overtones from his wife, but he didn't show it.The madam never interfered in his affairs for no reason, she must have heard something.But he didn't want to hear the details, as long as he understood the meaning.This is also his usual style, he takes the trouble to figure out things; and some things, if he doesn't ask, you don't even mention them. Madame did hear something.Outsiders didn't dare to say anything in front of her, it was Tao Tao who said a few words when her father was away yesterday when she came home.I didn't talk about the minutiae, just said that my father has retired, don't let him worry about others, and just sit on the rostrum to give instructions, and it will be thankless in the end.She dared not talk to her father, so she had to ask her mother to convey her opinion.

Tao Tao's words can also make people feel an emotion. Aunt Lin was shocked when she heard it, knowing that there must be bad discussions outside.She is also like a husband, not asking for details.But when the words came out of her mouth, they were very peaceful, just a very ordinary persuasion, like any wife persuading her husband. It was Guan Yinda who actually heard the discussion with his own ears.No one who knew him said anything, and he heard it by chance.Last week he went to the province for a meeting, and some people in the sleeper car bragged about Tao Fan.This carriage is basically for travelers from the region.They said that Tao Fan is now the "Grandpa Cixi" of the region, listening to politics behind a curtain.Zhang Zhaolin had nothing to do with him, he had to ask him for instructions on everything, and he had to be present to hold a meeting.Zhang Zhaolin was not an idler, but he didn't have enough prestige for the time being, so he had to rely on Tao Fan.Later, when Zhang Zhaolin became hardened, Guan Yinda was the one who suffered.Guan Yinda, don't you know?Tao Fan's son-in-law, who is the deputy secretary of the county party committee, and I are best friends, we joked when we met, I said that your name is not Guan Yinda, you should be called "Official Addict".

Guan Yinda didn't know the man who claimed to be his friend, so he didn't know which god he was.In any case, Guan Yinda knew that this argument was not without origin.He also felt strange for a long time, as shrewd as Tao Fan, how could he act like this?Once, a deputy county magistrate went to the area to hold a township enterprise meeting, and came back and said to Guan Yinda: "Your old man's level of speech is really admirable. In just ten minutes, what he said sounds like what Secretary Zhang said. It’s just to make people feel more profound and convincing.” Guan Yinda knew that the words of the deputy county magistrate were meant to be flattering, but they were not lies.Based on this old man's level, he could feel that Tao Fan's speech was superior, and of course other people could also feel it, not to mention Zhang Zhaolin.This is not a good thing.

Of course, it was inconvenient for Guan Yinda to express his opinion directly to Tao Fan.The conversation between him and Tao Tao was more open than that of Tao Fan and his wife.He told Tao Tao the general discussion outside.Tao Tao said: "Father is also true." But she can only tell her mother tactfully. In this way, what Guan Yinda heard was acrimonious discussion, after layers of buffering, it reached Tao Fan's ears, not to mention the details, not even a trace of emotion.Tao Fan, on the other hand, was like a seasoned fisherman. From the slight vibration of the buoy, he could accurately judge whether there was nothing wrong with the water, whether there was a big fish hooked, or there were dark waves.

Tao Fan couldn't help himself.He knew that Zhang Zhaolin needed him now, and when he didn't need him, he would feel that it was not easy to get rid of him.He himself needs a plausible excuse to get out of the current embarrassing situation.Sooner or later there will be discussions, and he knows that.Now the lady finally reminded him. Once, it was another regional meeting, and Zhang Zhaolin came to invite Tao Fan as usual.Tao Fan laughed and said, "Zhaolin, I'm a retired person and I can no longer work for you. It's very difficult for a person my age to sit on the rostrum without dozing off! Fortunately Your report is wonderful, otherwise, I will make a fool of myself." Zhang Zhaolin said a few words politely, and stopped talking.

Tao Fan finally turned off all mundane duties and rested at home with peace of mind.Life is not very lonely. Ben is a scholar. He reads books, writes and draws, but he is free and easy.The only way to communicate with the outside world is to read newspapers.The world's major events are always under control, but the things around you are indifferent.The wife is very understanding and never talks about outside affairs at home.As soon as his wife went to work, he and Mrs. Wang were the only ones at home.Sister-in-law Wang acted lightly, and Tao Fan could hardly feel her presence.On a whim, I actually wrote Tao Yuanming's "The hut is in a human environment, but there are no cars and horses. How can I ask you? My heart is far away from myself!" It's like a hermit.Living in a busy city with an idle mind is the real hermit.

But the hermit's state of mind was soon broken by another mundane incident.The Bureau of Veteran Cadres has been planning to build an activity center for veteran cadres for many years, but Tao Fan never approved it when he was in office.His main strategy for winning over veteran cadres is to solve some specific difficulties for them personally. To put it bluntly, it is to do some personal affairs for others.As for the construction of the veteran cadre activity center, although it is related to the vital interests of the veteran cadres, it is a public matter. If he does not approve it, he will not offend any specific veteran cadre, and his image among the veteran cadres will not be damaged in the slightest.Put it on the table, everyone understands.If the finances are not rich, there is no money to build schools, and five to six million yuan is spent to build an activity center for veteran cadres, the masses will have opinions!Now that he has resigned, the Bureau of Veteran Cadres has sent a report to the prefectural committee and administrative office.Due to rising prices, the current budget is seven or eight million.Zhang Zhaolin was very difficult to deal with when he received this report.Don't approve it, the Bureau of Veteran Cadres has reported it for many years, and other cities have repaired it.Approved it, and it is against Tao Fan's usual opinion.His original intention was to let it be approved, but the reason had nothing to do with the meaning of emphasizing veteran cadres.It turned out that the leaders of the prefectural committees and administrative offices newly mentioned are still living in the houses of county-level cadres.I want to build a prefecture-level cadre building, but it is inconvenient to move because the old cadre activity center has not been repaired.Zhang Zhaolin was in a dilemma, so he told the director of the Bureau of Veteran Cadres: "Our region is financially poor and cannot be compared with other prefectures and cities. I believe the old comrades will understand how difficult it is. According to my personal opinion, we can take it easy. Please ask for instructions." Comrade Tao Fan, if he agrees to repair, I will obey. Lao Xiang, Comrade Tao Fan, you have to pay attention to the method!"

After understanding Zhang Zhaolin's intentions from the director, he ran to Tao Fan to ask for instructions and report.As soon as Tao Fan heard it, Zhang Zhaolin knew that it was Zhang Zhaolin who pushed it over. He felt unhappy, and interrupted the director: "You don't need to report to me. I'm an ordinary citizen now. Why should I report it? I didn't agree with it before, but now I have withdrawn by myself." , I am also a veteran cadre, and said that it can be repaired, who am I? The entertainment facilities for veteran cadres need to be built, and there are policies on it, which is correct. But we must proceed from reality! We veteran comrades must also be considerate of the country The difficulty is, don’t become aristocratic when you become a cadre. We can still play croquet, and there are so many old farmers and old workers, what are they going to do?” Tao Fan hadn't been so angry for a long time, and he felt a little sorry, so he politely sent Director Xiang to the intersection outside the small courtyard, shook hands several times, and comforted him for a while. Unexpectedly, the next morning, Tao Fan received an inexplicable anonymous phone call, telling him to be smart.The voice was ferocious and hoarse, and one could tell it was a fake.Tao Fan blushed with anger, but he was not afraid. It continued like this for several days, and Tao Fan couldn't think of the reason for the call.That was completely the posture of a gangster, but he had never directly provoked any villains.His phone number is also kept secret, and most people don't know it.The wife was frightened to death, and asked if Director Hu of the Public Security Department should come.It's not right for Tao Fan to say that, so many strange and outlandish theories will be generated, it is equivalent to stripping his buttocks for others to see.After much deliberation, he only called the post office and changed a phone number. But after a few days of silence, the anonymous phone call came again, even more viciously.Tao Fan was really surprised this time.He only told the prefectural committee, the main head of the administrative office and his daughter about this phone number, why did it leak out so quickly?This small area has nothing to do with anonymous phone calls. Guan Yinda and Tao Tao came home.Guan Yinda concluded that the phone call had something to do with the activity center of veteran practitioners. "How is it possible?" Tao Fan was dumbfounded.Guan Yinda analyzed: "Obviously, the construction contractors will step up their activities as soon as the news of the construction of the veteran cadre activity center is released. Some people think that this time it will definitely be approved, so they accept the benefits of the contractors. What do you say now?" If you don’t let me repair it, it’s a trivial matter that the contractor gave you a gift for nothing, but the important thing is that you lost a big business, so why don’t you hate you?” Hearing Guan Yinda's deduction, Tao Fan walked up and down in the living room angrily, shouting, "Are these people really such bastards?" Guan Yinda understood who Tao Fan was talking about, so he said, "It's not sure who took the benefits from the contractor, and we can't find out through investigation. But I can be sure that the person who made the anonymous phone call didn't get paid by someone else." Instigate. Those contractors are hooligans, and they will do it without being taught." Tao Tao was so frightened that his whole body trembled, and he ran to draw the curtains tightly, as if he was afraid that a burly man would fly in from outside in the dark.She persuaded her father: "Let them repair it. Are you afraid that your money will be used up?" The wife also said: "Yes, it's none of your business. Why do you insist on it?" Since Tao Fan entered politics, no one has ever disobeyed him so boldly. He felt that he had suffered a great humiliation, and said angrily: "I didn't want to care about it. If they want to do this, I will definitely not let Xiu. Let's see what happens to me." Sample?" It was rare for Guan Yinda to directly discuss issues with Tao Fan like today.With Tao Fan's comprehension ability, he can easily understand general things, and it would be cumbersome to talk too much, but also a little pretentious.But Tao Fan has been at a high place in the past few years, and he is becoming more and more unclear about the real situation in the outside world.Guan Yinda felt that it was necessary to speak directly. Tao Fan walked back and forth in the living room for a while, calmed down a little, and sat back in his original position.Guan Yinda persuaded: "Father, in fact, you only have one sentence, let Zhang Zhaolin handle it by himself. He is just inconvenient to twist your ideas. After you say this, he will be able to handle it easily." Tao Fan listened without saying a word.The cold wind is blowing outside the window, it is already the severe winter season. The next day, Tao Fan called Zhang Zhaolin and said, "I have had conversations with some old comrades these days, and they all demanded that the activity center be repaired. The old comrades also sympathized with the financial difficulties and said that the budget can be suppressed." .I think this opinion can be considered. This is a debt I owe, and now it's up to you to decide." Zhang Zhaolin said: "I originally meant what you said. Take it easy and wait for the financial situation to improve. But during this period, I kept receiving letters from veteran cadres, and I was still very angry. They were all old chiefs, so I had no choice but to stick to it." The scalp is affected. Well, the prefectural committee will study it again and try to settle it." After making this phone call, Tao Fan felt lost.He thought it might be the feeling of a veteran general raising the white flag for the first time.