Chapter Eleven: Minister Sun's Calamity

  This is really a dilemma! Tao Ruxuan didn't know what to do for a long time, and he wanted to call Liang Hongyan to ask, but then thought that if he asked Liang Hongyan about everything, it would make himself appear incompetent, so he dialed the phone to give it to Third Uncle.

  After a brief account, San Shu thought for a moment on the other end of the phone and said: "Alright, listen to me, grit your teeth and give Zhao Yongkui 5,000 yuan. If you don't have it, I'll get finance to transfer it to you."

  Tao Ruxuan was initially puzzled, but suddenly remembered a conversation with Liang Hongyan on the way back from Hongfu Hotel. When Liang Hongyan asked him to keep the money, she seemed to have said that the 10,000 yuan given by Yuan Shigui could be used during the evaluation, and wondered if it meant the same as what his third uncle had said, which was to give money to Zhao Yongkui, but didn't dare to say it explicitly.

  This means that in the eyes of San Shu and Liang Hongyan, Zhao Yongkui is greedy for money. Five thousand yuan may not be enough to make him openly betray himself, but it will definitely make him no longer support his subordinate Liu Bin.

  However, if Zhao Yongkui refused or even reported himself, then it would probably be a case of losing the rice while trying to steal the chicken.

  Here is the translation:

  Thinking of this, Tao Ruxuan expressed his concerns to Third Uncle. However, Third Uncle just laughed and said, "Don't worry, kid. I still remember Zhao Yongkui - he used to be the deputy secretary in Ganquan Township. He's definitely a greedy one. When I was selling vegetables, he said my cart damaged the road foundation in the village and made me pay several hundred yuan. Later, I found out that he had put all that money into his own pocket. But it was just a matter of a few hundred yuan, so I didn't bother to hold it against him."

  Only then did Tao Ruxuan feel a sense of security. However, as for sending money, Tao Ruxuan had never done such a thing before. In college, there was once an exam where he failed one subject and wanted to find a teacher to send some money, but he hesitated in front of the teacher's door for half a night without making up his mind, and ended up taking the make-up exam instead. That was just a matter of one or two hundred yuan, now suddenly giving Zhao Yongkui five thousand yuan, Tao Ruxuan couldn't help but feel a little timid.

  Besides, even if you want to give money, you need a good reason. Tao Ruxuan racked his brains for half a day and finally remembered that Zhao Yongkui's son had just taken the college entrance exam this year, but with poor grades, he only received admission notices from three private universities. Zhao Yongkui was too ashamed to tell anyone about it. This excuse is a bit far-fetched, but at least it's a reason.

  I didn't want to go to Zhao Yongkui's home, but Zhao Yongkui wasn't at home. Only Zhao Yongkui's wife was alone at home. Zhao Yongkui's wife said that Zhao Yongkui had gone fishing early in the morning and probably wouldn't be back until evening.

  Not seeing Zhao Yongkui, Tao Ruxuan's heart was actually more at ease, so he put the 5,000 yuan he had prepared in advance on the table, saying it was a gesture to congratulate Zhao Yongkui's son for being admitted to university. He also left a note: "Tao Ruxuan wishes Linglang Jinbang Tieming". Zhao Yongkui's wife did not refuse either.

  The next morning, Tao Ruxuan sold some fruit and other gifts and went to Liang Hongyan's house again. Unfortunately, Liang Hongyan was not at home, and her man said that the county committee had called her away for something. It is estimated that she went with Secretary Gu Ping to inspect work in the textile factory downstairs. In the evening, Tao Ruxuan turned on the TV and found that Liang Hongyan was indeed following behind Secretary Gu Ping to inspect work at the textile factory. This made Tao Ruxuan think of what he had seen yesterday with Yuan Shigui, and it is likely that Yuan Shigui saw Liang Hongyan again within these two days.

  Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and on Monday morning, Tao Ruxuan arrived at the office as usual, being the first to arrive. While sweeping the floor, Zhao Yongkui came in, saw Tao Ruxuan, and immediately beamed with a smile, placing his hand on Tao's shoulder and saying in a low voice: "Little Tao, you're too polite. My good-for-nothing son got such grades, I didn't want to tell everyone, but look at you... it makes me feel so embarrassed." He sighed and continued: "To be honest, I've been worried these past few days. The tuition fees for a private university are much higher than those of a regular university, almost double the amount. My wife doesn't work, and my salary is barely enough. Let's just say that money is borrowed from you, and I'll definitely pay it back later." With that, he beckoned Tao Ruxuan to follow him into his office.

  Tao Ruxuan also knew that Zhao Yongkui's words were just empty talk, and he was afraid that in the future, if there was a three-long-and-two-short situation, it would also be an excuse.

  However, Zhao Yongkui's attitude changed quickly. As usual, there was a general meeting of all personnel in the department on Monday morning, and Minister Sun Dianmin did not attend due to temporary business, so Deputy Minister Liang Hongyan mentioned the selection of stock-level cadres this year at the meeting. Zhao Yongkui immediately made three points: First, we must adhere to the principles of fairness, justice, and openness to do a good job in selecting stock-level cadres; Second, we must conscientiously implement the relevant spirit and opinions of the county party committee and Secretary Gu about cadre selection work; Third, those who participate in the selection should not have ideological burdens whether they are selected or not. Being selected is everyone's trust, and if not selected, there will be opportunities next year.

  This remark seems to be purely empty talk, but it shows that Zhao Yongkui's tendency has changed. With Zhao Yongkui's past character, at this time he must have insisted on his own people, but today there is not a word of such talk. This is the effect of those five thousand yuan.

  After the department meeting, Liang Hongyan called Tao Ruxuan to her office and said with a smile: "Little Tao, you did very well this time. Zhao Yongkui and Qu Peixian both mentioned you. It means your work is done perfectly. Especially Zhao Yongkui, it surprised me that he even spoke highly of you, I originally wanted to argue with him, but he made me speechless. Did you tell the truth, did you 'give medicine' to Zhao Yongkui?

  Giving money means giving money, Tao Ruxuan naturally understood, but pretended to be confused and smiled, without directly answering Liang Hongyan's question. After all, the matter of giving money is "not worth mentioning to outsiders", even if it is now close people, who knows what will happen in the future, not directly admitting it has created a buffer zone in disguise. Moreover, Zhao Yongkui also said that the 5,000 yuan was borrowed.

  Li Hongyan didn't continue to ask, and went on to say: "The next step is Minister Sun's approval. Minister Sun nodded, and this matter was basically settled. Also, as I told you last time, during this period, try to interact more with people from other departments, it's best not to have any problems in the democratic evaluation stage. Of course, also be low-key, don't conflict with Liu Bin, avoid making Liu Bin sensitive."

  These twists and turns in the government, to be honest, Tao Ruxuan knew very little about them in the past, and could even be said to have been in a state of confusion. However, after this incident, Tao Ruxuan also gained a deeper understanding of the system and the people within it. For example, Qu Peixian, who on the surface always appeared to be a gentleman, may not be as clean inside. Zhao Yongkui can only be described with one word: greedy. And Liang Hongyan is absolutely a master of officialdom, which is why County Secretary Gu Ping and County Magistrate Wang Jian both use her. As for the rumors outside that she has an improper relationship with Gu Ping and Wang Jian, it's probably 80% just rumor.

  At noon, a sudden bad news came from the county party committee office, saying that Minister Sun Dianmin was inspecting the party building work in the township with Secretary Gu when the car suddenly overturned and fell into the ditch. Sun Dianmin died on the spot, and the driver was seriously injured and sent to the hospital.

  This kind of thing spreads incredibly fast through small talk. Everyone quickly learned about what happened from different channels.

  Originally, Sun Dianmin had been learning to drive for some time. Perhaps because he felt that party building work was not closely related to him, or perhaps due to some inexplicable enthusiasm, he let the driver sit in the back and drove himself. Unexpectedly, on the way to Wang Xiantown, a wild rabbit suddenly darted out from the roadside grass, Sun Dianmin's driving skills were not great to begin with, and being startled, he hastily turned the steering wheel. However, the roadbed of the township highway was not solid, and the impact force generated by the wheels' instantaneous friction on the ground caused a section of the roadbed under the wheels to collapse, and the car suddenly flipped into the ditch beside it.

  The ditch was not very deep, but unfortunately Sun Dianmin forgot to fasten his seatbelt. Moreover, the airbag of that Honda car did not open for some reason. The steering wheel hit Sun Dianmin's chest, causing a rupture in his heart and bleeding from his mouth and nose. He died on the spot.

  The news reached the Propaganda Department, and as the deputy minister in charge, Liang Hongyan immediately convened a meeting of all personnel. On one hand, she arranged for work within the department to continue, while on the other hand, she quickly organized people to prepare to go to Sun Dianmin's home to pay their respects.

  However, Tao Ruxuan seemed to see a hint of excitement and pleasure on Liang Hongyan's solemn face. After careful consideration, he also understood about 70-80%. Sun Dianmin's unexpected death was undoubtedly an opportunity for Liang Hongyan to take the lead. Moreover, the propaganda department had always been led by Liang Hongyan, and County Secretary Gu Ping and County Mayor Wang Jian were quite fond of Liang Hongyan, but they had some reservations about Minister Sun Dianmin.

  After the meeting, Liang Hongyan stopped Tao Ruxuan and said: "Go to the ministry's office and have them arrange for two vans, also allocate 5,000 yuan, notify everyone in the department except those on duty to go to Director Sun's home." After that, she didn't say another word and went back to her own office.

  Tao Ruxuan was taken aback for a moment, thinking that arranging cars and paying expenses were all matters of the Ministry's office, why did Liang Hongyan let him do it himself. Moreover, even if the Ministry's office paid, it would require the leader's signature, but he couldn't understand it at the moment, so he had to go to the Ministry's office with a hard head.

  As soon as he entered the ministry, Director Zhang Zexin of the ministry warmly received Tao Ruxuan and told him that the vehicle had been arranged. He handed over 5,000 yuan and said: "Little Tao, this is 5,000 yuan, count it and write me a receipt."