Chapter 8: Ass Determines Mouth

  After listening to Luo Tianlin's words, Qin Aimin was very moved. As a university student who had just left school, if it weren't for Luo Tianlin's guidance from time to time, he wouldn't have been so smooth sailing in the past six months. Although his wallet was still relatively thin, and his work and life couldn't be described as "like a fish in water", they were absolutely smooth sailing, peaceful and tranquil.

  As far as he knows, several graduates who chose to work in the countryside like him are still struggling with their posts, fighting against heaven, earth and people. The taste of this can't be described as joyful at all, but only as heart-wrenching.

  So that all of them admired Qin Ai Min for being able to meet a good teacher, and these were all the precious experiences that Luo Tian Lin had obtained after going through countless setbacks and spending a lot of tuition fees over the years.

  "Thanks, Luo Ge!"

  For the few words that moved Qin Aimin, Luo Tianlin smiled and said, "We're still being polite to each other. After thinking for a long time, I still want to remind you that when it comes to being an official, whether it's personal or professional, one must be upright and honest. Even if you take bribes behind people's backs, you have to do it openly and honestly. Don't be greedy for what you shouldn't take, and don't miss out on what you should take."

  Here is the translation:

  Just as Luo Tianlin was about to continue, he suddenly paused for a moment. After a while, it seemed like he had steeled himself before continuing: "Although your idea for Jinshui Bridge wasn't bad and did solve a major problem in the countryside, your approach was extremely inappropriate. Although this kind of thing is understandable given the circumstances, there are several issues here - not just that you brought it up at the wrong time, but also that this matter shouldn't have been raised by you at the meeting in the first place. You're only a deputy director of the county finance office; even if the director had brought it up, it would still be beyond your duties."

  One pause, Luo Tianlin's tone was somewhat heavy, "You can actually privately ask Yu Zhenchang or Yang Zhenchang for their opinions on this idea, and then have them bring it up in the meeting. With their identity, even if they use more extreme methods, whether it's from above or below, they will be understood because of the pressure they were under at the time. Using such tactics is not only not excessive but also shows that they are unscrupulous and responsible. But for you, it's completely the opposite. Even if this matter brings you credit, what use is it to you? It's better to exchange it for a favor from the secretary or town mayor."

  Lu Tianlin's words left Qin Aimin, who had been feeling good about himself recently, stunned. However, Lu Tianlin clearly did not intend to let Qin Aimin off the hook that easily.

  "Do you know why poor people eating meat once every three days is called poverty, but rich people eating meat once a week is called healthy living?"

  Qin Aimin thought for a moment, and this question was actually not difficult to answer. He just found it strange that Luo Tianlin would ask such a question at this time.

  "It should be due to their different identities."

  "It's not bad, it's just because of the different identities, so the plan you put forward is called unscrupulous, this is also the evaluation of some people in the countryside towards you now, I believe that there are not a few people in the county who think so. So in this matter, you turned a good thing into a bad one, at least I think, you have lost more than you gained this time, otherwise, the deputy head of the family planning office who is notorious for demolishing houses and breaking off incense would not have fallen on your head as a university student who doesn't even have a wife yet."

  For Luo Tianlin, who has been in Dashitown for over a decade, being the deputy head of family planning is absolutely an undesirable job. He clearly doesn't hold any hope for Qin Aimin's situation after taking over as the deputy head of family planning.

  After listening to Luo Tianlin's words, Qin Aimin's mind was somewhat hesitant, and the determination he had made at Yang Dajing's house immediately became blurred. However, when he thought of his family situation, thinking of his elder brother and sister-in-law, Qin Aimin immediately threw away this waver in his mind.

  The deputy county head in charge of finance, although jokingly referred to as the "permanent deputy county head", is still a deputy county head and one of the few deputy positions with real power in the county.

  The family planning office has dozens of people, plus the family planning cadres, women's directors and other village teams, who are absolutely strong and powerful. Otherwise, how can they have the ability to go to farmers' homes, pull pigs, drag cows, demolish houses, and perform the ultimate skill of looting?

  Qin Aimin was willing to take on the role of deputy head of family planning, not only because he had a certain degree of confidence in himself, but also because he valued this power. With this power, helping his elder brother and sister-in-law find a way out in the countryside would naturally no longer be difficult.

  Watching Luo Tianlin's figure slowly disappear into the wind and snow, Qin Aimin also didn't have the mood to sit by the stove anymore. Besides, although the house was warm, the smell of coal gas was really a bit heavy. The free coal balls burned up were indeed too cost-effective, and the whole room was actually quite hot, sitting for a long time would make people feel dizzy.

  He pulled out his military coat from the closet, put it on and walked out of the room. Taking a deep breath of the cool outside air, Qin Aimin felt invigorated, an indescribable sense of relief that was impossible to put into words.

  As I walked to one side of the floating bridge, two workers wearing big coats and plastic high-top boots, wrapping themselves up like a big bear, quickly stood up from a grass shed by the roadside.

  "Qin Suo Chang, how did you come out? This cold and frozen weather is enough for us to guard here. Don't catch a chill with that thin body of yours."

  The people in charge of collecting tolls on both sides of the floating bridge were personally selected by Qin Aimin from the countryside, none of them had any official positions, and their families were all in Dashixiang. Only they were willing to guard the bridge for 24 hours in three shifts on this New Year's Day.

  Of course, the triple pay during the New Year's holiday is also one of the main reasons. Without this money, who would be willing to stand on the side of the road in the freezing cold that cuts like a knife?

  The speaker was a middle-aged man in his forties, surnamed Meng and named Youliang. If Qin Aimin hadn't mistaken him, he should be an accountant at the rural agricultural machinery station. He didn't have much contact with Qin Aimin on a daily basis, but in the few times they interacted, they got along quite well. Not only was he clever and capable, but also very tactful in his dealings with others. Therefore, when Qin Aimin thought of someone to take charge of persuading and educating passing vehicles, Meng Youliang was the first person who came to mind.

  "Lao Meng, look at what you're saying, am I that precious? The situation has been okay these past few days, right?"

  Meng Youliang smiled and looked at the staff collecting fees from vehicles parked in the distance, before speaking: "It's still going smoothly, but recently there have been a lot of cars from outside, mostly small ones. These people seem to be somewhat dissatisfied with our village."

  Meng Youliang showed a hesitant expression at this point, and Qin Aimin felt somewhat strange. "Old Meng, if there's something on your mind, just say it."

  Meng Youliang looked around and the staff who was standing next to him hurriedly said, "Old Meng, I'll go take a look up front."

  As the other party left, Meng Youliang whispered: "The masters in these small cars seem to have a somewhat unusual identity. Several of them are still using provincial license plates, and they appear to be from certain departments in the province. I suspect that they may be some returning leaders or their family members."

  After listening to Meng Youliang's words, Qin Aimin's eyebrows furrowed involuntarily. He wouldn't doubt Meng Youliang's words, as he had already thought of this situation. After all, there must be many people returning to their hometown for the New Year from afar. Although Kaishui is poor, it is precisely because of its poverty that the mountains and rivers here cannot support too many people. Therefore, since ancient times, Kaishui has had a tradition of producing scholars who are accomplished in literature and martial arts, and selling them to imperial families.

  According to Kaihe County Annals, since the Song Dynasty, Kaihe has produced three Wu Shuangyuan and two Wen Shuangyuan. Nowadays, in the county seat of Shilin, a stone tablet from the Ming Dynasty still stands, recording the champion's name.

  Up to now, Kaihe still maintains this good tradition. More than 90% of college students will choose to develop outside, and the rest will mostly choose to enter various government departments in Kaihe. So, although Kaihe is poor, it has a rich foundation. Every year during Chinese New Year, when people return home, you can often see cars with license plates from other places in the counties and cities of Kaihe. Although some people have become wealthy after years of reform and opening up, not many can afford to buy a car or get married. Those who can travel by car are undoubtedly mostly officials with certain levels of position.

  For Meng Youliang's words, Qin Aimin was somewhat worried but not afraid. Although the floating bridge incident was indeed a bit overdone, it was decided at the township party committee meeting after all. Even if something really happened, this had nothing to do with him as deputy director. At most, it would affect some people's image, but this idea of sacrificing oneself had undoubtedly solved a serious practical problem in Dashiqiao Township. Based on past experience, those above would definitely not investigate, and whoever investigated would definitely offend the top and bottom of Dashiqiao Township, especially with the respected and dignified township party committee secretary Yang Daqing about to retire. At this time, Yang Daqing could be said to have given everyone three points of face; otherwise, he would have nothing to worry about and would stir up trouble, making everyone's head ache.