Chapter 3 The Minister's Tears

  "Yu Ming ah, come here!" The old minister, who had been leaning on the desk for more than half a day, called out my name. "Super Speed First Release" Mobile login:

  I was collecting books when I heard a shout and immediately ran over.

  He held up a magnifying glass and studied the unfolded large-scale map of China with great effort.

  The old minister's eyesight was poor and he often sought my help when searching for maps.

  "Where is this Koriyama City?" He tapped on the top of the map.

  I understood in my heart, the old man was looking for the city where I was sent. I immediately showed a grateful smile.

  "Look, here!" My finger pointed lightly.

  No need to look, I can find where the thistle is with my eyes closed.

  "Ah ha, here it is!" The old man's eyes widened behind his glasses, "This... a vast area, scattered all over... it's a city cluster!"

  "Minister, you have time to go there for inspection." I refilled the minister's teacup with water and warmly invited him.

  "Hey, you're just a guest, but you act as if you're the host before even stepping out of your own house."

  The minister put down the magnifying glass, sat back at his desk, and pulled out a pack of Chinese cigarettes from the drawer below, tore open the packaging film, "This was brought by Old Ginger from Shanghai, come, I'll give you two packs."

  I took the cigarette thrown by the minister and stopped my busy hands. I knew that the minister rarely had time to stay in the office. When I was about to leave, he sat down, probably to instruct me on something!

  "How many years have you been in our department, Ming?"

  How many years? I find it laughable when I think about this matter. After being transferred to the department, I was sent abroad for studies in less than half a year. Four years after going abroad, I returned and became an assistant to the minister. Not even a few days as an "assistant", I was again dispatched to Jilin Province. Who knows how long I actually worked in the department?

  Yu Ming, this time you requested a demotion, are you trying to make a name for yourself?

  I nodded sincerely.

  "Great, I agree with your idea, it's either gilding or doing something. However..." The following turn was a bit laborious and seemed to be meaningful; maybe the old minister wanted to tell me some heart-to-heart words, his mood seemed too heavy."

  He picked up the teacup, originally intending to take a sip. However, this tea seemed to affect his train of thought or was not quite in harmony with his mood at the moment, so he hesitated for half a day and put it back in its original place.

  "Minister," my voice trembled slightly. The old leader's attitude made one feel that he had a different kind of concern for his juniors hidden in his words. "If you have something to say, just speak directly, I'm listening!"

  "How to say... I, I think... Ah, originally I wanted to send you to a provincial capital city as a vice mayor or deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, maybe it would be better; didn't expect that you would make up your mind to go to Jixian as the mayor...... Huh, this 'administrative leader' is not easy to do!"

  "Minister, don't you trust me?"

  "Ah, no... I just... had a bit of a premonition, ah, a bit of a premonition..."

  "Minister..." I shifted my seat forward a bit and looked up at his benevolent face with respect.

  "Do you remember the story of Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the Qin Emperor in history?"

  "I remember."

  "Later generations have a poem, praising him?"

  "It was Tao Yuanming who wrote 'Ode to Jing Ke'."

  "As for someone like Tao Yuanming who is indifferent to fame and wealth, it's really puzzling that he would highly praise Jing Ke; Ah, how did he come to praise this hero?"

  I can no longer recite the original poem, but I still remember the last two sentences. Hurriedly responding: "He called Jing Ke 'the man is gone, but there are leftover emotions'. I think Mr. Tao really liked this brave warrior."

  "Yes, this hero's departure is indeed a tragic and magnificent sight. Probably this is why he has been favored by scholars throughout the ages. However, I always feel that this person is not very intelligent, yes, not very intelligent."

  "Yes, before he left, he himself recited 'The wind is sad and the Yi River is cold, a brave warrior leaves and does not return...' As I read to this point, I suddenly came to my senses and couldn't continue reading."

  I saw the minister's eyes which had become somewhat moist.

  "Minister, you, are you worried that the people of Zhongyuan won't welcome me?!"

  The old man bowed his head and smiled, shaking his head.

  "You still don't believe me."

  The old man still smiled slightly and shook his head again. That means: If that's the case, why would I send you there?

  I'm confused then.

  "Is Cai Ying going with you?" The minister suddenly changed the subject.

  "I want to take her there."

  "Does your father-in-law and mother-in-law support you?"

  "I convinced them."

  "Hmm..." The old minister stood up, pensive for a moment, with an expression that seemed to be lingering on something. Finally, as if having made up his mind, he patted my shoulder, "Young man, listen to what this old fellow has to say, okay?"

  "Minister, you speak." I was delighted and quickly pulled out my notebook.

  "Don't use a pen." The minister shook his head and pointed to his own head, "Remember it in your heart."

  I murmured "uh-huh" and put away my pen and notebook.

  "Firstly, one must avoid interfering with the work of cadres."

  "Cadre work?"

  "Yes, this matter of promoting and using cadres should be managed by the municipal party committee. 'The Party manages cadres' is a major principle. If you intervene, it will affect the relationship between the Party and the government."

  That makes sense. I nodded in agreement.

  "Second, do not interfere with the work of the judiciary."

  "Judicial?"

  "Yes, the city's first-level courts, procuratorates, and disciplinary inspection departments are parallel to the government in administrative level. If you, as the mayor, intervene or interfere with their work, it is equivalent to taking away their business. Damaging relationships is a minor matter, but if things go wrong, it may also lead to trouble."

  That's for sure. I think the mayor's main task is to grasp the economy, and he's busy with no time to take care of these things.

  "This is the third one..." The minister said this and hesitated, looking like he was having a hard time speaking up.

  "Minister, you tell me."

  Yu Ming, you are a young man. The minister's words were serious and heartfelt, "I shouldn't have said this sentence, but it is related to important matters..."

  I blinked.

  "I heard that you and Cai Ying, the two of you... your married life isn't very harmonious?"

  My face turned red all of a sudden.

  But in front of the old man's family, I didn't have to pretend and honestly admitted it.

  "I heard that in Yajima City, there's someone who was your lover back in the day... a university classmate, wasn't it?"

  "That's all in the past."

  "You're so eager to go to Jiyuan, it can't be..."

  "No, no, absolutely not." I vehemently denied it.

  "That's good. So, I'm asking you for the third time: no matter what situation this woman is in now, you can't be influenced by her. You are a mayor, and you absolutely cannot act on emotions! Remember?"

  A "remember" escaped from my mouth. I made a solemn and serious promise.

  "Alright," said the minister, patting me on the shoulder with a delighted expression, "young man, good luck."

  "Thank you, Minister!"

  At this moment, I really can't think of more suitable words and actions to express my gratitude. In the end, I still performed the most simple etiquette, bowing deeply to the elderly.

  "Mighty eagle! You soar high"

  In the misty mountains above the forest

  Dive straight into the morning glow of the azure sky

  Like a rainbow rushing across the sky.

  And when night falls, also regardless

  "A warning of impending stormy weather!"