Training the Heavens

Chapter 90: Power is coming

"Yes, it's Gao Jialin, who was admitted to Shanghai Pujiang University two years ago." Yu Liming answered immediately. The name Gao Jialin was known to everyone in Kuanzhou County, especially those of them in the system. Who could ignore such a talented person who sent so many leaders to school?

"It's not easy for someone in our county to get into university. Now that we're here, let's go to his house for lunch. Xiao Li, remember to pay for the food later." Huang Zhicheng finally found the opportunity to say this.

According to regulations, cadres who go to inspect and dine at ordinary people's homes must be paid for meals. If it were someone else, people might refuse the money after a few attempts. But when Huang Zhicheng went to Gao Jialin's home, he would definitely not leave any loopholes.

The boss had said it, so what else could Yu Limin say? He quickly gave the driver directions, "Turn left at the next intersection. Then turn right. Do you see those new kilns up ahead? That's Gao Jialin's house. After he went to college, he earned money writing books and built a few new kilns for his family. Now, their family is the most prosperous family in all of Yujiahe Township."

"Gao Jialin is quite filial." Huang Zhicheng kept this in mind. When he went to his house later, he would definitely talk more with Gao Jialin's parents to understand their needs and see if there was any way he could help. This would be better than just chatting with Gao Jialin.

"A car is coming. A car is coming. It's a small car."

When the car drove into Gaojia Village, the children were the first to get excited. They shouted loudly and ran all the way after the car. It was so rare to see a car in a rural village. Even the smell of gasoline seemed so pleasant.

The adults stood at the door, anxiously watching the car approach, wondering about its origins and whether it was a good or bad omen. "Is this some high-ranking official? What's he doing in our village?"

As soon as the car arrived at Gao Jialin's house and hadn't even parked, Yu Limin hurriedly opened the door and got out, "Jialin, is Jialin in the house?"

Gao Jialin came out of the house. "Are you here, Village Chief Yu? Please come in and sit down."

"It's not just me. Today, Secretary Huang from the county came to inspect the preparations for water conservancy construction in the township. It happened to be dinner time, so he wanted to come to your house for a meal. I hope I won't disturb you, okay?" Yu Liming asked kindly.

"What's the bother? Please come in. I'll ask my mother to cook two more dishes." Gao Jialin welcomed them in.

"I've heard of your name a long time ago. I was passing by today, so I came over to sit with you. Well, you are indeed a handsome man." Huang Zhicheng came over with a smile and shook hands, without any airs of superiority. He also specifically instructed, "Don't cook too much. I will eat whatever your family usually eats today."

Gao Jialin just listened to this and didn't take it seriously. He quickly made tea for them, took some melon seeds, peanuts and red dates, then went to the kitchen and whispered to his mother to go to Gao Jiawang's house to borrow some fresh meat and come back to cook some delicious dishes.

Gaojia Village has no electricity yet, so the only food at home is bacon. If you want to eat fresh meat, you have to buy it now.

When he came out, he saw Huang Zhicheng looking at his home with great interest. "Your cave house is really nice. It would be great if the people in Kuanzhou County could all live in new caves like this."

"Secretary Huang, Mayor Yu, let me take you on a tour." After showing the living room, Gao Jialin came to his room. In the inner part was the kang where he slept, and outside by the window was a new desk. On the desk were Gao Jialin's textbooks and various books and materials.

Huang Zhicheng immediately spotted the internal reference he'd seen the day before, and his confidence grew even stronger. Given the level of confidentiality of this internal reference, an ordinary university student wouldn't have been eligible to view it. Gao Jialin had access to it only because he'd published an article on it, and someone had mailed him a copy. He walked over to the desk, picked up Gao Jialin's notes, flipped through them, and then took out a brand new copy of "Spring Breeze in Meilong Town." "I've seen this book mentioned in the newspaper for a long time and have been wanting to buy it, but unfortunately, our Xinhua Bookstore in Kuanzhou hasn't stocked it yet."

"The publishing house has given me many sample books. If you like this one, I'll give it to you." Gao Jialin said as he picked up a few more books and handed them to Yu Liming and Huang Zhicheng's secretary. Since they had met before, everyone must have one. If he didn't give one to anyone, he would offend them.

"Okay, then I won't hold back." Huang Zhicheng opened the cover and pointed at the title page and said, "Please sign your name for me. I want to keep this book well."

After Gao Jialin signed his name, Huang Zhicheng took the book and put it into his briefcase. This book would be a keepsake from now on. When Gao Jialin became successful, he could let his children take it to visit him. Wouldn't that give him something to talk about?
After walking around the house, four cold dishes were ready. Several people came to the living room and sat around the octagonal table. Several leaders, Gao's father and son, and several village cadres filled the octagonal table.

The wine was heated up, and everyone was about to toast Huang Zhicheng with the first glass of wine, but he stopped them, "I've caused a lot of trouble for Brother Yude today, so this first glass of wine should be toasted to Brother Yude."

Everyone was chatting, eating and drinking. Huang Zhicheng was very eloquent and soon made everyone let go of their restraints and start talking and laughing.

After a few rounds of drinks, Huang Zhicheng felt the atmosphere was about right, so he asked, "Brother Yude, is there anything going on at home that needs help from the county?"

"No, no, life is good now. I couldn't even imagine it a few years ago." Gao Yude shook his head repeatedly. He was very satisfied with his current life. The only thing he had to worry about now was Gao Jialin's marriage problem, but there was no rush for that as the child hadn't graduated yet.

"Hey, don't answer so quickly, think about it slowly." Yu Liming chimed in.

After asking several times, seeing Gao Yude still like that, Huang Zhicheng could only ask Gao Jialin, "Jialin, tell me."

"Everything is indeed fine at home, but I have always wanted to buy a tape recorder for the village primary school so that they can learn Mandarin. Children in our countryside are at a great disadvantage in Mandarin. Unfortunately, the village still has no electricity, so it won't be of any use even if I buy it." Gao Jialin took the opportunity to say.

The leaders have asked, so it would be a waste not to tell the truth. If electricity can be brought to the village, not only will the children in the school have better learning conditions, but families will also be able to use electrical appliances. Gao Jialin has long wanted to buy a TV and a washing machine for his family.

"That's easy to solve." Huang Zhicheng beamed. He felt his special trip was worthwhile; he had finally done the favor. "The county is currently formulating a rural electrification plan for next year. I'll go back and take a look, and try to get Gaojia Village closer to the front of the list."

He turned back and reminded, "Comrade Limin, if the people from the Power Bureau come here, you must cooperate well."

Gaojia Village was about to have electricity. This news spread like a whirlwind, and the whole village was in an uproar.

(End of this chapter)