The golden age began in 1977

Chapter 176 Acting Director

Ma Defu's family has very strong connections.

These days, if someone is caught cheating by security guards, they aren't detained; Pang Baixue just takes them home on the spot.

Nurse Li Caifeng wasn't so lucky.

She was taken away by the security guards.

She probably lost her job; she cried a lot, though it's also possible that Pang Baixue beat her too badly.

Pang Baixue would hit her own husband with an iron basin on his head, let alone a mistress?

She tore Li Caifeng's beautiful hair to shreds, leaving clumps of black hair on the ground that looked like a nun's tonsure ceremony.

Those who should leave, leave; those who should be arrested, arrest.

The cadres of the county supply and marketing cooperative looked utterly weary.

Especially Liu Xinhui, the head of the political work section.

He was the leader in charge of ideological and political work, but his subordinates had problems with the style of ideological and political work.

The primary responsibility naturally lies with Ma Defu, but he is also implicated in the responsibility for inadequate education.

An inspection is unavoidable.

When Qian Jin returned to the commune, it was already past ten o'clock. As a result, Jin Hai and Zhao Dazhu had not gone home, and Liu Xiulan had not returned to the dormitory. They were all waiting for him anxiously.

Needless to say, they were waiting for gossip.

Qian Jin is straightforward and decisive; he doesn't play games or feign reluctance. He says things directly:

"He went to catch his wife cheating. Old Ma really doesn't do any decent work. He's not at work; he's in a private room at the county supply and marketing cooperative playing with women."

This is the part that country folks love the most.

Jin Hai immediately perked up: "Tell me in detail! Were they wearing clothes when they arrested them? Who is the woman? What was Director Ma's reaction at the time..."

Without them even asking, Qian Jin recounted the scene to them in detail.

Especially during the scene where Madam Ma was having sex, he even had Zhang Aijun find the props and acted out the scene in two different roles.

The three of them kept exclaiming, "Wow, that's awesome!" and "That's amazing!"

The very next day, news of Director Ma's affair spread throughout the commune.

It really wasn't Qian Jin and his group who spread the rumor.

The four of them were aware of this; this was not only a disgrace to Ma Defu but also a disgrace to their unit. Even though Qian Jin wanted to deal with Ma Defu, he didn't publicize the matter.

But Qian Jin wasn't the only one there; three people from the commune's security office were also present.

In addition, Pang Baixue's act of catching her husband in adultery was quite a spectacle, attracting customers from the same floor and even the entire guesthouse to watch.

So quite a few people know about this.

After that, Ma Defu stopped coming to work and cut off his contact with the commune.

It's better now.

His filial sons and grandsons in the various distribution stores and double-agent stores in the commune mourned as if they had lost their parents. Now they dare not look at Qian Jin. When they encounter Qian Jin, they lower their heads and walk away. When Qian Jin comes to check the spring farming guarantee materials, no one dares to go against him anymore.

The last guy who went against me, Fatty Wang, is supposedly going to be sent to the far northwest to plant trees...

It's late April now.

Qian Jin has gradually adapted to working at the rural supply and marketing cooperative.

Zidian Commune is some distance from the sea, and the temperature rises quickly in spring, so it is already warm and flowers are in bloom.

However, the environment in the commune was drier than in the city.

The April wind, carrying dust, blew in through the open windows, making the propaganda posters on the walls of the supply and marketing cooperative's lobby rustle.

On April 22, in the meeting room of the Zidian Commune Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Qian Jin and three others sat around a wooden table with peeling paint.

A few coarse tea leaves floated in the enamel mug on the table, slowly rising and falling in the steaming heat.

The first person standing at the conference table was an official with his left hand on his hip and a cigarette in his right.

Liu Xinhui, the head of the Political Work Section, has arrived.

He stood there with a stern face, not saying a word, just smoking and staring intently at the four people as if he wanted to devour them.

The four people looked at each other, none of them daring to speak or even breathe loudly.

Liu Xinhui smoked two cigarettes in a row before sitting down in the main seat.

He was dressed very formally today, with a neatly combed cadre-style haircut, two pens clipped to the pocket of his gray Zhongshan suit, a watch peeking out from his sleeve, and his feet stomping loudly on the ground. He was wearing a pair of shiny leather shoes.

After sitting down, he took out an official document from his briefcase, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and slowly glanced at Zhao Dazhu, Jin Hai, Qian Jin, and Liu Xiulan.

"Comrades, I won't waste any more words. I'm not in the mood for them. You all know why I'm here today." Liu Xinhui cleared his throat, his voice steady.

"I am here today to convey an important decision made by the Party Committee of the County Supply and Marketing Cooperative."

The meeting room fell even quieter, and the four of them held their breath this time.

They guessed the outcome.

It must be a decision regarding the handling of Ma Defu.

Qian Jin lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the teacup. He wished he could shoot Ma Defu.

However, he knew that was nonsense.

The other three reacted in unison, sitting up straight with their eyes fixed on the documents in Liu Xinhui's hand.

Liu Xinhui picked up the document, his tone serious:

"Following reports from the public, the Party Committee of the County Supply and Marketing Cooperative investigated and verified that Comrade Ma Defu, the director of the Zidian Commune Supply and Marketing Cooperative, had a seriously improper lifestyle, maintained an improper relationship with a married woman, violated socialist morality, and tarnished the image of Party members and cadres."

He paused, glancing around to make sure everyone had heard him.

"In accordance with the 'Disciplinary Regulations' and the 'Regulations on the Management of Cadres of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives,' the Party Committee of the County Supply and Marketing Cooperative has decided to remove Comrade Ma Defu from his position as Director of the Zidian Commune Supply and Marketing Cooperative and to give him a serious warning within the Party..."

Qian Jin was very disappointed when he heard this.

I don't expect the government to execute this bastard, nor do I expect him to be sent to the Northwest to contribute to the great cause of combating sandstorms, but he should at least be expelled.

The only punishment was the removal from the position of director!
He was neither dismissed from his job nor expelled from the Party.

Pang Baixue's family has considerable influence.

Liu Xinhui continued reading the document, and after finishing, he gently placed it on the table, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and gave the people present some time to digest it.

However, the four of them didn't need to digest at all.

I expected this.

Liu Xinhui put down his enamel mug and asked, "Has there been rumors in your commune about Comrade Ma Defu's extramarital affair? Have any of you heard about it before?"

Qian Jin was the first to speak: "Sir, Ma Defu has done a good job of keeping things confidential; we haven't heard any information about him."

Liu Xinhui said in a sinister tone, "You haven't been here long, it's normal that you haven't heard anything..."

The other three shuddered.

So you mean we've been here a long time, we should have heard something by now?

In fact, the three of them had indeed heard some rumors. Ma Defu was not an honest man. There was a rumor that Cao Lihua, that young woman, was able to get a job at the food store because she had gotten into his bed.

Or perhaps it's said that Ma Defu had an affair with a female teacher at the commune's junior high school and had an ambiguous relationship with the women's director of a certain production team.

However, since there was no evidence for these matters, they didn't take them seriously and couldn't possibly report them to their superiors.

Now Liu Xinhui seems to want to confront them and hold them accountable.

The three men hesitated to speak, so Qian Jin spoke up again: "Leader, I have indeed been with the company for a shorter time than the three of you, but it is not short in terms of my own length of service."

“I’m not afraid of offending people. After I came to the commune, I fought against Comrade Ma Defu’s illegal and disorderly conduct. You must know this.”

Liu Xinhui nodded.

Of course he knew about the fight between Qian Jin and Ma Defu.

This was expected.

The county leaders guessed why the city was sending people to the commune's supply and marketing cooperative. Qian Jin continued, "I can say with certainty that during my struggle against Ma Defu's illegal and disciplinary violations, the three comrades here stood firmly with me."

"If they knew that Ma Defu's conduct was problematic, they would definitely not turn a blind eye; they would certainly dare to fight against such behavior!"

Upon hearing this, the three of them gave him grateful glances.

Brother Qian, you're so generous!

Liu Xinhui did not conduct research on this topic.

He picked up his teacup and took another sip of water, his tone stern: "Ma Defu's problem is serious; it violates discipline."

"You did not collude with him, which is the greatest comfort to the leaders of our county supply and marketing cooperative."

Then he put down his teacup and softened his tone: "Ma Defu has been dismissed, but the work of your Zidian Commune Supply and Marketing Cooperative cannot stop. So I have another task for you today, which is to arrange a temporary director to take charge of the work."

He looked around and said, "The county commune's intention is to fully promote democracy and listen to the opinions of our comrades."

“The four of you are the backbone of the supply and marketing cooperative and know the situation best, so the purpose of today’s meeting is to ask you to speak up and recommend suitable candidates.”

The meeting room was silent, except for Zhao Dazhu's pen unconsciously scribbling a couple of lines on the paper.

Finally, the custodian, Jin Hai, coughed, breaking the silence:
"Section Chief Liu, I'd like to say a few words."

He said in a heavily accented local tone, "I'm not very educated, and I don't speak as eloquently as the leaders, but I'm just speaking from the heart, so I'll just say it straight."

"Although Comrade Qian Jin is young, he has leadership experience from working at the city's general cooperative. Moreover, his rank is level 25, which is higher than ours. I think he is suitable."

Qian Jin glanced at him quickly.

Awesome, bro!

Dude, I didn't send you wedding candy and snacks for nothing.

Liu Xinhui nodded without saying anything, then turned his gaze to the others.

Zhao Dazhu pushed up his glasses and continued, "Master Jin is right."

"Comrade Qian Jin is not only high-ranking, but according to my observation, since he came to the commune, he has shown considerable professional skills. He is good at accounting and sales, and he has a good mass base. When commune members come to buy things, they all like to find him."

Liu Xiulan straightened her braid and continued, "That's true. We're both salespeople, and I've been doing it longer than him, but I think I should learn from him."

“During these days, he has been serving the people with enthusiasm, thinking about what the people think and being anxious about what the people are anxious about, which has won the support of the people.”

"Furthermore, he played a leading and exemplary role in fighting against Director Ma's wrongdoing—specifically, the disciplinary violations of Ma and Ma Defu. I am convinced that he should serve as the current director."

Liu Xinhui's gaze finally landed on Qian Jin.

Qian Jin knew it was his turn to shine.

Nothing said.

Just do it!

He sat up straight and said in a steady voice, "Section Chief Liu, comrades, thank you for your trust."

Regardless of the outcome, he thanked Section Chief Liu and believed that Section Chief Liu trusted him.

What is this called?
This is called cooking raw rice into cooked rice.

"If the organization agrees, I am willing to take on this responsibility, ensure the completion of all tasks of the supply and marketing cooperative, and live up to the expectations of the leaders."

He's been researching this for the past couple of days.

In fact, as long as the county supply and marketing cooperative doesn't send cadres down from below, he has a pretty good chance of becoming the current director.

The main reason is that he does have a high rank and a good public support base.

The most important thing is that a level 25 cadre is working as a sales clerk, which is not normal in any region.

Liu Xinhui pondered for a moment and nodded: "Alright, since everyone recommends Comrade Qian Jin, then the county commune will respect the opinions of the grassroots comrades."

"Comrade Qian Jin, from today onwards, you will be the acting director of the Zidian Commune Supply and Marketing Cooperative, in charge of all work."

He stood up, took an appointment letter from his briefcase, and handed it to Qian Jin:

"I hope that in your new position you will continue to maintain a humble and prudent style and lead your cooperative to better serve its members."

All four of them, including Qian Jin, were somewhat surprised.

They all considered Qian Jinhui as the acting director.

They also acknowledge this.

It's hard to say whether Qian Jin can actually take office, since he has a major shortcoming: he hasn't spent enough time working at the grassroots level.

As it turned out, Liu Xinhui came with an appointment letter, which meant that the county had already decided to appoint him as the acting director.

The previous so-called democratic recommendation was just a formality.

Jin Hai and Zhao Dazhu exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
I understand. Qian Jin is a young cadre who came down from a high-level position to gain experience!

Then they admired Qian Jin.

Despite having connections, influence, background, and ability, he not only didn't disrespect me after arriving at the commune, but also kept giving me gifts and helping me solve problems.

A cadre who is proud of his superiors but does not humiliate his subordinates has a promising future.

Qian Jin accepted the appointment letter with both hands, his expression solemn: "Please rest assured, I will definitely work hard."

Liu Xinhui patted him on the shoulder, full of encouragement: "With Ma Defu's example as a warning, you must not make mistakes in your conduct."

Qian Jin said loudly, "Please rest assured, leaders, my work motto is: excellent work style and serving the people!"

Liu Xinhui pressed his shoulder and made him sit down.

He walked around the conference table, giving the four of them another lesson in ideology.

Work must go on.

Liu Xinhui let them leave so he could drive back to the county.

But how is this possible?

Qian Jin quickly grabbed him and, along with Jin Hai and the other two, persuaded Liu Xinhui and the driver to stay for a meal.

Zhao Dazhu said, "Section Chief Liu, the time you spent lecturing us just now was too short, but there was no other way. The people are all waiting, and our supply and marketing cooperative still has to open for business. I know that's why you only gave a brief explanation."

"We haven't heard enough yet. Why don't you stay for lunch and give us another lesson at the dinner table?"

Jin Hai nodded: "Yes, yes, that's how it is."

Liu Xiulan smiled and said, "Section Chief Liu, please stay. I haven't been with our unit for long, and I'd like to learn more from a senior leader like you."

Jin Hai nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, we must study, we all need to study."

Qian Jin said directly, "Boss, you see, I've been temporarily promoted now. According to the rules, I have to treat my colleagues to a meal. Please stay and keep me in line."

“Our commune doesn’t have a state-run restaurant, so we can’t eat and drink to our hearts’ content and won’t make any mistakes. But I’m a pretty good cook. I’ll cook you a meal and a few dishes so you can try my cooking.”

Jin Hai nodded frantically: "Yes, yes, Xiao Qian's cooking is amazing, you should try it, try it."

"It's just a small amount of money!" Zhao Dazhu gave him a wink.

Jin Hai quickly changed his tune: "Director Qian..."

“It’s just a small amount of money, a small amount of money for a day, and it will always be a small amount of money.” Qian Jin interrupted him, “Let’s not change the subject. The most important thing right now is to ask Section Chief Liu to stay and have a meal with us!”

Liu Xinhui smiled and pointed at them with his finger: "You guys."

"Alright, if you're cooking your own meal, then I really want to stay and try your cooking, and also see how your life is in the commune."

“Perfect timing. I’ve come to your commune, so I need to visit the double-subsidy shops in each production team to see the situation at the grassroots level.”

Qian Jin gave him a wink: "Teacher Zhao, please accompany us."

Zhao Dazhu hurriedly said, "Okay, okay, I'm a long-time resident of this shop, I'll accompany you."

The jeep drove off to the countryside.

Qian Jin was thinking about what to cook.

It was still early, so there was no rush to prepare lunch.

He can go out for a stroll and look for food.

(End of this chapter)