Courtyard House: Passing through the Silly Pillar, Activating the Blessed Cave Heaven

82

On the way, Liu Haizhong couldn't help but ask, "Old Yi, who do you think Director Wang will choose as the next head of the front yard?"

"Among the residents in the front yard, Yan Bugui has the highest level of education. Most of the others are illiterate. I estimate that Director Wang will choose him."

"So, how should we arrange our positions? He Daqing is gone, who's going to be the boss now?"

"I guess Yan Bugui will be appointed as the third uncle. Let's both move up a position. I'll be the first uncle, and you'll be the second uncle," Yi Zhonghai said unhurriedly.

Liu Haizhong was very unhappy to hear this, but he still put on a smile: "Then I'll congratulate you on becoming an old man."

Yi Zhonghai chuckled inwardly, thinking that Liu Haizhong was really obsessed with becoming an official.

He really didn't know how to deal with He Daqing, but as for someone like Liu Haizhong, Yi Zhonghai could do it with his eyes closed.

He said, "That's not certain yet. We'll have to wait for Director Wang to announce it tonight."

If that really happens, you'll be promoted to the second oldest uncle, which is a good thing.

"Oh, right, when we get back, I'll be responsible for notifying the residents in the front and middle yards. You can be in charge of notifying the residents in the back yard, okay?"

"Okay, let's hurry back and inform everyone. Don't let anyone go out and miss Director Wang's announcement." After Liu Haizhong finished speaking, he went back to the courtyard and knocked on the doors of each house to tell everyone that Director Wang would be coming to the courtyard that evening to announce something important, and that everyone should stay home and wait.

Yi Zhonghai then went to Yan Bugui's house first.

When he discussed the matter with Liu Haizhong, he offered to be responsible for notifying the residents of the front and middle courtyards so that he could give Yan Bugui a heads-up.

If Yan Bugui really becomes the head of the front yard, this favor of giving advance notice will ensure that Yan Bugui will side with me in all matters concerning the yard in the future.

"That good-for-nothing Liu Haizhong thinks he can act like a big shot?" Yi Zhonghai sneered inwardly.

He saw that Yan Bugui's door was ajar, so he gently knocked twice on the door frame: "Old Yan, today I went to the street office to report to Director Wang. Director Wang said he would come to the courtyard tonight to announce something important."

I've come specifically to let you know that you shouldn't go out after dinner; just stay home and wait.

Just as Yi Zhonghai was about to turn and leave, Yan Bugui called out to him, "Old Yi, wait a minute!" Yi Zhonghai stopped in his tracks.

"Is there anything else?"

Yan Bugui pulled Yi Zhonghai into the house and whispered, "What's the rush? Tell me the truth, what exactly is Director Wang going to announce?" Yi Zhonghai glanced warily at the door, then leaned close to Yan Bugui's ear and whispered, "He Daqing, the manager of the Intermediate Court, ran off to Baoding with a widow."

Director Wang said he'd be electing a new steward for the front yard tonight, and I casually recommended you to him.

"I'm leaving the task of notifying the front yard residents to you. This is a rare and excellent opportunity."

Yan Bugui's eyes darted around, and he immediately said, "Old Yi, don't worry, I'll take care of notifying the residents."

"If I really become the head steward, I'll be on your side in everything I do in the courtyard."

Yi Zhonghai nodded in satisfaction, then turned and left Yan Bugui's house.

Back at the Intermediate People's Court, he noticed that He Yuzhu's door was locked, so he turned around and knocked on Jia's door: "Sister-in-law Jia, Director Wang is coming to the court for a meeting tonight. Remember to wait at home and don't go out."