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Early the next morning, Mao Weiguo and his group set off. The driver, Xiao Wang, was behind the wheel while Mao Weiguo sat in the passenger seat. In the backseat, Hu Ruoyun, Secretary Zhang Qiang, and the villager representative Liu Tiechui were squeezed together (if it were now, at least two cars would be needed).
They arrived at Jiang City by 10 AM and booked a couple of hours in a room at the Jiangbei Hotel near the Provincial Government. Faced with an afternoon meeting with provincial leaders and the potential issues that might arise, Mao Weiguo felt quite uncertain. He huddled with Hu Ruoyun, Zhang Qiang, and Liu Tiechui to discuss their reporting materials for half the day.
By around one o'clock, they hastily grabbed a bite to eat in the downstairs restaurant before taking a short break. At 2:55 PM, they let Xiao Wang rest in the room while the four of them arrived early at the entrance of the Provincial Government, where armed police stood guard at the duty room. Hu Ruoyun stepped forward to explain that they had an appointment with Vice Governor Wang. The duty staff made an internal call and checked their credentials before telling them, "Please wait here for a moment; Director Qi will come down to meet you shortly!"
Mao Weiguo looked at Hu Ruoyun with a questioning gaze. Hu Ruoyun whispered back, "Vice Governor Wang's personal secretary, Qi Shu Ming."
In less than two minutes, a bespectacled Qi Shu Ming walked out of the building, looking refined and polite. Seeing Hu Ruoyun stand up to greet him, Mao Weiguo, Zhang Qiang, and Liu Tiechui quickly rose as well. Hu Ruoyun briefly introduced Mao Weiguo and the others. Qi Shu Ming shook hands with Mao Weiguo and nodded at Zhang Qiang and Liu Tiechui. "Let's go up; the leaders have another meeting in half an hour."
Mao Weiguo was relatively calm since he was used to being in leadership positions. However, Zhang Qiang and Liu Tiechui looked around this solemn place with awe. Out of millions in the province, not many would have the chance to visit here in their lifetime.
Outside Wang Hongbin's office, Qi Shu Ming knocked lightly on the ajar door before gently pushing it open. "Chief, comrades from Annan have arrived!"
Wang Hongbin surprisingly stood up from behind his desk. "Please come in," he said as he walked toward the reception area.
Qi Shu Ming was somewhat taken aback; normally his boss would remain seated behind his desk during reports. The reception area was generally reserved for major city leaders.
Leading the four into the room, Wang Hongbin first shook hands with Mao Weiguo. "Comrade Weiguo, nice to meet you!"
Mao Weiguo felt flattered; his initial anxiety was quickly replaced by excitement as he grasped Wang Hongbin's hands firmly. "Hello, leader!"
After inviting everyone to take a seat, Wang Hongbin accepted the materials handed over by Mao Weiguo and put on reading glasses provided by Qi Shu Ming to examine them closely.
After a long while of reading, he turned to Liu Tiechui. "You are an ordinary farmer from Annan?"
Liu Tiechui was so overwhelmed that he stumbled over his words. "Leader, if it weren't so difficult... we... we..." His eyes reddened as his voice choked up.
Hu Ruoyun pushed a cup of water toward him. "Brother Tiechui, don't get too emotional; how can you explain anything if you cry?"
Liu Tiechui suddenly remembered that they only had half an hour for this meeting—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! He believed that even if they had made a grand visit before, it would have been impossible to have such a high-ranking leader listen to them face-to-face.
He steadied himself and began explaining their family's situation: there were four people in his household with an average tax burden of about 270 yuan per person... They cultivated eight acres of crops each spring and autumn; after paying these fees, they barely had any income left for a season.
Time passed minute by minute; thirty minutes flew by quickly. Qi Shu Ming glanced at his watch and said, "Leader, it's time for your meeting!"
Mao Weiguo and the others felt regretful as many things remained unsaid. Wang Hongbin stood up again to shake hands with Mao Weiguo. "Comrade Weiguo, I want to ask why such a significant matter has brought only you as a deputy?"
Mao Weiguo hesitated; he couldn't just say that the head wasn't willing to come.
Wang Hongbin clearly understood the underlying complexities: "No need to answer that; your materials only mentioned problems. I want to know what ideas you have for solving these issues."
Mao Weiguo recalled several key points mentioned by Hu Ruoyun and blurted out, "Promote agricultural tax reforms!"
Wang Hongbin replied seriously, "That's well said! But you should know that this issue is beyond our control!"
He turned to Qi Shu Ming and said, "Please arrange accommodations for Comrade Annan. I don't have any plans for tonight, right? In the evening, I'll treat these grassroots comrades who have come from afar to a meal and discuss some matters thoroughly. This is much better than going down to conduct research and being misled by superficial things!"
It seemed he just remembered Hu Ruoyun. "You really love meddling in other people's affairs! But I like it!"
Qi Shu Ming asked a few people to wait in the lounge while ensuring that Wang Hongbin attended a meeting in a conference room. Afterward, he led the group downstairs.
Hu Ruoyun quietly said to Qi Shu Ming, "Director Qi, did I cause trouble for the leaders again?"
Qi Shu Ming smiled, which was rare for him. "Didn't you hear the chief say he likes it?"
Mao Weiguo, Zhang Qiang, Liu Tiechui, and others all laughed with relief.
Instead of taking them to the reception hall, Qi Shu Ming led them to a designated guesthouse across from the Provincial Government. He made arrangements at the front desk and signed in before turning to Mao Weiguo. "Vice County Head Mao, I won't accompany you upstairs. You know, the leaders are having dinner with everyone tonight mainly to hear our thoughts..."
Mao Weiguo quickly nodded. "Director Qi, I understand. I'll use the time ahead to solidify our report!"
At that moment, Mao Weiguo felt a surge of excitement. As a deputy-level official, reporting directly to a vice-provincial leader was not unheard of but certainly rare. Moreover, the leader was arranging dinner; although it was called a "simple meal," could anything organized by a vice-provincial leader be considered casual?
Even before drinking any alcohol, Comrade Weiguo already felt slightly intoxicated.
He first arranged for Liu Tiechui to rest and then asked Hu Ruoyun and Zhang Qiang to his room to discuss the evening's report.
Once back in his room, he prepared to call Annan County as part of the organizational procedure.
As Hu Ruoyun followed him inside, he whispered, "Uncle, how do you plan to talk with the county?"
Mao Weiguo replied without hesitation, "Of course, I'll speak honestly!" He glanced at Hu Ruoyun and thoughtfully put down the receiver. "I understand now!"
Hu Ruoyun and Zhang Qiang stepped out first.
When the call connected, Jiang Ruming sounded anxious on the other end. "Lao Mao, how's it going? Have you met with the leaders from the Province? What did they say?"
Mao Weiguo took a moment to stabilize his emotions. "The leaders said this issue has surpassed the decision-making level of the Province... They had another meeting this afternoon that required us to leave first. We'll schedule another time to discuss it tonight."
Jiang Ruming's previously low spirits lifted instantly. "I'll come over too; let's brainstorm some ideas together!"
Mao Weiguo quickly agreed. "That's great! County Head Jiang, having you here puts my mind at ease. The leader asked me about my views on this situation during lunch and caught me off guard; he wasn't pleased at all. With you here, I won't be afraid!"
Jiang Ruming fell silent for nearly half a minute before speaking again. "By the way, I have a meeting with colleagues from the City Planning Commission tonight... I'll leave this matter with you! You handle it well; both Secretary Li and I trust you."
At seven o'clock in the evening, Vice Governor Wang finally wrapped up his day's work—though dinner would also be part of his duties.
Mao Weiguo waited early at the restaurant entrance with Hu Ruoyun, Zhang Qiang, and Liu Tiechui after receiving Qi Shu Ming's call. As their car came to a stop, Mao Weiguo stepped forward to open the door for Wang Hongbin.
Wang Hongbin shook hands with Mao Weiguo again. "The schedule for today was arranged long ago and can't be changed; let's eat while we talk tonight so we can communicate more thoroughly."
Before entering the private room, Hu Ruoyun said to Qi Shu Ming, "Director Qi, you can stay with the leaders inside; I'll stay outside with everyone..."
Qi Shu Ming stopped him. "The chief wants to talk with you too; go along with him. You don't need to worry about those others."
Reluctantly, Hu Ruoyun followed Wang Hongbin and Mao Weiguo into the private room.
Qi Shu Ming entered and greeted them: "Chief, I'll be outside; just call me if you need anything." Seeing Wang Hongbin nod in acknowledgment, he went out to arrange for Zhang Qiang and driver Xiao Wang.
The waiter brought in a teapot, and Hu Ruoyun quickly took it over. "While the leaders discuss important matters, I'll handle refreshments." He poured tea for Wang Hongbin and Mao Weiguo as he spoke.
Wang Hongbin smiled broadly. "Good! Very good... You are quite impressive for such a young person..."
The dishes arrived quickly, four dishes and a soup along with three bowls of noodles. Mao Weiguo was still a bit reserved, while Hu Ruoyun swiftly finished one bowl of noodles.
Wang Hongbin gestured to Mao Weiguo, "Eat up, we can discuss work after you've finished."
Since they weren't drinking, the meal went by quickly. The waiter came to collect the utensils, and Wang Hongbin took out the stack of materials that Mao Weiguo had brought. "Comrade Weiguo, you mentioned in your report that the taxation of farmers is chaotic in terms of subjects, projects, standards, procedures, and supervision. You articulated this very well, which shows that you have done solid work!"
"The 'causes' are becoming clear; now let's talk about your 'prescription'!"
Mao Weiguo steadied his mind and spoke while considering the suggestions Hu Ruoyun had mentioned. "Whether to lighten or increase the burden on farmers is not merely about taking a few more or fewer coins from them; it’s about whether we protect or undermine their enthusiasm."
Seeing Wang Hongbin nod seriously, he continued: "Agriculture is our country's primary industry and a foundational sector. The rural economy is an important component of the national economy. The ability to effectively develop rural markets largely depends on whether we can genuinely improve farmers' income levels and actual purchasing power. Addressing the heavy burdens on farmers and enhancing their income levels and purchasing power will contribute to the rapid, healthy, and sustainable development of our national economy..."
"To curb the chaotic charges, fundraising, fines directed at farmers, and various levies, we must fundamentally resolve the issue of excessive burdens on farmers by clarifying and standardizing the interests among the state, collectives, and farmers..."
"Considering the main issues, we can start from several aspects:
1. Establish proper procedures for new debts and financial transactions to effectively prevent 'confusing accounts,' 'yellow accounts,' and 'bad debts';
2. Public welfare initiatives should adhere to the principle of living within our means and strictly follow prescribed procedures... 'patriarchal' decision-making is strictly prohibited...
3. Implement a 'one-fee system' for rural primary and secondary schools...
4. Establish a sound financial management and supervision system for villages, insisting on transparency in village affairs and government affairs...
5. Focus on development as our primary task and conduct structural adjustments guided by market demands..."
Unknowingly, Mao Weiguo spoke for over an hour. Secretary Qi Shuming came over twice but was sent away by Wang Hongbin each time: "Comrade Weiguo is speaking excellently; comrades working at the grassroots level have a good grasp of the issues... Don't come over to remind us; tonight's discussion is more fruitful than days spent conducting research!"
The conversation only ended close to ten o'clock at night. Just before getting into the car, Wang Hongbin told Secretary Qi Shuming, "Give your phone number to Vice County Head Mao for easier communication in the future!"
He then turned to Mao Weiguo: "Comrade Weiguo, if you reach a higher position in the future, make sure to maintain today's state; don’t become overly cautious just because you’re in a higher position—speak your mind and take action!"
Mao Weiguo replied earnestly, "Chief, I will definitely remember your teachings!"
Not long after, Jiangbei Province submitted a report to Nanhai regarding rural tax and fee issues, which received attention and approval for pilot implementation.
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