20: Chapter 20 Niu Panlong's Lover

Gao Qing said, "Your name is well chosen: Huaijing. Carrying a mirror in your bosom—that is the Buddhist 'mirror of the heart.' 'The body is the bodhi tree, the mind is like a bright mirror stand.' It means you must be clear-headed in your heart and upright in your conduct. It also has another meaning: a mirror hanging high, carrying a demon-detecting mirror in your bosom to distinguish good from evil, loyalty from treachery..."

"Alright, alright, stop beating around the bush. Say what you have to say directly."

Gao Qing sighed and wrung his wrists, "I feel that Former Mayor He Fengyuan was truly wronged. He was crying when he left because he still had so much work unfinished, but he considered the big picture, obeyed the organization's arrangements, and without any ulterior motives, he left without a word of complaint. I hope you will use your demon-detecting mirror to investigate and find out clearly whether Former Mayor He Fengyuan was brought down by vote-buying."

Regarding this request, Zhang Huaijing could not provide a definite answer. If the municipal government election involved vote-buying, that was a matter for the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Provincial People's Congress. How could he, a deputy municipal official, interfere?

His foundation was not yet stable; he could not wade into these muddy waters at the moment.

Gao Qing also knew that Zhang Huaijing, being a newcomer, couldn't possibly do such a thing. He drank a glass of wine in frustration and continued, "We are both from the Chinese department; you should remember the story of Feng Yuan in 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' right?"

Zhang Huaijing nodded.

"Cao Xueqin is the writer best at using homophonic puns. Feng Yuan sounds like 'encountering injustice.' Clearly, he bought Yinglian first, but she was snatched away by Xue Pan. He sued at the government office, but was framed instead and beaten to death."

Speaking of this, Gao Qing gave a bleak smile, "What is Former Mayor He Fengyuan's name? He Fengyuan—does it mean 'why encounter injustice?' You see, this is the officialdom: good people suffer, villains prevail. It has been like this since ancient times."

"Old classmate, don't be too pessimistic, and don't distort the interpretation. It actually means 'to be well-connected.' I believe that while people act, Heaven watches. Whether one is loyal or treacherous will be judged by the public. Let's not talk about this; eat." Zhang Huaijing picked up a piece of fish for him.

Drinking until 8:30, Gao Qing was already drunk. He said in a slurred voice, "Brother Huaijing, in the Haizhou officialdom, there are the 'Four Heavenly Kings' and the 'eight vajras.' Have you heard of them?"

"Oh, tell me about it."

"The 'Four Heavenly Kings' refer to the heads of the Transportation Bureau, the Development and Reform Bureau, the Construction Bureau, and the Finance Bureau. The 'eight vajras' refer to a county public security bureau chief, a standing director, two county magistrates, a county party Secretary, two deputy mayors, and a confidante."

"A confidante can also be called a 'vajra'?" Zhang Huaijing laughed out loud.

"Yes, because she has great influence. She is Municipal People's Congress Representative Shen Meizhu, a strong woman. It is said that she is one of Mayor Niu's mistresses." Gao Qing could no longer speak clearly, "The current officialdom is like this; it's not as dark as in novels, but it's not very white either. The vivid description is: those who suffer from drought die of drought, those who suffer from flooding die of flooding; the bold are stuffed to death, while the timid starve to death."

Zhang Huaijing chuckled and didn't respond, because when it came to women, he previously had a harem of wives and concubines.

"Brother, you must not learn from Mayor Niu. You are even more talented and attractive than him, younger, and have more charisma. Back in university, you were the Prince Charming, attracting bees and butterflies..."

"Old Gao, you've had too much to drink."

"I... I'm not drunk. Come, continue!" He picked up the remaining half glass of wine in the small pitcher and was about to down it in one gulp.

Seeing he couldn't stop him, Zhang Huaijing let him drink; once drunk, he wouldn't babble nonsense.

Sure enough, after finishing that half-pitcher, Gao Qing collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep.

Zhang Huaijing called Haizhou Hotel manager Qian Duoyi over, asked him to open a separate room, found two people to carry Gao Qing inside, and instructed Qian Duoyi to call his family to come and take care of him, so nothing would go wrong.

By the time all this was done, it was 9:30.

In his mind, Zhang Huaijing replayed Gao Qing's words over and over, and his mood became increasingly heavy. The urgent task was to first establish his footing, then go to Wanghai County as soon as possible to check the situation, but he needed to find an appropriate reason.

* * *

Just as Zhang Huaijing was drinking with Gao Qing, in the private club of Damei Group, Niu Panlong was not idle either. He was clinking glasses and drinking happily with Secretary of the Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Committee She Xionghan, Executive Vice Mayor Zuo Youfa, Finance Bureau Director Meng Biyang, Construction Bureau Director Wei Xin, Development and Reform Bureau Director Qian Donglai, and Wanghai County Magistrate Du Huaishui.

Shen Meizhu was sitting next to the mayor, sitting close, appearing very intimate, while she maintained a proper distance from Secretary She Xionghan on the other side.

Unlike her attire at the hospital at noon, she had changed into a red suspender dress, appearing even more charming and alluring.

When officials eat together, every three sentences are about officialdom.

Shen Meizhu had another drink with Niu Panlong. After finishing, she smiled charmingly and said casually, "Mayor, when visiting Old Qiao at noon today, I ran into Zhang Huaijing."

Before the mayor could answer, Secretary She Xionghan said in a loud voice, "The mayor hadn't gone yet, right? That kid really doesn't follow any rules. Damn it, he's a total greenhorn."

Executive Vice Mayor Zuo Youfa also felt unhappy, "I think he hasn't found his proper position! He might count as someone in the province, but once he arrives in our Haizhou, even a dragon must coil up."

His personality was effeminate, and his voice was thin and soft.

The mayor smiled and pointed his finger at the two, "You two are afraid the world won't be in chaos. He is the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee; is there a problem with him visiting Director Qiao before me? If I were away on business, would he have to wait for me to return before going?"

"Mayor, it's already very chaotic now," Secretary She Xionghan said, "At yesterday's Standing Committee meeting, look at how he was showing off, acting arrogant, putting on airs, and bringing up the spirit of the Central and Provincial authorities. As soon as he arrived, he was in the same camp as Manzi, not knowing what's good for him, asking for trouble."

The mayor waved his hand and said, "You all underestimate him. He was a Secretary to the Provincial Party Secretary, and was promoted to bureau-level at a young age; he is definitely not a mediocre person."

County Magistrate Du Huaishui had drunk too much, so his speech was a bit unbridled, "Boss, you are boosting others' morale and extinguishing your own prestige. You summon wind and rain in Haizhou and cover the sky with one hand; you are the real boss. Who does he think he is? If he comes to my territory for research, I'll make him stumble and give him a hard time."

"Stand aside; it's not your turn to give him a hard time," said Finance Bureau Director Meng Biyang.

The mayor waved his hand again and said, "He's only been here two days, why are you in such a rush? As for the Chaojiang Bridge, I think it's Secretary Man Chaojian who is stirring up trouble. He is playing an open scheme; the first night he preemptively instilled ideas into Zhang Huaijing, forcing him to get involved in this matter."

"As Deputy Secretary, is he supposed to refuse the Municipal Party Secretary? At the Standing Committee meeting, he emphasized seeking truth from facts from the very beginning, focusing on the issue rather than the person, just because he didn't want to label himself as part of Secretary Man Chaojian's camp."

Construction Bureau Director Wei Xin said, "Then he could just not support the new plan for the Chaojiang Bridge."

"It's very simple. He has always been in the province and must know the intentions of the provincial leaders. If the province supports it, he follows the provincial opinion, and he will never be wrong. Second, if this is accomplished, his 'three fires' will be lit. Following the crowd and sitting on the fence won't show his ability and prestige."

The mayor's face was flushed, full of confidence, with the condescending posture of a successful person.

Shen Meizhu smiled slightly and said, "His boss has already gone in, and I heard he was squeezed out in the province. If it weren't for the fact that his wife's uncle is Minister Guan Wengao, he wouldn't even have had the chance to be sent down and put in an important position."

Executive Vice Mayor Zuo Youfa said, "I heard they have already divorced; now he doesn't even have his wife's family as a backer."

"Then how could he come down to be the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee?" County Magistrate Du Huaishui asked, opening his small eyes.

"The arrangements from above are puzzling." The mayor sighed and was about to raise his glass to drink when he suddenly realized that this might have irritated Secretary She Xionghan again.

Sure enough, the latter said indignantly, "Damn it, with so many bureau-level positions, why did he have to come to Haizhou! I heard he even volunteered for it himself."

"What a lunatic, taking over someone else's nest. That position was originally for Secretary She Xionghan!" Du Huaishui chimed in.

At that time, after the previous deputy Secretary fell from power, Secretary She Xionghan mobilized his own resources. With the recommendation of the mayor and other municipal leaders, the municipal party committee even recommended Secretary She Xionghan to the provincial party committee. He thought it was a done deal, but who knew a surprise challenger would appear halfway.

"Yes, taking over someone else's nest! Just thinking about it makes me angry!" Secretary She Xionghan's explosive temper flared up, and he almost slammed the table and stood up.

The mayor comforted him, "You, your dominance and thoughts are too exposed. In the future, don't be so direct in your speech and actions; use some strategy, and don't be anxious."

Executive Vice Mayor Zuo Youfa asked, "Boss, what should we do next regarding the Chaojiang Bridge?"

"If it can't even pass the Standing Committee, what kind of waves can Secretary Man Chaojian stir up? I will let him know that on Haizhou's territory, I am always the one who calls the shots." Niu Panlong declared.

Shen Meizhu, who was on the side, said, "Mayor, you are so handsome." But in her heart, she was pondering that the bridge must be built, and it would be best to add tens of millions to the budget according to the new plan.

Drinking until 9:30, everyone was sensible enough not to drink anymore. When the banquet first started, Niu Panlong had already said that his wife was on a business trip yesterday and wouldn't be back until next week, so he was definitely going to spend a wonderful night with his little mistress tonight.

After everyone else had left, Shen Meizhu arranged for Niu Panlong to go to the massage room for a massage.

After the massage, the two took a lovers' bath together.