Chapter 31 Is There Still Justice?
Hu Jiao nodded, thinking that this phenomenon of officialism cannot be eliminated now. If one person is successful, everyone else will be successful. The butt determines the head. But he casually said, "Power is a double-edged sword."
Wang Jianxin stared at him, "You are not telling the truth. Hu Jiao, you don't know how much I envy you! You are young! You have a high degree! You come from a cadre family! Now you have your mother... Don't be surprised that your mother has such a resounding title. The most important thing is that you are very capable! Look at this article, which is only more than a thousand words, but it directly affects the work ideas of the provincial party committee. These are advantages and resources. Are you going to give up?"
Hu Jiao shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Teacher Wang, look at it from another angle. If I achieve some results, will anyone think that I rely on these resources and advantages?"
Wang Jianxin extended his hand to invite him to drink tea, and said nonchalantly: "People are subject to change, and the past and the present are connected. If you don't use your power, it will expire. As long as you can really do a few practical things for the people, why bother about what others think? Come and have tea, the two of us can be considered as spiritual friends for a long time, and it's not easy to work together."
Hu Jiao smiled and continued to drink tea. Then the two began to casually talk about current affairs, occasionally bringing up some theories and reciting scriptures. Time passed leisurely and carefree.
In the afternoon, Hu Jiaolin left the office and called Li Juan to explain that he had to attend a welcoming banquet and could not go to the hospital for the time being.
With the presence of Li Ya, the talkative god, the atmosphere at dinner was quite lively. The seven people who stayed behind, both men and women, were all praised by him to no end. They were all smiling and drinking one glass of wine after another. Except for Hu Jiao, everyone else basically drank to the fullest.
Li Ya was indeed good at adjusting the atmosphere, and he spoke flattering words so fluently that Hu Jiao's scalp tingled and his skin crawled all over the floor.
It just so happens that people who listen to it benefit from it, and that shows one's level.
After sending several colleagues into a taxi, Li Ya insisted on going to the hospital to visit his beloved teacher Li.
Along the way, they chatted about interesting things about studying in Beijing. Hu Jiao mentioned Wang Jianxin at some point, and Li Ya was full of nonsense, "Speaking of Director Wang, he is really good! Do you know his title within the provincial party committee? You may not know. Wang Laomou! He is very shrewd and calculating. Even the big boss secretly praises him, saying that if Director Wang was born in the Three Kingdoms period, he would definitely be as good as the ruthless scholar Jia Xu."
The big boss that Li Ya mentioned is not the current provincial party secretary Chang Aijun, but the former secretary and current education minister Fang Shiyun. There are rumors that Fang Shiyun will soon enter the Politburo and become a member from the alternate.
Hu Jiao knew that when Fang Shiyun was transferred, Li Ya had only been there for a few months, so he estimated that such words were just hearsay.
Li Ya squeezed to Hu Jiao's side and whispered, "Brother Hu, Secretary Wu didn't have to pay for the He family's incident at the beginning of the year, but there are rumors that Secretary Wu listened to Wang Laomou's words and made concessions. In the end, he found out that he was deceived, but it was too late, so Wang Laomou was thrown back to the Provincial Party Committee. Otherwise, he would have gone to the CPPCC to retire, what's wrong with that? The treatment there is good, there is nothing to do, and others have to treat them like masters. Hehe, tell me, this matter is vicious enough, isn't it?"
Hu Jiao waved his hand, "Don't believe everything you hear. It's okay to say it in private, but if it gets out, it will have a bad impact on you."
Li Ya said, "I don't care. I'm a technician. If my uncle hadn't forced me to work in the government, I would have started a company and done business. Alas... Several of my classmates are doing very well in the coastal areas. It's only been a year, and they all have private cars to show off. I'm so jealous. Look at my current situation. What can I do with just over 800 yuan a month? The most annoying thing is that those bastards always call me to make fun of me."
Hu Jiao laughed dumbly and comforted him, "Don't get angry with the capitalists, it's not worth it. Think about it, compared with the big capitalists in the West, they are nothing."
Li Yada was filled with emotion as if he had met a soulmate by chance. "Brother Hu is really good! We are government officials after all, we don't care about those things! Haha. By the way, Brother Hu, I see that Director Wang cares about you very much. What are his rules?"
Hu Jiao secretly laughed in his heart. You are such a liar. I can't show you any rules. Thinking about Wang Jianxin, we should be careful. Who knows how many twists and turns a guy has who can sell out the third most important person in the province and still be safe?
"It's not a matter of rules. It's mainly about my mother. Duck, don't comfort me. I'm particularly afraid of others' comforting me now." Hu Jiao didn't want to pretend to be too fake in front of Li Ya.
Li Ya nodded, "I know that feeling. But, Brother Hu, you better be careful with Director Wang. He is a sinister person. We ordinary people are not worth his attention, but you are different."
"How am I different? I'm the same as you. My father is the mayor of Hongjiang, and your uncle is also a powerful official."
Li Ya thought about it and felt that Hu Jiao was right. He nodded and said, "That's right. He touched us just to take advantage of the old guy behind us. Hehe, I'm not talking about your father, but my uncle. I have a special opinion about him."
Then he lowered his voice and leaned close to Hu Jiao's ear, "Brother Hu, I have news for you. The action we took this time was entirely because of your article! I heard that the second boss wants to use you."
Hu Jiao was a bit confused. Li Ya was a complete business fanatic. He changed the names of the party and government leaders to the business habits. The secretary was called the big boss, the governor was called the second boss, the deputy secretary was called the third boss, and the other leaders were either shopkeepers or small bosses, or occasionally the "bully, the big boss, the second boss..." from Hong Kong movies.
Hu Jiao vaguely knew something about the governor Hu Zhongzhi. Hu Zhongzhi was originally from the north and went to the countryside in Nanzhao. He worked in the production brigade of Sanya District, Mingjiang County, Fenghuang City. Because he could write and calculate, he was appointed by the brigade secretary to be an accountant until 1977, when the educated youth began to return to the city.
For some unknown reason, Hu Zhongzhi stayed in the Sanya District Committee. When the college entrance examination was resumed in 1979, Hu Zhongzhi was admitted to Northern University, but for some unknown reason, he did not go to study.
Then he was transferred to the Mingjiang County Committee, where he stayed for less than a year before being transferred to the Nanzhao Provincial Construction Committee, where he served successively as secretary, deputy director of the office, director, deputy director of the Construction Committee, deputy mayor of Nanhu City, acting mayor, mayor, member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, secretary of the Nanhu Municipal Party Committee, deputy governor, and now governor.
Hu Zhongzhi lived in Mingjiang for nearly ten years. When the educated youth returned to the city, he did not leave. When he was admitted to university, he did not go. Now he has a bachelor's degree in accounting.
In the past, Hu Jiao focused all his attention on studying and didn't pay much attention to these interpersonal relationships. Later, he experienced a series of changes and didn't think about this aspect.
When Li Ya mentioned this, a flash of light flashed through Hu Jiao's mind, as if he had grasped some key, but it was too vague.
Hu Jiao did not think about it any further, thinking that his father Hu Jianguo must know the story, because Hu Jiao's hometown is in Sanya. After graduating from the Normal School, Hu Jianguo worked as a teacher in Sanya Middle School for two years. Before Hu Zhongzhi left, Hu Jianguo had already jumped to the Sanya District Committee and served as the director of the District Committee Office.
Hu Jiao does have some vague memories of his childhood, but his clearest recollection of Hu Zhongzhi is that every time they met, he would be lifted into the air and flown around for a few circles.
Coming back to his senses, Hu Jiao looked at Li Ya's strange look and said with a quick smile, "I can't believe this. My mother's current condition is there, and everyone knows that I can't just leave her alone."
Li Ya was a little disappointed that the news he had said did not achieve the desired goal. Hu Jiao's expression of being indifferent to fame or disgrace was really unexpected.
"Brother Hu, if I had the opportunity you have, I would have worked ten years less. But, after all, it's because you are capable. Opportunities always come to those who are prepared. I can't even imagine the things you wrote. So, you and I are typical laborers with your hands and minds."
Hu Jiao was speechless, looking at Li Ya, and in his heart he looked up to this colleague even more. On the surface, he seemed to be talkative, smiling and unserious, but the occasional seriousness in his eyes showed that this guy was not that simple.
Moreover, Li Ya is not a "laborer" as he claims. It is not easy for a science student to quote several allusions in just a few sentences.
Of course, Hu Jiao would not naively guess that Li Ya did not understand the meaning of mental and physical labor.
"Li Ya, everyone living in this society has at least two faces, one for others to see, and the other for oneself. No matter what your purpose is, you must at least have a loving heart. Maybe what we do is not understood or tolerated by some people, but we must be true to ourselves." Hu Jiao looked into Li Ya's eyes seriously.
Li Ya did not dodge, "How can I live up to everyone's expectations? I just want to have a clear conscience. Brother Hu, sometimes I don't want to live like this, wearing a mask and living a very tiring life. I have just entered society and entered the officialdom. Maybe the pressure is too great. In the past year, what I have seen and heard... Let's put it this way, this is a battlefield without gunpowder. I have never thought of getting involved. But sometimes fate is beyond our control. Now that I am here, I have to prove myself!"
Hu Jiao patted his shoulder and said, "There are many ways. I think you know my situation. If my mother hadn't been in trouble, do you think I would have been safe?"
Since Hu Jiao was transferred to the Inspectorate, Li Ya has indeed gotten to know Hu Jiao from all aspects and understands that there is a deeper meaning behind Hu Jiao's words.
Seeing that Li Ya did not speak, Hu Jiao continued, "I was demoted from township party committee secretary to township head precisely because I was too clever, but ended up being too clever for my own good."
Li Ya nodded and said sincerely: "I understand! Thank you, Brother Hu! You are the second person who is so open with me."
Hu Jiao asked casually: "Who is the first one?"
Li Ya blinked, and a hint of mischief appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Director Wang."
Seeing Hu Jiao's surprised look, Li Ya finally let out a sigh of relief. He had been a little annoyed that Hu Jiao had been behaving very steadily the whole day, not like a young man of twenty-five or twenty-six. He was so mature that he was a bit boring.
Li Ya's slightly smug expression made Hu Jiao shake his head. This guy was used to playing dumb. But then he thought, why were Wang Jianxin and Li Ya so attentive?
Almost reaching the side door of the hospital, Li Ya stopped where there were soldiers standing guard. Before going in, he could no longer speak freely.
"Brother Hu, Teacher Wang is the person I respect the most. What we did today may arouse your suspicion, but I assure you that I have absolutely no bad intentions! You... think about it seriously, have confidence in yourself, and never underestimate yourself." After saying this, without waiting for Hu Jiao to ask any questions, he had already shown his work ID and waited for Hu Jiao to catch up.
There was only the nanny in the ward. Li Juan went home for dinner. Hu Jiao walked over and touched his mother's forehead, then quietly asked the nanny whether she had finished her daily tasks . His eyes were always on his mother, revealing deep sadness.
Seeing Teacher Li Aiju sleeping, Li Ya put away his cynical expression and gently patted Hu Jiao's back. He was only about 1.6 meters tall and couldn't reach Hu Jiao's shoulders. "Brother Hu, Auntie will definitely wake up. I have a feeling that Auntie seems to be able to hear us talking!"
"Are you serious?" Hu Jiao turned around suddenly and stared at Li Ya.
She nodded vigorously, "I'm sure! This feeling is very strong. I don't know why, but when I saw you asking this young aunt just now, I felt that your aunt seemed to... have a feeling!"
Hu Jiao looked at him happily. Li Ya's eyes were firm and he nodded again, "Believe me! This feeling is amazing."
Hu Jiao closed his eyes tightly several times, feeling very excited. When he called "Mom" affectionately again and again, and Teacher Li lay on the bed without hearing or moving, Hu Jiao would feel a heart-wrenching pain. He had never felt that the response to the "Mom" that he blurted out before, the warmth of the smile and eyes, were so precious!
Hu Jiao swore in his heart that if his mother woke up, in the days to come, he would cherish every response he got when he called "Mom" and enjoy every bit of his mother's love.
Li Ya looked at Hu Jiao and sighed secretly in his heart, maybe this is all I can do.
"Mom, you can hear me, I know you can hear me! But you have rested for many days, you have slept enough..." Hu Jiao's hand gently stroked his mother's forehead.
Li Ya stared blankly at the mother and son. Unconsciously, the index finger of Teacher Li's right hand seemed to move?
Li Ya hurriedly focused his attention and widened his eyes... but after a long while , there was no response.
Is it an illusion?
Li Ya shook his head. He drank a lot of wine today, but he would never have an illusion! It was not that he was confident in his alcohol tolerance, but that he was confident in his ability to stay sober.
"Brother Hu, I just seemed to...see my aunt's fingers move."
"Just now? Did you really see it?"
Li Ya nodded. "When you were talking to your aunt, you moved a little. I was staring at you, but you didn't move after that."
Hu Jiao turned to the babysitter, "Aju, did you see that?"
Aju is a distant cousin of Hu Jiao's mother. Her name is Li Xiaoju. She is the eldest in the family with four younger siblings. She did not finish elementary school and has been helping her parents take care of her younger siblings. When Teacher Li was in Fenghuang, she happened to hear her family members mention her, so she sent a letter home and asked Xiaoju to be her nanny.
The country girl was simple and honest. Not only was her food and lodging provided, but her aunt also bought her new clothes. Her aunt (Li Aiju) also taught her to read and do her homework whenever she had time.
Most importantly, I can send the 300 yuan salary back home to buy food for my younger siblings.
When Aju arrived in Fenghuang, Hu Jiao was in Nanhu, the provincial capital. Not long after, he moved to Hongjiang with Hu Jianguo and his wife.
During these days of getting along with each other, the 18-year-old Aju is very diligent and hardworking, and learns new things very quickly, so the nurse doesn't need to repeat herself.
"I didn't notice it, but...Brother, I also felt that Auntie could hear it. This afternoon, I was reading to Auntie, and it seemed, it seemed... Auntie's eyelashes moved a few times, but I didn't see clearly..."
If only Li Ya said this, Hu Jiao would still suspect that he was doing this out of kindness, but Xiao Ju never lied and was very honest. If she knew, she knew, and if she didn't understand, she didn't understand.
At this time, Li Juan pushed the door open and came in. Seeing Hu Jiao's excited face, she was stunned and asked in surprise, "Did Teacher Li react? Did he? Hu Jiao, did you see it?"
Hu Jiao suppressed his trembling lips and told Li Juan in a halting manner about Li Ya and Aju's discovery.
"Why don't you notify Professor Liu right away?"
Hu Jiao pounded his hands and said, "Hey, look at me! Duck, I won't see you off!" Before he finished speaking, he had already left quickly and headed straight for the duty room.
Li Ya looked at Li Juan with a mischievous smile on his face, "Sister Juan Juan, do you still remember me?"
Li Juan tilted her head and recalled, examining Li Ya. She called me Sister Juan Juan. Hu Jiao just called him Duck. This guy is... Her eyes lit up, "Little Duck! Oh, right! Aren't you in the Inspectorate? No wonder Hu Jiao said we're having a dinner party this afternoon. It must have been your bad idea. By the way, where's Xiao Li?"
Li Ya hurriedly made a gesture to keep quiet, "Sister Juan, Xiaoli is with me, no one outside will know. Please don't tell Brother Hu, please."
Li Juan narrowed her eyes and looked at Li Ya with a smirk on her face, some beautiful memories of her childhood echoing in her mind. The first time she met Li Ya and Li Li, the twin brother and sister, Li Ya, with two clear snot hanging from his nose, puffed out his little chest like a proud little rooster, "I'm the older brother, Li Ya."
Another cute little girl in a flowery skirt pouted, "Shame on you, shame on you, I'm your sister Li Li."
For a period of time afterwards, the twin boy and girl who loved to bicker became Li Juan's little followers.
Until she transferred to Phoenix University to study, we were separated for so many years. The little snotty girl back then also started working.
Li Juan pretended to be disdainful and said, "What's so great about that? Just look at your names and you'll know. Xiaoli is still in graduate school?"
Li Ya nodded, with a wry smile on his face, "If it weren't for her going to take the postgraduate entrance examination, I wouldn't have started working so soon."
"What? Did she force you to take the exam with him?"
Seeing Li Ya's helpless face, Li Juan couldn't help laughing. This pair of brother and sister were indeed interesting. Li Ya was dark and thin, and his appearance could be considered handsome, but compared with Li Li, the energetic young beauty, there was a huge gap.
Li Ya once complained that he was born just a dozen minutes earlier, but his treatment was completely different. His fate was that he had to give in to his sister since he was young, give her the delicious food, give her the fun things, and help her when she was bullied. In fact, he, as a brother, was the real working class.
Li Li had a fight with his classmates, Li Ya took the blame, Li Li was criticized by the teacher, Li Ya went home to admit his mistake, Li Li didn't finish his homework, Li Ya helped to write it...
What made Li Ya most indignant was that Li Li had never acknowledged him as his brother since he was a child, and until now, he always regarded himself as his sister. And judging from the situation, he might never call him brother in this life.
So when Li Li said he wanted to take the postgraduate entrance examination, Li Ya went home to work without saying anything.
Therefore, Li Ya's ability to talkativeness is due indelibly to his younger sister Li Li.
Seeing his "Yang Bailao" look, Li Juan couldn't help but scold him, "What a fool you are! She just spent some of your living expenses, is it that serious?"
Li Ya complained repeatedly, "Sister, look at my small body, which is the ironclad evidence of long-term exploitation and oppression. Look at Xiaoli, a girl who is only 1.73 meters tall, is there any justice in the world?"
