Chapter 109 On-site Inspection
The next day, Tuesday, was sunny.
The task of this day is to check the preparations before the meeting.
I called Director Ming and asked where we would meet. Director Ming said to go directly to the scenic area and meet at the entrance.
We got on the ring road and arrived at the president's home in half an hour. President Song came out holding a delicate water cup. Teacher Chen said to me, "I asked him to put on more clothes because it's cold on the mountain, but he didn't listen. Here, hold it for him."
I took the wool vest and said, "Oh, it looks like it's knitted."
Teacher Chen asked, "Your craftsmanship is pretty good, isn't it?"
I smiled and said, "Better than 'Tang Lion'."
After getting in the car, President Song took a sip of tea and said, "You are quite a generalist. You even know all the brands of sweaters."
I smiled faintly. "It's the night talk room. Everyone who comes in has some psychological problems. They are always a little resistant to me. Let's start by talking about his clothes and leather shoes." As we talked, we relaxed.
In order to make a living, I have tried every possible way. If I were like you, a descendant of aristocracy, I could play with jade and cultivate some underglaze colors, then sell one piece to make a living for a few years."
President Song smiled and said, "I finally understand why the Taoist priest accepted you as his disciple."
I asked, “Why?”
"I don't believe your master's words, but he's a first-rate eloquent. If I had chosen a wooden lump, he would have suffocated to death."
The two chatted and laughed all the way, and an hour later they arrived at the entrance of Zimu Mountain Scenic Area.
Director Ming was already waiting there. After we got out of the car, I introduced them to each other and exchanged a few words. Director Ming said, "Follow my car."
Other cars were not allowed to enter the scenic area, but no one stopped Director Ming's car, and even mine was allowed to pass.
I said, "Is this sanitation department's vehicle so awesome?"
Chairman Song said, "In this scenic area, even the police station is not as powerful as the sanitation department. If they go on strike for one day, it will be a terrible sight."
We drove halfway up the mountain and headed towards another branch road, which was a bit similar to the last time we went to the provincial capital villa. We left the main road and drove about two miles away. There were several houses, all of which were hotels. We passed three of them and stopped at the last one.
After getting off the car, Director Ming introduced the area as we walked: "No random construction is allowed in the scenic area. We built a thatched shed to store tools and provide a place for the workers to rest and eat at noon."
I looked around and saw two buildings. One was in poor condition, used by workers, while the other was a standard small hotel. Considering the small size of the hotels I'd just seen, I realized this place was a small guesthouse for each department to receive their counterparts from higher-level departments.
Director Ming showed us around the building. It wasn't luxurious, but it had all the amenities. There were about forty rooms, just the right amount for each member of the society.
A waiter arrived and opened two suites. Director Ming said, "Room 201, President, you stay. Room 202, Shanhong stays."
After we entered 201 and sat down, the waitress poured us tea. It turned out that she had already gone into 201 to boil water.
Director Ming said, "We eat and live here. The living conditions are just okay, just okay. As for food, there's no seafood, but there are plenty of local delicacies."
The president smiled and said, "Your arrangements are very thoughtful. I heard from Shanhong that your reform measures are very powerful and very scientific. When the time comes, the society must vigorously publicize them."
I thought Director Ming would blush a little upon hearing this, but he didn't. He recounted how, after proposing this idea, Director Sun of the Municipal Bureau had given it high praise. Since its implementation, it has been even better than expected.
Speaking of this, he spoke slowly, like a thoughtful general, "As for publicity, we'll do it in half a year. I sincerely welcome you to learn how to write about it. Only after you've done some experimentation and testing will your writing be more profound, and you'll be able to write about the courage, ability, and charm of the Zimushan Sanitation Station."
My goodness, he wasn't even embarrassed. "Describe the courage, ability, and charm of the Zimushan Sanitation Station." This sentence itself doesn't make sense. You might as well just say, "Describe the courage, ability, and charm of your director, Ming."
President Song said, "Okay, write the major article as a reportage, and use poetry, prose, travelogues, and other forms of comprehensive publicity."
Director Ming made a phone call, and five minutes later, someone brought over four cartons of cigarettes. He said to the person, "Put two in 202." Then he said, "A scholar who doesn't smoke is only half a scholar."
The president laughed and said, "This is called Ming's Quotations."
Director Ming said, "If a scholar doesn't drink, he's not even half a scholar." He glanced at me after saying that.
I replied, "A sweeper talking about literature is a waste of manners."
The president was surprised. He looked at me, then at Director Ming. Director Ming laughed and said, "We're used to joking around."
After chatting for a while, Director Ming said, "President, you take a rest. Shanhong and I will sit next door. We will discuss the specific matters with him. We will have lunch together at noon."
President Song said, "Okay."
When they arrived at Room 202, Director Ming said, "What vice president? In my eyes, you should live in the best house."
After that, he made a phone call and a waiter came in. He said to the waiter, "Go get two more boxes of tea." The waiter brought two boxes of unlabeled, unpackaged tea, placed them on the table, brewed some tea, closed the door, and left.
Director Ming said, "My predecessor cleared the hillside behind the mountain and planted tea trees. He didn't enjoy it, but I did. This is absolutely great tea. You can take it back and drink it yourself."
I didn't express my gratitude, but said, "That's the right attitude. From now on, whatever tea the director drinks, I'll drink, whatever cigarettes the director smokes, I'll smoke. That's what we call realizing communism sooner."
He understood that the "director" I was referring to was his future prospects, and asked, "Can you tell fortunes?"
I smiled and said, "You are a talented person. If your ancestors are buried well, you may become a director."
Upon hearing this, Director Ming said, "Come visit my hometown someday. I heard you like fishing. I have a pond, and there are many mermaids in the village."
I said, "Mermaids aren't interested, but I can show you my fishing skills."
He smiled and said, "Who wants you to fish? Someone will help you fish. My ancestor was a general in the Ming Dynasty. After the Republic of China, the general's descendants were not very ambitious and became farmers. I have always had the great dream of reviving the Ming family. Can you help me look for a good place for my ancestral grave? My parents are dead and they need to find a piece of land."
I laughed out loud: "It depends on the size of the red envelope. The bigger the red envelope, the more I will climb over the mountains and see them all. If the red envelope is small, then I will be buried in the green mountains everywhere."
He also laughed out loud: "To borrow a line to describe you: Wan Shanhong, Wan Shanhong, I can't believe that someone like you, with such thick eyebrows and big eyes, has fallen to the point of only caring about money."
Laughter filled the room.
Director Ming said, "Let's go treat the president to a meal together."
The sponsorship for food, accommodation and other expenses for the society's writers' conference has been secured, and after President Song's on-site inspection, the matter is finalized.
President Song said to me, "Since Director Ming is not in a hurry to wait for the article to be published, let's hold the meeting in advance."
I think it would be a good idea to hold the meeting earlier. I suggest holding it during the May Day holiday so that everyone has time. Vice Chairman Song then called Xi Ruoqin and Linghu Yitong to discuss the matter.
Therefore, the meeting was rescheduled to be held at the Zimu Mountain Scenic Area from May 1st to 3rd. Yitong quickly notified everyone.
Before leaving, Director Ming reminded him, "Remember to bring your laptop and compass. I really need you to help me check out the land in my hometown."
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