Chapter 98 Let Director Ming bleed a little
In the afternoon, my brother-in-law accompanied me to Chairman Song's home. As we got on the ring road, he said, somewhat embarrassedly, "Something unexpected happened. Chairman Song called me and asked if I could get a 10,000 yuan sponsorship."
I thought about it and came up with an idea. Hadn't I made a contribution before? My contribution couldn't be in vain. So I called Director Ming and said, "Hello, Director Ming."
He was stunned for a moment, and it took him a long time to react. He laughed and said, "Master, why are you making fun of me too?"
I said coldly, "I'm not much of a joker."
This statement was very effective. Generally speaking, many people believe that what Master or people like me say is some kind of reliable prophecy. He immediately laughed out loud: "Teacher Wan, what instructions do you have?"
"The city's prose society is going to hold a meeting, bringing together the talented men and women of Wu Township. A great man once said that revolution relies first on the gun and second on the pen."
I paused here deliberately.
Director Ming said over there, "I know, the pen is very powerful."
I continued, "As soon as the news got out, the companies fought tooth and nail to have the meeting held there. It's like they were racking their brains, but they just didn't bleed."
Director Ming immediately said, "I believe this. Companies need to promote themselves."
I waved my hand at my brother-in-law, signaling him to hold back, and then said, "At the discussion meeting, I insisted, against all odds, that this meeting must be held at the Zimu Mountain Scenic Area. This is because Director Ming of the Zimu Mountain Sanitation Office recently implemented a reform that deserves publicity."
When my brother-in-law heard me say "against all odds", he covered his mouth tightly, fearing that he would laugh out loud.
Upon hearing this, Director Ming quickly said, "Teacher Wan, if you have any benefits, you always think of me. I understand. How about this? I'll give you 20,000 yuan as a token of my appreciation. Secondly, I'll arrange for food and accommodation at my small hotel on the mountain."
After saying that, he suddenly asked, "You are also a kind-hearted person. You spared no effort to help President Song."
"Director, I've recently been listed as a candidate for Secretary-General of the Prose Society. Otherwise, how would I be qualified to fight for such a good opportunity for you?"
"Congratulations, from now on I'll be called Secretary General."
"It doesn't matter what it's called. What matters is that things are done well and done solidly."
"Master, Teacher Wan, Secretary Wan, you underestimate me. It will be done in a minute. Once you set a date, I will mobilize everyone to clean up, collect wild delicacies, and prepare a place for you."
After the call, my brother-in-law was so happy he doubled over with laughter. He sighed, "You also failed the college entrance exam. If you hadn't failed, you would have definitely been a good candidate for administration."
We chatted all the way and arrived at the president's house in half an hour. The president was there, and after a few pleasantries, the three of us sat down to drink tea. I asked, "Where's your wife?"
As the president brewed tea, he said, "I went to Shanghai to learn a new dance."
"Going so far?"
The president poured tea, one cup per person, without spilling a drop, and said, "How can we not study all the time? These students pay a lot of money, and they all want to apply to art schools. When they go to take the exam, they dance a few old dances, but before they are halfway through, the examiner will stop them."
We were talking when we heard someone outside the door calling out, "Chairman Song, I'm the first one to arrive, right?" After that, a man came in. He was handsome and looked like a cultured person.
President Song stood up and introduced us to each other. I learned that this young man, about 27 or 28 years old, was called Linghu Yitong.
Linghu Yitong said, "Mr. Wan, I know you. My brother went to Youranju to install surveillance cameras for you. I didn't expect you to learn fortune-telling and also like to write articles."
This statement sounded normal, but it was filled with arrogance. In his eyes, fortune-telling was all about learning a few formulas, fooling people, and making a little money. It was a low-class profession with little culture.
I remained calm and asked, "If I'm not mistaken, your ancestors are from Hangzhou, right?"
He was a little surprised and asked, "How do you know?"
I smiled faintly and said, "When I was in junior high school, I read a poem by Liu Caichun in an extracurricular book: 'On the day of departure that year, I only thought I was going to Tonglu. I didn't see anyone in Tonglu, but now I have a letter from Guangzhou.'
Tonglu is where the Linghu surname gathers. Your name is Linghu Yitong, so it must have been given by your grandfather, telling you to remember your roots and not forget your origins.
His face flushed, and he said, "Yes, yes, my grandfather's generation moved from Hangzhou to Wuxiang, and he often talked about his hometown. Oh, classmate Wan, it turns out you are full of knowledge."
President Song laughed and said, "It's not that your belly is full, it's overflowing. If you are a truly knowledgeable person, you should learn more from him."
Linghu Yitong bowed and said, "Classmate Shanhong, I'll be happy to teach you from now on."
"Hmph," I chuckled calmly in my heart. Don't think that just because you've gone to college and have a job, you can look down on others. But on the surface, I smiled and said, "Let's learn from each other."
At this time, Xi Ruoqin came in, greeted everyone, and said, "My work is really overwhelming. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Chairman Song said, "Then let's discuss this among ourselves."
My brother-in-law tactfully went upstairs to paint.
President Song said, "The meeting is easy to hold, but the issue of food, accommodation, and souvenirs is a big deal. Let's discuss what kind of organization to sponsor."
I let them speak first.
Linghu Yitong said, "I work in the neighborhood office. There really isn't a single decent business in my neighborhood. I approached a few, but they rejected me, both openly and covertly."
Xi Ruoqin smiled and said, "President, the reason I'm quitting as Secretary General is because I have to hold meetings every year to find sponsors. It's a headache for everyone involved, and it's a headache for me too. Plus, the situation is very strict now. We're not allowed to impose contributions on businesses, nor are we allowed to ask for sponsorship from other units. Alas, this year I really have the will but not the means."
President Song also knew about these situations, so he hinted to my brother-in-law in advance and then turned his attention to me.
I stood up and said, "Let me make a phone call."
After that, he walked to the yard, made a gesture as if dialing a phone, spoke a few words into the microphone, and returned to the living room, saying, "I made a request to a small unit, and they agreed to sponsor 20,000 yuan, including food and accommodation."
The three of them were shocked. Especially President Song. He had only asked for 10,000 yuan, and 20,000 yuan exceeded his expectations. He looked excited, but also worried. He asked, "You got it done with just one phone call?"
I said calmly, "One hundred thousand is a bit difficult, twenty or thirty thousand is just a phone call away."
President Song thought about it and immediately understood. He explained to the surprised Xi Ruoqin and Linghu Yitong, "Shanhong has its own channels. Many bosses in his industry trust him."
Xi Ruoqin lowered her voice: "Yes, all the officials believe it. Even our Director Cong has studied the Book of Changes." After saying that, she stuck out her tongue and waved her hands, signaling us not to spread it out.
President Song became excited: "Everything is ready, only the east wind is missing. Then please ask Shanhong to choose a date."
I calculated in my head that Director Ming's reforms would take a month or two to take effect. By then, promoting him would be a natural outcome.
I closed my eyes, twirled my fingers, and opened them again: "May 22nd is the best day of the first half of the year."
President Song slammed the table and said, "Then it's Yishanhong. You guys start making the preliminary preparations."
After the meeting, Xiaolin called and said, "You only said you were going to buy firecrackers this morning. I think you should prepare a few small red envelopes to give to the workers."
When I heard this, I said thoughtfully, "Sister Lin, you are so thoughtful."
She said, "I've already packed it for you. It's 100 yuan each. Not too high, not too low. And I know all the workers. I won't give them out randomly."
I blurted out: "You really are half the family for me."
There was no sound from the other end. Then, he hung up silently.
I was driving and thinking, I said this too impulsively. Thinking of all the good things she had done for me, I suddenly realized that Sister Lin really had that kind of feeling towards me...
My dear grandpa and grandma, Wanshanhong, Wanshanhong, your characteristics are so attractive that you can never play any ambiguous games with Lin Daiyu.
Is that Miss Lin the one I call her? That's Baoyu. Starting tomorrow, I'll call her Miss Lin.
Master said: The closeness of the relationship between people starts with the way they address each other.
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