Chapter 206: Mayor Ma’s Intentions (First Update, Seek Support)_i

Translator: 549690339

At this moment, Zhu Lufeng was somewhat embarrassed. Despite his successes in Yuedong, he always saw himself as a thug who got lucky, and a thug who valued loyalty at that. Now, back in his home town, he was being given this great honour. This was something Zhu Lufeng never expected.

As he walked onto the stage, the female host had already greeted him. She was a fresh college graduate assigned to Li County TV Station this year; tall and fair-skinned, a typical Uighur. In an attempt to lighten the mood, she asked with a smile, “Mr. Zhu, did you consult your wife about this donation? With such a large amount, aren’t you afraid of being scolded once you get home?”

Zhu Lufeng was taken aback. Showing his discomfort, he scratched his head, which gave him an amusing look. Sheepishly, he replied, “Well, I don’t have a wife. So, the situation you mention shouldn’t arise.”

This answer left the female host somewhat embarrassed and her face turned a bit red. Fortunately, the male host reacted quickly and stepped in, saying, “Mr. Zhu is truly a promising young man. Do you have any standards? What do you think of Le, our lady host here?”

Le is the female host. The atmosphere on stage became slightly tense and flirty. Below the stage, Zhang Chubin couldn’t help but laugh. He often fondly remembered the time when Nie Zhenbang joked about the hosts playing around with Boss Zhu.

Zhu Lufeng, being a well-traveled man, quickly joined in and said, “Of course, there is no problem. To be with such a college student is a blessing I, Zhu Lufeng, have cultivated in my eight successive lives.”

The male host, amused, asked, “Mr. Zhu, you donated a million yuan, making you the richest man in Lixian. What inspired you to donate such a large sum? Can you tell us?”

Zhu Lufeng grew serious and after a moment of contemplation, he said, “Thanks to the Party’s excellent policy, I am one of the first to acquire wealth. But over the years, I have realised that we are no longer in the age where grit and courage make you successful. Now, knowledge is critical. As for our generation, there is no hope left. However, I hope the children of our hometown can have a bright and spacious learning environment, a comfortable school which doesn’t pose danger of collapse. That’s my initial intention. One million is not much; it’s just my small contribution.”

Le seemed moved by his words; she never thought this boss, who seemed like a minor thug, could have such noble ambitions. To hide her embarrassment, she quickly announced, “In this evening party, Mr. Zhu personally donated one million yuan for our county’s school renovation and construction. Let’s welcome and appreciate Mr. Zhu’s generosity! Let’s continue to enjoy the performance ‘We are Communists’ by students from Lixian Chengguan Town Central Primary School.”

Next, Liu Kun, the manager personally hired by the Farmer Welfare Company, represented the company in making a donation of one million yuan, which stunned the audience once again. Since the grand founding ceremony, the company seems to have become dormant. But this act won the people’s hearts.

Among those perched on the surrounding walls and trees, some traveled from far away to witness the event. The majority were farmers who had signed cooperation agreements with the Farmer Welfare company. Upon hearing about the donation, many of them proudly said, “Look at the Farmer Welfare Company. They donated one million yuan! They have treated us well. We must work harder this time and not let them lose.”

Similarly, Longhua Mining also made a donation of one million yuan. After several such donations, Zhang Chubin was taken aback. He never thought there would be so many donations. If this trend continues, it seems all the schools in the county could be replaced.

After the song and dance performance on the stage, host Le came back onstage with a look of astonishment, announcing with an excited voice: “Ladies and Gentlemen, just now, our donation reception group received a donation. Upon hearing about our situation in Lixian County, Mr. Yang Anbang, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the well-known national company, top ten private enterprise, and head of retail and department store industry, the Wal-Mart Group, entrusted Miss Li Lixue, the general manager of the Wal-Mart Supermarket in Lixian County, to donate four million yuan on behalf of the Wal-Mart Group.”

Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was startled. Yang Anbang being stingy was something he knew all too well. It was impossible that he would generously donate four million here. With Wal-Mart supermarkets all over the country, if he donated this way, even Yang Anbang’s huge fortune wouldn’t be enough. Clearly, this was a personal donation made by Li Lixue and Dong Wan under that pretext.

Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang couldn’t help but give a wry smile. These two women seemed determined to build his political achievements with their money. However, he felt that this donation was not only good, but also somewhat insufficient.

Just at this moment, Qu Feng, the director of the county committee, approached him and Zhang Chubin. He bent over and whispered: “Comrade Zhang, Director Nie, old Man Ma from Muli Township is here. He is leaning on his crutch and cursing, saying that the county committee and the county government look down upon the retired officials in the township. He is complaining that we didn’t inform them of such a big event.”

Upon hearing Qu Feng’s words, both Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang started to feel a headache coming on. How did he come over here?

Especially Nie Zhenbang, who deeply realized that with just a few words from Old Man Ma, no one dared to breathe. This testified to the heavy weight of Old Man Ma’s word in Muli Township.

This old man, once he gets angry, it’s no joking matter. What’s the significance of you being the county party committee secretary and county chief? He’s a veteran who began serving as an official shortly after the founding of the country. He retired as the party committee secretary of a township, but that was because he was stubborn, humble, and considered himself incapable of handling a promotion.

Suddenly, Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang glanced at each other. They stood up at the same time. Zhang Chubin turned his head and said to Qu Feng, “Old Qu, where is Old Man Ma now? Take us to him immediately.”

Zhang Chubin knew this old man even better than Nie Zhenbang did. Old Man Ma was not just someone who could calm situations down. Occasionally, he was also the one causing a stir. At this point in time, the distance from Muli Township to their location was considerable. The old man had come all this way. There probably wasn’t any good news.

By the time they arrived outside the meeting venue, Old Man Ma was in the reception room of the stadium, leaning on a cane, his brows furrowed and a look of dissatisfaction on his face. At his side, the party committee secretary of Muli Township, Peng Hui, and the village head, Ma Suxi, were cautiously keeping him company.

“You all thought this old man was useless because of my age and retirement, and because of my limited funds, you forgot about me. This time, we’re raising funds for the children of the entire county to fix their schools. The entire county, all those bastards in the Bureau of Retired Officials have donated. Why am I the only one you left out? Are you looking down on me?” Old Man Ma’s words were quite aggressive.

“Mayor Ma, it’s late at night, why have you come here as well?” As soon as Zhang Chubin entered the reception room, he immediately began to speak with a smile on his face.

As soon as Old Man Ma saw Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang, he immediately snorted dismissively and said impolitely, “What? Am I no longer a retired official of the state? Is my pension no longer managed by the state? You all donated, but you thought so little of us old folks. Do I have no awareness?”

His anger caught Zhang Chubin off guard. Nie Zhenbang was also taken aback at that moment, not expecting that. Mayor Ma suddenly changed his tone and directed it at Nie Zhenbang: “Director Nie, you too. You’re a good official, young man. I’ve witnessed and enjoyed the development of Lixian under your administration. You’re much better than us. You’re knowledgeable and insightful. However, Director Nie, you are not acting appropriately. ”

It seems that this old man was now indiscriminately criticizing everyone. As a retired official, there was nothing you could do about his explosive temper. Liu Wenqing, the municipal party committee secretary, had been blocked by this old man once. Old Man Ma was infamous throughout the city.

Nie Zhenbang smiled awkwardly at this moment and said, “Mayor Ma, you’ve misunderstood. For this donation drive, we only expected donations from on-duty officials, while retired officials were to donate voluntarily. It was our mistake that you did not receive a notification. I apologize for our colleagues’ oversight.”

With such personalities, Nie Zhenbang had figured out how to handle them. He could only appease and compliment Mayor Ma. Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Mayor Ma’s expression softened, and he said, “Hmm, Director Nie sure knows how to talk. I came here to donate. Pillar, bring grandpa’s money.”

As he finished speaking, the grandson of the village chief, a humble man in his thirties, quietly stepped forward and placed a cloth bag on the table.

When they opened it, Nie Zhenbang and Zhang Chubin were stunned. It was more than forty thousand yuan. This… this must be the village chief’s life savings.

Nie Zhenbang quickly said, “Mayor Ma, this is not good. Look, our county enterprises have responded positively. We have already raised eight million in donations. That’s enough to refurbish the schools in the entire county.”

But at this moment, the village chief said in a low voice, “Director Nie, Secretary Zhang, this money is the savings of my life. Let it all go as my final party membership dues. I’m of an age now where half of me is in the ground. I don’t know how much longer I will live. When I’m dying, this will be my last contribution to Lixian. Take this money, no matter how much it is, it can buy a book for the children, help a few dropouts to return to school, it would be good. It’s my heartfelt intention.”

To the side, the village chief’s grandson, Ma Guozhu, looked like a simple country man. As the grandson of the village chief, it would have been easy for him to get a job in the government. However, he chose to stay in the countryside and farm the land. The village chief’s selflessness had shocked everyone. Looking at Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang, Guozhu also seemed a bit shy. He said softly, “Grandpa says, if my descendants are stronger than me, what’s the use of leaving money? If they’re weaker than me, what’s the use of leaving money? Our entire family supports grandpa’s donation. Secretary Zhang, Director Nie, please accept it.”

PS: The final three days of battle have begun. Brothers and sisters, this is the first update. Please support with a monthly vote, and hope for me. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to qidian.com and vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)