30: Wang Yongfa poured out his grievances

After Lin Zifeng and Wang Yongfa chatted about everyday life for a while, seeing Li Qiang drive the car to the entrance, Wang Zhongyu excused himself and left.

After Wang Yongfa's wife finished brewing the tea, she also went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Only three people remained in the room. Lin Zifeng spoke up again, "Former Town Mayor, what exactly did you mean by what you said when we first met? Could you explain it to us in detail?"

"You two young people haven't been in Heping Town for long, so there are some things you might not know.

Anyone who has worked in Heping Town for more than half a year knows exactly what state Heping Town is in.

I am an old man who has retired, and I am not afraid of being laughed at by you two young people.

The reason I repeatedly requested the County Party Committee for early retirement to go home and recuperate was out of desperation.

In fact, there is nothing wrong with my health.

The reason I did this was twofold: first, to express dissatisfaction with County Party Secretary Yu Guodong, and second, because I couldn't stand the humiliation.

Everyone knows that Yu Hualin is the local tyrant of Heping Town, and my position as Town Mayor is merely nominal.

Because he is favored by Yu Guodong, he acts recklessly and doesn't regard me, the Town Mayor, at all.

Furthermore, because my age is nearing the limit, people know that opposing Yu Hualin by following me won't lead to a good outcome.

Therefore, nobody listens to what I say."

Wang Yongfa sighed helplessly, exposing his weaknesses.

Hearing what Wang Yongfa said, the two exchanged glances. Jiang Yufei asked, "Former Town Mayor, do the other Party Committee Members in the town just let him run a one-man show?

Have you reported these matters to your superiors?"

"I reported the situation many times, but Yu Guodong suppressed all of them. He even turned around and criticized me, saying I lacked a sense of the bigger picture, and that as an old Comrade, I failed to unite the team members and play the role expected of a veteran Comrade.

As for the other Party Committee Members in the town, they are also helpless against the dominant Yu Hualin.

Seeing my fate, how could they dare to take risks?

To tell you the truth, this Thousand Mu Peach Forest project was proposed and launched by me originally.

Originally, the subsequent plan included an additional project: building several cold storage units to store fruits that couldn't be sold in time.

Even if the peaches couldn't be sold promptly, they could be stored in the cold storage.

But later, when Yu Hualin took office, he canceled this project, citing tight finances.

He forcefully stripped me, the Town Mayor, of my financial authority.

There was no money to build cold storage for the common people, but a huge amount of funding was invested in renovating the school playground.

This Yu Hualin is very hypocritical. Ultimately, it's my incompetence; I have failed the common people here!"

Wang Yongfa opened up, pouring out his grievances in front of the two of them.

"Former Town Mayor, renovating a school playground is also a good thing, isn't it?"

Jiang Yufei said, somewhat puzzled.

"You don't know the whole story. If Yu Hualin were genuinely thinking of the children, I would have nothing to say.

As a genuine Heping Town native, I have that much perspective.

I definitely wouldn't have any complaints just because the school playground was renovated and there was no money for cold storage.

What you don't know is that Yu Hualin is completely using the renovation of the school playground as an excuse to collude with others and line his own pockets.

Have you ever seen a school playground that needs to be renovated every two years?

This year they renovate the Town Primary School playground, next year they renovate the Town Middle School playground, and they keep rotating this way.

The cost for renovating the primary school playground is 200,000, and the cost for renovating the middle school playground is 300,000.

The Dacheng Construction Company, whether renovating the primary or middle school playground, spends at most less than 50,000 yuan—and I'm being generous. Where did the rest of the money go?

Moreover, the bidding policy is just a formality; every year, the Dacheng Construction Company gets the contract.

Tell me, how could there not be something fishy going on?"

Wang Yongfa said, his face full of anger.

Hearing Wang Yongfa's account, Lin Zifeng and Jiang Yufei both wore expressions of disbelief.

Lin Zifeng couldn't help but ask, "Former Town Mayor, do you have any evidence for these claims?"

"This is common knowledge among everyone in the Town Government. If you want evidence, it's simple: check the Finance Office's annual expenditure reports, and it will be clear at a glance.

Yu Hualin has been in Heping Town for four years. The Town Middle School playground has been renovated twice, the Town Primary School once, and this year it's the Town Primary School's turn again.

According to past practice, the funds for renovating the primary school playground should be transferred to the Finance Office soon.

The playground renovated by the Dacheng Construction Company only has a thin layer of cement. After a year of rain and snow, it starts peeling the second year.

You can't even call it misleading people; it's treating people like fools."

Wang Yongfa stated with conviction.

"If this construction company is so irresponsible, why do they keep using them?

If their engineering quality is substandard, can't they be forced to compensate for the losses according to the contract?"

Jiang Yufei said angrily.

Although Lin Zifeng didn't speak, his expression darkened, and his heart felt heavy.

"Sigh! Although one of you is the Town Mayor and the other is the Propaganda Committee Member, you are both younger than my Child.

I see you as juniors, and I don't want to harm you, so let me reveal one more piece of information!

Yu Dacheng, the boss of the Dacheng Construction Company, is the son of County Party Secretary Yu Guodong."

Wang Yongfa sighed softly and said helplessly.

Hearing what Wang Yongfa said, the two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with determination, but they only thanked Wang Yongfa and said nothing else.

However, both understood everything from the other's eyes: they must prevent such things from happening again.

Even if it meant fighting a losing battle, they would not shrink away.

Just then, Wang Yongfa's wife walked in and said with a smile, "Lunch is ready. Stop chatting for now, and let's go eat!

The weather is nice now, so I set the table outside."

Wang Yongfa quickly got up and invited the two to eat in the courtyard.

The two did not decline and went to the courtyard with Wang Yongfa.

Wang Zhongyu and Li Qiang were also called over, and the six people sat around the dining table and began eating lunch.

Under Wang Yongfa's repeated persuasion, Lin Zifeng drank a two-liang cup of liquor.

Breathing the fresh air, the group had hearty appetites. After finishing lunch and drinking tea for a while, the four people stood up, ready to say their goodbyes.

Before getting into the car, Lin Zifeng tightly held Wang Yongfa's hand and sincerely said, "Former Town Mayor, I have truly benefited greatly today!

I hope that in the future, you will continue to play the role of a Party Member Cadre and offer suggestions and advice to the government.

There are still many things this junior needs to ask you about!"

Faced with his respect, Wang Yongfa was very happy and quickly said, "You are welcome to visit my home often in the future. I am old now and cannot play any other role, but I can still offer some experience."

After bidding farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Wang Yongfa, Li Qiang drove the car toward Dawa Village.