Chapter 4: Wind and Snow Ancestor Worship Festival

  One

  This time, the central authorities sent down cadres, and public opinion made a big fuss about it. Even foreign media reported on it extensively.

  Only after the central authorities' farewell meeting was over, did the provinces and cities have different reactions to the dispatched cadres. Some provinces and cities received the list of dispatched cadres and only verbally expressed their welcome, without being in a hurry to let these cadres report for duty.

  "Come early and we welcome you; come a few days late... or even don't come at all, it doesn't matter." That's probably their attitude.

  This is not that they are unwelcome to the dispatched cadres, but on their own chessboard, they have already formed their own system. Even if the dispatched cadres do not take office, it will not affect the normal progress of work.

  But I was in a different situation. As soon as I opened the letter of introduction, the provincial party committee where Yuxian City is located urged me to take office quickly.

  I think this might have something to do with the position I hold.

  The mayor of a city, the head of government, faces practical problems. The operation of the economy, workers' wages, urban management, social security... one is more urgent than the other. How many documents are waiting for your signature, how many things are waiting for your handling, how many meetings are waiting for your participation... If no one is in charge for a day, problems will pile up.

  This is not like those who serve as deputies or assistants; even if they don't go for a year, it won't affect the overall situation.

  After the minister talked to me, I didn't even have time to attend the farewell dinner party, and immediately set off on my new assignment in the snowy weather with my files.

  Two

  Snowflakes fell from the gloomy sky, scattered and fluttering down. A gentle breeze blew, and the snowflakes spread out lightly and widely. In just a few days, the vast land was buried under a thick blanket of snow. After the storm passed, the weather cleared up a bit. The azure sky appeared with the long-awaited sun. Under its pale light, the world finally felt a faint glimmer of hope and warmth.

  However, in just a few days, the stormy weather arrived, and the cold current came. Then, large areas of dark clouds flashed by to reinforce, and under the heavy black sky, snowflakes flew again, and the jade dragon descended once more. But in the midst of the wind's frantic spinning, the snowflakes had not yet fallen when they were torn apart into powder, causing people to lose the poetic beauty of "snow flying like cotton" at the beginning of winter. On the ground, the layer of snow grew deeper and deeper, and a hard layer of ice formed early on. When people stepped on it, they no longer felt the soft and moist sensation that came with the arrival of the first snows of winter. The harsh cold wind ruthlessly swept across their usually well-cared-for delicate faces, making people feel even more strongly the severity and majesty of winter.

  Whenever people meet, they say: Ah, it's so cold! Winter has really arrived!

  Former Mayor Qin Bo walked out of the government office building with a shovel for shoveling snow, swaying back and forth. The shovel was placed on the cold and hard ground, making a loud and piercing "ka ka" sound.

  The sound announced to people: The mayor participated in snow removal personally.

  The secretary-general opened the warehouse door, and the cadres rushed in, grabbing those lightest snow removal tools first.

  The old mayor of the city, who was about to step down, picked up his gear, and the department- and section-level cadres couldn't bear to hide in their rooms chatting idly anymore.

  But this old heaven is quite good, every day it rains and sweeps, the broom is tired and sore. Let these office white-collar bookworms eat their fill!

  The snow has stopped, and the clouds in the sky have been blown away by the wind. The cold sun is shining down on the earth, casting a light that feels devoid of warmth. The ground covered with ice and snow is hard and slippery, stubbornly resisting the impact of metal objects. Perhaps it's because they've spent too long in the dull office, but coming to this icy landscape has an especially stimulating effect - the bureaucrats feel their blood flowing faster, their nerves more sensitive. After a brief silence, one by one, the chatterboxes opened up:

  "We Northerners, as soon as winter comes, we have to shovel snow, it's such a pain!"

  "Yes, it would be great if we had a snow blower. I heard foreigners use that thing in cities!"

  "What foreign things, our province has a lot. The day before yesterday I went to the provincial capital, people used snow blowers to clear snow automatically, as soon as the throttle was opened, whoosh... it was fast and convenient..."

  Changbai City also bought one.

  "Linhai City also has some, said to be sent by foreign businessmen."

  "We should also buy one in this city we're living in..."

  "If we had that thing, we wouldn't have to suffer this foreign punishment."

  "Still want to buy a snow blower? Screw it!" A deep male voice took over, passionately uttering a complaint, "Next month's salary, who knows if I can even afford to turn it on..."

  What? This is like a heavy hammer, heavily smashing people's hearts.

  Really? Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at him in unison.

  Under everyone's gaze, the cadre who was supposed to speak tightly closed his lips and lowered his head in fear.

  He saw the severe eyes of the old mayor.

  Two

  Another icy river passed, and another one came. The water that had been splashed onto the wheels of the car froze into ice, and the car slid on the frozen road with a loud screeching sound. The driver got out of the car from time to time to knock off the ice, trying his best to increase the safety factor of driving.

  Speed is just an afterthought. On this road, it's a blessing if there isn't an accident.

  The Secretary-General secretly congratulated himself: Fortunately, he brought this new imported "Desert Storm" Grand Jeep. If he had taken that broken "Audi"

  It's strange if they don't throw them out in the cold.

  The car roared and swayed, advancing in a three-step slide. The secretary general gripped the handrail tightly, straightened his tilted sunglasses, and occasionally peeked through the rearview mirror to steal glances at the new mayor who had just gotten on board.

  Why did the new mayor take this country road? This made him puzzled: if he took the highway from the provincial capital to Jizhou, he would be home in an hour. The municipal party committee, people's congress, and CPPCC were waiting to welcome the new mayor. Although this country road was quiet, it had to bypass the city limits and take a section of the highway to Changbai City. Moreover, the road conditions were too poor. At this speed, the welcoming banquet would have to be postponed until evening.

  Isn't it that you're tired of everything in the bustling circle of the capital and want to come to this desolate mountain wilderness to seek stimulation?

  The car rattled and shook, the scenery outside the window dancing in front of my eyes. The continuous snowstorm had finally passed... The sky was clear, with a bright yellow sun hanging high up in the air, shining through the dense cold air at the horizon with a faint light. In this not-so-clear light, the messy mountains and waters by the roadside and the vast white land in the distance flashed into view.

  Suddenly, a black dot flashed in the empty field: A small animal sprang up. It first looked towards the car with some horror, and then ran wildly for its life.

  Ah, the Secretary-General suddenly had an inspiration: it would be great to bring a hunting rifle. The snow has just cleared, and it's a perfect opportunity to hunt mountain rabbits. This tall and handsome young mayor in the back seat of the car might also be a skilled hunter!

  "Please stop for a moment." The instruction came from the back seat.

  "Ah, okay, Secretary-General hastily returned from a daze of fantasy to reality, "Little Zhang, stop the car."

  The driver tightened the brakes, but the vehicle still slid forward a distance due to inertia.

  "Mayor Yu, you..." The secretary general turned his head in confusion.

  "Wait for a moment, I'll go up the mountain."

  "Go up the mountain?"

  The secretary-general had not yet reacted when the mayor got off the car and strode up the mountain slope.

  "What's this mayor doing going up the mountain? Taking a dump? Peeing? Running all that way?"

  "What's wrong with you? What mountain is this, do you know?" The driver picked up the conversation and asked him.

  "What mountain?"

  Yu Jia Ling

  Yu Jia Ling?

  "Yu Jia Ling, also called Yu Jia Ling," the driver told him. "There is a piece of land on the mountain that is the old ancestral tomb of the Yu family."

  "Yu's family? Ah... I see. The famous prime minister of Later Jin." The secretary suddenly realized, "It seems that the new mayor has an extraordinary background!"

  "How's that? Convinced now?" The driver stretched his waist, not forgetting to scold this superior of his, "This is called 'returning home in glory and honoring one's ancestors first'; unlike some people who become low-ranking officials and don't even recognize their own fathers."

  "Fart, fart!" The Secretary-General retorted to his subordinate, casually slipping out a questioning sentence: "I say, Little Zhang, can such a young mayor hold up the sky of Jixian?"

  The car owner ignored him, and when he asked questions, others turned around and looked towards Yu Jia Ling.

  This kid, what is he looking at? He muttered to himself and imitated the other person's appearance, pretending to look up at the mountain.

  On the mountain, there is indeed nothing. Under the vast sky, a faint flash of sunlight exposed the accumulated snow and trees on the mountain slope in plain sight. There is a narrow stone staircase between the mountains. The stone steps have been damaged and are difficult to climb. On the top of the mountain, a vertical monument can be vaguely seen, standing alone among the branches of a tree that has shed its leaves. The mountain wind suddenly picked up, and snowflakes filled the air. The mayor, who was struggling to climb, was wrapped in the vast expanse of wind and snow, and his normally large figure now seemed so small, so insignificant. Alas, in this desolate land and sky, this solitary mountain seems so barren, so bleak, and so lonely!

  It's meaningless! The secretary-general rubbed his hands together, shook his head, and with a hiss of cold air, retreated into the car.