Chapter 3: The Official's Small Framework is Grand

"Which department do you work in at the planning bureau?" Zhu Yuejin asked lightly as he took the cigarette that Lin Yuanfang handed him.

Lin Yuanfang works in the Planning Management Department of the Planning Bureau, responsible for planning approvals. At that time, he heard from a classmate that Hou Jianjun was his cousin, and he casually helped him with a task. Afterward, they had a drink together, but he couldn't recall where Hou Jianjun was from. However, he still nodded and said, "Yes, I remember now." He glanced at the bamboo curtain not far away, just about to ask if Director Wang of the Fangzhuang Village Committee was inside, when Hou Jianjun's gaze fell on Lin Yuanli behind him. However, he still nodded and said, "Yes, I remember now." He glanced at the bamboo curtain not far away, just about to ask if Director Wang of the Fangzhuang Village Committee was inside, when Hou Jianjun's gaze fell on Lin Yuanli behind him.

"Hehe, it's all last year's business, why keep bringing it up? Come on, everyone, have a smoke." Lin Yuanfang began distributing Hongta Mountain cigarettes, starting with the man with the square face.

"Yes, the Planning Bureau," Hou Jianjun said from the side. "Village Chief, didn't I tell you last time? The two-story building I constructed in Chengguan Town was approved with the help of Comrade Lin!"

Zhu Yuejin only transitioned from the military back to Mangnan County last year, and two months ago he was appointed as the deputy township head of Mangnan County. A few days ago, his sister, who is from Chengguan Town, wanted to renovate her house into a three-story building, but the planning bureau had not approved it for a while. Therefore, she sought Zhu Yuejin's assistance. Zhu Yuejin was still contemplating whom to ask for help when he unexpectedly encountered Lin Yuanfang today

Hou Jianjun is also a well-known capable person in Fangzhuang Village. Not only has he built five large tiled houses at home, but he has also constructed a two-story small western-style building in the county town. When people in the village mention Hou Jianjun, they are envious to the extreme. Lin Yuanli did not expect that such a capable person as Hou Jianjun would rush over to curry favor with his younger brother. For a moment, he felt quite proud and blurted out: "He is my biological brother; how could I not be with him?"

Lin Yuanli squinted and looked under the greenhouse at the picture book, saying: "Not at all, he usually drinks inside." A bamboo curtain hung at the entrance of the cafeteria, dividing the room and the greenhouse into two worlds.

"Planning Technology Department," Lin Yuanfang said

I am Lin Yuanli's younger brother. Today, I came to visit her, and to my surprise, as soon as I entered the house, I saw a group of people carrying grain and leading pigs. When I inquired, they said they were from the debt clearance team. Lin Yuanfang said: "So I came to ask Director Wang what exactly is going on"

Wang Fushun was speaking passionately when he saw Hou Jianjun leading in a young man around twenty-four or twenty-five years old. He couldn't help but frown, tapping the table with his hand and saying: "Hou San, didn't you see what kind of occasion this is? Bringing people in randomly!"

Wang Fushun had been observing Zhu Yuejin's expression. Seeing that Zhu Yuejin did not show any particular reaction towards Lin Yuanfang, he felt reassured. While smoking, he asked Lin Yuanfang: "So, what brings you here?"

While speaking, Wang Fushun glanced over at the square-faced man, fearing that he might be displeased. However, the square-faced man seemed to hear nothing, not even lifting his eyelids, as he leisurely focused on picking his teeth.

"Planning Bureau?" Wang Fushun asked, taking the Hongta Mountain cigarette that Lin Yuanfang handed over, puzzled. He did not recall any connection between the village and the Planning Bureau

Ah, this matter is quite troublesome! I didn't even know about such a close relationship! Hou Jianjun shook his head repeatedly: "It should be dealt with! Yuan Li, this is like we are not strangers anymore. In the future, if there is anything at home, just let me know. Don't always make Comrade Lin run back and forth!"

"You... be careful." Lin Yuanli said, gripping Lin Yuanfang's arm. Wang Fushun is the local tyrant of Fangzhuang Village, who usually flaunts his power. Lin Yuanli is genuinely worried that her brother will suffer losses.

Lin Yuanfang nodded, entered the greenhouse, and led Lin Yuanli towards the bamboo curtain. At that moment, a person standing by a table in the greenhouse called out to Lin Yuanfang: "Oh, isn't this Comrade Lin?"

Lin Yuanfang was quite surprised that this bald man was the village chief. In his view, a square face was evidently more imposing. He took out a Hongta Mountain cigarette and said with a smile, "Director Wang, right? Hello! I am Lin Yuanfang from the Planning Bureau. Here, have a cigarette." Saying this, he handed a cigarette to Wang Fushun

With Lin Yuanli leading the way, Lin Yuanfang quickly found the cafeteria. It was a standalone red brick and tile building located by the roadside, with the words "Fangzhuang Cafeteria" painted in large red characters on the front. Outside the cafeteria, there was a shed made of asbestos tiles, under which several tables were set up, with a few groups of people energetically playing games and shouting.

Wang Fushun wondered to himself why he had never heard that Liu Chengwen had a brother-in-law working as an official in the county. He then feigned ignorance to the accountant of the village committee, asking, "Is that true?"

The so-called canteen is essentially a restaurant. In the rural areas of Mangnan County, people are accustomed to referring to restaurants as canteens, just as they habitually refer to the village committee director as the village head.

Zhu Yuejin let out a sound of "oh," leaned back in his chair to smoke, and fell silent. His eyes were fixed on the ceiling, but his mind was busy calculating. What a coincidence; I was just about to go to the planning bureau to find someone, and here comes a person from the planning bureau right in front of me, working in the Planning Technology Department. Let's see what this young man has come for.

What a ridiculous village chief! Hou Jianjun cursed inwardly. Having spent many years transporting goods between the city and the countryside, he had seen his fair share of scenes and was not like the average villager who would tremble at the sight of Wang Fushun, this local tyrant, and the bookish emperor's pretentiousness.

Oh! Wang Fushun nodded and then turned to glance at the square-faced man beside him. This square-faced man was none other than Zhu Yuejin, the deputy township head of Yushi Township, who had come to Fangzhuang Village today to inspect work and stayed for lunch. Wang Fushun had just shown a displeased expression towards Hou Jianjun, worried that Zhu Yuejin might be unhappy.

"Heh, Hongta Mountain? After all, it's for high-ranking officials; the cigarettes they smoke are premium. Today, I shall also partake in this luxury." Hou Jianjun pinched the 853 cigarette to his ear, reached out to take Lin Yuanfang's Hongta Mountain, sniffed it under his nose, and smiled as he said, "I am from Fangzhuang Village, have you forgotten?"

Yuan Li, how did you end up with Comrade Lin?

"Elder sister, you wait outside," Lin Yuanfang instructed Lin Yuanli before following Hou Jianjun inside. With Hou Jianjun leading the way, Lin Yuanfang felt it was better for his elder sister to wait outside. After all, Lin Yuanli was directly involved, and with her present, there were certain things Lin Yuanfang found difficult to discuss openly with Wang Fushun.

Under normal circumstances, Wang Fushun would not put on airs in front of Hou Jianjun, after all, Hou Jianjun is a well-known capable person and a wealthy household in the village, but today the situation is somewhat different

Ah? Lin is your younger brother? Yuanli, you really keep your mouth shut! You have a younger brother who is a high-ranking official in the Planning Bureau, and you didn't even mention it to us. Are you afraid we might benefit from your connections?" Hou Jianjun was genuinely surprised, as he did not expect that Liu Chengwen, a straightforward man who couldn't even kick up a fuss, had a younger brother working as an official in the Planning Bureau

The person in front of me, Hou Jianjun, is the cousin of Lin Yuanfang's high school classmate and also hails from Fangzhuang Village. It is worth mentioning that Hou Jianjun is quite capable; he purchased a small four-wheeled tractor for transportation and has saved up some money. Last year, he built a two-story small building in Chengguan Town. At that time, the construction planning permit was obtained with the help of that high school classmate, who took him to the planning bureau to seek approval from Lin Yuanfang.

Lin Yuanfang followed behind Hou Jianjun, his gaze landing on the square-faced man, mistakenly believing that the square-faced man was Wang Fushun, the director of the Fangzhuang Village Committee. However, he did not expect that Hou Jianjun would approach the bald man and say with a smile: "Village head, sorry to bother you"

Rest assured! Lin Yuanfang gently patted his elder sister's hand and turned to go inside

This person suddenly ran out, took out a pack of 853 cigarettes, handed one to Lin Yuanfang, and said with a grin: "Why is a high-ranking official from the planning bureau not at work and running over here?"

Upon hearing the words "Planning Bureau," the man with a square face paused his toothpicking, casually lifted his gaze to glance at Lin Yuanfang, and then lowered his eyelids again, focusing intently on his toothpicking.

Then let me thank you on behalf of my sister!" Lin Yuanfang shook Hou Jianjun's hand and asked, "Is your village head Wang inside?"

Ah, I said we are on the same side, why be so polite? Are you looking for Village Chief Wang? I will take you there! Hou Jianjun was extremely excited when Lin Yuanfang shook his hand. He had personally witnessed Lin Yuanfang's capabilities. When he built a two-story building in Chengguan Town, he faced numerous restrictions on construction. The bricks and tiles he had transported were left exposed to the elements on the ground for over half a year. Later, his cousin took him to the planning bureau to find Lin Yuanfang, who simply said a word of assistance. Within a few days, all the necessary procedures were completed, and his two-story villa was rapidly constructed. He had indeed seen Lin Yuanfang's abilities firsthand. After all, he was a significant official in the county, truly remarkable! At this moment, hearing that Lin Yuanfang was looking for Village Chief Wang, how could he not eagerly lead the way?

Village Chief, I am not someone who takes people in a haphazard manner! Hou Jianjun subtly pushed back against Wang Fushun, pointing at Lin Yuanfang and said: "This is a senior official from our county's Planning Bureau, Lin Yuanfang."

"Lao Hou, is that you? What are you doing here?" Lin Yuanfang did not accept the 853 that Lao Hou offered. He waved his hand, took out a pack of Hongta Mountain from his pocket, handed one to Lao Hou, and said, "The 853 is too strong for me. Try this one instead."

Lin Yuanli's face was even more radiant, as her family was poor, and she had often faced disdain in the village. ... Unexpectedly, once her younger brother arrived, even the capable Hou Jianjun rushed over to establish a connection with them ...

So this is the situation, huh? Wang Fushun seemed to finally understand the matter and said to Lin Yuanfang, "Comrade Lin, you see, it was your brother-in-law who did not pay the withholding fees. Since you have come here today, let's do it this way. We will not impose any penalties; just have your brother-in-law make up the payment for the withholding fees." His tone was as if he were doing Lin Yuanfang a great favor.

Upon lifting the bamboo curtain, one enters the dining hall. The interior is spacious, furnished with four tables; three of them are unoccupied, while at the table by the window sit five individuals. The person in the center appears to be under forty, with a square face and a relaxed demeanor, leaning back in his chair, holding a toothpick to clean his teeth. To his left sits a bald, robust man who looks to be in his fifties, quietly conversing with the square-faced man. The square-faced man wears a slight smile, nodding gently while continuing to use the toothpick.

Lin Yuanfang inquired: "Which one is your village chief"

The village committee's accountant naturally understood what to say at this moment, "Ah? This matter? Yes, yes." He nodded repeatedly and said, "Liu Chengwen's contribution has not been paid, and it has already passed the final payment deadline set by the village committee. The debt collection team should be taking enforcement measures."