Yuan Jinpeng was lying on the bed and couldn't sleep. Thoughts are like wild horses that have escaped from the wild, galloping wildly across the boundless wilderness. The money must not be collected, but how to return it? There is no need for Feng Shida to send money, what is his purpose? Do you try to return it to Feng Shida, or hand it over to the County Commission for Discipline Inspection? Will Feng Shida take it back? Is it appropriate to hand it over to the county discipline inspection commission? It's not easy for gift-givers. Feng Shida's shot was so generous, which surprised Yuan Jinpeng a little. Among his peers, he has seen some of the world, but he is a pure layman when it comes to bribery and gift-giving. A few years ago, when he was changing careers, he spent a lot of effort looking for Zheng Aihua. Looking at it now, compared with others, he is too petty and childish, so that there are twists and turns.

The first time he went to Zheng Aihua's house, he made full preparations. I went to the mountains early to buy high-quality dried shiitake mushrooms and dried fungus, and then went to the county department store to buy "Fenjiu" and "Hongtashan" cigarettes. Next, find out the specific location of Zheng Aihua's house. Zheng Aihua lives in the easternmost part of Building No. 1 of the county government dormitory, with two floors up and down, with a large courtyard in front and back, and a small door is opened next to the east path and the fence is opened.

In the early autumn nights, it is still very hot, and the streets are crowded with people shopping and enjoying the shade. He carried a huge plastic bag and wandered near the "county magistrate's building". Because people kept coming in and out of Zheng Aihua's house, he could only wait for the opportunity nearby. This small road connects the county government dormitory area and the main street, and it is very crowded with people. He was like a thorn in the back, and he felt that every passerby was staring at him, a sloppy man. But he can't go far, he can't see the small door, how to grasp the timing of the door. You can't just have a few gift-givers together, right? Embarrassing aside, the point is to mess things up.

At about nine o'clock, Yuan Jinpeng saw the empty-handed middle-aged man who had just gone in come out, and hurriedly went over and knocked on the door. After a sound of light footsteps, the door opened softly.

A seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl looked Yuan Jinpeng up and down: "Who are you looking for?" ”

Yuan Jinpeng said: "I'm looking for County Magistrate Zheng. ”

The little girl frowned: "The county magistrate is not at home." ”

As Yang Dazhong expected, Yuan Jinpeng said: "Director Yang Dazhong and County Magistrate Zheng have called, or I will talk to Dr. Lan." ”

After hearing this, the little girl turned her head and shouted inside, "Aunt Lan, someone is looking for you." ”

Dr. Lan is the wife of Zheng Aihua and works as an internist at the County People's Hospital. Yuan Jinpeng has heard of his name for a long time, but he has never seen it.

A few minutes later, a tall middle-aged woman walked over: "Who?" ”

Yuan Jinpeng was cautious: "Doctor Lan, I am Xiao Yuan of Xiangyang Town, and Director Yang Dazhong entrusted me to bring a little souvenir over." ”

Dr. Lan said, "Oh, Dazhong's there, that's so polite! We have received the heart, you can take the things back. ”

Yuan Jinpeng took a step forward and squeezed into the door, and said earnestly: "Doctor Lan, you must accept it!" Otherwise, Director Yang would have to scold me to death. ”

Doctor Lan smiled and walked inside: "Alas, Dazhong is so polite every time! ”

Dr. Lan did not let him into the living room, but took him to a row of bungalows across from the living room. He glanced into the living room, which was brightly lit, and Zheng Aihua and a few people were sitting around drinking tea.

Dr. Lan turned on the light in the pantry, and the room was filled with gifts. On the left is local specialties, such as mushrooms, fungus, dried bamboo shoots, tea, wild honey, ......, and on the right is liquor, Moutai, Wuliangye, Luzhou Laojiao, Fenjiu, Xifeng Liquor, Langjiu, Dong Liquor, Drunkard Liquor ....... There were also six or seven large plastic bags stacked on the table at the door, and the cigarettes and alcohol inside could be faintly seen. Most of the cigarettes are whole Chinese brands, and there is only one plastic bag with "Hongta Mountain". Dr. Lan pointed to the table, "Put it here." ”

Walking to the street, Yuan Jinpeng felt bad. Without meeting Zheng Aihua, Dr. Lan probably didn't even know his surname, at best, Yang Dazhong sent someone to send souvenirs. What's more, compared with others, his gifts seem to be picky. He felt the need to meet Zheng Aihua and maybe leave some impressions.

At less than eight o'clock the next day, Yuan Jinpeng rushed to the county government. Before it was time to go to work, he could only stand under the plane tree at the entrance of the office building. Yang Da advised him that the county magistrate was very busy, and he only had a little leisure around eight o'clock in the morning. Sure enough, when it was almost eight o'clock, Zheng Aihua's burly figure appeared, and his house was only thirty or forty meters away from the office building. It is estimated that Zheng Aihua arrived at the office, and Yuan Jinpeng slowly walked upstairs. Take a deep breath and exhale it slowly; Take another deep breath and exhale it slowly, which is his usual way of relieving tension.

When he arrived at the door of Zheng Aihua's office, he knocked lightly on the office door.

"Please come in!" A majestic baritone voice came from the office inside.

Yuan Jinpeng followed the sound in, and just stepped into the office inside, only to hear a broken shout: "Where?!" ”

Yuan Jinpeng was taken aback, what a big official! Quickly repaired the situation, stepped forward, and said nervously: "County Magistrate Zheng, I am Xiao Yuan, the clerk of Xiangyang Town, please take care of the transfer!" ”

"Let's wait for the next meeting to study it!" Zheng Aihua has big ears, his voice is like a bell, and his face is stern.

Yuan Jinpeng's brain "buzzed", he didn't know how to answer, and stood there dumbfounded.

Zheng Aihua's face was expressionless: "Is there anything else?" ”

Yuan Jinpeng shook his head and went out stupidly.

Walking downstairs, Yuan Jinpeng came to his senses. Nest fire! How many times have you grabbed your hands and feet, served tea and poured water for you in Xiangyang Town, why is it like you haven't seen me? This official is well placed, right? I didn't have any interest myself, and before I could say a word, I was kicked out. Isn't it just a seven-grade sesame official, what are you afraid of? Back in Xiangyang Town, Yang Dazhong comforted him, don't worry, be cheeky and look for it a few more times, there is no river that can't be crossed, and there is no mountain that can't be climbed.

Half a month later, the executive meeting of the county government was held as scheduled, but there was no study of personnel transfers, and people did not take him seriously. Yuan Jinpeng couldn't hold it back. Where do you start? Zheng Aihua has strong work ability, but he is also notorious for being greedy for money and lustful. His peachy news has been filling the streets and alleys of the county town all these years. Some people exaggerate that one or two of the ten beautiful women who walked by on the street had a leg with him. Of course, Zheng Aihua is very righteous and does things for his lovers. As a result, this has become his golden signboard, and there are countless women who are close to him like carp crossing the river. And a more popular saying is that Zheng Aihua collects money to do things, and the money is in place, and he is determined to do things. It seems that the matter has come to this point, and it is impossible to pass the test without bleeding. He has to make a choice, either to return to Xiangyang Town Middle School to teach, or to spend money to get through. He once conceited that if he couldn't be transferred, he could still change his fate by going to graduate school, but the repeated encounters in the process of changing careers made him feel a sense of frustration of being despised and insulted. This only motivates him to work harder no matter what. He clearly realized that as long as the money was sent in, Zheng Aihua would definitely sell Yang Dazhong's affection. The question is, how can you get the money in without embarrassment and rejection. How much money to send is appropriate, and it can be decided. According to the market, maybe three or four thousand yuan will be sent. But he wasn't prepared to send that much, and a thousand yuan was the maximum amount he was willing to compromise. After all, Zheng Aihua promised Yang Dazhong, and besides, this is not a small number, it is his salary income for most of the year. Rather than borrowing money and bribes, he would rather stop fighting. In terms of the way of sending money, he seriously considered that it was unrealistic to give it to Zheng Aihua face-to-face, and it was also difficult to give it directly to Dr. Lan, so he could only find a way to ask the little girl from the Zheng family to help transfer it.

When Yuan Jinpeng arrived at the door of Zheng Aihua's house, it was more than four o'clock in the afternoon. It was an ideal time for Cheng Aihua and Dr. Lan to go to work, and there was enough reason for the little girl to hand it over. There are very few people who come to Zheng Aihua's house during the day, so he doesn't have to wait in line like last time, just knock on the door.

The little door opened, and the little girl poked her head out: "Who are you looking for?" ”

Yuan Jinpeng set almost: "Xiao Yu, don't you know me?" Last month, I was here to deliver souvenirs to Dr. Lan. ”

The little girl was a little surprised when she heard Yuan Jinpeng call her Xiao Yu, and smiled shyly: "I'm sorry, I'm a little impressed when you say it." Are you looking for a county magistrate? ”

Yuan Jinpeng smiled: "Is County Magistrate Zheng here?" Dr. Lan can do the same. ”

The little girl shook her hand: "The county magistrate is in Qingchuan for a meeting, and Dr. Lan is at work, or you can go to the hospital to find it." ”

Yuan Jinpeng pretended to think about it, took out an envelope, and handed it to the little girl: "Forget it, anyway, it's a letter from Director Yang to County Magistrate Zheng, please pass it on." ”

The little girl stretched out her hand and immediately retracted it: "Is it really a letter?" Otherwise, I'll be scolded. ”

Yuan Jinpeng looked sincere: "Xiao Yu, my name is Yuan Jinpeng, and I am Director Yang's clerk." If you really get scolded, you can settle accounts with me. ”

The little girl hesitated for a moment and took the envelope.

This time, it seems to be very smooth, at least in the way Yuan Jinpeng designed it. Sending out the heavy envelope, he suddenly remembered the empty-handed middle-aged man who cut in line last time, and suddenly realized. It seems that picking up cigarettes and drinking is only the most basic stage of gift-giving! In the envelope were a letter and ten 1990 100 bills. In the letter, he introduced his basic situation and experience, and said that he would be grateful to Dade for Zheng Aihua's help and remember it for the rest of his life.

On the way back, Yuan Jinpeng was not happy because of the smooth work, but was stunned. He felt that the bottom line he once adhered to had moved down, and the "arrogance" he was proud of had disappeared. He did not spare the 1,000 yuan, but he was sad that he had compromised with the power and money trade. Zheng Aihua "is a husband and a wife", if you want to change your career, you have to follow his rules, what can you do if you don't back down and don't compromise? He really didn't know if he was adapting to his living environment or if he was falling. He made up his mind, success or failure, this is the last effort. There are thousands of paths in life, if you can't do it, go all out to go to graduate school, it's not a greater hope.

Ten days later, Yang Dazhong reported to Zheng Aihua and mentioned Yuan Jinpeng's transfer again. Zheng Aihua said briskly that when researchers are reversing, they will give priority to the needs of Xiangyang Town. After more than 20 days, the county government's copy slip arrived belatedly and reached the county labor and personnel bureau and Xiangyang Town. After the Labor and Personnel Bureau signed and sealed, the transfer form was forwarded to the Organization Department of the county party committee. Yang Dazhong said, Minister Guan is a real person, you don't have to run, I'll call him. Yuan Jinpeng said, if it weren't for your help, I wouldn't have been able to break my leg. These are the words from his heart. He deeply felt how difficult it is for an ordinary person to do something. In this deep-rooted official-oriented society, there are not one or two relatives and friends who are officials, just like a small tree without roots, which may be blown down by a gust of wind at any time. A few days later, he received a call from the organization department of the county party committee. He put down what he was doing and rushed to the county seat, and completed the administrative, salary, and organizational transfer procedures in one go. After more than a year of changing careers, the dust has finally settled.

In the evening, Yuan Jinpeng went to the department store to buy two bottles of "Lang Wine" and two "Ashima" cigarettes, and went straight to Guan Chong's home. Guan Chong lives in a two-story small building behind the compound of the county party committee, and next door lives Liu Jinzhong, deputy secretary of the county party committee, which is also a two-story building with a courtyard in the front and back.

However, no one came to open the door for most of the day when the doorbell was pressed. Just as he was wondering, someone opened the door: "Who are you looking for?" ”

Yuan Jinpeng took a step forward: "I am Xiao Yuan, the clerk of Xiangyang Town, looking for the minister in charge." ”

The middle-aged woman who opened the door said, "Oh, you go and sit in the living room for a while, and the pipe is in the shower." ”

Guan Chong's living room is not big, only about 20 square meters, with a circle of sofas, a long coffee table in front of the sofa, and a slightly old color TV on the cabinet a little farther away, which is playing TV series. The middle-aged woman poured him a cup of tea and pushed the fruit bowl to his side, making him feel warm.

After a few minutes, Guan Chong came out of the room inside, looked Yuan Jinpeng up and down, and then looked at the plastic bag at Yuan Jinpeng's feet: "Which unit are you, what are you looking for me?" ”

Yuan Jinpeng hurriedly stood up: "Minister Guan, I am Xiao Yuan, the clerk of Xiangyang Town, and I am here to thank you." ”

Minister Guan's expression relaxed: "Oh, no thanks, we will approve it if the conditions are met." Director Dazhong admires you very much, do a good job. ”

Yuan Jinpeng picked up the gift: "Minister Guan, thank you!" That's a little bit of my heart. ”

Minister Guan pushed back: "Xiao Yuan, young people don't learn this." Don't make the relationship too vulgar! ”

Guan Chong's voice was fierce, Yuan Jinpeng's brain was blank, his face was flushed, like a child who had done something wrong: "Minister Guan, this is a little bit of my mind, and there is absolutely no other meaning." ”

Guan Chong looked at Yuan Jinpeng with a pitiful look, and was moved by compassion: "Young people should focus on their work, not elsewhere. Either way, I'll take you a bottle of wine, and you can take the rest back to honor your parents. Also, bring me a pack of shiitake mushrooms for your parents. After speaking, he went to the next room and took a bag of dried shiitake mushrooms and stuffed them into Yuan Jinpeng's plastic bag, took out a bottle of "Fenjiu", and put it on the coffee table.

Guan Chong sent Yuan Jinpeng out of the yard: "Young man, do a good job." Say hello to Director Dazhong on my behalf. ”

Yuan Jinpeng carried the gift bag and went out in a daze. It took a while to come to my senses. It seems that Guan Chong is really a very decent person, receiving a bottle of wine and giving a bag of mushrooms, how humane!

This transfer, after several twists and turns, finally achieved positive results. Yuan Jinpeng saw the world and also reflected. I suspect that I may not have the gray ability to survive in the workplace, such as slapping the horse and watching the wind steer. As a teacher, life is monotonous and social status is not high, but you can generally live according to your own wishes, without having to look at other people's faces, and you will not be condemned by your own conscience. He didn't know if he had chosen the right path, and remembered the words left by his classmates in his graduation guest book: Huma, Huma, far away under Yanzhi Mountain, running sand and snow alone, looking east and west to look at the road lost, lost, lost, and the grass is endless at sunset.

The experience of changing careers and changing jobs had a deep impact on Yuan Jinpeng, so much so that he often couldn't help but think of the experience of waiting and suffering. In recent years, people often come to the door with gifts, and he will always see his shadow in them. After thinking about it again and again, he felt that it was a good policy to hand over the money sent by Feng Shida to the County Commission for Discipline Inspection, and who was willing to give away his money, wasn't it all forced?