Qi Tongwei: Sign-in relationship started during student days

Chapter 628 Withholding Security Fund

That night, the first snow that had been predicted arrived on time, shrouding several northern cities in a world of silver.

When the sky turned a little pale, the earth was already covered with pure white snowflakes, as if it was covered with a thick velvet carpet, hiding all the backwardness of the past.

Lao Huo, Yang Yuanbao and other laid-off workers lined up in an orderly manner at the street office early in the morning, and everyone put on the newly issued military coats tacitly.

From a distance, it looks like a long green dragon winding through the streets.

But today, there was something different. Somehow, a small market had formed here. Crowds of people, constant shouting, and a somewhat festive atmosphere.

With millions of dollars being distributed, small vendors are eager to get a piece of the pie.

At eight o'clock, several police cars escorted an escort vehicle and drove into the courtyard of the street office on time, honking their horns, which again attracted cheers from the crowd.

Soon, the pot-bellied street office director Wu De appeared at the door with a dozen staff members who were there to maintain order.

Standing on the steps, Wu Dexian glanced at the crowd at the door with disdain, then he slowly took the megaphone and said loudly, "Okay, everyone, be quiet. I'll say a few words."

The noisy sound remains.

Wu De was very willing to deal with this group of "troublemakers". He was neither anxious nor annoyed. He just held up the loudspeaker, said nothing, and just looked at the people below.

Sure enough, the people below started to get anxious, “Stop talking, stop talking!”

"Don't delay collecting your money, don't say anything!"

Once their own interests are involved, people's obedience will be enhanced.

Seeing that the crowd had quieted down, Wu De shook the loudspeaker and spoke again, "We will soon be preparing to distribute the basic security fund.

This is the second time that Beishan City has issued basic security funds. The security funds are provided by the city to guarantee everyone's basic living expenses.

This money is hard-earned, so you should learn to be grateful and support the government... "

This lecture lasted for more than twenty minutes, which exhausted everyone's patience.

"Damn it! This guy is so wicked! It's so cold, and he makes us stand here and listen to him ramble on!"

"Yeah, it's fucking wicked!"

"He's not immoral, he's unethical! He has no morals!"

The insults from below were getting louder and louder, and Wu De's face suddenly darkened. "Whoever keeps on insulting me! Whoever keeps on insulting me! Do you still want to receive it? If not, get out!"

These words calmed the team's emotions again. Since food for the whole family for the next month was at stake, no one dared to confront the other directly.

"Damn it, he's just taking advantage of the power of others. This money is issued by the city. What right does he have to withhold it?" Yang Yuanbao spat behind his back.

Lao Huo soothed him, "Forget it. There's no point getting angry with this mad dog. He's talking up there, so we can just talk down below. Instead of spending this much time, why not think about what to eat for lunch today?"

When Yang Yuanbao heard about eating, he became excited. He said he was going to buy some vermicelli and pork, and stew a big pot with the rotten vegetable leaves picked up from the market.

Lao Huo smiled and said, "Okay, kid, you know how to save when you should save and spend when you should spend. You know how to be thrifty."

Yang Yuanbao grinned.

After talking for another ten minutes, Wu Decai waved his hand and asked the people below to let the people in to collect the money.

But soon, the crowd who were collecting the money started to riot.

"Why is it only one hundred and sixty yuan? Wasn't it two hundred and twenty yuan?"

"Yeah! How am I going to survive with sixty dollars less?"

Someone rushed out with money and questioned Wu De.

The team was immediately in an uproar. A quarter of the sixty was missing, which was enough for their entire family's food for a week.

Wu De glanced at the person who came, picked up the megaphone and started to curse at him, "What are you yelling about? This month there is only 160 yuan. If you don't want it, give it back to me!"

Everyone was furious because so much money was lost. They no longer listened to Wu De and started to clamor.

"If he doesn't want to receive it, then don't receive it. We'll go to the city and sue them. He must have embezzled it!"

"Yes! Sue him!"

...

Wu De was not panicked. He had anticipated this scenario: "Go ahead and sue! If the city sees you making such a fuss, you won't even get 220, let alone 160.

Besides, when did I say it wasn't 220? Look at your military coats, isn't it worth 60 yuan?

Everyone was stunned and looked at their military coats.

You know what, this piece of clothing would cost around fifty or sixty yuan at market price.

"We don't believe it. Didn't the newspaper advertise that it was given to us? You must have swallowed it."

Wu De sneered, "What are newspapers? They're just whitewashing the truth. You really believe them. Three or four hundred thousand military coats, just think how much money you have. The government takes care of your food and drink, and they also have to take care of your clothes. Can they handle it?"

I just said I was grateful, but was that all that talk? The government understands your difficulties, and I wonder why you don’t understand the government’s difficulties.”

Then he said nonchalantly, "If you don't believe me, then go find the mayor in the city. It just so happens that the provincial leaders haven't left yet. If you go and make some noise, you might even be able to get this good mayor to leave. Once someone else comes along, I don't think you'll get even the 160 yuan."

The group of people suddenly became frightened.

There is nothing wrong with what the other party said.

In any case, it's good enough that they can give out money. If this mayor is really removed and replaced by someone like the previous ones, not only will they not get a penny, but they will also have to collect money under various pretexts.

The crowd made a lot of noise for a while, and no one dared to raise the flag anymore.

Wu De added fuel to the fire, "I say, are you still going to claim it or not? If you don't want it, get out of the way and don't delay those who want to claim it. If you want to sue, do it quickly."

The crowd was noisy for a while, and in the end they could only queue up to get paid while cursing.

The Chinese people are like this. As long as they can get by, they will endure it.

Many people know that the money was probably embezzled by the officials below, but they don’t think they can defeat these corrupt officials. After all, the mayor is so busy that he can’t possibly see ordinary people like them.

Of course, if this is really the opinion from above, and they make a fuss, it might not even be possible to do this.

However, Lao Huo felt that their new mayor was not such a person, and shared this idea with Yang Yuanbao.

Yang Yuanbao curled his lips indifferently, "I think all crows are black, but our new mayor is not that black."

Lao Huo lowered his voice and said, "How about we send a letter of complaint to the city and see if it's possible that Wu De embezzled the sixty yuan."

Yang Yuanbao was shocked by the other party's idea, "Lao Huo, are you crazy? They say that the people should not fight against the officials. Even if it is not the city's intention, even if we sue Wu De, we will inevitably be retaliated by the other party.

You forgot, Wu De's brother-in-law is a notorious scoundrel, and we won't be enough for him to beat up when the time comes."

Lao Huo suppressed his anger and said, "Then we just let them embezzle our money. What about sixty? Are you not going to eat pork stewed with vermicelli?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuanbao's face turned bitter. "Eat, but eat less. Just cut off three or five taels of meat. As for vermicelli, weigh out some small amounts. At least it's a good meal."

"Hey, kid." Lao Huo was so shocked by the other party's appearance that he was unable to breathe. Finally, he sighed heavily.

……