Chapter 39: Attending the Feast at Hongmen

Zhang Jun thought to himself, "Why must I give you face? Just because you invite me to dinner, do I have to go?"

He recalled a past incident. When his family was building their brick house, a dispute arose with a neighbor. Both sides insisted they owned a small strip of the homestead, and neither would yield. The village mediation failed, and the matter even reached the town level. At the time, Zhao Yinglong was the town mayor. After a cursory glance at the village committee’s records, he ruled that the land belonged to the neighbor.

Zhang Jun was young and naive then, but he later learned that the neighbor's eldest daughter had married a distant nephew of Zhao Yinglong. Their families were connected, which was why his family lost the land. Recalling these old grievances, Zhang Jun had even less respect for Zhao Yinglong. However, one cannot show resentment on one's face. Now, Zhao Yinglong was representing the county committee and the county government to invite him.

Zhang Jun spoke politely, "I’m on vacation to visit my parents. I’ll be staying for a few days before returning to the provincial capital, so I cannot let you go to such trouble, Director Zhao."

Zhao Yinglong chuckled, "Secretary Zhang, you are too modest. You are the golden phoenix that flew out of our county! A graduate of a prestigious university and the personal secretary to Governor Ma. I am here representing Secretary Jin and County Magistrate Bao to extend a sincere invitation for you to join us. They are currently out of town but are on their way back."

Zhang Jun thought, "You are only here because you saw me arrive in Governor Ma’s official car. You don't know the inside story, so you're scared and trying to curry favor." Perhaps they even had greater matters to ask of him. However, since they mentioned Secretary Jin and County Magistrate Bao, Zhang Jun couldn't refuse again without offending the local officials. If he declined, they would surely visit the Zhang household at night.

After a moment of hesitation, he replied, "Very well. It is hard to refuse such kindness. I will trouble you then."

Zhao Yinglong stood up and said, "We will see you tonight; I will send someone to pick you up. Please, enjoy your meal; we won't disturb you further."

Zhang Jun saw them off and watched their cars drive away. Liu Yujie stood beside him, clutching his arm, and laughed, "Returning home in such style—you’ve certainly returned with glory! Will you be taking me to the banquet tonight?"

Zhang Jun looked toward the distant mountains, breathing in the fresh country air, and said, "Come with me. With you by my side, if they try any 'honey trap' schemes, I can decline them quite naturally."

"Oh? A dinner in this small place might involve a honey trap? Surely not?" Liu Yujie giggled. "That makes even more reason for me to go!"

Zhang Jun mused that this homecoming banquet was likely a trap in itself. None of the people in the county were simple; if they were inviting him to dinner, they had an agenda, and he had to be extremely careful.

Zhang Jun had a sudden thought and said to his wife, "If they try to push drinks on me, just say I’m not well and can't drink. You’re a nurse and my wife; they will believe you, or at least they’ll have to listen!"

"Understood, I know what to say."

During this visit, Liu Yujie acted like a dutiful, gentle, and virtuous new bride, more considerate than any other wife in the world. Zhang Jun sighed to himself: It is good to have power! He had only just brushed against the edges of power, yet it had already changed everything around him.

After lunch, Zhang Jun arranged a room for their driver, Master Wu. Liu Yujie no longer complained about the smell of the outdoor toilet or the hardness of the bed; during their midday rest, she was quite proactive in showing him affection.

In the afternoon, a steady stream of relatives came to visit, all eager to flatter him once they heard he had become a high-ranking official. Zhang Jun specifically warned his parents not to agree to help anyone with anything unless they had his approval. Others saw him as a high official, but only he knew he hadn't even touched the fringes of true power. As a mere section chief, if he lost the protection of Ma Hongqi, what was he?

At five o'clock, Zhao Yinglong sent his secretary to pick them up. Zhang Jun and Liu Yujie traveled in Governor Ma’s official car. Although the County Guest House wasn't as grand as the provincial one, it was quiet and shaded by trees. Secretary Jin Jianjun, Magistrate Bao Laishun, and Executive Deputy Magistrate Zhao Yinglong were all waiting at the entrance.

By rank, Zhang Jun didn't deserve such a high-level reception. But because he arrived in Governor Ma’s car, he represented the Governor inspecting work, and these leaders were showing respect to Ma Hongqi.

Zhang Jun shook hands with everyone, saying, "I am overwhelmed that you all have come out to greet me!"

Jin Jianjun and the others understood that even if Zhang Jun was just a secretary, the fact that he could use the Governor’s car to visit home spoke for itself, so they treated him with great courtesy.

The banquet was held in a private room at the guest house. Secretary Jin insisted that Zhang Jun take the seat of honor. Zhang Jun naturally declined, asking the officials to take their seats before he and his wife sat in the guest chairs.

Jin Jianjun and the others showered Zhang Jun with endless flattery. As the meal progressed, the atmosphere grew more relaxed. When they tried to toast him, Liu Yujie intervened in her capacity as a nurse and wife: "Officials, Zhang Jun recently had a check-up at our hospital and was found to have a mild fatty liver. His doctor advised against alcohol, and I am here to supervise him. I hope you will excuse him."

Jin Jianjun and the others stopped pressing.

"Secretary Zhang, we have been to the provincial capital several times but never had the pleasure of seeing you. You are a very busy and popular man now," Jin Jianjun said, his face flushed with wine. "Is this trip purely to visit family, or do you have a political mission? No offense intended, but if there is anything we can assist with, just say the word!"

Zhang Jun put down his chopsticks gracefully and replied, "Secretary Jin, I do indeed have a matter to attend to, but as to what it is, I cannot say right now. I hope you will forgive me."

Coming down in an official car, he couldn't claim he had no official business, as that would damage Ma Hongqi’s reputation by suggesting a misuse of public property. Yet, he couldn't reveal his true intentions either. Remaining elusive and letting these shrewd people speculate—that was the true art of being an official.

Sure enough, Jin Jianjun and the others looked at each other, uncertain. Zhao Yinglong raised his glass to toast Zhang Jun, but remembering Liu Yujie’s words, he put it down and said, "If Secretary Zhang is on official business, is there anything we can help with? We can provide manpower or funding!"

Zhang Jun waved his hand. "Not for now. If I truly need help, I will certainly come to you."

Since he wouldn't reveal a thing, the county officials likely wouldn't sleep well that night. Each of them was thinking: Ma Hongqi had just cracked a major case in the provincial capital and arrested many people. Now, Zhang Jun had arrived mysteriously—who was he coming for?