Chapter 659 Liu Chuanjun Arrives
Director Song sat in front of the mottled wooden desk, his fingertips gently stroking the cracks on the edge of the desk, which were the marks left by the years.
Hearing Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo's praise for Liu Chuanjun, his originally calm face instantly rippled and his eyes sparkled with crystal light.
That is the recognition and emotion that comes after years of sedimentation.
He slowly straightened his back and narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he was looking through the office wall, traveling through the long river of time, and returning to the youthful years when he fought side by side with Liu Chuanjun.
"Jianguo, Shuzhuo, you are right about what you said."
Director Song's voice was deep and powerful, with a sense of heaviness that came from having experienced many vicissitudes of life.
"My brother is devoted to the country and the people, and he never has the slightest selfish motive."
"We have been together since we were young and just started working. At that time, the conditions were difficult and the salary was meager, but he never complained."
"I remember one winter when the commune wanted to build a bridge, but we were short of funds and materials, and the construction was about to be delayed."
"It was him. Without saying a word, he took out the money he had saved from his frugal life and ran around to mobilize the villagers in the town to donate money and materials."
"At that time, his wife had just given birth to a child and the family was in need of money, but he put all his energy into public affairs."
Director Song was lost in his memories, and a smile appeared unconsciously on the corner of his mouth:
"He is like a fire that never goes out, full of energy."
"As long as he believes that something is good for the country and the people, he will dare to take a chance even if there are mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead, and he will not hesitate even if it costs him his life."
"Once, there was a fire in the brick factory. The fire was so fierce that people were too scared to approach. But he rushed into the fire without hesitation and organized the workers to put out the fire."
"When the fire was out, his whole body was blackened by smoke and most of his hair was burnt, but he just smiled and said that as long as the factory was saved, this little injury was nothing."
At this point, Director Song sighed softly, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes:
"However, he also has a flaw, which is that he is too straightforward and easily impulsive. When he sees something unfair, he can't help but stand up and say a few words, regardless of the other party's identity or status."
"Once, when a superior came to inspect our work, a leader said something unrealistic, and he started arguing with the leader on the spot without giving him any face."
"As a result, after that inspection, he was treated badly and his original opportunity for promotion was ruined."
Director Song shook his head, his eyes full of regret:
"With his ability, it is impossible for him to be just a small factory manager. Over the years, I don't know how many people have advised him to change his temper and be more tactful, but he just won't listen."
"He always said: 'If I don't even dare to tell the truth and don't even dare to uphold justice, then am I still Liu Chuanjun?'"
"He is a very open-minded person. He often tells me that as long as you can do things for the people, it doesn't matter where you are."
"In his mind, the position and power are not important. What is important is to do something practical for the people."
Director Song stood up, walked to the window, looked out at the vast fields, and said firmly:
"So, with his help, we will definitely be able to build this brick factory. He not only has skills and experience, but more importantly, he has a sincere heart to serve the people. With such a person around, what do we have to worry about?"
Director Song was vividly describing how Liu Chuanjun took the lead in rescue efforts during the brick factory fire, regardless of his own safety.
When he got excited, he waved his hands vigorously in the air, as if he wanted to recreate the thrilling scene of that year.
Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo listened attentively. The only sound in the office was Director Song's deep and powerful voice. Even the ticking sound of the wall clock seemed particularly clear.
Suddenly, a "thump thump" sound from far away broke the silence. The sound was like a dull drum beat, mixed with metallic vibrations, echoing in the empty courtyard of the supply and marketing cooperative.
Zhao Shuzhuo subconsciously straightened his back and looked towards the door vigilantly; the pen that Wang Jianguo was spinning in his hand also stopped, and the tip of the pen poked heavily on the table.
Director Song smiled knowingly, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out. He waved his hand gently, and his tone was filled with the tacit understanding between old friends:
"This is most likely Director Liu. His tractor is louder than thunder when it's in motion, and people in the surrounding area can recognize it. Last time there was a county meeting, I knew he was coming even from three blocks away."
As he spoke, he took two steps at a time and walked to the window. He rubbed a small circle on the dusty glass with his finger, wiped it with his breath, and almost pressed his face against the window frame.
Outside the window, a dark green tractor was speeding along the gravel road, and the dust it raised formed a hazy golden mist in the sunlight.
Several bundles of hemp ropes were tied crookedly on the back of the tractor, making a "clattering" sound as the tractor shook.
Liu Chuanjun, sitting in the driver's seat, wore a faded straw hat and his coarse shirt was soaked with dark marks from sweat, but he still kept his back straight and his eyes were as bright as two flames.
He held the steering wheel with one hand and waved the other hand towards the supply and marketing cooperative, shouting something indistinctly, the sound floating in intermittently amid the roar of the tractor.
Director Song couldn't help laughing and slapped the window frame heavily:
"It's really him! Look at how anxious he is. I'm afraid he didn't even let up on the accelerator during the journey."
Before he could finish his words, the tractor screeched to a halt in front of the supply and marketing cooperative, causing the sparrows under the eaves to fly in panic.
Liu Chuanjun, who was sitting in the driver's seat, took off his oil-stained straw hat, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and a flush of excitement appeared on his bronze face.
He couldn't wait to put his strong right leg over the edge of the truck bed. The knees of his overalls had been worn white, and there were a few dried mud stains on the trouser legs.
When landing, the Liberation Shoes hit the ground heavily, stirring up a piece of gravel and making crackling sounds.
"Be careful!"
Wang Jianguo, who was in the room, shouted through the window, but saw Liu Chuanjun taking big strides and rushing towards the office.
His steps were hurried and messy, the bunch of keys hanging around his waist jingled as he ran, and the sun-tanned skin on the back of his neck shone oily in the sunlight.
When he ran to the steps, his left foot accidentally kicked a protruding stone slab, and he stumbled forward.
Director Song's smiling face suddenly tensed up, and his heart suddenly rose to his throat.
He subconsciously took a step forward and gripped the window frame tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
"Old Liu!"