Chapter 725 Master's Position 1
At the same time, deep in the alley full of the charm of old Beijing, the courtyard house No. 95 is like a quiet pearl, exuding a unique atmosphere of life. At this time, night has fallen, and the entire courtyard is shrouded in a layer of soft twilight. In the main room, the warm yellow light shines through the carved windows, like a soft veil, and falls into the house, adding a bit of warmth and comfort to this slightly old house.
Inside the house, Xu Damao and Second Uncle Liu Haizhong sat opposite each other. Xu Damao was wearing a slightly loose Zhongshan suit, with a somewhat careless look on his face; Second Uncle Liu Haizhong was wearing a straight blue cloth shirt, with a self-righteous majesty in his eyes.
On the table in front of the two of them, there were several plates of exquisite side dishes neatly arranged, including thinly sliced braised beef, bright red in color, exuding an alluring aroma; a plate of emerald green cucumbers, dotted with a few red peppers, refreshing and delicious; next to it was a plate of fried peanuts, each one full, golden and crispy. In the middle of the table, there was an opened bottle of white wine, the crystal clear wine sparkled with a charming luster under the light, and the rich and mellow wine aroma slowly spread in the air, lingering around the two people's noses, making people salivate.
In the kitchen nearby, the second aunt and Xu Damao's wife Lou Xiao'e were busy. The second aunt wore a washed-out apron and skillfully stir-fried dishes in front of the stove, with the spatula colliding with the iron pot making a "clang clang" sound; Lou Xiao'e was washing vegetables by the sink nearby, with the water from the faucet "gurgling" and splashing small water droplets. The sound of pots and pans colliding one after another, intertwined with their occasional conversations.
While stir-frying the vegetables in the pot, the second aunt said loudly, "Xiao'e, these vegetables have to be washed clean. Later, when Xu Damao and the others drink and eat these clean dishes, they will feel comfortable." Lou Xiao'e responded with a smile, "Don't worry, second aunt, I will definitely wash them clean." This conversation full of life added a strong sense of fireworks to this small house, making people seem to feel the plain but real happiness.
Xu Damao picked up the wine glass and shook it gently to let the aroma of the wine spread more fully. Then he leaned closer to the glass and took a sip of the wine. The spicy wine slid down his throat, and he couldn't help smacking his lips, with a look of satisfaction on his face. After putting down the glass, he leaned forward slightly and said mysteriously: "Second uncle, have you heard? Recently, the street office has issued a news that the position of 'uncle' in all our courtyards will be abolished. This news has spread throughout our alley, and I don't know whether it is true or not."
Liu Haizhong was just picking up a piece of braised beef with soy sauce and putting it into his mouth. When he heard Xu Damao's words, he suddenly stopped his hand, and the piece of braised beef with soy sauce fell back into the plate with a "plop".
His eyes widened, and his already bulging eyeballs seemed to be about to jump out of their sockets. His face was filled with astonishment, and his mouth was slightly open. It took him a long time to come back to his senses, and he stammered, "What? Cancel the position of 'master'? This... is this news reliable? Don't spread it around!"
He was used to showing off his power in the courtyard with his status as the "Second Uncle". He usually walked with a breeze and felt that he was second to none in the courtyard and was superior to everyone else. This news was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for him. He panicked and began to think about how he would survive in the courtyard if he lost the title of "Uncle".
Xu Damao nodded slightly, and his expression instantly became serious. His frown seemed to be able to kill a fly. He lowered his voice and said solemnly: "It is absolutely true. How dare I lie to you about this matter. I also heard it from a very good friend of mine in the Street Office. My friend is also a small leader in the Street Office, and the source of information is very reliable.
It is said that this position of "uncle" is too unfair in daily life. Think about it, every time something is distributed in the courtyard, or when dealing with neighborhood disputes, there are always some people who feel that the handling is unfair and hold a grudge in their hearts. Over time, the voices of dissatisfaction became louder and louder, and reached the ears of the leaders of the street office. The leaders of the street office thought that the existence of this position has affected the harmony and stability of our courtyard, so they decided to cancel this position. "
When Liu Haizhong heard this, he felt his head buzzing, as if a thousand bees were flying around inside. He stood up with a jerk, and because of his hasty movements, his already fat body slid back a long way, making a sharp "sizzling" sound. He began to pace back and forth in the room, and each step seemed so heavy and flustered, and the floor under his feet made a "dong dong" sound. He kept mumbling, his voice full of anxiety and helplessness: "What should I do? If I lose this position, how can I survive in this courtyard? For so many years, I have always regarded myself as the 'Second Uncle'. I have to get involved in all the big and small things in the courtyard, and I have to give others advice. Everyone has to give me some face. If I lose this position, I will be like a tiger without claws and fangs, and I will no longer be majestic. Who will take me seriously in the future?" As he spoke, he waved his hands in the air, as if to wave away the impending doom.
Seeing this, Xu Damao also stood up in a hurry, walked to Liu Haizhong in two steps, stretched out his hands and tightly grasped Liu Haizhong's arm, with such force that it seemed to pull Liu Haizhong back from his panic. His face was full of flattering smiles, his eyes were full of flattery, and he quickly comforted him: "Second Uncle, don't worry, let's think of a solution together. This position can't be lost just like that. Think about it, you have made so many contributions to this courtyard. For example, the sewer in the yard was blocked last time. If you hadn't personally brought a few young men to clear it, the sewage would have flooded our entire yard. And the time before, the two families in the east were arguing over the homestead, and it was you who came forward and persuaded them earnestly for several days before the matter was settled. You have put so much effort into this courtyard, how can it be cancelled just like that? It is too unkind of the street office to do this."
Liu Haizhong was pulled by Xu Damao and slowly sat back on the chair. He held his head with both hands and buried his face deeply between his hands. His shoulders trembled slightly and his face was full of worry. His brows were tightly twisted into a "川" character, his eyes revealed endless worry and confusion, and he murmured to himself: "What can I do? The street office has made the decision, can we disobey? The street office has the power to control us. If we dare to disobey their decision, it may cause even bigger trouble. I feel like there is a little rabbit in my heart, up and down, and I have no idea at all."
Xu Damao's eyes rolled around, and the cunning light flickered in his eye sockets, like a fox plotting evil ideas in the dark. He leaned forward slightly, and put his head close to his bangs. The distance between the two was so close that they could almost feel each other's breathing. He lowered his voice, as if he was afraid that his voice would be blown away by the wind outside the window, and said mysteriously: "Second Uncle, why don't we go to the Street Office to report the situation. Think about it, although our position of "Uncle" does have some shortcomings, we may not be able to satisfy everyone when handling things, but we are also working hard to improve. We can't just kill it with one stick and cancel our position directly because of a small problem. We can get a few neighbors who are taken care of by you on a daily basis, and go together to put pressure on the Street Office. Those neighbors have received a lot of benefits from you on a daily basis. Once we tell them, they will definitely be willing to follow us. By then, there will be strength in numbers. When the Street Office sees that so many of us are opposed, maybe there will be a chance for this matter to turn around."
Liu Haizhong had been drooping like an eggplant hit by frost, but when he heard what Xu Damao said, his eyes lit up instantly, as if a flame of hope had ignited in his eyes. He slapped his thigh as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw and said loudly, "Yes, yes, let's do it! Damao, you are smart and have many ideas. This matter depends on you. You have to plan it carefully. We must get this done, otherwise I will feel like there is a big stone blocking my heart and it will be very uncomfortable."
Just then, the second aunt in the kitchen poked her head out. Her hair was a little messy and there was a hint of anger on her face. She shouted at the top of her voice: "Old man, Damao, stop chatting. Come and serve the dishes. It's time to eat. The food is ready. If you don't eat it, it will get cold, and it will not taste good if it gets cold." The voice echoed in the small room with an unquestionable majesty.
The two of them put their thoughts aside temporarily and slowly stood up from their chairs. Xu Damao had a smile on his face and responded, "Come here, come here, Second Aunt, I'll be right there." Liu Haizhong also stood up, and the two of them walked towards the kitchen one after the other.
When they arrived at the kitchen, they saw the chopping board filled with steaming dishes. The braised pork was bright red and exuded an alluring aroma. The fat and lean meat shimmered with an alluring luster under the light. The steamed fish was fresh and tender, sprinkled with emerald green onions and bright red chili shreds, making people salivate. There was also a plate of stir-fried vegetables, green and lush, with a fresh scent. The two picked up the plates and walked carefully to the dining table.
At the dinner table, Liu Haizhong was still absent-minded. His chopsticks kept poking in the bowl, but he didn't put a single bite of food into his mouth. He sighed from time to time, and the sighs were like heavy drumbeats, hitting Xu Damao's heart again and again. Xu Damao kept giving him advice. As he spoke, he gestured with his hands and feet, with a firmness and confidence in his eyes: "Second Uncle, don't worry. Tomorrow we will win over all the neighbors and go to the street office together. When the time comes, you can stand in front and tell the leaders of the street office about our difficulties, and tell them how much worry and effort you have put in for the affairs of this courtyard. If the neighbors echo them from the side, the leaders of the street office will definitely reconsider. You must keep the position of 'Second Uncle'. Without this position, your prestige in this courtyard will be greatly reduced."
The next day, just after dawn, Liu Haizhong began to lobby around the courtyard as Xu Damao had said. He was wearing a blue shirt that had faded from washing, and he hurriedly shuttled around the courtyard. He first came to Uncle Wang's house at the east end, where Uncle Wang was sitting on a stone bench at the door basking in the sun. Liu Haizhong walked up with a big smile on his face, took Uncle Wang's hand, and said affectionately: "Uncle Wang, let me tell you something. As you know, I have been the 'Second Uncle' in this courtyard for so many years, and I have always done my best to serve everyone. But now the Street Office wants to cancel our 'Uncle' position, which is not okay. You have been taken care of by me on weekdays, can you come with me to the Street Office to report the situation and tell the leaders of the Street Office about our ideas." Uncle Wang listened and hesitated for a moment. Seeing this, Liu Haizhong hurriedly said: "Uncle Wang, think about it, if there is no 'Uncle' position, who will take care of it if there is something in the courtyard in the future? Our life will not be as comfortable as it is now." Uncle Wang was persuaded by him, nodded and said: "Okay, then I'll go with you."
Then, Liu Haizhong came to Aunt Li's house at the west end. Aunt Li was hanging clothes in the yard. Liu Haizhong stood at the door and shouted, "Aunt Li, come out for a moment. I have something to tell you." Aunt Li put down the clothes in her hand and came out. Liu Haizhong told Aunt Li the whole story. Aunt Li frowned and said, "Will the Street Office listen to us about canceling the position?" Liu Haizhong said quickly, "Aunt Li, let's go and try together. There is strength in numbers. Maybe the leaders of the Street Office will change their minds when they see so many of us opposing it. You often ask me for help on weekdays. You have to support me this time." Aunt Li thought about it and felt that it made sense, so she agreed.
In this way, Liu Haizhong lobbied door to door in the courtyard, winning over neighbors who had a good relationship with him, and prepared to go to the street office together to ask for an explanation.
"Dear neighbors, this street office is so unfair. We have been the 'bosses' for so many years and have made so many contributions to the courtyard houses. Now they cancel it just like that. Isn't this bullying? Let's go to the street office together and let them know our attitude." Liu Haizhong stood in the middle of the yard and shouted at the top of his voice.
Several neighbors were moved by his words and nodded their heads, indicating that they were willing to go together. Then, the group marched towards the street office in a mighty procession.
When they arrived at the subdistrict office, Liu Haizhong and his team rushed in, crowding the office. Liu Haizhong stood at the front, hands on hips, and shouted: "Leaders, you can't do this! We have been the 'bosses' for so many years and have done a lot for the Siheyuan. You just cancel it, it's so unfair."
The leader of the subdistrict office frowned, stood up, and patiently explained: "Old Liu, we abolished this position in order to better manage the courtyard. There were many problems with this position before, and it was unfair, which led to constant conflicts in the courtyard. We did this for the benefit of everyone."
Xu Damao was not relenting: "Leader, you can't generalize. We have done a lot for Siheyuan, and you can't cancel this position just because of an isolated incident. Besides, if this position is gone, who will take care of things that happen in Siheyuan in the future?"
The leader shook his head helplessly: "Canceling the positions does not mean we will no longer care about Siheyuan. We will establish a more complete management mechanism to make the management of Siheyuan more fair, just and transparent. Don't worry, we are doing this to make Siheyuan better."
But Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao refused to listen and continued to make a scene in the office, insisting that the subdistrict office revoke its decision. Seeing them being so unreasonable, the subdistrict office leader's face darkened: "You are being unreasonable! The decision we made was made after careful consideration and will not be changed easily. If you continue to make a scene like this, we will have to take measures."