Brian Turner said, “The clenbuterol scandal hasn’t died down yet. You may be tough, but after all, our profession is about talking and writing—some problems can’t be solved with fists. Sending you to the grassroots for some training is a good way to keep you out of the spotlight for now. It’s also a measure by the leadership to care for and protect you.”

“I’m just a trainee reporter. What kind of news could there be at the grassroots?”

“That’s not right. The Fuguizhu Pig Farm, left-behind children—aren’t all these news stories from the grassroots? The most valuable news is at the grassroots, happening among ordinary people. Go on, it’s just one month. When you come back, I’ll help you apply for early promotion to full staff.”

William Bolton understood that the newspaper leadership saw him as a troublemaker. Sending him to the grassroots for training was also a way to smooth things over. “A tree that stands out in the forest is sure to be blown down by the wind.” If a newcomer doesn’t know how to keep a low profile, he’ll be sent to the grassroots to “rub shoulders” with reality by his colleagues.

Chapter 7: Standing Up for Justice

Limiaozhen is located at the northwesternmost part of Han County, bordering Feng County. Before William Bolton set off, Chief Editor Bennett gave him an assignment: take this opportunity to gather some information and track the actual implementation of policies. William Bolton thought Old Du’s suggestion was very practical. Didn’t Robert Bolton threaten him over the phone? “I’ll make you see the consequences of offending your own clan.”

William Bolton felt that his reputation at the newspaper had reached its peak. In fact, most people at the paper saw him as a tough guy who could fight and get things done. Having this kind of persona brought a lot of advantages, especially in a place full of intellectuals. For them, “a gentleman uses words, not fists”—which, in the end, just means most intellectuals are cowards.

For example, his direct supervisor Matthew Miller no longer dared to make things difficult for him. For example, he could now rightfully claim the only Zongshen motorcycle at the office for himself.

Before heading to the countryside, he also borrowed a DSLR camera and a voice recorder from the office. The laptop was the latest Samsung model, originally intended for the editor-in-chief, but after a recent laptop explosion incident, it had just been sitting in storage gathering dust—perfect for a trainee reporter to use.

Without a driver’s license, William Bolton already looked very much like a reporter. His press card was ready, and he had even put a Ge Feng Morning News sticker on the motorcycle. In a prominent spot, he’d attached a press interview badge with his name on it.

He wasn’t afraid of being high-profile or flashy; what he feared was not becoming famous quickly enough. If possible, he’d love to carry a big flag embroidered with his name, letting it flutter in the wind all the way.

Fully equipped, William Bolton rode his motorcycle, putt-putting all the way to Limiaozhen.

The biggest advantage of grassroots training was not having to worry about accommodation—the Limiaozhen Broadcasting Station was responsible for providing it.

When William Bolton arrived at Limiaozhen, it was already four in the afternoon. After asking around, he learned that the communications office was inside the town’s broadcasting station. The current broadcasting station wasn’t like the old days, blaring announcements through loudspeakers. Now, it was directly under the county broadcasting bureau, responsible for cable TV installation, maintenance, fee collection, and radio and TV management.

William Bolton rode his motorcycle to the entrance of the broadcasting station and saw a red banner hanging over the door, which read—Welcome county reporter William Bolton to the countryside for a field visit!

Looking at his own name in big letters on the banner, William Bolton felt inexplicably happy. He loved it when others promoted him. At the same time, he was a bit flattered—he hadn’t expected such a grand welcome for a mere trainee reporter. Small towns really did have their perks.

A graceful-looking middle-aged woman came out to greet him when she heard the sound of the motorcycle. After he parked, she came over and shook his hand. William Bolton noticed her hand was smooth and greasy, almost as if she’d rubbed it with lard—not like an ordinary working woman. After asking, he learned she was the station’s announcer, Grace Cooper.

Except for the station chief, everyone at the broadcasting station was a temporary worker, and Grace Cooper was no exception.

The lady was very warm and led William Bolton to his communications office. It was on the east end of the first floor of the broadcasting station, already cleaned in advance. There was a bed, a desk, and a TV inside—more like a single dorm room. There wasn’t a private bathroom, but it wasn’t far; just a few steps to the stairwell. There was also a public bath next to the boiler room at the back, shared by men and women, open at set times.

At first, William Bolton had worried that the town’s accommodation would be poor, but seeing the room, it was actually cleaner and tidier than the express hotel he stayed at in the county—and, most importantly, it was free.

Grace Cooper told him that the station chief, Peter Reed, had gone to a meeting at the county broadcasting bureau and would be back in the evening. They had even reserved a table at the town’s Sannong Restaurant to welcome the new reporter.

William Bolton politely tried to decline, but Grace Cooper said it was already arranged and he had to go.

After tidying up a bit, William Bolton went to the public bath in the back for a shower. When he returned to the communications office, he saw several missed calls on his phone—all from his mother, Samuel Clark. He called her back first. Samuel Clark asked if he was coming home for the weekend. He told his mom that he was currently doing grassroots training in Limiaozhen for a month, and that it wasn’t convenient to travel back and forth, so he planned to return to Pengcheng after the training was over.