Chapter 673: Meeting Zhuang Shi

With Li Jia's frantic dash, we quickly arrived at Huaihai City.

This time coming to Huaihai, the feeling is different from before when we came to Huaihai City.

That time we came to Huaihai was to flee disaster,

Shangguan Zhuren accompanied me. We stayed at the Silver Capital Hotel under the Bank Manager's protection.

Now Li Jia accompanies me; we came to Huaihai to meet Zhuang Shi, and it's open and aboveboard.

Huaihai City mainly focuses on heavy industry,

Steel, metallurgy, coking, and coal chemical industry account for a large share of the city.

Upon entering the center of Huaihai City, one can clearly feel the pollution here.

It's much more serious than Zaocheng.

Although Huaihai City has been treating pollution, relocating some heavy-industry enterprises outward.

But their basic industry is exactly these; we cannot let all the enterprises move away.

As our car drove through the city, a thin layer of dust quickly settled on the windshield.

Li Jia said: "Mr. Zhao, how can the air in Huaihai City be so bad?"

I feel that opening the car window will make me unable to catch my breath.

I smiled,

"Li Jia, there's no way around it. Because of the city's development, the environment is already determined."

Huaihai City has abundant iron ore, so building steel mills here is most suitable; plus Zaocheng mainly produces coal.

Moreover, Huaihai has a canal running through the city, which connects directly to southern big cities.

For such a city not to develop heavy industry is truly a pity.

As long as heavy industry is the main focus, the city cannot hope for a good environment.

So, Li Jia, Zaocheng's future tourism industry is promising.

"Yes, Mr. Zhao, people who have lived here a long time surely want to find a place with green mountains and clear waters to relax; Zaocheng's Beishan is perfect for that."

You see, driving from Zaocheng to Huaihai City takes just over an hour.

If we take a boat from Shanghu to Xue County, I believe the time would be even shorter.

"So your proposal to make Xue County the backyard garden of Huaihai is an excellent suggestion," Li Jia said.

"What we say isn't important; the key is to see what Zhuang Shi thinks." I finished speaking, pressed the car window down, and took a breath of Huaihai City's murky air.

"Zhuang Shi will surely agree. This is very advantageous for them." Li Jia said.

"Although Li Jia says that, some factors are actually not up to us to decide; but as long as you take the lead, we can control this matter." I laughed.

"Mr. Zhao, hearing what you say, I really don't have that much ability."

"Let's go directly to Huaihai City's Second Reception Center; Zhuang Shi is waiting for us there." Li Jia said.

"Alright, let's go straight there. Do you know the place?" I asked.

"I have navigation." Li Jia said.

I didn't say anything else.

The car moved through Huaihai City's traffic, heading toward the Second Reception Center.

The Second Reception Center is in the south of Huaihai City.

Huaihai City specially developed an artificial lake, built a fake mountain, planted trees, to improve the local environment a bit, in order to receive various distinguished guests.

We arrived at the Second Reception Center, after parking the car.

At the entrance of the reception center,

I saw on the sign that it read: Zaocheng Li Bureau, second floor, White Cloud Hall.

No need to ask; we can go straight to the White Cloud Hall.

It's obvious that our rank isn't high enough; Zhuang Shi doesn't need to come out personally to greet us, just a sign will do.

Li Jia and I went up to the second-floor White Cloud Hall.

Only the staff were waiting for Li Jia and me in the hall.

The staff looked at us, asked for our names, confirmed them, and had us sign on a sheet of paper.

After we signed in, the staff explained to us,

saying that Zhuang Shi temporarily has a meeting,

he is holding a meeting on the fourth floor; after the meeting he will come down to see us, so please wait a moment.

Li Jia and I exchanged a smile,

and we could only wait here.

Leaders are busy; having endless meetings is normal.

Huaihai City has a population of over a million, so there are even more meetings.

Unless we are very important, how could they possibly stop their regular work meetings to see us?

Only Li Jia and I remained in the lobby.

At this moment Li Jia said: "Mr. Zhao, Zhuang Shi wouldn't deliberately avoid seeing us, would he?"

I shook my head and said: "No need to overthink; he must be busy."

We have nothing else to do anyway, so let's just wait.

At this moment Li Jia walked to the tea room and poured me a cup of tea,

I took out a cigarette and started smoking,

Time ticked by second by second, and Li Jia and I waited anxiously.

Our stomachs were hungry, but we felt embarrassed to ask the staff for food.

We could only smile wryly and wait.

Only when we were a bit early did the door to the private room get pushed open,

Zhuang Shi entered, laughing,

"Director Li, Mr. Zhao, sorry to keep you waiting. Oh dear, the meeting that never ends, the talk that never finishes."

You must be hungry, right?

"Secretary Wu, quickly arrange for the dishes to be served."

I and Li Jia hurriedly stood up,

"Zhuang Shi, don't be polite. We've come to trouble you."

Zhuang Shi waved his hand,

"Mr. Zhao, how could saying that be troubling you? Since our parting in Zaocheng last time, I've been out inspecting.

mainly inspecting the transformation of urban development.

Our Huaihai City also faces this problem.

What is sustainable development,

What is the new urban development concept.

To us, these are all new concepts.

I am studying every day.

Li Jia then laughed and said: "The ancients said, 'To learn and practice it from time to time—is it not delightful?'"

Zhuang Shi, see, finding joy in it.

We came today precisely to learn from you, to seek your wisdom,

so that we too may experience some of your happiness.

As soon as Li Jia said that, Zhuang Shi's expression changed instantly.

He looked at Li Jia and showed a smile,

"When Director Li speaks, it's different.

What was originally a painful act of learning has become a joyful one.

Alright, let's be happy together. Sit, Director Li.

Li Jia sat down beside Zhuang Shi.

I also sat down in another seat.

The waiter quickly brought the dishes.

Secretary Wu held a bottle of freshly squeezed juice,

and poured it for us all,

Here Zhuang Shi raised his cup and said: "This afternoon there's still work; we can't drink alcohol to keep Director Li and Mr. Zhao company, so we'll substitute juice for wine."

"I welcome your visit, and hope you eat well, drink well, and have fun in Huaihai City."

We all raised our cups and clinked them against Zhuang Shi's,

then drank the juice.

I said: "Zhuang Shi, since our parting in Zaocheng last time, Tian Shi has been thinking of you dearly and specially arranged for me and Director Li to come visit you, hoping we can keep in touch frequently."

"Our two cities are the closest; frequent interaction is good. Huaihai City's development cannot do without Zaocheng's coal support. Last time I went, I exchanged ideas very well with Tian Shi.

We have many things we can cooperate on.

Now Zaocheng Mining Group's coal is fully supplying our Huaihai.

Our relationship is mutually complementary.

"Come, Mr. Zhao, please convey my regards to Tian Shi for me." After saying this, Zhuang Shi raised his cup toward me.

I also raised my cup,

"Zhuang Shi, I will surely convey that. Last time, we discussed tourism development with you in Zaocheng; this time, Director Li and I want to continue deepening our cooperation in that area with you."

Just as my words fell, Zhuang Shi continued: "Mr. Zhao, we talked very well about that matter last time.

"Just handle this matter well on your end. As long as the tourism project gets started in your Zaocheng, I can give you some publicity,

"so that the ordinary people of Huaihai City can go over and take a look,

"the scenery there is really nice."

Hearing Zhuang Shi say that, I could clearly feel that his tone when speaking about Zaocheng was different.