Chapter 674: Zhuang Shi's Attitude

What I hear from here is that you just need to handle things properly, and when he was in Zaocheng, he expressed that we should handle things properly.

Although we and you differ by only one character, the situation is then different.

Time is changing, people are also changing, and they are changing very quickly.

Of course, I cannot directly explain.

Li Jia raised his wine cup,

"Zhuang Shi, last time when you went to Zaocheng, because you left in a hurry, we had prepared the local specialties but didn't bring them to you."

"This time I and Mr. Zhao came over, and brought you some local specialties."

"Of course, Zhuang Shi is someone who has eaten and seen things,"

"The things we brought, Zhuang Shi might not necessarily like them."

"But this is our sentiment,"

"These local specialties not only contain Tian Shi's gratitude, but also my and Mr. Zhao's gratitude,"

"Hope Zhuang Shi will accept them.""

After Zhuang Shi heard Li Jia finish speaking,

He also held up his wine cup,

"Director Li, since these things all represent your feelings, I will certainly accept them."

"You will hand them over to Secretary Wu later, so he can file a report."

"Otherwise, over this small matter, we wouldn't let others gossip.""

Secretary Wu quickly stood up,

"Mr. Zhao, Director Li, just hand over the local specialties to me later, and I'll file the report."

It seems Zhuang Shi is a very cautious person; even this small matter is reported.

I said: "Okay, Secretary Wu, we'll meet in the car later to hand them over."

Secretary Wu nodded.

At this time Zhuang Shi said with a smile,

"Not reciprocating is impolite; later, Secretary Wu, you also need to prepare some of our Huaihai local specialties for Mr. Zhao and Director Li to take back so they can taste Huaihai City's cuisine."

Secretary Wu quickly said: "Okay, Zhuang Shi, I have already arranged people to prepare them."

Zhuang Shi also nodded.

Li Jia said: "Zhuang Shi, we came to visit you; how could we take your things back?"

"Wouldn't you Huaihai people say we Zaocheng people are bad?""

"'Bad,' this word, Director Li also uses it. How could we, as one family, be bad?""

"It's normal interaction." Zhuang Shi said with a smile.

I have lived in Zaocheng these years and have become accustomed to speaking the Zaocheng dialect, so I rarely speak the Border dialect anymore.

Tian Shi arranged for me to come mainly to discuss with Zhuang Shi the development of the tourism project in Zaocheng's Xue County.

"Zhuang Shi, may I have a little time so we can talk properly?" Li Jia said very directly.

Zhuang Shi still smiled,

"Director Li, just talking without eating dishes."

"Try our Huaihai barbecue.""

After saying that, he picked up a skewer of grilled meat and handed it to Li Jia.

He completely ignored Li Jia's suggestion just made.

Li Jia helplessly picked up the skewer and started eating.

I saw Zhuang Shi and thought his attitude had obviously changed, I don't know why.

He no longer has the enthusiasm he had when he was in Zaocheng before.

Li Jia again brought up the development of Xue County's tourism, and Zhuang Shi directly said, tomorrow arrange for Director Guo of Huaihai City's Tourism Bureau to meet with us.

This is equivalent to Zhuang Shi kicking the ball.

The remaining time was just wasted time; since no one drank alcohol, everyone ate in a bland, tasteless way.

A meal was finished in half an hour. Zhuang Shi got up to see us out of the private dining room and told Secretary Wu: "Arrange two rooms for Mr. Zhao and Director Li."

"Okay, Zhuang Shi." Secretary Wu said.

Zhuang Shi also said to me and Li Jia: "Mr. Zhao, I have a meeting tonight; I originally planned to have a drink with you and Director Li, but it seems time does not allow."

Mr. Zhao, you should stay a few more days in Huaihai.

Have a good look around Huaihai; Huaihai is also a famous historical and cultural city. Know that the Chu-Han War took place here back then. Our ancient city has also been developed very well.

"Okay, Zhuang Shi, you're busy. I actually wanted to stroll around Huaihai Ancient City tonight to learn about your tourism development project." Li Jia said this and then shook hands with Zhuang Shi.

I didn't speak, shook hands with Zhuang Shi, and then we parted.

I and Secretary Wu went outside, I took the prepared local specialties from the car.

They are genuine local specialties, and there's nothing particularly valuable.

Secretary Wu took these items, registered them one by one, then put them in his own car,

Then he arranged for people to prepare many Huaihai local specialties for us,

Actually Zaocheng is very close to Huaihai, and the local specialties from both sides are not much different.

I loaded all these local specialties onto the car, filling it completely.

Li Jia looked at the car full of local specialties,

Then he said: "What we sent out, nobody has returned as much."

This matter settled, they don't owe us anything either.""

I chuckled,

"Li Jia, let's go, we're going back to the room to rest. Tonight we'll stroll around Huaihai Ancient City."

"Ah, I have no mood at all." Li Jia said listlessly and returned to the room.

Upon reaching the room, Li Jia didn't go to rest; instead, she followed me into the room and sat down.

I poured a cup of water for Li Jia,

Li Jia said: "Mr. Zhao, what's wrong with Zhuang Shi? When we arrived in Huaihai, he's acting like this. Back in Zaocheng he spoke well, but now his attitude is noncommittal,

What does he mean exactly? Tian Shi arranged for me specifically, insisting that Zhuang Shi invest in us; only if Zhuang Shi puts up the money can we act,

Look at his attitude—don't even talk about getting him to invest,

They don't even want to deal with us. Sigh, I think this trip to Huaihai was for nothing.

"Why so discouraged?" I took out a cigarette and started smoking.

Li Jia nodded,

"Mr. Zhao, I can't understand Zhuang Shi's attitude.

What will we talk about tomorrow with their Director Guo? If Zhuang Shi lacks enthusiasm, we will still have to talk with their Director Guo.

"Li Jia, do you know that everything starts difficult? Nothing in the world is easy; if something were easy, it wouldn't fall to us to do.

Actually, these matters are merely our intentions, just talk.

You should know that Xue County and Beishan are undeveloped; whether people from Huaihai City can come is unknown.

Now differs from the past; we can use administrative orders.

As for investing in tourism development, whether it will be profitable, no one can guarantee.

No profit means it's blind investment.

Blind investment, and they would have to bear responsibility.

These days, what we fear most is responsibility.

Everyone prefers to do things with no risk and no responsibility.

Why take risks on this kind of invisible investment? Zhuang Shi is no different.

At his age, the chance of promotion is low; having a stable position is a good choice.

"For him, risk is something he cannot take at all." I explained to Li Jia.

Li Jia listened to me finish speaking,

shaking her head repeatedly,

"Then I just don't understand: in Zaocheng he showed more enthusiasm and interest than anyone; otherwise, our Tian Shi wouldn't be led by Zhuang Shi."

"Li Jia, that's just a matter of face.

Zhuang Shi's previous visit to Zaocheng mainly involved discussing coal prices with Director Ji and the matter of Huaihai steel entering the Zaocheng market.

These two matters were settled,

then his task was completed.

What he shows today is his true attitude.

That is, neither invest nor oppose nor support.

We will handle the matter; they just need to watch.

If you don't believe me, tomorrow when we talk with their Director Guo, they will surely only want profit and will never undertake risky investment.

"So Zhuang Shi is an old fox." Li Jia said.

I chuckled,

"Anyone who can maneuver Zhuang Shi into such a position is no ordinary person.

Otherwise, he would have fallen long ago. Li Jia, I think today's outcome is quite normal."