Chapter 710: Zhuang Shi Comes to Visit

On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month,

My phone rang,

I saw it was Tian Shi calling.

I hurriedly answered,

"Jianqiang, where are you?"

"Tian Shi, I've been at Niushiling."

"Great, you come to Zaocheng tomorrow; Zhuang Shi is coming." Tian Shi said.

"Zhuang Shi is coming; what does he want?" I asked.

"Nothing, he will surely talk about the tourism project in Xue County when he comes."

"By the way, the experts from the Provincial Capital have already written the feasibility report for Xue County's tourism development."

"We are about to move to the next step, preparing to launch the project. This project initiation is a troublesome matter, requiring a long time and many connections to be mobilized."

"But you don't need to ask about this; I will take responsibility."

"Come tomorrow at ten a. m. At the Reception Center in Zaocheng, second-floor meeting room; we'll receive Zhuang Shi together then. We'll discuss details when we meet." Tian Shi arranged.

"Okay, Tian Shi, I'll be at the Reception Center in Zaocheng at ten a. m. tomorrow to attend the meeting." I said.

Time quickly came to the next morning.

I drove straight to the Reception Center in Zaocheng.

The Reception Center showed no signs of welcoming guests.

Even the lobby screen had no words welcoming Zhuang Shi.

I couldn't figure out why.

Secretary Qin stood in the Reception Center lobby; after seeing me come,

he directly took me to the second-floor meeting room.

It was a small meeting room,

Tian Shi and Zhuang Shi were sitting together talking,

seeing me come in,

Zhuang Shi hurriedly stood up,

"Jianqiang, you've come."

I hurried over and actively extended my hand,

"Zhuang Shi welcomes you. Please sit."

"Jianqiang, have a seat. Zhuang Shi is talking about Huaihai Ancient City." Tian Shi pointed to another sofa.

I shook hands with Zhuang Shi,

then sat on the sofa on the other side.

At that moment Secretary Qin closed the meeting room door.

Only the three of us remained in the room.

Tian Shi took out cigarettes,

and tossed one each to me and Zhuang Shi.

After I took the cigarette, I then took out a lighter and lit theirs for them.

After Zhuang Shi took two puffs, he laughed: "Tian Shi, the cigarettes here are too harsh. I'd rather smoke my Da Su."

"Zhuang Shi, yours is too mild; ours isn't harsh, it's strong." Tian Shi said with a laugh.

"These cigarettes would be better if they were a bit softer." Zhuang Shi said.

"Zhuang Shi, being too soft won't do; sometimes you need to be firm.

"It's the same with smoking, and the same with managing subordinates." Tian Shi sighed.

"Tian Shi, I really admire you; you've only been in Zaocheng a short time yet you sit firmly in your position, and I see the people below all listen to you.

"What methods have you used? I came today especially to ask you for advice." Zhuang Shi looked at me and Tian Shi and said.

At that moment Tian Shi pointed at me with his hand,

"Zhuang Shi, I won't hide it: I rely on Brother Jianqiang to have steadied my footing in Zaocheng.

"The matter you just mentioned to me,

"I understand; it's similar to the situation I encountered when I first arrived,

"You've been holding down Huaihai for so long that the usual earth dragons and snakes have mostly been cleared out. Why are people still causing trouble?"

Hearing Tian Shi ask that,

Zhuang Shi gave a bitter smile and said,

"Tian Shi, I won't hide it from you either: some people are using the demolition of Huaihai Ancient City to make trouble,

"I heard they have gained support from people in Sijiucheng, so they are making a fuss.

"They want to seize the opportunity to cause trouble.

"Before, we dealt with a batch of people.

"We offended another batch,

"This batch is now rebounding against me.

"I came today

"mainly to have a heart-to-heart talk with Tian Shi, and also to borrow Brother Jianqiang for a bit to help me handle some small matters.

"Tian Shi, some things have made you laugh at me.

"I feel Brother Jianqiang is a capable person who can get things done."

That's why I slipped over from Huaihai quietly.

I said, Zhuang Shi came this time without any welcome ceremony; it turns out he came quietly.

Tian Shi looked at me,

then smiled and said, "Jianqiang, Zhuang Shi has come to ask you for help."

We must definitely help with this favor; although I haven't known Zhuang Shi for long, we still get along fairly well.

Jianqiang, later have a good talk with Zhuang Shi and see how best to help him.

I hurriedly said, "Tian Shi, Zhuang Shi, it is my honor to be able to help you. As long as Zhao Jianqiang can do it, I will certainly try my best."

Zhuang Shi waved his hand,

"Brother Jianqiang, hearing you say that makes me very happy.

I believe Tian Shi also knows that in any city there will always be a certain group of people, stirring up dust to find cracks, seeking to put us to death.

These people cannot be dealt with by ordinary means.

Therefore, I have no other way.

I hurried over to discuss with Tian Shi."

"Indeed, who can understand our hardships? Those not in the position cannot plan its affairs; those in the position only then know its difficulties, and there are clingy people everywhere."

"There are people everywhere who dig pits. With a slight slip, we would fall into a ten‑thousand‑foot abyss."

"Zhuang Shi, rest assured, don't let that matter weigh on your mind."

"With Jianqiang's support, I believe it will be resolved quickly," Tian Shi said from the side.

"Tian Shi, from now on we are brothers."

"We are all walking the same road now."

"Just rest easy about that Xue County tourism project. I will strongly support it." Zhuang Shi said.

"Zhuang Shi, then tell Jianqiang about your matter, how to arrange it, just say it directly."

"I have other matters. At noon I've already arranged for the restaurant to have the meals ready. Then I invite Zhuang Shi to drink together." Tian Shi finished speaking and stood up.

Zhuang Shi also stood up, and I quickly stood up as well.

Zhuang Shi said: "Tian Shi, we'll talk about drinking later. I really have no mood right now; after I finish discussing with Brother Jianqiang, I must hurry back to Huaihai. Once this matter is done, I'll come over specifically to treat you to a drink, how about that?"

"Alright then. Drinking is a small matter, work is a big matter. Zhuang Shi, I'll go first." After finishing, Tian Shi shook hands with Zhuang Shi,

then gestured to me and left the conference room.

I escorted Tian Shi to the doorway of the conference room,

and closed the conference room door.

Only Zhuang Shi and I remained inside the room.

Zhuang Shi waved his hand toward me,

meaning he wanted me to sit beside him.

I sat down on the sofa next to him,

then took out a cigarette and handed it to Zhuang Shi,

Zhuang Shi took it,

I lit it for Zhuang Shi.

Zhuang Shi took a puff and coughed twice,

"Jianqiang, why didn't I see Li Jia this time?"

"Oh, Li Jia, she has returned to Bian Jiang. She will be back soon."

Zhuang Shi nodded,

then took another puff,

and coughed twice again,

"This cigarette is really harsh, Jianqiang, I really can't handle it. Forget it, I'll just have that big Su."

Zhuang Shi extinguished the white cigarette, then took out another big Su and started smoking it.

I laughed, "Zhuang Shi, actually this cigarette only has flavor when it's harsh."

Zhuang Shi waved his hand and said,

"Jianqiang, people differ, personalities differ, so smoking differs as well."

"My temperament is gentle, so I like gentle cigarettes."

"Those with strong personalities prefer cigarettes with a fierce taste."

"Alright, let's stop talking about cigarettes and discuss the main matter."

"Jianqiang, I really have run into trouble."

After finishing speaking, Zhuang Shi pressed out the cigarette he had just taken a puff from.

Then he sighed helplessly.

"Zhuang Shi, whatever it is, just say it directly. As long as Zhao Jianqiang can handle it."

"You just mentioned the Huaihai Ancient City demolition matter."

"Didn't we revitalize the Huaihai Ancient City?"

"What else is there?" I asked, puzzled.