Chapter 364: Going to Deputy Mayor Kong's Home to Pay a New Year Visit

Chen Yang carried two bottles of Moutai and two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes to Kong Jie's home to pay a New Year visit.

The one who opened the door was Kong Qiming. Seeing what Chen Yang was holding in his hands, he laughed and said, "Boss, with your current wealth coming to my house for a New Year visit, you really ought to bring some fine tea canisters, putting something different inside."

As soon as his words fell, someone from behind gave his head a hard smack.

"You little brat, spouting nonsense. This is Chen Yang's first time coming to our house for a New Year visit; don't scare him."

The speaker was a dignifiedly dressed middle-aged woman. While scolding Kong Qiming, she happily took the cigarettes and alcohol from Chen Yang's hands, and politely said, "Chen Yang, you're being too extravagant! From now on, just coming is enough; please don't bring anything else."

Chen Yang was actually meeting Kong Jie's wife for the first time. But he learned from Zhang Chunhua that her name was Luo Meihui, and she worked at the Xingcheng Education Bureau.

"Aunt Luo, please don't say that. I came in a hurry this time and didn't have a chance to prepare any special gift. I just happened to have some cigarettes and alcohol that others gave me, so I grabbed them; please don't look down on them!"

Luo Meihui then offered another polite remark, greeted Chen Yang to sit in the living room, and personally brewed him a cup of hot tea.

At that moment, Kong Jie also heard the voice and came out of the study. Seeing Chen Yang, he joked, "No one goes to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason; you little rascal, coming at this time to pay a New Year visit surely isn't just for a simple visit, right?"

Chen Yang said a little embarrassedly, "Don't hide it from you, Leader, I came to ask for your help regarding my wife's job transfer."

Kong Jie nodded slightly, then said, "During this Spring Festival, Old Hu had you and Lin Wei stay by his side for a few days to entertain guests, and I knew that girl's secretarial work wouldn't last long. Tell me, where does she want to go?"

Chen Yang looked at Kong Jie, somewhat surprised. The other hadn't gone to Old Hu's place for a New Year visit, yet he knew how many days Chen Yang and Lin Wei had stayed there. That information is too well-informed.

"Leader, could you arrange for my wife to work in Shuangfeng Town?"

"Shuangfeng Town?" Kong Jie frowned, looking at Chen Yang with incomprehension, and said, "Why not choose Panlong Town? That's not only your hometown, but many projects there are personally handled by Deputy Mayor Xu. As her secretary, wouldn't Lin Wei find it easier to get into the role working there?"

Chen Yang frankly said, "Shuangfeng Town has a large pig farm run by my own company, which makes it easier to achieve economic results. Moreover, I am preparing to add several more investment projects there."

Upon hearing that Chen Yang also wanted to increase investment, Kong Jie immediately became interested. "Chen Yang, I think it's better to assign Lin Wei to work in a district. You tell me which district you're willing to invest in, and I'll transfer her there to liaise with your company's investment business. How does that sound?"

Chen Yang, who certainly understood Kong Jie's meaning, laughed and said, "Leader, the investment cost in the county town is much lower than in the urban area. Moreover, the projects I'm undertaking might involve pollution issues, making them unsuitable for urban areas."

Kong Jie, hearing this, felt a bit disappointed. In his view, Chen Yang had money and ability; investing in the urban area would not only boost Qingshui City's economic development but also create many jobs.

"Chen Yang, even if your projects carry environmental pollution risks, they don't have to be placed in Shuangfeng Town; putting them in the suburbs would be just as good, right?"

Chen Yang understood Kong Jie's intention. Investing in Shuangfeng Town benefits Dongyang County; investing in the suburbs benefits the Qingshui municipal government. So he suggested, "Leader, Shuangfeng Town is right next to the suburbs. If in a few years the economy there truly shows results, you could then find a way to incorporate it into the suburban jurisdiction. Wouldn't that give the same outcome?"

Kong Jie's eyes lit up. After thinking it over, he felt a bit embarrassed and pretended to be angry, saying, "What kind of rotten idea did you come up with, kid? If you put Shuangfeng Town into the suburbs, Old Gong Wen will surely come looking for me to raise a fuss..."

Chen Yang laughed, "During my time working in the Provincial State-owned Enterprise Reform Group, Deputy Governor Liu constantly reminded us to prioritize the big picture. I suspect Secretary Gong is also someone who understands the importance of the overall situation."

"You little rascal, you really can learn and apply things on the spot..." Kong Jie pointed a finger at Chen Yang in the air, laughing and crying at the same time, saying, "Aren't you afraid I'll sell you out?"

Chen Yang pretended to be clueless, saying, "Leader, what did I just say? I didn't say anything at all!"

Kong Jie shook his head and teased his wife, saying, "This kid is so slippery, yet you let Qiming learn from him. I'm afraid there will be a day when you'll have a headache."

Luo Meihui laughed, "I think Chen Yang is quite good. He can make money, knows how to respect his elders, and has no bad habits. If Qiming can learn even half of what he knows, I'll be satisfied."

Chen Yang hadn't expected his evaluation in Luo Meihui's heart to be so high, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Aunt Luo, you think too highly of me. I actually have many shortcomings."

Luo Meihui didn't agree, saying, "It's normal for young people to have shortcomings; as long as they can correct them, it's fine. Since our Qiming went to your company, many of his former flaws have been corrected. Just for that, I think you're a decent person. Without a good boss, how could you bring out good employees? Old Kong, you'd say the same, right?"

Kong Jie nodded. His son no longer goes out with others to carouse, get into fights, and now works overtime at home. This is something he and Luo Meihui had spent over a decade trying to achieve without success.

Meanwhile, Chen Yang merely sent Kong Qiming to the Xingcheng Financial Investment Company for a few months of training, and the problem was immediately resolved.

As the ancients said, "Those near vermilion become red; those near ink become black." That saying really holds true.

Kong Jie owes Chen Yang such a huge favor; even if Chen Yang doesn't come today, he will still give special consideration to Lin Wei. A minor township job transfer is, to him, just a matter of a few words.

After Chen Yang finished lunch and left, Kong Jie called the Dongyang County Party Secretary, Gong Wen.

"Comrade Gong Wen, I have something to discuss with you. After the New Year, the job of Deputy Mayor Xu's secretary Lin Wei might need adjustment. I think Shuangfeng Town would be suitable. See if you can arrange a proper position for her."

"Mayor, if I remember correctly, Lin Wei is the daughter of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary Lin, right?"

"That's right; she is also the wife of Chen Yang, chairman of Laobaixing Meat Industry Co., Ltd."

"I see! However, some of the ordinary people in Shuangfeng Town had an unpleasant run-in with Chen Yang's company earlier this year. Would Comrade Lin Wei encounter difficulties working there? Why don't I arrange a more suitable position for her in the county party committee?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Since Comrade Lin Wei is willing to go to Shuangfeng Town, she should have made the necessary mental preparations."

"Good, just right—the Town Mayor of Shuangfeng Town has other work arrangements, so let Comrade Lin Wei take over his duties!"