Chapter 4386

"That's right, I also remember that you, Old Su, are still on your own. For a woman to reach this level, the organization is very impressed," Old Li also said with a smile.

"Hehe, he is a distant relative of mine. He passed the civil service exam on his own and worked his way up entirely through his own ability." Su Qing smiled and began to praise Zhao Desan in front of them.

"That young man is really quite good, unlike my son, who doesn't want to do anything all day long. I asked him to be a department manager at a state-owned enterprise, and he wouldn't even do that. Sigh!" Old Wan said.

"Let's not talk about that. Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes." Su Qing smiled and gave Zhao Desan a look. Zhao Desan understood immediately and hurried out to have the waiter serve the dishes. In such settings, people don't like outsiders entering, even waiters, so Zhao Desan very cleverly stood at the door. When the waiter brought the dishes to the door, he would take them and deliver them to the table himself.

The meal was quite sumptuous. After serving the dishes, Zhao Desan was exhausted to the point of collapse. After serving, Zhao Desan went back in to pour wine for everyone. Listening to their conversation, Zhao Desan gradually understood some things. The slightly older one among them, called Old Ma, was, as they inadvertently mentioned, the Minister of the Organization Department—though whether he was the deputy or the head was unclear. However, this Organization Minister was no ordinary one; he was incredibly powerful. Another one, called Old Wang, had been transferred to Beijing from a province in the Southwest; his specific position was unknown.

In Zhao Desan's view, those who could sit at this table were likely no ordinary figures. After listening for a while, Zhao Desan also learned that these people and Su Qing had met when they were young while attending a training class for young cadres at the Party School in Beijing. Generally, these Party School training classes were for the purpose of establishing a good reputation for promotion; usually, only officials slated for promotion had the ability to attend. Hearing them talk, that training class lasted two years, which was no wonder their relationship was so unusual.

However, they chatted happily during the meal, and the only one who suffered was Zhao Desan. They ate and drank heartily, leaving Zhao Desan alone on the side to serve tea, pour water, and pour wine, without even getting a seat. Yet, Zhao Desan didn't feel aggrieved. These people's status was extraordinary; if it were the old Zhao Desan, he would never have imagined he could meet figures at this level. Moreover, he had his own little agenda: as long as he served these people well, perhaps they really would have the ability to help Su Qing secure the position of Governor, and then he would rise along with her. Even if he couldn't make it in Hexi Province, he could follow Su Qing, having a fallback plan.

"Old Su, this cousin of yours is quite good, very sensible. Little Zhao, right? Sit. There are no outsiders here; we are all old friends with your cousin. Although we've each been busy with our own affairs for so many years and rarely see each other, the feelings are still there. Just call us Uncle; don't be restrained. Sit down and have a drink with us." Old Ma, who had seen Zhao Desan standing on the side with a smile the whole time, not speaking, and filling everyone's glass whenever it was empty, felt very satisfied with his respectful attitude and invited Zhao Desan to sit and drink.

When Su Qing saw Old Ma inviting Zhao Desan to sit and drink, she knew Old Ma liked Zhao Desan. She knew Old Ma had a hobby: he loved drinking, and most of all, he loved to challenge others to drink. The more unbridled others were when challenging him, the happier he was, and the more he liked that person. She didn't know if this counted as a strange quirk, but it happened to fall right into Zhao Desan's hands. Su Qing knew Zhao Desan's drinking capacity; although his official rank wasn't high, his capacity could rival that of high-ranking provincial officials. Thus, Su Qing said with a smile: "Hehe, Old Ma, you're asking Desan to drink? Then you have to be careful. My cousin's drinking capacity is not small. Why don't you try it? Desan, toast your Uncle Ma."

Zhao Desan knew exactly what Su Qing meant. He hurriedly filled his own glass to the brim, filled the glasses of Old Ma, Old Li, and Old Wang, and then stood up and said respectfully: "Three Uncles, this first glass is for the junior to toast the three of you. I will finish mine first as a sign of respect; please feel free to drink as you wish." After saying this, Zhao Desan raised his glass, tilted his head back, and downed the liquor in one gulp.

Old Li and Old Wang both smiled and drank the liquor in their glasses. Old Ma, however, upon hearing that Zhao Desan's capacity was remarkable, immediately tilted his head back and drank his liquor in one gulp, then said to Su Qing: "Old Su, you're no good at drinking. You found someone to help you challenge me today, right? Fine, I don't believe that after drinking for decades, I can't compare to this young punk."

"Old Ma, I'm not challenging you. You know that with my drinking capacity, how would I dare compare to you? Your capacity is considered one of the best in our generation. However, Desan's capacity is also quite good. You decide for yourself; if it's really too much, don't force it." Su Qing said with a smile. She knew Old Ma only let go like this with his group of old friends; he was absolutely not like this usually. Anyone who climbed to this position had superhuman skills in concealment; forbearance and low-key behavior were basic conditions for being an official.

Su Qing's words undoubtedly stirred up Old Ma's long-suppressed temper. Sure enough, Old Ma shouted directly: "Bring a large glass! I don't believe I can't outdrink this kid."

Zhao Desan smiled and ran out to have the waiter bring a few large glasses. Privately, he gulped down several large bottles of water outside and then went to the restroom to relieve himself. He thought to himself that Old Ma could climb to the position of Organization Minister, so he was definitely not a reckless person. If he said he wanted to challenge someone to drink, his capacity must be extraordinary. Su Qing had already made a big claim, so he definitely couldn't lose face for her. Therefore, Zhao Desan was fully prepared and entered the private room with the large glasses from the waiter.

There were still two bottles of Moutai on the table. Old Ma immediately grabbed them, took one, handed it to Zhao Desan, and said: "You all are the referees today. If I, Old Ma, can't outdrink this kid today, I won't drink for half a year." After saying this, he poured a full glass of liquor into the glass in front of him. Zhao Desan glanced at Su Qing beside him, and seeing her nod slightly at him, he didn't show any fear. He opened the bottle of Moutai in front of him and filled his own glass.

"Come, young man, let's not talk so much idle chatter. Today is a meeting of chess rivals; let's drink directly." Old Ma raised his full glass, gestured toward Zhao Desan, and tilted his head back, gulping it down in one go. Zhao Desan couldn't help but be secretly shocked. Is this how you drink? This is a glass for beer that holds three taels! Damn it! Won't drinking this in one gulp cost a life? But Zhao Desan was a heavy drinker anyway, and since Su Qing had already made the claim, he had no choice but to bite the bullet. He thought, "Damn it, I'll risk it!" Thus, he also tilted his head back and poured the liquor into his stomach. After finishing three taels of liquor in one breath, Zhao Desan felt as if his stomach and throat were burning like fire. This was truly the first time Zhao Desan had used such a barbaric way of drinking. He had used small glasses to drink before, but a glass this big was too fierce.

Old Ma saw that Zhao Desan didn't change his expression after drinking such a large glass and laughed: "Good kid, your drinking capacity is indeed good. I like it. Haha, keep drinking." Saying this, he poured another glass.

A bottle of Moutai was bottomed out in about two or three glasses. Because the other people had very high status, Zhao Desan could only run out to find the waiter waiting outside the door to get a few more bottles, while he secretly ran to the restroom to use his fingers to trigger his throat. Only after vomiting did he return to the private room. Although this method of sobering up was very crude, it was the most direct and effective. Usually, he almost never needed to do this, but today Zhao Desan knew he had met his match. He thought that it seemed those who were high officials in Beijing really had drinking capacities that ordinary people couldn't compare to. It really lived up to the saying in officialdom: the greater your drinking capacity, the higher the official rank you can hold.

(Chapter 2375: Chess Rivals)! ===== CHAPTER 4387 =====