Chapter 336: Debts of Favor Must Be Repaid with Favors!

Upon learning that his position in Tianling County had been cancelled, Tang Ye also gasped in shock.

Fortunately, he had registered right at the deadline; otherwise, there was no telling what kind of trouble might have been stirred up.

There are too many sinister people in this day and age.

They dare not deal with him openly, only resorting to those petty tricks—it is truly despicable!

He had kept an ace up his sleeve; this is what they call "caution is the parent of safety"!

Because Jiang Jing had previously instructed Tang Ye to arrange an inspection tour of Jade Street, Tang Ye seized the opportunity to schedule the inspection led by Jiang Jing.

Leaning against his desk, he pondered for a moment before calling for Wen Rong: "Notify the Municipal Government Office to issue the inspection notice at this time, and ensure that all departments make preparations in advance."

Once everything was arranged, he picked up his phone and dialed Chen Shenghai's number.

"Mr. Chen, Mayor Jiang is leading an inspection of Jade Street tomorrow and will specifically meet with Chen Laoyezi at that time. If there are any matters that need coordination, you might as well have the old gentleman bring them up to Mayor Jiang in person; he will certainly help resolve them."

On the other end of the line, Chen Shenghai's voice could not hide his surprise: "That would be truly wonderful!"

A smile curled at the corners of Tang Ye's mouth: "Then I will see you tomorrow."

After hanging up, Chen Shenghai held his phone and fell into deep thought, pondering how to present his requests to Jiang Jing, when his ringtone suddenly sounded.

After answering, a strange voice came through the receiver: "May I ask if this is Mr. Chen Shenghai? The District Government is holding an emergency meeting; is it convenient for you to come over now?"

"Fine! I'll be there immediately!"

Half an hour later, Chen Shenghai pushed open the door to the conference room.

District Party Secretary Xia Zhentao reached out his hand from a distance, "Mr. Chen! You've finally arrived, please, take a seat!"

Although the two had met several times before, their relationship had always remained at the level of nodding acquaintances.

The sudden warmth made Chen Shenghai feel somewhat uneasy.

Once everyone was seated, he scanned the room: "I have called you all here urgently because we have just received a notice from the Municipal Government—at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, City Leaders will come to inspect Jade Street in person. Let's hold a preparatory meeting tonight to assign the tasks.

Furthermore, if you have any issues, you may raise them now; the district will certainly coordinate with all its might. However, during tomorrow's inspection, I hope everyone can keep their stories consistent so as not to give the City Leaders a bad impression of Chengzhong District and affect regional development!"

Wang Zhigang, sitting across the conference table, straightened his back and put on a fawning smile: "I'll state my position first! As a long-time merchant on Jade Street, I firmly support the Government's work! Even if I have opinions, I will wait until after the reception is over; I will absolutely not add any trouble to the inspection!"

Watching the other man's obsequious manner, a cold sneer welled up in Chen Shenghai's heart.

In the relocation project, Wang Zhigang had become the biggest winner through backroom dealings, so it was no wonder he was so eager to show his loyalty.

The merchants spoke one after another; most chose to cooperate, though a few cautiously brought up the issue of compensation for demolition and relocation.

When it was Chen Shenghai's turn to speak, he first cleared his throat.

"I don't have the same level of awareness as Boss Wang. We certainly support the relocation work, but the transparency of the demolition compensation is insufficient. My family's compensation price is twenty percent lower than the average; I hope the district can provide an explanation."

Xia Zhentao's hand, holding a fountain pen, paused slightly, and he maintained a gentle smile: "I have heard of Mr. Chen's opinions before. Rest assured, it will be properly resolved."

As soon as Xia Zhentao said this, Wang Zhigang's expression changed slightly.

Why was Secretary Xia so polite to Chen Shenghai today?

Chen Shenghai was also quite surprised.

From the moment he entered, Xia Zhentao's attitude had been unusually kind.

It was even tinged with a bit of obsequiousness; this transformation was truly baffling.

When the meeting ended, just as Chen Shenghai was about to stand up, his shoulder was pressed down by Xia Zhentao.

"Stay a moment, Mr. Chen!" Xia Zhentao's face was full of smiles, "Would you do me the honor of having a cup of tea in my office? There are some things I would like to discuss with you in detail."

Chen Shenghai hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

In the office, Xia Zhentao poured the tea himself.

"Regarding the demolition work, it was our lack of consideration; I hope Mr. Chen will be magnanimous. The plot of land in Dongwan Town you applied for earlier, I guarantee it will be implemented, and as for the compensation price, we can provide the best standard. Your esteemed father is an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, and his craftsmanship is praised even by the City Leaders! I hope you won't take the previous conflicts to heart."

Chen Shenghai's heart suddenly cleared; he finally understood the reason for Xia Zhentao's change in attitude.

The "Loyalty and Righteousness" jade plaque his father carved for Jiang Jing had played its part.

He quickly said, "Secretary Xia, you are too kind."

Xia Zhentao picked up his teacup and took a small sip, his expression solemn: "The district plans to make masters like Chen Laoyezi key subjects of our publicity, and I hope Mr. Chen will provide more support. By the way, for tomorrow's reception, the city has specifically requested that Chen Laoyezi be present."

"Very well, I will speak to my father about this matter."

"When Chen Laoyezi communicates with the City Leaders, I hope you will put in a good word for us; if there are any problems, let's just communicate internally."

"I understand! I know what to do."

"By the way, may I ask, what is your relationship with Mayor Jiang?"

"I am friends with Mayor Jiang's Secretary!"

Chen Shenghai and Wen Rong's father were friends with a good relationship.

Wen Rong was Jiang Jing's Secretary.

Although there was a gap between Wen Rong as a secretary and Tang Ye as a secretary, it was not exactly a lie!

"So that's how it is!"

Xia Zhentao suddenly realized.

Leaving the District Committee building, Chen Shenghai looked at the night sky and let out a long breath.

Those unresolved demolition problems had been solved, and Tang Ye's secret assistance was indispensable behind it all.

Tang Ye's words, "debts of favor are repaid with favors," were now being fulfilled.

The jade piece his father had stayed up all night to make now seemed worth far more than its price!

He secretly made up his mind: he must maintain this relationship well in the future.

At ten o'clock the next morning, the inspection motorcade arrived on time.

Jiang Jing stepped out of the car, and after shaking hands with Xia Zhentao, walked straight toward Chen Laoyezi with a sincere smile on her face: "Old gentleman, I must thank you properly! The Provincial Governor also gave a thumbs up to your work!"

Chen Laoyezi was both surprised and delighted: "Really? Thank you so much for the leader's recognition!"

Tang Ye stood to the side, sighing to himself in his heart.

Jiang Jing's words seemed like praise, but in reality, they were the best promotion for the jade culture of Hanzhou.

If nothing unexpected happened, the old man's jade carving works would soon become famous far and wide.

Although a smile hung on Xia Zhentao's face, his eyes remained tense, stealing glances at Chen Laoyezi from time to time, terrified that he might say something he shouldn't.

Chen Laoyezi was well-versed in worldly wisdom; throughout the entire time, he only spoke of the inheritance of jade carving culture and did not mention a single word about the relocation issue of Jade Street.

In the crowd.

Chen Shenghai caught a glimpse of the jealous gaze cast by Wang Zhigang and a look of contempt curled the corners of his mouth.

Chen Laoyezi and Wang Zhigang's father were fellow disciples, as well as rivals.

In the past, on such occasions, it was always Wang Zhigang's father who, as the merchant representative, would tell the leaders about the past and present of Hanzhou jade carving!

Today, however, his own father had stolen the limelight.

Tang Ye found an opportunity to come to Chen Shenghai's side and teased, "President Chen, the old man seems to be holding back today!"

Chen Shenghai hurriedly expressed his thanks: "Thanks to Section Chief Tang's efforts, to tell you the truth, the problems that have troubled me for a long time have all been solved!"

Tang Ye smiled knowingly.

Long before arranging the inspection, he had already learned of Chen Shenghai's requests from Wen Rong.

This kind of matter did not require excessive intervention.

The power of authority was revealed completely at this moment.

Problems that seemed extremely thorny to Chen Shenghai could be easily solved through one inspection, by letting the local Government leaders know of Chen Shenghai's connections.