Chapter 716: Stood Up by Tang Ye!

After returning to his office, Tang Ye found Chen Dongan's phone number in his address book and dialed it.

"Director Chen, are you free right now?"

"Attending a meeting in the city? How about we have a meal tonight and chat about work then?"

Tang Ye remained calm, "Fine, then you pick the place; I'll treat you to this meal."

Chen Dongan said with a smile, "How could I let you pay! County Magistrate Tang, do you mind if I bring a few more people along?"

Tang Ye chuckled, "Of course I don't mind! Since it's a meal, calling a few more people will make it even livelier!"

Upon hearing Tang Ye say this, Chen Dongan felt relieved, secretly thinking that Tang Ye was finally showing his true colors!

In his view, Tang Ye had previously been intentionally creating obstacles and giving the Education Bureau a hard time regarding financial issues to establish his authority.

Now that the show of authority was over, Tang Ye's next step would be to win people over.

It seemed Tang Ye's arrival in Dayu County for an exchange was not as simple as just accumulating political achievements.

Currently, the only area in Dayu County that still had some profit to be made was the education system.

Because there was a saying: no matter how poor you are, you cannot be poor toward the children; no matter how poor you are, you cannot be poor toward education.

After hanging up on Tang Ye, Chen Dongan dialed Jiang Zhongwen's number.

"There's a dinner party tonight to host the new Executive Deputy County Magistrate; you need to come and keep us company."

Jiang Zhongwen had been holding in a breath of frustration these past few days.

All the spotlight had been stolen by the Dayu Women's High School.

And the culprit behind it was none other than Tang Ye.

"Director Chen, I won't be attending. Tang Ye has such a good relationship with Jin Chunping, why don't you let Jin Chunping keep you company instead!"

Chen Dongan detected the sourness in Jiang Zhongwen's tone and said unhappily, "Old Jiang, you need to be more mature. I know you're unhappy. Eighty percent of the County Education Bureau's annual funding goes to the County No. 1 Middle School. The decision-making power for this money is in Tang Ye's hands. There is no benefit in offending him."

Jiang Zhongwen grinned, "Sorry, I'm the one being immature. How do you want me to arrange things for tonight?"

Chen Dongan said, "County Magistrate Tang is a young man; he surely prefers a relaxed atmosphere. Find a few lively female colleagues to join us for dinner."

Jiang Zhongwen nodded slightly, "Director Chen is always so thorough in his considerations. Please rest assured, I will definitely take the initiative to build a good relationship with County Magistrate Tang tonight."

Chen Dongan gave a hum and hung up the phone, a scene appearing in his mind.

On the day of the donation to the Dayu Women's High School, after the ceremony ended, Tang Ye was pulled aside by Department Head Zhao and Secretary Liu to talk.

For so many years, he had focused his energy on packaging the County No. 1 Middle School, ignoring the development of the Women's High School, and even hoping to see the school fail so it could be merged into the County No. 1 Middle School.

Yet he hadn't expected that things would take a turn for the better.

Under Tang Ye's management, the Women's High School had successfully recovered.

Moreover, it had surpassed the County No. 1 Middle School and become the focus of everyone's attention!

It was a pity that he hadn't been able to reap the dividends of this political achievement.

In his view, the ceiling for the Women's High School was too low; even if resources were funneled there, how many 985 or 211 graduates could it produce each year?

Most students could only attend vocational colleges.

In terms of enrollment data, it was not even in the same league as the County No. 1 Middle School.

A few years ago, the media had pushed Jin Chunping to a very high position; whenever a report was made, Jin Chunping would inevitably be mentioned.

At the time, Chen Dongan had also cooperated with the Dayu Women's High School on some matters.

However, Jin Chunping was a particularly pedantic person.

Although the Dayu Women's High School had limited funds, quite a bit had been invested over the years.

Jin Chunping kept a very tight grip on the expenditures for the Women's High School's infrastructure projects, ensuring every cent was spent where it mattered most.

Trying to squeeze any profit out of those projects was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

It was nowhere near as clever and sensible as Jiang Zhongwen!

However, in Chen Dongan's view, there was now a turning point.

Tang Ye agreeing to a private dinner was undoubtedly a very good signal.

As long as Tang Ye didn't block the education funding, Chen Dongan still had ways to boost his own presence by strengthening the results of the County No. 1 Middle School.

Chen Dongan arrived at the private room, asked the waiter for the menu, and added a few substantial dishes.

Then, Chen Dongan dialed Tang Ye's phone number.

"County Magistrate Tang, may I ask when you will arrive?"

Tang Ye gave a helpless, bitter smile, "Director Chen, I'm sorry. I was just about to call you; I'm afraid I can't make it tonight. There is a matter that needs to be handled."

A look of disappointment flashed across Chen Dongan's face, "So that's how it is. Then let's make an appointment for another time!"

Tang Ye comforted him, "Yes, there will be plenty of opportunities. I'll host next time."

After hanging up on Tang Ye, a cold look appeared on Chen Dongan's face.

Seeing the expression on Director Chen's face, Jiang Zhongwen asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Chen Dongan spread his hands and said helplessly, "I've been stood up by Tang Ye."

Jiang Zhongwen said gloomily, "This guy surnamed Tang really doesn't give us any face."

Chen Dongan waved his hand, "He's a leader, after all; personalities differ. Some leaders like to put on airs. Although he didn't come, it can still be considered a step toward easing the relationship."

Jiang Zhongwen snorted, "If he won't give us face, we'll just eat by ourselves!"

Chen Dongan smiled, "That's right, we're all our own people, no need to be so formal."

The dinner party ended quickly.

Jiang Zhongwen suggested, "It's still early, let's play mahjong!"

Chen Dongan nodded slightly, "Yes, let's play a few rounds."

Jiang Zhongwen dialed a phone number and called two project contractors involved with school construction.

Not long after, two middle-aged men walked into the private room and handed cigarettes to Chen Dongan and Jiang Zhongwen respectively.

The four of them gathered at one table.

"Self-drawn! Kong-on-the-top! Blooming!"

Chen Dongan slapped the tiles in his hand onto the table and pushed them over.

The other three players hurriedly handed their money to Chen Dongan.

A smile appeared at the corners of Chen Dongan's mouth as he said to the beautiful teacher beside him, "My luck is quite good today; whatever I want, I get."

As Jiang Zhongwen stacked the tiles, he muttered to himself, "Damn it, of course your luck is good; we're all feeding you tiles. If it were still bad, you might as well just hang yourself with a rope!"

"Director Chen, I don't think it's a matter of luck; your mahjong skills are truly excellent. I feel like you know exactly what tiles we have in our hands. You are truly the ever-victorious general of the mahjong table; every time I play with you, I come with the mindset of learning."

One of the contractors said with a flattering smile.

The Education Bureau has many infrastructure projects every year, and there are quite a few shady dealings involved.

For example, the teaching building at County No. 1 Middle School—this project alone allowed the contractor to make a fortune.

The contractors also know that sometimes they need to use this form to channel benefits out.

Chen Dongan didn't actually like playing mahjong; he liked that when playing mahjong, there were beautiful teachers around to help light his cigarettes and pour tea, while everyone else kept flattering him.

"Red Dragon!" Chen Dongan squinted his eyes as he rubbed a tile, preparing to discard it.

At this moment, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

First, what came into view was a young man.

"County Magistrate Tang, why have you come?"

Behind Tang Ye followed another person.

When he saw the man beside Tang Ye clearly, the smile on Chen Dongan's face suddenly froze.

The cigarette in his mouth dropped right into his crotch, instantly burning a large hole and emitting a scorched, foul smell...