Chapter 1001: One Meal May Not Guarantee a Next

Su Yang said cheerfully, "My personal honors and achievements, in front of our natural ecological environment, in front of the nation's major policies and guidelines, are essentially insignificant."

"Compared with the country's interests, compared with collective interests, personal interests are so trivial they can be ignored; I think that's the most basic self‑cultivation for an official."

"Alas, I'm getting off track; I came today to wish you a happy New Year, and once we get into these topics we could talk forever."

"Your fine wine and dishes—probably only a handful of officials in our whole county have the fortune to taste them. I intend to have a proper meal today; I can't come here in vain."

"Who knows if there will be another chance; perhaps the Former County Magistrate won't welcome me next time."

Saying that, Su Yang burst into hearty laughter.

Former County Magistrate laughed and said, "Where did you hear that? People say officials who don't serve the people are better off selling sweet potatoes at home. You, County Magistrate Su, devote yourself wholeheartedly to the interests of the Common People; after all, I've spent a lifetime Within the System, so I do have that awareness."

"Of course, if you were unwilling to come, even with my strong desire we couldn't have arranged today's banquet."

"Come, come, eat the vegetables; this scallion tofu is my own preparation—elsewhere you really can't find it."

"Moreover, I'm old, my legs aren't steady, I rarely get to cook myself; to be blunt, after this meal there may not be a next one."

"After all, even if I want to, sometimes I'm powerless; people my age have today but no tomorrow."

"Maybe someday there won't be any; then how could I host you?"

Su Yang smiled, raised his cup and said, "Former County Magistrate, you can't say that; you too have contributed to our county's development as an old leader, and your every move affects the Common People of the whole county."

"Come, come, today I'll present you a flower offering as a tribute."

Former County Magistrate laughed heartily, "Neither of us is really offering a toast to the other; we just clink glasses and drink."

The drinking was indeed very enjoyable, and the two chatted heartily.

Yet inside both men, the mood was far from the outward cheerfulness; there was even some heaviness.

After they part, Su Yang stepped out of the courtyard, his complexion changed, becoming extremely angry.

Former County Magistrate's expression was likewise unusually displeased, muttering, "I've always hoped to be friends with you, to develop our county, so that the Common People can earn real income, and to contribute a share."

"It seems your wishes differ from mine."

After Su Yang returned to his office, his face was dreadfully sullen, and he didn't speak to anyone for half a day, just pondering alone.

He now even wonders if he made a mistake; everyone works for development and the Common People's benefit, only the means differ, and the final profit distribution differs.

He hasn't taken a single cent from the Common People, nor a hair's worth from the enterprises he brought in, yet some people still refuse to let him have it easy, refusing to let him smoothly complete these tasks.

"Being a person is hard; being an official is harder."

"No wonder those Jingcheng Cultivation Dynasty Name scions refuse to start from the grassroots; there are too many unscrupulous deeds, and a single setback can trap you."

"But he presses on without hesitation."

That night he called Zhou Ruohan and gave a complete account of the incident's cause and development.

Zhou Ruohan, upon hearing, was also very angry: "How can such a person exist in this world? Just to secure a foothold in the county, just to gain more say, just to keep his own dirty business going, yet he uses such unspeakable tactics."

"He has encompassed everyone in this chain, whether Zhang Jiangbo, Zhao Lanxin, or the people of Guantan Gou Zhen; in fact none of them are good people."

Su Yang said, "Grassroots matters are often like this; they are even more power‑greedy than you imagine."

Zhou Ruohan said, "After you return this time, you really have matured; since they've shown their stance on this matter, it should stop here."

"Given the current environment, it's indeed unwise to keep digging deeper."

"I also didn't expect your situation to become this complicated; it seems Geng Miao was very clear about these matters back then—he didn't want to take over Sha He of Guantan Gou Zhen; the clan was united, leaving no chance."

"Of course, calling Geng Miao a tumor—now I see that these Complex Relationships, the hidden mastermind behind everything, is the biggest tumor."

"Geng Miao is only on the surface; everyone sees what's happening. Some matters are indeed illegal and can be strictly investigated, with direct entry points."

"But the submerged ones are the most detestable; most importantly, he has formed an interest alliance with everyone."

"That force was unbreakable even for Geng Miao and his group back then, proving how tightly they were banded."

"In the end, these grassroots officials have limited vision, caring only about immediate gains and losses, with no long‑term thinking."

"Otherwise, wouldn't attracting investment, farming, and aquaculture be better than sand mining?"

"Moreover, this destroys natural resources; if held accountable, not even town officials, let alone county officials, could bear the responsibility."

"Policy‑level matters can be either huge or trivial."

"Regardless, this time they've compromised; you should stop here and just finish the projects you need to complete."

"I estimate once these projects are done, it'll be mid‑year anyway; then we can see what the next plan is."

"But in short, don't lift this lid now; otherwise your next move will be much harder."

"Although senior leaders say we shouldn't mind the 'political assassin' label, and should focus on our own tasks and solidly do what's beneficial to the Common People, the grassroots Organization Department may not share that view."

"Moreover, senior leaders are busy with countless daily affairs and cannot monitor you constantly."

"Oh, by the way, I have something else to tell you: Zhou Kai has taken a lower post, also serving as Vice County Magistrate overseeing investment attraction."

"Originally Grandfather didn't want him to go, but he persisted; Third Uncle also intended to let him go down for training."

"Third Uncle and Second Uncle's generation gave all the remaining resources to Dad, so they felt somewhat indebted, and he reluctantly agreed."

"But I think Zhou Kai isn't just looking to go down for a simple gilding; he seems ready to roll up his sleeves and do something big."

"I now have an uneasy feeling; his temperament craves achievement, is especially eager for quick results, and is prone to trouble."

"But you needn't over‑focus; just do your own job. After we hang up, tell our dad about your situation; on these matters he certainly understands them far better than we do."

Su Yang hummed, then discussed some other matters with Zhou Ruohan before hanging up.

But inside he hesitated, recalling a saying: not fearing the decadent lifestyles of second‑generation rich, but fearing their ambition to start businesses.

Within the System it's the same; someone like Zhou Kai, if he stays passive, can still reach the main hall level—a ceiling ordinary people can never reach in a lifetime; moving higher likely requires solid achievements.

Those eager for quick success are nine times out of ten bound to crash, but he has no authority to stop them, only a thought in his mind.

Afterwards, he called Old Zhou.