Chapter 1018: with translation of chapter title

This person immediately walked up to the newcomer and said: "Pang Department Head, this comrade says he has work to report, and also says he has an appointment with Minister Xia, but Minister Xia isn't even in the department today! It's obvious that another place down below has come again to ask for a project."

Pang De slightly waved his hand and said: "You guys don't have to be like that, the comrades down below have their own difficulties; if there were another way, who would want to run to Jingcheng? Where are you from? If you truly have a project needing the Ministry of Transport's support, you can submit the relevant materials according to procedure, then go to the relevant department; coming straight to look for Minister Xia is unscientific."

Su Yang said: "Hello, Pang Department Head, we are from Lieshan Xian, Ganzhou Sheng."

While Pang De was speaking, he had already walked to the entrance of another elevator; he was just asking casually. Normally, he wouldn't bother with such cadres running down to ask for projects.

Upon hearing Su Yang say he was from Lieshan Xian, he stopped as he was about to press the elevator button: "You're from Lieshan Xian? I know that place; there have been frequent situations these years. Since you've come all this way, wait in the meeting room for a moment; I'll finish handling what's on hand and then talk with you."

The person who had just been blocking Su Yang immediately became respectful: "Oh, so you're the comrade from Lieshan Xian; if you'd said so earlier, it would have been fine. Are you the one who made an appointment with Pang Department Head? Are you the county magistrate or the secretary of your county?"

Su Yang said lightly: "No, I don't know Pang Department Head. How could I possibly hold the positions of County Party Secretary and County Magistrate? I'm just a Vice County Magistrate."

As soon as he said that, Jiao Qiang shuddered again, thinking, "Why do you say that? It's hard enough to get a chance to meet the Executive Vice Minister, and you've offended him with that sentence."

This person's expression changed again—at first it was contemptuous, cold, and arrogant; later it turned into enthusiastic flattery, even with a hint of fawning.

Upon Su Yang saying that, his expression stiffened a little. He is the Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Planning Division, and in the Ministry of Transport he counts as a real-power cadre; even when a Vice Provincial Governor comes down, they treat him politely. How can a Vice County Magistrate actually consider himself someone important? But for a moment he couldn't figure out what relationship Su Yang had with Pang De.

Because Pang De, although he is the Executive Vice Minister in the Ministry of Transport, rumors now say this number-two is about to take over the Minister's post. And Minister Xia usually, aside from some important meetings and activities, basically doesn't manage department affairs, so all the cadres in the Ministry of Transport are actively trying to get close to Pang De.

This Deputy Director naturally also had his thoughts; it's impossible for his attitude toward Su Yang to change so dramatically.

In the localities, everyone tries to probe each other's behind-the-scenes connections; in the capital's ministries and commissions, it's even more so. One would rather lower one's attitude than give offense, for if they really have a good relationship with Pang Department Head, wouldn't he be destroying his own prospects?

Thus, he gritted his teeth and lowered his posture, smiling at Su Yang and saying: "Lieshan Xian isn't easy, with one problem after another cropping up; the political ecology has serious issues. In this situation, you still manage to come out and pursue a project—that's truly commendable. I am Gao Yanqing, Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Planning Division; I'll take you to the small meeting room."

Others seeing this scene also whispered privately: "Our lofty Deputy Director Gao, why is he being so courteous today to a mere Vice County Magistrate?"

"Otherwise? Otherwise he could become a Deputy Director, while you and I would just be oxen and horses doing the work."

"Hahaha, our Director never lets any opportunity slip—he tries his luck regardless, hoping to hit something."

"I say you shouldn't underestimate these comrades coming from the localities; if they've come, it shows they have some ability and background. Besides, don't think these people, who haven't seen much of the world in the localities, are foolish—they certainly aren't stupid enough to go to the ministries and commissions blindly asking for projects."

What they said actually makes sense—if there were really no connections at all, not knowing a single person, how could one possibly go straight to someone's unit to ask for a project? Isn't that just foolish behavior?

Of course, under normal procedure, it should be the prefecture-level cities in the localities asking the stationed-in-the-capital office cadres to make contact, reaching the relevant leaders—normally that would be a Deputy Director like this—then first settle the matter over a meal, giving gifts if appropriate, saying nice words if appropriate.

Only after a matter has roughly taken shape will they go to the person's unit. Whether it finally succeeds or not still depends on follow-up; there's a lot to say about that. So they concluded that Su Yang probably has some connections.

Director Gao brought Su Yang into the small meeting room, personally poured him a cup of tea, and said: "County Magistrate Su, Pang Department Head will be over shortly; you can also briefly discuss the project with me—if it's about building a highway or something, I can also help you strategize here."

Su Yang said: "Actually, there isn't much of a big deal; we just want to build a highway. The total budget would come to about twenty or thirty billion, but for building a highway we need to match ten billion in funding."

"We are a poor county; the city can't come up with this money, and the province has already allocated the relevant funds. If we wait for this year's budget, the earliest it would arrive is at year's end, which would delay the road construction. Moreover, our province currently has over ten places waiting for funds to build roads; even if there is money, the province can't immediately support us. So our leaders have had us come to the ministry to apply for funding."

Director Gao chuckled after hearing this: "Just this little thing, County Magistrate Su, you had to make a special trip? Normally, such projects don't even get raised to the ministry; the province usually settles them. What gets turned over to our Ministry of Transport are at least projects worth a hundred billion or more."

"If it's not a big problem, I'll let the other comrades in the department know when the time comes; it should be doable. Oh, of course, since this involves allocating funds to local projects, we still need Pang Department Head's nod."

Su Yang said: "Then thank you, Director Gao; do we need to provide any relevant materials?"

Director Gao said: "No need, no need; I'll have someone call your Transport Department personnel, trust that you have the materials—the Transport Department side definitely has them, just have them give us a copy. If we're free in the evening, let's have a meal together."

With such enthusiasm, the slight displeasure Su Yang had felt inside instantly vanished, and he said: "How could I let Director Gao treat us to a meal? It should be us treating him."

They were still speaking when Pang De pushed the door open and came in.

The two stood up to greet Pang De: "Hello, Pang Department Head!" "Hello, Leader!"