Chapter 1020

Director Gao's face turned deathly pale in an instant, he grabbed Su Yang's arm and said, "County Magistrate Su, you must not do this, it's me looking down on people! I really didn't know you had an arrangement with Minister Xia, and even if I had known I wouldn't dare cause this trouble!"

"In that case, I'll immediately call the Transport Department for you and restore your project right away; as long as the matching funds are within 5 billion, I'll handle it at once! All I ask is that you give me a chance to go greet Minister Xia together, I'm begging you!"

His overly humble posture made Jiao Qiang stare dumbfounded. At his rank, dealing with the ministries in Jingcheng is like a country bumpkin entering the city—he can't even speak smoothly, let alone play the "high‑quality" role, because he's far unqualified.

Yet even so, Su Yang gave him no friendly expression at all. Making many friends and forging good ties is fine in principle, but a two‑faced, back‑stabbing person is not worth close association. Moreover, if one were to befriend such a person, his next move would surely be to use Su Yang to latch onto Minister Xia's leg and Climbing Up.

This is unlike the lower cities, where Su Yang interacts with all sorts of people and has some connections with senior provincial officials; even if he receives benefits from others, he can later give appropriate returns, achieving mutual benefit, reciprocity, and assistance.

But in Jingcheng he has no room to maneuver; the circle is too elite. At his rank, even stretching his neck and standing on tiptoe can't reach. He can't keep flattering his face to approach Minister Xia, or Minister Fang, just to spend goodwill on such a relationship.

Moreover, he only met Minister Xia through Fang Jingwen's connections, and any favor from Minister Xia is purely out of respect for old Fang. If he were to do this, it would be like a friend inviting you to a meal while you bring a newcomer to mooch—seriously violating the "no guests bringing guests" principle; bluntly put, it shows he doesn't know how to behave.

Director Gao had no intention of giving up; seeing Su Yang ignore him, he turned to Jiao Qiang and pleaded, "Comrade, could you say a word for me? It truly was unintentional; the people in Jingcheng ministries are like that, and just now Minister Pang's attitude was obvious—we also have our difficulties."

"Especially since Minister Pang is now handling the department's daily affairs; many matters, big or small, are decided by him, provided Minister Xia doesn't intervene. Here's the deal: give me a chance to admit my mistake, and for any future projects involving the two of you, just let me know and I'll grant you a green light all the way."

"Not only in our Ministry of Transport but also in other ministries, if I can be of help I will not shirk the duty; even if I don't know you, I will use contacts and connections to mediate on your behalf!"

This left Jiao Qiang completely bewildered. When Director Gao was pleading with Su Yang earlier, his brain already felt fried, and he didn't expect the even more outrageous move of Director Gao turning around to beg him.

If this were in a county, he might actually enjoy it, but where is this? It's the Jingcheng ministries! A low‑ranking clerk like him wouldn't dare take on such a huge cause‑and‑effect; of course not. He waved his hands repeatedly and sneered, "Sorry, sorry, I'm just a follower; everything is decided by County Magistrate Su!"

He hadn't finished speaking when Su Yang was already gone, because he needed to go down to the lobby to wait for Minister Xia—that was the priority, and there was no need to entangle further with such a role.

After the two went downstairs, the "face‑changing master" Director Gao collapsed onto the floor like a deflated ball. A moment later, however, he seemed to recall something, got up and staggered straight toward Minister Pang De's office.

He knocked on the office door and, with an anxious expression, said, "Minister Pang, the comrade from the county just now seems to know Minister Xia—he called him 'Uncle Xia'—and has already gone downstairs to wait for Minister Xia."

"But the projects from their county, following your instruction just now, I called the Transport Department and rejected them all; no further projects are allowed to be approved. Should I call the Transport Department again to smooth this over? Otherwise, if Minister Xia were to inquire, it wouldn't be easy to explain."

Pang De gave the "face‑changing master" a cold glance and slowly said, "When did I ever instruct you? I said, 'If people from the counties come to our Ministry of Transport to push projects, does our Ministry still need to work?' I was speaking about the priority and order of work, not telling you to call and target or trouble anyone."

"Also, comrade, I need to remind you: in future work, don't wear tinted glasses when judging people. Grass‑roots comrades travel thousands of miles to the ministries seeking support, clearly facing difficulties, yet you all constantly set up various hurdles."

"Clearly, projects that could be approved with a few simple documents and receive matching funds become, at your end, months or even one or two years of a stalemate; you not only extort, you also constantly flaunt your official authority. Who do you think you are?"

"You are merely a deputy director in the Ministry of Transport; in a locality that would be equivalent to a vice mayor. Where do you think the power in your hands comes from? From some leader? No, it comes from the people."

"Enough, go reflect outside. Regarding your conduct, I will report it truthfully to Minister Xia; when the time comes, appropriate punishments will be meted out, appropriate warnings given, and if necessary, because of this incident all comrades in the department will be required to intensify their study."

After saying that, Pang De waved his hand and gave Director Gao an eviction order.

Director Gao nearly fell flat. Had he known this outcome, why would he have run to Minister Pang for a fix? At this point, he finally grasped a hard‑won truth: despite the Executive Vice Minister wielding great power, handling countless daily affairs, and being highly touted as a concurrent minister, countless mid‑level cadres, some departmental committee members, and deputy ministers cling to his leg.

In reality, even if Minister Xia never moves to a new post, he remains the absolute power core here—no one can surpass or replace him. This truth came to Director Gao a bit late and a bit painfully. In light of Minister Pang's words, the best outcome for him in the next three to five years is likely to remain stagnant; a slight misstep could see him dispatched to some back‑corner.

At this moment, Su Yang and his group were already waiting downstairs. Within two minutes an Audi rolled in slowly; as soon as it stopped, Minister Xia pushed open the door and stepped out: "Little Su, you actually came down to wait for me? This is our Ministry of Transport, and you kid have turned the tables! Come, come, let's go to my office and talk!"