Chapter 1125

Su Yang did not answer directly, but instead countered with a question: "Secretary Pan, what do you think? We are colluding with illegal enterprises against our conscience, turning a blind eye to thirty or fifty families and dozens of lives—aren't you afraid that evil spirits will come for you at night?"

"We are both officials within the system; our duty is to serve the people and think for the common folk, not to treat the little power in our hands as a bargaining chip. If we really do that, I'm afraid you'll end up singing the prison lament, and so will I."

"Power, in our hands, has it already fallen to become a bargaining chip for trade?"

Su Yang hadn't finished speaking when he already made clear his refusal, but Huang Beidou still wasn't giving up. He also didn't care what Pan Wenhai was thinking at that moment.

Or simply ignore it.

He said: "Don't speak so absolutely; among officials I've seen all kinds of people—some appear upright, some know the law yet break it, and perhaps some use the pretext of seeking welfare for the common people to frenziedly seize wealth for themselves."

"Of course, there are also those who genuinely want to accomplish something real, but don't forget, this is a big dye vat—you can't just do whatever you want as an individual."

"Take Liu Cheng Xian as an example: if you cannot properly carry out Secretary Pan's intentions, then in Liu Cheng Xian's officialdom you will find it impossible to move an inch."

"I won't even mention your political ambitions; you can't even get your normal work underway. You've been in our Liu Cheng Xian for a few days—how have the cadres been treating you? You know the answer yourself: you're the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, and so far has anyone come to your office to report work?"

"Therefore, being accommodating, adept at maneuvering, and following the middle way—that is the true way of being an official. Don't emulate those ancient worthies; you think you're Hai Rui or Hai Gangfeng? In fact, you merely have some connections and background behind you. If you were an ordinary person, I think the best outcome for you now would be exiled to some remote outpost."

"I haven't even finished my earlier remarks, but the situation in our county is just this: whether the economy can take off and retain the title and honor of a provincial-level strong economy county depends on whether these enterprises of ours give it their all."

"Whether the enterprises give their all depends not only on their own development but also on government policy and attitude—whether they can offer some tolerance. Originally everything was developing well; it shouldn't be that because you arrived the economy starts to slide and the common people start cursing."

"But if we join forces, I guarantee you will attain the position of County Magistrate within a year, and within two years you will become a member of the Municipal Party Committee and a Vice Mayor. If you don't believe me, I can give you a written pledge as proof, or a recording as proof, and I can even ask relevant provincial leaders to come and give you a boost."

"Although I haven't had much contact with people and affairs in Jingcheng, I still know some things: even if you are a scion of Jingcheng's inner circle, you still need to compete."

"And in this competition, the clan will not exert effort for you; you must rely entirely on your own ability. If you cannot stand out, that means you have lost the qualification to receive the clan's resource support."

"So before you truly develop, I think you still need the support of local enterprises like ours. Besides, let me say something unpleasant: which truly risen leader doesn't have patronage from superiors above and backing from enterprises and the common people below?"

"Otherwise, how could they have gotten so far? You understand these principles better than I do. That's all I have to say. Shall we now discuss your thoughts? If you have any demands, feel free to raise them; as long as they can be measured in money or satisfied, I can meet them."

"As soon as these words were spoken, even Pan Wenhai was moved and changed expression—back then he certainly hadn't received such treatment; they had just bought him two meals and dragged him in. Of course, there was also pressure from above, and later he received corresponding rewards, attaining the position of County Party Secretary."

"Initially they gave him no promises; later they merely pushed him along into that position, whereas Su Yang actually managed to obtain a pledge from the Municipal Party Committee—this really is hard for him to accept."

"In his view, even if Su Yang is a scion of a noble clan from Jingcheng, he indeed needs the support of local political resources."

"As Huang Beidou said, resources aren't necessarily given to everyone at first; rather, they go to whoever prevails in the competition and steps forward first to receive the resource boost. This has nothing to do with whether one is from a noble clan; as long as we follow the rules of competition, it's definitely like that."

"However, after Su Yang himself drank a cup of Maotai, he slowly said: 'Mr. Huang, all you've said is true, but if I raise a condition, as long as it can be measured in money, can it be done? As long as it can be bought with money, is it acceptable?'"

"Huang Beidou smiled faintly, thinking to himself, the old master had said Su Yang would be a tough nut to crack, after all he's capable and so young."

"Now it seems that the inducement offered wasn't enough; it appears everyone is the same—once resources are in place, even the stiffest backbone will bend. Let him bend as much as he will; even if he ends up kneeling, that's fine."

"He chuckled and said: 'Go ahead and speak; I'm sure I can satisfy your demands.'"

"Su Yang said: 'I have no political ambitions, nor any business aspirations. Since childhood I have longed for a place—Tiananmen. So here I have a dream: whenever I can go up to Tiananmen I will go up; whenever I am qualified to stand there permanently, I will do so.'"

"But actually, everyone knows that's impossible. So I have a small request: could you just buy it for me directly? Turn it into my private property—what do you think?"

"If you can get this done, then anything between us is easy to discuss—not to mention killing thirty or fifty people; even if it were three or five hundred deaths, I'll cover it for you. How about that?"

"His face bore an expression of sincerity, but to Huang Beidou's ears these words were actually mockery and humiliation."

"What place is that? Can it be measured in money? Not to mention Huang Beidou—even his father and grandfather, if dug up from their graves, would not dare entertain such a thought."

"Huang Beidou has lived this long and has never been so humiliated before; even with his father's prior admonition, he could not hold back now. He snatched a bottle of Maotai and smashed it on the ground: 'Su Yang, I've already given you enough face today—don't throw it away!'"

"Su Yang gave a cold smile: 'Huang Beidou, right? My coming here today in a humble manner already gives you plenty of face—of course, this is also out of respect for Secretary Pan's face; otherwise you truly wouldn't have the qualifications. The meal ends here; I have something to attend to, so I'll go ahead first.'"

"Saying this, Su Yang wiped his mouth, rose, and was about to walk out."

"Huang Beidou felt shame turn to rage and bellowed: 'Su Yang, if you just walk out that door today, I'll no longer bear the surname Huang!'"

"Su Yang halted his steps, turned back and gave a cold chuckle: 'If I don't walk out this door like this, how should I walk out?'"

"Having said that, he strode out without looking back, but just then a figure suddenly rushed out."