Chapter 162: Officialdom Jinx

"Town Mayor Ma, Town Mayor Ma, why aren't you speaking? Do you feel this is a bit too grand and you're so moved you don't know how to thank me?"

"Actually, you don't need to be like this. We will all be comrades in the same team in the future. The town's economic development is what the leaders and the organization hope to see, and it is also what the common people look forward to."

Su Yang heard Ma Zhengyang unable to speak for a long time and knew what he was thinking, so he pressed his advantage, speaking until Ma Zhengyang was about to crack.

Ma Zhengyang almost fainted. It took him a long while to calm down before he said, "Thank you, Town Mayor Su, thank you, Town Mayor Su. I will keep your kindness in my heart. A great favor must be repaid with a great reward."

After saying this, he hung up the phone in a panic.

*In his heart, he thought: You want to make me lose face? How could it be that easy? *

*Damn it, I'll accept the money, but you want to make me look bad through a live TV broadcast? Don't even think about it. *

So, after hanging up the phone, he immediately went to contact his classmate who worked at the TV station.

No matter what, he had to stop the people from the Municipal TV Station from coming down to broadcast live. Otherwise, his face would be trampled into the dirt before he even entered the Huatian Town Government.

Not only trampled into the dirt, but someone would be standing on top of his head peeing on him. He wouldn't be able to face anyone in the future.

Let alone dealing with Su Yang, making Su Yang step down and be subjected to "Double Regulation," and giving Zhao Ruilong a satisfactory explanation.

After Su Yang hung up the phone, he leisurely blew a smoke ring and said, "What a gift bag delivered to my door! It would be a waste not to grab it, and even if I grab it, it's still a gift."

Originally, he had thought about having to fill this funding gap all by himself, but now it seemed he wasn't fighting alone.

At this time, he saw Director Liu had already come down from upstairs and was looking around, clearly searching for him. He immediately pushed open the car door and got out, "Director Liu, I'm here."

Liu Fusheng said with great displeasure, "Little Brother Su, you are being too distant. Weren't things fine just a moment ago? How did I become 'Director Liu' again after you came downstairs? If you, little brother, look down on me and don't give me this face, just tell me."

"I won't go out of my way to climb this relationship either."

Su Yang quickly said, "Brother Liu, Brother Liu, it was my slip of the tongue just now. I apologize to you, I apologize."

Liu Fusheng then smiled and said, "That's more like it. Come, get in my car. I'll take you to dinner, and by the way, we brothers will have a few drinks."

Officialdom is just like this; it can turn two people with no connection into intimate comrades in an instant, and the kind that are sweet to the point of death.

Even, others' kindness toward you is for no reason, and others' hatred toward you is also for no reason. It's just that magical.

Su Yang readily agreed. Throughout Lancheng City, there were many people who wanted to curry favor with this God of Wealth. According to conservative estimates, the list of people inviting this God of Wealth to dinner probably stretched to next year, and since the God of Wealth had taken the initiative to invite him, how could he refuse?

However, behind such urgency, there must be other matters. Su Yang absolutely did not believe it was his charm that had attracted Liu Fusheng.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. Later, I'll have to see Brother Liu's drinking capacity."

A moment later, the two of them climbed into Liu Fusheng's Audi A6.

Currently, the vehicles of the Municipal Standing Committee members were all Audi A6s. The Municipal Bureau Chiefs were basically all driving Passats. Except for this God of Wealth from the Finance Bureau and the Chief of the Public Security Bureau.

One had to sigh at the transcendent status of the Finance Bureau.

The car soon drove to a farmhouse courtyard in the suburbs. Director Liu said, "This is it. The conditions are a bit simple, little brother, please don't mind."

Su Yang said, "As long as it's you, Brother Liu, inviting me to dinner, even if we were sitting on the street eating at a roadside stall, I would feel it was the most luxurious feast."

Liu Fusheng laughed heartily. He found this remark very pleasing to the ear, "Little brother, I'll take that as a serious statement."

Su Yang smiled without a word, but he knew in his heart that this kind of place must be a hidden gem. Even Jin Zhe, a secretary to an Executive Vice County Mayor, had such a luxurious private base, let alone the God of Wealth of Lancheng City.

Sure enough, upon entering the courtyard, he discovered that pavilions, terraces, small bridges, and flowing water were all present, and flowers, birds, fish, and insects were competing for beauty.

Liu Fusheng led him through a quiet stone path, turning several corners before reaching a small, antique-style quadrangle courtyard at the very back. If someone hadn't been here before, they might easily get lost.

Only then did Su Yang suddenly realize that this courtyard didn't look big from the outside, but it was actually quite large inside. To be precise, it wasn't big, but deep.

From the time he entered the gate until now, he had walked for at least ten minutes. It was estimated that this was originally a small park or something that had been renovated.

Liu Fusheng seemed to see the thoughts in Su Yang's heart. He said, "Little brother, to tell you the truth, our family's ancestors were from Lancheng. This piece of land you see was originally our ancestral home."

"My ancestors were imperial silversmiths, making a living by casting silver for generations. By my father's generation, this craft was lost."

"Even the area of this courtyard had shrunk quite a bit by my father's generation. A few years ago, I renovated it slightly. In my spare time from work, I come here to stay or rest. You are one of the few guests to visit my simple little courtyard."

Su Yang said, "Thank you, Brother Liu, for such a good place. It's truly my first time here. It's so quiet and elegant, a hidden world indeed."

But in his heart, he thought: *How could a courtyard passed down for several generations be preserved until now? If nothing else, it would have been hard to preserve by your grandfather's generation. *

Of course, he only thought about such things in his heart and wouldn't say them directly.

In officialdom, things are true and false, virtual and real. Some words are enough just to listen to; there's no need to take them seriously, and even less need to be pedantic. On the surface, it must be "you are good, I am good, everyone is good."

After entering the house, he discovered that the furniture inside was all made of rosewood, and the carving was extremely exquisite, definitely the work of a master craftsman.

As soon as they sat down, cold dishes were already on the table, and a case of Moutai was brought over.

Su Yang was shocked. Lancheng people liked to drink, and their capacity was quite good, but it was impossible for two people to finish a case of white liquor.

At this time, Director Liu said, "Little brother, this time I took the liberty to invite a few other friends without your consent. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course, they were mainly invited to keep you company while drinking."

Su Yang thought: *It's dinner on your turf, why would I mind? *

Moreover, the fact that the other party was willing to introduce him to the connections or social circle they had cultivated was enough to show how much they valued him.

Normally, unless the relationship reached a certain level, no one would be willing to put their connections out in the open.

"Brother Liu, what are you saying? Being able to have dinner with your friends is my honor. I don't have enough face to disturb them."

Director Liu smiled and nodded, saying, "Little brother is still the one who understands me. They should have arrived already..."

A moment later, four middle-aged men entered. Two of them had large bellies, swaying as they walked.

But there was also one who was thin and withered, not looking like a person in officialdom. The one at the very back had a very well-maintained physique, clearly someone who exercised regularly.

"You've arrived. Come, come, come, let me introduce you first. This is my little brother, Su Yang, currently the Town Mayor of Huatian Town, Jincheng County."

When these people heard Director Liu introduce him as a Town Mayor, a look of doubt couldn't help but flash in their eyes.

At this time, Director Liu continued, "Little brother, let me introduce you. This is Director Mao Kai of our Lancheng City Administration for Industry and Commerce, this is Director Gou Xiong of the Tax Bureau, this is Deputy Minister Li Xunhuan of our Municipal Publicity Department and Director of the TV Station, and finally, this high-spirited one is Political Commissar Wang Huan of the Fire Brigade."

Su Yang hurriedly stepped forward to shake hands with the leaders from the city, but except for Political Commissar Wang of the Fire Brigade who appeared relatively enthusiastic, the others had a very cold attitude, even with a hint of disdain.

After all, they were bureau chiefs from the city. In their eyes, a cadre from a town was simply not worth mentioning. Being brothers and sitting at the same table to eat with them was completely unqualified.

Especially when they heard the name Su Yang, their first impression was that Su Yang who had offended the entire Lancheng officialdom and been exiled to Huatian Town.

Director Mao Kai of the Administration for Industry and Commerce said in a neither-fish-nor-fowl tone, "Oh, Old Liu, you haven't been taking the usual path lately. You've even invited Su Yang, this jinx of the Lancheng officialdom... no, this big red celebrity..." ===== CHAPTER 163 =====