Chapter 177

Under the gradual flattery of the crowd, Ma Zhengyang immediately began to feel lightheaded.

Working at the grassroots level and being recognized at the drinking table is also a tremendous achievement.

As the saying goes, shaking hands ten times is not as good as drinking once; no matter how many hands you shake, people will only greet you when they see you, and you will still be the "Comrade XX" in others' mouths.

But if you drink once, as long as you can drink to the right level, you will be addressed as brothers from then on.

This most primitive method of social interaction often yields the most effective results. The most terrifying thing is when no one is even willing to drink with you.

Being able to gain recognition from so many people, he naturally felt like he was floating on air.

This was a highlight moment he had never enjoyed at the United Front Work Department, and for a time, he felt incredibly smug; he did not refuse a single person who came up to toast him.

At this very moment, his limelight had far overshadowed the Town Party Committee Secretary Qin Chuan and Town Mayor Su Yang.

Xu Jin whispered in Qin Chuan's ear, "Speaking of which, I think this Ma Zhengyang has probably been stifled in the city for too long, or perhaps suppressed for too long, and has suddenly let himself go."

"With this way of drinking, let alone him, I think no one present except you could handle it."

"If he ends up vomiting on the table in a moment, he will have lost all face; it seems this has never happened in the history of our Huatian Town."

This flattery was so well-placed that, although Qin Chuan's drinking capacity was actually just average, coming from Xu Jin's mouth, it was already invincible under heaven.

Qin Chuan took a puff of his cigarette and said leisurely, "History always needs someone to rewrite it. This Town Mayor Ma's edge is a bit too sharp; letting him taste the enthusiasm of our township cadres in moderation is also a good thing."

Today, he had been slighted by Ma Zhengyang, so he was eager to see Ma Zhengyang make a fool of himself in public.

Originally, he thought that no matter what, Ma Zhengyang should at least understand the most basic rules and logic. Coming to work in Huatian Town, the only correct choice should have been to pay his respects to him, the Secretary.

But now it seems that this Zhengyang has a sense of wanting him to pay respects instead; he is truly arrogant to an excessive degree.

Xu Jin said, "Since that's the case, I'll go over and flatter him a few more times to let him float even higher. Let's give him a live broadcast today."

After saying this, he picked up his wine glass and walked toward Ma Zhengyang.

At this time, Gao Fengming pulled Su Yang aside to talk, "Su Yang, this Town Mayor Ma is not here with good intentions! All the way here, he kept telling me how he is going to develop Huatian Town and how he is going to lead Huatian Town out of its current impoverished state."

"He even signaled to me that from now on, Huatian Town will enter his era. Between the lines, he didn't put you or Secretary Qin in his eyes at all."

"Cadres who are parachuted in usually have the bad habit of being unrealistic and out of touch with reality, and clearly, Ma Zhengyang is the same."

"Moreover, he bypassed the relevant procedures of our County Organization Department; it was the comrades from the Cadre Division of the Municipal Organization Department who handled the procedures for him directly, which is enough to show that his influence in the city is not small."

"In future work, you should try your best to pay attention to Ma Zhengyang's work status. Don't let him cause a huge mess without you noticing. Regardless, you are the Town Mayor, the main government official of Huatian Town; as long as something happens, your leadership responsibility cannot be escaped."

Su Yang said very gratefully, "Thank you for the reminder, Minister Gao."

Gao Fengming nodded and said, "Of course, I believe you know these things even without my reminder. The county doesn't hold much hope for him. But both County Magistrate Zhou and Secretary Fang have high expectations for you. Especially County Magistrate Zhou; the burden on his shoulders is very heavy."

"Now the whole city is watching Jincheng County, wanting to see how Secretary Zhou and County Magistrate Zhou pull Jincheng County out of this quagmire; not only must the political ecology be restored to clarity, but the economy must also be restored."

"And if we want to restore the economy, we must start with these economically backward towns, so your Huatian Town bears the brunt. As long as your Huatian Town can successfully implement the specialty economy you mentioned, the other towns and townships will have no reason or excuse not to find a way out for economic development."

"In short, there isn't much time for you; you must achieve results in a short period."

"Moreover, the current County Standing Committee team is still in its honeymoon period; whether it's what the Secretary proposes or what the County Magistrate strongly supports, no one will raise objections, let alone obstruct development. But after a long time, everything will be hard to say."

"I've said so much to you, but it can be summarized in one sentence: hurry up and develop the economy to win some face for the county and give the people of Huatian Town a perfect answer sheet."

"Also, this Ma Zhengyang might just be a troublemaker; you have to be on guard against him. Don't let him cause an uncontrollable situation; this is something neither the county nor I personally want to see."

Su Yang nodded solemnly and said, "Please rest assured, Minister Gao, I will definitely achieve results in the shortest possible time and will not let down the care and expectations you and the County Party Committee and County Government have for me."

Su Yang's attitude made Gao Fengming very satisfied, and he said, "I think it's about time for today's drinking party to end. Otherwise, Ma Zhengyang might lose all his face today."

Just as his voice fell, he heard Ma Zhengyang at the next table let out a loud cry, and then he began to spray out wine and leftover food.

Because Xu Jin was too close, the mouthful that Ma Zhengyang suddenly sprayed out covered Xu Jin's eyes completely.

Xu Jin couldn't stand this intense stimulation and started vomiting as well; for a time, the huge table was covered in vomit from the two of them.

The crowd who were originally gathered around to watch the fun all scattered at once; they didn't want to be sprayed.

Seeing this, Su Yang immediately said, "Hurry and send Town Mayor Ma back to rest."

Only then did two college students who had just been assigned this year cover their noses and help Ma Zhengyang, who had already started babbling nonsense, outside.

"Comrades, I think we should stop here for today!"

Gao Fengming said to the crowd and then walked out. Generally speaking, everyone would maintain a sense of proportion when welcoming a cadre, and they wouldn't drink so much. Especially when he, the Organization Department Minister, was still present.

Today, this Ma Zhengyang really overestimated his own strength. I really don't know how such a person managed to survive in the Municipal United Front Work Department for so many years? If he had been working at the grassroots level all along, I'm afraid he would have been gone long ago.

Su Yang and Qin Chuan saw Gao Fengming out of the Shangri-La Hotel and returned to the Town Government first.

"Minister Gao, the welcoming ceremony today was all my fault for not controlling the rhythm well; I must reflect to you. In addition, these are some local specialties from our town; I'll put them in your trunk."

Just as Gao Fengming was about to get into the car, Qin Chuan was still saying this from the side.

Don't look at his mediocre ability; he still has a knack for the social niceties of officialdom.

Su Yang didn't even know when Qin Chuan had prepared these two boxes of local specialties. The so-called local specialties were not necessarily truly "local." Generally speaking, cigarettes, alcohol, and tea were definitely included, but whether there was anything else besides these? Only he himself knew.

Gao Fengming smiled and said, "Secretary Qin, I accept your kind intentions, but I won't accept the gifts. Now, from top to bottom, everyone is cracking down on integrity and clean governance; if I accept them, I guess the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission will come looking for me."

Qin Chuan still wanted to say something, but Gao Fengming had already climbed into the car and closed the door...