Chapter 501

Su Yang immediately sat up straight: "If there's any shortcut, say it quickly, don't keep me in suspense."

Zhou Ruohan said: "Go find the person you gave the bracelet to; if he says a word, you don't need to look for the bureau chief at the Transport Department—those section chiefs with authority can get it done for you."

"Gave a bracelet? Which bracelet? Who are you talking about?"

As soon as Su Yang said that, he himself felt something was off—it was a trap! Originally Zhou Ruohan would occasionally squeeze him over the bracelet matter; now she brought it up, and he actually took the bait, basically asking for trouble.

But he quickly added: "Ah, forget it, let's just go by the rules. Anyway, Uncle Huang's face is there, and even if not, Old Zhou still has some influence, right? I'll go under the banner of being Old Zhou's son-in-law—I don't believe they won't give me face."

"Are you deliberately changing the subject? Did you give away so many bracelets you forgot which one?"

Zhou Ruohan pinched Su Yang's waist hard.

"Ah! Look at you—you're deliberately digging a pit for me! I'm kind-hearted and simple-minded; a moment's inattention and I fall into your trap. Just dealing with these worldly treasures in the countryside already taxes my brain enough; if you keep doing this, my brain cells won't last."

"I forgot to tell you, Ning Xiaojie has been getting hot and heavy with Sun Chengjun lately—how could I go see her? Besides, he's just a section chief in the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department; what authority does he have to influence the Transport Department?"

"This isn't the county Transportation Bureau—you're overestimating her! If you insist on saying that, then your face carries more weight than his, but we're not going to keep playing like that!"

Su Yang still didn't catch on right away.

Zhou Ruohan said: "Don't you remember where he used to work? He was in the Transport Department before! The current chief has a very good relationship with him, and most of the section chiefs below were promoted by him. If he says a word, this matter will definitely be fine."

Su Yang said: "Forget it, I'll still go see their bureau leaders properly. At least that shows respect for the leaders, and we can't always rely on connections to get projects—if we cultivate our network well, it'll be our own in the future."

Zhou Ruohan glanced at Su Yang: "Sure, that idea isn't bad. Want me to come with you? I may not know them well, but at least I know them."

Su Yang said: "No need, if you come along, for us grassroots cadres it's practically a blessing from the ancestors. But if we set this precedent, every township that can't settle a project will demand you come along—then I'd be at a loss. I won't do a losing deal like that!"

"Besides, people behind my back are saying I'm living off a woman, which is damn humiliating! Do you think I'm soft? Speak from your conscience!"

Zhou Ruohan laughed until tears came: "Look at you—this is your lack of confidence. Do you still care what others say? And whether you're soft or not, what right do they have to judge? They're not worthy! Let them talk; they can't control anything anyway."

"Play is play, fuss is fuss, but business still needs to be done."

The next morning, Su Yang dragged his weary body, drove straight to the provincial capital. Since he'd called ahead, he met Huang Dachen comrade quite smoothly.

"Uncle Huang, I'm here to cause you trouble again."

Although he said that upon entering, Huang Dachen set down the document he was reviewing: "When did you kid learn to be so worldly-wise? Even your speech is so polite."

"When you come to my place, drop that social graces act, or else when your father-in-law finds out, next time we drink he'll probably corner me for half an hour."

"Last night he called me about your matter; between the lines he said he's not currently in Ganzhou Province, but his heart is always with you and Ruohan. Regarding recent events, he's been angry; if I hadn't repeatedly assured him, he might have come back himself."

"Besides, you kid, you're still as sharp as ever—wherever you go you offend a bunch of people. In Huatian Town you just got the secretary and standing deputy town mayor sent away, then you moved your butt to Xiushui Township and within days got the township Party secretary and county head sent away as well."

"What kind of person are you that the organization still dares to reuse you? Hey, there's cigarettes in that cabinet over there—help yourself. Coming to my place, do you still expect me to serve you tea and cigarettes?"

Although Huang Dachen's words sounded stern, they were actually affectionate toward his own people. Does his office as executive vice governor really have many people casually rummaging through cabinets to smoke?

I doubt you'd find many—lower ranks can't reach it, higher ranks still feel some boundaries. Only someone like Su Yang could have this privilege.

Su Yang wasn't polite either; he went over, pulled out a cigarette from the cabinet, opened a pack, lit one and handed it to Huang Dachen, then lit one for himself.

Then Huang Dachen said to the secretary who followed Su Yang in: "It's none of your business, go get busy."

Huang Dachen's secretary was secretly shocked. He had followed the leader from Jingcheng, and a cadre of Su Yang's level—even if he were a provincial standing committee bigwig—wouldn't get this treatment.

Those with positions less weighty than Huang Dachen's naturally wouldn't dare overstep; even those whose actual ranks are higher than his occasionally have to consider his background.

All we can say is that Su Yang, in Huang Dachen's presence, is truly a one-of-a-kind scorpion dropping dung. Last time he thought about finding a chance to get on good terms with Su Yang; this time his conviction is even stronger.

After the secretary left, Huang Dachen also rose and sat on the sofa beside Su Yang: "Kid, you've come to my place—just say what you need. Regarding the Xiushui Township Party Committee secretary matter, I already told the Organization Department last night; they'll directly appoint you. Besides that, what other important business do you have?"

Su Yang said: "Uncle Huang, Xiushui Township is a remote, poor, backward place; officials only look out for their own profit, never thinking of the local populace."

"Of course, I'm not doing it solely for the people—I also want to achieve some political achievements. The urgent matters are two: first, as I mentioned before, we need to develop the Xiushui Mountain scenic tourism area."

"Since developing the scenic area requires a large investment, I also ask you to step in and speak to the Tourism Department for me; then this afternoon I'll go to the Tourism Department to submit the relevant materials. Besides, our township's roads need repair too—otherwise, even if the scenic area is built, nobody will come, and it would be all for nothing."

After hearing that, Huang Dachen said: "Just these two matters? Anything else?"