Chapter 602: The Scope Suddenly Expanded

"Brother‑in‑law, that'll do; I'll keep your favor in my heart," Zhou Tong hurriedly said.

In others' eyes, he was born into a honey pot, lacking nothing, yet who could know he also has his own worries.

"By the way, what's the name of that old squad leader you mentioned? Otherwise, when I go, how can I support them?" Su Yang lit a cigarette and asked.

In truth, he had already made his plan; from the information gathered so far, this Geng Miao must have the entire Public Security Bureau in his grip.

Even if Sun Chengjun went ahead a step, even if he truly could command the Criminal Police Team, the usable manpower at that time would still be limited. Moreover, as the matter progresses, they will inevitably act desperate; even with the entire Criminal Police Team deployed, there's no absolute certainty.

At this point, the Armed Police might need to be mobilized; he had already considered this layer before, but kept wondering where to secure an Armed Police connection. Now someone has shown up at the door—couldn't be more timely, like handing a pillow to a sleepy person. Zhou Tong, that kid, doesn't know and is thanking him profusely.

Zhou Tong said, "His name is Song Zhong; I'll send you his phone number later. I'm counting on you for this."

Su Yang pounded his chest in assurance: "Don't worry, I'll definitely see through what I promised you, but there's a condition—he must be solid in every aspect, with no issues whatsoever."

"Also, I need to give you a heads‑up: the grassroots are far from Jingcheng; to get promoted you need some merit or achievements. He's in the Armed Police, and to earn merit he must take on a mission, and it has to be a fairly dangerous one. No problem with that, right?"

Zhou Tong nodded repeatedly: "What could be the problem? We previously did real combat; the so‑called dangerous missions here are just a few gunshots, at most dozens or hundreds of people surrounding and blocking a few targets—nothing for him. If his professional competence isn't solid or his character unreliable, I wouldn't make you bother."

Su Yang felt even more reassured upon hearing that; he needed someone of high caliber to help him at the crucial moment. Though he hadn't yet gone to Lieshan County, he had already contemplated every possible issue and even projected the worst‑case outcomes.

As the old man said, he previously only worked in a township, whose environment is limited and lacks complex political struggles, since township officials have narrow perspectives. But once you reach the county division level, especially as a County Standing Committee Member, the matters involved multiply.

When the two returned after drinking, it was past eleven, but Zhou Ruohan had brewed a sobering soup for Su Yang and prepared a Jingcheng‑style midnight snack. In that moment, Su Yang felt a wave of warmth; although they had previously rented a house in the county town, it never felt like Jingcheng.

"You're still up? You should rest early and take care of your health, otherwise when this little guy starts tossing you around, you might not hold up," Su Yang said cheerfully.

Zhou Ruohan said softly, "I'm not that delicate; I train every day, do what needs doing, and I'm even idle enough to want to work at the office, but grandpa and grandma won't let me."

"So I stay home doing nothing, learning to cook and make soup every day. Anyway, my future focus won't be work; when you come home each day, I'll have dinner ready, then take care of the kids, accompany them to school, that sort of thing. Thinking of such days feels quite happy."

Su Yang felt a warm glow; isn't what most men pursue simply a wife, children, and a warm hearth? Otherwise, even with a successful career, working thousands of miles away and sending occasional money home—what's the point? If you're away for three years and the child is only a year and a half, who can you reason with?

"That's fine, let me taste your cooking. But your hands are so fair; using them to cook feels such a waste, doesn't it? Then we can save a salary and hire an auntie."

"They say a man's success hinges on how well his wife maintains herself—if at thirty her skin is already wrinkled, you can pretty much conclude the man has no prospects; if at fifty her skin is still as smooth as at thirty, that proves the man is successful. So I'd rather be the latter."

That cheesy line made Zhou Ruohan giggle: "You never show that side, but after working in the township for a while you've learned to say stuff like this? By the way, when you left Xiushui Xiang this time, did you arrange any female cadre? You'd better be honest, or I'll go ask them."

Su Yang replied honestly, "Your words sound as if I have some issue? How can grassroots work go on without support? Moreover, they at the former Poverty Alleviation Office also helped me a lot."

"I've mentioned these two to you before: one is the daughter of Ganzhou Sheng's richest man, who contributed greatly to the Xiushui Mountain Scenic Area project. Moreover, her temperament isn't suited for the Poverty Alleviation Office, so I recommended her to the Investment Promotion Bureau."

"There's also a female comrade; considering her own development, I sent her to the Xiushui Mountain Scenic Area because once it's completed, a Scenic Area Management Committee will be formed. If one day the area becomes bustling, it will likely be taken over by the county or city, and the committee's rank will rise accordingly—so it's a decent path for her."

"So you actually know these things; I thought you didn't. Earlier, Gao Daliang sent an official document to set up the Xiushui Mountain Scenic Management Area… When I left, you acted as if you were fighting for it, but now you suddenly understand?"

"After all, I'm about to take a deputy division‑level post, so my outlook naturally expands. If I stand as a deputy county‑level leader and there's a 'Golden Phoenix' in the township below, it certainly should be entrusted to the county."

"Township management can't match the professionalism and authority of the county, and the county's finances need a stable source. In other words, the city is the same; they've got their eyes on the Xiushui Mountain Scenic Management Area—it's only a matter of time. Once it catches fire, it's inevitable, though a portion will stay with Xiushui Township, and the rest must be handed over."

"Hmm, that's true. I originally wanted to discuss this with you so you wouldn't have any thoughts, but now you understand on your own, which is best. Shall we now talk about Lieshan County?"