Chapter 616

Geng Miao lightly nodded to everyone: "Really sorry, my younger brother has always been rash, acts without thinking, he's already in his thirties or forties, yet he behaves like a street hooligan. Really letting you see the joke, I apologize here. Secretary Ye, this is the newly arrived County Magistrate Su, right?"

Ye Xianggao immediately put on a smiling face and said: "Director Geng, this is Comrade Su Yang. Comrade Su Yang has just arrived, he doesn't know much about our Lieshan Xian's situation, his speech and actions are not mature enough, he still needs improvement in all aspects."

In both words and implication, they were saying the conflict was due to Su Yang's lack of sense, but the specifics—Geng Miao could figure it out even with his toes. He smiled and said: "Secretary Ye, you're being too polite; I know what kind of character my younger brother has. I had him come over to toast everyone with a few drinks, saying he'd be over in a couple of minutes, but look, he's just a step or two away and almost caused trouble."

"County Magistrate Su, I'm truly sorry; I offer you my sincere apology. This glass of wine, I toast you."

"Welcome to work in our Lieshan Xian. On behalf of the common people of Lieshan Xian, I welcome you with both hands. Please also take good care of our Shuanggou Damu in the future."

After saying that, he poured a full cup of wine, lifted it, and drank it all in one gulp.

Su Yang looked at the man before him, stiff and proper, appearing refined and modest, and a cold smile involuntarily rose in his heart. Indeed, a hooligan, once evolved to a certain degree, becomes a gentleman in a suit and tie. Although Geng Miao wasn't wearing a suit and tie, at this moment he was more gentlemanly than a damn gentleman, his scheming far deeper than Geng Biao's.

But he also knew that Geng Biao's type, who looks blustering and loud, at most just rolls up his sleeves, grabs a weapon, and beats people; whereas this man, who appears modest and refined, could kill you in a split second.

Seeing this, he also poured himself a full cup of wine and said: "Director Geng, you're being too polite. I've just arrived, I'm not fully aware of some situations in our Lieshan Xian; I mistakenly thought our county was the same as elsewhere, that under the leadership of the Party and the Organization, the people's fertile land is the same everywhere, and everyone is equally subject to legal restraint and protection."

"I thought that as a state civil servant and a local government official, while I wouldn't oppress the common people, I also wouldn't be oppressed by them. It seems I was wrong; I'm truly sorry."

After saying that string of words laden with countless daggers, Su Yang drank it all in one go. Although his words were extremely mild, the meaning inside and out was self-evident: What's wrong with you, Geng Miao? Is this still our people's place? Is it still a place bound by Party discipline and state law? The implication also warned Geng Miao that here no one has privileges, no one can stand above the law.

I had thought this speech would displease Geng Miao, but unexpectedly his expression remained light and breezy, even smiling as he said: "County Magistrate Su is right; no one can stand above the law."

"Our Lieshan Xian must not only avoid any behavior that crosses the legal bottom line, but even strive to become a model county—not only an economically strong county, but also a model county in morality and discipline. County Magistrate Su, this gives us a forward direction. Secretary Ye, all leaders, I toast you all three glasses."

Saying that, he poured himself a full glass and drank three cups in succession. Seeing this, Ye Xianggao, Wen Qiren, and the other leaders hurriedly poured their own drinks, filled their glasses and drank three cups each.

"If the leaders don't mind, let's start serving the dishes; we can't really have County Magistrate Su just keep drinking dry."

"County Magistrate Su has just arrived; there are many rules he doesn't know. We should appropriately give him some face; although the rules cannot be changed, we can occasionally make exceptions."

"Later, once County Magistrate Su becomes familiar, we must follow the rules and treat everyone equally; we can't let him break the rules just because he was sent from above, hahaha…"

As soon as Geng Miao finished speaking, cold and hot dishes were all brought in at once.

He kept talking about rules, over and over, sounding a bit convoluted, but as the saying goes, 'listen to the drum to know the beat, listen to the words to know the sound'—everyone here understood the meaning clearly in their hearts.

They very much hoped Su Yang would understand what this so-called rule is.

Su Yang certainly understood, but whether he would take it seriously is another matter.

Afterwards, everyone eating and drinking seemed quite normal; no one deliberately targeted Su Yang, not even Geng Biao, who sat at the table silent, merely picking a few bites of food and not touching his drink again.

Although Ji Minjia and Ma Fengxia, two female comrades, repeatedly tried to ease the atmosphere, after what just happened, everyone's hearts could not truly feel happy—because Geng Miao had no intention of being pleasant, others dared not entertain that thought.

Normally, for such a welcome banquet, besides the leaders' table, two additional tables in other private rooms are arranged for other cadres of the County Party Committee and County Government; Su Yang should also go over and have a few drinks with those cadres to exchange feelings and get acquainted.

But because of this incident, Su Yang had no mood at all, for he thoroughly realized that this Geng Miao would be hard to deal with—aside from his background, backing, and the cadres he had drawn in and corrupted, his own methods were far beyond what ordinary people could match.

Anyway, this person isn't popular; I'd guess the county's bigwigs never even thought of getting to know him, and they'd probably avoid him if they could. In that case, it's convenient for himself and also for others.

I had thought this matter would be over today, but at the last moment, Geng Miao had people bring out more than ten gift boxes: "Leaders, this is my little token of appreciation; please accept it. Although the winery hasn't been as prosperous as before these past two years, this holiday benefit still exists."

"Originally this was meant to be given to the leaders at New Year's, but this time, because County Magistrate Su took office, we decided to send it out early. Please don't refuse, everyone; although the gifts are a bit modest, they are full of sincerity."

Saying that, he personally reached out, took one, and handed it to Su Yang. Instantly, everyone's eyes snapped to Su Yang—this was Geng Miao personally giving him a present.

To be honest, among these people, aside from Ye Xianggao perhaps having received this treatment when he first arrived, others usually have their drivers just place it in the car. According to Ye Xianggao, this is a great honor; this face must be upheld, and in his view, being able to share a meal with Geng Miao is like seeing green smoke rise from one's ancestors' graves.

His move was indeed clever: if all the presents were as before, simply placed in the car, Su Yang could take or leave them; but when he hands it over in front of everyone, especially before the County Party Committee leadership, it's a test of whether you want it or not.

"If you refuse, it means you want the entire Standing Committee to isolate you, you won't be tolerated in Lieshan Xian's officialdom, and you'll forge an irreparable grudge with Geng Miao; if you accept, it's short-mouthed, short-handed—you also gain a leverage in their hands—once the door of greed is opened, there is never a last time."

Moreover, no one knows whether this round of presents is the same as before, loaded with shopping cards and cash, or whether they'll suddenly get a "surprise" containing gold, bankbooks, etc. In any case, in short, Su Yang will have a hard time getting out of this unscathed no matter what he does today.

"County Magistrate Su, you won't deny me this face, will you? And you shouldn't have any scruples; the welfare within the system of Lieshan Xian is provided by our Shuanggou Damu, and this is common knowledge."

"Furthermore, this is also recorded and filed with the superior departments. Moreover, it's not only responsible for the welfare of all cadres in Lieshan Xian; at the year's end and festivals, we also have to send benefits to the relevant leaders in the city."

Geng Miao watched Su Yang pondering, then stepped forward and pressed closer.