Chapter 647

Su Yang finished speaking, stood up, and was about to leave.

That's right, he ate so fast earlier because he was tired; eating a few more bites meant he wouldn't have come for nothing even if they parted unhappily, at least saving a dinner. A man about to marry must live like this, being thrifty.

"County Magistrate Su, please stay."

"Perhaps my earlier words were not entirely appropriate; I am insignificant, so it's normal if you don't give me face. Secretary Ye and County Magistrate Wen want to talk with you, and also Vice Mayor Bai Yupeng of Jinzhou City. I think you should give this face, right? It shouldn't let everyone continue to be embarrassed."

Su Yang then stopped his steps. Just in this first round of contention, they've already brought out the Vice Mayor. It seems Geng Biao is an important figure for the entire Double Canal Big Qu.

This person surely knows a lot. The more people the other side brings out, the more Su Yang feels he must nail down Geng Biao, and must dig out all the heaven-harming, reason-defying things Geng Miao has done over the years from Geng Biao's mouth.

"Oh, I didn't expect that. Since it's like this, I really can't leave."

As his words fell, he sat back down. Sure enough, within a few minutes, Ye Xianggao, Wen Qiren, and Vice Mayor Bai Yupeng of Jinzhou City arrived. However, Geng Miao never showed up.

This is probably because Geng Miao thinks he doesn't need to personally get involved, and also to show Su Yang his connections. For today's matter, he can easily have the Vice Mayor of Jinzhou City come over; his influence is not small.

"Mayor Bai, Secretary Ye, County Magistrate Wen." Su Yang stood up to greet the three leaders.

Bai Yupeng merely gave a light hum, then took the main seat. Ye Xianggao and Wen Qiren sat left and right as the primary and secondary companions. Seeing the ashen faces of the two county leaders, he knew Geng Miao had surely given them a thorough dressing-down.

As the three sat down, the temperature in the air seemed to drop several degrees; everyone present adopted an attitude of "you don't speak, neither do I". Trying to overwhelm with authority? No way.

Sure enough, Bai Yupeng spoke with a cold face: "County Magistrate Su, your official aura is huge now. Double Canal Big Qu is our province's star enterprise, paying hundreds of millions in taxes each year; it's no exaggeration to say it has made enormous contributions to Lieshan County and holds a pivotal position for our Jinzhou City."

"Back when the distillery was on the verge of collapse, it was Boss Geng who spared no effort to revive it, which is how Lieshan County got to where it is today."

"But you, on the other hand, as soon as you arrived, you started shouting about taking back management rights and targeting their Double Canal Big Qu. Now the whole country is vigorously developing the economy, yet you not only don't contribute to economic development, but you keep going in reverse. Do you think this is appropriate?"

"If the distillery were gone, what would Lieshan County's finances rely on? Who would guarantee the food, clothing, housing, and transportation of so many common people? Perhaps they had some shady dealings during their earlier development, but that was for development, so it's understandable."

"Count up those successful entrepreneurs— which one didn't dabble in other things when making their first fortune? You neglect what you should manage, and meddle in what you shouldn't."

"If the government were to take over the distillery for operation and management, they would have done so long ago— why wait for you to come? Moreover, back then it was because the management was a total mess that Geng Miao took over the distillery, leading to the prosperous scene you see today. Furthermore, this is a provincially designated key enterprise— are you braindead? You insist on targeting them."

Su Yang listened quietly, meanwhile glancing at the faces of Ye Xianggao and Wen Qiren; the two sat with stern faces, not uttering a word.

After Vice Mayor Bai finished speaking, Su Yang remained silent for a long while, instantly making the atmosphere awkward.

Ye Xianggao couldn't sit still; he said: "County Magistrate Su, did you hear what Mayor Bai said?"

Su Yang then let out an "oh", saying: "Mayor Bai, I have no intention of targeting Double Canal Big Qu, nor have I said there's any grudge between me and Geng Miao; I also hope Lieshan County's economy can take off and the common people can live well."

"But in fact, have you listened to the demands and voices of the grassroots common people? The prosperity of Lieshan County, I see, is merely an illusion— only a few people have gotten rich. Now all commerce in the county is monopolized by Geng Miao; the common people have no choice, and many prices are outrageously high."

"As a government department, we should curb this behavior instead of blindly protecting it. Moreover, I have never denied the distillery's contributions, but in this new situation advocating economic development, relying solely on one distillery is insufficient; we must diversify development, that is, let other investment promotion projects come in."

"Besides, is the distillery's interior really as good as it seems on the surface? This issue is also up for debate. Of course, if we set aside these problems, at least we must face the issues reported by the common people— this has cost lives; we cannot turn a blind eye."

"So what I want to say is: as long as it's a wholesome enterprise that truly benefits the common people, we have the duty and obligation to protect and support it; but those enterprises that profit by squeezing the common people's blood and sweat, I think there's no need to be lenient— if they should be eliminated, they must be eliminated. We cannot let the common people stab us in the back, nor sit in our offices day after day, whitewashing peace."

After saying that, he picked up the water cup on the table and took a sip, nearly making Vice Mayor Bai faint from anger. Although he is a Vice Mayor, Su Yang, no matter what, at least on the surface should get past it— after all, respect for superiors within the system is the most basic principle.

Today, this already counts as giving Su Yang considerable face; otherwise, as soon as he sat down, Su Yang would have to give a full report of his recent work, the key point being to openly declare that he would no longer target Double Canal Big Qu nor oppose Geng Miao. But Su Yang's words completely ignored him, meaning he came for nothing.

Ye Xianggao's face was a bit unsightly; he coldly said: "Su Yang, how are you speaking? Mayor Bai has already made the situation clear to you, yet you insist on playing dumb? Double Canal Big Qu's journey to today has been no easy feat— do you really want to watch it be destroyed? Without Double Canal Big Qu as the economic pillar, Lieshan County's finances couldn't even pay salaries. Are you trying to cut off everyone's rations?"

But Su Yang didn't catch on to this at all; with the Vice Mayor present, he saw no need to argue with Ye Xianggao.

Vice Mayor Bai, having caught his breath, said: "Su Yang, I just want to ask you one thing—can you let this go? Can you get all the media in the city to withdraw?"