Chapter 787

Before this, he too had been the center of attention, but back then people valued his connections and influence behind him.

This time, everyone present genuinely respected his current status and authority.

These two feelings are completely different.

But at the same time it gave him a weighty feeling, a responsibility bestowed by the people and trust placed in him by the organization.

The current Lieshan Xian is riddled with problems; the government has long lost credibility in the eyes of the common people, and he aims to change all this through practical, effective people‑benefiting measures.

The Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery employs over a thousand people who depend on it for their livelihood; a single misstep could trigger a serious mass incident.

Without the economic support of the Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery, which county officials once took pride in, where is the new engine of growth?

Even courting investment may not yield quick results, especially since this place lacks natural resources and cannot rely on the mountains for sustenance.

The difficulty of developing it far exceeds anything he has faced before.

Previously it was merely a township; now it is a county.

Those previous approaches simply won't work; the only viable solution is to attract investment, bring in healthy, sound enterprises, and change the current situation.

Just thinking about it is hard, let alone actually carrying it out.

The pressing issue at hand concerns the Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery.

Although Jiao Qiang has been staying at the factory to apply pressure these past two days, many people remain anxious, fearing they might lose their jobs.

Those in specialized technical positions fare relatively better, while administrative staff and ordinary workers find each day dragging on like a year.

Now rumors are flying everywhere, with some saying the government lacks the funds to bail out the winery and cannot fill its huge deficit.

Others say the State‑owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission will take over, but will reorganize it, leaving only one of the several production lines, with over 70% of the workforce facing layoffs.

The worst rumor is that Su Yang allegedly plans to declare bankruptcy on the spot, sell off any assets that can be liquidated, and dismiss all current employees.

This has prompted some extremist‑minded individuals to become eager to confront Su Yang directly.

Had their security team's guns not been confiscated in full by the Lie Shan Public Security Bureau, a clash would likely have erupted by now.

Su Yang had just finished a meal when he was pondering the Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery issue, and Jiao Qiang's call came through: "County Magistrate Su, there's an investor named Tian Xiaofei who came straight from Jingcheng; he arrived in our county this afternoon right after work and specifically asked to see you. At the time you were conducting research at the Public Security Bureau, so I didn't disturb you. Now it's convenient—should we hold a banquet, or what?"

Su Yang said: "What kind of banquet? Can our current finances afford it? From now on we will cancel all receptions."

"Tell him I have no time. Also, don't be afraid of offending him; although we are eager to revive the winery, we don't need someone who throws his investor weight around and lords it over us."

Jiao Qiang was dumbfounded; at this point, if anyone could solve the winery's problem, he'd be willing to sign an unequal treaty, let alone share a meal—but with Su Yang it was completely a case of ignoring him.

With any other leader, he would think that person was crazy and would surely rush to find someone else.

But when it came to Su Yang, he inexplicably felt this was perfectly reasonable.

Because in his view, Su Yang's every action was eccentric and unconstrained, yet the outcomes always surpassed everyone's expectations.

Sure enough, when he told Tian Xiaofei that Su Yang had no time that evening, Tian Xiaofei's whole face twisted with anger: "Besides Su Yang, does your county have no other leaders? We've traveled a long way to discuss investment, and you treat us with such disrespect?"

"If that's the case, we'll leave tonight; with a business environment like yours and an attitude like yours, it serves you right to attract no investment."

He was fuming and jumping mad, but the two genuine investors behind him remained completely calm.

Before coming, they had conducted a systematic investigation and understanding of Su Yang, and Jia Guolong had also given them instructions on this matter.

Rather than saying Tian Xiaofei brought them to invest, it's more accurate to say he was merely a guide; all the details and substance of the talks had been prepared by them.

Tian Xiaofei is just a nominal figure; if any problems arise later, Su Yang would seek trouble from him.

Otherwise, they would have long since kicked to the curb this Tian Xiaofei who had been putting on airs all along the way.

However, they also wanted to see exactly what position Su Yang now holds and how he views their investment proposal.

Could it be that Su Yang truly isn't afraid they'll just turn around and leave?

Seeing Tian Xiaofei so furious, Jiao Qiang had no choice but to try calling Zhou Yanru.

Zhou Yanru's first question was: "Have you reported to County Magistrate Su? What is his attitude?"

After Jiao Qiang finished describing Su Yang's attitude, Zhou Yanru decisively said: "Then do as County Magistrate Su said; let's discuss everything again tomorrow."

Immediately after, he steeled himself and called Chen Bo, who simply replied: "County Magistrate Su's decision is the collective decision of the County Party Committee and the County Government."

This was within Jiao Qiang's expectations; the situation in the county is now clear—everyone looks to Su Yang for guidance, and some even harbor a blind admiration that surpasses what they once had for Geng Miao.

After making the rounds of calls, he could only say with infinite apology: "General Manager Tian, the other leaders of the County Party Committee and County Government happen to be away studying and in meetings; they'll be back tomorrow morning, and I'll arrange for them to meet you then. Tonight's welcome banquet will be hosted by me." With that, he took Tian Xiaofei and the others to stay at the Lie Shan Hotel.

He had no idea that Tian Xiaofei had actually called Su Yang several times, but Su Yang didn't answer any of them and ended up blocking him outright—an act as insulting as urinating on someone's head and then asking how it tastes.

If it weren't for the fact that he had previously suffered a loss at Su Yang's hands, and if this so‑called investment weren't actually meant to make amends to them, he would have rushed to Su Yang's face to demand an explanation.

Otherwise, given Tian Xiaofei's stature, how could he possibly be dealing with a mere government office chief? Moreover, this contact was made through the relevant departments of the Jinzhou Municipal Party Committee leadership.

But the two who came with him were meanwhile calculating that, given how disrespectfully the Lieshan Xian leadership treats them, in the forthcoming negotiations they would add several extra clauses to maximize their own gains and drain all future resources of Lieshan Xian.