Chapter 858: Straight Talk – Xie Siyang

Although he was full of doubts, he didn't think to ask.

After all, it's already the twelfth lunar month, and after a while it'll be time to go home for the New Year.

This year, going home for the New Year, there's one more important thing: he needs to get married.

So he wants to finish the related work in advance, striving to get a few extra days off for the New Year.

In the coming days, he still focused his energy on the cattle farm and the planting base.

Only after he's prepared himself can he talk to others.

Otherwise, he fears that if he talks big at the time, others will see no sincerity at all.

However, to ensure the planting base could successfully cooperate with Harvard Pharmaceutical, he specially called for Xie Siyang.

Xie Siyang had also just returned today; hearing Su Yang's urgent summons, she came over: 'I heard you were looking for me, I thought you'd forgotten me.'

Su Yang looked her up and down: 'You've gotten a tan lately, which shows you haven't been slacking. How's it going? How many companies with cooperation intent have you talked to recently?'

Xie Siyang said: 'You don't even offer me a drink, you jump straight to asking about my work—isn't that a bit inconsiderate?'

Su Yang laughed heartily: 'Exactly, it's my fault. Now the whole county's work focus is attracting investment. And you're the main person in charge of that—so the development of Lieshan County basically rests on you.'

Saying that, he personally brewed a cup of tea for her.

Xie Siyang sipped her tea: 'That's about right. Even if you're a leader, you should care for your subordinates, or who'd want to work for you? But don't pin such a big hat on me—Lieshan County's development isn't counting on me, but on you, the County Magistrate who does practical things for the common people.'

Su Yang corrected: 'Speak properly, don't give me a promotion—I'm just a Vice County Magistrate.'

Xie Siyang replied: 'In my eyes, they're all the same. That newly arrived Zhao County Magistrate isn't being called a dogshit county magistrate, a bastard county magistrate by the locals? Even a good road project got halted—do you think that's what people do? If there's no money, you should find a way to make some; why stop people's hopes?'

Su Yang said: 'Don't speak ill of leaders behind their backs—that's a major taboo within the system. Back when we were in Xiushui Township, your bluntness was fine; after all, in the countryside you just say what you think, and nobody overthinks it.'

'Putting it nicely, it's just not having much political savvy. But in the county it's different—there are loads of officials at section chief level and above; any random one has considerable sense, and every word and action of anyone gets blown up out of proportion.'

'And at most I'm just a Vice County Magistrate; if something big really happened, my position might not even be able to protect you—you get that, right?'

Seeing Su Yang's solemn expression, Xie Siyang restrained herself and said: 'Oh, I'll pay attention from now on. Reporting to County Magistrate Su, I've contacted five companies this time and reached preliminary intentions with them. I also planned to come report to you, pick a time for a signing ceremony—after all, they also need some spotlight.'

'As for the industrial park, my dad has already had professionals take it over. Another matter is the Lieshan County Grand Hotel—we also plan to acquire it. Later, when Lieshan County's economy develops, or during that development, as the sole four-star upscale hotel it will definitely bring considerable profit. Moreover, all the hotel's profits will go to me.'

Saying that, she actually flashed a look of pride.

Su Yang sighed: 'People really aren't comparable—you can easily own a hotel, while we still have to worry about food and clothing; some kids in certain places can't even afford to go to school.'

Xie Siyang said: 'Seeing you say that, you just want me to do some charity, right? Once the hotel matter is settled, I'll use the hotel's name to fund some poor students—you can rest assured.'

Su Yang thought to himself: 'She's indeed the daughter of a wealthy family; having been exposed to this since childhood, she knows these things. If it were someone else, they'd never react like this—of course, he didn't mean it that way.'

He said: 'You make it sound like I'm using power to suppress people; I don't deny that such things happen among some self-serving officials, but I'm not that kind of person—there's no need to put on a show just for show.'

Xie Siyang said: 'What are you talking about? I've always wanted to do some charity; my dad taught me, take from the people, use for the people—we must give back to society after making money, otherwise business can't grow big.'

Su Yang said: 'I don't understand business, but since you really have that intention, I'll thank you on behalf of the children in remote mountain villages.'

'I called you over today for another matter—I just wanted to chat. I've thought about it: relying solely on the industrial park to attract investment, even if the economy develops, the enterprises are still theirs; if leadership changes, or if the business environment shifts dramatically, they might pull out later.'

'So using a chicken to lay eggs may not be a bad method, but I think we still need local enterprises to grow and take root here, to achieve sustainable development and truly benefit the local common people.'

'For example, if the attracted investment is all aerospace tech or chemical pharma companies, the local common people have no job opportunities at all. But if we develop planting and breeding industries, the locals can also share in the benefits. Making the government rich isn't wealth; only when the common people's pockets are full is it true wealth.'

Xie Siyang said: 'So you mean we should develop planting and breeding industries? You and I came here just to cooperate with our family's pharmaceutical factory on planting medicinal herbs? Let me tell you, it's not that we disagree or anything—medicinal herbs can't be grown just anywhere; they depend on the local climate.'

'Lieshan County has never had a precedent for growing medicinal herbs, but I can ask my dad whether it's possible. If it is, setting up a medicinal herb planting base here wouldn't be out of the question. As for your idea of breeding, I can't help you—our family's business has nothing to do with that.'

Su Yang felt relieved; talking to smart people saves effort. He had been wondering how to bring it up, but they just blurted everything out.

'Then I'll thank you and your dad on behalf of Lieshan County's common people. Of course, as long as you invest in Lieshan County, you'll surely reap huge returns.'

'Also, I have a suggestion: if you think setting up a medicinal herb planting base here is feasible, it's best to buy a large tract of land. In a few years, under macro policy regulation and with the common people's rigid demand, land will be a treasure trove. Of course, by then the land use should be changed to commercial in advance—your dad should know that better than I do.'

Xie Siyang nodded: 'Mm, I'll tell my dad later. By the way, I heard you're getting married soon, and you plan to marry when you go home for the New Year—how come it's so sudden?'

'I remember you're only twenty-five; you'll be twenty-six after the New Year—why the rush?'

'Can't you enjoy a few more years of freedom?'