Chapter 859: Mineral Water Is Sauce-Flavored

Su Yang said: "You're not young anymore; in our village, other people's kids already know how to buy soy sauce. Besides, a man born between heaven and earth must marry and establish a career. Moreover, once you reach a certain rank within the system, if you don't marry, you might be criticized by others."

"Of course, this doesn't apply to everyone; at least for someone like me, an ordinary person, if I don't marry, it may seem irrelevant at my level, but once you reach bureau-director level, it will definitely be used against you. Besides, the earlier you marry, the earlier you enjoy; there are things you kids don't understand."

Xie Siyang tilted her head and said: "Who are you calling a kid? What don't I understand? It's just those... whatever things. But if you get married, where will you hold it? Will you invite me when the time comes?"

Although the question was a bit embarrassing, it also made Su Yang realize a problem: getting married in Jingcheng, many things are not up to him—how big the wedding should be, roughly how many people to invite—likely to be decided by Old Zhou.

But he couldn't outright refuse, so he said: "The exact date hasn't been set yet; it will probably be around the New Year period. Also, many things aren't settled yet; once they are, I'll call you right away, and then we'll see whether I come back to host a banquet or whatever. But no matter what, I will definitely invite you—although I won't be inviting many people, at most two tables, but you will surely have a seat."

Xie Siyang first felt a bit disappointed, then cheered up. Others don't know Su Yang's situation, but she does. If Su Yang were to host two tables within Ganzhou Province, it would inevitably include some top leaders, plus his diehard supporters from Huatian Town initially, as well as people from Xiushui Township and this county.

Her being able to squeeze in shows that Su Yang sufficiently approves of her. Moreover, she can guess that the people Su Yang would invite to his wedding in Jingcheng are likely strictly regulated.

"Alright, that's settled! I'll go out and get busy; before the year ends I'll definitely find a suitable opportunity to hold a signing ceremony and ask for the leaders' support."

Su Yang said: "Okay, don't worry. Currently, attracting investment is the top priority; all work must make way for investment promotion—this is inevitable."

Zhao Nanxing and Jiang Tao recently conducted research in many places, including county government agencies and various townships. Although many leading cadres went to them to report work, there were certainly people trying to cozy up to them, but their influence isn't so easily grasped—not just anyone can get close. So although it's called research, after going down they still conducted a background check on the relevant personnel.

Qi Guohui's side is even busier—he goes to the Public Security Bureau every three days, and to the Procuratorate and Court every two days. As for the Procuratorate and Court, it's fine; as the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, when he goes there he receives all the respect due.

Besides not being able to exceed standard reception as before, food and drink are still held to the highest standard. The only thing that annoys Qi Guohui is that these Public Security Bureau people really give face then take it away—every time he goes for research they just eat in the cafeteria, which would be okay, but they don't even put on the appearance of a banquet; it's just cafeteria food, they take a bowl and serve themselves, yet they proudly call it "implementing the spirit of the County Party Committee and County Government, tightening our belts to live frugally, and using the saved money where it should be used."

Publicity Department Head Bao Shuang has stayed in his office the whole time, aside from brief contact with TV station personnel, there's been no movement. As for United Front Work Department Head Yang Kang, he's even lower-key, seeming like a transparent person; plus the United Front Work Department indeed doesn't have much work, so he merely holds the title of County Standing Committee Member—otherwise nobody would know who he is.

In the afternoon, Zhao Nanxing brought Bao Shuang and Yang Kang to conduct research in Guantan Gou Zhen. By dinnertime, Yao Daya deliberately arranged for several county leaders to gather at their own farmhouse restaurant.

Bao Shuang glanced at the table full of chicken, duck, fish, and meat, even seafood—this is the great Northwest! To eat seafood you'd have to go specially to the provincial capital's seafood market; elsewhere there really isn't any. And although most of the seafood at that market is dead, the thoughtfulness is still quite nice.

Zhao Nanxing has been eating so blandly lately it's almost tasteless; seeing this table of dishes, he felt happy inside but said aloud: "Old Yao, you're wrong. The county government has issued a document forbidding such extravagance and waste, and now is the critical moment to tighten our belts and live frugally—you're committing an offense against the wind! If County Magistrate Su finds out, you'll surely get a notice of criticism, and maybe even be publicly exposed."

Bao Shuang also laughed and said: "Secretary Yao, we appreciate the sentiment, but if we actually ate this meal, the impact would be really bad. Especially since I'm in publicity work—what would you have me say when I go back?"

Yao Daya said: "County Magistrate Zhao, everyone, today it's just us few eating here; if we don't tell anyone who goes out, who would know? Besides, County Magistrate Su isn't clairvoyant—how would he know what we're eating? And these are all game, properly hunted by mountain farmers themselves—there's simply no extravagance or waste."

"Moreover, our township work always starts at the dinner table; otherwise, work could hardly get underway."

"County Magistrate Su handles work without being grounded, and insists on finding a bunch of faults in others—really annoying."

Zhao Nanxing laughed and said: "You, you! But I'm putting this out front—just this once, no repeats." Saying that, he greeted everyone to sit down, took a small taste of an unknown wild game, and the flavor was indeed quite good.

The leaders' linguistic artistry is fully displayed right now.

At this moment, Deputy Secretary-General of the County Government Ma Su, who was accompanying Zhao Nanxing's research, said: "They say no alcohol, no feast; Secretary Yao wouldn't really have prepared only these few dishes for us, would he?"

Upon her pointing that out, Yao Daya said: "How could that be?" Saying that, he had someone bring in from outside a box of mineral water.

Seeing that box of mineral water, Zhao Nanxing's brow involuntarily furrowed slightly; he thought, "Old Yao, you're really clueless." Although Su Yang advocates against extravagance and waste and unnecessary official receptions, having a little wine when necessary is acceptable.

Moreover, the county has stockpiled so much Shuanggou Daqu; if not now, when else would we bring it out? Although Shuanggou Daqu is harsh on the throat, drinking too much leaves your head swollen and dizzy the next day, as if you were dead—but it's still better than nothing.

Ma Su saw the dissatisfaction in Zhao Nanxing's eyes and said: "Secretary Yao, the leaders bring their own tea cups; there's no need to drink mineral water."

Yao Daya said: "County Magistrate Zhao, everyone, I haven't had a chance to explain yet, leading you to misunderstand. This looks like mineral water, but it's actually something else entirely!" Saying that, he personally opened a bottle, and the moment he twisted off the cap, liquor aroma filled the air.

Bao Shuang took a sniff and said: "Secretary Yao, this is probably over the top—it's sauce-flavored!"