Chapter 895

The person who came in was Hou Junlai. Zhou Yanru said: "Old Hou, what are you saying? Isn't attending a wedding enough qualification? County Magistrate Su isn't that kind of person who flatters superiors and bullies subordinates, and aren't we all of the same rank? Besides, our revolutionary friendship is right here; isn't it too formal?"

Su Yang wanted to explain, but didn't know how, because strictly speaking, the few people present probably really weren't qualified. Not to mention these few, even a provincial standing committee member wouldn't be qualified, unless like Huang Dacheng, who is originally a scion of a Jingcheng cultivation dynasty, then it's another matter.

Chen Bo was very considerate; although he didn't fully understand Su Yang's background connections, Su Yang setting the wedding in Jingcheng indicated that the attendees would be of high rank; otherwise, why not hold it in the county?

He said: "Secretary Zhou, as I said before, County Magistrate Su's fiancée is the former magistrate of Jincheng County; she has been transferred to work in Jingcheng and resides there, and her friends and relatives are basically all in Jingcheng, so the wedding must be held in Jingcheng."

"And you also know, in the eyes of those within the Jingcheng system, we are just country bumpkins, yokels. They say you don't know how lowly your position is until you go to Jingcheng; in our county, a division-level cadre can be said to have reached the top of the pyramid, but in Jingcheng, throwing a brick could hit several such people."

"Not to mention our rank, even provincial-level leaders who go to Jingcheng don't claim to be officials. So we should wait for County Magistrate Su to return, then hold two tables for us in the county; I don't know if he's willing. If it's inconvenient, we could do it in the provincial capital; a few of us can go there."

Su Yang felt much relieved; if he had said this himself, even though it's factual, others would indeed suspect him of looking down on his peers. But with Chen Bo acting as a mouthpiece to clarify, nobody would think that.

This is the importance of a mouthpiece. I must say, Chen Bo, this woman, is truly considerate, knowing to say the right thing at critical moments and handle critical affairs. Such a person may not be able to govern a region adequately or excellently, but in personnel work they can be flawless.

Hou Junlai knew Su Yang's background; he said: "Exactly, exactly. Since County Magistrate Su's wedding is in Jingcheng, there will certainly be Jingcheng guests; if we go, we'll inevitably be looked down upon, and even County Magistrate Su would be embarrassed."

"Is he looking out for us or for the vast majority of guests? So County Magistrate Su must set up two tables when he returns; otherwise we won't back down—we must get the wedding candy."

Zhou Yanru then said: "Okay, okay, but people usually know about the wedding candy when they send out invitations in advance; do we have to wait until after the year? County Magistrate Su, if you're being thrifty and reluctant to buy, I wouldn't mind spending some of my own money to help you prepare the invitations and wedding candy."

Su Yang felt a bit embarrassed: "Really sorry, everyone; I've been busy with work lately, and I'm also careless, so I haven't prepared these. How about this: before work ends today, you'll definitely receive my invitations and wedding candy."

Chen Bo said: "You're a big man—where would you prepare these? Leave this to me; you just give me a number, roughly how many you need. I guarantee I'll get it done perfectly, but all expenses must be truthfully reimbursed to me."

Su Yang said: "That's natural." He then took out 1000 yuan from the drawer and handed it to Chen Bo, saying, "I really haven't handled this before; I don't know if 1000 yuan is enough—if not, just come ask me for more."

Chen Bo didn't stand on ceremony, took the money readily, then turned and left.

Zhou Yanru also rose to say goodbye, but he muttered to himself, Su Yang's wedding absolutely has to be held in Jingcheng; otherwise, these people would also be honored guests at Su Yang's wedding. Although they aren't as noble as municipal and provincial leaders, they are comrades in the same camp, with an inseparable relationship. Yet not placing them in the first tier is somewhat unfair.

Hou Junlai didn't leave; he took out a cigarette from his pocket and gave it to Su Yang: "I think Old Zhou doesn't quite understand, but your situation really can't be explained directly. Whether he understands is up to him. Going to Jingcheng, I definitely lack the qualifications; as for a gift, in a place like Jingcheng, even a random stone you pick up is more precious than the painstakingly selected treasures we have here, so I've prepared a red envelope for you in advance— the money isn't much, but you must accept it."

Saying that, he produced a thick red envelope from his pocket; Su Yang weighed it: this must be at least 2000 yuan? Considering their current salary is only over 1000 yuan, this handout equals a month's salary plus bonus.

Hou Junlai said, "Isn't this too valuable? Between us we don't need to be so formal; it's just a formality."

Hou Junlai said: "You don't understand this. If it's just between us two, I'll give you 8100, which is also the standard in our county. But your wedding isn't just your own affair; there's also County Magistrate Zhou, who is from Jingcheng. By then, people will know about the red envelopes, maybe even his family will know."

We may not have much money, nor the qualifications to sit at the table, but we will still do our utmost to give you face.

His reason for choosing 2000 yuan is also justified. If it were less than 2000 yuan, it would indeed be embarrassing; given their relationship, it might even invite ridicule. If it were more than 2000 yuan, even up to ten thousand, people might question whether their income is compliant and legal. After weighing the options, 2000 yuan is the best choice.

Hearing Hou Junlai speak so sincerely, Su Yang had no choice but to reluctantly accept, but he still said: "You're setting a bad precedent for the comrades. If others find out and all give me according to this standard, I would effectively be accepting gifts in disguise. If later someone uses this as leverage against me, I'm afraid I'll inevitably have to go through a lot of trouble."

Hou Junlai said: "Look at you, not everyone will give that much, and just because they give it doesn't mean you have to accept it. Besides us few, for the other comrades, the most you should accept is 200 yuan; then others won't be able to find fault."

Su Yang deeply agreed with this; in handling such matters, he really wasn't as seasoned as Old Hou.

Before the afternoon shift ended, Chen Bo indeed delivered the wedding invitations and candy to Su Yang's office, and also produced his own red envelope. Su Yang glanced at it; it seemed to be about 2000 yuan, suggesting that this had been privately arranged with Old Hou.

Chen Bo said: "Accept the red envelope, but don't show favoritism. Then you should personally distribute these wedding invitations and candy to the comrades; if you have me do it, others might misunderstand."