Chapter 896: Special Gift

Su Yang deeply thought so, the standing committee members would certainly go one by one to deliver, and as for the other related personnel, Shi Haoyun could be sent to deliver.

When Zhao Nanxing, Jiang Tao, Qi Guohui and the others received the invitation, their facial expressions were simply indescribable.

All the good things really fell on Su Yang alone; his county career was booming, and he even married a wife from Jingcheng.

In the eyes of these people, anyone who could settle long‑term in Jingcheng, even ordinary common people, might have a few relatives at the bureau‑level.

But on second thought, Zhang Jiangbo is a well‑established scion, so even if Su Yang had a few relatives he could reach, what could he do about it?

A few people insincerely uttered congratulations and felicitations, but after Su Yang left, they showed expressions as if their father had died.

Especially Qi Guohui, who now feels a gnawing hatred yet helpless, and this deep sense of powerlessness is about to make him collapse.

After the unpleasant first meeting, he resolved in his heart to deal with Su Yang.

It has become an obsession in his mind, and the more it persists, the deeper the obsession grows.

He originally thought that this parachute faction, united like a rope, could easily suppress Su Yang, but now they are being beaten and fleeing in panic.

So far, these few people have shown no value except highlighting Su Yang's strength and ability.

While grinding his teeth, his phone suddenly rang; he took it out, glanced at it, and it was a message.

Suddenly his twisted expression completely softened.

"Secretary Jia has replied, saying we are scheduled for tomorrow at 9 a. m."

"He asked us to compress and simplify the report content as much as possible, keeping the briefing under five minutes."

Zhao Nanxing and Jiang Tao exclaimed joyfully: "So Qi still has face, huh? In our city, with over a dozen counties, just lining up the secretaries and county magistrates of these counties would take one or two weeks."

"Not to mention the Finance Bureau, Public Security Bureau, and Agriculture Bureau as well."

This flattery suddenly made Qi Guohui seem to find his own value; he lit a cigarette by himself and said, "Sigh, we've all been in the province for so long, it's not surprising to know a few people. Secretary Jia previously delivered materials to our procuratorate for business reasons, and I happened to receive him."

"Later we ate a few meals together; doesn't that make the relationship?"

The three of them started to hype themselves again, purely forcing self‑comfort after being beaten countless times.

Li Lingyu and Jiao Qiang were also quite surprised when they received the invitation, because they had not heard any information before.

They immediately went to Su Yang's office to convey congratulations.

With Su Yang, they didn't have to hide anything; they presented a thick red envelope in front of each other.

Clearly, both of them intended to use this opportunity to repay Su Yang.

Su Yang glanced at the thickness of the red envelope; if converted entirely to new cash, it would be at least 20,000 yuan.

"What are you doing? I accept your goodwill, but giving such a thick red envelope is excessive; if Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Hou finds out, we might all be summoned for a tea."

"Moreover, we don't need this between us; I told you long ago that the reason you hold your current positions is the organization's trust in you, and the common people's expectation and reliance on you to get things done."

"How can you treat this as a quid‑pro‑quo?"

Li Lingyu's face was somewhat embarrassed; Su Yang had repeatedly told her about this, but she still felt uneasy.

If this were elsewhere, that amount would have to be doubled, and even doubled, they might still not be able to handle it properly.

Moreover, this doesn't include the cost of reciprocal meals; even if it could be handled, it would take a year or a year and a half, not as fast as Su Yang.

Even though Minister Lu hinted above, if Su Yang's side doesn't open this channel, there is no chance at all.

Jiao Qiang is the same; he almost went in, but the reason he could get out was that Su Yang conducted a thorough investigation, found his character not bad, and thus gave him the greatest dignity.

So compared with Li Lingyu, he prefers to thank Su Yang with something tangible, making this a chance for him.

Seeing Su Yang's serious expression, he rubbed his head and said, "County Magistrate Su, I know this might be a violation, but ask anyone else—who hasn't done it? Besides, this is a wedding, our contribution is reasonable."

"You don't know that some people in our county, even beyond weddings, exploit it to make money—celebrating their parents' 60th, 70th birthdays, we tolerate it; some even hold 61st, 62nd birthdays, sons' and daughters' weddings, engagements, hundred‑day and first‑year celebrations—whenever there's a chance, they throw huge feasts."

"Besides that, taking bribes during festivals is ubiquitous; to be blunt, some people's mothers even accept gifts on Qingming."

"Now that it comes to you, even for the most important wedding in life, will you reject our modest gesture?"

"Honestly, you are not only a benefactor in my career, but also a benefactor to our whole family; even if my wife were paralyzed in bed, she would still want to give you a token within her ability."

"Before I was embarrassed to bring it out, always thinking these things were too rustic to be presented, but today I shamelessly bring it forward; please wait a moment."

Saying that, Jiao Qiang left; when he returned, he brought two red sweaters.

Su Yang saw that they were definitely handmade, and his heart was overjoyed; such handcrafted items are far more gratifying than those bought for a few thousand.

The point is not the gift itself, but Jiao Qiang's understanding, showing him what is truly valuable.

Jiao Qiang saw Su Yang not taking it for a long time, and his heart began to race, wondering if he had acted impulsively.

He was about to take it back when Su Yang said, "Your gift is the most valuable and sincere one I've received since I started working."

"If the chance arises, I will definitely go to your home to thank your sister‑in‑law in person."

Saying that, he took the gift over.

Li Lingyu looked enviously, because Jiao Qiang's gift was rustic but carried his friendship and value; others can also knit sweaters, but having him make it himself is entirely different.

Su Yang also saw what Li Lingyu was thinking and said, "Take your money back, but I still need to collect the contribution, and it can't be lower than others; each of us should give me 500 yuan."

"Otherwise, when I host the banquet later, I won't even recover the principal."

"Also, if you truly want to repay me, develop the planting and breeding bases as a model; according to the previous plan, each should be a hundred mu, but I hope that by mid‑next year, or even by year‑end, the scale expands to 500 mu or even 1,000 mu."

"Make it a proper local industry of Lieshan County, so that the common people of Ningjing can have jobs near home, and let our county's economy truly take off."