Chapter 923: Minister Xia's Promise

Fang Jingwen chimed in: "You weren't looking down on people just now, were you? Did you think you were a big shot in this field? How come you're now asking for advice? You've basically become a complete novice who knows nothing."

Guo Huai Chun chuckled hehe and said: "I just didn't recognize Mount Tai, but now I've finally figured it out, so there's no problem with humbly seeking advice."

Furthermore, I've made an important decision: to hire Comrade Su Yang as our company's senior consultant. Of course, this consultant doesn't need to go to work; he only needs to offer suitable advice at suitable times, like today, like now, and he will also receive a substantial fee each year at minimum.

Moreover, this fee is completely legal and can also help you avoid your civil‑service status. You shouldn't feel too sensitive—many leaders' children work in government agencies while also serving as consultants, or even shareholders and directors, in outside companies, and nobody necessarily investigates them because they have their own ways.

Su Yang said: "Thank you, Uncle, but I really don't need it. What I just said are conclusions I drew from some books. However, the specific timing still requires you and the relevant departments to get closer and learn more."

Guo Huai Chun was half‑believing, half‑doubting. He thought Su Yang might not know, or might simply not want to say it so clearly. After all, everyone has pride etched into their bones; just now he had looked down on Su Yang in his heart, and he guessed Su Yang had noticed.

To hide his embarrassment, he simply said: "Come, let's drink. Your words have already helped me a lot—no matter when the so‑called mobile era arrives, the PHS business will have to shrink."

Also, regarding the land purchase you mentioned, I'll put it on the agenda. To be frank, in the end I won't lose out myself—at worst I'll just go through a few procedures to transfer it.

Afterwards they chatted and drank in various ways. Su Yang really didn't want to drink a single cup, but he couldn't resist their repeated urging. The main reason was that Fang Jingwen had promised to personally tell Minister Xia about the highway and Yingbin Dadao matters if Su Yang ended up getting drunk later.

After more than half an hour, Fang Runan and Minister Xia came downstairs from the upper floor. From the expressions on their faces it seemed the talk had gone well, as both were smiling.

Xia Su Liang said: "Oh, you guys seem to be in good spirits today—would you mind if I joined you for a drink?"

Fang Jingwen said: "We couldn't ask for better—I actually wanted to say that earlier, but I was afraid of disturbing Uncle Xia's business." Then she turned to Su Yang and said: "Su Yang, you said you've always wanted to visit Uncle Xia, didn't you? Hurry up and raise a glass to him."

Su Yang hurriedly stood up and raised a glass to Xia Su Liang.

Xia Su Liang laughed and said: "Well, let's take this occasion to have a few drinks. Normally I'm strictly controlled at home and not allowed to drink; after all, it's just a habit from drinking too much when I was young that upsets my stomach. But today is the New Year, so having a bit more is fine."

Speaking of which, everyone drank a few more cups, and Su Yang kept looking for a chance to bring up the highway project, but Xia Su Liang was either clinking glasses or preparing to do so.

In the end Fang Jingwen couldn't hold back and said: "Uncle Xia, could you do me a favor?"

At that moment Xia Su Liang put down his cup and laughed haha: "Old Fang, I told you—this matter can't be kept hidden; it's definitely your daughter, you just don't believe it? It's nothing more than Su Yang's highway project, right?"

It's just two issues: funding and project approval. Oh, right, it also needs to kick off in March—you're really pushing for it. As for the matching funds, not having your county pay them is fine; I'll have the ministry settle it. Besides, I'll have the Transport Department prioritize the project and break ground in March.

As for your Yingbin Dadao project, if you submit the plan when you start work, I'll approve the funding—would that work?

Su Yang said: "Thank you, Uncle Xia, I'm so grateful."

Fang Jingwen said: "Thanks too, Uncle Xia—don't just leave it at words." Saying that, she poured a full decanter of wine and pushed it toward Su Yang.

Su Yang thought, "Of course I want to toast Minister Xia, but handing me a whole decanter all at once—you're really being sincere."

Minister Xia had originally wanted to stop it—what's the difference between this and those grassroots cadres making people drink to mess with them? Wouldn't he also be using the chance to help someone as an excuse to show off at the drinking table? But before he could speak, Su Yang raised his neck and drank it all down.

Frankly, if one drink could solve this problem, then not just one decanter but even three or five, he'd have to drink it.

He once remembered a town mayor who, to push a project, accompanied municipal leaders in drinking, downing alcohol for nearly half a month straight; the project eventually got launched and was indeed implemented, but he later died from continuous gastrointestinal bleeding. Compared to that, he is truly fortunate.

However, he had already drunk a lot, and after downing that decanter he was completely dazed.

Old Xia said: "You're still a man of feeling, kid. I've heard about your deeds—you've done quite a bit of good for the locality, but doing good doesn't always bring good returns. Yet your perseverance and original intention are something most cadres lack, and that's something our broad cadre corps should learn from."

As the Ministry of Transport, supporting your project is also our honor, and it finally does some good for the local common people. I hope you'll keep pressing on and lead the local common people to prosperity.

Su Yang said: "Thank you for your encouragement, Uncle Xia—I'll work hard."

Fang Jingwen said on the side: "Uncle Xia, Su Yang has drunk too much today—almost over a catty. Let him rest a bit, then keep you company with a drink?"

Minister Xia laughed and said: "All right, all right, the thought is enough—don't ruin a young person by over‑drinking."

Fang Jingwen said: "Then thanks, Uncle Xia—I just happen to have prepared a bowl of sobering soup for him; let him drink it." She then went to fetch the soup.

Fang Runan laughed and said: "I've drunk just as much, yet you haven't given me a bowl of sobering soup—this really shows how a daughter grows up, beyond anyone's control." As he spoke, a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.

Su Yang felt a little embarrassed, but since they'd brought the soup over and told him to drink, with the elders smiling and watching, he had no choice but to force himself to swallow it.

The sobering soup, if not drunk, would be fine—but once drunk it only made him feel more muddled. He tried to get up for the restroom, but as soon as he rose he staggered. Knowing he couldn't continue, he hurriedly said: "Uncle Xia, Uncle Fang, Uncle, Aunt Guo, I've really had too much to drink—I want to go back first."

Logically, if he were within the system, a person of his rank accompanying leaders in drinking would be unacceptable; he'd have to persist, vomit in the toilet, wash his face, and keep drinking—unless he just passed out. But since this is at home during the New Year, he can be considered to have let loose a little.

Before Old Fang could speak, Fang Jingwen said: "Then how about I send him back?"

Old Fang replied: "Sure, just drive carefully on the way."

Su Yang forced himself down the stairs, and as soon as he got in the car his consciousness began to blur.

At that moment Fang Jingwen stared steadily at Su Yang and said: "Or maybe find a place for you to rest first—just sending you straight home might earn a complaint from your new fiancée, and besides, letting Old Master Zhou know would probably not be good either."