Chapter 931: Presenting an Ink Treasure

The old man continued saying: "Our party's consistent tradition is to reward merit and punish wrongdoing. Your suggestions, put simply, are what we call offering advice and strategies;"

Putting it big, this could become national policy. Of course, the formulation and implementation of every national policy must undergo repeated argumentation. So, you cannot go unrewarded, but I, too, have nothing noteworthy to offer."

Besides, it just so happens that you're newlywed, so I've prepared two gifts for you: one is a ordinary present, and the other I can barely call refined."

Saying this, he first took out a red envelope from the drawer on the table: "At your wedding, because of various reasons I couldn't be there in person, so I wanted to give you this gift money. The amount isn't much, but it also represents my goodwill."

Saying this, he took out a piece of calligraphy he had prepared from the drawer: "As for the other gift, I don't have anything impressive to offer, and I don't know what young people like, so I just wrote these few characters for you."

Saying this, he incidentally unfolded the calligraphy; on the paper appeared four vigorous, powerful large characters—'Ride the Wind and Break the Waves'—and the signature was unmistakably the old man's name.

Su Yang had not been nervous, but this suddenly left him agitated and at a loss for what to do—he couldn't even speak.

The old man, having seen countless people, instantly noticed Su Yang's awkward state and smiled, saying: "Do you think someone like me has no worldly wisdom, must live as a lonely widower, and must lead a life detached from mortal affairs?"

You're wrong; actually I'm also a normal person, a normal old man, so giving you this gift money is quite reasonable. As for this calligraphy, it's meant to encourage you in your future work to be fearless of hardships, to forge ahead, starting from the idea of serving the country and the people, to grasp the big picture from a higher and broader perspective, and to achieve remarkable results.

Originally, the organization should have rewarded you, but going through these procedures takes a very long time.

Su Yang then stammered: "Thank you, thank you!"

The old man said: "You're actually quite broad‑minded, kid. Don't shackle yourself with this so‑called status fetter just because the person standing opposite you might have a bit of authority and a slightly higher position."

There's really no need for that; perhaps later I'll still come to you for advice. Our country's modernization drive must have young people like you, with keen vision and vigorous energy, take part.

Having said that, he stopped.

Zhou Weiguo said: "Su Yang, go wait outside for a moment."

Oh, Su Yang then realized that the old man wanted to talk with Old Zhou, so he needed to withdraw.

He simply tucked the calligraphy into his bosom, clutching the heavy red envelope in his hand as he walked out. These two items are treasures in anyone's hands, and the same holds true for him.

Thinking about it, he staggered and almost fell flat on his face.

This made the old man burst out laughing: "Kid, do you have some promise or not? It's just a piece of calligraphy. As long as you do your job well and the common people approve, once you reach a certain stature you'll be praised by the masses—then I'll give you a few more of these."

Su Yang turned his head, said a quick thanks, then stumbled out the door.

After he left, Zhou Weiguo said: "This little Su Yang is all fidgety; he's made you laugh."

The old man's earlier amiability turned stern: "If you were placed in his position at his age, you'd still be inferior to him."

All right, let's talk about your work. I've heard you have some differences in policy. You lean more toward developing light industry, starting from an environmental protection angle, increasing foreign investment promotion, and creating a wholly foreign‑funded industrial park…

After coming out, Su Yang sat on the outside sofa and felt his whole head swimming; if it weren't for this place, he would surely have unfolded the calligraphy to look at it over and over.

His heart was truly in turmoil; the old man's calligraphy—even if you weren't at his level, even a ministerial‑level provincial party secretary, if they had such a piece, it could become an enviable treasure for others, and it could certainly be passed down as a family heirloom.

And going down another level, one would more often than not take it out to show off before one's superiors and colleagues; this isn't mere vanity, for the calligraphy carries political significance. Whoever sees it will inevitably show the owner three parts of respect.

At Su Yang's level, it goes without saying; put bluntly, this calligraphy could even serve as his talisman—if he were truly shameless.

As for that gift money, it's even more important: for an ordinary family's wedding, having a section‑level cadre attend and giving a single gift envelope is already worth bragging about. But what level is he? Even ordinary people—including the fathers of those Jingcheng clan scions—would never dare dream of such a rank.

He had already decided: he would keep this gift money safe, pressing it into the bottom of his chest.

After his thoughts settled a little, he began to ponder what these four characters actually mean.

When a leader inscribes a phrase for a subordinate, especially a high‑ranking leader giving calligraphy to a grassroots cadre like him, there must be some deeper meaning; it couldn't be a casual scribble.

Su Yang kept turning over in his mind the meaning of these four characters—'Ride the Wind and Break the Waves.' Their literal sense is simple: to forge ahead without fear of setbacks; it probably means he should be more pioneering, and of course it also affirms his current work, while serving as guidance and hope for his future.

Moreover, the signature on this calligraphy is not just a personal name as usual; normally a leader's inscription would at most end with a name, but here additional words follow: 'A wedding gift presented to Comrade Su Yang.'

This meaning is all the more extraordinary. Why? Because the calligraphy a leader writes could have been sought by some aristocratic, top‑tier families with marital backgrounds in Jingcheng, or could be an ink treasure exchanged between elders and leaders who have rendered meritorious service to the nation.

In such a case, this merely shows that the calligraphy is now in his hands, but its original recipient is uncertain; even if it were meant for his relatives, his closest kin, or his clan, that would still be far less significant than being given to him personally.

Thus we can see the old man's expectations for Su Yang.

For a moment, his whole body felt light as air, as if he were floating on clouds, as though he had already reached the pinnacle of life.

This state lasted a full hour before Zhou Weiguo emerged from inside: "Come on, let's swing by and pay a visit to some other leaders."

Su Yang grunted in acknowledgment; after coming out, he then asked in a low voice: "Dad, the schedule changed temporarily—do we not need to re‑appoint other leaders?"

Zhou Weiguo chuckled and said: "Hehe, that's just how the domestic system works—major things come first, minor things later. Think about it yourself and you'll probably understand."

Su Yang didn't react right away, but he still asked anxiously: "Dad, what did the leader just talk to you about?"