Chapter 3666: We toast you a glass of wine

Cao Yuanhao said, "Mayor, you were truly impressive with these two projects this time. As soon as you stepped in, you got the two most difficult things settled."

Su Xinghui put away his smile and said, "Comrade Yuanhao, although these two matters are basically settled, it will still take some time and a process to truly finalize them. Therefore, your burden is still not light. You must continue to diligently process the paperwork during this period and ensure all necessary procedures are completed. Once these two projects truly land, you will all be heroes of Linshan!"

Cao Yuanhao nodded and said, "Mayor, don't worry. We have already understood the process for these projects very clearly; there won't be any problems this time."

Su Xinghui said, "That's good. I'm returning to Linshan tomorrow, and you all will have to work hard here for a while longer."

Cao Yuanhao hurriedly said, "It's no hardship, no hardship at all."

Su Xinghui spoke a few simple words to Cao Yuanhao, then stood up and said, "Alright then, Comrade Yuanhao, I'll head back to my room first. You get some good rest."

Cao Yuanhao saw Su Xinghui out. After closing the door, he was once again filled with displeasure. The spotlight this time had been completely stolen by Su Xinghui, and now he was being ordered around like a subordinate by someone several years younger than him. Yet, he still had to listen; this feeling was truly hard to bear.

Su Xinghui didn't care about Cao Yuanhao's feelings. He returned to his room and called Xing Guodong to ask about the situation in Linshan. In truth, he had only been gone for two or three days; what kind of situation could there be in Linshan?

Xing Guodong said everything in Linshan was normal. Hearing that Su Xinghui was returning tomorrow made him very happy. Su Xinghui was already his backbone; with him in Linshan, Xing Guodong felt secure.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, Su Xinghui gave a few more instructions to Lin Shaoguang and then bid farewell to Qi Huanping before setting off on the road back to Linshan.

He did not return directly to Linshan but went to Yanzhong first. He had arranged to meet with Wu Jianbai and Fang Zhonglin. Since his car arrived in Yanzhong at noon, Wu Jianbai and Fang Zhonglin simply invited him to a meal together. This time, the Vice Governor in charge of the economy, Wang Guoxiong, also attended.

This was because they all knew that Su Xinghui's trip to the capital was for the sake of these projects. They were also very concerned about the success or failure of these projects, as these were two major projects for Yanbei Province that concerned its economic development.

Such a lineup to invite a mayor to dinner was indeed luxuriously excessive. When Su Xinghui arrived at the Provincial Committee guesthouse, he repeatedly said he was unworthy of such an honor.

Wu Jianbai smiled and said, "Stop with the polite formalities. Tell us quickly, how did things go in the capital?"

Fang Zhonglin laughed, "Secretary Wu, don't be so impatient. Comrade Xinghui has been on the road for several hours and just sat down. Let him rest a moment and have a drink of water first."

Wu Jianbai said, "Hmm, Governor, you're right. He does need to have a drink of water."

Wang Guoxiong didn't speak, but he also watched Su Xinghui with a smile, waiting for him to speak.

Su Xinghui certainly couldn't let down the Governor's good intentions. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then set it down, saying, "Secretary Wu, Governor Fang, Vice Governor Wang, there shouldn't be any major problems with these two projects this time. The next step is just the procedural work."

The three of them exchanged glances, and they all saw the pleasant surprise in each other's eyes. They knew better than anyone how difficult these two projects were.

The expressway project was easier to talk about, but for the high-speed railway project, the Ministry of Railways had too much autonomy, and Minister Shi was a very stubborn person. Few people could change things once he had made up his mind, even these regional governors found it hard to influence Minister Shi's thoughts.

When Fang Zhonglin previously served in other provinces, he had dealt with Minister Shi regarding railway construction. The process of their meeting back then was not very pleasant; it was only because of Fang Zhonglin's good self-restraint that things didn't escalate. Fang Zhonglin knew Minister Shi's personality all too well.

Wu Jianbai and Fang Zhonglin also knew through their connections in the capital that Minister Shi's office was filled with all sorts of people coming and going every day, including figures like governors from various provinces. They had all seen the prospects of high-speed rail and wanted the Ministry of Railways to build high-speed rail in their own provinces.

For such a large project in Yanbei Province, they had only sent a mayor, which made them feel it was a bit arrogant. Yet, who would have thought that Su Xinghui, this mayor, would actually secure the project? He had given them an unexpected surprise.

Wu Jianbai asked, "Were these two projects really secured?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Although I wouldn't dare say one hundred percent, there shouldn't be any major problems."

Wu Jianbai laughed heartily, and Fang Zhonglin and Wang Guoxiong also laughed. However, Fang Zhonglin remained clear-headed and said, "Xinghui, you must be hungry. Come, let's eat. We can talk while we eat. I also want to hear how you managed to secure these two projects."

Wu Jianbai said, "Bring the liquor. We'll break the rules today and have a few drinks at noon to properly toast Xinghui, this great hero!"

Wu Jianbai's action was truly breaking the rules. Yanbei Province had already issued management regulations for official receptions, which clearly stated that drinking was not allowed at noon. However, Wu Jianbai had taken the lead in breaking the rule this time. For someone who was always rigorous in his work, this was simply an incredible act, which also proved how happy he was.

Fang Zhonglin and Wang Guoxiong certainly wouldn't spoil the mood. They called the waiter, had them bring a bottle of liquor, and after the waiter poured the drinks for everyone, they had the waiter leave. What they were discussing in the private room was confidential and could not be overheard by others.

Wu Jianbai raised his glass and said, "Come, Governor, Comrade Guoxiong, let's toast Comrade Xinghui together!"

The three of them solemnly raised their glasses together to toast Su Xinghui. Su Xinghui hurriedly stood up and raised his glass, saying, "Three leaders, I am truly unworthy of this!"

Wu Jianbai gestured for Su Xinghui to sit down and said solemnly, "Comrade Xinghui, you are absolutely worthy of it. Your contribution to Yanbei Province is too great. The fifty million people of Yanbei Province should thank you. What does it matter if the few of us toast you a glass of wine?"

Fang Zhonglin smiled, "That's right, Comrade Xinghui, we must toast this glass!"

Wang Guoxiong said, "Comrade Xinghui, you are worthy of this glass!"

After speaking, the three of them drank the wine in one gulp. Su Xinghui was also somewhat moved. After trying hard to calm his emotions, he tilted his head back and drank the wine as well.

Wu Jianbai said, "Eat, eat. You've been in the car for several hours; you must be hungry."

Su Xinghui began to eat. While eating, he reported the detailed process of his trip to the capital to secure the projects to the three leaders.

The three leaders listened very intently. Hearing the process of how Su Xinghui persuaded Nelson was one thing, but hearing how he persuaded Minister Shi made them all sigh. If someone else had gone, they feared the project would have really fallen through. Only Su Xinghui could persuade such a person with such a unique personality.