Chapter 516: Feng Shaokun

Early the next morning, after Su Xinghui got up and practiced his boxing in his room, he went out to go upstairs to see Hou Guangbi. Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out, he saw Zhang Chenxi. He stopped Su Xinghui and said to him, "Su Xinghui, this is Comrade Feng Shaokun, the Secretary-General of the Provincial Government. He has something to discuss with you."

Feng Shaokun was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing glasses and a smile on his face. He extended his right hand to Su Xinghui and said, "Hello, Comrade Su Xinghui. I am Feng Shaokun. May I have a word with you?"

Upon hearing that Feng Shaokun was the Secretary-General of the Provincial Government, Su Xinghui knew his arrival must be related to the Hou family. However, since Feng Shaokun was being polite, if he were rude, he would be the one at a disadvantage and give others an excuse.

Therefore, Su Xinghui said, "So it is Secretary-General Feng. Please, come in."

Feng Shaokun entered Su Xinghui’s room and sat on the sofa. Zhang Chenxi followed and sat on a chair. Su Xinghui poured a cup of tea for Feng Shaokun, sat down, and said, "What can I do for you, Secretary-General Feng? Coming to see me so early."

Su Xinghui acted as if he didn't see Zhang Chenxi at all and didn't pour him any tea. This caused a flash of anger on Zhang Chenxi’s face. When had he ever been ignored like this? But what could he do? He couldn't beat Su Xinghui in a fight, nor could he out-argue him, so he could only grit his teeth in secret.

Feng Shaokun said, "It’s like this: has Elder Hou decided to go to Shangjun County with you this morning?"

Su Xinghui nodded, "Yes. They were supposed to go back yesterday, but some accidents happened, delaying it until today. This has already made Elder Hou somewhat unhappy."

Feng Shaokun smiled, "The Provincial Government knows Elder Hou has returned to the country and attaches great importance to this. Governor Tian has decided to host a banquet for Elder Hou at the Provincial Government Guest House at noon today and hopes Elder Hou can stay in the provincial capital for a few more days to take a good look at our province’s economic construction achievements since the reform and opening up."

Su Xinghui took a sip of tea leisurely and said, "I don't understand. If Governor Tian wants to host Elder Hou, you can just tell him directly. As long as Elder Hou accepts the invitation, I won't stop him. Do you need to tell me? Besides, to see our province’s economic construction achievements, can one only see them in the provincial capital? Does Shangjun County not belong to Hudong Province?"

Su Xinghui’s words were naturally barbed, mocking the Provincial Government for being biased. Feng Shaokun could certainly hear it. No matter how good his self-restraint was, having a small section-level cadre speak to him like this—a dignified Secretary-General of the Provincial Government—made him lose face.

However, he knew he couldn't just lash out. Ge Honglin had been snubbed by Su Xinghui yesterday, and Ge Honglin was a department-level cadre just like him, yet he hadn't been taken seriously by Su Xinghui either. If he lashed out and managed to suppress Su Xinghui, others would say he was bullying the small; if he couldn't suppress him, he would become a laughingstock.

Besides, Governor Tian had given him a task today: he must get Su Xinghui to cooperate. Only by getting Su Xinghui on board could they be sure about the Hou family. To get him on board, it wouldn't hurt to flatter him a little if necessary.

Listening to Governor Tian’s tone, it seemed even he was somewhat wary of Su Xinghui, so how could Feng Shaokun dare to be presumptuous? Anyway, as the Secretary-General of the Provincial Government, he was used to serving provincial leaders and being humble, so he pretended not to hear the thorns in Su Xinghui’s words.

Feng Shaokun laughed heartily, "I knew Comrade Su Xinghui was the most considerate of the big picture. All right, since you’ve agreed, I will go invite Elder Hou."

Zhang Chenxi couldn't listen anymore. Su Xinghui considerate of the big picture? Wasn't that a joke? Who was it that confronted Mayor Ge head-on in front of the Hou family yesterday?

Su Xinghui smiled noncommittally, "All right, I’ll go see how Secretary-General Feng invites Elder Hou."

The three of them went up a floor. Feng Shaokun knocked on Hou Guangbi’s door. Soon, someone opened it. It was Hou Guangbi. Feng Shaokun smiled, "Good morning, Elder Hou!"

Hou Guangbi didn't know Feng Shaokun, but seeing Su Xinghui following behind, he exchanged a few polite words and invited Feng Shaokun into the room.

Zhang Chenxi introduced Feng Shaokun’s identity to Hou Guangbi. Feng Shaokun said, "Elder Hou, it’s like this: the Provincial Government is very happy about your return. Our Governor Tian Chengzu has decided to host a banquet for you and your party at the Provincial Government Guest House at noon today. We hope you can attend on time."

Hearing the name of Governor Tian Chengzu, Hou Guangbi didn't even blink. He shook his head without hesitation, "I’m sorry, Mr. Feng. I have already decided to return to Shangjun County this morning. I appreciate Governor Tian’s kindness, but there will be other opportunities next time."

Feng Shaokun was anxious. He didn't expect Hou Guangbi to be so disrespectful. This was a banquet hosted by a provincial governor! He had originally thought that as long as Su Xinghui didn't interfere, it would be easy to keep the Hou family based on Governor Tian’s reputation. But how did things turn out like this?

Feng Shaokun quickly smiled, "Elder Hou, you can go to Shangjun County in a few days. Governor Tian hosting you personally represents the importance Hudong Province attaches to overseas compatriots. We hope you can attend and play in Jiangcheng for a few more days to see our province’s economic construction achievements since the reform and opening up."

While speaking, Feng Shaokun kept winking at Su Xinghui, clearly hoping he would help work on Hou Guangbi. Su Xinghui found it funny in his heart. *You want me to work on this? This is too bullying!* He pretended not to see Feng Shaokun’s winks and just kept drinking his tea.

Hou Guangbi shook his head, "Please forgive me, Mr. Feng. Shangjun County is my hometown. I have been away for forty-five years, and my heart is eager to return; every day feels like a year. I was supposed to return to Shangjun yesterday, but due to reasons, I couldn't. Today, I must return. Please convey a message to Governor Tian for me: I thank him for his kindness, but I cannot attend the banquet!"

Hou Guangbi’s voice wasn't loud, but his words were firm and decisive. Everyone could hear the determination in them. Feng Shaokun was left speechless for a moment. Even though he was famous in the Provincial Government for his eloquence, he didn't know what to say at this moment.

Just then, Hou Guangbi’s two sons, Hou Dayi and Hou Dajun, and his two nephews, Hou my lord and Hou Dali, walked in. They paid their respects to Hou Guangbi one by one. Hou Dayi asked, "Dad, when are we leaving?"

Hou Guangbi said, "Let’s leave after breakfast."

Hou Dayi nodded, "Then I will tell the hotel to help us rent a few cars."

Hou Guangbi nodded, and Hou Dayi went out.

Feng Shaokun was anxious, "Elder Hou, why don't you reconsider? Our Governor Tian took time out of his busy schedule to host you. If you leave just like this, it will be hard for us to explain to him."

Hou Guangbi said, "Mr. Feng, I am truly sorry. I miss my hometown too much, almost to the point of illness, so I really cannot attend the banquet today. Please explain this to Governor Tian for me."

After speaking, Hou Guangbi stood up, "I am going downstairs for breakfast. Excuse me, Mr. Feng."

Hou Guangbi walked out of the room first. Feng Shaokun and Zhang Chenxi looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Su Xinghui stood up with a smile, "Secretary-General Feng, excuse me!"

Watching Su Xinghui’s back as he walked out of the room with his head held high, Feng Shaokun’s eyes were practically spitting fire. He blamed everything on Su Xinghui, feeling that his failure to complete the task assigned by Governor Tian today was all Su Xinghui’s fault.

Su Xinghui followed the Hou family downstairs to the first-floor restaurant. After breakfast, Hou Dayi had the rented cars ready. Su Xinghui also checked out of his room and called Zhang Kaishan to say they were about to set off. Zhang Kaishan replied excitedly that they would go to the eastern suburbs to welcome them in a while.

Su Xinghui went out and got into the cars with the Hou family. They had rented five cars in total. Hou Guangbi asked Su Xinghui to sit in the same car as him. Just as the motorcade was about to start, Feng Shaokun, Ge Honglin, Xing Xiuhe, and others rushed over and blocked the front of the cars.

Hou Guangbi frowned. Su Xinghui rolled down the window and asked, "Secretary-General Feng, is there anything else?"

Feng Shaokun looked at Hou Guangbi’s cold eyes and quickly said, "Please don't misunderstand, Elder Hou. We are just here to see you off. Please come to Jiangcheng as a guest after you go to Shangjun County. Our Governor Tian said that when you come to Jiangcheng again, he will host you and your party again!"

Hou Guangbi nodded, "There will be opportunities in the future."

Feng Shaokun and the others cleared the way. The motorcade started and headed toward Shangjun County. Su Xinghui finally felt relieved. He had finally completed the task of bringing the Hou family back to Shangjun County. Most importantly, he hadn't let the Jiangcheng investment promotion office get their way; otherwise, it would have been too frustrating.

However, this time, he had offended several leading cadres quite deeply, especially Ge Honglin. The look in his eyes just now made it seem like he wanted to eat him alive. If the looks from Xing Xiuhe and Cheng Han behind him were knives, they would have been enough to poke hundreds of holes in his body.

But would Su Xinghui be afraid? He had even offended Governor Tian Chengzu, so he didn't care about offending a few more people.

In the officialdom, if one were afraid of this and that, one wouldn't be able to get anything done. Was there anyone in the officialdom who didn't offend anyone?