Chapter 519

Hou Guangbi sighed, "I really didn't expect that a small county in the country could look like this. It seems I was deceived by the French newspapers!"

Su Xinghui said, "The country’s development now can be described in four words: changing with each passing day. I think the French newspapers aren't deceiving people; they are just describing what China looked like a few years ago."

Hou Guangbi laughed heartily, "You said that well. I think in a few years, or a dozen years, China might surpass France."

Su Xinghui said, "That is entirely possible."

Hou Guangbi said excitedly, "If that really happens, that would be a great feat."

Su Xinghui nodded, "Yes, being able to participate in this great feat can be considered a fortunate thing!"

Hou Guangbi smiled, "Are you mobilizing me to participate in this great feat too?"

Su Xinghui said, "You could say that. In fact, China is currently the most economically vibrant region in the world. In recent years, China’s GDP growth rate has exceeded ten percent, which is the highest among major countries in the world. What does this concept mean? It means that as long as it develops at this speed for a few more years, China’s total economic volume will have a qualitative change, and surpassing developed countries like France will only be a matter of time."

Hou Guangbi took a sip of tea and looked at Su Xinghui with great interest.

Su Xinghui continued, "Let’s talk about Shangjun County’s economy. In recent years, Shangjun County’s GDP growth rate has been around thirty percent, which is outstanding in the entire Hudong Province. Therefore, Shangjun County’s economy can be said to be the most vibrant in the entire Hudong Province and even the entire Central China region. Investing in Shangjun County will definitely yield generous returns."

"Thirty percent?" Hou Guangbi was moved, "Are you telling the truth?"

Su Xinghui said, "These are official figures. If you don't believe these figures on paper, you can go to the scene to take a look. As the saying goes, seeing is believing."

Hou Guangbi said, "Then where are you planning to take me to see tomorrow?"

Su Xinghui said, "How about this? Tomorrow I will take you to the first stop where I started working after graduating from university: Menghuling Township."

"Menghuling Township?" Hou Guangbi said, "The most remote township in Shangjun County? The one on the far west of the county seat, all mountainous?"

Su Xinghui nodded, "Yes, that’s the one."

Hou Guangbi said, "How did your first job end up there? I visited there when I was young, and it can be described in four words: poor and remote."

Su Xinghui smiled, "Grandpa Hou, it’s not poor and remote there anymore."

Hou Guangbi asked with great interest, "What is it like there now? Tell me about it."

Su Xinghui said, "Grandpa Hou, you have to allow me to keep you in suspense. What it’s like there now, you’ll know when you go to see it tomorrow."

Hou Guangbi laughed heartily, "You’re keeping me in suspense? All right, then we’ll go to Menghuling tomorrow. I want to see with my own eyes what it has become."

Su Xinghui said, "Then please rest early. We will come to pick you up tomorrow morning!"

Su Xinghui left Zhuangyuan Lane and was walking home when his pager suddenly went off. He took out the pager and saw it was a call from Zhang Kaishan’s home. He estimated that Zhang Kaishan had something to find him for, so he went to Zhang Kaishan’s home.

Zhang Kaishan’s face was very heavy. Seeing Su Xinghui arrive, he took him to Ji Tao’s home.

Ji Tao said, "Little Su, you’re here. Tonight, a leader from the city called me."

Su Xinghui’s thoughts turned quickly, "Did the province put pressure on the city?"

Ji Tao nodded, "Yes. This leader criticized the county, saying the county didn't consider the big picture."

Su Xinghui smiled, "Did he mention my name?"

Ji Tao said, "You’re still smiling after he mentioned your name? Don't you have any pressure at all?"

Su Xinghui said, "Of course there is pressure, but you can't have a mournful face just because there is pressure, right? Wouldn't the pressure be even greater then?"

Su Xinghui wasn't surprised at all that the province put pressure on the city. The Chinese officialdom is like this, one level pressing another. He was considered an exception, but the city definitely couldn't withstand this pressure. If the city couldn't withstand the pressure, it would naturally put pressure on the county.

Ji Tao pointed at him and smiled, "You, Little Su, you really have a broad mind."

Su Xinghui said, "Then what did this leader say about me?"

Ji Tao said, "What else could he say? Said you don't respect leaders, don't consider the big picture, and love to show off individual heroism."

Su Xinghui smiled, "Secretary Ji, you have to testify for me. I respect leaders very much!"

Ji Tao laughed heartily, "You are so cheeky in front of me, the County Committee Secretary. Is this what you call respecting leaders?"

Hearing the two men’s words, Zhang Kaishan’s heavy face couldn't help but reveal a smile.

Su Xinghui said, "Then did this leader give any instructions? What does he want us to do?"

Ji Tao said, "He just told me about the gap between Shangjun County and Jiangcheng in terms of investment environment, and asked us in Shangjun County to recognize the facts and not have any illusions."

Su Xinghui said, "He is a leader of Yulin City, after all. Shangjun County belongs to Yulin City, right? How can he speak like that?"

Ji Tao said, "This leader said this is for the sake of the big picture, for the interests of the entire Hudong Province."

Su Xinghui said, "Isn't this selling out our Shangjun County’s interests to please the province?"

Ji Tao said, "Little Su, don't say things like that. Otherwise, if someone hears it, they will say you are parochial."

Su Xinghui said, "I’m not afraid of being called parochial. Jiangcheng wants to develop, so Shangjun County shouldn't develop? I’d like to see what their faces will be like when Elder Hou decides to invest in our Shangjun County!"