Chapter 97: Wedding Invitation

  The tobacco procurement has started, and at the same time, the collection of agricultural tax and "three deductions and five unifications" has also begun. This is related to the financial revenue of Yudu District, so Xu Shaojie still cannot be careless. After discussing with Zhang Shiqiu, he convened a meeting of the team members. Huang Guangming, who had just taken office for a short time, was mainly responsible for managing the affairs of the district government. Tian Lixin was in charge of coordinating the cement plant, and Hu Deiyi was in charge of coordinating the vegetable greenhouses in Huaguang Village. The work focus of the two was different, and the rest of the team members all went down to assist with the tobacco procurement and the collection of agricultural tax and "three deductions and five unifications". The main task of the dispatched personnel is to patrol around and assist with the tobacco procurement and tax collection. Only one person needs to stay on duty at home. Zhang Shiqiu emphasized that the focus is on the work at the tobacco procurement points.

  Xu Shaojie went to all the towns to inspect the progress of the work, however, Xu Shaojie and Zhang Shiqiu had different focuses. Xu Shaojie mainly made demands from a macro perspective, such as not allowing physical altercations and ensuring the completion of tasks, while Zhang Shiqiu focused on specific work, such as issues in the tax collection process.

  Xu Shaojie arrived at Yulin Township, where he was very familiar with the place. His past memories were too deep. Liu Mu was on duty at the township government, and the others had all gone to the village or to the tobacco purchasing point.

  "Secretary Xu, I have some personal matters and I was wondering if you could help me."

  "Liu Mu, just say what's on your mind."

  "I want Yu Zhihong to work at the cement factory, my eldest daughter to attend elementary school in the district, and my youngest daughter to attend kindergarten in the district. Yu Zhihong's body is not good, so managing the greenhouse is still not feasible."

  "What about the greenhouses you've already built?"

  "I've already contacted Zhang Xiaoyu's father-in-law, they want to take out a loan, they still owe money, their family has a lot of labor, now they only have three greenhouses, the last time's vegetable sales stimulated them, they found me several times."

  "No problem, I'll take care of it. However, Yu Zhihong's health is not good and she can't go into the workshop or do office work. How about the testing room? The testing room is all female colleagues, requiring attention to detail."

  "Thank you, Secretary Xu."

  "I'll tell Zhao Deli about it and he can start working tomorrow. This matter cannot be delayed, if we drag it on for too long, I'm afraid I'll forget."

  Xu Shaojie returned to the district office and was just about to call Zhao Deli when Huang Guangming came in.

  "Secretary Xu, Director Qian of the Huaiyang Municipal Party Committee Office called and said he was looking for you with something. I gave him your cell phone number, but it's probably in a rural area and can't get through. Director Qian asked you to call him back, here is his phone number."

  "I know, nothing's going on at the office, right?"

  "No, basically everyone has gone down to pay taxes, there aren't many people in the government office, I was thinking of going down to take a look too."

  "If you have the opportunity, don't rush, take your time. Next time we meet, solidify your posting location. There's still some time to collect taxes, so use this period to get familiar with the district and town work, which is very different from the municipal party committee."

  Xu Shaojie found it a bit strange that Qian Dazhi called, and after thinking about it, Xu Shaojie first dialed Zhao Deli's phone number. He told Zhao Deli that Liu Mu's lover, Yu Zhihong, had entered the cement plant to work and was assigned to the testing room. Zhao Deli didn't hesitate at all, saying he would go to settle it in the afternoon. Xu Shaojie then told Zhao Deli that Liu Mu was on duty at the township government.

  Xu Shaojie then dialed the phone number of the Huaiyang Municipal Party Committee office and found Qian Dazhi.

  "Qian Kechang, hello! When did you think of giving me a call?"

  "Secretary Xu, hello! You're a big shot now, I don't dare disturb you casually. When you have time, come back and take a look, there's a letter for you here from the Xilin City Government, it just arrived, I've kept it for you."

  "Thank you, Director Qian. I'll come over in two days and then I'll invite Director Qian to have a drink, don't refuse."

  "Haha, it's my turn to treat you."

  Xu Shaojie found it strange. He couldn't think of who in the Xilin City government would send him a letter, but thinking about it was useless. When the time came, he would know everything once he received the letter.

  It's the busiest time now, Xu Shaojie hesitated a bit, not knowing what was in the letter. If something happened and he was delayed, it wouldn't be good. However, as the main leader, no one would investigate his whereabouts. Xu Shaojie had originally planned to set off directly, but after thinking about it, he still dialed Zhang Shikui's mobile phone. Zhang Shikui's mobile phone was not in service, so Xu Shaojie decided to go to the Huaiyang Municipal Party Committee office the next day. That night, Xu Shaojie told Zhang Shikui that he had something to do and went to Huaian City to deal with it. Zhang Shikui repeatedly said that he could just go directly.

  "Director Xu, you're really busy, it's been a long time since I've seen you. Why didn't you come to the office and sit down? Let me take you out instead of sitting in the office."

  "No, it's almost time to get off work, let's go find a place to have a drink."

  "Alright, here is your letter."

  During working hours, Xu Shaojie would not go to the municipal party committee office. There was nothing to do anyway, and it was better to be cautious. Qian Dazhi knew what Xu Shaojie was thinking about and didn't force him. The two of them found a small restaurant, which was their common habit, neither of them liked going to hotels to eat, the small restaurant was casual and comfortable to eat in.

  "Secretary Xu, I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet. I heard about your promotion but didn't have time to come to Yudu District. Today I'm treating you out, this place is a bit humble, please don't mind."

  "Director Qian, don't say such things, I work in the district town and will rely on you more often from now on."

  "Haha, it's been over a year since you went down, time flies so fast! It feels like just yesterday that you were working in the office for a month. Today, I must toast you with a few cups of wine, Secretary Xu, don't decline!"

  The two men didn't stand on ceremony, pouring themselves shots of baijiu. Xu Shaojie sometimes felt like his body was going to turn into a wine barrel. Almost every day there were reception tasks, and when leaders from the municipal units came, not drinking would be impolite, but drinking was really unbearable. He couldn't help but think that the higher-ups must have become gods of drink.

  "Secretary Xu, you have really given the municipal party committee office a big face. The other day, the municipal party committee standing committee studied the issue of vegetable greenhouses. I heard that it was the issue of Yu Du District's large-scale vegetable greenhouses reported by Huai'an Municipal Party Committee and Government that caught the attention of the municipal party committee. Everyone is really admiring you."

  Xu Shaojie didn't say a word, he listened very carefully. Not to mention the Huaiyang Municipal Committee, even the Huaian Municipal Committee's situation, Xu Shaojie knew not much about it. In fact, he wanted to understand the situation, but had no opportunity, and his working time was too short, with no close friends. When Qian Dazhi talked about the performance of the Huaiyang Municipal Committee, Xu Shaojie also wanted to learn more. Soon, Xu Shaojie picked up his wine glass, saying polite words, and toasted Qian Dazhi.

  "Secretary Xu, what I said is true. I heard that the municipal party committee has confirmed the development path of large-scale vegetable greenhouses and plans to investigate the development situation in Yuda District before promoting it throughout the city. The leaders think that large-scale vegetable greenhouses have a short cycle, quick results, and are a good project. Even the policy research office has gone out to understand the sales route of vegetables."

  "Haha, well said, I was just inspired by our leader and remembered this thing. Actually, it's still the leader who came up with the idea, I'm just executing it."

  "Secretary Xu, you're too modest. I'm not capable of that. In the municipal party committee office, I often hear leaders' instructions, but I just can't think of any good ways to work. It's all about muddling through every day. I really want to learn from you. If there's a chance in the future, I'll definitely follow you closely and learn from you. Secretary Xu, please don't look down on me."

  "Haha, Qian Kezhang, you're getting more and more absurd, it's me who should be learning from you."

  "Secretary Xu, I'm telling the truth. Cadres dispatched by the municipal party committee usually work for one or two years. You've already worked for a year and at most you'll have less than a year left before returning. Unless you're working in Huaian City, promotion is only a matter of time given your performance. So, soon you'll be my superior. At that time, I'll follow you to make a living, don't look down on me."

  After drinking too much, people say fewer taboos. Xu Shaojie had never noticed this problem until Qian Dazhi mentioned it. Xu Shaojie then remembered that he was dispatched from the municipal party committee office and had learned a lot in over a year of work. His initial idea of starting from the grassroots and working hard no longer held up. If he had just started working and been assigned to a district government agency, like Song Tao, he would have been unable to do anything significant, like a handyman who does odd jobs all year round. No matter how ambitious you are, there's no place to put your talents to use.

  Xu Shaojie also thought of Huang Guangming, who worked in the Huai'an municipal party committee office and seemed to be doing well. However, without a background or connections, he was unable to make progress. Huang Guangming's abilities were not weak, but he lacked opportunities. China has many capable people.

  So, when working in official circles, starting point and background are decisive factors. The education from books about relying on oneself and striving for a better future is nonsense. Anyone who has struggled in practice doesn't believe such words. Many people may not have had a background when they first started working, but in the actual work process, they quickly established a strong network of relationships.

  Qian Dazhi's words triggered Xu Shaojie's thinking, and he knew two things for sure. Firstly, the Huaiyang Municipal Committee had approved the development of greenhouse vegetables, which would likely be promoted throughout the city. This meant that Yudu District must accelerate its development pace, as being a leader in trends is always beneficial. With the widespread development of greenhouse vegetables, vegetable prices would inevitably fluctuate. Secondly, he would eventually return to the municipal committee office, although the timing was unclear, and he had at most one more year in Yudu District. Before leaving Yudu District, he must make good suggestions to the district's main leaders, as a good team would greatly accelerate the district's development. After all, he had invested his heart and soul in Yudu District.

  Yang Chen had dinner at the restaurant and was waiting for Xu Shaojie. Xu Shaojie said he would return to Yudu District today. The Jeep was parked in front of the residential area, far away. Yang Chen saw a taxi coming from afar and knew that Xu Shaojie was back.

  After Xu Shaojie got on the car, he took out a letter from his briefcase. Yang Chen was concentrating on driving. Xu Shaojie carefully looked at the envelope, which was a special envelope used by the Xilin City Government. He opened the envelope and found a red postcard inside. As he read the content on the postcard, his face changed color.

  Yang Chen found that Xu Shaojie's emotions were somewhat off, seemingly a bit disheartened. However, Yang Chen wouldn't casually ask about it, he tried to drive the car more smoothly instead.

  Xu Shaojie leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. This was the wedding invitation of Liu Hong and Zheng Yuxin, who were getting married on October 1st and had invited him to attend. The memories of his university life, which Xu Shaojie had deeply buried in his heart, began to resurface. He had never mentioned it before, but his first love with Zheng Yuxin was a painful memory for Xu Shaojie. It wasn't that he regretted the feelings they had shared, but rather the sorrow of their love being defeated by reality. Xu Shaojie knew that no matter how he looked at it, he had lost to Liu Hong. Although he didn't want to admit it, this was the reality. In a society where only results mattered and not the process, having a good background or family connections was an advantage from the start. Xu Shaojie thought that if it weren't for Secretary Ding Yuan, he might have returned to his hometown after graduation and been living a humble life in that small county town, carefully counting every penny, and would have completely lost the opportunity to compete with Liu Hong. From the current situation, at least he had gained the chance to compete with Liu Hong from now on.

  Xu Shaojie's face flashed a cold smile, Liu Hong didn't miss any opportunity, sending him a wedding invitation, no doubt thinking of flaunting in front of everyone and giving himself another spiritual blow. Working at the Huaiyang Municipal Party Committee Office, Liu Hong couldn't have known that this kind of person seemed to be Xu Shaojie's arch-nemesis from birth.

  "Secretary Xu, go directly to the district office?"

  "No, let's go take a look at Huaguan Village first."

  Yang Chen understood Xu Shaojie's meaning and stopped talking, continuing to drive the car.

  Xu Shaojie returned to the district office in the afternoon, Zhang Shi-kui was somewhat surprised, he thought Xu Shaojie would at least stay in the city for a day or two. Since the tobacco procurement started, the district office has not had any holidays, this situation will continue until after October, the work of the district and town is like this, during the big push, there are no holidays.

  Xu Shaojie simply told Zhang Shiwei that a classmate working in Xilin City would get married on October 1st, and at that time, he himself would go to the provincial city for a trip. Zhang Shiwei was full of envy, Secretary Xu is not simple, and his classmates are not simple either.