Drinking with a favorite of a leader like Cheng Jemin, Tang Zhenshan was quite willing. However, the timing today was not right. He had already lost face, and he feared that even if they had a meal, he wouldn't be treated well. At this moment, Tang Zhenshan was like a wounded lion, desperately trying to cover his wounds. What could it matter if they were exposed? Cheng Jemin was a good person, but apart from winning his sympathy, what else could change?
Therefore, Tang Zhenshan rubbed his hands awkwardly and said, "Younger brother, the people from my hometown are not very sophisticated. How about we meet up alone tomorrow?"
"Hey, Brother Tang, you don't want me to go when people from your hometown come? I think you're afraid I can't drink enough to entertain your guests and will embarrass you, right?" Cheng Jemin looked at Tang Zhenshan with a smile that was not quite a smile, as if he was speaking from the heart.
In the political arena, such a challenge was hard to refuse, especially since Tang Zhenshan felt he was in a weak position. Hearing Cheng Jemin's words, he hesitated for a moment but then gritted his teeth and said, "Younger brother, I'm not afraid of you laughing, but I'm mainly worried you can't handle the pressure. Today, I helped the county magistrate with the planning for a small reservoir and lost face. This time, the atmosphere won't be good when we go drinking."
"Small reservoir? Is there any fundamental issue?" Although Cheng Jemin had already decided to help Tang Zhenshan, he couldn't ignore the principles.
Tang Zhenshan was tidying up the table. Hearing Cheng Jemin's question, he slammed his fist on the table, "There's a problem with the eggplant! Wang Chenghua, that scoundrel, is just trying to please that person!"
Although Tang Zhenshan didn't say who that person was, Cheng Jemin understood. After confirming that Tang Zhenshan's project was not problematic, he had a plan in mind.
"Brother Tang, after talking with you, I feel we really hit it off. I'm also from the countryside. In recent years, I've realized that one can lose face anywhere, but not in front of one's hometown people. Hearing you say this, I'm even more determined to go with you. We'll get our face back, no matter what!" Cheng Jemin, while speaking, pulled Tang Zhenshan and walked out.
In Tang Zhenshan's eyes, Cheng Jemin was in a very favorable position and didn't need to be so enthusiastic about him. Given Cheng Jemin's importance in the unit, getting involved in this project wouldn't be a big deal.
"Brother Jemin, I can't thank you enough. I'll remember this favor!" Tang Zhenshan felt the strength in Cheng Jemin's hand and, while celebrating the success, also felt some warmth. Giving roses to others leaves fragrance in one's hand, and this saying also applied in the political arena. He chuckled and said, "Alright, let's not talk about this. Let's drink them under the table today!"
The Richman Grand Hotel was only three miles from the Water Resources Department, but it was hard to get a taxi in the rainy weather. By the time they arrived at the hotel, it was already half an hour later.
"Zhenshan, why are you so late?" As Cheng Jemin and Tang Zhenshan were about to go upstairs, someone complained.
Following the voice, Cheng Jemin saw a man walking out from the light. He was in his fifties, and although his clothes were of good quality, they were a bit old-fashioned compared to the popular styles in Tianyuan City.
Cheng Jemin didn't recognize the man, but Tang Zhenshan hurriedly greeted him, "Dad, why did you come?"
"County Magistrate Lu called and said things weren't going well. County Party Secretary Gao couldn't sit still and drove me to the provincial capital. Xiao Jia also has a relative in your Water Resources Department, and Secretary Gao specially brought him over. You must help say a few good words and entertain this guest, understand?"
From his interactions with Tang Zhenshan, Cheng Jemin knew that Tang Zhenshan was a proud person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation. Making him humble himself was more painful than death.
But Tang Zhenshan still nodded, "Dad, I understand."
"Oh, and who is this?" The man, hearing Tang Zhenshan's agreement, finally paid attention to Cheng Jemin standing beside him.
"Dad, this is my colleague Cheng Jemin." Tang Zhenshan, while speaking, pointed to the official and said, "Jemin, this is my father-in-law, who is now the head of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau in our county."
"Uncle, please call me Xiao Cheng." Although Cheng Jemin's first impression of Tang Zhenshan's father-in-law wasn't good, he greeted him warmly.
Ma Tianbao was very dissatisfied with his son-in-law. His daughter was the most beautiful girl in the county. According to Ma Tianbao's experience, he shouldn't have married her to him. However, he made a surprising decision: he married his daughter to him. He thought this young man had a degree and potential, and would surely rise to prominence in time.
But he never expected that his son-in-law would be so unsuccessful in his job. This time, for the county's reservoir project, he had promised County Magistrate Lu, but his son-in-law couldn't even make an introduction.
Although County Magistrate Lu didn't say anything bad, Ma Tianbao felt like his heart was being clawed by a cat. When he came to Tianyuan City with Secretary Gao, Secretary Gao's attitude towards him was a bit cold.
This time, he had asked Secretary Gao to let his son-in-law entertain the guests, but he didn't expect his son-in-law to be so clueless, bringing a young man along to eat. No wonder he wasn't doing well in his job! He had no sense of propriety!
"Oh, it's Xiao Cheng." Ma Tianbao shook hands with Cheng Jemin symbolically, with a somewhat perfunctory smile.
Seeing his father-in-law's coldness, Tang Zhenshan felt a bit guilty towards Cheng Jemin. He was about to explain Cheng Jemin's identity to his father-in-law but was stopped by Cheng Jemin, who winked at him playfully.
Feeling cold from his father-in-law and warm from his new friend, Tang Zhenshan felt a warm feeling in his heart. Thinking about the plan he and Cheng Jemin had discussed on the way, he straightened his back and followed his father-in-law upstairs.
In the private room, a waiter was waiting. When they pushed open the door, the room, which was about thirty square meters, was already full of guests. As Ma Tianbao walked in, his originally cold face turned bright, and he smiled at the person sitting on the left, "Secretary Gao, Zhenshan and I were stuck in traffic and arrived late."
Although Secretary Gao's surname was Gao, he wasn't very tall, with a short and stout figure. Hearing Ma Tianbao's introduction, he nodded and said, "It's good that you're here." Then he turned to the person sitting in the main seat, "Director Li, everyone is here. I've heard about your drinking capacity. Let's have a good drink today and not stop until we're drunk!"
As the host, Secretary Gao's attitude actually indicated something. In most cases, when county leaders came to the department, they would be extremely polite to even ordinary staff, though not to the point of groveling, but a smile was a must.
Now, his attitude towards Tang Zhenshan showed that he already knew Tang Zhenshan's position in the unit. He had come to the provincial capital to handle business, so why would he be enthusiastic about someone who couldn't get things done and might even cause trouble?
Everyone in the room was experienced in the political arena and knew how to flatter and criticize. Secretary Gao's attitude was clear to everyone. A few people who didn't get along with Ma Tianbao even showed a mocking smile.
Ma Tianbao was extremely unhappy and glanced at Tang Zhenshan with disappointment. However, since this was his son-in-law and not his son, he couldn't say too much.
When the man called Director Li saw Tang Zhenshan walk in, he recognized him. They had had some conflicts in the past, so he smiled and said, "Secretary Gao, Director Tang is the top talent in our Water Resources Department. There's nothing he can't do. You should let him do more for your hometown!"
Tang Zhenshan's face turned red. As the saying goes, don't hit someone in the face or expose their weaknesses. This Li was clearly embarrassing him. He must have heard about his encounter with Wang Chenghua.
If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, he might have fought this despicable guy. But now, if he ruined the dinner in front of the hometown leaders who were treating Director Li like a VIP, his father-in-law would be in trouble in the county!
Tang Zhenshan's face was tense, and he didn't know what to say. Ma Tianbao's face changed, but he stood up and forced a smile, "Director Li, Zhenshan is young and can't compare to you. Please take care of him in the future!"
"Ha ha ha, Director Li, although we're meeting for the first time, I can tell you're the kind of person who likes to help the young." County Magistrate Lu had interacted with Tang Zhenshan before and knew he was a straightforward person. Seeing him standing there awkwardly, he quickly tried to help him out.
While they were talking, Cheng Jemin stood behind Tang Zhenshan. Seeing the treatment Tang Zhenshan was receiving, he thought about the black notebook.
If he followed the path in the notebook, his future would be similar to Tang Zhenshan's! This realization made his unwillingness to lose even stronger. No matter what, he wouldn't allow himself to repeat the same mistakes.
Although County Magistrate Lu tried to help, Director Li was not a good person and didn't want to let it go easily, "County Magistrate Lu, you're too kind. Director Tang should be the one to help me. You should continue to find Director Tang for your reservoir project!"
Seeing Director Li pick up a toothpick and pick his teeth arrogantly, Cheng Jemin felt a wave of disgust. He chuckled and said, "County Magistrate Lu, you don't need to trouble Director Li for your reservoir project. We were late today because Director Tang had already taken care of the matter before we came!"
PS: Thank you all! Thanks to everyone's strong support, during the new book's upload period, I still need your help. I hope everyone will cheer and support us. Let's surpass the big god in front of us today! Please give me strength!