Chapter 98

Xiao Yuanhang returned home, took a shower at the railway bathhouse with his toiletry bag, changed into a T-shirt and jeans, and then hailed a flatbed cart to the front of the Guhe Municipal Party Committee compound. The Guhe Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government were housed in two adjacent buildings. The three-story old building on the right was the Party Committee office building, while the five-story new building on the left was the Municipal Government office building. Both the Party Committee and the Municipal Government had their own compounds, separated by an iron fence. In the middle of the fence was a moon gate that connected the two compounds, allowing officials to move between the Party Committee and the Municipal Government without leaving the main gates.

Xiao Yuanhang got off the flatbed cart and headed straight for the Party Committee compound. The guard, seeing him get off the cart, stepped forward to stop him: "In the Party Committee, who are you looking for?" Seeing that Xiao Yuanhang was just a young man and not a staff member of the Party Committee, the guard didn't even call him "comrade," and his tone was harsh.

Xiao Yuanhang, feeling the guard's condescension, was very annoyed. "I'm just a guard, what are you trying to act like a security guard?" He said with a blank expression, "I'm looking for Director Guo Xiaoquan from the Organization Department. Please inform him!"

Xiao Yuanhang wasn't sure if Guo Xiaoquan had been transferred to the Party Committee office, but he guessed he was still in the Organization Department. He didn't even add the "deputy" to his title, just called him "director," thinking that a guard had no right to contact a director and could only do some registration. "What are you trying to act like in front of me?"

The guard, hearing Xiao Yuanhang specifically mention Director Guo and seeing his arrogant expression, immediately regretted his earlier attitude. Despite being just a guard, he was well-informed. Xu Wenhua had become the deputy secretary, and Guo Xiaoquan had been transferred to the Party Committee office as deputy director, directly overseeing him. The guard quickly changed his demeanor and said with a smile, "Oh, you're looking for Director Guo. Just register and you can go in!"

Xiao Yuanhang gave a cold smile and followed the guard into the guard room, where he registered briefly. This time, the guard didn't even ask for his ID. After registering, the guard warmly escorted him out, pointing to the Party Committee office building and saying, "The Organization Department is on the second floor to the right. Go inside and the third office on the north side is Director Guo's office!"

Xiao Yuanhang ignored the guard, grunted, and headed straight for the Party Committee office building. On the second floor, the right side was indeed the Organization Department's office area. The third door on the north side had a sign that read "Office (2)." Seeing the door closed, he knocked.

"Please come in!" Guo Xiaoquan's voice came from inside. Xiao Yuanhang was delighted to hear it. Finding someone like Guo Xiaoquan, who was always around the leaders, in his office was not easy. He had been worried about not finding him.

Xiao Yuanhang pushed the door open and saw that Guo Xiaoquan was alone in the room. He smiled and said, "Brother Guo!"

Guo Xiaoquan, seeing it was Xiao Yuanhang, stood up happily and welcomed him, saying, "Oh, it's Xiao Yuanhang! What a rare visitor! Come, come, come, have a seat."

Xu Wenhua, inspired by Xiao Yuanhang, felt that opening and revitalizing the nut market would indeed boost Guhe's economic development. After consulting with the Party Secretary and the Mayor, he swiftly implemented the policy. Within a week, the municipal government issued a guidance document to further open and revitalize the nut market, along with a series of preferential policies.

The issuance of this document caused a strong reaction. On the same day, the price of pine nuts in the Guhe nut market soared, and many nut dealers flocked to the relevant departments for information. The previously stagnant nut market suddenly became active, which made Xu Wenhua feel that this was a good omen, indicating that the decision was correct.

Xu Wenhua's actions directly affected Guo Xiaoquan. The Party Committee had already decided to transfer him to the Party Committee office as deputy director to continue serving Xu Wenhua. He had to pay close attention to Xu Wenhua's every move. The suggestion to open and revitalize the nut market was proposed by Xiao Yuanhang at a dinner, and Xu Wenhua had adopted it, making Guo Xiaoquan even more enthusiastic towards Xiao Yuanhang.

Guo Xiaoquan poured a cup of tea for Xiao Yuanhang and sat on the sofa next to him, looking at him and saying, "Xiao Yuanhang, you must have some good ideas to come here today?"

"Good ideas?" Xiao Yuanhang asked, puzzled. "What good ideas?"

Guo Xiaoquan smiled and said, "Of course, ideas to promote Guhe's economic development. The idea you proposed to open and revitalize the nut market was highly praised by Secretary Xu. The guidance document has been issued, causing a significant impact. Secretary Xu also said he wants to have more exchanges with you. Your views are very innovative and beneficial for me to change my thinking and update my concepts."

Xiao Yuanhang was secretly delighted and laughed, "Brother Guo, Secretary Xu is too kind. I just said it casually. What could a small train conductor like me know about Guhe's economic development? Don't laugh at me!"

Guo Xiaoquan laughed and said, "Xiao Yuanhang, don't be modest. I didn't agree with many of your views at first, but after Secretary Xu's guidance and reflection, I realized that what you said was very reasonable. Products can be sold for money, but trade is even more important. Without sales, there's no money, and without good prices, there's a loss or less profit. Through trade, the value of products can be maximized, which is an important economic means. We benefit from this maximization, and it also revitalizes the economy. For someone your age to understand this so deeply and thoroughly, I must learn from you."

Guo Xiaoquan's words were almost blunt. Xiao Yuanhang didn't respond, drinking tea while thinking. He realized that Xu Wenhua must have specifically instructed Guo Xiaoquan, otherwise, his attitude wouldn't have changed so quickly. This was a good sign, proving that Xu Wenhua was paying attention to his views, meaning he had gained Xu Wenhua's recognition!

Thinking about this, Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "Our Guhe doesn't have many large factories or mines. Half of the city relies on the railway, and the railway population makes up more than a third of the city. As a railway worker, I pay more attention to transportation. As I mentioned before, Guhe's transportation advantage is actually the railway's transportation advantage. I often read newspapers on the train, and sometimes I even read the small ads in the margins. Reading a lot of books and newspapers, I often think. I didn't expect that some of my immature views would be recognized by Secretary Xu. This was unexpected!"

At this point, Xiao Yuanhang couldn't be modest anymore; if he were, he would be a fool!

Guo Xiaoquan glanced at his watch and said, "Xiao Yuanhang, it's not that. I need your views and ideas. How about this, when you have time, I'll treat you to a drink, and we can have a good chat."

Xiao Yuanhang said, "I came back this morning, and I have time every evening for the next five days. You can choose any day!"

The gesture of looking at the watch was understood by everyone. It meant that the person had something to do and was hinting that it was time to leave. Xiao Yuanhang, of course, understood this and stood up, saying, "Brother Guo, you're busy. I won't disturb you. We'll chat next time."

Guo Xiaoquan, seeing Xiao Yuanhang about to leave, immediately realized that his gesture had caused a misunderstanding. He quickly said, "Xiao Yuanhang, don't be in a hurry. Secretary Xu is having an economic meeting at the municipal government and has an event to attend tonight. I was just checking the time to remind him."

He gestured for Xiao Yuanhang to sit down and said, "I don't have time tonight. I have to go to Tongshui with Secretary Xu tomorrow, which will take two days. The day after tomorrow is also not possible. How about the day after that? Let's meet at 5:30 PM at the Korean restaurant on the second floor. I'll treat you to a drink!"

Xiao Yuanhang nodded and said, "Okay, Brother Guo. See you at 5:30 PM at the Korean restaurant on the second floor the day after tomorrow!"

Guo Xiaoquan said, "Okay! By the way, what brings you here today?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "I heard that the city has opened the nut market. I came to find out more about it."

Guo Xiaoquan asked, "Brother, are you in this business?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "I'm always on the train, so I don't have time. I'm doing it with a friend, so I'm very concerned about this."

At this point, Xiao Yuanhang couldn't be vague. If he said he was doing it himself, Guo Xiaoquan would be more helpful. If he said his friend was doing it, Guo Xiaoquan might not care as much. So, he compromised and said he was doing it with a friend.

Guo Xiaoquan smiled and said, "I see why you strongly suggested Secretary Xu to open and support the nut market. You're in this business too!"

Xiao Yuanhang also smiled and said, "You sell what you know. Because I'm doing it, I studied it and understood its advantages and disadvantages, so I can talk about it in detail!"

"Brother, well done!" Guo Xiaoquan patted Xiao Yuanhang's shoulder, stood up, and found a document on his desk, handing it to him. "This is the guidance document issued by the municipal government about opening and revitalizing the nut market. Take it and read it. If you need any help, come to me."

Xiao Yuanhang took the document and said, "Okay, Brother Guo. I'll read it carefully. I've always wanted to start a nut company, and this policy is very timely. When we decide to register the company, if we encounter any obstacles, I'll definitely come to you."

Guo Xiaoquan waved his hand and said, "No problem. If you need any help, just come to me!"

PS: Two chapters in one update, please support with votes! (To be continued. If you like this work, please subscribe and support. Your support is my greatest motivation.)