Chapter 31: Accompanying for Drinks (Part 1)

After receiving a call from the county bureau, Chen Shijie immediately called Hou Yong over.

"Is it true that you're going to the village today?" Chen Shijie asked.

"Yes, I'm just about to set off," Hou Yong replied, puzzled. He had already reported this matter to Chen Shijie yesterday. Could something have gone wrong?

"Don't go. Deputy Director Zhao from the county bureau is coming later, and the task of accompanying him for drinks at noon will be yours," Chen Shijie said. Deputy Director Zhao was a former military officer who had been directly transferred from the rank of battalion commander to the deputy director of the bureau. Although he had only been in the position for over a year, he was not an ordinary person, with an extraordinary drinking capacity. He preferred to drink from a bowl rather than a glass, and each bowl contained about eight ounces of alcohol. When drinking with him, one had to finish a bowl in one go, and he would only drink after you did. If you didn't finish, he wouldn't drink. He often said that the combat readiness of a police station could be tested at the dinner table, a habit he brought from the military to his current position.

Therefore, whenever Deputy Director Zhao came to inspect, no grassroots police station dared to take it lightly. A former police station chief, due to his poor drinking capacity, passed out after drinking just one bowl of alcohol and was later severely criticized by Deputy Director Zhao. Soon after, he was reassigned to a less important position.

One might think that Deputy Director Zhao's domineering style would provoke widespread resentment, but since he took office, no one had seen him change. It was not impossible that no one had reported him, but the reason why his style had not changed was clearly due to some underlying reason.

Since it couldn't be changed, it had to be adapted to.

Imagine a leader who judged the quality of work based on the amount of alcohol consumed. Who would dare to take it lightly?

At the Shulin Ridge Police Station, apart from Hou Yong, no one dared to face Deputy Director Zhao's drinking challenge. Hou Yong's ability to drink had even become a recognized skill in the police station. His promotion to deputy chief five years ago was partly due to his drinking capacity.

"I don't think so. I can only handle two bowls," Hou Yong said with a bitter expression. Although he had a good drinking capacity and enjoyed drinking, he had never won against Deputy Director Zhao. He estimated that Deputy Director Zhao could drink at least three pounds of alcohol. In the entire station, only Chen Shijie, besides himself, could drink eight ounces in one go.

"I can only handle one bowl, but I still have to drink to the bitter end," Chen Shijie said, feeling a headache. If Deputy Director Zhao did not drink to his satisfaction, he would be particularly strict in his inspection, turning small matters into big ones. Conversely, big matters could become small. Last year, due to the Shulin Ridge Police Station's significant achievements in a crackdown on gambling, the county bureau had rewarded them. Chen Shijie had been praised by the bureau leaders during the year-end and year-beginning meetings, which made him feel very proud. However, this year, neither the case-solving rate nor the revenue had met the bureau's targets, and Chen Shijie was already anxious. Now, with Deputy Director Zhao suddenly coming to inspect, it was unlikely that the "combat readiness" of the Shulin Ridge Police Station would satisfy him. If that happened, he would surely face severe criticism.

Being criticized was a minor issue, but if it affected his career advancement, it would be a significant loss. Chen Shijie was currently making moves to transfer back to the county bureau. At such a critical moment, if his work ability was questioned, the transfer might fall through.

"Director Chen, what if we borrow someone?" Hou Yong suddenly thought of Zhu Daodong. He had drunk with Zhu Daodong twice but had never figured out his true capacity. Each time, he himself was almost unconscious, but Zhu Daodong always seemed to be just starting. This made Hou Yong feel that Zhu Daodong's drinking capacity was definitely greater than his own, and although he might not surpass Deputy Director Zhao, combined with his two bowls and Chen Shijie's one bowl, it should not be too far off.

"Borrow someone? The people from the township government would be happy to accompany for drinks if they knew it was a bureau leader. But once they know it's Deputy Director Zhao, even if you use a sedan chair, no one would dare to come!" Chen Shijie snorted. The township government officials were also well-tested in alcohol, but Deputy Director Zhao's drinking style was too unique. One bowl at a time, each containing eight ounces, even the best drinkers would find it difficult.

At first, a few township government officials, confident in their drinking capacity, thought it would be a good deal to drink for free. However, after two bowls, they not only lost face but also brought shame to the township government. Since then, no one from the township government dared to attend Deputy Director Zhao's dinners.

"Director Chen, do you remember Mr. Zhu Daodong from the former middle school? He is now on loan to the township government as a secretary. From what I know, his drinking capacity is not less than mine," Hou Yong said with a smile.

"Really?" Chen Shijie's face immediately brightened. He knew Hou Yong's drinking capacity well, and if Hou Yong said Zhu Daodong's capacity was greater, it must be true.

"I have drunk with him twice. The first time, I got drunk, and the second time, he helped me back," Hou Yong said, speaking from experience.

"But drinking with Deputy Director Zhao is different. You have to drink quickly, and each time, it's eight ounces. It's not just about having a good drinking capacity," Chen Shijie was still a bit worried. There were people in the township government who could drink three to four pounds of alcohol, but Deputy Director Zhao's drinking style was unique. You might be able to drink three pounds, but you might not be able to drink eight ounces in one go. That's why no one from the township government dared to accompany him anymore.

"Let me go and sound him out. Even if he can't drink quickly, I think he can handle at least two bowls," Hou Yong said. Zhu Daodong was young, and this was the age when one could drink well. As long as his drinking capacity was good, drinking two bowls should not be a problem.

"Since you are confident, there's no need to sound him out. Go find him now and see if he has time at noon. Tell him that if he can accompany Deputy Director Zhao well, I, Chen Shijie, will remember this favor," Chen Shijie said. The hardest thing to repay was a favor. By offering to owe Zhu Daodong a favor, Chen Shijie showed how important it was for him to receive Deputy Director Zhao well.

Hou Yong was very familiar with the township government. He directly went to Zhu Daodong's office, knocked on the door, and heard a familiar voice from inside: "Please come in."

"Mr. Zhu, what are you busy with?" Hou Yong saw Zhu Daodong sitting at his desk, writing something, and smiled.

"Brother Hou, how do you have time to come here?" Zhu Daodong had already heard Hou Yong's footsteps when he entered the township government. Whenever he was in the township government, he adjusted his hearing to an appropriate level to hear everything happening in the township government.

"I don't come here for nothing. I need your help today," Hou Yong said. Although he hadn't seen Zhu Daodong for a few months, he now felt that Zhu Daodong was very steady and confident, a stark contrast to when he was a teacher. It seemed that working in the government had matured him a lot in just a few months.