Chapter 43

First update of the morning, seeking all kinds of support!

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Su Laoshi didn't want to think that way, but the reality before his eyes forced him to consider it. If Su Mu hadn't embezzled, where did he get so much money to buy all these things? Even a mobile phone would be out of the question, let alone these cigarettes, which he probably couldn't afford with his salary.

"Dad!" Su Ke pouted, trying to ease the tension, but was met with a fierce glare from Su Laoshi. "You shut up and stand to the side!"

"Old Su, what are you doing!" Ye Cuilan shouted.

"Mom, it's fine. Dad, I didn't do what you think. As you said, I'm just a deputy mayor with no real power. Who would bribe me? How could I embezzle?" Su Mu said with a smile.

"Then how do you explain all this?" Su Laoshi asked sternly.

"Dad, these things were actually gifts from a friend, Xu Yan, the police chief of Heishan Town. He knew I was coming home and specially asked me to bring these things for you. As for the phone, I bought it for Keke. But don't worry, I spent my own money.

And this time, I also brought some money for you, not much, just ten thousand. Don't worry, listen to me. I actually made this money by selling an antique I found on the antique street. Otherwise, where do you think your son got so much money?" Su Mu explained with a smile.

He could have brought more money, but he wouldn't. Su Laoshi and Ye Cuilan were simple farmers, and seeing so much money at once would only confuse them. It would be better to bring money home gradually, ensuring they wouldn't suffer anymore.

"Really?" Su Laoshi asked, finally feeling relieved. He knew the antique street in Xing Tang County, and if one was lucky, they might indeed find something valuable.

"Dad, would I lie to you! What? Do you not want these cigarettes and alcohol? I'll give them to Grandpa Shang then!" Su Mu said with a grin.

"Who said I don't want them! Since they're from a friend, you can't return them. When you leave, bring some mountain goods to give back. It's a matter of reciprocity! And you must take some of these things to Grandpa Shang." Su Laoshi decided on the spot.

"Sure thing!" Su Mu said with a smile.

There was still some time before lunch, so Su Mu didn't hesitate. He said goodbye to his parents and walked out of the house with half a box of cigarettes and alcohol, heading towards a mountain ravine outside Su Village. Everyone he met along the way greeted him warmly, and Su Mu responded with a smile.

"Grandpa Shang, I'm here!"

As Su Mu walked into the mountain ravine and approached a stone courtyard, he called out loudly.

Whoosh!

Before his words had even finished, a majestic eagle, the legendary Golden Eagle, swooped down from the sky. This Golden Eagle was fierce and powerful, with sharp talons that could easily lift a person.

"Little guy, you've grown so much in just a few months!"

If anyone else had seen this, they would have been terrified. But Su Mu was excited, raising his arm without a hint of fear, allowing the Golden Eagle to land on it.

"I know you don't like cooked food. Here, this rabbit meat is from home." Su Mu took a piece of rabbit meat from the box and threw it to the Golden Eagle, which immediately flew up and landed on a sycamore tree in the courtyard.

"Come in!"

At that moment, a voice came from inside the courtyard. Su Mu pushed open the gate and walked in. At a stone table in the courtyard sat an old man in a Tang suit, wearing cloth shoes, with a kind face and an extraordinary aura. Seeing Su Mu, he smiled warmly.

He was the Grandpa Shang that Su Laoshi had mentioned, Shang Ting!

No one knew Shang Ting's background, only that he had chosen to live in this mountain ravine after coming to Su Village. No one was seen visiting him, and he mostly stayed alone all year round. Initially, the people of Su Village were curious, but they soon gave up on exploring.

There was nothing particularly surprising about Shang Ting, who, apart from his sage-like appearance, was just like any other old man.

The existence of the Golden Eagle was known only to Su Mu, and no one else in Su Village knew about it.

The reason Su Mu's family treated Shang Ting so well was that Su Mu had learned from him. In a sense, Shang Ting was Su Mu's mentor. However, this learning was different from formal schooling; it was more like the private tutoring of ancient times, where Shang Ting taught Su Mu personally.

Su Mu had been learning from Shang Ting since childhood, even when he went to high school in the county and university in Shengjing. Whenever he came home, he would visit Shang Ting. However, Shang Ting never officially recognized Su Mu as his disciple, preferring a more intimate relationship like that of a grandfather and grandson.

Su Mu's habit of morning runs, which he still maintained, was formed during his childhood when he ran through the mountains with Shang Ting. Once a habit is formed, it's hard to break.

"Grandpa Shang, I brought some cigarettes and alcohol from the city to show my respect." Su Mu said with a smile, sitting down at the stone table.

"Cut the chatter, come, let's play a few rounds of chess first!" Shang Ting, without even glancing at the cigarettes and alcohol, swept his hand to mix up the chess pieces and started setting them up again.

"Sure thing!"

Su Mu sat down happily, arranging the chess pieces while casually recounting his recent experiences. He knew that this chess game was just the beginning, followed by Go and calligraphy, all of which Shang Ting had taught him. Each time he visited, Shang Ting would test him from start to finish. If he passed, everything was fine; if not, Shang Ting's smile would disappear, and he would frown.

Of course, before the age of sixteen, Su Mu was often scolded by Shang Ting, but after sixteen, the frowns became less frequent, and now they were almost non-existent.

When Shang Ting heard that the new classroom at Daliu Primary School had been built and occupied in just a few days, and that the construction company had tried to destroy evidence after the collapse, all with the support of the Heishan Town mayor, Yang Song, his good mood was ruined.

"Rascals, a bunch of scoundrels! Officials like this should be executed, one by one!" Shang Ting said with a dark expression.

"Grandpa Shang, they have all been punished by the law." Su Mu said with a smile.

"Hmph, I say this because they have been punished. If not, I would have taken care of them myself! How dare they play with children's lives, they are worse than pigs and dogs." Shang Ting said coldly.

"Su Mu, you are now the mayor of a town, managing thousands of people. I want you to tell me clearly, what will you do in the future?" Shang Ting asked solemnly, his expression unusually serious.

"Grandpa Shang, I remember when I entered the political arena, you once told me an ancient saying, 'Though low in position, I dare not forget the state; even when the matter is settled, I must wait for the final judgment.' Whether I am a town mayor, a county magistrate, a city mayor, or even a provincial governor, I will adhere to this principle. I don't aspire to be a clean official; I just want to be a good official. When I leave my post, I want to leave something that the people can be proud of. That's enough." Su Mu said solemnly.

"Good! If you have Lu You's concern for the country and its people, that's enough." Shang Ting smiled. "It's worth all the effort I've put into cultivating you. Now that you are a town mayor, you will surely rise higher. Let me give you one more piece of advice, listen carefully."

"Grandpa Shang, go ahead!" Su Mu said solemnly.

"Do not assume, do not insist, do not be rigid, do not be self-centered." Shang Ting said calmly. "Do you know where these eight words come from?"

"Yes, they are from the Analects of Confucius!" Su Mu nodded.

"Do you know what I mean by this?" Shang Ting smiled, not surprised that Su Mu knew these words.

"I understand!" Su Mu nodded. Having learned these ancient texts from Shang Ting since childhood, he knew this was a classic line from the Analects.

In the context of politics, it means that Su Mu should always speak based on facts and not make assumptions or rash conclusions. As a leader, he should not be autocratic or act arbitrarily. He should be flexible and adaptable, doing what he can and not being rigid.

Of course, the most important point is to connect with the people, not to be self-important or think that being an official puts him above others. He should communicate with those around him and work together, with a broad and inclusive mindset.

"It's good that you understand. Remember, our Chinese people are the most simple and honest. If they can live a peaceful and happy life, who would want to suffer?" Shang Ting's voice carried a hint of sadness.

"Grandpa Shang, I know what to do. I have my principles as an official!" Su Mu said solemnly. "I promise you, I will be a good official, a good official who can face my conscience, a good official who can face heaven and earth."

"Well said! For that, a toast is in order! Come, let's stop playing chess. I'm sure your family has prepared good wine and food. Let's go and have a drink." Shang Ting laughed heartily.

"Sure!" Su Mu smiled.

The lunch was a delightful affair. Shang Ting's status in Su Village was extraordinary, and Su Laoshi felt that this was a great honor. Despite his simplicity, he kept raising his glass, but even so, he couldn't get Shang Ting drunk.

In fact, even Su Mu didn't know how much Shang Ting could drink. Having been trained by Shang Ting to drink since childhood, Su Mu was confident that he could outdrink most people. But if he were to face Shang Ting, he could only describe his drinking capacity as unfathomable.

After lunch, Shang Ting returned home, and Su Mu stayed to talk with his parents. When he told them that he had become a town mayor, Su Laoshi and Ye Cuilan were initially stunned, then filled with excitement. Ye Cuilan even went to burn incense and pray to the ancestors, informing them that Su Mu had achieved something great for the Su family.

Su Mu didn't stop her, knowing that this was something Ye Cuilan did habitually, whether for good or bad news, she would always inform the ancestors.

Just as Su Mu was about to light a cigarette for Su Laoshi, his phone rang.

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