Chapter 80: The Provincial Party Secretary Offers a Toast

Guo Yongchen indeed had an event and was also hosting a banquet at this hotel. After learning that Zhao Bingzhi was also here, he walked over to have a drink with Wang Jian.

Accompanied by his secretary, Guo Yongchen walked in and smiled at Wang Jian, saying, "You must be Xiao Wang, right?"

Wang Jian stood up upon seeing Guo Yongchen, his heart pounding with excitement, and said, "Reporting to Secretary Guo, I am Wang Jian!"

"Hehe, not bad, not bad. Your articles are really well-written. You've already grown into a township chief, haven't you?" Guo Yongchen smiled.

Wang Jian continued excitedly, "Reporting to Secretary Guo, I am now a township chief!"

"Haha, don't be so formal. Sit down, sit down!" Guo Yongchen waved his hand.

Everyone then sat down. Guo Yongchen had his secretary pour him a glass of wine and said, "Comrade Xiao Wang works at the grassroots level. He came here to request a road construction project for the people. However, an incident occurred. The provincial capital is still not peaceful. Director Fang, this is your responsibility. You need to strengthen social security!"

Guo Yongchen took the opportunity to criticize Fang Pengfei, who could only nod in agreement.

Then, Guo Yongchen turned to Wang Jian and asked, "Xiao Wang, have you secured the road construction project yet?"

Wang Jian hurriedly replied, "I have!"

"How much funding have you secured?" Guo Yongchen asked.

"Two million yuan!" Wang Jian said.

"Only two million? It should be at least twenty million. Minister Zhao, you should coordinate with the Transportation Department. Have them conduct a site inspection and decide how much funding to allocate for the road construction. A lot of money has been invested in Simumeng, but there's no visible effect. What's lacking is someone like Xiao Wang who is dedicated to serving the people. As long as one is dedicated to serving the people, the economy can develop. We must give strong support to such officials!" Guo Yongchen, perhaps a bit tipsy, waved his hand and promised twenty million yuan to Xianhe Township. If this amount were really allocated, Xianhe Township would truly benefit greatly.

"Secretary Guo, I'll arrange it right after the meal!" Zhao Bingzhi promised.

Guo Yongchen nodded in satisfaction and said, "Come, I won't say much. I'll offer a toast to everyone, hoping that Xiao Wang will achieve even greater success at the grassroots level!"

These words were specifically directed at Wang Jian. Although he didn't directly toast Wang Jian, the meaning was clear. Wang Jian quickly stood up and said, "I will not let Secretary Guo down!"

"Good, let's drink!" After saying this, Guo Yongchen took a sip of wine, while the others had to finish their glasses.

After drinking, Guo Yongchen stood up and said, "Continue, I have something to do and can't stay with you!"

Wang Jian stood and watched Guo Yongchen leave, feeling as if he were in a dream after drinking so much.

The three of them sat down and continued drinking and eating for a while before leaving.

"Xiao Wang, tomorrow you should go directly to the Transportation Department to find Director Hu Zuoyun. I'll make the arrangements. I drank a bit too much today, so I won't go," Zhao Bingzhi said as they got into the car.

"Okay, Uncle Zhao!" Wang Jian replied.

"Xiao Wang, where are you staying?" Fang Pengfei asked.

Wang Jian told him the address of his hotel. Fang Pengfei said, "The conditions there are a bit poor. I'll arrange a better one for you!"

He then called and arranged a high-end hotel for Wang Jian. Wang Jian got out of the car at the hotel and watched Zhao Bingzhi and Fang Pengfei drive away.

Wang Jian then called Lu Jun and Chen Yu. Lu Jun drove over to find him, and Chen Yu also came to the hotel upon hearing the news.

As soon as they entered the hotel room, Wang Jian received a call from Ye Fengling, asking if he had arrived and where he was. She said she would come to see him. Wang Jian told her the situation and waited for her to arrive.

When Chen Yu arrived, Wang Jian recounted the events to him. Chen Yu, indeed, looked incredulous, his eyes wide open, and said, "Wang Jian, are you dreaming? The Provincial Party Secretary personally toasted you? I don't believe it!"

"Chen Yu, even if you don't believe it, I couldn't believe it either when the Provincial Party Secretary and the Provincial Organization Minister paid attention to my matter. There was also a General Zhai who appeared out of nowhere. I think Guo Yongchen and Zhao Bingzhi treated me well because of him!" Wang Jian said seriously.

Chen Yu was amazed. After a while, he said, "Wang Jian, do you think this is all because of Ye Fengling? We can't think of any other special connection!"

Wang Jian frowned and said, "I think so too. Who is Ye Fengling? How did her report directly reach Guo Yongchen? How did a General Zhai suddenly appear?"

"You said she's coming soon, right? We'll ask her then!" Chen Yu said.

Wang Jian nodded and said, "We should ask her, but I'm not sure if she'll tell us."

As they were talking, they heard a knock on the door. When they opened it, they saw Ye Fengling.

"Journalist Ye, you're finally here!" Wang Jian said happily.

"What's up? Did you miss me?" Ye Fengling said casually.

Wang Jian blushed and said, "We had some questions for you, Journalist Ye, and now we're all confused!"

"Ha ha!" Ye Fengling laughed and glanced at Wang Jian.

Wang Jian recounted the events to Ye Fengling, who listened and smiled.

"Journalist Ye, can you tell us who this General Zhai is?" Wang Jian asked after finishing his story.

Ye Fengling smiled and said, "How would I know? Maybe some noble person came to help you!"

Seeing Ye Fengling's smile, Wang Jian didn't know what to say. Could there really be such a good person?

"Journalist Ye, you said you reported to the higher-ups. Who did you report to?" Wang Jian tried to get more information.

Ye Fengling laughed and said, "I'm a journalist, so I reported to the central leadership!"

"Can you tell us which central leader you reported to?" Wang Jian asked.

"Ha ha, why do you need to know so much? Don't you know that some things need to be kept confidential?" Ye Fengling laughed.

Wang Jian, feeling embarrassed, said, "I forgot. Some things are beyond our knowledge!"

"Ha ha, stop asking. Since it's already out, I came back to ask Township Chief Wang to take me to see your girlfriend. I want to see if she looks like me!" Ye Fengling smiled at Wang Jian.

Wang Jian immediately said, "No problem, but I need to go to the Transportation Department tomorrow to handle some matters. Can we go after I finish?"

"Why do you need to go to the Transportation Department?" Ye Fengling asked.

Wang Jian explained the situation to Ye Fengling, who agreed after listening, "Alright, let's go after you finish!"

The next day, Wang Jian and Ye Fengling went to find Hu Zuoyun. Inside, they first found Hao Li. When Hao Li heard that Wang Jian wanted to see the director directly, she was surprised. She couldn't take Wang Jian directly to the director, so she took them to the office director to have him lead Wang Jian.

The office director, upon hearing that Wang Jian had arrived, immediately said, "Follow me!"

Wang Jian and Ye Fengling then went to Hu Zuoyun's office. The office was more luxurious compared to the offices of the lower-level transportation bureau chiefs. Hu Zuoyun, a plump man, stood up with a smile and shook Wang Jian's hand, saying, "Welcome, welcome!"

While speaking, he also smiled at the beautiful Ye Fengling, who paid no attention to him and casually looked around the room.

Hu Zuoyun laughed awkwardly and said, "Please sit down."

Zhao Bingzhi had personally arranged for Wang Jian to be well-received and for someone to conduct a site inspection of the road conditions, ensuring that the road was built with the maximum possible funding. Hu Zuoyun didn't understand why the provincial leadership had such clear requirements, and he was even more puzzled when he saw Wang Jian. How could such a young person have the power to make the provincial leadership arrange matters? Was it because he was a township chief? Was that even possible? A township chief was far from the provincial leadership!

Although he was puzzled, he couldn't treat Wang Jian casually. After they sat down, Hu Zuoyun smiled and said, "Township Chief Wang, what do you plan to do? Should we allocate the funds directly, or should we send someone to conduct a site inspection first?"

Sending someone would be a bit troublesome. Since Zhao Bingzhi had spoken, allocating the funds directly would be simpler. Some places preferred direct funding and didn't want provincial involvement, so Hu Zuoyun asked this question first.

"Director Hu, let's conduct a site inspection. We're not very knowledgeable about this, and a professional inspection will help us build the road better!" Wang Jian's goal was to build the road, not to get the money.

Hu Zuoyun nodded and said, "Sending someone is fine. Since Minister Zhao has arranged it, but you should know that people in the department are used to working in the office and are not keen on going down. It might take a month or so to complete the task. Let me mobilize them first and see if anyone volunteers. If not, I'll assign someone to ensure your satisfaction!"

Hearing this, Wang Jian had an idea. If they mobilized first, it might take a long time to send someone. He turned to Ye Fengling and whispered, "Journalist Ye, does Section Chief Hao want to go? It would be better if she goes!"

Ye Fengling thought it was a good idea. If Hao Li went, she could also accompany her to Xianhe Township, achieving two goals at once!

Thinking this, Ye Fengling said, "Director Hu, how about this? Can we have Deputy Section Chief Hao lead a team to conduct the site inspection? She's my good friend, and I can mobilize her. I also plan to go down!"

"Journalist Ye, you're also going down?" Hu Zuoyun, who knew Ye Fengling was a journalist, was surprised to hear she was also going.

"Yes, I plan to report on the Transportation Department's support for the grassroots. This will be a good thing for you!" Ye Fengling said.

"Ah, I see!" Hu Zuoyun was pleased. Media coverage was a good thing.

With Ye Fengling's suggestion, Hu Zuoyun's enthusiasm increased. He immediately called Hao Li and asked if she was willing to go. Seeing Ye Fengling's encouraging look, Hao Li knew it was a good opportunity and immediately said, "Director Hu, I'm willing to go!"

"Good, contact a few technical personnel and go with Township Chief Wang. Report any issues to me at any time!" Hu Zuoyun instructed.

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Note: The last part of the text appears to be a list of titles or names, possibly from a different context, and has been omitted in the translation.