Chapter 71

Chapter 10: Mayor Xu's Inducement

The entire venue was instantly in an uproar!

Who could be so bold as to throw a woman's boot at Yang Zixuan, the most dazzling political star in Hongshui, in the presence of such high-ranking municipal leaders?

Yang Zixuan was also taken aback. If he had been hit by the shoe, it would have been a huge embarrassment, especially with Xu Yijia present. His image in Xu Yijia's eyes would have suffered a significant blow!

However, Yang Zixuan, a seasoned businessman from his previous life, had considerable experience in handling various emergencies.

"Looks like someone is really concerned about my well-being! Sending me shoes right after the New Year!" Yang Zixuan dodged the two shoes as if nothing had happened, then stared at the boots and smiled at the audience, "But the style is a bit off!"

Everyone was taken aback but couldn't help smiling, finding the county magistrate quite humorous. The awkward atmosphere caused by the shoe-throwing incident was quickly dispelled.

Xu Yijia, seeing Yang Zixuan's calm demeanor, couldn't help but admire his composure. In such a situation, he might have lost his temper!

Lin Ruoshui, sitting on the left side of the stage, felt a surge of anxiety for Yang Zixuan when she saw the boot almost hit him. She was also intensely angry at the shoe-thrower. Perhaps even she didn't realize that Yang Zixuan had already occupied a certain place in her heart, though not the most important one.

The security forces, who were on duty, quickly caught the shoe-thrower and brought her to Yang Zixuan.

The shoe-thrower was a young woman in her early twenties. Even though she was caught by several police officers, she still looked defiant and glared coldly at Yang Zixuan.

"Which unit are you from?" Yang Zixuan asked the woman, who was brought to him, with a blank expression.

The woman snorted but didn't respond.

"County Magistrate, this person was caught among the audience from the county dance troupe. She is likely a member of the county dance troupe," the director of the county government office, Song An, said, running up to Yang Zixuan's ear.

Yang Zixuan nodded and subconsciously looked at the members of the county dance troupe. He indeed recognized a familiar face. That person was sitting by the window, staring at the scenery outside as if nothing had happened!

After a moment of silence, Yang Zixuan finally remembered that face. Wasn't she the girl he had seen sitting on the back of a motorcycle near the county committee compound?

At the time, Lin Ruoshui had said she was the English tutor for Su Nan's son. How did she end up in the county dance troupe?

This was suspicious!

However, Yang Zixuan didn't want the incident to escalate and didn't want it to affect the New Year's gathering. He waved his hand, and the police officers took the girl away.

After dealing with this, Yang Zixuan walked to the podium and said to the audience, "There was a small unexpected incident just now. I hope it hasn't affected the atmosphere of this gathering. Next, please welcome the city party committee member and Mayor Xu to speak..."

Xu Yijia walked to the podium at a leisurely pace, picked up the microphone, and spoke loudly, "The leadership of Hongshui County is united, with clear ideas and numerous highlights, maintaining harmony and stability! In the past year, the leadership of Hongshui County has faced many challenges, but the county committee and government have worked together, quickly resolving the Tianma Mountain dispute and the corruption case in Qianchi Town's family planning office. There has also been significant progress in economic development. I hope that in the new year, the four major leadership bodies of Hongshui County will continue to work together, implementing the spirit of the leader's Southern Tour in specific areas! We must resolutely carry out reforms, vigorously develop the economy, and improve people's livelihoods! We aim to make significant progress in attracting investment and advancing reforms in various areas!"

As Xu Yijia finished speaking, a loud applause echoed through the conference center!

However, if one observed carefully, the expressions on the faces of the people on the stage were varied!

Su Nan's face was a mask of forced smiles, and his hands clapped mechanically. He was suffering inwardly.

During the New Year, when Su Nan returned to the provincial capital to visit former leaders, some of the provincial bigwigs of his faction had explicitly instructed him to publicly support Yang Zixuan's reform work and the establishment of the Honghe Economic Development Zone, as a voice of their local faction in the reform efforts!

To alleviate the immense pressure their faction was currently under!

So, upon returning to Hongshui County, Su Nan had hurriedly drafted such a speech. Although he knew that this speech supporting Yang Zixuan's reforms would invite suspicion from Huang He and Fang Ling, he had no choice but to go through with it.

What it means to be a mute person eating a bitter melon, unable to speak out, Su Nan experienced once again at this moment!

Now, with Xu Yijia reiterating the reforms, he was essentially setting the tone for the entire year on behalf of the municipal committee.

With the tone set, it would be extremely difficult for Huang He, Fang Ling, and Su Nan to change their stance later.

Lin Ruoshui noticed that Huang He and Fang Ling both looked very grim, while Su Nan's face was full of helplessness, and Yang Zixuan had a smile on his lips...

It seemed that this guy had once again played a dirty trick behind the scenes, dealing a heavy blow to Su Nan. Lin Ruoshui was also curious.

...

After the New Year's gathering, a reception banquet was held at the Wangjiang Hotel.

"Little Yang, do you have the confidence to do a good job in the new year?" Xu Yijia raised his glass and walked over to Yang Zixuan.

Yang Zixuan, not daring to be disrespectful, quickly raised his glass and smiled, "With the support of the municipal committee and government, I am full of confidence!"

Xu Yijia couldn't help but laugh. This kid was really shrewd.

Wasn't this kid indirectly expressing his dissatisfaction with Mayor Tang Lu and the municipal government's lack of support for the Economic Development Zone, and instead rejecting his proposal?

"Little Yang, I know what you're thinking. The idea of establishing an Economic Development Zone in Daming was first proposed by your Hongshui County, but it was blocked by the municipal government," Xu Yijia paused, "But under the political environment at the time, Mayor Tang Lu's criticism of your proposal was understandable."

"I believe you have already studied the documents from the year-end municipal committee meeting. Our Daming Municipal Committee is determined to establish an Economic Development Zone! As the first county to submit the idea to the municipal government, I believe your Hongshui County government is well-prepared. What do you say? Do you have the determination to secure this at least municipal-level Economic Development Zone quota?"

"I've also reviewed the Economic Development Zone application proposals submitted by other counties and districts to the municipal government, but I didn't see any from your Hongshui County. Are you lacking confidence in securing this quota?"