Huichuan City, Jiangnan District.
The Xijiang Hotel was the designated guesthouse under the Jiang'an Provincial Party Committee, with per capita consumption ranking among the top in the entire southern region. For today's dinner, Yue Wangbei spared no expense, hoping only for some positive outcome.
Besides Secretary Yang Xiaoshan and Chen Donglai, he had also invited a few old comrades-in-arms who were working in Huichuan. Some of them had already transitioned to civilian life, while others were still serving; their ranks were not low. Bringing them along to fill out the numbers certainly wasn't embarrassing.
"Director Ming, we toast you." Yue Wangbei’s smile was warm and amiable. He truly hadn't expected that Ming Jinggao would not only grace them with his presence but also bring his wife and child along. It seemed that Chen Donglai’s social skills were indeed strong, or perhaps his relationship with Director Ming was even closer than he had imagined.
"That's kind of you. Oh, don't stand up, Xiao Chen, just sit down." Ming Jinggao was also in a good mood. He had previously worked in Qiqiao City, serving as the Vice Mayor of Qiqiao City and the Chairman of the Qiqi Society's Qiqiao Municipal Committee. He was transferred to Huichuan two years ago to become the Deputy Director of the Department of Coal Industry, overseeing coal mine approval work.
However, although he held greater power here, he had fewer social engagements than when he was in Qiqiao. In Qiqiao, he was the Vice Mayor; although not a Party member, he was considered part of the local highest decision-making body. Countless people rushed to curry favor with him daily.
But here at the Department of Coal Industry, although he controlled more resources, those treating him to meals were mostly mine owners seeking favors. Dining with these people not only lowered his status but also carried disciplinary risks. Over time, he had stopped attending many banquets.
But today was different. Xiao Zhao's classmate had actually invited their local County Party Secretary. Dining with someone sensible like Yue Wangbei was clearly more comfortable; at least there wouldn't be any thoughtless mine owners desperately trying to force him to drink.
Moreover... Ming Jinggao glanced at the person sitting to Yue Wangbei's left, wearing a light green shirt and a dark green tie. He was a Member of the Standing Committee of the Huichuan Municipal Party Committee, the Political Commissar of the Military Subdistrict.
Although the uniformed Standing Committee Member rarely made his presence felt in the Standing Committee meetings, Ming Jinggao still held his former superior, Yue Wangbei, in high regard. The two had already clinked glasses several times; even Liu Yan, who rarely spoke to Yue Wangbei, was pleasant and agreeable in front of this military officer.
"Director Ming, the situation is this: we have a matter in our county that requires your assistance to push through." Yue Wangbei spoke quietly to Ming Jinggao. The others at the table tactfully stopped their toasting and lowered their voices. Ming Jinggao nodded slightly, and Yue Wangbei continued:
"You should be aware that the coal seams in our Yong'an County are deep, with large reserves and good mining conditions." He gripped the tablecloth. "The main problem is the steep dip angle of the coal seams, which makes extraction inconvenient. Well, there is a new piece of equipment now..."
He was somewhat nervous. Although he had rehearsed this several times in his mind last night, he still spoke haltingly. If he were making a request to his old comrades-in-arms, he would just say whatever came to mind. But before him was Ming Jinggao, a university student from the 1950s...
At the table, Chen Donglai exchanged a look with Ming Yuezhao, who was sitting directly opposite him. Chen Donglai had explained the general request from Yong'an County to Ming Yuezhao over the phone; he wondered if Ming Yuezhao had relayed it accurately to her father?
Ming Yuezhao was wearing a wine-red knit dress today, and its perfect cut made her figure look graceful and shapely. However, Chen Donglai dared not appear too familiar with Ming Yuezhao, not even daring to glance her way—Ming Yuezhao's mother, Liu Yan, was sitting right next to her.
Perhaps a single ambiguous glance could lead to Ming Yuezhao facing a "thorough interrogation" from her mother once they got home.
"It's no trouble." Ming Jinggao was confident. "I am mainly in charge of coal mine approvals now. The Production Coordination Office is currently managed by another Deputy Director. I will inquire about the specific situation tomorrow; arranging some funds should not be a problem."
"Then we must trouble Director Ming." Yue Wangbei was overjoyed, quickly filling his own wine glass. "Director Ming, Madam, I'll finish mine; you all take your time."
...
"No need to see us out, no need to see us out." Ming Jinggao patted Yue Wangbei's shoulder and withdrew his hand. He seemed unsteady, so he leaned against the hood of his Audi Car. "Secretary Wangbei is too hospitable, haha."
He considered his own tolerance for alcohol to be high, but today he truly witnessed the immense capacity of the cadres from the military. Fortunately, the host and guests all enjoyed themselves and drank happily.
Yue Wangbei's face was flushed, but his steps were still steady, indicating he wasn't very drunk. "Xiao Shan, Donglai, put that box of Mandarin Oranges from the back of the car into Director Ming's car."
"It's unnecessary, Secretary Wangbei." Ming Jinggao patted Yue Wangbei's shoulder with his left hand while steadying himself on the car frame with his right. "Unnecessary, *hic*."
"It's a small matter, Director Ming, just some local specialties, please don't worry." Yue Wangbei was also afraid Ming Jinggao would misunderstand, so he quickly explained, then opened the car door and helped Ming Jinggao into the back seat. Seeing the two young men already carrying the cardboard box of Mandarin Oranges into the trunk of the Audi Car, he felt relieved.
"Local specialties, you say." Liu Yan, sitting in the back seat, immediately became interested upon hearing this. Seeing Yang Xiaoshan and Chen Donglai walk away, with only her daughter beside her, she went to the trunk and opened the beautifully packaged Yong'an Mandarin Oranges prepared in advance by the Yong'an County Committee Office. When Ming Yuezhao saw her mother leave, she also moved closer.
"Mandarin Oranges, not bad." Liu Yan picked up a large one, looked deep into the cardboard box, and then picked up another.
Seeing that she hadn't found what she was looking for, she put down the two Mandarin Oranges in her hands and began rummaging through the box. The commotion was so loud that it caused Yue Wangbei and Ming Jinggao in the front to turn their heads.
"Mom, what are you doing?" Ming Yuezhao knew her mother had also had quite a bit to drink tonight, perhaps she was drunk. "We're about to leave."
"They really are local specialties!" Liu Yan's face turned ashen, her tone filled with dissatisfaction. "Yong'an is quite generous."
"Mom! You've had too much!" Ming Yuezhao was greatly alarmed. She slammed the trunk shut with a "bang" and quickly shoved her mother into the car. Making a scene while looking through gifts in front of guests was already inappropriate, and now she was spouting nonsense?!
Yue Wangbei clearly understood the implication of Liu Yan's words. He was stunned for a moment, then leaned over and said to Ming Jinggao inside the car, "Director Ming, I am truly sorry, we..."
"Excuse me, Secretary Yue, my mother is just a little drunk," Ming Yuezhao quickly closed the door on her mother's side and rushed in front of Yue Wangbei. "Her words were improper; please don't take them to heart."
Seeing her bow in apology, Yue Wangbei suddenly forgot what he had intended to say. Ming Yuezhao's reaction was too quick and interrupted his train of thought.
"Wangbei, that's not what I meant." Ming Jinggao felt his thoughts sluggish due to the alcohol. He knew what had happened, but he couldn't recall the right way to express it. So he repeated: "Wangbei, that's not what I meant."
"I know, I know, Director Ming." Yue Wangbei quickly gave the Audi driver a meaningful look. "Travel safely."
The driver understood Yue Wangbei's intention. He stepped on the gas, driving Ming Jinggao's family away from the Xijiang Hotel, leaving only Yue Wangbei and Chen Donglai behind...