Chapter 221: Another Toast

o chimed in: "That's right, I have work this afternoon. We were supposed to handle the transfer and payment at noon! Now it's almost afternoon work time, and I didn't take leave from my unit!" The re...Chen Guangming's face flushed with embarrassment. 。The building towers are too high to smoke his cigarettes, meaning he thinks his cigarettes are not good enough. 。This brand of cigarette, Golden Leaf, is only heard of by common people and rarely seen. It's even harder to get your hands on a single one. 。Even though the building was tall and he didn't want to smoke, he walked behind his desk and took out a pack of cigarettes. 。The building tower took out a cigarette, entirely purple. The edges of the cigarette case were inlaid with gold wire. 。At first glance, this cigarette appears to be high-end. Even the filter is purple and has a gold rim at the top. 。Chen Guangming handed each person a cigarette and said, "Who here has smoked this before"

The embarrassment on Chen Guangming's face had vanished, replaced by a smile: "I've never actually smoked this brand before." 。It looks like a good cigarette. 。"The tower chuckled and said, 'Director Chen still has an eye for quality. As the saying goes, even if you haven't eaten pork, you've seen pigs run. You can tell this is good tobacco.'" 。"This cigarette's name is quite impressive, 'Forbidden City'!" Xiao Zheng said: "I've heard of 'Daqianmen', but never 'Forbidden City'!" Xiao Zheng meant that this brand of cigarettes wasn't very popular. 。Loutai Changchao glanced at Xiao Zheng and said, "It's normal that you haven't heard of it." 。I dare say that the whole city of Jingshi knows about this cigarette, but beyond that... 。"The tower stretched out his hand, that meant five people, and he said: “No more than three people have smoked this cigarette.” 。Of course, now that you're here, the number will go up. 。"Director Chen, do you know who gave me this cigarette" Chen Guangming shook his head and said, "I have no idea, but this cigarette is called 'Purple Forbidden City.' It must be something that only leaders from Hua Jing can afford to smoke." 。"Could it be that a high-ranking official from Huajing gave this to you"

The Loutai Chang laughed, his mouth splitting wide open: "Director Chen is perceptive! You guessed right. This cigarette was indeed given to me by a leader from Huajing. This leader will be very important in the future, he's going even higher, and when he eventually gets there, I think his position will probably scare you." 。Chen Guangming and Guan Wenwei and Xiao Zheng all exchanged glances, wondering who the leader could be. But none of them had any idea. 。But since the building tower said so, it must not be out of nothing. There should be such a leader. 。Chen Guangming then said: "Loutai's connections in Huajing are profound and immeasurable, beyond our reach." 。The tower lord was extremely pleased by Chen Guangming's flattery. He smiled and said, "Comrade Guangming, we are old classmates. I can tell you frankly that the leader in Beijing has a very close relationship with me." 。That's not a matter of a year or two, nor five or ten years. 。Because he grew up in our village, his grandmother's house is also in our village. Every summer when he was a child, he would come to the south to spend the summer with us. We used to fish together, steal melons together, and even watch widows bathe together. After he grew up, he stayed in Beijing and didn't come back often. 。Besides me, no one in our village is in contact with him. 。But I'm different, I still correspond with him every year. You know, back then it was all about writing letters and sticking postage stamps on them! I was the only one in the whole village who kept in touch with him besides that! Even after I went to university, I went all the way to Beijing to see him. That really cemented our bond. 。As the story went on, Lou Tai Chang lit up a “Forbidden City” cigarette, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. He seemed to be talking more to himself than anyone else, lost in memories of this extraordinary relationship that only he had experienced. 。Chen Guangming, Guan Wenwei and others didn't know whether what the Loutaichang said was true or false, but it was certain that Loutaichang intended to show off in front of them. 。Xiao Zheng had also heard people say that the most important thing for ordinary people was food and clothing, for middle-class people it was their children, and for the upper class it was personal feelings. There was no doubt that Lou Tai said these things in front of them to feel superior. 。Since that leader was a Beijing official, his position was probably at the department level or above. He might even be a deputy minister or higher. For Chen Guangming, Guan Wenwei, and Xiao Zheng, officials of this rank were practically unattainable. 。At least, what was the tower's thinking 。。"Lou Taichang, you're truly a hidden gem! Why didn't you ever mention any of this during my time at Party School" Chen Guangming asked another question. In reality, everyone knew that Chen Guangming was just flattering Lou Taichang, but it was a subtle flattery, like an antelope's antlers - unnoticeable and fleeting. 。

Loutai Chang smiled again and said, “To be honest, back then, I wasn’t familiar with Chen Guangming. How could I have told you But over these years, after the test of time, I've found that Comrade Chen Guangming is reliable. We are our own people, so I just casually mentioned it today.” 。“Thank you, Lou Tai Chang, for treating me like one of your own!” Chen Guangming expressed his gratitude once again, then changed the subject. “Lou Tai Chang, today I brought Tianhuang Town Party Secretary Guan Wenwei and Town Mayor Xiao Zheng along to visit. The main reason is that we hope Lou Tai Chang can help them with something, promoting Tianhuang Town…” 。After all, Chen Guangming wasn't here today to listen to the director of the building brag about their close relationship with a leader from Huaxing. His main purpose was still for the external propaganda work of Tianhuang Town. 。The Loutai Chang said: "Tianguan Town, I know, isn't it currently carrying out the 'Beautiful Rural Construction' campaign You even shut down all the mines in the village, right Your moves are quite drastic, but also quite bold. I am still a sentimental person. I miss the fields and ponds, bamboo forests and streams of my childhood village. For several years before this, our town and village had ruined the water for a few copper coins and blasted the mountains bare. This was putting the cart before the horse. When I saw it, I was furious, but as journalists, we are powerless. We can only sing praises and not expose the wounds. So, I could only turn a blind eye." 。"If I were the big boss, the first thing I'd do is shut down all the mines and polluting companies! What else could I possibly do!"

Hearing this, both Chen Guangming and Guan Wenwei felt there was something to it. The two exchanged smiles, and Guan Wenwei chimed in, "Director Lou, you have both sentiment and courage; you'd make a great leader." 。"The pavilion keeper said, 'You all think that way, but the leaders above don't think that way.'" 。"Xiao Zheng felt that Lou Tai Chang seemed to have a sense of being unappreciated for his talent." 。Chen Guangming said: "I think it's not that the leaders above don't approve, the key is that Loutaichang, you were still a正科 cadre five years ago. But after two years of training at the Party School, you were promoted to副處 in less than two years, and then again to正處台長 in less than two years! This speed is already very fast, in another two years, it's completely possible to go up another level!" 。Hearing Chen Guangming say that, this Building Supervisor really wasn't slow at all when he ran with small steps and a fast pace. 。"I don't know why Luotai Chang isn't satisfied yet" Xiao Zheng felt puzzled. 。Could it be that every leader, once they reach the county or division level, only thinks about becoming a deputy department head as soon as possible

Lou Tai Chang laughed heartily: "Comrade Guangming is the best at comforting people" 。But I'll take it as true and consider myself lucky. 。As for the publicity for Tianhuang Town, those are just minor things, no problem. 。Lu Wei, listen carefully. Tomorrow, please arrange for the news channel and "Rural Revitalization" channel to schedule a time. Recently, go to Tianhuang Town in An County for an interview and make a news report, as well as a special program. 。“Mr. Lou, I know that every second broadcast by your TV station is precious, but unfortunately, Tianhuang Town has stopped mining due to current circumstances and its finances are strained. So what about this broadcasting fee”Mr. Lou smiled and waved his hand. “You are my classmate from years ago at the Party School! You specially brought people from Tianhuang Town here today, how could I let the station charge you That would be a disservice to you! As your old classmate, we definitely have to give you face! So, all the promotion will be free of charge!” 。"Lu Wei, remember to tell the two channel directors, okay" Fei immediately shook his head and said: "No...not difficult...Secretary Xiao, please rest assured, I will do my best." 。Xiao Jingyu said: "Okay, this topic will be brought up by the Agricultural Af...