Chapter 49: Testing the Water's Depth (Seeking Comments Again)

  (Liu Siyuan quickly conjured up an image of a beautiful and elegant woman in his mind, and hastily said: "Xiao journalist is good, what instructions do you have?")

  "It's not worth mentioning, I'd like to have a phone interview with Director Liu, but I don't know if he has time?" Xiao Yuheng's voice was very cold.

  "Interview me? About what?" Liu Siyuan asked in slight surprise.

  "Regarding the pollution of chemical plants in Hankou City."

  Liu Siyuan considered it after the meeting and felt that without getting the leader's consent, rashly accepting an interview would definitely have hidden dangers. So, he spoke in an official tone: "This matter, our municipal government has mobilized and organized relevant departments to conduct research and discussion. The specific conclusion still needs some time. It's really not convenient to accept an interview now. When the study results are out, I will inform reporter Xiao at the first opportunity."

  "It's Xin Yu who wants to find you." A cold voice came from the phone.

  "Comfortable?"

  "She said you'd better accept my interview."

  "Ah...alright..." As soon as he heard Fang Xinyu's name, he felt at ease. However, he was still a bit uneasy and quickly asked his notebook, which promptly gave him a reminder to accept the interview.

  The interview lasted for more than half an hour, and Liu Siyuan also emphasized his stance on the phone, saying that the environmental assessment requirements are rigid indicators set by the state, leaving no room for negotiation. As for the employment of workers, the municipal government is also highly concerned and will properly handle the issue to resolve it.

  He hung up the phone, feeling a bit uncertain in his heart. He wanted to call Fang Xinyi to ask what was going on, but then he thought about it and decided not to bother her since she and Ding Hui were at a critical moment in their national exams.

  After the meeting, Yao Yuan called him into the conference room. She first asked about his injury with concern, and then expressed affirmation and encouragement for his work. Then she assigned new tasks to him. Recently, the night market in Hanjiang City has been booming, especially Xiuming Street, which is known as "Food Street", but the environmental pollution caused by it has led to a large number of complaints from residents near the night market, so Yao Yuan hoped that Erke could go and conduct an investigation and order the relevant departments to make timely rectifications.

  It sounds like a small matter, as he thought, let the Urban Management Bureau send someone to make a surprise attack, it's not a big deal if it doesn't work once or twice, those big brands will come back to life with the spring breeze. However, thinking about it again, Liu Siyuan has also become aware of this now, and it's really not worth looking for him for such a small matter. After some thought, in order to be cautious, he decided to report to Secretary Zhang first and test the waters.

  Zhao Feng was very polite and inquired about his injury with concern, also subtly hinting that the leader was concerned about him. Liu Siyuan naturally expressed gratitude, saying that he would remember Zhao's kind care and would definitely invite him to dinner another day.

  Soon after Zhao Feng reported back, he said that the leader had time and let him go in directly.

  Zhang Zhengdong was leaning over the desk, occasionally tapping his pen on some documents. When Liu Siyuan came in, he raised his head, pointed to the sofa without saying a word, indicating that he should sit down himself. Liu Siyuan didn't dare to be presumptuous and stood there waiting honestly. After about ten minutes or so, Secretary-General Zhang finally put down the file, saw him still standing, at least with an attitude that was somewhat satisfactory, and asked in a friendly tone: "Little Liu, when did you return to your post?"

  "Reporting to the Secretary General, I returned yesterday."

  "Young comrade's body is good, if it were me, hehe, I'd probably have to lie down for a few months." Zhang Zhengdong said with self-mockery.

  "Leader, don't say such things, if you really take a few months off, our city government will be in chaos!"

  "Haha, you little scamp."

  The atmosphere is good, Liu Siyuan quickly told the story of the big stall, and finally said that he wanted to ask for instructions from his leader and asked his leader to give guidance.

  Zhang Zhengdong looked at the young man in front of him with complex emotions. This guy was someone he had high hopes for in the municipal government, with a clear mind, proper attitude, and bold yet meticulous work style. Even Mayor Chen had expressed his appreciation for him on multiple occasions. Originally, Zhang had also been grooming him to become one of his trusted aides, and now that he had reached this position as a department-level official, it was time for him to cultivate some loyal followers of his own.

  But now his concern is that this kid seems to have the potential to become Ou Yang Xing Hua's son-in-law, and even if he doesn't become a son-in-law, Ou Yang Xing Hua seems to value him highly. Not to mention anything else, just putting his precious daughter under his care to work already speaks volumes. Zhang Zheng Dong also has self-awareness, although he is his direct superior, but Ou Yang Xing Hua is the Minister of Organization after all, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't surpass him.

  So Zhang Zhengdong's attitude towards him was inevitably a bit awkward. On the one hand, he counted as someone else's person and didn't want to spend too much energy cultivating him. On the other hand, this kid really had a set of skills for getting things done, and everything he handed over to him could be handled with ease, putting people at ease. Mayor Chen seemed to ignore his relationship with Minister Ouyang and still held him in high regard.

  However, things have changed recently. There is a rumor in the municipal government that this kid is now talking to Chen Jun, Secretary of Mayor Wang, and it's said that they are quite close, with Chen Lan acting as a matchmaker, watching operas together, etc. This makes Zhang Zhengdong think that it's possible that this kid will choose Chen Jun over Ouyang Qian, which may lead to Ouyang Xinghua having some opinions about him, so he has again started to think of ways to win him back.

  "I heard that the big stall business is quite prosperous..." Zhang Zhengtong said thoughtfully.

  "Yes, basically after 7 pm it's impossible to grab a seat, have to stand and wait." Liu Siyuan had also heard about that big stall, business was booming, and it could be considered one of the night scenes of Hanjiang.

  "Apparently, the masses like it very much. However, even so, large-scale unlicensed operations, poor sanitary conditions, and lack of food safety guarantees are also objective facts. These problems have brought great difficulties to our work. My suggestion is that we should adopt a policy of 'guiding rather than blocking', which would ensure the reasonable demands of the people while also achieving standardized regulation."

  Zhang Zhengdong said that he had done his best, and Liu Siyuan nodded in appreciation of the leader's teachings before returning to his own office.

  "Just now, Yu from the Environmental Protection Bureau called and said that there will be a meeting of the Xin Yuan Chemical Plant working group this afternoon, and you need to attend." As soon as he sat down, Ouyang Qian walked over and said, but her attitude was somewhat cold. Ever since she returned from Beijing, this little girl had been a bit out of it, and Liu Siyuan couldn't help but feel that it might have something to do with the fact that he had revealed something about Fang Xinyi. However, he didn't regret it - it's better to get these things out in the open early on.

  Liu Siyuan nodded, just about to say something, when Liu Jianguo, who was reading the newspaper word by word, saw him return and suddenly asked: "Little Liu, what do you plan to do with the big stall?"

  Liu Siyuan was taken aback, but then thought for a moment and estimated that the old man was really too idle. After all, he was also a leader, so he politely said: "I just received the task assigned by Director Yao, and I haven't figured it out yet. Please give me more guidance, Director Liu."

  Liu Jianguo coughed twice and pinched his fingers before saying: "I don't dare to accept your guidance, but I do have some ideas..."

  Liu Siyuan's expression turned serious and he said, "Director Liu has rich work experience, having crossed more bridges than I've walked roads. Please share your insights, I'm all ears."

  Liu Jianguo was praised by him and smiled: "This street stall thing is actually very simple, just a simple investigation can know if they have a business license, then let the Industrial and Commercial Bureau take action to ban it, or ask the Urban Management Bureau to assist in the execution."

  Xiang Lang, who had been listening all along, suddenly interjected: "Director Liu, I heard that this big stall is very popular. If we crack down on it now, won't the ordinary people have opinions about it?"

  Liu Jianguo sneered, "What's the big deal? Without these street stalls, there's nowhere to eat? Our city has countless restaurants and eateries, what's the difference with a few more street stalls? Besides, these stalls don't have business licenses or health permits. We can also ask the propaganda department to publicize this, and the government's crackdown on illegal stalls is also for the sake of protecting citizens' food safety!"

  Xiang Lang seemed to want to say something, but Liu Siyuan shook his head and said: "Director Liu's insight is truly inspiring, it's like gaining more from one conversation than reading books for ten years. By the way, I have a meeting with the chemical plant workgroup this afternoon, so I need to prepare some materials. Actually, I have an impolite request, would Director Liu be willing to show more concern for our work?

  Liu Jianguo said with some reserve: "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

  Liu Siyuan's real idea was simple, he always felt that the big row of stalls was a deep water affair, and Liu Jianguo himself came to the door, so let him try the water first. His level was not low, but just right to test the depth. So he went along with it: "What's wrong, Director Liu is also my leader, you are highly respected, and it's an honor for our second department to have you personally guide our work!"

  Liu Jianguo indeed took the bait, and with a smile he said: "Alright, since Little Liu mentioned it, I'll have to help out. This afternoon I'll go for a run."