Chapter 2: Grand Ceremony Sentiment (2)

  Here is the translation:

  Gai Sanxian was a highly efficient and capable woman. After leaving Binhe Community, she rushed to Beifang Color Printing Factory and changed all 100,000 copies of the original promotional materials for "Dongfang Nightless City" to "Dongfang Holiday Hotel". She then called Neon Light Factory and had them do the same. Having completed these two urgent tasks, she immediately called Secretary Qiao back. Secretary Qiao was extremely pleased and praised her, saying: "Great job, Mei Mei! You're even faster than Dongfang Shengluo Wang Junxia when it comes to getting things done as a boss. This is now officially settled. I'll make some individual calls to the provincial leaders, and have the municipal party committee office arrange other matters. Hurry back and personally report to Mayor Ru of the government, the vice mayor in charge, and the director of the relevant bureau. Come up with a formal agenda for the celebration and a list of leaders and special guests at all levels. The government office will know how to handle it according to normal procedures. Whether or not to put it on the agenda of the standing committee meeting, let the government office decide."

  "Oh my god, six fingers are itching to draw so many strokes!" Gai Sanxian originally thought that since the secretary agreed, everything would be fine. But who knew that this bowing and kowtowing business was still ahead. So he asked back: "Doesn't your word as secretary count? Do I still have to go door-to-door to pay respects to all the gods? Didn't we often say at meetings that we need to build a service-oriented government, with the main business handled by the operating department and external affairs handled by the party committee and government?"

  "It's not wrong to say that, but things in the officialdom are very subtle." Secretary Qiao had to hold back his temper and explain to her, "Mei Mei, for this opening ceremony, we need to invite several provincial leaders to attend. From a common sense perspective, this is beyond the usual standard. Of course, from the perspective of the development history of Xiahe City's catering service and entertainment industry, the investment scale of this project is also an unprecedented breakthrough. Another special aspect is that it is the first joint venture in the city with a total investment of over 100 million yuan, so the scale of the celebration can be slightly larger and everyone can understand. It can play a positive role in driving the development of outward-oriented economy and promoting the progress of building a moderately prosperous society in old areas. Because provincial and municipal leaders will attend, this is a political showcase for business operations. The provincial leaders who are scheduled to attend include Provincial Party Committee member and Provincial Government Vice Governor Luo Daguan, Deputy Director of the Provincial People's Congress Du, and Vice Chairman of the Provincial Political Consultative Conference Wang. If there are no special circumstances, the Provincial Politics and Law Committee and the Provincial Public Security Department will also try to invite their leaders to attend the ceremony. In the city, except for the four major leaders, other deputy leaders and heads of various departments and bureaus can only stand in the front row at the celebration site and listen. Isn't it worth making such a big fuss and spending so much money just to create a business atmosphere and environment, and to pave the way for you to operate smoothly?"

  "Who says it's not? Otherwise, I'll ask for your instructions three or five times, Secretary!" Gai Sancun was delighted and made a loud noise with his tongue on the phone, trembling with excitement. "The leader just gives orders, whatever you say we will do."

  "That's right." Secretary Qiao was not finished, and more specific arrangements were yet to come. "Because this celebration is grand in scale and high in standard, it must have a strict program and be carefully organized. From the perspective of functions, enterprise operations are not government behavior. According to common sense, if you stick your head into the municipal party secretary's office, people will think it's abnormal. I've repeated this to you: proper names should come first, and that's where the effort lies. Try to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary side effects. This is not to say that I'm shirking my responsibilities; I'll do what I must. Things in front of the curtain must be done properly. You know, since the new government took office last year, Mayor Lu is full of energy, and things within his authority cannot be overstepped. Without rules, there's no square or circle, and it won't become a big deal. So, from the Trade Bureau to the Deputy Mayor in charge and the Mayor, if you need to make phone calls, do so; if you need to report in person, have a proper attitude. You must go to Mayor Lu in person and speak clearly and convincingly. Make him feel that everything is operating normally. The government office will issue an agenda, and the Mayor will take it to the Standing Committee for discussion. This grand celebration will then proceed smoothly. Meimei, I'm now in my 'fifties'. Being young is capital in official circles. Mayor Lu is ten or so years younger than me. If you can establish a good relationship with them, it will be beneficial for long-term development. Do intelligent people need me to explain further?"

  "I'll do my best to handle it as you said." Gai Sansheng furrowed his brow, thinking about how to approach the deputy mayor and mayor. He didn't want the new government leaders to know about his relationship with the municipal party secretary either. But rumors are like red ants and butterflies that can seep into every corner, the more you try to prevent them, the more they seem to spread without leaving a trace. The unwritten rules of officialdom are indeed subtle and formless. It's not easy for business owners to make money, working from dawn till dusk, but being an official is also exhausting, with big and small matters requiring careful consideration.

  Luo Guai

  Director Luo Fangbao of the Municipal Bureau of Commerce and Trade has a blessed appearance, but he is one of the biggest weirdos in Xiahe City's officialdom. Some people make up stories that when he was created, the mold was damaged, where it should be long, it is short, and where it should be short, it is long. Under his full forehead, first of all, his eyebrows are short and his eyes are long, and when he opens his mouth to smile, a big red flesh protrudes, with short teeth and a long tongue; his huge cheeks always hang down, pulling his small ears flat, with short ears and long cheeks; the two stick-like legs, the trouser openings are only about two feet five inches, but the waist circumference exceeds three feet three, with short legs and a long waist. Due to this strange body shape of four longs and fours shorts, Luo Fangbao always appears to be at a disadvantage in the emotional arena. However, heaven does not cut off people's roads, Luo Fangbao uses all his skills to make up for many congenital deficiencies and still manages to get a bureau seat.

  Gai San County was the most annoyed with Luo Fangbao. She couldn't stand Luo Fangbao's greedy look when he saw her, like a hungry wolf seeing a lamb, and would avoid him whenever possible. However, this time for the preparation of the opening ceremony, she had to force herself to go see him.

  Luo Fangbao was on the phone. Hearing the knock at the door, he turned his head and said "come in", without moving his butt from the chair, still chatting away on the phone. Gai Sancun said "Director old classmate hello!" and hung up the phone before Luo could finish speaking. Luo immediately sprang out of his chair, grasping Gai's hand with both hands, excitedly stuttering: "Wh...what wind brought you here? Old...old classmate is so wealthy and generous, still hasn't forgotten me this little toad!"

  About three years ago, Gai Sancun and Luo Fangbao both came out of the Taihang Mountains. After graduating from vocational school, Luo Fangbao was assigned to the commercial office in Xiahe City. However, due to family difficulties, Gai Sancun dropped out after junior high school and ran away to work alone. Luo Fangbao was born in Luocun Village at the foot of Huangtuling Mountain. Due to his strange appearance, his classmates called him "Luo Guai" behind his back. There was a popular saying: "The monster of South Mountain, the northern troublemaker, can't compare to the weird head of Luo Village."

  Luocun Village is located at the confluence of three major mountain rivers, and was once the site of the Shanxi-Chahaer-Hebei Military Region Command during the War of Resistance Against Japan. In the depths of the Taihang Mountains, a village with over 400 households and nearly 2,000 people is considered large. In the 1960s, it was the seat of the township government, with a credit union, public security station, and a complete middle school, as well as a supply and marketing cooperative and a passenger transportation station with only one long-distance bus per day, making it a fully established agricultural, industrial, commercial, and transportation hub in the depths of the mountains.

  At that time, Gai Hongmei rode an old Flying Pigeon bicycle every day from Sanxian Village to Luo Village Middle School. Luo Fangbao had been eyeing this mountain peach blossom in the class for a long time and always followed her around like a shadow. Luo Fangbao never lacked pocket money and often secretly put candies, cookies, and soda into Gai Hongmei's school bag. Gai Hongmei didn't care about it, but since the other party didn't make any explicit expressions, she just pretended not to understand. One day on her way home from school, Gai Hongmei pressed the bicycle bell hard to avoid pedestrians, but no matter how hard she pressed, it wouldn't ring. She had to get off the bike and open the bell cover, only to find that someone had stuffed a stack of love letters into the bell. When she took them out to look, she realized they were love letters from a mischievous boy.

  Little Plum Blossom Sister:

  We studied together for two whole years, every night I dream of you, always wanting to be a perfect pair with you, hoping that the good dreams come true.

  Brother Bao July 7th

  Hongmei knew at a glance that it was the work of Luo Fangbao, and she felt both angry and amused in her heart. She casually tore it to pieces and threw them into the grass by the side of the road.

  After this, for many days, Hongmei didn't want to talk to Fangbao, and even when they met, she would deliberately turn her face away to look at others. But he still took every opportunity to pester her, and with a thick skin asked: "Can Brother Bao's poem for Lin give full marks?"

  Time has passed and circumstances have changed. Thirty years ago, the chasing games between these male and female classmates; as soon as they met again, both of their minds replayed a movie each.

  "Director Luo, our group company's newly built 'Oriental Holiday Hotel' is officially opening for business and we're preparing to hold a celebration. Please help us take care of it and see what procedures need to be followed."

  "As long as it's a matter of Old Master covering for you, it's the top priority for Luo Fangbao. You just give the order, even if I need to wash the dishcloth on the spot."

  "Which can let the leader go to do rough work. It is to ask you to help coordinate the specific matters of the attendance of the leaders of several major teams in the city at the celebration ceremony. Eating, drinking and entertaining are things that need to be spent by our group company, which has already been assigned to a dedicated person."

  "Which level of leadership is prepared to attend?"

  "The provincial party committee standing member and vice governor said they would come to make an impromptu speech at the celebration. Also, two deputy heads from the Provincial People's Congress and the Provincial Political Consultative Conference."

  "My goodness, it's almost as if the Jade Emperor himself is coming. I didn't expect that your Oriental Group would be involved in such earth-shaking matters. When the provincial party committee leaders come, I, as the bureau chief, can only be a low-ranking attendant. According to protocol, this needs to be reported to Vice Mayor Li first, and he can't make decisions on his own. He has to let Secretary Wan of the municipal office set the agenda and report to the mayor. Because the provincial party committee leaders are coming, the celebration scale will naturally be upgraded, and the reception standards, levels, and specific agendas may need to be finalized at the municipal party committee meeting."

  This is exactly the procedural purpose and smooth operation effect that Secretary Qiao wants to achieve in Gaizhou. Seeing Luo Fangbao's anxious look, he further said: "The celebration ceremony is intended to add a festive atmosphere to the 'Double Festival', which is scheduled for September 28th, with only a few days of preparation time left. Luo Bureau, as the leader of the competent department, should follow the normal working procedure and first meet with the municipal government leaders, report what needs to be reported, and ask for instructions where necessary."

  In front of Ge San County, Luo Fangbao always acted like a obedient big boy, immediately called the office of Vice Mayor Li, rang for several long rings without anyone answering, and then continued to call his mobile phone. Vice Mayor Li was attending a meeting outside, heard that the provincial party committee leaders were coming to attend the celebration, immediately asked Luo Fangbao to make a special report to Mayor Lu in person, not allowing any delay.

  With Vice Mayor Li's clear instructions, Luo Fangbao followed Gai Sancun to the Municipal Government Office Secretariat to draft an agenda for the celebration ceremony.

  Mayor of Refreshing City

  It wasn't until 5:30 in the afternoon that Mayor Lu Guoting of Xihe City Government had time to meet Luo Fangbao and Ge Sanxian.

  The mayor of Lu read the celebration schedule presented by the secretary and was overjoyed. He immediately picked up his pen and wrote in the upper right corner: "Oriental Celebration, concerning our city's external image, notify public security traffic police, urban management, industry and commerce, health, environmental protection, newspaper, TV station cultural propaganda and other relevant departments to fully cooperate, and list the agenda for this week's municipal party committee meeting to finalize the text."

  The secretary took the original document of the instructions and went to implement them specifically. Mayor Lu then opened up the topic of the "Oriental Holiday Hotel" opening ceremony.

  "Boss Gai, thank you for the Oriental Group's outstanding project that has elevated the city's quality and architectural standards in Xiahe City. At the beginning of the year, when I visited the construction site during the project inspection tour, whether it was the building quality, craftsmanship or consumer concept, you were at least 10 years ahead of ordinary county-level cities, and 5 years ahead of provincial capitals. The project's investment and use will definitely promote our city's reform and opening up, enhance its image, cohesion and consumption attraction, while also creating significant ecological benefits."

  Covering three counties, they did not expect that the difficult problem of digging through the brain would be solved so smoothly. Moreover, they did not expect Mayor Lu to evaluate the opening of Dongfang Holiday Hotel so highly. Her beautiful face immediately broke into a bright smile: "Thank you, Mayor Lu, for your encouragement. Our Dongfang Group will definitely live up to the leader's expectations, leverage our resource advantages, and go all out to create unique features in our operations, creating a new brand for the catering service industry in Xihe City."

  "That's right, that's right!" Mayor Lu said, reaching out to light a cigarette. Luo Fangbao quickly pressed the lighter and handed him the cigarette at the same time. Luo Fangbao knew that Gai Sanxian wouldn't smoke, but pretended to offer it to him anyway. Gai Sanxian repeatedly waved his hand in decline and took the opportunity to refill Mayor Lu's teacup with hot water from the thermos.

  The mayor of Lu nodded and thanked him while taking a sip of tea, then continued: "The new era has brought new consumer concepts. If we still do small business like before, we will definitely fall behind. The development zone of Wenquan Town is only a few minutes away from the city center. The geothermal resources are extremely rich, the water quality is particularly good, and it has the reputation of being bestowed by the emperor in history. Seizing this advantage, with advanced business consciousness and considerable business strength, within five years, Dongfang Group will not only be the pearl of Taihang Mountain area but also a new moon shining over the North China Plain."

  "Too brilliant, Mayor Lu is indeed a poet with a silver tongue." Luo Fangbao flattered the mayor to the right degree. Gai Sancun on the side was also somewhat excited and couldn't bear it.

  "I particularly admire and appreciate Boss Gai's business acumen and forward-thinking. It's getting late, I'll invite a few big bosses from pillar enterprises to dinner tonight. How about this, Director Luo, you accompany Boss Gai to attend, we'll go to the government hotel and open a luxurious room, have a few drinks."

  Lu Fangbao was slightly taken aback and looked at Mayor Lu with trembling eyes, saying: "I don't think it's quite suitable for us to go?"

  "There's nothing improper about it. You're the big shot in business, and once this new project of yours gets going, you'll be a major taxpayer in no time. Whoever contributes more is whoever becomes the government's pillar."

  At this time, Gai Sansheng was not nervous at all. Having been in the catering industry for over 30 years, hosting a dinner party was a trivial matter to her. She quickly came up with an idea and said to Mayor Lu with great sincerity: "Mayor Lu, thank you very much for your kindness. I'd like to ask you to give me this opportunity to show my face and make this presentation today. Please let me host the 'Six Big Kings' for dinner tonight, and I'll be the one footing the bill. Our Oriental Holiday Hotel's catering department has been in trial operation for several days now, with high-end private rooms and presidential suites all ready. Even if it's before our official opening, we'd like to invite city leaders and distinguished guests to taste our dishes. After our official opening, we'll still need everyone's support. Leaders and distinguished guests are all VIPs, and it's not easy to get everyone together at one table unless it's a coincidence like today."

  "Wow, this is what they mean by 'better late than never', we can put on a show with our red and black faces, green clothes and old lives." Mayor Lu didn't hesitate, immediately letting the office notify the "Six Big Kings" to gather at 7 o'clock sharp at the Dongfang Holiday Hotel in the Development Zone.

  Six Heavenly Kings

  Xiahe City was upgraded from a county to a city in 1988, thanks to its economic foundation based on the coal industry, and the rapid rise of the building materials industry. In its heyday, there were over 160 cement plants, as well as more than 200 quarries and lime kilns, creating an industrial output value of over tens of billions. The economy developed rapidly, but pollution also became increasingly severe. Some people jokingly referred to Xiahe's economic prosperity as "white mountains flowing black water". After the mid-1990s, the development momentum of the building materials industry slowed down, and the coal coking, steel, transportation, and real estate industries quickly rose to prominence. In the wave of market economy perfection and survival of the fittest, industrial advantages rapidly concentrated in a few strong operators. After the turn of the century, due to the thorough reform of the property rights system, the economic strength of industry leaders also gradually became apparent. Ranked by output value, profit, and tax, the top five industries are coking, steel, coal, real estate, and transportation, with the building materials industry ranking only sixth. The catering service industry developed moderately but did not form a remarkable landscape. Even the government hotel with the deepest foundation and largest business area was not doing well, barely maintaining operations through official receptions and banquets.

  As for these six big kings, although Gai Sanxian didn't interact with them deeply, most of them had met at social gatherings. In recent years, due to multiple trips abroad and visits to Hong Kong for investment, followed by busy periods running around for project approvals and ground-breaking ceremonies, there was hardly any time left for socializing.

  Now it's all set, the new project has started trial operation, and Boss Gai needs to spend some time and energy focusing on things in this social circle. As soon as she came out of the mayor's office, she called Yu Jiahui, the catering manager, asking her to arrange a table of wine and dishes with a standard of no less than 10,000 yuan. Then, driving the blue BMW, it took less than five or six minutes to return to the hotel in Wenquan Town Development Zone to wait for the mayor and several bosses.

  The first of the six major kings to arrive was Jiao Huada Wang, Chairman of Xingguang Group in Xiahe City, Xing Yongliang. After parking his car, General Xing strolled around the outside of the building, carefully admiring the architectural layout and neon lights' night scene effect. Gai Sanchuan and he had both been re-elected as municipal people's congress representatives for three consecutive terms, so they were quite familiar with each other on the surface. As soon as he saw Xing Yongliang's figure in the hall, Gai Sanchuan immediately came out to greet him personally.

  After the handshake and pleasantries, Xing Yongliang said with a hint of teasing: "Once this new building is in business, Boss Gao won't just be upgrading from a bird gun to a cannon, but will be launching a rocket to the moon! We brothers and sisters will have a drink, and use the mayor's car, if we say that he has great connections and can get things done easily, it's not an exaggeration!"