Free Web NovelChapter 702: Chapter 672: Temporary Implications
After a few glasses of wine, the atmosphere became much more harmonious. Lu Yunqi asked if the issues on Xu Chunliang’s side had been resolved smoothly. Actually, he had already verified with the relevant departments that the detained people and ships had been released. Although the process was somewhat unpleasant, nothing major went wrong in the end, which was a blessing in disguise.
Xu Chunliang said, "This issue arose because of a lack of communication between us. I suggest we truly establish an unobstructed communication mechanism in the future to avoid similar incidents."
Xu Chunliang didn’t even offer a courteous word. Despite Lu Yunqi stepping in to resolve the matter, the issue started because of him. After detaining my people, I can’t be expected to thank you.
Lu Yunqi said, "Director Xu and I are on the same page. Actually, in the past, we had thought about this, but we were never clear on who to contact on your side. Being proactive alone isn’t enough."
He was just blatantly lying. In the past, the person in Dongzhou responsible for this issue was Fan Lidada. It’s not like Fan Lidada hadn’t interacted with them. It was they who were not showing any enthusiasm. Now they accused Dongzhou of not being proactive as if he was very active.
Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "Director Lu is right. This kind of thing needs mutual consent, right? You can’t clap with one hand, can you?" He took the opportunity to glance at Liang Xin.
Liang Xin’s face flushed. This Xu Chunliang really was something. He gave no face at all. Wasn’t this obviously insinuating something about them?
Lu Yunqi looked embarrassed. He had interacted with several cadres from Dongzhou before, but there were few as difficult as Xu Chunliang. Forget about getting any advantage from him, it was fortunate enough to keep him from spilling secrets. He quietly gave Liang Xin a look.
After going through such deep communication, the two had some tacit understanding. Liang Xin immediately understood his meaning, raised the wine glass, and said, "Director Xu, it was my bad attitude today. Please don’t hold it against me."
Xu Chunliang laughed heartily, clinked glasses with Liang Xin, and drank his glass in one go, "One of my strengths is that I never get angry with beauties."
Women always like to be praised by others, and Liang Xin was no exception. Hearing Xu Chunliang say this, she felt much better instantly. Smiling, she refilled Xu Chunliang’s glass, "I’m no beauty. Director Xu, you’re quite a talent. Do you have a girlfriend? Should I help find one for you in Jizhou?" She wasn’t foolish, knowing it wasn’t wise to offend this star, so she cautiously tried to get closer to him.
Helping to introduce a partner was just a way to create a topic. Typically, this kind of cross-regional matchmaking doesn’t work well.
Lu Yunqi said, "Does Director Xu need your help introducing? I’ve heard Director Xu has a girlfriend."
Xu Chunliang smiled, squinting at Lu Yunqi, "Director Lu, have you been investigating me?"
Lu Yunqi’s heart sank. How did I let that slip? Knowing your enemy is key to victory. Xu Chunliang had been threatening him to this extent, so not investigating a little would be unreasonable. Actually, Xu Chunliang and Mei Ru Xue’s relationship wasn’t a secret. Anyone familiar with Hu Shan Town would know about the relationship between Xu Chunliang and the former female town chief of Hu Shan Town.
Seeing Xu Chunliang being so sensitive, Lu Yunqi quickly explained, "I have a few friends in Hu Shan Town too."
Xu Chunliang, with a calm expression, said, "Oh? Tell me who they are, let’s see if I know them."
Lu Yunqi laughed, "It’s better not to mention them."
Luckily, Xu Chunliang didn’t pursue the matter further.
Liang Xin noticed the atmosphere cooling and quickly offered Xu Chunliang a drink.
Xu Chunliang accepted every toast, downed two more glasses, and said, "Director Lu, I think the cooperation between our two places needs to be strengthened."
"Absolutely!"
Xu Chunliang said, "Dongzhou and Jizhou are neighbors, and neither can move away. We shouldn’t be in a competitive relationship. We should rely on each other. Particularly along Weishan Lake, we’re both developing Weishan Lake tourism, and the country has placed us within a national-level resort area. The goal is for us to share resources and complement each other, achieving mutual success."
Lu Yunqi, hearing him suddenly talking high-minded, felt slightly unaccustomed but couldn’t disagree upon reflection, so he cooperatively nodded, "Well said!"
Xu Chunliang said, "When the two cities established the command center, it was meant to create a direct communication method between the cities, allowing us to understand each other’s planning and construction first-hand, avoiding wasted investment. If problems arise, they can be addressed immediately. As I know, there were quite a few issues in the past. Today marks the first time the command center of our two cities collaborated to solve a problem, which serves as a good start for future cooperation. Director Lu, let’s share a pot."
Xu Chunliang directly picked up the wine decanter in front of him.
Lu Yunqi finally saw this guy was a heavy drinker. Actually, he himself could handle a pound of liquor. Including Liang Xin’s half a pound, they could manage most situations. But judging by Xu Chunliang’s demeanor, it seemed he at least needed a pound.
Apart from standpoints, Lu Yunqi couldn’t show weakness in front of Liang Xin. He picked up the decanter and drank it with Xu Chunliang.
Xu Chunliang finished his noodles without changing his expression, "Director Lu, I have an idea. To fundamentally prevent incidents like today, shouldn’t we establish a joint water security management team to address similar issues together?"
Lu Yunqi thought, it sounds easy when you say it, but executing it is not easy, it requires multiple levels of approval: "It’s a good idea, but I can’t make the decision on this. It needs to be reported and approved by higher-ups."
Xu Chunliang said, "If we use regular staff, we indeed have to go through the procedures and get multiple levels of approval, but what if we use temporary workers?"
If used correctly, temporary workers can absolutely play a major role. The term ’temporary’ itself includes uncertainty and flexibility. Temporary workers can not only undertake the same work as permanent staff but also take the blame if necessary. Most importantly, hiring temporary workers is very flexible and does not require approval from upper-level departments.
Lu Yunqi laughed, "Director Xu, you always have so many ideas."
Xu Chunliang said, "It’s all for work. When we encounter obstacles that we can’t immediately clear, we just go around them, don’t you think?"
Lu Yunqi nodded repeatedly and said to Liang Xin, "Xiaoliang, you need to learn more from Director Xu in the future. Look at his level of insight." In fact, given his age, he’s qualified to say such things, but in today’s setting, it felt a bit awkward.
As expected, Xu Chunliang immediately retorted, "Director Lu, do you have kids?"
Lu Yunqi felt awkward for a moment, Xu Chunliang, oh Xu Chunliang, why can’t you just let things go? I have no ill intentions; you’re the one interpreting things wrong.
Before Lu Yunqi could answer, Liang Xin chimed in, "He has a son, ten years old, quite smart."
Xu Chunliang could sense some resentment in Liang Xin’s words. Could it be that Liang Xin truly loves Lu Yunqi and is considering becoming a stepmom to his son?
Lu Yunqi said, "He’s quite sensible."
Xu Chunliang nodded, "Director Lu, how do you feel about my earlier proposal?"
"Good, really good!" Lu Yunqi was a bit unaccustomed to Xu Chunliang’s conversational style that swings back and forth.
Xu Chunliang said, "Since you think it’s good, let’s settle on it. I’ll start handling this matter, and you guys should also begin selecting personnel. Try to choose individuals with good appearance and character, high-quality ones who can represent the image of both cities and showcase the tourism image of Weishan Lake."
Lu Yunqi was taken aback by how quickly Xu Chunliang wanted to finalize things. Is he boasting? Doesn’t he respect the leadership’s opinions? But since things have progressed to this point, it’s hard to veto. He said to Liang Xin, "Xiaoliang, you write this down and bring it up in tomorrow’s internal meeting for discussion."
Xu Chunliang didn’t push him to finalize it immediately and continued, "I’ve been to Jizhou twice and discovered a big issue."
Lu Yunqi smiled and said, "Please, go ahead."
Xu Chunliang said, "Dongzhou and Jizhou are so close, yet transportation between them isn’t convenient. There’s no high-speed rail connection. Of course, that’s a matter of national planning, out of our hands."
Lu Yunqi said, "Jizhou does have a high-speed rail station, but it’s far from the city center. However, we do have expressways; driving is pretty fast."
Xu Chunliang said, "It’s surprising that there’s no ferry between Weishan Island and Jizhou, considering how close they are. Normally, the residents on the island must first take a boat to Ancient Spring Town or Weishan County, and then change modes of transport to reach Jizhou. This whole journey can’t possibly be completed in less than two hours, not to mention the waiting time in between."
Liang Xin said, "I’ve been to Weishan Island once by boat. It wasn’t this troublesome."
Lu Yunqi glanced at her, thinking this woman might have misunderstood. He was talking about public transportation, but she was talking about taking a speedboat, which doesn’t count.
Xu Chunliang said, "Director Lu, for the tourism development of Weishan Lake and to implement the strategic national plan, shouldn’t we first open a ferry service? Without discussing further routes, let’s first connect the routes between Weishan Island and Taibaiwa, allowing the local people to travel freely. This can be considered a convenience measure, don’t you agree?"
Lu Yunqi thought, the reason the route hadn’t been opened was not due to lack of feasibility studies, but because the upper echelons considered that opening the route would bring a stream of visitors from Jizhou to Weishan Island, but how many people does Weishan Island have, and how much purchasing power could they really bring us? Why should we supply you with visitors?
Xu Chunliang said, "In the short term, Weishan Island might benefit a bit, but in the long term, it’s mutually beneficial for both sides. This kind of mutual exchange can boost tourism for both. With the peak tourist season approaching, Director Lu, why don’t we try a trial run by opening a temporary ferry route, and see if it promotes tourism for either side? If not, we can always shut down the temporary ferry line at any time."
Once again with the ’temporary,’ Lu Yunqi couldn’t help but secretly smile bitterly; this guy sure comes up with clever ideas. However, opening a temporary ferry route involves many different departments, and he explained the situation as it is.
Slept until eight and then got up, posting a new update; will post the second update as soon as it’s written!
