Chapter 1334: Chapter 157: Leadership Inspection (Part 1)

As Shi Shengyong said, the series of theft cases occurring on the river had a harmful impact, putting a lot of pressure on the Water Police Station and Changhang Bureau.

Zhao Hongxing and Liu Guixiang received the call, and without caring to celebrate New Year’s Day, immediately rushed to Yangzhou.

Xiao Gong’s hometown is not in the urban area of Yangzhou City, but in Dujiang County under Yangzhou’s jurisdiction, located in the southeasternmost corner of a township in the county.

During New Year’s Day, there was lots of traffic on the road, and the drivers were unfamiliar with the road conditions. The two of them had to study the map while "navigating" for the driver, and they didn’t arrive at the police station in Xiao Gong’s hometown until after 11 p.m.

They were extremely touched by the warm welcome from Xiao Gong, the local leaders of Xiao Gong’s hometown, and Xiao Gong’s family.

The police director, instructor, Xiao Gong’s parents, Xiao Gong’s aunt, and Xiao Gong’s uncle-in-law were all waiting at the station. Once they arrived, they were immediately taken to Xiao Gong’s aunt’s home for a meal.

There was only a small motel in the village, and the conditions were not good.

Director Huang had already called the hotel in the county town and booked two rooms to help them out.

The hosts were so hospitable that Zhao Hongxing felt a bit embarrassed and handed out a round of cigarettes, smiling, "Director Huang, Instructor Liu, Xiao Gong, we’re not hungry..."

"Director Zhao, of course, we must eat. How long does it take to have a meal? We can discuss work after we’ve eaten. Plus, even if you’re not hungry, we are!"

Director Huang was in high spirits today, pulling Zhao Hongxing along as he walked and laughed, "Director Zhao, Liu Zhi, don’t laugh at us. I saw the big picture because of Xiao Gong today. I have never had a meal with city leaders; today, I had the chance, but I was so focused on listening to city leaders that I didn’t eat enough."

How does having a meal with city leaders have anything to do with Xiao Gong?

Zhao Hongxing was puzzled.

Liu Guixiang also looked confused.

Xiao Gong quickly explained, "Director Zhao, this afternoon, I went to see Secretary Ye. Secretary Ye happened to be in Yangzhou and hadn’t returned to Binjiang. He was very happy to see us and insisted on having us stay for a meal."

Zhao Hongxing suddenly realized, "Secretary Ye from Linghai?"

"Yes, he’s now a City Committee Member and Vice Mayor of Yangzhou," Director Huang said as he invited Liu Guixiang inside with a chuckle, "I went with Xiao Gong and his girlfriend. Originally, I planned to wait for Xiao Gong outside the City Government. I didn’t expect Mayor Ye to be so hospitable and down-to-earth that he insisted on inviting me in for a meal."

Director Huang was 52 this year, and considering his age, it was certain that there wouldn’t be much room for career advancement even if it were possible.

Old Gong clearly understood that Director Huang just wanted to take this opportunity to see important people, have a meal with city leaders, and have an interesting story to boast about later, so he smiled and said, "Director Zhao, tonight, it was supposed to be my uncle-in-law who invited my family members, Gong Jian and Xiao Zheng, for dinner. Gong Jian and Xiao Zheng were only planning to visit Mayor Ye in Yangzhou and return afterwards. But Mayor Ye insisted on having them and Director Huang for dinner, so essentially, this meal is completing the evening plan."

"Exactly, this meal must be completed, or else Xiao Gong’s aunt and uncle-in-law will be displeased."

Director Huang laughed heartily and turned to look at Xiao Gong’s uncle-in-law, "Boss Chen, look, it’s never too late for good things. If we had returned from Yangzhou this afternoon, would it be as lively as it is now? Would Xiao Gong’s unit leaders have graced your place with their presence?"

"Indeed, Director Zhao, Liu Zhi, please come in, take your seats!"

"Boss Chen, Old Gong, I may not be Xiao Gong’s unit leader, but I watched him grow up. Liu Zhi really is Xiao Gong’s unit leader, though only his former unit leader."

"All the same, you’re all leaders. If it weren’t for your care and support, how would my Gong Jian be where he is today?"

"Old Gong, you’ve been to Binjiang, but I can’t take credit for this success. Xiao Gong’s achievements today are thanks to his mentor and direct superior, Secretary Han. This reminds me, I have to quickly call Secretary Han and let him know we’ve arrived safely."

"Director Zhao, Liu Zhi, please sit, I’ll make the call." With leaders from the Water Police Station and Changhang Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Team present, Xiao Gong was in the spotlight and promptly took out the cellphone his dad had helped buy yesterday. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Director Huang took the opportunity to invite them to sit down, while Instructor Liu was busy opening the wine for the hosts.

Zhao Hongxing and Liu Guixiang politely refused a few times but eventually had to take their seats as the honored guests’ seats.

Since it was a family meal, of course, the family members cooked themselves.

The cold dishes were ready-made and already placed on the table. Xiao Gong’s mother and Xiao Gong’s girlfriend headed to the kitchen to assist Xiao Gong’s aunt.

Instructor Liu filled everyone’s glasses with wine and, seeing that Xiao Gong had put down his phone and sat down, curiously asked, "Couldn’t get through?"

Although Yangzhou and Binjiang are neighbors, due to geographical connections, Yangzhou is closer to the provincial capital, Jiangcheng, while Binjiang interacts more with East Sea and Guzhou.

Since Mayor Ye transferred to work in Yangzhou, other than encountering Binjiang friends at provincial meetings, he rarely had visitors from Binjiang, let alone old colleagues and subordinates from Linghai coming to Yangzhou to see him.

Entrusted by Secretary Han, Xiao Gong brought his girlfriend to visit, and Mayor Ye was genuinely happy, asking this and that as soon as they sat down. He first inquired about the "Salted Fish", Xiao Gong’s immediate boss, and then about the situation in Linghai...

Through this, Director Huang also understood how brilliant Xiao Gong’s supervisor, Han Yu, was and lifted his head to say, "It’s almost midnight, Secretary Han should be resting."

"Secretary Han usually doesn’t turn off his phone," Xiao Gong hesitated for a moment, then continued, "He must have heard it, and I bet he’ll call back soon."

Zhao Hongxing and Liu Guixiang couldn’t help but laugh, thinking, why not just say Salted Fish is thrifty, besides, Salted Fish isn’t the only one who uses their phone as a pager!