106: This standard will be followed from Chapter 106 onwards.

Zhao Shaojun, who had been feeling quite depressed, suddenly felt much better at the thought that the leaders would soon be very dissatisfied.

The group walked into the large cafeteria.

Everything was ready.

There were several large round tables, each with four dishes and one soup served in large stainless steel basins, looking very substantial.

As soon as he stepped into the cafeteria, Secretary Guo Shunmin remarked, "Little Qin, your conditions are really a bit poor. This cafeteria must have been built several decades ago."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shaojun was overjoyed!

As expected, Secretary Guo was dissatisfied with the conditions here.

In that case, he needed to distance himself immediately; everything was Qin Chuan's own decision and had absolutely nothing to do with him, the County Party Secretary.

Zhao Shaojun said, "Secretary Guo, this is no place to eat. These conditions are beyond poor. I told Comrade Qin Chuan that hospitality is no small matter, especially when hosting Municipal Party Committee leaders."

"I suggested he move the meal to a restaurant outside, or even back to the county—it wouldn't take long to drive there anyway—but he simply wouldn't listen and insisted on dining in this dump..."

Guo Shunmin was momentarily stunned.

He hadn't expected Zhao Shaojun to say such things in front of so many people.

After a brief pause, Guo Shunmin said, "This place isn't bad; it looks clean and hygienic. We'll eat right here!"

What!

Zhao Shaojun was confused.

You clearly just said the conditions were a bit poor, so why are you turning around and saying it's clean and hygienic?

Now, things were awkward.

Some municipal leaders gave Zhao Shaojun meaningful looks, making his face burn with embarrassment.

Fortunately, Guo Shunmin ignored Zhao Shaojun and said to Qin Chuan with a smile, "The food looks good, with both meat and vegetables. Let's start eating."

After everyone sat down, Guo Shunmin looked at the food again, clearly very satisfied.

After a few bites, he nodded with even more satisfaction.

"Little Secretary Qin, I didn't realize your cafeteria's chef was so skilled."

"Secretary Guo, as long as you find it acceptable, I'm relieved. I was worried the food was too simple and might slight the leaders."

"Nonsense."

Guo Shunmin feigned a look of dissatisfaction, "As Party members and cadres, we must be thrifty and avoid extravagance. This meal, with fish, meat, and vegetables, is already better than what ninety percent of ordinary people eat. It's very good."

As expected, the system was truly impressive!

Secretary Guo was not a man of waste. Luckily, he hadn't prepared a dozen dishes for a lavish lunch; otherwise, he might have been scolded.

After saying this, Guo Shunmin put down his chopsticks and said loudly, "Everyone quiet down, I have a few words to say."

He was the Municipal Party Secretary, the highest-ranking person here, so his words naturally carried weight.

Soon, the noisy cafeteria fell silent.

Everyone looked at Secretary Guo, wondering what he would say next.

Seeing that it was quiet, Guo Shunmin stood up and declared loudly, "I am very satisfied with Little Secretary Qin's arrangements for lunch today, and I want to commend him."

With that, he was the first to applaud.

Immediately, thunderous applause rang out in the large cafeteria!

When the applause died down, Guo Shunmin continued, "I'll take this opportunity to set a requirement. From now on, when we go down for inspections and research, every unit will use this meal as the standard. You are not to exceed it, do you hear me!"

"We hear you!"

Everyone answered in unison, their voices echoing!

Some looked at Qin Chuan with envy, thinking how wonderful it would be if they were the ones being praised today.

As for Qin Chuan...

He looked at Secretary Zhao Shaojun and asked, "Secretary Zhao, what do you think of the food? Are you satisfied?"

With so many municipal leaders present...

Zhao Shaojun didn't dare show any temper. Even though he was fuming internally to the point of spitting blood, he could only force a smile and nod, "The food is good."

Director Hu Qibin, standing nearby, wouldn't let it go!

Secretary Qin didn't want to say anything, but he did!

He knew exactly what Qin Chuan's connections and background were. Who did Zhao Shaojun think he was? He wasn't afraid of him. If you've got the guts, go ahead and fire me.

Hu Qibin said loudly, "Secretary Zhao, I remember before Secretary Guo and the others arrived, you gave our Secretary Qin a real tongue-lashing in public, even saying that not even a dog would eat this food!"

What!

Such a thing actually happened?!

Including Guo Shunmin, the faces of almost every municipal leader changed. They had all eaten it and thought it tasted quite good.

Guo Shunmin's expression darkened, "Zhao Shaojun, did you really say that?"

"No... no," Zhao Shaojun hurriedly argued, "They must have misheard. I never said such a thing."

Cold sweat poured down his forehead.

In his heart, he marked Hu Qibin down. Damn it, you're looking for trouble, bad-mouthing me in front of the Municipal Party Secretary like this.

Guo Shunmin gave Zhao Shaojun a dissatisfied look, his eyes seemingly saying, 'You'd better watch yourself.'

Then, his expression immediately brightened, and he raised his teacup, "Everyone, let's use tea instead of wine to celebrate the successful signing this afternoon!"

Soon, the atmosphere in the cafeteria became lively again.

The meal lasted about thirty to forty minutes. Qin Chuan arranged for everyone to rest in the reception room.

The leaders sat on the sofas, drinking tea.

Qin Chuan felt the timing was right. The cafeteria had been too noisy, but now it was perfect.

"Secretary Guo, I have something I'd like to report to you."

"Oh, what is it?" Guo Shunmin showed great interest.

Everyone else quieted down as well, looking at Qin Chuan, curious about what he was bringing up so formally.

"Secretary Guo, I've communicated repeatedly with Vice President Yu Zhen. He also feels that our Jiucailing Coal Mine can fully support a larger Thermal Power Plant. He wants to increase the total investment to twenty billion."

My goodness!

Such a joyous surprise actually existed?!

A ten-billion-level investment was already exciting enough, but it was being increased to twenty billion!

Even though Guo Shunmin was the Municipal Party Secretary and had seen many great things, he couldn't remain calm at this moment and asked loudly.

"Is that true?!"

Qin Chuan replied with certainty, "An investment at the twenty-billion level is completely settled. It will be written into the contract during the signing this afternoon."

"Good, good, that's excellent."

Guo Shunmin said, "Comrade Qin Chuan, you have done a great service for Dahe Township and Dongzhou City. On behalf of the nine million people of Dongzhou City, I thank you!"

Qin Chuan looked humble, "I just did some minor legwork. This investment's arrival is primarily due to Secretary Guo's correct leadership."

Those were very well-spoken words.

Guo Shunmin felt he had gained much face and looked at Qin Chuan with increasing satisfaction.