Liu Zhizhong pondered, you must take a gift on your first visit to your father-in-law's house!
Cigarettes and alcohol are a bit tacky, so something different is needed, right?
Anyway, it seemed that he could still cling to the "big leg" of Luo Tianlin from the Provincial Organization Department. Although he had a good relationship with the Zhang Family, he wouldn't sabotage Liu should he and Zhang Hongyang truly come into conflict.
That's how it was in officialdom, some big shots might not be able to help you with something, but to spoil your efforts could be all too easy.
After thinking it over, without a clear idea, Liu Zhizhong directly called Zhang Tianbao. Minister Zhang, he was familiar with him, and he was also familiar with his own old leader!
Just two days ago, the opinion piece Liu Zhizhong had crafted for Zhang Tianbao was willingly published in the provincial newspaper, shining brightly. Luo Tianlin even called to heavily praise Zhang Tianbao, who in turn heavily praised Liu Zhizhong, and he was very pleased! Relationships and connections in officialdom were established just , bit by bit.
Zhang Tianbao, upon receiving Liu Zhizhong's call, was still very cordial, warmly greeting him, "Ha! Zhizhong, you're having dinner at Minister Luo's house tonight, hasn't he directly told you?"
"Uh-huh, he mentioned it. Minister Zhang, long time no see, I'm really happy."
"The feeling is mutual! It's perfect, let's have a good drink tonight, I need to thank you properly, face-to-face."
"Don't mention it, Minister Zhang! But, there's something I need your help with."
Was there anything Zhang Tianbao couldn't handle?
"What is it? Just say it! If I can help, no problem!"
"I'm visiting Minister Luo's place for the first time tonight, and I can't go empty-handed, right? So, I wanted to ask Minister Zhang, what would be good to bring?"
"Yes! You are his old subordinate, you know him!"
"Hahaha…" Zhang Tianbao burst into laughter, "You got me serious there, I thought it was something big! Just go to the main gate of Hu Yang University, there's a Xingtan Pharmacy, buy a couple of Old ginseng. Just take them for the meal, Minister Luo likes using them in wine and soup. They're not expensive, probably under twenty thousand should do, they weigh them anyway."
Liu Zhizhong felt reassured, "Is it that simple?"
"What else? If you get ten, they might not even have that much in stock! Trust me, he'll be pleased!"
"Alright, I'll take Minister Zhang's advice, following Minister Zhang leads to hope."
"Hahaha… You're a funny guy! At this rate, I might need to follow you! Young man, you have a bright future…"
The two chatted idly for a while, then finally hung up.
Of course, Zhang Tianbao also mentioned his return to the Provincial City this time, partly for a department meeting, partly to visit his family, and to see his old leader while also having drinks and dinner with Liu Zhizhong.
This time back in the Provincial City, he brought a local specialty from Yangzhou for his old leader—Yangjiang Stinky Salted Fish, which the old leader also really liked.
Big shots in officialdom indeed had their personal preferences. These preferences, as they rose higher and higher, became more distinctive and became useful tools for others to sound them out. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚~𝙣𝙚𝙩
However, aside from preparing the Old ginseng, Liu Zhizhong innovatively thought of another idea and actually prepared it at home.
In the late afternoon, he drove to the main gate of Hu Yang University, found the pharmacy, and bought two sticks of beautifully packaged Old ginseng, filled with confidence.
Then, he even took a stroll around the campus, nostalgically reflecting on the past. Who could know that this young man wearing sunglasses was Liu Zhizhong, a graduate of Hu Yang University, and now the widely renowned Mr. L on the internet?
"We come from the ordinary, but we are destined for the extraordinary!"
Looking at the school's wall of honor, at a quote from a famous alumnus, Liu Zhizhong suddenly felt uplifted, his aspirations soaring…