"This turtle blood tofu isn't really that large. In everyone's bowl, it's just a tiny bit smaller than a baby's fist, square and firm.
A wild turtle, weighing nearly ten pounds, doesn't have an excessive amount of blood, but it's not a small amount either.
The blood tofu is tender yet chewy, full of elasticity, and also pleasantly aromatic.
Including the soup, the five of us quickly polished off everything with relish.
Du Yuesheng even joked, "This is truly a delight! I really...I almost want to lick the bowl clean, refreshing! This kind of opportunity, it's really not common. Liu Zhizhong, you youngster, not bad cooking skills huh, and the ingredients are even better, hehe..."
Everyone laughed hearing this.
Zhang Zhengchang gave him a look and shook his head, "Sigh, Du Yuesheng, Du Yuesheng, even as Mayor, you still lack refinement, huh?"
Du Yuesheng gave an embarrassed smile, "But it's delicious!"
With that, he still went ahead and topped off everyone's cigarettes.
Zhang Zhengchang nodded, lit a cigarette, took a puff, then said, "Alright, alright, I can't be bothered with you, the dishes tonight are indeed very good, a rare treat. Liu Zhizhong, you youngster seem to have gotten the hang of it! So how is it, you've drunk quite a bit till now, feeling alright? Don't end up saying I've drunk a man with heart disease to death now..." Chapters fırst released on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥
Though he spoke lightly, his smiling seemed skin-deep.
Liu Zhizhong quickly responded, "To the Old Secretary, I'm fine, just a bit dizzy, a bit dizzy."
"Mm, too much Moutai does make one lightheaded. But, we've almost finished our meal…" Zhang Zhengchang flicked his cigarette ash and looked around the table, "Does anyone want to continue eating? There's still quite a bit left!"
Everyone was almost full and couldn't eat more without overstuffing, so they all expressed they were done eating.
Zhang Zhengchang then said, "Okay then, let's get down to business. Liu Zhizhong, the dinner party you provided tonight was quite unique and attentive; I've never eaten in my life, very good, very good..."
Liu Zhizhong immediately said, "Thank you for the affirmation, Old Secretary. Your affirmation is the greatest encouragement for me."
Little did he know, his polite words hit the wrong note.
Zhang Zhengchang said sternly, "Encouragement? Are you implying that next time, you could serve up something bigger than this catfish, an even older and bigger turtle?"
Liu Zhizhong was speechless, forcing an awkward smile.
Zhang Zhengchang said, "Young people in officialdom, don't talk too big. Be pragmatic, don't deal in illusions!"
"Yes, yes, yes, the Old Secretary's instruction is right, absolutely right!"
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Your sincerity, I have felt it. But just dining and drinking , if you think you can reconcile with the Zhang family so easily, that's too naive, right?" Zhang Zhengchang said, his expression even more austere, squinting slightly as if looking at insects.
Liu Zhizhong lowered his head and said, "Old Secretary, I know what we've done tonight is far from enough, absolutely not enough. It's just, whatever instructions and requirements you have, pass them down, and it will be fine!"
Du Yuesheng remained silent but nodded.
Zhang Tianbao quietly smoked, waiting for Zhang Zhengchang's real move.
Lu Yumei too had her face slightly reddened, a charming drunken flush, calmly looking at her vile father-in-law who had disgusted her all evening, and also said, "The father-in-law must have some requests. Just say them, Zhizhong is not someone who doesn't understand things."
Zhang Zhengchang nodded, stood up, turned his back to the dining table, cigarette between his fingers, facing the sunset over Yangjiang, his slightly pudgy older frame still commanding and tall.
He exuded an aura of a retired leader that had really come into its own.
Taking a drag from his cigarette, with one hand on his hip, he became the very picture of presence.
Instead of facing the crowd, he faced the great river, and seriously said, "The situation between the Zhang family and you, Liu Zhizhong, is well-known to everyone present. Tonight, I am not the Old Secretary anymore; I am simply the head of the Zhang family, the patriarch."
"Only one request for you, Liu Zhizhong. Recently, you've been quite impressive, quite a distinguished figure! Heard you've become some sort of Mister L on the internet, making a fortune."
"Too much fame isn't good for you either. I advise you to step back from the limelight and be careful for yourself. There're too many cases of 'the nail that sticks up gets hammered down.'"
After speaking, he turned around, his eyes shining with a worldly light, zeroing in on Liu Zhizhong.
Liu Zhizhong hurriedly nodded, "Yes, yes, yes, you're right, absolutely right!"
Zhang Zhengchang continued smoking, hand on hip, and said, "Since that's the case, if your life's ambition is still in the world of officialdom, still in Yangzhou. Then for the Yue Xing project, I'm aware of the four or five billion you've d, it shows you have some dedication. In addition, contribute another five billion! The Zhang family has an investment company overseas. Consider the transfer as financing, with no restrictions."
"If you can spare five billion, the Zhang family will fully thaw relations with you, and no longer cause you any trouble. In Yangzhou, I can assure you, no one will become an obstacle in your career."
"Even, heh... if you are smart and obedient, in the future's future, it's not impossible for you to become a part of the Zhang family lineage, to be a Mayor, a City Committee Secretary in Yangzhou. The Zhang family might even become your support, do you understand?"
At these words, the whole room was stunned...