Chapter 621: Chapter 592: Bringing in Reinforcements

Xu Chunliang said, "The ranking doesn’t matter, it’s the potential that counts. I believe our Dongzhou tourism has the greatest potential. If you insist on a comparison, I think we can compare the growth rate of tourism income. I guarantee Dongzhou’s tourism income growth rate will definitely be number one in the province this year."

Xing Wenhua thought this kid was not only bold but also very clever, knowing how to play to his strengths while avoiding weaknesses. Their tourism income base is low, so comparing growth rates is very cunning and realistic.

Xing Wenhua nodded and said, "Alright, everyone listen up, when this year’s annual data comes out, I want to see if your bold words can come true."

After the meeting, Fan Lidada sighed and said, "Chunliang, you shouldn’t have made such a boast. Secretary Xing takes things very seriously, and if we can’t deliver, he will definitely hold us accountable."

Fu Guomin said, "If we can’t do it, we can’t do it, but we can’t lose our spirit."

At this moment, a group of bald monks walked past them, followed by a group of Daoists in robes. Fu Guomin was taken aback, "What’s going on?"

Fan Lidada asked a staff member and found out that the monks were from the Shaolin Martial Arts School and the Daoists from the Wudang Mountain Daoist Academy. Tomorrow afternoon, various cultural and tourism bureaus have arranged some performance exchanges, and they have already started rehearsals.

Fu Guomin increasingly felt that their awareness in cultural and tourism work was far behind other cities. Look at how meticulously others are working, while they have practically prepared nothing and came here clueless.

Fu Guomin discussed with the two of them, "Do you think we should also prepare a program, using this opportunity to promote our Dongzhou?"

Fan Lidada said, "My only specialty is drinking, I don’t know anything else."

Fu Guomin then looked at Xu Chunliang, who smiled and said, "Let’s not join the fun, others have been meticulously prepared."

Fu Guomin’s phone rang; it was a call from Nanjiang Cultural and Tourism Bureau Director, Yang Jianwu. Yang Jianwu also mentioned the performance tomorrow afternoon, saying that they, Pinghai Province, planned two programs, one for Jiangnan and one for Jiangbei.

Fu Guomin quickly explained the situation; the three of them who came couldn’t muster a single artistic talent among them, mainly worrying about affecting the image of Pinghai Province.

Yang Jianwu told him not to refuse; it’s not a formal performance, just a grand party for the cultural and tourism system. Dongzhou, as the big brother of Jiangbei, must represent Pinghai by putting on a show.

Fu Guomin was a bit puzzled; Jiangdu was also in Jiangbei, so why were they singled out? Yang Jianwu told him that Xiaoqi from the Jiangdu Cultural and Tourism Bureau was participating in their program, where everyone would perform Beijing opera together.

Fu Guomin understood that Dongzhou was being isolated. The other cities were teaming up and didn’t want to play with them in Jiangbei. Even though Jiangdu is also north of the Yangtze River, they prefer to stay in the "middle of the river," rather than associating with them.

Fu Guomin was a little angry. There were seven cities in total, and six were united, leaving them out, and yet they still expected them to put on a show. Why should their six cities perform just one program while Dongzhou has to do one separately? If there were to be a separate one, it should be the provincial capital Nanjiang, right? Moreover, their total annual tourism income last year was only a little over thirty billion.

Thinking about this, Fu Guomin understood that the gap was too large; they were not on the same level. Moreover, the cultures of Jiangbei and Jiangnan were vastly different. Others sang Kunqu in the soft Wu dialect, while they were all bold and unrestrained with their Liuqin Opera, which didn’t harmonize at all.

Fu Guomin put down the phone and stared at Xu Chunliang, who sensed he was being eyed like prey. He cleared his throat and said, "Director Fu, could you please not look at me like that? There are so many people here."

Fu Guomin smiled and said, "Tomorrow afternoon at the grand party, Dongzhou has to come up with a program..."

Xu Chunliang found Su Qing, who was recording videos by the lakeside, but didn’t disturb her. He quietly waited aside.

Su Qing was truly beautiful, making the picturesque landscape lose some of its color, and passersby couldn’t help but glance at her.

Xu Chunliang waited for half an hour until her work came to an end. After giving some instructions to a colleague, she ran over to Xu Chunliang with a smile, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s alright, work comes first. I’m just idle anyway."

Su Qing suggested going for a ride to Feiyun Crossing, not wanting to stay here and attract more onlookers. She had been busy with work these past few days and hadn’t had the chance to properly tour Taiming Lake.

There was a bike rental point next to the hotel. They could rent two bicycles and enjoy the lakes and mountains along the way, talking freely.

They rented two bicycles and rode out from the hotel.

On the way, Xu Chunliang told Su Qing about the provincial performance task assigned to them.

Su Qing said, "That shouldn’t be hard. Aren’t you good at knife throwing?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Others are showcasing local specialties; should we just throw knives all over the place? Maybe we should come up with a more meaningful program."

Su Qing said, "I didn’t expect you to be so invested in this performance."

Xu Chunliang told her the reason; mainly because Dongzhou was being isolated by other brother cities, he wanted to use the performance to regain some standing, to make them feel that today they look down on him, and tomorrow they can’t reach him."

Su Qing knew he was competitive, thought for a moment, and said, "Dongzhou is the land of the dragons and the origin of the Great Han. In terms of history and culture, it’s no weaker than any other city. This program must be well thought out, ideally combining history and highlighting Dongzhou’s inherent characteristics."

Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "You’ll lead the performance; I’ll just be a prop."

They were about to reach Feiyun Crossing when a large billboard appeared by the roadside, showing "Chinese Turtle Park," accompanied by a picture of a massive turtle.

Su Qing stared at the turtle and suddenly had a brilliant idea: "Why don’t we perform Farewell My Concubine?"

Xu Chunliang followed her gaze and realized she got inspiration from the big turtle, so he deliberately asked, "Who plays the King, and who plays the Concubine?"

Su Qing snapped back to reality, holding onto the handlebars with one hand, and punched him jokingly with the other: "Of course, you play the King, and I play... ugh, you’re insulting me."

Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but laugh: "How did I take advantage of you? It was clearly you who got inspired by the big turtle."

Su Qing giggled: "Actually, when I was at Dongzhou TV Station, there was once such a program, with great creativity and planning, but later it was taken off air because the station leaders felt it didn’t fit the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival. I always thought it was a pity. Why don’t we team up and perform it? Although it’s Farewell My Concubine, the role of the King isn’t that hard, and most of the dance parts are done by the actress."

Xu Chunliang said: "As long as it’s not too hard, it’s fine. I’m good at doing the heavy lifting. You want me to do King lifting a cauldron or King removing his armor, whatever."

Su Qing rolled her eyes at him: "That’s called King removing armor."

Xu Chunliang said: "But Farewell My Concubine is like a local dish in Dongzhou; the historical event happened at Gaixia."

Su Qing said: "Gaixia is Ancient Lingbi, which belongs to Dongzhou."

Xu Chunliang nodded: "It’s settled then, let’s rehearse it when we get back tonight. They’ve got nothing on us! Look down on Dongzhou, will they? I’ll show them who’s boss!"

Su Qing said: "But we’ll need some costumes and props. I’ll have a classmate send them over."

"What’s your classmate do? Nanwan Theater?"

"Got it!"

Just as they were enjoying their chat, a van came honking from behind, startling Su Qing, making her almost steer into the ditch. Fortunately, Xu Chunliang grabbed the handlebars in time.

Xu Chunliang angrily said: "What’s with your driving?"

The van screeched to a stop, and six burly men jumped out. Xu Chunliang recognized the driver as the small boss from Blue Bay Fishing Village, and he immediately understood—it was a chance encounter, and they were here to get back at him.

The boss of Blue Bay Fishing Village pointed at Xu Chunliang: "I recognize you. You flicked cigarette ash into my fish pond, killing all my fish and shrimp."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, so you’re not stupid, yes, I did it, so what? Got any evidence? Xu Chunliang chuckled: "You’re pretty good at blaming others. A little cigarette ash killed all the fish and shrimp in your pond? Go report it to the police; catch me if you’ve got evidence."

That small boss had suffered a huge loss this time, roughly estimated at over a hundred thousand, and he had been frustrated for days with no outlet: "Kid, do you even know who I am?"

"Do I give a damn who you are? Just some fish seller, what’s there to boast about?"

Su Qing knew Xu Chunliang was someone who refused to bow to anyone, so she quickly advised him not to get into a conflict, as it wouldn’t be good if a fight broke out.

But the problem was, it wasn’t something Xu Chunliang could smoothly sort out—even if he wanted to. The other side was relentless, and six people had surrounded them.

Just as Xu Chunliang was about to teach this group a lesson, an Audi drove up, and Pinghai Culture and Tourism’s Xing Wenhua happened to pass by. Seeing the scene, he immediately had the driver stop and shouted: "What’s going on? What do you think you’re doing?"

Cadres like Xing Wenhua exuded a powerful aura, and coupled with the distinct license plate on his official car, the boss of Blue Bay Fishing Village, who just wanted to blow off some steam, didn’t actually believe the death of his pond’s fish and shrimp was all Xu Chunliang’s doing from flicking cigarette ash. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

He pointed at Xu Chunliang: "Kid, you’re lucky today. Don’t let me run into you again."

Xu Chunliang thought—and yet who knows who’s the fortunate one—and smiled at the righteous Xing Wenhua: "Hello, Secretary Xing."

Xing Wenhua looked at him and then at Su Qing: "What’s the situation here?"

Xu Chunliang said: "Nothing much, they were honking like mad, and I taught them a lesson."

Xing Wenhua said: "When you’re out and about, keep your temper in check and try not to get into conflicts with the locals."

Xu Chunliang nodded: "Thanks, Secretary Xing."

Xing Wenhua said: "Hurry back then."

Xu Chunliang said: "We plan to have a look at Feiyun Crossing first, then we’ll head back."

Xing Wenhua was also heading to Feiyun Crossing and reminded Xu Chunliang to stay safe before getting back into his car and leaving.

Second day of May—keep asking for monthly votes!