The next day, Wang Jun led a large group of related personnel and set off in grand style.
Although Qingshi County was not wealthy, it covered a large area.
Wang Jun took these people and visited one place after another.
Unknowingly, half a month passed just like that.
Another noontime arrived, and staring at the table full of lavish dishes, Chen Bin felt a wave of nausea.
He whispered to Wang Jun, "Secretary Wang, my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable. I’d like to go out to eat with Cheng Zhuang."
Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Jun nodded in agreement.
"No problem. If you’re still feeling bad after the meal, go buy some medicine. Don’t force yourself."
Chen Bin nodded and, when passing by Zhou Jiajun, couldn’t hold back a snort.
"A perfectly fine person choosing not to be one, but instead a clingy nuisance."
The latter remained expressionless, as if he hadn’t heard a single word.
Bailing Town was a large town with a relatively high population in Qingshi County.
Due to the soil conditions, the town’s sorghum was quite famous.
After strolling around for a while, Chen Bin and Cheng Zhuang entered a small restaurant.
The place wasn’t big, but business seemed decent enough.
Once they found an empty table, they ordered a few stir-fried dishes and two bowls of rice.
The waitress, noticing they didn’t look like locals, enthusiastically recommended.
"We have locally-produced sorghum liquor here, and it’s really tasty. Why don’t you give it a try?"
Chen Bin was about to respond when Cheng Zhuang couldn’t help but smack his lips.
"No way! You’re the driver. How can you drink alcohol?"
"Come on, we’ve been wandering for half a month, and I haven’t had a single drop. Now that it’s available, just let me try it."
Logically speaking, no one knew what Wang Jun’s afternoon plans were, and Cheng Zhuang’s impulsive decision to drink might cause trouble.
However, thinking about the other’s drinking capability, Chen Bin could only nod.
"Alright, just one liang then."
The waitress widened her eyes in disbelief.
That’s less than what a fish would drink!
Chen Bin explained, "My friend’s just going to taste it. I won’t drink."
With a mocking smile in her heart, the waitress turned away.
In her eyes, these two seemed no better than paupers!
Soon, the one liang of liquor arrived, and Cheng Zhuang couldn’t wait to take a sip.
After drinking, he widened his eyes in surprise.
"My God, this tastes amazing!"
Hearing this, Chen Bin couldn’t help but laugh.
"Once we finish the survey, I’ll treat you to a proper drink. Look at how eager you are."
"I’m not joking! This liquor is really good!"
As he spoke, Cheng Zhuang placed the cup in front of Chen Bin.
Instantly, the fragrance of the liquor filled the air, lingering continuously.
It gave a refreshing and invigorating feeling.
Chen Bin, who had never encountered such liquor before, couldn’t help but pick up the cup and take a sip.
Carefully savoring it, the taste was truly exceptional.
He quickly turned to look at the waitress tidying up nearby.
"Is this liquor handmade here?"
"No, there’s a distillery in our town. All the sorghum liquor comes from there."
Chen Bin nodded thoughtfully without saying more.
Seeing this, the waitress smiled and asked.
"Should I bring you another serving?"
Thinking about Wang Jun possibly needing the vehicle in the afternoon, Chen Bin gently shook his head.
"Better not. I was just asking."
As soon as he said this, the waitress’s face turned sour.
"Damn, stingy losers!"
The survey concluded.
On the way back to the county, Wang Jun sat in the backseat with his eyes closed, pondering something.
Chen Bin glanced at him but refrained from asking anything in front of Cheng Zhuang.
Once back at the County Committee and County Government, Wang Jun ordered everyone to write a report on Qingshi Town’s economic development.
Shortly after, he called Chen Bin into his office.
Sitting wearily in his chair, he let out a deep sigh.
"Do you think this survey will yield any results?"
Chen Bin slightly shook his head and spoke honestly.
"We’ve been out for so many days, but apart from agriculture, we haven’t identified other areas for development."
This outcome was clearly within Wang Jun’s expectations.
His face was full of helplessness and frustration.
"Must I really keep walking the old path of agriculture?"
Chen Bin offered a suggestion, "Why not try developing some industry?"
Wang Jun shook his head, his expression gravely serious.
"Qingshi County doesn’t have advanced equipment, so we can only focus on heavy industry. While it can boost the economy in the short term, the environmental damage caused is almost irreversible."
"Opportunity comes with sacrifice. After all, only by having funds can we protect the environment."
"No! I do want to climb higher, but I can’t ignore the wellbeing of the local people for my own political achievements."
Hearing this, Chen Bin was momentarily at a loss for words.
He never expected Wang Jun to have such strong principles.
Wang Jun continued murmuring to himself.
"If developing the economy has to come at the expense of people’s interests, then I’d rather do nothing at all."
At this moment, the figure of a true local leader took shape in Chen Bin’s mind.
He felt even more respect for Wang Jun.
He even made a silent vow that if he ever had the opportunity to manage a region, he would carry forward Wang Jun’s ideals.
Meanwhile, in the County Magistrate’s office, Huang Ming and Zhou Jiajun were chatting.
"You’ve followed Wang Jun for over half a month now. Have you noticed anything?"
"No! He’s purely focused on conducting surveys, seemingly trying to promote economic development."
Since the survey began, Zhou Jiajun had practically stuck to Wang Jun like glue.
He even stood guard outside the bathroom whenever Wang Jun went, fearing that the latter might try to pull some sneaky moves behind his back.
"Has he found anything yet?"
"No! The situation in our county is obvious. Running around like a headless chicken won’t get him anywhere—it’s pure nonsense."
Hearing this, Huang Ming’s face revealed a sly smile.
"Since he hasn’t found anything, don’t blame me for making a move!"
Seeing his expression, Zhou Jiajun was filled with curiosity.
Looks like the County Magistrate was preparing to act.
I wonder how many rounds Wang Jun can endure?
After work in the evening, Cheng Zhuang called Chen Bin.
"Hey brother, why don’t we head over to Bailing Town?"
"Why go there?" Chen Bin sounded puzzled.
"To have a drink, of course!"
Hearing this, Chen Bin suddenly recalled the aroma of sorghum liquor.
"Alright, I’ll call someone else to join us."
He then called Qian Lang.
Upon hearing it was for a drinking session, Qian Lang perked up right away.
He promptly went to wait at the office building entrance as instructed by Chen Bin.
Once the three of them gathered, they hailed a cab to Bailing Town.
Returning to the same small restaurant, the waitress quickly recognized Chen Bin and Cheng Zhuang.
"Coming back for another one liang?"
Both men felt a bit awkward hearing this.
Chen Bin quickly replied, "Last time we still had work to do and couldn’t drink. This time we’re here to eat properly."
He then ordered an entire jin of sorghum liquor.
Once the food and drink were served, staring at the plain bottle of white liquor, Qian Lang couldn’t help feeling disdainful.
To him, liquor without packaging surely couldn’t be anything special.
But after pouring and tasting a small sip, he was surprised.
Smacking his lips, he said.
"Not bad, this liquor is no worse than Wuliangye!"
Hearing this, Cheng Zhuang burst into hearty laughter.
"If this liquor wasn’t good, would I and Secretary Chen come all the way here for a meal?"
Nodding thoughtfully, Qian Lang commented.
"It’s truly exceptional. If someone packaged it nicely and priced it at over a hundred yuan per bottle, people would probably rush to buy it."
As they say, the speaker speaks unintentionally, yet the listener takes it to heart. Chen Bin immediately had an idea...