Chapter 827 - 795
Using the phrase "When it rains, it pours" to describe the current situation of Dongzhou Culture and Tourism is not an exaggeration at all.
After Secretary Zhou finished this emergency office meeting, Geng Wenjun immediately gave instructions to various departments on the main issues summarized in the meeting, requiring them to quickly reflect on the problems existing in their work, resolve all issues promptly, make immediate corrections if possible, and sternly hold responsible those who have caused serious consequences.
Geng Wenjun almost named and criticized Fu Guomin directly.
Fu Guomin felt frustrated in his heart. He admitted that the recent issues were related to Dongzhou Barbecue, but this cannot be entirely blamed on him. After all, the idea for Dongzhou Barbecue City was Geng Wenjun’s suggestion. However, the cunning part of Geng Wenjun is that he was not the initiator; it was Fu Guomin. In other words, during the construction of Dongzhou Barbecue City, Geng Wenjun was merely a supporter. People could easily say they were misled by Fu Guomin’s grand promises and that Geng Wenjun should bear relevant supervisory responsibility.
With so many issues arising, someone is sure to take the fall. As the Director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau, Fu Guomin was the first in line. Inside the bureau, a group of people were quietly celebrating, such as Li Yushan and Xiao Dong. They had opposed the idea of a barbecue city from the start, advocating for barbecue culture. Now, their foresight has proven correct.
Fan Lidada showed the responsibility he should in this matter. He privately expressed to Fu Guomin that if necessary, he would take the blame himself, and if worst comes to worst, he would return to Weishan Island to guard the lake. With so many issues arising, if someone from the Culture and Tourism Bureau doesn’t step up to take responsibility, it won’t sit well with the leadership. Assigning a temporary worker to take the blame would be too perfunctory.
Fu Guomin told Fan Lidada not to worry; the situation hadn’t deteriorated to that extent yet. This was not only to reassure Fan Lidada, but there was also a deeper reason: Fan Lidada couldn’t bear the responsibility.
CCTV’s "Focus" program team had already reported on it. Isn’t that enough impact? Once the show aired, Dongzhou Barbecue instantly went from popular to being a target of public outcry.
The popularity of Dongzhou Barbecue visibly declined, and street barbecue stalls were still somewhat supported by local consumers. However, the hardest hit was Dongzhou Barbecue City, which went from being bustling during the May Day period to now being deserted in just one week. Some vendors were already preparing to withdraw; the contrast from paradise to hell was too vast and happened too quickly for people to accept.
Fu Guomin realized he might not escape this disaster, and the current plan was to resolve the problems at hand. He estimated that the decision regarding his handling by higher authorities would come soon. Geng Wenjun’s attitude made him realize that the blame for Dongzhou Barbecue City was certainly going to fall on him.
Xu Chunliang returned to Dongzhou after more than half a month away, feeling as though he had been gone for ages. The Dongzhou High-Speed Rail Station was no longer teeming with throngs of people and bustling traffic. The welcome teams and designated sections organized by the local community had also been disbanded. Since it wasn’t a holiday, there weren’t many visitors to Dongzhou, and with the rain starting to fall, the atmosphere was somewhat bleak.
The best thing about the rain was that it could purify the air, and this rain washed away the bustling air that had accumulated over Dongzhou for many days.
Although Xu Chunliang was in the Capital City, he was aware of the successive news about Dongzhou Barbecue. He was not surprised. From the start of the construction of Dongzhou Barbecue City, there were signs of things getting out of control. Fu Guomin wasn’t someone who lacked reason, but he was on a fast-moving track from which there was no turning back, and he had to keep moving forward.
But now, the track had become a barbecue rack, and Fu Guomin had become the one being roasted. Xu Chunliang was very clear that Fu Guomin would definitely have to bear the responsibility.
Xu Chunliang first visited his grandfather after returning home. Before he could even sit down, Fan Lidada called to ask if he had returned to Dongzhou. Upon receiving a positive response, Fan Lidada immediately said he had something important he wanted to discuss in person.
Xu Chunliang could hardly refuse, and Xu Changshan seemed to have sensed something and urged him to go if he had matters to attend to, saying there’d always be time for family chit-chat, but his beloved grandson now had important things to do.
Fan Lidada couldn’t discuss matters without drinking, and tonight he didn’t call anyone else to join; it was just him and Xu Chunliang. The place for their meal was a small apartment he had purchased a few years back when the real estate market was peaking, spending fifty thousand in hopes of making an investment. But upon buying, he found it to be a pit. These commercial-residential units had little market, even less potential for appreciation. Renting it out would only fetch about fifteen hundred a month.
After renovating and renting it out for a while, a tenant who defaulted on rent had left the place in a haze, so out of anger, Fan Lidada reclaimed it for personal use. Enjoying cooking himself, he occasionally invited a few friends over for cards and drinks, finding some contentment.
When Xu Chunliang arrived, Fan Lidada had already prepared food and drinks.
Xu Chunliang said, "Wow, did you make all of this?"
Fan Lidada replied, "Isn’t that obvious? I’m the only one here in this room."
Xu Chunliang said, "Maybe there’s a snail maiden hiding here."
Fan Lidada chuckled, "I might have the nerve but not the courage. Sit down."
Xu Chunliang said, "What’s the urgent matter? I traveled all the way from the Capital City and haven’t even had a chance to chat with the old man before you called me over."
Fan Lidada opened a bottle of 12-year-old Yongfu sauce wine, a batch produced by Wuliangye when they were testing the waters with sauce wine, claiming a rich start and a strong finish, meant to compete with Moutai. Unfortunately, its reception wasn’t favorable after launching, with prices plummeting from over a thousand per bottle to over a thousand for a case. Fan Lidada thought this wine was good, so he hoarded twenty cases while prices were low.
Seeing the amber-colored wine in the glass, Xu Chunliang got curious, "Is this beer?" Smelling the aroma, he remarked, "This is nice wine."
Fan Lidada said, "It’s aged wine over a decade old. Would I treat you with anything less?"
The two of them had two glasses in quick succession, and Fan Lidada sighed, "Our Culture and Tourism Bureau is really in trouble this time."
Xu Chunliang said, "I’m not a Zhuge Liang in hindsight. Didn’t I say at the time this barbecue city was utter nonsense, pure formalism? And yet, Director Fu, being so astute, seemed to have a moment of fogginess."
Fan Lidada shook his head, "It’s not that he was foggy; it was just that circumstances forced his hand. We all know who initiated the construction of this barbecue city."
Xu Chunliang slowly chewed a slice of beef, aware that Fan Lidada referred to Geng Wenjun. Indeed, Geng Wenjun had some tricks. With the overwhelming negative news targeting Fu Guomin and the Culture and Tourism Bureau, Geng Wenjun cleaned his hands free of any involvement.
Fan Lidada informed Xu Chunliang that the proposal for Dongzhou Barbecue City was clearly marked by Fu Guomin. Geng Wenjun merely supported it, indicating he had a backup plan from the start.
Fan Lidada said, "Historically, punishment never reached the nobles. A matter like Dongzhou Barbecue would certainly not affect them. Any accountability would fall on our Culture and Tourism Bureau. I told Old Fu, if necessary, I’d step in to shoulder the blame, but he didn’t agree."
Xu Chunliang said, "It’s not that Director Fu disagrees, but he feels you don’t carry enough weight, this matter can’t rest on your shoulders."
Fan Lidada sighed heavily. Xu Chunliang’s straightforwardness was indeed true. He downed the glass of wine in front of him, saying, "Chunliang, you have a closer relationship with Secretary Zhou. Why don’t you talk to him? The whole Dongzhou Barbecue idea was initially a good thing. Old Fu has always been committed to his work in the Culture and Tourism Bureau. Although we’ve faced quite a few issues lately, we shouldn’t negate all our previous achievements because of these problems, should we?"
Xu Chunliang said, "Even if I go to Secretary Zhou, it may not accomplish anything."
"Whether it succeeds or not, it’s worth a try. Maybe Secretary Zhou will listen? Before these problems arose, didn’t Secretary Zhou also praise our Culture and Tourism Bureau in the general assembly?"
Xu Chunliang clinked glasses with him, thinking that this was a different time and situation. Fan Lidada’s political awareness wasn’t great. These negative news turned Dongzhou Barbecue from an internet sensation to an internet villain. Leaders prioritize public opinion, and if the Culture and Tourism Bureau fails to resolve their issues and quickly pacify public outrage, the relevant leaders will take severe action against the responsible parties to quell the criticism. Of course, this would be the last resort.
At this point, bringing up past praises of Dongzhou Barbecue by leaders might make Secretary Zhou slam the table in anger.
Fan Lidada thought he hadn’t persuaded Xu Chunliang yet, so he said with a pained expression, "In everyone’s eyes, we’re in the same boat with Director Fu. Our fates are intertwined. If Director Fu can’t escape this calamity, I’m afraid we both..."
Xu Chunliang understood Fan Lidada’s concern. He himself couldn’t stay unaffected by this matter. However, addressing the issue surely wouldn’t depend on Secretary Zhou.