Chapter 774 - 743: Getting Carried Away
Fu Guomin has been quite exhausted these past few days, but he is both tired and happy. Seeing the rising popularity of Dongzhou Barbecue day by day, as the Director of Culture and Tourism, he naturally feels a sense of achievement.
Recently, more and more investors have come to discuss culture and tourism projects, and even brother provinces and cities have actively proposed to come and learn from their experience. This group of people alone has already kept him extremely busy.
Next week, representatives from the culture and tourism departments of several brother cities in the province will come to visit and learn. After the May Day holiday, even more people will definitely come, leaving Fu Guomin with hardly any time to rest.
Li Quanguai brought in cold dishes to the small private room, announcing that he would host tonight.
Fu Guomin immediately said there was no need, wanting to charge as usual. He was just here to see the real situation and didn’t expect to run into an acquaintance.
Li Quanguai laughed and told them not to worry. Now the people of Dongzhou are very united, all acting as voluntary supervisors. Those of us in the barbecue business also have a sense of collective pride. We just established a Dongzhou Barbecue Union, and the proposal is that anyone who dares to damage Dongzhou’s image will get their rice bowl smashed.
Li Quanguai told them to enjoy their meal and call him if they needed anything.
After he left, Fu Guomin said, "He used to run a barbecue restaurant behind the Beijing Office, and I didn’t expect him to come back to Dongzhou to start a business. It seems Dongzhou’s appeal is growing stronger and stronger."
Xu Chunliang replied, "He came back to help, not to start a business. Once things here are settled, he’ll have to return to the Capital City."
Fu Guomin took a bite of eggplant and chili, feeling it tasted like it did in the past. Although Dongzhou Barbecue is booming, he personally doesn’t like barbecue and isn’t fond of the smoky environment.
Fan Lidada said, "I never dreamed Dongzhou Barbecue would become so popular. If I hadn’t booked in advance, we’d have to wait at least two hours."
Xu Chunliang also thought it was a bit exaggerated: "Dongzhou cuisine is not just barbecue. Later, I’ll talk to Three Two Three and the others about promoting other dishes."
Fu Guomin said: "Everything is about the right time, place, and people. I reckon no matter how we promote, it’s unlikely we’ll recreate the barbecue’s booming success in the short term..." Ah-choo... He turned his face and sneezed twice.
Fu Guomin complained, "Old Fan, don’t use so much chili powder. Aren’t you afraid of getting hemorrhoids?"
Fan Lidada laughed, "Not afraid, I already have them."
Xu Chunliang sighed inwardly, realizing the popularity of Dongzhou Barbecue inadvertently created a group of potential hemorrhoid patients, which is good news for the soon-to-open Changshan Hospital.
Raising his glass, Fu Guomin said, "Let’s first celebrate the victorious launch of Dongzhou Barbecue, hoping Dongzhou Culture and Tourism will be like the charcoal in this stove, burning brighter and reaching new heights."
Fan Lidada said, "Director Fu really has a way with words. I couldn’t think of something with such broad perspective."
Fu Guomin drank the glass and said, "The fact that Dongzhou Barbecue could quickly quell the negative news this time, Chunliang deserves great credit. Mobilizing the masses to provide free transportation for tourists is simply ingenious. You are truly brilliant."
Fan Lidada said, "Young people with limitless potential, I guess in only a few years, the position of Director of Culture and Tourism will belong to you."
Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Brother Fan, you’re openly provoking conflict. Director Fu has just started, and you’re urging me to usurp his position."
Fu Guomin said, "No problem, I can’t sit in this position forever either. Whoever is capable should take it. I wouldn’t mind if you replaced me as director now."
All three laughed, knowing well that with Xu Chunliang’s qualifications, it was unlikely.
Fu Guomin said, "I have an idea, with Dongzhou Barbecue being so popular now and hard to get a seat in any barbecue restaurant, I plan to seize this opportunity during the barbecue festival to build a barbecue city in the Dongzhou High-Tech Zone."
Xu Chunliang was taken aback: "A barbecue city? Temporary or permanent?"
"I mean to create a new business card for Dongzhou."
Fan Lidada said, "There’s Dongzhou Barbecue everywhere, is it necessary to find a separate place to build a barbecue city?"
Fu Guomin said, "These days more and more people are coming to Dongzhou, and our current barbecue restaurants simply can’t accommodate the massive flow of tourists. Establishing a Dongzhou Barbecue City can ease these businesses’ pressure and allow for more convenient unified management. I’ve discussed this with the city leadership, and they support the idea."
Xu Chunliang saw Fu Guomin’s enthusiastic look and decided not to dampen his spirit. Barbecue used to be a place for continuing to drink and chat in Dongzhou, somewhat like a folk pub, not a mainstream dining option. Who would consider barbecue a staple meal? According to Gu Houyi, eating too much barbecue isn’t healthy either.
Fu Guomin was obviously overwhelmed by the sudden popularity of barbecue, and he plans to make a big deal out of it.
Fan Lida said, "If the city leaders support it, I think the Barbecue City can definitely be built."
Xu Chunliang thought to himself that Fan Lida is also a fence-sitter; he just said it wasn’t necessary, and now he’s supporting it.
Fu Guomin said ambitiously, "My initial plan is to build a Barbecue City near the Da Han Logistics Park in the High-Tech Zone, covering 150 acres and accommodating 20,000 people dining simultaneously. Since it’s adjacent to the Da Han Logistics Park, which is the largest food cold chain logistics base in the Jianghai Region, it will be very convenient for merchants to purchase ingredients. Once Barbecue City is built, the nearest highway exit will be only five kilometers away, and the roads are smooth, creating convenience for tourists from other places to enter Barbecue City."
Xu Chunliang took out his phone to look at the site Fu Guomin mentioned. It was currently just a large undeveloped area. Fu Guomin’s idea didn’t seem to be a sudden inspiration; judging by his words, it must be an idea from a certain leader. Their direct leader at the Culture and Tourism Bureau was the former High-tech Zone Party Working Committee Secretary, Geng Wenjun. Could it be that Geng Wenjun was the one leading and pushing this matter?
Fan Lida praised, "Director Fu, you truly have foresight. This site selection is really excellent."
Fu Guomin said, "Building such a Barbecue City isn’t actually that difficult. The land is ready, and using modern rapid construction techniques, the entire project can be completed within half a month. By then, it will be just in time to host the Barbecue Festival and serve as the main venue. City leaders have promised to fully support our work and will arrange to open a special barbecue line service."
Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but remind Fu Guomin, "Director Fu, we’ve already given this year’s Barbecue Festival hosting rights to Zhang Hengyang, and also agreed to have Han Yuan Hot Spring as the main venue for the festival."
Fu Guomin said, "There’s been a change. Han Yuan Hot Spring cannot handle such a large event, and besides, their three million hasn’t been credited yet."
Xu Chunliang felt a bit frustrated. Isn’t this going back on our word? When Zhang Hengyang signed the agreement, Dongzhou Barbecue was far from being this popular. He initially wanted to sponsor the Fuyang Festival, and it was through his [Xu Chunliang’s] recommendation that Zhang Hengyang decided to get involved. Now the Barbecue Festival hasn’t even officially started, and we’re already kicking him out.
Xu Chunliang said, "Director Fu, this isn’t right. If our Culture and Tourism Bureau goes back on its word, our credibility will surely be affected."
Under the table, Fan Lida quietly nudged Xu Chunliang with his foot. Although they had a good relationship, Fu Guomin was still the leader, and Xu Chunliang’s words had put him in a difficult position.
However, Fu Guomin wasn’t angry. He sighed and said, "Chunliang, I know this isn’t good, but the higher-ups believe our bidding process for the Barbecue Festival isn’t transparent enough. They suggest we adopt an open and transparent bidding process, and there’s nothing I can do."
Xu Chunliang said, "In the past, no one was interested and no leaders paid attention. Now that Dongzhou Barbecue is popular, immediately the leaders start getting involved. Director Fu, I had to thicken my skin to ask for these sponsorships, and now you’re saying it doesn’t count. How am I supposed to explain this to them?"
Fu Guomin said, "Just tell them the truth. It’s not that we don’t want their sponsorship; it’s just that the naming rights for the Barbecue Festival need to go through an open bidding process. Chunliang, it’s also to prevent others from gossiping. Don’t be upset, I’ll have a drink with you."
Xu Chunliang said, "I’m not upset, it’s just that these kinds of things are too dumbfounding. I actually ran into Zhang Hengyang at noon today, and he said he’d send over the sponsorship money next week to sign the official contract."
Fan Lida chimed in, "Plans can’t keep up with changes. It would have been better if it was signed early. Now that Dongzhou Barbecue has become the hot spot, everyone is eyeing those naming rights."
Xu Chunliang said, "If we turn down this matter, it’ll be difficult to attract sponsorship again. Director Fu, maybe you could talk to the leaders again. Once a decision is made, let’s not change it. There will still be the Fuyang Festival in the future, and the Barbecue Festival isn’t just a one-time thing. Can’t we open it for bidding next year?"
Fu Guomin said, "I’ll try."
Fan Lida noticed that Fu Guomin seemed a bit unhappy and changed the subject, "Let’s not talk about work while drinking. Let’s just enjoy this drink. These skewers are delicious; they’re all pork belly, a mix of fat and lean, chewy."
Fu Guomin ate a few skewers, not feeling much different from usual, mainly because he wasn’t fond of this stuff.
Fan Lida said, "I feel with our recent popularity, this year’s tourism income in Dongzhou could grow by at least twenty percent compared to the same period last year."
Fu Guomin said, "That’s conservative. I’ve had some preliminary calculations done, and it could very well reach fifty percent. Either way, this year’s May 1st tourism revenue won’t be at the bottom of the list. We’ll strive to get into the top seven in Pinghai. Chunliang, you have made outstanding contributions."
Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "I actually didn’t do much. Mainly, Three Two Three has helped a lot. Once this busy period is over, we should hasten the appointment ceremony for our Culture and Tourism Ambassador."
Fu Guomin nodded repeatedly, saying, "Let’s do it at the opening of the Barbecue Festival. I’ll personally present the certificate to them."
In the middle of the meal, Fu Guomin received a phone call. He got up, saying he had to leave for an urgent matter his friend called him for.
After Fu Guomin left, Fan Lida sighed and said, "Little brother, you spoke too bluntly today. Even though Director Fu is one of our own, he still has to maintain face."
Xu Chunliang said, "Didn’t you feel he’s a bit full of himself lately?"
Fan Lida laughed, "With the sudden explosion of Dongzhou Barbecue, it’s not just him, even I feel a bit full of myself. Honestly, he’s treating you fairly. Don’t give him too much of a hard time. As for the naming rights, it’s not up to him to decide—it’s all Geng Wenjun’s decision."