NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1166
Liu Zhizhong and Hamuer each held a glass and clinked them together.
Liu Zhizhong took a deep sip of the wine, nodded, and said, "Shanan County does have some local products; for example, this sweet potato wine is quite authentic, rich, and pleasant!"
Hamuer laughed and said, "County Magistrate Liu, are you planning to develop the county's sweet potato wine industry? That would be inadvisable!"
Liu Zhizhong hadn't considered it at all, but still asked, "Why would it be inadvisable?"
"In our county, with all the red tape, any industry that tries to develop would be skinned alive, you know? If you make a loss and leave, that's that. But if you make money, various interference projects will emerge, and ultimately you'll lose. As County Mayor, if you want to develop the wine industry, you'll have to bring in outside businesses or individuals to do it, but it's 100% a loss!"
Hamuer certainly understood the local situation well, and the issues he described weren't unique to a place like Shanan alone.
Liu Zhizhong shook his head while flipping the mountain lamb meat skewers bought from the local town, the aroma sizzling and mouthwatering, and said with a smile, "I have no interest in the industry for now."
After saying this, he handed over two skewers of the freshly grilled lamb.
"Huh?" Hamuer was a bit puzzled, taking the skewers and while eating said, "County Magistrate Liu, if you're not interested in the industry, why are you doing such serious research?"
"Director Ha, you are a different kind of comrade. At least, among the leadership in the County Committee and County Government, you and a few others, like from a poor family, just go with the flow. But you understand everything here, though you despise some behaviors, you feel helpless because you cannot change it all."
"Although you also tend to reach out for money, you don't go too far because if you don't play with money and power, no one will associate with you here. That's the philosophy of survival in Shanan."
"Despite everything, you people have ambitions. But regretfully, Shanan's problems are too deep, and your ambitions can only remain thoughts, lacking feasible avenues and conditions. So you end up muddling through, just trying to get by, at most sending your children away never to return."
This speech by Liu Zhizhong resonated with Hamuer's heart, making him nod continuously in agreement.
Liu Zhizhong finally said, "Director Ha, please tell me, what is the most serious issue in Shanan? Or in other words, what is the core of the problem?"
Hamuer was deeply moved; this young county mayor, Liu Zhizhong, indeed had aspirations, unlike someone with no political pursuits.
Hamuer took a deep breath and said, "County Magistrate Liu, this... can I really say it?"
Liu Zhizhong devoured a skewer, relishing it, and said with a smile, "Of course you can say it! From the beginning till now, I've gradually gotten to know you, Director Ha. I truly don't see you as an outsider."
A sense of gratitude flashed through Hamuer's heart. He chewed the lamb meat vigorously, then emptied his cup of sweet potato wine in one go. As if making a decision, he wiped his mouth with a napkin twice forcefully.
Only then did he say, "County Magistrate Liu, it's clear, you genuinely want to achieve something. I'll be candid: the biggest issue in Shanan is a matter of thought; the crux of the thought issue lies in being far from the Emperor's reach, entrenched bad habits and vulgar customs haven't changed for years, one-family dominance, and hereditary privileges!"