Binjiang Police Affairs

Chapter 1529 - 295:

Xiao Gong’s wedding banquet was held at the Sailor Club, which used to be very popular and upscale, but now it’s not even ranked highly in Binjiang.Over the years, the boss has changed several times. The current boss is the son-in-law of a retired cadre from the Port Authority. Secretary Miao helped with the arrangements, and people were very accommodating. It’s said that hosting a banquet here is half the price of going to major hotels like Wenfeng or Wushan!

Though it’s an old hotel, back in the day, it was one of the few foreign-related venues in Binjiang.

To host foreign guests, it was well-decorated. The new boss made some simple renovations after taking over, and at least the lobby and banquet hall don’t look outdated.

Han Yu had nothing to do in the afternoon, so he changed into casual clothes and went to the Sailor Club early.

He didn’t expect there to be people who arrived even earlier. Secretary Miao, Old Ge, Old Li, Old Zhang, Old Ding, Principal Gao, Director Chen from Bailong Port Health Center, Old Qian, the recently retired Zhang Junyan, and Political Commissioner Jiang were already there. They gathered in a large private room on the second floor, some playing cards, and others sitting around a coffee table drinking tea and chatting.

As a colleague of Xiao Gong, Xu Haoran was given the important task of entertaining the former leaders of the Changhang Bureau and the elders from Bailong Port.

Guided by a waiter, Han Yu walked into the private room and laughed, "Secretary Miao, Director Zhang, you came early enough!"

"We came right after lunch."

"We’re different from you. We’re either retired or semi-retired. Either way, staying at home is just being idle, so it’s better to come early and play cards instead of just sitting around waiting."

"Where did you have lunch?" Han Yu asked curiously.

Old Zhang finished playing his cards, looked at Han Yu with a teasing smile, and said, "Director Zhang rarely comes back. He wanted to revisit Bailong Port. You were busy with work and couldn’t accompany him or invite him to a meal, so we couldn’t ignore it."

"We had lunch at the Sanhe Hotel. President Zhang treated us, and even I got to tag along." Secretary Miao, after retirement, was busy socializing with old friends every day, beaming with a glowing face. It seemed like he had quite a bit to drink at lunch.

Han Yu laughed and asked, "Secretary Miao, did you go to Bailong Port today too?"

"Yes, I went with Director Zhang. We not only went to Bailong Port but also visited Longgang Rice Industry in the Linghai Development Zone." Secretary Miao leaned over to look at Principal Gao sitting on the side and said enviously, "Principal Gao’s son-in-law is amazing, accomplishing such a big achievement at such a young age!"

The son-in-law is capable, and Principal Gao proudly chuckled, "It’s nothing extraordinary. He just benefited from the good policies of reform and opening up."

"As if we didn’t benefit from it too. Principal Gao, don’t be modest; your son-in-law is indeed very capable. What’s most commendable is that he hasn’t forgotten the party and the country’s nurturing after achieving success. He cares about national defense construction, actively serves in the reserve, participated in flood relief, and achieved significant merits, and he’s even made it to the Linghai CPPCC Standing Committee. If my son-in-law were half as sensible as yours, I’d wake up laughing in my sleep!"

"Indeed, Principal Gao, Er Xiao is not only capable but also filial. Among so many people, you’re the luckiest!"

Everyone praised Zhang Erxiao, and Principal Gao couldn’t stop smiling.

Zhang Junyan, having worked in Bailong Port for so many years and knowing his family’s situation best, couldn’t help but bring up old stories, looking up with a smile: "Principal Gao, back in the day when Zhang Erxiao was pursuing Xiao Qin, you disliked him for being uneducated and were dead set against it. If it weren’t for Xiao Qin having vision and courage, could you be enjoying today’s prestige?"

"I can’t believe that happened!"

"Principal Gao, marriage freedom, you’re the principal, you should set an example, how could you oppose it?"

"Secretary Miao, Ge Diao, don’t believe Director Zhang, I didn’t oppose it. I only asked my Xiao Qin to think about it again; after all, they were both very young at the time."

Back then, getting into a secondary or teacher training college was very difficult, arguably harder than high school students entering prestigious universities today.

Gao Xiaoqin excelled in both character and academics, joining the workforce and earning money as a teenager after graduating from the teacher training college, and she was also beautiful, attracting many young men.

Compared to the educated young talents with formal jobs, Zhang Erxiao, who hadn’t even finished primary school, really didn’t catch Principal Gao’s eye.

In fact, Gao Xiaoqin initially didn’t think much of Zhang Erxiao either.

However, Zhang Erxiao had a thick skin and plenty of money!

He drove a sedan to the Four Factory Primary School every day, always bringing one gift or another, persistently inviting Gao Xiaoqin out to meals and even fun outings. Using all his tricks and a wave of sugar-coated bombs, he eventually won her heart and got the beautiful bride.

Anyway, continuing this conversation was getting a bit awkward.

Han Yu quickly changed the subject: "Secretary Miao, Uncle Ge, how is the U.S. presidential lawsuit going, who will be the next president?"

Predictably, compared to stories of the younger generation’s love affairs, the two seniors were more concerned about international and national major events.

Secretary Miao simply stopped playing cards and, with an animated expression, said, "The United States Federal Court ruled that the Florida High Court’s decision violated the U.S. Constitution. Go Er conceded defeat, and the next president will be Junior Bush. Today is the 1st; in another 19 days, Junior Bush will take office."

The U.S. presidential election was not very smooth, causing quite a stir. The two presidential candidates even went to court, and the central television reported on the U.S. election news daily, attracting global attention.

Zhang Junyan, until now, still didn’t quite understand what was going on, and curiously asked, "Secretary Miao, who actually had more votes?"

"This U.S. election was a typical North-South confrontation, with the Democratic Party controlling New York State, Pennsylvania, and California, while the Republican Party had an undisputed hold on the South and Midwest. However, in the popular vote, Vice President Go Er led by fifty thousand votes."

Secretary Miao paused for a moment, waving his arms as if speaking from the podium as he continued, "The biggest issue was in Florida. Initially, the state showed Junior Bush winning. Go Er even proactively called Junior Bush to concede defeat.