Chapter 12: The East Mausoleum Banquet, Taking the Initiative

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Tian Mi responded quickly, saying, “Secretary He, I just checked, and everyone in the department is free. They heard you’re treating us to a meal and are all fired up.”

He Shinian smiled and said, “Alright then. You must know Ninghai better than I do. Could you recommend somewhere with a nice environment and good food?”

Tian Mi thought for a moment and said, “I know a place called Dongling Pavilion, but it’s quite expensive. How about we go to the riverside in Ningjiang and find a Sichuan restaurant there?”

He Shinian was familiar with Dongling Pavilion as well; it was one of the top high-end restaurants in Ninghai.

However, after working for a year, he had never been there.

He thought to himself that when treating others to a meal, he should consider the level of the place, the environment, and the cuisine and taste. Only by balancing all three could he truly show sincerity.

These colleagues in Section One were people he would often interact with in the future.

Although Wang Dongge and Meng Fan were not pleased with his arrival, the formalities still had to be observed.

With this in mind, He Shinian said, “Let’s arrange it at Dongling Pavilion. Please help me book a private room. We’ll go there after work.”

Tian Mi glanced at the time and said, “Dongling Pavilion is very popular. It’s already five o’clock; I’m not sure if we can still reserve a private room. Let me check first.”

Wang Dongge and others, sharing the same office with Tian Mi, overheard her phone conversation.

Seeing Tian Mi hang up, he quickly asked, “Dongling Pavilion? That place is pricey!”

Tian Mi nodded and muttered, “It’s almost off work time now; not sure if a room is still available.”

Wang Dongge patted his chest and said, “I’ll make the reservation. The manager there is my buddy. I’ll give him a call. Even if there’s no availability, he’ll arrange something for me immediately.”

After some effort, Wang Dongge finally secured a private room big enough for ten people and proudly showed off to the others.

...

At the end of the workday, He Shinian asked Tian Mi and the others to go ahead. He himself went to Wu Yunqiu’s office to inquire about the evening’s schedule.

Wu Yunqiu said, “There’s nothing planned tonight. You should head home early and rest.”

“I’ll see you off first,” He Shinian tentatively offered.

“No need. It’s only about five or six minutes from here to the county committee courtyard. Master Fang will give me a ride.”

Finally, He Shinian accompanied Wu Yunqiu downstairs, naturally carrying her briefcase for her.

Only after seeing her into the car did he turn around, mount his bicycle, and head toward Dongling Pavilion.

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Dongling Pavilion in Ninghai County was renowned not just locally but throughout the entire Donghua Prefecture. The Ninghai branch was just one among many.

Even so, the Ninghai Dongling Pavilion was grand and magnificent.

Its architecture was shaped like twin wings, soaring eighteen stories high, combining leisure, entertainment, sauna, and health services, a frequent gathering spot for many high-end patrons.

The parking lot was vast and spacious, filled with a dense array of luxury cars, creating a stark contrast to He Shinian’s bicycle.

When He Shinian arrived at the private room, it was already full, and the seat of honor had been reserved for him.

Seeing him enter, Wang Dongge called out, “Oh, here comes the top guy of Section One in our county committee. Everyone, please stand and welcome him.”

With that, he was the first to stand and applaud enthusiastically.

The others followed suit without hesitation; except for Meng Fan, everyone rose instinctively.

He Shinian’s brow tightened slightly, thinking that Wang Dongge was truly a troublesome pest, always scheming somewhere. He said with a smile, “Colleagues, please be seated. Don’t make a fuss over me.”

Everyone sat down, and He Shinian asked Tian Mi, “Have you ordered the dishes yet?”

Before Tian Mi could answer, Wang Dongge interrupted, “I’ve ordered. I know the cuisine here well. To speed things up, I took the liberty. Secretary He, I hope you don’t mind?”

“Of course not. I’m grateful for your help, Section Chief Wang,” He Shinian replied casually.

Wang Dongge continued, “But we haven’t ordered any drinks.”

“Why’s that?” He Shinian asked.

“Since you’re treating us tonight, the drinks should be your choice. I didn’t dare make decisions on my own. If I picked something expensive, it wouldn’t be right.”

He Shinian asked everyone what they wanted to drink, but no one responded, so he ordered the local specialty, Donghua Prefecture’s braised pot liquor.

The dishes arrived quickly. Within half an hour, the table was laden with food.

Everyone poured a glass, and He Shinian took the initiative to raise his, saying, “I’m new to the county committee and still learning. I ask for everyone’s guidance and support in the future. If there’s anything to learn, please don’t hesitate to help. I drink this cup for all of us. Cheers.”

He downed the strong fifty-three-degree, one tael braised pot liquor in one gulp, causing a slight stir.

Meng Fan, who had been silent, spoke up: “Secretary He has made his stance clear. Tonight, for this first cup, everyone must drink it together.”

Meng Fan was currently in charge of Section One, a senior comrade with authority. Everyone drank the first cup.

With the wine down and some food eaten, the atmosphere gradually lightened.

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At this point, Wang Dongge began acting up again, saying, “We all owe Secretary He a thanks for treating us tonight. Later, each person must toast the secretary once. That’s an order.”

There were seven people present: besides He Shinian and Tian Mi, there were five others. If each gave a toast, that would mean at least half a jin of liquor consumed.

If Secretary He returned each toast, it would be at least a jin for the evening.

Wang Dongge’s face was already flushed from the earlier drink.

Tian Mi, wanting to defend He Shinian, said, “Section Chief Wang, since that’s the case, you should lead the first toast. We’ll follow your lead.”

Wang Dongge’s alcohol tolerance was poor, at most about half a jin.

Everyone in Section One knew he couldn’t handle strong liquor well.

Once he started drinking, he quickly got tipsy.

Once tipsy, he would lose control.

But words once spoken cannot be taken back. No matter what, he couldn’t lose face.

Filling his own glass, Wang Dongge said, “Secretary He, you’re now the top guy in Section One. We all need you to watch over us... This cup, I toast you first, alone.”

He Shinian detested Wang Dongge’s habit of speaking with hidden traps and barbs.

“Section Chief Wang, I’m no top guy. Compared to all of you, I’m just a newcomer, a junior. Since you think highly of me, how about this: we drink two cups—one counts as your toast to me, the other as mine to you.”

He then picked up an empty glass and poured two full cups for himself.

Wang Dongge hesitated, his already flushed face deepening in color.

Drinking two cups in a row—there was no doubt he’d be drunk tonight, even if he didn’t throw up.

But now, he was in a bind. If he backed down, he’d never raise his head again in the county committee office.

Gritting his teeth, Wang Dongge finally poured himself two cups as well.