Tang Qingshan was finally in a dilemma and simply stopped caring about the matter, thinking that when his son came back later, he would just let him handle the whole matter.
So I went downstairs and chatted with a group of second-level leaders.
These secretaries are all favorites around the leaders and are also the leaders' spokespersons. They are all very smart and it is naturally difficult to talk to them, but they just look happy.
Tang Qingshan is a straightforward person and can't stand this kind of atmosphere. Instead of being with these leaders, it would be better to find a few old friends in the village to brag together.
So, for him, this was torture.
At twelve o'clock noon, Li Dong came in and said, "Uncle Tang, the kitchen has prepared the food. Do you think we should start the feast now?"
Tang Qingshan said, "Okay then, let's get ready to feast."
Liu Nengzhu on the side quickly said, "Old Tang, your son hasn't come back yet. Is it appropriate to open now?"
"Yeah, wait a little longer."
"Yes, we have to wait for Mr. Tang to come back."
"Yes, yes, we'll have to wait."
A group of distinguished guests all spoke up.
Tang Qingshan was depressed.
If I had known, I shouldn't have let them come.
I'm really unhappy about this incident.
So wait.
After a while, a car horn sounded outside, and then Tang Xiaobao and Yaoyao finally arrived.
"Oh, Dad, there are so many guests."
Tang Xiaobao greeted with a smile.
A group of secretaries quickly stood up and shook hands with Tang Xiaobao.
Tang Xiaobao looked at Tang Qingshan, feeling unfamiliar with his appearance.
Tang Qingshan pulled his son aside and whispered, "You're finally back. These people are all secretaries of city and county leaders. I don't know where they heard the news, but they all came here."
"Come on, then come on."
"But they also gave me gifts. I told you that when we hold a birthday party for your Aunt Li, you are not allowed to accept gifts."
Tang Xiaobao said, "Dad, you make the decision on this matter. If you say you don't want to accept it, then don't accept it."
"They gave all the money to Mayor Liu, a total of 300,000 yuan." Tang Qingshan said in a muffled voice: "You handle this matter. I'm telling you, you are not allowed to accept this gift. We are not short of money. Accepting it will have a very bad impact."
Tang Xiaobao said casually, "Then don't accept it. Leave this matter to me. I'm not afraid of offending them."
The father and son discussed for a while, then Tang Xiaobao went over to pass out cigarettes to a group of secretaries. He sat down and said straight to the point, "I heard you all gave gifts?"
A group of secretaries looked at each other in confusion. After a moment, someone finally stood up and said with a wry smile, "It's only natural. This is the tradition in our country of China. When you have a birthday banquet, you must give a gift."
"But we don't have this tradition in our family." Tang Xiaobao said seriously, "You are all close to the leader. There are no outsiders here. I'll be frank. The country has repeatedly forbidden the use of banquets to make money. I'm not a party member, but I still have some awareness. You can take these membership fees back with you. Everyone must eat and drink well later. Forget about anything else."
"That won't do, Mr. Tang. This is a request from our leader. We won't be able to explain this to them when we get back."
"Yes, Mr. Tang, it's not a big gift. Our leader said that this money is their personal money, not public funds. You don't have to worry about it at all."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Tang Xiaobao waved his hand to interrupt everyone.
"Everyone, am I short of money? I just don't know which leader is so generous. Ten thousand yuan should be several months' salary for them, right? Don't say it's hard to report. Go back and tell your leaders that anyone who thinks that I, Tang Xiaobao, have done something too much can come to me. I'm waiting for him."
sweat……
Tang Xiaobao is furious.
Everyone felt a little embarrassed.
But no one dared to speak.
Tang Xiaobao said to Liu Nengzhu, "Mayor Liu, return the money to them later. Also, move all the cigarettes and alcohol away."
Liu Nengzhu was a little embarrassed.
Tang Xiaobao was unhappy and said with a stern face, "Anyone who comes here today without bringing gifts is a guest. I thank you and will treat you well. Anyone who wants to bring gifts is looking down on me, Tang Xiaobao, so I won't keep you. Go back wherever you want."
sweat……
That's a really unpleasant thing to say.
The group of people felt embarrassed.
But still no one spoke, and even many people began to change their attitudes and smiled along.
Well, the atmosphere finally calmed down.
Everyone agreed with Tang Xiaobao's plan.
Let’s start the meal.
Tang Qingshan pulled his son aside and scolded him, "How do you talk to others? Your attitude is so bad. Who can be happy?"
"That's their business, Dad. I'm doing what you said. Do you have a better way to handle this?"
Tang Qingshan was stunned and speechless.
Tang Xiaobao smiled and said, "Dad, honestly, we don't need to act according to their moods now. Think about it, if we are as poor as before, will they come?"
"Too."
"That's right. Now they have to act according to our mood, so there is no need to be nice to them. Besides, if they were really good officials, they wouldn't have given gifts or come to the banquet, so there wouldn't be any such trouble. So, they brought this upon themselves. They are just being too clever."
"You have so many reasons."
Tang Xiaobao said with a smile, "Dad, let's go. The banquet is about to begin. You'll be drinking with them later, so I'll eat with Aunt Li."
"No, you have to accompany these guests."
"I'll go?"
"Yes, it must be you who goes. They are here just for you."
"That works."
Tang Qingshan added, "By the way, quite a few people from your Aunt Li's family are here too. Go and offer them a toast later. Don't let them talk behind your back. Just because you're rich now, you shouldn't forget your roots. This is to celebrate Aunt Li's birthday."
Tang Xiaobao was stunned. "Someone from her family is coming? They haven't been around for decades, so why are they here now?"
"It's all because of you."
Tang Xiaobao was ashamed and smiled bitterly without saying a word.
At one o'clock, the banquet begins.
Tang Xiaobao sat at a table with a group of secretaries.
He could drink a lot, so he entertained all the guests at the table and then went to toast the people from the aunt's family.
Aunt Li was also at that table. She looked a little unhappy and looked unhappy.
The banquet lasted until four in the afternoon.
Aunt Li's family members said goodbye, and Tang Xiaobao and Aunt Li saw them off together.
A group of secretaries also left with gifts and cash.
Aunt Li held Tang Xiaobao's hand, her eyes red as she said, "Xiaobao, I—"
She didn't know what to say.
Tang Xiaobao smiled and said, "Auntie, we are all family. There is no need to say anything. I understand everything. It's okay."
"I'm sorry to bother you."
"What trouble is it? I still have to take care of you in your old age and see you to the end of your life. Just treat me as your son."
Aunt Li's eyes turned red and tears began to fall.
…
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