Su Yu decided not to argue with him. She had been thinking of being mindful of giving Song Dongzheng face after arriving here, so that he, as the county magistrate, would have some authority within the unit. Now it seemed that he didn't care about such things at all, and was even embarrassing himself. Since that was the case, she didn't need to be polite anymore.
"Go, get me a cup of hot water," Su Yu said deliberately in a fierce tone.
Song Dongzheng quickly turned around to pour water.
Su Yu drank Ling'er's hot water and put the previous matter behind her, then seriously inquired about the situation here.
Before, we never had a chance to discuss things in detail over the phone, but now that we're face to face, it's much more convenient.
Song Dongzheng recounted the situation he had uncovered to Su Yu. Currently, Secretary Lin still has many supporters here. After all, he's been here for several years, so there hasn't been any formal action taken against Secretary Lin yet.
"Li Jianfeng is already working on things at the Public Security Bureau. I've only met him once. I don't need him for now. I've also met the director of the Education Bureau whom Secretary Hao introduced me to. He said he would support me, but only if I'm confident I can get things done. Otherwise, he'll just remain neutral. The Finance Bureau is doing alright; the people I arranged are getting the upper hand. The most important thing now is the militia. The first few are already in place, a total of thirty people. Since I got the food to feed them, they're currently the only people I can fully utilize."
Su Yu felt the situation was quite complicated, and it seemed that Comrade Dongzheng wasn't having an easy time here. However, given that he had only been here for a short time, his achievements were already quite remarkable.
What's the next step?
"I don't intend to deliberately clash with Secretary Lin. My main focus is on helping the people get through the winter. I visited the countryside a few days ago, and the people there aren't doing well. I've already asked Lao Gao and the others for help, to exchange the county's refined grains for coarse grains from other places. As long as it's edible, we won't complain. We need to make sure the people have enough to eat first. Also, Luo has been secretly investigating the people in the cowsheds lately, to see who has indeed done wrong and who hasn't, and we're preparing to change their environment. Otherwise, they might not survive this winter. They're all human beings; we can't just make things difficult for bad people because they used to have a good life."
Su Yu listened to his words and reached out to hug him.
Song Dongzheng hugged Gao Xin back, finally feeling at ease. Lately, he had been fighting alone, without even a confidant. No matter how tough he appeared on the outside, he was still somewhat sad inside.
Fortunately, Comrade Su arrived.
Song Dongzheng had to go to work, so Su Yu saw him off and then tidied up at home.
Su Yu went to the logistics department and got a coal stove. Before, Song Dongzheng wasn't eating or drinking at home, so they hadn't even gotten a stove. Now that she was coming to live with them, they couldn't always eat at the canteen.
The effect of her deliberately eating in the canteen beforehand was evident. She didn't need any proof when she went to the logistics department; they knew she was County Chief Song's fiancée. When they heard she was there to collect supplies, they gave her a coal stove without hesitation and also a coal ration book, telling her to go to the coal room to collect coal.
The comrades at the coal yard were quite quick-witted; seeing that it was her coming to collect the goods, they enthusiastically helped deliver them to her door. Su Yu generously gave them a vegetable bun. This made the comrade blush with excitement.
Having bought everything she needed, Su Yu, fully bundled up, went out to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy groceries. Despite the freezing weather, she wasn't worried about buying too much; when she returned, her basket was overflowing. After putting her things down, she went to the Women's Federation to find Director Zhu.
"Director Zhu, I just arrived and I'd like to treat everyone to dinner tonight. I don't know anyone's family, so could you perhaps find an opportunity to take me to your homes to introduce us?"
Upon hearing that Su Yu was inviting people to dinner, Director Zhu said in surprise, "That's too kind. You and County Chief Song should just eat by yourselves."
"It's nothing, just a bit of fun. But I'm not planning to invite the men to eat, just a few women. I'll have Comrade Dongzheng eat out tonight, and we'll have our own private celebration."
Director Zhu relaxed upon hearing this, feeling somewhat embarrassed about having dinner with the county head. "Alright, then I'll take you to show you around. How about we go now? Wan Lixin's family has other plans."
Su Yu had this plan in mind.
Director Zhu, wearing a scarf, followed Su Yu out of the Women's Federation office and back into the county government's residential compound.
"Let's go to Secretary Lin's house first," Director Zhu suggested. She was worried that Su Yu might not understand social etiquette and might invite someone else's family first, which would make Secretary Lin's family lose face. After all, he is the top official in the county.
Su Yu smiled and said, "We won't invite Secretary Lin to his home."
"...Why?" Director Zhu asked curiously.
“Secretary Lin’s family has high-ranking officials, and we’re worried that people might feel awkward, so we won’t invite them.” She took out a notebook and showed the list to Director Zhu. “These people will do. Comrade Dongzheng has a good relationship with them.”
Director Zhu glanced at it and immediately froze. This was truly laughable; this clearly showed that he had a good relationship with Secretary Lin.
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