Chapter 09: Relentlessly Seeking Fragrance and Beauty

Minister Xu cast a discreet glance and noticed that Zuo Nan was staring at the village with a seemingly dazed expression. He felt a quiet joy, as it seemed that this time, they had likely guessed correctly.

At this moment, Manager Feng was flustered. The most powerful figure now was the official, who could easily become your superior just by holding a title. Moreover, the hotel expenses had to be accounted for. If someone were to set a trap, you wouldn't even know what hit you. Startled by this thought, he hurriedly grabbed Minister Xu, who was about to leave, and quickly came up with an idea, saying, "Wait a moment, Minister Xu, I have a solution for you."

Threshold? A few people exclaimed, their gazes simultaneously falling on the threshold, which was somewhat old and a bit dirty. However, Luo Xiying suddenly realized, pointing and smiling as she said: "Oh, the wear on the threshold is quite severe, which indicates that many guests have come?"

Egg Brother, come quickly and take a look, that beautiful woman has come to our door, she has come to our house

"Hehe, I said you have a way, right? So tell me, it's the specialty of Luzhou, find a way to get it for me," Minister Xu said with a smile.

Take it out, where to go

Is it possible to go to Xiangma Village there?

"Oh, hey, it's an acquaintance. I can tell right away that you're from the Lao Dan family." The plump woman seemed a bit disappointed and muttered, and upon hearing this, Minister Xu laughed and asked with a smile, "Young lady, from your accent, is the Lao Dan family the best?"

"Old Left, just over this hill and you will arrive. Xiangma Village is not far from the scenic area, less than ten kilometers away. The farmhouse here has been operating for about three to four years, and the taste is quite good. Less than twenty kilometers from the back mountain of Xiangma Village is the Donkey Park, which is almost the city's base for donkey meat and is quite famous." Minister Xu was introducing.

Watching the distant silhouette of the departing vehicle, Manager Feng let out a long sigh. As he turned to go upstairs, he shook his head and chuckled to himself, saying:

Minister Xu's smile twitched; as the saying goes, when a leader speaks, their subordinates run around tirelessly. It seems he has become a full-time servant. However, with higher ranks comes greater responsibility, and he dared not voice his discontent. Vice Mayor Li left in a flurry, and Minister Xu was left to digest his frustrations alone. Outsiders see the publicity department as a place of laughter, banter, and feasting, but the underlying struggles are known only to those who experience them. For instance, in this kind of reception task, one side is the leader and the other is a big shot. Being caught in the middle, if the reception goes well, the leader gains political achievements; if it goes poorly, it feels like being a mouse in a bellows, suffering from both ends.

This unexpected event was quite significant. Vice Mayor Li bid farewell to everyone and, leaving only Minister Xu, pulled him to a corner of the hall where guests were waiting, and asked seriously: "Think carefully, where have we fallen short?"

In this way, Minister Xu, you have worked hard to make this trip. It is essential to understand Old Zuo's thoughts. There are still several days left, so we can tailor our approach accordingly. If something goes wrong, it could be troublesome. I will report today's itinerary to Mayor Qin later. You should stay here, and it would be best if you could join us for dinner to have a good chat with Old Zuo's family. If there are any developments, please notify me immediately. Vice Mayor Li thought of a compromise and nodded in agreement.

Zuo Yiying and Minister Xu, along with the driver, were all amused by the old man. At this moment, Minister Xu found himself at an advantage; the old man's understanding of local culture was genuinely insightful, adding an unexpected sense of familiarity.

By the time Zuo Nanxia returned to the urban area of Luzhou from Zhangze Reservoir, it was already past 5 PM. The schedule was quite tight. When the car arrived at the entrance of Kailai Yue Hotel, representatives from the Municipal Cultural Bureau, the Municipal Museum, and the Municipal Education Bureau were already waiting there, chatting and laughing as they welcomed the Deputy Mayor and the Zuo family into the hotel, where a small conference room was arranged.

The horse fears riding, and people fear pressure. In this instance, Manager Feng truly had a sudden inspiration and casually suggested: "You take them out to eat"

The subordinate promptly left to check the phone at the front desk. After a while, Manager Feng arrived in the elevator, and when the two entered the kitchen in the backyard, Manager Feng was taken aback and amused to find Minister Xu, in a rather condescending manner, lingering by the vegetable preparation table. Upon seeing Manager Feng, he immediately set aside pleasantries and conveyed the leader's intention directly, placing the critical issue squarely on Manager Feng's shoulders: There is a problem with the food here.

The mountain road twists and turns, with one mountain connected to another. Upon reaching the suburban road leading up the mountain, this feeling becomes quite apparent; the view is somewhat limited, with only green pines and cypress trees in sight. The Luzhou Laoding Mountain Scenic Area primarily attracts visitors with its winter ski resort, but at this time, it is not yet the season, making it seem a bit desolate. Minister Xu, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced back at the father-daughter duo of the Zuo family, secretly pleased with his own cleverness. When he suggested going out for a stroll and mentioned trying the local flavors at Xiangma Village, the old man Zuo was even more eager than his daughter.

Indeed, the two-story small building with an open-air balcony is not particularly eye-catching among the twenty or thirty farmhouses. Upon closer inspection, there is nothing remarkable about it. However, Zuo Nanxia expressed his doubts, saying: "Hehe, you all look at the environment, but I focus on the threshold"

In response to this question, Minister Xu hesitated to provide a definitive answer and vaguely remarked: "I cannot say for certain. If we are talking about standards, this place can be considered among the highest in our city. The abalone chef at Kailaiyue has even won awards at the provincial chef competition, and the leaders from the department have praised it endlessly... However... I cannot clarify it very well either."

In accordance with tradition, we gathered to chat and laugh, sitting together to eat and drink, and essentially spent the day this way. However, there was a slight unexpected turn of events; when going upstairs, Zuo Nan declined the subsequent official banquet due to feeling unwell and returned to his room accompanied by his daughter

However, it is often the case that a misstep can lead to a fortunate outcome. Before long, Minister Xu, with a beaming smile, emerged from the elevator accompanied by the father and daughter of the Zuo family. As they passed through the lobby, Minister Xu exchanged a few words and discreetly gave Manager Feng a thumbs-up. Manager Feng, delighted, promptly arranged for the hotel’s welcoming Mercedes to be brought over, and they quickly boarded the car with the Zuo family and Minister Xu.

Upon recalling this matter, Minister Xu remembered the first day he accompanied the reception, when the Kailaiyue Hotel presented twenty exquisite dishes. They were either seasonal fresh vegetables or vibrant seafood. The hotel spared no effort, showcasing all its culinary skills. However, Mr. Zuo merely sampled a few dishes and seemed somewhat dissatisfied. Connecting this with what he observed today in the warehouse area, Minister Xu suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He looked around for his attendants and was relieved to find Xiao Chen Lin from the office still present. He waved him over and pointed, saying, "Xiao Chen, go and call Manager Feng. I will wait for him in the kitchen."

Are you sure?" Vice Mayor Li grasped a lifeline and asked urgently

"Alright, Manager Feng, I won't say much more. If Old Zuo is not satisfied later and the project doesn't go through, just be prepared to face the consequences," Minister Xu threatened, waving his sleeve as he prepared to leave.

"You see, I know better than you. I won't be embarrassed to tell you that my grandfather's generation was skilled in driving large carts. Do you know the origin of the name 'Xiangma Zhai'?" Zuo Nan asked with great interest. This left Minister Xu at a loss for words; he shook his head. Zuo Nan then recounted with familiarity: "It is said that this place was where the heroes Shan Xiongxin and Shan Xiongzhong from the Sui and Tang dynasties stationed their troops and raised horses. Not far from here, Erxianzhuang was their land-based property, while this place belonged to their underground operations. Legend has it that they rebelled against the officials and, in one night, captured the Luzhou government, starting their uprising from here... An ancient prefect once said that the people of Shangdang have always been unruly, and this is where that saying comes from. This area has been a battleground throughout history, leading to frequent wars and disasters, which in turn has fostered the brave character of the local residents. The concept of 'chivalry' is reflected throughout the local culture. For instance, when southerners listen to Shangdang Bangzi opera, their first impression is often, 'What is this? Bang bang clang clang, it’s either fighting or killing... Hehe.'" Hehe.

Hehe... I didn't notice, indeed, the young lady has a slender waist, but everyone has their own share of those worthless bones

Indeed, that is the meaning. Since you have come to Luzhou, you should bring him some of our local specialties, right? Luzhou has quite a few specialties to offer, doesn't it? There is the famous Stomach and Lung Soup; the Hu Guan Lamb Soup, which is also tied to historical anecdotes about Cao Cao; and then there is the Shangdang Donkey Meat, which is even more noteworthy—dragon meat from the heavens, donkey meat from the earth. And what about the Empress Dowager's Thirteen Flowers? It has some connection to Cixi, doesn't it? In any case, these are all dishes with a story, and cultured individuals tend to appreciate this kind of flavor. Stomach and Lung Soup is famous; Hu Guan Lamb Soup, with its historical anecdotes about Cao Cao; Shangdang Donkey Meat, which is even more noteworthy—dragon meat from the heavens, donkey meat from the earth. And what about the Empress Dowager's Thirteen Flowers? It has some connection to Cixi, doesn't it? In any case, these are all dishes with a story, and cultured individuals tend to appreciate this kind of flavor.

"But this does not belong to the Eight Culinary Traditions, does it?" Manager Feng said with a苦 face.

This certainty left Manager Feng, whose complexion was already pale due to kidney deficiency, utterly terrified, his face devoid of color. He shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum, adamantly denying: "No, absolutely not, Minister Xu, you cannot ruin our reputation. The government reception tasks have been entrusted to us for several years, and we have never had any issues. Just among our three chef teams, covering the eight major cuisines of Cantonese, Sichuan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan, and Anhui, you won't find a more authentic place than ours in Luzhou. I would write my name Feng backward if you do. For the reception arranged for the municipal government, we even borrowed chefs from the Extreme Flavor Seafood Restaurant... For the reception arranged for the municipal government, we even borrowed chefs from the Extreme Flavor Seafood Restaurant... You are a connoisseur yourself, so tell me, in the Luzhou area, is there anywhere better than ours?

"No, no..." Manager Feng's face, clearly showing signs of kidney deficiency, grew increasingly bitter as he listened. He interrupted the conversation, saying: "Minister Xu, it would be better if you smashed my sign. If our five-star hotel were to serve the tripe soup you mentioned for just three to five yuan, and fried pancakes for eight yuan a portion, wouldn't that be a joke? Moreover, dog meat is not served, and offal is not on the table; such things are not part of a grand banquet."

While pondering, based on years of experience dealing with superiors, hospitality is merely about eating, drinking, and basic needs. To put it nicely, it encompasses clothing, food, housing, and transportation. As for clothing, we do not concern ourselves; housing has no particular requirements; transportation is fully covered by public funds...! When it comes to whether it is good or not, the only thing left is food. Right, food!

As soon as they got off the car, several touts approached them. This left Minister Xu in a difficult position, with two or three dozen establishments, more than half of which had signs for agritourism. In the midst of the chatter, he forgot to ask which one was better. Seizing a moment, he quietly called Manager Feng at the hotel, only to find that Manager Feng was vague and unclear on the phone. It seemed that this person had made a last-minute decision and had never been there before, which instantly infuriated Minister Xu. Through gritted teeth, he threatened over the phone: I will settle this with you when I get back.

I believe it should be this way. Minister Xu grasped a fleeting insight, pulling Manager Feng to the door and whispering: "Old Zuo has a very strong local mindset. Think about it again, what is his status? Those extravagant seafood and various delicacies are of no interest to someone of his standing, right?"

This place tends to be busier on weekends; today, however, it is noticeably less crowded. At the entrance of the village, three to five dark-colored cars are parked in the open space. As soon as a Mercedes-Benz pulls in, it immediately outshines the other vehicles. Hearing the sound of the car, some people come out to attract customers.

"But... I just want to do it, how can I manage that?" Manager Feng was put in a difficult position

Xiangma Village

Minister Xu stroked his chin, trying hard to recall. The Zuo family had indeed been treated with great care. Upon their arrival at the airport, the entire leadership team of the municipal committee was present to welcome them, and even the traffic police were mobilized to clear the way, creating quite a spectacle. The municipal government had specially organized a reception team just to ensure that the father and daughter were well taken care of. They had been here for three days, visiting two attractions, and today, due to a last-minute change in schedule to revisit their hometown, their daily needs were attended to not only by the hotel staff but also by two secretaries from the municipal committee's office. It is difficult to find any shortcomings in this arrangement.

Just after the phone was hung up, unexpectedly, someone made a decision. Zuo Nan pointed to the third house on the diagonal: "This one. Let's go take a look."

If we cannot find it, Deputy Mayor Li will be displeased, emphasizing with a heavier tone: "We absolutely must not be careless or negligent. The aluminum-zinc chemical project invested in by Zuo Xirong, the daughter of Old Zuo, is a key project in our city's 11th Five-Year Plan. The Mayor and the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee have repeatedly stressed that we should treat investors like family. In the past, we said that information is productivity; now, hospitality is also included in the realm of productivity. Moreover, it is crucial to finalize the construction project of the Folk Culture Museum, and your publicity department has played an indispensable role in this."

"It's the same, just that they eat better. Their family's conditions are even worse than ours? If they want to play mahjong, they should come to our place; they don't even have a mahjong table at their house." The plump woman, not willing to give up, invited again. Minister Xu responded vaguely, but was slightly surprised by Zuo Lao's gaze. It wasn't just him; even Zuo Xiying was surprised and quietly asked her father, "Dad, how did you figure out that this family is good? I think they are just average, and not as clean as a few other places."

Farmhouse leisure

"Then whatever you say is to your liking, I will just do it." Upon hearing that there was room for negotiation, Manager Feng felt relieved

Several people stepped through the door, and not far behind it sat a large pot covered with a big wooden lid, cooking something. A young man by the pot was adding firewood. Upon seeing this group, he was momentarily stunned, and the firewood he was holding fell onto his foot with a thud. He let out a cry of pain, clutching his foot, his eyes wide open as if he had seen a ghost. At this cry, the chubby man who was stoking the fire turned around as well, his face smeared with ash, equally startled as if he had seen a ghost. He suddenly widened his eyes, pulled in his stomach, and gasped in shock, but unexpectedly, his mouth was still open, and he inhaled a mouthful of smoke. He then fell onto the ground, choking, with tears and mucus streaming down his face, coughing and wiping his face while hoarsely shouting.

No problem, it's not far from the scenic area. The donkey meat there is quite authentic. Let's speak quietly. I see that Miss Zuo also has a delicate figure, and what is good may not necessarily suit her taste.

"Boss, come take a look at our place, we have air-conditioned elegant seating, 24-hour hot water, and accommodation that will surely satisfy you." A young man called out briskly. Another plump woman approached Minister Xu and directly began to solicit: "Boss, come check us out, we have air-conditioned elegant seating and mahjong tables, ensuring you eat comfortably and play happily."

This is indeed true; expensive does not necessarily mean famous, and famous does not necessarily mean expensive. The snacks mentioned by Minister Xu are well-known local delicacies in Luzhou, but these items, costing just a few yuan, certainly cannot enter a five-star hotel. Upon hearing this, Minister Xu seemed to be grasping at straws, and he exclaimed: "What’s wrong with that? I, as the publicity minister, have even been assigned to serve as a steward. What’s the problem with you preparing some dishes? Just now, you were still talking about the eight major cuisines, weren’t you?"

Manager Feng belongs to a category of individuals who possess both business acumen and the ability to navigate complex situations. Years of dealing with officials have honed his skills to the point where he can turn a dead horse into a living donkey with his silver tongue. He had a lot to say, and Minister Xu did not manage to interject even once, but he interrupted Manager Feng's words with some annoyance, correcting him: "Manager Feng, you have misunderstood my point. I am not saying that your meals are bad; the issue lies in them not being to my taste."

"Indeed, that makes sense. Isn't Mr. Zuo not in Fujian? If it's seafood, it's really not that rare in that place." Manager Feng understood.

"Is it the host who accommodates the guest, or the guest who accommodates the host? Are you trying to argue with me?" Minister Xu scolded.

As they chatted, the vehicle turned around the mountain pass, and they arrived at their destination. Through the car window, they could see in the distance a village built against the mountain, consisting of about twenty to thirty households. It appeared as if a large clearing of over a hundred acres had been carved out of the mountainside. If there were wooden palisades added, it would indeed resemble a bandit hideout. However, at this moment, under the afterglow of the setting sun, the small two-story buildings with green bricks and red tiles were faintly visible amidst the lush mountain scenery, exuding an indescribable tranquility. As the car drew closer, the occasional barking of dogs could be heard, and wisps of smoke were already rising from the chimneys of many households, presenting a vivid rural scene.

Indeed, if he truly wants to go, it indicates that your method is effective. If he does not wish to go, we will consider other solutions.

"Not at all, everyone saw it today; climbing the mountain is even more agile than the young people," Minister Xu remarked in surprise, contemplating the meaning behind the leader's words. Observing the leader's furrowed brow, he suddenly thought that perhaps Old Left's recent refusal had raised the Deputy Mayor's suspicions. Thus, he uncertainly inquired, "Are you perhaps not very satisfied with our hospitality?"

Minister Xu pondered for a moment, remained silent, and left without even greeting anyone. Manager Feng, who was behind him, occasionally had a sudden idea, treating a dead horse as if it were alive. Once Minister Xu left, he felt uneasy again, fearing that he might lead someone into trouble and would have to deal with the consequences later. Anxiously, he paced in the hall waiting for news

After a lengthy and rambling discussion, it escalated to a political level. Minister Xu appeared pale and, after a long pause, uncertainly said: "If we are talking about accommodation, this is the most upscale in our city. I find Mr. Zuo to be quite easygoing and not particularly picky... Perhaps it is that the food does not quite suit your taste?"

Indeed, my daughter is clever, haha. This knowledge cannot be learned from books. When you go to that city and want to find a place to eat, first, do not rely solely on reputation; often, a place with a great name does not live up to its fame, and many simply follow the trend. Second, do not judge by the environment; a place that is spotless and has bright windows is likely not worth visiting, as the taste is probably not good. If there are guests coming and going, it is impossible to maintain such cleanliness. Zuo Nanxia explained with a smile. The few companions compared notes and found some truth in his words. Upon reaching the entrance of this establishment, there was not a single person to greet them; only a chubby boy squatting in the yard, holding a pipe and blowing on the fire. The smoke was rising from this spot. Hearing someone enter, he called out, "Godmother, we have guests."

This matter is difficult to articulate, as Deputy Mayor Li also comes from an office background and is equally adept at discerning the thoughts of others. For those in positions of high authority or with substantial wealth, their temperaments and dispositions cannot be judged by common standards. Between the two, there is a mutual understanding; if a minor detail causes displeasure, it is likely that any subsequent financial contributions will not be made readily.

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Isn't it strange? It seemed that there was quite a bit of enthusiasm in the storage area, yet upon returning, I feel unwell. After seeing off Mr. Zuo and his daughter, Vice Mayor Li felt a bit puzzled. He exchanged pleasantries with representatives from various departments and, as he was going downstairs, quietly pulled aside Minister Xu from the publicity department and asked in a low voice: "Minister Xu, has Mr. Zuo been in the south for too long and is experiencing some discomfort due to the local environment? Is he feeling unwell?"