31: Chapter 31 Making Friends with Beans

Li Dakang took a business card from his pocket and handed it over: "I am Li Dakang, the Township Head of Guantian Township, Anjiang County. I have invited some leaders from state-owned enterprises in the city to dinner today. This tofu is a specialty of our township, and I would like to let the leaders have a taste."

He added: "I can pay double for the processing fee."

The manager took the business card, and upon seeing the title "Township Head", his attitude immediately became respectful: "So it is Township Head Li. My apologies, my apologies. I will arrange for the kitchen to prepare this right away."

He turned and said to the waiter: "Take Township Head Li to the 'Pine and Crane' private room, and notify Master Wang to come and look at this tofu."

The private room was elegantly decorated, with landscape paintings hanging on the walls and a snow-white tablecloth spread over the round table.

Not long after Li Dakang sat down, a middle-aged man wearing a tall chef's hat walked in.

"Hello, Township Head Li. I am the Head Chef here."

The Head Chef spoke in Mandarin with a southern accent: "I just looked at the tofu you brought; the quality is indeed excellent. How would you like it prepared?"

Li Dakang thought for a moment: "Keep it simple. One portion steamed, one portion braised, and make a tofu soup. The key is to keep the original flavor. Oh, and please use the soy sauce I brought as well."

"Understood." The Head Chef nodded.

"I will use the lightest seasoning to highlight the natural flavor of the tofu itself."

Just as the Head Chef left, the door to the private room was pushed open again.

A young man wearing a crisp Zhongshan suit with his hair neatly combed back walked in with a warm smile on his face. It was Secretary Chen Bin, the secretary to Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua.

"Oh, you're here quite early, brother!"

Secretary Chen Bin strode in and enthusiastically shook Li Dakang's hand.

Li Dakang hurriedly stood up: "Brother Chen, please, have a seat!"

He pulled Secretary Chen Bin to sit in the seat of honor: "I've really troubled you this time."

Secretary Chen Bin waved his hand: "Don't be so polite. Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua has always emphasized supporting the development of township enterprises. If your Bean Products Factory becomes successful in the future, it will be a highlight for our city."

The atmosphere in the private room was harmonious. Just as Li Dakang finished pouring a cup of clear tea for Secretary Chen Bin, a steady sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

Li Dakang looked up. The carved wooden door creaked as it was gently pushed open, and a stout middle-aged man stood at the doorway, fine beads of sweat hanging on his forehead.

"Oh my, Section Chief Chen, I am so sorry!"

As soon as the middle-aged man entered, he repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting, his round face full of apology.

"There was a temporary situation at the factory, which delayed me a bit. I've kept you waiting."

Secretary Chen Bin smiled and stood up, waving his hand: "Director Wu is too polite. We only just arrived."

He turned to Li Dakang and introduced: "Brother, this is Deputy Director Wu of our city's Textile Factory."

Li Dakang immediately stood up and extended his right hand: "Hello, Director Wu! I am Li Dakang, the Township Head of Guantian Township, Anjiang County."

Deputy Director Wu shook Li Dakang's hand, but his eyes couldn't help but size up the young man.

The city Textile Factory was a leading enterprise in Xinying City, a bureau-level municipal state-owned enterprise. Its scale of over 20,000 workers gave him, a deputy director in charge of logistics, quite an arrogant air. Even some bureau chiefs in the city had to politely call him "Director Wu" when they met him.

If it hadn't been for the personal invitation of Secretary Chen Bin, he would never have come to this appointment.

"Township Head Li is truly young and promising!"

Deputy Director Wu shook Li Dakang's hand, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.

He secretly mused that the township head before him looked even younger than his own son, yet he was already a full section-level cadre. There must be some significant connections behind him.

Li Dakang smiled modestly: "Director Wu, you flatter me. Our Guantian Township has limited conditions, and we still have much to learn from the large enterprises in the city."

While the three were exchanging pleasantries, the door to the private room was pushed open again, and several well-dressed middle-aged men walked in one after another.

Secretary Chen Bin introduced them one by one: Deputy Director Liu of the city Steel Factory, Director Zhao of the Machinery Factory, Section Chief Zhou of the Food Processing Plant... they were all leaders in charge of logistics for top-tier state-owned enterprises in Xinying City.

Li Dakang shook hands with everyone one by one, secretly noting each person's features and positions. He also noticed that these enterprise leaders, who were usually arrogant, all appeared exceptionally humble in front of Secretary Chen Bin.

The status of being the secretary to the Municipal Party Secretary indeed carried significant weight.

"Please, take your seats, leaders." Li Dakang greeted them warmly.

"Today, I have specially prepared some specialties from our Guantian Township for you all to taste."

As everyone took their seats, the waiters began to serve the dishes.

According to the arrangement previously made by Li Dakang, the first dish was Tofu with Scallions.

The snow-white tofu cubes were garnished with emerald green scallions and drizzled with a few drops of sesame oil. In the blue and white porcelain plate, it appeared exceptionally refreshing—simple, yet it best tested the essence of the ingredients.

"Everyone, please try this dish first."

Secretary Chen Bin was the first to pick up his chopsticks and place a piece into his mouth.

Seeing this, everyone else followed suit and began to eat.

The moment the tofu entered his mouth, Deputy Director Wu's eyebrows involuntarily raised: The texture of this tofu was exceptionally delicate, melting on the tongue almost without the need for chewing, leaving behind a rich bean aroma. What was even more rare was that it completely lacked the beany smell of ordinary tofu, instead carrying a hint of refreshing sweetness.

"Hmm, this tofu..."

Deputy Director Wu couldn't help but pick up another piece: "It's truly tender and smooth, with a very unique texture."