Chapter 163 The Overseas Chinese Representative Assembly

Hearing Tan Hengqiang's sudden question, An Zecheng was somewhat bewildered. But after he understood, he felt that the matter was difficult to answer.

To say no, to refuse bluntly, would be like directly disrespecting the commander, instantly distancing their relationship. But if he didn't refuse, it would seem like he was giving the other party hope.

...

After pondering for a long time, An Zecheng put down his chopsticks, chuckled, and said, "Hehe, nowadays, can you still decide anything for your children? A few years ago, I said a couple of things to her, and what do you know, she ran away from home, causing me so much trouble! How about this, I'll go back and ask her opinion. If she's willing, I certainly won't object."

"Haha, good, good. We'll find an opportunity later for the kids to get to know each other." Tan Hengqiang left it at that, picked up his chopsticks again, and urged An Zecheng to eat.

...

Three days later, the Overseas Chinese Representative Assembly. It was held as scheduled in the Dragon City Municipal Conference Hall.

That morning, Dragon City dispatched many police officers to patrol and stand guard at the entrance of the Municipal Hall, responsible for protecting the safety of the venue.

In front of the Municipal Conference Hall, there were also banners hanging, with various slogans written on them. Such as "Welcome Overseas Chinese to Gather in Dragon City," and "Warmly Celebrate the First Joint Representative Assembly of the Huatong Association," and so on.

Many reporters were stationed on the surrounding streets, unable to go up to interview, they could only wait outside, waiting for the guests to come out, so they could rush forward and interview for firsthand news.

However, many people at the meeting came secretly and would not show their faces in front of reporters. At most, they could only interview some peripheral things.

At this time inside the venue, Su Tianyu's face was full of smiles as he greeted the guests.

"Chairman Li, this way please."

"Mr. Zhuang, I didn't expect you to come, please have a seat!"

"..."

Those who came to participate in the meeting were very complete. Wu Boxin, Wu Taiyong, Wei Xiangzuo, Gu Baishun, Jin Maohui, An Qiqi, Da Bai, Liu Hongxu, Zhou Tonghui, Xu Nan, Da Xiong, Yao Doudou, Tang Yao, Sun Wei, Xin Xiaodong, Xin Chaojie, Lu Feng, Wang Xiao, Qiu Ge, Fei Pingsheng and his wife, even Hou Guoyu came.

In addition, representatives from the Chi Army, some political and business figures Wu Boxin had poached, as well as representatives and members from various regional labor unions and chambers of commerce, were basically all present.

The Municipal Hall's conference hall was densely packed with people. In front of each table, there was a nameplate symbolizing their identity.

Li Mingsheng also arrived, but he was not the host of the meeting. He sat on the side, politely greeting the guests. Jin Maohui and Li Yuan accompanied him, helping the leader receive the guests together.

Hou Guoyu, with thick bandages wrapped around his hand, was searching for his nameplate.

"Monkey, here!" Lu Feng raised his hand and called out to Hou Guoyu.

Hou Guoyu looked over and found that he was sitting next to Lu Feng, and immediately walked over.

This side was also full of acquaintances, Da Bai, Zhou Tonghui, Sun Wei, as well as Da Xiong, Tang Yao, Yao Doudou, Gu Baishun, Wei Xiangzuo, and so on.

Looking at Hou Guoyu who plopped down next to him, Lu Feng couldn't help but tease, "You're quite active, coming even with injuries like this?"

Hou Guoyu, with his arm in a sling, chuckled and said, "Isn't this to taste the fruits of victory? How could I not come? I have to see what medal I'm getting!"

"You've made a great contribution this time, you're definitely getting an apartment." Zhou Tonghui sat on the other side, patting Hou Guoyu's shoulder and said.

Hou Guoyu knew that they were teasing him about the apartment allocation he had talked about before, and laughed along with everyone.

The crowd then began to chat about other things. It was not easy to gather so many people together, and it was difficult to restrain the chatter before the meeting started. Especially when Sun Wei joined in, joking and teasing with everyone, the atmosphere became lively again for a while.

Wei Xiangzuo spoke little, sitting there smoking, rarely joining in the conversation, only occasionally being pulled out by Lu Feng to chat for a few words, and responding with a sound.

Xin Xiaodong and his father, Xin Chaojie, sat together, next to Fei Pingsheng. Several people were wearing military uniforms, looking very formal. They were all important contributors to this conference, and were waiting to be awarded medals today.

On the other hand, Wu Taiyong, who was sitting on the other side of the venue, was not very familiar with Da Bai and the others, and didn't say much after greeting them. Originally, he was sitting near Wu Boxin, but he deliberately changed his nameplate and sat with Qiu Ge to chat with him.

In contrast, Wang Xiao seemed a little lonely. He sat alone on the side, not taking the initiative to chat with others, and no one talked to him much.

After fifteen minutes, almost everyone had arrived, and the meeting officially began.

"Thank you all for coming today...!" The host held the microphone and began to read the opening remarks, reminding everyone to be quiet: "First of all, let's have our Mayor Li say a few words..."

"Clap clap clap!"

The audience applauded thunderously.

Li Mingsheng walked to the podium amidst the applause and spoke first. He was wearing a very formal Tang suit, resting both hands on the podium, he swept his eyes over the audience, pressed down his hand, and after the applause stopped, he slowly said: "It's not easy for everyone to get to where they are today. First of all, congratulations to you, and congratulations to me, our Huatong Association is established for the first time, this is a breakthrough of epoch-making significance. On behalf of the Dragon City Municipal Government, I sincerely hope that the conference will be held successfully. And in order to protect the interests of our overseas Chinese, the Municipal Government will also make more contributions!"

Everyone clapped while involuntarily looking at the banner hanging above Li Mingsheng's head, which read "The First Joint Representative Assembly of the Overseas Huatong Association."

After working so hard for so long, fighting for six or seven years, it was finally established.

The name Huatong Association, is a fusion of Tongji Association and Huagong Association, the implication is very good, it sounds united, it was the result of Su Tianyu's long consideration in his heart.

After the applause subsided a little, Li Mingsheng smiled and said, "Okay, now please Chairman Wu to speak."

Wu Boxin walked onto the podium amidst the applause, and smiled at Li Mingsheng. Lao Li handed over the microphone and sat down below.

"I'm sitting in this position today, entrusted by someone..." Wu Boxin said half-jokingly, and the audience burst into laughter.

The position of Chairman of the Huatong Association was still held by Wu Boxin. Li Mingsheng is the mayor of Dragon City, and it is inconvenient for him to participate in the work of social groups, let alone hold other positions.

Su Tianyu's situation is similar, more sensitive, Wu Boxin is still the most suitable.

But everyone knows that the actual controller of the Huatong Association is still Lao Li and his disciples.

After everyone finished laughing, Wu Boxin continued, "I won't say any polite words to you all. The battles that should be fought have been fought, and the turmoil that should have happened has happened, now is the day of victory! Today is not only the establishment of the association, establishing the internal organizational structure of the Huatong Association, but also an commendation conference! The meeting is mainly divided into three major blocks, the first is the administrative block, the second is the military management block, and the third is the commendation..."

The meeting was successfully convened under the chairmanship of Wu Boxin.

...

At the same time, at the Dragon City Garrison Corps Headquarters.

Tan Hengqiang sat on the sofa in his office, playing with a set of collector's edition tea sets.

Just then, the office door was knocked open, and Tan Mingzhao walked in with a stack of documents, gently placing them on the desk in front of Tan Hengqiang, while saying, "Dad, this is the budget for each unit after the expenditure reduction, just made by our Corps' Finance Department."

Tan Hengqiang fiddled with the tea set and suddenly asked, "Mingzhao... what do you think of An Qiqi?"