1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 98

This 'negotiation' lasted for quite some time.

President Ines' patience has been exhausted, and his attitude towards Elliot and Quincy is not as good as it was at the beginning.

"I don't understand. What does this have to do with the Vaucluse Tourism Bureau? And what does it have to do with the Provence Gourmet Association? In what capacity do you ask us to do this?"

As a middleman, when the atmosphere is tense, Elliot is obliged to coordinate both parties to "calm down".

"Ines, we are old friends. I have helped Michelan Magazine reach cooperation with the government many times. Which time was the final result not beneficial to Michelan? I will not harm you." In order to get closer, Elliot drank the most rosé among the people present, trying his best to make Ines treat him as one of his own.

Ines crossed her arms and looked at him coldly:
"Michelin Magazine has more than 200 employees, while the Vaucluse Pink Wine Lovers Association has only more than 20 people. You can convince those hundreds of wine cooperatives yourself and at the same time convey the concept of the Vaucluse Gourmet Alliance to them. Isn't it a matter of killing two birds with one stone?"

Elliot drank his wine awkwardly and stopped answering.

Quincy continued to convince Ines with his reasons:

"I understand that this is a huge undertaking, so you can apply for funding from the Tourism Bureau and then use the money to find someone to carry out the project. I can assure you that the money will be approved."

"Why doesn't the Tourism Bureau spend money to hire someone to do it themselves?" Ines asked.

She is also a leader, and knows exactly how long it takes to approve a budget, how many "applications" need to be written, and she may even have to set goals and periodic reports.
Why take on such a time-consuming and laborious task?
We love rosé, but this is a big ask!

Quincy said awkwardly:

“Because you use your identity to do this, the wine cooperative will be more receptive. Protecting and promoting the traditional winemaking techniques of rosé is consistent with your goal.”

Ronan, who was listening silently, felt something in his heart.

It turns out that the purpose of promoting this project was really for the sake of brewing skills, and Mr. Jacques' judgment was correct.

"That's a great story. I almost believed it. Isn't it because the Tourism Bureau doesn't want to be discovered?" Astrid, who had been walking around outside, pushed the door open and saw Elliot and Quincy were still there. She said with disgust, "You ruined my good mood for the day. Can you take your politics and leave here? Today is a party day, not a meeting day!"

Elliot and Quincy looked at each other and stood up tactfully:
"I'm sorry, everyone, for delaying your party."

After the two 'outsiders' left, Jerome asked Astrid cautiously:

"What do you know?"

Astrid opened a new bottle of pink wine:

"The Tourism Bureau has been the most outstanding department in Vaucluse in recent years. The superiors want to share more 'benefits' and have secretly extended their tentacles to more places. The best place to reach is of course the cultural field. There are many overlaps between the two."

"Use the Tourism Bureau's money to do what the Cultural Bureau should do?" Gabriel, a businessman, didn't understand.

Corentin, who holds an important position in the Federation of Industry and Commerce, smiled and shrugged:

“The tourism bureau’s annual budget is more generous than you can imagine.”

This statement was also agreed by Juliet, who serves on the Agriculture Committee, and she also conveyed a new message:

“I heard that the Tourism Bureau and the Cultural Bureau are going to merge.”

The two government officials were reluctant to say much, but they did not refute Astrid's words.

Ronan kept drinking to calm himself down after hearing this.

Is this something I can listen to?
The content of your conversation is too 'advanced'!

Gabriel continued to ask the president:

"What is the 'Vaucluse Gastronomy Union'?"

Ines looked at Jacques, indicating that he knew better.

Jacques took a bite of the sausage he bought at the market. "Eliot wants to bring together all the food resources in Vaucluse. He has approached me many times."

Ines's review:

"Eliot is not satisfied with being a member of the Provence Gastronomy Association. He intends to become the 'boss' of the gastronomic world in Vaucluse, which requires the support of the government."

Gabriel hummed in confusion:
"But why didn't he look for me? We meet often."

Astrid sneered:
"What else could it be? Because he doesn't have the ability! He can only start with the 'unpopular' industry like rosé or local restaurants. Apte's preserves industry is world-class. If Elliot dares to take over it, someone will come out and 'knock' him down soon."

"Can we stop talking about these topics? I'm here to drink..." Astrid picked up the bottle and put it in Ronan's face, "Newcomer, let me test your alcohol tolerance."

The party ended at around 3pm.

Ronan exchanged contact information with several members present today.

President Ines told him that they would notify him by phone in advance before the next gathering, and that he should try to attend if he had no special reason, because everyone was busy and could not get together in time. The number of participants would be different each time, and Ronan needed to get familiar with the members as soon as possible.

On the way to the parking lot, Ronan saw a special plate in a roadside shop.

He couldn't describe what was special about this plate, he just felt that the color was different from others on the market.

Ronan bought it happily. Zoe loved collecting these things.

Mr. Jacques insisted on driving Ronan home.

Although Ronan was not surprised by this, Apt was a 'big town' and accidents were inevitable.

Jacques confidently sat in the driver's seat:

"If you are unfortunate enough to be stopped by the police in the Apt area, just move Gabriel out. That will be more effective than money."

Ronan asked anxiously:

"What if it's in other areas?"

Jacques started the engine:
"Then call Ines, she'll help you with everything."

Although I hate to admit it.

But for the first time, Ronan felt that he was a "big shot" and that everyone around him was a "big shot". He had the wonderful feeling that he could walk sideways in Luberon.

Jacques was not a talkative man, and the journey back was particularly quiet.

This gave Ronan time to think.

What he gained today was not just a group of great friends, he also gained a lot of important information.

First, leaving aside the political games between the bigwigs, the Vaucluse Tourism Bureau intends to protect the traditional rosé winemaking technology as a craft culture.

Maybe we can do something with this?
Second, the budget of the Vaucluse Department of Tourism is very sufficient, and Lourmarin definitely has the opportunity to apply for funds.

But what is the breakthrough?

Thirdly, the 'Vaucluse Food Alliance' that Elliot wanted to set up coincided with Ronan's goal of gaining access to more food-related resources.

Is it possible to find a way to contact Mr. Elliott?

Looking at the beautiful scenery of Luberon outside the window, Ronan sighed unconsciously.

There are many more things to do. May is destined to be a busy month.

(End of this chapter)