Chapter 1889

After the pleasantries, everyone began to take their seats. Ke Zhifang naturally sat at the head of the center table. He had Yu Junchu sit to his right, while Su Xinghui sat to his left. This arrangement gave off the air of the two legendary generals, Heng and Ha.

As for the others, they were seated in descending order according to their rank.

Ke Zhifang remained very amiable throughout the meal, but there was one thing: he didn't drink much. Every time a subordinate offered him a toast, he would merely touch the rim of the glass to his lips and stop there. Of course, no one would mind him not drinking; he was the Governor, the person of highest status at the table. If he didn't drink, who would dare to force him?

Ke Zhifang took a sip with everyone, then began to eat. He ate quickly, finishing in just a few minutes. Only Su Xinghui and Yu Junchu kept up with his pace, each also polishing off two large bowls of rice. By the time Ke Zhifang set down his chopsticks, they had finished as well.

As soon as Ke Zhifang set down his chopsticks, he said to everyone kindly, "Please, take your time."

However, everyone else set down their chopsticks too. With the Governor finished, who would dare to keep eating? Everyone claimed they were full, and just like that, a sumptuous banquet came to a hasty end.

This was Ke Zhifang's first visit, and he wouldn't say anything; since they weren't eating anymore, then they weren't eating.

He returned to his room and let Yu Junchu and Su Xinghui enter with him. As for the other county and city officials who wanted to see him, they would have to wait until he finished talking with Su Xinghui.

Once inside the room, Ke Zhifang finally relaxed completely. He took off his leather shoes and changed into a pair of slippers, nodding as he said, "Sigh, after wearing leather shoes all day, it's so much more comfortable to wear slippers!"

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "Indeed, leather shoes really aren't as comfortable as slippers."

Ke Zhifang said, "But sometimes, for the sake of appearances, one has to wear leather shoes. This thing called 'face' can really be the death of a person sometimes. Only in front of you two can I stop worrying about it."

Ke Zhifang's meaning was, of course, that Su Xinghui and Yu Junchu were his own people, and he didn't need to stand on ceremony in front of them.

Yu Junchu smiled and said, "That's right. In front of others, I usually have to keep up appearances, otherwise, they think I'm too young and don't fear me at all. Only in front of you can I truly smile!"

The three of them nodded in deep agreement. Ke Zhifang said, "I didn't hold high expectations when I came to Wushui County today, but after seeing a few places, I was truly taken by surprise! Wushui County is developing quite well. Junchu, you've done a great job!"

Yu Junchu smiled and said, "Don't just praise me. Xinghui has done much better than me in Changshan County!"

Ke Zhifang smiled slightly and said, "How can I praise him? He isn't a cadre from our Jiangyou; I can only praise Jiangyou's cadres!"

Yu Junchu said, "Then why don't you just transfer him to Jiangyou Province?"

Ke Zhifang looked at Su Xinghui and said, "I would like to transfer him to our Jiangyou Province, but I don't know if he's willing! He's doing just fine in Changshan County, and the foundation is all laid. It's like a peach tree—the peaches are about to ripen. Would he be willing to leave the tree now?"

Yu Junchu said, "I actually think Xinghui is the type of person who likes planting peach trees, and might not necessarily care about eating the peaches."

Su Xinghui laughed in spite of himself. "Uncle Ke, Brother Junchu, I can hear it now—you two are singing in harmony, trying to trick me into coming to Jiangyou Province, aren't you? Brother Junchu, I must tell you very seriously: I love eating peaches!"

Ke Zhifang smiled at Yu Junchu and said, "Junchu, I told you, your little scheme wouldn't be able to fool Xinghui."