Chapter 1890

Yu Junchu said, "Xinghui, don't you want to plant more peach trees? Bringing a tree to the point of ripening is what gives the most sense of achievement. Honestly, picking peaches really isn't that fulfilling."

Su Xinghui said, "Give it a rest. Do you think it's easy for me? I've planted several peach trees, but every time the peaches are about to ripen, I get transferred away. Now you're pulling this again."

Ke Zhifang and Yu Junchu laughed together. Su Xinghui was right; he had planted peach trees in Meng Hu Ling, Pengjiawan, Matou Town, and Changshan County, but every time, he was transferred away before he could taste the most delicious fruits.

Yu Junchu said, "Doesn't that just prove you're an expert at planting peach trees? Planting them is what proves your ability. What kind of ability is picking peaches? Everyone knows how to eat them, but there aren't many people who can plant peach trees as well as you. Besides, the peach orchards you manage are getting bigger and bigger, aren't they? You're no worse than those who just pick the fruit!"

Ke Zhifang said solemnly, "Xinghui, in all seriousness, I really need you to come to Jiangyou Province to help me. I wonder if you're willing?"

Su Xinghui also put away his smile and said, "Uncle Ke, I'm just a Deputy County Magistrate. Am I really that important to you?"

Ke Zhifang said, "Whoever dares to underestimate you, this Deputy County Magistrate, will suffer a great loss. In Hudong Province, quite a few high-ranking officials have already fallen at your hands."

Ke Zhifang was right. In Hudong Province, quite a few high-ranking officials had indeed suffered great losses under Su Xinghui, from Governor Tian Chengzu and Yulin Mayor Ren Guisheng to Yulin Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Ye Qingshan, all of whom saw their political careers end in gloom—not to mention those county-level officials.

Officials like Finance Department Director Yan Tianrui, Jiangcheng Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Zhang Shiguang, and Jiangcheng Vice Mayor Ge Honglin were also unable to advance further because of Su Xinghui. It could be said that Su Xinghui was a jinx to these high-ranking officials.

Starting as a tiny section-level official and being able to stir up the political winds of an entire province—that is truly unheard of.

Su Xinghui laughed in spite of himself again.

Ke Zhifang said sincerely, "Xinghui, the situation I face upon arriving in Jiangyou Province is not good. I urgently need a warrior to help me lead the charge, and there is no one more suitable for this than you."

The situation Ke Zhifang faced in Jiangyou Province was indeed very severe. Although he was a Governor with high position and great power, he was a cadre who had grown up in Guangdong Province, and all his connections were there. Suddenly being placed in Jiangyou Province, he felt like a lone soldier heading into battle.

Don't think this is an exaggeration. Jiangyou Province was a province with very powerful local factions, and these local factions were mainly conservative. If the conservative forces weren't so strong, Jiangyou Province's economy wouldn't be in this state.

The phenomenon of nepotism among Jiangyou cadres was very serious. Often, when leaders promoted a cadre, they didn't look at their character or ability, but whether they were "one of their own." If they were, they were promoted; if not, they weren't. As a result, the entire cadre team in Jiangyou Province became increasingly conservative, and the speed of economic development stagnated.

The central government had sent some reformist leaders to Jiangyou before, but none were very effective. They were either squeezed out by local conservatives or assimilated, becoming just like everyone else. Therefore, for so many years, there had been no improvement in Jiangyou's work.

This time, the central government sent Ke Zhifang to Jiangyou Province, placing high hopes on him. They hoped that Ke Zhifang, who had performed excellently in Guangdong Province's economic construction, could get Jiangyou Province's economy moving.

But since no leader had been able to turn Jiangyou Province's situation around for so many years, one could imagine how difficult it would be for Ke Zhifang to achieve results, and how complex and severe the situation he faced was.

Su Xinghui could certainly see the situation Ke Zhifang faced, but he looked at Yu Junchu and said, "Isn't Brother Junchu also in Jiangyou Province? He could also become one of your capable generals!"

Yu Junchu quickly said, "I can't compare to you. You're much better at stirring things up than I am."

Ke Zhifang said, "Xinghui, this is the third time I've extended an invitation to you. As the saying goes, 'things don't happen more than three times.' This time, you have to agree to me!"

Su Xinghui couldn't help but think of the two previous times Ke Zhifang had invited him. Indeed, Liu Bei visiting the thatched cottage three times was nothing compared to this, right? Ke Zhifang was indeed very sincere toward him; if he refused again, it would be a bit heartless.

The last time he refused Ke Zhifang's invitation, it was indeed because he still had many things to do in Changshan County, especially the Tianyue Mountain Range Economic Cooperation Zone. No one but him could get it done, so he couldn't leave Changshan County at that time.

But now, the Tianyue Mountain Range Economic Cooperation Zone had been built, and with that development fund, the highways between the various counties and districts were being built one by one. The connections between these districts and counties were already very tight. It could be said that this Tianyue Mountain Range Economic Cooperation Zone could no longer be separated.

Changshan County's development foundation could be said to be very solid, especially that group of young cadres from the training class—that was the most precious wealth he had left for Changshan County. With such a group of excellent young cadres, Changshan County's future development would be sustainable.

Su Xinghui felt that even if he left Changshan County now, its development would not stagnate.

To be honest, Yu Junchu understood Su Xinghui's character quite well. He was indeed the type of person who liked planting peach trees, not picking the peaches. He enjoyed the feeling of carefully cultivating each peach tree as it grew. As long as these trees grew sturdily and could bear delicious fruit, why would he need to be the one to pick them?

Moreover, next year would be 1998. Su Xinghui had always remembered this year; the great flood of this year had left a deep mark in his blood. He always wanted to do something about this great flood, but he couldn't do anything in Changshan County because it wasn't near the river and was on high ground, so the flood wouldn't reach it.

Now that Ke Zhifang had extended an invitation to him, perhaps he could take this opportunity to do something? A map of Jiangyou Province couldn't help but be drawn in his mind.

He was thinking, where should he go?

Ke Zhifang didn't know that Su Xinghui was already thinking about where to go, and he was still looking at Su Xinghui with a hint of nervousness.