Chapter 1985

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "In this era, to seize the opportunity for development, one cannot wait. If everything is done step-by-step and according to routine, then extraordinary development is impossible, and one will never catch up with those in the lead. When you were in Yuedong, didn't you develop in the same way?"

Su Xinghui's words immediately filled Ke Zhifang with high aspirations. Yes, when he was in Yuedong, hadn't Yuedong always been developing in an extraordinary manner? Why couldn't there be extraordinary development in Jiangyou Province?

Ke Zhifang nodded with a smile and said, "Fine, if you want to build it, then build it. You should submit the report as soon as possible. After the province approves it, go to the State Planning Commission to run the project. If you have any other ideas, feel free to tell me."

Su Xinghui said, "I have many ideas now, but I can only do the work within my scope as a county magistrate. I cannot interfere too much with the work of the County Party Secretary, so for now, I can only do this: do my own job well first."

Ke Zhifang also knew that Su Xinghui was currently only a county magistrate, and when he first arrived in Chongjin County, he had basically come alone, without a single helper. Being able to open up such a situation in such a short time was already quite remarkable, and he himself could not be too impatient now.

Ke Zhifang nodded and said, "Fine, just go ahead and do what you want to do. If you need my help in the future, just say so."

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "Thank you, Uncle Ke!"

Ke Zhifang raised his wrist to check his watch and said, "It's already noon. I'll take the three of you to lunch!"

Sure enough, they had been talking here for a while, and the time had already passed twelve o'clock; it was long past time to eat.

Ke Zhifang took them out the door. Xie Shuchen had already returned. He told Ke Zhifang that he had already introduced Xu Zhigang to Director Wang of the Department of Commerce, and they would be hosting Xu Zhigang for lunch. He had already booked a table of food and wine at the Provincial Government Guest House to entertain Su Xinghui and the others.

Ke Zhifang nodded with satisfaction. Xie Shuchen was still very attentive and always thought of such things in advance. In this respect, he was still very suitable for the position of secretary.

The group went to the Provincial Government Guest House for a meal. Because it was noon, neither Ke Zhifang nor Su Xinghui drank any alcohol. They still had to strictly abide by the official reception system. If they didn't take the lead in complying, how could they ask others to do so?

After the meal, Ke Zhifang smiled and said, "Xinghui, Ruizhi, Sister Sister Ruoqiu, it's not easy to come to Hongzhou once, don't be in such a hurry to go back. In the afternoon, let Shuchen accompany you to walk around the streets of Hongzhou. Although there isn't much to see in Hongzhou, it is, after all, the provincial capital of Jiangyou Province."

Su Xinghui said, "Fine, Uncle Ke, we won't leave today, but we don't need Brother Shuchen to accompany us. We can just walk around the streets ourselves."

It was already past one o'clock after they finished eating. If they went back to Chongjin County now, it would take four or five hours, and it would be dark by the time they returned to Chongjin County. It was indeed too rushed and unnecessary. Since Su Xinghui had come to Jiangyou Province, he also wanted to have a good look around the provincial capital.

Yu Ruizhi said, "That's right, Uncle Ke, we can just walk around ourselves. There's no need for Shuchen to accompany us, so you won't be unable to find him if you have something to do."

To be honest, Ke Zhifang was a little worried. After all, the identities of Su Xinghui, Yu Ruizhi, and Yu Sister Sister Ruoqiu were all extraordinary. If something were to happen to them in Hongzhou City, it would be difficult for him to explain. However, since Su Xinghui and Yu Ruizhi had both said so, he could only nod and say, "Fine, then be careful. If anything happens, call Shuchen's pager immediately."

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Uncle Ke, don't worry. We'll just stroll around the streets; nothing will happen."

Ke Zhifang chuckled and said, "Good, then return to the Provincial Government Guest House to rest in the evening. I'll have a good talk with you, Xinghui, in the evening."

The three of them left the Provincial Government Guest House, got into the car driven by He Weidong, and drove toward the bustling area of Hongzhou City. They didn't ask for directions; they just drove wherever it looked lively.

However, the urban construction level of Hongzhou City in this era was really not very high. It was far behind Jiangcheng, which was also a provincial capital. Buildings with more than ten floors could be counted on one's fingers.

Of course, the scenery in Hongzhou was still quite good. In Hongzhou City, there were rivers, lakes, and mountains. Just driving around here and looking at the scenery was a very enjoyable thing.

Yu Ruizhi had his occupational disease again. Looking at the scenery, he said to Su Xinghui, "Xinghui, if Hongzhou City were to develop tourism, it would definitely make money. The scenery is so good, and there are many historical sites."

Su Xinghui said, "Forget it. This Hongzhou is too big. Even if you invested all your current capital, it wouldn't be enough. Better slow down. Don't think too much. After the urban construction level of Hongzhou City improves a bit, then you can invest in tourism development here, and it will be twice the result with half the effort."

Yu Ruizhi said, "That's true. Our strength is not enough yet. It's fine to do it in the county, but a provincial capital is indeed too big, and the urban construction level here is not good either. Cultivating the tourism market is not a matter of one day or one night. It seems I don't need to think about it for the time being."

While they were talking, the car drove to the foot of a mountain. Although it was already November, the mountain was still covered with green trees, and the scenery looked very good. There was a white marble stone staircase on the mountain leading to the sidewalk by the road, and many pedestrians were walking up the mountain along this staircase.

Yu Ruizhi asked He Weidong to stop the car. He wanted to go down and see what kind of mountain this was; it seemed very lively.

He Weidong parked the car on the side of the road, and the group got out of the car together, climbed the steps, and followed a group of people up the mountain. On the way, they heard those people discussing, saying that there was a living immortal on the mountain who could cure all diseases and perform magic.

These outrageous rumors made the group look at each other. Could there be a swindler on this mountain? In this day and age, was there really something that could cure all diseases? Su Xinghui's uncle-in-law, Yu Maode, had real skills and superb medical expertise, but even he wouldn't dare to say he could cure all diseases. Some tricky illnesses required a long time just to control the condition.

Like Grandma Lu's rheumatoid arthritis back then, Yu Maode could only control the condition and make her condition improve, but he couldn't cure it completely.

However, listening to the rumors of those people in front, this living immortal could cure any illness immediately, and without injections or medicine, just by drinking a dose of talisman water. Such methods could deceive foolish men and women, but how could they deceive people like Su Xinghui, Yu Ruizhi, and Yu Sister Sister Ruoqiu?

Especially Su Xinghui, who knew that many such masters had emerged in the 1990s. Each of them had achieved success in Qigong, had powerful magic, could cure all diseases, and had many followers. Some of them really became influential in the end, and even the least capable ones swindled a lot of money and could live as wealthy men.

At that time, even many officials were deceived and became followers or friends of these masters. This was not strange; many officials were the most superstitious group of people. Their offices emphasized Feng Shui, they looked at the almanac when going out to do things, and they often asked masters about their future. If they weren't deceived, who would be?

Listening to those outrageous rumors, the group looked at each other. Yu Ruizhi whispered, "Shall we go up and see who this living immortal is?"

The group nodded and smiled, then silently followed the people in front up the mountain.

This mountain was not high. After turning a few corners on the mountain road, the group reached the top. On the way, they heard that this mountain was called Jinluan Mountain, and there was a Taoist temple on the mountain called Lingjin Temple. There was a Taoist priest in the temple named Chen Heyang, and this Chen Heyang was the living immortal those people were talking about.

It was said that ten years ago, Lingjin Temple was just an inconspicuous small Taoist temple. Later, this Chen Heyang came from another place and arrived at this Lingjin Temple, saying that Jinluan Mountain was a blessed land, so he stayed here and didn't leave. As a result, he performed miracles several times later, and thus, the incense of Lingjin Temple became more and more prosperous.

Later, believers donated money to renovate this Lingjin Temple. Lingjin Temple, which originally only had a few rooms and was a small Taoist temple, became magnificent.

Yes, only this adjective could describe Lingjin Temple now. Lingjin Temple was now a large-scale building complex, imposing and with many rooms. The roofs were covered with glazed tiles, and the walls were painted with red lacquer. With red walls and green tiles, it looked more like a palace than a Taoist temple. The entrance of the temple was also crowded with people, and looking into the temple from the entrance, incense smoke was curling up.