Chapter 2178

Su Xinghui paid it no mind; standing rigid among leaders whose youngest were nearly fifty, he stood out sharply, motionless like the rest, yet sweated less than anyone—he had martial training, and though he couldn't yet withstand heat or cold, this sunlight wasn't enough to make him drenched in sweat.

After standing on the cement field for about fifteen minutes, a distant engine roar echoed through the sky; everyone looked up to see a military helicopter flying toward them, and a colonel from Jiangyou Province's garrison, responsible for radio contact, sent a signal to the helicopter, which then veered toward them.

After a brief hover, the helicopter landed smoothly on the cement field; once its rotors had fully stopped, Jiang Fangping led all Jiangyou Province officials present forward to greet it.

Two sharp-looking guards jumped down first from the aircraft, followed by Premier Nan, who was helped down, then his aides.

After stepping off the helicopter, Premier Nan appeared remarkably vigorous; he strode toward Jiang Fangping and shook his hand: "Secretary Jiang, hello!"

Jiang Fangping bowed slightly: "Premier, hello!"

Premier Nan then shook Ke Zhifang's hand: "Governor Zhifang, you've worked hard this time!"

Ke Zhifang said: "I didn't work hard—it's what I'm supposed to do."

Under Jiang Fangping's introductions, Premier Nan shook hands with each of the other provincial and municipal leaders, then shook hands with Yuan Yifu, Party Secretary of Chongjin County.

When had these county and city leaders ever met such a towering figure? Each flushed with excitement, though at this moment it was hard to tell, since everyone had been baking in the blazing sun for so long their faces were already red.

Just as Jiang Fangping was about to introduce Su Xinghui to Premier Nan, the Premier smiled: "No need to introduce Comrade Xinghui—I know him."

Su Xinghui bowed respectfully: "Premier Nan, hello!"

Everyone was taken aback—Premier Nan said he knew Su Xinghui? How could a lowly county magistrate possibly know the Premier? From the Premier's demeanor, he seemed almost familiar with Su Xinghui.

Many minds instantly conjured a thought so absurd even they found it ridiculous: Could Premier Nan's visit to Chongjin County be because of Su Xinghui?

If not, how else could one explain the Premier knowing Su Xinghui—and coming to such an obscure little town as Chongjin?