Chapter 42: The Banquet That Can't Be Declined

  Although it was time to get off work, Zhang Qingyun did not go home directly. He walked to Lei Gang's office door and knocked a few times, but there was no response inside. He thought that after the meeting ended, he hadn't seen him with Huang Songshan, and eight out of ten were pulled over by Huang Songshan to talk about it, after all, his fire at the meeting was too sudden.

  Lijiang was not there, and Zhang Qingyun did not want to wait any longer. Anyway, they had phone contact, so if Lijiang needed something, he could just call. He left from the door of Lijiang's office and passed by the door of the county government office, where almost everyone inside had also finished work.

  "Hey, are you Director Zhang? Can I trouble you for a moment?" Just as Zhang Qingyun was about to go downstairs, he heard someone calling out to him.

  He turned his head and saw Wu Xue Shu, the director of the Finance Bureau, walking out of the government office building and waving at him.

  "Director Wu?" Zhang Qingyun said in surprise, "You're here to see County Magistrate Li, right? He might have had something unexpected come up and left work early. Why don't you come back tomorrow instead?"

  Wu Xue's face turned red, and he stammered: "No! No! I was just waiting for you. How could I possibly see County Magistrate Li at this time?" At this point, he seemed a bit unnatural, and his tone slowed down as he said:

  "Director Zhang, I hope you can give me some face today, I've already prepared the car, just a simple meal."

  Zhang Qingyun glanced at him and admired Wu Xue's cleverness. He had calculated that Li Gang was not there, and he would come over here after the meeting, waiting in his office for a chance to strike!

  Wu Xue's purpose is obvious, today he was criticized by Lei Gang and as one of Lei Gang's trusted followers, who else would he turn to?

  However, the Ministry of Finance has always been under the control of Wu De, so why didn't Wu Xue find Wu De to complain?

  "Director Tang, you're too polite! You can find me anytime to discuss work. This meal..."

  "Don't talk about work, just eat!" Zhang Qingyun's words were cut off halfway by Wu Xue Shu, "Come, come, come, Director Zhang this way, please!"

  Zhang Qingyun was dragged down the stairs by him, and downstairs, an Audi was parked. Wu Xue Shu personally opened the car door for Zhang Qingyun, and only got in after she sat down.

  "Drive to Xiaoluo Manor."

  Zhang Qingyun smiled bitterly and shook his head, Wu Xue Shu was anxious to the point of being unable to do anything, this is a case of forcing someone's hand. Zhang Qingyun had no choice but to take out his phone and make a call home, telling Yin Su'e that he wouldn't be coming home for dinner.

  The car soon arrived at Xiaoluo Manor. Today was the first day of work, and it was still a bit quiet on this side of the manor. As soon as Zhang Qingyun got out of the car, three people came to greet him at the entrance. He took a closer look and found that they were two deputy directors from the Finance Bureau, one named Liu Yan and the other named Wang Song, both of whom he had met before. The third person made Zhang Qingyun pause - wasn't this He Jun? He and Zhang Qingyun had taken the civil service exam together, and in high school, they had also been classmates. How did he end up here too?

  "Junzi, you know Director Zhang, right?" Wu Xue Shu said with a smile. He turned his head to look at Zhang Qingyun and said: "Junzi is my nephew. I've long heard him mention you, saying that your grades were excellent when you were in school. He's always felt inferior to you. That's why today I invited you out for a meal, and I also called him over."

  Zhang Qingyun smiled and said that He Jun was in the first batch of Qinggan class, he was promoted to deputy department head two years ago. It has been heard that he had a backstage supporter, and it turned out that his backstage supporter was Wu Xue Shu.

  "How's it going? Junzi, isn't it okay staying at Wugai Mountain? You guys aren't working today either?" Zhang Qingyun said with a smile.

  He Jun looked at Zhang Qingyun with a complex expression. When he was studying, he was overshadowed by Zhang Qingyun. He had thought that after entering politics, his background would allow him to surpass Zhang Qingyun. But now, it seemed that even his uncle, whom he relied on, had to go to great lengths to invite him to dinner, and this person was still more prominent than him, which was truly infuriating.

  "You can't compare with you, Qingyun. Wugai Mountain is a deep mountain and old forest, and the county committee compound is two different worlds. From childhood, you were stronger than me, and now it's still unchanged." He Jun was very honest, and when he spoke to Zhang Qingyun, he didn't have the same estrangement as Wu Xue Shu did.

  "Can Wugai Mountain compare to Lizi Ping? Don't forget, I spent two years in Lizi Ping!" Zhang Qingyun said. He Xun smiled awkwardly and didn't speak again, as he had no way to refute Zhang Qingyun's words.

  "Is the meal ready?" Wu Xue Shu asked the two deputy directors during a break in their conversation with He Jun and Zhang Qingyun.

  "We've been ready for a while now, just waiting for Director Zhang and you. We can get started right away." Liu Yan said with a smile as he stepped forward.

  "Director Zhang, let's eat and chat! Junzi, you lead the way." Wu Xue Shu said. And so a few people entered the gate of Xia'er Mountain Villa. The dining location chosen by Wu Xue Shu this time was a private room overlooking the mountain, outside which was Tiger Mountain. During the day, the scenery here is very good, and at night it's especially quiet, making it a great place to discuss things.

  The host and guests arrived, and when they sat down, another trouble arose. Wu Xue Shu insisted on pulling Zhang Qing Yun to sit in the main seat. Zhang Qing Yun refused, he wanted to sit next to He Jun, Wu Xue Shu had no choice but to sit with He Jun on either side of Zhang Qing Yun, while Liu Yan and Wang Song sat opposite the three. As a result, the main seat was left empty.

  The dishes at Xiaoye Mountain Villa were served quickly, and in just a moment, the table was filled with a sumptuous feast. Five steaming hot stoves, and the wine was top-grade Wuliangye liquor. For a small county town, this was already a top-notch banquet.

  "Come on, Old Liu, Old Wang, Junzi, let's all come together to toast Director Zhang. Director Zhang, come on, let's have one, thank you for giving me face today." Wu Xue Shu said emotionally as he picked up his cup and stood up.

  The director spoke, and Liu Yan and Wang Song hastily stood up. The two were urgently called by Wu Xue's phone to book a meal, Wu Xue said at the time that there was an honored guest, but did not expect that the honored guest was Zhang Qingyun, although the two did not understand the situation, they dared not to be slow in any way.

  He Jun also raised his cup and touched it with Zhang Qingyun, feeling a little sour in his heart. His uncle had always been smooth in the county town, why was he so humble to Qingyun today? Similarly, as deputy directors, there was no comparison between himself and Qingyun, they were worlds apart!

  "Wu Ju was being polite, come on, let's not talk about who respects whom, let's go together." Zhang Qingyun said with a smile, and first drank the wine in one gulp.

  "Good, Director Zhang is indeed a hero since his youth. I'll accompany you for one more." Wu Xue also drank the wine very decisively.

  The banquet officially began, and the few people pushed cups and exchanged cups. Before long, they all had a few points of intoxication. Everyone's speech was no longer as awkward as before, and the atmosphere became more and more enthusiastic.

  Zhang Qingyun just drank and ate, Wu Xue didn't mention work, he didn't speak first, he wanted to see where Wu Xue's play started.

  "Director Zhang, I'm so grateful that you're willing to see me today! In this world, there are many people who kick others when they're down, but few who offer a helping hand in times of need!" Wu Xue Shu said with a hint of drunkenness, his tongue slightly slurred, but his words full of emotion.