Li Long had thought the inspection Liu Shanmin arranged was pretty much complete with a deputy division chief accompanying them. At least in Director Qian and Li Xiangqian's eyes, the deputy chief did not speak entirely in official platitudes. He understood some practical matters, too, and sounded quite knowledgeable about trade in the Kazakh Union Republic.
The two sides exchanged remarks in the vehicle through their interpreters, and both felt they had gained a better understanding of each other.
That was good enough.
Unexpectedly, when they reached Almaty, some local Kazakh officials and businessmen were waiting to give them a warm welcome.
Although it was almost dark, there was not a trace of displeasure on their faces. Their applause was enthusiastic, their handshakes firm, and the Chinese greetings of "Hello" mixed into their Russian gave Director Qian and Li Xiangqian a real sense of their elder brother's warmth.
Then came the welcome banquet, lavish compared with the everyday meals here. Kebabs, bread, cake, alcohol...
At the long table, another deputy division chief gave a speech and raised his glass, speaking Russian that Li Long could not understand.
Bek, Mulat, and an interpreter brought by the people from the Kazakh SSR explained his words. In short, everlasting friendship between the two countries, closer exchanges, and so on.
All Li Long could say was that these people really drank like it was water. What surprised him a little, though, was how "uninhibited" their eating was, too. Most of the red sausage, kebabs, and other food on the table ended up in their stomachs.
Director Qian, Li Xiangqian, Li Long, Liu Shanmin, and the others were not short of meat in their diets, and ate much more politely. But there were so many people on the other side that the drinking and toasting