Director Qian listened to Li Xiangqian's account over the phone and said in some surprise:
"You mean Xiao Li was received by that leader on this trip to Yanjing? And they talked for over half an hour? Really? Even I didn't get to see him back then."
He was different from Li Xiangqian, who was younger than him, after all. He had gone to Yanjing on business a couple of years earlier and had hoped to pay that leader a visit.
He hadn't managed to see him.
What a pity.
Of course, it certainly wasn't because that leader put on airs. Perhaps they belonged to different administrative systems. Besides, perhaps the request had been stopped before it ever reached the leader. After all, the office couldn't let just anyone who showed up for a visit see him, could it? Would he ever get any work done?
Anyway, how should he put it? Li Long being received by the leader had surprised Director Qian. Thinking about it, though, perhaps the lad was simply extraordinarily lucky. Of course, what he had done had made enough of an impact, too.
"That's what he said," Li Xiangqian replied. "I don't think he'd lie about something like this, would he?"
"No, he shouldn't, and he wouldn't." Director Qian recovered his composure and said with a smile, "How should I put it? That young fellow Xiao Li really is lucky. Of course, the things he's done have had a considerable impact, too. Yes, very good. With this connection, his path ahead will probably be smoother.
"Ah, sometimes even I envy the lad. How does every good thing come his way? Enough about him. Now that he's back, how are things going with the big brooms?"
"We'll haul several loads over tomorrow. Don't worry, Director. The quality