[Urban] Made in China - 4-6

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Chapter 2 The Longest Day

Li Xinxiang said, "No wonder Bai Ling said you're good at bragging, I've learned my lesson! Okay, come on over, we've already checked into your Pingyang Hotel, room number 2335, waiting for your treat! Hurry up and get moving!"

Tian Liye repeatedly agreed, "Okay, okay, you wait for me in the room, I'll pick you up in the Mercedes right away!"

However, just as Tian Liye was calling the municipal party committee's car service to request the large Mercedes used for receiving foreign guests, Liu Yiru came in and said, "Tian Liye, don't be silly, our municipal party committee only has this one Mercedes, and there are many guests today. What if Secretary Jiang has an important guest who needs it? You'll get scolded again."

Tian Liye rolled his eyes: "Secretary Jiang said that reporters from Beijing are important guests!"

Liu Yiru, worried that Tian Liye would cause trouble, earnestly advised, "Tian Xiucai, you..." "You and your journalist friends can use whichever car you want, but it's best not to touch that Mercedes. I'm really doing this for your own good."

Tian Liye completely ignored her: "Sister Liu, don't worry about this, I'll take care of it!"

Liu Yiru compromised, saying, "If you really want to use the Mercedes today, just talk to Secretary Jiang first!"

Tian Liye scoffed: "Sister Liu, really, what do you take Secretary Jiang for? The head of the car team?"

At this moment, Tian Liye had already seen the familiar Mercedes from the corridor window. Not wanting to argue with Liu Yiru any longer, he said as he walked downstairs, "If Secretary Jiang really has guests who need the Mercedes, just call my cell phone, and I'll have the driver deliver it. It won't be a problem!"

Liu Yiru chased after him for a couple of steps and said, "Then you'd better hurry up and bring the car back!"

Tian Liye agreed repeatedly and ran downstairs, disappearing like the wind.

Standing at the top of the stairs, watching Tian Liye's retreating figure, Liu Yiru thought, "It's hard to imagine that this kind of free-spirited comrade, simply because he was a graduate student in Chinese literature, rose so quickly—to a full section chief in one year, a deputy director in three, and a deputy secretary of the county party committee in Lieshan County in the fourth. Then, he spent six years as deputy secretary-general of the prestigious Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, and was even treated like a treasure by the notoriously strict municipal party secretary, Jiang Chaolin."

Liu Yiru and her colleagues in the municipal party committee and government knew that Jiang Chaolin indeed favored Tian Liye. Tian Liye wasn't transferred to the municipal party committee as deputy secretary-general because he did well in Lieshan; rather, he was transferred because he couldn't stay in Lieshan anymore. According to Jiang Chaolin, it was to "cherish talent." Tian Liye was indeed a "talent"—he didn't do any real work, only writing sarcastic articles published in the *Pingyang Daily* and *Pingyang Evening News*, and even publishing two unsellable books. Jiang Chaolin had the municipal party committee's reception office buy a large number of these two unsold books and distributed them to everyone he met, spreading the word that the Pingyang municipal party committee had such a talented writer named Tian Liye. Many cadres took it personally and complained to Jiang Chaolin. Jiang Chaolin, however, said, "I think our Tian Liye's articles are quite good. They satirize the unhealthy trends and corruption in society. What's wrong with that? If you really think it's about you, then I'll have the relevant departments investigate!"

As a result, no one dared to complain to Jiang Chaolin anymore, and he unwittingly offended many people.

This was actually very unwise. As a veteran director of the municipal party committee office who was always conscientious and responsible to his superiors, Liu Yiru had subtly and sincerely reminded Jiang Chaolin not to protect Tian Liye so much, and even explicitly suggested that Tian Liye be transferred from his position as deputy secretary-general of the municipal party committee.

Jiang Chaolin, however, said, "Director Liu, think about it, where do we put this Tian Xiucai? If we put him down there, aren't you afraid he'll cause you trouble every now and then? I think it's better to keep him under my nose; that way, he'll at least be a little more disciplined! We can just keep him writing articles; we'll just have another propaganda minister for the Discipline Inspection Commission. It'll still do some good for rectifying the Party's conduct and social atmosphere."

Liu Yiru didn't say it aloud, but in her heart, she thought that relying on someone like Tian Liye to rectify the Party's conduct would only make it worse.

Later, she discovered that Tian Liye wasn't actually as audacious as some comrades thought. He mocked this person and that person, but he never dared to mock Jiang Chaolin; he was like a mouse before a cat whenever he saw Jiang Chaolin.

Once, Liu Yiru deliberately asked Tian Liye, "Why don't you give Secretary Jiang a piece of your mind?"

Tian Liye countered, "What's wrong with Secretary Jiang? Give me some material."

Liu Yiru panicked, "Secretary Tian, I was just joking, don't take it seriously!"

Tian Liye pressed on, "Sister Liu, don't worry, I'll write the article, and I'll take responsibility for it. As long as the material you provide is true and accurate, I won't sell it to you!"

From then on, Liu Yiru dared not bring up this topic with Tian Liye again. She repeatedly explained to him, fearing he might say something inappropriate to Jiang Chaolin, creating a bad impression on the leader.

Now that her son was gone, she could finally focus on her own affairs. Thinking about the trouble her daughter Jinhua had encountered last night, she felt uneasy and decided to call the hospital to see if her daughter had left. If not, she would have her daughter come over to discuss how to handle that troublesome sum of money. The situation is now clear: the province is about to send a new secretary surnamed Gao, a position nominated by Deputy Secretary Ma Wanli of the Provincial Party Committee. This is significant; some changes may be about to occur in Pingyang.

However, just as she was about to make the call, Jiang Chaolin called first, specifically requesting the Mercedes, saying, "Director Liu, is that Mercedes at home? Send it to the International Hotel immediately!"

Liu Yiru immediately tried to sow discord between Tian Liye and Liu, reporting, "Secretary Jiang, Tian Liye just took the Mercedes. I repeatedly told him to get a different car, but he wouldn't listen. I clearly told him that you were the one who wouldn't allow the Mercedes to be moved, and he argued with me, saying you're the Party Secretary, not a car platoon leader."

Jiang Chaolin was furious: "That scoundrel, what's he doing driving that Mercedes around like that? Huh? Does he think I'm about to step down and doesn't care about my words anymore? Huh? Director Liu, tell Tian Liye that even if I'm about to step down, I'll remove him at the last minute before I do!"

With that, he slammed down the phone.

Liu Yiru also hung up. After hanging up the phone, he thought: "Tian Xiucai, you've gotten yourself into trouble again! Don't you even consider the timing? The old secretary is about to step down; how can we not be sensitive? You dare to provoke him at this time? You have absolutely no political sense. Just for that, you don't deserve to be the deputy secretary-general of the municipal party committee!"

At 11:00 AM on June 24, 1998, after a collective talk between the provincial discipline inspection commission and the main leaders of the provincial party committee, Liu Huabo spoke privately with Gao Changhe about some matters. Afterwards, Gao Changhe, familiar with the route, went to the No. 2 building of the provincial party committee and entered the office of the provincial discipline inspection commission. Deputy Secretary of the provincial party committee Ma Wanli and relevant comrades from the provincial discipline inspection commission were already waiting for him. As soon as Gao Changhe entered, he felt the oppressive atmosphere in the office. Long Fei, the deputy secretary of the provincial discipline inspection commission in charge of the work, was not polite. As soon as Gao Changhe sat down, he said, "Let's talk things over first and see how to investigate the 'June 15th' case in Pingyang."

Long Fei explained, “…The 140,000 yuan remittance from Pingyang was received by our Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection on June 15th, so this case is called the ‘June 15th’ case.” He

then handed a letter to Gao Changhe, “This is a letter from the official who sent the remittance, also received on June 15th. The original has been archived; take a look at this copy first.”

Gao Changhe immediately began reading the letter, and after finishing, he said, “It seems to be a really big case!”

You Fei nodded, “It may involve a group of corrupt officials. If this official wasn’t lying, then the so-called specific environment he was in must have been rotten. The question now is, what kind of organization is this? Is it within the departments and bureaus of Pingyang, or within the county and township levels? How come Jiang Chaolin and the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee didn’t notice anything? Considering the situation reported by Sun Yadong, it makes us think even more deeply.”

Gao Changhe asked warily, “Is what Sun Yadong reported about the Pingyang Rolling Mill?”

Long Fei nodded and said, “Yes, there were also many letters from the public, some of which were sent directly to Secretary Ma.”

Gao Changhe remained silent; this matter involved Mayor Wen Chunming, and it was inconvenient for him to speak at this moment.

Long Fei continued, "Comrade Changhe, I know it's not appropriate for you to express any opinion right now—you haven't taken office yet, you don't understand the situation, and you're not familiar with it, so of course it's not appropriate for you to say much. Therefore, we don't need you to express any opinion today; we just want to communicate with you, the new secretary. We hope that you and the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee can fully cooperate with our work."

After saying this, he turned his gaze to Ma Wanli.

Ma Wanli then slowly began to speak: “Comrade Changhe, we’ve already said most of what needed to be said during our group discussion. Now, I want to add that the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee bears responsibility for its negligence in addressing the corruption issue in Pingyang. Comrade Changhe, think about it—1.2 billion yuan from the Pingyang Rolling Mill was thrown into the water without even a sound. Don’t those responsible comrades like Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming bear any responsibility? That’s 1.2 billion yuan, comrade! That’s the blood and sweat of so many people! Of course, we can’t definitively say that the Pingyang Rolling Mill’s problems were caused by corruption. But isn’t this 140,000 yuan corruption? It’s undeniable corruption! Moreover, corruption has created a small climate, forcing even upright comrades to become corrupt. This serious situation is unprecedented in the history of our province, and it’s never happened in any other region of our province before. It’s shocking, my comrade!”

Ma Wanli paced back and forth in his office, his emotions running high.

Gao Changhe could understand Ma Wanli’s agitation; this deputy secretary of the provincial party committee was known for his incorruptibility.

"So, when deciding on the Pingyang leadership team, I nominated you, and it received unanimous approval from Secretary Hua Bo, Governor Honghe, and the comrades. Why did everyone agree with you? I personally believe it's because you, Gao Changhe, have no connection to the Pingyang region, allowing you to carry out your work without any scruples."

Gao Changhe cautiously interjected, "Secretary Ma, it's not that there's absolutely no connection. My father-in-law, Liang Qingping, worked in Pingyang before 1983, serving as the Pingyang Prefectural Party Secretary. In March 1983, Secretary Liu Huabo succeeded him..."

Ma Wanli waved his hand, "That's all history from a long time ago, and it has nothing to do with this leadership team selection—by the way, regarding this... " "When we were forming the team, we also consulted with Elder Liang. Guess who he recommended?"

Gao Changhe laughed, "It certainly wasn't me, was it? He wouldn't recommend someone without considering personal relationships."

Ma Wanli nodded, "Of course it wasn't you—it was Wen Chunming."

He paused, then continued, "—Carrying out our work without restraint doesn't mean we don't use strategy. Putting myself in your shoes, I know it's difficult for you. You take office with a case in hand, and you have to investigate some officials. Every official has relatives and friends, and you'll offend people! But what if you don't offend people? If you don't offend these corrupt officials, you'll offend the people and the Party! Therefore, we must both do our work and use strategy." "The investigation can be outwardly lenient but inwardly strict. Don't make a fuss, and don't tell Jiang Chaolin yet, lest he misunderstand. We must obtain factual evidence before informing him..."

Gao Changhe hurriedly said, "Secretary Ma, this...this...I...I must report first. Before this, I was unaware of your instructions, so I have already consulted Secretary Liu Huabo separately regarding informing Comrade Jiang Chaolin."

Ma Wanli was clearly a little surprised, paused for a moment, and asked, "Oh? What is Comrade Huabo's opinion?"

Gao Changhe said, "Secretary Huabo's instruction is that we should still inform Comrade Jiang Chaolin beforehand. This will be more conducive to the investigation and more conducive to the unity of the new leadership team." "It won't cause any unnecessary misunderstandings."

Ma Wanli thought for a moment, then calmly nodded: "Then I take back what I said. Just do as Comrade Hua Bo instructed. Comrade Hua Bo's instructions are reasonable, and communicating has its benefits. I was going to bring this up anyway. I think we'll leave it at that for today. Ah?"

Gao Changhe breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up, saying: "Secretary Ma, then I'll be going. Thank you for your concern and support. I will definitely remember your instructions. No matter how many corrupt cadres I offend, I will never offend the people or the Party!"

Ma Wanli held Gao Changhe's hand and gently patted it, saying: "That's good, that's good!"

Just then, the phone rang.

Gao Changhe thought to himself: Oh no, I'm so busy today that I forgot to turn off my phone while talking to the leader!

Ma Wanli said kindly: "Answer the phone, we've finished discussing our business."

Gao Changhe then answered the phone rather embarrassedly.

It was Director Tu of the Provincial Metallurgical Department, discussing the project of the Lieshan County Electrolytic Aluminum Plant. Director Tu said that County Head Zhao Chengquan of Lieshan was a real jerk. He arrived in the afternoon, talked for a short while, and then collapsed in his office. He's been taken to the Provincial People's Hospital.

Gao Changhe hurriedly asked, "What happened? Is he in danger?"

Director Tu said, "How would I know? Following your instructions over the phone, I called all the relevant department heads and experts to work together, hoping to give Pingyang a special case, as a practical way of supporting your appointment. Who would have thought this would turn out like this!"

Gao Changhe said, "Okay, okay, I understand."

Director Tu continued, "Secretary Gao, I have to say, the cadres in Pingyang are really good. Even though County Head Zhao is so sick, he still insists on running projects on the front lines. No wonder Pingyang is where it is today!"

Gao Changhe said, "Alright, for that reason, approve the project for me!"

Ma Wanli learned of this situation. With deep emotion, he said, "Comrade Changhe, your municipal party committee must commend such a good cadre and set up more examples like him to suppress evil with righteousness!"

Gao Changhe wanted to say that many people were keeping an eye on the Lieshan County leadership, including Sun Yadong. But he didn't say it. It was really hard to say; he still knew nothing about what had happened in Lieshan!

At noon on June 24, 1998, Tian Liye arrived at the Pingyang Hotel in his Mercedes-Benz. Afraid of running into Jiang Chaolin, he didn't dare get out of the car. He used his cell phone to call Li Xinxiang in her room, asking her to bring her "famous reporter" friends down immediately. Li Xinxiang then brought down reporters from the People's Daily and two other major newspapers in the capital—five people in total, who had to squeeze in.

As they got into the car, Li Xinxiang asked, "Secretary-General Tian, won't we get fined?"

Tian Liye replied, "Don't you know where we are? Who in Pingyang would dare to fine us?"

The driver, Xiao Liu, had driven with Tian Liye many times before and knew how to appease this easygoing secretary-general. The Mercedes had barely left the Pingyang Hotel gate when, without even a word from Tian Liye, it sped up with its lights and sirens blaring, heading straight for the bustling Shanghai Road.

Li Xinxiang remarked, "Being an official and not being an official really makes a difference!"

Tian Liye said seriously, "Comrade Li Xinxiang, don't say that. You're reporters, I'm a civil servant; we're both serving the people!"

Li Xinxiang laughed, "That doesn't quite sound right to me." Tian Liye

laughed too, "If it did, you'd be eating it!"

They chatted and laughed all the way to the Hong Kong Restaurant, where Tian Liye treated Li Xinxiang and her reporter friends to seafood, saying they were all Bai Ling's friends, and that they should enjoy themselves. While enthusiastically urging each other to drink, Tian Liye launched into a long speech about the great achievements of Pingyang's reform and opening up, the wise leadership of Jiang Chaolin and the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, and the magnificent cross-sea bridge. He even suggested that the reporters jointly interview Jiang Chaolin to applaud this pragmatic secretary.

Unexpectedly, Li Xinxiang was quite unfriendly, immediately turning the tables on Tian Liye. She handed him a proofreading document and asked, "Secretary-General Tian, may I ask your Secretary Jiang to give some insightful opinions on the Pingyang Steel Rolling Mill issue?"

Tian Liye took the document and was shocked. The headline was eye-catching: "Where Did This 1.2 Billion Yuan Go?"

The subheading was: "Report on the Investment Black Hole of Pingyang Steel Rolling Mill."

The young and beautiful Li Xinxiang clearly stated that she wanted to verify this article for internal reference as well.

Tian Liye glanced at the manuscript quickly, his face darkening. He said, "Reporter Li, I advise you not to rush to publish this article. You're Bai Ling's friend, so you're also my friend. I have to tell you the truth: the Pingyuan Rolling Mill issue is quite sensitive; it's a matter our mayor is personally overseeing."

Li Xinxiang said, "Yes, your mayor made a solemn promise back then: to produce steel plates within three years. But not a single inch has been produced, right? 1.2 billion yuan of the nation's money has been thrown into the water, hasn't it? Can there not be problems here? Can there not be a black hole? I think the comrade who wrote this article for us knows the inside story quite well."

Tian Liye said, "What inside story does this comrade know? Even if they've been eating and drinking, they can't have all 1.2 billion yuan in their pockets, can they? There's so much imported equipment sitting there! As far as I know, the Pingyuan Rolling Mill issue is caused by a three-way dispute and departmental conflicts."

Li Xinxiang said, "Then your Pingyang also..." "They have a responsibility! Why are they shirking their duties? Does your Mayor Wen really not care about the people's hard-earned money?"

Another reporter said, "That's right, these kinds of bureaucrats should be exposed!"

He added, "Secretary-General Tian, don't be afraid, this has nothing to do with you. You didn't write the article, nor did you publish it, so just pretend you don't know anything."

Tian Liye ignored the reporter and only said to Li Xinxiang, "Ms. Li, if you're really not afraid of causing trouble, I suggest you go from Beijing to the provincial capital, and then to Pingyang, and thoroughly interview and understand the whole process!"

Li Xinxiang seemed to sense something important here and nodded, saying, "I'm not afraid of causing trouble; I'm only responsible for the facts."

She then asked, "After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, could I meet with Mayor Wen and have a good talk with him?"

Tian Liye said, "Let me report to our Secretary Jiang and Mayor Wen first, okay?"

Li Xinxiang agreed.

After dinner, Tian Liye took all the reporters to the Pingyang Hotel and immediately found Jiang Chaolin.

At that moment, Jiang Chaolin was in his suite on the fifth floor of the Pingyang Hotel reporting to Cheng Yizhi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee, and Wu Zhuguo, the Executive Vice Governor, who had come to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. When Tian Liye arrived, he saw Jiang Chaolin coming out of the suite. Jiang Chaolin was stunned when he saw Tian Liye, and said with a dark face, "Come to my room for a moment!"

After saying that, he got on the elevator without looking back.

Upon reaching Jiang Chaolin's room on the fourth floor, the door closed, and before Tian Liye could utter a single word, Jiang Chaolin launched into a tirade: "Tian Liye, you're so powerful, driving your Mercedes all over the world! Have you had your fill? You dare come to see me? Huh? I thought you were going to wait until I stepped down to see me? All day long you write articles mocking this and that, why don't you mock yourself? Do you even look like a deputy secretary-general? I've tolerated you for six years, don't force me to remove you at the last minute before I step down!"

Tian Liye laughed: "Old Secretary, you wouldn't—who would offend someone before stepping down?"

This only fueled Jiang Chaolin's anger: "Tian Liye, let me tell you: I'm still going to remove you!"

Tian Liye quickly stopped laughing and said cautiously: "Old Secretary, you…you listen to my report first before removing me, okay?"

After listening to Tian Liye's report and reviewing the proofreading, Jiang Chaolin's anger completely dissipated. Let's stop talking about whether to withdraw or not. He patted the proofreading in his hand, deep in thought, and asked Tian Liye, "Which room is the Xinhua News Agency reporter staying in?"

Tian Liye replied, "Room 2335."

Jiang Chaolin was silent for a moment, then said, "Tian Xiucai, on behalf of me and the Municipal Party Committee, please ask her to stay a few more days. She can see everything at the rolling mill and talk about everything, seeking the truth! Since some people just can't see Pingyang's reform achievements, only see the problems, and always use the rolling mill as a pretext, we'll just have to play along. Everything will be open and aboveboard! It's better to be free of official duties; I'm not afraid of offending any more powerful figures!"

Tian Liye added, "Reporters from major newspapers in the capital want to interview you jointly."

Jiang Chaolin waved his hand and said, "Sure. Call Mayor Wen; we'll all work together."

Before leaving, Tian Liye wanted to joke with the old secretary again, asking if he was still going to withdraw him. But seeing Jiang Chaolin's somber expression, he didn't dare, quietly closing the door behind him and leaving.

At 3 PM on June 24, 1998, as Jiang Chaolin walked step by step across the Pingyang Cross-Sea Bridge towards the Wanghaiyan viewing platform, he recalled Mayor Wen Chunming's words: "This is a farewell performance." Farewell to what? Farewell to power, farewell to cheers, and farewell to the leadership responsibilities of a city. Yes, he was no longer the Party Secretary, but he remained the Chairman of the Municipal People's Congress. Theoretically, the People's Congress is the highest organ of power. But the reality in China is that the Party is in power, and every level of the People's Congress must reflect the will of the Party. Therefore, without the position of Party Secretary and without the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, he was no longer the Jiang Chaolin of the past. His

professional smile remained perfectly on his face, and no one could find even a trace of loss or frustration in the expression of this political strongman. Jiang Chaolin, with undiminished authority, followed behind Cheng Yizhi, the Standing Committee Member and Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee, and Wu Zhuguo, the Executive Vice Governor, waving to the flowers, colorful flags, and the crowd gathered at the eastern end of the cross-sea bridge.

The scene was truly inspiring. Upon assuming office, Jiang Chaolin publicly announced at a city-wide meeting of party and government cadres that his two favorite things were groundbreaking ceremonies and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Whenever possible, he would attend the groundbreaking ceremony for any major project in Pingyang and the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its completion. Over the past ten years, countless such grand groundbreaking ceremonies and ribbon-cutting ceremonies have taken place. It was precisely through these countless groundbreaking ceremonies and ribbon-cutting ceremonies that Pingyang took flight, soaring into the sky.

Take this cross-sea bridge, for example—how magnificent, how glorious! Like a soaring dragon, it spans the Nanwan Strait, seamlessly connecting the bustling central area with the international development zone and private industrial park located on the peninsula. This has transformed the once remote peninsula new area into an important part of the central area. Two years ago, as soon as the cross-sea bridge plan was announced, housing and land prices in the Peninsula New Area skyrocketed. According to Wen Chunming, the overall increase has reached 153% to date, and the transfer price of industrial land in the private industrial park has more than quadrupled.

This was entirely within Jiang Chaolin's expectations. When deciding on public-private partnerships and mobilizing private entrepreneurs to invest, Jiang Chaolin, representing the municipal party committee and government, said: "Business is business. I am not giving you instructions as the municipal party secretary, but as a businessman representing the government discussing cooperation with you businessmen. You want to make money, and the government wants to make money too. I can guarantee that this big deal of the cross-sea bridge will make money for both of us. First, there will be toll revenue for fifteen years; second, the appreciation of land and housing prices in the new area."

At the time, someone asked: "Secretary Jiang, why not let foreign companies in the International Development Zone also participate in the investment? Isn't the International Development Zone also on the peninsula?" "How much capital could be raised by over 400 companies from 27 countries and regions?"

Jiang Chaolin said. "Of course we could let foreign capital invest, but we are unwilling to do so. Why? Because we need to protect and support national capital—you are all private enterprises, but you are all national capital. If there's a good thing to make money from, of course I will consider you first. That's what governments around the world do."

Thus, this unprecedented public-private partnership cross-sea bridge came into being, and today's final farewell performance came into being—two years ago, when discussing cooperation with those private entrepreneurs at the Private Entrepreneurs Association, Jiang Chaolin never imagined that his farewell performance would be the ribbon-cutting ceremony for this cross-sea bridge.

After taking his place on the viewing platform, Mayor Wen Chunming, who was presiding over the ceremony, began to introduce the leaders and guests attending the ribbon-cutting event. Next, the leaders and guests spoke one by one. A vice minister of the Ministry of Transport, Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee Cheng Yizhi, and Executive Vice Governor Wu Zhuguo both stated that the Pingyang public-private partnership cross-sea bridge was an innovation, blazing a new trail for deepening reform and accelerating the scale and speed of infrastructure construction. Facts have proven that infrastructure construction can fully mobilize social funds and resources, which is a great thing that benefits the country and its people, and is beneficial to both the public and private sectors. Therefore, this cross-sea bridge not only crossed the Nanwan Strait, but also transcended some outdated conventions and prejudices formed under the planned economy, making Pingyang's reform and opening up more convincing.

As the leaders and guests spoke, Jiang Chaolin felt deeply unsettled. He thought to himself, no matter how well Cheng Yizhi and Wu Zhuguo spoke on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, the fact remained that neither Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo nor Governor Chen Honghe were present. Liu Huabo, who also served as the Chairman of the Provincial People's Congress, was scheduled to meet with the heads of state of the CIS countries and couldn't attend; Governor Chen Honghe, who wasn't meeting with heads of state, also didn't come. Yet, it was rumored that both leaders would be attending the ceremony to send Gao Changhe off to his new post tomorrow. This was emotionally difficult for Jiang Chaolin to accept. He had been displeased since meeting Cheng Yizhi and Wu Zhuguo that morning,

but he hadn't shown it on his face, not even now. Facing the television and photographers' lenses, Jiang Chaolin maintained his usual smile until Wen Chunming announced that he was invited to speak on behalf of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government. Only then did he suppress his smile and walk to the microphone.

This scene was all too familiar—a sea of people, a forest of colorful flags!

Just then, a striking red banner suddenly appeared from the crowd at the east end of the bridge—no one knew who had put it up, but it read: "Secretary Jiang Chaolin, the nine million people of Pingyang thank you!"

Jiang Chaolin's eyes welled up with tears. He threw aside his prepared speech and began his final address to the citizens of Pingyang, his voice trembling with emotion: "Citizens, comrades, it is I who want to thank you, it is the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government who want to thank you, deeply thank you! Without your support and your blood, sweat, and toil, there would be no cross-sea bridge before us, no Pingyang of today's reform and opening up..."

At 4:00 PM on June 24, 1998, the attending physician at the Provincial People's Hospital told Gao Changhe: "Your County Head Zhao has actually been suffering from liver cancer for some time now. He was diagnosed here six months ago. It's a miracle he's still alive!"

Gao Changhe was stunned. Such a thing was unbelievable! A county head, whose county committee was suspected of corruption, turned out to be a late-stage liver cancer patient who had been battling the disease for six months, even collapsing during a project meeting at the Metallurgical Department…

When Gao Changhe met Zhao Chengquan, Zhao Chengquan was calm, still discussing the electrolytic aluminum project.

Gao Changhe couldn't bear to listen any longer and tightly grasped Zhao Chengquan's hand, saying, "Alright, alright, County Head Zhao, don't worry about this. Director Tu has already said they'll handle this as a special case and approve it as soon as possible. Just focus on getting better! Honestly, you're so sick and you still won't rest, are you trying to kill yourself?"

Zhao Chengquan smiled sadly and said, "Secretary Gao, what do I need my life for? I was sentenced to death six months ago, the doctor said I wouldn't live more than three months, but I've lived for another six months and accomplished quite a lot."

Gao Changhe asked sadly, "Do the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and Comrade Jiang Chaolin know about your situation? Do the comrades in the county committee know?"

Zhao Chengquan shook his head: "No, none of them know—if they knew, they wouldn't let me do anything."

Gao Changhe fell silent.

Zhao Chengquan said again, "Secretary Gao, could you pretend you don't know? Let me work a few more days without worry? It's an incurable disease anyway; I'd rather die on the job than in the hospital—really, as long as I have work to do, I forget all about the illness."

Gao Changhe firmly replied, "No, Comrade Zhao Chengquan, you must be hospitalized!"

Leaving Zhao Chengquan's ward, Gao Changhe immediately found the on-duty hospital director and told him to do everything possible to save this county head from Pingyang, using whatever medicine was available, regardless of the financial cost. The director said, "I'm afraid it will be difficult. Based on the patient's condition, no medicine will be effective; at most, it will prolong his life by a month or two." Gao Changhe said, "Even if it's just a month or two, we can't defy fate, but we can still do our best." Leaving the director

's office, Gao Changhe checked his watch; it was only a little past four. Thinking that he had to take up his post in Pingyang early the next morning, he figured he had to visit his father-in-law at least, so he went to the VIP ward on the fifth floor.

Madam Liang Li was already sitting in the ward. Upon seeing Gao Changhe, she sarcastically remarked, "Secretary Gao, it's rare to see a high-ranking official like you still thinking of the old man."

Gao Changhe smiled and replied, "Being a high-ranking official isn't easy; I already have a headache even before taking office."

Liang Li wanted to say something more, but Liang Qingping stopped her with a stern look. He then raised his hand and pointed to the living room outside, signaling Liang Li to leave.

Gao Changhe knew that the old man wanted to discuss the work in Pingyang with him and didn't want Liang Li eavesdropping—the old man was a true Bolshevik, adept at keeping Party secrets, and for decades, his rule was that family members and relatives should always avoid discussing work.

Sure enough, as soon as Liang Li left, the old man spoke up: "Changhe, it's good that you went to Pingyang to preside over the work!"

Gao Changhe smiled wryly and said, "It might not be so good. There seems to be a subtle disagreement among the main leaders of the provincial party committee, and the situation in Pingyang is also quite complicated."

Liang Qingping waved his hand: "Tell me about it."

Gao Changhe said, "Secretary Liu Huabo repeatedly emphasized the achievements of Pingyang's reform and opening up, and spoke highly of Jiang Chaolin, even calling him a hero of the Party and a national hero; but Deputy Secretary Ma Wanli focused more on combating corruption in Pingyang, believing that the corruption problem in Pingyang was very serious, unprecedented in the history of our province, and that Jiang Chaolin was responsible for the corruption in Pingyang."

Liang Qingping nodded: "Not surprising."

Gao Changhe stared at Liang Qingping: "Oh?"

Liang Qingping He began calmly, “Let me tell you some history, which you may or may not know. Before 1983, I was the Party Secretary of Pingyang. Liu Huabo succeeded me, serving in Pingyang for five years and eight months from 1983 to 1988, before being transferred to the Provincial Party Committee as Deputy Party Secretary. Jiang Chaolin succeeded Liu Huabo, serving for ten years, from 1988 to today. Thus, the work experiences of the three of us in Pingyang constitute the nearly twenty-year history of reform in Pingyang. What did the three of us do in these twenty years? For more than five years, I mainly focused on correcting past mistakes and contracting out land; Comrade Huabo focused on developing township and village enterprises for more than five years, making them account for half of Pingyang's economy, and of course, also developing a lot of infrastructure; Comrade Jiang Chaolin…” "The longest period of time, and arguably the best, was spent rebuilding several Pingyangs, enabling Pingyang's economy to take off across the board. That's history."

Gao Changhe said meaningfully, "Therefore, Comrade Hua Bo fully affirmed Pingyang's reform achievements..."

Liang Qingping raised his hand, signaling Gao Changhe to stop, and continued, "—Let me tell you some more history. Around 1986, when Liu Huabo was the Secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and Jiang Chaolin was the Mayor of Pingyang, Comrade Ma Wanli was the Secretary of the Changjiang Municipal Party Committee. Changjiang, of course, cannot be compared to Pingyang; historically, it was an economically underdeveloped region, and we couldn't expect it to suddenly become prosperous. But Ma Wanli served for seven years, following the rules and regulations, and indeed didn't make any major moves, to the point that the Municipal Party Committee's reception office was shut down for several months." They were at the point where no one could receive them, yet they were still resentful, believing that Pingyang had gone too far. At that time, in order to quickly open up the reform situation in Changjiang, the provincial party committee decisively adjusted the leadership of Changjiang. Specifically, at my suggestion, Comrade Ma Wanli was transferred to the position of Executive Deputy Minister of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee, leaving Changjiang City. You know what happened later; Comrade Ma Wanli was very competent in his position in the Organization Department—it proved that this comrade was suited to working in various departments, and later became a minister and deputy secretary of the provincial party committee.”

Gao Changhe said knowingly, “So you mean—”

Liang Qingping smiled, “I don’t mean anything, just talking about some history.”

Gao Changhe knew that the old man’s style was to stop short of revealing the truth, so he didn’t ask any further questions.

After a moment's thought, Liang Qingping continued, "Corruption must be combated. If it isn't, things will get really messy, and we'll lose the support of the Party and the people! Is there corruption in Pingyang? Of course there is, and it might even be quite serious in some areas. But remember, when someone tries to use the banner of anti-corruption to negate reform, you, Gao Changhe, must stand up for me! Besides, corruption is very complex, with right and wrong intertwined. Don't take it too lightly!"

Gao Changhe said, "Yes, there's a county head in Pingyang who's being watched by the Discipline Inspection Commission for suspected corruption. He got cancer but kept working until he collapsed in the provincial capital and is now living here. I really can't tell which image is real."

Liang Qingping said meaningfully, "If you can't tell, then don't say anything!"

Gao Changhe then brought up the issue of future cooperation with Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming, clearly expressing his concerns about the unity of the Pingyang leadership.

Liang Qingping pondered for a moment and said, "More than a year ago, when you became the Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee, I gave you eight words: 'Study more, observe more, speak and act cautiously.' Today, I'll give you eight more words. What are they? 'Greatness lies in tolerance, strength lies in being free from desire.'"

Gao Changhe understood: "Dad, don't worry, I will definitely remember these eight words."

Liang Qingping nodded and said, "Go, work hard, and don't go to the provincial capital too often. The fruits of Pingyang's twenty years of reform and opening up are now in your hands. You're leading nine million people and a city into the new century. I hope you can do even better and surpass us old colleagues." "Zhi!"

Gao Changhe's heart warmed. "Dad, once I've made something of myself, please come and inspect with Comrade Huabo!"

Liang Qingping smiled with satisfaction and said, "Good, good, Changhe, I'm waiting! Tomorrow, as you take office, please convey my respect and gratitude to Comrade Chaolin, Comrade Chunming, and all the hardworking comrades in Pingyang!"

At 9 PM on June 24, 1998, the news that the new secretary, Gao Changhe, was about to take office in Pingyang spread far and wide. Therefore, an unexpected banner appeared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the cross-sea bridge that afternoon. At the same time, Jiang Chaolin also noticed the subtle change in the office director, Liu Yiru. Liu Yiru had never said no to Jiang Chaolin before, but that evening, when Jiang Chaolin asked for the latest foreign investment data for the International Development Zone, Liu Yiru said it was too late, and the relevant personnel in the International Development Zone office had all left work, so it would be difficult to do so.

Jiang Chaolin was furious, but he had to suppress it. He could only say, "Okay, okay, Director Liu, just give me the latest data tomorrow morning. I need it when I hand over the reins to the new Secretary, Comrade Gao Changhe. I hope you won't cause any problems."

As he hung up, Jiang Chaolin remarked, "Some of our comrades are quite sharp-eyed!"

Tian Liye was in Jiang Chaolin's office at the time, reporting to him on how to arrange the interview and investigation work of Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xinxiang. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "That's right, old Secretary, it's power worship. Whoever has power, they worship. That's why people say, 'If you don't use your power, it will expire!'"

Jiang Chaolin sighed, "Yes, yes, if you don't use your power, it will expire! So, next..." "He rushed into promotions, arranged for connections with relatives and friends, and used principles to curry favor everywhere, as if his life was over!"

Tian Liye said sarcastically. "Exactly, that's their life, what's it to you?"

Jiang Chaolin's face hardened. "What do you mean? Doesn't that sound like something a deputy secretary-general would say?"

Tian Liye laughed. "It doesn't sound like you want to dismiss me—it's probably too late, isn't it?"

Jiang Chaolin also laughed. "It seems you can't be reformed. My six years of reform efforts have failed."

After thinking for a moment, his expression became serious. "Hey, let's talk about something serious. A while ago, so many people flocked to me, wanting to advance one last step under my control. Why didn't you have that thought?"

Tian Liye said, "Would I dare? You didn't dismiss me." "I'd be incredibly grateful."

Jiang Chaolin nodded: "You're a decent comrade, you have some self-awareness."

Tian Liye, however, perked up again: "It's not that I have self-awareness, it's that you and the organization department lack the discerning eye of a talent scout. Actually, with my abilities, wouldn't I be a great leader in any city or county? Without a talent scout, a thoroughbred like me is stuck in obscurity."

Jiang Chaolin feigned anger: "A thoroughbred? More like a thoroughbred ox! Think about it yourself, how did the organization cultivate you in the first place? Huh? Just because you were the first graduate student assigned to the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, and a Party member, they sent you down there to gain experience—deputy secretary of the town party committee, secretary, deputy secretary of the county party committee, and also secretary of the discipline inspection commission. But you, you wouldn't budge, you even regressed when pushed, arguing fiercely with Geng Zijing in Lieshan." "Porridge! What else do you have to say? It's understandable for others to cry foul, but you deserve it!"

Tian Liye said indignantly, "You're just protecting Geng Zijing!"

Jiang Chaolin said, "Protecting Geng Zijing? Do you have Geng Zijing's abilities? Could you have turned Lieshan into this mess?"

Tian Liye retorted, "If you had transferred Geng Zijing back then and let me be the secretary of the Lieshan County Party Committee, I might have done a better job than Geng Zijing!" He

then muttered, "To be honest, I really hate the way officials shake hands on stage and kick each other off stage. I'm never used to it, so I always suffer losses!"

Jiang Chaolin said, "When Secretary Gao Changhe comes, you'll gradually get used to it. I believe he's more capable than me. Generally speaking, he'll increase the reform efforts on you. When I hand over my position, I'll also suggest this to him." "

Tian Liye said, "If he reforms himself, I might just move to a different position, but I'll still get the deputy director level."

Jiang Chaolin said, "Yes, it's an iron chair; once you're in, you can't get off. You've really mastered the cadre policy."

Tian Liye said seriously, "Hey, old secretary, how about I go to the People's Congress with you? You don't need to promote me; it'll be a lateral transfer, and I'll still be the deputy secretary-general—how about the deputy secretary-general of the People's Congress? I just love working with you!"

Jiang Chaolin was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "You want me to run a family business in the People's Congress? Are you my personal bodyguard?"

Tian Liye said sincerely, "No, old secretary, it's because I admire you, I admire you from the bottom of my heart! I even want to write a book for you; I've already thought of a title: 'A Man and a City.'" Jiang

Chaolin waved his hand and said, "Scholar,..." I advise you not to write a book that's just a personal self-praise book. What do you mean by "One Person and One City"—that all the work was done by me alone? Twenty years of reform and opening up, three terms of municipal party secretary—it should at least be "three people and one city," right? More importantly, it's the support of nine million people. Without the twenty years of hard work and progress of the vast number of cadres and masses in Pingyang, this city wouldn't exist today. So, even if you really write this book, it should be about "nine million people and one city."

Tian Liye said, "Okay, I'll write it that way."

Jiang Chaolin, however, said, "Don't write it yet. The new secretary is arriving soon. You still need to focus on your work. Remember, you, Tian Liye, are, after all, the deputy secretary-general of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, not a writer."

Only then did he remember the main point, "—" "Hey, Scholar, please continue. How does that Xinhua News Agency reporter, Ms. Li, plan to conduct the interviews at each level? What are the specific arrangements?"

Tian Liye returned to the main topic: "Oh, Secretary, it's like this: Reporter Li plans to stay in Pingyang for about a week, staying at the Pingyang Rolling Mill Guesthouse. Then, I'll accompany her to the provincial capital and Beijing. During her stay in Pingyang, she might need to ask you and Mayor Wen about some important decisions regarding the initial establishment of the Pingyang Rolling Mill."

After reporting, he added, "Reporter Li is now impressed with you, saying that when you accepted their joint interview, it was like Zhao Zhongxiang broadcasting the news!"

Jiang Chaolin chuckled and said, "Scholar, don't flatter me. I think we should handle this like this: First, she doesn't necessarily have to stay at the Pingyang Rolling Mill Guesthouse; the conditions are a bit harsh. Second, in Pingyang..." "You accompany me, but don't go to the provincial capital or Beijing, and none of the other comrades should go either, to avoid causing misunderstandings. Third, from now on, don't report this matter to me anymore; you can report directly to the new secretary, Comrade Gao Changhe."

Tian Liye understood: "Okay, old secretary, I'll do everything according to your instructions."

Before leaving, he earnestly added, "Old secretary, I'm not joking, I really want to go to the People's Congress. Do you think you could consider it?"

Jiang Chaolin felt a surge of warmth in his heart, patted Tian Liye's shoulder, and said, "Work hard in the municipal party committee first. Comrade Gao Changhe is also a graduate student, just like you; he might value you highly. Of course, if it really comes to the point where you can't stay, I won't just watch you become a waiting-for-job cadre. Anyway, I've been stuck with you."

Tian Liye then said, "How about you recommend me to the new secretary so I can get a full-time position down there? Any full-time position will do, even a township or town position—I'm determined to make something of myself for you, old secretary, and show you that I'm not just some apple-sharing machine in the government!"

Jiang Chaolin completely ignored Tian Liye's words, waving his hand and saying, "Go on, go on, I have other things to do."

Feeling awkward, Tian Liye left dejectedly. A few minutes later, Mayor Wen Chunming arrived.

As soon as Wen Chunming entered, he said he had just seen off the Vice Minister of Transport and his entourage, and the guests leaving tomorrow were all arranged; the ribbon-cutting ceremony could be considered a successful conclusion. As he spoke, he began to complain, first blaming Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo and Governor Chen Honghe for not coming, then bringing up the rolling mill issue, saying that even enduring humiliation has its limits, and this time he really should use Xinhua News Agency reporter Li's help to launch a proper counterattack.

Jiang Chaolin said, “Chunming, look at you, you’re getting emotional again! What’s there to retaliate against? Who wants to retaliate? Someone submitted materials to Xinhua News Agency, so we have no choice but to truthfully expose the problems at the rolling mill! This might offend some people in those departments, and some work in Pingyang might be affected in the future. But what can we do? It’s not that we’re unwilling to endure the humiliation, it’s just that some people insist on making a big deal out of it!”

Wen Chunming asked, “Should we report this to Gao Changhe?”

Jiang Chaolin said, “Of course we should inform him. During the handover, I’ll give Comrade Gao Changhe a copy of the internal report that was originally prepared for publication. It’s all aboveboard!”

Just then, Wen Chunming’s secretary came in with his cell phone and reported to Wen Chunming and Jiang Chaolin that the city’s flood control headquarters had called, saying that due to continuous heavy rains in the upper reaches of the Changjiang River, the water level in the Pingyang section of the Changjiang River was approaching its historical high. If the heavy rains in the upper reaches continue and a new flood peak comes down, there might be problems in the county-level cities of Binhai and parts of Pingyang.

Upon hearing this, Wen Chunming became anxious and got up to leave, saying, "I have to get to the flood control headquarters right away."

Jiang Chaolin instructed him, "You also need to report to the provincial flood control headquarters."

After Wen Chunming left, Jiang Chaolin still felt uneasy. He woke up his driver and secretary, who were already in bed, and they also drove to the Changjiang River embankment, located in the urban-rural fringe area, for a surprise inspection of the flood control work.

According to the city's arrangements, tens of thousands of people from more than a dozen townships along the Changjiang River had been mobilized to the front line of river defense.

However, as Audi No. 001 drove towards the embankment, the night sky over Pingyang was filled with a bright moon and countless stars, without a single lightning bolt or thunder, and not even a wisp of cloud on

the horizon. It was 11:45 PM on June 24, 1998. At this moment, Jiang Chaolin's last day as the Secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee was not yet over. He still bore an inescapable and heavy responsibility for the city of Pingyang and the nine million people who lived and thrived on this land.

Sitting in the car, gazing at the city lights surging towards him, Jiang Chaolin thought, this truly is the longest day.

At 10:25 AM on June 25, 1998, as Jiang Chaolin stepped out of the elevator of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee building, he saw Mayor Wen Chunming and the members of the Standing Committee already gathered in front of the building, preparing to welcome Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo and other provincial leaders. He also noticed that Deputy Party Secretary Sun Yadong was in high spirits, smiling and talking to Shen Chun, the Minister of Propaganda.

Sun Yadong said, "...I told you long ago that Gao Changhe wouldn't stay in the provincial party committee for long. See, I was right?"

Shen Chun said, "I really didn't expect this. I originally thought Gao Changhe would become the secretary-general of the provincial party committee and enter the standing committee..."

Jiang Chaolin walked over and joked, "What? Are you acting as amateur organization ministers again?"

He glanced at Sun Yadong and asked, "Hey, where is Comrade Hua Bo's convoy?"

Sun Yadong replied, "I just received a call from Director Chen of the Public Security Bureau. Director Chen reported from the lead car that the convoy has entered the Third Ring Road overpass and will arrive soon."

Jiang Chaolin nodded, walked over to Wen Chunming, and took the opportunity to talk to Wen Chunming about flood prevention: "Chunming, last night I went for a walk on the river embankment and looked around. I was really shocked. This year's flood not only came early, but it is also very serious! I told Wang..." Shao Bo said that from now on, the Binhai Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government must have someone on duty on the dike 24 hours a day to maintain constant contact with the Municipal Flood Control Headquarters.

Wen Chunming was somewhat moved and said with a wry smile, "Secretary Jiang, you've really stood your last post well!"

Jiang Chaolin laughed and said, "Well, I'm about to change posts, so it won't be my business anymore. You used to say, 'The Municipal Party Committee sits at the bow of the boat, the government walks on the shore, the People's Congress raises its hand, and the CPPCC sways'—I'll just be raising my hand from now on..."

Wen Chunming said, "Old Secretary, I don't think you'll just be raising your hand..."

Just then, two police cars with Pingyang license plates drove into the Municipal Party Committee compound. Behind the Pingyang police cars, the special cars of Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo and Deputy Provincial Party Secretary Ma Wanli, along with their accompanying vehicles, followed by a police car from the Provincial Public Security Bureau. After the cars stopped in order in front of the main building, Liu Huabo, Ma Wanli, and the newly appointed Pingyang Municipal Party Secretary Gao Changhe got out of their respective cars.

Liu Huabo, walking at the front, stepped forward and shook Jiang Chaolin's hand, saying, "Comrade Chaolin, have you been waiting long?"

Jiang Chaolin smiled and said, "No, no, it's not beyond our expectations. Two hundred and sixty kilometers, all highway, it's only a little over two hours' drive. Besides, once we entered Pingyang territory, our lead car kept reporting our location, so we knew exactly where the leaders were."

Ma Wanli chuckled, "Old Jiang, didn't you think we could take a helicopter?"

Jiang Chaolin also laughed, "Secretary Ma, you're not in such a hurry for me to step down, are you?"

Liu Huabo had by then reached Wen Chunming. Standing before Wen Chunming, Liu Huabo heard Jiang Chaolin's words and immediately turned around, saying, "Oh, Comrade Chaolin, you really want to bury this old man in Pingyang forever? Huh?"

Jiang Chaolin replied, "What do you mean by burying this old man forever? I just want to bury this old bone in Pingyang!"

Liu Huabo repeatedly said, "Good, good, then reserve a place for me in the Yinghai Cemetery in Pingyang too. I'll come and keep you company after I've returned to my roots! 'Going to Lingtai to gather old comrades, with ten thousand banners to slay Yama,' right?"

Jiang Chaolin laughed loudly, "Secretary Huabo, are you going to drag me to reform the Yama's Palace?"

Gao Changhe, holding Jiang Chaolin's hand, immediately said, " "Old Secretary, I truly admire you and Secretary Hua Bo. With you two in the face of death, reform is inevitable! Count me in as one of your old subordinates!"

Jiang Chaolin laughed, "You, Gao Changhe, what are you joking about? You're a cadre crossing the century, what kind of old subordinate are you? You have to make this century a success, lead Pingyang to a successful one!"

He patted Gao Changhe's hand affectionately, then added, "You know what? More than half a year ago, I had my eye on you, wanting to recruit you to Pingyang!"

Gao Changhe smiled, "Was it after we met at the provincial party committee work conference at the end of last year?"

Jiang Chaolin said, "Yes, you..." " That grand discourse on whether something belongs to the public or the private sector has given me much to think about!"

Gao Changhe said. "Old Secretary, it's thanks to you and the comrades in Pingyang that the issue of public versus private ownership has been resolved so well in practice! I was writing an article at the time, following Secretary Hua Bo's instructions, and I found the facts about the Pingyang private industrial park very convincing, so I approached you at the meeting."

Jiang Chaolin asked with concern, "Where was that article published? I'd love to see it."

Gao Changhe pointed to Liu Hua Bo and whispered, "The big boss later told me not to publish it, saying there were some things we should do without saying anything, to avoid causing a nationwide uproar."

Jiang Chaolin chuckled and said, "Our big boss is shrewd. Back when he was running township enterprises in Pingyang, he just did it all without saying a word, quietly developing the business. People criticized him, saying that township enterprises were the source of unhealthy practices, but he pretended not to hear it..."

Liu Huabo overheard this and immediately exclaimed, "Hey, Chaolin, stop talking badly about me! Please come inside and sit down! Why are you always arguing with Gao Changhe? You'll have plenty of time later!"

Jiang Chaolin paused, then walked to the front of the group and said, "Please, please, leaders, please come in..."

to the municipal party committee meeting. As soon as they sat down, Ma Wanli quietly reminded Liu Huabo, "Comrade Huabo, Old Jiang's mood doesn't seem quite right!"

Liu Huabo replied, "What's wrong? I think he's fine. Huh?"

Ma Wanli said worriedly, "To be honest, Comrade Huabo, I'm a little worried about the unity of the future leadership team."

Liu Huabo waved his hand, "Old Ma, let's not be prophets now, let's wait and see."

Although he said this, Liu Huabo had a feeling: Jiang Chaolin not only had a grudge against Ma Wanli, but it seemed to be a very strong one, which was revealed in their subtly pointed conversation from the very first meeting. This surprised and unsettled him. Liu Huabo thought this was not in line with Jiang Chaolin's usual style. Jiang Chaolin was always "politically savvy," and although he had never looked down on Ma Wanli, who came from Changjiang City, he had never said anything bad about Ma Wanli in public or behind his back. But today, strangely enough, he even said things that Ma Wanli was eager for him to step down. This shows that Jiang Chaolin harbored resentment towards this leadership reshuffle and held a grudge against Ma Wanli.

The subsequent enlarged meeting of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee went quite well, with a very enthusiastic atmosphere. After Minister Qi of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department announced the appointment and removal decisions on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee, Jiang Chaolin immediately expressed his determination to resolutely implement the Provincial Party Committee's decision and assist the new Secretary Gao Changhe in his work in Pingyang. Gao Changhe also spoke, stating that he would learn diligently from the veteran comrades and the people of Pingyang, quickly familiarize himself with the situation, and devote himself to his work, striving not to disappoint the trust placed in him by the Provincial Party Committee and the nine million people of Pingyang.

To everyone's surprise, Gao Changhe repeated what he had said during his meeting with the provincial party committee the previous day: "...To be honest, coming to Pingyang, an economically developed city, to serve as the municipal party secretary has been a nerve-wracking experience. Even today, as the car drove towards Pingyang, I was still asking myself: Gao Changhe, Gao Changhe, what have you done to deserve such a great position? Secretary Jiang Chaolin and the previous municipal party committee have set such a dazzling benchmark; can you and your new team surpass it? This transition into the new century won't be easy!"

Jiang Chaolin chuckled and interjected, "Comrade Changhe, don't say that! Pingyang's benchmark is high, so the foundation in all aspects is naturally better. With such a good foundation, I believe you will not only be able to overcome it, but you will also do a better job than us older comrades! Don't talk about picking a peach—if we're talking about picking a peach, you're not the first. The first was me, ten years ago, I picked a big peach from Comrade Hua Bo! Without the solid foundation left by Comrade Hua Bo, there wouldn't have been Pingyang's leapfrog development over the past ten years."

Liu Huabo laughed. "Then from whom did I pick the peach? Shouldn't I say from Liang Qingping?" Liu Chaolin waved

his hand. "I agree with Comrade Chaolin's opinion. Don't talk about picking peaches. Our reform achievements are the result of generation after generation working tirelessly; our reform history is written with the blood and sweat of one generation after another, risking their lives. No one can control everything or take over history. As individuals, no matter how high our official rank or how long we are in office, we are just a wave in the torrent of the times. We have been impacted and struggled, and that's enough to comfort us, isn't it, Comrade Chaolin?"

Jiang Chaolin nodded: "That's well said!"

Ma Wanli also said: "Comrade Huabo has pointed out the essence of the problem, which is that our reform history has always been written by the power of the people. Chairman Mao once said, 'The people, and only the people, are the driving force of history.' How well said..."

Liu Huabo noticed that Jiang Chaolin's expression was a little unnatural when Ma Wanli said this.

After the meeting, Mayor Wen Chunming arranged for everyone to have dinner at the Pingyang Hotel.

Liu Huabo, wanting a proper talk with Jiang Chaolin, said to him as they were leaving, "Hey, Chaolin, I don't like the food at the hotel. Come on, let's go to your place for some hand-pulled noodles!"

Jiang Chaolin was quite surprised: "Secretary Huabo, are you kidding me? So many high-ranking officials are visiting Pingyang, and Comrade Changhe is only here for the first time. Is it really appropriate for us to eat hand-pulled noodles?"

Liu Huabo laughed: "What's inappropriate about it? Are you worried that Secretary Ma and Gao Changhe won't be able to eat without you? Huh?"

Jiang Chaolin hesitated and said, "Let's do it another day. There's a city-wide meeting of party and government cadres at 3 pm."

Liu Huabo pointed to his watch: "It's 12 pm now. There are still three hours until 3 pm. We have time."

He then pulled Jiang Chaolin along, "Come on, come on, eating hand-pulled noodles will save Pingyang some hospitality expenses."

Jiang Chaolin smiled bitterly: "Save what hospitality expenses? Even if the provincial party secretary doesn't go, it's still the same meal."

Despite saying that, Jiang Chaolin finally agreed.

So the two drove to Jiang Chaolin's house to eat hand-pulled noodles.

Once inside the car, Liu Huabo asked, "Chaolin, is something bothering you?"

Jiang Chaolin replied, "What's bothering me? It's time to get off, so I have to."

Liu Huabo sighed, "I'll have to get off next year too. We old comrades definitely won't make it into the new century! The future history will be written by younger comrades like Gao Changhe!"

Jiang Chaolin calmly said, "That's the law of nature; no one can resist it."

Liu Huabo patted Jiang Chaolin's hand, "That's right, I'm relieved that you think that way, old friend! To be honest, everyone knows your influence in Pingyang, and some comrades are worried about the future unity of the Pingyang leadership..."

Jiang Chaolin smiled, "These comrades are overthinking it. I've already left the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee; from now on, I'll just be attending the Standing Committee meetings. If you, the Provincial Party Secretary, don't trust me, I can promise to only listen and not speak at the Standing Committee meetings. How about that?"

Liu Huabo's face hardened, "What kind of talk is that? Huh? Are you trying to put me on the spot?"

Jiang Chaolin wasn't intimidated at all: "Big Boss, you're playing me like a fool—do you want to go eat hand-pulled noodles, or do you want to talk to me about work? If it's work, let's go to the Municipal People's Congress office. I, the director of the Municipal People's Congress, will give you, the director of the Provincial People's Congress, a proper report."

Liu Huabo shook his head: "Old buddy, we worked in the same team for so many years ten years ago, and now, you really don't even want to treat me to a bowl of noodles? Huh?"

Jiang Chaolin sighed: "I'm afraid my bowl of noodles won't be very good..."

Liu Huabo laughed, "Whether it's delicious or not, I'll eat it. I still want to eat your noodles while listening to your heartfelt words, just like before. Even when we get to Yinghai Cemetery, we'll still be partners!"

Jiang Chaolin was also moved and stammered, "Alright, Huabo, I'll confide in you then!"

At this moment, the car drove into the municipal party committee dormitory compound and stopped in front of an apartment building with a red sign that read "Public Servant Building." Jiang Chaolin's wife, Wang Yuzhen, who had been notified in advance, was waiting downstairs. At

12:00 noon on June 25, 1998, a huge tide surged along the Binhai River embankment, with waves crashing against the shore and the turbid Changjiang River flowing eastward.

12-02 Chapter 03 Is it the sun or the moon that rises?

On the embankment, an off-road jeep drove slowly. Wang Shaobo, the secretary of the Binhai Municipal Party Committee, was directing the flood control work along the thirty-mile embankment through the walkie-talkie. The weather was clear, but the river wind was unusually strong, occasionally bringing gusts of fishy and watery odors that suddenly rushed into the car, giving Wang Shaobo a thrilling experience.

It was truly a breathtaking situation. Looking at the churning, roaring river, Wang Shaobo thought, "If a breach were to occur along this thirty-mile-long river defense line, the losses wouldn't just be a few hundred million; they could easily reach billions!" Binhai, the county he led, wasn't just any small county; it was a large, influential county-level city with a population exceeding one million. It was not only the strongest county-level city in Pingyang Prefecture but also the strongest in the entire province economically. In recent years, while township and village enterprises across the country were generally struggling, Binhai's development momentum had remained strong, reaching a point where it held two-thirds of the market share—a truly fruitful achievement, as described in the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee's documents. He absolutely could not allow the river defense line to fall under his watch, and for these fruitful achievements to be submerged in the river.

Last night, when I met Jiang Chaolin on the river embankment, he said with a dark face, "From now on, your Binhai Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government must focus your work on flood prevention. Key personnel must be on duty on the river embankment. If necessary, even the Municipal Party Committee must move to the embankment! If there are problems with river defense and Binhai City is flooded, your entire Municipal Party Committee leadership will have to resign!"

Starting this morning, more than half of the Municipal Party Committee leadership went to the embankment, each taking charge of a section and directing laborers to reinforce the dangerous sections day and night. More than 10,000 laborers from the seven townships along the river have already gone to the embankment, plus rotating personnel, bringing the total to nearly 30,000. Rural laborers and voluntary workers have all been mobilized, and even government officials have been used. Wang Shaobo, representing the Binhai Municipal Party Committee, put forward the slogan: "We vow to live and die with the river embankment." Now, this slogan has become a banner erected on the embankment. After getting out of the car, Wang Shaobo saw many laborers and government officials filling sandbags with soil and stones under a banner not far away. Several dump trucks and road rollers also drove up, their engines roaring and billowing black smoke; from a distance, it really looked like a battle.

Just then, Wang Shaobo's walkie-talkie rang: "Secretary Wang, Secretary Wang, can you hear me? Please answer."

Wang Shaobo replied into the walkie-talkie: "This is Wang Shaobo, I'm listening."

"This is Li Sanli, the Party Secretary of Liweizi Town. We've encountered a dangerous situation here. Due to the impact of the river, over twenty meters of the dike is collapsing. The situation... the situation is quite serious. You... you should come and take a look?"

Wang Shaobo immediately became angry: "River impact? Other places are also experiencing river impact, and they haven't collapsed, only Liweizi has collapsed? Li Sanli, I'm asking you, how have you done your flood prevention work? Huh? Have you seriously implemented the instructions from the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government regarding flood prevention and control?"

The voice on the walkie-talkie trembled with tears: "Secretary Wang, this... this really isn't our fault, I..." The soil quality of our section of the embankment is too poor. You will know if you come and take a look..."

Wang Shaobo became impatient: "Okay, okay, don't panic yet, I'll be there right away!

With that said, he jumped on the jeep and said to the driver, "Drive quickly, go to Liweizi!" "

Sitting in the bumpy car, Wang Shaobo was still shouting, "Li Sanli, please listen to me. Even if the soil quality is poor, you can't escape your responsibility! Did the soil quality just start to deteriorate today? Huh? Have you ever paid attention to it? What have you been doing? If it doesn’t work, all you officials will fill the river for me! That’s it! "

I rushed to the Liweizi section and saw that the situation was really serious. The Liweizi section of the river embankment was made of sand and soil. Although the embankments were reinforced during the dry season and slope protection was built with stones in some places, due to the poor soil quality, the stone The sand and soil underneath were washed away by the flood, and a section of the embankment about 20 meters long collapsed, and even a Jiefang brand car parked on the embankment to unload stones fell into the water. Fortunately, there were no casualties when Wang Shaobo arrived.

Enraged, Wang Shaobo became unreasonable. While busy working on the dike with a walkie-talkie in hand, he pointed at Li Sanli, the Party Secretary of Liweizi Town, and berated him incessantly: "...You're all faking it! Why didn't you build more of the revetment to the riverbed? Huh? Why couldn't you go a few miles to get soil?"

Li Sanli argued, "Secretary Wang, you don't know, the area around our township for dozens of miles is mostly sandy soil..."

Wang Shaobo ignored him, his eyes fixed on the river water lapping against the bank and the dike still collapsing intermittently. He roared into the walkie-talkie, "Hello, hello, Daquan Township, did you hear that? Quickly send your people and vehicles up here to the Liweizi section immediately! Load the trucks with materials! If you delay, I'll remove you all!"

Li Sanli was still grumbling, "Secretary Wang, this really isn't our fault. We've always diligently implemented the instructions from the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government..."

Wang Shaobo was furious. "Is this how you implement things? Don't try to explain things to me with 'objectives.' Get to work! If the dike doesn't break today, consider yourself lucky. If it does, you're all going to resign!"

Someone kindly reminded him, "Secretary Wang, step back a bit, don't fall into the river. The dike is still collapsing in front of you."

But Wang Shaobo, his face dark, said irritably, "You all step forward! Party members and cadres, lead the way!"

Li Sanli and the party members and cadres of Liweizi obediently stepped forward, lifting sandbags and stones and throwing them into the river, splashing water everywhere. Some nearby farmers also contributed their wardrobes, which were filled with earth and stones and sunk into the river, gradually forming a structure between the collapsed slope and the existing dike. The Liberation truck that had sunk earlier was now partially visible.

Around 1:00 PM, the convoy transporting stones from Daquan Township arrived, along with the workers. Wang Shaobo felt somewhat relieved. Remembering that he had to attend a city-wide meeting of party and government cadres in Pingyang at 3:00 PM, he prepared to leave Liweizi.

However, just then, dark clouds gathered, and large raindrops began to fall. The still-unreinforced dike remained fraught with danger. Wang Shaobo dared not leave. He told Mayor Jiang Kunhua over the radio to go to Pingyang for the meeting first, and that he would go later.

Unexpectedly, he didn't make it. While driving piles with the laborers from Liweizi in the wind and rain, a wave swept Wang Shaobo and two laborers into the river. If it weren't for the ropes tied around their waists, they would have been swept away by the spring current.

Dragged ashore by comrades, Wang Shaobo's face was covered in blood, and he was unconscious.

The stones that had sunk into the river had nearly killed him.

At 1:00 PM on June 25, 1998, everything at Jiang Chaolin's home in Pingyang was so familiar. Ten years had passed, and Pingyang had undergone such earth-shattering changes, yet the home of Jiang Chaolin, the municipal party secretary, remained almost unchanged. Jiang Chaolin and his family still lived in the "Public Servant Building" named by the municipal party committee back then, still in two connected mid-level apartments on the fourth floor. The furniture was still so cluttered and old, from the 1950s desks and old-fashioned sofas that were being sold at a discount, to the Czech-style high and low cabinets and wardrobes popular in the 1970s—not a single thing was new or in line with the times.

Liu Huabo ate the hand-pulled noodles made by Jiang Chaolin's wife, Wang Yuzhen, looked around, and shook his head. "Chaolin, you're really out of touch! Your home as the municipal party secretary doesn't quite match the image of your economic powerhouse! Look, not a single modern item!"

Jiang Chaolin laughed, "What do you mean, 'not a single modern item'? This big color TV was just replaced two years ago, a 25-inch one."

Only then did Liu Huabo notice that the color TV on the high and low cabinet was larger than before.

Wang Yuzhen also said, "Secretary Liu, you've gotten a lot of new things. The refrigerator is a double-door one, and look over there by the window—there's air conditioning too. It's much better than before."

Liu Huabo still shook his head: "No, no, even some low-level bureaucrats in our provincial capital live much better homes than high-ranking officials like you. Their little nests are as luxurious as hotels! A single renovation can easily cost 100,000 or 200,000 yuan."

Jiang Chaolin snorted, "Then I suggest the discipline inspection department thoroughly investigate these low-level bureaucrats! With their legal income, could they afford to turn their little nests into luxury hotels? Where would they get so much money? My home may not match the image of a major economic city, but it certainly matches our salaries. The country hasn't implemented a high-salary system yet. So far, even high-ranking officials are still poor officials. As long as they don't embezzle or break the law, this is the only standard of living they can have!"

Liu Huabo nodded and asked, "Chaolin, tell me honestly, do you feel cheated?"

Jiang Chaolin said, "To be an official is to be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures—oh, right, that's what you said at the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee meeting back then, I think it was when the decision was made to build this public servant building!"

Liu Huabo laughed and reminded him, "I also said that those who want to get rich through their power, those who want to get rich first, shouldn't live in this public servant building! So, seeing that you haven't gotten rich first, I'm quite at ease."

Jiang Chaolin sighed, "You're at ease, but I'm not. I'm not afraid of suffering a little loss, but I won't stand being humiliated! Secretary Huabo, what do you think Deputy Secretary Ma Wanli means? For so many years, why has he always looked down on Pingyang? Huh? Listen to what he said today: 'Our history of reform has always been written by the power of the people.' That's very true. I also said that yesterday at the opening ceremony of the cross-sea bridge. In the past ten years, without the support of the people of Pingyang, without the struggle of the people of Pingyang, there would be no Pingyang today. I say this wherever I go."

Liu Huabo said, "Isn't that good? " "It's not contradictory to Comrade Ma Wanli!"

Jiang Chaolin slammed his bowl on the table. "No, there's a huge contradiction here! Ma Wanli means that our Pingyang Municipal Party Committee is nothing special. Then I have to ask: why didn't Comrade Ma Wanli write something memorable about reform history in Changjiang City? Is it because the people of Changjiang are incompetent, or is it because Ma Wanli is incapable? How did such a comrade become the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and today he's always pointing fingers at us? Is that fair!"

Liu Huabo remained silent for a long time before saying, "Changjiang has its own situation, and we can't blame everything on Ma Wanli. Besides, every comrade has strengths and weaknesses! Comrade Ma Wanli lacks some boldness in local work, but he's still very dedicated in his leadership position in the Provincial Party Committee."

Jiang Chaolin smiled bitterly, "Huabo, now that I've stepped down, and we're having a heart-to-heart talk, can you put aside your airs as the Provincial Party Secretary and tell me what's on your mind? I don't want to hear these principled official words!"

Liu Huabo laughed, "Okay, okay, let's compromise, okay? We'll stick to the principles..." "We don't speak official jargon—we're all people of the Communist Party, we can't be without principles!"

Jiang Chaolin shook his head: "I give up!"

Liu Huabo patted Jiang Chaolin on the shoulder: "I give up—in the province, you're probably the only one who dares to challenge me like this! Well, you have the credentials, you're a hero of our Party, a national hero!"

Jiang Chaolin hurriedly said: "Hey, Chief, you said it, not me! And I advise you to say less of that in the future. Don't think I'm happy to hear this; honestly, I'm very unhappy! People who don't know the inside story think you're praising me to the skies, but I know best, you're giving an abstract affirmation but a concrete negation."

Liu Huabo became serious: "Chaolin, why would you think that? How is it a concrete negation?"

Jiang Chaolin said: "Then let me be frank, why can't Wen Chunming take over as Secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee? You know this comrade well; when you were Secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, you transferred Wen Chunming from his position as Secretary of the Binhai County Party Committee to become Vice Mayor. After your promotion, Chunming..." "He's worked with me for ten years, putting in a lot of effort and doing a lot of work, making a significant contribution to Pingyang's rise. I told you this during a previous report: Chunming has repeatedly gone abroad for inspections and brought back grass seeds. Even many customs ports know that Pingyang has such a good mayor, and they're all moved by him. Why can't he move your provincial party committee? Now, Pingyang's framework as a modern metropolis is in place. The next important task is to beautify the city and move towards the level of an international metropolis. This is precisely the time when we need Wen Chunming. Why don't you use him? Why are you fixated on the Pingyang rolling mill issue? Governor Chen Honghe was a leader in charge of this project in a national ministry a few years ago; she approved the Pingyang rolling mill project. Why didn't she say a word of fairness? She just watched Ma Wanli and that Sun Yadong from our city spread rumors everywhere! I can follow the provincial party committee's instructions and work on Wen Chunming, but I'm truly dissatisfied. I feel that you, as the high-ranking official, and the provincial party committee are not being fair!"

Liu Huabo pondered, and unusually lit a cigarette.

Jiang Chaolin took a sip of water and said, "So, I was thinking, do some comrades see Pingyang as my independent kingdom? Are they going to use Pingyang to their advantage, and then negate Pingyang's 20 years of reform and opening up? This isn't just baseless speculation; there's a lot of talk about it in the provincial capital. Apparently, corruption in Pingyang is very serious, and Deputy Secretary Ma Wanli is said to have lost his temper. Is that true, Huabo?"

Liu Huabo then stubbed out his cigarette and asked, "Chaolin, are you done?"

Jiang Chaolin nodded: "I'm done—let me clarify, because we were old comrades in the same team, I've said what's on my mind. But I will still resolutely implement your and the Provincial Party Committee's decisions, without any discount. To paraphrase a saying from the Cultural Revolution, it's 'I will implement what I understand, and I will also implement what I don't understand.'"

Liu Huabo said, "Good, with that premise, we can talk more. Let's talk about Wen Chunming's issue. The Provincial Party Committee has an evaluation of Wen Chunming, and I want to say responsibly that the problems at the Pingyang Rolling Mill did not significantly affect his appointment. The Provincial Party Committee widely solicited opinions..." The appointment of Gao Changhe was primarily due to considerations of succession across the centuries. Wen Chunming, at 55, could only serve one term; while Gao Changhe, at only 47, could serve at least two terms, meaning he could remain in office until at least 2008. Pingyang's development experience over the past decade has proven that a relatively stable leadership team is highly beneficial to a region's sustainable development. Now, let's discuss the issue of anti-corruption. Comrade Chaolin, we must clearly recognize that this is a major issue concerning the life and death of the Party and the country. Some comrades say that not fighting corruption will lead to the downfall of the country, while fighting corruption will lead to the downfall of the Party. I disagree with this view. I said at the Provincial Party Committee work conference that not fighting corruption is what will lead to the downfall of the Party and the country. After the basic points were determined, I had to ask: Is there corruption in Pingyang? I think there is, and it may be quite serious in some areas. I can reveal something here: Comrade Ma Wanli certainly had reason to be angry! When dealing with that corrupt deputy mayor of Changjiang back then, Comrade Ma Wanli also lost his temper.”

Jiang Chaolin was stunned, almost unable to believe that these were the words of his old squad leader.

Liu Huabo continued, “So, Comrade Chaolin, as leaders, we can’t be so sensitive. We can’t immediately think that someone wants to cut down the flag just because we’re investigating and dealing with some corrupt officials in Pingyang. Pingyang’s achievements over the past twenty years of reform are there for all to see. It’s not just a flag; it’s a city full of high-rise buildings. No one can cut it down even if they want to!”

Jiang Chaolin sighed deeply and lit a cigarette.

Liu Huabo said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Old buddy, you just said I'm being unfair to the Provincial Party Committee. Actually, I'm not convinced either. I think the Provincial Party Committee has been quite fair to you. We talked about it last time, and they wanted to invite you to the provincial capital and recommend you for the position of Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Congress. Think about it again, brother, how about coming to the provincial capital with me?"

Jiang Chaolin immediately refused, "Thank you, old squad leader! I said it again in the provincial capital last time: I've never thought of treating revolutionary work like a business, nor have I ever thought of the Provincial Party Committee rewarding me or any comrade for their merits. I've just settled down in Pingyang; it's mainly because I'm used to it."

Liu Huabo laughed, "Then don't blame me for being unfair to the Provincial Party Committee."

Jiang Chaolin said, "I can only say that to you, my old squad leader. I understand organizational principles."

Liu Hua Bo thought for a moment, then said, "There were some unexpected issues with the handover of the leadership team this time. I really didn't expect that just as the team was being finalized, the flood came. Gao Changhe isn't familiar with the situation, so old buddy, you'll have to take on more responsibility."

Jiang Chaolin nodded, "Don't worry about that. I won't just watch such a good city like Pingyang get submerged in the flood. Knowing that you high-ranking officials were coming, I thought that if possible, I'd also like you to visit the Changjiang River."

Liu Huabo immediately said, "Okay, let's go take a look—take some time to go to Binhai, you come with me!"

This so-called heart-to-heart talk didn't get anything done. As Liu Huabo walked out of the old public servant building, he thought to himself, what Jiang Chaolin said before he came in was absolutely right. This bowl of noodles was indeed unpalatable, and probably hard to digest!

At 1:10 PM on June 25, 1998, the Lieshan County Party Committee Standing Committee meeting was still in session, showing no signs of adjourning. County Party Secretary Geng Zijing, who was presiding over the meeting, was still discussing issues related to strengthening the construction of the new district. The construction of the new district had always been overseen by County Head Zhao Chengquan, but Geng Zijing, as the County Party Secretary, seemed to know it inside and out, recounting it with remarkable detail. This impressed Executive Deputy County Head Jin Hua, who couldn't help but admire him: While Geng Zijing was a domineering County Party Secretary, he wasn't bureaucratic; therefore, County Head Zhao Chengquan's sudden collapse hadn't affected the construction work of the new district. Geng Zijing explained each project in the new district in great detail and immediately assigned them to the attending Standing Committee members. Jin Hua was also assigned an electrolytic aluminum project.

Finally, Geng Zijing said to everyone with great emotion, "...Zhao Chengquan is a rare and excellent county head. He works tirelessly, even collapsing from exhaustion on duty! We should all learn from Comrade Zhao Chengquan's spirit. The county propaganda department prepared materials some time ago and submitted them to the city. A reporter from the provincial newspaper also wrote an article, which was published today. I wonder if everyone has seen it? The title is very eye-catching and excellent, 'Our Shoulders Bear the Burden of a Rising New District.' I think we need to do further work to strive for the province and city to establish Comrade Chengquan as a model. Comrade Chengquan has late-stage liver cancer and doesn't have much time left, so this matter must be handled urgently."

Minister Long of the propaganda department immediately reported, "Secretary Geng, I spoke with County Head Zhao on the phone yesterday, and I conveyed your thoughts to..." He said he absolutely disagreed, first saying the work was done by everyone, then saying it wasn't good. County Chief Zhao also didn't quite approve of the article in the provincial newspaper…”

Geng Zijing waved his hand confidently: “Don't worry about what Zhao Chengquan thinks or says. I don't see anything wrong with it. Zhao Chengquan risked his life; can't that convince people?”

He thought for a moment, then added, “There are some irresponsible comments about Lieshan outside right now, especially during this time of leadership transition in Pingyang. The negative impact shouldn't be underestimated. Of course, we won't argue, and we don't have time to argue. But we can promote Zhao Chengquan, establish him as a role model, and that will give those irresponsible comments a positive answer!”

Jin Hua wasn't surprised by Geng Zijing's words. Jin Hua knew what Geng Zijing meant by “irresponsible comments,” and he wanted to verify the veracity of these “irresponsible comments” at this county party committee standing committee meeting. While Jin Hua was hospitalized in Pingyang, Hou Shaojun, the deputy head of Datun Township, came to visit and confidently told him that the county party committee might promote him to the position of director of the county township enterprise bureau. He asked Jin Hua to put in a good word for him at the standing committee meeting, saying nice things if possible, as long as he didn't object. Just to get a word of leniency, the deputy head left an envelope containing 8,000 yuan in cash in a fruit bag.

Unexpectedly, just as Jinhua was pondering this issue, Geng Zijing brought it up: "Let's leave the work of the new district here. It's getting late, so before we adjourn, we need to settle one thing: Director Wang of our county's Township Enterprise Bureau is retiring. The County Party Committee's Organization Department has considered two comrades: the former deputy director of the Township Enterprise Bureau and Hou Shaojun, the deputy mayor of Datun Township. Let's discuss which one is more suitable. Hurry up, we need to get to Pingyang at 3 PM to attend the city-wide Party and government cadre conference."

Minister Qin of the Organization Department immediately began introducing the considerations. The considerations already showed a preference, so after Minister Qin finished, Geng Zijing didn't even need to say anything. Deputy Secretary Chen of the County Party Committee, who frequently visited Datun Township, first mentioned Hou Shaojun's name, and everyone agreed. Thus, a new director of the Township Enterprise Bureau was born right before Jinhua's eyes.

Jinhua felt like he was in a dream: How could this really be? What did this fact signify? To avoid opposition, she received an 8,000 yuan red envelope during her hospitalization. How much red envelope must those who agreed have received? How much red envelope must Deputy Secretary Chen and Geng Zijing, who nominated her, have received...?

As Jin Hua was thinking this, Geng Zijing stood up, tidying up the documents on the table as he said, "...Alright, this Standing Committee meeting is over. Tomorrow I'll go to the provincial capital to see County Head Zhao Chengquan and personally persuade him. Minister Long, your Propaganda Department should give a report to the Pingyang Municipal Committee on behalf of the Lieshan County Committee..."

The attending Standing Committee members all stood up, preparing to leave.

Jin Hua, on a whim, suddenly mustered the courage to stand up and say, "Hey, Secretary Geng, comrades, I...I have a couple more things to say..."

Geng Zijing didn't take it seriously, barely sitting down in his chair: "Okay, okay, Xiao Jin, go ahead, go ahead."

Jin Hua said tactfully, "Secretary Geng, isn't it a bit inappropriate to promote Hou Shaojun to director of the Township Enterprise Bureau? This comrade has never worked in the Township Enterprise Bureau before, and I've heard that the people of Datun Township have a lot of gossip about him..."

Geng Zijing paused for a moment, then his face fell: "Xiao Jin, you haven't been working in Lieshan long enough, you don't really know Comrade Hou Shaojun. Do you know that Comrade Hou Shaojun has been managing township enterprises since he was deputy township head, and he's quite capable! As for the gossip, we need to analyze it carefully. It's tough being a cadre these days; if you want to get things done, you have to offend someone." "People!"

Jin Hua wanted to say something, but Geng Zijing was already very impatient. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, stop talking. You can keep your opinion, but the appointment of Comrade Hou Shaojun as the director of the Township Enterprise Bureau has already been approved by the Standing Committee this time. Even if you oppose it, it's still one vote!"

Jin Hua was startled and quickly changed his words, "Secretary Geng, you misunderstood. I... I'm not against it, but... I think that promoting Comrade Hou Shaojun to the mayor of Datun Township might... might be more appropriate..."

Geng Zijing ignored him and stormed out the door. At the door, he turned back and said, "Xiao Jin, you'd better hurry up with the electrolytic aluminum plant project. You know, County Chief Zhao fainted at the meeting where this project was being discussed. I believe County Chief Zhao's spirit can also move you!"

Jin Hua responded repeatedly, cold sweat pouring down his back.

At 3:00 PM on June 25, 1998, a meeting of Pingyang Municipal Party and Government Cadres was held at the Pingyang People's Hall, No. 3 Beijing Road. From the very beginning of the meeting, a fierce wind and torrential rain, accompanied by frequent thunderclaps, were heard outside. The wind and rain were not the problem; it was the thunder that was unpleasant. The occasional thunderclaps repeatedly drowned out the speeches of Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo and the newly appointed Municipal Party Secretary Gao Changhe, making Liu Yiru, the director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, increasingly uneasy. Liu Yiru repeatedly ran to the sound room next to the stage, asking the staff if they could turn the volume up, even louder. The staff shook their heads, saying that with the thunder outside, no amount of adjustment would improve the sound. Only then did Liu Yiru feel that she had done her duty, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief before settling down to listen to the meeting.

On the stage, Jiang Chaolin was smiling. Whether it was because of the high praise given by Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee, or to continue playing the role of a political strongman, he was smiling, occasionally leaning over to whisper something to Mayor Wen Chunming. Wen Chunming's face was tense, a hint of sarcasm barely perceptible to ordinary people playing at the corners of his mouth—who was this mayor, once considered a strong contender for succession, mocking? Was he mocking the newly appointed municipal party secretary, Gao Changhe, who was speaking? Or was he mocking the provincial party committee? Wasn't there something more significant behind the provincial party committee's high praise? If not, why didn't Wen Chunming, Jiang Chaolin's close comrade-in-arms, take the position, while Gao Changhe did? So, it seems that Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo isn't Jiang Chaolin's backer as rumored

in private? Liu Huabo has aged considerably. Liu Yiru remembers how spirited Liu Huabo was when he was the municipal party secretary of Pingyang, occasionally whistling in the office corridor. Now, sitting on the podium, he's a seasoned bureaucrat. You can see the authority that comes with power on his face, the mature demeanor of a politician, but you can hardly see the youthful vigor of yesteryear. Back then, these people were quite something. Newspapers openly stated that township and village enterprises were a source of social ills. Liu Huabo, at a municipal party committee work meeting, slammed his fist on the table and dared to say: "Township and village enterprises are township and village enterprises. We'll still entertain them, give them gifts, and I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong." To develop the coal industry, this municipal party secretary organized a group of township and village enterprise leaders to go to Shanxi three times, ensuring that all township and village enterprises in the city were operating at full capacity during the most energy-critical period.

There were rumors of discord between Deputy Secretary Ma Wanli and Secretary Liu Huabo, but at this moment, there was no sign of any animosity between them. The two provincial leaders were whispering to each other. What were they saying? Deputy Secretary Ma Wanli, who rarely smiled, actually smiled! Was it because of the subjugation of the veteran comrade Jiang Chaolin, or because of the new secretary Gao Changhe's attitude?

Gao Changhe's posture was quite good; he was just saying he wanted to humbly learn from the veteran comrades and the cadres and masses of Pingyang, to be a student first, and then a municipal party secretary. But this "classmate" Gao Changhe, so adept at learning, was truly remarkable. At forty-seven, he had become the head of a major economic city like Pingyang. Was this due to his father-in-law Liang Qingping's influence, or was he genuinely capable? Oh no, Gao Changhe's glass seemed to be empty, and the waiter hadn't thought to refill it!

Liu Yiru stopped her wandering thoughts, and amidst a series of thunderous sounds, picked up the water bottle and went over, refilling Gao Changhe's glass. She then quietly placed it in front of him, her movements so light they were almost imperceptible.

As the director of the municipal party committee office, one should project an omnipresence and pervasiveness without even realizing it.

Gao Changhe took a sip of water and continued speaking: "...Comrades, you have a process of getting to know me, and I have a process of getting to know you. You can see if I am truly and sincerely doing practical and significant things for the people of Pingyang. As for me, of course, I also want to see you, to see if you are willing to work with me and the new Pingyang municipal party committee to fight and struggle for the fundamental interests of the nine million people

of Pingyang..." What did he mean by this? What exactly did the new secretary, Gao Changhe, want to see? Was it truly about fighting for the interests of the nine million people of Pingyang, or something else? Was he implying that he was calling on all the cadres in Pingyang to join his cause? Why was Jiang Chaolin still smiling? Even Liu Yiru understood the deeper meaning behind his words; how could Jiang Chaolin not? Would this politically powerful figure, who held considerable influence in Pingyang, tolerate such an open challenge?

Based on experience, a sensitive, complex, and painful period of power transition had already begun. This power transition is different from previous ones because it's not a sequential succession; the adjustment period will inevitably be long and arduous. As the director of the municipal party committee office, she faces a dilemma: on one side is the old municipal party committee represented by Jiang Chaolin, and on the other is the new municipal party committee represented by Gao Changhe. She remains the director of the municipal party committee office—at least for now—and theoretically belongs to Gao Changhe's new municipal party committee, but how could she dare to ignore her veteran comrade Jiang Chaolin? Jiang Chaolin had, after all, been operating in Pingyang for ten years. His people were present in all six counties and cities, as well as various departments and bureaus. She needed to be keenly aware of Jiang Chaolin's power to ensure she could act with discretion…

At this moment, Gao Changhe's speech was drawing to a close: “…Comrades, a brand new century is just around the corner. Please consider how we should greet the new century. In the last year or so from today until 2000, what can we still accomplish? I think the brilliance created by Liang Qingping, Liu Huabo, and Jiang Chaolin—three courageous and pioneering municipal party secretaries—leading the nine million people of Pingyang, should be our starting point, not our end, as we step into the new century! Comrades, let us, under the guidance of Comrade Xiaoping's brilliant theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, hold high the banner of the 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and march towards the new century!”

The meeting of party and government cadres ended amidst enthusiastic applause.

Leaders such as Liu Huabo, Ma Wanli, Jiang Chaolin, and Gao Changhe rose to leave the podium.

Liu Yiru caught up with Gao Changhe at the platform and handed him a list of absent attendees she had promptly jotted down, specifically noting that: Tian Liye, the deputy secretary-general of the municipal party committee, was absent without cause; and Wang Shaobo, the secretary of the Binhai municipal party committee, was on temporary leave on behalf of Mayor Jiang Kunhua due to his command of flood control efforts.

Liu Yiru spoke casually, and Gao Changhe listened just as casually, not even stopping to walk. Before Liu Yiru could finish speaking, he was already chatting with Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo and Ma Wanli about flood control in Changjiang.

This made Liu Yiru realize her mistake in her disappointment. How could she possibly approach this new secretary to discuss work when so many high-ranking officials were gathered here? Once the meeting was over, the new secretary would be the host of Pingyang, and flattering the provincial leaders was his top priority. How could she, the old office director, have forgotten this? Truly, she was wise all her life, but foolish for a moment! Besides, what would Jiang Chaolin think? Would he think she was about to switch allegiances?

So he searched again among the moving crowd for the figure of former Party Secretary Jiang Chaolin…

At 6:00 PM on June 25, 1998, while receiving an IV drip at Binhai City Hospital, Wang Shaobo drifted into a deep sleep, during which he found the walkie-talkie he had left at the bottom of the river. Surprisingly, the walkie-talkie still worked. He shouted into it, asking laborers from various townships to support Liweizi, but no one responded. The river was rising rapidly, first submerging his legs, then his neck, which startled him awake. Upon waking, he saw a large crowd gathered around his bed, mostly township heads and some comrades from the municipal party committee. The bedside table and the floor by the window were piled high with fruit and flowers, almost enough to open a general store.

Wang Shaobo suddenly became furious. He struggled to sit up, his face grim as he surveyed the crowd, asking, "What are you all doing here? Huh? Holding a memorial service for me? I'm not going to die yet!"

The Party Secretary of Daquan Township, Guan, said, "Secretary Wang, look at what you're saying, as if we're hoping for your heroic sacrifice. We heard you were injured at Liweizi, and we were worried, so we came to see you. It's only natural!"

Wang Shaobo didn't appreciate it at all, staring at Guan and asking, "Secretary Guan, you've all come to see me. Who's responsible for the dike? What if something goes wrong? You township heads are here, but what about the other township heads? What about the various departments and bureaus? Everyone's come here; who's going to do all this work?"

Guan fell silent.

Wang Shaobo pointed to the things scattered throughout the room and said, "Tell me, who paid for all of this? Wasn't it all paid for with public funds and collective funds? Call me unreasonable, call me heartless, this is who I am. Whoever gave these things can take them. Don't leave them here to embarrass me!"

Old Guan said, "Secretary Wang, isn't this going too far? I can't guarantee what others will do, but the flowers I gave them were definitely paid for out of my own pocket. I bought them right outside the hospital for thirty yuan. You can send someone to investigate if you don't believe me."

Wang Shaobo also felt that his words were a bit excessive, so he waved his hand and said, "Fine, fine, keep the flowers, take everything else. Whether it was paid for by the public or by an individual, this is acceptable." "Alright! Also, when you go back, tell your subordinates that I said anyone who abandons their flood control work to come see me will be dismissed! If you really want to take me seriously, stay on the dike and guard it. Don't let Secretary Jiang Chaolin accuse me of dereliction of duty!"

Old Guan said, "Secretary Wang, you don't know yet? Jiang Chaolin is gone. The party and government cadre meeting at 3 pm this afternoon was to announce this. The new municipal party secretary is named Gao Changhe."

Wang Shaobo was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "Secretary Jiang Chaolin is gone, but we still have to do our work. Go back immediately and further implement flood control measures. Don't let something like what happened in Liweizi happen again..."

After driving away the township heads, Mayor Jiang Kunhua arrived.

Upon meeting, Jiang Kunhua sighed, "Shaobo, look at the mess this made! You almost met your demise!"

Wang Shaobo said with a bitter face, "I guess I'm just unlucky. A wave crashed onto a rock, and I had twelve stitches in my forehead. Okay, okay, let's not talk about that. Let's talk about the Party and government cadre meeting. I heard Secretary Jiang stepped down, and Gao Changhe took his place? What's Gao Changhe like?"

Jiang Kunhua hesitated for a moment and said, "Gao Changhe has a good impression on everyone. He speaks very frankly, and he's young. I heard the provincial leaders are very supportive of him. Not only Liu Huabo, but even Ma Wanli admires him."

Wang Shaobo then asked, "How is Secretary Jiang's mood? Is he alright?"

Jiang Kunhua said, "He's alright. He looked quite energetic sitting on the stage. Liu Huabo highly praised Pingyang's work in his speech. Boss Jiang should be considered to have left with dignity. I don't see any sense of loss on his part." Wang Shaobo

shook his head: "If you could see any loss in Boss Jiang, he wouldn't be Boss Jiang!"

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Kunhua, Boss Jiang has always been very supportive of our work in Binhai. We were all brought up by Boss Jiang. We don't care what others do, but we need to show some loyalty at this time. Go see Boss Jiang tomorrow, and also on my behalf. If Boss Jiang is willing, then on behalf of the Binhai Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, please invite the old man to rest at our Golden Coast Resort for a while. The old man has worked day and night for ten years, doing so many good things for the people of Pingyang. Now that he's retired, he should take a good rest."

Jiang Kunhua nodded at first, but then hesitated and asked, "Shaobo, have you thought this through? Is it okay to let Boss Jiang stay at our Golden Coast at this time? Won't the new Secretary Gao Changhe have any objections?"

Wang Shaobo pointed at Jiang Kunhua, looking displeased: "You little coward, aren't you? Don't forget, without Boss Jiang's support, there would be no Golden Coast!" The old man laid the foundation stone and cut the ribbon for Golden Coast, but he never stayed there for a single day!

Jiang Kunhua was a little embarrassed: "That's right, that's right, we should at least invite the old man to rest—didn't we invite him last year when we cut the ribbon? He just didn't want to come. Fine, I'll go invite him this time. You, the municipal party secretary, aren't afraid of trouble, so why should I be afraid!"

Wang Shaobo sighed: "People have to have a conscience. If Gao Changhe is really unhappy about this, let him come at me. I, Wang Shaobo, have never flattered any leader in the past, and I won't flatter any leader in the future. Those official tricks don't work on me!"

Jiang Kunhua smiled bitterly, "So, we're just having bad luck following you..."

At 7 p.m. on June 25, 1998, after having dinner at the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee Guesthouse, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee Sun Yadong followed Gao Changhe closely all the way to the small red building of the Municipal Party Committee's First Guesthouse. Because Gao Changhe's home was not in Pingyang, the municipal party committee office gave him two guest rooms and a small reception room on the second floor of the Little Red Building as his dormitory.

As Gao Changhe entered the Little Red Building accompanied by Sun Yadong, he couldn't help but recall events from eighteen years ago—his first meeting with his father-in-law, Liang Qingping, was in this very building. At that time, he had just graduated from university and was assigned to a government agency in Beijing. He was visiting his fiancée, Liang Li, in Pingyang on a business trip. His father-in-law, Liang Qingping, was then the secretary of the Pingyang Prefectural Party Committee, and was pushing forward the rural household contract responsibility system pilot program amidst the great debate on the criterion of truth, despite the pressure.

Liang Qingping had shown him around the Little Red Building, telling him about the Russians, Japanese, and Americans who had lived there, and recounting the nearly one hundred years of history of this century-old city that the Little Red Building represented. He learned that this unassuming little red building had once been the finest building in old Pingyang, serving as the Russian consulate, the headquarters of the Japanese intelligence agency, the surrender office of the Japanese army in eastern Pingyang, the office of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party's military mediation department, and the forward command post of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Many meetings and talks that determined the history of Pingyang took place here.

He was deeply impressed at the time—this place represented both history and power; how fascinating it was!

One detail he remembered most clearly was that one evening, during a conversation with his father-in-law, Liang Qingping, the director of the municipal party committee office accompanied Liu Huabo, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee in charge of organizational work at the time, into the building. Liu Huabo handed a document with a long list of names to Liang Qingping for his signature. After Liang Qingping read the list and signed it, he slowly said to Liu Huabo, who would later become the provincial party secretary: "That's it. For Pingyang, an era has ended. The young cadres we appoint today will determine the history of Pingyang for the last twenty years of this century."

His father-in-law, relying on the power he held back then, had decided the history of Pingyang for nearly twenty years in that instant. Jiang Chaolin was one of the more than three hundred county-level cadres appointed at the same time—his father-in-law had promoted him from party secretary of Daquan Township in Lieshan County to deputy party secretary of Lieshan County, in charge of agriculture…

Now, eighteen years later, another crucial moment in history had arrived, and Gao Changhe had come to Pingyang.

Sun Yadong was also deeply moved, saying sincerely, "Secretary Gao, you've come at just the right time!"

Gao Changhe knew what Sun Yadong wanted to talk to him about, and deliberately shook his head, saying, "Perhaps it's not the right time."

Sun Yadong asked, "What do you mean? Afraid of conflict? Afraid to expose the truth about Pingyang?"

Gao Changhe frowned, "Yadong, look at you, why do you always bring up exposing the truth?"

Sun Yadong ignored Gao Changhe's expression, "If there's a truth, then it should be exposed!"

Gao Changhe didn't take the bait, gave Sun Yadong a sidelong glance, and went downstairs to the reception room.

Arranging Gao Changhe's accommodation was handled by Liu Yiru, the director of the Municipal Party Committee Office. As Gao Changhe and Sun Yadong sat down in the reception room, Liu Yiru was leading several directors and deputy directors of the guesthouse, carefully inspecting each room and finalizing the details of Gao Changhe's future living arrangements. Gao Changhe and Sun Yadong could hear footsteps on the stairs and Liu Yiru's voice as she gave instructions.

Gao Changhe, trying to make conversation, said, "Director Liu is truly meticulous and thoughtful in her work."

Sun Yadong said, "You're the Party Secretary, how could she not be meticulous and thoughtful? She's the same way with Jiang Chaolin."

Gao Changhe said, "That's good. Office work is so numerous and complicated; we really need a female steward like this."

Sun Yadong smiled coldly, "Secretary Gao, let me tell you, this female steward might not be as good as you imagine! She's been with Jiang Chaolin for ten years, rising from deputy director to director of the Party Committee Office. She's Jiang Chaolin's staunch subordinate; in the entire Pingyang, she only recognizes Jiang Chaolin! You want to..." "If you listen to me, I'll advise you to transfer this housekeeper from the municipal party committee office. It would be beneficial for both her and you. Secretary Gao, this housekeeper is over fifty years old, and her daughter is the executive deputy county head of Lieshan. I don't think it's appropriate for her to continue doing this kind of servant's job."

Gao Changhe said, half-jokingly, "Yadong, it's my first day in office, why are you always spreading rumors?"

Sun Yadong was determined to expose the truth and said, "Secretary Gao, don't try to fool me, I'm really doing this for your own good! You should know that Pingyang's work over the years has..." "Their achievements? Their cadres have always been very impressive, always eyeing Shenzhen and Shanghai, not even caring about the provincial capital. Do you think they respect you, buddy?"

Gao Changhe then became serious: "Well done! Of course, the cadres and masses of Pingyang should be confident! Yadong, let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart. I just can't stand that fake 'humility.' I've boosted the economy, summarized the development experience, what's with the 'humility'? Huh? Of course I should sit in the front row with confidence!"

Sun Yadong reminded him: "It's not that you boosted the economy, it's that they boosted it..." The economy has improved..."

Gao Changhe couldn't bear it any longer. He lowered his face, waved his hands and said, "Now there is no such thing as 'us' or 'other people', it's all the same thing, that is: Pingyang team, Pingyang people!

Sun Yadong sighed: "Guess what Mayor Wen Chunming said after the meeting today?"

Gao Changhe looked at Sun Yadong carefully: "What did Mayor Wen say?"

Sun Yadong snorted: "Mayor Wen said, now it's hard to see the thunder and lightning. I don't know whether the sun or the moon will rise in the future?" "Gao Changhe said

"Oh" calmly.

Sun Yadong said again: "Don't you still understand what Wen Chunming meant? The sun shines by itself, while the moon borrows its light. He compared Pingyang’s past economic achievements to the sun, mocking you for borrowing their light!

Gao Changhe smiled: "I think it's good if you can borrow this light." Huh? "

At this moment, the waitress came in and said, "Secretary Gao, we have your phone number at the service desk. Secretary Liu Huabo of the Provincial Party Committee is looking for you. "

Gao Changhe did not dare to neglect and immediately went to the service desk to answer Liu Huabo's call.

Liu Huabo said on the phone, "Changhe, I'm going back to the provincial capital tomorrow. The weather is nice tonight, and I'd like to go to Binhai to check on the flood control situation there. Comrade Chaolin will lead the way, and you can accompany me. We'll leave right away. What do you think?"

Just as Gao Changhe was about to shake off Sun Yadong's entanglement, a surge of joy filled him, and he hurriedly said, "Okay, okay, I'll be right there." He

quickly said goodbye to Sun Yadong at the entrance of the Little Red Building, then got into his car, merging it into a small convoy of three Audis led by police cars.

Driving on Beijing Road, Gao Changhe noticed that the car in front of him belonged to former Municipal Party Secretary Jiang Chaolin; the license plate number 001 appeared inexplicably large and conspicuous under the red taillights. Was what

was about to rise in Pingyang the sun or the moon?

Wen Chunming's words echoed in his ears again, causing Gao Changhe to ponder deeply.

He, Gao Changhe, of course, wanted to be the sun, the sun of the new century. The Provincial Party Committee, after much deliberation and careful consideration, had finally chosen him at the last moment, establishing this cross-century leadership team in Pingyang, clearly hoping he would be the sun of the new century. If it were merely for maintaining the status quo, or to give him a transitional period, they would never have sent him to Pingyang. So, from this moment on, he had no way out. He could only look ahead, forge a path to the future, and create new glories on the foundation of his past achievements. Any doubting glances would be crushed and shattered by his determination and actions. Because Gao Changhe had never intended to be a moon that borrowed light from others, never!

At 8 PM on June 25, 1998, Liu Huabo sat in Jiang Chaolin's car, number 001, and reminisced with Jiang Chaolin about old times from many years ago. For a moment, Jiang Chaolin felt as if he were in a dream. Time really flies; in the blink of an eye, more than ten years had passed in a blur of activity, without even time to savor the memories. Listening to Liu Huabo's narration with half-closed eyes, Jiang Chaolin was filled with emotion.

Liu Huabo's conversation lingered on the past, on the time when they first formed their team: "—Chaolin, I remember, most of the earliest township enterprises in Pingyang were located in Binhai City, right? Of course, back then, Binhai wasn't a city, it was a county. Binhai is a sparsely populated place, and it's located by the river and the sea, so historically it's been plagued by disasters, with floods and tsunamis occurring every two or three years. I think its per capita income was always the lowest in the city, right?"

Jiang Chaolin opened his eyes and said, "It was the lowest in the city before 1982, and third from the bottom in 1983 and 1984."

Liu Huabo nodded: "After 1984, things got much better in Binhai. First, they developed aquaculture, and then they developed quartz mining. I remember there was a deputy township head in charge of aquaculture who was quite capable. He created two villages with an annual income of over 10,000 yuan each in two years. Our municipal party committee and government even sent him a congratulatory telegram, didn't they?"

Jiang Chaolin thought for a moment: "You mean Wang Shaobo? He was the deputy secretary of the Liweizi Township Party Committee back then, not the deputy township head. The first village he helped to achieve a '

ten-thousand-yuan' income was Haigeng Village, right?" Liu Huabo said: "Yes, yes, it was Haigeng Village, back in 1985!"

Jiang Chaolin exclaimed: "Now Haigeng Village is incredible! They've developed the Golden Coast Resort, and their tourism revenue alone is 80 million yuan a year. Their aquaculture group's stock is listed, every family has a small villa, and every household has savings of at least several hundred thousand yuan. They're much wealthier than me, the municipal party secretary!"

Liu Huabo also sighed: "Great, great! Letting the people live such a good life, we leaders can have a clear conscience."

Then he asked, "Hey, Chaolin, what happened to that deputy township head back then, oh, that deputy secretary of the township party committee, Wang Shaobo? Is he still in Pingyang?"

Jiang Chaolin laughed: "Such a capable guy, I..." "Can we let him go? The Provincial Township Enterprise Bureau transferred him, but I didn't let him go. I made him stay in Pingyang and contribute to me! Oh, this Wang Shaobo is already the Party Secretary of Binhai City. He's probably on the dike overseeing flood control right now! The day before yesterday, when I went to check the water situation, I told Wang Shaobo that if Binhai floods, he can forget about being the Party Secretary!"

Liu Huabo pointed at Jiang Chaolin and chuckled, "You're still so unreasonable."

Jiang Chaolin said, "Hey, old squad leader, you were the one who supported me in doing this back then. How come your position has changed and your stance has changed too? Don't you think, without me, this unreasonable mayor, how would your brilliant decisions have been implemented! Who would have been responsible for building the ten-kilometer seawall?"

Liu Huabo laughed again, "So, the root of your patriarchal style is still with me?"

Jiang Chaolin said meaningfully, "Of course, you've been involved in everything in Pingyang, good or bad. That's why people have complained about me all these years." "I've never been afraid."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "However, don't listen to some people's nonsense. Actually, I'm quite democratic. If I'm wrong, my subordinates will dare to talk back. Take Wang Shaobo, for example. Do you really think he's so docile? Not at all! When they were developing the Golden Coast Resort, I was firmly against it. There's no beach there at all. What kind of resort are you building? Golden Coast, my foot!"

Liu Huabo said, "Yes, I remember the beach near Haigeng Village was all rocks."

Jiang Chaolin said, "Not only Haigeng Village, but the entire Pingyang coastline is like that—guess what idea Wang Shaobo came up with? Hey, he'd ship ships full of sand from other places to build artificial beaches. I really lost my temper and said to Wang Shaobo, 'I don't care where you go to build sand. If you're so capable, you can even pluck the moon from the sky and hang it on your coast. But one thing is certain: if the output and profits drop, don't blame me for taking your job!'"

Liu Huabo laughed, "Isn't this petty bureaucrat afraid?" Jiang Chaolin shook his head: "

Wang Shaobo wasn't afraid at all, he even dared to invite me to lay the foundation stone for Golden Coast. I really didn't want to go, but thinking about it, it wouldn't be good not to go. I said at the city's party and government cadre meeting that I love laying foundation stones and cutting ribbons; I can go anywhere else, but I can't miss Golden Coast. I went, but I didn't say a word, didn't even give them a smile. Unexpectedly, two years later, Golden Coast was completed and made a lot of money, making me so ashamed, I didn't know what to say. Wang Shaobo and the others invited me to rest at Golden Coast several times, but I was too embarrassed to go."

Liu Huabo laughed heartily: "Good, good, you've finally been outmaneuvered

by your subordinates!" Jiang Chaolin said: "That was a good 'outmaneuver,' it woke me up. When cutting the ribbon for Golden Coast, I represented the municipal party committee and called on all cadres and the masses to learn from Binhai, and to learn from Wang Shaobo, who is capable and efficient."

Liu Huabo said with deep feeling: "We should learn from these capable and efficient comrades!" "Our twenty years of reform and opening up have been like crossing a river by feeling for stones. Who was feeling for stones? We were feeling for stones from above, and we were feeling for stones from below. Many successful experiences were created by those below! Wasn't the household contract responsibility system started by a few farmers in Fengyang, Anhui? That's how our reform broke through the bottleneck, and that's how we achieved our brilliant achievements today."

Jiang Chaolin nodded: "Speaking of the achievements of reform, I think there's another important achievement that hasn't been talked about enough, and that's that twenty years of reform and opening up have created a large number of good cadres who are adapted to reform. Comrades like Wang Shaobo, we have a lot of them in Pingyang!"

Liu Huabo clapped his hands and exclaimed: "Your point of view is very good and quite novel. Why don't you talk about it in light of the actual development of Pingyang in recent years? I'll have the provincial newspaper publish it for you, okay?" Jiang Chaolin laughed

: "Forget it, what kind of articles can I write? In the future, I only want to do some work on local regulations."

Liu Huabo didn't force him, and changed the subject to the issue of anti-corruption: "Twenty years of reform and opening up have created a large number of good cadres who are adapted to the reform situation. This is the truth, and it is also the mainstream of our cadre team." However, it cannot be denied that there are quite a few corrupt officials, and the severity of this corruption is unprecedented, drawing strong criticism from the people. These corrupt officials exist everywhere, in underdeveloped areas and in developed areas alike. Don't you agree?"

Jiang Chaolin said, "I don't deny that. You and the provincial party committee know that in the past ten years, Pingyang has dealt with many such bad officials. Six officials at the deputy director level or above have been sentenced, and more than a dozen have been dismissed or expelled from the party. My principle regarding these corrupt officials has always been: discover one, deal with one, and never tolerate it!"

Liu Huabo praised, "Good, this principle must be upheld. On this issue, you must unequivocally support Gao Changhe and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection..."

Jiang Chaolin understood the implication in Liu Huabo's words and immediately added, "As long as it's truly about fighting corruption, and not some ulterior motive using the banner of anti-corruption to negate Pingyang, I will definitely support it! I will resolutely support it!"

Liu Huabo shook his head with a wry smile, "Chaolin, I'm talking to you about this now, not Comrade Ma Wanli. You won't suspect me of negating Pingyang, will you?"

Jiang Chaolin said calmly, "Negating Pingyang doesn't mean negating me alone. It includes the cadres and masses of Pingyang, and it also includes you, the Provincial Party Secretary. As I just said, you share the responsibility for everything in Pingyang, good or bad..."

As they talked, Audi No. 001 unknowingly drove into the brightly lit coastal city.

Upon seeing Jiang Kunhua at the entrance of the Binhai City Flood Control Headquarters, Jiang Chaolin asked, "Hey, Mayor Jiang, where's Secretary Wang? Comrade Huabo and I have been talking about him the whole way here, why hasn't he shown up?"

Liu Huabo smiled and said, "He's probably on the river embankment. We're worried you might have to remove him if something happens!"

Jiang Kunhua looked at Liu Huabo, then at Jiang Chaolin, and stammered, "Secretary Wang is in the hospital. This afternoon, while directing flood control at Liweizi, he was hit by a wave and landed on a rock in the river. He needed twelve stitches in his head..."

Jiang Chaolin's heart tightened immediately: "Is his life in danger?"

Jiang Kunhua said, "His life isn't in danger, just a mild concussion. He received a call from the Municipal Party Committee duty office, knowing you were coming, and Secretary Wang wanted to come." "Welcome you, but the doctor absolutely forbids it..."

Jiang Chaolin nodded: "The doctor is right, I'll go see him later."

Gao Changhe immediately instructed: "Comrade Wang Shaobo's deeds must be reported. Binhai should prepare some materials, and I'll have a reporter from the Pingyang Daily write the article. Also, tell Comrade Shaobo to focus on recovering and not to think too much about work. I'll visit him when I have time. Okay, Mayor Jiang, please report on the flood control situation in Binhai."

So, Jiang Kunhua pointed to the sand table and water level diagram, flipped through his notebook, and began to report, from major floods in history and the highest water level that had ever occurred, to the grim reality today, even reporting the water level data from half an hour ago.

After Jiang Kunhua finished his report, Liu Huabo waved his hand and said: "Okay, everyone knows the situation. It's going to rain, and what's coming will come. Let's go up to the levee and take a look."

When they arrived at the levee, looking at the surging river water so close at their feet, Liu Huabo's expression became solemn.

The wind was strong on the river embankment, and the ground was wet from the recent rain. Someone slipped and fell behind Liu Huabo.

Liu Huabo didn't turn around at all, seemingly unaware. He glanced at the old Party Secretary Jiang Chaolin, then at the new Party Secretary Gao Changhe, and slowly began to speak: "This Changjiang River, flowing through our province, has both benefited and harmed 80 million people. As you may know, there's a Guihai Dam on the outskirts of Changjiang and another near Beichuan. Historically, when the water level in the upper reaches of the Changjiang River rose, the government would breach the Guihai Dam, allowing the floodwaters to flow into the sea through either the Changjiang or Beichuan areas. Thus, the Changjiang and Beichuan areas have repeatedly become flooded areas." "The corridor, the fertile land, all the moisture and energy have been washed away, and the regional economy has always stagnated."

Jiang Chaolin interjected, "Secretary Huabo, I don't think we can just talk about difficulties, can we? There must also be subjective factors involved, right? Isn't Beichuan also a flood corridor? In the past ten years or so, Beichuan has improved dramatically, its appearance has changed completely."

Liu Huabo knew that Jiang Chaolin was alluding to Ma Wanli, so he didn't respond to that, and continued, "I heard from the old commander of the military region that as soon as liberation, Premier Zhou criticized Guihai Dam. The Premier said to the main military and political leaders of our province at that time: What Guihai Dam?" "I think this is a dam that harms the people! Our people's government must never create such flood corridors again."

Gao Changhe chimed in, "I've also heard my father-in-law mention this. After liberation, we put a lot of effort and resources into managing the Changjiang River, including in Pingyang."

Liu Huabo said, "Yes, we put in a lot of effort and resources to have more than forty years of peace, but in 1991, we were still forced to release floodwaters in the Beichuan area. The resettlement costs for evacuated people alone amounted to more than 100 million yuan. Of course, there was no other way. The water conservancy experts said that the flood we encountered in 1991 was the largest flood in two hundred years."

Jiang Chaolin reminded him, "Secretary Huabo, the floods in the future will also be large, and may very well be close to those of 1991..."

Liu Huabo sighed, "I hope it won't exceed the 1991 flood, I hope so! Besides, after 1991, the Changjiang River embankment underwent two large-scale reinforcements, which greatly enhanced its ability to resist major floods. Therefore, we must have confidence—man can conquer nature!"

As he said this, Liu Huabo thought again: It seems that it is really not the right time to appoint the Pingyang leadership now.

On June 25, 1998, at 8:00 PM, Tian Liye, from the Pingyang Steel Rolling Mill, accompanied Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xinxiang on a full-day interview at the mill. A meeting was held in the morning for middle and senior management, and in the afternoon for frontline workers; both meetings were extremely heated. The managers complained, and the workers cursed. The frontline workers' meeting, in particular, almost turned into a grievance-mongering session. Seeing that the situation was spiraling out of control, Tian Liye hastily pulled Li Xinxiang away to end the meeting.

That evening, facing a table laden with food and drinks, Li Xinxiang couldn't eat anymore. In front of Tian Liye, she said to He Zhuoxiao, the director of the steel rolling mill, "Let's not eat this. It's not that I'm being hypocritical; I've attended many banquets hosted by lower-level units, and I've even eaten Australian lobster. But I can't eat this food, and I can't eat it."

He Zhuoxiao was in a dilemma, saying, "Secretary Jiang and Mayor Wen have both given instructions to treat you well, but..."

Li Xinxiang said, "Director He, please don't say that. Let's just have a simple meal. You can save some of the entertainment expenses and use them to help the frontline workers solve some practical difficulties! Consider it my participation in poverty alleviation and charity, okay?"

Li Xinxiang's attitude impressed Tian Liye, who then said, "Then let's eat."

After a quick meal, Tian Liye took Li Xinxiang to the flat rolling mill's guesthouse.

At the guesthouse, Li Xinxiang was still indignant: "...Secretary Tian, I really didn't expect that this rolling mill not only squandered 1.2 billion yuan of the country's money, but also cheated so many workers! Do you think those workers' two coins were easy to come by? If you don't have the ability to roll out steel plates, why force the workers to raise funds?"

Tian Liye immediately explained: "Reporter Li, you misunderstood. The workers' reports are also one-sided. I know about the fundraising situation; there was no coercion at all. At that time, the rolling mill was a popular state-owned enterprise with a large national investment. Nobody expected it to collapse, and everyone wanted to squeeze into the factory. Mayor Wen received more than a dozen slips of paper every day. There was really no other way, so Director He and the others, based on the idea of reform, started a voluntary fundraising. Everyone who wanted to join the rolling mill had to pay 3,000 yuan. Later, there were still many people who wanted to join, so they changed it to 5,000 yuan."

Li Xinxiang asked, "Why haven't they paid it back yet? " "What? It's been so long, how can the workers not have complaints?"

Tian Liye said with a bitter face, "How can we pay them back? We can't even pay their wages. Besides, this fundraising also has the nature of a risk deposit . We can't keep the profits for ourselves and the losses for the state, can we? That doesn't conform to the principles of reform, does it?

" Li Xinxiang said seriously, "Secretary Tian, you're wrong. The money the workers put up is fundraising, not investment. Investment naturally involves sharing the risks, but fundraising is a different matter..."

Just then, a big head with a buzz cut poked its head through the door, accompanied by a loud shout: "Hey, Tian Mimi, are you deliberately avoiding me?"

Tian Liye looked at the big head and laughed: "Commander Hu, how did you find your way here?"

He then introduced to Li Xinxiang, "This is Hu Zaoqiu, Deputy Secretary of the Jinghu Municipal Party Committee and Executive Deputy Mayor, Commander Hu."

Hu Zaoqiu nodded to Li Xinxiang, shook her hand politely, then fixed his gaze on Tian Liye and began to ramble on: "Hey Tian Mimi, are you messing with me? Do you really not take us seventh-rank rural cadres seriously? Huh? Didn't we agree last time in Jinghu that after the opening ceremony of the cross-sea bridge, you'd bring all the reporters from Beijing and the provincial capital to Jinghu to sing my praises? Where's that ghost? You didn't even attend the city-wide party and government cadre meeting today, making me search for you all over the city with my dog and hawk. When I found your house, your mother said you've been undergoing 'alcohol testing' somewhere again..." With

Li Xinxiang in front of him, Tian Liye didn't dare to be too presumptuous, so he said, "What alcohol testing ?" "I have a job!"

Hu Zaoqiu, still not serious, said, "Of course I have a job—I'm here to visit the poor and needy at the rolling mill! The new Party Secretary Gao Changhe took office on his first day, and you're already visiting the poor and needy. If Gao Changhe finds out, how could he not mention you? I admire you, I admire you, brother, I truly admire you!"

Tian Liye became anxious, "Commander Hu, stop talking nonsense! This is Reporter Li, the chief reporter of Xinhua News Agency. If they write down what you said and report it, I think you'll be promoted three ranks!"

Upon hearing that she was a reporter, and a chief reporter of Xinhua News Agency at that, Hu Zaoqiu's attitude changed drastically. He hurriedly rushed over and shook hands with Li Xinxiang again to show respect, saying as he shook hands, "Reporter Li, it's a pleasure to meet you, a pleasure to meet you. Your Xinhua News Agency's Daily Telegraph..." "I read it every day without fail; it's even better than the People's Daily!"

Tian Liye said. "Reporter Li, don't fall for this kid's tricks. He's just praising whichever newspaper he meets, but actually, he only has one purpose: to get you to sing his praises..."

Li Xinxiang was amused and giggled. "Secretary Tian, I think it's quite impressive that Mayor Hu even knows we have a Daily Telegraph, isn't it, Mayor Hu? You probably don't read our newspaper much, do you?" Tian Liye

sarcastically said, "As long as you praise him in your paper, he'll start reading it."

Hu Zaoqiu wasn't embarrassed at all. "Reporter Li, you're Secretary Tian's friend, so I won't lie to you. I just want you to promote our newspaper more." "Jinghu Lake, our Jinghu Lake is a wonderful place! It's changed so much in the last few years! If you don't promote it, the outside world won't know. We've done so much, but the higher-ups don't see it..."

Tian Liye chimed in again, "That's why our Commander Hu can't get promoted. He's still a seventh-rank official."

Hu Zaoqiu sighed, whether genuinely or not, "Yes, yes, a seventh-rank official. Even though Secretary Tian became a leader in the municipal party committee, he doesn't try to remove my deputy title. We rural cadres can work ourselves to death, but Secretary Tian won't see it."

Tian Liye said, "You're a seventh-rank official, but I'm not a full seventh-rank official either. I'm still a deputy, aren't I?"

Li Xinxiang laughed again...

The atmosphere changed drastically. The oppressive atmosphere from the rolling mill vanished instantly.

Hu Zaoqiu was a natural diplomat, adept at getting close to reporters. Taking advantage of the momentum, he enthusiastically suggested going for a drive, saying that it was all on the highway, and they could get to Jinghu Lake in forty minutes to eat fish, and also inspect the several big deals he was currently working on.

Li Xinxiang was tempted and sought Tian Liye's opinion with her eyes.

Tian Liye objected, saying, "Reporter Li, don't fall for his tricks. Once we get in his car, we won't have a peaceful night. His big deals will keep you up until dawn. It's not worth it for a few fish. Besides, we have business to attend to tomorrow; we need to discuss the steel mill issue with Mayor Wen." (12-02) Chapter 4 A Sudden Storm

Hu Zaoqiu's eyes darted around, and he suggested again, "How about we go to the Xintiandi Entertainment City in Jinghu City? It's not far, it's in Pingyang City. They have fish, four-eyed carp, bowling, karaoke, and things like that. By the way, I can also report to Leader Li from Xinhua News Agency and Leader Tian from the Municipal Party Committee. It's a rare opportunity, you have to give us rural cadres a chance to get closer to the leaders!"

This time, before Tian Liye could say anything, Li Xinxiang spoke first: "Okay, Mayor Hu, we'll treat you to a big meal this time!"

Tian Liye could tell that the female reporter in front of him had developed a liking for Hu Zaoqiu, and he was happy to go along with it. He didn't say anything more and got into the Santana that Hu Zaoqiu had brought to the meeting with Li Xinxiang.

Sitting in the car, Li Xinxiang asked, "I think your relationship seems a bit more than just ordinary, doesn't it?"

Tian Liye said, "Of course, we were classmates and roommates in college. I was in the upper bunk, and he was in the lower bunk. He copied all his homework from me until graduation. I even helped him with his thesis—hey, Commander Hu, I can truly say I've been very devoted to you, haven't I?"

Hu Zaoqiu immediately retorted, "That's quite the devotion! Every time I copied your homework, I had to treat you to a drink. The money my family sent me was never enough, and I was even forced to sell you the Warrior sneakers my wife gave me. Reporter Li, you have no idea..." "Hey, our leader Tian had a knack for business back in college, he never spent money on drinks!"

Tian Liye said. "Look at you, still holding a grudge over a pair of smelly shoes. I've wasted my time being your friend! Think back, after the ownership of those sneakers was transferred, did you even wear them? Did you wash them when they got dirty?"

Hu Zaoqiu laughed: "I'm the one who lost out, right? I sold you the shoes for five yuan, we drank together, and now the ownership of the shoes belongs to you. So, seeing you looking so smug in those sneakers, I felt really unbalanced, and I just hoped they were defective..."

Li Xinxiang laughed... Out of breath, she said, "Stop talking, you'll laugh until you can't eat the fish!"

Tian Liye then became serious, sighed, and said, "Back then, we were poor. My father was a construction worker, earning sixty-seven yuan a month. There were seven people in my family to feed. If it were like today, where you have to pay for your own university education, I couldn't afford it, let alone graduate school."

Li Xinxiang said, "It's good that you can pay for your own university education today, but everyone has money now, and it's affordable." Tian Liye

shook his head: "Not everyone can afford it. My sister's son is going to university this year, and the whole family is worried sick." "My sister was laid off, and my brother-in-law's factory isn't doing well..."

This surprised Li Xinxiang: "You officials at the county level still have these kinds of worries?"

Tian Liye frowned: "So what if I'm at the county level? My salary is fixed. If I don't embezzle or take anything, I'll just be penniless and full of alcohol! Of course, we have more money to spend than ordinary people!"

At 9 PM on June 25, 1998, after watching the weather forecast in his hotel room at Pingyang Hotel, Ma Wanli called the hotel's switchboard and instructed the operator to connect him to Changjiang and speak to Qian Yiwei, the secretary of the Changjiang Municipal Party Committee. While waiting for the call, Sun Yadong knocked and came in, saying he wanted to report on his work. Ma Wanli asked Sun Yadong to sit down and listened half-heartedly, his mind still on the water situation in Changjiang, his eyes occasionally glancing at the orange telephone on the table.

Sun Yadong noticed Ma Wanli's distraction and said, "Secretary Ma, if you're busy, I'll go back first and come to the provincial capital another day to give you a special work report..."

Ma Wanli then focused, waving his hand and saying, "No need, no need. Comrade Gao Changhe has just taken office and has a lot to do. You shouldn't come to the provincial capital unless it's something important—oh, Yadong, go on, go on!"

Sun Yadong had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Secretary Ma, the work in Pingyang is truly complex and multifaceted. From my perspective, the focus is still on anti-corruption and clean governance. It seems the situation is rather... " "It's Li Changhe who took over Jiang Chaolin's case, not Wen Chunming. The truth about Pingyang should be out." The cadres and masses in Pingyang seem to share this sensitivity; since yesterday, the complaint mailbox outside the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection has been overflowing with complaints covering all aspects of life, and the tone is quite strong.

Ma Wanli asked, "Does Comrade Changhe know about this situation?"

Sun Yadong said, "I originally intended to report to Comrade Gao Changhe first, but unexpectedly, after only a few words after dinner, before we even got to the point, Comrade Changhe was summoned to Binhai by Secretary Hua Bo."

Ma Wanli nodded: "I know, Binhai is on the front line of flood control, and the Provincial Party Committee is somewhat worried."

Sun Yadong continued his report: "The corruption problem in Pingyang, especially the corruption of responsible cadres, seems to be quite serious. The focus is mainly on the Pingyang Steel Rolling Mill and Lieshan County. I have reported this to the Provincial Party Committee and you in the past..."

Ma Wanli waved his hand: "Stop reporting all the time. Just do what needs to be done. What do you plan to do?"

Sun Yadong said: "Personally, I still hope that the Provincial Party Committee can send a capable working group to investigate thoroughly with us—of course, this matter also depends on Comrade Changhe's opinion and his determination."

Ma Wanli pondered: "Your new leadership team should first come up with an opinion. You should handle matters within your authority yourselves." "Don't always try to pass problems and conflicts up the chain of command. Let me emphasize again, on matters of principle, no one can be a 'nice guy.' I've said this to Comrade Changhe before—if we don't offend those corrupt officials, we'll offend the Party and the people. Of course, for truly major cases, the province will take the lead and won't shirk responsibility. But, Comrade Yadong, you must remember, the issue of anti-corruption is a very serious matter; it must be based on facts."

Just then, the phone on the desk rang. Ma Wanli went to answer it, and then said meaningfully, "...Yadong, I also want to remind you, don't say anything like 'lifting the lid.' The Provincial Party Committee has a high opinion of Pingyang's work; this isn't Comrade Hua Bo's personal evaluation, it's the Provincial Party Committee's evaluation." "Comrade Hua Bo's speech was discussed and approved by the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, did you know that?"

Sun Yadong nodded repeatedly, "Secretary Ma, your reminder is very timely, I will definitely pay attention to this issue..."

Ma Wanli waved his hand, stopping Sun Yadong from continuing, and reached for the phone: "Qian Yiwei? How is the situation in Changjiang? Ah? The weather forecast says that the rainfall is still continuing, and the Xia Sanhe area has become a waterlogged area again, right?" On the phone

, Qian Yiwei, Secretary of the Changjiang Municipal Party Committee, said: "Secretary Ma, don't worry, it's not a big problem. 50,000 people have gone up the dike, and the city's flood control headquarters has the main leaders of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government on duty 24 hours a day. There won't be any major problems. Oh, by the way, Secretary Ma, I'd like to report: Yesterday I specifically..." "I went to Xia Sanhe to take a look and even saw your father. He's in good health, and the family is doing well; there's no water in the yard..."

Ma Wanli flared up: "Qian Yiwei, why are you running to my house at a time like this? Huh? What impact? Why do you keep doing things that make the people curse you! I'm asking you: Is the Xia Sanhe area flooded?"

Qian Yiwei was silent for a long time before saying, "Two townships are flooded..."

Ma Wanli's anger flared even more: "Two townships are flooded, and I didn't ask you to tell me. But there's no water in my yard, and you immediately reported that. Is this your achievement? Do you want me to praise you? You, Qian Yiwei, are the Party Secretary of Changjiang City. You are responsible to the eight million people of Changjiang, not to me, Ma Wanli, personally!"

Qian Yiwei dared not say a word.

Ma Wanli took a breath and asked again, "Are you confident in withstanding this major flood?"

Qian Yiwei replied, "Yes, we are! Secretary Ma, the slogan put forward by our Changjiang Municipal Party Committee is: 'Fight floods, protect our homes, and safeguard the achievements of reform and opening up.' The enthusiasm of cadres and the masses is very high, especially those along the river. They are now eating and sleeping on the dike, and good deeds are constantly emerging. Secretary Ma, let me report to you..."

Ma Wanli said, "Alright, alright, no need to report on good deeds—I want to ask, if the flood situation approaches that of 1991, how much damage do you estimate there will be? Will the production and lives of the masses be severely affected?"

Qian Yiwei said, "If it really reaches the level of 1991, even if Changjiang doesn't experience any problems, there will probably be quite severe flooding. However, with your support and care from the Provincial Party Committee, we will definitely..." Having weathered the storm like in 1991, I'm not too worried about the people's production and livelihood.

Ma Wanli became displeased again: "Qian Yiwei, don't count on me or the provincial committee. Even if there are difficulties, you must rely on your own efforts and not let others criticize me behind my back! In this respect, you should all learn from Pingyang!"

After hanging up the phone, Ma Wanli, still not finished, pointed at Sun Yadong and said, "Yadong, you should also learn from the strengths of Pingyang cadres! Like Jiang Chaolin, like Wen Chunming, aren't they all full of confidence? And look at the cadres from our Changjiang City, can we compare to them?"

Sun Yadong sighed, "That's why, in the past six months since I was transferred here, it's been very difficult for me to carry out my work."

Ma Wanli sat down again on the sofa and said, "Now that Comrade Changhe has arrived, the situation will improve."

Sun Yadong wanted to say something, hesitated for a moment, but didn't speak, only nodding.

Ma Wanli then said, "Alright, Yadong, continue telling us about the situation in Pingyang! What exactly is the nature of the problems with the Pingyang Rolling Mill and Lieshan County? Are there any leads on the anonymous remittance of 140,000 yuan?"

Sun Yadong then began to report...

At 11:00 PM on June 25, 1998, Wang Shaobo of Binhai City Hospital did not expect that Jiang Chaolin would come to Binhai Hospital to see him in the middle of the night on the day he stepped down.

Seeing Jiang Chaolin's familiar smiling face, Wang Shaobo almost burst into tears. He struggled to sit up and said, "Old Secretary, what brings you here? Aren't you trying to shorten my lifespan?"

Jiang Chaolin smiled and said, "I've come to congratulate you. I, the Party Secretary with a paternalistic style, have stepped down. Now you don't have the crisis of resigning, isn't that good? Huh?"

He paused, then added, "Oh, by the way, Comrade Gao Changhe sends his regards and said he'll come to see you when he has time."

Mayor Jiang Kunhua, who accompanied Jiang Chaolin, also said, "Shaobo, Secretary Gao just gave instructions to have the newspaper send someone to report on you properly."

Wang Shaobo waved his hand and said, "Forget it, don't give me that. As long as Secretary Gao can support our Binhai City's work as much as Secretary Jiang does in the future, that's better than anything else."

Jiang Chaolin frowned: "Shaobo, what kind of talk is that? Huh? I think Comrade Changhe is quite good. On his first day in office, he accompanied Secretary Liu Huabo." "Coming to your Binhai, how much prestige does your Binhai city have?"

Wang Shaobo said dismissively, "Changjiang is flooded, of course he has to come. He's here for Changjiang, not for our Binhai. Why are you, old secretary, praising him like this?"

Jiang Kunhua also said, "Old secretary, did you pay attention to Gao Changhe's speech at the party and government cadre meeting this afternoon? I heard a hidden meaning in his words!"

Jiang Chaolin looked at Jiang Kunhua attentively: "Oh?"

Jiang Kunhua saw encouragement in Jiang Chaolin's eyes and said again, "Gao Changhe said that we look at him, and he also wants to look at us—what does that mean? What does he want to look at us? Does he want to see if we follow him?"

Jiang Chaolin waved his hand: "Comrade Changhe made it very clear. He wants to see if you have the spirit to do big things and practical things. Don't think of it in a crooked way, and don't go around spreading rumors. That's not good, it's not conducive to the unity of the cadre team."

Jiang Kunhua dared not say anything more.

Jiang Chaolin thought for a moment, then said, "I am your former leader, but not your patriarch. I understand your feelings for me, but I require that during this leadership transition, you must consider the overall situation and not be suspicious, lest you ruin the excellent progress in Pingyang."

Wang Shaobo smiled and said to Jiang Kunhua, "Kunhua, the old secretary is right. We must learn from the old secretary's party principles and Bolshevik spirit, and maintain a high degree of consistency with Gao Changhe—however, old secretary, forgive my bluntness, but ever since the rumors of your retirement spread, there have been many rumors in Pingyang and the province. Everyone says that the corruption problem in Pingyang is very serious, and that the provincial party committee rejected Mayor Wen and sent Gao Changhe to Pingyang in order to expose the problems in Pingyang. Some people even say that Gao Changhe came to take office with a powerful backer, and that he is going to deal with a group of cadres..."

Jiang Chaolin said, "You believe these irresponsible rumors? You spread them? Where is there no leadership transition without rumors? I advise you not to take it to heart, just laugh it off."

Wang Shaobo said, "Let it go? Old Secretary, they've slandered us, and we're just going to let it go?"

Jiang Chaolin said unhappily, "What will you do if you don't? Who will you hold accountable? Will you even be able to find someone to hold accountable? Will you still be able to get things done? Will you still have the mind to get things done? The achievements of Pingyang are earned through hard work, not by boasting. No matter who disagrees, it's useless!"

He paused for a moment, then added, "The flood situation is very serious now. You should focus your energy on flood prevention and control, and less on these trivial matters."

After Jiang Chaolin finished speaking, no one spoke for a long time.

Finally, Wang Shaobo broke the silence: "Old Secretary, you've come down here anyway, and after all these years of hard work, you deserve a good rest. How about we invite you to stay at Golden Coast for a while? — Hey, Kunhua, have you talked to the Old Secretary about this?"

Jiang Kunhua nodded: "I talked to the Old Secretary on the way here, but he hasn't given his approval yet..."

Jiang Chaolin waved his hand: "Now I've given my approval — I'll go to Golden Coast for a while, so that everyone won't keep coming to my place and talking about this and that, affecting Comrade Gao Changhe's work and my mood."

Wang Shaobo laughed: "Okay, I..." "I'll move there too, to recover from my injuries and keep you company, old Secretary. Kunhua, make the arrangements immediately..."

Jiang Chaolin thought for a moment, then added, "Kunhua, remember, this must be kept secret. Don't let anyone know except you and Wen Chunming. I'll finish the handover with Comrade Changhe tomorrow, and then move to Jin Hai'an the day after tomorrow. I won't stay in Pingyang City for another day!"

As he left Binhai Hospital, Jiang Chaolin felt a warm glow in his heart. He thought to himself, "There are many good cadres like Wang Shaobo and Jiang Kunhua in Pingyang who have integrity and uphold justice. Anyone with ulterior motives who tries to make trouble for themselves in Pingyang will only be asking for trouble!"

On June 25, 1998, at 11 PM on a public tram in Pingyang, Hu Zaoqiu was really not a good friend. He first tricked Li Xinxiang into going to "New World Entertainment City," and then quickly became friends with her, even planning to elope with her to Jinghu that very night. Tian Liye was worried that Li Xinxiang wouldn't be back by 10 a.m. the next day, which would interfere with their scheduled meeting with Mayor Wen Chunming. He was anxious and wouldn't let Hu Zaoqiu and Li Xinxiang leave, repeatedly accusing Hu Zaoqiu of being untrustworthy.

Hu Zaoqiu chuckled and said, "Old classmate, it's not that I'm untrustworthy, it's that Reporter Li has defected!"

Li Xinxiang giggled and said, "It's not a defection, it's that I was forced onto this treacherous path."

Hu Zaoqiu said, "On a treacherous path? That sounds awful! At least say you were attracted by my personal charm!"

Li Xinxiang laughed again and said, "Mayor Hu, your charm isn't that great, you just have some work ethic."

Tian Liye was furious: "Commander Hu, let me make this clear: if you don't deliver Reporter Li to Mayor Wen's office at the municipal government by 10 a.m. tomorrow, I'll definitely..." "If the Party Secretary and Mayor Wen say a few bad things about you, they'll report you, and all your efforts will be in vain.

You won't even have time to cry!" Hu Zaoqiu said, "Okay, okay, Leader Tian, don't worry, I'll hand you over before 10 a.m. tomorrow."

After the two "eloped," Tian Liye had no desire to stay in "New World" any longer. He wanted to ask the Municipal Party Committee's duty office for a car to go home, but after the call went through, he remembered: the current Municipal Party Secretary is not Jiang Chaolin anymore. Asking for a car so late, especially to an entertainment center, would not have a good reputation if word got out. So he hung up the phone and reluctantly went to the entrance to take the tram.

There weren't many people on the night tram, only seven or eight scattered around. There were two ticket sellers, one at the front and one at the back. Tian Liye boarded from the back door, bought a 30-cent ticket from the ticket seller there, and sat down in the last row to doze off. He didn't notice anything at the front door, and he certainly didn't expect that the ticket seller at the front door would be his laid-off sister, Tian Liting.

When the bus arrived at Jiefang Road Station, five or six people boarded through the front door. Tian Liting's voice rang out, timid and with a hint of flattery and pleading, as she asked the young ticket seller at the back door, "Hey, Mr. Jin, how much to Binjiang Road?"

Tian Liye still didn't recognize her as his sister—he had never imagined that his sister, who was almost forty, would be re-employed by her workplace by working on a public tram.

The young ticket seller at the back door was very impatient. She first called out from afar, "Old Tian, how can you be so stupid? You've been memorizing the bus stop signs and fares all day, and you still can't remember! Four cents!"

Then she went over and scolded Tian Liting in front of the passengers, saying, "Count the people first, remember how many there are, see where they're sitting, and then go sell tickets. Don't be so dense! Tell me, how many people came from Jiefang Road?"

Tian Liting stammered, "Five or six, right?"

The young ticket seller was furious: "Five or six? Where are they all sitting? Did you see clearly? With your ticket-selling method, how can state-owned assets not be lost? Look, one of them went to the back!"

Indeed, one person sat down next to Tian Liye.

When Tian Liting came over to sell tickets, Tian Liye finally saw clearly in the dim light of the carriage that the ticket seller was his own sister! For a moment, Tian Liye was stunned, and his sister Tian Liting was also stunned.

Tian Liting forgot about selling tickets and asked Tian Liye, "Why are you taking the trolleybus too?"

Tian Liye replied, "Never mind that—how did you end up working as a ticket seller here?"

Tian Liting said, "It was arranged by the factory. I signed a one-year contract, and it was voluntary, so I signed up..."

Before she could finish speaking, the young ticket seller called out again, "Hey, Lao Tian, what are you chatting about with your acquaintances for? We're almost at our stop, are you still going to sell these tickets? Lao Tian, do you think you can get back to work like this?"

Tian Liye couldn't hold back any longer. His blood boiled, and he snatched the ticket holder from his sister's hand, yelling at the young ticket seller, "Why are you yelling at me? 'Lao Tian's' child is about your age! When 'Lao Tian' was a mentor, you were probably nowhere to be found! Get off, Liting, we're not going to work here!"

With that, he threw the ticket holder back at the young ticket seller.

The young ticket seller was no pushover either. She took the ticket clip and yelled at Tian Liye, "Who are you to Lao Tian? Who are you talking to? Do you think I want to take Lao Tian? If the captain hadn't been trying to persuade me, I wouldn't have taken him! Get off the bus, now!"

The bus stopped before reaching the station. Tian Liting was still hesitating when Tian Liye pulled her off the bus.

As soon as she got off the bus, Tian Liting burst into tears, saying, "Brother, what are you doing? Do you think it's easy for me to get back to work? Do you think I'm some kind of deputy secretary-general of the municipal party committee? I'm just a welder. I'm lucky to be able to sell tickets on the public tram after being laid off!"

Tian Liye said, "It's not that I look down on the ticket seller's job, it's that I can't stand that young girl's attitude. Laid-off workers are people too. Besides, you and I are different. You're a model worker, an apprentice since fifteen, and you've been a welder for over twenty years, which has left you with a lot of health problems. No one has the right to treat you like that. It's not fair!"

Tian Liting, her face streaked with tears, said, "How much fairness is there these days? You, the deputy secretary-general, drink all day long. Is that fair? If it had been another laid-off female worker you didn't know, would you have gotten angry? Would you have felt it was unfair?"

Tian Liye fell silent.

Tian Liting continued, "I've been laid off for two months, and you know our family situation..."

Tian Liye then said, "Liting, let me find you a better job, at least one that respects your position..."

Tian Liting wiped away her tears and said, "Any job is fine, I'm not afraid of hard work, I just want to earn more money. Qiangqiang is taking the college entrance exam this year, and his grades shouldn't be a big problem. My worry is about the four years' tuition..."

Tian Liye said, "Didn't I already say that? I'll help you raise the tuition..."

As he said this, Tian Liye felt a pang of sadness. He suddenly realized that his role as Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee was insincere, while the son of a former construction worker and now the brother of a laid-off female worker seemed much more genuine. At that moment, he deeply felt that he never truly belonged to the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee compound, but rather to the

working class enduring the pain of reform. This pain was felt not only in Tian Liye's body but also in his heart.

Walking under the starry sky, Tian Liye thought he needed to find time to write an article about how to respect laid-off workers, starting with his own sister, to teach that young ticket seller a lesson, and to teach society as a whole.

On June 25, 1998, at 11 PM, on his way back to Pingyang, Liu Huabo remained worried, repeatedly urging Gao Changhe to focus on two things under the current circumstances: flood control and prevention, and the unity of the new leadership team. Liu Huabo explicitly told Gao Changhe that if they had known a month ago that the weather was going to cause trouble and could have predicted the early arrival of the flood season, the provincial party committee in Pingyang wouldn't have been in such a hurry to change

leadership; they would have waited until at least the main flood season was over before making a decision. Looking ahead at the road, Liu Huabo said thoughtfully, "Everyone knows that when a place changes leadership, it's often when conflicts are most prominent and problems are most exposed. This phenomenon is unique to China. Our various levels of government are supposedly under collective leadership, but to a considerable extent, the top leader has the final say. The top leader isn't a saint; in their work, they inevitably offend people and make mistakes in personnel and actions. While in power, no one dares to say anything; once they step down, the aftermath begins, some latent conflicts become public, and various versions of rumors emerge—truth and falsehood, reality and illusion—leaving you speechless. Some of our comrades are also adept at using this opportunity, centering on themselves and their own interests, observing people's expressions and sensing the winds of change." "At times like these, everything becomes sensitive. Even something that's perfectly normal or a casual remark can become a focal point of conflict, or even a major source of long-term disunity within the leadership team. We've learned this the hard way in the past, and some conflicts remain unresolved."

Gao Changhe nodded and said, "Secretary Hua Bo, you've hit the nail on the head. Actually, this is what I wanted to report to you. The 140,000 yuan in anonymous bribes received by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection wouldn't have been a problem if investigated during Jiang Chaolin's tenure, but it might have become a problem during my tenure. If it's done behind Jiang Chaolin's back, as Ma Wanli suggested, the problem will be even bigger. And then there's the rolling mill—it's an old problem, not something that just surfaced today." "Yes, Ma Wanli and Sun Yadong also hope I can investigate immediately, which will inevitably cause misunderstandings between Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming. But we can't not investigate either, the reactions from all levels are so strong..."

Liu Huabo interrupted Gao Changhe: "Let's put the rolling mill aside for now. I know what's going on with this problem, and Governor Chen Honghe knows it too. We can't blame Comrade Wen Chunming, and it's not a corruption issue. You must be careful about your stance on this matter. But the 140,000 yuan in anonymous funds absolutely must be investigated, there can be no ambiguity. I believe Comrade Chaolin will understand. It's not surprising that a few corrupt officials emerge in such a large city. I've already given the word to Comrade Jiang Chaolin."

Gao Changhe was still puzzled: "Then, what exactly is the problem with the rolling mill?"

Liu Huabo sighed. "The main problem is the unclear investment entity. When this project was approved, Governor Chen Honghe was still working in a national ministry and participated in the decision-making process. Who are you going to investigate? Governor Chen? Wasn't Governor Chen acting out of good intentions? With funds so tight, he still approved 300 million yuan for our Pingyang Steel Rolling Mill!"

Gao Changhe gasped, stunned for a long time before asking, "Does Secretary Ma Wanli know about this inside story?"

Liu Huabo said, "He knows a little bit, and he has a lot of opinions. He's told me twice, saying that even if we have to pay the price, we have to find out who paid the price for. He also suspects there are other loopholes. I also suspected it at first, so I had Wen Chunming investigate thoroughly and found out that some money had been spent over the years to secure follow-up funding and loans, and there are records of it all. Comrade Changhe, what do you suggest we do? Huh? Run to..." "Are the relevant units in Beijing going to collect all those gifts that were given out? Do you in Pingyang still want to deal with them? How are

you going to work in the future? Huh?" Gao Changhe understood: "Secretary Huabo, thank you for your timely reminder."

Liu Huabo continued: "Comrades Wen Chunming and Jiang Chaolin also had some misunderstandings about this. They thought that the Provincial Party Committee didn't ultimately elect Wen Chunming as the Secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee because Wen Chunming was dragged down by the Pingyang Rolling Mill issue. I clearly told Comrade Jiang Chaolin that it wasn't like that."

He sighed, "Comrade Changhe, do you understand now? The Pingyang Rolling Mill involves too many conflicts, and the levels involved are too high. If it's not handled properly, it will not only affect the unity of the Pingyang leadership, but it may also affect the unity of the Provincial Party Committee leadership. Therefore, these are things I didn't originally intend to say, but I have to say them today." "It's best to keep quiet about it yourself, but don't talk about it in public."

Gao Changhe nodded: "Secretary Huabo, I understand your good intentions!"

Liu Huabo patted Gao Changhe's hand: "Regarding the rolling mill, my opinion is to resolve it as soon as possible. If it should be sold, sell it; if it should be merged, let it be merged. Don't harbor any more illusions. As for the final decision, we should respect Comrade Wen Chunming's opinion. He's been in charge of this, but due to objective limitations, he didn't do a good job, though he developed a strong bond with him."

Gao Changhe said: "I'll discuss this with Comrade Chunming tomorrow and get it over with quickly."

Liu Huabo reminded him: "Don't be too hasty. First, discuss a solution, implement some preferential policies to encourage others to buy or merge, and do some work on asset restructuring. As far as I know..." Several large domestic steel companies, including some listed companies, have expressed interest in merging with Pingyang Rolling Mill in recent years. This year, the hottest topic in the stock market is reportedly asset restructuring. Why don't you join the fray and restructure Pingyang Rolling Mill out?

Gao Changhe exclaimed with great emotion, "Secretary Huabo, I never expected you to even know about this year's stock market hotspots!"

Liu Huabo laughed, "You, Gao Changhe, do you really think I'm such a bureaucrat? Don't forget, the township enterprises in Pingyang were built up under my leadership. I understand the economics better than anyone else. If you don't believe me, go ask Old Liang!"

Gao Changhe said, "My father-in-law often talks about you, saying that you laid a solid economic foundation for Pingyang, which led to Pingyang's leapfrog development under Comrade Jiang Chaolin..."

Liu Huabo waved his hand and smiled, "Changhe,... " "Now we've handed over the solid foundation laid by our three predecessors as Pingyang Municipal Party Secretaries to you. What will happen in the next century? Whether we can do a better job in Pingyang depends on you!"

Gao Changhe's heart suddenly warmed: "Secretary Huabo, please rest assured, you and the Provincial Party Committee, my team and I in Pingyang will do our best. Faced with the glory you have created over the past twenty years, my team and I in Pingyang dare not make any grand pronouncements. All I can say is this: We will dedicate ourselves to the cause until our dying breath!"

Liu Huabo patted Gao Changhe on the shoulder: "Very good! I'll add one more thing: Unite and create new glories!"

The Audi sped along the highway at night, its wheels spinning rapidly, approaching the brightly lit city of Pingyang amidst the heartfelt conversation between a provincial party secretary and a municipal party secretary.

At 00:20 on June 26, 1998, at the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee Guesthouse, Gao Changhe never expected that Liu Yiru, the director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, would be waiting for him.

As Gao Changhe entered the lobby of the small red building, the first thing he saw was a young female staff member from the guesthouse. Seeing him come in, she quickly greeted him, saying that Director Liu from the office had been waiting for him.

Only then did Gao Changhe notice that Liu Yiru was dozing on a sofa in the lobby.

Liu Yiru, true to her senior position as office director, remained highly alert even while dozing. Almost as soon as the staff member mentioned her, she immediately stood up from the sofa, walked briskly to Gao Changhe, and greeted him with a warm smile, "Secretary Gao, you're back?"

Looking at Liu Yiru's gray hair, Gao Changhe felt a pang of unease and guilt. He gently scolded her, "Director Liu, it's so late—look, it's past midnight, why aren't you home yet? Am I a child? Don't I know how to sleep?"

Liu Yiru said, “Secretary Gao, this is your first day here, and you're unfamiliar with the area. How could I leave without making proper arrangements? Wouldn't that be dereliction of duty? Come on, Secretary Gao, let me show you around. The second floor is your living area, with a suite serving as your bedroom. Opposite is your second office, and there's also a small meeting room next door. I've taken the liberty of arranging it; I don't know if you're satisfied. If not, I'll send someone to rearrange it again tomorrow.”

Upon reaching the second floor and looking around, Gao Changhe was stunned: everything was so elegant and cozy. The usual monotonous and rigid furnishings of hotels were nowhere to be found; a homely atmosphere had vividly appeared before him. Except for his wife, Liang Li, it felt like his home in the provincial capital had been moved here. What surprised Gao Changhe even more was that his favorite root carvings and unusual stones were displayed in the second office and the small meeting room.

Gao Changhe examined a root carving resembling a galloping horse and asked Liu Yiru, "Director Liu, how did you know I like root carvings and stones? Who told you?"

Liu Yiru smiled and said, "Secretary Gao, I just guessed. I figured a young leader like you, unlike Secretary Jiang Chaolin, might like these things. Plus, I collect some myself, so I just took a few from home to display."

Gao Changhe was even more pleased: "Director Liu, once I'm done with this busy period, I'll come visit your home and admire it."

Liu Yiru repeatedly said, "Okay, okay, Secretary Gao, you're welcome to visit anytime."

Before parting, Liu Yiru brought up work again: "—Oh, Secretary Gao, there's something else I need to report to you: Our Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, Tian Liye, didn't attend the city-wide party and government cadre meeting this afternoon, did he? I reported this to you afterward. I felt Tian Liye lacked organizational discipline, so I looked into it..." Only then did he realize that he had gone to the rolling mill on the instructions of Comrade Jiang Chaolin to assist a female reporter from Xinhua News Agency in gathering information.

Gao Changhe hadn't paid much attention at first, but upon hearing the words "rolling mill," his nerves tightened, and he asked sensitively, "What is this Deputy Secretary-General Tian taking the Xinhua reporter to the rolling mill to find out? Director Liu, do you know when Comrade Jiang Chaolin arranged this?"

Liu Yiru said, "It seems it was arranged yesterday. Neither Jiang Chaolin nor Wen Chunming specifically mentioned this to me, but from the snippets of their conversation, it seemed they wanted to publicly report on the rolling mill issue. Comrade Tian Liye seized the opportunity, even skipping the party and government cadre meeting. Actually, there's plenty of time to accompany a reporter; what's the big deal about an afternoon? Secretary Gao, you should probably emphasize the discipline of the organization on appropriate occasions."

Gao Changhe nodded absentmindedly.

Liu Yiru then took her leave: "Secretary Gao, you have work to do tomorrow, so I won't bother you any longer."

After seeing Liu Yiru off, Gao Changhe was instantly wide awake, gazing at the night outside the window, lost in thought.

Why did Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming choose to publicly report on the problems at the rolling mill only when he arrived in Pingyang to take office, instead of at any other time before? What did this mean? What were they planning? Recalling Liu Huabo's earnest revelations along the way, he understood even better: Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming were about to detonate the rolling mill's time bomb! Once this time bomb exploded, shrapnel would fly from Pingyang to the provincial capital, to Beijing, severely damaging the network of working relationships that Pingyang had built up over the years. Governor Chen Honghe, Deputy Secretary Ma Wanli, and even Secretary Liu Huabo would be dragged into the vortex of conflict…

He truly couldn't fathom why this veteran comrade Jiang Chaolin would do this. Was it merely acting on impulse? Could there be something else going on? What role did Deputy Secretary Ma Wanli play in all of this? Is there a necessary connection between his insistence on the issue of the rolling mill and the actions of Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming? How come they are so united on this issue? Is the original camp being reorganized and split up again?

Fortunately, the bomb hasn't been detonated yet, and he still has the possibility of preventing it from exploding.

Gao Changhe thought silently, then, let everything start from the rolling mill. No matter how fierce the competition is, and no matter who is supporting Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming, he must not allow this bomb to explode in his hands, even if he has to use his power to veto it in the end!

Chapter 5 Who Do You Think You Are?

June 26, 1998, 8:00 AM, Jinghu Municipal Party Committee Guesthouse. Last night, I accompanied Li Xinxiang to look at the project until almost 3:00 AM, but before 8:00 AM this morning, Hu Zaoqiu not only got up but also finished all the things that needed to be done. As soon as I groggily opened my eyes, I lay on the bed and started working on the phone. First, I gave a warm report to Bai Aini, the municipal party secretary, about the arrival of the Xinhua News Agency reporter and the plan to organize reporters from various Beijing newspapers to promote Jinghu. Then, I contacted the Sino-US joint venture Jinghu Feiyu Garment Group and the Arts and Crafts Company, asking them to send some "advertising gifts." Fearing that the two companies might neglect their duties, I also called Gao Rugo, the director of the government office, to have her confirm. At 8:10, when I arrived at the guesthouse, the "advertising gifts" from both companies had been delivered to the service desk, and Gao Rugo was also there, busily tending to the gifts.

Hu Zaoqiu looked around, his face falling. He asked Gao Ruguo irritably, "Hey, Director Gao, can't you do anything useful for the Jinghu Municipal People's Government?"

Gao Ruguo, unaware of the situation, wiped her sweat and asked, quite aggrieved, "What is it now, Mayor Hu?"

Hu Zaoqiu pointed to the gifts in front of him: "Look at this pile of junk you've brought! Is this really appropriate for a reporter? And live fish too! Do you think Beijing is short of fish? It's a difficult time, isn't it?" Gao Ruguo felt

even more aggrieved: "Mayor Hu, didn't you say at the office meeting last week that we should cut back on social expenses? Besides, Secretary-General Tian of the Municipal Party Committee brought all this last time. Surely no reporter in Beijing is of a higher rank than Secretary-General Tian?"

Hu Zaoqiu was both amused and exasperated. "These are two different things, how can you not understand? It's fine if we fool Tian Liye, but the Beijing reporters are important guests, can we fool them too? This isn't something they wanted, it's a gift from us, helping us advertise!"

Gao Rugo complained, "Then you, as the mayor, should explain yourself clearly. The Feiyu Group did send over two new all-wool skirts, but when I asked, the factory price was several hundred yuan, so out of the principle of saving money, I let them take them back. Or should I have them take them back again?"

Hu Zaoqiu waved his hand, "Forget it, forget it, you go back, I'll handle this personally."

Gao Rugo was very enthusiastic, and before leaving, she said, "Mayor Hu, if you need anything, just let me know, I'll be there whenever you call."

But Hu Zaoqiu thought: Grandma, I dare not take you on again, you're so foolish and hardworking, I can't handle it.

Because of this delay, it was already 8:30 when they had breakfast with Li Xinxiang.

During the meal, Party Secretary Bai Aini came by briefly and organized a group of reporters to conduct a comprehensive interview on Jinghu. He expressed his important opinion, saying that it would be best to come while Reporter Li was conducting interviews and investigations in Pingyang: "...Ten thousand years is too long, seize the day, as Chairman Mao said."

Secretary Bai Aini stared at Li Xinxiang, smiling sincerely and sweetly.

Li Xinxiang was moved by the smile and said, "Then I'll try my best. I'll call my friends in the Beijing newspapers and see if they can squeeze out some time to make a visit."

Hu Zaoqiu immediately said, "We must make sure they can squeeze out the time. Reporter Li, you saw the magnificent scene of us working late into the night at the construction site yesterday. Didn't you say you were 'deeply moved'? Well then, let your brothers and sisters be moved too! Your being moved at this time is very beneficial to us. The new secretary, Gao Changhe, has just taken office, and Jinghu must attract his attention..."

Bai Aini frowned and tapped the table with her knuckles: "Hey, hey, Comrade Zaoqiu, are you talking nonsense again? Huh? Who are we doing this for? This is called promoting Jinghu, promoting the great achievements of reform and opening up..."

Li Xinxiang laughed: "Commander Hu, look at your level, and then look at Secretary Bai's level, no wonder you can't get your calligraphy off the hook..."

Bai Aini laughed, "Reporter Li, you know his name is Commander Hu? Let me tell you, our Commander Hu isn't the Commander Hu on the stage. He's a real workaholic, and he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve! Our mayor is getting old and his health isn't good; he's in the hospital every few days. The government mainly relies on him. His only flaw is that he's a bit casual in his speech; people who don't know him might not be able to accept it right away."

Li Xinxiang said, "I've accepted it, otherwise, I wouldn't have 'eloped' with him to Jinghu last night."

Bai Aini said, "That's good, that's good. I hope you can bring more reporters to elope to Jinghu. All expenses are on us. It doesn't matter if you write an article or not; even if you write a critical article, that's fine. We just want everyone to give their opinions and further promote the development of our various reform initiatives..."

Hu Zaoqiu was busy... "Hey, Reporter Li," said Hu Xinxiang, "you absolutely mustn't write any critical articles. If you do, Secretary Bai won't let me have a good time. He'll definitely make me

wear a pair of tiny shoes!" Li Xinxiang could tell that Hu Zaoqiu and Bai Aini had a very special relationship, so she said, "Just so you, Commander Hu, can have a pair of new tiny shoes, I have to take the lead in writing a critical article, criticizing you to show the leaders!"

Hu Zaoqiu said with a smile, "It's okay if you criticize me personally, as long as you don't criticize Jinghu. If you criticize me, I can even provide you with material..."

Bai Aini saw that it was getting late and waved her hand, "Alright, alright, Zaoqiu, stop talking nonsense. Hurry up and take Reporter Li back to Pingyang. Didn't we say we were going to interview Mayor Wen at ten o'clock? Don't let it interfere with the important business. You can see her off on my behalf."

With the clear instructions from the Municipal Party Secretary, Hu Zaoqiu accompanied Li Xinxiang back to Pingyang. Before getting into the car, she threw two newly ordered high-end wool dresses and an exquisite jade carving into the car, saying it was just a small token of her appreciation.

This small gesture made Li Xinxiang a little embarrassed. She said, "Commander Hu, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "What's inappropriate about it? When you, the great reporter Li, wear our Jinghu Flying Fish uniform and walk down the streets of Beijing, you'll be a walking advertisement for a beautiful woman. I'm just considering whether to ask General Manager Li of the Flying Fish Group to pay some advertising fees!"

Li Xinxiang laughed, "Then I'll start the advertising right now!"

With that, she quickly ran to her room to change into a "Flying Fish" uniform, and her whole demeanor instantly became more energetic.

Upon seeing Tian Liye at the entrance of the Pingyang Municipal Government, Tian Liye recognized the flying fish logo on Li Xinxiang's clothes and deliberately asked, "Reporter Li, did you go to Jinghu or to America? Even if a girl changes a lot as she grows up, she can't suddenly become a 'Chinese beauty,' can she?"

Hu Zaoqiu quickly said, "Hey, hey, Tian Mimi, you have a good eye. This is called export flying fish, the latest product of Sino-US cooperation. It's a sample made based on popular American styles. You're not entirely wrong to say that Reporter Li went abroad."

Tian Liye immediately exclaimed, "You, Commander Hu, when I went to your place, all I saw were jeans and undershirts. You didn't give me a single good thing. With this kind of performance, you still expect me to speak well of you in front of the leaders?"

Hu Zaoqiu laughed, "It's not my fault, it's your fault for being ugly, your crooked appearance is ruining the image of our products! I'm not being petty, it's all for the sake of the Jinghu clothing enterprises' profits. If we can't sell our clothes because of you wearing them, do you think I, as mayor, can face the people of Jinghu?"

Tian Liye feigned anger, "Get lost, I'm no longer a classmate of yours!"

Before leaving, Hu Zaoqiu didn't forget his plan: "Reporter Li, Secretary Bai and I are waiting for you!"

Li Xinxiang said, "Okay, okay, just because you, Commander Hu, flatter me like this, I have to try my best!"

Five minutes to ten o'clock, Tian Liye accompanied Li Xinxiang into the mayor's office on the second floor of the municipal government building.

At this time, Mayor Wen Chunming was already waiting in the office, his desk covered with old documents and reports. When Tian Liye entered, Wen Chunming was flipping through yellowed documents with a gloomy face, while the head of the Secretariat stood timidly to the side. Tian Liye keenly sensed an atmosphere of near-sorrow.

At 9:00 AM on June 26, 1998, at the Pingyang Hotel, after seeing off provincial leaders including Liu Huabo and Ma Wanli, Gao Changhe was preparing to discuss the Pingyang Rolling Mill with Jiang Chaolin when Sun Yadong stopped him, saying he had something to report. As Gao Changhe hesitated, Jiang Chaolin spoke first: "Comrade Changhe, you two talk first. I'll wait for you in my office."

With that, he got into car number 001 and left, without even glancing at Gao Changhe again.

Gao Changhe was somewhat displeased. As soon as Jiang Chaolin's car started, he said to Sun Yadong, "What is it that you absolutely must report now? I have a lot to do today. I need to go through the handover process with Comrade Chaolin, and I also want to take some time to visit the rolling mill. If you're going to report, keep it brief..."

Sun Yadong said, "What I want to talk about is the rolling mill and related corruption issues. Secretary Gao, I wanted to report to you last night, but before I could get to the point, Comrade Hua Bo called you away. I couldn't wait for you, so I went to see Comrade Ma Wanli and chatted with him about the relevant information I had gathered..."

Gao Changhe paused, becoming even more displeased: "Comrade Yadong, what are you doing? I just took office, the handover process isn't even finished, and our new team hasn't even met once. What are you reporting to Secretary Ma about?" "What's there to report?"

Sun Yadong wanted to say something, but seeing the people coming and going in front of him, he stopped himself, nudged Gao Changhe, and said, "Secretary Gao, let's talk in a room. I won't take up too much of your precious time, half an hour at most."

Once seated in the room, Sun Yadong became agitated: "Secretary Gao, please don't misunderstand. I'm doing this entirely for your work! You're right, the new leadership hasn't met yet, so what I'm saying is only my personal opinion, not yours, nor the new municipal committee's. This way, you have more room to maneuver in the future, right? Besides, this isn't the first time I've reported Pingyang's problems to the relevant provincial departments. Even Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming can't accuse me of launching a surprise attack, can they? Before going to see Secretary Ma, I carefully considered it, feeling that it was both public and private..." "Of course. I can't abandon my principles for public reasons, and I have to support your work, even if it means taking some of the blame for you..."

Gao Changhe waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, I understand your feelings, but you must understand, the handover of leadership is always the most sensitive time, and also the time with the most conflicts. At such times, we must remain clear-headed and prioritize the overall situation of unity and stability, not act on emotion. You and the original leadership in Pingyang had some issues with unity, so you must pay special attention to unity."

Sun Yadong couldn't save face: "Secretary Gao, then let me ask you, does unity require principles? Does it require distinguishing right from wrong? The rolling mill clearly threw 1.2 billion yuan into the water, there are a lot of problems, why can't the investigation be carried out? Is this normal? By the way, yesterday..." "A Xinhua News Agency reporter has already gone to the rolling mill. I heard it's to verify an internal report. The problems at the rolling mill can't be covered up anymore."

Gao Changhe asked suspiciously, "How do you know so much about the rolling mill? You even know Xinhua is going to issue an internal report? Comrade Yadong, please tell me the truth, who wrote Xinhua's internal report? Do you know anything about it?"

Sun Yadong thought for a moment, then looked directly at Gao Changhe and asked in return, "Secretary Gao, let me ask you first, are you still the same Gao Changhe? Has your position changed, and have you changed too? Do you still have the courage to uphold principles?"

Gao Changhe didn't answer, but patted Sun Yadong's shoulder and sighed, "Don't be so serious, Yadong. Tell me, what exactly is going on at the rolling mill? What solid evidence do you have?"

Sun Yadong confidently stated, "I'll state three facts: First, one-third of the rolling mill equipment initially imported from abroad was substandard. The international claims lawsuit dragged on for over five years, only concluding last year, resulting in direct economic losses exceeding 40 million yuan. What responsibility should the initial inspection team bear? How did so much substandard equipment end up in the first place? Second, according to our most recent investigation, over the past ten years of this project, over 673,000 yuan has been spent on gifts and reimbursements alone. Who received these gifts? Third, the workers' 4.32 million yuan in raised funds has also been wasted, with no resolution to date, causing extremely negative consequences. Based on these three facts, Gao Changhe, don't you think we should investigate this thoroughly?" But Jiang Chaolin... During his tenure, he firmly disagreed with further investigation, saying that the impact was too great, the issues too complex, and that if handled poorly, Pingyang would be in a very passive position. He also said that based on the several audits, there weren't any major discrepancies, just some disciplinary violations. "Six hundred and seventy thousand yuan was given away, is that merely a disciplinary violation? Did the person who gave the gift receive any benefits? Was it truly given away, or did they pocket it?"

Gao Changhe said, "So, you secretly sent an internal report to Xinhua News Agency behind Jiang Chaolin's and the municipal party committee's backs, right?"

Sun Yadong nodded, frankly saying, "Yes, this kind of thing can't be covered up!"

Gao Changhe said, "That's also a disciplinary violation. Make it clear, I object!"

Sun Yadong was stunned, staring blankly at Gao Changhe without saying a word.

Gao Changhe's face darkened: "I'm not entirely clear on the details of the equipment inspection back then, so I can't answer you now. But regarding the issue of 670,000 yuan in gifts over ten years, I believe it was caused by specific circumstances. We don't live in a vacuum; the phenomenon of gift-giving objectively exists. During holidays, which place doesn't give gifts to higher-level departments and related units? I did it when I was in the provincial capital. 670,000 yuan over ten years, is that a lot? Maybe a lot, maybe not, averaging less than 70,000 yuan per year. So many related units want to be bribed; if one place isn't bribed, it's a problem, isn't it?"

Sun Yadong retorted bluntly: "Yes, that's a Chinese characteristic. That's why we have a mess like the rolling mill, which only knows how to give gifts but not how to roll steel, that's why there are so many corrupt officials and incompetent people, and our people have to keep paying the price! That's also why we need to establish discipline inspection commissions at all levels, and why we need to wield the sword of anti-corruption!"

Gao Changhe waved his hand: "Alright, Yadong, let's leave it at that for now. I still need to discuss work with Comrade Jiang Chaolin. We'll talk about it later. " "If you truly support my work, I hope you can prioritize the overall situation of cooperation, clear up misunderstandings with Comrades Chaolin and Chunming, and take the lead in promoting unity..."

Sun Yadong coldly replied, "Unity has prerequisites and principles; it's not about smoothing things

over." Gao Changhe couldn't believe his old friend was so stubborn and uncomprehending. So, adopting the authority of the municipal party secretary, he said without backing down, "Comrade Yadong, the unity I'm referring to certainly has principles. The problem is that our understanding of those principles may differ. Let me be clear: you shouldn't interfere too much with the issues at the rolling mill. I will personally investigate and handle them. If you believe I've violated principles, you can report it to the provincial party committee or even the central government—that's your legitimate right. However, I must also declare one thing first: anyone who violates organizational discipline and leaks internal matters to the press behind my and the municipal party committee's back will be dealt with severely. That's it then."

As soon as Gao Changhe finished speaking, Sun Yadong turned and left.

At 10:00 AM on June 26, 1998, as soon as the Lieshan County government opened for business, Lin Ping, a young and beautiful female manager of the Lieshan County Economic Development Company, delivered a large envelope to Jin Hua's office. Inside was a full 8,000 yuan. Lin Ping explained that it was the company's first-quarter dividend. Jin Hua said, "I've never invested in your company, what dividend are you getting?" Lin Ping replied, "Didn't Secretary Geng and County Head Zhao tell you? Your county leaders invested their bonuses; we have records of it." Jin Hua then said, "You can't be mistaken, can you? I've only been here for six months; how could Lieshan County have a bonus for my investment?" Lin Ping shook her head, saying, "I don't know. Secretary Geng told me to distribute it, so I distributed it. Just sign it; if you don't understand anything, ask Secretary Geng."

After signing and receiving the money, Jin Hua became increasingly suspicious. Considering the background of this economic development company and its numerous land transactions in the new district, he felt the problem was serious: Lin Ping was originally the deputy director of the county party committee office, still receiving a salary from the county party committee office, yet she was working for the economic development company. This economic development company, originally belonging to the county party committee, was immediately transformed into a shareholding company after the higher authorities demanded its separation, but it still conducted government business. According to Jin Hua's secret investigation, many out-of-town investors buying land in the Lieshan New Area went through it.

So, Jin Hua locked his office door and used a secure line to call Liu Yiru, telling her about the new information he had discovered that day. He confidently said, "Mom, I've obtained strong evidence of Geng Zijing and his group's collective corruption! Their quarterly dividends are eight thousand yuan; how much is that in a year? How many people have received these so-called dividends? I think the Lieshan leadership is completely rotten!"

Liu Yiru remained silent for a long time on the phone.

Jin Hua grew anxious and raised his voice, "Mom, did you hear that? I think this matter must be reported to the Municipal Party Committee!"

Liu Yiru then asked, "You didn't mention your suspicions to the cadres in Lieshan, did you?"

Jin Hua lowered his voice and said, "I just mentioned it to Lin Ping, and she told me to ask Geng Zijing. Geng Zijing went to the provincial capital last night to see County Chief Zhao and hasn't returned yet, so I haven't had time to verify with him."

Liu Yiru said, "That's good. Here's what you'll do: come back quickly and bring the eight thousand yuan and the thirty-seven thousand yuan you received a few days ago. Present them to the newly appointed Municipal Party Secretary, Gao Changhe, in person." "A comprehensive report!"

Jinhua suddenly remembered, "Oh, right, Mom, Hou Shaojun, the one who came to bribe officials when I was hospitalized, was actually approved by the county party committee standing committee and became the director of the township enterprise bureau. I raised some objections, and Geng Zijing got angry..."

Liu Yiru interrupted her, "Don't say any more on the phone. Find an excuse to come to Pingyang right away. I'll be waiting for you!"

Unexpectedly, just as she hung up the phone, Lin Ping knocked on the door and came in, looking embarrassed. She apologized as soon as she entered, saying that there was a mistake. The 8,000 yuan dividend was not for Jinhua, but for the former deputy county head who had retired three months ago. Jinhua had no choice but to take out the 8,000 yuan and return it to Lin Ping. She then deliberately asked, "Can I also invest some money?" Lin Ping immediately said, "Yes, yes, why not? County Head Jin, our economic development company not only guarantees your share capital, but also guarantees that your annual dividend income will not be less than 50% of your investment." Jinhua then said, "Okay, okay, I'm definitely investing."

After seeing Lin Ping off, Jin Hua greeted the office director and lied, saying that a deputy director of the Provincial Metallurgical Bureau had arrived in Pingyang and that he was going there to discuss the electrolytic aluminum project. He got in the car and left.

The office director chased after him to the door, saying, "County Chief Jin, Secretary Geng has gone to the provincial capital, and County Chief Zhao is ill. Who can we contact if there's anything in the county?"

Jin Hua replied, "Contact whoever is responsible for your area. If you need anything, call my cell phone; it's on."

As the car sped along the highway towards Pingyang, Jin Hua wondered, "What's wrong with my mother today? Why has she suddenly become so decisive? Is this related to the appointment of the new secretary, Gao Changhe? The city-wide party and government cadre conference just held yesterday announced Gao Changhe's appointment as the Pingyang Municipal Party Secretary. Has my mother already spotted an opportunity?"

However, Jin Hua dared not doubt her mother Liu Yiru's political wisdom. Her success today, rising from a staff member of the Municipal Youth League Committee to the position of Executive Deputy County Chief (at the level of a full-fledged department head) in eight years, was entirely due to having such a politically astute mother. A submissive father was no match for her. Her father would never leave his 23rd Middle School; his political acumen would forever remain at the level of a middle school student. And not even at the level of a 1990s middle school student, but at most the level of a 1970s or 80s middle school student.

She wondered if this could be a promotion opportunity for her. Jiang Chaolin was stepping down, Gao Changhe was rising, and the problems in Lieshan were about to be exposed. Once the problems were exposed, the Lieshan leadership would inevitably collapse. County Party Secretary Geng Zijing, and perhaps even County Head Zhao Chengquan, would be brought to the solemn courtroom. Then, even if she didn't become the County Party Secretary of Lieshan, she would become the County Head, the youngest female County Head in Lieshan's history!

This is the reward she deserves. After being transferred from the position of secretary of the municipal youth league committee, she should rightfully become the county head and county party secretary, not the "department-level" position. The previous municipal party committee, chaired by Jiang Chaolin, made this arrangement unreasonable.

At 10:00 AM on June 26, 1998, Geng Zijing, a doctor at the Provincial People's Hospital, received his cell phone and returned to the ward. His face was grim. He angrily addressed Zhao Chengquan, who was lying on the bed, saying, "Old Zhao, tell me, what kind of person is this Deputy County Head Jin? Huh? A greenhorn girl, and she's got a lot of problems! Yesterday at the County Party Committee Standing Committee meeting, she argued with me for ages about Hou Shaojun's promotion. Today she's investigating Lin Ping again. Giving her 8,000 yuan for nothing only offended her!"

Zhao Chengquan asked, "Was that Lin Ping's call just now?"

Geng Zijing nodded and said, "It's your fault too. I told you not to give her the bonuses, but you insisted."

Zhao Chengquan stammered, "We're all in the same team. Do you think this kind of thing can be kept secret for long? She's the Executive Deputy County Head. If we don't give her the team's benefits, it'll be even worse if she finds out. Zijing, what did you do?"

Geng Zijing said irritably, "I told Lin Ping to... " "The eight thousand yuan has been recovered!"

Zhao Chengquan said, "Isn't this just trying to cover up the truth?"

He sighed and continued, "Zijing, to be honest, I'm really uneasy. The higher-ups have repeatedly warned against incumbent leaders engaging in business activities. Secretary Jiang and Mayor Wen have said this repeatedly at the city-wide cadre meeting. We've been doing this secretly. If word gets out, we'll definitely be criticized and punished. I'm a dead man, so it doesn't matter. Zijing, what are you going to do? Are you really giving up this seventh-rank official position?"

Geng Zijing said nonchalantly, "It's just providing some benefits for the comrades. What's the big deal?"

Zhao Chengquan patiently said, "The situation has changed now. The municipal party secretary is Gao Changhe. If they find out we're involved in business activities and misusing benefits, they might really make an example of us. I think it's best to stop these benefits sooner rather than later. Let Lin Ping do whatever she wants. If she doesn't want to work, she can go back to the county committee."

Geng Zijing's face darkened, and he remained silent.

Zhao Chengquan stared intently at Geng Zijing, then earnestly said, "Zijing, will you listen to my advice this time?"

Geng Zijing, flustered, replied, "Okay, okay, I'll listen to you this time. Let's do it this way! We'll each get back our 6,000 yuan share, and distribute the 300,000 yuan accumulated in the account all at once. We'll never do this kind of benefit again!"

Zhao Chengquan was taken aback: "How come there's still so much money in the account? And now you're distributing it again, another 20,000 or 30,000 yuan per person? Isn't that a hot potato? Zijing, I advise you to think carefully."

Geng Zijing became agitated, pacing back and forth in the ward: "What's wrong with 20,000 or 30,000 yuan? Brother, you've worked so hard, shouldn't you take 20,000 or 30,000 yuan?" "Don't say this is your investment dividend; even if someone gave it to you, you should take it! Without your tireless work day and night, where would the Lieshan New District be? So many shady characters in the new district have made a fortune, and what have you gotten? A terminal illness! Do you know that? When I heard you collapsed in the provincial capital, I took sleeping pills three times in one night and still couldn't sleep! My heart aches for you! Old Zhao, let me ask you, what will happen to your wife and children if you're gone? Your son Daming is going to high school this year, right? Does it cost money to get into a provincial key high school? Does it cost money to go to university three years later? Who will they rely on in the future?"

Zhao Chengquan's face twitched, and cloudy tears rolled down his cheeks.

Geng Zijing said, "Let's just settle this 300,000 yuan all at once. I've made the decision! This time, it won't be based on shares, but on contributions. Consider it bonuses from the past few years. You, County Chief Zhao, have contributed the most, so take a larger share, 50,000 yuan. I'll cover for you if anything goes wrong!"

Zhao Chengquan said with tears in his eyes, "No, no, then... then let's divide it according to shares..."

Geng Zijing waved his hand, "Don't worry about this. We've worked together for a while and gotten along so well. I should at least do my part, so you don't have to go through a life of hardship with worries and regrets!"

Zhao Chengquan grabbed Geng Zijing's hand and burst into tears...

Geng Zijing's eyes also reddened. He sat down by Zhao Chengquan's bedside and said emotionally, "Old Zhao, the ancients said, 'To have one true friend in life is enough.' I'm content to have a true friend like you. So many places have disunity between the top two leaders, but because Lieshan has a good county chief like you who doesn't fight for power and only knows how to get things done, there have never been any major conflicts! Even Secretary Jiang Chaolin..." They all told me to my face, 'Zijing, if you can't even unite Zhao Chengquan, you shouldn't be the county head anymore. The whole of Pingyang probably won't find another honest and reliable county head like Zhao Chengquan.' Zhao Chengquan looked up and said, 'Zijing, you...you mentioned Secretary Jiang Chaolin, I...I remember now, we...we have to send someone to see Secretary Jiang, even just to say hello! You just said we're at a disadvantage, but isn't Secretary Jiang at a disadvantage too? Pingyang has become so impressive, look at his house, how is he better than us? He's retired now, if we can help him out, then...'

Geng Zijing quickly interrupted Zhao Chengquan, saying, 'Hey, hey, Old Zhao, look at you, you're confused again! Who is Secretary Jiang? Who dares to give him gifts? Are you just asking for trouble? Have you forgotten? The time I was scolded at Secretary Jiang's house when I was delivering New Year's goods to everyone two years ago? Haven't you learned your lesson?'

After thinking for a moment, he added, 'Just go see this old man to show your loyalty, I'll go myself.' "And on your behalf, okay?"

Zhao Chengquan choked up as he said, "Please give my regards to Secretary Jiang."

Seeing that Zhao Chengquan was a little tired, Geng Zijing stood up to leave. Reaching the ward door, he remembered something, turned back, and said, "Old Zhao, did you see that long article praising you in the provincial newspaper yesterday? The title is very catchy, 'Our Shoulders Bear the Burden of a Rising New District,' it's really well written..."

Zhao Chengquan was stunned: "It...it was actually published?"

Geng Zijing nodded: "So, I want to discuss this with you. The county committee and I must promote you, and we plan to report your deeds further to the Pingyang Municipal Committee and the Provincial Committee, giving a positive response to those rumors..."

Zhao Chengquan's face changed instantly: "No, no, Zijing, I beg you! You mustn't do this! You can't do this. To be honest, Zijing, I feel guilty, I always feel sorry for Secretary Jiang and the Municipal Committee!"

Before the terminally ill Zhao Chengquan, Geng Zijing... As domineering as ever: "Old Zhao, this matter was settled at yesterday's Standing Committee meeting. Don't worry about feeling ashamed; just focus on getting better! We're publicizing you because you've made significant contributions to the economic development of Lieshan, and it's also a political necessity!"

At 10:00 AM on June 26, 1998, at the Pingyang Municipal Government: "Reporter Li, you're absolutely right. The person who can produce this kind of material is an insider, and not just any insider. How could an ordinary insider know that this project spent over 673,000 yuan on bribes over ten years? And how could the data be so accurate? So I think I absolutely must have a serious talk with you. Not only will I fully answer the three questions in this internal report, but I also want to discuss more deeply how the rolling mill ended up like this. I've had all the materials from the project's inception to today's situation found by the relevant comrades. They're all here. You can look at them freely, and if you need them for your article, you can make copies and take them with you. There's no secrecy surrounding this."

"Let's first talk about the background of the Pingyang Steel Rolling Mill project. The earliest mention of this project was around 1988, when our provincial party secretary, Comrade Liu Huabo, was still the party secretary of Pingyang City. This project was proposed in his last year as party secretary of Pingyang City. What was the situation nationwide at that time? The economy was overheated, prices were skyrocketing, especially the prices of some means of production were ridiculously high, and there was a shortage of everything—steel, electricity, energy—everything was in short supply. Historically, Pingyang was not a heavy industrial city, and there was a huge shortage of energy and steel. To solve the energy problem, a large thermal power plant was built. To solve the steel problem, the idea was to build this large steel rolling mill. During the Great Leap Forward, we built the Pingyang Steel Plant, with an annual output of two million tons, and there were plans to build this steel rolling mill..." Conditions. Therefore, after several rounds of discussions, from the national level to the provincial level to Pingyang, all three parties reached a consensus: considering the overall industrial layout of Pingyang and even the entire eastern region, this steel rolling mill was essential. At the end of 1988, the Pingyang Steel Rolling Mill was officially approved and listed as a key national project. The national ministries provided 300 million yuan, the provincial special fund provided 150 million yuan, and Pingyang initially agreed to 300 million yuan, which was later increased to 350 million yuan. How much is that? Eight hundred million yuan, right? However, please remember one thing: this eight hundred million yuan wasn't all at once. You journalists might not be familiar with economic construction matters; there's never a one-time payment. Even with your own special funds, you have to make repeated trips to Beijing and the provincial capital to use even a small amount—let's not go into that for now.

"Let's talk about equipment imports. When the equipment import negotiations were finalized, it was already the end of 1989. What happened in 1989? A political upheaval. The large company that had initially agreed to the deal with us withdrew because of our country's sanctions policies." AAT Steel Company seized the opportunity to extend an invitation—now we know AAT was a small-to-medium-sized company with a poor reputation, but at the time we didn't know that, at least not. I was then the vice mayor in charge of industry, and my role as the general commander for the project was merely nominal; the actual work was handled by Comrade He Zhuoxiao. Even worse, upon contacting AAT, we didn't consider the economic implications, but rather the political implications. We claimed to have broken their economic blockade and achieved a great success, which was even reported in the newspapers at the time. Once economic issues became political issues, things got complicated. A leader from a national ministry declared: the cooperation with AAT must be ensured to succeed. What else could we say but to do everything in our power to achieve that success!

"This huge deal was initially funded by three parties, so there were three commanders: myself, Director Chen from the Provincial Metallurgical Department, and Deputy Director Wang from a national ministry. Pingyang was mainly responsible for infrastructure construction, while Deputy Director Wang and some colleagues from Beijing were in charge of the equipment import and inspection. Deputy Director Wang led the team on several visits to AAT Company. My colleague He Zhuoxiao went with us twice—once to the Indian jungle and again for the signing ceremony. I was worried at the time, but dared not say anything. Neither He Zhuoxiao nor I were experts on rolling mill equipment; Deputy Director Wang was the expert. What right did I have to speak? Then AAT first delayed, then reneged, and a third of the imported equipment was unusable. This was the result of political calculations. Fortunately, we realized we couldn't ignore the economic costs, so we filed an international lawsuit. The lawsuit dragged on for five years, finally ending last March. During those five years, Deputy Director Wang..." Chang Ke was riding high again, heading abroad time and again with a clear conscience, claiming it was for lawsuits and important work! The outcome, whether tragic or comedic, was uncertain. Before the lawsuit was over, Deputy Director Wang was in a car accident on Interstate 10 in the US, and his entourage was "heroically killed"! Sigh, what was Deputy Director Wang doing on Interstate 10? AT company and the court in question weren't even in the US! Report it to higher authorities? Reporter Li, you make it sound so easy, would we dare! Stop getting projects approved by them in the future? This caused significant direct and indirect economic losses, repeatedly delaying the construction period. Coupled with rising prices, the initial budget was repeatedly exceeded, requiring repeated increases. From the initial 800 million, it increased to 980 million, and now to 1.2 billion. Pingyang alone has added 200 million, becoming the biggest loser! Fortunately, Comrade Jiang Chaolin and the comrades in Pingyang are very understanding, and Pingyang's economic situation has always been relatively good, allowing us to smoothly add that 200 million.

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