[Urban] Made in China - 16 (Completed)

In the final chapter,

Gao Changhe glanced at his watch: "There are still forty-five minutes left, Director Liu. Come pick me up again in half an hour!"

After Liu Yiru left, Sun Yadong said sarcastically, "Director Liu is really responsible!"

Gao Changhe replied self-deprecatingly, "You know, Director Liu is always right!"

Sun Yadong laughed: "That's why the leader's work is always arranged by the secretary!"

Gao Changhe gave Sun Yadong an unpleasant look: "You can't say that. Director Liu was just reminding me!"

Sun Yadong stopped talking and changed the subject: "Oh, Secretary Gao, there are two other things I'd like to report to you: one you know about, it's the air conditioner Liang Bing took from Geng Zijing. We've already gone to get it back. The comrade who handled this said Liang Bing's attitude was quite good, so please don't blame Liang Bing anymore, lest it hurt the harmony."

Gao Changhe got angry as soon as he heard this. So nice to say, but he didn't want to hurt the harmony! On the surface, he remained calm: "Secretary Sun, you can handle this yourselves; there's no need to tell me."

Sun Yadong laughed: "He's your brother-in-law after all; it wouldn't be right not to let me know."

Gao Changhe's anger flared even more. You didn't even let me know when we sent people to the provincial capital to chase after the air conditioner, but now you're doing it!

Sun Yadong continued, "There's something else. The elderly mother of He Zhuoxiao, the director of the rolling mill, passed away yesterday afternoon. It was a coincidence; I happened to be at the hospital picking up medication when the director reported it to me, saying that you brought her there, but He Zhuoxiao wasn't home, and asked what to do."

Gao Changhe glanced at Sun Yadong: "What do you plan to do?"

Sun Yadong replied, "I'm asking you for instructions."

Gao Changhe asked, "I need you to go see He Zhuoxiao's home. Have you gone?"

Sun Yadong sighed and said, "I have, and I understand the whole situation. This comrade truly went to this point for his mother. It's truly heartbreaking! To be honest, after being an inspection cadre for so many years, this is the first time I've encountered something like this. It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth!"

Gao Changhe said meaningfully, "It's not easy being a cadre like us!"

Sun Yadong sighed, "It's not easy, it's extremely difficult! So, Secretary Gao, I suggest that He Zhuoxiao's case be handled leniently! It must be handled leniently!"

Gao Changhe's eyes lit up: "Oh? Tell me your opinion."

Sun Yadong thought seriously for a moment: "Secretary Gao, do you think this is right? We can file a case for fraud, involving more than 39,000 yuan. Not filing a case is probably not an option, otherwise there would be no way to proceed. However, once it enters the legal process, our municipal party committee must have a stance. My opinion is that we can consider a suspended sentence. What do you think?"

Gao Changhe was very disappointed and sighed with a bitter smile: "Let's discuss it again!"

At this moment, Wen Chunming called from the Changjiang River embankment in Binhai City to inquire about the situation in Weiyan Township. Gao Changhe gave a general overview, saying that the army group had been mobilized and all evacuation work had been implemented, and that Wen Chunming could rest assured. Wen Chunming also briefly informed Gao Changhe about the situation in Binhai over the phone, praising Binhai Municipal Party Secretary Wang Shaobo highly, saying that Wang Shaobo had been working tirelessly these past few days, directing 100,000 people to reinforce the dike day and night, and it seemed that Binhai would be fine now.

Just as he hung up, Jiang Chaolin called again, saying that several thousand soldiers from the army group had arrived and the evacuation of Weiyan Township had begun. He asked Gao Changhe to tell the provincial party committee that there was no need to worry about Weiyan Township anymore. Gao

Changhe repeatedly greeted Jiang Chaolin and told him to take care of his health.

Jiang Chaolin said in a hoarse voice, "Changhe, don't worry, I'm perfectly fine!"

Gao Changhe then put Tian Liye on the phone, instructing him to protect the old secretary.

Tian Liye repeatedly agreed on the phone, telling Gao Changhe not to worry.

Sun Yadong also thought of Tian Liye and said, "Secretary Gao, I wanted to talk about Tian Liye last night, but everyone was discussing flood control, and Tian Liye was right there, so I didn't say anything—Tian Liye has been doing a really good job since he took charge of Lieshan, like a completely different person. It's just too much to dismiss him now, isn't it? We can't just do this because of Liu Huabo's words! It's neither fair nor principled!"

Gao Changhe snorted, "Secretary Sun, I'm not like you, I don't have to follow orders!"

Sun Yadong wanted to argue a bit more, but Gao Changhe waved his hand, "That's it then, Secretary Sun. You're on duty today. Don't bother me unless it's something important. I'm going to the International Hotel to meet with the leaders of the State Economic and Trade Commission, then I'll go down to inspect flood prevention and deal with the flood peak."

Sun Yadong had no choice but to swallow his unfinished words, get up, and leave for the Municipal Party Committee. Just

after Sun Yadong left, Liu Yiru arrived again. Gao Changhe realized it was time, so he went out with Liu Yiru.

As they drove towards the International Hotel, Gao Changhe was still preoccupied with He Zhuoxiao's situation. He asked Liu Yiru, "Did you know that He Zhuoxiao's mother passed away yesterday?"

Liu Yiru replied, "Yes, Secretary Sun knows too!"

Gao Changhe asked, "Did you inform He Zhuoxiao about this?"

Liu Yiru said, "Yes. He Zhuoxiao is a filial son; he cried uncontrollably on the phone."

Gao Changhe asked, "Why didn't you let him come back from Shanghai?"

Liu Yiru said, "Old He himself didn't want to come back, saying that the talks in Shanghai would be finished in two or three days."

Gao Changhe remained silent, his face dark.

Liu Yiru sighed, "Secretary Gao, even so, Secretary Sun is still fixated on him!"

Gao Changhe said sullenly, "Don't blame Secretary Sun, it's just his job!"

Liu Yiru smiled faintly, "Secretary Gao, not to be nosy, but in my opinion, your team needs a reshuffle."

Gao Changhe glanced at Liu Yiru intently, "Oh? How? Who should be reshuffled?"

Liu Yiru said, "Of course, Sun Yadong!"

Gao Changhe deliberately asked, "Why not Wen Chunming?"

Liu Yiru laughed, "Secretary Gao, you still need to ask me? Don't you understand?"

Gao Changhe remained expressionless. Waving her hand,

Liu Yiru coughed lightly and began slowly, "There are three reasons. First, Wen Chunming has no expectations of you, while Sun Yadong does; Sun Yadong was your classmate and friend at the Central Party School. Second, Wen Chunming knows his place; as mayor, he never forgets he's the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, while Sun Yadong is defiant and often unconsciously forgets this. Third, Wen Chunming is a man of action, while Sun Yadong, regardless of his subjective intentions, objectively causes you trouble, like the He Zhuoxiaoping and the rolling mill incident..."

Gao Changhe gasped. This female director is truly formidable; in just eight or nine days, she's completely figured out his thoughts! Liu Yiru was undoubtedly right again, but this correctness still made him very uncomfortable—not just uncomfortable, but like a thorn in his side.

Should he continue using an office director like Liu Yiru? He really couldn't decide for the time being. Although he was already tired of this overly intelligent woman, he didn't know who could replace her if he really transferred her away. Furthermore, could the new director be as meticulous and capable as Liu Yiru? Could she remind him of various issues when things were urgent and busy? For example, this meeting he absolutely had to attend today?

Upon arriving at the international hotel, Gao Changhe seemed to have forgotten their conversation in the car. He handed his phone to Liu Yiru, instructing her to answer calls from Jiang Chaolin of Weiyan Township and Wen Chunming of Binhai, and to report to him immediately in case of any unexpected situations.

Liu Yiru nodded, and as usual, gently reminded him, "Secretary Gao, don't sit on the platform for too long. Leave after the deputy director of the State Economic and Trade Commission finishes speaking. I'll wait for you in the car and accompany you to the Changjiang Dike to inspect the flood control work. I've already notified the comrades from the city television station to wait for you on the Changjiang Dike!"

Gao Changhe couldn't help but be taken aback: "Director Liu, how did you know I was going to the Changjiang Dike? Didn't you say there was a meeting at the Family Planning Commission? Didn't you want me to attend?"

Liu Yiru smiled: "I know you won't attend the Family Planning Commission meeting, but I still had to remind you. Whether you go or not is your business; whether I remind you or not is my business. If I don't remind you, I'll be derelict in my duty. I know you're preoccupied with flood control, and the massive flood peak is expected to arrive at 4 PM. You absolutely have to be on TV to encourage the people and soldiers of Pingyang, so I didn't have time to report to you beforehand and just made these arrangements. I don't know if it's right or wrong?"

What else could be said? This arrangement was not only right, but absolutely right—but—how infuriating!

At 10:00 AM on July 3, 1998, after completing its mobile broadcasting mission, the vehicle-mounted radio station in Weiyan Township, Jinghu City, was finally located at a T-junction about 100 meters away from the Weiyan Township government building, becoming the front-line command post for the great evacuation. Jiang Chaolin stood guard beside the radio truck, issuing orders via broadcast and telephone: forty Jiefang trucks belonging to the Weiyan Township Transportation Company and other township-owned vehicles were to be requisitioned on the spot; all car ferries to Jinghu City were to be closed; except for PLA rescue troops, no unauthorized personnel were allowed to enter the Weiyan Township evacuation area; the traffic police mobile brigade was to set up checkpoints along the city and county highways to guide the flow of people to Pingyang and Jinghu... To prevent any omissions, Jiang Chaolin ordered the television relay station set up in the township government compound to continuously broadcast the Pingyang Municipal People's Government order before 2 PM; he required every village party secretary and village director to carefully inspect their villages before evacuation, paying particular attention to protecting the elderly and children, and to take all necessary measures against those who refused to evacuate; he required the cadres and masses of Weiyan Township to obey the commands of the PLA comrades and public security officers...

The brief chaos before dawn ended, and in the face of Jiang Chaolin's almost tyrannical leadership will, the large-scale evacuation began in an orderly manner. Jiang Chaolin noticed that after 8:00 AM, a large flow of people, young and old, began to appear on the main road in front of him. Around 9:00 AM, a convoy of trucks with the words "Transportation Company" printed on their doors appeared, carrying mostly women and children. Shortly after, the motor transport regiment of the Pinggu Group Army entered, its vehicles filled with People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers.

At this moment, traffic congestion occurred; people and vehicles were leaving the town, while the PLA convoy was moving in, and many large livestock were also stuck on the road, severely hindering the evacuation progress. Seeing the situation was dire, Jiang Chaolin broadcasted over the radio, requesting that the evacuating teams detour around the town's embankment to allow the PLA rescue convoy to pass first.

However, the situation of those behind was unclear, and a steady stream of people continued to pour in from the town and other villages…

Just then, Tian Liye, drenched in sweat, squeezed through the crowd and was spotted by Jiang Chaolin. Jiang Chaolin immediately ordered in a hoarse voice, “Liye, hurry over there, stop the crowd on the other side of the road, and direct them to the dike!”

Tian Liye had just finished checking the deployment of the traffic police mobile unit and was exhausted and hungry. He had originally planned to eat something in front of the radio truck, but seeing Jiang Chaolin's order again, he grabbed the megaphone without a word and squeezed back.

Jiang Chaolin, however, remembered: “Liye, you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Take some bread and bottled water.”

Tian Liye took the bread and bottled water from Jiang Chaolin and ate while squeezing through the crowd. As

soon as Tian Liye left, Army Commander Li, dressed in camouflage and accompanied by Bai Aini, the Party Secretary of Jinghu City, squeezed through

the crowd, shouting in a loud voice, "Secretary Jiang, Secretary Jiang, where are you? We've come to report for duty!" Jiang Chaolin had already climbed into the radio truck and was about to continue his call to clear the crowd, but upon hearing Commander Li's call, he immediately climbed out of the truck and said to Commander Li, "Thank you, thank you, Commander Li! At crucial moments, we still have to rely on our soldiers!"

Commander Li smiled and said, "The people's soldiers, the people have raised them for a thousand days, now it's just a moment of needing them, what's the big deal? " "Are you being too polite? Speak, Secretary Jiang, what are the latest instructions?"

Jiang Chaolin laughed, "Commander Li, don't joke around. I wouldn't dare give you instructions. You know the situation; the massive flood peak is arriving around 4 PM. We're facing two problems: first, the Changjiang River dike must be held up to prevent the floodwaters from inundating Pingyang; second, the 80,000 people here must be evacuated before 2 PM!"

Commander Li repeatedly said, "I know, I know. The Central Military Commission and the military region leaders have given orders. Most of our army group has been deployed, splitting into two groups. One group, led by Political Commissar Sun, has gone to the Pingyang river dike... " "I'll lead the way to support your retreat. I've also discussed it with Secretary Bai Aini along the way. The team will split up and take on specific tasks, aiming to finish the evacuation by 1 PM, or at the latest 2 PM. All available vehicles have been mobilized."

Jiang Chaolin hurriedly said, "Good, good, that's excellent!"

Bai Aini also said, "Secretary, we also urgently organized over 300 staff members and over 100 vehicles overnight to come and cooperate with Commander Li and the army group..."

Jiang Chaolin glanced at Bai Aini unhappily: "You're cooperating with Commander Li? It's Commander Li cooperating with you! Aini, what's wrong with you? Huh? How did you get to the embankment yesterday?" "He just gave some instructions and left? Hu Zaoqiu is usually a bit careless, but he's more responsible than you at this time. He stayed behind!"

Bai Aini said, "Who would have thought the Municipal Committee would suddenly order an overnight evacuation? They kept saying they would strictly guard the area!"

Jiang Chaolin was even angrier: "And you still say that! It was I who suggested the Municipal Committee issue the order—why didn't you, Bai Aini, suggest the Municipal Committee order the evacuation? Secretary Gao isn't familiar with the situation in Pingyang, he doesn't know what's going on, and neither do you? How can you be so muddleheaded! Alright, alright, stop arguing, go and guide the crowd!"

Bai Aini led people to guide the flow of people, and Commander Li and Jiang Chaolin chatted for a few minutes in between their busy work.

Commander Li said, "Secretary Jiang, we heard ten days ago that you were demoted and retired to the second line. Political Commissar Sun and I went to the Municipal People's Congress to see you, but you weren't there. Your Director Huang said you were hiding. What are you hiding for, brother? Are you afraid that Political Commissar Sun and I will drink with you? So stingy! Don't you even care about our years of comradeship? Huh?"

Jiang Chaolin laughed, "It's not that I'm afraid you and Political Commissar Sun will drink with me, it's that I'm afraid you'll force me to drink. I'm getting old, I can't handle your group of heroic men full of passion anymore!"

Commander Li pretended to be serious: “Secretary Jiang, the revolutionary spirit must not fade! An old horse in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles!”

Jiang Chaolin, however, was not serious: “Hey, Commander Li, are you talking about the revolutionary spirit or the spirit of drinking? Are you planning to get some staff officers and adjutants to salute me, saying, ‘Reporting to the commander, you drink it all, I'll drink as I please!’” Commander Li laughed heartily: “Secretary Jiang, you haven’t forgotten that? That junior staff officer was too excited to see you and got the toast backwards. It should have been ‘Reporting to the commander, I’ll drink it all, you can drink as you please’—hey, Sun Zheng and I…” "Didn't the committee criticize him on the spot?"

He paused, then asked, "How's the new Gao Changhe? Is he any good?"

Jiang Chaolin replied, "He's definitely better than me. He won't cause you trouble often."

Commander Li laughed, "Secretary Jiang, you're finally telling the truth. You've caused our army group a lot of trouble over the years, haven't you? Tell me, when has your Pingyang Municipal Committee ever had a big operation without our cooperation? Now that you've retired to the second line, you don't even acknowledge us. Is that acceptable? It's settled, we'll get together after the flood control is over, me and..." "Political Commissar Sun is treating!"

Jiang Chaolin hurriedly said, "No, no, let me treat you—if you, Commander Li, help me evacuate these 80,000 men safely, I'll personally treat you to Moutai!"

Commander Li laughed, "Alright, alright, it's a deal. You provide the drinks, I'll provide the food!"

At this moment, the road in front of them cleared, and one military vehicle after another began to surge forward. Commander Li jumped into the first military vehicle and drove off, calling out to Jiang Chaolin from inside, "Hey, Secretary Jiang, please take care of yourself. You don't look well!"

Jiang Chaolin waved to Commander Li without saying a word, thinking to himself, "How can he look so good?" He hadn't slept well the day before yesterday due to a fit of anger, and had barely slept a wink yesterday. Even a young man would be exhausted, let alone him. He really wanted to find a place to get some sleep. However, that was impossible. The evacuation of 80,000 people was underway, and unexpected situations could arise at any moment. As the frontline commander, he had to stay here and make judgments and decisions regarding any potential contingencies.

Although extremely tired, he was in a good mood. The magnificent scenes of the past seemed to reappear, and Jiang Chaolin felt as if he had returned to his position as the municipal party secretary. Yes, he was making the decisions, and these 80,000 people were indeed undergoing a massive evacuation under his will. Tian Liye had privately asked him: "If the flood peak hadn't breached the dike this afternoon, would this large-scale evacuation have been unnecessary?" His answer was, "Even if the dike hadn't breached, this evacuation was still necessary. A responsible decision-maker cannot consider his own face when faced with the safety of 80,000 people!" He would rather be cursed for not breaching the dike later than treat the lives of these 80,000 people as a joke!

Meanwhile, Tian Liye was exhausted. Although the roads were cleared, effective order hadn't been established yet. The flow of people in the town continued to surge forward, jostling him and the traffic police officers beside him. Behind them, military vehicles kept passing by; in front of them, a chaotic crowd loomed, and danger could strike at any moment. In

a moment of quick thinking, Tian Liye jumped onto the narrow base of a roadside utility pole, one hand gripping the sun-baked pole, the other holding a loudspeaker to direct the flow of people.

Amidst the blaring of military vehicle horns, the shouts of the crowd, and the cries of livestock, Tian Liye's hoarse, mechanical voice echoed repeatedly under the July sun: "...Military vehicles on the main road, evacuees must use the dike! Military vehicles on the main road, evacuees must use the dike..." The

July sun was scorching; in no time, Tian Liye was drenched in sweat.

Just then, Hu Zaoqiu, also covered in sweat, appeared out of nowhere. Tian Liye, forgetting his anger towards Hu Zaoqiu, jumped down from the base of the utility pole and grabbed Hu Zaoqiu: "Commander Hu, quick, go find Captain Wang of the traffic police brigade and ask him to send a few more people to set up a cordon at the street corner!"

Hu Zaoqiu said with some difficulty: "Leader Tian, where am I supposed to find Captain Wang right now? The old secretary's task for me is to ensure the safety of the dike before the evacuation of personnel—a leak was found at Donghekou, and Zhou Jiuyi and the others have already gone there. I have to go and check it out quickly! I can't let anything happen!"

Tian Liye had no choice but to wave his hand weakly: "Then go quickly and report the situation to the old secretary in time!"

Hu Zaoqiu said: "Leader Tian, just hold on a little longer, I'll come over as soon as I'm done!"

Coincidentally, at this moment, Hu Zaoqiu spotted Lao Jin, the deputy secretary of the township party committee, in the crowded throng. He called Lao Jin out and instructed him, "Lao Jin, you are now under the command of Secretary-General Tian of the Municipal Party Committee!"

Only then did Tian Liye have an extra soldier. Around 11:00

AM, all military vehicles passed through the street intersection and entered the dozen or so administrative and natural villages under the jurisdiction of Weiyan Township. The flow of people pouring out of the town also began to slow down. After 12:00 PM, there were hardly any pedestrians left, and military vehicles full of villagers began to speed out. At this time, the roads leading to Pingyang and Jinghu safety zones were all cleared, and military vehicles rushed out of Weiyan Township almost without any hindrance.

According to reports from the various assigned areas, by 12:30 PM, 70,000 people had been evacuated or were already on vehicles, and were in the process of evacuating from the danger zone of Weiyan Township.

At 12:45 PM, Tian Liye and Hu Zaoqiu went to the radio truck to eat their boxed lunches—while eating, the old Party Secretary Jiang Chaolin, feeling tired, hot, and suffering from high blood pressure, suddenly fainted while holding his lunch. Fortunately, Gao Changhe was thoughtful and, fearing an accident for Jiang Chaolin, had sent a doctor with emergency medicines to the radio truck. The doctor performed first aid on the spot, and Jiang Chaolin quickly regained consciousness.

Tian Liye and Hu Zaoqiu were both terrified by the false alarm and insisted that Jiang Chaolin return to Pingyang.

Jiang Chaolin refused, saying weakly, "Liye, Zaoqiu, you...you've been with me for more than just a day or two, have

n't you? Tell me, at a time like this...can I leave?" Tian Liye and Hu Zaoqiu looked at each other in silence.

At 1:00 PM on July 3, 1998, after delivering a televised address with his back to the surging Changjiang River, Gao Changhe took off his shirt, leaving only his vest, and joined the crowd carrying sacks. Under Liu Yiru's direction, television reporters followed Gao Changhe closely with cameras, blocking the passage on the riverbank, forcing the soldiers and government officials carrying the heavy sacks to stand there and wait.

Gao Changhe was furious when he discovered this and lashed out at the reporters: "What are you doing? Why are you all taking pictures of me? How long can I keep this up? If you're going to take pictures, take pictures of the People's Liberation Army, take pictures of the masses! And don't interfere with everyone's work!"

One reporter said, "Director Liu told us to take pictures."

Gao Changhe glared at Liu Yiru and said, "Take the reporters away!"

Liu Yiru tried to explain, "Secretary Gao, it's like this..."

Gao Changhe said impatiently, "I know you have a point, but I need to focus on dealing with this flood peak! Director Liu, don't say anything more, tell the reporters to leave, all of you! You keep an eye out for calls from Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming!"

Liu Yiru didn't dare say anything more and turned to the reporters, saying, "Then everyone, go back first!"

Just as the reporters left, a call came from Weiyan Township. It was Tian Liye calling, saying that Jiang Chaolin had fainted. Now that he had woken up, he couldn't even stand steadily, but he still didn't want to leave and asked Gao Changhe what to do.

Liu Yiru quickly found Gao Changhe and handed him her phone.

Gao Changhe explicitly demanded that Tian Liye immediately send someone to escort Jiang Chaolin back to Pingyang, almost sternly telling Tian Liye: "...Tian Liye, comrade, don't be confused! You've known the old secretary for a long time, you should understand him. In times like this, he's risking his life, you can't listen to him! The evacuation work is now largely settled, there's no point in the old secretary staying there any longer! If the flood peak arrives early and the old secretary is submerged, neither of us will be able to explain to the provincial party committee or to the cadres and masses of the city!"

Tian Liye said with difficulty: "Secretary Gao, precisely because..." I know him well, so I know I can't persuade him. He has a habit of personally checking everything after finishing a task. The town has been evacuated, and the old Party Secretary was just saying he was going to inspect it! Oh, and Army Commander Li is here too!

Gao Changhe said, "Alright then, please have the old Party Secretary answer the phone himself!"

Jiang Chaolin answered the phone and said irritably, "Changhe, aren't you annoying? With the flood raging, why are you, the Party Secretary, being so indecisive? Let me tell you, I'm not going to die!"

Gao Changhe wanted to say something more, but Jiang Chaolin had already hung up.

Standing to the side, Liu Yiru said, "Secretary Gao, let it go. I know, that's just how Secretary Jiang is!"

Gao Changhe, however, refused to let it go and stubbornly hung up the phone again. He changed his tone, looking extremely anxious: "Old squad leader, you have to come back quickly! There's a huge mess in the city! Chunming and I are both on the dike, the flood control headquarters is practically empty. Can't you come and help us? Are you going to watch us make a fool of ourselves?" Jiang Chaolin snapped: " Gao

Changhe, what are you doing on the dike? You're in charge of overall command and coordination!"

He hurriedly said, "Old squad leader, I'm new here and don't know the situation well. How could I know so much? I can only go up the embankment to carry sacks and do some charging! Secretary Hua Bo has repeatedly told me that this tough battle needs your command; we are all your soldiers!"

Jiang Chaolin finally relented: "Alright, alright, Changhe, don't worry. Commander Li and I will get back as soon as possible. Commander Li has a helicopter. You, keep the map of the Changjiang and Jinghu water systems with you and stay in touch with me at all times! If you can't reach me, you can ask Chunming for information; Chunming is an old Pingyang local!"

Gao Changhe was finally relieved. After hanging up his phone, he breathed a sigh of relief and said to Liu Yiru, "The old secretary is really in trouble. Not only will I be unable to explain to the provincial party committee, but even my father-in-law won't forgive me!"

Liu Yiru casually remarked, "Secretary Jiang is happy about this too. You've given Secretary Jiang a bit of a boost!"

For some reason, Gao Changhe found these words extremely grating, as if he hadn't heard them at all. Without even glancing at Liu Yiru, he turned and walked back into the crowd carrying sacks. He took a heavy sack from the back of a young soldier who had slipped and fallen, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and walked away...

At 2 PM on July 3, 1998, Jiang Chaolin from Weiyan Township, Jinghu City, boarded Commander Li's helicopter. By then, according to reports from various sources, 80,000 people had already been evacuated. However, Jiang Chaolin still dared not let his guard down. Before boarding the helicopter, he repeatedly instructed Tian Liye and Hu Zaoqiu to drive him around for a final check.

Exhausted and sleepy, Tian Liye said in a hoarse voice, "Don't worry, old secretary!"

Jiang Chaolin, however, was still worried and said, "Liye, you're doing this inspection on my behalf, so you must do your best!"

Tian Liye was a little unhappy: "Old secretary, can't you just trust me this once?"

Jiang Chaolin didn't know what else to say and, looking worried, was pulled onto the plane by one of Li Jun's staff officers.

After Jiang Chaolin left, Tian Liye let Jiang Chaolin's Audi No. 001 and its driver go, and then got into the old Jeep that Hu Zaoqiu had driven, and conducted the final inspection with Hu Zaoqiu.

The Jeep was really old and worn out; the springs on the sofa were almost sticking out. Tian Liye sat down and immediately cursed, "Damn it, where did this piece of junk come from? Where's your new Santana?"

Hu Zaoqiu stepped on the gas and drove the car a long way away. "Where did this piece of junk come from? Your Lieshan junk! I took it when I fled Linhu Town! You bastard, you're really ruthless to come up with such a dirty trick to get rid of me!"

Tian Liye was also seething with anger. "Think about it carefully, would I do that?"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "Why wouldn't I? That's your usual style, the whole thing has your flavor!"

Tian Liye glanced at Hu Zaoqiu. "So, you went to Mayor Wen to complain about me, didn't you?"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "It's not called complaining, it's called objectively reflecting the situation—but, Leader Tian, to be honest, I really didn't intend to get you removed from your position in Lieshan! You should ..." "You know me, I've never been a schemer, right? Back in third grade, during the student council election, those political animals like that big guy from Shandong were pulling me in, but I still supported you, didn't I? In the end, it was the school beauty, Bai Ling, who betrayed you, right?"

Tian Liye sighed, "Commander Hu, don't say anymore. Those who betray me in crucial moments are all my friends, and those who don't trust me in crucial moments are also my friends. With friends like you and Secretary Jiang Chaolin, I'm just accepting my bad luck for the rest of my life!"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "Brother, you can't say that! Accepting your bad luck for the rest of your life? You're only forty-two! A lifetime is still a long way off! Comrade Xiaoping went through three promotions and three demotions, and you've only gone through two! Besides, going back to the headquarters as deputy secretary-general isn't exactly a demotion, is it? At least once you're at the division-level, you can't go back down, right? Hey, Liye, when we ask you to go back to the headquarters, your rank is clear, right? It's in parentheses, isn't it?"

Tian Liye really got angry: "Commander Hu, aren't you annoying? You're always thinking about being an official, about rank. Do you think I'm like you? I want to get things done! I've already planned how to develop the work in Lieshan, I wanted to show off my skills, to make a name for myself, and now this mess has ruined everything. Aren't I wronged?"

Tian Liye couldn't explain himself, so Hu Zaoqiu assumed he had ruined Tian Liye's promising future and kept saying, "Liye, don't be angry, please don't be angry. I've ruined your plans, so I'll try to make amends. In a few days, I'll find an opportunity to talk to Mayor Wen again. I'll say whatever you tell me to say, okay? I won't hold a grudge against the personal insults I suffered!"

As he spoke, he became self-satisfied, "Oh, Leader Tian, in today's consumer society, where can you find a friend as loyal and selfless as me!"

Tian Liye was both amused and exasperated, seeing Hu Zaoqiu pull over his old car... Driving erratically, he said, "Just drive properly, I'm not going to argue with you! Look at how you drive, why are you always driving into puddles? Don't you cherish the property of Jinghu?"

Hu Zaoqiu laughed, "That's right, Leader Tian! I have to get back all the physical and mental losses I suffered in Lieshan! Those bastards told me to send the car back to them, what a joke! As soon as they mentioned going to the countryside last night, I drove this car here, my purpose is very clear, I want to save my Santana! Don't worry about it, you're not the acting secretary of the Lieshan County Party Committee anymore!"

Tian Liye said, "I'm not the acting secretary of the Lieshan County Party Committee anymore, but I've become the deputy secretary-general of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, I treat the property of all counties and cities under Pingyang equally, and I cherish it all... Damn it, why are you driving into puddles again!"... They

chatted and laughed all the way, the beat-up jeep drove through the streets and alleys of the town, without seeing a single person. The town, once so bustling and vibrant, became so desolate, so quiet, and so melancholic on the afternoon of July 3rd, as danger loomed ahead. It seemed like a completely different place from the place where the mass evacuation had taken place that morning.

It should be said that Tian Liye was responsible. Hu Zaoqiu later confirmed that where the vehicle couldn't pass, Tian Liye insisted on getting out and walking to inspect the area. It was also Tian Liye who unexpectedly found Zhou Jiuyi and eighteen other comrades stranded on the leaking dike of the West Embankment when they were leaving.

By then, disaster had already struck, arriving before the massive flood peak.

There were no warning signs when disaster struck; the weather was fine, like in the song, with blue skies and white clouds. The cotton fields outside the town stretched as far as the eye could see, the cotton bolls already budding, displaying their robust growth under the sun. Two ducks waddled along the main road in the town. Hu Zaoqiu, who was driving, had tried to run over the two arrogant ducks, but Tian Liye pulled the steering wheel, allowing the two ducks to escape from under the wrecked jeep.

It was 2:37 PM. When Tian Liye decided to return to Pingyang, he checked his watch and said to Hu Zaoqiu in a serious tone, "Commander Hu, you have to testify for me. I conducted a final check on behalf of the old secretary. It's 2:37 now, and we haven't found any missing personnel. We're starting our journey back! Right?"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "Yes, yes, you're a good cadre of the Party. I'll testify for you when we get back."

Tian Liye smiled wryly, "You're the good cadre of the Party! I'm just an untrusted lackey!"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "Not at all, not at all, we're in cahoots, you're the big lackey, I'm the second-best!"

Just then, Tian Liye noticed something was wrong: "Commander Hu, why is there water coming?"

Indeed, water was flowing from the direction of Mirror Lake to the west, the current was very rapid, and it carried floating debris onto the roadbed.

Hu Zaoqiu didn't take it seriously, saying, "The flood peak won't arrive until four o'clock. Let's hurry and leave. There's no one on the road. I'll drive at top speed and we'll be out of St. Petersburg in twenty minutes!"

The jeep immediately accelerated, speeding out of the town like an arrow, as if racing against the flood.

However, just four or five hundred meters out of town, Tian Liye unexpectedly discovered that there were still people on the West Embankment, and not just one, but many!

Tian Liye shouted, "Commander Hu, our mission isn't finished yet! Turn around quickly! There are still people on the embankment!"

Only then did Hu Zaoqiu see the figures on the West Embankment. He quickly turned the car around and rushed towards the embankment against the current.

However, the current was already very strong, rising to nearly half a meter in the blink of an eye. The jeep stalled before it could reach the embankment, and the two had no choice but to abandon the car and run up the embankment on foot. When they reached the embankment, they saw the old village chief, Zhou Jiuyi, leading his seventeen men, futilely standing hand in hand in the water trying to plug the breach and carry out the flood control. The scene was truly breathtaking.

Hu Zaoqiu was furious, cursing and swearing, as he and Tian Liye pulled Zhou Jiuyi and the human chain linked together around him toward the still-standing dike. Hu Zaoqiu, a non-swimmer, slipped and fell several times, nearly drowning. Fearing Hu Zaoqiu would die before he could save others, Tian Liye lifted him onto the dike first.

The breach was widening, the current growing stronger, making it increasingly difficult for Zhou Jiuyi and his companions to get up. Tian Liye shouted hoarsely for everyone to hold on tight and not let go. However, the last two middle-aged men in the human chain couldn't hold on and were swept away by the current; Tian Liye himself nearly drowned.

After a fierce struggle, only fifteen people made it onto the dike.

Hu Zaoqiu completely lost his mind. After pulling Zhou Jiuyi up, he kicked him to the ground and cursed, "Zhou Jiuyi, you fucking deserve to go to jail, you deserve to be beheaded! Did you see that? Did you see that? Two lives were lost because of your son of a bitch!"

At this moment, Zhou Jiuyi was like a wooden statue, his thin and withered body slumped in the mud and water, letting Hu Zaoqiu beat and curse him. Apart from tears streaming down his face, he didn't utter a single word.

Tian Liye felt Hu Zaoqiu had gone too far and reminded him, "Mayor Hu, mind your place!"

People who shouldn't have died were dying anyway. Hu Zaoqiu, her eyes red with rage, ignored Tian Liye and continued her tirade: "Didn't you fucking lead your men to retreat? Huh? How come you secretly came back to the dike? It's one thing for you to die, but you fucking dragged so many people down with you? Zhou Jiuyi, tell me, what exactly did you…"

Unexpectedly, before Hu Zaoqiu could finish, Zhou Jiuyi struggled to his feet, looked up to the sky, and roared, "Fellow villagers of Weiyan Township, I, Zhou Jiuyi, have wronged you all!"

With that, he plunged into the raging torrent of Mirror Lake and was instantly swept away.

Hu Zaoqiu was stunned, her mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.

Tian Liye cried out in anguish, "Zaoqiu!"

Tears welled in his eyes.

Hu Zaoqiu slapped herself hard across the face and wept silently.

At this moment, the villagers from the rescue team started talking all at once: "Mayor Hu, don't be sad, it's not your fault. Township Chief Zhou has said more than once that if the dike breaks, he won't live."

"Yes, Mayor Hu, it has nothing to do with you!"

"Really, Mayor Hu, it has nothing to do with you. We stayed behind voluntarily..."

Tian Liye wiped away his tears and said, "Alright, alright, it's already like this anyway, stop talking, let's find a way to escape! It's not safe here either, the breach is about to tear right up to us. Look, even the jeeps have been swept away! Run, there's a pumping station ahead, everyone go there!"

The crowd then realized what was happening and stumbled towards the concrete bungalow of the pumping station.

The concrete bungalow of the pumping station was really too small, it was built to protect the water pumps from wind and rain. Tian Liye looked around and estimated that there could only be eleven or twelve people standing on the roof, so he asked Hu Zaoqiu, who couldn't swim, and some of the villagers to climb up and squat down to wait for rescue.

Hu Zaoqiu objected, saying, "Let them go up. Liye, we'll stay together!"

As a result, the rooftop of the flat-roofed house barely accommodated all fifteen villagers. When the entire West Embankment collapsed, this inconspicuous little pumping station became an island in the floodwaters, allowing the fifteen people to survive the raging torrent.

After a flurry of activity, finding temporary shelter for the fifteen villagers, the situation on the West Embankment worsened. The existing breach silently tore into a vast expanse of water, and the embankment above it broke open again, with the remaining dozens of meters in danger of disappearing into the flood at any moment.

At this moment, Tian Liye spotted a tall willow tree below the embankment. Judging by its appearance, the trunk of the willow tree was considerably higher than the surface of Mirror Lake. He grabbed Hu Zaoqiu, saying, "Zaoqiu, come up the tree with me!"

Hu Zaoqiu, who couldn't swim, hesitated, looking at the churning water between the embankment and the willow tree.

Without thinking, Tian Liye dragged Hu Zaoqiu into the water, wrapped his arms around her neck, and carried her backwards on his back, swimming with all his might towards the large willow tree two hundred meters away. Hu Zaoqiu was terrified and instinctively struggled in the water, making it even harder for Tian Liye. He was panting heavily and swallowed a lot of water.

After a great deal of effort, they finally reached the willow tree. Tian Liye was exhausted and could only gasp for breath, leaning against the trunk. He told Hu Zaoqiu, breathless, to climb the tree herself.

Hu Zaoqiu almost cried: "Liye, don't you know me? I... I can't climb trees!"

Tian Liye remembered that, let alone climbing trees, Hu Zaoqiu hadn't even passed a hanging pole test in college. So, trying to make the best of a bad situation, he made one last joke with Hu Zaoqiu: "Commander Hu, I... I give up on you. Besides being an official, a lord, and oppressing the revolutionary masses, you... you dog can't do anything!"

Hu Zaoqiu was in no mood for jokes anymore. He spoke sincerely, even stammering, but it was more absurd than a joke: "Liye, it doesn't matter if I can't, isn't there... isn't there you? You... you can, so it's the same as me, right, buddy?"

Tian Liye didn't answer, and didn't say anything more afterward.

According to Hu Zaoqiu's later recollection, perhaps Tian Liye didn't have the strength to speak at that moment. Hu Zaoqiu felt Tian Liye's hand trembling as he supported him. Then, the trembling hand became his shoulder, and later, it became Tian Liye's wet head…

In this way, a friend who could swim used his own shoulder, his own head, and the last strength of his life to support a friend who couldn't swim, until the water rose to the tree branches, allowing his friend to grab a branch and safely climb the tree. Hu Zaoqiu, however, was exhausted and could no longer hold onto the branch. He was ultimately swept away mercilessly by the raging torrent of the flood, disappearing without a trace.

Truly, without a trace.

When Hu Zaoqiu, using the buoyancy of the water, grabbed a branch as thick as a bowl and climbed the tree, he thought Tian Liye was still below him and wanted to call out to him to help him climb up. But looking around, he found Tian Liye had vanished; as far as the eye could see, there was only the vast expanse of water.

The water was immense; Hu Zaoqiu had never seen such a flood in his life. Except for the large willow tree he stood under and the pumping station in the distance, everything was submerged, as if the entire world was submerged in a vast, raging torrent.

Hu Zaoqiu cried out in a panic, his voice trembling with fear, "Liye—Tian Liye—"

The only response was the continuous roar of the rushing water, both near and far…

At 7:30 PM on July 3, 1998, the city's flood control headquarters reported that the peak of the Changjiang River's catastrophic flood had reached Pingyang at approximately 4:20 PM, with the highest instantaneous water level reaching a record high of 27.35 meters. Hundreds of meters of the riverbank along the coast overflowed, and several instances of piping and seepage were discovered in the Pingyang urban area, creating numerous dangerous situations. However, thanks to the vigilant standby of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians, the overflow, piping, and localized dangers did not pose a significant threat. After a brief period of turbulent activity, the surging Changjiang River flowed eastward. Pingyang remained the same bustling city it always was. As night fell, the neon lights on the skyscrapers illuminated themselves as usual, the city lights reflecting off the countless stars in the sky, as if nothing had happened.

However, Gao Changhe, the Party Secretary of the city, was far from happy. As he drove from the Changjiang River embankment to the city's flood control headquarters, his face was ashen, and he remained silent. Outside the car window, streetlights and neon signs flashed by, repeatedly sending messages of peace to his mind, but Gao Changhe simply couldn't muster any enthusiasm.

Yes, the Changjiang dike was saved, and Pingyang was saved, but the Weiyan Township around Jinghu was flooded. The dike breached before the flood peak arrived. If it weren't for decisive measures and timely evacuation, 80,000 people would have suffered catastrophic loss—what a severe consequence! It's truly fortunate that last night, former Party Secretary Jiang Chaolin rushed back from the provincial capital and decisively proposed a large-scale evacuation! If Jiang Chaolin had stayed in the provincial capital due to his emotional state, if he had remained silent at that crucial moment, Gao Changhe would now be a historical sinner. That's how cruel reality is!

Therefore, upon arriving at the flood control headquarters and seeing Jiang Chaolin, Gao Changhe tightly grasped Jiang Chaolin's hand and sincerely said, "Old squad leader, my old squad leader, I and the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee really have to thank you! If it weren't for your decisive decision, Weiyan Township would have been in serious trouble, and we, the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and I, the Party Secretary, would have been unable to face the Party and the people!"

Jiang Chaolin seemed not to have considered this, and paused for a moment before saying, "Changhe, it's just a sense of responsibility. If I discover a problem, even if you don't want me to speak up, I have to. I don't care who dislikes me; I stick to what I believe in!"

He paused, then added, "However, you, the new squad leader, are also good. You've fully supported me this time! Don't think too much about it. After all, you've just taken office and don't know the specific situation yet. How can you do everything?" "You've considered everything so thoroughly?"

Gao Changhe was deeply moved. "Old squad leader, I was just saying I wanted to find an opportunity to apologize to you!"

Jiang Chaolin waved his hand. "Forget it, forget it, what's the point of apologizing? It's meaningless. You young comrades just need to remember that there was an old man like me in Pingyang! Oh, no, no, it wasn't just me, it was three old men! There's also Old Liang and Hua Bo!"

Gao Changhe nodded and took Jiang Chaolin's hand. "We won't forget you, not only me, but the cadres and masses of Pingyang, the nine million people of Pingyang will never forget you! We can't forget you even if we want to! In these twenty years, you have written many good articles and great articles on the land of Pingyang, and written them into the hearts of the people of Pingyang!"

Just then, the phone rang suddenly.

Jiang Chaolin shook off Gao Changhe's hand and grabbed the phone urgently: "Yes, it's me, it's me, it's Jiang Chaolin! What? Still not found? Then please continue to help me search, send out more inflatable boats! Tell your Commander Li, this is both official and personal matter, this missing deputy secretary-general is my most beloved friend!"

Only then did Gao Changhe notice that Tian Liye was not with Jiang Chaolin, and his heart skipped a beat.

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Chaolin's eyes dimmed, and he said: "Changhe, thinking about it, I still feel ashamed. The evacuation of Weiyan Township is still incomplete, people are still dead! After the dike broke, I was worried, so I asked Commander Li to send a helicopter over. An hour ago, they rescued fifteen people on the roof of a pumping station's cement building, and rescued Hu Zaoqiu from a willow tree not far from the dike. According to Hu Zaoqiu and the rescued villagers, at least four people died in the flood, including..."

Jiang Chaolin shook his head with red eyes, unable to continue.

Gao Changhe asked sadly, "Was it Tian Liye?"

Jiang Chaolin nodded, tears welling in his eyes and slowly streaming down his aged face. "It was Tian Liye. This child... he was the one who did... did the final check-up for me, he was doing it for me..."

Gao Changhe still held a sliver of hope. "Old Secretary, don't be sad, maybe... maybe..."

Jiang Chaolin wiped away his tears and sighed deeply. "I'm afraid there are no maybes. Hu Zaoqiu called from the 405 Hospital, saying that Tian Liye saved him in his final moments. When he was swept away by the flood, he had no strength left."

As he said this, his eyes filled with tears again. Jiang Chaolin tilted his head back, trying hard not to let the tears fall. "Changhe, I've always said Liye is a good child—a truly good child!" "At that critical moment of life and death, he was so brave, first saving fifteen villagers, then Hu Zaoqiu..."

Gao Changhe said, tears welling in his eyes, "Old Secretary, I... I think Comrade Liye is an even better cadre!"

Jiang Chaolin paused, seemingly understanding something, staring intently at Gao Changhe, and stammered, "Yes, yes, Changhe, you... you're right, Liye is a good cadre, truly a good cadre..."

Gao Changhe sighed deeply, "But what's the use of saying all this now? It's all too late!"

Jiang Chaolin lamented, "Yes, truly recognizing a good cadre always takes time..."

Gao Changhe forced back his grief and shook his head, "But this process is too long, life is too short..."

This topic was heartbreaking, and discussing it deeply at this moment was too heavy. Jiang Chaolin, unwilling to continue the conversation, remained silent for a moment before bringing up the former county head of Lieshan, Zhao Chengquan: "Oh, Changhe, speaking of cadres, I'm reminded of Zhao Chengquan. Have you heard? He's passed away."

Gao Changhe nodded: "I heard from Sun Yadong that the legal proceedings have been terminated naturally."

Jiang Chaolin said, "Changhe, what I'm concerned about isn't the legal proceedings, but..."

Gao Changhe knew Jiang Chaolin had unspeakable troubles and earnestly said, "Old squad leader, please speak frankly. As long as it doesn't go too far, I'll do as you say."

Jiang Chaolin said remorsefully, "Zhao Chengquan is not the same as Geng Zijing. He was a model worker from Pingyang, and he died on the job. His current situation is something that I and the previous municipal committee bear undeniable responsibility for. Therefore..." "If possible, I hope your new team can have a more positive attitude."

Gao Changhe understood: "Old squad leader, do you mean to preserve his reputation?"

Jiang Chaolin sighed: "If possible..."

Gao Changhe thought for a moment, then carefully chose his words: "Old squad leader, I understand your feelings, but you also know that this is not something I can decide alone. I don't have the absolute authority of you old comrades. Not to mention others, just Sun Yadong alone..."

Jiang Chaolin paused for a long time before saying: "Alright, alright, this... let's pretend I didn't say anything. Changhe, you shouldn't mention Sun Yadong anymore. I can't afford to offend this comrade!"

At 8:00 PM on July 3, 1998, on Zhongshan Avenue, how could Sun Yadong's mood be calm? Having worked as a discipline inspection cadre for so many years, he had never encountered a case like He Zhuoxiao's. At first, he wasn't even sure about the nature of the crime. The Anti-Corruption Bureau reported it as a case of embezzlement, but after looking at the relevant legal provisions on embezzlement, he still couldn't find a match. Later, after seeing a case from a different province a year prior involving a deliberate impersonation to swindle a huge sum of medical expenses, he instructed the anti-corruption bureau to classify it as fraud.

However, this kind of fraud is truly heartbreaking. In the past, some comrades would criticize the law for being unconscionable, saying that the law represents justice and, in essence, conscience. Now it seems that the law and conscience can indeed conflict. If he weren't the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee in charge of discipline inspection, Sun Yadong would certainly have shown leniency to He Zhuoxiao, like Gao Changhe, Jiang Chaolin, and Wen Chunming; but as deputy secretary, he could only act according to the law, and no matter how painful it was inside, he couldn't desecrate his duty. In this position of presiding over law enforcement, all he could do was help the parties involved actively atone for their sins to reduce their criminal penalties. If He Zhuoxiao could repay the more than 39,000 yuan in embezzled funds, a suspended sentence was entirely possible according to relevant regulations.

Thinking about it, Sun Yadong had the idea of paying back some of He Zhuoxiao's embezzled funds. He had wanted to call his wife during his shift at the municipal party committee to discuss it, but the office was always busy with people coming and going, and he was also preoccupied with flood relief efforts, so he forgot. It wasn't until after dinner at home that he told his wife about it.

His wife was surprised and asked, "Do you know how much savings we have?"

Sun Yadong didn't know and guessed, "Ten or twenty thousand, right?"

His wife retorted angrily, "Do you think you're one of the first to get rich? Let me tell you, we only have nine thousand!"

Sun Yadong was disappointed. He had hoped to come up with 10,000 yuan, but his entire savings amounted to only 9,000. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Then let's give Comrade Lao He 5,000!"

His wife smiled bitterly, "Yadong, look at the way you're doing as an official! You don't bring any money home, you're even giving it away!"

Sun Yadong also smiled bitterly, "If I brought money home, wouldn't I be a corrupt official? Wouldn't I be another Geng Zijing? It's better to give it away; money is something you can't take with you when you die."

His wife was still unwilling, "If you think Lao He is at a disadvantage, then show him some leniency. Why should we give him money?"

Sun Yadong immediately frowned, "How can you say such things? Law is law, and sentiment is sentiment; they are two different things!"

His wife didn't dare to argue back, but she was still unconvinced, so she said tactfully, "Yadong, it's not that I'm worried about the 5,000 yuan." "But I felt it wasn't appropriate—think about it, you're the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee and secretary of the discipline inspection commission, handling someone else's case, and then giving your own money to the criminal to repay the stolen goods. What kind of impact would that have if word got out?"

Sun Yadong thought deeply and said, "I've thought about this during the day. It has to be done quietly. Isn't our money in that savings bank on Zhongshan Road? I think it's open 24/7, right? I'll go tonight, withdraw the money, and give it to He Zhuoxiao's son so he can give it to his father. Five thousand yuan won't be of much help, but it'll be a token of my appreciation! Let He Zhuoxiao know that he hasn't worked in vain all these years, that the organization and society care about him!"

His wife had no choice but to say, "Then give me the address, I'll go."

Sun Yadong said, "No, no, let's go together, let's take a walk."

And so they went out.

Because they didn't want more people to know, Sun Yadong and his wife didn't notify their driver or alert the municipal party committee's duty office. This sowed the seeds of a terrible disaster. Around 9 a.m., when Sun Yadong and his wife withdrew 5,000 yuan in cash from the Zhongshan Road savings bank and were walking towards Chaoyang Community, where He Zhuoxiao's son lived, a white Santana suddenly rushed from east to west. Forty-five meters from the savings bank, it struck Sun Yadong, who was walking on the side of the road, sending him flying and crashing heavily into the middle of the road. The

white Santana clearly intended to kill Sun Yadong; after hitting him, it didn't rush to escape, but instead reversed sharply and struck the struggling Sun Yadong again before accelerating and speeding away like an arrow…

When this sudden incident occurred, Sun Yadong's wife was stunned. She instinctively fell to the curb. After getting up, she saw that her small bag had fallen, revealing many hundred-yuan bills, and instinctively reached for the money. When the white Santana struck Sun Yadong a second time, Sun Yadong's wife suddenly snapped out of her daze and frantically rushed onto the sparsely populated street, screaming, "Help! Help! Someone's been hit and killed..."

In her panic and confusion, she only noticed the three digits of the white Santana's license plate: "B-23." Two young men and women on bicycles passing by on the sidewalk witnessed the collision. When the young man ran to help Sun Yadong, he paid special attention to the license plate, only noticing that the area code before "B-23" and the numbers after it were covered in mud, and the car was filthy, as if it had just returned from the front lines of flood control.

Sun Yadong's wife and the two young men and women hailed a taxi and took Sun Yadong to the People's Hospital. Sun Yadong, his face covered in blood, lay in his wife's arms. In the moments before falling unconscious, he uttered a fragmented sentence: "It's...it's premeditated...premeditated murder..." At

9:34 AM, Sun Yadong, Deputy Secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, was taken to the operating room of the People's Hospital.

At 9:58 AM, Gao Changhe and Jiang Chaolin, having received the initial report, rushed to the emergency room of the People's Hospital.

Sun Yadong's wife, waiting outside the emergency room, was already in tears. Upon seeing Gao Changhe and Jiang Chaolin, she began to wail uncontrollably: "Changhe, Secretary Jiang, your organization must stand up for Yadong! He...he was harmed by bad people! He...he was too stubborn, too hated by bad people! Something like this happened in Changjiang City! He said it was premeditated murder! Premeditated murder!"

While comforting Sun Yadong's wife, Gao Changhe further inquired about the situation, asking, "Why didn't Yadong take a car? What are you two doing on Zhongshan Road so late?

" Madam Dong cried even harder: "...Our Ya Dong is too kind-hearted. He said the case of He Zhuoxiao, the director of the rolling mill, couldn't be ignored, but he felt uneasy about it. He insisted that I take out our five thousand yuan savings and...we wanted to deliver it to Old He's son, Changhe, right there tonight. Look, look, all five thousand yuan is here! But who...who could have imagined that bad people would target him? Who could have imagined it? He's offended too many people! He...he's in the open, while the bad guys are in the shadows!"

Gao Changhe was shocked. In an instant, tears welled up in his eyes. My God, how could this be!

Mrs. Sun Yadong held Gao Changhe's hand tightly: "Changhe, you and Yadong were classmates at the Central Party School. Others may not understand him, but you do! He only ever thinks about work, never about himself! He's offending bad people for the sake of our Party and our people!"

Gao Changhe nodded repeatedly, large tears falling to the floor: "Yes, yes!"

Mrs. Sun Yadong then turned to Jiang Chaolin and said: "Secretary Jiang, tell me, what is Yadong after? Why is he so annoying? So hateful? After that car accident in Changjiang, I told him to quit this line of work, but he wouldn't listen! Now look what's happened..." "He even lost his life..."

Jiang Chaolin was too heartbroken to listen any longer. He tearfully ordered the police chief, who had just arrived after hearing the news, "Immediately establish a special task force and do everything in our power to solve this murder case! Thoroughly search every white Santana in the city related to B-23! Thoroughly investigate! If we don't catch this murderer, I...I will die with regrets!"

Gao Changhe further instructed, "Not only our city, but Changjiang City must be notified immediately to cooperate fully! We also need the Provincial Public Security Department and the Armed Police to conduct surprise checks on all major traffic arteries throughout the province!"

He then instructed the hospital director, who had come to report, to spare no effort in saving Sun Yadong.

The surgery on Sun Yadong lasted for more than seven hours, even alarming the Provincial Party Committee. Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo personally dispatched two renowned neurosurgeons from the provincial capital to Pingyang overnight to oversee the surgery, ultimately saving Sun Yadong's life.

However, regrettably, Sun Yadong's brain tissue was severely damaged, and modern medicine was powerless to reverse the situation; he would likely never regain consciousness.

Emerging from the operating room drenched in sweat, the experts from the provincial capital and Pingyang, without informing the tearful Sun Yadong's wife, quietly reported to Gao Changhe and Jiang Chaolin that unless a miracle occurred, Sun Yadong would most likely become a vegetable.

This result deeply saddened and shocked

Gao Changhe and Jiang Chaolin. ... On the way back from the People's Hospital, both former and current municipal party secretaries remained silent.

A dazzling, brand-new 20th-century metropolis displayed its dazzling brilliance amidst the creaking of wheels, yet the two former and current city leaders sitting in the car showed no interest in appreciating it. Amidst the dazzling brilliance of this bustling metropolis, both former and current city leaders were plunged into deep sorrow, their hearts filled with countless emotions: they had both once misunderstood Sun Yadong, disliked him so much, and thought him heartless and only a troublemaker; but who could have imagined that this Sun Yadong, this comrade and comrade-in-arms of both the old and new administrations, would be ambushed on his way to deliver money to He Zhuoxiao, and would be deliberately knocked down by thugs on the streets of this magnificent city!

The car passed the International Exhibition Center building, and the cross-sea bridge came into view in the distance. Jiang Chaolin gazed at the brightly lit bridge and sighed softly as he asked Gao Changhe, "Changhe, do you know what I'm thinking right now?"

Gao Changhe forced a smile. "You're going to work in the provincial capital. You're reluctant to leave, aren't you? If you really are, then don't go."

Jiang Chaolin shook his head. "I'm reminded of two lines from 'The Internationale': 'My blood is boiling...'"

Gao Changhe blurted out emotionally, "'We must fight for the truth!'"

Jiang Chaolin turned his gaze from the car window, tears welling in his eyes. "Yes, we must fight for the truth! What is this truth? Isn't it simply to improve our comprehensive national strength and enable the Chinese people to live a good life? In these twenty years, how many good comrades have fought for this simple yet weighty truth in their respective positions! How many! Behind the glory of every city in China, there aren't a large number of good comrades like these? They are truly shedding blood and tears! Let's not talk about those far away, just look at those in front of us, like Sun Yadong, like Tian Liye..."

Gao Changhe sighed, "Yes, but the price is too high, one is in a vegetative state, the other has disappeared without a trace!"

Jiang Chaolin said, both blaming and self-reproaching, "And we, at all levels..." "And the squad leader? How well did he do? Faced with the price they paid, what...what should we think? We had to watch them bleed and sacrifice themselves in times of danger, and in ordinary times...we often watched them shed tears and grieve!"

Gao Changhe said with deep empathy, "In a sense, we even brewed their tears and sorrow!"

Jiang Chaolin looked at Gao Changhe, sighed deeply, and reflected, "Doesn't this include you and me too?"

Gao Changhe nodded silently...

At 8:00 AM on September 23, 1998, at the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, Gao Changhe entered his office on time. After putting down his briefcase, the first thing he did was to fully open the velvet curtains of the two large floor-to-ceiling windows, letting the September morning sunlight fill the clean floor and desk. The autumn sunlight was truly beautiful; even the Party flag in front of the large desk appeared exceptionally bright in the sunlight.

At 8:05, Liu Yiru appeared on time and, as usual, reported the day's work plan to Gao Changhe: "Secretary Gao, based on your instructions and the current situation, today's activities are arranged as follows. What do you think? At 9:00, there will be a commendation meeting for advanced collectives and individuals in the city's flood control and disaster relief efforts. All members of the Standing Committee and the main leaders of the four leading bodies will attend. Jiao Jiao, Tian Liye's wife, will give a keynote speech on behalf of Tian Liye. At 11:00, we will meet with VIPs from the French and British fashion industries and have lunch with them at the International Exhibition Center. Mayor Wen from the government will also attend. At 1:00 PM, the Pingyang International Fashion Festival will officially open at the National Exhibition Center's main square, and you will preside over the ribbon-cutting ceremony. At 3:00 PM, there will be a special meeting of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee to study the city's cross-century development plan. At 6:00 PM, all members of the Standing Committee will bid farewell to Comrade Jiang Chaolin with a collective banquet. As per your instructions, the banquet fee of 100 yuan per person will be collected by our office from each member of the Standing Committee, and we have instructed each member to keep it confidential from Comrade Jiang Chaolin. In addition, the Pingyang '98 International Beer Festival' is also entering its countdown phase, with events in Germany and Ireland..." Representatives from two well-known beer companies, Lan and Yi, arrived in our city this morning and are staying at the International Hotel. Following past practice and Comrade Jiang Chaolin's usual custom, we should visit them that evening. Of course, we can go a few days later.

Gao Changhe, after listening, thought for a moment and said, "We'll hold a farewell party for Comrade Chaolin tonight, and we'll invite him to the banquet for the French and British fashion industry dignitaries. The International Fashion Festival will open this afternoon, hosted by Comrade Chunming, and Comrade Chaolin will cut the ribbon."

Liu Yiru glanced at Gao Changhe and said tactfully, "Secretary Gao, at such a grand event, wouldn't it be alright for you, the top leader, not to preside over the ribbon-cutting? You may not know, but the Pingyang International Fashion Festival has been held for four years, and it has a significant influence not only domestically but also internationally..."

Gao Changhe waved his hand, "Director Liu, don't say that! Even if it has the same influence as the Nobel Prize, Comrade Chaolin should still preside over the ribbon-cutting! This International Fashion Festival was started by Comrade Chaolin; he's leaving, so it's only natural for him to cut the ribbon one last time!"

Liu Yiru remained silent.

Gao Changhe added, "Furthermore, the Standing Committee meeting to study Pingyang's cross-century development plan should also invite Comrade Chaolin to attend, to hear his opinions again, and to let him say everything he can think of, so as not to leave any regrets. This is very important!"

Liu Yiru nodded, truthfully noting down Gao Changhe's words and marking them with an emphasis mark.

Gao Changhe then asked, "Did you read Jiao Jiao's speech, the one written by Tian Liye's wife?"

Liu Yiru replied, "Yes, we did. Some parts weren't written very well; they were too sentimental and a bit too casual. I asked a colleague from the Secretariat to revise it, and I personally did it again yesterday morning. Based on the spirit of the Municipal Party Committee's flood control experience summary meeting, we increased our emphasis on three aspects: heroism and dedication. The main point is that Liye is a good cadre whom our Party organization has been focusing on cultivating for a long time. No matter what position he holds, he is always conscientious and hardworking. Therefore, Comrade Liye has also gained the high trust of the Party and the people. When the Lieshan team collapsed, he went to Lieshan; when the flood peak came, he took charge of flood control; at critical moments, he added glory to the Party flag with his blood and life..."

Gao Changhe was truly moved. Feeling uneasy, but not wanting to say much, he interrupted Liu Yiru, saying, "Don't be so specific, just handle it yourselves. Oh, by the way, how's the job situation for Tian Liye's laid-off sister, Tian Liting, being arranged? Comrade Chaolin told me to treat Tian Liting like his own daughter!"

Liu Yiru sighed and reported, "Secretary Gao, I'm still working on this..."

Gao Changhe immediately became angry, "What work? Didn't I already tell you? Just treat Tian Liting like your own sister! Comrade Chaolin and I are handling this personal matter together! Which unit is going to argue?"

Liu Yiru smiled bitterly, "Secretary Gao, please let me finish! The problem isn't which unit is arguing or refusing to accept her; it's that Tian Liting doesn't want us to arrange it. My family, Jinhua, after learning of Liye's sacrifice..." He went to see Tian Liting, and with tears in his eyes, told her that her brother couldn't arrange a job for her when he was the secretary of Lieshan, but now that he's gone, Lieshan can. Tian Liting said that it was precisely because her brother was gone that she couldn't tarnish his reputation anymore and let people say that her brother had betrayed her. It was clear that Tian Liting was also somewhat emotional. She said she wanted to rent a stall in the Zili Market to sell fish for the Jinghu City Aquatic Products Company. "I was just thinking of finding some time to find Hu Zaoqiu and ask if it was him who instigated this?"

Gao Changhe was now certain: "Don't ask Hu Zaoqiu. He's a good friend of Tian Liye, and Tian Liye sacrificed himself to save him. He will definitely take responsibility for Tian Liting to the end!"

Liu Yiru nodded and finally reported: "Oh, right, there's something else I almost forgot. The Municipal Party Committee Organization Department asked for instructions, saying that He Zhuo, the director of the Pingchao Plant..." " Xiao submitted a report to resign from his public office the day before yesterday. I wonder if it's possible to process it for him? He's on probation, which is a special case. Besides, I don't know what your attitude is?"

Gao Changhe thought for a moment and said, "Please ask the comrades in the Organization Department to do some work and try to retain him. If they really can't keep him, then approve it!"

Liu Yiru said, "It would be good if it were approved. The organization is about to be streamlined, and he can be used as a model for cadres to find their own way and be promoted."

After saying that, he felt that it was a bit inappropriate: "It's a pity that he was sentenced to a one-year probation. It will be difficult to promote him!"

After Liu Yiru left, Ma Wanli, the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, called and informed Gao Changhe that the anonymous remittance of 140,000 yuan last time had not been found. The provincial discipline inspection commission received another remittance yesterday, 23,000 yuan, still sent from Pingyang, still sent by the same person. The typed letter clearly stated that this was his second embezzled money.

Gao Changhe asked cautiously, "Secretary Ma, do the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection have any leads?"

Ma Wanli said sternly, "Of course the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection have leads—the leads are crystal clear, right here in Pingyang. Your Pingyang Municipal Party Committee must truly attach great importance to this and investigate thoroughly! Comrade Sun Yadong is in a vegetative state, but you are not! Let me remind you, Comrade Sun Yadong is still the Secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection. The corruption problem in Pingyang must continue to be investigated thoroughly and meticulously! I suggest that all members of your Municipal Party Committee sit down seriously and have a proper meeting to specifically study how to further deepen the anti-corruption work in Pingyang! I emphasize again, the issue of anti-corruption is a matter of life and death for our Party and our country, and it is not contradictory to Pingyang's leap into the new century or to Pingyang's reform and opening up!"

Gao Changhe repeatedly replied, "Yes, yes, Secretary Ma, we will definitely conduct a special study!"

Ma Wanli then asked, "Is there any progress in the case of Comrade Yadong's murder? Are there any leads on the murderer?"

Gao Changhe immediately reported, "Secretary Ma, the day before yesterday, I met with several comrades from the Ministry of Public Security and the Provincial Public Security Department who were involved in the investigation. We've made a breakthrough. Our preliminary assessment is that it was a hired murder, and the suspect, who committed the crime by car, has appeared in Jiunian County of our city. We are currently intensifying our search. Secretary Ma, please note that our city's newspapers, radio, and television stations publicly issued a wanted notice with a reward yesterday."

Ma Wanli said, "Good, I'll immediately have the provincial news media also issue this wanted notice. Let's see where the criminals can escape to! Also, please give my regards to Comrade Sun Yadong's wife and tell her not to lose hope! Comrade Yadong's situation has only been two..." It's only been a little over a month; I think there's still hope for him to wake up. Three days ago, our provincial newspaper published a similar report about a person who had been in a coma for over three years and had awakened. That report was on page three, in the social news section. Ask Mrs. Sun Yadong to find it and take a look!

After hanging up the phone, Gao Changhe wanted to inform Mayor Wen Chunming of the new developments Ma Wanli had mentioned, but looking at his watch, it was already 8:40. Remembering he had to attend the city-wide commendation meeting for advanced collectives and individuals in flood control and disaster relief at 9:00 and had to leave at 8:50, he gave up the idea and hastily grabbed a few newly arrived newspapers to browse—the most sensational scandal of this century: Independent Prosecutor Starr smiled, Clinton cried. Russia faced a dual crisis of government and economy; Yeltsin's dream was shattered. The Asian financial crisis had not yet subsided, and its impact on the global economy would be delayed. Li Ka-shing said: Hong Kong is not a super ATM—Soros's defeat in Hong Kong…

Suddenly, a striking headline and a familiar name exploded into Gao Changhe's eyes—In the black hole of history—The painful lesson of the failed 1.2 billion yuan investment in Pingyang Steel Rolling Mill. Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xinxiang. Just then, Liu Yiru knocked and came in. "Secretary Gao, it's time. The car is waiting for you downstairs."

Gao Changhe said "Oh," and instinctively placed the newspaper, which he had only read the headline and the author's name on, on the table. However, as he got up to leave, he thought for a moment, picked up the newspaper again, folded it into quarters, put it in his briefcase, and then went downstairs to the No. 001 car he was using for the first time.

The Audi No. 001 was sparkling clean and quietly parked under a rare blue sky in the municipal party committee compound.

When Gao Changhe reached the car, the driver opened the door in time.

But at the last moment before stepping into the car, Gao Changhe suddenly hesitated.

Liu Yiru asked, puzzled, "Secretary Gao, what's wrong?"

Gao Changhe glanced at the conspicuous license plate number 001 and said, "Don't use this car, use my old one."

Liu Yiru said, "Since Comrade Jiang Chaolin voluntarily handed over this car, I think—"

Gao Changhe didn't want to say more, only two words: "Change the car!"

Liu Yiru had no choice but to let the driver go and change the car, while she and Gao Changhe stood there waiting.

While waiting for the car, Liu Yiru and Gao Changhe chatted idly, saying, "Old Secretary Jiang Chaolin is really leaving this time, I wonder if it's a blessing or a curse? Secretary Gao, I wonder if you've heard? There's been new talk these past few days, saying that Comrade Jiang Chaolin would rather stay in Pingyang than become a vice-provincial level official, is it…"

Liu Yiru hesitated for a moment and stopped.

Gao Changhe glanced at Liu Yiru: "What is it? Tell me."

Liu Yiru sighed: "Secretary Gao, do you think there's anything good to say? It's all nonsense! They say that old Secretary Jiang Chaolin is smart, afraid that once he leaves, he'll be like a tiger fallen into the plains, unable to reach the people, unable to cover up the problems in Pingyang, and that the problems in Pingyang will be completely exposed, and he will be ruined. Therefore, some people say, 'Just wait and see, with Jiang Chaolin gone, the real show is about to begin...'"

Gao Changhe calmly said "Oh," and immediately thought of the extremely harsh phone call from Ma Wanli earlier, Ma Wanli's repeated use of "you Pingyang" to express his dissatisfaction, the two sums of embezzled money sent from Pingyang that still have no leads, and the major article already published by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xinxiang. He couldn't help but be alarmed: It seems that the history of Pingyang's reform and opening up over the past twenty years, the anti-corruption campaign, and the rights and wrongs of people like Jiang Chaolin are far from over. Whether he and his new team liked it or not, they still had to face a series of new storms. And, they had to lead the metropolis of Pingyang and its people resolutely into the new century amidst these relentless storms.

However, the storms hadn't yet arrived.

Gao Changhe looked up at the blue sky before him.

The blue sky was beautiful, the white clouds were beautiful.

Under the blue sky, on the earth, the September sunshine was beautiful too.

It was truly beautiful, possessing a certain purity and brightness…

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