[Urban] Made in China - 13-15

Chapter 12 Who Can Understand the Taste?

Tian Liye inwardly groaned, but his face remained smiling: "Alright, alright, Sister Li, please come and talk often!"

Director Qi took Li Baolei to collect the money and left.

After the two left, Tian Liye furtively peeked out the door. Seeing that Li Baolei had indeed entered Director Qi's office, he hurriedly called to Hu Zaoqiu and Li Xinxiang, "You two, quick! Come with me! Don't let Li Baolei launch a surprise attack!"

Hu Zaoqiu and Li Xinxiang laughed and scolded Tian Liye as they followed him out the door. At 6 PM on July 1, 1998, as soon as Hu Zaoqiu stepped out of the county committee gate of the Lieshan Wild Vegetable Fragrance Tavern, she felt a little strange. Why wasn't Tian Liye

taking the main road, but instead going through alleys? It wasn't until they reached the Wild Vegetable Fragrance Tavern on the back street of the county committee that she realized Tian Liye was going to treat them to wild vegetables.

Hu Zaoqiu immediately exclaimed, "Commander Tian, you really have some nerve! When you came to Jinghu, I treated you to river and seafood, but this is my first time here and you're offering me wild vegetables! What? Are you trying to evoke memories of past hardships?"

Tian Liye laughed, "Commander Hu, you don't understand. Eating wild vegetables is fashionable now. They're good for your skin, prevent cancer, and are green food—much better than meat and fish. I, a low-class guest, wouldn't even be served wild vegetables!"

Hu Zaoqiu waved his hand, "Liye, don't give me that! There's a great place in Lieshan, Zhao Chengquan treated me to—the Hong Kong Restaurant in the new district. They have Australian lobster. Let's go to the Hong Kong Restaurant!"

Only then did Tian Liye tell the truth, "Commander Hu, please forgive me. I've only been in office for two days, and I just finished giving my anti-corruption report. If I dare to go to the Hong Kong Restaurant today ..." "If you sit in the government office, you can forget about being the acting secretary of the county party committee tomorrow!"

Hu Zaoqiu laughed: "Don't blame me for being stingy, do you? You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge! Considering your pitiful appearance and honest attitude, I won't hold it against you. I'll just have a 'bitter past and sweet present' activity."

Tian Liye sighed: "You really don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge! I've only been in office for two days, and I've already made a mess of things. There are conflicts and disputes everywhere. As you just saw, I also have to deal with professional petitioners."

Li Xinxiang asked: "What's the deal with that Daming Company in H country that the professional petitioners mentioned?"

Tian Liye shook his head and sighed: "Don't mention it. It might be another major case with a bad influence. I'm having the relevant departments investigate and collect evidence."

He then told Li Xinxiang and Hu Zaoqiu about what happened at Daming Company.

Li Xinxiang said, "This really needs to be reported. It's terrible, so many people have been poisoned!"

Hu Zaoqiu also said, "If it were me, I would have shut down that Daming Company long ago. How could I let the workers cause trouble first!"

Tian Liye said with a bitter face, "I even fell out with County Chief Jin over this—that little miss is a bureaucrat and a foreign lackey herself, yet she still tried to take a hard line against us workers! I criticized her, and she argued with me, and in the end, she lectured me instead!"

Just then, his phone rang. Tian Liye said "Hello" in a gruff voice, paused for a moment, quickly covered the other end of the receiver, and whispered to Hu Zaoqiu, "It's Secretary Gao from the Municipal Party Committee."

His voice immediately dropped eight octaves. "Oh, it's Secretary Gao!"

Gao Changhe asked on the phone, "Liye, how's the situation these past two days? Is everything alright in Lieshan?"

Tian Liye said, "Everything's fine, Secretary Gao!"

"Everything's normal?"

Gao Changhe was displeased. "What's going on with Daming Company in H country? Huh, what kind of statements have you made so casually? I told you not to make statements so casually, but you wouldn't listen! What have you been doing at Daming Company? As the county party secretary, you couldn't control the situation of the masses causing trouble, and you even climbed over the gate under pressure from the masses. I'm afraid you can't find another one like this in all of China! Tell me, after this, who will respect you as the county party secretary? Does your Lieshan County Party Committee still have any authority?"

Tian Liye was stunned by the scolding and didn't know how to react for a moment.

Gao Changhe continued, "You're quite the hero, calling them traitors and a traitorous government! What are you? A workers' leader? Do you want to lead all the workers in the county to occupy factories and strike? Comrade Jinhua's opinion is very good. Daming Company should be investigated and dealt with as appropriate, but this is a matter of supervision!"

Tian Liye then understood: Jinhua must have gone to report to Gao Changhe—no wonder Jinhua wasn't present at the symposium for the victims of Daming Company that afternoon!

Gao Changhe also mentioned Jin Hua: "Jin Hua is a good comrade, Tian Liye. You should be grateful to have such a clear-headed, intelligent, and capable comrade working with you. If it weren't for Comrade Jin Hua today, who knows how much trouble would have ensued! Of course, I'm quite satisfied that you were able to offer self-criticism to Comrade Jin Hua. I think we should leave it at that. No one should say anything more about it, especially not to outsiders; it's not a good influence! As for Daming Company, investigate and deal with it according to Comrade Jin Hua's suggestions, but be sure to pay attention to policy and don't keep talking about closing the gate. Liye, is there anything else you want to say?"

Tian Liye remained silent, almost on the verge of tears.

Gao Changhe, however, thought he had criticized Tian Liye too harshly: "Alright, alright, Liye, don't be sad. I understand you. You're still in a good mood and want to get things done. It's just that you can't change your old habits all at once. Just be more careful in the future. The municipal party committee and I were prepared, which is why we've been keeping an eye on you. You also need to report more often!"

Tian Liye then replied, "Yes, Secretary Gao, I will definitely report more and consult more in the future."

After saying that, he was about to hang up when he suddenly remembered Li Xinxiang's article and said, "Oh, by the way, Secretary Gao, the article by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li has been written. Didn't you want to review it? I'll have reporter Li..." "Shall I send it to you?"

Gao Changhe said. "I'm just about to meet this reporter. Where is she?"

Tian Liye said, "She's in Lieshan. She brought me the article and is eating now."

Gao Changhe thought for a moment and said, "Send a car to bring the reporter to Pingyang immediately. I want to talk to her!"

After hanging up the phone, Tian Liye's eyes reddened. He didn't hide his criticism of him and then started cursing Jinhua, sighing, "These days, those who can talk are better than those who can do!"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "Liye, you too, why didn't you explain to Secretary Gao?"

Tian Liye said, "What's the use of explaining? She... " "The report has already been submitted. If I try to explain, Secretary Gao will think I'm just making excuses! Besides, I'm the top leader; it wouldn't be good for me to say too much. Forget it, let Secretary Gao see for himself in the future! I refuse to believe that good people don't get rewarded!"

Li Xinxiang retorted angrily, "Secretary Tian, if you won't say it, I'll say it in an article!"

Tian Liye quickly bowed to Li Xinxiang, saying, "No, no, Grandma! Please spare me! I have both leaders and the masses watching me closely. I'm essentially no different from a bad element being supervised in labor; I wouldn't dare cause trouble! Please, eat quickly and leave; Secretary Gao wants to see you tonight!"

Li Xinxiang waved her hand: "I won't see him. Who wants to see a bureaucratic politician like him who's so easily swayed?" Tian

Liye said: "See, you've misunderstood, haven't you? You've misunderstood, haven't you? Actually, Secretary Gao is quite good. It's just that I've been too casual in the past, leaving everyone with a bad impression. No matter how Secretary Gao criticizes me, his intentions are good; he genuinely cares about me. So now, I have no choice but to compromise and do my job well."

Li Xinxiang said sarcastically: "Secretary Tian, isn't your change a bit too fast, too drastic? Becoming the acting secretary of the county party committee and immediately becoming a noble person!"

"A noble person?"

Tian Liye shook his head. "Reporter Li, I'm really not noble at all. To be honest, I'd love to go back to being a hands-off deputy secretary-general of the municipal party committee! Okay, okay, let's stop talking. Let's have a drink and celebrate my transformation into a noble person!"

Hu Zaoqiu chuckled, "Leader Tian, your noble sentiments will ensure the enduring friendship between Jinghu and Lieshan. Our Secretary Bai said he's entrusting the Beibanhu pollution issue to you; those two small paper mills in your Linhu Town absolutely cannot discharge pollutants into Beibanhu anymore. Could you please help us handle this?"

Tian Liye dismissively replied, "What kind of nonsense is that? Didn't the small paper mills in Lieshan shut down a long time ago?"

Hu Zaoqiu retorted angrily, "Shut down during the day, open at night; they shut down when inspectors come, and reopen as soon as they leave! Leader Tian, your Linhu Town leadership is truly problematic; I've heard there are signs of renewed activity lately..." "Secretary Bai suggests your county committee hold a meeting and replace the leadership of your Linhu Town to eliminate this main source of pollution..."

Tian Liye almost spat out his drink: "What? What? Commander Hu, what... what do you and your Secretary Bai take me for? Are you trying to rob me while I'm still establishing myself? Acting Mayor Hu Zaoqiu, let me make this clear to you: we may be friends, but you can't expect me to support a pro-Jinghu traitorous regime in Lieshan!"

The principled approach shown by Jiang Chaolin, the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee Secretary, in appointing Tian Liye on July 1, 1998, earned Liu Yiru's heartfelt respect. Jiang Chaolin was truly upright; he didn't mention Tian Liye when he had power, but now that Gao Changhe had, he dared to stand up and oppose him. He wasn't afraid to offend people, even his closest confidants, to be responsible for his work. In comparison, Gao Changhe was far inferior. From Liu Yiru's observations over this period, Gao Changhe was inferior to Jiang Chaolin in work style, approach, cadre selection, and decision-making. Liu Yiru even believes that Gao Changhe, Tian Liye, and Hu Zaoqiu are essentially the same kind of people—all slackers, just on different levels and in different ways. One thing is clear: Gao Changhe was notorious for his reckless speech and writings when he was the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee in the provincial capital. Therefore, it's not surprising that Gao Changhe promoted slackers like Tian Liye and Hu Zaoqiu after taking office. It's also not surprising that former secretary Jiang Chaolin couldn't stand it and fought against Gao Changhe. If she were Jiang Chaolin, she would have fought him too! Think about it, what did Gao Changhe say? What did he do? What about the blood and tears under the neon lights? Even if there were blood and tears, you can't say it! Who is he? What positive significance does saying such things have? He's enjoying karaoke, yet he wants to collect special high-consumption taxes, and even wants to tax escorts—what kind of nonsense is this? What impact will this have?

Looking back, Liu Yiru herself found it strange: she had no special relationship with Jiang Chaolin, and Gao Changhe had treated her well. When he promoted Tian Liye to acting secretary of the Lieshan County Party Committee, he also promoted her daughter, Jinhua, to acting county head and deputy secretary of the county party committee (the "full-time" level was no longer relevant). So why did she dislike Gao Changhe? Why did she admire the old secretary, Jiang Chaolin? She then realized that she was

acting out of public interest. However, she couldn't say these words of public interest, not in front of Jiang Chaolin, nor in front of Gao Changhe. No matter how much she disliked Gao Changhe's style, he was still the municipal party secretary, and she had to follow his instructions whether she understood them or not.

This created pain and contradiction.

Whenever she went against her conscience to agree with Gao Changhe, Liu Yiru felt uneasy. She told her daughter, Jinhua, about this. Jinhua complained that she hadn't moved on from Jiang Chaolin's shadow, always using Jiang Chaolin's standards to judge Gao Changhe, and that it was habitual thinking at play. Liu Yiru also thought it made sense and wanted to break free from her habitual thinking and try to keep up with Gao Changhe's line of thought. But the problem was, habitual thinking was so stubborn; it often broke through the thick layer of reason and emerged to chase Jiang Chaolin's line of thought instead of Gao Changhe's…

Thinking of her daughter, her daughter called, asking, "Mom, why are you still in the office?"

Liu Yiru said, "Secretary Gao asked me to wait for a Xinhua News Agency female reporter."

Jinhua said, "Mom, you'd better watch your words. I heard this Xinhua News Agency female reporter was arranged by Jiang Chaolin to write articles about the rolling mill, and Secretary Gao doesn't like her!"

Liu Yiru said, "I know about that, don't worry about it for me."

Then she asked her daughter, "Hey, Jinhua, how did your talk with Secretary Gao go this afternoon? As soon as you left, Secretary Gao praised you to me."

Jinhua giggled and said, "Mom, don't you think I could have had a bad talk? Of course Secretary Gao would praise me! I told him about Daming Company…" "You handled the emergency so well!"

Liu Yiru asked again, "What exactly happened at Daming Company? How did you handle it?"

Jinhua then proudly recounted the whole story to Liu Yiru, talking at length about Tian Liye's absurdity and stupidity, saying that Tian Liye had made a mistake on a crucial issue—that is, he made a rash statement: "...Mom, do you know? What Gao Changhe and the Municipal Party Committee were most worried about was Tian Liye's rash statement. Tian Liye was brought up by Gao Changhe, and there were many people waiting to see Gao Changhe make a fool of himself, including Jiang Chaolin! I took advantage of Gao Changhe's mentality and gave Tian Liye some targeted advice, to put him down and deflate his arrogance!"

Liu Yiru thought that her daughter was becoming more and more mature. Her own thinking might belong to Jiang Chaolin, but her daughter would definitely use her quick wit to follow Gao Changhe's line of thought. This was truly a new generation growing up, and she was afraid that in the future, it wouldn't be her daughter asking her for advice, but rather her asking her daughter for advice.

Jinhua became increasingly smug as he spoke: "...Mom, tell me, isn't Tian Liye confused? Which factory these days honestly abides by labor laws? There are so many violations! Tian Liye dared to threaten to shut down someone's factory and even threatened to auction it off! So what if twenty-odd workers inhaled some benzene vapor and developed aplastic anemia? What's the big deal..."

Liu Yiru thought she misheard: "Jinhua, what did you just say? Twenty-odd people with aplastic anemia? That Daming Company violated labor laws?"

Jinhua said, "Yes, and over fifty others aren't too serious! Just fine Daming Company a little..."

Liu Yiru's face turned pale: "Jinhua, do you know what aplastic anemia is? It's blood cancer, leukemia, it's deadly! Daming Company's actions have had extremely serious consequences! Tian Liye is right, how can this blood-soaked factory not be shut down immediately? How can you still be so confused? Don't you want to be the county magistrate anymore? Huh!"

There was silence on Jinhua's end.

Liu Yiru called out "Hello" a few times, then asked anxiously, "Jinhua, did you...did you hear me?"

Jinhua finally replied, "Mom, I...I'm listening, please speak!"

Liu Yiru thought for a moment and said, "Take remedial measures immediately. First, find a way to report to Gao Changhe again, saying that after your investigation, you found the situation to be quite serious. Tell Gao Changhe the truth in detail, without hiding anything. Provide a complete list of the more than twenty people with leukemia. Second, immediately seal off Daming Company as Tian Liye suggested, being more decisive and effective than Tian Liye!"

Jinhua repeatedly said, "Okay, okay, Mom, I...I'll take care of these things tomorrow!"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yiru couldn't help but feel worried for her daughter. This was no small matter; if handled poorly, it could lead to serious trouble! This Gao Changhe was truly inferior to Jiang Chaolin. Jiang Chaolin would never be so foolish, never fall for her daughter's tricks in such a serious matter involving more than twenty lives! Jiang Chaolin's eyes are sharp, and his legs are quick; once he learns of something like this, he'll pursue it relentlessly, perhaps even going to Lieshan himself immediately. And Gao Changhe actually praised his daughter for handling it well! ...

Just as she was feeling troubled, Hu Zaoqiu, the acting mayor of Jinghu, entered with Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xinxiang.

Liu Yiru quickly wiped the cloud from her face and greeted them with a smile: "Reporter Li, welcome, welcome..."

July 1, 1998, 7:30 PM, Pingyang Little Red Building... "...The air here is filled with the atmosphere of a century of history. It is a microcosm of Pingyang's century-long history, and also a microcosm of China's century-long history. Comrade Xinxiang, look, this is a photo of this little red building when it was completed in 1896. Judging from the background of this photo, Pingyang was very desolate back then. However, Pingyang, as a major city in eastern China, started from that time. Imperialist powers used their powerful ships and cannons to open China's doors, bringing a century of disaster to the Chinese people, but also giving rise to a number of emerging cities along China's coast, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, and our Pingyang."

"Look, the scene in this photo is different. This is Pingyang in 1910. The Little Red Building has already blended into the group of buildings with distinct Western architectural features and is no longer so conspicuous. From 1896 to 1910, there were fifteen years, which was the initial stage of Pingyang's city construction, a dynamic stage. Because historical records are scarce, the situation at that time is not very clear, but in my imagination, there must have been a lot of construction everywhere. Later, there was a period of stagnation until the 1930s, when the Japanese invaded Pingyang, and the city began to expand eastward again.

"Comrade Xinxiang, compare these two photos. Yes, these are the two. The Little Red Building was the headquarters of the Japanese intelligence agency at that time. Do you see anything? The Little Red Building was no longer in the city center. After the eastward expansion, the city center moved to what is now Minzhu Road. Minzhu Road is not democratic at all; it was pushed out by the Japanese with tanks. The Japanese didn't talk to you about any demolition policies; they just forced you to leave, and if you didn't leave, their tanks would come up." Therefore, some of our comrades have developed the misconception that urban construction sometimes requires a fascist approach. Let me state, Comrade Xinxiang, I do not agree with this.”

“The eastward expansion of the city is the second dynamic stage of Pingyang. The third dynamic stage is the last twenty years. These twenty years have been extraordinary. Pingyang City has expanded fivefold and grown sevenfold. This three-story red building is nothing compared to those modern skyscrapers. History is so ruthless, yet so sentimental. When ruthless, it freezes things for decades; when sentimental, it changes things rapidly, making a day equal to many years…” Gao

Changhe pointed to the newly hung photos in the lobby downstairs, introducing the history of the little red building to Li Xinxiang.

Li Xinxiang listened attentively, looking at them, almost forgetting the purpose of her visit.

Gao Changhe was clearly very proud: “I had the comrades at the guesthouse hang these photos after I arrived. I look at them when I have free time, and I also let the comrades who come to report to me see them. As a city manager, it’s impossible not to understand the history of your city.” "It's good for you out-of-town visitors to take a look, to appreciate the historical scenery of this place, and to gain a more emotional understanding of Pingyang. Isn't that right, Comrade Xinxiang?"

Li Xinxiang nodded: "Yes, Secretary Gao, if you hadn't introduced it today, I really wouldn't have known that this little building has such a great reputation and so much history."

Gao Changhe said: "Alright, then take a good look. They've just opened a new archive room over there, and they've already collected a lot of historical materials about the Little Red Building, preparing to apply for it to be a protected cultural relic site. Director Liu will accompany you to look at it. I'll go read your big article first, and then we'll exchange opinions."

Li Xinxiang said: "Okay, Secretary Gao, don't worry about me."

After Gao Changhe went upstairs, Liu Yiru accompanied Li Xinxiang to continue looking at historical photos and materials.

Li Xinxiang said quickly: "Director Liu, Secretary Gao seems like a pretty good person, not like a bad bureaucrat."

Liu Yiru was stunned for a moment and didn't dare to respond.

But Li Xinxiang said again: "There are villains around power. Secretary Gao has probably been tricked by a villain!"

Liu Yiru was somewhat displeased: "Reporter Li, what...what do you mean by that?" Li

Xinxiang realized she had said something inappropriate and quickly said, "Director Liu, please don't misunderstand. I wasn't referring to the cadres around Secretary Gao, but to something else. Director Liu, do you know? Your female county head, Jin Hua, is no good person. She's bureaucratic and doesn't care about the lives of the people. Instead, she went to Secretary Gao and complained about their county party secretary, Tian Liye, causing Tian Liye to be reprimanded by Secretary Gao for no reason!"

Liu Yiru was startled: "Oh, Reporter Li, what have you heard?"

Li Xinxiang said, "Tell Secretary Gao later. He might end up in trouble because of that female county head!"

Liu Yiru immediately understood what was going on: "Is it about the benzene poisoning of the workers at Daming Company?"

Li Xinxiang said, "Yes, twenty-five workers have already contracted leukemia. The consequences are too serious!"

Liu Yiru quickly said, "Reporter Li, Secretary Gao already knows about this. I think you don't need to tell him." "

Li Xinxiang said, 'What does Secretary Gao know? I was having dinner with Tian Liye before I came, and I heard Secretary Gao call and reprimand Tian Liye with my own ears…'

Liu Yiru's heart sank. This was a serious problem. If this female reporter told Gao Changhe, the remedial measures she had asked her daughter to take would be completely too late. After thinking nervously for a moment, she finally decided to try to salvage the situation before the female reporter did.

So, Liu Yiru invited Li Xinxiang to sit down in the archives room, enthusiastically found some materials for Li Xinxiang to read, and went upstairs to see Gao Changhe first.

Gao Changhe was already immersed in Li Xinxiang's article. When he saw Liu Yiru come up, he didn't pay much attention and waved the printed manuscript in his hand, saying, 'Director Liu, this Li Xinxiang is very capable. She is not like our Tian Xiucai. She is indeed a senior reporter from a national authoritative news agency. Her article is profound and sharp, and the issues she reveals can be described as shocking!'

Liu Yiru echoed, 'Of course, how can our Tian Xiucai compare with a senior reporter?'" Gao Changhe was still praising, "

This reporter is very dedicated! His investigation into our rolling mill is very detailed, even more so than some of our colleagues who are specifically in charge of the rolling mill. The article is very persuasive!"

Liu Yiru, unwilling to miss this last opportunity, echoed something and immediately changed the subject to the Daming Company: "...Secretary Gao, I have an urgent matter to report to you. Lieshan just called; it was Jinhua. He wants me to report to you immediately that the state-owned assets of Daming Company are extremely unethical. They only care about making money and disregard the lives of our Chinese workers. It has already caused twenty-five Chinese workers to develop aplastic anemia, which is leukemia. Jinhua will further verify the details and report back to you!"

Gao Changhe was shocked: "Twenty-five people with leukemia? Why didn't Jinhua mention this in the afternoon report?"

Liu Yiru said, "She didn't know then; the situation wasn't clear yet." Gao

Changhe was furious: "Why are you reporting to me if the situation isn't clear? Why isn't this blood-soaked factory, which treats human life like dirt, shut down?" "Director Liu, call Jinhua immediately and tell her to investigate tonight! Report back to me clearly after she's found out! Call here no matter what time it is! I'm waiting!"

Liu Yiru repeatedly agreed, "Okay, okay."

Gao Changhe waved his hand, "Call Reporter Li up!"

After Li Xinxiang came up, Gao Changhe's face regained its smile. He said, "Comrade Xinxiang, I've skimmed through the article. How should I put it? It's well-written. My impression is eight words: profound, sharp, and shocking."

Li Xinxiang said, "It's not that I wrote it well, it's that the historical lessons of the rolling mill are shocking."

Gao Changhe nodded, "Yes, these historical lessons are too heavy, they still drag us down to this day. You may not know, besides Mayor Wen Chunming and the workers who participated in the fundraising mentioned in your article, there are many other comrades who have been indirectly harmed. For example, their factory director He Zhuoxiao, and the factory's electrician Zhao Yecheng and his wife." Leaving that aside, we've already paid the 1.2 billion tuition fee. Now we must face reality and end the passive situation of the rolling mill. Therefore, my personal opinion is that your article needs to be revised.”

Li Xinxiang became somewhat wary: “Secretary Gao, how should we revise it? Our boss has been watching this article closely. He said this isn't just a matter for Pingyang; it's a very typical case under the old system. There are many similar cases to the rolling mill. You just need to be responsible for the facts; we'll take care of the rest.”

Gao Changhe smiled: “Comrade Xinxiang, don't be impatient. I won't affect its typical significance.”

Li Xinxiang persisted: “Secretary Gao, I'll just ask you one question: are there any discrepancies in the facts in the article?”

Gao Changhe still smiled: “Based on the information I currently have, there aren't any major discrepancies.”

Li Xinxiang said, "That's fine then. I'll take full responsibility for the content. When I interviewed Mayor Wen Chunming, he also said that he would take responsibility for the facts, but I would take full responsibility for the writing. Secretary Gao, your thinking isn't as open-minded as Mayor Wen's." Gao Changhe

said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Of course, your article exonerated Mayor Wen, and after reading it, I felt indignant for him..."

Li Xinxiang quickly said, "Hey, Secretary Gao, let me clarify, this article hasn't been shown to Mayor Wen yet."

Gao Changhe didn't respond to Li Xinxiang's words, sighed, and said, "Comrade Xinxiang, you must know that the issue of the rolling mill is too sensitive, involving too many leaders and departments. To be honest, I was originally firmly against you writing it." "This article is about... so, even though I know you're in Pingyang, I haven't seen you. After some thought, my opinion has changed, and I support you publishing this article. However, let's discuss whether we can revise it, without causing any major damage."

Li Xinxiang asked, "In what aspects should we revise it?"

Gao Changhe picked up the manuscript and said, "Three aspects. First, could you try to delete as much of the parts about the main leaders of our province as possible? To be frank, it's the part about Governor Chen Honghe. If you write it like that, my life will be very difficult. Second, could you tone down the part about the gifts and entertainment from Beijing-related units?" Chemical treatment? We still need to consider the impact on all sides. Third, the city has decided that the rolling mill will accept the merger with Dongfang Steel Group, and intense negotiations are currently underway. Could you mention this in the article? Mayor Wen is in charge of this matter; he's no ordinary person. Despite suffering so much injustice and pressure, he's still responsible for the rolling mill to the end. This comrade prioritizes the overall situation and never considers personal gains or face!

Li Xinxiang thought for a moment and agreed: "Okay, I'll delete the part involving your governor, Chen Honghe. I won't name anyone regarding the banquets and gifts. As for the merger acceptance, I still need to investigate further."

Gao Changhe smiled and said: “Okay, okay, thank you for your understanding.”

Li Xinxiang smiled as well. “Actually, I know what I’m doing. Even if I don’t delete the part involving Governor Chen Honghe, our boss will have to cut it.”

Then, she changed the subject, suddenly saying, “Secretary Gao, since you’re so objective and fair in your evaluation of Wen Chunming, may I ask if you would consider this: if Mayor Wen Chunming hadn’t been dragged down by this rolling mill, would he have taken over as Secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee when Comrade Jiang Chaolin stepped down?”

Gao Changhe was taken aback. “I’m neither the Provincial Party Committee Organization Minister nor the Provincial Party Secretary, so I can’t comment on that.”

Wen Chunming and the Vice Chairman were also acquainted at the cross-sea bridge on July 1st, 1998. When the Vice Chairman arrived in Pingyang, Wen Chunming was receiving a delegation from the sister city of Japan, Mayor Sakigawa Shiro, and couldn’t go to pick him up at the airport. That evening, when Jiang Chaolin accompanied the Vice Chairman to see the Pingyang night view, Wen Chunming joined them, sitting with the Vice Chairman and Jiang Chaolin on an imported bus.

The Vice Chairman was in high spirits, chatting and laughing with Jiang Chaolin and Wen Chunming, and highly praised Pingyang's development achievements.

Jiang Chaolin said, "Chairman, please stop praising us and give us more criticism! Some comrades think that Pingyang is all about blood and tears under the neon lights! They find fault with everything about us!"

The Vice Chairman angrily replied, "What kind of talk is that? Can't you see this prosperity? Can't you see these high-rise buildings all over the streets? I think you should just ignore it! Hasn't there been enough talk about Pingyang these past few years? When has it ever stopped? First it was about whether it was socialist or capitalist, then it was about whether it was public or private. Now, the 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has settled these issues, so it's no longer appropriate to use these excuses to attack us, right? So, new tricks have come up, and the blood and tears thing has come out again! Comrade Chaolin, Comrade Chunming, you can tell these comrades with confidence that if we don't deepen reforms, if we don't firmly pursue a socialist market economy, if we don't improve our comprehensive national strength, then there really will be blood and tears, and big blood and tears, the blood and tears of the nation and the people!"

Wen Chunming knew that the Vice Chairman... The Chairman, unaware of the specifics and realizing Jiang Chaolin was trying to sow discord between Gao Changhe and Jiang Chaolin, felt a pang of sympathy for Gao Changhe. He explained, "Vice Chairman, Pingyang is indeed facing some difficulties right now. We have over 110,000 laid-off workers, and just the other day there was a suicide among laid-off workers. We are deeply saddened."

The Vice Chairman stated clearly, "It's good that you recognize your shortcomings and feel pain. However, in my opinion, this is still a localized problem. We can't say that there's blood and tears under the neon lights just because of this! I think your method of classifying and managing laid-off workers is excellent. As long as the management measures are truly implemented, such incidents won't happen. This afternoon, I told Comrade Chaolin that this method can be promoted elsewhere. I'll also let you know that the Central Committee has already decided to fully implement the livelihood security measures for laid-off workers nationwide by the end of September this year at the latest. Pingyang truly deserves to be called a pioneer of reform and opening up; you've once again taken the lead..."

At this moment, the convoy had approached the cross-sea bridge from the city center. The worst part was that the cross-sea bridge, which should have been brightly lit, was completely dark. Not only were the decorative lights off, but even the streetlights on the bridge surface were out. Just

as Wen Chunming was wondering what to do, Jiang Chaolin tugged at him, turned to him, and whispered, "Let's not look at the bridge yet. Change the plan. Tell the lead car to drive directly there. Let's get to the International Exhibition Center first!"

The Vice Chairman, unaware of this unexpected turn of events and the fact that the cross-sea bridge he was looking for was slipping past him, remained enthusiastic: "...You're really at the forefront of the country with this cross-sea bridge! Comrade Chaolin, you truly have imagination and courage! Two years ago, you dared to let private capital participate in such a large-scale infrastructure project. I saw the news of your bridge opening on TV, it's great!"

Jiang Chaolin earnestly replied, "Vice Chairman, we have to thank you for your support. When the cross-sea bridge project was approved, you even gave us a approval note. Comrade Chunming and I remember it!"

Upon arriving at the International Exhibition Center ... At the observation center, as the accompanying staff helped the Vice Chairman stand before the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor to admire the night view, Jiang Chaolin pulled Wen Chunming aside and asked, "What's going on with the cross-sea bridge?"

Wen Chunming replied, "I don't know either; they're investigating."

Jiang Chaolin angrily said, "Investigate the responsibility tonight! I think this is deliberate sabotage!"

A short while later, Huang Guohua, the Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress, rushed over and reported to Jiang Chaolin, "It's not deliberate sabotage; there's a fault in the cross-sea bridge's wiring. They're repairing it; it should be fixed in half an hour."

Jiang Chaolin was still impatient: "Hurry them again and make them expedite it!"

At this point, Wen Chunming finally said, "Old Secretary, you've misunderstood Secretary Gao a lot. Some things..."

Jiang Chaolin waved his hand dismissively: "Chunming, don't explain. Our task tonight is to accompany the Vice Chairman!"

Wen Chunming was truly furious, feeling that Jiang Chaolin seemed like a completely different person.

Half an hour later, the Vice Chairman finally stood on the brightly lit cross-sea bridge, as he had hoped.

The Vice Chairman, deeply moved, spontaneously composed a poem: "A cross-sea bridge spans the sea, reform and opening up cross the century.

High-rises stand amidst flashing neon lights, and tomorrow's rosy dawn will surely arrive!"

Jiang Chaolin, Wen Chunming, and their entourage applauded the Vice Chairman's passionate verses.

Huang Guohua, the Vice Chairman of the Municipal People's Congress, immediately wrote down the Vice Chairman's poem. With the Vice Chairman's consent, he contacted the newspaper office by phone, instructing the deputy editor-in-chief on duty, in Jiang Chaolin's name, to publish the poem in red borders on the front page of tomorrow's *Pingyang Daily*. At

9:00 PM on July 1, 1998, after seeing Hu Zaoqiu off at the Lieshan County Party Committee Guesthouse, Tian Liye returned to the guesthouse to rest. In the guesthouse corridor, he encountered Sun Yadong.

Sun Yadong patted Tian Liye on the shoulder, praising him without reservation: "Comrade Liye, not bad, not bad! You performed well! Your inaugural speech the day before yesterday was excellent! I led the applause for you!"

Tian Liye gave a wry smile: "Secretary Sun, how could I not perform well? So many eyes are on me!"

Sun Yadong laughed too: "Don't say 'watching,' if you're talking about concern, everyone cares about you! Now I have a new feeling: power can corrupt, but it can also inspire. Look at you, you've only been in Lieshan for two days, and you're like a completely different person!"

Tian Liye gave another wry smile: "Forget it, Secretary Sun, I'm thinking of going back!"

Sun Yadong waved his hand: "Stop having such grand dreams, just stay in Lieshan and work hard!"

After exchanging a few more words, the two parted politely.

After parting, Tian Liye suddenly remembered that Daming Company's violation of labor laws was closely related to Geng Zijing, and that Geng Zijing might have been bribed by Daming Company again. So he turned back and called Sun Yadong back, saying he wanted to report on his work.

Sun Yadong didn't take it seriously, saying, "What do you want to report to me about? I'm too busy handling Geng Zijing's case!"

Tian Liye said, "It's precisely because it involves Geng Zijing's case that I had to come to you!"

After hearing Tian Liye's report, Sun Yadong was quite surprised. This Geng Zijing was incredibly audacious! Knowing full well that benzene could cause poisoning, he didn't explain it to the workers, daring to allow this unscrupulous businessman from H country to so blatantly violate labor protection laws! There must be something fishy going on here! What Sun Yadong found even more commendable was that Tian Liye, knowing that Jiang Chaolin had always disliked him, still proactively reported Geng Zijing's situation to him. This couldn't help but move him.

After listening to the report, Sun Yadong shook Tian Liye's hand and thanked him repeatedly.

Tian Liye said, "Secretary Sun, don't thank me. Thank the affected workers. If they hadn't made a scene today, I wouldn't have known such a heinous thing had happened!"

As he spoke, he became indignant, pouring out his grievances about Jinhua's appalling behavior and Gao Changhe's criticism of him.

Sun Yadong was even more astonished: "How could this be? Jinhua is outrageous! How can Secretary Gao be so muddle-headed? Doesn't he understand right from wrong?"

After a pause, he advised Tian Liye, "Comrade Liye, don't be afraid. Just do what needs to be done. Truth doesn't always lie with the higher-ups!"

Tian Liye said with a slightly sarcastic tone, "Secretary Sun, you're the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, you can think that way, but I wouldn't dare think that way. I must learn from Comrade Jinhua and treat your leaders' words as sacred decrees!"

Sun Yadong said seriously, "Comrade Liye, tell me ..." "You can say those things in anger, but you can't really think like that! You're a Party member and cadre, and now the acting secretary of the Lieshan County Party Committee. You're responsible to the Party and the people, not to any one of us personally. Without being immodest, you should learn from me on this point. I'm stubborn; if you violate Party discipline or national laws, I don't care who you are or who pleads for you—I'll handle it according to the rules!"

Tian Liye sighed. "That's why many cadres in Pingyang don't like you."

Sun Yadong glared. "What do I need anyone to like? I don't live for them!" I've said it before, I, Sun Yadong, am the sword against corruption, and my duty is to eradicate it! They dislike me because they fear I'll eventually turn my sword against them! Comrade Liye, think about it, how can we let corrupt officials like Geng Zijing go unpunished? Huh? Colluding with foreign swindlers to cheat people like that! ”

Tian Liye also became genuinely moved: “Secretary Sun, to be honest, when I was the deputy secretary-general of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, I didn't like you much either, but now, I understand you a little better. Yes, you've had it tough! If we don't arrest and kill a scoundrel like Geng Zijing, it'll really be…” "He'll bring ruin to the Party and the country! If I were you now, I wouldn't let him off so easily either!"

Sun Yadong smiled: "Comrade Liye, thank you for your understanding—since you understand, you must continue to support my work in the future, especially the Lieshan case. You must cooperate with me and the special task force to get to the bottom of it!"

Back in his room, Sun Yadong immediately summoned Director Liu of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and informed him of the latest information provided by Tian Liye. He instructed Director Liu to use the Daming Company of H country as a breakthrough point to investigate the possible bribery issues that Geng Zijing may have had in his contacts with foreign businessmen over the past few years.

Director Liu reported, "Secretary Sun, we've taken note of the relationship between Geng Zijing and Daming Company. We've even spoken with Mr. Jin Fangzhong, the investor from H country, but both of them deny any bribery."

Sun Yadong said, "Hasn't Jin Fangzhong already left Lieshan? I suspect there's more to this than meets the eye!"

Director Liu said, "Yes, I also feel there's something fishy going on, but with Jin Fangzhong gone, it's even harder for us to find evidence."

Sun Yadong thought for a moment and said, "Jin Fangzhong will come back. Twenty-five workers at Daming Company suffered severe benzene poisoning; he can't simply shirk responsibility. If he doesn't return, we certainly won't be able to find any evidence." "We could do as Comrade Tian Liye suggested, auction off his factory assets and workers as compensation, then he'd suffer a huge loss. You should expedite the interrogation of Geng Zijing, use policy persuasion, tell him about the victims' situation, make him understand that facing such serious consequences, no one can escape unscathed, including that Jin Fangzhong!"

At 10 PM on July 1, 1998, Jiang Chaolin returned home after accompanying the Vice Chairman to see the night view. He found Liu Yiru sitting in his living room, chatting with his wife. Slightly surprised, he asked, "Director Liu, what brings you here so late?"

Liu... Yi Ru stood up, smiling, and said, "Old Secretary, look at what you're saying, can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?"

That evening, because of the Vice Chairman's high praise for Pingyang's work, Jiang Chaolin was in a good mood, so he also smiled and said, "Good, good, Director Liu, please sit down!"

After Liu Yi Ru sat down, she got to the point: "Old Secretary, I'm here to report to you on some work—there are some lingering issues with the Municipal Party Committee that I still need to discuss with you, and Secretary Gao Changhe also asked me to come to you. It's about housing allocation. Didn't Director Qin of the Second Secretariat get divorced? I remember you verbally told me that you would allocate a two-bedroom apartment to Xiao Qin?" Jiang Chaolin nodded. "

That's true. After Xiao Qin's divorce, the house went to his ex-wife, and he's renting a place with his six-year-old child. The rent is so high, can he afford it?"

He then added, "Of course, I'm not involved in the municipal party committee's affairs anymore. Whether or not to allocate this house to Xiao Qin, you still need to listen to Comrade Changhe's opinion."

Liu Yiru said, "Comrade Changhe said that as long as you've approved it before, the municipal party committee will respect it."

Jiang Chaolin said, "Okay, I'll let Changhe know when I see him."

After this trivial matter was finished, Liu Yiru still showed no sign of leaving.

Jiang Chaolin then thought that Liu Yiru's talk about Xiao Qin's house was just an excuse, and her late-night visit probably had another purpose.

Sure enough, after a few more casual words, Liu Yiru hesitantly spoke, asking Jiang Chaolin, "Old Secretary, I heard you've been against letting Tian Liye take charge of Lieshan? Is that true?"

Jiang Chaolin became alert: "What? You heard about it too? What did you hear?"

Liu Yiru sighed: "Normally, this is your leaders' business, and I don't need to worry about it, but Old Secretary, I'm really troubled! Today, I'll speak frankly with you. I think Secretary Gao Changhe and the Municipal Party Committee's arrangements for the Lieshan leadership are inappropriate. Not only is it inappropriate to make Tian Liye the acting county party secretary, but it's also inappropriate to make Jinhua the acting county head."

These words greatly surprised Jiang Chaolin. Jiang Chaolin thought it was normal for Liu Yiru to oppose Tian Liye as the acting county party secretary, but it was abnormal for her to oppose her daughter Jinhua as the acting county head. He knew this office director too well; this man had gone to great lengths over the years to cultivate his daughter's political future.

Liu Yiru seemed to have guessed Jiang Chaolin's thoughts and said, "Old Secretary, you said that even if Tian Liye were your son, no matter how much you wanted him to be well, you wouldn't dare entrust the 1.1 million people of Lieshan to him. I admire you for that; you don't let personal feelings interfere in your work. My thoughts are the same as yours. No matter how much I want Jinhua to be well, I wouldn't dare let her become the acting county head of Lieshan at this time! Geng Zijing and his group have caused such a huge mess in Lieshan, and the situation is so complicated. Liye is immature, and Jinhua is still a child; things could easily become very passive."

Jiang Chaolin nodded: "Yes, that's true. " "That's what I'm most worried about."

Liu Yiru became even more sincere and earnest: "To be fair, Liye and Jinhua are both good people in essence, and they both want to get things done. But the problem is, wanting to get things done is one thing, and being able to do them well is another. There's always a gap between subjective desires and objective reality."

These words struck a chord with Jiang Chaolin, who lowered his guard and said bluntly, "Director Liu, you're right. I think those two kids, Liye and Jinhua, might really be ruined by Gao Changhe!"

Liu Yiru immediately said, "Old Secretary, if it's just two kids being ruined... " "That's fine, but what I'm more worried about is that their careless work might cause serious damage to the work in Lieshan. That's the most terrifying thing. If that happens, old secretary, you'll see, it'll be our responsibility again!"

These words struck a nerve with Jiang Chaolin, who immediately frowned and said, "That's right, who in Pingyang doesn't know the relationship between Tian Liye and me? I think someone is deliberately playing a game with me!"

Liu Yiru didn't respond to this sensitive topic and continued, "Old secretary, you criticized me severely the other day, but frankly, old secretary, I don't accept it." "You! I have many shortcomings and flaws, and I also have selfish motives, but one thing I hold firm to is my loyalty to the cause of the Party and the people, and my respect for those good leaders who are loyal to the cause of the Party and the people. Old Secretary, I dare to come here today to speak my heart to you after a fierce internal struggle. But I still came, not for anything else, but simply to tell you what's on my mind and express my sincere respect for you. To be honest, Old Secretary, I only truly understood you after I left you!"

Jiang Chaolin remained silent, pondering, repeatedly asking himself: What's going on? Was his criticism of Liu Yiru really wrong? Why would this power-hungry office director say so much to him, an old comrade who doesn't hold real power? What exactly happened in Gao Changhe's power center? Is there a problem with Lieshan, or is there a problem between Gao Changhe and Liu Yiru?

Liu Yiru's tone carried a hint of sorrow: "Old Secretary, I really don't know if I'm getting old? Am I falling behind the new leader's way of thinking? For some reason, when I'm with Gao Changhe, I always think of you, always wonder what you would do? I just don't understand the new leader's working methods and approaches..."

Jiang Chaolin waved his hand: "Director Liu, don't overthink it. There's always an adjustment period."

Liu Yiru said, "I keep trying to adapt, but I just can't! Take Lieshan for example, such a big thing happened, and the new leader can just sit still..."

Jiang Chaolin was taken aback, and quickly dialed... Interrupting Liu Yiru's words, Jiang Chaolin asked, "Something happened in Lieshan again? What happened?"

Liu Yiru seemed a little surprised: "You don't know about the Da Ming Company incident in Lieshan?"

Jiang Chaolin said irritably, "How could I know? Tian Liye didn't even call!"

Liu Yiru then told Jiang Chaolin what had happened in Lieshan, saying that Jin Hua was young and naive, panicked in the face of the sudden incident, and ran to report to Gao Changhe without understanding the situation; Tian Liye was irresponsible, first climbing the gate of the Da Ming Company and spewing nonsense in public, and later even went to drink with Mayor Hu Zaoqiu of Jinghu.

Liu Yiru became increasingly agitated as she spoke: "...Twenty-five workers got leukemia! What a serious incident! The new leader just trusted these two young men to handle it, while he sat in the Little Red Building waiting to hear reports—of course, he also said that no matter what time it was at night, Jinhua had to call him. I thought to myself, if it were you, the old Party Secretary, you would have rushed to Lieshan long ago..."

Jiang Chaolin couldn't sit still any longer and waved his hand: "Director Liu, stop talking! I'm going to find Gao Changhe right now!"

Liu Yiru reminded him: "Old Party Secretary, you...you shouldn't be too angry..."

Jiang Chaolin was furious: "I'm not angry! I just want to ask Gao Changhe, isn't there blood and tears under the neon lights? Isn't the fact that twenty-five workers in Lieshan got leukemia blood and tears? Why is he so indifferent to the workers' blood and tears! Does Gao Changhe even look like a Party Secretary!"

With that, he dialed the phone.

The call connected. Gao Changhe, unaware that Jiang Chaolin was still angry, jokingly asked, "What? Old squad leader, checking up on me again?"

Jiang Chaolin coldly replied, "Secretary Gao, how dare I check up on you? I'm reporting to you and the Municipal Party Committee. I might have disturbed your sleep, so please apologize first."

Gao Changhe then became serious: "Old squad leader, just say what you want to say. I'm not idle either. I just saw off Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xinxiang and am waiting for a call from Lieshan..."

Jiang Chaolin angrily said, "Waiting for a call? Secretary Gao Changhe, why aren't you going to Lieshan yet? Is this bureaucracy or callousness? I heard that there are tears of blood under the neon lights in Pingyang. I didn't believe it at first, but now I do! There really are tears of blood under the neon lights! The workers of Daming Company in Lieshan are shedding tears of blood!"

Gao Changhe was furious, but he still tried his best to control his emotions: "Old squad leader, the emergency at Daming Company is being handled. The Lieshan County Party Committee and County Government are still working normally. Tian Liye ..." "Comrade Jinhua is currently at the Lieshan County People's Hospital. If you don't believe me, you can call and ask Tian Liye!"

Jiang Chaolin finally blurted out what had been on his mind: "Secretary Gao Changhe, please stop mentioning Tian Liye. I don't want to play politics with you, nor do I have the time or inclination to play this kind of pointless politics! I just want to remind you that as the main leaders of a city, we must all be responsible to the people!"

Gao Changhe said: "Old squad leader, you're not the only one responsible to the people!"

Jiang Chaolin's anger flared even more: "But have you taken responsibility? Can this new leadership team in Lieshan shoulder this responsibility?"

Gao Changhe couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out: "So, old squad leader, you have taken responsibility? If you had taken responsibility, would Lieshan have produced a corrupt official like Geng Zijing? Would these two leadership teams in Lieshan have become so rotten? Frankly speaking, all of Lieshan's current problems are related to Geng Zijing!"

Jiang Chaolin was suddenly struck down, his hand holding the microphone trembled, and he couldn't speak for a long time.

Gao Changhe seemed to realize his mistake and sighed, saying, "Old squad leader, let's not act so impulsively, okay? I understand you're worried about what happened in Lieshan, but you have to understand me too! You know, the Lieshan Daming Company incident only happened today, so I needed time to get the information. Just ten minutes before you called, I learned the truth from a Xinhua News Agency reporter and was preparing to go to Lieshan tonight."

Jiang Chaolin then said sullenly, "Alright, go ahead. Since you're going to Lieshan tonight, I have nothing more to say." "As for what responsibility I, the former municipal party secretary, should bear for the corruption in Lieshan, your municipal party committee can discuss and report it. I await the provincial party committee's decision!"

Gao Changhe chuckled again, "Old squad leader, look at you, why are you taking it so seriously? You called me bureaucratic, called me apathetic, said I was playing politics with you, but I didn't take it seriously, did I? It was just some angry talk, let's just let it go, okay? No, I apologize to you, old squad leader, I bowed to you on the phone."

Jiang Chaolin didn't know what else to say and hung up the phone dejectedly.

Seeing that Jiang Chaolin was preoccupied and looked unwell, Liu Yiru carefully took her leave.

Jiang Chaolin didn't try to stop her, or even greeted Liu Yiru, until Liu Yiru reached the door, when he said, "Director Liu, the hallway light is broken, be careful going downstairs."

After Liu Yiru left, Jiang Chaolin thought: It seems he has no choice but to go to the provincial capital. Gao Changhe's words on the phone weren't just a fit of pique; this new secretary subconsciously believed he was responsible for the corruption in Lieshan, and that the neon lights of Pingyang concealed blood and tears. Therefore, he had to ask Liu Huabo and the provincial party committee: what exactly did this new secretary, Gao Changhe, want to do? Was Gao Changhe acting on the orders of the provincial party committee? If not, then Liu Huabo, as the provincial party secretary, had to give a clear answer! At

11 PM on July 1, 1998, Gao Changhe, from the Lieshan County Party Committee office, accompanied by Secretary-General Wang of the municipal party committee, rushed to Lieshan overnight, his mind in turmoil.

Liu Yiru's daughter, Jin Hua, was truly despicable. So many people at Lieshan Daming Company suffered severe benzene poisoning, yet she dared to come and claim credit, even reporting on Tian Liye. She was utterly devoid of conscience and integrity. Tian Liye was incredibly foolish; instead of speaking directly to him about the grievance, he went to tell Xinhua reporter Li Xinxiang and Jiang Chaolin, allowing Jiang Chaolin to use the opportunity to attack him. Fortunately, Li Xinxiang revealed the truth; otherwise, his situation would have been even more passive, creating an objective impression of bureaucracy.

Gao Changhe concluded that Tian Liye had complained to Jiang Chaolin. Tian Liye wouldn't intentionally sow discord between him and Jiang Chaolin, but his inability to control his tongue resulted in the objective effect of stirring up trouble.

Of course, it wasn't entirely Tian Liye's fault; he himself had been tricked by Jinhua, causing Tian Liye to suffer injustice.

Therefore, after visiting the poisoned workers hospitalized at Lieshan County People's Hospital, Gao Changhe, while listening to a report in the county party committee office, bowed to Tian Liye in front of Jin Hua, Secretary-General Wang, and others, saying, "Secretary Tian, today I want to thank you for upholding your principles, for not becoming a traitor, and for not turning the Lieshan County government into a traitorous government!"

Tian Liye was taken aback and hurriedly said, "Secretary Gao, please don't belittle me. This... isn't this what I should do?"

Gao Changhe waved his hand, "Don't say anything, listen to me first. I, the municipal party secretary, am not a saint. I also make mistakes, and sometimes I listen to biased opinions and make some wrong judgments." "I was wrong today. I started rambling on and on the phone, criticizing you haphazardly. Now, I take back my criticism and apologize!"

Tian Liye was moved: "Secretary Gao, please don't say that. Even if you were wrong, you meant well."

Gao Changhe nodded: "Yes, I did mean well but made a mistake."

However, he changed the subject, saying, "But Comrade Liye, were you wrong? Why didn't you argue with me? Why didn't you explain the truth and the seriousness of the situation to me on the phone? Instead, you complained everywhere? Is that a responsible attitude?"

Tian Liye was stunned and didn't dare to speak.

Gao Changhe turned his gaze to Jinhua, staring at him intently for a long time before saying sternly, "—And you, Comrade Jinhua, think about it! What have you done? What have you reported to me? Is there really no justice in this world? You may deceive me for a while, but can you deceive me forever? Comrade Jinhua, don't blame me for not showing you any mercy; today I have reached my limit! If it weren't for Tian Liye, this sudden incident might have become uncontrollable, and your false report almost caused serious consequences! Please calm down and think carefully about how to be an official and how to be a person. Don't let your official position rise higher and higher while your personal conduct becomes lower and lower!"

These words were too harsh, and Jinhua lowered his head in shame, his face turning bright red, before covering his face and sobbing.

Gao Changhe softened his tone and said, "Alright, Xiao Jin, don't cry anymore. From now on, you need to cooperate well with Comrade Tian Liye's work, and focus your attention on your work, not on other things! I was a bit harsh today, but I meant well for you. You're young, and you have a long future ahead of you. You need to strive for success!"

Jin Hua then lifted her tearful face and said, "Secretary Gao, you're right. My mother criticized me tonight after she found out what happened. I... I apologize to you, to the Municipal Party Committee, and... and to Secretary Tian..."

Tian Liye said magnanimously, "It's alright, it's alright. We still have to work together, so let's try to understand each other more!"

Gao Changhe nodded and said earnestly, "I suggest you hold a democratic life meeting as soon as possible, so you can all have a heart-to-heart talk, understand each other better, and be more united. Of course, unity is not the goal; the goal is to work together to get things done. You all know that some people are watching your new leadership team in Lieshan with amusement. I hope you won't make a fool of yourselves!"

Tian Liye said emotionally, "Secretary Gao, don't worry ." "We will certainly not let the Municipal Party Committee down!"

Gao Changhe said, "I'm worried—Comrade Tian Liye, let me remind you, if you have any problems in the future, come to me or the Municipal Party Committee. Don't be a liberal and gossip!"

Tian Liye said, "Okay, okay, Secretary Gao, I... I will definitely keep my mouth shut!"

Then he said with a wry smile, "If I... if I become a liberal again, Secretary Gao, you can just dismiss me!" Gao Changhe's eyes widened: "Dismiss you? Send you back to the office to be a hands-off manager? No

way!"

After a pause, he asked meaningfully, "Tian Xiucai, how does it feel to be in charge?"

Tian Liye replied, "Only when you're in charge do you realize how expensive firewood and rice are, Secretary Gao. Now I even understand Sun Yadong."

Just then, Sun Yadong arrived and reported to Gao Changhe that Secretary Ma Wanli was also very concerned about what happened at Lieshan Daming Company and demanded that the true relationship between Geng Zijing and Daming Company be investigated. If there was indeed evidence of collusion and deliberate violation of labor laws, he would be publicly prosecuted for bribery and dereliction of duty, and punished for multiple crimes.

Gao Changhe knew that Sun Yadong had reported to Ma Wanli again, and he was somewhat displeased, but he didn't show it on his face. He only said, "Alright, Secretary Sun, you should investigate thoroughly according to Comrade Ma Wanli's instructions. Once you've investigated, there must be a public trial, otherwise it will be difficult to appease public anger!"

Tian Liye then asked, "What if Mr. Kim from H country refuses to come back?"

Gao Changhe said, "Your idea is excellent! Ask the victims of Daming Company to file a lawsuit according to law and let the court auction off their factory buildings and equipment to compensate the victims!"

After thinking for a moment, he added, "My only concern now is whether the proceeds from the auction will be enough to compensate the workers. Let's go, let's go to Daming Company now!"

So, accompanied by Tian Liye, Jin Hua, Sun Yadong, and others, Gao Changhe arrived at Daming Company in Lieshan New District under the starlight.

Daming Company had completely ceased production. Rows of beautiful standard factory buildings lay quietly under the starry sky, and the entire factory area was deserted. Most of the equipment in the factory buildings was still new. It was clear that Mr. Jin from H country, relying on Geng Zijing as his backer, had already invested heavily in Lieshan, making a huge gamble. Mr. Jin probably never dreamed that Geng Zijing, the King of Lieshan, would suddenly collapse, and collapse so completely!

After touring the factory area and workshops and inspecting the current state of Daming Company's assets, Gao Changhe felt relieved. Before getting into his car at the company gate, he instructed Tian Liye and Jin Hua: "With so many fixed assets here, we're not afraid that guy surnamed Jin won't come back! You must act quickly, handle this as a special case, immediately seal up Daming Company's factory buildings and equipment according to law, freeze the funds in all of the company's accounts, and expedite the judicial preservation procedures!"...

After saying goodbye to Tian Liye and his comrades, it was already 1:30 a.m. when they returned to Pingyang from Lieshan.

Gao Changhe never expected that the deputy editor-in-chief of the Pingyang Daily on the night shift—a bespectacled woman—was waiting for him in the living room of the small red building. She said that Director Jiang Chaolin of the Municipal People's Congress had sent a poem by the Vice Chairman and an editor's note, requesting that it be published on the front page of tomorrow's Pingyang Daily. She was unsure, so she called Minister Shen of the Municipal Party Committee's Propaganda Department. Minister Shen also hesitated, so she asked Gao Changhe to decide.

Gao Changhe initially didn't take it seriously, even showing some impatience: "What's so difficult about deciding on a poem by the Vice Chairman? Just publish it! Why come to me in the middle of the night! What if I'm not there? Will the newspaper not be published tomorrow, leaving a blank page? Huh!"

The deputy editor-in-chief handed over the proof, saying, "Secretary Gao, please take a look. Minister Shen clearly stated that this manuscript must be signed off before it can be published."

Gao Changhe then understood what was going on and took the proof. After reading it, Gao Changhe felt a surge of anger—the Vice Chairman's poem itself wasn't the problem; it was the editor's note that was so malicious. In the note, Jiang Chaolin, taking advantage of the Vice Chairman's full affirmation of Pingyang's reform achievements, publicly criticized him through the unsuspecting Vice Chairman, arguing that a lack of reform would lead to immense bloodshed for the nation and the country, as if he, the municipal party secretary, were truly denying and opposing reform!

Unable to vent his anger in front of the deputy editor-in-chief, Gao Changhe coldly said, "I think we should do this: the Vice Chairman's poem will be published in red on the front page tomorrow, as Comrade Chaolin requested. The editor's note, however, should not be published. You may know that my speech at the city-wide meeting on the resettlement of laid-off workers had a specific background, and some comrades have misunderstood it. The Vice Chairman is not fully aware of the situation, and publishing it like this would have a negative social impact."

The deputy editor-in-chief nodded in agreement, then asked, "What if the People's Congress inquires?"

Gao Changhe, his face dark, said, "Then you don't need to hide it. Just tell them I don't agree to publish it!"

That night, Gao Changhe couldn't sleep. The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became: if it weren't for the deputy editor-in-chief's high political acumen, if the deputy editor-in-chief had been careless and published the editor's note, the conflict within the Pingyang city leadership would have become public, his authority would have been undeniably challenged, and the situation would have been terrible.

Now it seemed that Comrade Jiang Chaolin's sense of loss was far too severe, to the point of completely disregarding the overall situation and openly opposing him! How can this go on? Is he even capable of doing anything? With such a paranoid secretary, who can stand firm in Pingyang?

He thought angrily, how could such an old comrade who disregards the overall situation be hailed as a Party hero and a national hero by Secretary Liu Huabo? If Jiang Chaolin is a Party hero and a national hero, why haven't the Central Committee and the Provincial Party Committee promoted him to the provincial level? What's the point of keeping him in Pingyang? Isn't that too unfair to him? The

more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Gao Changhe decided to immediately return to the provincial capital and directly report the situation to Liu Huabo. He had made up his mind: he would try not to say anything bad about Jiang Chaolin, but rather talk more about Pingyang's remarkable reform achievements, asking Liu Huabo and the Provincial Party Committee to make a firm decision, considering Pingyang's past achievements and its future progress into the new century!

At 3:00 AM on July 2, 1998, when the telephone rang urgently in Linhu Town, Lieshan County, Hu Zaoqiu was having a sweet dream, in which he was accompanying the beautiful female reporter Li Xinxiang shopping in Wangfujing. It was daytime on Wangfujing Street, and many pedestrians were staring at Li Xinxiang, whether for her "Flying Fish" fashion or her pretty face, it was unclear. Hu Zaoqiu was quite pleased with herself, recommending Jinghu's "Flying Fish" to passersby. Unfortunately, it started raining then, accompanied by thunder.

The thunder startled Hu Zaoqiu awake, and she realized it was the phone ringing.

Hu Zaoqiu glanced at his watch; it was past 2 a.m. He grabbed the phone and snapped, "Who is it? Calling in the middle of the night!"

The caller was Gao Ruguo, the female director of the municipal government office. Gao Ruguo was extremely excited, singing on the phone, "Mayor Hu, we caught them! We finally caught them!"

Hu Zaoqiu was somewhat bewildered: "Caught what?"

Gao Ruguo's excitement didn't diminish: "We caught evidence that the small paper mill in Linhu Town, Lieshan County, was discharging pollutants into our Beibanhu Lake! Mayor Hu, wasn't this your instruction? You told us to produce solid evidence and settle accounts with Lieshan. Following your instructions, we displayed a spirit of fearlessness and continuous combat, lying in ambush in Linhu Town for two days and two nights. Tonight, their Hongguang Paper Mill finally started operations, and our comrades from the environmental protection, industry and commerce, and television stations bravely rushed in with their machinery. They are currently..." "Filming!"

Hu Zaoqiu exclaimed excitedly, "Good, good, Director Gao, you've done a great job! You wait for me at the Hongguang Paper Mill in Linhu Town. I'll come right away, take the videotape, and go to confront Secretary Tian tonight to ask him how he's going to deal with this scoundrel! With the evidence and evidence against him, if Tian Liye doesn't take action, I'll go to the Pingyang Municipal Government, to Mayor Wen, and to Secretary Gao to resolve this!"

At this moment, his wife was also awakened. Seeing Hu Zaoqiu rushing out, she reminded him, "Be careful in the middle of the night. Those thugs in Linhu Town are not to be trifled with!"

Hu Zaoqiu rolled his eyes and said, "The Secretary of the Lieshan County Party Committee isn't Geng Zijing anymore, it's Tian Liye!"

His wife said, "Then let's call Tian Liye first!"

Hu Zaoqiu waved his hand and said, "No, no, I want to catch Tian Liye off guard and make him sign a surrender treaty in his bed!"

With that, he rushed out the door.

Then, a minor incident occurred: Hu Zaoqiu arrived at the municipal government duty room and had already notified his driver, Xiao Ding, to go out, but Xiao Ding, having drunk too much that night, was late. Hu Zaoqiu was anxious and worried about Xiao Ding's safety while driving under the influence, so he scolded Xiao Ding a few times and drove off himself.

To save time, Hu Zaoqiu didn't take the main roads within Jinghu City, but instead drove along a small road within Lieshan County towards Linhu Town, entering the town from the west. As a result, he didn't reach Hongguang Paper Mill as planned, and was unexpectedly "captured" less than 300 meters from the town government gate.

Before being "captured," Hu Zaoqiu was urinating—the acting mayor of Jinghu City, Comrade Hu Zaoqiu, though seemingly rough, was actually quite shrewd; he worried that once he entered Hongguang Paper Mill, he wouldn't have time to urinate, so he wanted to travel light. Unexpectedly, while urinating, a group of people rushed past in the darkness, several bright flashlights blinding Hu Zaoqiu. Hu Zaoqiu was unaware of the seriousness of the situation at the time and calmly continued urinating freely. It was only after he finished that he was surrounded by this group of people.

A chubby, dark-skinned man in a police uniform said, "Come on, buddy, you've finished peeing, and you've polluted our Linhu Town too. We need to find a place to talk about this! Don't you think so, buddy?"

Hu Zaoqiu, still oblivious, retorted, "What buddy? Who's buddy with you guys? I'm the mayor!"

"Mayor?"

the chubby man laughed. "So what if you're the mayor? Even the provincial governor can't just urinate and defecate anywhere!"

Hu Zaoqiu became a little anxious: "I really am the mayor, Hu Zaoqiu, the mayor of Jinghu City. I'm here to handle some urgent matters! Your county party secretary, Tian Liye, is my classmate. He even treated me to dinner in Lieshan tonight. If you don't believe me, call Secretary Tian right now."

The chubby man said, "Does such a small matter need to bother Secretary Tian? Besides, even Secretary Tian has to act according to the law, right? Secretary Tian can't just say that it's right for you to urinate and defecate anywhere, and make us ask you to pee a few more times, can he?" 12-02 Chapter 13 A Man Doesn't Easily Shed Tears

Hu Zaoqiu had no choice: "Fine, fine, I give in—I'll accept the fine, okay?"

The dark-faced fat man said, "That's right. First, we need to correct our attitude and understand the significance of building socialist spiritual civilization in rural areas. Our town's Party Secretary Qin said that fines are not the goal; improving the spiritual civilization level of the vast number of cadres and the masses is the goal. Fines can be lenient, generally between twenty and one hundred yuan."

Hu Zaoqiu hurriedly took out his money: "Okay, stop talking, I'll accept the one hundred yuan fine."

The dark-faced fat man didn't even take the one hundred yuan bill handed to him. "I just said, our Secretary Qin's instructions are very clear." "The fine isn't the goal; raising awareness is. Judging by your attitude, I doubt you've gained any awareness. Do you think you're rich? That money can buy the law? Wrong, my comrade! No matter how much money you have, it's still yours, and you must abide by the law! The fine is a next step. Come on, according to our town's regulations, you need to take two days off for 'study.' First, you'll learn about the 'Five Stresses, Four Beauties, and Three Loves,' then you'll learn about our Linhu Town's code of conduct for spiritual civilization."

Seeing that he couldn't escape, Hu Zaoqiu finally exploded: "Are you serious? Look at this filthy place of yours, covered in pig and cow dung! A code of conduct for spiritual civilization? The 'Five Stresses, Four Beauties, and Three Loves'!"

The burly, dark-faced man said unhurriedly, "It's precisely because the problem of spiritual civilization is so serious that we need to deal with it strictly—comrade, your attitude is very improper; you'll be undergoing four days of off-duty training!"

Hu Zaoqiu lost his temper, shouting, "Who do you think you are? Aren't you just a bunch of lackeys? Let me tell you, don't act recklessly, or you'll bear all the consequences!"

The burly man remained calm, "Urinating and defecating indiscriminately, ignoring warnings, and slandering and verbally abusing the town's contract police and auxiliary police officers, with an extremely poor attitude towards admitting your mistakes—you'll be undergoing ten days of off-duty training!"

Only then did Hu Zaoqiu realize he had fallen into a trap, and hurriedly pulled out his work ID, "Look carefully, I..." "Who is it? Did I come all this way to Linhu Town in the middle of the night just to pee here? I'm here to deal with the problem of your Hongguang Paper Mill discharging sewage into Jinghu Lake. Polluting Jinghu Lake won't benefit you either..."

The dark-faced fat man remained unmoved: "Our Hongguang Paper Mill has been closed for a long time. What are you dealing with? You say you're the mayor of Jinghu City, who's going to vouch for you? Don't show me your credentials, they're useless. What kind of fake credentials can't be made these days? Go away, go away. After ten days of 'study,' you can go wherever you want to deceive. Even if you say you're the provincial governor, it's none of our business!"

Thus, Hu Zaoqiu, the acting mayor of Jinghu City, lost his freedom and was taken to the Linhu Town Joint Defense Team at 3:15 AM that night by the dark-faced fat man and his gang. Three lines of defense were set up at the entrance of the Joint Defense Team, with six men standing guard for Hu Zaoqiu day and night. Hu Zaoqiu cursed angrily, but the dark-faced fat men didn't retaliate. They could only try to persuade Hu Zaoqiu to accept his fate. With so much work on his hands, Hu Zaoqiu couldn't just sit idly by and started cursing even more fiercely. The burly, dark-faced man then pulled out a recorder to record both Hu Zaoqiu's uncivilized behavior and the civilized enforcement of the Linhu Town joint defense team.

Indeed, the "civilized" and "off-duty study" Hu Zaoqiu had barely mentioned being hungry when he was immediately treated to a feast.

While Hu Zaoqiu was having a late-night snack, the chubby man with a dark face also reported his success to Qin Yujun, the Party Secretary of Linhu Town, saying, "Secretary Qin, Mayor Hu Zaoqiu of Jinghu City has been captured by us. Serves him right for being unlucky; he peed right there on our turf as soon as he got out of the car. I've set up a 'study class' for him according to our local policies. Secretary Qin, shouldn't you come and see him? He is, after all, the mayor."

Qin Yujun said, "Foolish! How could I go to see him at a time like this? Remember this well, I know nothing about this! You all pretend you don't know either, and don't admit he's the mayor! Also, be on high alert; absolutely no videotape is allowed to leave Linhu Town. Here's what happened tonight: some lawless elements in Jinghu City looted and vandalized the equipment stored at our Hongguang Paper Mill, causing a dispute. Do you understand? I'll go to Lieshan County tomorrow to report to Secretary Tian Liye."

The Jinghu side suffered a crushing defeat that night. The men led by Gao Ruguo, the director of the Municipal Government Office, returned empty-handed, losing one camera, two cars, and three people who were injured. Hu Zaoqiu, who rushed there afterward, also mysteriously disappeared, but his personal Santana, license plate number 005, returned and sat peacefully downstairs at his residence.

Dawn finally arrived on July 2nd, and it was a truly brilliant one.

When Bai Aini, the Party Secretary of Jinghu City, went to work and presided over the scheduled meeting of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, he noticed Hu Zaoqiu's absence. He didn't think much of it, assuming Hu Zaoqiu had been busy fighting local protectionism in Linhu Town the previous night and had overslept. He asked his secretary to call and urge him to return. Only after the call did he learn that Hu Zaoqiu had gone to Linhu Town and hadn't returned.

Bai Aini then became somewhat panicked and sought information from Gao Rugo.

Gao Rugo, full of grievances, said, "Secretary Bai, you're asking me? I'd like to ask you the same thing! Mayor Hu didn't go to Linhu Town last night at all! He promised on the phone that he would meet us at Hongguang Paper Mill, but he didn't show up! If Mayor Hu had really gone, we wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat!"

Some Standing Committee members suggested reporting the case to the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and the Public Security Bureau.

Bai Aini thought for a moment and rejected the idea, saying, "Let's look for him first. Mayor Hu is busy; he might be bothered by someone else again."

Thus, the Standing Committee of the Jinghu Municipal Party Committee held a meeting on the construction of spiritual civilization as scheduled, despite the absence of Acting Mayor and Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Comrade Hu Zaoqiu. After serious and earnest discussion, the Standing Committee members passed Resolution No. 17 of 1998 on the construction of a county-level sanitary and civilized city. At

7:00 AM on July 2, 1998, Gao Changhe's family car entered the provincial capital, and Gao Changhe finally woke up from his drowsy sleep. At this moment, the midsummer morning sunlight streamed through the gaps between the buildings lining Zhongshan Avenue, bathing Gao Changhe in its glow through the car window. Sunshine Square, Moonlight Square, Peace Park… familiar scenes from the provincial capital came into view one after another, making Gao Changhe momentarily feel a little strange. How did he end up in the provincial capital? So early in the morning!

The driver turned around and asked, “Secretary Gao, should we go directly to the Provincial Party Committee?”

“To the Provincial Party Committee?”

Gao Changhe suddenly remembered the chaotic events of the previous night, and realized he was supposed to report the situation to Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo. He immediately felt something was amiss: he had been so angered by Jiang Chaolin last night that he hadn't even given a heads-up before going to see the Provincial Party Secretary, and so early in the morning!

After a moment's thought, Gao Changhe changed his mind: “It's still early, let's go to my house first and rest a bit.”

As the car passed the Second Ring Road overpass and headed towards his home on Shanghai Road, Gao Changhe finally remembered his wife, Liang Li. On the 24th of last month, the provincial party committee summoned him for a talk, and on the 25th, he took office in Pingyang. Seven days have passed, yet it feels like seven years. These seven days have been incredibly hectic; he hasn't even called Liang Li once. Yesterday, when he was discussing work with Mayor Wen Chunming, Liang Li did call, saying only two things: "Secretary Gao, are you enjoying yourself so much you've forgotten your homeland?"

and "We have an appointment today, when can we meet?"

Gao Changhe really wanted to say, "I'm not enjoying myself so much! I'm just suffering terribly!" But because Wen Chunming and several vice mayors were present, it wasn't convenient, so Gao Changhe said nothing.

Upon arriving home, Gao Changhe instructed his driver to get a room at the provincial party committee guesthouse to rest, saying that as a former secretary-general of the provincial party committee, he knew the government well and could use any available car, so he didn't need the driver's car; he could call him when he returned to Pingyang. The driver agreed and drove off.

Liang Li had just gotten up and was washing up when she saw Gao Changhe. She was startled at first, then laughed, affectionately slapping him and saying, "Secretary Gao, you've come to see me so soon?"

Gao Changhe laughed, "Not at all, not at all, it was you who summoned me!"

Liang Li smiled charmingly, "And you say that? So many days, and you haven't even called me!"

Gao Changhe said, "I wanted to call, but I've been so busy I haven't had time. Such a big city is really exhausting—stop talking, let's get something to eat first, I got hungry on the way here."

Liang Li hurried to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Gao Changhe checked his watch; it was already 7:10. He then called the home of Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo, wanting to schedule a time to report on his work. Liu Huabo assumed Gao Changhe was in Pingyang and replied that he was quite busy these days and should come back in a few days.

Gao Changhe hesitated for a long time before saying, "Secretary Huabo, I... I've arrived in the provincial capital."

Liu Huabo was clearly surprised: "What happened? Did you run into trouble in Pingyang?"

Gao Changhe had no choice but to admit, "Yes, Secretary Huabo, the work is very difficult."

Liu Huabo was very perceptive and immediately asked, "Did you have a conflict with Comrade Jiang Chaolin?"

Gao Changhe had no way to avoid the question and stammered, "There are significant differences in our work, and the situation has become quite serious."

Liu Huabo was not happy: "What's going on? You've only been here a few days and you're already in front of me! You, Gao, are you getting too cocky? Huh? I've told you repeatedly to respect the older comrades, but have you shown any respect? I know Comrade Jiang Chaolin; he's not the kind of person who doesn't care about the big picture! Gao, since you've come to me to complain, I have to criticize you first! No matter what your reasons are, it's wrong to cause trouble with Comrade Jiang Chaolin like this!"

Gao Changhe's anger flared up again, but he didn't dare to vent it on Liu Huabo, holding the phone in silence.

Liu Huabo softened his tone: "Of course, Comrade Jiang Chaolin may be a little unaccustomed to stepping down, which is understandable. You, as the new secretary, should adopt a more dignified attitude! You spoke very well on the day of the handover, urging us to humbly learn from Comrade Jiang Chaolin and the cadres and masses of Pingyang. Comrade Jiang Chaolin certainly has many qualities that you, Gao, should learn from! Just for the excellent foundation laid by the previous team led by Comrade Chaolin for the new century, you should be grateful, shouldn't you?"

Gao Changhe tried to remain calm and said: "Yes, Secretary Huabo, Comrade Jiang Chaolin's contributions to Pingyang are immense, and his achievements are truly remarkable. He is indeed, as you said, a hero of our Party and a national hero. Therefore, I personally have an idea that you and the Provincial Party Committee should suggest to the Central Committee that you recommend him..." Comrade Jiang Chaolin is working in a higher position, such as the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Congress. Secretary Hua Bo, I heard you've also had this idea, is that right?"

Liu Hua Bo didn't answer directly, only asking, "Have you really gotten to this point of irreconcilable conflict?"

Gao Changhe didn't say it directly either, only saying, "Secretary Hua Bo, I'd better report to you in person, it won't take up too much of your precious time, just one hour will do."

Liu Hua Bo thought for a moment, "Okay, then let's meet as soon as possible. I really can't spare the time this morning, I have to listen to the Organization Department's report at eight o'clock, and attend the provincial flood control work meeting at ten o'clock, how about this, we'll talk after we start work this afternoon, I'll give you two hours! You should also prepare fully, and bring up any other requests and ideas you have at once!"

After hanging up the phone, Gao Changhe's palms were sweaty.

Liang Li was unhappy: "Secretary Gao, I thought you came back to the provincial capital to meet me, but it turns out you came to complain!"

Gao Changhe was still thinking about what Liu Hua Bo had said on the phone, ignoring Liang Li.

Liang Li got angry, slammed her chopsticks on the table, and said, "Master, please eat. I'm not serving you anymore!"

Gao Changhe then noticed his wife's mood, forced a smile, kissed Liang Li's forehead, and said, "Liang Li, don't be silly. I'm annoyed right now. If

you provoke me, I'll bite you!" Liang Li said irritably, "Aren't you annoyed? Secretary Gao, I was just about to tell you something. Do you know that a group of people from Pingyang came to Liang Bing's house last night and took away the Chunlan air conditioner that Liang Bing had just installed? Liang Bing was so angry that he came to me and cursed your ancestors by name."

Gao Changhe was stunned and immediately asked, "Were they sent by Sun Yadong?" Liang Li shook her head: "

I don't know, I only know it's related to a corruption case in Lieshan."

Then she complained, "And you, you didn't even warn Liang Bing beforehand! Liang Bing said he's really lost face. Your comrades from Pingyang came to his office in the provincial government, demanding air conditioning from him in front of many people."

Gao Changhe retorted angrily: "He deserved it! He lost face? I lost face too! Liang Li, do you remember that fat man who came to our house that night demanding an official position? The one Liang Bing brought, the fat man who wanted to be the county magistrate? He's a complete scoundrel, he doesn't care about the people's lives! I've already removed him!" "

Liang Li said, 'I didn't have a good word for Liang Bing either. We had a huge fight, and he said he would never set foot in our house again. He said he no longer had me as his sister, nor you as his brother-in-law.'

Gao Changhe snorted, 'Thank goodness!'

But Liang Li said again, 'Changhe, you should also think about the other side of this matter. You are, after all, the Party Secretary of Pingyang City, and you've only just arrived in Pingyang. Why are the comrades in Pingyang so disrespectful to you? It's our duty to be strict with ourselves, but the fact that the lower-ups are so disrespectful suggests there's more to it than meets the eye, doesn't it?'

Gao Changhe angrily retorted, 'Of course there's more to it! Jiang Chaolin and Sun Yadong are both working on me!'

Liang Li was very surprised: “Sun Yadong is also writing about you? Didn’t he want you to take charge of the work in Pingyang?”

Gao Changhe sighed, “Don’t say anymore, it’s a long story!”

Liang Li remained silent, quickly finished breakfast with Gao Changhe, cleared the dishes, and went to work. Before leaving, she added, “Changhe, now that you’re back, go see Grandpa at the hospital. He’s worried about you!”

Gao Changhe said, “Okay, okay, even if you hadn’t said anything, I would have gone to see Grandpa.”

After Liang Li left, Gao Changhe first called the Pingyang Municipal Government, telling Mayor Wen Chunming that he had some urgent business in the provincial capital and would be back that evening. He told him to call his cell phone if he needed to reach him. Wen Chunming said that since he was already in the provincial capital, he might as well stay overnight, and the young couple could spend some time together. It wouldn’t be too late to return to Pingyang the next morning. Gao Changhe thought about it and agreed, saying he would decide later.

Then, Gao Changhe fell into deep thought again. This conversation with Liu Huabo was unlike the last one; the outcome was truly unpredictable. The historical relationship between Liu Huabo and Jiang Chaolin is well-known, as are Liu Huabo's assessments of Jiang Chaolin's work and Pingyang's achievements in reform and opening up. Liu Huabo had already stated on the phone that regardless of the reason, this conflict with Jiang Chaolin was wrong, and Gao Changhe should be criticized first. He wasn't afraid of being criticized; what he feared was having a powerful figure like the "de facto secretary" looming over him, preventing him from getting things done. Normally, after a new leadership team is established, higher-level leaders would go to great lengths to support it, but with Jiang Chaolin involved, the issue is likely more complex.

However, strangely, Liu Huabo ultimately told him to state all his demands. What did this mean? Was he to submit his demands and then refute them one by one? Or would he partially grant them? During the pre-appointment conversation, Liu Huabo, representing the provincial party committee, also stated that adjustments could be considered for those in the team who were truly unsuitable. So, could Jiang Chaolin and Sun Yadong, these two powerful figures, be removed all at once? Could he persuade Liu Huabo to make this decision? —The combination of Jiang Chaolin and Sun Yadong was practically a political earthquake spanning centuries!

At 9:40 AM on July 2, 1998, Liu Huabo, a member of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, had just finished reporting to his office and left. Before he could even sit down and catch his breath, his secretary came in to report that Jiang Chaolin, the former secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, had arrived and insisted on meeting him. Liu Huabo was taken aback, immediately thinking of Gao Changhe, who was already in the provincial capital. Knowing that Pingyang was in considerable trouble, his brow furrowed.

What you fear, he brings upon you. When the decision was made to send Gao Changhe to Pingyang as the municipal party secretary, the provincial standing committee members, including Ma Wanli, were most worried about potential coordination problems between the former secretary Jiang Chaolin and the new secretary Gao Changhe. It was precisely based on this concern that Governor Chen Honghe proposed transferring Jiang Chaolin out of Pingyang and recommending him for a position as vice chairman of the Provincial People's Congress. Liu Huabo understood Jiang Chaolin's thoughts all too well. He knew Jiang Chaolin's deep affection for Pingyang, this century-old city. Having privately probed Jiang Chaolin's tone and learned that Jiang Chaolin was unwilling to leave Pingyang, Liu Huabo raised his objections at the Standing Committee meeting, thus creating the current power structure in Pingyang. Now it seems he was wrong; he acted somewhat emotionally on such a crucial matter of principle. Jiang Chaolin, this powerful old tank, has been accustomed to charging forward recklessly for years. If you now make him step down and watch others charge, and those charges don't align with his intentions, he'll inevitably roar and complain. The best way to deal with this old tank is to remove him from the battlefield.

However, upon seeing Jiang Chaolin, Liu Huabo concealed his true feelings, adopting a relaxed, even cheerful demeanor, and asked Jiang Chaolin, "Chaolin, what brings you here?"

Jiang Chaolin replied irritably, "Chief, do you even need to ask? A gust of wind!"

Liu Huabo, seemingly oblivious to Jiang Chaolin's mood, ignored his question and pulled him to sit down, chuckling, "You rascal, you didn't even give me a heads-up before coming to the provincial capital! See, I really haven't had time to chat with you!" Jiang Chaolin

said seriously, "Huabo, I'm not here to chat with you, I'm here to report to you and the Provincial Party Committee!"

Unable to avoid the question, Liu Huabo finally asked, "Did you have a misunderstanding with Comrade Changhe?"

Jiang Chaolin shook his head and said, "It's not a misunderstanding, it's some fundamental differences. I think the problem is quite serious. If we don't take it seriously, Pingyang might keep getting into trouble, and we might not even be able to cross the threshold of this century!"

Liu Huabo laughed again: "Is it that serious? Huh? He's only been in office for a few days, and you're already drawing conclusions about him?"

He glanced at his watch. "Chaolin, let's discuss this. It's ten o'clock now, and Governor Chen is presiding over a provincial flood control meeting. Shall we go to the meeting together? You should go listen too; Pingyang is a key area for flood control in our province. Let's put aside our differences for now and unite against the floods. The leaders of the National Flood Control Headquarters have already said that this year's floods might be very severe, possibly a once-in-a-century event. After the meeting, can we have a formal discussion? I have a simple lunch to treat you."

Jiang Chaolin hesitated: "Is that alright? I'm not the Pingyang Municipal Party Secretary anymore."

Liu Huabo affectionately pulled Jiang Chaolin: "What's wrong with that? This is a flood control meeting, not a meeting of the Municipal Party Secretary, old man." "Ji, I know your stuff. When it comes to flood control and prevention, you're an expert. Gao Changhe is no match for you. Come on, come on, let's go to the meeting first. With you, this veteran of water conservancy, here, the provincial party committee and I won't worry about the flood control work in Pingyang!"

Jiang Chaolin felt a warmth in his heart: "You only think of me when it comes to work, but you don't care about life

or death!" Liu Huabo said as he walked towards the door: "Hey, hey, old buddy, don't say that yet. After the meeting, I'll listen to your complaints and let you vent your frustrations, okay? This time I won't be sly, I'll take it seriously!"

Jiang Chaolin nodded: "Okay! I'll listen to you!"

When they arrived at the second conference room of the provincial government, the provincial flood control and prevention work conference had already begun. Qi Pinglu, director of the Provincial Water Resources Department and commander-in-chief of the Provincial Flood Control Headquarters, was conveying the instructions of the National Flood Control Headquarters and relevant central leaders on flood control and prevention work. Governor Chen Honghe listened while looking at the Changjiang River system map on the conference table, occasionally making a few notes.

Liu Huabo sat down next to Chen Honghe.

Jiang Chaolin saw Lao Song, the Party Secretary of the Pingyang Water Resources Bureau, as soon as he entered and sat down next to him.

Chen Honghe noticed Jiang Chaolin's arrival and whispered to Liu Huabo, "Why is Lao Jiang here too?"

Liu Huabo smiled wryly, "I invited him; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to get away."

Chen Honghe smiled knowingly, "What, came to complain to you?"

Liu Huabo nodded, "You're right, we should transfer Lao Jiang out of Pingyang."

Chen Honghe immediately said, "It's not too late to take action now."

Liu Huabo said, "I think so too..."

Across the conference table, Jiang Chaolin was also whispering to Lao Song, the Party Secretary of the Pingyang Water Resources Bureau, "...Lao Song, where's your Director Bai? Why isn't he here? Isn't he from our city..." "Is he the flood control commander? Why isn't he at the meeting?"

Old Song said, "Don't mention it, Secretary Jiang. Director Bai was in a car accident the day before yesterday. He overturned while inspecting flood control on the Binhai River embankment and is still being treated."

Jiang Chaolin asked, "Does the municipal party committee and government know about this?"

Old Song said, "Yes, they know. Secretary Gao and Mayor Wen both know. They told me to take over the work first."

Jiang Chaolin didn't say anything, but his anger flared up again: this Secretary Song next to him had never worked in water conservancy before. He was promoted from deputy director of the municipal party history office to party secretary of the water conservancy bureau. How could he shoulder such a heavy responsibility? Especially during this major flood season. But he couldn't say it to Secretary Song's face, so he just sighed.

After the meeting, Liu Huabo invited Jiang Chaolin to dinner in a private room in the provincial party committee canteen as promised, and even asked his secretary to bring a bottle of wine.

Jiang Chaolin refused to drink, saying, "Huabo, this is a working meal. Let's talk work while we eat. I won't touch a drop of alcohol, so you won't accuse me of talking nonsense while drunk."

Liu Huabo laughed, "Okay, okay, let's talk work then."

This work discussion was far from easy; neither was Jiang Chaolin, who was reporting, nor was Liu Huabo, who was listening. As Jiang Chaolin spoke, his eyes reddened, and Liu Huabo was also somewhat moved.

Listening to Jiang Chaolin's story, Liu Huabo thought that rather than the former municipal party secretary's deep sense of loss due to the loss of power, it was more accurate to say that he was worried about this century-old city that had risen to prominence during the twenty years of reform and opening up, and about the new generation of leaders in this century-old city. This old comrade had no selfish motives; one could even say he was utterly loyal. His fierce opposition to the appointment of his close subordinates, his anger over the issue of tax collection by escorts, his concerns about the new leadership in Lieshan, and his refutation of Gao Changhe's "blood and tears" narrative were all completely understandable. This generation of leaders, based on their experience, knowledge, and traditions, could only react in this way, and not any other way. If Jiang Chaolin didn't react this way, he wouldn't be Jiang Chaolin.

However, Liu Huabo doesn't believe that Gao Changhe's actions negate Pingyang's reform achievements of the past twenty years. Gao Changhe may have his moments of excess, may sometimes speak without considering the consequences, and may even be arrogant, but he would never oppose or negate Pingyang's reforms. These cross-century cadres are a new generation cultivated by twenty years of reform and opening up, another fruitful result of reform and opening up.

So, after Jiang Chaolin finished his report, Liu Huabo said, "Chaolin, I'm not entirely clear on these matters you've mentioned. Comrade Changhe has never discussed them with me. But since you've brought them up today, I believe they're all based on evidence. I plan to take some time to have a serious talk with Comrade Changhe, and I'll offer my criticism. For example, the 'blood and tears under the neon lights' thing—not being mindful of the occasion or the impact! And for example, the arrangements for the new leadership team in Lieshan and the appointment of that Comrade Tian something..."

Jiang Chaolin interjected, "Tian Liye, former Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee."

Liu Huabo also remembered, "Right, Tian Liye, I think I met him a few times when I was in Pingyang. On this matter, you, my old buddy, acted out of public interest and didn't mention him yourself." "Get up and remind Comrade Changhe, that's good, very responsible. But, Chaolin, Comrade Changhe doesn't really understand the situation of cadres in Pingyang. He's just taken office, it's not surprising that he made a mistake in appointing a few people. Why did you think of playing the political card? Isn't that a bit sensitive? Besides, even if Comrade Changhe said a few things that went too far, he wasn't denying Pingyang's reform achievements! I've told you before, no one can deny Pingyang's achievements in reform and opening up over the past twenty years!"

Jiang Chaolin stubbornly said, "Secretary Huabo, these aren't just a few isolated words. There's a lot going on around these words, rumors are flying, and it's like there are no good people in Hongdong County after the problems with Lieshan Geng Zijing and his group! In Hongdong County..." "Without good people, what achievements are there to talk about? Last night, Gao Changhe said on the phone that all the problems that have arisen in Lieshan, including the benzene poisoning incident at Daming Company, are caused by our previous leadership appointing that Geng Zijing. Of course, I'm not entirely blameless either. I told Gao Changhe at the time that I would take responsibility for this, and asked Gao Changhe and his new team to study and report my case. I await the provincial party committee's decision!"

Liu Huabo rebuked, "Look, old buddy, you're at it again, aren't you? Who said we'd hold you accountable? Let's be more broad-minded and not get bogged down in a few angry words, okay? If you ask me, you don't have any fundamental differences, just some disagreements on working methods. We should be more open-minded." "Matters should be handled with principles, minor matters with style!"

Jiang Chaolin retorted angrily, "Secretary Huabo, are you really unaware, or are you pretending? Do you know how they handled the Lieshan corruption case? The whole city is on my case, specifically asking Geng Zijing if he had given me money! Isn't that called inducing a confession? Who instigated them to do this? What do they mean by doing this? Are they trying to kill me? Today, in front of your old leader, I'll say two things: First, I, Jiang Chaolin, am upright and honest. The Provincial Party Committee can investigate me, find out if I have any economic problems, sentence me, even execute me! Second, even a dead tree stands tall; it's not so easy for anyone to cut down this old tree!"

These two sentences startled Liu Huabo.

It seemed that the problem in Pingyang was not just troublesome, perhaps extremely troublesome. He wondered how Gao Changhe had managed to get involved in the Lieshan corruption case, even bringing it to Jiang Chaolin's attention. Who was supporting this behind the scenes? What were they planning? He immediately thought of Ma Wanli, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee…

Jiang Chaolin stared intently at Liu Huabo and said, "Secretary Huabo, I don't believe this is your or the Provincial Party Committee's intention. Therefore, I've come to the Provincial Party Committee today to demand a clear stance from you and the Provincial Party Committee."

Liu Huabo was silent for a moment, then calmly said, "Comrade Jiang Chaolin, then, on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee, I will give you a clear stance and say two things: First, neither I, as the Provincial Party Secretary, nor the Provincial Party Committee has instructed any subordinate organization or individual to investigate your economic issues—this is not because we couldn't investigate you, but because the Provincial Party Committee has never suspected you, including Comrade Ma Wanli. Second, the Provincial Party Committee..." "Pingyang's work and your personal evaluation haven't changed at all. Just yesterday at the office meeting, I was saying that Comrade Jiang Chaolin is a hero of our Party and a national hero! Without Jiang Chaolin, without the strong leadership team he led leading the people of Pingyang in their struggle, there would be no modern new Pingyang today!"

Tears welled up in Jiang Chaolin's eyes, and he choked out, "Old squad leader..."

Liu Huabo was also moved: "Comrade Chaolin, I will definitely instruct Comrade Gao Changhe to thoroughly investigate the situation you reported! You're right, Old Tree will always be..." "Standing, just stand there. You have a foundation; Pingyang is your foundation!"

Jiang Chaolin nodded, tears welling in his eyes. "Huabo, there's one more thing. Please don't misunderstand. My reporting these situations to you and the Provincial Party Committee is not for my own benefit, nor is it to report anyone. It's entirely for the sake of work. Regarding some conflicts with Comrade Changhe, if they pertain to work approaches and methods, I will try my best to adapt. However, some matters of principle must be brought to the attention of the Provincial Party Committee and Comrade Changhe."

Liu Huabo looked at Jiang Chaolin and slowly said, "Chaolin, you have this... " The attitude is good. Over the past twenty years, we have indeed created a great miracle of economic development unprecedented in China's century-long history, and at the same time, we have historically created ourselves in the practice of reform. We have our own set of methods, and we've done a fairly good job, achieving the excellent situation we have today. Young comrades have taken over, and naturally, they also have their own set of methods, such as Gao Changhe. Can Gao Changhe and his group of young people do a better job than us? I think we shouldn't jump to conclusions yet; let's wait and see. Frankly speaking, sometimes I don't approve of some of the younger comrades' methods, but generally speaking... "I won't say anything. It's not that I can't say anything, nor that I'm afraid of offending people, but rather that I'm afraid of dampening the spirit of the younger comrades. Chaolin, think about it, how much criticism did people have of you and me back then? Didn't they always say we went too far? So, whenever I can't stand a younger comrade, I always quietly ask myself first, buddy, are you getting old?"

Jiang Chaolin said emotionally, "Of course I'm getting old! Huabo, you wasted your best years in Pingyang, and I wasted my best years in Pingyang too. Sometimes I think it feels like a dream, how did I get so old so quickly? Sixty already? From the front line..." " What if you retire?"

Liu Huabo seized the opportunity to say, "Chaolin, could you seriously consider my suggestion and come to the provincial capital to be the deputy director of the People's Congress, so you can keep my old buddy company?"

Jiang Chaolin was stunned for a moment: "Huabo, I... I've been talking for so long, it's like... it's all for nothing?"

Liu Huabo said, "How can it be for nothing? I want to have a serious talk with Comrade Changhe on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee!"

Jiang Chaolin was extremely disappointed: "You're still using the same old tricks—abstract affirmation, concrete negation!"

Liu Huabo remained noncommittal, and said with a sigh, "I'll also be reaching my end next year, I won't be serving as the provincial governor anymore. " "Secretary of the Party Committee."

Jiang Chaolin looked at Liu Huabo blankly: "So, you're treating me like Li Kui, trying to poison me?"

Liu Huabo flared up: "Comrade Chaolin, what are you thinking!"

Wang Chaolin wasn't afraid at all, staring straight at Liu Huabo, his eyes filled with both anger and pain: "Then, Chief, please explain yourself clearly, is this your personal intention or the Provincial Party Committee's intention?"

Liu Huabo's gaze was firm: "This is both my personal intention and the Provincial Party Committee's intention. Otherwise, I wouldn't have repeatedly sought your opinion, Comrade Chaolin. I can tell you clearly..." The provincial party committee had seriously discussed this matter.

Jiang Chaolin snorted, "Understood. I'm a party member, just two words: Obey!"

Liu Huabo smiled weakly, almost crying, "That's good. I'll talk to the General Affairs Bureau and have them arrange a small villa with a detached courtyard for you in the consulate area on Shanghai Road, close to my home, so we can keep each other company..."

Jiang Chaolin said calmly, "Thank you, sir. Even if I'm transferred, I don't want to move! The public servant housing in Pingyang City is quite nice; I'm used to it!"

He then gave Liu Huabo a cold look, "Farewell!"

Liu Huabo was embarrassed.

At 10:00 AM on July 2, 1998, because Hu Zaoqiu had repeatedly mentioned the issue of the small paper mill in Linhu Town discharging sewage into Jinghu Lake, Tian Liye instinctively remained vigilant while listening to the report from Qin Yujun, the party secretary of Linhu Town. When Qin Yujun reported on the conflict with Jinghu City the previous night, Tian Liye became even more wary, interrupting Qin Yujun several times to inquire about the specifics.

"Old Qin, you didn't hurt anyone from Jinghu, did you?"

"No, absolutely not! Secretary Tian, when we saw those thugs from Jinghu looting our Hongguang Paper Mill's machinery, the factory workers got agitated. I personally went to the scene and stopped them, and the joint defense team also went."

"In the middle of the night, why would thugs from Jinghu be looting equipment? Old Qin, tell the truth."

"Hey, Secretary Tian, there might be some misunderstanding! The small paper mill is shut down, but we can still sell that equipment for some money, right? We sold it, and when people came to take it, Jinghu thought we'd reopened, so they started making a scene!"

"Have you reopened? The city issued a document a long time ago ordering all small paper mills to shut down!"

"It's been closed for a long time. Mayor Wen even personally led a team to inspect it twice last year! Those thugs from Jinghu really did loot the equipment! Secretary Tian, you don't know, Jinghu has been bullying us all these years! When Geng Zijing was secretary, he only cared about his own corruption and making money, and didn't care about our lives at all. He signed treasonous treaties! How can Beibanhu be considered part of Jinghu? Their mayor, Hu Zaoqiu, is domineering and refuses to acknowledge the rights of our Linhu Town. Every year, he secretly condones their people fighting with us. The year before last, we fought over reeds, and Jinghu seized one of our tractors and took one of our deputy town heads hostage; last year, we fought over the water, and they seized two of our cement boats, along with a female director from our county's family planning commission! Secretary Tian, these things can't be talked about! You don't know, when the cadres and masses of our Linhu Town heard that you had become the secretary of Lieshan, they were so happy, as if the 'Gang of Four' had been crushed again! They all said, 'That's good, Geng Zijing is in jail, now we have a good secretary who can support us!'"

"Secretary Qin, don't give me all that sweet talk! Let me tell you, I'm not here as the acting secretary of the county party committee for your Linhu Town! Don't escalate the conflict any further, and definitely don't discharge pollutants into Jinghu Lake anymore. Hu Zaoqiu said your town's party committee is the root cause of the pollution and suggested I replace you all. That's interference in our internal affairs, and I ignored him. But, Secretary Qin, let me make this clear: if you really dare to discharge pollutants into Jinghu Lake again, and Hu Zaoqiu catches you, I won't be so lenient! Don't blame me for not warning you then!"

"Secretary Tian, don't worry, don't worry at all! Secretary Jiang and Mayor Wen gave a firm order last year to clean up Jinghu Lake's pollution. Who dares to go against the grain? Besides, our town party committee is taking advantage of the Jinghu Lake pollution control initiative to develop a small-scale environmental improvement plan! Our goal this year is to promote civility, establish new customs, and resolutely overcome the bad habit of urinating and defecating anywhere. Our slogan is: urinate in the toilet bowl, defecate in the toilet. We've already built sixteen standardized toilets..."

"Alright, alright, let's put aside the small-scale environmental management and standardized toilets for now, and talk about last night's events—last night's conflict certainly wasn't caused by your small paper mill secretly starting operations, was it?"

"Definitely not, I guarantee it with my integrity! Secretary Tian, don't you think about it? The economy of our Linhu Town is already quite good, why would we still be running that small paper mill? Let me also give you a brief report on our town's industrial situation. After the 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in accordance with the spirit of the Central Committee, we focused on the large and let go of the small. The 'large' here refers to the town's rice mill, with 21 employees and fixed assets of 150,000 yuan. We are determined to put a lot of effort into developing this large-scale enterprise and achieving economies of scale. The barbershop, the cooperative, the three restaurants, etc., should be opened up and revitalized..."

"Stop, stop, hey, Secretary Qin, did you really say 'focus on the large and let go of the small'? That's what the Central Committee said! The 'large' the Central Committee refers to refers to large state-owned enterprises that are vital to the national economy, not your town's rice mill! Really, why am I telling you this? We've gone off-topic. Let's go back to last night—according to you, no one was injured last night, and there were no serious consequences, right?"

"No, we only impounded two vehicles and a camera from Jinghu."

"They didn't impound any of their people, did they?"

"No, the masses were very agitated and wanted to impound the female director of their government office, but I firmly stopped them!"

"Alright, alright. I understand now..."

Secretary Qin of Linhu Town rambled on for a long time before finally leaving. Tian Liye breathed a sigh of relief and was just thinking about going to the government to attend the joint meeting on handling the H Country Daming Company incident when Mayor Wen Chunming's call came.

Wen Chunming's tone on the phone was anything but pleasant. He immediately asked, "Secretary Tian, did you know I've lost an acting mayor?"

Tian Liye was bewildered. "Mayor Wen, what are you talking about? What acting mayor have you lost?"

Wen Chunming was furious. "Hu Zaoqiu, the acting mayor of Jinghu City, has disappeared! She disappeared last night in your Lieshan!"

Tian Liye immediately denied it. "Impossible, Mayor Wen! Last night, after Hu Zaoqiu and I had a 'bitterness reminiscing' dinner, she went back to Pingyang with reporter Li from Xinhua News Agency!"

He then joked, "Mayor Wen, did your acting mayor elope to Beijing with reporter Li?"

Wen Chunming had no time for jokes. "Tian Liye, I'm warning you, don't try to fool me! Your position is different now; you have to take responsibility! Listen, find Hu Zaoqiu immediately and personally bring her to Pingyang! I need to discuss a major project in Jinghu with Hu Zaoqiu this afternoon, a German..." "The foreign businessmen are already waiting at the International Hotel!"

Tian Liye dared not joke anymore: "Mayor Wen, I...I really don't know where Hu Zaoqiu is!"

Wen Chunming said: "I know! He's in your Linhu Town! Gao Ruguo, the director of the Jinghu Office, and Hu Zaoqiu's wife both said that Hu Zaoqiu went to Linhu Town at two o'clock last night to catch your small paper mill's stolen goods. He drove there himself and never came back. Also, I need to tell you about the situation in Linhu Town. The two small paper mills there are indeed operating without authorization! You'll see when you go to the North Half Lake! It's been almost a year since the cleanup, but the lake water is still so black. What else could it be but sewage discharge? They even dare to beat people and impound cars. Is there really no law?"

Tian Liye panicked: "Okay, okay, Mayor Wen, I...I'll go to Linhu Town right now!"

After hanging up the phone, Tian Liye rushed out with a dark face, called his driver, and

chased after Qin Yujun, the secretary of Linhu Town. Less than three kilometers from Linhu Town, Tian Liye's Santana caught up with Qin Yujun's Toyota.

Qin Yujun climbed out of the Toyota, looking even more innocent than Tian Liye: "What's wrong, Secretary Tian?"

Tian Liye was furious, wanting nothing more than to slap Qin Yujun: "Where's Mayor Hu Zaoqiu of Jinghu?"

Qin Yujun replied almost innocently, "She's definitely in Jinghu, Secretary Tian, why are you asking me?"

Tian Liye poked Qin Yujun's nose with his finger, saying fiercely, "Qin Yujun, stop acting! Hu Zaoqiu is right here in your Linhu Town! You've got some nerve, daring to detain someone's mayor!"

Qin Yujun was frightened, and... Qin Yujun denied everything: "Secretary Tian, who...who told you this nonsense? I...would I dare to detain the mayor of Jinghu? Even if you gave me the guts, I...I wouldn't dare! Secretary Tian, don't try to scare me, I'm a coward..."

Tian Liye didn't want to waste any more time arguing with Qin Yujun, so he dragged Qin Yujun into his car: "Come on, you fucking get out of here, to Linhu Town. I'll find him myself. If I find Hu Zaoqiu in your town today, you can forget about being the town's Party Secretary!"

Qin Yujun's face turned ashen.

At 10:20 AM on July 2, 1998, Hu Zaoqiu, a member of the Linhu Town Joint Defense Team, was a smart man after all. After waking up, he was much clearer-headed and stopped arguing and cursing. He began to use his influence to win over the dark-faced fat men, trying to win them over. He first talked about his classmate relationship with Tian Liye, then said he wanted to help his buddies solve some practical problems, explaining that being a "contract policeman" wasn't easy, and that he played a significant role in maintaining local security, though sometimes he wasn't understood by society.

The chubby, dark-faced man said, "Your brother just doesn't understand,

always calling me 'Er Gouzi' (a derogatory term for a man who acts like a scoundrel)." Hu Zaoqiu said, "Despite the insults, I've always valued contract police officers in Jinghu."

The chubby, dark-faced man said, "We all know that contract police

officers in Jinghu receive better pay than those in Lieshan." Hu Zaoqiu said, "Now that Tian Liye is your Party Secretary, there's hope for improved pay. When I see Secretary Tian, I'll definitely work on him to improve his understanding of contract police officers. For example, we could consider converting outstanding contract police officers from rural to urban status!"

The chubby, dark-faced man asked with great interest, "Does Jinghu have such a policy?"

Hu Zaoqiu said seriously, "It's underway." "We've been researching and formulating a plan, and we're preparing to resolve a batch of cases this year."

The chubby man with the dark face was extremely envious: "I wish we were in Jinghu."

Hu Zaoqiu became even more assertive: "You can apply for jobs in Jinghu! We and the people of Jinghu warmly welcome good comrades like you who understand civilized law enforcement! Come on, all of you, leave your names here. After your off-the-job training, I'll have our comrades from the Public Security Bureau come and hire you."

The chubby man with the dark face and his colleagues were initially happy and actually found paper and pen to write their names down. But then they thought about it and became afraid: "Mayor Hu, you won't harm us, will you?"

Hu Zaoqiu chuckled: "You're admitting that I'm the mayor of Jinghu." "What?"

the dark-faced fat man said hesitantly. "Mayor Hu, please don't blame us. We're just like donkeys on the millstone, obeying orders! From last night until today, we really haven't dared to do anything to you. We've been treating you like a father, haven't we? No matter how you scolded us, we didn't say a word back, did we? If we really thought you were a bad guy, we would have used an electric baton on you and taught you a lesson."

Hu Zaoqiu said, "I know, I know, it's not your fault. You're just being loyal to your duties, it's a responsible act. I like comrades like you. We've become friends through this fight! Now, shall we discuss this? Let me make a call to your Secretary Tian?"

The dark-faced fat man was very... Hesitantly, Hu Zaoqiu said, "Mayor Hu, we don't know the true nature of your relationship with Secretary Tian, whether it's genuine or not. To be honest, we did report to you after you were captured, and Secretary Qin of our town's Party Committee said he pretended not to know. Is Secretary Tian also pretending not to know? I really dare not say. Mayor Hu, you know, your Jinghu area has detained our people before, and not just once. This time, after we captured you, Secretary Qin praised us, saying it was 'a great achievement, capturing Mayor Hu, sweeping away the shame of history.' Perhaps this is exactly what Secretary Tian wants." Hu Zaoqiu thought to himself: This is certainly to Tian Liye's liking! This guy, upon taking office, immediately gave him a hard time, using the excuse of urinating and defecating in public to have his subordinates deal with him, leaving him in a state of limbo, making him afraid to act recklessly again!

However, Hu Zaoqiu said aloud, "Absolutely not! As soon as Secretary Tian knows I'm here, he'll come immediately! Once the call is connected, I'll have Secretary Tian personally tell you about our traditional friendship, okay?"

The burly, dark-faced man shook his head and said, "Mayor Hu, you're an official too. Don't you think about it? If Secretary Tian pretends not to know, and you insist he finds out, will he let our Secretary Qin off the hook afterwards? Fine, if he doesn't forgive Secretary Qin, then Secretary Qin won't forgive us either. He can send us away with just a word."

Hu Zaoqiu said, "If they want to kick you out, then come to Jinghu! I'll warmly welcome you."

Seeing Hu Zaoqiu's words, the burly, dark-faced man hesitated for a long time before saying, "How about this, I'll call and report to Secretary Tian to see his attitude. If he really doesn't know, you can answer the phone. If he pretends not to know, then there's nothing I can do."

Hu Zaoqiu agreed: "Alright, alright."

The call went through, and Director Qi from the office said Tian Liye wasn't there.

The burly, dark-faced man put down the phone and pondered, "Could Secretary Tian be deliberately hiding?"

Hu Zaoqiu was convinced that Tian Liye was hiding—that guy, historically cunning, always has an alibi for whatever conspiracy he's plotting! But this time Tian Shuaizi had gone too far. He had too many things to do and couldn't play hide-and-seek with Tian Shuaizi anymore. So he said, "Comrades, comrades, I'm not lying to you. I really have a lot of urgent matters to attend to! You've already delayed the municipal party committee meeting this morning. This afternoon, I'm receiving foreign guests with Mayor Wen, and tonight I have to go to Weiyan Township to inspect flood control. I really can't afford to be late again! Please let me go, I'm begging you, okay?"

The dark-faced fat men looked at each other, not daring to say a word.

Hu Zaoqiu was anxious: "Do you know? I'm supposed to be discussing a project with foreign businessmen this afternoon, involving 30 million yuan in foreign investment. The flood situation is so urgent right now, and Weiyan Township is a key area for flood control in Jinghu. If things go wrong, the trouble will be immense!"

The burly man with the dark face had a sudden inspiration and said, "Mayor Hu, we wouldn't dare let you go—why don't you just run away yourself! You can drive, right? Our joint defense team has a beat-up jeep, you can take it! When you get to Jinghu, have your driver bring the car back to us as soon as possible, okay?"

Hu Zaoqiu was delighted: "Okay, okay, let's do it that way!"

Just before getting into the car, the burly man with the dark face and his colleagues mustered their courage and handed their names to Hu Zaoqiu.

Hu Zaoqiu hurriedly stuffed the names into his pocket and said, "Comrades, you wait, I'll send someone to fetch you!"

As he said this, he thought to himself, "With your names, the wronged will have a culprit, and the debtor will be held accountable!"

Thus, after being captured for seven hours, Hu Zaoqiu, the acting mayor of Jinghu City, finally managed to break through the internal fortress of his historical enemy through his cunning, and escaped from Linhu Town in a dilapidated jeep with a Lieshan license plate, creating an astonishing miracle of a major leader of Jinghu City escaping from the jaws of death.

Tian Liye was unaware of this astonishing miracle. At noon, after repeatedly searching and confirming that Hu Zaoqiu was not in Linhu Town, Tian Liye had already given Qin Yujun, the secretary of the Linhu Town Party Committee, a friendly look and was having lunch with Qin Yujun when Hu Zaoqiu called from the mayor's office of the Pingyang Municipal Government.

Hu Zaoqiu immediately launched into a tirade: "Tian Shuaizi, you dog, listen up! Your Lieshan gang detained me for seven hours today, and I'm not done with you! I'm warning you seriously, you've gone too far with this joke, and you've already incited the collective anger of all the leaders of the four major bodies of our city and the 1.3 million people of Jinghu! You better watch out, Tian Shuaizi, don't cross us. If you do, I'll make you cry for your parents before you even have time to cry!"

Tian Liye was stunned by the outburst: "Commander Hu, why are you acting like a mad dog? You're just going to bite me like that? I heard you were missing two hours ago, so I rushed to Linhu Town, searching for you everywhere with dogs and hawks, I practically dug three feet into the ground!" "You're completely ungrateful, and you just start cursing at me. Are you even a friend?"

Hu Zaoqiu said resolutely, "From now on, I have no friend like you!"

Tian Liye tried to win him back, "Commander Hu, is it worth it for such a trivial work matter?"

Hu Zaoqiu was furious, "A trivial work matter? I was illegally detained for seven hours by those bastards from the Linhu Town Joint Defense Team! My work was severely affected, and my dignity was greatly insulted! You're just looking for a pretext! You used the excuse of urinating and defecating in public to force me to take ten days off for 'training'! I...I..."

Hu Zaoqiu was too agitated to continue.

Tian Liye then realized the seriousness of the situation and hurriedly said, "Zaoqiu, don't be angry. I'll look into the situation right away. If it's really as you say, the Lieshan County Party Committee and I will definitely deal with it seriously!"

Hu Zaoqiu angrily retorted, "Forget it, Tian Shuaizi! Don't give me that! Even your own joint defense team members said that you deliberately played dumb, treating me like a fool! I'm not stupid, I can't outsmart you. I've never outsmarted you since college! But there is someone who can outsmart you. Listen, Mayor Wen wants to talk to you!"

Wen Chunming's stern voice immediately came from the phone: "Tian Liye, I think you've gone too far this time! Even when Geng Zijing was in charge, he didn't cause such a scene, nor did he have such severe local protectionism! What exactly do you want? Huh? You still..." "Don't you have any sense of responsibility? Are you, Tian Liye, a county party secretary or a mountain bandit? When do you intend to stop discharging sewage into Linhu Town? I'm asking you!"

Tian Liye was truly aggrieved: "Mayor Wen, I really didn't know about these things..."

Wen Chunming wouldn't listen: "Tian Liye, you need to understand the consequences and seriousness of this matter! If any conflict or brawl occurs between Jinghu and Lieshan in the future, I will hold you accountable!"

Tian Liye couldn't hold back any longer: "Mayor Wen, don't just listen to Hu Zaoqiu's side of the story. He doesn't know the situation. You... you should listen to my explanation..."

Wen Chunming resolutely refused: "Tian Liye, don't explain, I won't listen! Others may not know you, but I do!"

With that, he angrily hung up the phone.

Tian Liye also hung up the phone, and then, like a wolf, stared at Qin Yujun.

Seeing that he had made a huge mistake, Qin Yujun dared not hide the truth any longer and hurriedly said, "Secretary Tian, it's my fault, it's all my fault!"

Tian Liye immediately lost his composure, glaring fiercely at Qin Yujun and cursing, "You...you bastard!"

At 3 PM on July 2, 1998, after listening to Gao Changhe's report and request in his office, Liu Huabo spoke with a stern expression: "Comrade Changhe, the Provincial Party Committee can consider transferring Comrade Jiang Chaolin away from Pingyang. However, you must also understand that the Provincial Party Committee's agreement to do so does not mean that it supports you in the conflict between you and Jiang Chaolin, nor does it mean that it agrees with your biased views on Comrade Jiang Chaolin. The starting point for the Provincial Party Committee to take this organizational measure is ultimately for the future work of Pingyang, for Pingyang to better transition into the new century and reach a new level. You must have a clear understanding of this."

Gao Changhe did not expect Liu Huabo to express his attitude so directly, removing his biggest worry. Gao Changhe replied, "Yes, yes, Secretary Huabo, I know this has caused you and the Provincial Party Committee trouble again."

Liu Huabo retorted without hesitation, "Of course you've caused trouble! You speak too casually, without considering the consequences, even saying things like 'there are tears and blood under the neon lights'! How could Comrade Jiang Chaolin not misunderstand? Don't you know that Pingyang is Jiang Chaolin's lifeline? By saying that, you're digging out Comrade Jiang Chaolin's lifeline. How could he not complain?"

Gao Changhe admitted, "That was an overstatement, Secretary Huabo, I will definitely apologize to Comrade Jiang Chaolin."

Liu Huabo said, "It's not just about apologizing for this matter; there are some other issues we need to clarify today: regarding the 'three-accompaniment tax collection,' my personal opinion is that we shouldn't do it now. The older comrades simply cannot accept reporting things. If you force it, there will inevitably be resistance and trouble. It's better to avoid it."

Gao Changhe nodded, "This matter wasn't decided in the first place; it was just a theoretical discussion."

Liu Huabo continued, "The Lieshan corruption case is the Lieshan corruption case. How did it get dragged into Comrade Jiang Chaolin's hands? Changhe, how did you, as the municipal party secretary, find out? I've reminded you repeatedly, did you take it seriously? Huh? Do you know that someone is trying to induce a confession and spreading rumors about Comrade Chaolin everywhere? This matter must be thoroughly investigated, and Comrade Chaolin must be given a clear explanation. We can't hurt this old comrade like this!"

Gao Changhe said with a bitter face, "Secretary Huabo, I've asked Sun Yadong about this matter. Sun Yadong said he didn't know anything, but it's true that someone is spreading rumors about Comrade Jiang Chaolin. As for the inducement, it might have happened recently. I still need to go see Sun Yadong—this Sun Yadong is really troublesome. He always tries to cause trouble for you, constantly going to Ma Wanli, making us very passive."

Liu Huabo said "Oh," and said ambiguously, "Regarding Sun Yadong..." "We must look at the mainstream, at the big picture."

Gao Changhe tentatively asked, "Secretary Huabo, do you think this comrade could also be transferred away from Pingyang?"

Liu Huabo immediately stated clearly, "We can't consider it now. I think Comrade Sun Yadong is quite competent!"

Gao Changhe was somewhat disappointed and said dejectedly, "I know, he has Ma Wanli behind him!"

Liu Huabo denied it, "This has nothing to do with Comrade Ma Wanli. It's because I admire Sun Yadong! Changhe, don't get carried away. Without Sun Yadong, I think Pingyang really wouldn't be able to function properly! Ma Wanli is right. If Sun Yadong had been transferred to Pingyang earlier, perhaps the two sets of leadership in Lieshan wouldn't have been so corrupt, at least not so thoroughly! This lesson must be learned; power must never again be unsupervised!"

He paused, then added, "Oh, right, speaking of Lieshan, I just remembered, I also need to give my opinion on the new leadership in Lieshan as soon as possible." "Make some adjustments. That acting county party secretary, Tian Liye, must be removed! Absolutely. Comrade Jiang Chaolin has strong opinions and is very emotional about this appointment. After listening to his report, I also feel there's some truth to it."

Gao Changhe became anxious: "Secretary Huabo, don't just think about maintaining a balance and taking care of Comrade Jiang Chaolin's feelings; you also have to be responsible for our subordinates! It's not easy being a subordinate!"

Liu Huabo was clearly displeased: "Xiao Gao, what kind of talk is that? Huh? I'm not responsible for your subordinates? Is appointing Tian Liye a responsible act? Did you respect the opinions of veteran comrades like Jiang Chaolin? Do you, Xiao Gao, dare say you know the cadres of Pingyang better than Jiang Chaolin? No matter how hard you try, I don't believe it! Comrade Chaolin said that this Tian Liye is a good comrade, but he's not suitable to be a local leader!"

Gao Changhe argued: "But the facts prove... " "Ming, Tian Liye has done a good job since taking office. He demonstrated excellent policy acumen in handling the sudden incident at the Daming Company in H country. Secretary Huabo, I think the fundamental difference between Comrade Chaolin and me on this issue lies in how we perceive people..."

Liu Huabo waved his hand: "Alright, alright, stop arguing. This matter is settled! Tian Liye's work will be reassigned. Anyway, he's just acting secretary. A few days in office doesn't matter; it won't affect the face of your municipal party committee. This comrade will still be transferred back to the municipal party committee as deputy secretary-general. Since you admire him so much, you can consider promoting him to secretary-general of the municipal party committee in three to five years. Just don't keep him in Lieshan. You have many capable comrades in Pingyang. Can't you find a county party secretary? Why do you have to use Tian Liye? Why do you have to go against Jiang Chaolin on this matter? It doesn't make sense!"

Gao Changhe could tell that Liu Huabo was trying to maintain a balance.

However, Liu Huabo denied that it was about maintaining a balance: "Changhe, don't think I'm trying to maintain a balance. I do that too, but not this time. My suggestion is about recognizing and utilizing talent! It's said that Tian Liye is a scholar who likes to write and paint, so he's got the makings of a secretary-general. You should make use of his strengths! Just like Ma Wanli, whose strengths aren't in local work. He didn't do well in Changjiang City and almost lost the election during the Changjiang Municipal Party Committee reshuffle. But the old provincial party committee recognized his talent and transferred Comrade Ma Wanli to the provincial party committee's organization department, where he did a great job. The central organization department praised him every year!"

Gao Changhe was extremely saddened. He couldn't imagine what impact it would have on Tian Liye, a cadre eager to get things done, if he were transferred back to the central government to sit on the sidelines just when Tian Liye's enthusiasm was boiling. He felt like crying! "Secretary Huabo, is this...is this fair to Tian Liye?"

Liu Huabo glanced at Gao Changhe with displeasure and sighed deeply. "Xiao Gao, why are you asking this now? You've been the Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee, you've participated in coordinating many things, have you? Tell me, everyone and everything has to be fair, but where does this fairness come from? Don't we care about the overall situation? What is the overall situation in Pingyang today? It's to reach a new level in the next century. How can we keep arguing like this? Am I not anxious? Isn't the Provincial Party Committee worried? I asked Comrade Chaolin to leave Pingyang, and Comrade Chaolin was unhappy and threw a tantrum, refusing to talk about our years of friendship! Now I'm suggesting you adjust some cadres, and you're unhappy again! Xiao Gao, do you think it's easy for me to be the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee? Can't you all give me a little understanding? Okay, that's enough, let's not talk about this anymore!"

At this point, Liu Huabo's tone was already very stern, and Gao Changhe really didn't dare to say anything more.

Following his own train of thought, Liu Huabo moved on to the next topic: "The last question concerns the Pingyang Rolling Mill and the Xinhua News Agency article. The decision to accept the merger with Dongfang Steel Group is excellent and should be implemented as soon as possible. Regardless of anyone's opinions, ignore them! As for that Xinhua reporter's article, I still don't advocate publishing it. Yes, the Pingyang Rolling Mill's failed investment is a profound lesson, a typical example. But the Xinhua reporter himself said that this kind of thing isn't unique to Pingyang, so why use us as a prime example? Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast!"

Gao Changhe explained, "Secretary Huabo, I know this is a sensitive matter. I've already spoken to the reporter and asked her to revise it. The reporter agreed to delete everything involving Governor Chen Honghe and relevant Beijing units..."

Liu Huabo said: "It's still not good! No matter how much we delete, the issue of the rolling mill is still there. What do you think Comrade Honghe will think after reading this article? How am I supposed to explain it to him? Changhe, let me tell you, I'm stepping down next year, and there's a high chance Comrade Chen Honghe will take over as provincial party secretary!"

Gao Changhe was silent for a long time before suddenly asking, "Secretary Huabo, tell me honestly, if it weren't for the rolling mill dragging things down, wouldn't Wen Chunming have already taken over as party secretary of Pingyang City? Was my later appointment as party secretary of Pingyang a result of balancing things out?"

Liu Huabo thought for a moment and admitted, "It should be said that the rolling mill had some negative impact on Comrade Wen Chunming, but it's not objective to say that it was entirely because of the rolling mill that his appointment was affected. I've said this to Comrade Chaolin." "This is mainly due to the consideration of succession across the centuries—oh, how's Comrade Chunming doing lately? Has he been having any issues?"

Gao Changhe said with emotion, "Chunming hasn't been having any issues at all. He works very well with me, doing what he did before, putting the overall situation first, and working diligently without complaint. To be honest, he moves me. Especially when Comrade Jiang Chaolin and I had some conflicts, he still adhered to principles and supported and cooperated with my work."

Liu Huabo also sighed, "Chunming is a good comrade. Pingyang has achieved great things in recent years, and Comrade Chaolin's contributions are indispensable, but Comrade Chunming's contributions are also indispensable! Comrade Chunming's greatest strength is that he can correctly position himself; as mayor, he has never forgotten that he is the deputy secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee."

Gao Changhe couldn't help but ask, "But you..." "Is the provincial party secretary being fair to Comrade Chunming?"

Liu Huabo glared at Gao Changhe: "Here we go again? In your opinion, little Gao, I'm unfair to everyone, isn't that right? Comrade, let me tell you, you must remember that fairness is always relative. There is no absolute fairness, and fairness never means a promotion! Little Gao, go ask Old Liang, what rank did the two first-class meritorious soldiers from the Lieshan blocking battle later hold? Your thinking is very problematic! We are now developing a socialist market economy, but that doesn't mean everything has to be done according to market economy methods, or that you should be rewarded with a high-ranking official position based on how much you contribute. It's not that absolute! You are a party member and cadre, so you must have party spirit, ideals, and a spirit of dedication. If it's your turn to carry the bomb, then you must carry it!"

Gao Changhe was shocked and stunned.

At 5 PM on July 2, 1998, Liang Qingping of the Provincial People's Hospital silently observed Gao Changhe for a long time before slowly speaking: "Changhe, Hua Bo is right. Whoever is supposed to carry the explosives should carry them. Our revolution back then wasn't a business transaction, and neither is our current reform. So, you have to look at fairness dialectically. Therefore, absolute fairness doesn't exist. If you really demand absolute fairness, then let me ask you, is it fair to transfer Jiang Chaolin away from Pingyang? I don't think so. In my opinion, Jiang Chaolin could be arranged to work in the province..." "He's the deputy director of the People's Congress and concurrently the director of the Pingyang Municipal People's Congress."

Gao Changhe sighed, "This isn't the same thing. Jiang Chaolin's transfer was due to work, while Wen Chunming was clearly wronged and overworked at the Pingyang Rolling Mill. Everyone knows that. I just can't understand how Liu Huabo and the Provincial Party Committee treated Wen Chunming. To put it bluntly, there's no justice in officialdom!" As soon as

he finished speaking, Liang Qingping's face immediately darkened, and he rebuked, "Changhe, how can you say that? Ah! If there really was no justice in officialdom, would you, Gao Changhe, have risen to this position? Ah? Now that you've risen, you're bringing up..." "What's the point of bringing up Wen Chunming's issue? Is it to win Wen Chunming over emotionally for future cooperation, or to blackmail Hua Bo for some other purpose? I really don't know how you young cadres think! From an organizational principle standpoint, you should maintain consistency with the Provincial Party Committee and help Hua Bo and the Provincial Party Committee dispel Wen Chunming's personal emotions; from a personal emotional standpoint, you should also have some gratitude towards Hua Bo and the Provincial Party Committee. How come you're turning around and putting Hua Bo in a difficult position? And what's with this 'no justice in officialdom' nonsense! I think you've lost your mind!"

Gao Changhe Unconvinced, Gao Changhe retorted, "If Liu Huabo and the provincial party committee can treat Wen Chunming like this today, they might treat me and other comrades the same way tomorrow!"

Liang Qingping said, "Every period of history has someone responsible for it. Wen Chunming got caught up in that period of history, what can be done? And you, of course, are responsible for the future history of Pingyang. If Pingyang doesn't turn out well, and another rolling mill appears, that's your responsibility. What's there to say? Huh?"

Gao Changhe still couldn't understand: "But what can I do? Although Jiang Chaolin is being transferred, Sun Yadong is still staying in Pingyang, and behind Sun Yadong is Ma Wanli." "I wanted to appoint a cadre named Tian Liye, and he was even sent to take office. But Liu Huabo, in order to maintain a balance and appease Jiang Chaolin, insisted on removing him! Dad, tell me, am I in a difficult position?"

Liang Qingping sighed: "You're in a difficult position, but isn't the Provincial Party Committee in a difficult position? Huh? Isn't Huabo in a difficult position? Huh? You say Huabo is maintaining a balance, and I think Huabo is maintaining a balance too, but what can Changhe do if Huabo doesn't maintain a balance? You always feel that you are being constrained, but don't you think that Huabo is also being constrained! Deputy Secretary Ma Wanli, Governor Chen Honghe, and Jiang Chaolin and..." "You, me, who isn't restraining him? Conversely, who among Ma Wanli, Chen Honghe, and Jiang Chaolin isn't restrained by others? Ultimately, we are all restraining others, and at the same time, being restrained by others."

Gao Changhe snorted irritably, "Yes, like a bunch of crabs, you pinch me, I hook you!"

Liang Qingping shook his head, "Changhe, don't say that! To actively promote the healthy and steady development of our various undertakings, we inevitably need balance, compromise, strategy, and leadership skills. We can't let any one person..." "Personal will is one thing, but force is another! The driving force behind history has always been collective effort! This holds true throughout history and across the world! You don't acknowledge this collective force? You want to force it? Then try it, I guarantee you won't be able to keep going for three days! So, Changhe, don't be emotional, you must understand Huabo. It wasn't easy for Huabo to decide to transfer Jiang Chaolin; it's a huge compromise and support for you. To be honest, even I sympathize with Jiang Chaolin!"

He paused, then continued, "Changhe, to tell you the truth, Jiang Chaolin is still at odds with Liu Huabo, right now, right after you came here..." Just a few minutes ago, Hua Bo called me, asking me to help him persuade Jiang Chaolin again!

Gao Changhe then said, "Dad, it really wasn't my intention to get to this point with Jiang Chaolin!"

Liang Qingping nodded, "Yes, some things are beyond our control. Changhe, I think you shouldn't stay in the provincial capital any longer. There's too much trouble there, and Pingyang can't be left unattended. You should go back as soon as possible!" Gao

Changhe knew his father-in-law meant well, so he immediately abandoned the idea of spending the night in the provincial capital and decided to go directly back to Pingyang from the hospital.

After saying goodbye to his father-in-law, Gao Changhe stopped in his tracks as he went downstairs and passed by the ward of Zhao Chengquan, the former county magistrate of Lieshan. He wanted to go in and see Zhao Chengquan, but hesitated for a moment and finally didn't dare, afraid that stepping in would plunge him into another vortex of trouble.

At 6 PM on July 2, 1998, Jiang Chaolin, a doctor at the Provincial People's Hospital, knew that Zhao Chengquan was under the surveillance of Sun Yadong and relevant departments. He knew that if he stepped into Zhao Chengquan's ward, rumors would spread throughout the provincial capital and Pingyang City. However, Jiang Chaolin still went to visit Zhao Chengquan as planned, without any hesitation.

Throughout the visit, Director Zhong of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Procuratorate accompanied him. Jiang Chaolin pretended not to see him, barely speaking a few words to Director Zhong, and making no attempt to hide his sorrow for Zhao Chengquan.

Under the double blow of illness and the case, Zhao Chengquan had become emaciated and could barely sit up. Upon seeing Jiang Chaolin, tears silently welled up in his eyes, slowly flowing down his ears and onto the white pillow. For a moment, Zhao Chengquan's face was contorted, whether from the torment of illness or from guilt, it was unclear.

Jiang Chaolin had initially intended to scold Zhao Chengquan, but seeing the situation, his heart softened. He instantly forgot about Zhao Chengquan's problems and only remembered his own faults. He was the one who transferred Zhao Chengquan from his position as county magistrate of Jiunian to Lieshan; he was the one who made Zhao Chengquan obey Geng Zijing! He could never forget the scene three years ago when he spoke with Zhao Chengquan on behalf of the municipal party committee: at that time, Zhao Chengquan was doing very well in Jiunian County, working on the old town renovation project. Knowing Geng Zijing's domineering nature, he had no intention of going to Lieshan and almost tearfully begged to stay in Jiunian County. Bai Aini, the then secretary of the Jiunian County Party Committee, also insisted on keeping Zhao Chengquan, but Jiang Chaolin disagreed, demanding that Zhao Chengquan obey the organization's decision. This, objectively speaking, ruined Zhao Chengquan's career.

Zhao Chengquan's lips trembled for a long time before he finally managed to utter a complete sentence, his voice extremely weak, like a mosquito's hum: "Old...Old Secretary, I...I'm...I'm sorry!"

Jiang Chaolin sat down next to Zhao Chengquan, forcing a smile, and said, "Don't say anything, Chengquan, don't say anything, it's too late now!"

He sighed repeatedly, then added, "Chengquan, from a personal perspective, it's me who's sorry to you. I shouldn't have suggested to the Municipal Party Committee three years ago that you be sent to Lieshan."

Zhao Chengquan wanted to say something, but couldn't. One withered hand trembled, reaching out as if desperately trying to touch something.

Director Zhong understood Zhao Chengquan's meaning and brought a pen and a clipboard containing white paper to Zhao Chengquan's face.

With Director Zhong's help, Zhao Chengquan scribbled four words on the paper: "It's my fault." Jiang Chaolin said painfully, "Yes, you were ruined by Geng Zijing, and I, this old man, was ruined by Geng Zijing too!"

Zhao Chengquan struggled to write again: "Geng Zijing is capable and has made contributions." Jiang Chaolin, after reading it, said angrily, "Chengquan, look at you, aren't you confused? Even at this point, you still say that!"

Director Zhong hurriedly explained on Zhao Chengquan's behalf: "Secretary Jiang, a few days ago, when County Chief Zhao was in a better state, he told me this. He said that even if Geng Zijing is sentenced to death tomorrow, he will still say this! I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn't listen. He told me that he's not a fool; if Geng Zijing had no ability or contributions, he wouldn't have submitted to Geng Zijing, and he wouldn't have gotten involved with Geng Zijing!"

Jiang Chaolin fell silent. This was the crux of the problem: power, under the dazzling light of ability and achievement, lost effective supervision, and the two sets of leadership teams of the Lieshan County Party Committee and County Government, along with more than a dozen cadres, were ruined just like that!

Director Zhong continued, "Secretary Jiang, County Chief Zhao also said that at first, he complained about you and Geng Zijing, but later he realized that you and Geng Zijing are not to blame; he can only blame himself. Flies don't land on eggs without cracks, but his egg had a crack, so people landed on it easily, and he unwittingly followed others and broke the law. He said he doesn't have many days left to live and asked the organization to share his painful lesson with everyone, so that comrades can be honest and self-disciplined. Even for the sake of your own family's happiness, you can't do such a thing!"

After saying that, he asked Zhao Chengquan, "Is that what you mean?"

Tears streamed down Zhao Chengquan's face even more rapidly, and he choked out a single word: "Yes."

Jiang Chaolin asked, "Chengquan, is there anything else at home that you're worried about?"

Zhao Chengquan wanted to say something, but couldn't. His hand reached up to grab a pen.

Jiang Chaolin couldn't bear to watch any longer and pressed Zhao Chengquan's hand down: "Don't worry. If Director Zhong knows, just let him speak. You only need to say 'yes' or 'no'!"

Director Zhong said, "Secretary Jiang, as far as I know, County Head Zhao is most worried about his son. His son, Daming, will be starting high school next year, and he hopes he can get into a good school. County Head Zhao said that he has been working at the county level for over ten years, from the old county to Lieshan County, and has had very little contact with his son, almost never caring about his son's upbringing." "Thinking about it, I feel quite ashamed."

Director Zhong had barely finished speaking when Zhao Chengquan struggled to speak, "Please...please help me with this."

Jiang Chaolin was truly heartbroken, his eyes reddening as he said, "Chengquan, don't worry, just don't worry! I will definitely help you with this. If Pingyang can't do it, I'll send your son Daming to a key high school in the provincial capital! Oh, by the way, I might also be leaving Pingyang to work in the provincial capital."

Zhao Chengquan's expression showed surprise, his tearful eyes widening as he stared blankly at Jiang Chaolin.

Jiang Chaolin could guess Zhao Chengquan's thoughts and calmly said, "Don't overthink it, this is a normal organizational transfer."

Zhao Chengquan clearly didn't believe it was a normal transfer and finally burst into tears...

The next morning, former Lieshan County Magistrate Zhao Chengquan passed away at the Provincial People's Hospital due to illness.

At 7 PM on July 2, 1998, at the Provincial People's Hospital... In Liu Huabo's political career, there were two people he could never forget: Liang Qingping and Jiang Chaolin. Liang Qingping was Liu Huabo's former superior, who shouldered the responsibility of launching Liu's career and providing him with the political stage in Pingyang. Jiang Chaolin, on the other hand, was Liu Huabo's best partner on the Pingyang political stage; their cooperation was always seamless, and they remained united like one through thick and thin, their camaraderie still celebrated today. It is precisely because of the close unity and enterprising spirit of these three former Pingyang municipal party secretaries that Pingyang has achieved its glorious twenty years.

Tonight, the three former Pingyang municipal party secretaries sat together again, yet remained silent.

Liang Qingping, having been entrusted by Liu Huabo to help the provincial party committee persuade Jiang Chaolin, and being the oldest and most senior, had no choice but to speak first: "Huabo, Chaolin, what's going on? Huh? Are you going to hold a memorial service for me? A moment of silence? Huh?"

Liu Huabo then glanced at Jiang Chaolin and said, "Old Liang, I'm waiting for Chaolin to curse me out!"

Jiang Chaolin, however, didn't look at Liu Huabo, only at Liang Qingping: "Who would I dare to curse? I'm waiting to hear the instructions from the provincial party committee leaders!"

Liang Qingping pointed to the wine and peanuts on the coffee table: "There are no leaders here, only three old friends. Come on, come on, eat and drink as you please." "If you have grievances, complain about them; if you have injustices, seek justice!"

Liu Huabo took a sip of wine and popped a peanut into his mouth. "Old Liang, Chaolin has a lot of grievances

to settle!" Liang Qingping said, "Chaolin, then tell me. Same old rule, pay in full in person, then deny everything once you

leave." Jiang Chaolin shook his head and said, "There's nothing to say. Secretary Huabo acts when he needs to, and I, when it's time to leave, I leave—but I've also told Secretary Huabo that I'm not moving!"

Liu Huabo laughed, "Old Liang, listen, listen, he just doesn't want to come to the provincial capital to keep you company!"

Liang Qingping also laughed, "What, Chaolin, is it..." "Are you disgusted by this old man, or afraid I'll be a burden to you? Huh? You think you should just get out when it's time to get out? What kind of talk is that! People who don't know the situation might really think the provincial committee is bullying you. It's clearly a promotion! You know how many people dream of becoming a vice-provincial level official."

Jiang Chaolin said irritably, "I've never dreamed of such a promotion and fortune! I only dream about Pingyang."

Liang Qingping said, "I also dream about Pingyang. Which of the three of us can forget Pingyang? But that doesn't mean we have to stay in Pingyang forever. There are always places where people are buried. Huh? Chaolin, think about it, what did I do back then?" "If we stay in Pingyang, can Hua Bo get promoted? Can you get promoted? Didn't you all do a better job than me after you got promoted? As the Qing Dynasty poet Zhao Yi said, 'Talented people emerge in every generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years.' Our cause also has talented people emerging in every generation, each leading the way. So, don't always worry about the young comrades. Young comrades have their own methods; 'every village has its own tricks!' However, let me clarify, I'm not saying this to protect Changhe. Hua Bo can testify that when my opinion was sought, I recommended Wen Chunming, the secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, to the Provincial Party Committee."

Jiang Chaolin hurriedly... He said, "I know that, Elder Liang. Who in our province doesn't know your character? I'm just furious with Liu Huabo! He was unfair back then, giving in to Ma Wanli and Chen Honghe, balancing out Wen Chunming, and now he wants to drive me out of Pingyang. I've struggled for so many years, how come I can't even hold onto a base in my old age!"

Liang Qingping glanced at Jiang Chaolin: "Chaolin, you're wrong about that. How did Pingyang become your base? I think Pingyang is still my and Huabo's base! Don't say that, my comrade! We are both high-ranking Party cadres, neither of us has any real power base..." "We must play our part wherever the Party places us!" Unexpectedly

, Liu Huabo spoke up for Jiang Chaolin, saying, "Old Liang, Chaolin has feelings for Pingyang."

Jiang Chaolin continued, "Besides, I think I can play a better role in Pingyang."

Liu Huabo laughed, "Play a counterproductive role, huh? Others may not know you, but I know you well! Don't even mention Gao Changhe, even if Wen Chunming were the municipal party secretary, he'd probably clash with you! So, bringing you to the provincial capital is beneficial for both the work and you, at least it won't cause any trouble!"

Jiang Chaolin rolled his eyes at Liu Huabo. "So, you're saying you're still looking out for me?"

Liu Huabo said earnestly, "Chaolin, I really do want to take care of you, to see you live a few more years in good health and enjoy the fruits of reform and opening up. I've told you before, I'll be retiring next year too. We'll all have our day like Old Liang. None of us can do everything. Why can't you, Jiang Chaolin, understand? You want to cross into the new century? Crossing into the new century is Changhe and Chunming's business!"

Liang Qingping also said, "Chaolin, come to the provincial capital. The three of us old comrades can keep each other company."

Jiang Chaolin sighed deeply, "This..." "So, I have no choice but to leave Pingyang?"

Liu Huabo nodded. "Chaolin, in front of Elder Liang today, I'll say a few words from my heart. I know Chunming has suffered a lot of injustices over the years, and so have you. But if I had to choose again, I would still do the same. Why? For the greater good. Come, come, Chaolin, have a drink, let's call it a day of understanding!"

Jiang Chaolin shook his head. "I'm too old, I can't drink anymore!"

Liu Huabo persisted. "What kind of talk is that? Huh? Chaolin, in front of Elder Liang, you dare to say you're old?"

Jiang Chaolin then picked up his glass and took a symbolic sip.

At this moment, Liu Huabo's secretary came to the door, saying he had something urgent to report.

Liu Huabo glared at his secretary, his face darkening. "We'll talk about it tomorrow! Didn't I tell you? Tonight I'm meeting with old leaders and friends, so even if the sky falls, don't come looking for me!"

The secretary hesitated and tried to leave, but at the door, he turned back and boldly reported, "Secretary Liu, something truly catastrophic has happened! A sudden torrential downpour has hit the upper reaches of the Changjiang River. Rainfall reached 300 millimeters in the previous four hours, causing severe flooding in Changjiang City. In some areas, the water depth has reached two meters. Power supply to most parts of the city has been cut off, and the second major flood peak has formed. The entire 240-kilometer-long embankment along the Changjiang River is in critical condition..."

Liu Huabo was shocked and couldn't sit still any longer. He greeted Liang Qingping and Jiang Chaolin and got up to leave.

Jiang Chaolin stepped forward and stopped Liu Huabo: "Huabo, wait a minute, I have one last request."

Liu Huabo smiled bitterly: "Don't you think I'm bothering you enough? Fine, fine, go ahead, go ahead!"

Jiang Chaolin grabbed Liu Huabo's hand: "Huabo, let me stand guard until the end of the main flood season, okay? At this critical time, the director of the Pingyang Water Resources Bureau and the flood control commander has fallen, and Changhe isn't familiar with the situation. Pingyang might really be in trouble!"

Liu Huabo hadn't expected Jiang Chaolin to volunteer, and he was stunned for a moment, then tightly... Holding Jiang Chaolin's hand, he repeatedly said, "Okay, okay, I promise you, I promise you! Chaolin, that's more like my old buddy!"

With that, he hurried away, but turned back at the door and said, "Chaolin, an old tree stands tall even in death, I'll remember that!"

Jiang Chaolin said, "Huabo, remember one more thing: as long as this old tree of mine isn't washed away by the flood, the achievements of Pingyang's twenty years of reform and opening up will never be submerged in the river!"

That night, heavy to torrential rain fell across the provincial capital and Pingyang, with some areas experiencing extremely heavy rainfall.

When Gao Changhe arrived in Pingyang at 10 PM on July 2nd, 1998, the rain gradually intensified, and for a while it felt like the sky was falling. At that time, Gao Changhe was unaware that the Changjiang River system was experiencing widespread flooding and was in a state of emergency. His mind wasn't on flood control and disaster relief, but rather on how to implement Liu Huabo's instructions, and the more he thought about it, the more difficult it seemed for Tian Liye's matter to be resolved. Tian Liye had only been acting as secretary for a few days, barely had time to settle in, and now they wanted to ask him to step down. Putting aside whether it was fair or not, how could you bring this up?

It was also a coincidence that when I went to the municipal party committee guesthouse to find food to fill my stomach, I met Wen Chunming.

Upon hearing Gao Changhe mention Tian Liye, Wen Chunming immediately exclaimed, "...Good, good! Secretary Hua Bo has finally shown some wisdom! This Tian Liye really should be dismissed! He's too arrogant, I think he's been thrown into the Pacific Ocean!"

He then recounted the hostage incident in Linhu Town to Gao Changhe, "...Changhe, tell me, does this guy look like a county party secretary? How ruthless and despicable! He even thought of using the excuse of urinating in public to detain Hu Zaoqiu for seven hours!"

Gao Changhe didn't take it too seriously: "Tian Liye and Hu Zaoqiu are classmates, it's inevitable that they'd joke around a bit."

Wen Chunming almost jumped up: "Joking around? My dear Secretary Gao, Tian Liye almost ruined our important business! The Germans are already waiting at the International Hotel, and I'm still searching the world for Hu Zaoqiu!"

Only then did Gao Changhe realize... "Really," Gao Changhe thought, "I wanted to scold Tian Liye, but remembering the lesson from Daming Company, I didn't dare to speak too definitively. I only said, 'Chunming, let me find out the situation before settling accounts with him!'

Wen Chunming said, 'Changhe, let me be clear from the start: Tian Liye has always been the deputy secretary-general of the municipal party committee. If he goes back to his office, he has to go back to the municipal party committee. There's no place for him in our municipal government!'

Gao Changhe said vaguely, 'Let's discuss it further. This matter hasn't been decided yet!'

Wen Chunming said, 'I think it's better to decide quickly—Secretary Hua Bo has given clear instructions!'

Gao Changhe sighed, 'But how can I tell Tian Liye?'

Wen Chunming offered a suggestion, 'Hey, what's so difficult about that? Just seize on the Linhu Town matter and deal with it seriously!'

Gao Changhe thought about it and felt that this was the only way.

After dinner, back at the Little Red Building, Gao Changhe met Tian Liye downstairs."

Tian Liye sat dejectedly in the lobby like a dazed dog. Upon seeing Gao Changhe, he hurriedly stood up and said, "Secretary Gao... I... I've been waiting for you for over an hour, and I even called the provincial capital..."

Gao Changhe, thinking of "seriously dealing with this," remained indifferent, not even glancing at Tian Liye. He continued walking upstairs, saying, "What were you waiting for? To report on your Linhu Town's experience in building spiritual civilization? To report on your selflessness? Not bad, Secretary Tian! Even towards his old comrade..." "Even my old friends and I are so principled; if it's supposed to be ten days of full-time study, then it's ten days! Good! Good! I'd like you to share this valuable experience with everyone at the city-wide Party and government cadre conference!"

Tian Liye followed Gao Changhe upstairs, his expression increasingly dejected: "Secretary Gao, I was just afraid someone would report me first, that's why I was waiting for you here. Look, someone else still reported me first! I... why am I so unlucky!"

Gao Changhe turned around at the top of the stairs and said seriously: "This time it wasn't someone else who reported me, it was Mayor Wen!"

Tian With a mournful face, Tian Liye said, "Mayor Wen isn't a saint either; he makes mistakes too! He judges people by their appearance and won't listen to my explanations at all! But the truth is..."

Upstairs, sitting on the sofa, Tian Liye, suppressing his grievances, recounted the whole story of the Linhu Town hostage incident and how he handled it. His eyes reddened as he spoke. "...Secretary Gao, tell me, who did I offend? Why is it that I'm always getting into trouble when I just want to work hard and do something good? Why is no one trusting me?"

Gao Changhe remained silent, only asking, "How did you deal with that lawless Party Secretary of Linhu Town?"

Tian Liye replied, "I spoke with Jin Hua and a few others, and we removed him from his post."

Gao Changhe nodded and asked again, "What about those two small paper mills?"

Tian Liye said, "We're preparing to take decisive action immediately and smash all their pollution-generating equipment! Just putting up seals won't work; they'll tear them off as soon as you put them on, secretly operating at night. We have to smash them to stop them from doing anything good!"

At that moment, the phone on the table rang.

As Gao Changhe walked over to answer the phone, he said, "That's right! They should be smashed! These small paper-making machines are pollution sources no matter where they are!"

He then picked up the receiver.

The call was from Liu Huabo.

Without a word of pleasantries, Liu Huabo immediately said, "Changhe, I have an important report to give you. This afternoon, a massive rainstorm hit the upper reaches of the Changjiang River, causing severe damage. The Provincial Party Committee is holding an emergency meeting tonight to further study and deploy flood control measures for the Changjiang River. Leaders from the Military Region have also joined us. According to reports from Beichuan City and Changjiang City, the situation is quite serious. Some areas along the river have already breached their dikes, and half of Changjiang City is submerged. Comrade Ma Wanli has already rushed to Changjiang on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee tonight."

Gao Changhe was surprised: "Secretary Huabo, is the situation that serious?"

Liu Huabo said, "It is that serious. This massive rainstorm has strained the water levels of all rivers and lakes in our province. Things won't be easy for Pingyang either. The super flood peak is expected to arrive in Pingyang around 4 PM tomorrow. Experts say it will definitely exceed the highest water level of 1954. You need to make preparations tonight." "Prepare, inspect the dangerous sections of the river, and ensure the absolute safety of Pingyang. We can't let Pingyang be submerged in the river!"

Gao Changhe repeatedly said, "Secretary Huabo, don't worry, don't worry, we will be on high alert!"

Liu Huabo emphasized, "We must be truly on high alert, and we cannot afford to be complacent in the slightest! Also, on the issue of flood prevention and control, we must listen to Comrade Chaolin's opinions more; he is an expert in this field. After the main flood season, Comrade Chaolin will be working in the provincial capital. During this period, you, Xiao Gao, must not cause me any more trouble! Comrade Chaolin has also expressed to me and the Provincial Party Committee that he will stand firm at his post until the very end and fully support you in fighting this battle against floods. You must take good care of Comrade Chaolin and not let him collapse from exhaustion! Now, Comrade Chaolin is on his way to Pingyang. After Comrade Chaolin returns to Pingyang, you should meet up immediately!"

Gao Changhe responded repeatedly and hung up the phone.

After hanging up, Gao Changhe had no intention of continuing the conversation with Tian Liye.

Tian Liye continued rambling, "...Secretary Gao, although what happened in Linhu Town isn't my fault, I still intend to apologize to Hu Zaoqiu! After all, this happened in Lieshan, and I'm the acting secretary of the Lieshan County Party Committee, so I still have to take responsibility for the leadership!"

Gao Changhe replied perfunctorily, "That's good, you should maintain a higher stance."

Tian Liye wanted to say something more, but Gao Changhe interrupted him, "Hey, Liye, let's not talk about Lieshan today, okay? The most urgent thing now is flood control. I need your help; go back to the municipal party committee and help me with this work! I heard you were the captain of the youth commando team under Comrade Chaolin when the seawall was being built, right?"

Tian Liye was taken aback, "What about Lieshan? There are so many things to deal with!"

Gao Changhe patted Tian Liye's shoulder affectionately: "The earth keeps turning no matter who's gone, right? There's Jin Hua and the others—by the way, Deputy Secretary Sun Yadong is there too, so you can hand over your work to them!"

Tian Liye looked at Gao Changhe in confusion: "Secretary Gao, what...what do you mean? Are you asking me to go back to the office temporarily to help out, or are you transferring me back to the office to continue as Deputy Secretary-General, acting as a 'non-participating minister'?"

Gao Changhe, holding Tian Liye's shoulder, chuckled: "Liye, don't get your hopes up. You won't be a 'non-participating minister' anymore. I want you to be the Deputy Secretary-General in charge of flood control, representing me and the Municipal Party Committee to coordinate on the front lines, fighting alongside Comrade Jiang Chaolin!"

Tian Liye understood, his face immediately darkening: "So..." "So, the Lieshan matter has nothing to do with me anymore? I was only acting county party secretary for three days before I was forced to step down? Secretary Gao, can't you just tell me straight? What mistake did I make? Others don't trust me, Secretary Gao, don't you trust me either?"

Gao Changhe forced a smile and said, "Liye, look at you, what are you thinking? If I didn't trust you, would I have asked you to help me with flood control? Do you know that flood control and prevention is the most important task right now? Secretary Hua Bo just gave instructions on the phone to send the best and strongest personnel!"

Tian Liye remained unmoved: "Flood control is a temporary task. What will I do after the flood control?"

Gao Changhe said, "There are other things to do after the flood control. Don't worry, as long as I'm the municipal party secretary, you can be a hands-off leader even if you want. " "You can't do it! Go, go, stop arguing with me! Comrade Chaolin is on his way back to Pingyang from the provincial capital, he'll be back soon. After he gets back, you go and report to Comrade Chaolin, and be his task force leader again, make a name for yourself to show him!"

Tian Liye snorted and got to the point: "Secretary Gao, did the old secretary complain to the provincial government?"

Gao Changhe's face tightened: "What did the old secretary complain about? It was Secretary Huabo who talked to him, asking him to work in the provincial government!" Tian

Liye shook his head: "It's not that simple! Even if the old secretary leaves, he's still worried about me, this good-for-nothing!"

Gao Changhe said meaningfully: "That's why you have to make a good impression on the old secretary, don't leave him with the impression of being a good-for-nothing again!"

Tian Liye... Tian Liye paused, his eyes reddening, and he forced a smile that sounded like he was crying: "But why do I have to do this to impress the old Party Secretary? Secretary Gao, why are you so concerned about the old Party Secretary's impression of me? Tell me the truth, do you think it was a mistake to appoint me as the acting Party Secretary of Lieshan County? Is it not worth it to have such a strained relationship with the old Party Secretary? Are you regretting it?"

Gao Changhe sincerely said: "I have never thought that appointing you was a mistake, and I have never regretted it, Liye, please believe me. As for the opinions of some comrades, including Comrade Jiang Chaolin, they have never shaken my determination."

Tian Liye said with tears in his eyes: "That's why I admire you, Secretary Gao! You have made my blood boil again!"

Gao Changhe said: "Actually, Liye, your blood has never been cold, now..." "It's hot!"

Tian Liye wiped away his tears: "Secretary Gao, I know it's hard for you. I won't say anything more, I'll just go and be a member of the assault team—I won't be the captain, let the old secretary find someone he trusts to be the captain! I'm just a soldier, if it's time to fill the Changjiang River, I'll be the first to jump in!"

Gao Changhe grabbed Tian Liye's hand: "Nonsense! Liye, let me tell you, if you're really going to throw a tantrum like this, just stay on duty at the municipal party committee, don't go to the embankment! Honestly, you can't even handle a little grievance, what great things can you do in the future? You're only forty-two, you retire at sixty, you still have eighteen years to do!"

Tian Liye looked desolate: "But I really don't understand, why is it that someone like me has no way to serve the country?"

Gao Changhe said: "How can you say you have no way to serve the country?" "Where's the door? There are so many things you can do to serve your country! Hey, Liye, I have to remind you, the old Party Secretary is leaving, don't upset him anymore, just listen to whatever he says, okay? You and the old Party Secretary are still friends, after all, he's helped you sell a lot of 'daggers and javelins' these past few years!"

Tian Liye chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes: "Yes, we're friends, not comrades!"

Gao Changhe also laughed: "Oh? Friends and comrades aren't the same thing?"

Tian Liye stood up excitedly: "Friends are friends, comrades are comrades, sometimes they're completely different things! Secretary Gao, I used to consider you a comrade, today I consider you a friend, we're friends and comrades! In any case, I have to thank you, you've developed me, let me see..." "We've arrived at a place where we can start businesses, strive, and serve our country and people. A scholar will die for one who understands him;

if you, Gao Changhe, ever need my head, I, Tian Liye, will lend it to you! That's all!" Gao Changhe, unusually excited, hugged Tian Liye tightly: "Alright, Liye, since you've said so, then for Pingyang, I, Gao Changhe, will lend you my life's blood! Come on, let's go to the flood control headquarters now. Mayor Wen is on duty there. We'll discuss and deploy flood control work while waiting for Comrade Jiang Chaolin!"

At 1:00 AM on July 3, 1998, a torrential downpour began as the Pingyang City Flood Control Headquarters departed from the provincial capital. The expressway from the provincial capital to Pingyang was forced to close. The driver suggested turning back to the provincial capital and waiting for the expressway to reopen the next day. Jiang Chaolin disagreed, insisting that the driver take the old national highway and return to Pingyang immediately. This caused him great distress. The Audi, number 001, with its headlights and taillights on, barely illuminated more than a few meters in the dark, rainy night. The car was practically crawling, its speed hovering between 20 and 30 kilometers per hour. Rain poured down the windshield throughout the journey, rendering the wipers almost useless. Normally, the journey would take just over two hours on the highway, but that night Jiang Chaolin traveled for a full five hours before reaching the Jiunian County toll station, still over 60 kilometers from Pingyang City.

These last 60 kilometers were the most difficult to traverse. South of the Jiunian County toll station was a vast expanse of water, the road completely obscured. Many large trucks had stalled in the flood, and Jiang Chaolin's Audi had no chance of advancing further.

Desperate, Jiang Chaolin ignored his driver's pleas, ran out of the car in the rain, rushed into the toll station, and called Secretary Ning of the Jiunian County Party Committee, hoping for a solution. Unfortunately, the rain and wind were too intense, and the communication lines were down. Jiang Chaolin was furious and started berating the driver, blaming him for not charging his phone in time, causing a delay during a busy period.

Seeing Jiang Chaolin's outburst, the female toll collector knew the former municipal party secretary was in a hurry to return to Pingyang to arrange flood control work. She quickly ran to a nearby village to fetch her parents and some villagers, who, armed with ropes and carrying poles, braved the heavy rain to carry Jiang Chaolin's Audi across nearly 200 meters of flooded area.

Jiang Chaolin was deeply moved, thanked the toll collector and the villagers, got back into his car, and finally arrived in Pingyang City more than an hour later. Upon arriving in the city, Jiang Chaolin intended to go directly to the city's flood control headquarters, but the driver, seeing Jiang Chaolin was soaked to the bone and worried he might fall ill, insisted on driving him to the public servants' building. Jiang Chaolin went home, changed into dry clothes, grabbed a raincoat, and immediately went to the city's flood control headquarters.

It was already past 3 a.m. on July 3rd. The city's flood control headquarters was in a flurry of activity, resembling a front-line command post in battle. Telephones rang incessantly. The computer-controlled map of the Changjiang River system flickered with lights. Party Secretary Gao Changhe, Mayor Wen Chunming, Deputy Party Secretary Sun Yadong, and the newly arrived Deputy Secretary-General of the Party Committee Tian Liye were all intently discussing something in front of the map.

As soon as Jiang Chaolin entered, Gao Changhe immediately greeted him: "Old squad leader, you're finally back! We thought you were stuck on the road due to the flood!"

Jiang Chaolin said, "I'm stuck in Jiunian County—alright, Changhe, enough of the small talk, let's get down to business. The situation is very bad. Many places in Jiunian County are severely flooded, and the situation is even worse in the counties and cities along the river! How about Binhai City? Have the people on the three river islands in Binhai and Weiyan Township in Jinghu City been evacuated? Especially Weiyan Township, we need to pay more attention there; there was a major upheaval there in 1954!" "

Gao Changhe said, 'Old squad leader, I just spoke with Wang Shaobo, the Party Secretary of Binhai City. The situation in Binhai isn't too bad. 100,000 people have been deployed to the dike, and an engineering regiment of the People's Liberation Army has also been sent there. Some dangerous sections are being reinforced overnight. The 60,000 villagers on the three river islands began evacuating at 11 p.m. last night and are still evacuating. Wang Shaobo is directing the evacuation on-site and is maintaining constant contact with our command center.'

Wen Chunming also reported the situation, saying, 'To speed up the evacuation, we are mobilizing vehicles within the city to rush to Binhai.'" The people in Weiyan Township, Jinghu City, have not yet been evacuated. Township Head Zhou reported that the villagers there are very determined and have prepared sufficient flood control supplies, intending to hold out a little longer. Secretary Gao and I personally visited Weiyan Township a couple of days ago, and the situation is indeed very good. The morale of the cadres and the masses is also very high; they have made a solemn pledge and are ready to fight to the death. Jinghu City Party Secretary Bai Aini and Acting Mayor Hu Zaoqiu both visited the site today, and they also advocate holding out. Currently, Hu Zaoqiu is in Weiyan Township overseeing the reinforcement of the dike.”

Tian Li Tian Liye interjected, "Old Secretary, as long as Hu Zaoqiu is in Weiyan Township, there shouldn't be any major problems. Hu Zaoqiu was the Party Secretary of Weiyan Township back then, so he's quite familiar with the situation there!"

Jiang Chaolin seemed to have just noticed Tian Liye's presence, rolled his eyes at him, and said irritably, "What are you babbling about? Don't I know Hu Zaoqiu was the Party Secretary of Weiyan Township?"

He paused, then continued, "Tian Liye, our leaders are discussing flood prevention. What are you doing here? Why don't you go to Lieshan? Is Lieshan safe? Huh!"

Tian Liye immediately... He got emotional: "I wanted to go back, but Secretary Gao wouldn't let me; he removed me!"

Gao Changhe quickly explained, "Oh, old squad leader, Chunming, Yadong, and I discussed it, and we transferred Comrade Liye back to the headquarters. He's currently in charge of coordinating flood control work, so Liye is your soldier again."

He smiled and added, "Old squad leader, Secretary Huabo personally instructed me that in this top priority of flood control and prevention, we are all your soldiers!"

Jiang Chaolin waved his hand: "Don't say that. Let's work together and do our best to get the job done." "Alright, just ensure the safety of this area! The provincial party committee's instructions are very clear: strive to ensure no one dies! Homes can be rebuilt, but the dead cannot be brought back to life. I think Weiyan Township still needs to be evacuated, evacuated quickly, stop resisting! You can't hold on! Weiyan Township is bordered by the Changjiang River on one side, Jinghu Lake on two sides, and surrounded by water on three sides, how can it resist? This Hu Zaoqiu is just a lackey of the masses!"

Tian Liye said dissatisfiedly, "Old Secretary, you can't say that, can you? You can't judge people with old eyes! Besides, Secretary Gao and Mayor Wen have personally visited Weiyan Township..." "..."

Gao Changhe said sternly, "Tian Liye, listen to what the old secretary has to say!"

Jiang Chaolin was equally blunt: "I don't care who went to Weiyan Township, people must be evacuated! Tian Liye, I ask you, how much do you really know about Weiyan Township? Do you know how many people drowned after the dike broke in 1954? What was the situation in 1991? Ah! Secretary Gao is new here, and it's good that he went to Weiyan Township to inspect the flood control efforts, but that doesn't mean that just because Secretary Gao went to Weiyan Township, the dike won't break!" He

turned his face to look at Wen... Chunming said irritably, "Chunming, you're really muddle-headed! Don't you think about what would happen if the 80,000 people of Weiyan Township were submerged in the flood? What good are those military orders and death warrants! We won't be able to explain ourselves to the Party and the people!"

Gao Changhe immediately said, "The old squad leader is right, immediately notify Weiyan Township to evacuate!"

Wen Chunming was also terrified and said repeatedly, "Okay, okay, then evacuate, then evacuate!"

As Wang was talking about Weiyan Township, the phone rang. It was Zhou Jiuyi, the old township head and party secretary.

Wen Chunming went over and answered the phone, anxiously asking, "Mayor Zhou, how's the situation in Weiyan Township?"

Zhou Jiuyi reported urgently, "Mayor Wen, the water level in Jinghu Lake has risen again, and we're facing many difficulties. Could you see if the city can send us some more woven bags? The sooner the better!"

Wen Chunming said, "Mayor Zhou, I was just about to call you! According to our information, the flood peak is huge, and it will definitely surpass that of 1954. I'm afraid Weiyan Township can't hold out. The city just held an emergency meeting and is preparing to abandon Weiyan Township! Mayor Zhou, there's no time to lose. Immediately convey this message from the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, and evacuate everyone tonight! Evacuate now!"

Zhou Jiuyi shouted into the phone, "Mayor Wen!" "Mayor Wen, what are you high-ranking officials joking about? Just a few days ago you were praising us and telling us to hold the line, and now you suddenly want us to withdraw! How can we withdraw? You and Secretary Gao have seen the situation there, good deeds are constantly emerging! Besides, the villagers have been guarding the dike for fifteen days, putting in their effort and spending their money, and the dike is not in serious condition. If we withdraw now, we really can't do our work!"

Wen Chunming lost his temper and threatened, "Zhou Jiuyi, do you still want to be the township head and party secretary?"

Township Head Zhou was not intimidated at all, and said in a hoarse voice, "Mayor Wen, don't scare me. From now on, even if you dismiss me, okay? But I still have to fight this flood!"

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

Wen Chunming angrily slammed down the microphone and yelled at Gao Changhe and Jiang Chaolin, "Rebellion! Rebellion!"

Gao Changhe's face also darkened: "Township Chief Zhou can't rebel! From now on, cut off all flood relief supplies to Weiyan Township. Don't give him a single woven bag or a single vehicle. Let's see what he does then! Also, Hu Zaoqiu won't dare to rebel. Contact Hu Zaoqiu immediately and tell him that someone drowned in Weiyan Township, and the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee will hold him accountable!"

Jiang Chaolin sighed deeply: "Tomorrow—oh, I should say today, this afternoon at four o'clock, the massive flood peak will arrive. Eighty thousand people from one township need to be evacuated. There's a lot of work to do, we need to get moving immediately! Here's what we'll do: Changhe, I'll go to Weiyan Township right away to do the work. You two, organize vehicles as soon as possible and contact the local authorities..." "Jun, prepare to take strong measures to force the evacuation. Don't forget to bring the vehicle-mounted radios!"

Gao Changhe nodded: "Okay, old secretary, let's do it this way!"

Jiang Chaolin gave another instruction: "The action must be swift. From now on, we only have less than thirteen hours. Evacuating 80,000 people in thirteen hours is practically a fierce battle!"

Gao Changhe naturally understood the danger of this fierce battle and immediately instructed Tian Liye: "Liye, you go to Weiyan Township with the old secretary. Contact me anytime if there are any problems! Remember, at any time and under any circumstances, you must ensure the old secretary's safety. There must be no problems!"

Tian Liye replied: "Don't worry, Secretary Gao!"

After saying that, he went out with Jiang Chaolin.

As they boarded the car at the door, Jiang Chaolin said to Tian Liye, "Liye, I think it's good that you're going back to the government office!"

Tian Liye pretended not to hear and asked after getting in the car, "Old Secretary, should I bring you some spare medicine?"

Jiang Chaolin shook his head, "No need."

Then he said, "Liye, you don't understand me today, but perhaps many years later, you will thank me and know who truly cares for you."

Tian Liye still didn't respond, leaning his head back in the seat and saying, "Old Secretary, let's take a nap. Once we get to Weiyan Township, who knows how busy we'll be!"

Jiang Chaolin sighed deeply and fell silent.

At 4:00 AM on July 3, 1998, Hu Zaoqiu, from Weiyan Township, Jinghu City, went directly from Pingyang to Weiyan Township to inspect flood control work after negotiations with the Germans. Upon arriving, he happened to meet Bai Aini, the Party Secretary of Pingyang City. Accompanied by the township head, Zhou Jiuyi, the two inspected the dike again that night in the rain. The situation seemed good; the 13-kilometer dike had been significantly raised, and nearly 30,000 people were on duty, their morale high.

Bai Aini was relieved and highly praised Township Head Zhou and the cadres and people of Weiyan Township. He even delivered an inspiring speech over a loudspeaker on the dike before returning to Jinghu City. Hu Zaoqiu originally wanted to leave, but seeing the heavy rain and mist, he became worried and stayed. This led to Hu Zaoqiu's misfortune: the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee ordered an evacuation that very night!

Hu Zaoqiu had no idea that the Pingyang Municipal Committee had decided to abandon Weiyan Township. Zhou Jiuyi, who was the first to know of this instruction, didn't say anything after receiving the phone call. As a result, half an hour later, Hu Zaoqiu was scolded by Gao Changhe on the phone. Gao Changhe sternly questioned Hu Zaoqiu: What exactly is going on with Weiyan Township? How come they don't even listen to the instructions of the Municipal Committee and the Municipal Government? He clearly instructed Hu Zaoqiu: First, handle this as a special case and immediately dismiss Zhou Jiuyi, the township head and party secretary; second, immediately organize the emergency evacuation of 80,000 people from Weiyan Township.

After hanging up the phone, Hu Zaoqiu rushed out of the tent like a rabbit, shouting and yelling, ordering people to search everywhere for the old township head Zhou Jiuyi, but they couldn't find him after searching for a long time. Hu Zaoqiu had the flood control broadcasting station set up next to the dike broadcast, but after broadcasting for a long time, Zhou Jiuyi still didn't report for duty. Later, Hu Zaoqiu found Zhou Jiuyi on the embankment by herself with a flashlight. Zhou Jiuyi was driving piles with a group of young people, half of his body was submerged in the mud, and his gray hair was covered with mud. He didn't even look at Hu Zaoqiu.

Standing on the embankment, Hu Zaoqiu angrily said, "Zhou Jiuyi, you've really gone too far! You dare to conceal the instructions from the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government! Get up here right now, I have something to say to you!"

Zhou Jiuyi, taking a moment to spare, glanced up at Hu Zaoqiu on the embankment: "Mayor Hu, come down!"

Hu Zaoqiu, enraged, jumped into the muddy water with a splash, and walked to Zhou Jiuyi's side, covered in mud: "Zhou Jiuyi, I'm here to announce a decision to you: according to the urgent instructions of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, effective immediately, you are being removed from your positions as Mayor and Party Secretary of Weiyan Township!"

Zhou Jiuyi remained unperturbed: "Mayor Hu, is that all?"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "Yes, that's all!"

Zhou Jiuyi asked again, "Is the announcement finished?"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "Yes, it's finished."

Zhou Jiuyi said, "Good, go up now, we still have work to do." " Go!"

Hu Zaoqiu grabbed Zhou Jiuyi. "What are you going to do? You know the municipal party committee's instructions are very clear: the massive flood peak is coming soon, and Weiyan Township can't hold on. The municipal party committee has already decided to give up!"

Zhou Jiuyi said, "Fine, Mayor Hu, go tell the villagers!"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "You've been in charge here all along, so you have to say it! You go now and go to the broadcasting station to announce it. You speak first, then I'll speak. When I speak, I'll announce your dismissal to give everyone a warning!"

Zhou Jiuyi said, "I've already been dismissed, what's the point of me speaking? If I'm going to speak, I'll tell everyone to hold on!"

Hu Zaoqiu was furious. "Even if you're dismissed, you're still a party member, and party members still have to follow discipline!"

Zhou Jiuyi said, "Then you can expel me from the party, I'm not dismissed!"

Hu Zaoqiu was truly at a loss.

Zhou Jiuyi then climbed out of the mud and said to Hu Zaoqiu, "Mayor Hu, you served as the Party Secretary of Weiyan Township for several years. You know how difficult it has been for Weiyan Township to get to where it is today. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, we can't retreat! You've seen the situation; the men and women have been working tirelessly for over ten days, raising the dike by more than a meter. The situation of 1954 won't happen again."

Hu Zaoqiu said, "Old Zhou, you'd better not make that promise. The city's flood control headquarters said that tomorrow's flood peak will definitely exceed that of 1954. We can't not evacuate; it's a death order. We can only..." "It can be done!"

Zhou Jiuyi exploded in anger: "Then where were you all this time? If you had thought of evacuating people earlier, why did you tell us to prepare for flooding? So many high-ranking officials, like Secretary Gao and Mayor Wen, came to our place, even putting our story in the newspapers and on TV! And you, Mayor Hu, I remember you also came to our place and said you would support us to the end, saying you would give us people and supplies if we needed them. Now, so many of us have invested so much, and you just tell us to evacuate? Are you kidding me? Do you really not care about the lives of us ordinary people?!"

Hu Zaoqiu patiently persuaded him: “Old Zhou, don’t be unreasonable. Hasn’t the situation changed? Who could have imagined the water would be this high a few days ago? If we can hold it, of course we’ll hold it; if we can’t, we have to evacuate. What’s so strange about that? The city is ordering us to evacuate because they’re responsible for the lives of the 80,000 people in our Weiyan Township!”

Zhou Jiuyi said, “How do you know we can’t hold it? At least let us try!”

Hu Zaoqiu said anxiously, “It’s because the Municipal Party Committee gave the order! I know that when the flood control efforts reach this point, a sudden order to evacuate is hard for everyone to process, but Old Zhou, the Municipal Party Committee…” "Such instructions are never given lightly; they wouldn't be issued unless absolutely necessary,"

Zhou Jiuyi said. "Alright, alright, Mayor Hu, go ahead and announce it. Those who want to leave can go with you, and those who don't want to can stay with me and guard the dike. It'll be convenient for both of us, and you'll be carrying out the municipal party committee's instructions!"

Hu Zaoqiu had no choice but to go to the broadcasting station. He first relayed the instructions from the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and Government via telephone, then announced: Zhou Jiuyi, the mayor and party secretary of Weiyan Township, had concealed and resisted the urgent instructions from higher-level leaders, committing serious dereliction of duty, and had been dismissed. Hu Zaoqiu, representing the Jinghu Municipal Party Committee, Government, and Flood Control Headquarters, demanded that all cadres and residents of Weiyan Township immediately evacuate in organized groups after hearing the broadcast.

After the first broadcast, Hu Zaoqiu instructed the broadcaster to repeatedly play his recording, and then called Bai Aini, who was far away in Jinghu, to briefly report Gao Changhe's request and the situation there, asking Bai Aini to quickly organize personnel to guide and arrange the evacuation of villagers along the route.

Hu Zaoqiu thought that this would put the situation in order, but to his utter surprise, after speaking with Bai Aini on the phone and stepping out of the broadcasting station, he found a dense crowd of people outside. These men and women, covered in mud, were all staring at Hu Zaoqiu, making him feel uneasy.

Someone shouted from the darkness, "Why are you removing Township Head Zhou?"

Hu Zaoqiu mustered his courage and said, "Township Head Zhou refused to follow the city committee's instructions!"

The shouts from the darkness immediately rang out: "We won't follow those instructions either!"

"That's right, we're confident we can withstand the flood!"

"We'll listen to Township Head Zhou, not your nonsense!"

Someone even called out Hu Zaoqiu by name, cursing him: "Hu Zaoqiu, you dog, don't forget you rose through the ranks from Weiyan! Without the people of Weiyan, you wouldn't have achieved anything! Don't be so hypocritical!"

Hu Zaoqiu was both angry and anxious, shouting at the crowd, "Are there any Communist Party members among you? Are there any? Communist Party members, step forward and lead the way in following the city committee's instructions!"

No one stepped forward.

Hu Zaoqiu was furious: "Where are all the Communist Party members? Don't they have any courage at this crucial moment?"

Someone in the crowd shouted, "The Communist Party members are all on the dike, working with Township Head Zhou!"

Hu Zaoqiu was at a loss. After thinking for a moment, he walked into the crowd with a dark face.

The crowd automatically parted to make way for him, all the way to the dike.

Just as he reached the dike, Lao Jin, the deputy secretary of the Weiyan Township Party Committee, rushed over and grabbed Hu Zaoqiu's hand, saying, "Mayor Hu, don't be angry, please don't be angry, let me say a few words!"

Hu Zaoqiu wanted to slap Deputy Secretary Jin twice, staring at him like a wolf: "Spit it out!"

Deputy Secretary Jin said, “Mayor Hu, aren’t the villagers desperate? We really can’t retreat! Mayor Hu, you don’t know, since the flood control efforts started half a month ago, Township Head Zhou and our township party committee have enjoyed unprecedented prestige. How can you convince people if you remove Township Head Zhou now? Removing people is even more wrong. We can clearly hold the line, so why should we retreat? We’re just small people and dare not criticize the higher-ups for bureaucracy, but we comrades on the dike always know the actual situation best!”

Hu Zaoqiu waved his hand: “The situation is urgent now, I don’t have time to discuss with you. I’ll just ask you one question, Lao Jin, are you a Communist Party member? If you’re a party member, shouldn’t you follow the organization’s decision?”

Deputy Secretary Jin said, “I can handle it. Even if I go with you, these 80,000 people still can’t be evacuated.”

Hu Zaoqiu said, “You damn well better do the talking, go broadcast it!”

Deputy Secretary Jin said, “I can do the talking, but for the broadcast, I’m afraid we’ll have to ask Township Head Zhou—I’ve already said, Township Head Zhou’s prestige is very high now, much higher than when you were the secretary here…”

Hu Zaoqiu had no choice but to go and ask Zhou Jiuyi.

Zhou Jiuyi cooperated, broadcasting that the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and Mayor Hu's order to evacuate was well-intentioned. Although the dike was unlikely to breach, it was still necessary to evacuate those not involved in flood control work as a precaution. Therefore, Zhou Jiuyi instructed the elderly, women, children, and those willing to evacuate to follow Hu Zaoqiu's arrangements and prepare for evacuation.

However, Zhou Jiuyi's broadcast served less as a call to evacuate and more as a call to hold on. After the broadcast, Hu Zaoqiu didn't see many people leaving the dike, but he did see many people crowding onto it, including many women, with a red flag of the "March 8th Assault Team" fluttering in front of him.

Hu Zaoqiu was truly desperate; in all his years, he had never felt so powerless as he did today.

Zhou Jiuyi came over again and said, "Mayor Hu, you see, I wasn't lying, was I? It's not that I don't want to evacuate, it's that the villagers don't want to evacuate. We weathered the first flood peak, so we can definitely

withstand the second one!" Hu Zaoqiu was no longer willing to discuss this topic with Zhou Jiuyi, and only said hesitantly, "Zhou Jiuyi, I admire you. You have high prestige and great ability. You... just keep going all out. If you really send these 80,000 people into the water, then we... we'll all go to jail and be executed!"

Just then, Gao Changhe called again to inquire about the situation.

With a sob in his voice, Hu Zaoqiu said as if delivering a eulogy, "Secretary Gao, the situation here is terrible. The evacuation order came too suddenly. It's hard to leave one's homeland. The villagers don't want to leave, and the situation is basically out of control. Secretary Gao, I... I have made full mental preparations and am waiting for the organization's decision."

Gao Changhe seemed to have anticipated this situation and didn't criticize Hu Zaoqiu at all. He only said, "Comrade Hu Zaoqiu, don't worry, and don't think about any organizational punishment. This is not your responsibility. Comrades Jiang Chaolin and Tian Liye are on their way to you and will be there soon. Our municipal party committee is also in contact with the troops stationed in Pingdingshan to try to implement the forced evacuation plan after dawn. Even if we have to carry them, we must carry all 80,000 people away before the flood peak arrives this afternoon!"

Only then did Hu Zaoqiu breathe a sigh of relief and slumped softly onto the wet dike...

At 5:00 AM on July 3, 1998, Tian Liye was sitting in Audi No. 001 on the road and witnessed the arrival of dawn on July 3.

The dawn of July 3rd was brilliant. First, the eastern horizon glowed a hazy red, then the red intensified, illuminating the distant horizon ahead of the car. By the time the car reached the Changjiang River embankment, the fiery sun had already risen, turning the river a blood-red hue.

In the dancing sunlight of dawn, Tian Liye remained calm, almost without any desire to talk to Jiang Chaolin. Although Jiang Chaolin so desperately wanted to talk, and repeatedly brought up the past, mentioning his "dagger and javelin," Tian Liye always avoided the topic, only offering evasive banter.

So Jiang Chaolin sighed, "Liye, it seems I've offended you!"

Tian Liye didn't look at Jiang Chaolin, but only at the calm river water beside him, shimmering with a reddish light. "What are you saying, old secretary? Who in Pingyang doesn't know about our relationship? Who doesn't know how good you've been to me? Hey, old secretary, look at this river, how calm it is, it's like the lake in our Yangshan Park."

Jiang Chaolin glanced out the car window. "Yes, it does look quite beautiful!"

Then he continued, "Liye, to be honest, offending you really wasn't my intention. I truly want you to be well. Tell me, even if it were my son, what good would it do? He can't be with me every day like you! My reluctance to let you take charge of the Lieshan work isn't without reason. You're just distributing apples and pears in the office, whether you distribute them correctly or incorrectly, it doesn't matter." "It's nothing. Besides, with me by your side, even if you make a mistake, it's no big deal. I'll take responsibility. Lieshan is different. This isn't like distributing apples in the office; you're responsible for the lives of 1.1 million people!"

Tian Liye smiled. "So, I'm back to distributing apples in the office again? That's good."

Jiang Chaolin snorted. "You're upset. I could tell at a glance."

Tian Liye still smiled. "Okay, okay, old secretary, if you say I'm upset, then I'm upset, alright?"

Jiang Chaolin patted Tian Liye's shoulder. "Don't you want to tell me what's on your mind?"

Tian Liye shook his head. "There's nothing to say. In this life, it's enough to live with a clear conscience."

Jiang Chaolin immediately asked, "Liye, do you mean this old man feels guilty?"

Tian Liye immediately said... Mingdao: "Old Secretary, that's not what I meant."

Jiang Chaolin sighed: "I know that's not what you meant. Looking back on my life so far, Liye, I can tell you, I have a clear conscience. For Pingyang, for my work, for these twenty years of reform and opening up, I have done my best, given my all. Liye, you've been by my side all these years, you know me best. Tell me, besides work, do I have any other life? Do you remember, in '95, waiting in Beijing for the State Council leaders to receive us, I spent the whole afternoon idly in the guesthouse, you all playing cards, and I could only watch you play. It wasn't that I didn't want to kill time with you, it's just that I didn't know how to play!"

Tian Liye said: "Didn't I tell you that a long time ago? Work isn't the whole content of life."

Jiang Chaolin He sighed, "Yes, yes, life is so colorful! That's why some of our cadres can dance three or four steps in a row, drink three or two jin of liquor without getting drunk, and play cards for three or two nights without getting tired! What kind of style is that? Anyway, I can't stand it, and I'll never learn it!"

Tian Liye said, "Old Secretary, I think you still need to learn. You'll eventually retire completely, and there will always be a time when you have no work to do. What will you do then?"

Jiang Chaolin said, "Liye, you know what, I really haven't thought about that!"

Tian Liye said, "Then think about it. As long as you're willing, I'll teach you how to play mahjong and cards when I have time."

Jiang Chaolin waved his hand, "No, no, I won't learn until I'm completely retired."

The topic had come to an end, and the two of them fell silent, staring at the scenery passing by outside the window.

A green field moved past the car window, and occasionally two or three water buffaloes could be seen flashing past.

After a while, Jiang Chaolin finally turned his gaze from the car window and asked Tian Liye, "Liye, do you know that I'm about to be transferred and leave Pingyang?"

Tian Liye replied calmly, "Yes, Secretary Gao mentioned it to me during our conversation."

Jiang Chaolin asked, "To be honest, Liye, do you also hope I leave Pingyang?"

Tian Liye smiled, "Secretary, you're a provincial-level cadre. What would my hope mean?"

Jiang Chaolin affectionately nudged Tian Liye, "Hey, would you like to come work with me in the provincial capital?"

Tian Liye smiled wryly, "Go to the provincial capital with you to distribute apples? I'd rather distribute apples in Pingyang!"

Jiang Chaolin sighed deeply, "Liye, I think you've really misunderstood me!"

Tian Liye said seriously, "Old Secretary, look at you, why are you saying that again? How could I possibly blame you?"

Jiang Chaolin closed his eyes, and as he did so, tears welled up in the corners of his eyes, "Liye, blame me if you want, but I don't blame you. This old man still sincerely treats you like a child. In the future, after I settle down in the provincial capital, you can come whenever you want, and if you don't want to, there's nothing I can do, but I still hope you can come. As the ancients said, 'To have one true friend in life is enough!'"

Tian Liye couldn't help but feel emotional, and really wanted to ask Jiang Chaolin, "Are we true friends?" But the words caught in his throat, and he only said faintly, "Old Secretary, I'll come to see you often."

That day, Jiang Chaolin's wish for a conversation was dashed. Until they got off the car in Weiyan Township, Tian Liye didn't say a few words to him; everything was so polite and courteous, making Jiang Chaolin feel a chill.

At 6:00 AM on July 3, 1998, when the mud-stained Audi No. 001 arrived at the dike in Weiyan Township, Jinghu City, Hu Zaoqiu was the first to rush forward, crying repeatedly, "Old Secretary, you've finally come! You've finally come! If you hadn't come, I really would have hanged myself!"

Jiang Chaolin got out of the car, looked at the crowd on the distant dike, and said to Hu Zaoqiu, "What are you yelling about? This situation should have been expected! Ordering evacuation halfway through flood control is the hardest thing; it's happened before. Just do your work actively!" (The car radio...) "I'm coming right now. The government order and the broadcast script are all ready. We'll broadcast it immediately!"

Hu Zaoqiu said. "There's a flood relief broadcasting station here. Old Secretary, wouldn't you like to go say a few words?"

Jiang Chaolin replied without hesitation, "Okay, I'll go say a few words first! Let's go!"

As they walked towards the broadcasting station, Hu Zaoqiu reported again, "Township head and Party Secretary Zhou Jiuyi is being unreasonable!"

Jiang Chaolin said angrily, "Yes, I know. He's quite bold. He argued with Mayor Wen on the phone, openly defying orders!"

He then asked, "This..." "Is Zhou Jiuyi the blind man with glasses?"

Hu Zaoqiu said, "No, old secretary, the blind man Zhou was transferred to Jinghu as the director of the Industrial Bureau a long time ago. He's the Zhou Jiuyi who loves to drink, but doesn't have a bottle, and gets drunk after just two ounces!"

Jiang Chaolin snorted, "Who do we have here? Zhou Erliang? Get him here!"

Hu Zaoqiu reminded him, "Right now, Zhou Jiuyi probably won't even listen to you!"

Tian Liye said irritably, "Mayor Hu, if the old secretary tells you to call him, just go call him! What's with all the fuss!"

Hu... Zaoqiu rolled her eyes at Tian Liye: "What are you being so ruthless about? I haven't settled the score with you for Linhu Town yet!"

Tian Liye said: "If you want to settle it, come to the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee, I'll be waiting for you!"

Hu Zaoqiu was taken aback: "What, Leader Tian, you've been promoted again so quickly?"

Tian Liye said coldly: "No, I've been demoted. However, I happen to be dealing with you now—in charge of coordinating the city's flood control! Mayor Hu, time is tight and the task is heavy, I don't have time to waste with you, go find Zhou Jiuyi!"

When Hu Zaoqiu went to find Zhou Jiuyi, Jiang Chaolin had already started broadcasting.

Before broadcasting, Tian Liye first gave an introduction, saying that Comrade Jiang Chaolin, the director of the Municipal People's Congress, had been entrusted by the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government and had arrived in Weiyan Township. Now, he was going to give important instructions on behalf of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government. Next, Jiang Chaolin began his speech, reiterating the instructions of the municipal party committee and government regarding the emergency evacuation of 80,000 people from Weiyan Township. He sternly declared that troops stationed in Pingdingshan and a large number of vehicles would soon arrive, and evacuation was imperative. Government orders must be obeyed, and special measures would be taken; anyone inciting disobedience would be arrested on the spot!

After the broadcast, Jiang Chaolin ordered all party members and cadres above the level of village group leader to immediately assemble at the broadcasting station.

As party members and cadres arrived, Hu Zaoqiu dragged the mud-covered Zhou Jiuyi before Jiang Chaolin.

Jiang Chaolin originally wanted to give Zhou Jiuyi a good scolding, but seeing Zhou Jiuyi's unshaven face, muddy clothes, bloodshot eyes, and extremely thin appearance, he couldn't bear it and only scolded him, "Zhou Erliang, have you had too much to drink? Huh? You don't even listen to the orders of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government? You dare to go against Mayor Wen, you're really audacious!"

Zhou Jiuyi cried, choking out, "Old Secretary, I... I had no choice! I was the leader in the flood control efforts in Weiyan Township, I led the people to the embankment, I took away the people's belongings, I promised all the people in the township that I would live and die with Weiyan Township."

Jiang Chaolin patiently said, "Jiuyi, your spirit is good, but you can't just act recklessly."

Hu Zaoqiu also said, "Yes, Old Zhou, we leaders must be responsible for the safety of the people." "It's a responsibility! Don't you think about it? If we don't evacuate, what if 80,000 people are drowned? Who can bear such a huge responsibility?"

Zhou Jiuyi said, "I didn't say we wouldn't evacuate, Mayor Hu. The old secretary doesn't know, and neither do you. Haven't I told everyone what I needed to say? It's just that everyone doesn't want to evacuate!"

Hu Zaoqiu said sternly, "Old Zhou, the key is that you have to take the lead!"

Zhou Jiuyi raised his head and said, "Mayor Hu, you're young, you still have a chance to be promoted. You want to keep your official hat, but I don't. I won't set an example! Didn't I tell you to step down? I'm just an ordinary cadre now, but I'm going to live and die with Weiyan Township! To put it another way, even in a battle, someone needs to cover the retreat. You can say that I'm covering the retreat, okay?"

By this time, many party members and cadres had arrived, and people were standing everywhere, in front of the broadcasting station and on and below the dike.

Jiang Chaolin felt that Zhou Jiuyi's words weren't without merit. Even if there was a retreat, some people would need to patrol and protect the dikes before the 80,000 people evacuated. It was normal for Zhou Jiuyi and some of his comrades to stay behind to protect the dikes. So he said, "Alright, alright, Jiuyi, let's not argue anymore. You take a portion of the core militia and stay behind to protect the dikes. You'll be the last to leave. Now let's have a meeting to arrange the overall evacuation. Don't talk about sharing the fate of the nation anymore. That's not good; it's not conducive to implementing the instructions of the municipal party committee and the municipal government!"

Zhou Jiuyi said, "Okay, old secretary, I'm going to patrol the dikes. You guys have your meeting!"

Jiang Chaolin got angry: "Zhou Erliang, you stop right there! You have to attend this meeting no matter who else wants to! You have to help us with our work! You know my temper. If you dare to disregard the overall situation at a time like this, I'll make you look bad to my face!"

Zhou Jiuyi was senior and not afraid of Hu Zaoqiu, but he was intimidated by the old secretary Jiang Chaolin, so he obediently stopped.

Tian Liye, following Jiang Chaolin's instructions, loudly announced the start of the meeting. Jiang Chaolin didn't just mobilize people; he gave specific instructions, calling out names from village to village, demanding that the village party secretaries and village directors stand at the front. Jiang Chaolin's memory was truly remarkable; he knew the names of every single one of the dozen or so administrative and natural villages in Weiyan Township, and even the nicknames of the village directors of the two villages with annual revenue exceeding 100 million yuan. Tian Liye and Hu Zaoqiu couldn't help but feel indignant. Listening to Jiang Chaolin calling out names, Hu Zaoqiu felt a pang of shame, thinking, "An old comrade is indeed an old comrade; he's truly practical in his work." He himself wasn't so practical; after serving as deputy mayor of Jinghu for so many years, he didn't even recognize many of the village directors, let alone remember their nicknames.

Jiang Chaolin became emotional at the end: "...Comrades, the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee and Government have a responsibility to you, and you also have a responsibility to the people of Weiyan Township. The water levels of the Changjiang River and Jinghu Lake remain high, and another massive flood peak is imminent. What can we do if we don't evacuate? Other losses are acceptable; the government can find ways to help, and everyone can find ways to save themselves. But the lives of the people cannot be lost! You must be resolute. Even if it's a struggle, you must get everyone out of here. I, Jiang Chaolin, am entrusting this to you all!"

With that, Jiang Chaolin bowed deeply to the Party members and cadres before him.

Many Party members and cadres, understanding the greater good, greeted each other and left the meeting to arrange the evacuation.

However, nearly half remained motionless, still staring at Zhou Jiuyi.

Zhou Jiuyi grew anxious: "Comrades, wasn't the old secretary clear enough? Let's go, all of you! As long as people are alive, everything will be alright; if people are gone, everything is over! Take as much as you can, lock the doors, pen the livestock, and if the dike doesn't break, there won't be any loss."

At this moment, someone said: "Mayor Zhou, do you have enough people to guard the dike? Can't we leave more people behind?"

Zhou Jiuyi said: "No! This isn't something to bargain over; we have to be prepared for the worst!"

Someone else said: "We're staying voluntarily. If something unexpected happens, we don't want the municipal party committee to be responsible!"

Tian Liye was furious: "Easy for you to say! Just because you don't want the municipal party committee to be responsible, does that mean the municipal party committee can be absolved of responsibility?"

Seeing Hu Zaoqiu standing there dumbfounded, Tian Liye's anger flared even more, "Mayor Hu, look at the quality of your Jinghu party cadres! I don't know how you usually educate them!"

Hu Zaoqiu's anger flared up—this Tian Liye, it seemed, really wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of him, so he said: "Deputy Secretary-General Tian, the quality of Jinghu party cadres..." " The municipal party committee has its own evaluation of our character; it's none of your business to interfere! If we say we'll evacuate, we mean we

'll evacuate. Why are you dragging this into this?" Tian Liye coldly replied, "Fine, Mayor Hu, then go ahead and say it, go ahead and do it! We're waiting!"

Jiang Chaolin, unaware of what happened in Linhu Town the previous night, saw these two good friends arguing at this time and scolded them, "What time is it? Why are you still bickering? Don't you care about the public's reaction? Both of you, shut up!"

Tian Liye stopped Jiang Chaolin, "Old Secretary, don't worry about it, let's..." "We can't handle everything ourselves. This is Weiyan Township in Jinghu City, under the leadership of Mayor Hu and Township Head Zhou. You should ask Mayor Hu and Township Head Zhou to do the work! Make their party members and cadres show some competence!"

At this moment, Gao Changhe called again, asking Jiang Chaolin to answer. Jiang Chaolin went to the broadcasting station to answer the phone. Before leaving, he instructed Tian Liye, "Liya, don't bring your emotions to your work! Huh?"

Tian Liye, however, still brought his emotions to his work, coldly staring at Hu Zaoqiu and lighting a cigarette.

This further increased the antagonism among the cadres and masses in front of him, making them even more unwilling to move, all staring at Hu Zaoqiu.

Backed into a corner, Hu Zaoqiu roared with bloodshot eyes, "What the hell are you all looking at? Can't you show some class? Huh? Zhou Jiuyi, how have you been doing as township head and party secretary all this time? How come you can't command at a critical moment like this?"

Zhou Jiuyi stammered, "Everyone on the dike fighting the flood is doing a great job! Good deeds are constantly emerging!"

Hu Zaoqiu roared, "Following orders from superiors also has to be done well. In this situation, on the battlefield, battlefield discipline applies, and you'd be shot!"

Tian Liye said from the side, "Mayor Hu, you're right, this is like war!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Tian Liye, if this really is war, I'll shoot you in the back first!"

Tian Liye wasn't angry at all, and patted Hu Zaoqiu on the shoulder, "Mayor Hu, did you hear that? How moving those words are! Huh!"

Then, his face darkened, "Hu Zaoqiu, let me make this clear to you, I, Tian Liye, am handing over this hundred-odd jin to you today. I'll hold you accountable for slipping on a watermelon rind in Weiyan Township!"

Hu Zaoqiu was furious: "Who's shouting there? Who? Shout again and I'll arrest you! Don't just stand there, everyone disperse, disperse, hurry up and arrange the evacuation! The old secretary has already announced on behalf of the Pingyang Municipal Party Committee that anyone who incites disobedience will be arrested immediately! This is not to scare you!"

A village group leader cried out with tears in his eyes: "Mayor Hu, just arrest me, I'd rather die on the dike!"

Zhou Jiuyi was terrified, and with a thud, he knelt down in front of everyone, his face covered in tears, pleading: "Fellow villagers, fellow villagers, I beg you, please? If you don't leave, I... I'll jump into Mirror Lake!"

Everyone was shocked, staring blankly at Zhou Jiuyi, who remained kneeling.

Hu Zaoqiu was also shaken. He slowly looked at everyone and stammered, "Comrades, do you want me to kneel down and beg you too? Okay, okay, I'll kneel down and beg you too..."

He then actually knelt down.

The cadres and masses in front of him suddenly realized what was happening and quickly went to help Hu Zaoqiu and Zhou Jiuyi up.

At this moment, Jiang Chaolin returned from a phone call and excitedly announced, "Comrades, I have good news for you all! The evacuation work in Weiyan Township has received the close attention of the Provincial Party Committee. Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huabo personally contacted the leaders of the Military Region, and the Group Army stationed in Pingyang has been urgently mobilized to assist in the evacuation! What are you waiting for? Let's go!"

Only then did the crowd scatter, hurriedly preparing for the evacuation.

Meanwhile, a vehicle-mounted radio from Pingyang City approached from afar, its broadcasts, growing louder as it repeated government orders, each word chillingly clear: "...This is the Pingyang Municipal People's Government order! This is the Pingyang Municipal People's Government order! The flood situation in the city is extremely severe. The water levels of the Changjiang River and Jinghu Lake are rising rapidly, at a rate and volume unprecedented in history. The second major flood peak of the Changjiang River has formed and is expected to reach our city around 4:00 PM on July 3rd. In view of this serious situation, and to protect the safety of people's lives, the Pingyang Municipal People's Government convened a special mayoral office meeting in the early morning of July 3rd and decided to urgently evacuate 80,000 residents of Weiyan Township, Jinghu City. The order is as follows..."

Pingyang City Flood Control Headquarters, 8:00 AM, July 3, 1998 After confirming the evacuation arrangements for Weiyan Township with Army Commander Li and Jinghu Municipal Party Secretary Bai Aini over the phone, Gao Changhe breathed a sigh of relief, grabbed a loaf of dry bread from the table, and started eating. While eating, he said to Sun Yadong, "Thanks to Comrade Jiang Chaolin's reminder! If it weren't for him, I really wouldn't have thought of evacuating people from Weiyan Township!"

Sun Yadong exclaimed, "No one can disagree with Jiang Chaolin on this point; he's incredibly meticulous! Wen Chunming is far inferior to Jiang Chaolin! Jiang Chaolin criticized Wen Chunming for being muddleheaded, and I think Wen Chunming was muddleheaded too. How could he believe that Weiyan Township could hold out when such a massive flood was looming? If it hadn't, the trouble would have been immense!"

Gao Changhe said, "It's not entirely Chunming's fault. First, Weiyan Township did withstand the first flood peak; second, nobody expected such a widespread downpour yesterday." "Rain, the situation could deteriorate so quickly..."

Just then, Liu Yiru arrived at the flood control headquarters and asked, "Secretary Gao, what are the work arrangements for today? There's still a lot to do! There are two meetings this morning. One is a seminar on deepening the reform of large state-owned enterprises, attended by a leader from the State Economic and Trade Commission, who arrived in Pingyang yesterday; the other is a commendation meeting for advanced collectives and individuals in family planning, hosted by the Municipal Family Planning Commission. This afternoon..."

Gao Changhe's mind was full of flood control, and before Liu Yiru could continue, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, Director Liu, don't say anymore. The flood situation is very serious now, I can't attend either of these meetings. Please have Comrade Yadong represent me!"

He immediately instructed Sun Yadong, "Yadong, please represent me and the Municipal Party Committee at these two meetings. The speech draft is with Liu ..." "Director, please take care of all the meetings and miscellaneous matters these days. Chunming and I are really too busy."

Liu Yiru smiled at Sun Yadong, then turned to Gao Changhe, looking him intently, and said, "Secretary Gao, Secretary Sun can represent you at other meetings, but can you really skip this large state-owned enterprise seminar? A vice-ministerial level official from the State Economic and Trade Commission is coming. In terms of reception protocol, you must be present. Even if you don't attend the opening ceremony, you have to show your face, so..."

Gao Changhe knew Liu Yiru was right, but for some reason, he was unhappy to hear this. Unable to express his displeasure, he could only nod and say, "Okay, okay, I'll attend this meeting, meet the vice-minister, and then leave!"

Liu Yiru then reminded him, "Secretary Gao, the opening ceremony is at nine o'clock sharp."

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