The right path of humanity

Author: Zhou Meisen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-12-01
Features: This is a panoramic work reflecting the contemporary reform life in China. The work takes the underdeveloped Pingchuan region as its starting point, with the main theme being the economic construction that helps over ten million people escape poverty and backwardness. On the vast expanse of 28,000 square kilometers, from the Provincial Party Committee to the grassroots level, it unfolds a series of tragic yet heart-stirring modern life scenes. Mayor Wu Mingxiong risks everything to dedicate himself to the reform cause, struggling tirelessly for a brighter future for a central city amidst bullets and storms. Chen Zhongyang then says, "You don't know yet? Guo Huaiqiu is gone. It might even be the incompetent Xiao Daqing who comes back up. You can tell the workers in the factory that this Secretary Xiao is even better than Guo—neither does he drink excessively nor smokes a single cigarette." Qiu Tongzhi probes, "Old Secretary, what should we do about the work?" Chen Zhongyang waves his hand, "I don't care. Let them go find Xiao Daqing and Shu Hua." Upon returning, Qiu Tongzhi ponders and believes he has grasped Chen Zhongyang's intention: Xiao Daqing taking over from Guo Huaiqiu, and the old secretary wouldn't be pleased? Would he not give Xiao Daqing a taste of his authority? Maybe the old secretary still wants the workers to stir up trouble at this moment! As a result, not only did Qiu Tongzhi and the other leaders in the factory fail to do their work, but they intentionally or unintentionally spread the words "incompetents should resign," causing chaos in the factory. Some workers unfurled banners mourning Guo Huaiqiu, while others shouted the slogan "Incompetents should resign." This uproar quickly alerted Public Security Chief Bi Changsheng and Deputy Secretary-General Wu Mingxiong, who is in charge of legal affairs, and Qiu Tongzhi was scolded fiercely. Wu Mingxiong didn't care about anything else but demanded that the workers' emotions be stabilized and said that if the Mechanical No. 1 Factory caused any trouble, he would hold Qiu Tongzhi responsible. What made it worse was that the workers he had painstakingly persuaded to leave the previous day had returned today, saying they would go to the municipal government for a collective petition. Qiu Tongzhi's heart raced, thinking of Wu Mingxiong's stern demeanor the previous day, so he didn't dare to take it lightly. He sent an assistant secretary of the Party Committee to block the factory gate and hurriedly called Chen Zhongyang for advice. Chen Zhongyang was furious upon receiving the call and immediately questioned him: "How can you cause such a ruckus?! You caused trouble in the factory yesterday, and now you're thinking of going to the municipal government to stir things up. What do you think you're doing as the factory director?!" Qiu Tongzhi replied, "Old Secretary, you said you didn't care, so I thought letting the workers stir up trouble was your intention." Chen Zhongyang flew into a rage, "My intention? I, Chen Zhongyang, am the Deputy Secretary of the Pingchuan Municipal Party Committee. Would I let you lead laid-off workers to the municipal government for a petition? Am I crazy, or are you, Qiu Tongzhi, crazy?!" Qiu Tongzhi's face turned pale. "Didn't you also say that incompetents should resign?" Chen Zhongyang said sternly, "When I say incompetents should resign, it's just my personal opinion, something I said casually in front of an old comrade like you. It doesn't represent any organization. Don't you understand that?!" Qiu Tongzhi was speechless and couldn't say another word. But Chen Zhongyang continued, "If you use such words to influence the workers' emotions, I won't spare you! You, Qiu Tongzhi, are a deputy division-level Party member and cadre. You must have Party spirit and a stance. Don't take advantage of the situation to create chaos and harm others and yourself! I warn you, Wu Mingxiong will soon take office as the Secretary of the Pingchuan Municipal Party Committee. If you continue to clash with him, what will be the consequences? Think carefully about it." Qiu Tongzhi instinctively asked, "Didn't they say Xiao Daqing would be the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee? How come it's Wu Mingxiong now?" Chen Zhongyang replied, "This is the new decision from the Provincial Party Committee, and it's the final decision. Don't cause any more trouble. You, Qiu Tongzhi, will have to clean up the mess you made!" However, it was difficult to clean up the mess. The workers had