" The Trilogy of "Made in China" - Part 3: Made in China "

Author: Zhou Meisen / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-08-01
Features: The novel China Made by renowned writer Zhou Meisen, upon its first publication in early 1999, sparked widespread reading. The book was hailed as a monumental work reflecting contemporary China for its outstanding portrayal of typical characters across three levels—high-ranking leaders, middle-level cadres, and ordinary people. It grandly and sincerely reflects their thoughts and struggles, sacrifices and devotion, emotions and destinies.
Author Bio: Zhou Meisen, male, born in 1956 in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province. He worked as a miner and a literary editor before dedicating himself to professional literary creation in 1984. He is currently a member of the Chinese Writers' Association, a first-class writer, and enjoys special subsidies from the State Council. He has written over ten novels, including The Right Path of Humanity, Wealth of the World, China Made, Black Tomb, Original Prison, Heavy Yoke, etc.; over twenty collections of middle novels such as Drowning Land, Military Songs, National Calamity, Great Victory, and China's Past, as well as over one hundred film and television scripts like The Right Path of Humanity, Wealth of the World, Stories of the Republic, and People of Quegli, totaling approximately six million words. His ten-volume Collected Works of Zhou Meisen have also been published. He has received over thirty awards, including the National Excellent Middle Novel Award, the National Coal Mine Novel Award, the "Five Ones" Project Award from the Central Propaganda Department, the National Book Nomination Award, the China Television Flying Award, the China Television Golden Eagle Award, the National Excellent Television Script Award, and the Outstanding Film Script Award.
Gao Changhe wanted to ask Liu Huabo what he wanted to discuss, but Liu Huabo didn’t take the initiative to say, and Gao Changhe didn’t want to ask either. However, he couldn’t help but insist and said, “Oh, Secretary Liu, there’s one more thing. This afternoon, the Pingyang Sea-Crossing Bridge will be officially opened, and the Pingyang Municipal Committee very much hopes you can come to Pingyang. What do you think?” At that moment, Liu Huabo’s car had already sped onto the entrance hall. As Liu Huabo walked toward the front of the car, he said, “Changhe, this matter has already been decided. Secretary Cheng and Vice Governor Wu will represent the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government. I won’t go. I have too many things to do, and my schedule is packed.”
Gao Changhe followed Liu Huabo to the front of the car and said, “But the Pingyang side called three times this afternoon.” Liu Huabo laughed and patted Gao Changhe’s forehead, saying, “Changhe, why do you have such a soft spot for Pingyang? Did you get kickbacks from them? Well, well, I guess you won’t be serving as the Provincial Party Secretary anymore. You can go work as the Secretary of the Pingyang Municipal Committee instead!” After making a joke, he solemnly reminded, “Remember, be at my office at exactly 8 a.m. tomorrow. I still have a meeting with a head of state from the CIS after 10 a.m.” Gao Changhe replied repeatedly, only to realize, as Liu Huabo’s car drove away, that he was getting into the car in a daze.
Sitting in the car, the more he thought about it, the more suspicious tomorrow’s meeting seemed. What could this top provincial leader want to discuss with him? Could it be that someone was again making trouble about him? A year ago, when he was the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial City Party Committee, he had written two articles discussing the economy from a legal perspective, criticizing the chaotic and lawless phenomena in economic construction. As a result, he had unknowingly offended some people, who ambiguously called him “Director Gao.” But in the past year and a half, he had left his position in the provincial capital and wouldn’t have to deal with them endlessly anymore. Moreover, as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee, he couldn’t even act as “Director Gao” because he had to follow the “guidance” of superiors in every aspect, making it almost impossible for him to cause controversy. With this thought, his mind settled, and as he sat in the car, he even began to appreciate the night scenery.
The lighting work in the provincial capital had been quite impressive this year, with great intensity and good results. Skyscrapers were brilliantly lit, neon signs and billboards were all on, and the lights of thousands of households blended with the stars, decorating the ancient capital with splendor. However, as the car passed Zhongshan Square, Gao Changhe noticed: this square, which he had once overseen the construction of, was not well-lit. Many ground lights were broken, and numerous citizens were gathered in groups on the lawn. Gao Changhe’s expression darkened involuntarily as he said to the driver, “Such a fine square, yet people treat it like this—completely unaware of how to cherish it. It’s truly outrageous!”
The driver replied, “There’s always going to be such people who lack public morals, which is why we need to promote spiritual civilization.” Gao Changhe said, “Just promoting it isn’t enough. We need to take real action. Draft local regulations and laws. When I see Secretary Jin of the Provincial City Party Committee, I’ll have to suggest strengthening legislation and enforcement. These uncivilized people must be punished according to the law, to the point where they’re terrified, and then see if they dare to do it again!” The driver scoffed, “Secretary Gao, you’re no longer the Party Secretary of the provincial capital, so why bother with these trivial matters?”
Gao Changhe said, “Oh, you can’t say that. Even though I’m not the Party Secretary, I’m still a citizen of the provincial capital. I still have the right to make suggestions, don’t I?” He glanced at his watch and said, “Drive faster. After picking up Liang Li at home, we’ll go to the People’s Hospital. Our old comrade from the Eighth Route Army is hospitalized again, and his condition isn’t looking good.”
However, they didn’t end up going to the hospital. When the car arrived at No. 74 Shanghai Road, the entrance to their own compound, Gao Changhe unexpectedly found an Audi with a Pingyang license plate parked on the side of the road. As soon as he entered the gate, he saw his former classmate from the Central Party School, Sun Yadong, the current Deputy Mayor and Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection of Pingyang, sitting in their living room. His wife, Liang Li, was talking to Sun Yadong.