Fang Yue took over his father's job in 1985 and became a worker in the third workshop of Qinghua Factory. He started an ordinary life of marrying, having children, and making money to support his family. Now he is nearly 30 years old and has a virtuous wife and a lovely son who is just in the second grade of elementary school at the age of eight. Although the factory's performance is getting worse day by day, at least he can get a salary every two or three months, which is barely enough to make a living.
Recently, the news that Qinghua Factory was going bankrupt was widely spread. Not long ago, the city's liquidation team finally entered the factory, and almost all major workshops stopped production. The employees still looked a little uneasy, but their hearts were numb. Since the news came out at the beginning of the year, they had made a fuss, quarreled, cried, and petitioned, but they could not see any hope of saving the factory.
Today, all employees were suddenly notified to attend a meeting in the auditorium. No one was allowed to be absent. The office issued a strict order that those who did not come would be fired immediately. So at 8 o'clock in the morning, when Fang Yue walked into this auditorium that could accommodate two to three thousand people, the dense crowd of people almost dazzled his eyes. Fang Yue was startled, he thought there were not many people. In the past, during meetings, the noise coming from the auditorium could be heard from a hundred meters away, as if dozens of bombers were whizzing past your ears. Today, the people gathered here are still the same people as before, but the oppression in the air can make bombers unable to take off.
How long has it been since this auditorium was used? Fang Yue almost forgot the harsh echoes of the leaders' speeches on the podium. He stood in the corner, listening to the whispers of several colleagues around him, with deep anxiety flashing in his eyes.
"Do you know why we have a meeting today?"
"I heard that they want to settle this quarter's salary."
"Pull it!"
"Who is fooling you? You're still paying me? Just don't let the factory go bankrupt. I'd rather not have my salary for March."
"Well, that's true. I hope it's good news."
Such discussions were everywhere in the auditorium with 2,000 people. The strange thing was that, apart from the people around you, you could only vaguely hear a low buzzing sound five steps away, which seemed to be there and not there, as if you were hallucinating. You would first feel anxious, then your heart would beat violently, and then you would be unable to breathe.
Fang Yue only realized today how terrifying it was to put the weight of two thousand people together!
Deputy Factory Director Xia Zhizhong, the Chairman of the Trade Union and several important department heads appeared on the rostrum, and He Xiaobo, the new head of the Production Planning Department, was also present.
Without exception, these people are all Yuan Dazhu’s confidants!
He Xiaobo was the one who betrayed Ji Zheng. He was a few years younger than Ji Zheng. The two entered the factory at the same time. They were both young and promising. They soon became friends and have been close for many years. But fate sometimes likes to play tricks. When the old factory director was in office, he appreciated Ji Zheng very much and promoted him all the way to the position of deputy factory director. However, he did not like He Xiaobo very much. If Ji Zheng had not repeatedly pleaded with the old factory director behind his back and let him be a small production team leader in the third workshop, He Xiaobo would probably have to work as a worker for another ten years.
After the old factory director retired, Yuan Dazhu took over. Ji Zheng was severely marginalized by Yuan Dazhu and barely managed to keep his position as deputy factory director. He Xiaobo thought that with the change of leadership, he would have a chance to rise to the top. However, he did not expect that because of his good relationship with Ji Zheng, Yuan Dazhu would be jealous of him. Not only did he not get promoted, but he also lost his position as a production team leader, which was like a useless thing.
In the blink of an eye, more than a decade has passed. The young man who was full of vigor and ambition has entered middle age, but he has still achieved nothing. He Xiaobo's mentality has changed a long time ago. Every time Ji Zheng was promoted, a thorn was planted in his heart, piercing his heart day and night. But every time there was a celebration, as a good friend, he had to attend, with a smile on his face, but his heart was bleeding.
A gentleman regards his friend's happiness as his own happiness, while a villain regards his friend's happiness as his own pain. So when the opportunity suddenly came, He Xiaobo chose to betray without hesitation.
In the battlefield of future and friendship, Ji Zheng lost miserably!
He Xiaobo got Yuan Dazhu's appreciation as he wished, and within a few days he became the head of the Production Planning Department. It took him seventeen years to go from a worker to a head of the department.
The office director took the microphone and said, "Everyone, please be quiet. Each workshop will submit the list later. Those who fail to come will be dealt with seriously by the factory. Okay, let's start the meeting now. Director Yuan has important things to do, so today's meeting will be chaired by Director Xia. Now, welcome Director Xia to speak!"
Xia Zhizhong frowned. Wang, the deputy director who was closest to Yuan Dazhu, was unwilling to do such a bad thing today. He had to go to the signing ceremony. He had no choice but to accept the task. He thought clearly about the pros and cons. His relationship with Yuan Dazhu was not as close as that with Wang. The Qinghua Factory was obviously lost. Yuan Dazhu would be promoted as soon as this matter was resolved. The future of his family depended on him. How could he keep his wealth and glory without doing his utmost
He Xiaobo sat on the podium for the first time, looking down at the crowd below. His legs trembled slightly with nervousness. He calmed down a little when he sat down, feeling very proud. Ji Zheng, that fool, thought that he could get rid of Yuan Dazhu with just a little evidence. He was really a scholar, so naive! Now he is still in disgrace, and his wife and children are restless. I heard that Su Rui is seriously ill. Maybe I should take some time to go see her. Su Rui is much prettier than the yellow-faced woman at home...
A strange smile appeared on He Xiaobo's lips. He didn't feel anything at ordinary times, but today, sitting here, he felt the pleasure brought by power for the first time, and his mind was uncontrollably thinking of Su Rui.
Xia Zhizhong coughed, tapped the microphone with his fingers, and after a thumping sound, he said in a deep voice: "Comrades, Qinghua Factory has gone through decades of ups and downs since its establishment, and has experienced many setbacks and even hardships. We, the people of Qinghua Factory, have withstood the test again and again with the hero spirit of tenacious struggle and self-improvement. It can be said that without your fathers and you, there would be no Qinghua Factory today. But the times have come to this point, and development and reform are the top priorities at the moment. Although I am very sad, I have to say that the current situation of Qinghua Factory has hindered the development and reform of Qingzhou. In this regard, we must obey the overall situation..."
There was an uproar from the audience, and a lot of discussion broke out. He Xiaobo sneered in his heart, you are all people who will be abandoned, and the grasshoppers in autumn will not be able to jump for a few more days. Xia Zhizhong kept a serious expression on his face and said, "But I also want to say that Qingzhou needs to develop and the economy needs to be reformed. Regardless of whether Qinghua Plant goes bankrupt or not, it cannot be based on sacrificing the interests of our ordinary workers!"
The workers fell silent and listened carefully to Xia Zhizhong's speech. Their haggard eyes fully expressed their inner longing and prayer. Xia Zhizhong talked about history and the present, imagined the future, talked about policies, the overall situation, and the possible compensation plan. It took about two and a half hours before he finished. Then the union chairman began to speak, which was nothing more than repeating the same old thing over and over again. It was already noon when he finished.
At the same time, in the Peony Hall of Minghua Hotel, Deputy Mayor Liu Sheng announced the bankruptcy of the Qinghua Factory.
Seeing that some people below were getting agitated, the office director shouted, "Quiet, keep quiet. Everyone hold on for a while and study the city's documents on state-owned enterprise reform. Section Chief He, please lead us in studying."
He Xiaobo imitated Xia Zhizhong and coughed, cleared his throat, took out a thick stack of documents, and prepared to start his first speech. Xia Zhizhong took the microphone and said, "Comrades who didn't eat breakfast may be hungry. I hope you can learn from the lesson of this hunger. Eat well in the morning, eat full in the afternoon, and eat less in the evening. Eating more breakfast is good for your health. I just discussed with Section Chief He and Section Chief Yang. After we finish studying the documents, the Finance Department will give everyone double the meal allowance. Now please be patient."
He Xiaobo was interrupted for the first time, and he felt annoyed. Did you discuss this with me? What the hell! However, their task today was to gather all the factory workers together and try every means to hold them back, so that no one would get the news and go to the hotel to cause trouble, disrupt the signing, and affect the overall stability of Qingzhou.
When He Xiaobo was preparing to study the documents, a group of people pushed the door of the Peony Hall on the second floor of the hotel. The one walking in the front was Xu Fuyan, secretary of the Qingzhou Municipal Party Committee. Behind him were a dozen men and women, some wearing suits and skirts, and some wearing uniforms of the Procuratorate and the Public Security Bureau. The only people recognized by everyone in the hall were Wen Huaiming, deputy director of the Policy Research Office, Liu Tianlai from the Public Security Bureau, and Jiang Wei, director of the First Supervision Office of the Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Zhou Yuanting was stunned for a moment, then strode over and said with a smile: "Secretary Xu, you have been in Guanshan recently, and the city has not contacted us several times. We did not have time to wait for your support for this signing. But the time is just right now. Let's applaud and let the secretary make an important speech!" After saying that, he took the lead in applauding. Zhou Yuanting was used to being domineering, and he rarely gave face to Xu Fuyan even in public. Today he obviously realized that something was wrong, and immediately lowered his posture, trying to test Xu Fuyan's attitude.
Xu Fuyan smiled and scanned the hall. He stretched out his hands and pressed them twice. When the applause stopped, his face suddenly changed. He pointed at the people behind him and introduced them, "Mayor Zhou, these are comrades from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, the High Procuratorate, and the Public Security Department. Comrade Yuan Dazhu is suspected of economic crimes and needs to be isolated for investigation. I have expressed my support on behalf of the Municipal Party Committee!"
Zhou Yuanting's face stiffened for a moment, and he forced a smile and said, "I would also like to express my opinion. The municipal government firmly supports the work of the comrades from the province. However, Comrade Yuan Dazhu has always performed well, and it is unlikely that he has made mistakes in the economy. I hope you can conduct a serious investigation and not wrongly accuse a good comrade."
The middle-aged man on Xu Fuyan's left said with a smile: "Mayor Zhou, please rest assured!"
Three young men walked up to Yuan Dazhu. Yuan Dazhu looked at Zhou Yuanting helplessly. Seeing that he was pursing his lips tightly, his face suddenly turned pale, his whole body went limp, and he slumped into the chair.
(Rabindranath Tagore - When you commanded me to sing, my heart seemed to burst with pride, I looked up at your face, tears welled up in my eyes.
In my socket.
All the bitterness and contradictions in my life melted into a sweet harmony—
My praise is like a joyful bird, fluttering its wings across the ocean.
I know you enjoy my singing. I know it is only because I am a singer that I can come before you.
With the outstretched wings of my song I have touched your feet, which I never dared to hope to touch.
Intoxicated by the song, I forgot myself. You were my master, but I called you my friend. (To be continued)