Chapter 26: The Storm Begins

  Mr. Zhou's evaluation of his old colleague is still a bit conservative.

  This man is not only fearless, but also extremely arrogant. The article "On Seeking Truth from Facts" was not only published, but also prominently placed on the front page, as if afraid that people would not see it, and even added a lengthy "Editor's Note" of several hundred words, almost rivaling the commentator.

  As a result, the matter was blown up and immediately caused a great stir in the province. The next day, an article refuting it appeared in the same column, with thousands of words, severely criticizing Yan and Liu for distorting facts and talking nonsense. Then came one after another articles refuting them, with increasingly severe language, constantly escalating the issue, saying that they openly opposed the central theory and policy, which would not be tolerated at all. The following articles even pointed out that the two authors of "On Seeking Truth from Facts" were grassroots cadres who had been disciplined by the party for their mistakes, and their intentions were indeed questionable.

  "N Province Daily" is the most authoritative newspaper in the province, ranking among the best in the country. The commotion has caused a huge stir, and Baizhou area and Xiangyang County are even more abuzz than ever before. The names of Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai have become household names within just a few days.

  It's strange that neither the provincial nor county leaders have talked to Yan Yuchen and Liu Jinchang, not even in private conversations. Everyone is carefully avoiding this matter and these two people.

  Both parties were getting restless.

  The bomb has been thrown out, but there is no movement around it, something is wrong.

  Let's follow the old routine and go find Mr. Zhou to discuss and get some ideas.

  When they met, Mr. Zhou was having a conversation with Liu Jun in Russian.

  Russian pronunciation is low and winding, especially for names, which are long strings of "Mil", "Zhev" and "Ski" that sound like tongue twisters, making Liu Jun's head spin. After speaking for a moment, even his tongue becomes numb.

  Yan Yucheng couldn't help but say, "Teacher, you're so idle."

  Mr. Zhou smiled slightly: "The two of you have just arrived now, and it's already stable."

  Both of them were taken aback for a moment, then shook their heads and sighed with wry smiles.

  "My heart is like a cat's claw, where can I still hold on?"

  "Please sit down, don't be in a hurry."

  Mr. Zhou was quite at leisure, with a majestic demeanor as if the sky had fallen and he was covered with a quilt, which made Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincheng feel much more at ease.

  Liu Jun was secretly puzzled, wondering if Mr. had received some internal news, and was so calm and composed? Thinking again, he felt it wasn't right, a "reactionary academic authority" who hadn't been removed from his position, what kind of internal news could he have gotten?

  "Xiao Jun, pour tea for Uncle Yan and your father."

  The mistress went out, and the master ordered Liu Jun around.

  "Oh."

  "Humble abode, a cup of clear tea to entertain guests, please don't mind the simplicity!"

  The gentleman became more and more at ease, and began to rummage through his book bag.

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jincan exchanged a glance, neither of them knew what Mr. Zhou was getting at.

  "Teacher, what news is there about your old colleague from the provincial newspaper?"

  "No."

  Mr. Zhou shook his head.

  Yan Yucheng was shocked and hastily asked: "Is something going wrong?"

  Mr. Zhou smiled and said, "Whether it's a bad thing or not, I don't know. All I know is that the old colleague is still working as an editor at the provincial newspaper, and I haven't heard anything about him being removed."

  Two people, no, three, including Liu Jun, all let out a long sigh.

  The situation is clear. The editor who published the article and added the editorial note has not made any moves, so it's likely that the two authors will not have too much trouble for now.

  "You've come just in time, I've written another article, take a look."

  "Huh?"

  Liu Jincai was shocked.

  Mr. Zhou glanced at Liu Jincai with some displeasure.

  Yan Yucheng smiled and said, "The teacher's article must be a masterpiece."

  "I don't dare to be arrogant. Since others are coming with great momentum, I can't just be a turtle hiding in its shell and avoid the battle."

  Yan Yucheng clapped his hands and said: "Well said. An arrow shot from a bow has no turning back. Since we've started on the first, we won't fear doing it till the fifteenth."

  "Good."

  Mr. Zhou applauded and said to Liu Jincheng, "Jincheng, you've just stepped into the official career and encountered such a storm, it's not easy for you either. But remember, since you're in this circle, wanting to get out isn't that simple. People who enter politics must not only recognize the overall situation, understand when to advance or retreat, but also have the courage to move forward at critical moments, in order to achieve great things."

  Liu Jincai's face turned red as he humbly said: "I understand. Indeed, one conversation with you is better than reading ten years of books."

  "Hehe, stop flattering, read the article first."

  Mr. Zhou wrote his second article, titled "Re-discussing Seeking Truth from Facts". It is about the same length as "On Seeking Truth from Facts", also around 7-8 pages, with about 2,000 words. Citing classics and quoting canons, it refutes one by one the articles criticizing him recently published in provincial newspapers. The argument is sufficient, the writing is rigorous, and it is a masterpiece of a master's hand.

  "Good article, teacher."

  Since he had made up his mind to fight to the end, Yan Yuchen didn't dodge or evade anymore.

  "It's indeed a good article."

  Liu Jinchai also nodded in agreement.

  Mr. Zhou was somewhat pleased with himself, this old man, never concealed his likes and dislikes. I don't know if he will still be like this after becoming the executive vice president of the provincial party school. Maybe he is just so straightforward in front of people he trusts most, and when he holds a high position, he will naturally pay attention to restraining himself.

  ……

  "Again on Seeking Truth from Facts" was published as scheduled, but without the editor's note. It is estimated that "On Seeking Truth from Facts" has already received sufficient attention, and now Yan Yuchen and Liu Jinchang have become celebrities in N Province's theoretical circle, so there is no need to introduce them again with great fanfare.

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai's hanging hearts were put down by half.

  Regardless of how much shock the second article caused, the fact that a provincial newspaper was able to publish it proves that the top leaders permit the existence of different opinions.

  As a result of the two grassroots cadres being punished, N province's theoretical circle became even more lively. For a time, refutation articles flooded in from all directions, and those that couldn't be squeezed onto the provincial newspaper's pages were published on regional party newspapers, while some theoretically strong monthly journals also issued special editions.

  Xiangyang County finally had some reaction, although this reaction was so cautious and trembling.

  The person directly in charge was Zhang Mulan, director of the Red Flag Commune Revolutionary Committee.

  Director Zhang found Liu Jincai, smiling before speaking.

  "Jin Cai, busy?"

  Liu Jincai was then in the office, bending over to examine some account books of the commune, while Liu Jun sat on a small bench in the corner, making up for lost time by studying "Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism".

  Since you want to be a government official, you have to think of ways to get ahead first. In the near future, whether a cadre's theoretical foundation is solid or not will directly affect their career advancement speed. Although Liu Jincai may not necessarily need Liu Jun's help, as his son, accumulating more capital can't hurt, and it might come in handy in times of urgency.

  "Director Zhang, please have a seat."

  Liu Jincan hastily stood up and gave his seat to Zhang Mulian, pouring tea.

  It's not all about saving face, aside from Zhang Mulin's status as a deputy, Liu Jincheng is naturally hospitable. Moreover, Zhang Mulin is an honest person, and the two of them don't have any major issues with each other.

  Zhang Mulan glanced at Liu Jun and then ignored him.

  At Liu Jun's age, he is still far from being a threat to others.

  Liu Jun thought he must be coming to discuss the provincial newspaper article with Liu Jincai, and instead wanted to see how this honest man would start talking.

  "Director Zhang, what instructions?"

  Liu Jincai smiled and sat down opposite Zhang Mulan, handing him a "Flying Dove" cigarette.

  "Oh no, Jin Cai, don't tease me, I... what instructions can I give?"

  Zhang Mulan was visibly somewhat constrained.

  Alas, an honest man is just an honest man. Although his position is superior to Liu Jincai's, he seems very constrained in front of him. Probably in his mind, Liu Jincai has already become a notorious figure throughout the province, and it's not possible to distinguish between superiors and inferiors based solely on their positions.

  Liu Jincai understood Zhang Mulins mind, but he also felt a little ashamed in his heart. After all, this was all Mr. Zhous credit.

  "Director Zhang, you also know what kind of person I am, if there's anything, just say it."

  "Ah, no... nothing, just chatting casually... hmm, Jin Cai, you... and Director Yan's two articles published in the provincial newspaper, hmm... what does this mean?"

  Liu Jun struggled to hold back his laughter and shook his head secretly.

  Director Zhang's eloquence is really nothing to brag about.

  "It doesn't really matter, I'm just saying what's on my mind. Whatever comes to mind, I write it down. What does Director Zhang think?"

  Dad, don't bully honest people like this. Aren't you setting a trap for Director Zhang?

  Liu Jun secretly despised Lao Zi a little in his heart!

  "Ah, no, it's well written... Ah, no, that's not what I mean... I'm saying the writing style is good..."

  Zhang Mulan indeed fell for it, and immediately praised him with a sentence. He soon realized that something was wrong, wasn't he agreeing with Liu Jincheng's opinion? This is not a joke, so he immediately denied it again, and for a moment, he was flustered.

  Liu Jinchai suppressed his smile and comforted, "Director Zhang, you don't have to be nervous, it's just casual conversation, anyway there are no outsiders. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, others won't know."

  "Yeah yeah, just casual chat, casual chat..."

  Zhang Mulin's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he couldn't stop wiping it away with his hand.

  Liu Jun couldn't help but feel sorry for him in his heart. Everyone else dares to publish articles in the provincial newspaper, what's the point of just responding with a couple of sentences? Is it worth being so tense? This official is really... too stifling!

  Liu Jinchai was more alert than his son and asked: "Director Zhang, does the top have any opinions on this article I wrote?"

  Zhang Mulan also realized his own loss of composure, took two heavy drags on his cigarette, calmed himself down and said: "Jin Cai, we're old colleagues after all, I'll just speak my mind. If I say anything wrong, don't take it to heart."

  "Don't worry, Director Zhang."

  Liu Jincai solemnly nodded his head.

  "Jin Cai, someone upstairs wants me to ask you, why did you want to write such an article and even publish it in the provincial newspaper?"

  This suddenly made Liu Jun also become alert.

  Maybe Zhang Mulan was honest, or maybe he didn't dare to get himself involved in this matter. Instead, he directly said that someone from above wanted to ask about it. Although the commune director's position wasn't high, with Zhang Mulan's cautious personality, if he were to be instructed to get involved in this matter, the so-called "person from above" wouldn't have a small background. Maybe it was one of Cui Xiuhua or Wang Benqing.

  Liu Jinchai didn't rush to answer, puffing on his cigarette, thinking for a moment before saying: "Director Zhang, I don't know who asked you to come ask me this, and I don't want to know. Tell that person that as a Party member, I have the right to express my own views."

  Dad, it is a citizen's right to have freedom of speech. It is stated in the Constitution, but this theoretical level still needs to be improved.

  Liu Jun corrected his father in his heart.

  Zhang Mulan nodded and stood up.

  The person above didn't give any detailed instructions, just wanted him to come and test the waters. Zhang Mulan got this sentence and that was enough for him to be done with it. He walked two steps, then felt that leaving like this wasn't quite right, turned his head back, wanting to say something.

  Liu Jincan smiled and waved his hand, Zhang Mulan also smiled, but in the end, nothing was said.