Chapter 27: Suspension and Reflection

  The bad news came suddenly, without any mental preparation at all.

  Before long, it was the end of 1977. The next day would be Grandma's birthday. My mother specially took a leave from the Lotus Commune and came over to buy some vegetables with my father, planning to take them back to Liujiashan the next day.

  It's not a big deal, no intention of making a big fuss. Moreover, at that time, even the great leaders didn't hold birthday banquets, let alone ordinary people. It was just buying some pork and mutton, and other odds and ends, setting up a few tables, and having a few uncles, aunts, and their kids come home to have some fun.

  Because my grandparents passed away early, my paternal grandparents who originally lived in my uncle's house moved to our home to help take care of us siblings. So on Grandmother's birthday, it was the uncles' turn to visit instead.

  Dad and mom took some money, smiled and went out. Zhang Mu-lin then walked over with a serious face.

  I skipped and jumped behind my dad and mom. Back in the childhood environment, with a young body, facing old playmates every day, my mindset inevitably became much younger. This skipping and jumping was completely natural. No matter how old I am, in my parents' hearts, I will always be a child.

  Seeing Zhang Mulin's face, I felt a sudden jolt in my heart and sank down.

  What's meant to come will still come!

  Mr. Zhou encouraged Yan Yuchen and Lao Da to openly express their dissenting voices, which originally had the meaning of "a sword going against the mainstream". This was mainly due to the intellectuals' courage to uphold the truth, but it also contained a element of "gambling". I played a role in stirring up the waves. Now it seems that the overall trend of history will not change because of my appearance as a small traveler. Although I also know that within about a year, the current theoretical guidelines will be completely negated, and Yan Yuchen and Lao Da's embarrassment will naturally improve. But to what extent they can improve, I cannot predict. Especially important is that it is still unknown how the county authorities will deal with Lao Da at present.

  Look at Zhang Mulan's attitude, the newcomer is not good.

  When he saw his old man, Zhang Mu Lin's mouth twitched slightly, as if trying to squeeze out a smile, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to do so.

  "Comrade Liu Jincai, Director Wu of the county's Organization Department wants to have a talk with you. Please come with me."

  Never had he seen Zhang Mulan with such a serious expression, speaking to himself in such a formal tone. Dad was slightly surprised, but quickly regained his composure, nodded slightly and turned to say to Mom: "You take Huaizi to buy vegetables first, I'll be right back."

  I couldn't help but give another thumbs up in my heart for Dad's performance!

  My father in the previous life, although gentle and courteous, was lacking in this kind of calm and composed demeanor. Ironically, this calm and composure is indispensable for those who are in politics.

  Having been a deputy director for just over a year, Dad has gradually developed some official airs.

  However, my mother's performance was even more surprising. She was even calmer than my father, as if nothing had happened, and smiled: "You go, don't worry about things at home." She even greeted Zhang Mu-lin.

  My old mom is usually very hot-tempered, but at the critical moment, she actually has such a great general demeanor. Hehe, awesome!

  My dad and mom's calmness immediately calmed me down too. Geez, I still don't know what the organization department wants to talk to my dad about, what's the rush?

  I'm not sure if the head of the Organization Department in this county, Director Wu, is a chief or deputy. In official circles, it's common to omit "chief" and "deputy". Of course, if it were Vice Secretary Zheng or Director Fu, that would be a different story.

  "Mom, is this Director Wu the main one or the deputy?"

  Old mother was in a daze and replied casually: "Right. Wu Qiuyang, the head of the Organization Department of the county... Hmm, Xiao Jun, why are you asking this?"

  If it were Dad, there wouldn't be this question. Mom works at the Lotus Commune and doesn't spend much time with me, so she lacks a comprehensive understanding of my "genius".

  "Xiao Jun, where are you going?"

  My mother saw that I didn't respond to her words and followed closely behind my father, about ten meters away, towards Director Zhang's office, feeling a bit strange.

  I raised my hand and waved it, without turning back, the ominous premonition in my heart grew thicker.

  Dad is just the deputy director of the Red Flag Commune, ranked last in the county. According to normal organizational procedures, it's impossible for the head of the county's organization department to come and talk to him. It can be seen that the county is handling this matter as a big deal.

  The Organization Department is in charge of personnel appointments, and there's no doubt that Father can't be promoted now. So the only possibility for the Organization Department to talk to him is to make other arrangements for his work.

  The Party's Discipline Inspection Commission was abolished at the 9th National Congress and was not formally restored until the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee in late 1978. Prior to that, some functions of the Discipline Inspection Commission were exercised by the Organization Department. In other words, the Organization Department at that time had the power to discipline cadres or at least propose disciplinary action against them.

  As soon as Zhang Mulin and his father entered the office, the door closed.

  I naturally couldn't squeeze in. No matter how young I was, I couldn't be reckless. However, when I crouched down at the entrance, it seemed like no one paid attention to me.

  The soundproofing of the office is self-evident. If it were at night, I'm afraid that if someone farted inside, you could still hear it clearly at the door. The following is the conversation between Director Wu and my father.

  Zhang Mulan: "Director Wu, this is Comrade Liu Jincan. Comrade Jincan, this is Director Wu of the county's organizational department."

  "Hello, Minister Wu."

  “……”

  Dad probably wanted to extend his hand and shake hands with Director Wu, but whether Director Wu was willing to shake hands with Dad is unknown, at least he didn't respond to Dad's greeting.

  "Comrade Liu Jincai, please take a seat!"

  Minister Wu's voice was stern, but also slightly curious. Perhaps he couldn't quite see through the small deputy director of the commune who dared to defy the heavens.

  Addressing each other with both names and surnames plus the title of "comrade" made the atmosphere of the conversation very solemn.

  "Comrade Liu Jincai, I have been entrusted by Director Wang of the County Revolutionary Committee to come and talk to you today."

  It's Wang Benqing again!

  I gritted my teeth at the door. Then I thought it was funny, Wang Benqing took this black pot a bit unjustly. Since he is the number one in Xiangyang County, these things must be tied to his banner. It's a big deal, involving route guidance issues, actually, officials like Wang Benqing basically have no right to speak, they all have to listen to their superiors.

  "Please instruct Minister Wu."

  Dad is neither arrogant nor humble.

  "It's not up for discussion. I'm here today to convey the decision of the County Revolutionary Committee."

  Wu Qiuyang's voice was serious and stiff, without any emotional tone.

  My heart skipped a beat.

  Normally, a notice would have sufficed, and at most, Father himself would have gone to the county seat. But for the head of the Organization Department of the county to personally come down to the commune to make the announcement, this decision was no ordinary one.

  Is it necessary to take compulsory measures against Dad?

  This is by no means impossible. Many people were sentenced to severe penalties for making "wrong" remarks during the Great Revolution, and some even lost their lives as a result.

  In an instant, my heart was burning with anxiety.

  "Comrade Liu Jincai..."

  I felt a sense of relief in my heart, calling each other "comrades" was good! At least it wasn't an enemy contradiction.

  "...You and Comrade Yan Yucheng, without the permission of the organization, arbitrarily published a signed article in the provincial newspaper, which implied the current central theoretical policy directive. This is a clear example of undisciplined behavior, causing extremely bad influence in Yangyang County, Baozhou region, and even the entire N province. The error committed is serious. After discussion by the county revolutionary committee director's meeting and with the agreement of the Baozhou regional revolutionary committee, it was decided to order Comrade Yan Yucheng and Comrade Liu Jinchai to immediately stop work for self-reflection and make a deep examination of their mistakes. When you two comrades will be allowed to resume work will depend on your attitude towards recognizing your errors..."

  A weight has been lifted off my mind.

  Yes, being suspended for reflection isn't too bad. At least I wasn't dismissed from public office, let alone expelled from the party - that would be a disaster. The central government's comprehensive work to rectify wrongs will take some time to unfold, it's an enormous project. How many people are eagerly waiting? How many famous figures in the history of the Republic are lining up for the organization to give them a fair evaluation? As for small potatoes like Yan Yuchen and my dad, who knows when they'll get their turn - maybe not until the year of the monkey or horse. From what I know, Yan Yuchen is 39 years old, and my dad is 37, already not young. If they drag it out for a few more years, their prospects in officialdom will be quite bleak.

  To be honest, being suspended from duty for self-reflection is a difficult and unbearable experience for someone like Yan Yucheng who is used to wielding power. My father has only been in an administrative leadership position for about a year and hasn't gotten used to it yet. Apart from the reduction of some subsidies every month, his basic salary won't change. My father has been working for a long time, so his basic salary is still relatively high. I remember that around 1986, his salary plus bonuses could add up to over 120 yuan, which was quite enviable. In our family, my father's salary is very important, at least it is at this stage.

  "Director Wu, I obey the organization's decision, but reserve my own opinion..."

  Dad is still arguing.

  This is also the meaning that should be in the question. If you don't argue about it, aren't you admitting that you made a mistake?

  "...Please inform Comrade Wang Benqing that as a Party member, participating in discussions on the Party's policy issues at Party meetings and in Party newspapers and publications is a sacred right granted by the Party Constitution, and no individual or organization has the right to deprive him of it."

  Alas, Father's temper has flared up again. Being too rigid and unyielding will lead to breaking easily. At this time, toning down one's sharp edges is also a strategy of hiding one's capabilities. Why must he necessarily mention Wang Benqing by name?

  Minister Wu obviously did not expect Old Dad's temperament to be so tough, and he let out a soft sigh, saying: "Comrade Liu Jinchang, you must correct your attitude, reflect on your mistakes, and strive to resume work as soon as possible."

  This is actually waking up Dad.

  I suddenly had a lot more goodwill towards Director Wu. It seems that the county officials' attitudes towards this matter are not uniform, they just can't outdo Wang Benqing's power. Or perhaps it was the instructions of higher-level leaders, and Wang Benqing was simply following orders, unjustly bearing the bad name.

  Director Wu did not stay long, conveyed the decision of the county revolutionary committee, and left Hongqi Commune immediately.

  Zhang Mulin had just sent Director Wu off in the jeep and was about to turn back when he wanted to say a few words to his dad, but unexpectedly his dad had already taken my hand and walked away, seemingly not taking this "suspension for reflection" to heart at all. He couldn't help but stand stupidly at the office door, staring blankly at his dad's receding figure in a daze.

  He was also wondering why everyone who got close to Yan Yucheng would catch his arrogant attitude.

  "Suspended for introspection?"

  Mom smiled.

  "Well then, you can take some time to tutor Huazai with her homework, she's going to take the college entrance exam soon."

  But when my mother turned to choose the pork, I clearly saw deep worry in her eyes. It's true that which woman doesn't worry about her husband's future? But now that things have come to this point, Mother absolutely refused to add even a little bit of psychological pressure on Father.

  Being able to marry mom is really dad's good fortune for this lifetime.

  Grandma's birthday was unexpectedly lively.

  Originally, it was only planned for a gathering of close relatives at home, but on that day, early in the morning, many visitors came to the door one after another. The branch secretary, Wu Bo, took the lead, and more than 20 people from the Liu and Ruan families came, including some prominent figures. Even several leading figures from the Zhou family, who were not very close to us on a daily basis, also came. It caught my parents off guard. Even on my grandfather's birthday in previous years, there had never been such a grand gathering.

  Dad and mom came to their senses, hastily calling my younger uncle to gather a few young people, rushing to the commune to buy vegetables again. Mutton is only available on market days, pork is not so scarce, but it also requires a ticket. Fortunately, there were 20-30 kilograms of dried fish that Wu Yibo and Qi Yibo sent last time, after several months, we have only eaten 3-4 kilograms, which can be used for emergency relief.

  The five elders stopped Xiao Shu.

  "Wait for a while, don't rush. The dishes will be served later."

  Dad looked puzzled: "Fifth Brother..."

  "How can you not trust your fifth brother?"

  "Not really, where can?"

  "Then you can sit back and relax. Let's have a good chat, the three brothers from the Liu, Ruan, and Zhou families."

  "Ah..."

  For this honest and upright fifth brother, Dad has always been quite respectful of him.

  The Fifth Uncle was indeed not lying, and soon the women from each household sent over many dishes of vegetables, with chicken, duck, fish, and eggs all complete. What was especially rare was that the chicken and duck were already slaughtered and cleaned up spotlessly, and could be put directly into the pot.

  "Jin Cai, the New Year is approaching, you don't have to go back to the commune either, just stay at home for a while. Fifth Brother is also old and can't quite grasp the new situation nowadays. You are an experienced cadre who has seen the world, so it's just right that you tell Fifth Brother about it..."

  It wasn't until then that Father realized that Fifth Brother and the others had found out about his suspension from work, and they were taking advantage of Grandma's birthday to come and show their support.

  Since I took office as the deputy director of the public company, talking about political achievements is just an experimental "rice field fish farming", slightly worth mentioning, what virtue and ability do I have to deserve such a high reputation from fellow villagers?

  I am even more moved beyond words. These simple and kind-hearted villagers, as long as you do something for them, no matter how small, they will never forget it.

  "Brother Five, is this suitable?"

  Dad is afraid of implicating Fifth Uncle.

  Wu Bo waved his hand and said: "What's suitable or not? In the county, Wang Benqing has the final say, but in our Liu family mountain, I, Liu Jinwen, have the final say!"