Chapter 38: The Great Reversal

  Liu Jun told Wang Youfu that the head of the county revolutionary committee's first guest house would not make it to the end of the year, which was calculated according to the time of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Party. At the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, the theoretical guideline currently proposed will be formally negated. Unexpectedly, this estimate was still too conservative. By June, the situation had taken a drastic turn.

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jincan's performance at the reception made Wang Benqing so angry that his teeth itched. They were supposed to be under isolated examination, but these two guys didn't even write a single word of self-criticism, instead they argued with the cadres from the Organization Department every day, leaving them speechless. The Organization Department had no choice but to ask Minister Wu Qiuyang to intervene in person, but it was still ineffective.

  Minister Wu is an old organizational cadre, who has stepped up from the grassroots to the position of Minister of Organization, with very rich experience. However, his cultural level is not high, and in terms of theoretical level, he is far behind Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincheng, and even not as good as some young cadres in the Organizational Department.

  Zheng Xingyun was in charge of organizational personnel work at the county revolutionary committee, and Wu Qiuyang, the head of the organization department, was seen as a member of Wang's faction. This is mainly because Wu Qiuyang was promoted by Wang Benqing. It was also Wang Benqing's chess piece to restrain Zheng Xingyun. However, Wu Qiuyang was a straightforward person and a native of Xiangyang, so Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchao gave him considerable respect and did not show off in front of him. The conversation with Wu Qiuyang was more like a comrade's heart-to-heart talk.

  After several conversations, Wu Qiuyang was almost persuaded by Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincheng. Later on, every time Wu Qiuyang came to the reception room, it was basically just chatting and idle talk, and he simply threw the "theoretical debate" to the back of his mind.

  This situation, Wang Benqing surprisingly did not know. Such a good "meritorious service" opportunity, was actually not taken by anyone. It can be seen that among the ordinary cadres in Xiangyang County, their ideas are also quietly changing.

  But Wang Benqing obviously could no longer tolerate Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincheng's endless delay, and through Wu Qiuyang, he issued an ultimatum.

  On June 3, 1978, Wu Qiuyang came to a reception office, exceptionally summoning Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincan together under the accompaniment of Wang Benqing's secretary and an organizational cadre. With a serious expression, he conveyed the notice from the Xiangyang County Revolutionary Committee to the two isolated persons under investigation.

  "If Comrade Yan Yucheng and Comrade Liu Jinchai persist in their erroneous political views, fail to have a correct and clear understanding of the serious mistakes they have committed, and cannot produce a profound written self-criticism before June 5th, the Yang County Revolutionary Committee will mete out even more severe party and administrative disciplinary actions against them, up to and including expulsion from the Party and removal from public office!"

  It's finally time to meet in person after being poor and humble for a long time.

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai both looked grave.

  Wu Qiuyang understood in his heart that Wang Benqing was now also at a dead end, and when the time came, he would be unable to get off the tiger's back. He would really manipulate the county revolutionary committee to pass a resolution, expelling both Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincheng from the party.

  "Lao Yan, Lao Liu, I think you'd better make a self-criticism..."

  Wang Benqing's secretary gave Wu Qiuyang a somewhat strange look. The head of the Organization Department seemed to be pleading with his subordinate who had made a mistake.

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jincan exchanged a glance, took a deep breath, and said: "Director Wu, this is not a matter of personal pride. We have no personal grudges with Comrade Wang Benqing either. This is a struggle over truth and principle, and there can be no compromise! He, Wang Benqing, may strip us of our party membership and official positions, or even throw us into prison, but he will never be able to make us abandon the truth and justice!"

  Wu Qiuyang nodded meaningfully and bid farewell to Yan Liu with a handshake.

  On June 5th in the morning, Wu Qiuyang came to a hotel again.

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai were dressed neatly waiting for the final decision of the county revolutionary committee.

  As soon as Wu Qiuyang walked in with big strides, Yan Yuchen smiled and said to Liu Jincheng, "I didn't expect that your little brat was actually right."

  Liu Jincai also smiled slightly: "Yes."

  "Jin Cai, things in life are unpredictable, I originally wanted to invite you to make a big move..."

  "Oh, don't you dare say sorry or anything like that... We're all from farming families, going back home to till the land won't starve us to death!"

  "What's starving to death and what's not? Who's starving?"

  Wu Qiuyang smiled and took over the conversation.

  Yan Liu was stunned for a moment, what's with Wu Qiuyang's expression? This doesn't look like he's going to kill both of them!

  "Director Wu, what's making you so happy? Did you divorce your old wife and marry a new one?"

  Yan Yucheng decided to joke around.

  "Go go go, you're making me happy now."

  Wu Qiuyang cursed with a smile, then his face turned serious and solemnly said: "Comrade Yan Yucheng, Comrade Liu Jincan, the Revolutionary Committee of Baozhou Region, Director Long Tiejun wants you to rush to Baozhou City immediately. Director Long wants to talk to you in person."

  ……

  Baozhou City, Third Floor of the Revolutionary Committee Office Building, Long Tiejun's office.

  Liu Jin had never been to the District Committee office building before, and he was somewhat curious and intimidated by this four-story grey building hidden among a large number of cypress trees. Although Yan Yucheng had come several times, entering the office was also his first time.

  Long Tiejun was in his fifties, with white hair and faint age spots on his face. He looked refined and scholarly, and if he weren't sitting behind a desk adorned with the national flag, people would have taken him for an academic rather than a high-ranking official overseeing seven counties.

  In the office, apart from Long Tiejun, there were two other officials. One was over 50 years old and the other was relatively younger, around 40 years old. They all wore gray-black Mao suits like Long Tiejun, and the young one wore a pair of black-framed glasses.

  The man in his fifties with a gloomy expression was someone Yan Yucheng knew, namely Zhou Peiming, the first deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee and second-in-command of Long Tiejun.

  Liu and Qian led the two into the office, introduced their identities, poured tea, and then quietly retreated, closing the door behind them.

  "Are you two Comrade Yan Yucheng and Comrade Liu Jinchai? I've long admired your names, haha..."

  Long Tiejun smiled brightly and said.

  Since Wu Qiuyang said that Long Tiejun had summoned them, Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincan had been anxious. They asked Wu Qiuyang, but he also shook his head, knowing nothing. He only told them that Wang Benqing, Zheng Xingyun, and Cui Xiuhuo were summoned to the region yesterday, but didn't know what it was about.

  Yan Yucheng was even more worried, wondering if Wang Benqing was going to make another big show.

  At this moment, hearing Long Tiejun's bright laughter, the fifteen buckets of water in his heart finally settled down.

  "Nothing, nothing...... Director Long, hello......"

  Although Ruan Yucheng's courage was great at this time, he couldn't help but feel a little flustered.

  "Haha, you are indeed great theorists, and talents from our Baoding region."

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai both secretly let out a breath. A cadre of Long Tiejun's level wouldn't easily praise people. To say it that way was extremely high praise.

  "Come, Comrade Yan Yucheng, Comrade Liu Jincan, I'd like to introduce...". Long Tiejun stood up with a smile and pointed at the younger cadre, saying: "This is Vice Director Qian Jianjun of the Theoretical Dynamics Division of the Central Propaganda Department..."

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai were startled, and hastily stepped forward.

  The name "Central Propaganda Department" is indeed dizzying enough for a while.

  Qian, the deputy group leader, stood up with some reserve and shook hands with them, asking how they were doing.

  "This is someone you should know, he's Vice Director Zhou Peiming of our Baozhou Region Revolutionary Committee."

  Yan Yucheng's eyes flickered slightly, having long heard that Zhou Peiming was Wang Benqing's backer, but this was the first time they had met. Zhou Peiming forced out a smile and extended his hand to shake Yan's briefly.

  Liu Jincai was still unclear about what was going on and continued to hold Zhou Peiming's hand, shaking it for a while.

  "Comrade Yan Yucheng, Comrade Liu Jincan, please take a seat."

  "Yes, thank you Director Long."

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jincan sat down on the sofa with their buttocks half hanging, their waists straight as a pen, staring at Long Tiejun without blinking.

  "Hehe, no need to be so nervous."

  Long Tiejun said with a gentle tone, having an air of a wise elder about him.

  "Please come, first of all I want to have a chat with you about those articles on 'Seeking Truth from Facts'."

  As for "On Seeking Truth from Facts", Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchang's slightly relaxed mood suddenly became tense again. That was written by Director Zhou, and facing Vice Director Qian of the Theoretical Dynamics Department of the Central Propaganda Department, such a big theoretical expert, don't make any mistakes.

  "The first one is called 'On Seeking Truth from Facts', when was it published?"

  October 23rd, 1977, published on the front page of N Province Daily.

  Yan Yucheng replied cautiously.

  "Uh-huh."

  Long Tiejun nodded, apparently he knew. With the corner of his eye, he glanced over and saw several copies of the N Province Daily stacked on his desk, presumably carrying those few articles.

  "Which one of you two wrote it?"

  Yan Yucheng was startled and exchanged a glance with Liu Jinchang, forcing himself to say: "It was Comrade Liu Jinchang who wrote it, I revised and polished it."

  This was what they had planned long ago. Although Liu Jincai's educational background is not as good as Yan Yucheng's, in terms of literary foundation, he is better than Yan Yucheng. Moreover, Liu Jincai is a junior, and it is more reasonable for him to write the first draft and Yan Yucheng to revise and polish it.

  "Haha, Comrade Liu Jinchai's writing skills are quite good. What a high level of cultural attainment!"

  "Reporting to Director Long, I am a graduate of Baizhuan Normal School in Baozhou area."

  Liu Jincai said, secretly wiping a sweat.

  "Oh, graduated from a normal university, no wonder you can write such good articles."

  Long Tiejun's smile did not diminish, which greatly reassured Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincheng.

  "So tell me, why did you want to write these few articles? What's the starting point?"

  This question was originally difficult to answer, but during the isolation review period, I had a war of words with the cadres of Xiangyang County Organization Department for dozens of times, and it was not completely fruitless.

  "Director Long, we are doing grassroots work and in our daily practice, we encounter some problems. We try to connect theory with reality and gradually form some superficial views, so we decided to write them down..."

  After all, facing the leaders of the Provincial Revolutionary Committee and the Central Propaganda Department, Yan Yucheng did not dare to be as fierce as when debating with the cadres of Xiangyang County, and he answered extremely carefully, tightly surrounding the topic of "work practice".

  As soon as this was said, he saw Vice Captain Qian Jianjun nod slightly, and his heart felt at ease, it seemed that they were on the same page.

  "What's going on with that 'rice field fish farming' you're doing in Hongqi Commune?"

  Long Tiejun's tone suddenly changed.

  Speaking of this matter, Yan Yucheng relaxed a bit. After all, there was no suspicion of fraud in "rice field fish farming".

  "It's like this, Director Long. We're just doing an experiment, Hongqi Commune's twenty-one big teams, each team has twenty mu of paddy fields, and in each mu we've released 1,000 carp fry and crucian carp fry after the early rice transplanting..."

  "Could you be more specific?"

  Qian Jianjun suddenly interrupted, nodding his head at Director Long, as if apologizing.

  "Alright..."

  Yan Yucheng saw Long Tiejun nodding, and then introduced the fish farming situation in detail. Upon hearing that an average of 50-60 kilograms of fresh fish were harvested per mu, Qian Jianjun's expression changed.

  "How much? How much did you invest?"

  "The investment is not much. It's just that the fish seedlings cost two or three yuan per mu, totaling forty or fifty yuan. Afterwards, the members of the commune caught some earthworms and insects and released them into the paddy fields, all of which were recorded as work points, without spending any cash."

  Qian Jianjun nodded and recorded it in his notebook, then smiled at Long Tiejun and stopped talking.

  "I heard that your county gave you internal party disciplinary action for this?"

  Yan Yucheng thought for a moment and said: "Yes, Liu Jinchai comrade is an inner-party warning, I am an administrative demerit..."

  "What is the reason for the penalty?"

  Qian Jianjun interrupted and asked.

  It seems that the "Central Propaganda Department" identity is quite useful, as Long Tiejun frequently interjects with questions, without showing any displeasure.

  "Mainly, it has fostered corruption and profiteering, as well as the rise of productive forces theory and capitalist ideology... Several leaders, in all fairness, this punishment is not excessive."

  "Oh? Tell me your thoughts."

  Long Tiejun asked with interest. He originally thought that Yan Yucheng would take the opportunity to give Wang Benqing a pill, but he didn't expect Yan Yucheng to come up with such a sentence, which was somewhat unexpected.

  Yan Yucheng glanced at Liu Jinchai, as if asking him to say a few words too. The superior leader had called the two of them together for a conversation, and it wasn't quite right that only one person was taking credit.

  Liu Jincan nodded and said, "That's right, Director Long. This is our first time to cultivate fish in the rice field, we have no experience, and we didn't expect such a big harvest. As for how to distribute it, we didn't give timely guidance to each team, and some problems occurred during distribution. Some cadres took more than they should and gave away public property as gifts. There were also some members who privately bought and sold the distributed fish, suspected of speculation and profiteering, which had a bad impact. As the person in charge of Hongqi Commune, we should take responsibility."

  "Yes, party members and cadres should have this style, which is called seeking truth from facts." Long Tiejun nodded repeatedly, turned to Zhou Peiming and said: "Comrade Peiming, what's your opinion?"

  Zhou Peiming smiled faintly and said, "I have nothing to say, everything will be arranged by Director Long."

  "Hehe, as the first deputy director of the regional organization's personnel department, you should be the one to announce the appointment of cadres."

  Cadre appointment?

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai both jumped in their hearts, with the level of their own family, what cadre appointment needs to be announced by the first deputy director of the local revolutionary committee?

  Zhou Peiming did not decline, picked up the file folder beside him and opened it, cleared his throat, and said: "Comrade Yan Yucheng, Comrade Liu Jincan, based on the investigation and understanding of the Baoyu area Revolutionary Committee, we believe that you two comrades are diligent and hardworking, with a firm political stance, dare to uphold the truth, and have decided to revoke the decision of the Yangyang County Revolutionary Committee to suspend your work for reflection..."

  At this point, Zhou Peiming paused for a moment, his eyes darting towards Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincheng. The two of them involuntarily straightened their backs.

  "...At the same time, the Prefectural Revolutionary Committee has decided to make adjustments to your work. Comrade Yan Yucheng is appointed as the Director of the Xiangyang County Revolutionary Committee, and will be fully responsible for the work in Xiangyang County; Comrade Liu Jincan is appointed as the Deputy Director of the Xiangyang County Revolutionary Committee and concurrently as the Minister of Propaganda, to assist Comrade Yan Yucheng in taking charge of propaganda work throughout the county!"