Chapter Thirty: Believe in the Party, Believe in the Organization

  Louder than the roar of the engines was the sudden burst of applause.

  Liao Director led the applause.

  My face turned bright red, and I was at a loss for what to do with my hands and feet.

  Alas, I'm not used to this! In my past life, I was a humble grassrooter and never received such praise. It's really hard for someone who is accustomed to hiding behind others' glory to adjust to this kind of attention all at once.

  Zhang Kuang was overjoyed, even disregarding the oil stains on my hands, bending down to tightly grasp my hand and shaking it repeatedly. Fortunately, he was a man of great restraint, not using too much force, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to bear it.

  "A father who is a tiger will never have a son who is a dog! Indeed, a father who is a tiger will never have a son who is a dog!"

  He was completely unconscious of the praise. Unexpectedly, a middle-aged man who looked like a leader standing next to Director Liao's side suddenly had a slightly gloomy face. I didn't notice it at first, but I felt a little strange, what kind of person is this, and why did he have such an expression?

  "Good, good! Young Liu Jun, you've done a great job for me in saving coal!"

  Liao Director apparently did not notice the leader's face and praised with a smile.

  My impression of Director Liao improved a bit, not because of this pompous official speech, but because he remembered my name in an instant. It's clear that in his mind, I'm really being taken seriously.

  I modestly waved my hand and dodged to one side.

  This is not stage fright, it's called having a sense of occasion.

  At this moment, the big leader of the family should make an impromptu speech. I've got a bargain and can't continue to show off, lest I steal the leader's thunder. This rule, I still understand.

  Director Liao smiled slightly and indeed gave a passionate speech off the cuff.

  This is also the meaning that should be in the question. When a big leader speaks in front of the masses, he is always full of enthusiasm. There has never been a big leader who would speak to ordinary people with a straight face, unless his brain is flooded with water.

  It was a cold winter, and the wind on the mountain was biting. Director Liao's speech was concise and to the point. After the workers applauded, they began work in an orderly manner under the command of Zhang Mine Long.

  It's not good if workers freeze, but it's even worse if leaders freeze.

  Director Liao's inspection of the No. 7-1 coal mine's third mining area has more symbolic significance than practical significance. In fact, as a provincial leader in charge, he is unlikely to give detailed instructions on the specific work of the mining area. To a large extent, the selection of the third mining area was random. That is to say, Director Liao decided to inspect one of the mining areas of the No. 7-1 coal mine, but it didn't have to be the third mining area. As long as the leader did not specify, the specific details were left to the Mining Bureau and even the No. 7-1 coal mine itself to decide. Of course, they generally arrange for a mining area that is relatively outstanding in all aspects to be presented to the leader.

  I don't have much impression of Director Liao.

  Considering his age, by the time I was an adult, he should have already retired. Moreover, I'm not interested in politics and am busy making a living, so I wouldn't intentionally go searching for information on retired provincial-level officials. Before crossing over, I was living abroad and my understanding of the n province's political scene was limited to knowing the names of the provincial party secretary and governor, which is already a very low level. After crossing over, although dad unexpectedly entered politics, my sensitivity to politics still needs improvement. Seeing Director Liao finish his speech and quietly talking to the accompanying personnel, I thought I had nothing to do with it and searched for my sister in the crowd, thinking that after Director Liao left, I would find Zhang Kuang and get the "benefits" he promised, then go home and enjoy a big meal.

  Alas, with such a mindset, it's really got a "muddy wall" kind of feel to it. I'm starting to lose hope and feel discouraged about my prospects in life after crossing over.

  "Liú Jùn little friend, come here!"

  Suddenly, Director Liao beckoned me over.

  I was taken aback and pointed to my own nose, asking: "Was it me you were calling?"

  "That's right."

  Liao Director smiled and waved his hand repeatedly.

  I rushed over quickly.

  Liao Director patted my head and asked kindly: "Liu Jun, how old are you this year, what grade are you in?"

  Eight years old, in second grade.

  "Was the technique you used to repair the electric motor taught by your father?"

  "Uh, my dad taught me the principles of electric motors, and some things I figured out on my own."

  "Oh? Alright, alright... How's your dad doing at work now?"

  I didn't expect him to ask such a question. Maybe his position is too high, and he doesn't even know the decision of Xiangyang County's disposal. At this time, the face of the middle-aged leader beside him changed again.

  It seems that this person is a leader in the Baozhou area and is very familiar with Xiangyang County.

  I hesitated, wondering whether I should tell him about Dad's current situation.

  I have no idea about the situation at the provincial committee and the provincial revolutionary committee level, nor do I know what position Director Liao holds or his political inclination. It's reckless to offer him advice without knowing these things, and it's hard to predict whether it will bring good fortune or disaster. Don't cause unnecessary trouble for Dad again.

  "What's wrong? Is there something on your mind?"

  Liao's face turned solemn.

  At this time, the middle-aged leader interrupted: "Director Liao, he's just a young kid, how would he know about these things?"

  That remark annoyed me.

  In my past life as a commoner, I was of low social status and couldn't stand being looked down upon by others. Never mind, since they asked, I'll speak the truth.

  "Liao BoBo, my dad doesn't have a job now. The county government said he made a mistake and asked him to stop working and reflect on it."

  Changing the way of addressing someone implies a deliberate attempt to get closer. Since he is such a high-ranking official, it wouldn't hurt to build a closer relationship with him.

  "Really?"

  Liao Director was somewhat surprised and turned his head to look at the leader beside him.

  "Director Zhou, what's going on?"

  Director Liao's tone was still gentle and did not contain any blame. However, Director Zhou's expression had become somewhat awkward. When it comes to a leader's questions, one cannot just look at the surface. Who knows if Director Liao's calm demeanor is hiding a furious storm beneath?

  "Hmm, I'm not very clear about this either. It's probably a decision made by the Weiyang County Revolutionary Committee. For the appointment and dismissal of commune deputy directors at this level, the county revolutionary committee does not need to report to the prefectural revolutionary committee for approval..."

  But judging from his expression, Director Zhou undoubtedly knew about this matter. I could see the clues, how could Director Liao not know?

  Director Shao of the Baoyuan Mining Bureau is more open in front of Director Liao, because the mining bureau is directly under the Coal Department, and the province is only acting on behalf. But the cadres in the Baoyuan area are different, and with Director Liao, it's a superior-subordinate relationship.

  Liao Director nodded and stopped asking about this matter.

  High-ranking leaders are all like this, and being able to keep one's emotions from showing on one's face is a basic skill for high-ranking officials.

  "What is your father doing now?"

  This is another difficult question to answer. I also don't know why Director Liao cares about my dad's situation, it seems like he's just casually asking, but for a leader of his level to come down and inspect, every word spoken in public will be pondered over by people for a long time. However, he doesn't seem to be clear on my dad's recent situation, which means at least he's not Wang Benqing's big backer.

  I can be sure that the disciplinary action of suspending Lao Da and Yan Yuchen was definitely approved by Wang Benqing's superiors. Although the position of deputy director of the county and commune is low, the impact of "On Seeking Truth from Facts" is great. It's not surprising that even the central bigwigs are shocked. The decision of the Xiangyang County Revolutionary Committee to suspend them is actually a public declaration of Wang Benqing's political stance, with the intention of showing loyalty to his superiors. If Wang Benqing was his trusted follower, he had no reason not to know about this matter.

  I was thinking about how to respond in a way that would be most beneficial to my dad, based on the premise that Wang Benqing is not someone who is on the same side as Director Liao. Otherwise, it's best to say nothing at all.

  However, the leader's eyes were shining as he waited for me to respond, and the time to consider it was not necessarily sufficient.

  "Hmm... He spends most of his time reading."

  "What's that you're reading?"

  Liao Director seemed to be interested. But didn't notice that this question is too complicated for a second-grade elementary school student. How many eight-year-old kids would care about what books their father reads every day?

  "Selected Works of Great Men", "Das Kapital", "Political Economy", "Historical Materialism and Dialectical Materialism", "History of the Development of the World Proletarian Movement", "History of the Communist Party of China"...

  A large group of leaders were stunned again. These book titles actually came out of a child's mouth like a treasured family heirloom?

  Liao's face showed a hint of appreciation and he nodded slightly.

  "Uh, strengthening theoretical study is necessary, but it's also important to link theory with practice. When there's time, one should go out and take a walk."

  This sentence is like talking to me, and it's also like talking to myself.

  "Liú Jùn little friend, today you have opened Liao BoBo's eyes! An 8-year-old student has repaired the electric motor of a mine, wow, that's amazing! Thank you for your contribution to San Cai District. I hope you study hard and grow up to attend university in the provincial city, then come visit me at home."

  Director Liao said loudly.

  These words can be understood as an official article by the leader, but when said to Liu Jincai's son, they have a different meaning.

  "Thank you, Uncle."

  "Uh, goodbye!"

  Just as Director Liao was about to get into his Shanghai-brand sedan, I suddenly stepped forward and said, "Uncle Liao..."

  Liao Director turned around and asked in a gentle tone: "Is there anything else?"

  "My dad... when can he go back to work?"

  I looked up with an innocent and harmless expression.

  Liao Director's expression was solemn, and he said slowly: "Tell your father to trust the Party and trust the organization!"

  The next day, Dad and Mom returned to the Liu family mountain together. Before entering the door, they smelled the fragrance of meat. The two catties of meat that Zhang Kuang cut yesterday were all real hind leg meat. Grandma knew that Dad and Mom would be back today, so she specially stir-fried pickled chili peppers.

  Before Old Mother asked, Elder Sister had already chattered on and on about the electric motor thing. Perhaps in the whole of Liu Family Mountain, Dad and Mom were the last to know about this matter.

  My mother was stunned on the spot, speechless, her eyes fixed on me, as if to make sure that the child in front of her was indeed born from her own belly.

  Hehe, mom, this is really your son, genuine and authentic. I just crossed over once.

  Dad was still calm, after all he knew my electrical foundation. I just didn't expect that even the large mining motor I dared to touch.

  "Dad, I've got two bottles of wine and a pack of cigarettes for you. Originally, there was also a pound of cookies, but you guys didn't have good luck, so we ate them all up last night, hehe..."

  My mother finally believed it was true, and she was overjoyed. She wanted to hug me and kiss me, but I quickly took two steps back and said with a smile: "And Uncle Liao from the provincial government also praised me."

  "Which Liao Bo Bo in the province?"

  "I don't know. Director Shao of Baozhou Mining Bureau and Director Zhou of the region accompanied him to come to Qi Yi Coal Mine."

  "Could it be Liao Qingkai? Provincial Party Secretary and Vice Director of the Provincial Revolutionary Committee Liao Qingkai?"

  Dad was shocked and uncertain.

  I knew that at the time, the provincial party committee had a first secretary, and the provincial party committee secretary was equivalent to the later provincial party committee standing committee member. The deputy director of the provincial revolutionary committee was equivalent to the vice governor. Standing committee members and vice governors were also big figures in the province.

  "If it's Liao Qingkai, then Regional Director Zhou should be Zhou Peiming, the First Deputy Director of the Prefectural Revolutionary Committee."

  Mom's attention was drawn over as expected.

  "It must be him. Liao Qing came down for inspection, and the head of the local revolutionary committee, Long Tiejun, did not accompany him, which was already very impolite. Zhou Peiming didn't accompany him either, what's the point of that?"

  I knew this matter was important to Dad, so I immediately told him about the conversation with Liao Qing word for word.

  "Believe in the Party, believe in the organization..."

  Dad muttered this sentence, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

  "Yes, Uncle Liao said so."

  I emphasized it.

  "If Liao Qingkai really said so, then you have hope to resume work."

  Mom was overjoyed.