Chapter Thirty-Seven Isolation Review

  On May 11, 1978, Guangming Daily published in full an article titled "Practice is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth" signed by a special commentator of this newspaper. What Liu Jun had been expecting for a long time finally happened along the predetermined historical track.

  This famous article, which triggered a nationwide discussion, was first published on May 10 in the internal publication "Theoretical Dynamics" of the Central Party School. After being reprinted by Guangming Daily the next day, People's Daily, PLA Daily and some provincial party newspapers reprinted it in full on May 12. By May 13, most provincial party newspapers across the country had reprinted the article.

  This article makes clear that practice is not only the sole criterion for testing truth, but also the sole criterion for testing whether the Party's line is correct.

  Mr. Zhou, Yan Yucheng and Liu Jincan gathered together again, each holding a copy of the N Province Daily, carefully reading the headline article on the front page. In fact, they had already read it at least three times, but still focused their attention, fearing that they would miss a single word, and the hands holding the newspaper could not help but tremble slightly.

  More than half a year of waiting, more than half a year of suffering, more than half a year of tossing and turning, more than half a year of sleepless nights, today finally has a perfect answer, how can I not be excited.

  "It's finally here."

  After a long while, Mr. Zhou lifted his head, took off his glasses and muttered to himself, two lines of tears involuntarily streaming down from his thin cheeks.

  "Yes, finally waited for it."

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai sighed in unison, although they didn't shed tears, their eyes turned red.

  Liu Junya let out a long sigh of relief.

  For this result and this article, Liu Jun had already known. But before seeing it exactly on the party newspaper, he was always uneasy in his heart, with a worry that the historical trajectory of this world would change after crossing back.

  It seems now that I was worrying unnecessarily.

  Mr. Zhou's "On Seeking Truth from Facts" and "Again on Seeking Truth from Facts", with basic ideas almost identical to those in "Practice", were published more than half a year earlier. It can be foreseen that "Practice" will inevitably cause strong repercussions throughout the country, and the two signatories of "On Seeking Truth from Facts", Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai, will once again become the focus of attention in Xiangyang County, Baozhou region and even N Province.

  Compared with half a year ago, they are no longer isolated and helpless, but have become the pioneers of discovering the "standard of truth".

  "Teacher, you're really amazing! Come on, let me treat you with a cup of tea instead of wine."

  Yan Yucheng raised his teacup.

  He used to be very respectful of Mr. Zhou, but rarely used the honorific "you".

  Mr. Zhou chuckled and picked up his cup.

  "I just did some written work, but you two are the pioneers who put theory into practice, doing actual work and bearing the pressure. I wouldn't dare to take credit for others' achievements."

  "That's still your fault for teaching me."

  Liu Jincai also flattered him.

  "Uncle Zhou, Uncle Yan, Dad, I think you shouldn't be too happy yet..."

  Just as they were flattering each other, Liu Jun poured a basin of cold water on their heads.

  "What's Xiao Jun talking nonsense about?"

  Liu Jincai puffed out his chest and glared with wide eyes.

  "Don't forget, this theoretical guideline executed earlier is the highest instruction."

  The three of them looked at each other in dismay, their fervent emotions suddenly plummeting.

  Liu Jun had no choice but to do so. Because he knew that the collision of two theoretical systems has just begun, and it will take a period of intense debate for the situation to gradually become clear.

  It's necessary to remind them at this time to keep a calm and rational mindset.

  "Don't worry, there's that veteran comrade around..."

  Mr. Zhou said slowly.

  No wonder he is a professor, he can see the most important part at once. Because the chief designer is the most firm supporter of "practicing and verifying truth".

  Liu Jun couldn't help but smile slightly.

  Three adults, six eyes all fell on him, such an old-fashioned smile, how could it be concealed?

  "Xiao Jun, you little scamp, what are you smiling at?"

  Now they dare not underestimate Liu Jun's opinions anymore.

  "Nothing much, Uncle's eyes are like torches, piercing and incisive, really impressive!"

  Liu Jun shook his head and swung his book bag.

  "Come on, kid, make it clear."

  Mr. Zhou was both angry and amused at the same time.

  "Haha, it's clear that a showdown is inevitable. I'd rather hope that Uncle can continue to be vigorous and come up with another 'Three Discussions on Seeking Truth from Facts'... This will make the storm even more intense."

  "Why? You just said that the theory in front of us is the highest directive?"

  Liu Jincai didn't understand.

  "This article 'Practice Tests Truth' is not published, you and Yan Bo will continue to be suspended for reflection, nothing more. But now the situation has changed greatly, wanting to hide in a small building to become one unified, it's probably impossible. You will definitely be classified as 'Practitioners', rather than waiting for the result, why not take the initiative to fight and be a pioneer..."

  Mr. Zhou shook his head and sighed.

  Yan Yucheng pointed at Liu Jun with his hand, his eyes bulging like light bulbs.

  "This... doesn't look like a kid at all! He's even more cunning than Wang Benqing!"

  Liu Jun raised his head, let out a "hmmph", and put on an air of being very impressive. Unprepared, Mr. Zhou stretched out his hand and gave him a slap on the face that was neither light nor heavy, laughing and scolding: "Three days without beating, the roof is lifted!"

  Alas, this military advisor is really something! He's truly a laughing stock.

  Liu Jun's face turned sour in protest: "Uncle, don't hit my head, I'll become stupid!"

  "It's better to be a little silly, otherwise you'll soon become too clever."

  Yan Yucheng is delighted with the misfortune of others.

  ……

  As expected, "Practice" was immediately subjected to severe criticism after its publication. Those who proposed and insisted on the current theoretical guideline claimed that this article was theoretically incorrect, politically very bad, and intended to cut down the red flag. The central leaders in charge of ideological and theoretical work held consecutive meetings, criticizing and accusing relevant personnel by name, repeatedly issuing bans, and demanding "not to follow suit".

  Under such a big environment, Liu Jun was originally worried that "Three Commentaries on Seeking Truth from Facts" would not be published. Unexpectedly, on May 23rd, the N Province Daily published it in full on the front page, which greatly encouraged him.

  Such a purely theoretical article, written by two grassroots cadres who were suspended for reflection, was actually published on the front page of the provincial newspaper, which in itself can explain the problem. Although Mr. Zhou's old colleague is an editor at the provincial newspaper, without the approval of the Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department, this article would not have been able to occupy such a prominent position even if it had been published.

  Like the previous two times, "Three Stances on Seeking Truth from Facts" invited increasingly fierce counterattacks.

  Wang Benqing, who originally had a conciliatory intention, also changed his face and personally summoned Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai to make sharp criticisms.

  In the spacious office of the county revolutionary committee director, Wang Benqing tore off his hypocritical mask and slammed his fist on the table in a rage.

  "Yan Yucheng, Liu Jincan, what do you want to do after all? You have repeatedly published such erroneous views in the provincial newspaper, which is extremely wrong and has a very bad influence!"

  Wang Benqing's secretary stood outside the door, his face gloomy enough to drip water.

  Liu Jun had no choice but to stand three or four meters away from the office, listening carefully. The secretary kept glancing at him with her eyes, several times seeming like she was about to walk over and shoo him away, but ultimately didn't move.

  Perhaps in the secretary's mind, such an 8 or 9-year-old child is not worth making a big fuss about. If Liu Jun cries and makes a scene, affecting Director Wang's important conversation, it would have the opposite effect.

  "Director Wang, have party members lost even the right to express their own views?"

  Yan Yucheng was not intimidated by him, and his tone did not show any weakness.

  "Hum, can you still be considered party members? You are too disdainful of the organization. I'm asking you, when you wrote articles for the provincial newspaper, did you get approval from the county government? Which leader in the county did you report to?"

  "Director Wang, the article we published in the provincial newspaper is purely theoretical and not a news report, so it doesn't need to go through anyone's approval. The party's policy has always been to allow party members to freely express their opinions."

  "Wow, our Yang County really produces talented people, and there are even party members that the organization can't manage?"

  Chui Xiuhuo saw Yan Yucheng being so unruly and immediately stood up to help his "master". To say the least, he hated Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchang even more than Wang Benqing did. Now that the top leader was enraged, how could he not join in to help?

  "Director Cui, I wonder who is the party member that the organization cannot manage? Is it you or me?"

  For Cui Xiuhuo, Yan Yuchen didn't even leave him a place at the corner of his eye.

  "Of course it's you, or should I say me? You two are always lawless and severely liberal. Historically, you've been against the county revolutionary committee, with others cooperating 30% of the time and not cooperating 70% of the time. I think Yan Yuchen is completely uncooperative."

  "I, Yan Yucheng, am very uncooperative? Minister Cui, I think you are just talking nonsense with your eyes open. The organization's decision, when have I not obeyed it? On the contrary, you people, under the pretext of the organization, exclude dissidents, dominate the discussion, and suppress different opinions within the organization. Just because we raised a few mu of fish for the members of the Red Flag Commune, just because Comrade Liu Jinchang and I wrote a few articles, you disciplined us, suspended our duties, and made us reflect on our mistakes... 'Those who follow me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish', this is still a polite way to describe your feudal patriarchal style..."

  Yan Yucheng was determined to make a big effort this time.

  "Then don't be polite, what else can you say?"

  Wang Benqing's tone was icy cold, and Liu Jun couldn't help but feel uneasy all over, although he hadn't seen his appearance, it seemed that only his voice could be even colder.

  Yan Yucheng said coldly: "Fascist!"

  "Alright, alright, Yan Yucheng. Since you say I'm a fascist, then I am a fascist. From today on, both you and Liu Jincan will go to the First Guest House in Yangyang County for deep reflection and make profound self-criticisms... Without the approval of the county revolutionary committee, you are not allowed to take one step out of the guest house!"

  "Director Wang, is this going to restrict our personal freedom? May I ask what crime have we committed?"

  Yan Yucheng's tone remained calm and composed as ever.

  Liu Jinchai grunted and didn't say a word from start to finish, expressing his complete trust in Yan Yucheng.

  "Hey, Comrade Yan Yucheng, I'm still calling you comrade now, hoping that you'll wake up and return to the right path, don't be stubborn...I know you've been to college, your cultural level is not low. I also don't want to engage in a war of words with you. All I want to tell you is that the Yangyang County Revolutionary Committee has the power to discipline party members who have made mistakes. Now, on behalf of the Yangyang County Revolutionary Committee, I formally announce that Yan Yucheng and Liu Jincan, two party cadres who have committed serious errors in line, will be subjected to isolation and examination!"

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jincan then stayed at the county revolutionary committee's first guest house, accompanied by organizational department cadres 24 hours a day. They said it was accompaniment, but in fact it was supervision.

  On the day of isolation and inspection, Wang Benqing saw Liu Jun outside the office and learned that he was Liu Jincheng's son. Although he didn't understand why Liu Jincheng always brought his son to such important places as the county revolutionary committee, he showed the basic quality of a county-level leader and had someone send Liu Jun back to Liujia Mountain.

  The next day, Ruan Bixiu took Liu Jun to the First Reception Center, but failed to see Liu Jincheng. Instead, she met Yan Yucheng's lover at the registration office. Yan Yucheng's lover was surnamed Xie, named Xie Ying, about 36 or 37 years old, with a plump figure and some charm. She also came to inquire about the situation after learning the news, but was blocked by the director of the reception center at the registration office.

  The director, also surnamed Wang, was over thirty years old, with a cold and gloomy face. He was very impolite to Jie Ying and Ruan Bi-xiu. When Jie Ying asked why she couldn't meet Yan Yu-cheng, Director Wang sneered and showed great disdain.

  "You want to see Yan Yucheng? It's impossible. The mistake he made this time is too serious, and no one can see him until the problem is cleared up!"

  "This remark was too much, and Yung Pak-yen's face turned red with rage: 'Wang Yu-fu, what do you mean? What crime has my father committed? Murder or arson? You must explain yourself clearly today.'"

  Wang Youfu is also not a dim-witted person, he can be the head of the county revolutionary committee's first reception office, it can be seen that he has met many big shots, how could he put Ye Ying in his eyes.

  "You don't make trouble here either. Yan Yucheng is under isolated interrogation, it's a decision made by the county revolutionary committee."

  "What about the county revolutionary committee? The county revolutionary committee also needs to be reasonable. With reason, you can go anywhere in the world; without reason, it's hard to take a single step. Whether my husband Yan has made mistakes or not, the organization will have its own judgment. I'm his loved one, and sending him some things is against which law?"

  "You can send him things." Wang Youfu said lightly, his tone changing again: "But you can't see him, this is the decision of the county revolutionary committee. You can leave the things here, we will pass them on to him."

  "What's wrong with letting me see him? Has Lao Yan committed murder and arson? Tell Wang Youfu, if I don't get to see Lao Yan today, I won't leave!"

  "Hum, take a good look, this is the county revolutionary committee's first guest house, not your place to throw a tantrum! You want to make trouble here, you're still far from it! Are you leaving or not? If you don't leave, I'll have to notify the security department!"

  He was furious and looked like he wanted to rush up and bite Wang Youfu.

  Ruan Bixiu saw that it wasn't the leader, and was worried that all this commotion would make things even more difficult for Yan Yuchen and Liu Jincheng, so she quickly stepped forward and pulled Xie Ying back.

  "Eldest sister, it's not worth arguing with this kind of person..."

  Ruan Bixiu and Liu Jincan were of the same age, but it was unclear who was older than Ye Ying. Since Yan Yuchen was older than her own husband, she called him "Ye Jie" out of respect. Ye Ying was actually not a person who couldn't tell right from wrong, and seeing Ruan Bixiu's advice, he decided to yield. However, this conversation was overheard by Wang Youfu, who had a problem with it. He glared at Ruan Bixiu with his small eyes and turned towards her.

  "What kind of person am I? What's wrong with me? Who do you think you are? A rural bumpkin, daring to come to the county town and throw a tantrum?"

  Ruan Bixiu's temper was actually more violent than Jieying's. Upon hearing this, her face suddenly turned bright red. After thinking for a moment, she finally suppressed her anger and put the changed clothes and some daily necessities at the registration office, then pulled Jieying out.

  Wang Youfu was still unsatisfied and coldly snorted: "Fighting with my uncle, you're overestimating yourself!"

  It turns out that this guy is still some nephew of Wang Benqing's, and it's unknown whether they are related by blood or not.

  Liu Jun couldn't help but turn his head back, give a slight smile and say: "Director Wang, you're quite impressive in front of women and children!"

  "What did you say, little one?"

  "I say, with such a majestic appearance, you'd better be careful when acting, or you'll lose your majesty in no time!"

  "You..."

  "Director Wang, if you don't believe me, let's make a bet. If you can still be the director by the end of this year, I'll write my name 'Liu' upside down!"