Chapter Thirty-Four: Rising Straight Up to the Blue Sky (Part 2)

  In Yan Shan County, like all local governments, they are overwhelmed by various documents issued every day. Today it's the municipal government office issuing "Five-Year Plan Revision Outline", which says that reforms should be treated with caution. Tomorrow it will be the provincial propaganda department issuing "Be a little bolder - Thoughts on studying the leader's speech". Everyone in the local area is confused and doesn't know what kind of adjustments the central policy will make. The factional struggles at the local level have become insignificant in this ideological collision, but this ideological collision is actually a manifestation of the highest-level factional struggle.

  However, in Yan Shan, at least with this gust of wind and waves, Xiao Ri swept away the inferior trend. The necessity of repeatedly "pouring cold water" in large and small meetings originally leaned towards Cheng Jianjun's Liu Secretary, but Zheng Secretary turned his words around and began to support Xiao Ri again. Cheng Jianjun started to tuck his tail and behave himself.

  So when Tang Yi handed his article "Unwaveringly Deepen the Reform" to Xiao Ri, his astonished expression was predictable.

  Xiao Rijian just raised his thumb and praised: "Wa, your political level is much higher than mine! Brother Xiao admires you!" Then he received Tang Yi's new article. Seeing the title, he was stunned, with a look of confusion on his face: "Wa, what are you doing? You know how severe the current situation is! Now releasing this kind of article will get you killed!"

  Tang Yi smiled and said, "No way, cold water should be poured, but we can't just reverse gear because other countries have problems. This attitude is even more unacceptable."

  Xiao Rong shook his head and said, "It's not what you think, kiddo. Let me tell you the truth. Although I'm old, I still understand the spirit of the Central Committee. Right now... (pointing to the ceiling) ...the struggle is fierce up there. Can't you see? We can't make a move at this time, and we definitely can't be a wall grass that gets beaten by both sides."

  Tang Yi didn't expect Xiao Ri to speak bluntly about the power struggle among high-ranking officials, and he was somewhat moved. As a member of the Tang family, how could they not be aware of the struggles at the top? Perhaps Xiao Ri also didn't fully understand the various factions above them.

  Tang Yi thought for a moment and said, "Secretary Xiao, actually the first article, if read carefully, does not have any intention of opposing reform. Take another look at my second article, which seems to be on a completely different topic from the first one, but is actually a supplement to the first article."

  "Director Xiao, the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union are very complex, but absolutely not because of reform and opening up. The ethnic contradictions within it, the greed of the elite group of Russian ethnicity, all occupy a large proportion of factors. I also mentioned this briefly in this article."

  "Reform and opening up, improving people's living standards, is the only way out for the Republic. I think reform and opening up should not be entangled in whether it is capitalist or socialist, but mainly look at whether it is beneficial to the development of socialist society's productive forces, whether it is beneficial to enhancing the comprehensive national power of a socialist country, and whether it is beneficial to improving people's living standards. Now we need to guard against the right, but primarily prevent the 'left'. Planning and market are not the essential differences between socialism and capitalism."

  Tang Yi didn't dare to write this in his article, that was the speech of the top leader's southern tour in early 1992, which forcefully stopped the internal ideological collisions. Even if he had the guts, he wouldn't have dared to plagiarize the top leader's wisdom. However, his article perfectly matched the spirit of the southern tour and can be considered as a preparation for the southern tour speech.

  Looking at Tang Yi's determined face, Xiao Ri let out a long sigh and took the manuscript to read carefully. As he read on, his helpless expression gradually disappeared, his eyes shining brighter and brighter until he finally smiled: "Alright, I thought you were born with a rebellious streak, always going against the wind no matter what. But it seems that's not the case. This article of yours is well-written, at least it's passable in my eyes! However, once this article comes out, you'll be labeled as a reformist."

  Tang Yi nodded slightly, Reformist? Now it may be a hat, but in a few years, it will not be a problem at all. In a few years, even if you are a conservative, you will not openly oppose reform, but only question the various drawbacks that have arisen during the reform.

  "Alright, I'll hand this draft over to you, but as for the name, let's just use yours!"

  Tang Yi hastily said, "That won't do, last time the draft was jointly released by us two, if this time it's not jointly released, does that mean you oppose my opinion? You're opposing me, how can you expect others to support me? This doesn't make sense from the start!"

  Tang Yi's reason was grand and majestic, Xiao Ri could only nod helplessly.

  At the end of September, Chen Ke boarded a train to Shanghai. She had received a notice from Shanghai University of Political Science and Law about ten days ago. Tang Yi sent Chen Ke to Yanqing Railway Station. Chen Ke's vocational school was also in Yanshan, and she had never been away from home before. On the Jeep, Chen Ke's eyes seemed to be red, which made Tang Yi feel a pang of sympathy. Before boarding the train, Tang Yi patted her little head and said with a smile: "If you miss home, just give me a call. I'll visit you when I have time. Study hard and make your hometown proud."

  When Tang Yi said he was going to see her, Chen Ke burst into tears and smiled. Before getting on the train, she stuttered: "You, you have to take good care of your illness, I, I'll think of a way for you..."

  Tang Yi scolded with a smile: "This little girl is sick." He pushed Chen Ke onto the train.

  ……

  Xiao Ri and Tang Yi's signed article was published, as the two had become somewhat well-known by their pen names, naturally sparking even more intense debate. Before long, People's Daily reprinted Tang Yi's article in its "Grassroots Construction" column, with an editor's note praising Xiao Ri and Tang Yi for being able to think of danger in times of peace, but also understanding that crisis is opportunity in the midst of danger, and commending Xiao Ri and Tang Yi for their particularly profound understanding of dialectical materialism.

  At the end of October, the top leader went on a southern tour and delivered a series of important speeches. The speeches addressed widespread concerns in people's minds, reaffirming the necessity and importance of deepening reform and accelerating development. From the perspective of China's actual conditions and standing at the height of the times, they profoundly summarized the experiences and lessons learned from over a decade of reform and opening up. On a series of major theoretical and practical issues, new ideas were proposed and breakthroughs were made, greatly advancing the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

  The conversation mainly includes six points:

  1. Revolution is the liberation of productive forces, and reform is also the liberation of productive forces. To adhere to the line and policies of the Party's 11th Third Plenary Session, the key is to adhere to the Party's basic line of "one central task, two basic points" for a hundred years without wavering.

  2. We must accelerate the pace of reform and opening up, and not get bogged down in discussions about whether it is "capitalist" or "socialist". The main criteria for judging reform and opening up are whether they are beneficial to the development of socialist society's productive forces, whether they enhance the overall national strength of a socialist country, and whether they improve people's living standards. At present, we must be on guard against rightism, but primarily against "leftism". Planning and market are not the essential differences between socialism and capitalism.

  3. Development is the hard truth, we must seize the favorable opportunity and concentrate our efforts to promote economic construction. The development of economy must rely on science and technology as well as education, science and technology are the primary productive forces.

  4. Persist in grasping with both hands, and both hands must be firm. Throughout the entire process of reform and opening up, it is necessary to always pay attention to persisting in the four cardinal principles and opposing bourgeois liberalization.

  5. The correct political line must be guaranteed by the correct organizational line, and attention should be paid to cultivating people and selecting talents into the leadership according to the "four modernizations" standard. Formalism should be opposed, studying Marxism-Leninism should be precise and practical.

  6. Adhere to socialist beliefs, socialism will inevitably replace capitalism after experiencing a tortuous development process, which is the general trend of historical development.

  The conversation pointed out: If we do not adhere to socialism, do not reform and open up, do not develop the economy, and do not improve people's lives, there will be no way out. Revolution is liberating productive forces, and reform is also liberating productive forces. The courage for reform and opening-up should be greater, dare to experiment, and if it is accurate, boldly try and boldly venture. We must promote science, and only through science can we have hope. We must insist on grasping both hands, one hand grasping reform and opening-up, the other hand grasping the fight against various criminal activities, and both hands must be firm.

  When the principal mentioned his sixth point, he mentioned Xiao Ri and Tang Yi by name. "These two comrades are really good at applying Marxism-Leninism in their work! My views have also been inspired by these two comrades. It is precisely because we have such comrades at the grassroots level who are diligent and conscientious, careful and meticulous, and who pay attention to summarizing experience and lessons while feeling their way across the river, that they are the hope of our party!"

  The paramount leader's speech ended the fierce collisions within the party and opened a new chapter for reform and opening up.

  The following month, the State Planning Commission was officially renamed the National Development and Reform Commission. The term "NDRC" could appear earlier, probably also thanks to the theory in Tang Yi's article being recognized by the leaders. Of course, unlike ten years later, the two words "plan" still couldn't be removed from the name of NDRC, because with the expansion of NDRC's power, the leadership at various provinces and cities also made a series of adjustments. In fact, such adjustments, especially those at the provincial and ministerial level, were the result of high-level factional compromise and struggle.

  Tang Yi didn't expect the Premier's Southern Tour speech to be brought forward by several months, but thinking about it, he felt relieved. His own article had sparked a discussion that served as a precursor to the Southern Tour, and it was only natural that it accelerated the Premier's schedule.

  Tang Yi didn't expect to receive a call from Old Master, and the loud laughter on the phone was something Tang Yi heard for the first time. "Little Yi, you've done well! My old comrade-in-arms called me during his southern tour just to praise you! You're a promising young man! You're a promising young man!"

  For some reason, although it was just a few simple words, Tang Yi's heart surged with emotion, and after hanging up the phone, he couldn't calm down for a long time. Perhaps, because of Old Master's extremely high status being deeply imprinted in Tang Yi's mind since childhood.

  Think about it, Old Master Tang is so happy, but it's not just because his own performance caught the attention of the leaders. It seems that in this leadership reshuffle, the Tang faction has achieved quite a bit. Old Master Tang has always followed the doctrine of moderation and has been ambiguous towards both the conservative Chen faction and the reformist General Secretary. However, his articles have leaned towards the reformist side. The Tang family must have gained enormous benefits from the reformists' complete victory this time, yet they haven't offended the Chen faction much. After all, he can't represent the entire Tang family, so that's why Old Master is so happy.

  In Yanshan, Xiao Ri was appointed as the Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, a department-level position. Although it's not as prominent as being a mayor, entering the provincial leadership is still a remarkable achievement. However, Cheng Jianjun didn't know how to maneuver and was unexpectedly appointed as the Vice Mayor of Yanqing City due to being part of the Yanshan leadership team. Tang Yi, who had just turned 23 years old, was appointed as the Deputy Secretary of the Yanshan County Party Committee, with his administrative rank promoted to deputy department level. It's not uncommon for 26- or 27-year-olds to be promoted to deputy department level in various ministries and large state-owned enterprises. However, a 23-year-old county party secretary is unprecedented. Perhaps only the "red little devils" during the early years of the Republic had such an honor. Of course, apart from the changes in the party committee, all other appointments were announced after being approved at a temporary people's congress.

  As for this appointment, Tang Yi was actually puzzled. According to the old man's temperament, it is impossible to put himself on the fire at a young age. For himself, taking a step into the sky is not a good thing. He is afraid that from now on, he will be placed under a microscope and watched by millions of eyes. If he is slightly careless, he will fall into the abyss.

  A few days later, Tang Yi received a call from his uncle, Tang Wandong. As expected, Tang Wandong mentioned in the phone call that this appointment was not proposed by Old Master, but after weighing the pros and cons, Old Master also took an attitude of tacit consent. He told Tang Yi not to be afraid, to take charge boldly, and if he really couldn't handle it, he could always go back to the central department's office and start over again. After all, you're still young, having a starting point as a deputy director is also good. Tang Wandong said these words in a joking tone, which was also the first time Tang Yi heard Tang Wandong laugh in front of him, whether in his past life or this one.

  It seems that his performance has gained some recognition from Second Uncle, and Tang Yi is also a little happy. However, judging from Old Master's tone, it seems that he doesn't think much of himself being able to make a name for himself in Yanshan either, but rather is just trying him out with the attitude of giving it a try, and even paving the way for his retreat.

  Although it feels warm in my heart, at least I know that the old master is concerned about me, but this concern also stirred up a few arrogant airs of Tang Yi. I still want to make some achievements in Yanshan. However, Tang Yi also knows that "the tree that stands out from the forest will be shaken by the wind". From now on, he has been watched by tens of millions of eyes. He must do things solidly and not be looked down upon, but also be low-key, low-key again, and even more low-key. The political situation is unpredictable, and now he is truly feeling his way across the river by touching stones, and he absolutely cannot be swept away by the surging whirlpool.