Chapter 11: The Oath of Alliance

Wen Liang studied economics at Wenliang University and had a deep understanding of the gains and losses of the past 30 years of reform, especially regarding state-owned enterprise (SOE) reform. Currently, his insights were more profound and forward-looking than those of most people in this era. He clearly remembered the "CPC Central Committee's Suggestions on Formulating the Ninth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Term Goals for the Year 2010," adopted at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 14th CPC Central Committee in September 1995. This "Suggestion" was memorable to Wen Liang because it proposed new ideas for SOE reform, playing a pivotal role in the 30-year reform process. It was no exaggeration to say that the "Suggestion" directly guided the development and reform direction of SOEs for the next 20 years.

SOE reform roughly went through three stages. The first stage was from 1978 to 1986, during which the central government relaxed the autonomous decision-making rights of enterprises. The second stage, from 1987 to 1992, involved the transition from operational rights to ownership. Starting from 1993, the focus shifted to establishing a modern enterprise system, a reform that was still progressing when Wen Liang was reborn. Qingzhou Chemical Factory, established in 1968, was one of the 22 key chlor-alkali production enterprises in the national chemical industry and the largest in Jiangdong Province. As a pillar of Qingzhou's economy, it held a crucial position in the city's economic life. At its peak, it had fixed assets of about 300 million yuan, total assets exceeding 700 million yuan, and annual sales of over 80 million yuan. When old Qingzhou residents mentioned the factory, their faces were filled with pride and honor.

However, as the market economy advanced and reforms deepened, the operating mechanisms and management models established during the planned economy era brought the enterprise to a difficult situation. By 1993, it had accumulated 250 million yuan in debt, severely undercapitalized, and relied on government subsidies and support every year, becoming a thorn in the side of the Qingzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government. Therefore, whether from a macro perspective or the current situation, vigorously promoting the restructuring and reform of Qingzhou Chemical Factory was an inevitable trend. However, Zhou Yuanting intended to use administrative means to forcibly cut this heavy burden, a simple and brutal approach that would certainly hurt the feelings of Qingzhou residents, especially the factory workers, who would not stop cursing for 30 years.

Regardless of whether Zhou Yuanting's actions were to establish his authority as a new official or to push for bold reforms, Wen Liang did not approve. More importantly, he vividly remembered the scene in 1996 when hundreds of workers from Qingzhou Chemical Factory went to the municipal party committee and government to demand an explanation, becoming the most lively topic in Qingzhou that year. Although the matter was eventually suppressed, Zhou Yuanting did not advance further in Qingzhou after three years and was transferred to the provincial capital Fengcheng as a vice mayor who did not enter the Standing Committee. It could not be said that this was unrelated to the Qingzhou Chemical Factory incident.

Therefore, over the past few days, Wen Liang, drawing on his past experiences and lessons, used the basic points of the "CPC Central Committee's Suggestions on Formulating the Ninth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Term Goals for the Year 2010" as a theoretical basis to write a lengthy article titled "Feasibility Study on the Restructuring and Reform of Qingzhou Chemical Factory and Several Opinions on the Future Direction of SOE Reform." He was confident that once this article was submitted, it would cause a significant stir in Qingzhou's political circles after the Fifth Plenary Session in September. Wen Huaiming's name would be firmly remembered by Xu Fuyan and Zhou Yuanting, and it might even attract the attention of higher-level leaders. What he needed to consider now was how to persuade Wen Huaiming to completely side with Xu Fuyan and adopt the article he had written.

In the political arena, the only consequence of trying to sit on the fence is to freeze to death on the wall.

But based on Wen Huaiming's outcome in his previous life, Wen Liang knew that his father had always tried to avoid offending either side, resulting in Zhou Yuanting's disdain and Xu Fuyan's disapproval, leaving him stuck in the middle.

While Wen Liang was scratching his head in the living room, Wen Huaiming in the study finally finished writing the last word, closed his eyes, and leaned back in his chair in silence. Tomorrow, he would submit it to Secretary Xu for review, and he was extremely uneasy. Normally, such a topic would be discussed by the Political Research Office, and after forming an opinion, one or two deputy directors would lead a team to conduct research for a month or two, write an outline, and submit it for leadership approval before finalizing the document. However, everyone knew what was going on, and no one wanted to get involved. Meng Shanshui, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Political Research Office, told him to handle it as he saw fit and to come up with a conclusion within three days. What could Wen Huaiming do? Meng Shanshui's meaning was clear: handle the situation tactfully to give Secretary Xu a way out and avoid offending Mayor Zhou, so everyone could continue to get along happily. As for the consequences for Wen Huaiming, Meng Shanshui did not care; he was already on the fringes of the team, and it couldn't get much worse.

Wen Huaiming smiled bitterly, just as everyone expected, he chose to avoid offending either side, hoping that Secretary Xu would understand the difficulties of his subordinates and that Mayor Zhou would not bother with a small figure like him. He stood up, put the document in his briefcase, turned off the desk lamp, and walked out of the study, so preoccupied that he did not notice Wen Liang in the living room.

Despite his usual quick wit, Wen Liang could not think of a feasible way to persuade Wen Huaiming to adopt his article. In desperation, he decided to take a risk. After Wen Huaiming entered the bedroom, he quietly slipped into the study, opened the briefcase, and took out the document for a quick look. It was indeed a muddled mess, flattering both sides equally. "Dad, you're being too naive!"

Wen Liang gritted his teeth and replaced the document with his own. He and Wen Huaiming both practiced Liu-style calligraphy, which were originally very different, but with 30 years of practice, Wen Liang's writing was almost indistinguishable from his father's. Despite this, he would still have to take a gamble. If Wen Huaiming did not notice and submitted it directly, everything would be fine. If he did notice, Wen Liang would have to confess and destroy his father's draft. Whether he would be beaten to death or left brain-damaged would be a matter for later consideration.

Wen Liang understood some of Wen Huaiming's habits. He would deliberate meticulously while writing, revise multiple times, but once the final draft was complete, he would rarely review it. He could only do his best and leave the rest to fate.

The next day, as Wen Huaiming was about to leave, Wen Liang grabbed him, his face unusually serious. "Dad, no matter what happens today, don't panic. If you have any questions, come back and we'll discuss it. Whatever happens, stay calm!"

Wen Huaiming never expected his son to say such a thing. His heart ached, having struggled in the political arena for years without achieving anything, even making his usually timid son worry about him. He suppressed his emotions, ruffled Wen Liang's hair, and laughed, "It's just a small matter, don't worry."

This was the first time Wen Liang had heard his father swear, and he laughed along. The bond between father and son, sharing life and death, meant they could face any difficulties together.

Just as he entered the municipal party committee, Meng Shanshui rushed over and said, "Secretary Xu is waiting in his office, go quickly." He led the way a few steps, then turned and asked, "Old Wen, is there any problem with the draft?"

Wen Huaiming understood his meaning and said calmly, "I understand, no problem!"

Meng Shanshui did not mind Wen Huaiming's attitude; he had already pushed him to the limit. At the secretary's office, Meng Shanshui briefly explained and left. Wen Huaiming knocked on the door, and Secretary's assistant Yang Fan opened it, saying, "Director Wen, Secretary Xu has been waiting for you."

The power of a leader was evident from the number of people waiting at the door early in the morning. The reception room next to the secretary's office was sparsely populated, a stark contrast to when Zuo Jing was in charge.

Secretary Xu was reading a document and did not look up when Wen Huaiming entered. Yang Fan led him to the sofa opposite and quietly left. This was not the first time Wen Huaiming had met Secretary Xu, who usually greeted him with a smile and even joked with him. But today's atmosphere made Wen Huaiming realize that his conclusion would determine whether he received favor or wrath.

"Ah, Director Wen, you're here," Secretary Xu finally finished reading the document and looked up, his face expressionless. "Old Meng said you were in charge of the Qingzhou Chemical Factory matter. Do you have a conclusion?"

Wen Huaiming immediately stood up, opened his briefcase, took out the document, and handed it over with a smile, neither too humble nor too proud. "I have a conclusion. Here is the detailed analysis, please review it, Secretary Xu."

Secretary Xu nodded, took the document without showing any emotion, and gestured for Wen Huaiming to sit back down. He began to read it, while Wen Huaiming sat on the edge of the sofa, hands resting on his knees, back straight, and eyes fixed on Secretary Xu's face. Unfortunately, the difference between a deputy section chief and a full department head was not just in rank but also in composure.

He could not read any emotion on Secretary Xu's face, which was like a thousand-year-old granite, unmoved by wind or rain.

After a long time, Wen Huaiming's hands were sweating so much that they almost soaked through his pants. Finally, Secretary Xu slowly put down the document, leaned back in his chair, and tapped his fingers on the smooth, shiny redwood table. Wen Huaiming's heart sank; the slight tapping sounded like thunder in his ears, and he was almost certain he was finished.

"Good!"

"Huh?" Wen Huaiming's mind was in chaos, and he did not hear clearly. He instinctively looked up, his eyes full of confusion. Realizing his mistake, he quickly stood up and stammered, "Secretary Xu, I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

Secretary Xu finally showed some expression, a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Sit down, you're an old hand in the municipal party committee, no need to be so nervous. Old Wen, go back to work, and bring Secretary Meng over."

Wen Huaiming left the office drenched in sweat, still unsure of the outcome. Was it good or bad? At least give me a clear answer! He did not hear Secretary Xu's "good" clearly and did not notice that Secretary Xu called him "Director Wen" when he entered and "Old Wen" when he left, while calling Meng Shanshui "Old Meng" both times.

Even in his office, he was still uneasy. The Political Research Office had one director and three deputy directors. Meng Shanshui, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, had his office on the same floor as the secretary, while the other two deputy directors had offices next door. Only Wen Huaiming's office was connected to the Political Research Office. As soon as he entered, the few people talking immediately fell silent, secretly observing his expression, which was no different from usual. Wen Huaiming walked into the inner office, a dark smile on his lips: "Do you really think you can read my mind?"

There was a difference even between a clerk and a deputy section chief.

"This is hopeless, it's a dead knot, whoever unties it is a god." This was said by Mao Zhengyong, a clerk in his thirties, known for his gossipy nature.

"I'm not saying, but if this were handled by Director Meng, it might work. Director Wen... ha." Li Quan, who had just joined the municipal party committee last year, had unknown connections but always spoke with authority. In the Political Research Office, he seemed the most capable after Meng Shanshui and looked down on Wen Huaiming, often insulting him. Since Wen Huaiming did not oversee the office, he had no way to deal with him.

"Li Quan, shut up! You have no right to talk about leaders. Director Wen is a good person, he will surely be blessed, hmpf." Bai Wei, with a ponytail, slammed her hand on the table, glaring at Li Quan. Li Quan, who was afraid of Bai Wei, grumbled, "He's useless, and you can't even criticize him..."

Hearing the chaotic discussions outside, Wen Huaiming paid no attention. In the government, if you were successful, you didn't need to care about small people who would fawn over you. If you were in trouble, caring would only bring you more humiliation. He rubbed his temples, his mind still blank.

Meanwhile, Meng Shanshui was sweating profusely, flipping through Wen Huaiming's draft. After a while, he stammered, "S-Secretary Xu, I... I haven't read this draft yet..."

"Haha, everyone in your office has the same problem today, stammering. How can you get any work done?"

"Yes, Secretary Xu, you're right! This matter has been handled by Director Wen, and I haven't had time to review it. I will take responsibility for this mistake."

Meng Shanshui was shocked by Wen Huaiming's boldness and felt a deep resentment. "You want to die, but don't drag everyone else down with you." He never thought Wen Huaiming would dare to challenge Mayor Zhou's authority...

Secretary Xu wanted Meng Shanshui to take a stance, but Meng Shanshui was determined not to get involved. Regardless of Secretary Xu's attitude, he would avoid the heavy responsibility and save himself—Wen Huaiming would bear the blame.

Secretary Xu still smiled, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Old Wen is a good comrade, with solid theoretical knowledge. His analysis of policies and enterprise management is excellent, especially his suggestions for Qingzhou Chemical Factory, which are insightful and highly practical. My suggestion is to have your office review this draft, issue it as a document to all municipal units, and organize a discussion on the Qingzhou Chemical Factory issue. It's always good to hear different opinions!"

Meng Shanshui resisted the urge to object. Issuing the document would publicize the conflict between the party committee and the government, which was politically immature. However, he did not consider that Secretary Xu, after Zuo Jing's departure, had managed to outmaneuver Fang Mingtang and secure the top position in Qingzhou. He was not a simple person. Secretary Xu also had his difficulties. The political culture in Qingzhou was brutal, and everyone seemed to prefer direct confrontation. Mayor Zhou's aggressive stance had pushed him to the brink. If he did not counterattack, he would lose control over Qingzhou, which would not align with the interests of his political circle.

Therefore, the gradual approach to establish his influence was no longer viable. Wen Huaiming was just the opening shot, a declaration that Secretary Xu was forming his own faction. Those dissatisfied with Mayor Zhou, those with grievances, and those without a patron could now find an open door. He had been concerned that Wen Huaiming would hedge his bets, but the opening shot was well-informed and fully loaded. Secretary Xu was highly satisfied with Wen Huaiming. The document was a bold and decisive move, leaving no room for retreat. From now on, Wen Huaiming would be forever marked with Secretary Xu's name. If it were not for the current situation, a deputy section chief like Wen Huaiming would not have the chance to align with a secretary.

Meng Shanshui took the draft to his office and threw it on the table. "Review this in the morning and print it out with a red header. Distribute it to all municipal units for study this afternoon. Where's Director Wen?"

Wen Huaiming responded from the inner office, and Meng Shanshui, with a warm smile, held his hand. "Old Wen, I didn't expect you to surprise everyone. Your writing has improved, ha ha. However, you must communicate well with Secretary Xu, I won't interfere..."

Wen Huaiming was confused, and Li Quan suddenly gasped, staring at the document in his hand, his dark face turning pale. Mao Zhengyong scolded him, "There are leaders here, what are you shouting about?" He took the document and was stunned after reading the first few lines, his eyes wide with disbelief, looking at Wen Huaiming as if he were a monster.

"What's going on?" Wen Huaiming recognized the document and took it, surprised by the title. He quickly read further and saw a sentence: "Closing down Qingzhou Chemical Factory is absolutely unacceptable!" His vision went black, and his body swayed.

Who was trying to force him to his death?

Hedging his bets was not ideal, but everyone understood the situation, and neither side would hold a grudge. He could still get by, even if life was difficult. But this way, he would offend Mayor Zhou deeply. Given Mayor Zhou's strong position in Qingzhou, his fate was predictable.

Wen Huaiming's first thought was that someone was trying to harm him. The handwriting was so similar that even if he denied it, no one would believe him. But then he realized that from home to the municipal party committee, he had not even entered the office before meeting Secretary Xu, making it impossible for the document to be switched.

It must have happened at home. He suddenly remembered Wen Liang's words when he left: "No matter what happens today, don't panic... If you have any questions, come back and we'll discuss it... Stay calm."

Wen