Chapter 62

In February 1985, the Guangning Golden Coast Tourism Development Zone was officially established. The head of the development zone management committee was concurrently held by Zhu Peiwu, the director of the Guangning Tourism Bureau. From then on, the development of the Ming Shi Mountain and Golden Coast tourism resources entered a new era.

During the Spring Festival, Lu Zheng did not return to Beijing. The fertilizer factory's reform had just started, with a myriad of tasks, leaving him extremely busy. The more urgent the situation, the more Lu Zheng hoped to establish a broad framework for the reform, so that the officials who might take over later would not start from scratch. After all, reform was not about reckless折腾 (torture).

He called his grandfather and maternal grandfather, saying he wouldn't be home for the New Year. His grandfather supported him, offering a few words of encouragement. His maternal grandfather, however, chuckled and said, "Little guy, you won't come back until this old man is in the coffin, right?" He had always been fond of this grandson, but in the past, Lu Zheng didn't often interact with his maternal grandfather's family. This was even the first time he had proactively called his maternal grandfather.

At this moment, Lu Zheng felt a bit regretful. Although both elders were good to him, in recent years, they were even unwilling to shake hands with him.

After the Spring Festival, what Lu Zheng didn't expect was that Wei Xiangxiu suddenly became a focal point. Not only did she appear in the Southern newspapers, but the provincial public security system's internal publication also conducted an interview and reported on her.

The incident began when Wei Xiangxiu's younger sister, Wei Yingzi, was specially recruited by the Yuhang Armed Police Command School. Wei Yingzi was originally in the third year of junior high school. When the Yuhang Armed Police School went to recruit, she, with a solid martial arts foundation and excellent academic performance, was selected. During the interview in Yuhang, she caught the attention of a school leader. When asked why her ideal was to become a police officer or a member of the armed police at such a young age, Wei Yingzi replied that it was because of her sister, whom she admired the most.

As a result, the Yuhang Daily reporter, who originally went to interview this special female student of the Armed Police School, quickly discovered new material that could be extensively written about. Thus, they conducted a deep report on Wei Xiangxiu, an ordinary female public security officer from Yuhang, highlighting her actions of supporting her family, educating her younger siblings, and not abandoning her disabled husband. Wei Xiangxiu was portrayed as a model with traditional virtues and the spirit of sacrifice and dedication of a new era public security officer.

The Hebei Provincial Public Security Internal Publication soon reprinted this article and also conducted an interview and reported on Wei Xiangxiu.

Moreover, soon after, a transfer order was issued, and Wei Xiangxiu was transferred to the Economic Security Department of Wushan City Bureau. Regardless of whether there was a change in administrative level, this was already a form of recognition. Now, a city household registration was extremely precious, let alone in an economically developed city like Wushan.

Of course, before the transfer order was issued, the city bureau leadership called Lu Zheng to discuss it. Lu Zheng, of course, would not hinder Wei Xiangxiu's future and said a few good words for her.

After the Spring Festival, Lu Zheng, in the international news section of the People's Daily, suddenly discovered that the United States, Japan, West Germany, France, and the United Kingdom had signed a joint intervention agreement in the foreign exchange market in New York.

The Plaza Accord was born a few months earlier.

Lu Zheng held the newspaper, reading it back and forth for a long time. However, the information available domestically about foreign affairs was so limited, and the economic circle was in a state of self-isolation. Even the Plaza Accord, which shook the world's financial markets, received little attention in mainland China, even among most professional personnel in the research offices of various levels of the party and government.

This couldn't help but make one sigh.

On Saturday afternoon, in Lu Zheng's office, the county court president Feng Decai, the procurator of the procuratorate Wang Gui, and the deputy director of the public security bureau Ma Yuewu met with Lu Zheng to report on the week's work and discuss cooperation on major cases.

Now, the situation was very different from when Liu Baojun was the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. First, at that time, the authority and status of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission were uncertain, and there were even calls for its abolition. Now, in the Wushan region, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission gradually became a member of the same-level party standing committee. Second, Liu Baojun was cautious and lacked prestige, which contrasted sharply with Lu Zheng's rising star.

Therefore, both the court president Feng Decai and the procurator of the procuratorate Wang Gui, at least on the surface, showed great respect for Lu Zheng and were very cooperative with his work.

Feng Decai was in his forties, having worked in the enterprise system as a worker, technician, and workshop director. He still had rough calluses on his hands. Three years ago, Feng Decai was transferred from the Wushan Port Bureau to the city court system and was appointed as the president of the Guangning County Court last year.

Wang Gui, on the other hand, was an old prosecutor, in his fifties, with gray hair. During the turmoil, the public security, procuratorate, and court systems were dismantled, and he also suffered unfair treatment, undergoing labor reform with Peng Hongjun. However, due to his straightforward personality, he had a falling out with Peng Hongjun a few years ago and had little to do with him since then.

Lu Zheng actually did not like the current situation where the public security, procuratorate, and court systems sat together to discuss matters. The procuratorate and public security were naturally cooperative, but the court should be independent, maintaining a neutral stance between the procuratorate and the defendant, rather than instinctively treating the public security, procuratorate, and court as one family.

The Political and Legal Affairs Commission, which coordinated and, to some extent, guided the work of the public security, procuratorate, and court, was a party committee that Lu Zheng did not believe was necessary.

But reality was reality, and many things could only be handled as they came.

Feng Decai reported on the court's work, and Lu Zheng listened attentively. Although rumors outside suggested that his situation was getting worse, "seizing the day" was Lu Zheng's character.

As long as he was in this position, he would strive to do what he wanted to do.

He was not affected by the various rumors outside, although some of them were becoming more intense.

The fertilizer factory's reform had led to some old workers writing to the city government, strongly opposing it.

Furthermore, Hou Jianjun had heard that some retired old cadres in the county had jointly written to the provincial and city party committees, criticizing his rough work style, lack of respect for old comrades, and close ties with some economic criminals.

These matters were hard to say without a behind-the-scenes instigator.

In this position, and at such a young age, there were certainly many people who disapproved. In the past, some people had written to higher authorities to complain, but recently, Lu Zheng felt that something was amiss. Many factors unfavorable to him seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally brought to light, forming a large net that slowly closed in on him.

The situation mentioned by Director Chu last month was just the prelude.

As lunchtime approached, the office phone rang, and Feng Decai, Wang Gui, and Ma Yuewu all stood up to take their leave.

The call was from the head of the Industry and Commerce Bureau, Cai Jin, inviting Lu Zheng to a small gathering at the "Victory Hotel" for lunch.

Cai Jin's tone was serious, and Lu Zheng immediately sensed that he must have something important to discuss. However, he didn't say much, just smiled and said, "Sure, I'll be there." Then, Lu Zheng called the driver's office and asked Jiao Lei to pick him up.

...

The Victory Hotel was a state-owned hotel, with a much lower standard of environment and service compared to Dong Mi Garden. The two waitresses in the dining hall had stern faces, and their white coats were stained with oil, which had been eroded over the years and could hardly be washed out.

Perhaps to avoid suspicion, Cai Jin rarely went to Dong Mi Garden. With private restaurants sprouting up like mushrooms in Guangning, he didn't have to come to a state-owned hotel with old-fashioned service. Cai Jin chose this place for their meeting, clearly not wanting to run into acquaintances.

At the table in the far corner of the dining hall, they ordered a few meat pies and two bowls of clear soup. Cai Jin smiled and said, "I'm treating you today, so just eat casually."

Lu Zheng nodded slightly.

"Eat first, we'll talk business later." Cai Jin pointed to the meat pies on the plate with his chopsticks. Just two years ago, coming to the Victory Hotel to eat meat pies was the highest level of dining out for many people in Guangning. Now, for many, eating meat pies was no longer a big deal, just a way to improve their lives.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Just say it, are you afraid I won't be able to eat after hearing your news?" He and Old Cai had a relationship of shared hardships, and since Old Cai had no hope of promotion, they got along easily without too many formalities.

It was lunchtime, and the dining hall was crowded, with a buzzing sound. Even if they spoke normally, no one nearby could hear them.

Cai Jin sighed, looked at Lu Zheng a few times, and said, "You really don't know?" Seeing Lu Zheng remain silent, he lowered his voice, "Liu Hanshan was arrested in Qinglong yesterday. This morning, someone called me, hinting that they would investigate your work in the Strike Office."

Lu Zheng was slightly stunned. Liu Hanshan? An image of a rather sleazy middle-aged man appeared in his mind. He and Wan Dewu were both businessmen who left a deep impression on Lu Zheng.

Liu Hanshan's arrest in Qinglong, unable to withstand the pressure, might lead to revelations about Lu Zheng. Immediately, someone was targeting his actions during his time in the Strike Office.

Qinglong, where Ma Weiguo was now the county head.

Lu Zheng's eyes slowly narrowed.

Old workers causing trouble, old cadres causing trouble, and his close ties with so-called economic criminals like Du Botao. Now, someone was starting to dig up the dark materials from his past work.

This large net was becoming increasingly tight, and he felt like a fish already caught in it.

Lu Zheng lit a cigarette and smoked silently.

A small bet, a big loss. A slight misstep, and everything could be lost.

Especially now, with the party's rectification movements and political campaigns ongoing, just after the turmoil, the use of black materials to attack people was common. Many of the unwritten rules of the political arena had not yet formed, making political struggles particularly cruel.

Seeing Cai Jin looking at him with concern, Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Eat the meat pie, it's fine." He lowered his head and started eating.