Chapter 2: Power is like medicine

  Fang Yue has taken over his father's Qinghua Factory, Workshop 2, and started a ordinary life of marrying, having children, making money and raising a family. Now in his late twenties, he has a virtuous wife, an eight-year-old son who just entered the second grade of primary school, although the factory's efficiency is getting worse day by day, but at least every two or three months, he can get paid once, barely able to make ends meet.

  Recently, the news of the Qinghua Factory's bankruptcy has been circulating widely. Not long ago, the city's liquidation team finally entered the factory, and almost all the workshops have stopped production. The workers still had some anxiety on their faces, but in their hearts, they were already numb. Since the news broke out at the beginning of the year, they had made a fuss, quarreled, cried, and petitioned, but couldn't see any glimmer of hope to save the factory.

  Today, all employees were suddenly notified to attend a meeting in the grand auditorium, with no one allowed to be absent. The office issued a stern order that anyone who didn't show up would be immediately fired. So when Fang Yue walked into the auditorium, which could hold two or three thousand people, at 8 o'clock this morning, the sea of heads made his eyes dizzy. Fang Yue was startled - he had thought only a few people would show up. Usually, meetings were so loud that you could hear the commotion from hundreds of meters away, like dozens of bombers flying past your ears. But today, the same people gathered here, yet the air was filled with an oppressive atmosphere that could ground even the bombers.

  How long has it been since this small auditorium was last used? Fang Yue had almost forgotten the ear-piercing echoes that reverberated through the hall when leaders spoke from the podium. He stood in the corner, listening to the hushed discussions of his colleagues beside him, a deep anxiety flashing across his eyes.

  "What's the point of having a meeting today?"

  I heard that this quarter's salary is going to be settled

  "Come on!"

  "Who fooled you? Still paying wages? As long as the factory doesn't go bankrupt, I'd rather not have these three months' wages."

  "Sigh, it's also what was said, hopefully it's good news"

  In a hall of two thousand people, such discussions are everywhere. Except for the crowd next to you, five steps away, all you can hear is a low hum, seemingly present yet absent, like an auditory hallucination, first your heart racing, then jumping violently, and finally unable to breathe.

  Today, Fang Yue just realized that putting the weight of 2,000 people together is so terrifying!

  Deputy factory director Ji Zhong, trade union chairman and several heads of important departments appeared on the rostrum. He Xiaobo, as the new head of the production planning department, also attended.

  These people are all Yuan Dazhu's confidants! He Xiaobo is the one who betrayed Ji Zheng; he is a few years younger than Ji Zheng. The two entered the factory at the same time. They were both young and promising, and quickly became friends, and have been close for many years. Fate sometimes likes to play jokes, when the old factory director was in office, he highly appreciated Ji Zheng, and promoted him all the way from an ordinary citizen to the position of deputy factory director. However, he did not get along with He Xiaobo, if it weren't for Ji Zheng repeatedly interceding on his behalf to the old factory director, allowing him to become a small production team leader in the third workshop, He Xiaobo might have had to continue working as an ordinary worker for another ten years.

  After the old factory director retired, Yuan Dazhu took over. Ji Zheng was squeezed out by Yuan Dazhu and barely kept his position as deputy factory director. He Xiaobo thought that with a new leader, he would have a chance to rise, but instead, because of his good relationship with Ji Zheng, he became the target of Yuan Dazhu's jealousy. Not only did he not get promoted, but he also lost his position as production team leader, which was already a humble role.

  In the blink of an eye, more than a decade has passed. The young man who was once full of vigor and ambition has entered middle age, yet he still hasn't achieved anything. He Xiaobo's mindset had long since changed. Every time Ji Zheng got promoted, it planted another sharp thorn in his heart, piercing his soul day and night. Yet every time there was a celebration, as a good friend, he had to attend, with a smile plastered on his face, while his heart bled.

  A gentleman regards his friend's happiness as his own, while a petty person views his friend's happiness as his own pain. Therefore, when the opportunity suddenly arose, He Xiao Bo chose to betray without hesitation.

  In the battlefield of career and friendship, Ji Zheng lost miserably!

  He Xiaobo got the appreciation of Yuan Dazhu as he wished, and in just a few days, he became the head of the production planning department. From worker to department head, it took him 17 years to take this step.

  The office director held the microphone and said: "Everyone, quiet down, quiet down. Each workshop will report their list later. Those who didn't come to the factory will be seriously dealt with. Now, let's start the meeting. Director Yuan has something important to say. Today's meeting is hosted by Director Xia. Next, please welcome Director Xia to speak."

  Xia Zhizhong furrowed his brow, today's evil deed, the closest to Yuan Dazhu, Vice President Wang, was unwilling to do it, and followed him to attend the signing ceremony. He didn't want to do it but had no choice, so he took on this task. The pros and cons he thought about were very clear, his relationship with Yuan Dazhu was not as close as Old Wang's, Qinghua Factory was doomed, Yuan Dazhu would rise to prominence after settling this matter, the future of his own family depended on him, if he didn't put in some effort, how could he preserve wealth and glory?

  He Xiao Bo sat on the podium for the first time. Looking down at the sea of people below, he felt nervous, just like when he saw his wife's body for the first time on their wedding night. His legs trembled slightly, and it wasn't until he sat down that he calmed down a bit, feeling very pleased with himself. That idiot Ji Zheng thought that a small handle could take down Yuan Da Zhu, what a naive and childish bookworm! Now look how things turned out. Didn't he end up losing everything? "I'm exhausted," said Chuan Nang An, "and I shouldn't have taken the time to visit Su Miao when she was sick." He felt guilty for neglecting his wife at home, who was too beautiful.

  He Xiao Bo's mouth curled up with a strange smile, and his eyes were filled with desire. Usually, he didn't feel anything, but today, sitting here, he felt the thrill of power for the first time, and his mind uncontrollably thought of Su Miao. Thinking of Su Miao's skin as smooth as a girl's, her face more beautiful than a star's, her elegant yet flirtatious eyes, her swaying waist and plump buttocks when she walked, he fantasized about her lying naked on the bed, her seductive eyes, her red lips half-closed, and in front of 2,000 workers in the auditorium, he actually had a reaction down there.

  Authority is undoubtedly the best!

  Xia Zhizhong coughed, tapped the microphone with his finger, and after a few loud noises, said in a deep voice: "Comrades, Qinghua Factory has gone through dozens of years of wind and rain since its establishment, experienced many setbacks and hardships. The people of Qinghua Factory have endured one test after another with their strong fighting spirit and self-improvement. It can be said that without your parents and you, there would be no Qinghua Factory today. However, the times have come to this point, and reform is the current task. Although I am heartbroken, I must say that the current situation of Qinghua Factory has hindered the pace of Qingzhou's development and reform. This is something we must obey for the greater good."

  The audience erupted into a flurry of discussion. He Xiaobo sneered in his heart, you are all going to be abandoned by Lao Hou's useless people in a few days. Xia Zhizhong maintained a serious expression on his face and said: "But what I want to say is that Qingzhou must develop its economy. Whether the Qinghua factory goes bankrupt or not, we cannot sacrifice the interests of our ordinary workers as a prerequisite!"

  The workers quieted down and listened attentively to Xia Zhizhong's speech, their tired eyes fully expressing their inner longing and entreaty. Xia Zhizhong spoke from history to the present, from the present to future prospects, discussing policies and the overall situation, outlining possible compensation plans, speaking for about two and a half hours before concluding. Next, the trade union chairman began to speak, but it was just the same old stuff repeated again. By the time he finished, it was already noon.

  At the same time, in the Peony Hall of the Minghua Hotel, Vice Mayor Liu Sheng announced that the Qinghua Factory had gone bankrupt.

  The director of the office looked a bit annoyed and shouted loudly, "Quiet, keep quiet. Everyone hold on for a while and study the city's several habits about state-owned enterprise reform. Director He, please lead everyone to learn."

  He Xiaobo, imitating Xia Zhizhong's cough, cleared his throat and took out a thick stack of documents. He was about to give the first speech of his life. Xia Zhizhong took over the microphone and added: "Comrades who haven't eaten breakfast may be hungry, I hope you can learn from this experience of going hungry, eat well in the morning, full at noon, and less at night. Eating more breakfast is good for your health. Just now, I discussed with Director He and Director Yang, after we finish our study session, the finance department will give each of you double meal allowance. Now please wait a moment...

  He Xiaobo was interrupted for the first time, feeling annoyed. Did you discuss with me? Discuss what! However, their task today is to gather all the workers in the factory and try every means to delay them, so that no one can get the news and go to the hotel to cause trouble, sabotage the signing, and affect the overall stability of Qingzhou.

  When He Xiaobo was preparing to study the files, a group of people pushed open the door and entered the Peony Hall on the second floor of the hotel. The one walking in front was none other than Qingzhou Municipal Party Secretary Xu Fuyan. Among the dozen or so people behind him, there were both men and women, some wearing suits and skirts, others wearing procuratorate and public security uniforms. The only ones recognized by the people in the hall were Wen Huiming, deputy director of the Policy Research Office, Liu Tianlai from the Public Security Bureau, and Jiang Wei, director of the first supervision room of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

  Zhou Yuanting was taken aback, and with a big stride, he walked over, laughing: "Secretary Xu, you've been in Guanshan recently, and the city couldn't get in touch with you several times. This signing event didn't wait for your return to show support. However, now is just the right time, everyone applauds, please Secretary give an important speech!" After finishing speaking, he took the lead in applauding, Zhou Yuanting was used to being arrogant, even in public occasions, rarely giving Xu Fuyan face, today he clearly realized that something was not quite right, his attitude immediately became humble, wanting to probe Xu Fuyan's tone.

  Xu Fuyan smiled and swept a glance around the hall, his hands stretched out to press down twice, waiting for the applause to stop. But his face suddenly changed, pointing behind him, introducing: "Mayor Zhou, these are comrades from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, Procuratorate and Public Security Department. Yuan Dazhu is suspected of economic crime and needs to be isolated for investigation. I have already expressed my support on behalf of the Municipal Party Committee!"

  Zhou Yuanting's face stiffened for a moment, and he forced a smile: "I'll also make a statement. The municipal government resolutely supports the work of our comrades from the province. However, Yuan Dazhu has always performed well, and it's unlikely that he made mistakes in economic matters. I hope you conduct a thorough investigation and don't wrong a good comrade."

  A middle-aged man on Mayor Zhou's left smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mayor Zhou!"

  Three young men walked up to Yuan Dazhu, Yuan Dazhu looked helplessly at Zhou Yuanting, seeing him purse his lips tightly, suddenly his face turned pale, and he slumped into the chair.

  Alas, I made some major adjustments to the plot and only finished writing at 3 am. I did my best, sorry about that.