Red Power Soda

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

  During the Spring Festival, Lu Zhong did not return to Beijing. It was just when the fertilizer plant's restructuring had just started, with a thousand threads and ten thousand strands, busy to the point of being unable to take a break. The more time was pressing, the more Lu Zhong hoped to get the overall framework for the restructuring in place, so that the cadres who would later take over wouldn't start from scratch again. After all, reform wasn't just blindly messing around.

  He called both his grandfathers and told them he wouldn't be coming home for the New Year, and so on. His paternal grandfather was very supportive of Lu Zhen, encouraging him with a few words. But his maternal grandfather just chuckled and said: "Little guy, you're not going to come until this old man is in his coffin, huh?" He had always been fond of this grandson, it's just that Lu Zhen hadn't liked spending time with his maternal relatives before, and this was even the first time he'd ever called his maternal grandfather on his own initiative.

  Lu Zhong couldn't help but feel a pang of regret at this moment, although he was being very good to himself, these two old men had not even shaken hands in recent years.

  After the Spring Festival, Lu Zhong did not expect that Wei Xiangxiu suddenly became a focus of attention, not only was she featured in Southern newspapers, but also had an exclusive interview and report by the Provincial Public Security system.

  The incident originated from Wei Xiangxiu's sister, Wei Yingzi, who was specially recruited by the Wujiang Police School. Wei Yingzi was originally in her third year of junior high school and happened to be selected when the Wujiang Police School went to recruit students. With a good foundation in martial arts and excellent academic performance, Wei Yingzi was chosen. During the interview at Wujiang, Wei Yingzi also gained the favor of one of the school's main leaders, who asked her why she wanted to become a police officer or armed policeman at such a young age. Wei Yingzi replied that it was because of her sister, whom she admired most.

  As a result, the original intention of the Yu Hang Daily reporter was to interview this special female student from the armed police school, but soon discovered new material that could be written in bold and special writing. It was a in-depth report on Wei Xiangxiu, an ordinary female public security officer from Yu Hang, highlighting her stories of supporting her family, educating her younger brother and sister, and not abandoning her disabled husband, which moved people to tears. Wei Xiangxiu was portrayed as a model with traditional virtues and the spirit of sacrifice and dedication of a new era public security officer.

  Hebei Provincial Public Security Internal Journal quickly reprinted this article and also conducted an exclusive interview with Wei Xiangxiu for publicity.

  Moreover, soon after receiving a transfer order, Wei Xiangxiu was transferred to the Economic Protection Department of Wushan City Bureau. Regardless of whether her administrative level has changed, this is already a kind of recognition. Now, having a household registration in the city is precious and unimaginable for later generations, let alone in a economically developed city like Wushan.

  Of course, before the order came down, the municipal leaders had communicated with Lu Zhong over the phone, and Lu Zhong would not hinder Wei Xiangxiu's future, and said a few good words to her.

  After the Spring Festival, Lu Zhong suddenly discovered in the international news corner of People's Daily that the US, Japan, West Germany, France and Britain had signed an agreement to jointly intervene in the foreign exchange market in New York.

  The Plaza Accord was thus born a few months earlier.

  Lu Zhong held the newspaper, flipping it back and forth for a long time, but now the amount of information that can be obtained about foreign countries at home is so scarce, and the economic circle is in a state of self-closure. Even the shocking news of the Plaza Accord, which shook the world's financial markets, was not paid much attention to on the mainland, including most professional personnel in various levels of party committees and government research institutions.

  It's really beyond one's expectations and can't help but sigh.

  On Saturday afternoon, at Lu Zhong's office, the usual county court president Feng Decai, procuratorate procurator Wang Gui and public security bureau deputy director Ma Yuewu met with Lu Zhong to report on a week's work and communicate about cooperation on major cases.

  Now, the situation is completely different from when Liu Baojun was secretary of the Political and Legal Committee. Firstly, at that time, the power and status of the Political and Legal Committee were uncertain, and it was said that some central leaders also raised objections, with some voices calling for the abolition of the Political and Legal Committee. In contrast, now in Wushan area, the secretary of the Political and Legal Committee has gradually become a member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee at the same level. Secondly, Liu Baojun was cautious and had low prestige, forming a sharp contrast with Lu Zheng's rapid rise.

  Whether it is the President of the Court, Feng Decai, or the Procurator-General of the Procuratorate, Wang Gui, at least on the surface, they are extremely respectful to Lu Zheng and very cooperative with Lu Zheng's work.

  Feng Decai is over 40 years old, has been in the enterprise system all along, and has worked as a worker, technician, and workshop director. He still has thick calluses on his hands. Three years ago, Feng Decai was transferred from Wushan Port Bureau to the municipal court system. Last year, he was appointed as the president of Guangning County Court.

  Wang Guizhen is an old prosecutor, over 50 years old, with white hair. During the turmoil, the procuratorate was smashed and he also suffered unfair treatment. He seemed to have undergone labor reform with Peng Hongjun, but his straightforward personality led him to fall out with Peng a few years ago, and they haven't been in contact since then.

  Lu Zhong is actually unwilling to see the current situation where the procuratorate, the police and the court sit together with a commercial tone. The procuratorate and the public security are still good, as they are inherently cooperative relationships. However, the court should be independent and neutral in its stance between the procuratorate and the defendant, rather than instinctively identifying itself with the procuratorate and the police as one family.

  The Political and Legal Committee, which coordinates the relationship between the public security organs, procuratorates and courts, is also considered by Lu Zheng to be unnecessary.

  But reality is reality, and many things can only be done by following the trend.

  Feng Decai reported the work of the court, Lu Zhong listened seriously. Although the rumors from outside made his situation worse and worse, "only contending for every moment" was indeed Lu Zhong's character.

  In this position for one day, I will strive to do what I want to do.

  He is not affected by all sorts of rumors outside, although some rumors outside have become more and more intense now.

  The fertilizer plant was restructured, and it is said that some old workers wrote a letter to the city strongly opposing it.

  Hou Jianjun soon received news that some retired cadres in the county had jointly written to the provincial and municipal Party committees, criticizing his work style as being rough and rude, disrespecting older comrades, and having close relationships with some economic criminals.

  It's hard to say there isn't someone behind the scenes pushing things along.

  At this position, and at such a young age, there are people who look down on him with arrogance. In the past, it wasn't that no one had written letters to report him to higher authorities, but recently, Lu Zhong felt that something was fishy. Many unfavorable factors seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally dug up against him, forming a large net that slowly closed in on him.

  What was mentioned in Director Chu's phone call last month was just a prelude from the other side.

  It was almost lunchtime when the office phone rang, and Feng Decai, Wang Gui, and Ma Yuewu stood up to bid farewell.

  The phone call was made by Cai Jin, director of the Bureau of Industry and Commerce, inviting Lu Zhong to a small gathering at "Victory Restaurant" at noon.

  Cai Jin's tone was serious, and Lu Zhong instinctively knew that he must have something important to say, but didn't ask any further questions. He just smiled and said "good, I'll definitely go". Then, Lu Zhong called the driver Ban to come and pick him up.

  ……

  Victory Restaurant is a state-run restaurant, compared to Dongmi Garden's environment and service, the standard is much worse. In the dining hall, two waitresses have faces as sharp as knives, with oil stains on their white coats that have been eroded by years of grease, which can hardly be washed out.

  Perhaps to avoid suspicion, Cai Jin rarely goes to Donghui Garden anymore. However, the privately-owned restaurant in Guangning has sprouted up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Not going to Donghui Garden doesn't mean they have to come to an old state-run restaurant with its usual style. Cai Jin chose this place as their meeting spot, clearly not wanting to run into acquaintances.

  At the innermost table in the cafeteria, they ordered a few pieces of meat pie and two bowls of clear soup. Cai Jin smiled and said: "Today I'm treating you, just eat whatever you want."

  Lu Zhong nodded slightly.

  "Let's eat first, and then talk about the main thing." Cai Jin pointed to the plate of savory meat pies with his chopsticks. Two years ago, being able to come to the Victory Restaurant to eat meat pies was the ultimate experience for many people from Guangning. Now, for many Guangning people, eating meat pies is no longer a big deal, at most it's just an improvement in their lives.

  Lu Zhong smiled and said, "Go ahead and say it. Are you afraid that I'll lose my appetite after hearing your news?" He and Old Cai had been through thick and thin together, but now that Old Cai's prospects were bleak, the two of them got along more easily, without so much beating around the bush.

  It's just a canteen, there are many people in the dining hall, and the sound is loud. Even if two people have a normal conversation, others nearby can't hear it at all.

  Cai Jintan sighed, looked at Lu Zhong a few times and said: "You really don't know?" Seeing that Lu Zhong remained silent, he lowered his voice: "Liu Hanshan was arrested in Qinglong yesterday. This morning, someone called me to hint that I should investigate your work at the Strike Office."

  Lu Zhong was slightly stunned, Liu Hanshan? The image of a very despicable middle-aged man appeared in front of him, he and Wan Dewu were both businessmen who left a deep impression on Lu Zhong.

  Liu Hanshan was arrested in Qinglong, and after being subjected to torture, he might have revealed some information about himself. Immediately, someone else began investigating his actions during the time of the Strike Hard campaign.

  Qinglong, Ma Weiguo is now serving as the county magistrate of Gan County.

  Lu Zhong's eyes slowly narrowed.

  Old workers are making trouble, old cadres are making trouble. Moreover, the overly close relationship between myself and Du Bo et al., so-called economic criminals, has led to someone starting to compile black materials on my past work.

  This big net is getting tighter and tighter, and I'm like a fish that's already fallen into it.

  Lu Zhong lit a cigarette and smoked silently.

  A small mistake can lead to total failure.

  Especially in the present day, the movement to rectify the party and its work is surging up one after another. The turmoil has just subsided, and the various means of using black materials to frame people are still prevalent. Many of the unwritten rules of officialdom that will be formed in later generations have not yet taken shape, and political struggles are particularly cruel.

  Cai Jin looked at him anxiously, Lu Zhong smiled and said: "Eating meat pie, nothing's wrong." He lowered his head and started eating.