"Ding ling ling."
Wanli Commune was a courtyard surrounded by a few houses. A tin sign hung next to the large iron gate. Compared to the township governments of later generations, it was far inferior.
Wang Jianguo nudged the bell on his bicycle, signaling to those inside that a guest had arrived.
In those days, Director Liu was the only one in the entire Wanli Commune who owned a bicycle. Hearing the bell, a young man immediately came out from a room inside.
"I am Luo Wang, the organizational cadre of Wanli Commune. May I ask who you are?"
Luo Wang, the flat-topped man who came out, saw Wang Jianguo's brand-new Flying Pigeon brand 28-inch bicycle and his neatly pocketed Zhongshan suit. He was very respectful.
Although he didn't recognize Wang Jianguo, in those days, anyone who could wear a four-pocket suit and ride a 28-inch bicycle newer than Director Liu's could not be an ordinary person, so he naturally had to show respect.
"Secretary Luo, this is Wang Jianguo, the director of the Aquatic Products Station of our county's Food Factory. He has something to discuss with Director Liu. Please lead the way."
Chen Yang would naturally not let Wang Jianguo introduce himself. This was always something a secretary did. It was a pity that the Aquatic Products Station was too small, and Wang Jianguo had no secretary, so he had to do it himself.
"So it's Director Wang. Please wait in the reception room. I'll go and report to Director Liu immediately. Sister Yan, please quickly make some tea."
Upon hearing Wang Jianguo's position, Luo Wang became even more respectful. The director of the Aquatic Products Station of the Food Factory was no less important than a commune director.
After all, this era was not like the future. Nowadays, the director of a state-owned factory often had the opportunity to sit at the dinner table with county leaders. Even just a station director under the Food Factory had a good reputation outside.
Because he didn't know Wang Jianguo's purpose, Luo Wang hurried to report to Director Liu. In the office, a woman in her thirties heard the sound and came in with a thermos to pour tea.
However, it was just a bit of tea dregs. Pouring boiling water over it, a commune couldn't expect to have good tea.
Before Wang Jianguo could pick up his teacup, a middle-aged man in a blue Zhongshan suit and a red star hat rushed into the room.
"Director Wang, your esteemed presence is a great honor. Liu Fuchun, on behalf of Wanli Commune, welcomes the leaders from the Food Factory for an inspection."
Chen Yang had been carefully observing Director Liu as he entered the room. It seemed that he was not surprised by Wang Jianguo's arrival at all.
In fact, it was as if he had anticipated it.
It was likely that Liu Fuchun himself had not noticed that the inconspicuous follower behind Wang Jianguo had already seen through his pretense.
"I dare not be called a leader. Director Liu, you are a commune leader, and I am just a station director of the Food Factory. You are the leader."
Wang Jianguo also chuckled. If Liu Fuchun was being polite, he couldn't directly question him.
"Director Wang, you are being too formal. Workers and peasants are one family. You represent the comrades who are workers, and I represent the comrades who are peasants in this area. There is no distinction in status."
Liu Fuchun was also skilled at evasive talk and did not ask why Wang Jianguo had come to the commune. Chen Yang smiled faintly. He didn't have the time to listen to the two old foxes exchanging pleasantries.
"Director Liu, I am Chen Yang, a rusticated youth from Shenjiaba Village. Director Wang Jianguo has been invited by me to report a situation to you."
Chen Yang subtly pushed Wang Jianguo forward. He wanted to make it clear to Liu Fuchun that he didn't need to play dumb anymore; Wang Jianguo was his patron.
"So you are Chen Yang. I wonder what matter it is that requires Director Wang to personally make this trip."
Liu Fuchun smiled, not annoyed that Chen Yang had interrupted him. Wang Jianguo, seeing that Chen Yang had broken the ice for him and saved him from interrupting Liu Fuchun, followed Chen Yang's lead and spoke.
"Director Liu, it's about this."
"Last month, the Municipal Aquatic Products Company received a policy order from the provincial government to vigorously develop fisheries by relying on the city's high-quality aquatic resources. The Municipal Aquatic Products Company is currently acquiring a large amount of aquatic products to make canned fish and earn foreign exchange."
"I happened to know Chen Yang, so I asked him to conduct a pilot program in your Wanli Commune. As a result, Shenjiaba Village has driven the surrounding brigades to catch fish, and it has been booming."
"I heard that someone has come to you to stir up trouble. This fish acquisition work is an order from the provincial government deployed to the city. I wouldn't dare let anyone misunderstand. That's why I've come to inform you, Director Liu."
Wang Jianguo smiled and reached into his pocket for a cigarette. Chen Yang quickly handed him a pack of Daqianmen and lit one for him and Liu Fuchun.
Liu Fuchun didn't reply, took a puff of his cigarette, and they looked at each other.
Luo Wang, the organizational cadre standing by, felt a chill watching the scene. Even if he wasn't very smart, he knew something was wrong. He quickly picked up the thermos.
"Director Liu, Director Wang, there's no water left. I'll go and get some boiling water."
Watching Luo Wang flee, Director Liu exhaled a ring of smoke and glanced at Chen Yang, who stood calmly behind Wang Jianguo. He suddenly felt inferior to Wang Jianguo.
Sometimes, the performance of one's subordinates also represented the leader's prestige.
"Director Wang, you've seen a joke. The young man doesn't know how to behave."
Liu Fuchun smiled faintly and didn't pay much attention, because his objective had been achieved with Wang Jianguo's arrival.
"Provincial policies, municipal deployments, county-level guidance from Director Wang himself. Our Wanli Commune has the widest river basin in the county, so we naturally must fully cooperate with the work of the county's Aquatic Products Station."
"I have learned that Comrade Chen Yang has helped the folks in Shenjiaba Village earn a lot. Shen Fuguo, that old scoundrel, cried to me about his grain being ruined, but didn't tell me he got benefits."
"I think this kind of good deed that allows the folks to earn money and support the work of the Aquatic Products Station should be expanded throughout the commune."
Liu Fuchun's words shocked not only Wang Jianguo but even Chen Yang.
It was now 1978!
The reform and opening up had just begun, and everyone was crossing the river by feeling the stones.
Had the butterfly effect of his rebirth blown Director Liu off course?
Liu Fuchun wasn't just feeling the stones; he was preparing to roll up his sleeves and trousers and wade through!
"Does Director Liu have such great determination?" Su Dan Novel Network
Wang Jianguo asked tentatively. He was already very satisfied with Chen Yang's current scale, which was enough for him to achieve a good ranking in the Municipal Aquatic Products Company.
If the entire Wanli Commune were opened up, the daily acquisition volume of the Aquatic Products Company would greatly increase. At that time, it might even be possible to win the top spot in the city!
"The 'Guangming Daily' published an article stating that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. Has Director Wang carefully studied this article?"
"I believe that what you, Director Wang, and Comrade Chen Yang are doing is to use practice to test truth, to let the common people eat their fill and live a good life. That is the truth."
Liu Fuchun's gaze was firm. Hearing his words, Wang Jianguo was deeply struck.
Chen Yang was also greatly shocked. This Director Liu was extraordinary.
If another historical turning point conference were to be held in a few months, and it was firmly stated that the focus of work should be shifted to economic development, it would not be surprising for Liu Fuchun to have such insight.
But now, with just this article, he was so certain. He was definitely a master!