Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

Qi Tongwei said, "I approve of your work in Jingzhou. But there is one thing I would like to suggest."

Li Dakang looked at him and said, "Governor Qi, please speak."

Qi Tongwei said, “Regarding the Guangming Peak project, you agreed to change the chief commander at the last Standing Committee meeting, which was a good attitude. But have you ever thought about why, besides Ding Yizhen, you only have Sun Liancheng under your command? Ding Yizhen thinks he is the reincarnation of Secretary Dakang, so why would Sun Liancheng lie down and do nothing? The root cause may not just be his laziness, but that he feels that no matter how well he does, the credit is yours; if he does poorly, the responsibility is his.”

He paused, then continued, "You're so capable that the people below you feel invisible. Over time, they'll just lie low or become yes-men. I hope you can think about this."

On the surface, it means he is capable, but in reality, it means he holds onto power too tightly and too rigidly.

Li Dakang was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "Governor Qi's suggestion is very good. I do have this problem. I will pay attention to it in the future, delegate more authority, and let my subordinates take on more responsibilities."

Qi Tongwei nodded and said nothing more.

Sha Ruijin tapped the table: "Comrade Dakang's speech and everyone's opinions were all very pertinent. Comrade Dakang, you should seriously reflect on this after you go back and come up with rectification measures."

Li Dakang nodded: "Yes, Secretary Sha."

Sha Ruijin then spoke up: "Alright, now let's hear from Comrade Yuliang."

Chapter 168 Democratic Life Meeting (Part Two)

Many of the criticisms of Sha Ruijin initially appeared to be veiled praise, but Sha Ruijin refused to accept this and stated that he wanted to increase the intensity of the criticism.

This sets the tone for this democratic life meeting.

This time, we're going to get real and criticize someone.

That's why Tian Guofu made his statement.

Building a basketball court, what's the big deal? Tian Guofu's accusation was exaggerated and seemingly sharp, but it actually caused no harm.

Qi Tongwei also discussed Sha Ruijin's bad habits, which were all trivial matters, and he didn't intend to launch an attack at this time.

As for Li Dakang, although he was in a sorry state, his situation was actually quite easy compared to his previous predicament.

This is because everyone knew about Sha Ruijin's attitude; otherwise, the situation would have been even more dangerous.

Now it was Gao Yuliang's turn. Gao Yuliang pushed up his glasses and smiled: "After listening to the speeches of Secretary Sha and Secretary Dakang, I was greatly inspired and gained a deeper understanding of myself. I would like to request to speak last, otherwise I am afraid that the other comrades will feel uncomfortable speaking after me."

After speaking, he glanced around the room and then looked at Sha Ruijin: "I wonder if Secretary Sha can approve this?"

Sha Ruijin laughed and said, "That's good, it's good to have some awareness. Let's finish with Comrade Yuliang."

Everyone knew where the meeting's focus lay. Although there had been some speculation, the confirmation now brought a sense of relief.

They then spoke enthusiastically, offering profound and comprehensive criticism of themselves and biting criticism of others, but upon closer examination, their criticisms were indeed highly restrained at their core.

It's just another bunch of flowery, bureaucratic articles.

For example, when criticizing Liu Changsheng for neglecting his duties, people dared not use terms like "lazy governance," only saying that they wanted to report many things to Governor Liu but were refused. Liu Changsheng naturally offered a profound self-criticism, then admitted to lacking energy, saying that many matters had already been transferred to Vice Governor Qi Tongwei for approval and would not delay things.

Furthermore, there's the criticism of Qi Tongwei. Qi Tongwei, who had only been transferred here less than three months ago, had been working diligently in the provincial government, yet he didn't even like playing basketball, only jogging in the mornings, and no one even built him a running track. What was there to criticize him for? There were angles to it. Some criticized him for being aloof and lacking strong connections with lower-level cadres; many cadres only knew his name but not him personally.

Qi Tongwei humbly accepted the advice and said he would conduct more research in various departments and bureaus and hold more symposiums.

The rest, and so on, are mostly like this.

The meeting was in a lively atmosphere, but Gao Yuliang remained silent. Sha Ruijin, who chaired the meeting, repeatedly called on people to speak, but never called on Gao Yuliang.

Finally, the last one—Tian Guofu—spoke, and Gao Yuliang was next.

Tian Guofu thought it was just a formality, but he didn't expect Qi Tongwei to suddenly launch an attack.

"Secretary Tian, ​​I feel you've been neglecting your duties lately. As the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, you've been acting like the head of the Organization Department, focusing on personnel appointments. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee! You've repeatedly said at various meetings that there are problems with the political environment in Handong, but in all the time you've been in Handong, how come you haven't arrested a single corrupt official at the department level, let alone a vice-ministerial level one? If the political environment in Handong is really as you say, why hasn't the Discipline Inspection Commission taken any action? Is this a matter of competence or attitude? It's something worth pondering."

Tian Guofu was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected this turn of events. "Governor Qi is putting me in a difficult position. We do have some leads, but the evidence isn't solid enough. We're also planning a major operation internally. Please wait and see, Governor Qi."

At this moment, Liu Changsheng suddenly interjected: "The work efficiency of the Discipline Inspection Commission also needs to be improved. It's been so long and it's still brewing. Is it because they don't have enough manpower? They just transferred people from the Procuratorate. If they don't have enough manpower, they can recruit more people through the provincial examination next year. They can mention it to Minister Wu of the Organization Department."

Qi Tongwei added from the side: "There's no need to mention it to Minister Wu. Secretary Tian has already done part of the organizational work himself."

Wu Chunlin also had objections to Tian Guofu's overstepping of authority, feigning surprise: "Is the Discipline Inspection Commission really short-staffed? I haven't heard Secretary Tian mention that. If it's too late for next year's provincial exam, you can borrow staff from other units first."

Just as Tian Guofu was preparing to make his mark, he suddenly became the target of everyone's criticism. But he was no pushover; he instantly distinguished between friend and foe.

Qi Tongwei knew that he was about to take action against Gao Yuliang. As Gao Yuliang's disciple, he couldn't go after the instigator, Sha Ruijin, so he could only take his anger out on himself.

Liu Changsheng was acting out of spite towards Hou Liangping.

Wu Chunlin's anger stemmed from work-related grievances.

Tian Guofu knew that the conflict with Wu Chunlin and Qi Tongwei was unsolvable at present, but Liu Changsheng's problem could indeed be explained.

So he began, “The Discipline Inspection Commission has indeed been inefficient lately, mainly because the inspection team is currently in Handong and needs our cooperation on many tasks. You may not know, but the inspection team has a female deputy director who is very young but extremely experienced in her work. She makes some tricky demands, and we are struggling to cope with her.”

Liu Changsheng didn't mention Hou Liangping, and Tian Guofu didn't mention Zhong Xiaoai, but they tacitly exchanged ideas.

Tian Guofu stated that transferring Hou Liangping to the Discipline Inspection Commission was not his idea, but rather an action by the Zhong family. Coupled with the currently widespread rumors about a "breakup fee," Tian Guofu's words can be seen as an endorsement of the alleged "breakup fee."

Furthermore, Tian Guofu continued, "We already had targets in mind, but now that the inspection team is in Handong, we also need to consider the potential impact. If a major case breaks out in Handong at this time, and it causes a negative impact, how will the inspection team write their report? Wouldn't our provincial party committee be put in a passive position?"

After explaining, Tian Guofu continued with self-criticism. After all, it was a democratic life meeting, so how could he refute others' criticisms? "However, I humbly accept the criticisms from Governor Liu and Governor Qi. I have indeed had some problems in my work during this period, and I will reflect deeply on them and actively correct them."

Sha Ruijin nodded, then ended the conversation: "The Discipline Inspection Commission has indeed been quite busy lately, but who among you here doesn't have a lot on your plate? Being busy is not a reason, much less an excuse. Comrade Guofu, you need to reflect on this carefully."

Tian Guofu: "Okay, Secretary Sha."

Sha Ruijin looked around and asked, "Is there anyone else who would like to speak?"

No one answered.

Tian Guofu said, "Secretary Sha, only Secretary Yuliang is left."

As if he had just remembered, Sha Ruijin nodded and looked at Gao Yuliang, who had been sitting quietly: "Comrade Yuliang, it's your turn."

Gao Yuliang put down his pen, raised his head, and wore his usual refined smile. He pushed up his glasses, a signature gesture that everyone present had seen countless times—at the Standing Committee meeting, when reporting on work, and when accepting criticism, he always made this gesture.

But this time, it seems a little different.

"Okay, Secretary Sha." Gao Yuliang's voice was steady, just like usual.

He opened the notebook in front of him, glanced at it, and then closed it again. Then he raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the faces of each Standing Committee member present, finally settling on Sha Ruijin.

"I was greatly inspired by the speeches of Secretary Sha and Secretary Dakang, as well as the criticisms and self-criticisms of all the comrades," he said. "That's why I requested to speak last. I would like to build on the speeches of the comrades before me and conduct a more in-depth self-analysis."

He paused, his tone becoming even more somber.

“I’m sixty-two this year. I’ve worked in the system for a full forty years since I graduated from university. The first twenty years were at Handong University, teaching and educating people and doing academic research; the next twenty years were in politics, from Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of Lüzhou City, to Secretary of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee, to Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Committee, to Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. Forty years, it’s not a long time, but it’s not a short time either.”

“Over the past forty years, I have experienced a lot and witnessed the changes in Handong. Sometimes, when the night is quiet, I will reflect on my journey and think about what I did right and what I did wrong, whether I have let down the organization’s training and the people’s expectations.”

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, as if he had spoken it after careful consideration.

"Today, I would like to take this opportunity to do a self-analysis. There may be some shortcomings, so please feel free to criticize and correct me."

He paused for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts.

"The first question is about my personality."

“I come from an intellectual family. I studied from a young age, then stayed on to teach at the university, and later embarked on a career in government. To put it nicely, this path is one of academic excellence leading to officialdom; to put it bluntly, it is a process of an intellectual being pushed along by the mighty tide of the times.”

"What are the characteristics of intellectuals? I think the biggest characteristic is rationality, or rather, excessive rationality. They are logical, reasonable, and rule-abiding in everything. This is an advantage, but after entering politics, it can sometimes become a disadvantage."

"For example, when I encounter contradictions and conflicts, my instinct is to reconcile, to balance, and to find a solution that everyone can accept. There is nothing wrong with that, but sometimes, too much reconciliation will make me seem unprincipled; too much balancing will make me seem ambiguous; and too much seeking of consensus will make people think that I am afraid to confront tough issues and afraid to take responsibility."

He glanced at Li Dakang, his tone tinged with self-deprecation: "Secretary Dakang and I have worked together, he knows me best. When I was in Luzhou, sometimes when the people below me had conflicts, my first thought was to talk to both sides, do some work, and try to reach a reconciliation. Secretary Dakang said back then that I was too soft."

Li Dakang nodded slightly without saying anything.

Gao Yuliang continued, "Sometimes this personality trait is a good thing, as it can unite people and resolve conflicts. But sometimes it is also a bad thing, especially when decisive decisions are required. I may hesitate or overthink things, and end up missing the best opportunity."

"The second question is about my experience."

"I spent the first twenty years of my life in school. What is school? It's an ivory tower. Although I also came into contact with society, the environment was relatively simple overall. Later, when I entered politics, went to local government, and entered the officialdom, I truly saw what complexity and power struggles were."

"It took me a long time to adapt to moving from a relatively simple environment to a relatively complex one. Some comrades may think I'm cunning, but that's not true. I just thought things through a few more times than others. It's a habit I developed from school: to think things through a few steps ahead and ask 'why' a few more times."

"But this habit, along with the personality I just mentioned, can sometimes become a problem. Thinking too much makes one hesitant; asking too many questions makes one seem indecisive. Especially when it comes to situations that require a swift and decisive action, I may not be as swift and efficient as Secretary Dakang, nor as bold and decisive as Comrade Tongwei."

Qi Tongwei moved slightly beside him, but did not say anything.

Kao Yu-liang continued, "The third question is about my 'weakness'."

This suggestion caused everyone present to stir slightly.

"As I just said, I have a harmonious and balanced side to my personality. This is a characteristic of intellectuals, but after entering politics, it sometimes becomes a weakness. Or rather, it belongs to what Marx called the weakness of intellectuals in 'The German Ideology'."

"For example, there are things I should stick to my principles on, but I might choose to compromise considering all aspects of the relationship. There are things I should clearly say, but I might say them more tactfully considering other people's feelings. There are people I should deal with seriously, but I might soften my heart considering their background and their future."

"This weakness may not be a big problem in peacetime, but it can become a fatal flaw at some critical junctures."

Gao Yuliang continued, "For example, the Luzhou Crescent Lake Food City that Secretary Sha mentioned last time."

The atmosphere in the meeting room tensed subtly.

finally come.

The two hottest topics circulating in the province right now are Hou Liangping's breakup fee incident and this food court.

The breakup fee was already subtly mentioned earlier, and now the food court can't escape it either.

Gao Yuliang's tone became more somber: "The food city project was approved during my time working in Lüzhou. Over the years, the public has expressed great dissatisfaction with the pollution problem, and the provincial party committee has also criticized it many times. As the decision-maker at the time, I have an unshirkable responsibility."

He paused for a moment, as if recalling something.

"I'd like to say a few more words about the situation at the time. Not to shirk responsibility, but to give comrades a more comprehensive understanding of how many factors are at play behind a decision."

"At that time, the Asian financial crisis had just ended, and the economy was under great downward pressure. The provincial party committee proposed to vigorously develop the tertiary industry and cultivate new economic growth points. As the second largest economy in Handong, Luzhou naturally had to take the lead. The food city project was proposed under this background."

"At that time, Comrade Zhao Lichun was still in Handong. He attached great importance to this project and inquired about it many times. Comrade Zhao Ruilong, as the investor, also did a lot of preliminary work. Judging from the conditions at the time, this project was indeed in line with the development direction—large investment, many jobs created, and tourism development promoted."

He paused, his tone becoming complicated.

“But looking back today, I did have a ‘superior’ mentality at the time. Comrade Zhao Lichun attached importance to it, so I felt that I should support it; there were requirements from above, so I felt that I should implement them. In addition, my understanding of environmental protection issues was indeed inadequate at the time, and I did not consider the long-term impact of the project enough, which ultimately led to that decision.”

"This is what is called 'historical limitations.' But in the end, it's my own problem—I trusted my superiors' judgment too much, relied too much on the promises of investors, was too eager for quick results, and failed to anticipate the potential problems."

He raised his head and looked at the Standing Committee members present.

“Over the years, the pollution problem in the food court has become more and more serious, and the public’s complaints have become stronger and stronger. Every time I hear this news, I feel bad. Because I know that my name is signed on the approval documents for this project.”

"I later thought, if I had done more research, listened to more different opinions, and considered the long-term impact more, would the outcome have been different? But history has no 'what ifs,' and a mistake is a mistake. I take responsibility for this. I will make a self-criticism to the Provincial Party Committee and the Central Committee."

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

Sha Ruijin looked at him for a while before speaking: "Comrade Yuliang spoke very sincerely and his self-criticism was also profound. Let's give him a round of applause."