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

"Well...why don't we call Professor Li and explain that you need to attend the award ceremony and can't leave the team? He should understand," Gao Yuliang suggested again. This kind of recommendation interview is not a unified recruitment exam; professors have a lot of autonomy.

Qi Tongwei shook his head again: "There are too many variables."

In fact, he had other plans in mind, but he couldn't say them out loud.

"These past few days, I've received an unusually large number of invitations to banquets," Qi Tongwei said, lowering his voice to cut to the chase. "I'm certain the Liang family has some ulterior motive in wanting me to leave the provincial government dormitory, which is why they've been refusing to come out. They must be getting impatient. Before coming here today, I deliberately called home from the office phone, loudly proclaiming that my father's old illness had relapsed and that I wanted to visit him but couldn't get away..."

He smiled slightly: "By now, this news should have reached the Liang family's ears. Once I return to my dormitory at the provincial government office, someone should voluntarily approve my leave."

Gao Yuliang was stunned, and after a long while, he sighed, "You little rascal...you've got a lot of tricks up your sleeve!"

Qi Tongwei laughed and said, "The teacher once taught Han Feizi in class, saying that the Legalists emphasized 'law, tactics, and power.' Since I have no power to rely on myself, I can only borrow the power of the Liang family."

Gao Yuliang frowned in thought—had he taught these things in class? He seemed to have covered Han Feizi...

In officialdom, "power" is a profound subject. Accumulating power through small efforts is a skill; skillfully leveraging power is also a skill. Being adept at using one's own people's power is nothing special; the highest level of skill is being able to use one's opponent's power for one's own benefit.

Some children of officials only rely on their parents' legacy, so they can never reach the heights their parents have reached, let alone surpass them.

After thinking for a moment, Gao Yuliang was ultimately not intimidated by Qi Tongwei and laughed, "Where did I teach you these things? You've taught me a lesson today."

Then, setting that matter aside, he carefully explained the precautions and techniques for Qi Tongwei's interview, which Qi Tongwei noted down one by one.

As evening approached, Qi Tongwei had just left Handong University. He had barely returned to his provincial department dormitory, and before he could even sit down, he was summoned by someone sent by Deputy Director Jin Ming.

In Jin Ming's simple office, the deputy director warmly brewed a cup of tea, first asking about his recent situation in a routine manner, then reminiscing about their alumni friendship, before getting to the point.

"Xiao Qi, I have to criticize you here," Jin Ming said, feigning displeasure. "I heard your father was unwell, why didn't you report it promptly? Our office's duty is to relieve our colleagues of any worries."

Qi Tongwei feigned fear, saying, "My father's back pain is an old problem; it's nothing serious."

"You've been away working for a long time now. How about this, I'll approve your leave so you can go back and visit." Jin Ming waved his hand.

"This... I'm afraid it will have a bad influence; the comrades will start talking about it..."

"I'll just write 'business trip' on the leave slip."

"But we're about to head to the capital, and I'm afraid of delaying everyone..."

"You can go to Beijing alone to meet them."

"I'm unsure when I'll be able to go home, and I'm worried I won't be able to buy a return ticket..."

"I'll give you a special note to make sure you can get a ticket."

Qi Tongwei then reluctantly agreed, "Well... alright, thank you for your consideration, Director Jin."

He left the deputy director's office with profuse thanks, took the specially approved ticket and business trip certificate, went back to his dormitory to get his already packed luggage, and rushed to Jingzhou Railway Station.

Buying a ticket, entering the station, and boarding the train were all done in one smooth motion. An hour later, Qi Tongwei was already comfortably seated on the train bound for Beijing. Only then did he truly breathe a sigh of relief and have the leisure to appreciate the scenery rushing past the window.

In the pitch-black night, the railway tracks stretched into the distance, and also into the future he had meticulously planned.

Chapter 13 Interview

The train slowly pulled into Beijing Station in the morning light. Qi Tongwei, carrying only a few pieces of luggage, walked out of the station.

Beijing at the end of 1995 was a palpable sight. A lingering winter chill still hung in the air, but the city was already awake. Bicycles surged along Chang'an Avenue like a tide, their bells ringing in a chorus. In the distance, the China World Trade Center Phase I outside Jianguomen had risen from the ground, showcasing emerging commercial vitality, but more prevalent were the gray, low-rise buildings and the smoke rising from the chimneys of the hutongs. Newsstands lined the streets, displaying various newspapers, and loudspeakers broadcast the news. A profound yet vibrant atmosphere enveloped this ancient capital, rapidly modernizing.

Unlike his previous trip to Shanghai for studies, this time Qi Tongwei was pressed for time and had no intention of renting a place. He found a guesthouse with simple facilities but was quite clean, located a little distance from the Peking University campus.

After settling in, he began a near-seclusion. Apart from necessary meals and rest, he spent all his time repeatedly simulating various interview questions, cramming on economic theory, and reviewing his own paper the most, pondering every piece of data and every argument countless times.

On the day of the interview, he got up early, changed into a faded but neatly ironed white shirt, combed his hair meticulously, and looked energetic and spirited. An hour early, he arrived at Peking University and followed the signs to the agreed location—which turned out to be Professor Li Yiqing's office.

Contrary to his expectations of a bustling crowd and a gathering of competitors, the office was deserted, with only him present. This unusual quiet only amplified the tense atmosphere. He took a deep breath, calmed his slightly racing heart, and raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Come in." A steady, slightly hoarse voice came from inside the door.

Qi Tongwei pushed open the door and entered. The office was exceptionally spacious, yet rather cluttered. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, crammed with various Chinese and foreign books, academic journals, and bound documents; some piles even encroached on part of the aisle. The air was filled with the distinctive smell of old pages and ink.

Behind the huge desk by the window, an elderly man in his sixties with gray hair was writing furiously. He was thin and wore a worn-out dark blue Zhongshan suit. His face showed signs of fatigue from long hours of desk work, but his eyes, looking through his reading glasses, were unusually bright and sharp, as if they could see through appearances and reach the heart.

It is Professor Li Yiqing, a leading figure in the field of economics and a member of the national think tank.

Professor Li raised his head, his gaze lingering on Qi Tongwei for less than two seconds. Without exchanging pleasantries or offering him a seat, he spoke with a sharp and direct tone completely contrary to his gentle demeanor:

"Qi Tongwei, is it? I've read the paper you sent," he said calmly, yet his words carried immense weight. "Your economics background is extremely superficial. The entire study is also superficial and lacks depth. Now, give me a reason to hire you."

Qi Tongwei's heart skipped a beat, and he almost couldn't breathe. He had considered many possible questions—whether the paper was ghostwritten, the reason for switching majors, a specific economic principle… but he was not prepared to deal with such a complete rejection.

Perhaps it was the informational advantage brought about by his rebirth that made him a little arrogant, or perhaps it was Li Yiqing's personal invitation to the interview that gave him excessive confidence; he never really thought about this issue.

After all, if his paper was so bad in Professor Li's eyes, why would he give him an interview opportunity?

Now, facing the sharp critique of this scholar from a national think tank, he suddenly realized his own narrow-mindedness. Before such a learned scholar, his "clumsy work," built upon a prescient vision, would likely be utterly inadequate.

I forced myself to calm down quickly. The opportunity was right in front of me. The fact that I was standing here meant that I must have some quality that Professor Li had noticed but that I hadn't realized I possessed.

Find it, and you'll achieve great success; fail to find it, and all your previous forbearance, planning, and efforts will be in vain.

Calm down! You must calm down!

In a flash, an idea crossed my mind.

He composed himself, met Professor Li's scrutinizing gaze, and slowly began to speak, his voice deliberately steady: "My graduate advisor, Professor Gao Yuliang, once said that professors recruit students in roughly two types."

He carefully considered his words while observing Professor Li's reaction. Seeing that the other party did not show any impatience, he continued, "One type is the 'disciple' who inherits knowledge. They are often intelligent, have a solid foundation, a pure passion for scholarship, and are full of inspiration. Their mission is to inherit the teacher's academic lineage and carry forward the school's ideas. This is the disciple type of student."

“And another type,” he paused slightly, emphasizing his words, “is the ‘assistant’ who can provide assistance in a specific field. They may lack academic talent, but they possess unique resources and perspectives in politics, economic practice, or other areas, and can provide fresh materials and evidence from different levels for the teacher’s research. This is… the assistant-type student.”

He looked up again and saw that Professor Li Yiqing was still expressionless, but the sharpness in his eyes seemed to have softened slightly, as if he was waiting for him to continue. This gave him a bit of courage.

“I’ve done some research privately, and Professor Li, you are one of the supervisors who have recruited the most in-service doctoral students in recent years.” He said this rather boldly, with a hint of a desperate attempt. “I guess that we are currently at a critical juncture where the national economic system is undergoing profound changes, and as an important member of the national think tank, you need to provide advice on major policies.”

"In addition to needing your 'disciples' to assist you in completing the arduous tasks of data organization, calculation, and theoretical construction, you also urgently need 'assistants' from different regions, professions, and social classes to provide you with diverse and down-to-earth perspectives."

“You’ve previously recruited students who include officials from local governments, leaders of large state-owned enterprises, and directors and bureau chiefs from national ministries. They provide perspectives from within the system and from management levels. So,” Qi Tongwei finally offered his core argument, “would you like to add a more grassroots, even somewhat grassroots, perspective? For example, from the perspective of a farmer’s son, a law enforcement officer who works in impoverished mountainous areas and has even dealt with the most dangerous drug crimes, to examine current economic policies, their actual operation at the grassroots level, and their real impact on ordinary people, especially farmers?”

A brief silence fell over the office. Only the faint sound of a bicycle bell from outside the window and the ticking of the second hand on the old-fashioned clock on the desk could be heard.

Professor Li Yiqing gave Qi Tongwei a deep look, his gaze seemingly trying to see right through him. After a long while, the corner of his mouth seemed to twitch slightly, and he sighed, "You have a good teacher."

Then, his tone changed, becoming decisive: "I'll accept you as my 'assistant'."

Qi Tongwei was overjoyed, but before he could react, Professor Li's next words stunned him.

“But I don’t have enough ‘disciples’ right now, and we’re short-staffed for a lot of basic work. You can’t pursue your doctorate while working; you have to take time off. When can you finish your resignation and come over?” Li Yiqing didn’t wait for his answer before making arrangements on his own. “I’ll have your senior brother give you some extra lessons. Your foundation… is too weak.”

"Huh?" Qi Tongwei was momentarily caught off guard. "Professor, don't you... need to examine it again?" His prepared economics knowledge was completely useless.

Li Yiqing finally revealed a barely perceptible smile, with the straightforwardness and slight sarcasm characteristic of a scholar: "With your pitiful economics background, what's there to examine? Hurry up. I have a large project to launch at the beginning of next year, and you'll be just what you need. Just don't let me down then."

Qi Tongwei finally understood, and a surge of joy overwhelmed him. He quickly replied, "Yes, Professor! I understand! I will do it as soon as possible!" He then reported his itinerary, "I have an awards ceremony at the Ministry of Public Security in four days. I will need about a month to return to Handong to handle the handover of my work and resignation procedures. I will report to Peking University on time a month later!"

Li Yiqing nodded, recalling the meritorious service mentioned in Professor Aurora's letter of recommendation. He hadn't expected it to be recognized by the Ministry of Public Security, so he asked, "A first-class hero?"

"Yes," Qi Tongwei replied respectfully.

Professor Li looked him up and down again, a hint of approval in his eyes, but said nothing more, only waving his hand: "Go, hurry up."

Suppressing his excitement, Qi Tongwei bowed respectfully and left the office.

Gently closing the door behind him, Qi Tongwei walked through the ancient campus of Peking University, feeling as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from his heart. Sunlight filtered through the bare branches, making the scene exceptionally bright in his eyes. With this step, he had finally broken free from the suffocating quagmire of Handong; ahead lay a vast expanse of sky and sea, a truly boundless world where this hidden dragon could unleash its ambitions!

He didn't linger on campus and went straight back to the guesthouse. On the way, he made a point of buying a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), a shiny roast duck, and a bag of peanuts.

At noon, alone in his room, he ate a simple meal and finished off the entire bottle of strong liquor. It was a celebratory drink, a toast to bidding farewell to the past and stepping into a new life. The pent-up frustrations of his past life and the schemes of this one, accumulated for so long, were completely released in that moment. The effects of the alcohol washed over him, and he collapsed onto the bed, quickly falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

This was the most restful and sweet sleep he had had in so many days.

Chapter 14 Before the Award Ceremony

I slept exceptionally long. I lay down at three in the afternoon, and when I opened my eyes again, it was still pitch black outside. I checked the time by the dim light; it was only four in the morning. Besides the intense studying I had been doing recently, which had drained my brain, my body, which was recovering from a serious injury, also needed to recharge.

After sleeping for nearly thirteen hours, I didn't feel refreshed; instead, I was enveloped by a deeper sense of drowsiness.

Qi Tongwei knew that if he fell asleep now, he would likely remain drowsy all day. He decisively got up, washed his face with cold water, and the biting chill instantly dispelled some of the grogginess. After changing into his sportswear, he quietly left the guesthouse and began jogging slowly around the courtyard in the deepest darkness before dawn.

He has always been in excellent physical condition. This time, he deliberately controlled his speed and jogged slowly for an hour until the sky began to lighten and he was slightly sweaty. He still felt that he hadn't had enough.

But he knew the principle that too much of a good thing can be bad, so he decisively stopped. He went back to his room and took a hot shower. The warm water washed over his body, taking away the last trace of fatigue. He felt completely refreshed and his spirits were lifted.

Around 5 a.m., there were already early risers on the street. He went to a newsstand near the guesthouse and bought several mainstream newspapers, including the People's Daily and the Economic Daily, which were from the past month. He carried the thick stack of newspapers back to his room.

I was so engrossed in economic theory that I had no time for anything else, but now I need to catch up on current political and economic developments as soon as possible.

He employed an efficient information filtering method: first, he quickly browsed the front-page headlines and major news sections of all newspapers, circling reports related to macroeconomic policies, institutional reforms, and market dynamics; then, he focused on reading the circled articles, paying particular attention to subtle changes in data and policy statements, as well as the spirit of important figures' speeches; finally, he briefly recorded the valuable information in his notebook, and marked the entry points that might be related to his thesis direction or future research.

After two hours, he had gained a rough grasp of the recent economic trends and policy directions.

After putting down the newspaper and having a quick breakfast, Qi Tongwei decided to go for a walk. He wanted to relax, and also to see Beijing in this era firsthand and feel the pulse of the economy.

Instead of choosing tourist hotspots like Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall, he went to places that better reflected the local life and industrial landscape—Panjiayuan Antique Market, the renowned Beijing No. 1 Cotton Textile Factory, and the then-booming Xiushui Street Market, among others.

He carefully observed the trading methods and the flow of people in the market, and paid attention to the frequency and scale of logistics entering and leaving the factory gates. He compared these observations with the knowledge he had learned from books and the vision of the future in his mind, and found it quite interesting and not boring at all.

Perhaps it was because his wandering around was so different from that of ordinary tourists or citizens that he attracted the attention of three plainclothes police officers who stopped him one after another to check his ID.

Upon learning that he was the soon-to-be-awarded first-class hero, the police officers were filled with awe and solemnly saluted him.

This scene was witnessed by the surrounding crowd, who all turned their heads and speculated among themselves which "leader" had come down incognito for an inspection. As a result, when Qi Tongwei tried to ask the stall owners or passersby for more details, they all looked nervous and answered cautiously. One elderly woman even took the opportunity to complain to him about the street management, leaving him both amused and exasperated. He had no choice but to leave in a hurry and continue observing in another place.

While strolling through Panjiayuan, he inadvertently spotted Chen Yang, Chen Hai, Hou Liangping, and Zhong Xiaoai. They were chatting and laughing, looking quite content. Qi Tongwei quickly understood—it was late 1995, university courses were nearing their end, Chen Hai, after the blow of the truth about his family, was probably in Beijing with Hou Liangping to clear his head, Chen Yang worked for the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and Zhong Xiaoai's family lived in Beijing; it was perfectly normal for the four of them to be together.

Qi Tongwei remained completely unmoved. He had neither the desire to greet them nor the interest in making sarcastic remarks; such things were meaningless to him. He quietly turned and merged into the crowd, unnoticed by Chen Yang and the other three.

The next day, Qi Tongwei returned to Panjiayuan. Chen Hai and the others were indeed not there; they must have gone to other attractions. This time, he focused intently and spent a whole day observing the market's operating model, management system, stall rents, source of goods, transaction volume, and even changes in foot traffic. He gained a great deal and felt the trip was worthwhile.

Such days of free observation and reflection are always fleeting. Five days passed in a flash, and he had to report to the Ministry of Public Security. After carefully packing his luggage, Qi Tongwei left the guesthouse, feeling inexplicably that this place was his "lucky place," secretly thinking that if he ever needed accommodation again when he came to Beijing, this would be his first choice.

Upon arriving at the Ministry of Public Security, after undergoing strict identity verification and security checks, he went to the ministry's guesthouse. The delegation from Handong Province attending the commendation conference had mostly arrived, and rooms had been assigned. He found Jin Ming, the deputy director of the provincial department's office in charge of conference liaison, to collect the keys.

Director Jin wore his usual smile and spoke in a friendly tone: "Xiao Qi, you're here? How is your father's health? Is everything settled at home?"

Qi Tongwei remained calm and replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Director Jin. I called home after arriving at Jingzhou Railway Station. My father is doing well, so I didn't go back. I've never seen Tiananmen Square before, so I took advantage of this opportunity to come to Beijing ahead of time. I apologize for not reporting to you in time this time without my consent."

Jin Ming laughed and waved his hand, "Young people, I can understand. When I first had the chance to come to Beijing, I went straight to Tiananmen Square to take pictures as soon as I got off the train, as if I was afraid of being late." He handed over a key, "This is your room key. This conference is large-scale, with many participants, so we've arranged double rooms. You'll share a room with Director Wang from the Publicity Department, is that alright?"

"No problem, I'll follow the organization's arrangements." Qi Tongwei took the keys.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qi Tongwei took his leave.

The moment the office door closed, Jin Ming's smile vanished, replaced by a dark, almost menacing expression. He muttered to himself, "Little fox, so cunning!"