"Little Chen, my gratitude is beyond words. As long as it doesn't violate organizational principles, if there's anything this old bone can help with, just have Dongzi bring you to me."
Zou Chenguang patted Chen Yang on the shoulder. He was a man who always distinguished between favors owed and grudges held.
Chen Yang had helped him find his missing children, and he would remember this kindness.
Hearing his words, Chen Yang's heart naturally rejoiced.
It was like a pillow arriving just when one was sleepy. He had been wondering how to bring up the radio shop with Zou Chenguang, and Zou Chenguang's proactive offer presented the perfect opportunity to gauge his stance.
"Uncle, since you say that, I actually have something I'd like to ask for your opinion on."
Chen Yang stepped forward. The establishment of the Qinghe City Industrial and Commercial Bureau, with Zou Chenguang, the director of the Municipal Management Committee, being primarily responsible, was a monumental opportunity for Chen Yang.
If he didn't seize it, he'd be a fool.
Hu Dong, seeing Chen Yang's directness, was momentarily stunned.
In his opinion, Chen Yang was not the type to expect repayment for favors. He hadn't mentioned Zou Chenguang's identity to Chen Yang beforehand, and Chen Yang had brought gifts, so it didn't seem like he was deliberately trying to curry favor with an old leader.
"Little Chen, speak your mind. I have a straightforward temper. If I can help, I won't hesitate. But if it violates principles, then I can only apologize."
Zou Chenguang raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Chen Yang to be so direct, which was somewhat inconsistent with the good impression he had previously formed.
However, since Zou Chenguang had promised to help Chen Yang, he would naturally keep his word. It was just that Chen Yang's standing in his heart would be somewhat diminished compared to before.
"Uncle, you flatter me. I just heard Brother Hu say you're the director of the Municipal Management Committee, and it reminded me of something concerning our team."
"It's like this, most of the grain our village harvested recently was washed away by the torrential rain. We were worried we wouldn't be able to get through the year. Fortunately, my team leader and I came to the city and found an announcement from the county food factory's aquatic products station seeking fish. The old team leader and I discussed it; our area is near the river, and by catching fish, everyone earned some money, enough to buy some grain to last until spring next year."
"We heard that this policy was issued by our city's aquatic products station. The villagers in our team have always been grateful to the leaders who implemented this policy. When I heard just now that you are in charge of the Municipal Management Committee, it's like you issued the policy. So, all the villagers in our team are thanking you."
"I must thank you on behalf of the villagers."
Chen Yang knew that if he had directly brought up the radio shop, Zou Chenguang might have helped him out of gratitude for saving Zou Jingze. But in doing so, his relationship with Zou Chenguang would have been strained, and the favor would have been used up.
Therefore, he thought of using the aquatic products matter as an opening, first flattering Zou Chenguang, and then subtly probing his views on the future of private and individual economies.
As he spoke, Chen Yang made to bow to Zou Chenguang.
"Little Chen, you mustn't, you mustn't. The policies are directives from higher-level leaders, and I am merely an executor. Besides, catching fish and selling them to the aquatic products station is how comrades earn their keep through their own labor; there's no need to thank me."
Upon hearing that Chen Yang was thanking him, any lingering reservations Zou Chenguang had vanished. He even felt a bit ashamed for his earlier assumptions about Chen Yang.
He realized that after being in politics for so long, he had forgotten that such a straightforward young man wouldn't have so many ulterior motives.
"Over the years, people in the villages have starved. In which year have we had such a good opportunity to earn money? As long as one can survive, one will work hard. If you hadn't implemented this policy, many people in the village wouldn't have made it to next spring."
Chen Yang excitedly grasped Zou Chenguang's hand. The gratitude in his eyes deeply moved Zou Chenguang. Sudan Novel Network.
He understood the hardships of the rural people. Chen Yang's words resonated with him, and at the same time, it solidified his conviction regarding the somewhat hesitant document he had issued earlier.
Perhaps in others' eyes, this acquisition policy might have been seen as inconsistent with planned economy requirements, but it had not only earned foreign exchange for the country but also unexpectedly helped the villagers in Chen Yang's team, whose grain had been washed away, earn money to survive.
He had no reason to dismiss that document from the past.
"Uncle, the director of our county's aquatic products station also mentioned that the People's Daily wrote about 'practice being the sole criterion for testing truth.' He is now planning with our commune director to conduct a practice in our team. He wants the fishermen in our team to teach everyone how to manage abandoned wild ponds by the fields. This year, we'll raise fry caught from the river, and like harvesting rice, we can supply the aquatic products station in batches."
Seeing that Zou Chenguang had clearly let down his guard, Chen Yang dropped another bombshell. If selling fish could still be considered under the collective name of the production team, which wasn't too out of line, then fish farming was unequivocally a private economy. Chen Yang wanted to see what kind of stance Zou Chenguang, the director of the Municipal Management Committee, held towards the private economy.
"Little Chen, this won't do! This is speculation and profiteering!"
Before Zou Chenguang could speak, Hu Dong, who had been silent, quickly rushed to his side, signaling frantically. In those days, speculation and profiteering were serious crimes. Zou Chenguang, as the director of the Municipal Management Committee, was in charge of combating such activities, and Hu Dong had often assisted in arrests. He naturally had to remind Chen Yang not to upset Zou Chenguang unnecessarily.
"Dongzi, let Chen Yang speak."
"Don't worry, Little Chen is one of us. And it's not at the unit; I don't need to make a fuss about it."
But to Hu Dong's surprise, Zou Chenguang paid no mind to Chen Yang's mention of fish farming, which was a typical case of speculation and profiteering.
"Little Chen, continue. I also read that special issue in the People's Daily. But how can practice guarantee it's correct? If it's wrong, wouldn't it implicate these fish-farming people?"
Zou Chenguang was also deep in thought after hearing Chen Yang's words. In recent days, city leaders had spoken with him about establishing the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, and he had many ideas. There were subtle shifts from higher authorities, but those at the lower levels feared following the wrong trend or taking the wrong path, which would lead to irreversible regret. Thus, he had been quite conflicted lately. The example of the Liúhe County Aquatic Products Station and the local commune conducting a practice, as mentioned by Chen Yang, had indeed triggered some thoughts in his mind.
"Uncle, people in the villages can barely get enough to eat these days. How much worse can it get than being hungry?"
"Since it's practice, we can't be afraid of making mistakes. We're not gods, capable of predicting everything. Isn't it possible to make mistakes?"
"But if we're afraid of making mistakes and don't do anything, then we'll just be waiting to starve forever."
"So, I believe that if there's a path, we should boldly take it. Don't be afraid of taking detours; after a few attempts, the path will eventually straighten out. If there's no path, then we'll cut through mountains and build bridges, forging our own way."
Chen Yang's words, like a thunderclap, made Zou Chenguang feel as if he had been struck by a deafening sound. At that moment, Chen Yang seemed to have opened a door to a new world for him!