Chapter 108: I Want to Report

Yang Lao was once again silent. It seemed that Yang Lao was unprepared for the issues Zhou Ming had raised.

On this side, Zhou Ming, who was the focal point of the meeting room's attention, maintained a calm demeanor. He appeared indifferent, but in reality, he was very nervous. After all, the person on the other end of the phone was Yang Lao, one of the most renowned national leaders since the founding of the country. Zhou Ming was not completely heartless; how could he remain unaffected after making such statements?

The entire meeting room was enveloped in a deathly silence, the atmosphere as if it had solidified. Everyone felt sweat uncontrollably pouring out of their bodies, including Zhou Ming, who had beads of sweat on his forehead but did not wipe them away. He continued waiting for Yang Lao's response.

The minutes felt like centuries. Just as the people in the meeting room were about to collapse, Yang Lao finally spoke, sighing, "You've raised some very good questions. We have indeed been a bit hasty."

Yang Lao's response relieved everyone in the room, but they were also staring at Zhou Ming with wide eyes, incredulous that Yang Lao agreed with his perspective. How could the central authority's most authoritative revolutionary on economic reform and opening up accept a lesson from an obscure newcomer?

"With no corresponding laws and regulations, rashly establishing a market is indeed a bit of adventurism. But Comrade Zhou Ming, you must understand, our country is too poor and far behind the world. We must catch up. If we wait until everything is fully thought out or all regulations are in place, we would have missed the opportunity," Yang Lao said.

Like the others, Zhou Ming sighed in relief upon hearing Yang Lao speak, but he couldn't truly relax.

Zhou Ming listened to Yang Lao's gradual reasoning and understood that this was Yang Lao's usual working style: if something seemed feasible, they would proceed with it while considering the other details as they went along.

Zhou Ming admired this style. He remembered reading about a situation where a Hong Kong tycoon wanted to donate ten million dollars to the country. At that time, ten million was a astronomical amount for the nation, and no one dared to accept the donation because the tycoon wanted to name a restaurant in the capital after his father.

At that time, reform and opening-up had just begun, and most people's mindset was still stuck in the class struggle era, believing that accepting a donation from a foreign capitalist was disgraceful.

In the end, it was Yang Lao who intervened, saying: "What's wrong with using his name? Why not? If he has made a contribution, he can be commemorated! If others disagree, I'll write the inscription for him."

Thus, the ten million dollars flowed into the country, injecting a strong new force into the reform and opening-up. Yang Lao's bold approach broke old traditions and led the country into a new era.

But admiration aside, Zhou Ming couldn't avoid saying something: "Yang Lao, I greatly admire your proactive approach. Often, opportunities don't wait. But if we know the problems now and still refuse to correct them, that is problematic."

This statement caused the hearts of the other officials in the meeting room to race again. Yang Lao had given him some leeway, but Zhou Ming was becoming increasingly presumptuous.

Ignoring the intense looks from the others, Zhou Ming continued, "So, Yang Lao, now that we know the problems, we should first address the loopholes. I understand that drafting relevant laws and regulations is not an overnight task, but we should at least introduce some temporary policies or management measures. At the very least, there should be laws to follow when encountering issues like land speculation."

"Excellent, having laws to follow," Yang Lao said on the phone with enthusiasm, "It's said that a young bull is not afraid of tigers. Comrade Zhou Ming, your courage is even greater than a tiger!"

Hearing Yang Lao's praise, Zhou Ming smiled awkwardly. At this point, the other people in the meeting room also relaxed and smiled as if Zhou Ming were their leader.

Yang Lao continued, "You are right. Since we've identified the problem, we must address it. Otherwise, the reform will become a farce. Comrades Lu Xiong and Chen Yunfei, if you want to establish the securities market in South Jiangsu, you need to address these issues. Learn from Port City's experience, introduce temporary measures and regulations, and set up a supervisory agency to prevent the recurrence of issues like land speculation."

Lu Xiong and Chen Yunfei, who were named by Yang Lao, replied in unison, "Yes, Yang Lao. We will certainly work hard to address these issues."

Yang Lao then said to Zhou Ming, "Comrade Zhou Ming, since you raised this issue and you are currently the development advisor for South Jiangsu, you must also participate in formulating these regulations and measures."

"Understood, Yang Lao. I will not shirk my responsibility," Zhou Ming responded, "But Yang Lao, these measures are just a stopgap. The most pressing issue, in my opinion, is the issue of mindset. As I know, some leaders still cling to old ideas."

Yang Lao, being very perceptive, immediately detected the implication: "Comrade Zhou Ming, are you hinting at something?"

Facing Yang Lao, Zhou Ming saw no need to beat around the bush. He directly said, "Yang Lao, I am here to report."

"Report? What do you want to report?" Yang Lao asked curiously.

"Yang Lao, it's like this. I noticed that the entertainment options for the people in South Jiangsu were quite lacking, so I rented a two-story building on East Gate Commercial Street to set up a dance hall and a KTV where the public could sing. But just as I was preparing for the renovations, the Municipal Comprehensive Security Office shut down my establishment, citing that I was promoting capitalist decadent culture," Zhou Ming explained.

He continued, "I don't understand. Since we are in reform and opening-up, and we can introduce advanced capitalist development methods, why are we still clinging to old ideas? I only wanted to enrich the entertainment options for the people, but why did it turn into promoting corrupt culture? I can't make sense of it, so I wanted to seek an answer from you, Yang Lao."

As Zhou Ming finished speaking, the meeting room fell into a dead silence. Everyone looked at Zhou Ming with blank expressions.

Those who could enter the meeting room were all powerful officials of the South Jiangsu Municipal Committee. They originally thought their composure was quite good, but they found themselves unable to handle Zhou Ming's shocking statements. In just a short span of ten minutes, their emotional state had fluctuated like a roller coaster. Now, hearing Zhou Ming's comments, their minds felt blank, filled only with shock.

Among all, one person had a different expression—Lu Zhengrong, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee. Zhou Ming's words clearly implicated him, especially in front of Yang Lao.

Hearing Zhou Ming's report, Lu Zhengrong gritted his teeth in frustration, wishing he could silence this troublemaker in front of Yang Lao. But now, in the meeting room with Yang Lao on the phone, he dared not act out. He could only glare at Zhou Ming, hoping he would stop his reckless behavior.

Yang Lao immediately asked, "Is this true? Comrade Lu Xiong."

Hearing Yang Lao's question, Lu Xiong hurriedly replied, "Yang Lao, I'm sorry. No one reported this issue to me, so I am unaware."

Yang Lao pondered for a moment and then asked, "If I remember correctly, the political and legal work in South Jiangsu should be under the purview of Comrade Lu Zhengrong, right?"

Lu Zhengrong hurriedly had the Municipal Secretary bring the microphone to him, but before the microphone could reach his hand, Zhou Ming continued, "Yang Lao, I have another issue to report, not sure if I should or not."

"There's no need to hesitate. Speak freely. I will back you up. Don't have any mental burdens," Yang Lao encouraged Zhou Ming.

"Okay, Yang Lao," Zhou Ming said, "Here's the situation. As businesspeople, we pay close attention to information channels. After my establishment was shut down by the Comprehensive Security Office, I learned that another dance hall was being renovated and prepared for opening at another location on East Gate. It seems to be involved in illegal activities. I suspect there might be some ulterior motives, possibly involving bribery of some party and government officials…"

Before Zhou Ming could finish, Lu Zhengrong, having just received the microphone, cut him off urgently: "Nonsense! Yang Lao, don't believe him. He's talking rubbish and maliciously slandering party and government officials!"

"This is Comrade Lu Zhengrong? Why are you reacting like this? As a party leader, shouldn't you maintain basic organizational discipline?" Yang Lao's tone was displeased.

Lu Zhengrong knew he had been too hasty and quickly tried to remedy the situation, "I'm sorry, Yang Lao. I was too impulsive. But Zhou Ming is indeed talking nonsense. He's harboring resentment because his establishment was shut down, and now he's intentionally reporting false issues to you!"

Yang Lao replied, "Right and wrong will be clear, and the truth will come to light. Comrade Lu Zhengrong, don't overthink it."

Finally, Yang Lao said, "Comrade Lu Xiong, since you are the Secretary of the South Jiangsu Municipal Committee, you should handle this matter. If Zhou Ming's dance hall

 is not in violation of the law, it should be reopened as soon as possible. Additionally, work should be done to educate all party and municipal comrades. Our country's economic upgrading is imminent, and we must not cling to outdated ideas. Moreover, the reported illegal activities by Zhou Ming should be investigated thoroughly. If any individuals are found guilty, they should be severely punished without leniency."