Chapter 208: Speaking Without Shocking the World

Zhou Ming was confident that he had changed history, not just the timing of the Eastern European upheaval but also the domestic political environment. According to Zhou Ming's memories, President Dong Zhen should have been removed from office next year due to another matter, but now it had happened over a year earlier.

Comrade Dong Zhen had made mistakes that were considered a split from the Party and had significant responsibility for foreign hostile forces' infiltration. Although he had done some beneficial work during his tenure in important Party and state leadership positions, there were also evident errors in his guiding ideology and practical work. Especially his passive attitude towards upholding the Four Cardinal Principles, serious neglect of Party construction, spiritual civilization construction, and ideological and political work. Given these severe mistakes, the meeting decided to remove him from all positions within and outside the Party, and further investigation of his issues would continue.

This was the original meeting record from the Second Plenary Session, which Yang Dingguo had brought for Zhou Ming to see after informing him of Dong Zhen's removal.

Zhou Ming was not surprised by this meeting record or Dong Zhen's dismissal. After all, the phrase "Yang Dingguo's methods" was not just a popular saying; it reflected Yang Dingguo's political abilities displayed through several changes in central leadership.

Yang Dingguo's actions were understandable. With the reform and opening up in full swing, coupled with foreign hostile forces' infiltration and the instability in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, both domestic and international situations were undergoing massive changes. As a pillar of the nation, Yang Dingguo needed to take decisive actions to stabilize the situation. Otherwise, the nearly decade-long achievements of reform and opening up might be lost.

Thus, Zhou Ming was not surprised by the central government's actions. What puzzled him more was why Yang Dingguo chose to share this information with him.

Zhou Ming read newspapers daily but was unaware of this news, indicating that the central government had not made it public for certain reasons. So why share it with him?

Yang Dingguo noticed Zhou Ming's confusion and smiled, explaining, "Some people don't need to know too much because they wouldn't believe the truth even if it was presented to them. Others, however, don't need any concealment, even if it's a national secret, because they know how to make responsible judgments."

"Thank you, Elder Yang and the central government, for your trust," Zhou Ming said. This trust was significant, especially for someone like him who was neither a privileged offspring nor an insider.

Yang Dingguo shook his head. "Trust is relative. If you don't trust the central government, it naturally won't trust you."

Zhou Ming understood this referred to his previous communication through Du Peng about potential spy activities in the country.

"Lastly, Comrade Zhou Ming, you're not interested in taking a position in the central government, right?" Yang Dingguo asked.

Zhou Ming answered honestly, "Yes, Elder Yang, because I'm not suited for it. I remember you once commented on a former vice-premier, saying that it was torturous to force a farmer into a vice-premier position. Why make someone suffer like that?"

Yang Dingguo smiled. "Exactly. Everyone should have their own role. Not every job is suitable for everyone. But when faced with the temptation of power, those who can resist the urge to reach for it are very rare, Comrade Zhou Ming."

"Thank you, Elder Yang. Perhaps it's also because I have a broad vision," Zhou Ming said. "The foreign girl I met at Yanjing University told me that I shouldn't limit myself to the domestic scene but should look globally. That's where my real battlefield is. As a Chinese capitalist, I have my share of greed, so I agree with her assessment."

"I see. I hope you can really have such a day. By then, the motherland will certainly be your strong support!" Yang Dingguo said.

Zhou Ming thanked Yang Dingguo again, and Yang Dingguo waved his hand. "Alright, enough of these heavy topics. Let's talk about something lighter. I heard you bought a factory in your hometown?"

"Technically, it's two factories: the 760 Factory in Nanhui County and the Xiling Canning Factory in Yangbei County. I plan to produce a canned food called Eight-Treasure Porridge. I'm currently negotiating advertising and exclusive Spring Festival Gala sponsorship with CCTV," Zhou Ming replied.

"I've eaten Eight-Treasure Porridge before. It's a traditional food of our nation. Turning ordinary food into a business is not simple!" Yang Dingguo said.

"I believe that the best products are those loved by everyone. As reform and opening up progress, people's living standards will rise, and their expectations will grow. Since Eight-Treasure Porridge is a gap in the market, I'm just filling that gap," Zhou Ming said.

Yang Dingguo laughed heartily. "But you're filling that gap with considerable skill!"

Zhou Ming scratched his head. "Elder Yang, you flatter me. I have another idea. Since my family's living conditions weren't good, I've always dreamed of helping my fellow villagers become prosperous. My Eight-Treasure Porridge project is part of this dream. I want to turn the area around my home into an industrial base, something like a township industrial park, to centralize resources and boost the local economy."

Hearing this, Yang Dingguo showed a hint of surprise in his eyes. He said to Zhou Ming, "Comrade Zhou Ming, you truly speak without shocking the world. I originally just wanted to have a normal chat with you, but you've come up with such an astonishing theory. A township industrial park, if it can concentrate advantageous resources and lead the development of one town to drive others, could indeed revitalize regional economies. This collective model for township economies is definitely a potential future development path!"

Yang Dingguo's words made Zhou Ming admire the greatness of historical figures. Zhou Ming had merely mentioned the concept of a township industrial park, but Yang Dingguo immediately recognized its feasibility and importance.

What Zhou Ming didn't know was that as he expressed his admiration for Yang Dingguo, Yang Dingguo held Zhou Ming in even higher regard: Although young, every idea Zhou Ming proposed was groundbreaking. He was truly a business genius who, given time and no unexpected incidents, would become a significant figure worldwide.

It was fortunate that Zhou Ming didn't know Yang Dingguo's evaluation of him; otherwise, he would have felt quite embarrassed. After all, the concept of township industrial parks was something developed after many years of reform and numerous failures. In this era of unsettled ideas, such advanced models were bound to surprise people.

"I'm lucky that my projects in my hometown received support from Governor Xiong; otherwise, these projects wouldn't have gone so smoothly," Zhou Ming said.

This comment made Du Zhongyuan look at Zhou Ming with renewed interest. Zhou Ming smiled at him. After all, this vice-president had helped him a lot, and his grandson, Du Peng, was also a good friend. Zhou Ming felt he should acknowledge this support, especially since Xiong Qingping, the deputy governor of Jingchu, was from their faction.

Yang Dingguo noticed this but didn't say much. He simply said, "Some things are indeed still conservative at the local level, but Comrade Qingping has some vision. I'll talk to him to support your development as much as possible."

At this moment, a few secretaries from the Central Office entered the room. Yang Dingguo glanced at them and said, "It's said that listening to one piece of advice is better than ten years of studying. I now find that chatting with Comrade Zhou Ming is more useful than attending many meetings! Let's end it here for today. I'm getting older and my energy is not what it used to be. I hope to have another chance to chat with you next time, Comrade Zhou Ming."

Zhou Ming could also see that Yang Dingguo and Du Zhongyuan were showing signs of fatigue, so he quickly stood up and apologized, "I'm sorry if I spoke too much and took up Elder Yang and Chairman Du's rest time."

Yang Dingguo shook his head, indicating that it wasn't Zhou Ming's fault, and then walked out of the room with Du Zhongyuan.

As the two elderly men and the secretaries left, Du Peng immediately came over, putting his arm around Zhou Ming's shoulder excitedly, "Zhou Ming, you're amazing! Do you know that I've never seen my grandfather and Elder Yang so out of character, even when I was young?"

Zhou Ming understood what Du Peng meant by "when I was young" and responded, "Come on, was it really that exaggerated?"

"Absolutely!" Du Peng affirmed.

At this moment, Su Han also silently approached Zhou Ming. Although she didn't express her excitement as dramatically as Du Peng, her blushing face and excited eyes clearly showed her feelings.

Zhou Ming held Su Han's hand and, together with Du Peng, walked out of the room. Suddenly, Zhou Ming said to Du Peng, "Since we've had that conversation with Elder Yang and your grandfather, we shouldn't face any more trouble here in Yanjing, right?"

Du Peng was momentarily stunned but then noticed the departing figure of Brother Tan not far away. He realized and smiled, "Of course. Brother Tan is still the same Brother Tan, but after Chairman Dong's downfall, his family will likely face changes as well."

Zhou Ming nodded. What he meant was that the Tan family, as staunch supporters of Dong, would face significant impacts now

 that Dong Zhen was removed from office and labeled a serious split from the Party. The Tan family would likely be hit hard, and it was uncertain whether they could survive this, let alone trouble him.

As for Brother Tan, since he had always been a big shot in the city, his overconfidence often led him to underestimate situations. If he had acted arrogantly in front of Zhou Ming without understanding the situation, he might now be facing a significant setback and would probably avoid Zhou Ming from now on.

With that thought, Zhou Ming stretched and said, "Finally, everything is over. I can now focus on my own affairs."