Chapter 229: Difficult Ideological Work

"Old Secretary Zhou, Manager Su, most people in our village are working in the fields at this time, so I'm sorry you have to come with me to find them in the fields."

Wang He, while leading Zhou Ming, Su Han, and the town's old Party Secretary He Qi, walked along the field paths, passing through several paddy fields. He pointed to the distance, saying, "Over there is Old Fang's family."

Zhou Ming, Su Han, and He Qi followed Wang He's direction and indeed saw people working in the paddy fields over there. Wang He continued, "Old Fang's family is a model of the village's prosperity after implementing the household responsibility system. They're one of the most representative families in Shenglian Village. They work hard and save several hundred yuan every year!"

Wang He then led Zhou Ming and the others to Old Fang's fields, shouting a few times to summon Old Fang's family. He introduced them, "Old Fang, this is Secretary He Qi from the town, and these two are the owner and general manager of Factory 760. They have some questions to ask you, and you must answer honestly and cooperate with the leadership."

As Wang He was introducing them, Zhou Ming observed Old Fang's family. They were indeed an ordinary rural family. Old Fang, about sixty years old, had two children around thirty, a daughter-in-law, a daughter under twenty, and two young grandchildren of six or seven years old.

"Old Fang, why haven't these two children gone to school?" He Qi asked.

"Secretary, I also want them to go to school, but the factory school charges extra tuition fees, which is unfair. We're not outsiders, so why should we pay extra?" Old Fang complained loudly.

He Qi was taken aback. He had only asked out of habit as a town Party Secretary, but he didn't expect such a strong reaction.

"Old Fang, what are you talking about? This is Secretary He from the town and the factory leaders. Don't speak recklessly," Wang He scolded.

"Is it true that the factory's school charges extra fees? I wasn't aware of this. I'm sorry. I'll check with the school. Children should still go to school at this time," Zhou Ming said.

But Old Fang was not grateful, "No need. I'll send them to study in Santang next year. It's better not to go to that lousy factory school."

"Old Fang, what's wrong with you? I've told you that these are the leaders of Factory 760 and the township industrial park. How can you speak like this to the leaders?" Wang He scolded again, then turned to Zhou Ming, saying, "Sorry, Mr. Zhou. Old Fang's temper might be a bit bad."

Zhou Ming waved his hand and said, "It's alright. There are shortcomings in my work, so it's normal for Old Fang to have complaints."

"You are indeed a reasonable big boss," Wang He flattered Zhou Ming, then said to Old Fang, "Old Fang, Secretary He and Mr. Zhou are here today to ask about your views on the township industrial park. This industrial park will be managed and produced uniformly, just like the old communes…"

Before Wang He could finish, Old Fang interrupted aggressively, "No way! We just got rich through the household responsibility system, and we absolutely refuse to go back to the commune system."

Old Fang directed his anger at Zhou Ming, pointing and shouting, "You people from Factory 760 are not sincere. Haven't we farmers suffered enough from your factory's bullying over the years? We just started to make money with the household responsibility system, and you're jealous? Now you want to set up this township industrial park and return to the commune era? I tell you, this is a dream. I absolutely refuse!"

Zhou Ming was scolded, and Su Han immediately protested, "Uncle Fang, don't say that. The township industrial park plan is different from the old communes. Your life will only improve in the industrial park…"

Before Su Han could finish, Old Fang interrupted, "Nonsense! Factory 760 has only bullied us since its establishment. It won't be satisfied until it drives us to death. How could it make us live better?"

"This time is different, Uncle Fang. What you're talking about is the past. Factory 760 has been reformed. It's not the same as before. This township industrial park is planned by the city, and Secretary Gu Ping of the county personally heads the committee. You might not trust us, but you should trust the city and county leaders, right?" Su Han said.

"I don't trust them!" Old Fang said to Su Han, "I see you're a good-natured girl, but how can you be as deceitful as these people?"

"That's going too far, Old Fang. Someone like this girl, who kindly explains things to you, how can you speak to her like that?" Zhou Ming said, frowning. He had remained silent before, but he couldn't ignore how Old Fang spoke to Su Han now.

"What do you mean 'how can I speak'? Did I ask you to talk to me? I don't even want to talk to you factory people! You are all black-hearted, thinking about how to bully us all day. Go away, go away, and stop talking nonsense here!"

Old Fang clearly had no interest in talking further and immediately began to drive them away. Wang He and He Qi tried to persuade him a few times but had no success with the agitated Old Fang. In the end, everyone had to leave.

On the way back, Wang He said to Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, as I said, ideological work is very difficult. People in our village have just emerged from the shadow of the commune system. They've finally become a bit prosperous, and they're unwilling to return to the past. Do you want to find a few more people to see?"

Zhou Ming glanced at Wang He and shook his head, "No need. Secretary Wang, let's go back and talk."

"Alright!"

Wang He agreed cheerfully and then took Zhou Ming and the others back to his home. Once back, Wang He said to Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, didn't I tell you? Ideological work is very hard. The people in our village have just escaped poverty, and they are used to planting whatever they want. It's very difficult to make them join your township industrial park."

Zhou Ming nodded silently, "Indeed, it's somewhat difficult, especially with your opposition, Secretary Wang. It's even harder."

Wang He was taken aback by Zhou Ming's response and asked awkwardly, "Mr. Zhou, what do you mean?"

"Secretary Wang, what do you think?" Zhou Ming countered.

"Are you suspecting that I'm intentionally inciting Old Fang to say these things? Are you doubting that I'm deliberately obstructing this matter? Mr. Zhou, I respect you as the owner of Factory 760. To say such things is to insult my dignity as a Party member!" Wang He said, then turned to He Qi, "Secretary He, please judge. I kindly took him to talk to the villagers for ideological work, but he turns around and accuses me. I am very wronged."

Hearing Wang He's words, Zhou Ming understood that his initial suspicion was correct. Zhou Ming had only been tentatively testing the situation, but after seeing Old Fang's reaction, he had suspected that Wang He was deliberately using villagers to create difficulties for him. 

Firstly, Old Fang's dissatisfaction with the factory's school fees made him extremely antagonistic towards Factory 760, and any mention of the factory would make him angry. Secondly, Wang He's mention of the commune system further aggravated the farmers who had just become prosperous through the household responsibility system.

Though Zhou Ming had only been somewhat suspicious, seeing Wang He's reaction confirmed his doubts. Wang He had intentionally led them to Old Fang to make things difficult.

He Qi, with a troubled expression, smiled at Zhou Ming and said, "Mr. Zhou, you're taking this too far."

Zhou Ming smiled back. He knew that He Qi was embarrassed because of the promised car and didn't want to criticize him, but Wang He's comments forced him to respond.

"Alright, Secretary Wang, you say you're not intentionally obstructing things, right?" Zhou Ming asked deliberately.

"Of course!" Wang He said, "I swear as a Party member that all my actions are for the good of our entire village!"

A useless oath!

Zhou Ming thought to himself but didn't voice it. Instead, he continued, "Well, since Secretary Wang isn't intentionally obstructing things, could you help me organize an event?"

Wang He immediately asked warily, "What kind of event?"

"Don't be so nervous, Secretary Wang. It's not an illegal event," Zhou Ming gestured, "Just a regular village meeting. Secretary Wang, you help me gather all the villagers together. I'll hold a meeting with them and explain the concept of the township industrial park. I'll try to persuade them to agree. What do you think?"

"Mr. Zhou, what's the purpose of this meeting?" Wang He asked, still unsure.

Zhou Ming laughed, "Secretary Wang, why are you so nervous? Are you afraid that the villagers will support my idea, or are you afraid you can't gather all the villagers for the meeting?"

Provoked by Zhou Ming, Wang He straightened

 up and said, "Who's afraid? Who can't do it? I'm just worried you might say something inappropriate and anger the villagers. Mr. Zhou, you're a local, so you should understand the tense relationship between us and the factory."

Zhou Ming confidently replied, "Don't worry. As long as no one deliberately stirs up trouble, everything will be fine."

Wang He, like a cat with its tail stepped on, protested, "How could there be any trouble? Our Shenglian villagers are very simple!"

"Secretary Wang, don't get worked up. I believe in you, don't I?" Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Ming and Wang He then discussed the timing of the villagers' meeting and left his home. Back in the car, He Qi asked curiously, "Mr. Zhou, what's the purpose of the village meeting?"

"To communicate directly with the villagers of Shenglian Village. The more people, the more information we get. Secretary He, please also attend the meeting. I will send the town's car to you tomorrow. Is that okay?" Zhou Ming asked.

He Qi immediately beamed, "Mr. Zhou, you're too kind. Your matter is my matter. I, as the town Party Secretary, am responsible for the township industrial park construction!"