Chapter 320: The National First Pledge

"Old Yang, I believe that the issues we can resolve now should not be left to the future. Stability is crucial for economic development, but I think for the country and the nation as a whole, addressing potential risks to future development and achieving a positive development cycle is the top priority. Otherwise, if we allow certain vested interest groups to grow unchecked, it will only cost us more in the future if we deal with them later," Zhou Ming said, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "I understand that the central government has its concerns, but I believe that as long as we are determined, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished with the central government's power. Losing is not disgraceful; being afraid is what is disgraceful!"

"Good lad, you've started criticizing the central government!" Yang Dingguo laughed, not at all angry but rather pleased. Since the economic reforms, many of the central government's decisions had become more cautious and less daring. This was understandable, as back then, they were fearless, but now with some assets, they had become more apprehensive.

Zhou Ming protested, "I'm not criticizing but preparing for the future. In fact, I greatly admire what you said when facing the Southern Border's invasion."

"Hit them hard, to ensure at least thirty years of peace?" Yang Dingguo said, sounding as if he was reminiscing.

"Yes, that statement left a very deep impression on me. So now, it's the same—facing the emerging vested interest groups in our country, we must also root them out decisively to secure another thirty years of golden time for our nation!" Zhou Ming declared.

Yang Dingguo fell silent. Although Zhou Ming's words were a reiteration of his own statement from a decade ago, they still struck a chord with him, reminding him of a great man who had always yielded in his lifetime, sharing the same bold spirit.

After a long pause, Yang Dingguo sighed, "Zhou Ming, it's a pity you're not working in the State Council."

Zhou Ming replied, "Old Yang, actually, I think it would be a pity if I were to work in the State Council, because as an official, there would be many things I couldn't do."

A harsh truth that cut to the core of the issue was that the reason why a criminal gang in Jin Ning could grow so powerful and arrogant was due to collective inaction among officials. Each official, being part of the system, was concerned with their own career prospects and dared not take decisive action. This was why the bureaucratic culture from ancient times to the present had always favored moderation.

As the saying goes, "If a person does not care for themselves, heaven will annihilate them." Such behavior from officials was not without reason.

It could be imagined that if Zhou Ming were an official, considering his own future, he wouldn't dare to take actions like dispatching troops to Jin Ning or deliberately creating military-civilian conflicts.

It wasn't about Zhou Ming being afraid of failure, as every major endeavor involves risks, especially one that stirs up a provincial situation. It was about the fact that even if successful, an official who undertook such actions would be seen as an outlier within the bureaucracy. No leader would tolerate such a rogue subordinate, and the entire bureaucracy would marginalize such individuals.

It was precisely because no one would benefit, whether successful or not, and the result would be isolation that no one dared to act.

In contrast, Zhou Ming was not an official; he had stepped outside the bureaucratic circle, which allowed him the courage to act.

Thinking of this, Yang Dingguo laughed heartily, "Good, Zhou Ming, you really dare to speak your mind. But I wonder if you can actually do it?"

"If Old Yang doesn't believe me, we can make a pledge," Zhou Ming said.

"Fine, let's make a pledge. You must keep your word," Yang Dingguo agreed.

"Of course. Isn't there a saying, 'Pledge with a hook and a noose, never to change for a hundred years'?" Zhou Ming said.

Yang Dingguo then hung up the phone, and Zhou Ming put his phone away, contemplating the current situation. In his previous life, this vested interest group must have grown in this way. But now that he had been reborn, it was up to him to turn things around!

Thinking of this, Zhou Ming couldn't help but smile. However, his smile didn't last long as he noticed the two sets of eyes beside him. He turned to find Su Han and Du Peng staring at him in shock. Zhou Ming felt a bit bewildered and instinctively touched his face, asking, "Is there something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Zhou Ming, you were so impressive just now. I really liked it!" Su Han said excitedly, hugging Zhou Ming, while Du Peng added, "Buddy's orientation is perfectly normal, but as you often say, Zhou Ming, you were just exuding dominance. How did you dare to make a pledge with Old Yang?"

"I'll exude dominance on you!" Zhou Ming retorted playfully, "Doesn't Old Yang ever make pledges with people?"

Du Peng, facing Zhou Ming's teasing question, was at a loss. He didn't know if Old Yang ever made pledges, but as the practical leader of the country, Du Peng knew that apart from naive children or Old Yang's family, no one else would dare to speak like that. Especially when the pledge involved national matters, it seemed almost surreal.

Thus, Du Peng, for his own sanity, decided not to dwell on Zhou Ming's actions and muttered, "Zhou Ming, you're a real weirdo!"

Zhou Ming laughed heartily at Du Peng's comment.

Thinking that the matter in Jin Ning might be over, Zhou Ming didn't have to worry about how to deal with Dai Jinshan or the vested interest groups, or whether the criminal gang members would be retried. However, Zhou Ming had overlooked the impact of the case itself.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng arrived in Nanhui in the evening. He and Su Han first dropped Du Peng off at the Nanhui Hotel, the county committee and government guesthouse, before heading back to the factory. But as Zhou Ming reached the fork at the factory entrance, he saw many people waiting there. When they saw Zhou Ming's car, they immediately began calling out his name.

This scene puzzled Zhou Ming until Su Han explained, "The public trial in Jin Ning was broadcast live today."

Zhou Ming then understood the reason. It seemed that the key issue was still related to him!

Zhou Ming shook his head. He was not the kind of person who could remain composed under the adoration of fans. Seeing so many people cheering for him, Zhou Ming felt he needed to say something.

"Long live Boss Zhou! Boss Zhou is the greatest pride of our Factory 760! Boss Zhou is the greatest figure of this era! The people in Jin Ning deserved their fate, and Boss Zhou is exemplary! Even if the whole world is useless, we still have Boss Zhou! If Boss Zhou were the President, he would definitely lead our country and nation to become number one in the world…"

As Zhou Ming opened the car door to speak to these people, their cheers hit him like a tidal wave.

The enthusiasm of the crowd was not always logical or reasonable. At that moment, Zhou Ming didn't concern himself with logic; he simply felt that these people were the most lovable in the world.

It wasn't because they were fans cheering for him, but because their cheers were purely for his sense of justice, without any ulterior motives.

To Zhou Ming, he had only done what his conscience allowed, even using the situation to deal with Dai Jinshan. Zhou Ming felt somewhat shameless, but for Luo Wei and Li Yawina, it was a salvation. For the people of Factory 760, Zhou Ming's actions represented justice, akin to the Red Army fighting landlords.

Though he hadn't done much, being praised this way deeply moved Zhou Ming. He bowed deeply to them, and as he did, the crowd fell silent.

Zhou Ming then said, "I am very grateful to everyone for coming here to welcome me. I truly didn't expect you to do this, as I feel I haven't done much."

Someone in the crowd said, "Boss Zhou, you're too modest. You've eradicated the criminal gang that had plagued Jin Ning for years. Engineer Luo's family is not related to you, yet you mobilized troops to help him. If this isn't doing something, then there's nothing good left in the world."

Others immediately echoed, "Yes, Boss Zhou, you're the great hero of our Factory 760!"

Zhou Ming signaled for them to quiet down and said, "I'm not being modest; I've only done what my conscience tells me to. I want to be able to say with pride that I did everything I could, so I won't regret it when I look back in the future."

"Since I was young, my parents taught me to be upright and to have no regrets. That's what I've done," Zhou Ming said. "Many people say that society is complex, but that's because they are complex themselves. If each of us can do everything with a clear conscience and pass the test of morality, I believe our world will become a better place!"

As Zhou Ming finished speaking, Su Han, moved to tears, shouted, "Zhou Ming, you spoke so well. You are the spiritual idol for each one of us, a model we should always strive to be like!"

With Su Han's words, the crowd erupted in cheers once again. Everyone seemed to become the most fervent believers in the world. For them, there was no reason to be discussed; the only thing to do was worship Zhou Ming as an idol!

Feeling embarrassed, Zhou Ming touched his nose, realizing that his status seemed to have naturally risen today.