Chapter 185: You need to be tactful

Huanrentang is located in the southwest corner of the centre. It may be just an ordinary meeting room in Zhongnanhai as a whole, but historically, whether it is the conferral of military ranks after the founding of the People's Republic of China or the subsequent struggle against the counterrevolutionary clique, Huanrentang has witnessed the country being brought back on track from chaos. An economic conference is currently being held here.

'This year, under the correct leadership of the Party, the people of all ethnic groups in the country have further implemented the policy of governance and rectification and deepening reform, achieving remarkable results. Not only has the contradiction between social supply and demand eased, prices have been effectively controlled, and the balance of payments situation has improved, the entire national economy has also continued to develop in a positive direction, promoting political and social stability, and economic development has achieved gratifying results. According to preliminary statistics, in the previous quarter, national output value was 300 billion yuan, and national income was 250 billion yuan, an average increase of 5% over the same period last year.'

'Although the overall national economic situation is developing well, we must also be aware of the problems in the economy, such as the increasing backlog of finished products, declining economic efficiency, worsening financial difficulties, and increasing potential inflationary pressures...'

Lin Zekang sat in the front row, full of enthusiasm, and spoke eloquently. Although he had entered the Political Bureau two years ago, at that time he was also serving as Secretary of the Binhai Municipal Party Committee. It was not until last year that he officially stepped down, moved to Zhongnanhai, and became a member of the Standing Committee, leading the country's economic development.

Lin Zekang is 63 years old and has worked in the government for more than 30 years. He knows full well that this is a sign that he is to become the successor.

This situation has aroused Lin Zekang's boundless enthusiasm for work. He has been holding this national economic conference for three days in a row, laying out the economic plan for the next stage and demonstrating his ability to lead the country, so that Yang Laoshi and the others can rest assured and hand over the position to him.

'Although industrial output value continued to grow last quarter, an increase of six percentage points compared to the same period last year, the contradictions in the industrial structure are still very prominent. Affected by market changes, the production of most high-end durable consumer goods and investment-type electromechanical products is declining. This situation is particularly prominent among state-owned enterprises at present. Due to excessive backlogs of finished products and the turnover of working capital, as well as product quality issues, corporate costs continue to exceed budgets, and the number of loss-making enterprises and losses are on the rise.'

Lin Zekang paused here, looked around the meeting room, and finally said, 'Comrades, this situation is not optimistic. If the country is to develop, every step must be taken firmly and surely, without frivolity or exaggeration. We must acknowledge our development achievements, but at the same time we must also identify and correct our own flaws and deficiencies. Only in this way can our economy enter a virtuous cycle.'

Lin Zekang glanced at the side door and then said, 'Okay, that's enough for today's meeting. Everyone go back and organise the content of the meeting. The next meeting time will be announced later. The meeting is now adjourned.'

After saying this, Lin Zekang stood up from his seat and walked over to the side door. There was a middle-aged man waiting here. This person was someone Lin Zekang knew, he was the secretary of the country's supreme leader Yang Dingguo.

When he saw Lin Zekang coming, the secretary didn't beat about the bush and said directly, 'Commissioner Lin, Old Yang is now in the adjacent rest room, please go over after the meeting.'

'Okay, I've finished the meeting now, please lead the way,' Lin Zekang said, and held out his hand to make a gesture of invitation.

A few minutes later, Lin Zekang arrived at a small office. The secretary went in first to report before coming out to let Lin Zekang in.

The lounge was very simply furnished. As soon as Lin Zekang entered, he saw Yang Dingguo sitting in a chair. Yang Dingguo waved at him, saying, 'Comrade Zekang, come here and sit over here.'

Lin Zekang nodded and sat across from Yang, sitting very carefully with only half his bottom on the chair. Although Lin Zekang had already placed himself in the position of supreme leader at this time, he still subconsciously felt apprehensive when faced with the legendary Yang, who had been in the same era as the Founding Father and had been a driving force behind the reform and opening up.

After all, the other party was a major figure who had been in the central government for decades. If you count from the founding of the People's Republic of China, he had worked with great men, had very high prestige throughout the party and the army, and was also very skilled. Otherwise, he would not have fallen three times and still be firmly in control of supreme power even though he was no longer the president.

In contrast, Lin Zekang, who had only been in the central government for a few years, was very inexperienced. If he wasn't careful, he might be removed from power, so he had to be more cautious.

'I wonder what instructions you have come here for, Mr Yang?' Lin Zekang asked.

Yang Dingguo shook his head in dissatisfaction: "Comrade Zekang, you are also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, you need to have some independent judgement, don't always follow other people's instructions. You are like a flower in a greenhouse, how can you withstand the wind and rain?'

Lin Zekang nodded in acceptance, Yang Dingguo was just saying that, he would not really dwell on the issue. He then asked: "You were just at an economic meeting, what was the result?'

'All the economic indicators are rising, which shows that the national economic development situation is booming. However, there are still some problems with industrial allocation and structural adjustment, especially in state-owned enterprises, which are the centre of the problem. Similarly, economic development has also brought about a certain degree of inflation. At present, the urban price level has risen by more than 7% year-on-year, especially in megacities such as Yanjing Binhai and Nanjiang, where the situation is particularly serious.'

When it comes to economic issues, Lin Zekang talks eloquently, as if he could go on and on if no one interrupted him.

Yang Dingguo nodded with satisfaction: 'Comrade Zekang still has very strong abilities in economic work, which is something to be affirmed. And as our country has finally won a period of peaceful development after the turmoil, we must seize this opportunity. It can be predicted that for a long time to come, development will be the main theme not only for our country, but also for the whole world.'

Yang Dingguo paused deliberately before continuing: 'However, development also requires a method, and we cannot just do whatever we like.'

Lin Zekang was quick to respond. As soon as Yang Dingguo had finished speaking, he asked, 'Yang Lao, I'm not sure which aspect you mean by acting on impulse.'

Yang Dingguo was not surprised that Lin Zekang had noticed this so quickly. In fact, if he didn't have this political acumen, he wouldn't be in his current position. Which one of those in the central government is an easygoing person?

Yang Dingguo, being a man of leadership wisdom, gave the answer directly without beating about the bush: 'Development is for the Party and the country, not for a particular group or individual!'

'Of course! Reform and opening up is a major event for the entire nation, and no one can put their hands in it. I am willing to do a good job of supervising you, Mr. Yang!' Lin Zekang firmly declared.

'I should believe Comrade Zekang's promise, but some recent events have not been very pleasant.' Yang Dingguo took a sip of tea and then asked, "There is a special finance class in the Finance College of the National People's Congress. I believe Comrade Zekang is no stranger to it, is he?'

Lin Zekang nodded and said yes, because he had also participated in the formation of this finance class at the beginning, and he had personally gone to the university in Binhai to select the students.

'Is there a problem with this finance class?" Lin Zekang asked very carefully.

Yang Dingguo replied, 'There is nothing wrong with this finance class, but something has happened recently that I feel the need to let you know about.'

'Please enlighten me, Mr Yang,' Lin Zekang said.

'This happened yesterday. It was in the finance class at Renmin University. The dean of the Renmin University School of Finance, Comrade Yuchi Feng, insisted on changing the class teacher for the finance class despite the objections of the finance class students. As a result, all the finance class students dropped out of Renmin University.' Yang Dingguo said.

Damn it! It really was something they caused!

Lin Zekang couldn't help but curse when he heard Yang Dingguo finish speaking. In fact, when Yang Dingguo first mentioned the finance class, he thought it would be something stupid the Yuchi brothers would do, because the Yuchi family was indeed an old hand in the financial system. Not only were they highly accomplished in finance, they also had considerable prestige in the financial system. Even when he was in Binhai, he had to rely on their power to integrate Binhai's economy.

The two brothers, Yuchi Long and Yuchi Feng, one works in a bank and the other in a university, seem to regard the financial system as their own backyard. When the South River stock market was booming, they supported the Tan family in causing havoc there and did their best to attract resources to improve the Binhai stock market.

Now that the Finance Class has been established, it goes without saying that, whether it is the selection of students in the class or the importance attached to it by the Central Government, it can be predicted that these people will definitely be the backbone of the national financial system in the future. It can also be said that as long as they control these students, they will control the future financial system of the country.

The benefits of being able to firmly control the financial system need not be mentioned, and the rapid rise of the Yuchi family in the decades before and after the founding of the country is enough to explain everything.

It is precisely for this reason that they have racked their brains over the issue of the head teacher of the finance class. They even went so far as to invite a Chinese national from abroad for this purpose. Later, after the Central Government appointed Zhou Ming as the head teacher, they thought they could calm down a bit, but they never imagined that they would cause such a big incident, causing all the students in the finance class to drop out.

'Yang Lao, I'm very sorry. I will immediately send someone to investigate this matter and will deal with it as soon as possible. The finance class is very important, and I will definitely try every means to retain these students. Please rest assured, Yang Lao!' Lin Zekang said.

Yang Dingguo smiled and said, 'Comrade Zekang, I am not against competition. In fact, competition is a good thing for the country as a whole, but there are ways and means to compete. If you use unscrupulous means, then the meaning of competition is lost. Do you agree?'

Lin Zekang nodded eagerly and said yes. Yang Dingguo finally said, 'Comrade Zekang is a sensible and good comrade. I believe you will handle it well.'

'Please rest assured, Mr Yang, I will definitely handle it well!' Lin Zekang assured Yang Dingguo.