Xiao Daoqing knows that according to the rules of today's power game, when the number one has an idea, whether it is a meeting of the Standing Committee or an enlarged meeting of the Standing Committee, there will generally not be any open opposition. The people gathered in the center of power either sang praises to the will of the leader, or raised their hands in unison, which in essence expressed a kind of collective unconscious in the face of power. At this time, it was difficult for clear-headed and assertive participants to change the situation, and most of their dissenting methods were tactful in asking questions. And if you want to avoid expressing your stance and get rid of the troubles and responsibilities that may arise in the future, you can only talk about him left and right. Guo Huaiqiu was the number one, and when discussing the international industrial park, Xiao Daoqing had an excellent performance, and he talked freely for half an hour at the meeting, so that no one in the Standing Committee, including Guo Huaiqiu, could understand whether he supported or opposed the launch of the international industrial park.

The Standing Committee members and comrades concerned attending the meeting showed extraordinary enthusiasm for Wu Mingxiong's slogan of "emancipating the mind, advancing with heavy burdens, putting pressure on oneself, and simultaneously developing waterways," and unanimously supported the spread of the spread of the stalls to fight a people's war. Chen Zhongyang, Cao Wuping and others even said, "Moving forward with a heavy load", where does the weight come from? If we do not seize the opportunity today and lead the 10 million people of Pingchuan to fight hard and fight this battle of the century, we will be left with eternal regrets.

When Chen Zhongyang and Cao Wuping and their gang wantonly fired guns one after another and talked about their mission and responsibility, Wu Mingxiong, as the number one leader, listened with a smile, wrote them down in his notebook, and interjected a few sentences from time to time, making the already uncalm atmosphere even more uncool. Shu Huaru sat next to Wu Mingxiong and looked at Wu Mingxiong's eyes and spoke. When someone asked whether the ring road should be slowed down and use the money to build the ring road to set up a few more factories, Shu Huaru immediately pinched Wu Mingxiong's tone and said, as decision-makers, we can't be so short-sighted, road infrastructure is the foundation of a city, and its significance is not to run a few factories can be replaced.

Wu Mingxiong also said: Of course, it is good to set up a few more factories, the output value has gone up, and it is easy to explain to the top and bottom, and our face is also good-looking. However, guarding the rotten road under our feet, how can we explain the history and the future? Therefore, I suggest that our comrades should devote their enthusiasm to acknowledging the historical responsibility before them. We can't get away with it. Even if it is not understood by a few people for a while, even if it is scolded by others first, it has to be claimed.

In a warm atmosphere, everyone almost forgot the existence of Xiao Daoqing, deputy secretary of the municipal party committee.

In the end, it was Wu Mingxiong who noticed his silence and asked him to share his opinions before discussing the implementation plan of the water and road projects in the afternoon.

In all fairness, Xiao Daoqing didn't want to say anything more at this time, the overall situation was decided, and only fools and madmen would stand up and express different opinions at such a time. He Xiao Daoqing is too familiar with this set in the officialdom, he didn't speak to Guo Huaiqiu back then, how can he speak to Wu Mingxiong today? What he is seeking now is to protect himself wisely, not only to protect his immediate political interests, but also to retain his right to speak and criticize in the future.

So, Xiao Daoqing said: "After listening to Secretary Wu, Mayor Shu and everyone's speeches in the morning, I am very encouraged and inspired. It seems that sometimes people still have to talk about spirituality. Everyone's spirits are lifted, and many things that seem impossible are not completely impossible through our efforts. Of course, the spirit is not omnipotent, and objective conditions and objective laws are also very important. As long as we face up to the objective conditions we are facing and follow the objective laws of things, I think our cause will develop by leaps and bounds. ”

Xiao Daoqing noticed that at this time, Chen Zhongyang, who was sitting opposite, wanted to say something.

Wu Mingxiong waved his hand to stop Chen Zhongyang.

Xiao Daoqing only pretended not to see it, took a sip of water, and continued: "Development is a hard truth, Comrade Xiaoping has said this a long time ago. After so many years of reform and opening up, have we developed in Pingchuan? I think there is still development, but at a slower pace. What causes it? Or an objective condition. Therefore, when we talk about development and progress with heavy burdens today, we must not forget the objective condition of underdeveloped economy. This objective condition is a bad thing, but in a sense, it is not a bad thing. Comrade Mao ** said that bad things sometimes turn into good things. When the pressure is heavy, the power is great. This is what materialist dialectics says. ”

Chen Zhongyang couldn't help it, and interjected: "Secretary Xiao, why can't I understand what you say?" Do you agree or disagree with everyone's opinions? Is it okay to make a clear statement? Don't be subjective, objective, and get farther and farther, you don't want to give us all a philosophy lesson, do you? ”

With obvious sarcasm in this tone, Xiao Daoqing's face fell, and he glanced at Chen Zhongyang coldly and said, "Secretary Chen, are you a little patient?" I'm not done yet! ”

Chen Zhongyang said: "Okay, good, you talk, you talk." However, I hope you can talk about the attitude of the water and the road at the same time, and don't always be ambiguous and make people confused with you. ”

Xiao Daoqing didn't want to say anything more, but now because of his old opponent Chen Zhongyang, he couldn't help but say: "The objective conditions of economic underdevelopment are here, and water and roads must be on the road together, what is the biggest problem?" It's money. Everyone also talked about it in the morning, there is a gap in the funds for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, and there is also a gap in the funds for the Ring Road. Is it appropriate for us to roll out the two projects in an all-round way at once, reaching out to the peasants in the eight counties and cities on the one hand, and the workers in the city on the other? Is it a policy violation? Will it create new unrest? Are there any political risks? How much political risk is there? I hope you can think it through. As far as I know, there is no precedent in the whole country for organizing people in the whole city to donate money to build roads. ”

Chen Zhongyang immediately said: "Just because there is no precedent doesn't mean we can't try." Since the reform and opening up, there have been many things without precedent, and everyone has taken some risks and tried to do it, and the way has not been opened? ”

Cao Wuping also said: "According to the investigation and research during this period of time, I don't see much risk. The people of the city are trapped by the road, and their opinions have always been very big, and we are now on the ring road to solve the problem fundamentally, and the people support it from the heart. Moreover, the donation and fundraising is only a small amount, and the plan is only more than 20 million, so if our organization and publicity are in place, it should be said that there is not much of a problem. ”

Wu Mingxiong opened his mouth with a smile: "Secretary Xiao's question is very good, and Secretary Chen and Mayor Cao are also very good. Here's how I look at this issue: We, the people of Pingchuan, have always had the fine tradition of self-reliance and arduous struggle, and the level of consciousness, educational quality, and economic income of the vast number of cadres and workers in the urban areas are also higher than those of the peasants, and generally speaking, the burden is lighter than that of the peasants. In the 43 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the peasants have been engaged in water conservancy work every year and have made voluntary contributions every year. I think it's okay. Road engineering benefits everyone, so everyone is responsible. This is not a big responsibility, that is, to work in the five directions or to donate 40 yuan to work on behalf of the capital. I believe that this will be understood and supported by the people of the whole city. Of course, the scope of fundraising for labor funds should be clearly stated, and unemployed, unemployed workers, retirees, and other types of personnel who have no economic income should not be engaged. Newspapers, radio stations, and television stations should closely cooperate with the arrangements of the municipal party committee and the municipal government to intensify propaganda. Those who donate more than 40 yuan will be listed in newspapers, radio and television stations, and all those who have contributed to the construction of the project will be recorded in the honor book. Look, is this a good job? ”

Shu Huaru, Chen Zhongyang, Cao Wuping, and most of the participants applauded, and the propaganda minister even expressed his stance on the spot, saying that Pingchuan's propaganda machine must be at full speed this time, creating a general climate in which the whole party is united, the whole people are united, and everything is for the construction of waterways.

Only Xiao Daoqing looked at everyone indifferently, smiled, and said casually: "Propaganda is propaganda after all, and the people now are very practical and practical, who would spend money to buy this kind of false name?" ”

Wu Mingxiong was unhappy: "How can it be said that it is spending money to buy a false name?" I said, Secretary Xiao, are you also looking down on the consciousness level of our Pingchuan cadres and masses?! ”

Chen Zhongyang followed and forced up again: "Secretary Xiao, since this is not good, it is not good, then, should we not do anything?" If you have the courage, you will say it clearly. ”

Xiao Daoqing was already displeased when he heard Wu Mingxiong's words, and when he saw that Chen Zhongyang couldn't get off the stage on the spot, he couldn't help it, he was stunned for a moment, and then he slammed the teacup in his hand on the table, and asked Chen Zhongyang loudly: "Secretary Chen, are you discussing the problem, or are you looking for a ballast?" As a deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, don't I have the right to express my opinion? Secretary Wu, do I have the right to speak at this enlarged meeting of the Standing Committee? ”

The atmosphere of the meeting suddenly became tense, and no one could have imagined that Xiao Daoqing, who was usually always kind, would be so angry, and the tone in that sentence was not only for one Chen Zhongyang.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Wu Mingxiong.

Wu Mingxiong said to Xiao Daoqing very calmly: "Secretary Xiao, if you go on, you can speak freely, don't say that we haven't made a resolution yet, even if we have made a resolution, you can still reserve your own opinions." We also exchanged views before the meeting, and I know that you have some ideas about the waterway together, so let's talk to you now, even if it is completely contrary to everyone's opinion, it doesn't matter, it can be regarded as a family. ”

Xiao Daoqing had no way out, so he had to make his words clear. When he considered the words, he thought in his heart that this time he Xiao Daoqing had violated the rules of officialdom, and he would pay a lot of price if he didn't do it well. Therefore, he said: "First of all, I want to state that in order to take into account the overall situation, there are some things that I don't want to say here today, but Secretary Wu wants me to say it, I think, it's good to talk about it, and I can always broaden the thinking of comrades." ”

The venue was very quiet, and all eyes were focused on Xiao Daoqing.

Xiao Daoqing opened the notebook: "Let's talk about three main issues. 1. In the case of the launch of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, is it really so appropriate for the ring road to be launched at the same time? Comrades, imagine what it would be like to have 1.5 million to 2 million people working on the 300-kilometer river course of the Da Mo River outside the city. This kind of water conservancy construction scale has never been seen in the history of Pingchuan. And at this time, there is still a 60-kilometer ring road in Pingchuan City, what will it be like? This scene is too magnificent, and it is too worrying, I can't help but think of the *** of the year, the *** of the year was the mistake of the central decision-making. And what about today? Once something goes wrong, it is the mistake of us, the decision-makers of the municipal party committee, and all of you here have a responsibility. I would like to explain here that I do not mean to shirk responsibility. 2. Under the current economic conditions, is it necessary for us to make the river so wide? Is it necessary to make the road so wide? I took a look at the design of the ring road, the roadbed is more than 60 meters, six lanes, I'm afraid it's rare in the country, is there really such a large traffic flow now? Is it in line with objective reality? ”

Shu Huaru interjected: "There are not too many first-class roads like this in the world. Highway 10 from Los Angeles to New York in the United States is only 60 meters wide. ”

Wu Mingxiong took on and said: "I want to explain that the main reason for making the road so wide is my opinion. I'm eyeing Highway 10 in the United States. My idea is that when we do something, we should not only look at the present, but also take a long-term view, and leave room for future development. Secretary Xiao is right, there may not be such a large traffic flow in a few years, but what about ten, twenty, thirty, and fifty years later? Therefore, I suggested to the comrades of the relevant departments that our ring road should also have a 10-lane foundation, and if it is necessary in the future, the safety separation belts on both sides of the road should be revised to be 10 lanes, so as to ensure that we will not lag behind in the next century. If our predecessors repair the road better and do it in one step, the future generations will have less trouble, so don't toss anymore. Okay, Secretary Xiao, you go on. ”

Xiao Daoqing saw that Wu Mingxiong was indeed listening carefully to his opinions and explaining this, so he felt a little calmer and his tone was much more relaxed, but his position was still very firm and clear: "The third point, which is also the most worrying point, is fundraising. It may be better to raise funds for roads in the cities, but it is very difficult to raise funds for water conservancy in the rural areas, and the risks are not small. What I said is not unfounded, the quality of our rural cadre contingent is not neat, soft, and the project funds cannot be collected; A little harder may exacerbate the contradictions. Let me first report that the fund-raising pilot of the first phase of the project has not gone smoothly, and many contradictions have been exposed. What I am most afraid of is that our rural cadres will disregard the policy boundaries and cause major incidents. Quanwang Township, Damo County, because of the land occupied by the river, has been stormy these days. So, my personal opinion is, can the Ring Road be slowed down and then go up? Concentrate manpower, material resources and funds to start a water conservancy project first? In this way, the risk is relatively smaller, and we have more room to maneuver. On the issue of the road, Secretary Xie Xuedong also said, it is still necessary to take it slowly, you can first carry out the widening and transformation of the old road, and the problem will be solved in eight to ten years. Okay, I'll just say so much for Secretary Wu and everyone to use as a reference when making decisions, is this pouring cold water? I don't think so, some comrades insist on thinking so, and I can't help it. ”

There was a moment of silence at the venue, and Wu Mingxiong spoke: "Let's talk about it again, for such a big matter, we, as a decision-maker of 10 million people in a region, must be cautious and cautious." I think Secretary Xiao has taken a good lead today, that is, to frankly and truthfully explain his views at such an important decision-making meeting that has a bearing on the overall situation. This kind of spirit of saying what you have to say and not engaging in a group of harmony is very valuable. ”

Xiao Daoqing thought in his heart, forget it, you say that I am precious, but in your heart you are afraid that I am hateful. But whether you hate or scold, I just want to make it clear in public, so as not to be sold by you and help you, the old man, count the money. Cao Wuping is a fool, I am not.

In fact, the tone of the meeting set by Wu Mingxiong cannot be changed.

The ensuing discussion was one-sided, with almost identical views on the design criteria for the ring road. This was all in Xiao Daoqing's expectations. Xiao Dao drank tea calmly, and did not have any new disputes with anyone.

When having dinner in the canteen of the agency, Wu Mingxiong sat down in front of Xiao Daoqing, said that he would make specific work arrangements in the evening, and asked Xiao Daoqing if he wanted to adjust the scope of his division of labor?

Xiao Daoqing instinctively became vigilant and asked, "What's the adjustment?" ”

Wu Mingxiong said: "Take over the political and legal affairs, and hand over the south-to-north water diversion project to Secretary Chen Zhongyang. ”

Xiao Daoqing didn't believe that such a good thing would happen, and asked a little suspiciously: "Is this appropriate?" ”

Wu Mingxiong said: "What's inappropriate? Secretary Chen is an old water conservancy and has rich experience in water conservancy, and he is willing to do it. The political and legal department has a heavy responsibility, you have a strong sense of principle, and you are in charge of discipline inspection, so it is logical to put it together. ”

Xiao Daoqing nodded, suppressed his joy, and accepted this new arrangement.

The meeting lasted until 0:20 p.m.

After the meeting went home, Xiao Daoqing regretted a little: he knew that the division of labor would have to be adjusted, and he could jump out of the fire pit of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, so he really shouldn't have fired this cannon at the meeting.

However, he thought that maybe it was because of this cannon that Wu Mingxiong was worried, that he got this opportunity to slip away.