Colorful years

Although a news specialist is not a reporter, their important responsibilities include training and liaising with correspondents, conducting news reports, and promoting important role models—which is exactly the work of a reporter.

Throughout his many years of professional career, Zhang Cong has come to deeply feel that, compared to journalists, news specialists need to have stronger organizational and coordination skills, a higher level of policy understanding, and a stronger sense of political awareness and overall situation.

Therefore, news specialists in the Party Committee's propaganda department are generally Communist Party members. This makes it easier for them to read Party documents, attend Party meetings, and stay informed about Party policies.

Throughout Zhang Cong's university years, while he was immersed in his studies at the institution of higher learning, the solemn and sacred door of the Party organization was always open to him, giving him ample opportunity to integrate into this glorious collective.

Rewinding to his sophomore year, his counselor, Ms. Xu Lu, had a special in-depth conversation with him and actively encouraged him to write an application to join the Party.

However, faced with this rare opportunity, Zhang Cong hesitated. Despite his teacher's earnest advice, his inner turmoil and confusion prevented him from making the decision to take this crucial step.

And so, time flew by, and by the time he graduated from university, Zhang Cong's application to join the Party, which carried his hopes and beliefs, still had not been handed over to the Party organization.

What exactly caused this situation? Years later, when Zhang Cong looked back on that naive past and reflected deeply, he gradually realized that he had been deeply influenced by bourgeois liberalization ideology.

Those erroneous ideas lingered in his mind like a fog, obscuring his clear understanding of the true nature of the Party and thus seriously interfering with his otherwise rational and accurate judgment.

This is why he missed the precious opportunity to join the Party organization much earlier.

Fortunately, with increasing experience and maturing thinking, Zhang Cong gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the Party.

Given the needs of his work, the leaders of the Propaganda Department, after careful consideration, specially approved granting him an important authority—allowing him to read relevant Party documents and participate in various Party meetings, except for those concerning personnel work and democratic life meetings.

This special treatment undoubtedly provides Zhang Cong with an excellent platform to further understand and get closer to the Party, while also providing a strong political guarantee for him to better serve the people and contribute to society.

A year after Zhang Cong started working, in order to expedite his Party membership application, the Party organization of the organization specially assigned two Party members to serve as his introducers, providing specific guidance and follow-up training.

One year after submitting his application to join the Party, the matter of joining the Party was formally put on the Party organization's agenda.

The 1980s was an era full of hope and change. During this special period, the Party organization was extremely strict in examining and reviewing those who were actively seeking Party membership.

It is necessary not only to comprehensively examine their usual political stance and actual performance at work, but also to thoroughly examine the political background of their families and any possible historical issues.

In this tense yet exciting atmosphere, the crucial moment finally arrived.

On January 1, 1985, sunlight streamed through the windows into the meeting room of the Party branch, illuminating every solemn and serious face. Today, a significant Party branch meeting was to be held here, specifically to discuss Zhang Cong's application to join the Party.

At the start of the meeting, the entire venue was filled with a solemn yet enthusiastic atmosphere.

All Party members actively participated in the discussion, offering their evaluations of Zhang Cong from various perspectives.

Everyone agreed that he consistently and firmly supported the Party's line, principles, and policies in the political arena, demonstrating a high level of political awareness;

He is diligent and hardworking at work, and has won widespread praise from his colleagues for his outstanding professional skills. In terms of personal qualities, Zhang Cong is honest, trustworthy, and helpful, and is a role model in the eyes of everyone.

However, amidst the praise, an older Party member offered a single, well-intentioned reminder: "Young man, although you have performed exceptionally well in every aspect, remember not to be arrogant or complacent. You must maintain a humble and cautious attitude and continue to make progress." These words struck Zhang Cong like a wake-up call.

After a thorough and intense discussion, the final voting results were announced—Zhang Cong's application to join the Party was approved unanimously!

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Cong, who was already overwhelmed with emotion, could no longer contain his feelings and burst into tears.

At that moment, he realized that the weighty honor before him was not easily obtained, but was achieved after countless hardships and obstacles, and with unimaginable effort and sweat.

At the same time, he also clearly understood that from this moment on, he had shouldered a responsibility and mission that was heavier and more important than ever before.

New Year's Day, this special day, is like a bright ray of dawn, piercing through the gloom of winter and announcing the official start of a new year. It not only symbolizes a fresh start in the changing of the seasons, but also contains endless vitality and hope.

On such a vibrant and energetic day, Zhang Cong resolutely chose to join the Party organization, as if it were a clever arrangement of fate.

From then on, he possessed a different kind of "political life," like a beacon that never goes out on the long journey of life, illuminating the unknown yet hopeful road ahead.

Undoubtedly, this historic moment foreshadows Zhang Cong embarking on a completely different journey in life, to explore, to strive, and to write his own glorious chapter.

Two months later, the county propaganda department received a transfer order from the prefectural organization department regarding Zhang Cong's promotion.