Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

However, the "vigilance" mentioned by Yang Jianguo at the meeting has attracted a lot of attention.

"During the transfer from public to private ownership, we must ensure that there is no loss of assets, and more importantly, that no one will secretly comply or engage in deception."

"Turning normally operating businesses into non-performing assets, embezzling and misappropriating them..."

"...I propose forming an audit team to be responsible for the preliminary research and the subsequent audit, to ensure..."

The speech lasted for about half an hour, during which Yang Jianguo gave a detailed description of the problem and emphasized its seriousness.

Sometimes, if you don't point out the seriousness of the situation, no one will take it seriously.

Even those who understand will pretend to be confused.

Yang Jianguo's speech was thought-provoking and gave the attendees pause for thought.

Why did he specifically bring up the issue of 'loss' at this time?

Is it simply because of his thoughts, or did he hear something or encounter something?

Is this an insinuation about someone's underhanded actions, or is it simply a matter of addressing the issue, not targeting anyone personally?

Some people couldn't understand it and couldn't contain their frustration.

Damn it, Yang Jianguo is really weird!

Over the years, Yang Jianguo has conducted research in various places.

I visited many factories to learn, conduct research, and provide guidance, and I developed deep connections with the workers at the grassroots level.

Therefore, it's not surprising at all that any of the factories below could have workers who could contact him.

His style was simply to promote good conduct: go among the masses and go where the people need you.

No one can find fault with it.

They've strengthened their ties with the people; that's because they've done a good job!

On the contrary, it is those cadres who have no connection with the masses who turn their work into a mere formality and a superficial project.

intolerable.

"Jianguo's suggestion is excellent. Let's discuss this review group and share our thoughts. Everyone, please speak freely and don't hold back your ideas!"

As soon as the leader presiding over the meeting spoke, some people immediately raised different opinions.

"This time, it's guidance from above, telling us to take bold steps and try new things."

"But if we follow Director Yang's suggestion, will the people below be afraid to try, afraid of taking responsibility, afraid of causing problems, and end up doing the work but becoming a negative example?"

"This is clearly undermining the initiative and enthusiasm of grassroots workers!"

Yang Jianguo retorted on the spot: "To try boldly does not mean there are no bottom lines or restrictions."

"Turning good into bad and then pocketing it—that's not daring..."

"I think Director Yang's words make some sense, but how to strike the right balance still needs to be discussed."

"I just mentioned two points: the research before the restructuring and the review after the restructuring."

"During this period, the specific operations of the restructuring were still handled by the lower-level staff themselves."

"To put it bluntly, there's always a limit to how much money there is." Yang Jianguo picked up the pencil in his hand, held it up, and said, "Like this pencil, it can sell for 2 cents now."

“Because I’ve used it, you said it could only sell for 15 cents, and I said 17 cents. But after you thought about it, you said that Old Zhang’s pen next door is used even less and only sells for 13 cents, which is more cost-effective.”

"I lowered the price to 1 cents and you bought it, only to find out that Lao Zhang's pen is even worse than mine. I got ripped off."

"This was a mistake on our part, due to our lack of experience, but it was still a normal transaction."

Yang Jianguo picked up a new pen, scratched the surface with a knife, then shaved off the lead and snapped it in two.

"Is it normal for me to deliberately turn a brand new pen that costs 2 cents into a worthless piece that's not even worth 5 cents, and then sell it for 3 cents?"

Yang Jianguo's long explanation may sound a bit convoluted, but the principle is actually quite simple.

The purpose of the investigation and review is to find out whether the pencil is 'new' or 'used', and whether the final selling price is normal.

Chapter 375 A Stripe, Father and Son

"Jianguo." As Yang Jianguo was about to leave after the meeting, someone called him back.

He was a high-ranking leader, and he wanted to say something to Yang Jianguo privately: "Come on, let's talk in my office."

Upon entering the office, he was first invited to sit down, and the senior leader instructed his secretary to pour him tea.

"Your statement just now was very good, but I feel that you still have some ideas you're hiding."

Holding his large, blackened teacup, the senior leader sat down beside him with a smile and asked, "Now that there are no outsiders, just the two of us, let's talk."

Yang Jianguo was indeed holding back, and not just this time.

Over the years, no matter what he did, he always kept his thoughts to himself.

Why?

Because he knew in his heart the direction and future of many things, but could he tell others about them?

No, I can't say.

Even if I explained it, I couldn't make it clear, and even if I did make it clear, it wouldn't be convincing

If you tell one lie, you'll have to tell hundreds more to cover it up; eventually, you'll be exposed.

Given Yang Jianguo's current status, future potential for advancement, and room for growth, the probability of him being exposed is even greater.

Therefore, some things that happen, though seemingly minor, can be discussed.

But if it hasn't happened, if there's no warning at all, then you absolutely can't say anything.

Over the years, Yang Jianguo has been very clear about what should and shouldn't be said.

It wasn't just his cautious personality, but also his clear-headedness.

With the assistance of the 'system', Yang Jianguo wouldn't dare say he's become a superman, but he's still several times stronger than the average person.

Their physique, strength, thinking, and intelligence are all beyond the reach of ordinary people.

It is precisely because of this ability that he has been able to get to where he is today.

Only a high-ranking leader could have the confidence to support his establishment of the "Precision Engineering Research Institute" and persuade the higher-ups to establish "Loongson Technology Co., Ltd."

Especially after establishing connections with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yang Jianguo's technical skills and personal abilities have gained high recognition.

It was a pleasure to have a lively conversation with the leading experts at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and to exchange ideas on technical matters.

Is that something an ordinary person can do?

Let alone ordinary people, even among so many consultants and technical experts in the Ministry of Works, not a single person could accomplish this.

That's what you call skill!

Yang Jianguo has this ability, so it's no wonder that the higher-ups and leaders above him value his opinions.

"My main concern is that suddenly opening up the door might cause some people to lose their integrity."

"If there is a line, when faced with a choice, one will always hesitate. During this time of hesitation, one should at least think about whether it is right or wrong, and whether it is worth it."

"But what if there aren't even any stripes... Boss, if you can make mistakes without paying the price, can you guarantee you won't make mistakes?"

This question stumped the top leader. If there were no consequences for making mistakes, could he guarantee that he wouldn't make any?

Is it possible?!

Yang Jianguo left, but the top leader was kept awake at night by his words.

One line, one line...

January 21, 1984, a severe cold.

The first snow turned Beijing into a white sea, and hot white smoke billowed from the chimneys of every household.

Nanluoguxiang is filled with red lanterns hanging inside and outside the alley.

Everywhere you go, there's a lively scene of welcoming the New Year, but their courtyard is the only place that lacks some of the festive atmosphere and is filled with a desolate loneliness.

The Yan family and the Liu family are almost here for the New Year.

But there was no sign of human life in the house; only the elderly couple, lonely and quiet, sighed in the empty house.

"Sigh~" Sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), Aunt Yan couldn't help but sigh again.

"Alright, stop sighing like that." Old Man Yan stood up, slapped the table and said, "Jie Kuang and Jie Di will be back in a couple of days. It's not like you'll be alone for the New Year."

Aunt Yan glanced at her husband and said sarcastically, "You came back, but you just put Dongxi down and left. That's not what you call coming back!"

"No, what else do you want? To have the kids revolve around you? Don't you know how old you are?"

Old Man Yan refused to admit that it was all his fault that things had come to this point.

He's the father, the pillar of the Yan family.

He's not dead yet!

What, does this little monkey think he can just poop and pee on his head?

"Old Yan, do you think we made a mistake?" Aunt Yan leaned over and looked outside.

In the house across the street, Da Juan and her son-in-law were busy running around, while Xiao Juan was like a cheerful little bird, her face beaming with happiness.

Listening from the middle courtyard, Banggeng was calling out to his younger sister to pour him water. He was slaughtering chickens and ducks to prepare for the New Year!

"Dazhuang, take the cooked meat to your Grandma Yi."

"Xiao Zhuang, slow down, Grandpa will get you some chocolate."

"Honey, the oil's hot, but where's the meat?!"

"Come on~"

The shouts and calls rose and fell, never stopping for a second.

Inside Uncle Liu Haizhong's house, only a chilling wind blew, making people feel cold.

Three sons, none of whom have been found.

He didn't even show his face, let alone come back.

Because of this, Aunt Liu fell ill and was bedridden.

It wasn't sadness, it was anger: "They're all heartless ingrates."

That one sentence was enough to persuade the person who wanted to make peace to turn back.

Even now, the person still feels that they have done nothing wrong.

If you move closer, aren't you just making things worse?

He sat with Yingzi in front of their house, draped his army green cotton-padded coat over her shoulders, and the two of them looked up at the moon, which was hazy and illusory in the light. "Tell me," he said, "what are Zhiyuan and Zhiyi doing?"

"What for? To study!" Yang Jianguo grinned.

On the other side of the ocean, Zhiyuan had just finished his work for the day and was heading home with money in his pocket.

Zhiyi made dumplings at home, waiting for her brother to come back.

Today is the Great Cold, eating dumplings will keep your feet warm.

There weren't any particular rules; she just missed home and wanted to eat dumplings.

The two of them didn't plan to go back this year; the plane tickets were too expensive.

You can live here too, it's just a bit deserted.

When Zhiyuan got home, they brushed the snow off him, and the two of them each served a bowl of steaming dumplings.

Sitting by the window, gazing up at the lonely moon in the deep night, I said, "Brother, I miss the dumplings Mom used to make."

The dumplings in the bowl were her favorite chive and pork filling, but one thing was missing—the taste of her mother.

On Lunar New Year's Eve, my family received a phone call from across the ocean.

The mother and daughter broke down in tears on the phone, sharing their thoughts with each other.

When Yang Jianguo answered the phone, his daughter's voice returned to normal, and she chattered on and on about the exotic customs of foreign countries.

"Dad, I'll have my brother talk to you."