Chapter 1987 - 1987: 1987

When father and son met, there were no secretaries, no attendants.

The tea was very, very clear, yet filled with a subtle fragrance.

The tea that Gu Changsha drank was of a quality that regular people could never hope to experience.

The accompanying snacks like melon seeds and dried fruits were all carefully selected, sourced from special supply farms.

Some were produced by the Great East Pot, and some were imported.

The cigarettes the father and son smoked were, of course, also very specially made.

With special power and status comes extraordinary enjoyment in life.

This room was still the presidential suite, still on the top floor of the hotel, with an excellent view and very good security around it.

Whenever Gu Changsha traveled or stayed somewhere, everything within a ten-kilometer radius was cleared.

They had to ensure that no unnecessary bullets would be fired from any angle.

They had to ensure that from behind any hidden obstacle on any road, no unrelated person would emerge.

They had to ensure that everything within Comrade Gu Changsha's sight was clear and pleasing to him.

Not to mention anything else, even the streets the vehicles passed, and the roads he walked on, had to be washed at least three days in advance, spotless and clean.

On the day of travel, at 2 a.m., sanitation and other departments had to start cleaning.

They washed back and forth repeatedly, washing until sunrise, until the procession was about to depart.

Everyone knew about Gu Changsha's cleanliness obsession.

The car he sat in was always at a constant 26 degrees, regardless of the season. Upon getting out of the car, the temperature around him was also always 26 degrees.

In winter, when inspecting some large state-owned enterprises, these units had to practice air conditioning temperature control at least two months in advance. Day and night, they did nothing but practice air conditioning, as that was the most important thing. The air conditioning temperature was accurate to 0.1 degrees.

In the tea room on this top floor, as the father and son gathered, there was a slight sense of relaxation after some small talk.

Gu Changsha looked at his eldest son, a handsome and remarkable young man with refined features and a composed temperament, who was also his illegitimate child, and felt very satisfied.

He smiled and said, "Xi Yang, this time I'm here, and I'm going home tomorrow. Meeting with you only now, you wouldn't harbor any resentment, would you?"

Ding Xiyang smiled, with a sense of steadiness, "Dad, to say there's no resentment at all is unlikely. It's human nature. Watching you travel from place to place, conversing and guiding them, but always circling around my city, my heart definitely feels unbalanced. However, I also understand. You often say, a sharp sword should be kept hidden, and the great way is like water!"

Gu Changsha nodded with satisfaction, "Mm, your understanding shows growth and progress. Under heaven, what father doesn't love his own children? Special circumstances require mutual understanding. Your mother passed away early, and you suffered a lot since you were young, and that's my failure. As you reach middle age, the prime of your fighting years, a father should care for you even more!"

"Thank you, Father. I understand your intentions. I hope I can endure until the day I can take action. Perhaps, after tonight, it will begin."

Gu Changsha laughed heartily and nodded, "No one understands a father like his son. You get me. Come, tell me, in the two-plus years you've been here, what insights or expectations do you have for the future?"

"As for insights, there hasn't been much change—the world is still the world, and we are still we. In terms of local matters, work is progressing steadily; it's neither outstanding nor inappropriate, neither adding nor losing much value. However..."

With that, Ding Xiyang spread his hands and shrugged his shoulders, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Oh? Do you have other thoughts?" Gu Changsha's face was gentle, genuinely full of loving kindness, "Go ahead, say it! We haven't had a heart-to-heart in a long time, and it's very necessary for us."

Ding Xiyang nodded, "Secretary Lu has been very popular these days. His commendation of you has spread nationwide. Isn't it a bit premature and excessive?"

Gu Changsha chuckled, "Does my son have other opinions?"

"The praise is out, and it can't be taken back. But praising so much, regarding your reputation and prestige, I feel the negatives might outweigh the positives! People might say we're vainglorious, enjoy flattery, and ignore other views, boasting and exaggerating shamelessly! Sigh..."

With those words, Ding Xiyang's worries were genuinely expressed.

Of course, he understood his father's intentions. He wanted to rule for many years and then pass it down through generations.

Gu Changsha smiled slightly, then became serious, "Xi Yang, do you think I don't know their flattery is a bit much? Do you think deep down I want to hear these praises?"

"Certainly not! The father I remember was a model of pragmatism with a mature political perspective."

"But now, sometimes being impractical is more important than being practical. Once you reach my position, you'll understand. Now, the more fiercely they praise and promote, the more it indicates their fear inside. Only when they are fearful can they act cautiously before us, less prone to mistakes. And only with such fear can we develop better towards achieving our great goals."

Ding Xiyang's eyes lit up, nodding deeply, "I understand your teachings, Father. Only when these officials are fearful of the ultimate power can we better control them, change the rules, and benefit ourselves."

"Exactly. Next, your position will change as well. After more than two years, it's time for a move. Tang Zhi is quite the rising star; does that make you envious?"

Ding Xiyang smiled, "Father, human nature is such that it's impossible not to feel envious. But I believe your arrangements for me are sure to surpass the situation with Tang Zhi. Coming here tonight, I'm sure I'll receive the related plans."

Gu Changsha laughed heartily, nodded, chewed some dried fruits, swallowed, and then took a sip of tea, "No one understands a father like his son, indeed. Secretary Lu and I have discussed, and next, your assignment will be as follows..."

Then, he truthfully and earnestly laid out all the details.

Ding Xiyang listened attentively, his eyes gradually shining with brilliance.

"Father's grand strategy is indeed exquisite; I've learned my lesson, I've learned! With Father's arrangement, I will strive to implement it. Within two years, Zhou Mountain will have a new look."

"Mm, it certainly will. In two years, when you're 48, you'll tackle the deputy minister problem; another two or three years, solve the minister problem; and another two or three years, ha ha..."