The golden age began in 1977

Chapter 314 The organization has made its decision, it's you!

The moonlight was like water, and the water was like the sky.

The May night falls peacefully on the rooftops and streets of the seaside city.

The entire Kunlun Mountain Road was completely silent, with only the distant sound of the sea ceaselessly lapping against the shore day and night.

There was also some commotion at the entrance of the guesthouse.

Although he was asking for his opinion, Zhang Ruhai had already grabbed his wrist, and it seemed that he could not refuse.

Qian Jin's heart skipped a beat, and he vaguely sensed something was amiss.

Zhang Ruhai is a comrade from the capital, belonging to the foreign trade department. This is his first time coming to the seaside. So, what old friend wants to see Qian Jin, and will he be the one to convey the message?
Qian Jin nodded; a car was waiting for them.

The car turned two corners and stopped in the Chengnan District, this time at the Economic Guesthouse.

The economic guesthouse in the seaside city had nothing to do with the budget hotels and inns that would later become popular; it catered to people involved in economic work.

They entered the conference room on the first floor, where a staff member dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit with a serious expression stood quietly at the door.

Pushing open the door, Qian Jin knew he had guessed correctly.

In the center of the meeting room stood a dark brown rectangular table and two rows of old-looking wooden chairs, while against the wall was a row of new sofas covered with white openwork crocheted square scarves.

At that moment, several people were sitting on the sofa, talking in hushed tones.

They are indeed old friends, or at least acquaintances.

The man on the left is Director Gao Yi of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, along with Director Qi of the Ministry of Industry and Director Su of the Ministry of Commerce, whom I met in the capital. Also present was the enigmatic Director Shi.

He also noticed that the section chief was sitting in the middle, which clearly indicated that he held the highest position or authority.

When everyone met again, all the leaders stood up.

Qian Jin felt a chill run down his spine, and the effects of the alcohol instantly sobered him up considerably. He immediately went up and shook hands with each of them.

"Distinguished leaders, what brings you to Haibin City? I truly had no idea you were here, otherwise I would have gladly extended my hospitality."

Director Shi gave a rare, gentle smile and waved for him to sit down.
"Comrade Qian Jin is here! Please have a seat! We came here specifically for you, but we hope we haven't disturbed your rest?"

Qian Jin laughed and said, "Not at all, it's just that Comrade Ru Hai and I just attended a dinner together..."

"That was a celebration banquet for you, so don't be modest," Gao Yi laughed.

"You're too kind, leaders. What instructions do you have? Please give me your guidance." Qian Jin sat upright on the empty wooden chair, his back straight and his hands neatly placed on his knees.

Weak, helpless, and docile.

Director Shi got straight to the point, his face displaying a serious, businesslike demeanor, but the smile in his eyes was hard to hide:

"Comrade Qian Jin, tonight is different from last time. Last time it was an assessment meeting, but this time it's an informal meeting between us."

"Why did we organize this meeting? Mainly because a few of us need to represent the organization and give you a clear explanation."

"We have been closely following the entire process of the pesticide negotiations between your company and ICI, and we are fully aware of the situation!"

Director Su from the Ministry of Commerce picked up the conversation, giving him a satisfied smile:

"From the moment you learned that pesticides were ineffective based on farmers' feedback, to the moment you volunteered to research import alternatives."

“From seeking assistance from our compatriots in Hong Kong to conduct sample identification, to decisively determining that high-efficiency cypermethrin was the breakthrough point, to the crucial negotiations in Hong Kong that forced ICI to comply, and finally to completing all the signings at the waterfront, we have been paying close attention.”

Gao Yi brought him a cup of strong tea: "You just drank alcohol, drink some strong tea to sober up."

He patted Qian Jin on the shoulder and said, "You performed exceptionally well this time. You were clear-headed, bold yet meticulous, tenacious, and resourceful."

"It can be said that you have demonstrated outstanding professional skills and strong Party principles under tremendous disaster and foreign affairs pressure, which is remarkable."

Qian Jin's heart began to race.

The big one is coming.

Sure enough, the topic circled back to Director Shi, who was in the center of the room.

He said:
"Your outstanding abilities, firm stance, and extremely responsible attitude toward national interests, which you have demonstrated over the years, especially in the entanglement of the deal between Haibin Fertilizer Plant and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and in this pesticide import work, are truly admirable."

"After we and your supervisor reported the situation to higher authorities, it was unanimously agreed that you do not need any additional assessment procedures and can be directly appointed as the director of the Haibin City Regional Subcommittee of the soon-to-be-established 'Imported Technology and Equipment Project Approval Committee'!"

Other leaders, including Zhang Ruhai, began to applaud.

Qian Jin stood up and straightened his posture.

Gao Yi clapped as he spoke:

"Actually, according to the organization's plan, you were to be tested through a designated international trade procurement project, which was to help your Haibin Fertilizer Plant reintroduce a suitable production line and related equipment."

"But your trade work with ICI this time was truly outstanding. Director Shi overruled all objections, believing that in special times we need the courage to burn our bridges and that talented people should be put to important positions to play a role."

"As a result, the organization ultimately approved your test ahead of schedule."

Qian Jin wanted to thank Director Shi.

Director Shi didn't let him speak, but said kindly, "The appointment documents for you have already begun the organizational process and should be officially issued soon."

"Haibin City is a gateway to the coast and shoulders important pilot tasks. This position is crucial, and we have full confidence in your abilities and Party spirit. At the same time, you must continue to work hard to shoulder the heavy responsibilities you bear!"

"Let's strive for even greater heights," Director Qi said.

Gao Yi then returned Qian Jin's words: "With great power comes great responsibility. You must not forget your original aspirations."

Qian Jin had anticipated this.

After all, his work was impeccable, and his performance in the last evaluation was perfect.

But now that the mystery has been solved, he still felt his heart suddenly race after realizing what had happened.

Currently, the Approval Committee has a wide range of powers. As the director of the subcommittee, he is directly responsible to the national ministries.

In this way, he doesn't have to worry about the constraints imposed by local leaders, and his autonomy is unprecedented, even surpassing that of Wei Bin.

Because each prefecture-level city has one head of the supply and marketing cooperative, but the approval committee only has one head in the area radiating from Haibin City.

From now on, all major import projects that require the use of the country's precious foreign exchange, whether it is equipment or technology, must be reviewed and signed by him, the director, before they can be submitted to the state for approval!

After the commission was completed, Director Shi began to give him instructions:

You need to do a good job!

"Work is very stressful!"

He stared at Qian Jin.

Qian Jin immediately declared: "The snow weighs down the branches, but they don't touch the mud. When the red sun rises, they will still reach the sky!"

Director Shi smiled and nodded:
"When the time comes, you'll have to withstand the pressure from those who try to win you over and try to suppress you..."

The leaders still look to him and listen to his statements.

Qian Jin changed the poem to: "Hammered and chiseled from the deep mountains, it faces the raging fire with indifference. It fears not being shattered to pieces, but only wishes to leave its purity in the world!"

Director Gao pointed at him and said, "Well done, our Director Qian is quite the arts and culture cadre."

Several leaders laughed.

Director Shi still had a stern face: "Comrade Qian Jin, I also need to tell you that sitting in this position, every signature of yours carries the weight of Mount Tai."

"Signing it means taking responsibility! Rejecting it means taking accountability!"

“You need to think all of this through. If you feel that you can shoulder this responsibility and bear this burden, then we will move forward with the next step of the appointment process.”

"If that's the case, then forget it, we can just stop the program midway."

He immediately stated, "Please rest assured, leaders of the Organization Department of the Central Committee, and please rest assured, I firmly believe that I can shine in my new position."

"Please rest assured, organization! And please rest assured, Director Gao!"

"I will diligently and responsibly safeguard the gates that should be opened and allowed to pass. I will show no mercy and show no leniency in plugging and prohibiting loopholes that should be blocked and prohibited!"

"I will do my utmost to help the country protect its foreign exchange reserves and try my best not to let a single penny of the country's foreign exchange flow out of our unit for nothing!" Director Shi and the others were quite satisfied with his resolute attitude.

Director Shi concluded by saying, "I hope you will remember what I said tonight after you start working."

Qian Jin said, "I understand. With reform and opening up, the country's foreign exchange red line is absolute. No one can touch it. Anyone who dares to touch it will be crushed to pieces!"

"If I, Qian Jin, were to touch this place, I would be shattered to pieces!"

The leaders remained silent, their lips pursed.

Sometimes, it's better to leave things unsaid than to say them.

At this moment, the conference room was as quiet as the old alley outside, with only the faint sound of a cargo ship's horn coming from the direction of the distant port, distant and lingering.

Outside the window, the city began to sink into night in early May, with almost all the lights going out, and the vast seaside city fell asleep in the sea breeze.

Director Shi stopped speaking and simply nodded to Gao Yi.

Gao Yi said, "Okay, Comrade Qian Jin, the appointment document will be sent to you and your unit through official channels and confidential documents later."

"However, setting up a new unit is a very complicated project, and it will take some time before you can officially start working."

"So you should go back first, rest for a few days, settle things at home, and get yourself in the right state of mind."

"You'll have to work really hard from now on!"

That’s all I have to say.

Qian Jin shook hands with the leaders and took his leave.

In fact, this year, most cadres, regardless of whether they are in the north or south, have to work incredibly hard.

Before the transfer documents were even issued, the city of Haibin was preparing to hold a commendation meeting for collectives and individuals who had fought against the massive aphid infestation.

On the eve of the conference, ICI sent an official letter.

A letter provided by the UK Met Office.

Qian Jin glanced at it after receiving it.

The items are beautifully printed, formatted meticulously, and bear the logo of the British Met Office, making them seem very authentic.

However, the content was quite unprofessional.

Or perhaps the current meteorological satellite observation capabilities and the level of large-scale computer models are limited, making the prediction of future weather in northern and southern China inaccurate.

This is understandable.

Even in the 21st century, weather forecasting remains very difficult, to the point that users often curse when they see the weather forecast, because sometimes the forecast is inaccurate even for the next day.

It doesn't matter.

He revised the contents of the official letter and reprinted a copy following the same format.

Anyway, now that he has a golden house, he can afford to buy large machinery.

He brought over the computer and photoelectric printing press, first scanning the official document template, then printing the content on the computer, and finally printing it in color using the printing press.

It's not that it's very similar to the official letter from the UK Met Office; it's that it's exactly the same.

The core content of this official letter is the latest calculation results of the meteorological agency based on the global numerical model of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) which it owns, during the first week of May.

It combines the latest analysis of Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies and the evolution of the Indian Ocean dipole, and provides an early warning scenario outlook for summer climate trends in East Asia in the Northern Hemisphere.

Qian Jin was very satisfied with the professionalism in its wording.

He imitated its professionalism and made a forecast of the extreme weather conditions in the north and south in 1980.

In addition to this official letter, he also collected several foreign meteorological journals.

Coincidentally, these newspapers all contain forecasts of extreme weather in northern and southern China.

And the predictions were very accurate.

Such an accurate result should not exist in this era; it was Qian Jin who drew the target first and then fired the gun.
He sought help from several overseas Chinese with whom he had good relationships, as well as Song Jixiang. Through them, he paid the newspaper editors to use their connections to get the content written by ghostwriters published in these newspapers. He provided the topics and determined the results.

Along with the official letter, he also collected several newspapers and magazines and handed them over to the city's top official.

The top leader hired a translator to translate the official document, and a professional weather report was produced.

[Global Climate Model Assessment Bulletin (No. 0047, 1980)]
Region: East Asia (Focus: China)
Timeframe: June to September 1980

Conclusions based on multi-source model data analysis:

1. Flood risk in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and areas south of it: Integrated forecasts from existing models indicate that the Western Pacific subtropical high is expected to be stronger than average during the summer (especially from mid-June to late July), with its ridge line positioned significantly further south and remaining stable...

Considering the potential impact of a weak El Niño background on the intensity of monsoon circulation, the model points to a very high probability (probability assessment: over 70%) that precipitation in this region will significantly exceed the climatological average, with some areas potentially experiencing persistent, high-intensity rainfall events…

We must be highly vigilant against the potential for regional and even basin-wide flooding, including but not limited to flash floods, urban flooding, and the risk of major rivers exceeding warning levels…

2. Drought and High Temperature Risks in North and Northeast China: The model also makes significant anomaly detections in the mid-to-high latitude circulation across Eurasia…

Numerical model ensemble precipitation anomaly forecasts indicate that there is a high probability (probability assessment: 65%-70%) that summer precipitation in the aforementioned vast areas will be significantly lower than the climatological average for the same period…

It is necessary to continuously monitor changes in soil moisture and prepare agricultural drought resistance and disaster reduction plans in advance...

Compiled and published by: UK Met Office

Date: June 8, 1980

After reading the report, the top leader felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

The translator also translated relevant content from publications such as "International Meteorological Notices," "Weather Enthusiasts," and "Asian Weather and Environment Monitoring."

These contents have a clear target—

In the coming days, multiple regions in both northern and southern China will experience catastrophic extreme weather events!
The early summer sun was already scorching, shining through the glass window onto the desk and quickly making the reports hot to the touch.

Once all the translation reports were in hand, the top leader immediately sought instructions from higher authorities and convened an emergency meeting with relevant leaders in Haibin City.

Even without reports, insightful people had already sensed the impending severe drought.

Or rather, the drought has already begun to show its power.

Seasonally speaking, summer has already arrived; the solar term "Lixia" (Start of Summer) was on May 5th this year.

In previous years, this time of year would have been a time of flourishing life and abundant rainfall, but this year the sky over the coast is unusually clear.

In April, at least a few raindrops fell, but in May, the sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly, with no sign of rain at all.

The sun beat down relentlessly on the earth, and for days no rain had fallen; even the air in the city was filled with the dry, dusty smell.

Qian Jin got up early to attend a meeting.

Early in the morning, the leaves of the plane trees on both sides of Taishan Road were already wilting and curling up at the edges. The greenery in the flower beds showed an undeniable signs of fatigue. If the soil in the flower beds was not watered for two or three days, visible cracks would appear on the surface.

Someone greeted him on the street and mentioned it: "Director Qian, going to work so early today? Isn't that strange? There's been so little rain this year, look at the flowers I planted..."

The elderly gentleman who went for his early morning walk shook his head repeatedly.

Qian Jin said bluntly, "This year is a drought year, Uncle Li, let's save water and prepare to get through this disaster together."

The old man was taken aback, then sighed, "Ah? It really is a drought year? Oh dear, I hope it's not like the three consecutive years of disaster twenty years ago!"

The drought twenty years ago left a terrifying impression on the people of the north.

The old gentleman has a particularly deep memory of it.

It left a deep impression on all the adults in the city.

So this is an advantage.

Qian Jin knew that once the government launched a comprehensive drought relief campaign, all regions, regardless of whether they were urban or rural, would take the task very seriously.

(End of this chapter)