Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

807 Anti-bribery and Anti-bribery

"Comrade Wei Hongjun, I think the 'Three Antis Movement' document issued by the Secretariat has many shortcomings." Ke Qingshi and Wei Hongjun were familiar with each other.

After all, they had worked together for three years. However, the two of them didn't have much of a personal relationship; it was strictly a work relationship. Ke Qingshi didn't enjoy frequent interactions with other cadres, being rather withdrawn and solitary. In North China, he was a cadre from outside the region, and wasn't familiar with many of them. Therefore, outside of work, Ke Qingshi didn't have many personal connections with the North China cadres.

After the meeting in Zhabei, Wei Hongjun met with Zhan Tong and Ke Qingshi for a chat.

We still have to wait until Wei Hongjun and General Chen meet before holding the meeting.

Wei Hongjun originally just wanted to hear some opinions from Zhan Tong and Ke Qingshi.

Because the two of them were the actual leaders of the "Three Antis Movement" in East China and were also cadres that Wei Hongjun was quite familiar with. Unexpectedly, after Ke Qingshi sat down, he expressed his opinion without waiting for Wei Hongjun to say anything.

"Comrade Ke Qingshi, please explain in detail."

Although Chairman Mao called Ke Qingshi "Old Ke" in history, he is actually not that old. He is only 47 years old now.

In terms of age, Ke Qingshi was considered second-tier among the cadres of New China. However, Ke Qingshi's experience was truly impressive, having been a Party member for 22 years. In terms of Party seniority, even General Chen, let alone Wei Hongjun, couldn't match Ke Qingshi. Ke Qingyou was already a high-ranking cadre during the Great Revolution.

"Because the Three Antis Movement began in Northeast China, Comrade Gao Gang formulated its strategies based on the actual conditions there. The campaigns against waste and corruption, in particular, were primarily aimed at government officials and state-owned enterprises. Our government officials and state-owned enterprise employees were primarily plagued by waste and embezzlement of state funds. This was because the Northeast was primarily state-owned, with few private entrepreneurs or landlords. But this was different in East China. While there were many state-owned enterprises there, their proportion and scale were far inferior to those of private enterprises. Therefore, the biggest issue facing our Three Antis Movement in East China was the conflict between government officials and private enterprises."

Wei Hongjun listened quietly.

There are many different opinions about Ke Qingshi in history, and his evaluation is also mixed.

Those who praise him say Ke Qingshi was incorruptible and always maintained his revolutionary spirit. He was also highly capable, bold and decisive in his actions. However, his critics consider him a political opportunist without political principles. After all, Ke Qingshi was a prominent figure in history, even considered by many to be a potential successor to the premier. However, Wei Hongjun doesn't judge Ke Qingshi based on the various online reviews he's seen in his past life. Because some of those reviews are true, others false, and much of them are simply speculation based on the opinions of later generations.

Apart from anything else, Ke Qingshi's abilities are really strong.

Wei Hongjun had already noticed this when he was working in the North China Bureau.

"Since the rectification movement in the East China Bureau, we have been investigating and punishing waste and corruption among government officials and employees of state-owned enterprises. However, compared to waste and corruption, the real problem in East China is bribery. The capitalists in East China are experts in this area, because this is how they did business in old China, and they are accustomed to using this method to gain personal benefits. Among our current staff, those who remain from the old government have not been reformed and are also familiar with this kind of thing. Many of our party members and cadres are experiencing power for the first time. Faced with those cunning capitalists, it is easy to be dragged into the water. Although the current Three Antis Movement mainly addresses waste and corruption, the real danger in East China is bribery. If we don't crack down on this aspect, the Three Antis Movement in East China will only be superficial."

Wei Hongjun looked at Zhan Tong.

On Wei Hongjun's first day in Shanghai, Ke Qingshi gave him a difficult question. However, Wei Hongjun generally supported Ke Qingshi's ideas.

Compared to the Northeast, where state-owned enterprises held a dominant position, East China, particularly Shanghai, had long been a haven for imperialist capital, bureaucratic capital, and speculators. Less than a year and a half after Shanghai's liberation, new and old forces were already intertwined.

A new regime, and its new cadres, are easily corrupted. Many of these new cadres, perhaps barely accustomed to their jobs, have already unwittingly accepted bribes. Zhan Tong nodded to Wei Hongjun.

He said: "Currently, the situation of bribery and corruption in East China is quite serious. But...' Zhan Tong hesitated.

I don’t know how to tell Wei Hongjun.

Ke Qingshi saw Zhan Tong's hesitation and said directly: "But some of our leading cadres hope not to make too much noise in this regard. When liberation came, many wealthy businessmen in East China fled. If we continue to investigate the issue of bribery, we are worried that it will further aggravate the situation and affect the development of private enterprises in East China. But this is turning a blind eye.

Is it something that can be passed over in a single glance?"

Wei Hongjun was stunned.

Unexpectedly, as the matter went on, it even involved some leading cadres.

Wei Hongjun immediately understood Zhan Tong's dilemma and guessed who Ke Qingshi was referring to. One was Rao Shushi, the former Secretary of the East China Bureau, who had recently been promoted to the Central Committee and had a history of being passive in the "Three Antis and Five Antis Movement." The other was definitely General Chen.

After all, it has been two months since Rao Shushi was promoted to the central government.

Currently, General Chen is in overall charge of the East China Bureau. General Chen possesses experience, achievements, and considerable influence within the Central Committee. While General Chen's leadership of the East China Bureau might not be described as complete and absolute, his influence is certainly effective. If General Chen had supported the situation, Zhan Tong wouldn't have been so embarrassed as to have been tempted to make such remarks as Ke Qingshi's.

"Of course, the issues here are quite complicated. I have also learned about this aspect. You also know that there are many private enterprises in East China.

If we put a lot of effort into dealing with those capitalists who bribe, then some private factories will be affected. You don’t know that recently, workers from some private factories have been petitioning our government every day.”

Zhan Tong is not as direct as Ke Qingshi.

Or maintain the East China Bureau.

"what happened?"

Wei Hongjun took out his notebook.

The East China region has more problems than imagined.

Zhan Tongdao said, "East China's economy is just beginning to recover, and many private factories are struggling. Some lost their wealth to the Kuomintang during the war, while others are struggling due to a lack of orders. Some factory owners want government loans, while others want government orders. They tell their workers that with government support, their factories will be able to operate normally and their wages will be paid. This is why many workers are turning to our government."

Wei Hongjun wrote down what Zhan Tong said.

Then he put down his pen and said, "Director Zhan, this is wrong. The capitalists are shifting the contradictions between themselves and the workers, transferring them to the contradictions between the government and the workers. This is because your East China Bureau has done a poor job in its work with the workers. If your workers did a good job, this problem wouldn't have arisen."

The Communist Party of China originated from the labor movement.

Now, the capitalists have shifted the conflict to us in a matter of seconds. This is because the workers haven't done their job well.

"After all, East China has many private enterprises and many workers. If something happens in a private factory, it will affect the livelihoods of many workers. The East China Bureau has to consider the actual situation of those workers. This is one of the reasons why the East China Bureau is reluctant to address the issue of bribery."

"Secretary Zhan Tong is understating it." Ke Qingshi disagreed with Zhan Tong's statement.

In Ke Qingshi's opinion, Zhan Tong was just trying to smooth things over and cover up the contradiction.

Ke Qingshi stated confidently, "The current problems are primarily due to deviations in the direction of the East China Bureau's work. The Third Session of the Seventh Central Committee clearly stated that our Party must rely on the working class after entering the cities, but the East China Bureau is violating the spirit of the Third Session. The East China Bureau is currently overly concerned with the attitudes of capitalists, overly valuing their suggestions, overly caring about their interests, and overly accommodating them. It's precisely because the East China Bureau's policies are overly accommodating and overly concerned with the interests of capitalists that problems have arisen in its work with workers. This is because our Federation of Trade Unions doesn't know how to advance this work for workers."

Wei Hongjun wrote down what Ke Qingshi said.

But he didn't respond.

Because this has already involved the work of the East China Bureau, especially the work of General Chen.

Wei Hongjun hadn't met with CEO Chen yet, nor had he learned about Huadong's current situation. So, it wasn't easy to make a statement so quickly. But Wei Hongjun kept these words in mind.

Although Wei Hongjun didn't express his opinion, Ke Qingshi continued, "The East China Bureau's development strategy also has problems, including in East China's economic development. The East China Bureau has always relied on capitalists to prosper East China's economy, especially Shanghai's. Therefore, policies have always been favorable to private enterprises. Furthermore, East China's limited financial resources are all used for private enterprises. If they want loans, the government helps them with the loans. If they want orders, the government gives them orders. If this continues, how can East China's industry and economy develop?"

Wei Hongjun suddenly understood why later generations of officials had to prevent petitioners from intercepting their cars when they went to local areas. Because they couldn't handle it.

You don't have a grasp of the actual situation. What can you say to these people? If you don't solve the problem, they will accuse you of not doing anything practical. If you solve the problem, how will you solve it? How will you express your opinion?

The same is true of what Ke Qingshi is saying now.

All of this involved policy issues related to the East China Bureau. Wei Hongjun's visit was to supervise and oversee the East China Bureau's "Three Antis Movement" and did not involve anything else. Although Wei Hongjun was currently a member of the Secretariat and Vice Premier of the State Council, he could not casually interfere in the affairs of the local Central Bureau.

But if what Ke Qingshi said is correct, then the work of the East China Bureau needs some adjustments.

Zhan Tong noticed the tense atmosphere and said with a smile, "General Chen's meeting is probably almost over. Comrade Hongjun, why don't you go meet General Chen first? We can have dinner together tonight." "Okay."

Wei Hongjun nodded.

Ke Qingshi said stiffly: "I have something to do tonight, so I can't go over." After that, Ke Qingshi left.

Wei Hongjun looked at Ke Qingshi's back, then at Zhan Tong. Zhan Tong shrugged and said, "You've worked with him before, and that's just his personality." "Yeah."

Wei Hongjun didn't blame Ke Qingshi either.

Everyone has a different personality, there is no good or bad.

Wei Hongjun had long known Ke Qingshi's character. The cadres in North China all said Ke Qingshi was unsociable. "Let's go."

808 Chen Shuai's attitude

Wei Hongjun followed Zhan Tong directly to Chen Shuai's residence, No. 190 Yuqing Road. Chen Shuai entertained Wei Hongjun at his home in the evening.

The two had met in the Central Soviet Area, but at that time, Chen Shuai was a senior cadre and Wei Hongjun was a grassroots cadre in the army, so they did not know each other. The first time the two met was during the Seventh National Congress. After that, they met several times at the Central Committee meetings and had a brief conversation, so they knew each other. When Chen Shuai saw Wei Hongjun coming, he stepped forward and shook hands with Wei Hongjun, and then said: "Vice Premier Wei, welcome to East China to inspect the work."

Although Chen Shuai was not familiar with Wei Hongjun, it did not prevent him from joking with Wei Hongjun.

Of course Chen Shuai has a lot of experience.

Although Wei Hongjun was the vice premier, he had no deterrent power in front of Chen Shuai. In Chen Shuai's eyes, Wei Hongjun was still a junior.

Wei Hongjun shook Chen Shuai's hand and said, "Mr. Chen, before I came to East China on behalf of the Secretariat, the Chairman asked me to observe and listen more, and do more research. I really don't deserve the responsibility of inspecting the work." "Hahahaha."

Chen Shuai laughed out loud.

He said: "Except in the early days of the revolution, it is very rare to see a central leader as young as Comrade Wei Hongjun. Seeing you, I feel a lot younger. Old Zhan, don't you think so?" "Yes."

Zhan Tong also nodded.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, there were many young cadres in the military and political institutions. However, Wei Hongjun was unique in being such a young and yet high-ranking central leader. "General Chen, we revolutionaries are always young."

"Yep."

Chen Shuai nodded repeatedly and said: "The revolution requires this kind of young mentality." Wei Hongjun and Chen Shuai also tested each other.

Zhan Tong said immediately, "Let's eat first." "Okay."

When a few people were dining, there was no rule against talking while eating. Wei Hongjun also needed to know Chen Shuai's thoughts so he could determine his next steps. So, during the meal, Wei Hongjun said, "After I arrived, I first visited the Zhabei District cadre handling site. Comrade Ke Qingshi stated that the biggest problem in East China was bribery and corruption. He hoped that East China's 'Three Antis Movement' would include combating corruption and bribery. Bribery and bribery must be dealt with forcefully. Mr. Chen, what are your thoughts?"

Chen Shuai was not surprised to hear Wei Hongjun's words.

Because Ke Qingshi had discussed this issue with him a long time ago.

So Chen Shuai poured Wei Hongjun a glass of wine and said, "Actually, Comrade Ke Qingshi and I have discussed this issue quite a bit. There is indeed a serious problem of bribery in East China. However, the situation in East China is very different from other places. There are more private enterprises than in other places, and the current economy in East China needs them. The prosperity of private enterprises plays a very important role in stabilizing and developing the economy in East China. Furthermore, the issue of private enterprises cannot be handled in the same way as we are rectifying the Party. So we must be cautious in this regard."

Wei Hongjun nodded.

I also understand Chen Shuai's thoughts.

Just like Shanghai.

Private enterprises are everywhere. If they encounter operational problems, it will directly affect the stability of Shanghai's economy. But this is also not a long-term solution.

The new government cannot always be led by these capitalists in East China.

Zhan Tong said from the side: "Those capitalists in East China are accustomed to bribery, but this does not mean that they are all bad people. It is because they were accustomed to doing business this way before liberation. Some are active, and some are passive. During the Republic of China, those businessmen wanted to do business normally, and you wanted to do it cleanly, but that was impossible. Precisely because they are accustomed to doing business this way, they continued to do business this way after the founding of New China. If we really catch them bribing, it is estimated that 30% to 40% of the businessmen in the entire East China region will be affected. You have to know that the survival of many private enterprise owners depends on the boss alone. Once the boss of a private enterprise is held accountable for bribery, it will be difficult for that private enterprise to survive."

The old society turned people into ghosts.

This is not just talk.

Just like in the countryside of the Republic of China, there were fewer and fewer conscientious landlords, and more and more landlord bullies. The conscientious landlords were either swallowed up by the landlord bullies or could only become corrupt.

Similarly, for merchants in the Republic of China, it was virtually impossible to conduct business honestly and steadily because the environment didn't allow it. Consider Fan Xudong, a prominent figure in the history of China's chemical industry. He came from a prominent family with many members in high positions, and his brother was a minister of internal affairs. Yet, he was still kidnapped by warlords like Li Jinglin and extorted for money.

Therefore, it was normal for businessmen in the Republic of China to be blackmailed when they wanted to do business.

They are used to this tactic.

The same was true after the founding of New China.

Many of these cadres in New China were dealing with so many smart businessmen for the first time. Furthermore, unlike the war years, this was a peaceful time, and many people naturally relaxed their expectations of themselves.

Naturally, there will be a large amount of bribery and corruption.

If the bribery case is really to be investigated on a large scale like the rectification of the Party, I wonder how many businessmen will be implicated.

"Private enterprises employ a large number of workers. If problems arise in East China's private enterprises, the livelihoods of these workers will be a major concern. At the same time, if too many private enterprises run into problems, it will lead to economic depression in East China, affecting social stability and economic development in the region."

Zhan Tong helped Chen Shuai explain.

A single move can affect the entire body. From the perspective of East China officials, the region's stability and economic development currently depend on the stability of private enterprises. Therefore, the East China Bureau is somewhat cautious about private enterprises.