Chapter 289: The Reporter (Part 1)

Duan Ying sat in the corner of the desk, holding the phone receiver between her cheek and shoulder while flipping through her interview notes. "The land occupation in the development zone is a national hot topic. The central government has repeatedly issued strict orders prohibiting the encroachment on arable land. Focus Interview has even produced several episodes on this. According to our editor-in-chief, we need to dig deeper and produce a report with some real depth."

"We grassroots civil servants are working ourselves to the bone, all for the sake of local development. Now that the province is encouraging competition among regions, no one wants to be left behind. If you fall behind in one step, you fall behind in every step. This is the Matthew Effect of wealth, and it applies equally to county-level economies."

Duan Ying laughed. "News needs to grab attention. Land issues are currently a hot topic, and our editor-in-chief has a keen political sense. Naturally, he won't let this opportunity slip by."

"Will they just publish that draft directly, or will they send someone down?"

"By convention, they will send people down for in-depth investigation." Duan Ying understood what Hou Weidong was implying. "Do you want me to try to smooth things over? I can find out which reporters are being sent down. Some reporters are reasonable and can be worked with; others are not."

Having been in the industry for over three years, Duan Ying was quite familiar with the unwritten rules of journalism. Like many other sectors, the news industry had its bright, mainstream side, but it also had its shadowy corners. In some places, money could buy column space. In others, reporters would deliberately travel to various locations to hunt for dark secrets, then bargain with local governments. If a local government had any skeletons in its closet, they would likely pay to buy peace.

After gathering this intelligence, Hou Weidong informed Zhang Jin and Zhang Xiangyu. "According to reliable sources, the Lingxi Daily is planning to send an investigative team to the New Management Committee."

Zhang Jin, having suffered losses from the media in the past, never had a good impression of reporters. "These journalists have too much time on their hands. We have policy backing for everything we do, and there are no illegal or disciplinary violations. What problems could they possibly find?"

Hou Weidong said, "Originally, this wasn't a major issue. But once it’s blown out of proportion, a small matter becomes a big one, which harms the overall image of the New Management Committee. The situation in Sujiacun has already improved. Even if we have to pay a price, we must stop this news report from being published. Once it’s out, who knows what other troubles might arise?"

Zhang Jin and Zhang Xiangyu were deputy officials with less power and, consequently, lighter responsibilities. After venting their complaints, they waited for Hou Weidong to make the final decision.

Hou Weidong gave his instructions: "First, I will go to the Propaganda Department and report this to Minister Liu. Second, Director Zhang, you must continue to push the work forward. Strike while the iron is hot and complete the wrap-up work in Sujiacun. We cannot let a single news report affect our progress. Third, Director Zhang Xiangyu, you need to assign some cadres, including those from Sujiacun, to stay in the village. If anyone comes to interview, report to me immediately."

Zhang Xiangyu said, "Rest assured, I will defend strictly and not let any 'devils' enter the village."

Having arranged the countermeasures, Hou Weidong took the copy of the CPPCC Newspaper and headed to the Propaganda Department.

Minister Liu was a veteran of the Propaganda Department. Although he had moved to the city long ago, he remained as dark and thin as ever. Compared to Liu Kun’s fair and delicate face, the contrast was quite amusing. He put on his glasses and focused intently on the Shazhou CPPCC Newspaper.

Hou Weidong thought to himself: "The nickname 'Black and White Fiends' I casually gave them back then was actually quite fitting. Liu Kun’s appearance and personality were derived from the 'White Fiend,' but his conduct and handling of affairs did not measure up to his father’s."

Minister Liu put down the newspaper and asked, "Does this article reflect the facts?"

"Most of it is factual, but the angle chosen is incorrect."

Minister Liu corrected him, "It’s not that the angle is wrong, but that the stance is different. We observe this issue from the perspective of the county government. The common people look at it from the standpoint of their own interests. Journalists view it from a news perspective. This CPPCC Newspaper is an internal organ publication. Its influence is limited, so the problem is not significant. Moreover, it has already been published, so there is no need to pay it much attention."

Duan Ying had once been considered a prospective daughter-in-law for the Liu family. Hou Weidong could not mention her name while reporting on work. He said, "The author of this article is a member of the Shazhou CPPCC. When we contacted him, he inadvertently revealed that the Lingxi Daily is interested in this article and may send reporters down."

Minister Liu then understood Hou Weidong’s main purpose. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Within the scope of Shazhou, the Department’s words carry weight. However, the provincial newspaper may not listen. For now, it is just hearsay. My suggestion is to wait until the provincial reporters arrive, and then have the Shazhou Propaganda Department step in."

Back in his office, Hou Weidong called Duan Ying again and briefly explained the situation in Yiyang. Duan Ying smiled and said, "You are practicing 'Three Defenses': guarding against thieves, guarding against robbers, and guarding against reporters. Actually, you don’t need to be so tense. Reporters are human beings too. Move them with emotion, enlighten them with reason, and everything can be discussed amicably."

Provincial newspapers usually visited local areas for interviews with cars coming and going, accompanied by good wine and fine food. Since joining the provincial newspaper, Duan Ying’s horizons had broadened considerably, and she spoke with considerable composure.

Hou Weidong added, "You should also add 'smashing them with money.'"

"It’s not as dark as you say, of course. But using money is not a bad method either."

"When will the members of the investigative team arrive? How many are there? Who is the leader? What are their personalities like? It would be best to find out the details. I’m entrusting this to you."

"Don’t speak so politely with me; it makes us seem distant." She paused, her tone softening. "I often dream of Yiyang. It feels like a stone is pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe. The only bright spot in those dreams is what you brought to me."

Hearing these words, Hou Weidong was left speechless.

Duan Ying quickly adjusted her emotions and said loudly, "Let’s not talk about the past. Rest assured, I have this matter in mind."

While they were talking, Yang Liu stood at the door holding a phone message pad. Seeing that Hou Weidong was still on the phone, she waited in the corridor.

"Section Chief Ren called and asked you to go to her office immediately. I asked Section Chief Ren, but she didn’t know the reason."

Hou Weidong reviewed his recent work. There were too many items to report to the County Party Committee and County Government, but they all revolved around land issues. He put his notebook in his briefcase and hurried to the County Party Committee. When he arrived at the County Party Committee Office, there were still people talking in Yang Senlin’s office, so he went to Yang Dajin’s office instead.

The door was half-open. Yang Dajin was writing with his head down. Hearing the knock, he looked up and saw Hou Weidong standing at the door. He smiled and said, "Director Hou, please come in."

The two shook hands. Ren Xiaowei happened to be delivering materials to Ji Haiyang. Seeing Hou Weidong, she came in to greet him, made him a cup of tea, and then left.

Yang Dajin was a senior mid-level cadre who had served as the Director of the County Planning Commission and the Director of the New Management Committee. He had known Yang Senlin for a long time, but he had not yet made it into the Standing Committee. His status was roughly similar to Hou Weidong’s when he first started.

Yang Dajin took the initiative and said, "The Shazhou CPPCC Newspaper published an article titled 'Where Will the Landless Farmers Go?' The issues raised are very sharp. Secretary Yang attaches great importance to this matter. You need to be mentally prepared."

Since seeing the article, Hou Weidong had been pondering the matter. He already had a clear idea in his mind. He said, "These are problems arising during development. Development is like opening a window; fresh air comes in, but inevitably, a few flies will fly in too."

Yang Dajin laughed a few times and said, "Problems arising during development. That is a very astute definition."

After waiting for about ten minutes, Hou Weidong finally met with Yang Senlin. Upon meeting, Yang Senlin gave him the cold shoulder, keeping his head down and reading the speech draft of Chang Quan, the Secretary of the Shazhou Party Committee. After a while, he looked up and asked, "Have you read the Shazhou CPPCC Newspaper?"

"I have."

Yang Senlin asked calmly, "What are your thoughts?"

Hou Weidong answered seriously, "The separation of farmers from the land is an inevitable path of urbanization. The New Management Committee has the responsibility to find a way of survival for the landless farmers. We have not done enough in this regard, which caused farmers to gather and protest at the New Management Committee. I need to submit a self-criticism to the County Party Committee."

"Are the several matters mentioned in the newspaper factual?"

"The reason for the suspension of the resettlement housing construction was the rapid increase in the prices of steel and cement, which the construction company could not bear. Work has resumed since yesterday."

"The large bus was borrowed by the New Management Committee from Xiuyun Pharmaceutical Factory. The New Management Committee has special circumstances. Some comrades live too far away; the farthest one has to walk for an hour and a half. A shuttle bus is necessary." Hou Weidong said sincerely, "The New Management Committee is the window for Yiyang’s opening to the outside world. Foreign investors value strength. If the office conditions of the New Management Committee are better, foreign investors will have more confidence in investing."

Following this, Hou Weidong reported on the compensation agreements signed between the New Management Committee and the villagers. Yang Senlin nodded and said, "These points are good. I will add one more: the civil engineering projects during the implementation of the project can be contracted to qualified local construction teams from the land-occupied villages through market operations. The construction teams are local, and it is easier to find slag dumps."

This suggestion was very pertinent. Hou Weidong noted it in his notebook, preparing to use it as a preferential condition when negotiating with the villagers.

Yang Senlin picked up the organ newspaper of the CPPCC and waved it. "I have a friend at the Lingxi Daily. He called me this morning and said that the Lingxi Daily is planning to send an investigative team to Yiyang. The achievements of Yiyang’s reforms are hard-won. We must protect them as we protect our eyes. You need to report to Minister Liu, and together we will come up with a plan to tackle this. My requirement is simple: we cannot allow this article to appear in the Lingxi Daily."