37: Chapter 37 A Model of Journalism

Hearing Ji Hongwen's words, Guo Mingkai's fawning expression became uncharacteristically serious.

"Please rest assured, Secretary. Since the city trusts me so much, even if I have to climb a mountain of knives or jump into a vat of oil, I'll do it."

It should be "go through a sea of fire"! Ji Hongwen shot Guo Mingkai a quick glance; it was truly terrifying to be uncultured.

Fortunately, the intended meaning was correct.

He didn't bother to correct him, turning instead to ask in a concerned tone:

"How are the workers at the factory? Are their emotions stable?"

"They are all at home waiting for the factory to resume production, with only a hundred yuan a month for living expenses. It's already the end of the month, and this month's pay is still owed. If this drags on any longer..."

Before Guo Mingkai could finish, Ji Hongwen nodded solemnly.

"Take us to the workshop first."

"Alright, this way, leaders!" Guo Mingkai gestured and then led everyone toward the production workshop.

Arriving at the workshop, Zhao Yang saw that it was empty, with only a few workers repairing equipment.

The massive workshop was cold and desolate.

Rows of old equipment were covered in dust.

Guo Mingkai shook his head and sighed at the leaders:

"These machine tools are all old equipment from the sixties. Their processing precision doesn't meet the requirements at all; they're not much different from scrap metal."

Zhao Yang looked at the equipment and sneered inwardly. With this pile of junk, you want to build a die-casting machine?

Who are you trying to fool?

So, here comes the question.

How were the factory's past die-casting machines produced?

Guo Mingkai had either moved the valuable equipment or used deceptive tactics.

These were common tactics used during the restructuring of small and medium-sized state-owned enterprises back then.

As they went from workshop to workshop, the situation was much the same.

After finishing the tour, Ji Hongwen sighed to Tian Hao:

"Mayor Tian, this enterprise has declined to such a state. Even with Mingkai coming in, it will be difficult to bring it back to life!"

Tian Hao had been the Mayor of Tongan for less than a year and had never visited the Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory.

Seeing the factory in this state, he couldn't help but frown deeply.

"The government will consider providing policy support in areas such as worker placement and the transfer of allocated land."

Hearing this, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Ji Hongwen's mouth.

"There's no need to see the rest. Let's go to the conference room for a meeting."

Zhao Yang listened and filmed along the way.

By now, he finally understood the trick behind it.

Ji Hongwen and Guo Mingkai were putting on a double act just to get Tian Hao to provide more support after the enterprise's restructuring.

Once they were settled in the conference room, Ji Hongwen spoke first:

"Promoting the restructuring of small and medium-sized state-owned enterprises is not only a national requirement but also what the enterprises need and what the people expect.

"The purpose of restructuring is not to turn state-owned into private, but to revitalize the enterprise and allow it to better adapt to the market economy system.

"Let's all talk about it. What good ideas are there to give this near-bankrupt enterprise a new lease on life!"

As soon as he spoke, he framed it with high-level policy and then asked everyone to come up with supporting measures.

As soon as Ji Hongwen finished, Guo Mingkai immediately raised his hand:

"Secretary Ji, Mayor Tian, Secretary-General Cao, and all the leaders, let me say a few words first."

He quickly listed a pile of difficulties: the enterprise's liabilities exceeded its assets, over a thousand workers needed to be resettled after losing their state-owned status, raw materials needed to be purchased to resume production, machinery and equipment needed to be updated...

It was as if this factory was being given to him for free, and not only was he not getting a bargain, but he was also taking on a mountain of debt.

Zhao Yang filmed while sizing up Guo Mingkai.

This guy looked like a chubby simpleton, but he was actually very shrewd.

Hadn't the Secretary asked everyone for ideas? So he listed the symptoms and let the various departments prescribe the right medicine.

These department leaders had been in officialdom for many years and naturally understood the Secretary's meaning.

Each of them offered the maximum concessions within the scope allowed by policy.

In the end, Tian Hao couldn't go against the crowd and had to state that the Municipal Government would fully support the enterprise's restructuring and find ways to help it complete the transition.

Ji Hongwen saw that the purpose of the trip had been achieved, cleared his throat, and made his final concluding remarks:

"If we in Tongan City want to achieve better and faster development, we must not only support foreign-invested enterprises but also vigorously support local enterprises.

"The Municipal Committee and Municipal Government will fully support the restructuring of the enterprise, clearing all obstacles on the path of restructuring. We will not only help them into the saddle but also see them through for a while, continuously strengthening the momentum of Tongan's economic development!"

Zhao Yang accurately captured Ji Hongwen's opening and closing speeches.

Thinking it over, there seemed to be nothing wrong with these two segments.

After eating at the factory canteen, everyone boarded the minibus to return to the Municipal Committee.

On the way, Ji Hongwen said to Tian Hao:

"Mayor Tian, look at how responsible Old Guo is. He was the General Manager of Qicheng Group, a cadre at the Regular Division Level, yet he insisted on resigning to take over this mess."

Since a higher rank carries weight, Tian Hao had to go along with him:

"Yes, it certainly requires courage."

Ji Hongwen continued, "A cadre who shows such character and actively shares the city's burdens must not be mistreated by the Municipal Committee and Municipal Government.

"Although Old Guo has left the cadre ranks, the Municipal Government's appointment of him as an Economic Advisor can be considered a consolation."

Although Tian Hao didn't get along with Ji Hongwen, he didn't want to oppose him on such a small matter.

So he said, "That's easy, I'll arrange it."

Sitting in the back row of the car, Zhao Yang even wondered if he had misheard.

This was no consolation; it was clearly a move to keep Guo Mingkai close to the center of power so he could secure more benefits for himself later.

Was Guo Mingkai out of his mind to clean up this mess?

Zhao Yang would never believe in a million years that there wasn't some behind-the-scenes exchange of interests between him and Ji Hongwen.

But he had no evidence.

Back at the Television Station, Zhao Yang quickly wrote the script based on his notes.

And he included the two segments of Ji Hongwen's on-site recordings.

When the station leaders reviewed the footage that evening, Vice Station Director Li Hongyi was full of praise for the piece:

"Look at this, the shots are steady and well-composed, and the framing standards for the city and department leaders are flawless. Do you know what the most crucial part is?"

Station Director Yuan Gang and News Department Director Gao Xiang, who were reviewing the footage together, all turned their gazes toward Li Hongyi.

Li Hongyi pointed at the TV screen: "Look at how well this soundbite was captured!

"It perfectly reflects the determination of the Municipal Committee and Municipal Government to promote enterprise restructuring.

"Tomorrow morning, arrange for both new and veteran reporters to watch this news story. Let everyone see how political news should actually be filmed!"

Gao Xiang's face changed slightly, looking as if he had just eaten shit.

He had originally wanted to make Zhao Yang look foolish, but he hadn't expected him to gain such recognition.

From a journalistic perspective, Zhao Yang's report, from the visuals to the script, was a model of excellence, beyond reproach.

Gao Xiang twitched the corners of his mouth: "Alright, I'll arrange it as soon as I get to work tomorrow morning."

But Zhao Yang knew in his heart that the few workers at the factory that morning had indifferent expressions and seemed dissatisfied with the restructuring plan.

Airing Ji Hongwen's recording, which showed his strong support for the restructuring, would inevitably trigger fierce opposition from the factory workers.

Zhao Yang had intentionally handled the script this way just to see how the factory workers would react after the news was broadcast.