Volume 1: Gathering Storms Chapter 2: Midnight Fright (Part 2) The driver of Municipal Party Secretary Wang Guoqing's car was involved in a fatal accident, and for a time it became the focus of discussion on the streets and alleys of Shanyang City. However, these discussions were all among the people, and the newspapers, television stations, and radio stations - all official media outlets - did not report on this incident. Of course, the Public Security Traffic Department was even more tight-lipped about it, treating it as a taboo subject.

  Three days later, the Shanyang Daily published a brief report. The main content was: According to the report of the Municipal Traffic Police Brigade, Wu Tianbiao, a driver of the municipal party committee, caused a traffic accident that seriously injured a woman. After calling 110 to report the case, Wu immediately sent the victim to the hospital for emergency treatment. However, due to the victim's pre-existing heart condition and excessive blood loss, she died despite rescue efforts. The brief report also specifically mentioned the attitude of Municipal Party Secretary Wang Guoqiang, who stated that he would not tolerate leniency just because the driver was from the municipal party committee, and that the case should be handled strictly according to facts and law.

  Wu Tianbiao was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison.

  At the year-end summary meeting, Secretary Wang Guoqiang combined with this year's big situation and gave a speech to all levels of leading cadres on how to do a good job as public servants. The whole speech was not delivered according to the manuscript written by the secretary, but was taken out from the heart and talked with everyone in a sincere and heartfelt manner.

  He first cited the typical examples of leading cadres set up by the Central Committee in 1995, one is Gong Fensen, the secretary of the Ali Prefectural Committee in Tibet, and the other is Chen Xitong, the secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee. He started from the personality and pursuit of the two people, and thus talked about the two completely different outcomes that must be taken due to the differences in world outlook and performance outlook.

  Secretary Wang Guoqing spoke with a heavy heart about the deeds of Comrade Kong Fansen. Especially when he died on duty, leaving behind two heartbreaking relics: one was the only 8.6 yuan; the other was several suggestions for developing Ali's economy written four days before his death.

  Comrade Kong Fansen had worked in Tibet twice during his lifetime. In 1988, he overcame many difficulties to work in Tibet for the second time: his nearly ninety-year-old mother was unable to take care of herself, his wife was weak and ill, and his children were still young. He served as the vice mayor of Lhasa, in charge of cultural education, health, and civil affairs.

  In April 1993, he voluntarily extended his stay in Tibet and became the secretary of the Ali Prefectural Committee. He visited 98 of the 106 townships in the prefecture, traveling a total distance of 80,000 kilometers. He personally went to Beijing to secure funding for disaster relief efforts in Ali, adopted three orphans, donated blood three times to the Tibet Military Region General Hospital, and used his own money to buy radios for the elderly at nursing homes.

  He dedicated his heart and soul, as well as his precious life, to the prosperity of Ali, Tibet, and the well-being of its people. Secretary Wang Guoqing emphasized that in carrying out the activity of learning from Comrade Kong Fansen, we must guide Party members and cadres to firmly establish a correct worldview, outlook on life, and values.

  We must always take the people's satisfaction or dissatisfaction as the starting point for thinking about problems and doing things. We must often put ourselves among the masses, think what they think, worry what they worry about, and do what they need. We must educate Party members and cadres to consciously resist the corrosion of money worship, individualism, decadent lifestyles, and various unhealthy tendencies in the face of the tests brought by reform and opening-up.

  We must always maintain the true character of a worker-class vanguard warrior. In short, we must take Comrade Kong Fansen as an example, learn from his virtues, think about ourselves, recognize our shortcomings, and make up for them.

  He also specifically talked about, our leading cadres at all levels must calculate three accounts: First is the political account. Everyone who can walk to their current leadership position is extremely difficult. This is not only the result of personal efforts and struggles but also the result of years of cultivation by the organization, which should be cherished. If they are removed from office or sentenced due to corruption and dereliction of duty, it would be a great pity. Second is the economic account. Let's talk behind closed doors, as a leading cadre, you not only have a salary but also a dedicated car, medical expenses can be reimbursed, and when you have guests, food and accommodation are taken care of. What kind of treatment is this? You just need to focus on doing things and serving the people well, everything else is taken care of by the country, why do you want to take that little private gain, embezzlement, and bribery? Don't stretch out your hands, if you do, you will be caught. When you are caught, it's too late for regrets. Third is the family account. You can walk to today's position, which is the result of your parents' careful cultivation and your spouse's long-term support. They all take pride in you, including your children. If something happens to you, it will bring them a great blow. Comrades, the central government requires leading cadres at all levels to be self-respectful, self-reflected, self-vigilant, and self-disciplined, to be clean and honest in doing official business, to be upright and unsullied as a person, and to do things with integrity. This is not only our requirement but also our care for you. We must remember this in our hearts and put it into practice in our work and life...

  Secretary Wang's speech was repeatedly interrupted by spontaneous applause, and some female cadres were even moved to tears. That's what it means to be a good official, but also the way to be a good person.

  On the eve of the Spring Festival, Secretary Wang went to the prison to visit Wu Tianbiao and brought him several "Great Chinese" cigarettes. He also held Tianbiao's hand and said warmly: "Xiao Wu, I will never forget your kindness to me."

  "Look what you're saying, Secretary Wang. It's not a favor, it's an honor for me, Wu Tianbiao, to share your worries."

  "Xiao Wu, what are your requirements? Tell me boldly."

  "Secretary Wang, I'm just a driver, what ideas can I have. If possible, please take care of my second brother Wu Tianran. He's in the county committee office of our city's Baihe County."

  Wang Guoqing didn't say a word, he just grasped Wu Tianbiao's hand tightly.

  ……?

  One and a half years later, Wu Tianbiao was released from prison due to good behavior.

  As he walked out of the prison gate, Wu Tianbiao let out a long sigh. The sky looked bluer, the mountains greener and the water more sparkling. My 1997 was truly wonderful! Where was I a convict? I was clearly a meritorious official!

  A Honda with the license plate "0002 Police" had been waiting for him. Captain Ma, no, now it's Deputy Director Ma of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, was already walking quickly towards him with a big smile on his face. Behind him was another Santana, and by the car were his relatives: Eldest brother Wu Tianlu, with a strange smile on his face. Second brother Wu Tianran, with a calm gaze that radiated warmth. Little sister Wu Tianjiao, who shouted loudly "Third brother ah, I've missed you to death!" as soon as she saw him and ran over to give him a tight hug.

  Wu Tianbiao only then realized that his little sister had grown up. Tianjiao's figure was tall and full, her face was round and smooth, with a head of black long hair flowing down to her shoulders, her whole body was full of youth and sunshine. Indeed, a girl changes eighteen times before she is eighteen, and each change makes her look even more beautiful. She was 18 years old this year, truly the golden age!