Chapter 47 Chapter Forty-One

On the evening of the next day, Beethoven's "Symphony of Destiny" sounded uncoordinatedly in the quiet county committee courtyard.Li Xiangnan turned on the tape recorder in his office.The small "Sanyang" with two speakers was the first time he used it to listen to music since he brought it to Guling.Li Xiangnan sat on the back of the chair with his arms folded and his eyes closed, letting the steel thunderous music vibrate his eardrums.Do you want music to calm and clarify your mind, or do you want music to confuse your mind?he does not know. Last night's conversation did not work miracles.

Although he said a lot of frank words that can be said to be heartbreaking, Zheng Dali was not moved.He leaned back slightly on the sofa and listened with a calm and majestic "ah" and "ah" all the time, with a kind of generosity in his expression that seemed to be listening to young people criticizing their mistakes.This makes Li Xiangnan still feel hot face, sweaty palms, and hate himself resentfully when he thinks about it now.He reached out and moved the volume button of the small "Sanyo" on the table to the right, and the "Symphony of Destiny" sounded even louder.It seems that this can dilute and cover up his shame.

What about the scene this morning?He sneered in his heart, it was ridiculous.Not that he's ridiculous. Standing in front of him and Zheng Dali was a couple in the United States conducting family and social research.James, tall and dark, hearty and full of humor.His wife, with her blond hair tossing back and forth from time to time, always tilts her face up and smiles happily when she listens to your speech. "Have you taken a look?" Zheng Dali asked with a smile after shaking hands with the guests, walking into a specially arranged living room, and taking a seat in a semicircle.

The couple he and Li Xiangnan met together had been visiting the ancient tomb for dozens of days. "We visited 20 villages, visited hundreds of families, and lived happily with some families for a few days. Everything is unforgettable." The couple smiled, looked at each other from time to time, and passed each other with each other. The translator answered.The wife also said to Li Xiangnan humorously: "We also encountered a few rural people talking about you, a clean and honest official. The Chinese people's deep tradition of advocating clean and honest politics also left a deep impression on us."

Li Xiangnan smiled at the guest without any response.He did not forget to be "modest and prudent" in front of Zheng Dali. "This can't be called a tradition, can it?" Zheng Dali glanced at Li Xiangnan unhappily, and said gently to the guests. "As far as we know, many of the ancient Chinese novels and operas are written about the judgment of honest officials." The couple added. "You guys turned around, what impression do you have?" Zheng Dali didn't linger on this topic, and asked politely as the master. "Using your Chinese words, this trip is worthwhile. We have gained a lot. Few countries can have a stable, unique and complete family model like China. From blood relationship, economic relationship, ethical relationship , Moral relations, language, appellation, wedding and funeral, housing construction, residence, life, relatives, etiquette, customs, all are a complete and coordinated system. We are very interested in everything in China.” The couple passed Translate your words and I say excitedly.

"We implement an open policy and are willing to have friendly exchanges with people from all over the world. You are welcome to visit China frequently." Zheng Dali said. "Thank you, we learned a lot in China." "Learn from China's experience and don't just copy it. No matter how good China's experience is, it must be combined with your country's actual situation." Zheng Dali added.It is obviously inappropriate to use this cliché to answer Western family sociologists.The James couple looked at each other with smiles after listening to the translation.

Li Xiangnan smiled and felt that he should take over the words: "Guling is a relatively closed and backward area with a long history. The economic and cultural development is not fast. Therefore, to a certain extent, this place is a living fossil that preserves traditional things. What will you do here? Learn more about the traditional civilization of the Yellow River Basin in China." "Yes. We found many things of research value. The stability, continuity and richness of your traditional culture are enviable." Li Xiangnan smiled modestly, and he hoped to finish what he had to say without provoking Zheng Dali as much as possible: "We can be said to be both proud and ashamed of this. We are proud of the long history and ashamed of the slow development. However, history inevitably develops to today, and what we care about is to lead out the way to build future civilization in the whole present situation. Of course, the trend towards the future is also contained in the present situation. We should feel it vividly and keenly It, find it, hold it."

Li Xiangnan turned his head to look at Zheng Dali respectfully, and brought the center of the conversation back to him. However, the James couple was interested in Li Xiangnan's words, and they did not understand Li Xiangnan's difficulties.They leaned forward on the sofa to look at Li Xiangnan, and asked questions one after another: "Then can you talk about how you feel about this trend?" Li Xiangnan smiled and turned to look at Zheng Dali. "Let's investigate and study." Zheng Dali replied. "Do you think this trend in China contains the influence of Western civilization?" James nodded politely to Zheng Dali, and continued to ask Li Xiangnan.

Li Xiangnan looked at Zheng Dali, who had no expression on his face.He smiled reluctantly, then turned to the James couple: "Of course." "Can you talk about this issue from the perspective of comparing Eastern and Western civilizations?" "The reason why Eastern and Western civilizations are compared by scholars like you is because Eastern and Western civilizations are actually comparing each other." "What does it mean?" "The comparison I'm talking about has a philosophical meaning. It includes mutual competition, competition, opposition, and comparison. If there is no actual comparison between any two things, people will not compare it. In recent years, Eastern and Western Haven’t civilizations been comparing each other all the time? It is through this kind of comparison that Western science and technology have finally broken through the barriers of China’s closed-doorism with its own power and exerted infiltrating influence on China. Another example is China’s national culture, Don't philosophy, art, ethics and morality themselves also show their influence on the West in such practical comparisons?"

The more interested the James couple was, and the more they kept asking Li Xiangnan questions, the more disturbed Li Xiangnan became.From time to time, he could feel the chill radiating from Zheng Dali's faint displeasure on his face.However, it is not good for him not to answer questions.When Li Xiangnan finally answered the question "How do you plan to build a Chinese-style oriental civilization", the James couple looked at Li Xiangnan with great interest and asked: "You have both theoretical strength and practical strength. Your talents How was it created?" Li Xiangnan smiled, turned his head to look at Zheng Dali, Zheng Dali did not look at him, put his hands on the armrest of the sofa, and was looking at the landscape painting on the four screens blocking the entrance of the living room with a flat gaze.

"It's very simple. Let's answer it in three sentences." Li Xiangnan said to the James couple, "The first sentence is that our generation is all idealists, and we are always working hard to build an ideal society. This has created our imaginative character. In the second sentence, the ten years of turmoil in China have allowed us to see the exposed social contradictions and social structures in a broad way, which has created our vision of overlooking history and cold realism. The third In other words, in a country that has been full of political wisdom for thousands of years, if you continue to do things practically, you will naturally hone your political talents." "How about yourself?" "Easier: From high school to now, I have never stopped reading, practicing, and thinking for a day." "Your answer was concise and satisfying." Will Zheng Dali be satisfied? After seeing off the foreign guests, Zheng Dali and Li Xiangnan walked back slowly, patted Li Xiangnan's arm lightly, and said slowly one sentence at a time: "Xiangnan, after careful consideration, I am working for the ancient mausoleum. , and for your own good, I decided to make a report to the Provincial Party Committee and adjust your work properly." appropriate? "One more thing, Xiang Nan, you are a young man, but you are also a leading cadre, you must pay attention to your style of life." "That's a lie." "I'm not referring to the matter mentioned by the investigation team. I'm referring to the ancient tomb. I've heard some rumors about this in the past two days..." Li Xiangnan sneered fiercely from his heart and through his teeth. Ba, a hand stretched out from behind and pressed the stop button of the recorder.The roaring symphony came to an abrupt end. "Are you feeling sorry for fate?" It was Kangle who came.Carelessly, he pulled up a chair and sat down beside him, crossing his legs, "What's the matter? At worst, I don't serve these mediocre officials, and I go back to the province, or I can go back to Beijing." Li Xiangnan lit a cigarette and said nothing. "Are you aware of the conflict between you and Zheng Dali?" Kang Le said, "Do you know what taboo you committed?" Li Xiangnan looked up at Kang Le and remained silent. "This is called 'Sound High Gaizhu'." "What reputation do I have, and I don't want to overwhelm anyone at all." Li Xiangnan said lightly, waving his hands, and stood up, "Go, go for a walk with me." The twilight fell from the sky like layers of gray-blue tulle, slowly covering the mountains illuminated by the sunset glow, and covering the small county town.The dusk is receding sadly, and the air is filled with the smell of the summer mountains after a day of steaming heat, the smell of the mountains, the smell of the fields, and the smell of the ripe yellow wheat being harvested.They walked down the zigzag-shaped path, down the steep loess wall of more than ten feet on the west cliff outside the county seat, and came to the river beach.Here the twilight is darker.Through the sparse tree shadows, you can see the flash of the river, hear the sound of the river, and feel the softness of the beach under your feet.The overturned pebbles hit the sandaled feet, still carrying the residual heat of the sun.In the air, the stoney smell from the scalding pebbles all day was gradually discernible. "I found that I am not suitable for politics." Li Xiangnan said as he walked slowly. "It really changes with the situation. At this moment, the ambition is gone?" Kang Le said with a smile. "I really think so. You have to be patient and persevering in politics, and you have to use most of your energy to engage in power tactics to protect yourself. I don't have that kind of patience, and I don't like power tactics." "Aren't you advocating political wisdom?" "Perhaps political wisdom should include some political tactics? But wisdom is not always political tactics." "Have you conceded defeat in the ancient tomb?" "I won't admit defeat, I still want to get back the situation. I can't lose and leave the chessboard." Li Xiangnan paused, "I won't be emotionally impulsive like the reformer in the novel. That's all petty. I just don't think it's very interesting to spend a lot of energy doing these political arithmetic and dealing with trivial matters." "Then what are you going to do?" "I want to be a political scholar in the future. This is the name I learned from Zhuang Wenyi. I can be a senior aide to Chinese reformers and provide them with various strategic options. Doing some research in that way may be more effective. Meaning. In your words, more self-fulfilling." "Seriously, Xiang Nan, don't look at me usually making sarcastic remarks about your ambition, but I don't agree with you wanting to quit." "why?" "Because then you wouldn't be able to live up to your true worth." "Why not? Didn't I just say that I can do theoretical research and strategic research. This is not negative, but positive." "No, your political practice ability is very outstanding. Only when you practice and study at the same time, and become a strategist who does it yourself, can you develop your comprehensive advantages." "I do research, and the practical experience is still useful. It can make the theories and strategies I propose realistic and feasible." "It's different. If a person wants to make a difference, he must understand his own advantages. You see, all the contributors in the world today rely on his comprehensive advantages in several fields, at the junction of several fields, The hybrid department and the fringe department propose new things. Now, there are many people with theoretical thinking and practical talents, but there are not many people like you who have both and are relatively strong in both aspects. You should use With your comprehensive advantages, make contributions at the junction of practice and thought." The two walked slowly, getting closer to the river, and the beach here became wet and soft. "You failed to convince me." Li Xiangnan said not firmly. "I'm not saying that your heart changes with the situation. Your current choice is caused by your current situation. Once you start to practice the situation, you will find today's negative choice ridiculous again." Two people walked in the hazy darkness.High earth cliffs stand and extend on the black walls beside the river beach, and the county town on the earth cliffs is lit up with dense lights.The wide river beach and the river in the middle are also stretching forward in the vastness.In the distance, on the dark hillside opposite the river beach, the dim yellow lights of the village are lit up. Li Xiangnan suddenly turned his head and smiled contagiously: "Can we talk about something relaxing?" "That's very interesting. I've been disgusted with the fact that you have a county party secretary's score all day long." Kangle said. The night wind blows head-on along the river beach, bringing whispers from the river.A pair of young people stood up from the river, looked back, and waded hand in hand through the knee-high water to the opposite bank, when they heard the girl's low laughter. "The mandarin ducks were shocked." Kang Le smiled, and turned to look at Li Xiangnan, "What are you thinking now?" "It's nothing." Li Xiangnan turned his head and smiled, "I was thinking that it's time for me to get married." "I'm frustrated in my career, so I feel the need for a woman's caress and comfort, right?" "I'm not that vulnerable." "Women are men's haven of peace, their starting point and destination. They all think that men have power, but in fact, men's power belongs to women in the final analysis. This is not a question of fragility or not." Li Xiangnan smiled: "I just think that walking like this, two men, is not the most comfortable feeling." "Of course. You need to walk with your arms around a woman's shoulder now. Or snuggle by the river and let her gently comb your hair with her gentle hands, and you will be comforted." "You're talking nonsense." "The question is who is this woman, Lin Hong or Xiaoli?" "There is no shadow." Kang Le smiled genuinely for a while, and asked, "Why aren't you married yet?" "No chance. There have been a few times, but it didn't work." "Do you often think about women now?" "Sometimes I think about it. I basically forget it when I'm busy." "When you're lonely, don't you miss it? Man, there's nothing ashamed to admit it, it's human nature." "A reformer with great ambitions, when he has setbacks, is not tragic and generous, but casually strolls and talks about women. This is not appropriate when written in novels." Li Xiangnan said. When they returned to the county committee compound at ten o'clock, both of them were stunned.In the darkness, a group of people stood in darkness in front of the county party secretary's office.They are all cadres of the county party committee, and it seems that they have been waiting for a long time. "Do you have something to do?" Li Xiangnan said, "Let's go into the room and talk." He took out the key and prepared to open the door. The crowd looked at him in silence. Li Xiangnan felt that the atmosphere was abnormal: "What's wrong?" He saw Long Jinsheng in the crowd, "What happened?" Long Jinsheng lowered his eyes and smoked a cigarette, the butt of the cigarette was burning red and then dimly in the darkness. "You guys came together?" Long Jinsheng looked at the crowd on the left and right, and slowly shook his head. "What's the matter with everyone?" Li Xiangnan asked. He saw Director Gao of the Public Security Bureau standing in the crowd, "Old Gao, what's the matter with you?" "Secretary Li, you shouldn't have left the ancient tomb." Director Gao said in a gloomy voice. Li Xiangnan suddenly understood, and a dampness rushed into his eyes: "I'm not leaving now." He tried his best to smile, "Even if there is a transfer, it is because of work needs." The crowd was silent.Li Xiangnan didn't smile anymore, he looked at the crowd: "I will try my best not to leave." "You shouldn't be leaving." Director Gao burst out again with anger. Li Xiangnan didn't know what to say. "Everyone is going to talk to Secretary Zheng." Long Jinsheng said slowly. "What are you doing, are you joining together to petition?" Li Xiangnan criticized. "There is no tandem. We all wanted to see you and met together." Long Jin said in a low voice. "Comrades support me, I understand." Li Xiangnan looked at the crowd in the dark and said, "You support my work, but the work depends on everyone. If a county party secretary is transferred, his work can still be continued , then the secretary of the county party committee will be very happy, he has really done a good job and laid a solid foundation." He paused for a while, "Can comrades understand what I mean?" There were footsteps and flickering flashlights in the yard. It was Yang Maoshan who came dozens of miles from Fenghuangling, accompanied by several young people. "Old Yang is you?" Li Xiangnan took two steps forward, "Didn't you just go back after the expansion meeting yesterday?" "If you go back, you can't come back?" Yang Maoshan said angrily. The crowd was very quiet, wondering what the secretary of the Miaocun Commune, who was dismissed by Li Xiangnan, was here for. "Lao Yang, what do you think of me?" "I have an opinion. I didn't say it at the meeting yesterday. I regret it." "Then tell me now." "Secretary Li, are you leaving?" Yang Maoshan asked. Li Xiangnan was silent for a while, and the news spread quickly: "Go, there is still time to listen to opinions." "I want to report to you." Yang Maoshan said after a short pause. "Reporting work? What work?" "Long-term work." Yang Mao was furious, "It's not enough to report once, but you have to report frequently." "Old Yang has considered a plan for forestry development and wants to report to you." A young man who came with him explained. Li Xiangnan's eyes were wet, and he slowly held Yang Maoshan's hand: "Let's study together."