When will I have a long tassel?

Autumn 1994.

Second Bureau of the Machinery Department, Sanlihe, Beijing.

"The country's machine tool industry has suffered large-scale losses for five consecutive years, and the situation has become even more severe in the first half of this year. Half of the Eighteen Arhat factories in our machine tool industry have suffered serious losses, and the rest are not in good condition. Some companies rely on ordering for key projects to survive. They have just reached a rough balance between profits and losses. If the state orders are reduced, these companies will immediately turn into losses. The output value of Linhe No. 1 Machine Tool Factory, which produces the 'Changying brand' machine tools, has been less than half of the past two years, and now it only owes money to the bank. The loan totaled more than 40 million yuan. At this juncture, the leadership team of Linyiji was exposed to collective corruption and was all taken down. Regarding this situation, Lao Zhou, what do you think?"

Director Xie Tiancheng sat behind his desk and asked in a low tone.

Sitting opposite Xie Tiancheng was Zhou Heng, director of the Mechanical and Electrical Department of the Second Bureau. He is 54 years old and is the most senior and oldest division chief in the organization. When Xie Tiancheng first came to work in the Second Bureau, Zhou Heng was the deputy director of the Mechanical and Electrical Department, and Xie Tiancheng was just a junior clerk under him. Now, Xie Tiancheng has become the director, but Zhou Heng has only been promoted half a rank and has become the director of the Mechanical and Electrical Department.

There were different opinions in the second game as to why it was difficult for Zhou Heng to be promoted. Some people say it is because he is too principled and has offended many people; some people say it is because he is indifferent to fame and fortune and does not fight for every promotion opportunity; of course, there are some more conspiracy theories, which are not justified.

However, no one thinks that the reason why Zhou Heng was not promoted is because of his insufficient ability. In fact, bureau leaders and even some department leaders have said that Zhou Heng is a very capable cadre with a clear mind and good attitude towards He is well aware of the industry conditions he is in charge of, especially in the machine tool industry. It can be called a "living dictionary".

Zhou Heng really didn't care about his position. Watching cadres who were much more junior than himself being promoted and becoming his superiors, he didn't complain at all and still managed his job conscientiously and cheerfully. One third of an acre. In his own words, being a director is so worry-free. You just have to immerse yourself in work. If the sky falls, the director will be there to support you. You don't have to worry about all kinds of troubles. What's wrong with such a job?

At this moment, Zhou Heng did not realize that the happy days he pursued had come to an end. When Xie Tiancheng asked him, he just answered according to what he knew: "What happened to the leadership team of Linyiji is their own fault. In fact, I had reported their problems to the bureau as early as two years ago. The problem is just..."

"The bureau takes the issues you reported very seriously." Xie Tiancheng quickly took over and explained: "It's just an issue involving the entire leadership team of such a large company, so the bureau has to be particularly cautious. This time, the organization The fact that the government was able to find out the serious problems of the Linyiji team is also related to your feedback."

Zhou Heng fell silent. Xie Tiancheng was right. Two years ago, when he reported the problem of Lin Yiji to the bureau's party committee, he only started from some impressions and did not have any concrete evidence. Naturally, the bureau could not resort to war casually.

Xie Tiancheng interrupted this episode and continued what he said before, saying: "The bureau party group believes that the top priority now is to immediately rebuild the leadership team of Linyi Machinery, resume production, and turn around losses as soon as possible. The chief engineer of Linyi Machinery, the bureau party group I plan to transfer Lao Qin from the Mechanical Design Institute to take over."

"Qin Zhongnian?" Zhou Heng asked.

"Yes, that's him." Xie Tiancheng said.

Zhou Heng nodded: "His level is very high, and he will have no problem being the chief engineer of Linyi Machinery."

"The chief economist is Ning Suyun from the Planning and Finance Department of the Ministry."

"Xiao Ning is a well-known iron abacus. Letting her be the chief economist is a good arrangement." Zhou Heng said with a smile.

"The candidate for deputy factory director has been considered now, and we just need someone to take the helm. The party group of the bureau intends to appoint an experienced and responsible comrade to come to Yiji, and the factory director and secretary will shoulder the responsibility. , take full responsibility." Xie Tiancheng said.

"Have experience and responsibility, let me think about who is more suitable..." Zhou Heng pondered.

He thought that when Xie Tiancheng discussed this issue with him, he naturally hoped that he could recommend several suitable candidates to the bureau party group to facilitate the leadership's inspection. He is quite familiar with the mechanical and electrical industry across the country and knows a lot of people. There are many people in the industry who meet the six words of "experienced and responsible", but these people are now working in important positions. In the position, one is in charge of the soil and water, which cannot be easily transferred.

Xie Tiancheng looked at Zhou Heng thinking hard and reminded him with a smile: "Old Zhou, you are confused. There is such a person beside me."

"Next to you? You mean Xiao Wu?" Zhou Heng asked tentatively. The Xiao Wu he mentioned refers to Xie Tiancheng's secretary Wu Jun, because he is the only one who fits the definition of "by his side". Wu Jun has good abilities and is very clever, but he is really a bit young and does not meet the requirement of "experience".

Xie Tiancheng laughed loudly, pointed at Zhou Heng and said, "Old Zhou, aren't you by my side now?"

"Me?" Zhou Heng was stunned. He never expected that the bureau leaders would actually consider letting him serve as the factory director and secretary of Linyiji. This was really an option that he thought was impossible.

"Lin Yiji's level is the main game, right? My level isn't high enough, right?" This was the first thing that came to Zhou Heng's mind.

China's state-owned enterprises also have levels. Linhe No. 1 Machine Tool Factory is an enterprise directly under the Ministry of Machinery. The director of the factory is at the bureau level and is at the same level as Xie Tiancheng. Strictly speaking, the Second Bureau cannot be regarded as the superior leader of Linyi Machinery, but is only entrusted by the Machinery Department to exercise leadership over Linyi Machinery.

However, there are differences between the levels of enterprises and the levels in agencies. It is common practice for agency cadres to be promoted by half a level when they are transferred to work in enterprises. On the contrary, when enterprise cadres are transferred to work in agencies, they must be downgraded by half a level. Zhou Heng is a division-level cadre. If he is transferred to Linyiji and becomes the deputy factory director, there is no problem. If he directly becomes the factory director, it will be a leapfrog promotion, so Zhou Heng will have this question.

Xie Tiancheng shook his head and said: "This is not important. In today's market economy, enterprises will have to cancel the administrative level sooner or later. Many enterprises of ministries and commissions have been directly delegated to local governments. For example, Yueting Mining Machinery Factory was originally a metallurgical company. Enterprises under the ministry, at the deputy ministerial level, are now delegated to Yueting City, and the Yueting City Economic Commission is only at the department level. What level do you think Yue Mining Machinery is now?"

"That's true." Zhou Heng nodded and accepted the explanation. In the early 1990s, the central government proposed a market economy, and many of the original management models underwent tremendous changes. The Ministry of Aerospace has become the Aerospace Corporation, and the Ministry of Textiles has become an industry federation. Many enterprises in the original ministries have been transferred to local governments. The original administrative levels will definitely not be maintained.

It is true that Linyiji was originally at the bureau level, but if it continues to suffer losses, it may eventually be transferred to Linhe City, Dongye Province, where it is located. Linhe City itself is at the bureau level. Lin Yiji still wants to show off the original bureau-level unit?

"But why were you sent?" Zhou Heng put aside the question of rank and asked a new question: "Director, you know that I am not capable enough and I am so old. If you entrust a big factory to me, you are not afraid that I will mess it up?"

Xie Tiancheng said: "Old Zhou, you are so humble. In the entire machinery department, who doesn't know that you, Old Zhou, are the living dictionary of the machine tool industry? You understand technology and the market, and you know the most people. And more importantly, you You have a sense of responsibility and responsibility. When faced with a life-or-death decision, you are the perfect choice to be at the helm."

"However, my personality can easily offend people."

"What are you afraid of offending others?" Xie Tiancheng said, "To be honest, your character is the most important reason why the bureau leaders chose you to take the helm of Linyiji. Everyone thinks that the current situation of Linyiji is that of heavy I'm sick and need a strong dose of medicine."

"Hey, it turns out that the bureau leader thought I was Zhong Kui and asked me to fight ghosts." Zhou Heng chuckled, with a hint of teasing in his expression.

"In troubled times, heavy codes should be used." Xie Tiancheng did not correct Zhou Heng's words, but followed his lead.

In fact, when the party group of the bureau discussed this issue, several leaders had the same view. They believed that Linyiji was made a mess by the original leaders. The so-called "small demons in the temple are strong, and there are many bastards in Chiqian". It is necessary to Only by sending someone with evil spirits down can this mess be sorted out.

Zhou Heng remained silent, and began to think about whether he should accept this task, and if he accepted, how to proceed.

He is very familiar with Linyiji, and he knows very well what problems there are. He also knew that Linyiji's decline into a state of serious losses had a great relationship with the ability and moral character of the factory leaders. However, after so many years, it was difficult to recover. When he, Zhou Heng, took over the factory, he had a slight chance of a comeback. Woolen cloth?

Xie Tiancheng saw Zhou Heng's hesitation and said: "Old Zhou, you don't need to be burdened with thoughts. After you go down, no matter how hard you work, the bureau will support you. Your task is not heavy, and you can make it easier for you." If the machine is about to turn around, even if it is a slight loss, it is enough to at least keep the factory from bankruptcy and prevent nearly 7,000 workers from being laid off. The bureau will look for candidates to replace you in the future. After you come back, a deputy bureau level The remuneration is guaranteed. During your stay in Linhe, you will not lose a penny from all the benefits provided by the bureau."

"Ha! Then I have to thank the bureau leaders for taking care of me!" Zhou Heng was laughed at by Xie Tiancheng. Just now, he really didn't think much about his remuneration. Now listening to Xie Tiancheng's words, it seems that being the factory director for a few years is really a good job.

He has worked in the Mechanical Department all his life, and it is common for him to conduct company inspections, but this is the first time he has directly managed a company. Before retiring, I can indulge in the addiction of being a factory director, which can be regarded as enriching my life experience.

As for being able to receive deputy bureau-level treatment after returning, it can only be regarded as a smooth favor from the bureau leader. Because by the time he comes back, he will be old enough to retire. With his qualifications, it is also the norm in the agency to move up half a grade before retirement.

Thinking of this, Zhou Heng nodded and said: "If that's the case, then I'll accept it. But I have to say something ugly beforehand. Since the bureau has handed over the company to me, it must give me full authorization. Don't let me No matter what policy I introduce, people from below come to the bureau to complain, and the bureau hinders me."

"Absolutely not!" Xie Tiancheng slapped his chest loudly, "Since the bureau has sent you, it will give you complete authorization. Our bureau party group only retains the right to make suggestions."

"The right to make suggestions is not good either." Zhou Heng said domineeringly, "In business management, the most taboo thing is to mix things up one by one. When you say it, will I listen or not? If you listen, it will interfere with me. business activities. If you don’t listen, what will I do if you try to put on my shoes later? You said that I will come back in a few years. Do I dare to offend your immediate bosses? "

Have you offended too little?

Xie Tiancheng silently complained in his heart, and then said: "Old Zhou, after all, Linyiji is still an enterprise under the control of the Second Bureau. We can't leave no power at all, right?"

"You can retain your right to know." Zhou Heng said, "The leaders of the bureau are welcome to come to the machine to inspect the work at any time. You can see whatever you want, just don't talk nonsense."

"Okay." Xie Tiancheng decided not to argue with Zhou Heng. He knew the old director's stubbornness very well.

"In addition to not allowing us to talk nonsense, what other requirements do you have? For example, what requirements do you have for the cadres that the bureau will equip Linyiji in the future?" Xie Tiancheng asked again.

"Competent, no selfishness..., well, also, no nepotism." Zhou Heng said. Don't think about the so-called nepotism. He just said that he doesn't want those with connections.

Xie Tiancheng nodded and said, "So, do you have any favorite candidates that you want to take with you?"

"No." Zhou Heng said. After saying that, a flash of lightning suddenly flashed in his mind, and he said, "Don't tell me I've forgotten, but there really is one. The party committee of the bureau must hand him over to me, otherwise I won't take the chance."

"Who!"

Xie Tiancheng was surprised. There was such an important person. He was so important that Zhou Heng threatened to refuse to take office. What kind of person was this?

"Xiao Tang, Tang Zifeng." Zhou Heng said.

"Tang Zifeng?" Xie Tiancheng frowned, and then realized: "You mean, the new college student Tang Zifeng who came to your place the year before last year? The one who keeps arguing every day about taking off into the wind?"

"What he said was that on the wind, even pigs can fly, but he didn't want to fly himself." Zhou Heng explained.

"Isn't this the same thing?"

"There is still a difference." Zhou Heng said solemnly, "Xiao Tang looks very talented. If you call him a pig, be careful that the little girls in the bureau are protesting against you, the big director."