This Is Going to Cause Trouble

"My maternal uncle-in-law is a teacher at Thirteenth Middle School. I can pull some strings and do my best to get the children from our First Branch Factory into Thirteenth Middle School."

"The Deputy Director of Capital City Bus Factory is my second uncle's in-law. Deputy Director Li, if you really get us new buses, I'll have them come talk to us tomorrow."

The First Branch Factory's first enlarged cadre meeting was an enormous success. Every employee present spoke enthusiastically, chattering away and voicing their own opinions for a good hour or two.

Even the several main factory management personnel "attending as observers" beside them were stunned.

These people were responsible for managing the small auditorium. Every year, they sat in on who knew how many meetings, but this was the first time they had encountered one so lively, with workers participating so actively.

At all kinds of meetings in the past, the people up top would jabber on for an hour, then ask whether those below had any objections, and then the meeting would conclude perfectly.

Because the workers below had no objections. Whoever did have objections would be dealt with by the leaders above. And even if you were a tough old hide who feared no punishment and laid out your objections crystal clear, it would end with "we'll study it" and then nothing more.

What was the fucking point of speaking if it did no good? Whatever the leaders said, we'd all just agree!

And so, over time, all sorts of large meetings became mere formalities, devoted entirely to creating an atmosphere of solemn dignity and reverence.

But look at today's meeting at the First Branch Factory. Deputy Director Li up top had spoken for only five or six minutes in total; afterward, the workers below had