Fu Xueqian stared straight into Zhou Yi's eyes. He really wanted to know what had been going through the other man's mind when he said, "That possibility certainly can't be ruled out."
Was he joking? Or was he deliberately challenging him, the Municipal Party Secretary?
Fu Xueqian felt that Zhou Yi would not stoop so low, nor would he be so reckless. So did that absurd inference actually have some basis?
"Zhou Yi, there are only two of us in this office. Anything that would be inconvenient to discuss outside, we can speak frankly about here. The organization certainly had ample considerations and a clear purpose in sending you to Qingning as secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. I support your work, too. You may carry out your duties as its secretary, but remember: don't let subjective prejudice guide you, and above all, don't oppose things just for the sake of opposing them. That is my advice to you!"
Fu Xueqian had clearly expressed his position: "If you stay within your proper role, we can all get along peacefully." At the same time, he had issued the other man a small warning.
"Secretary Fu, I think subjective prejudice toward a person is, in fact, an objective reality. None of us can avoid being influenced by it. For instance, before I arrived, I heard that you were overbearing and autocratic. After I got here, the Shang Xinfeng case only reinforced that impression."
At those words, Fu Xueqian could not help frowning. He was just about to speak when Zhou Yi abruptly changed tack-
"But can we draw a conclusion based on that alone? No! Reaching a hasty conclusion without prolonged observation and understanding, without sufficient study and consideration, is undoubtedly irresponsible toward others and toward our own work. Secretary Fu, I