Democratic Life Meetings, a tradition that had been around for years and still held a market, but the absolute majority were merely going through the motions.
Its main purpose included addressing the new situation by strengthening and regularizing political life within the organization, enhancing self-purification, self-renewal, self-improvement, and a whole lot of other things.
It was required at such meetings for Party members and cadres to mutually pull at each other's sleeves to offer suggestions, make others aware of their deficiencies; to dare to blush, to criticize, and to struggle, to make the other party sweat, feel shame, purify the soul, and such.
However, things that become a formality are forever just a formality. Honestly speaking, for the bunch at the City Committee, from the Standing Committee members to the Committee members, for the bunch at the City Government, from the ruling team to Party group members, this collective represented the top echelon of Yangzhou City. Most were still individuals from the Zhang Family System. How could you expect them to reveal each other's shortcomings, to reveal glaring faults, to bring up each other's history of corruption? Could that really work? ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝙣𝙚𝙩
In officialdom, paying attention to human relationships and worldly wisdom is essential. If you really went by the book for Democratic Life Meetings, you probably wouldn't be able to mix in officialdom any longer, as soon it would be nobody's game, no one to guide you through it.
At such meetings, everyone superficially dealt with each other, and that was enough. If there were inspections and demands from above, or even if a Democratic Life Meeting inspection group came from the Provincial City, then arrange a few rare cases for everyone to offer some suggestions, some criticism, and that would be that.
At times, it even turned into a form of veiled flattery, reaching new heights.
You see, at the beginning of today's Democratic Life Meeting, Lu Yuqing announced the start, exchanged some pleasantries, and then Du Yuesheng, the biggest local bigwig in office, started his performance.
In Liu Zhizhong's eyes, after becoming Mayor, this black donkey had indeed grown a bit whiter and put on some weight. When he took his place at the head seat, he indeed possessed the majesty of a boss firmly in charge.
Du Yuesheng was solemn and sincere. Facing the microphone, he enunciated each word, "Comrades, dare to speak, dare to tell the truth, for the sake of our own perfection, everything is worth it! Today's Democratic Life Meeting, as per usual, come on comrades, fire at me first! If you have opinions, just voice them; if you have thoughts, just speak them!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth, someone, even swifter than Zhang Yuxing, quickly raised a hand, remained seated, and directly offered Du Yuesheng some suggestions.
"Secretary Du, I personally have objections to your lifestyle! In the City Committee Courtyard, you are always one of the last few to leave work. Reviewing documents until one in the morning with your office light still on! Can your body really handle this in the long run?"
"Exactly, Secretary Du's lifestyle needs to change. Work hours and personal time should be separated clearly; you can't muddle them together. Staying up late regularly is definitely not good for health," someone immediately chimed in with flattery.
"I also feel that Secretary Du's habits are wrong. In our canteen, Secretary Du's choice of food isn't right either, eating high-sugar, high-calorie foods; aren't you afraid of the 'three highs'? Your health is the capital of the revolution; can you afford to neglect it?"
"For the sake of leading our whole team, we also ask that Secretary Du consider these things. It wouldn't do if one day you fell ill, leaving Yangzhou without a leader, the people without a backbone…"
Damn, the statements from one speaker to the next, making Du Yuesheng blush and sweat ?
This was clearly flattery taking on a whole new level, wasn't it?
And there was Du Yuesheng, actually nodding and looking embarrassed, saying, "Thank you comrades for your heartfelt words. I've heard them, I've remembered them, and I will definitely change if I can! Now, are there any comrades who want to criticize Du Someone further? Speak up, dare to say it, be capable of saying it, and tell the truth!"
No sooner had he finished speaking, Zhang Yuxing cleared her throat softly and icily.
Liu Zhizhong couldn't help but amuse himself, Ha, the show was about to begin!
Seeing Zhang Yuxing, Du Yuesheng felt a bad premonition and couldn't help but clench his "chrysanthemum" tightly…