Chapter 566 The Effect of Flattery

As soon as Lin Weimin entered Cheng Zaochun's office, Cheng Zaochun looked a little worried and said, "Things may change a little!"

"What's going on?" Lin Weimin asked.

"Do you still remember Yu Hongcai?"

Lin Weimin frowned and thought for a long time before he remembered that this was a leader of the Chinese Literature Society who was transferred away when he first joined the Society.

"He's been away for many years. What's going on? Is he coming back?"

Cheng Zaochun nodded, "Not bad."

Lin Weimin stared at Cheng Zaochun's expression, made a judgment in his mind, and asked, "Is he eyeing the position of editor-in-chief?"

Cheng Zaochun nodded again. "He was dismissed from his previous position because he was too left-wing. I don't know which leader had connections, but the higher-ups are planning to arrange for him to return to our company to resume his old job. There are only three positions in our company that match his level. I'm the president and also the editor-in-chief. It's just right for me to give him some of the money according to the higher-ups' instructions."

Cheng Zaochun didn't wait for his response and continued, "Don't worry. I firmly disagree with his return. I have already communicated with the leader in advance about giving you this position. His philosophy alone does not conform to the current atmosphere of our Chinese Literature Society. Moreover, this person has poor work ability and bad intentions."

Lin Weimin frowned. He didn't think that the position of editor-in-chief must be given to him just because Cheng Zaochun promised him it. After all, this matter was not something that Cheng Zaochun could decide alone.

But it would be a bit depressing if he was squeezed out by the paratroopers. He could accept it even if the publishing house selected an editor-in-chief from among the many old comrades who met the requirements.

The most crucial thing is, as Cheng Zaochun said, Yu Hongcai got his start by relying on left-wing tactics. He has no ability, but is an expert at running for profit. Allowing such a person to become one of the heads of the Guowen Society is tantamount to inviting in a scourge.

Thinking of this, Lin Weimin looked at Cheng Zaochun and said, "Leader, it doesn't matter if I am the editor-in-chief or not, but letting Yu Hongcai come back is not a good thing..."

Cheng Zaochun waved his hand, "I understand what you mean. It's not appropriate for you to show up in this matter. I asked you to come here just to tell you so that you can be mentally prepared."

"So what are your plans?"

“It takes the person who tied the bell to untie it.” Cheng Zaochun said, “I want to talk to Comrade Junyi first. It was she who helped Yu Hongcai get to where he is now.”

Before joining Guowen Publishing House, Wei Junyi was the editor-in-chief of Writers Publishing House. In April 1961, Writers Publishing House was merged into National Literature Publishing House, and Wei Junyi served as vice president and deputy editor-in-chief.

At that time, she had just arrived at the Guowen Press and did not know Yu Hongcai's character. She thought he was a good comrade with progressive ideas and a hard-working spirit, so she promoted him to the position of editor-in-chief.

Later, when the turmoil occurred, Yu Hongcai's true nature was revealed, and he became the leader of the Guowen Society, causing harm to his colleagues in the society. After the turmoil was over, according to common sense, the society would have to settle accounts with Yu Hongcai and his group.

However, Yan Wenjing, the then president, was soft-hearted and let Yu Hongcai and others go. This group of people were transferred out of the Guowen Society one after another, and some were even promoted.

Wei Junyi had regretted promoting this person more than once, and had been brooding over it for many years.

After Cheng Zaochun finished speaking, Lin Weimin immediately understood what he meant.

Yu Hongcai was promoted by Wei Junyi, and the organization attached great importance to Wei Junyi's opinion when examining Yu Hongcai.

Then there is the fact that Wei Junyi is the former editor-in-chief of Guowen Publishing House, and Cheng Zaochun is the current editor-in-chief. Now the higher-ups want to arrange a new editor-in-chief for Guowen Publishing House, and these two people have the most say.

Lin Weimin hesitated and said, "The old lady is not in good health now, so why not bother her?"

Cheng Zaochun glared at Lin Weimin in anger, "What a woman's kindness! We just went to ask her to say a few words for us. Comrade Junyi's words are more useful than mine at this time. Her words carry the most weight in this matter."

Lin Weimin touched his nose embarrassedly. Even though he was usually very casual with Lao Cheng, he still needed an experienced person like Lao Cheng at critical moments!

"Okay then, let's go to her house after work to have a chat and ask her to come out of retirement?"

Cheng Zaochun picked up the clothes draped on the chair and said, "It's better to go early than late. Let's go now!"

Lin Weimin followed Cheng Zaochun and felt that his experience in struggle was still not rich enough. Looking at Comrade Cheng, he could tell at first glance that he was a veteran of many battles.

The two came to Dongzongbu Hutong. Wei Junyi saw Cheng Zaochun and Lin Weimin coming together and asked, "Why are you two here together? What happened?"

"Comrade Junyi, I received news that Yu Hongcai is coming back to our company, and someone above him plans to make him the editor-in-chief."

Cheng Zaochun stated the situation straight away, now was not the time to be polite.

When Wei Junyi heard Yu Hongcai's name, her face suddenly changed. She hurriedly held onto the armrest of the sofa and tried to stand up. Lin Weimin quickly supported her and said, "Slow down."

"How can he have the nerve to return to the National Literature Society?"

Wei Junyi's face was full of anger. She had promoted Yu Hongcai in the past, but Yu Hongcai turned against her and repaid her with evil, which made Wei Junyi feel resentful.

Cheng Zaochun told Wei Junyi in detail what he knew.

Wei Junyi said anxiously: "Zaochun, Weimin, carry me to the leader's office. I have something important to discuss with him... They are simply unreasonable!"

Lin Weimin comforted him, "Calm down first. I came here to ask for your help. Don't rush to help me, and then I will make you angry and hurt yourself. That would be a big sin for me."

"Yes, don't worry. I have communicated with the leader in advance about this matter for the people. He must have been under pressure from the outside world this time." Cheng Zaochun said.

Wei Junyi shook her head. "I have never made any suggestions or intervened in the appointment of cadres in the agency since I left. But this time the agency plans to arrange for Yu Hongcai to come back, and I have to take care of it. I can't control what position Yu Hongcai holds outside, and I don't want to control it, but it is definitely not possible for him to come back to the Guowen Press to be the editor-in-chief.

Not to mention the editor-in-chief, even an ordinary editor would not be able to do that.

This man, I was blind! I was blind! That’s why I helped him up. He must not come back. I know him too well…”

Wei Junyi was worried about Yu Hongcai returning to the Guowen Society, and talked a lot about Yu Hongcai with Lin Weimin and Cheng Zaochun. Lin Weimin joined the society late, so he didn't know most of these things.

Even Cheng Zaochun was not very clear about some of the things. After listening to Wei Junyi, his attitude became more determined.

"Then we can't let him come back!"

Wei Junyi said loudly: "That's right! We must not let him come back! I will go find Lao Yan. He knows the most about what happened back then. He condoned the evil..."

Cheng Zaochun interrupted Wei Junyi and advised, "Comrade Junyi, I think it's better for the two of us to come forward. Too many people may backfire."

Wei Junyi rolled her eyes and immediately understood what Cheng Zaochun meant. They were the former and current editors-in-chief and had a say in the appointment of the editor-in-chief.

But if Yan Wenjing is called over, with too many people, it might seem like they are forcing the emperor to abdicate and causing trouble, which would be bad if it arouses the rebellious psychology of those above them.

Wei Junyi smiled and said, "When it comes to how to deal with these people, you have the most say."

Lin Weimin looked at Cheng Zaochun and recalled the conversations he had with Lao Yan, Lao Meng and others. According to these old comrades, the young Comrade Cheng was also a troublemaker in the commune back then!

No wonder he has so much experience in struggle!

"This matter should be dealt with as soon as possible. Zaochun, take me to the office. I must explain the situation to the leader. We must not make the same mistake again!" Wei Junyi urged.

Lin Weimin said: "Then I'll take you two there!"

Cheng Zaochun stopped him, "I'll call a car to take us there, and you don't show up."

"Zaochun is right. You are not fit to show up."

Seeing Lin Weimin's embarrassment, he comforted him, "Don't think we are doing this just for you. We are doing this for the club as well. The club has developed over the years, and it is not easy to get to where we are today. We cannot let people like Yu Hongcai lead our team astray."

Lin Weimin's face brightened when he heard this, "I see. Just don't get excited when you go."

Wei Junyi smiled at him and said, "Don't worry, it's okay."

Cheng Zaochun used Wei Junyi's home phone to call his assigned car, and the two of them went to the office together.

Lin Weimin returned to the Guowen Press alone. While working, he couldn't help but think of Cheng and Wei who had gone to the office to argue with their superiors.

One is in his fifties and the other is in his seventies. They said it was not for him, but most of the reasons were still because of him.

Cheng Zaochun was lost in thought when he came back from outside before getting off work in the afternoon.

He called Lin Weimin to his office again, looking relaxed.

"Has the old lady been sent home? How is her condition?" Lin Weimin was first concerned about Wei Junyi's health.

Cheng Zaochun looked at Lin Weimin with some relief in his eyes, "She's been sent back. She's doing fine. Don't worry about her."

He went on to say, "Thanks to the fact that I informed the leader in advance last time, we had a frank chat today. He prefers you to take over as editor-in-chief. Yu Hongcai's matter has not been finalized yet, and he was arranging this matter through the original leader of the publishing department. The leader couldn't refuse directly due to personal feelings. Comrade Junyi and I went to see him today, which gave him an excuse to reject Yu Hongcai's matter."

"So, there is no problem?" Lin Weimin's face also relaxed.

"No one can guarantee anything until the last moment, so don't be happy too early," Cheng Zaochun reminded.

"I see!"

After finishing the business talk, Cheng Zaochun also relaxed, and said with a bit of joking in his tone: "It really works to flatter retired old men and old ladies more often. Today, the old lady went to the leader's office to argue for you."

"You look so envious. It's okay. When you retire, you will also get this treatment."

The two chatted for a while, and Lin Weimin came out of the office, looked at his watch, and it was time to get off work, so he went back to the office to pack up his things and drove away from the Guowen Society.

He came to Wei Junyi's house again and sat with the old lady for a while before he said goodbye and left.

(End of this chapter)