Chapter 890 – Lots of problems
After talking about Soros, Feng Yu thought Iron Fist Zhu will ask him to leave. But Iron Fist Zhu start to talk about other matters.
“Manager Feng, what’s your opinion of our country’s development? Are there any problems?”
Feng Yu frowned. I am not a civil servant, and I am not the best person to talk about this. Which country in this world does not have problems with their government? There’s no correct way to govern a country. Even if any decision made seems to be correct at first, but loopholes will be found later.
“I don’t have any opinions, and I think everything is going well.” Feng Yu rubbed his nose.
“Brat. You must have discovered some problems but refuse to tell me. Do you know China has a policy research office, and lots of the members are businessmen? I had always wanted you to join in.”
“Then I will talk a little about this. If I am incorrect, please don’t blame me.”
“What’s there to blame? Maybe what you said is right, and our decisions are wrong.” Iron Fist Zhu replied. He is not perfect, and there must be issues he missed out.
“I will start with the slogans I saw first. Look, from the villages to the cities, there are lots of government slogans about family planning, economic developments, laws, and regulations, etc. In the cities, the slogans are more Gao Da Shang …”
“What do you mean by more Gao Da Shang?” Iron Fist Zhu interrupted.
“Huh? It’s more high-end, elegant, and classy. In short, it is Gao Da Shang. This is a term used on internet forums.” Feng Yu explained. He had to be careful not to use the internet jargon used in his previous life. This term still is not used current, and Feng Yu just push it to the internet.
“Hahaha… This is a good description.” Iron Fist Zhu laughed and points at Feng Yu.
“What’s the purpose of these slogans? To strengthen China’s Socialist ideologies, anti-corruptions, our economies, honor the workers who had been laid off, etc. But these slogans reflected all the problems we are facing.”
Iron Fist Zhu looked at Feng Yu curiously. These slogans are in line with the government’s policies. What’s wrong with that?”
“Promoting family planning shows that our government’s family planning is not successful. Promoting economic growth reflected most of our villages are still in poverty. Promoting education means lots of our countrymen are still illiterate. Promoting anti-corruption reflects that our country still has lots of corrupt officials. Promoting the market economy means our market economy is still not developed. Honoring the workers who were laid off shows that our government could not provide enough employment for the workers.”
Iron Fist Zhu thought for a while and felt this is true. Before meeting Feng Yu, no one had to view these problems from this perspective.
“These slogans reflected the problems in our country’s development. When people lack material culture, they will not think about spiritual culture. In layman terms, it means problems will arise when people are poor, and they will be easily influenced by the outside world. In ancient times, dynasties changed because of wars arising from poverty. The US is rich, and that’s why their ideologies and values can influence other countries.”
Iron Fist Zhu’s face turned serious. Hmph! Those Americans had been trying to impose their values on China! What’s so good about capitalism? Their crime rates are so high. Socialism can also make our people wealthy!
“Then what do you think we should do?” Iron Fist Zhu asked.
“Ah… Premier… I really don’t know. I am only a businessman. I don’t know about government policies and will not interfere with the country’s decision. I just want to earn money and contribute to our country.”
“How can a businessman like you not interfere with politics? Didn’t you just say you are going to attack other countries’ economies with that Jewish man? This is not considered interfering with politics?”
“That’s other countries and not China.” Feng Yu argued. He knew when businessmen reached a certain level, they will influence the country’s decision because every policy issued will affect their profits.
For example, if China sets real estate as its core industry, the businessmen in the real estate business will earn high profits. It’s the same as the US. Why many businessmen provide funding for political parties during Presidential Elections? They did this because they need the President to implement policies that will benefit them. Their returns might be 10 times, 100 times, of their donations!
Every time the US goes to war, those firearm dealers get high profits.
“I think you are very suitable to be in politics, and you should consider this.”
Feng Yu had a troubled look on his face and replied. “Maybe in a few more years after I complete all the things I want to do. Look, I’m still single, and someone else should sacrifice individual interests for the public good instead of me.”
Iron Fist Zhu smiled and shook his head.
“Continue.”
“Let’s just look at our country’s state-owned enterprises’ reforms. Since early this year, most of our state-owned enterprises are losing money. If this carries on, only a handful of enterprises are not in the red next year. The leaders in these state-owned enterprises are rigid and conservative. They still talk about equal distribution and equal pay for equal work. They are moving backward instead of moving with the times. It’s the government’s role to distribute according to demands, and the enterprise’s role is to compensate according to contributions. Look at those foreign and private companies. Why are they producing the same products and can make profits, but our state-owned enterprises can’t?”
“There are too many employees in State-owned enterprises, and the policy of letting children take over their parent’s position in the enterprise had caused many enterprises to go bust. Some of the workers retired in their 40s for their retirement pensions, and then let their inexperience children enter the factory they are working at. No one cares whether if their children are suitable for the job, and not only will this affect the factory’s efficiency, it will increase the manpower cost. Also, what’s the point of having so many people in the office? I had seen a small factory with slightly more than 100 employees, and more than 30 employees are at the management level. Among the 30 employees in the management, more than a dozen of them are Party Members, and this factory has more than 30 Party members. If the enterprises are going to lay off workers, these management staff must be the first to go!”
“Management staff? Why?”
“I had just mentioned. Many of these management staff are not contributing to the enterprise and are still getting high salaries. Another reason is these management staffs are more educated and should be more capable than ordinary workers. So, they should be able to find a new job or start their own businesses easier. There is a saying. “Everyone knows how to be a leader and management staff, but not everyone can be a worker!”
Iron Fist Zhu’s face changed. When did the image of government staff become like this? It seems like it’s time to investigate this seriously. Those holding on to a job and not doing what they are supposed to must be removed. Regardless of their past contributions, they must not waste precious resources when they are not retired!
“What I am saying is only what I saw. Overall, I think our country is still developing well, and our international status is increasing. It’s a good thing.” Feng Yu starts to bootlick in the end as Iron Fist Zhu looks terrible. Feng Yu had pointed out the flaws of the government and got to say something that the leaders like to hear.
Iron Fist Zhu was about to say something when Director Fang entered the room without knocking. He walked over to Iron Fist Zhu and whispered into his ears.
Iron Fist Zhu’s face changed and said. “Manager Feng, I still have something on. Let’s end our conversation now. Xiao Fang, help me send him out.”
Feng Yu’s eyes opened wide. What happened? Could it be…
Translator’s notes: Gao Da Shang is an internet term used on China’s forums. It literally translates to Tall, Big, and Up. It’s the short form of high-end, elegant, and classy. It became popular in 2013.
To each according to his contribution
