Ethan Taylor turned the microphone, the long tone disappeared, and before Ryan Scott could scold him, Ethan Taylor had already spoken: “Mr. Scott, I have a few words to say. What you just said was right—organizational principles cannot be undermined. But what are organizational principles? What does a healthy Party life look like? If I remember correctly, the highest principle of Party life is democratic centralism, not a one-man show! Since I’ve been allowed to attend this meeting, I have the right to speak, and you cannot take that right away from me!”

Everyone stared blankly at Ethan Taylor. No one expected Ethan Taylor, this young township Party secretary, to bluntly contradict Ryan Scott. Even James Carter, when he spoke earlier, had been roundabout and didn’t dare to mention Ryan Scott by name.

Ryan Scott was momentarily stunned, then laughed: “Good kid! Daring to fire at me! Fine, go ahead, let’s hear it, let’s hear your sour little theory.” As he spoke, he slowly leaned back in his seat, looking as if he was all ears.

Ethan Taylor ignored Ryan Scott’s sarcasm and continued: “Just now, Mr. Scott mentioned the peaceful evolution in Eastern Europe. As far as I know, the Eastern European cultural sphere belongs to the traditional Western culture. It’s just that the Soviet Union forcibly imposed socialism on them by force, which is different from us. Our history has always been one of family rule, of smallholder economy, and our philosophy is in a completely different category from the West. So if the West wants to assimilate and corrupt us using the Eastern European model, they are bound to fail shamefully!”

“Of course, I don’t mean that our Party can just rest easy and think we’ll be worry-free forever. That would be dogmatism, the kind of sour theory you mentioned, Secretary.”

Good-natured laughter rippled through the conference room, and the heavy atmosphere was eased considerably.

Ethan Taylor continued: “I also believe that opposing bourgeois liberalization and preventing peaceful evolution are top priorities in our work right now, but this does not contradict deepening reform! It’s like you and County Chief Carter—one represents the Party, one the government. If we compare ourselves to a big family, then you two are like the father and the mother, not opposing sides. Only if you love each other can our big family prosper! If the father and mother bicker every day, can our family have good days? Of course, it’s right to raise opinions at meetings and not play games behind the scenes. Quarrels at the head of the bed and making up at the foot show that our organizational life is still healthy!”

There was another burst of laughter in the room. Ryan Scott also smiled and nodded, picked up the microphone and interjected: “So what’s your role? Are you the troublemaking kid in the family?” Everyone burst out laughing, and even James Carter looked much more cheerful.

Ethan Taylor ignored this and went on: “Regarding deepening reform and opposing bourgeois liberalization, I’ve read quite a few of the central documents. Not a single one says they are contradictory. The General Secretary has also said that right now we’re crossing the river by feeling the stones. We might take the wrong path, but we can’t refuse to move forward just because we’re afraid of making mistakes. That would be even worse.”

Hearing Ethan Taylor gradually shift his tone to support James Carter, Ryan Scott’s expression slowly became serious again, but Ethan Taylor continued: “However, making fewer mistakes and taking fewer detours is the right attitude. So how do we make fewer mistakes and take fewer detours? I think Mr. Scott does very well in this regard—he carefully reviews and treats every reform proposal with caution. This isn’t obstructing reform; on the contrary, I think this is the attitude we need for reform. Only if we have more people like Mr. Scott who pick out mistakes can we minimize the errors we might make in all aspects of reform. Nipping problems in the bud is the best way to avoid detours!”

Everyone present nodded, feeling that Ethan Taylor’s words made some sense. James Carter took the opportunity to pick up the microphone: “Little Taylor is right. Besides understanding the spirit of the central documents, today’s meeting is also about summarizing the experiences and lessons of our Yanxian County’s reform, conducting criticism and self-criticism, and discussing how to further deepen reform!” After he finished, he let out a long sigh of relief. If it hadn’t been for Ethan Taylor’s long speech, he really wouldn’t have known how to wrap things up.

The rest of the meeting was much more relaxed. They discussed the spirit of the central documents and deepening reform. When the meeting ended, the township Party secretaries all shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with Ethan Taylor before leaving. Everyone’s attitude toward Ethan Taylor had subtly changed—they all felt this young secretary was quite capable, not someone to be underestimated. Of course, a few people secretly looked down on him, thinking he was just a pedantic scholar, good at theory but probably a rookie in actual work. But no matter what they thought, their attitude toward Ethan Taylor had changed; no longer did they see him as just a young kid sent to the grassroots for show.

As James Carter passed by Ethan Taylor, he gave Ethan Taylor a firm pat on the shoulder, his friendly smile clearly the highest affirmation for Ethan Taylor.

When Ryan Scott strolled over to Ethan Taylor, he paused slightly, nodded, and said, “You’re not bad, kid. Let me give you a word of advice: don’t be a slick official, trying to please both sides and ending up pleasing neither!”

Ethan Taylor just smiled and said nothing. He had his own standards for how to conduct himself, and he certainly wasn’t planning to be the kind of all-purpose official Ryan Scott imagined.

Chapter 10 Younger Brother