Henry Foster took a gentle breath, straightened his chest, and said, “Secretary Parker, I believe that everything has two sides. Our country has been impoverished and weak for too long, and it truly has reached a point where reform is absolutely necessary. Both the political and economic systems need reform, and major changes are required. However, reform does not mean being radical, and it certainly does not mean smashing everything to pieces. We need to liberate our thinking and deepen reform—there’s nothing wrong with that. But it must be done step by step, gradually; you can’t become fat with one bite. We are a large country, vast in territory, with a huge population, significant regional differences, and great disparities in the education level of the people. Therefore, we shouldn’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach to everything; we must analyze comprehensively from both sides. We need to formulate reasonable plans, implement them step by step, and guide the masses toward a moderately prosperous society. In the process of liberating our thinking and deepening reform, we must also remain vigilant, strictly guard against the spread of bourgeois liberalization, and prevent the unchecked spread of disorganized, anarchic pan-democratic ideas. As a major country, the premise of all reforms must be built on a foundation of stability. Only with social order and the steadfast faith of cadres and the masses can reform achieve the best results. Otherwise, things will fall into chaos!”

Chapter 5 Governing the Country Is Nothing but Governing the Officials!

“Are you lecturing me?”

Mason Parker said coldly.

He truly hadn’t expected Henry Foster to come out with such a speech. In his eyes, Henry Foster was just a kid, fresh out of school—what could he possibly know? Yet here he was, giving a long-winded speech in front of him.

“I wouldn’t dare. But Secretary Parker, I really do believe that going to extremes and overcorrecting is very dangerous.”

Mason Parker’s eyebrows rose again. “You’re saying I’m going to extremes? That I’m overcorrecting? Do you even know the real situation in the Yanhua region? We are a poor area in a poor province, and the age structure of our cadres is seriously aging. The vast majority of cadres are rigid in their thinking, stick to old ways, and instinctively reject new things and reform. If this situation doesn’t change, if it isn’t reversed, how can Yanhua’s economic development move forward? How can the people escape poverty and achieve prosperity?”

Henry Foster’s thoughts became even clearer. He raised his head, looked directly at Mason Parker, and said firmly, “Secretary Parker, I never said that liberating our thinking is wrong, nor did I say we shouldn’t pursue reform and innovation. What I’m saying is that while we emphasize liberating our thinking and deepening reform, we must also hold fast to our beliefs and continue to strengthen ideological education among our cadres. We must prevent a situation where everything is denied. There’s an old saying in our country: ‘What the upper level likes, the lower level will go even further.’ If we only stress liberating our thinking, breaking the shackles, and smashing all the old jars and pots of the past, while neglecting the education and supervision of our cadre team, then we’re just moving from one extreme to another. The comrades below, trying to guess the intentions of their superiors, will slide further and further down the road of liberalization. Right now, our problem is poverty, but before long, I’m afraid our problem will be inequality. If we don’t build up our cadre team and do a good job of supervision, no matter how much wealth we create, we may not be able to realize our ideals. These are two sides of the same issue—both are indispensable.”

This wasn’t Henry Foster’s “original idea”; he was simply conveying in advance what he had seen, heard, and thought about in another world. In that other world, as the economy continued to develop, the problem of inequality became more and more serious, becoming the main factor causing social instability and disunity.

People became wealthier, but not necessarily happier!

Mason Parker was truly stunned.

If he were facing a mature and steady middle-aged cadre—even if that cadre’s status was similar to Henry Foster’s, just a low-level office worker—Mason Parker wouldn’t have been so shocked.

But Henry Foster was simply too young.

When did the second son of the William Foster family become so accomplished?

Even William Foster himself might not have been able to articulate these arguments.

Before this, Mason Parker had “suspected” William Foster as well. In his mind, for someone to do something so “rebellious,” Henry Foster himself must have been acting under orders.

Just a little brat—what could he possibly know?

There must be someone behind the scenes who hadn’t yet surfaced.

Mason Parker wanted to drag that person out into the open!

Mason Parker didn’t want to fight; he hoped all comrades could work together in unity. But that didn’t mean Mason Parker was afraid of a fight. If conflict was unavoidable, Mason Parker was not afraid to face it.

It was just that the other side happened to be using his own close junior, which made things difficult for Mason Parker.

He even felt a faint pain in his heart when he first suspected William Foster.

What does it feel like to be “betrayed” by those closest to you?

Ethan Ray had just vented this kind of anger and disappointment.

But now, Mason Parker was starting to waver.

Could it be that all of this was really the work of this young man before him?

Did he really have this insight, this courage?

“You understand that everything has its priorities, its proper order?”

After a brief daze, Mason Parker said in a deep voice.