Chapter 10: Ideology of Joining the Party

  The days went by quietly, and after the dance, Xu Shaojie often saw Zheng Yuxin, as if they had an appointment. Both of them would go to the cafeteria at 5:30 to have dinner, neither earlier nor later. However, there were too many students in the cafeteria at this time, and sometimes they couldn't see each other. When they met, they just nodded and smiled, without any other actions. The rumors about the two of them slowly dissipated after the dance party, as there was no substantial progress.

  The weather is gradually getting cooler, and in the blink of an eye, a year will have passed.

  After a long period of contemplation, Xu Shaojie made up his mind and submitted an application to join the party. In school, there were not many students who submitted applications to join the party because students had more radical views on this aspect and held different opinions. Of course, Xu Shaojie would not be influenced by these views.

  When writing the party application, Xu Shaojie was very secretive. He borrowed the party constitution from the library and then brought paper and pen to copy the chapters, slowly pondering the content. It can be said that Xu Shaojie's party application was written in the library, without anyone guiding him, and Xu Shaojie didn't know how his party application was written.

  The secretary of the school party branch was a male teacher in his 40s, Xu Shaojie had already found a way to get familiar with this party branch secretary. The secretary was also a senior lecturer, who smoked and drank, and usually looked very serious, but when it came to eating, he was an exception, very talkative. Xu Shaojie took the opportunity to invite the secretary to dinner twice, and the secretary still had a good impression of Xu Shaojie.

  After finishing the party membership application, Xu Shaojie was still a bit worried. This is a big thing in his life after all, and he can't be careless. So, after careful consideration, on a weekend afternoon, he found the secretary and submitted the party membership application. Xu Shaojie's attitude was very sincere, and he paid great attention to his image, looking like a cultured and refined person who is honest and fearful. The school party branch secretary was somewhat surprised, possibly not expecting Xu Shaojie to submit a party membership application.

  "Xu Shaojie, your positive thinking is great. As a young person, striving for progress and getting close to the party organization is excellent. You are the class leader, belonging to the student cadres. Just entering university, you already have such high awareness, I am very happy. The door of the organization is open, welcoming outstanding youth like you at any time. Of course, the party organization has the same requirements for everyone, it depends on your usual performance and whether your thoughts really meet the requirements to join the party organization. I will take your application letter, write a thought summary and hand it in these days."

  Xu Shaojie left the secretary's office with a cold sweat on his back. The secretary's words made Xu Shaojie feel inferior, and at that moment, in front of the secretary, he felt like a primary school student listening to his teacher's teachings.

  How to write a thought and gain, Xu Shaojie didn't know, but this is a political task that must be completed. Xu Shaojie carefully considered his various performances since entering Xilin University, spent three days writing a lengthy thought and gain, and after one day of revision, he thought it was pretty good.

  Xu Shaojie was still a bit cautious, such things couldn't be discussed with classmates. Xu Shaojie thought of Zhang Shaocai, who had seen and experienced many things, and must have been clear about these matters. Although Zhang Shaocai wasn't a party member, he had social experience and could help him out.

  This afternoon, Xu Shaojie found Zhang Shaocai.

  "Brother, I've been too busy lately and haven't seen you often, miss you."

  "Zhang Ge, I have something important to ask you today, it's a big deal."

  Xu Shaojie went straight to the point, not wanting to waste time. Seeing Xu Shaojie looking serious, Zhang Shaocai also sat up straight. Xu Shaojie took out his thoughts and briefly explained what had happened, then began to read them aloud. This time, Xu Shaojie was surprised because he hadn't finished reading when Zhang Shaocai started speaking.

  "Brother, don't read that anymore. You're talking about serious things and I'm giving you a serious answer. What is this that you've written? It sounds like an essay to me, logical and attractive."

  "Zhang Ge, this is what I've been thinking."

  "It's not like you're asking to join the party, so your thoughts and feelings must be related to the party constitution. Although I'm not a party member, I still understand this kind of thing. For example, if I were to do engineering work, no matter how much I talk about heaven or earth, it would always come back to the two words 'engineering'. But listening to your thoughts and feelings, it seems like you didn't mention the importance of the party at all. So why are you joining the party? You don't even have a recognition of the party's importance, what kind of thoughts and feelings is this?"

  Xu Shaojie was stunned. He really hadn't thought this thing through, and had written down his thoughts purely on a whim. Now it seemed that they were indeed not suitable.

  "Brother, since you asked me to read the documents, now I've forced myself to read a lot of them and become more familiar with the party's articles. In these documents, there are some things that must be said. Originally, I thought they were nonsense, but now I don't think so. This is understanding, isn't it? If one doesn't have this understanding, everything is just empty talk. Joining the party is also a matter of public affairs, and a major one at that. You don't even have the most basic understanding, how can you say your understanding has been raised? How can you say your thinking has drawn closer to the party organization?"

  Xu Shaojie was somewhat unconvinced, but Zhang Shaocai's words were true and he couldn't refute them.

  "Brother, and you're holding this thick stack of materials, just looking at it scares me. If I were the secretary, I definitely wouldn't read it. Who has that much free time? I have a feeling that whether it's ordinary people or secretaries, they all hate trouble. You've written so much, if I were someone who specializes in this kind of thing, I'd have to read it, and before I even start, my heart would be frustrated. Do you think there will be good results like this? So, I think we shouldn't write too much, mainly just the main ideas, not a work report."

  Xu Shaojie couldn't help but look at Zhang Shaocai with new eyes, after just a few months apart, Zhang Shaocai's understanding had increased greatly, and was no longer the same as before. Xu Shaojie knew that Zhang Shaocai was now working on engineering projects in the provincial government, it seemed that being in a different environment and coming into contact with different people naturally led to a change in one's perspective.

  "Zhang Ge, I didn't expect you to make such great progress, I really admire you."

  "Brother, don't mention me, talk about your own affairs. Earlier you mentioned the secretary's conversation, this kind of conversation I've also heard at the provincial government, and I've heard a lot. Some things, I originally didn't want to say, but they're related to your big matters, brother, so I have no choice but to say them. Don't take offense."

  "Zhang Ge, just say it directly, I came specifically to find you today, it's about this matter."

  "I've been in society for many years, and I've seen through a lot of things. No matter how talented you are, when facing leaders, you still have to be obedient. Of course, different situations yield different results. For example, take me - if I want to get engineering contracts, I need to meet with the provincial government's secretary in charge of logistics. Even if I have a strong personality, I still have to bow my head and put on a smile; otherwise, I won't be able to get the contract. As the saying goes, 'when you ask for help from others, you become inferior.' When you need something from someone else, you become a turtle grandson (a term used to describe someone who is overly obedient or flattering). The more you see this, the more accustomed you become. Every time I meet with the secretary, I feel like I'm not confident enough. I reckon that when you're in front of the branch secretary, you also have this kind of feeling."

  Xu Shaojie nodded vigorously, this is really true, thinking of his own reaction in front of the secretary, it was exactly like that.

  "Nowadays, society is like this. If I think you're completely qualified, brother, if you submit your application to join the party today, I'll approve it tomorrow. Everyone has their own relatives and friends, no one is a god, everyone has needs, and everyone values certain people. That's why they say it's easy to get things done with familiar faces. Of course, getting things done isn't free, no one owes you money or affection. So, relationships are very important. In my opinion, joining the party is no exception. I'm saying this, don't take offense, I know joining the party is a sacred thing, but back in our hometown, I've seen the village secretary getting drunk and holding cigarettes, soon after that, the owner of that household joined the party. Maybe it's an isolated incident, but you can't deny the existence of such situations. So, I think your performance has been excellent, this is the first condition, next, there are other conditions needed. You think you're excellent, but if the secretary doesn't think so, it's useless. You need to show it, how do you show it? You can't just hang around in front of the branch secretary every day, you can only deepen the impression, and this impression is based on some material things."

  Zhang Shaocai spoke bluntly, he glanced at Xu Shaojie, fearing that Xu Shaojie would have an excessive reaction, thinking that he had insulted the sacredness of joining the party, but Xu Shaojie did not react at all, looking like he was deep in thought.

  "The branch secretary's speech, I just helped you analyze it, maybe it was a wild guess, that sentence what was it called, I just can't remember."

  "To measure a gentleman's heart with a petty person's mind." Xu Shaojie knew what Zhang Shaocai wanted to say and helped fill out the sentence.

  "That's right, it's using a small person's mind to measure a gentleman's belly. The branch secretary's words are just empty talk, saying something is equivalent to not saying anything. If he looked at your party membership application, he shouldn't say such things. He should directly point out the places where you don't meet the conditions or say that you do meet the conditions but still need to go through some formalities. Only then would his words be operational. If I were to take on a construction project and the leader only spoke in grandiose terms, I'd know there's no hope, my work isn't up to par. However, as long as the leader hasn't explicitly refused, I still have hope. I think you're in a similar situation now. As long as your work is done properly, the secretary will definitely speak the truth. You're just a student, can't be too excessive, just show some modesty and that's enough."

  "Zhang Ge, what do you think I should do?"

  "In my opinion, every time you go to report your thoughts, give the branch secretary a pack of cigarettes and be sincere in your attitude. At the same time, invite the branch secretary to dinner. You are a student, and the branch secretary knows your situation. As long as your attitude is right, I think this matter will definitely have hope."

  Xu Shaojie nodded, his face somewhat desolate. The sacred matter of joining the party, when spoken by Zhang Shaocai, didn't seem like much. However, Xu Shaojie couldn't help but acknowledge Zhang Shaocai's insight. The secretary's words, now that he thought about it, were no different from not saying anything at all. He wasn't even sure if his own conditions were met or not. After the secretary finished speaking, Xu Shaojie was left with nothing clear.

  "Brother, I have two good cigarettes here, take them, one for yourself to smoke and the other to use as a favor. Remember, don't give it away all at once, you're a student, being too generous will make others suspicious. When giving the cigarette, show a reluctant expression. Here's 500 yuan, take it and treat someone to dinner, but not at a fancy restaurant, just an ordinary place is fine. Remember, don't go near the school, you can bring them around here to eat, and don't let others see, it's not good for our reputation."

  Zhang Shaocai stuffed two packs of cigarettes and 500 yuan into Xu Shaojie's pocket without saying a word. Xu Shaojie found that they were actually two packs of Da Zhonghua, which was the best cigarette brand at present. He wanted to decline, but seeing Zhang Shaocai's expression, he didn't say anything.

  Xu Shaojie wrapped two packs of cigarettes in a black plastic bag and headed back to school.

  The next day, Xu Shaojie handed over the revised thoughts and feelings. He smiled and took advantage of the branch secretary's reading of the article to put a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes in the branch secretary's hand. At this moment, Xu Shaojie's heart was pounding, if the branch secretary refused, he really didn't know what to do.

  "Xiao Xu, what are you doing?"

  "Secretary, you've been working so hard for my sake, I think it's too tiring for you, so I want to make things easier for you. You must take care of your health."

  "Hehe, Little Xu, you're really not bad, don't be like this in the future."

  "Definitely, Secretary, you don't have anything this afternoon, right?"

  "Oh, what's up this afternoon?"

  "It's like this, I know a place that does great intestine burning dishes. I thought you didn't have anything to do in the afternoon, so go try it out and see how the flavor is. The location isn't too good though, it's at the municipal government dormitory area. I've eaten there once before and felt it was really good."

  "Oh, I haven't heard about it yet, let me check, don't know if there's time this afternoon."

  "Secretary, it's settled then. I'll wait for you at the school gate at 6 o'clock this afternoon. We can take a taxi there, it won't take long. You're busy, I won't disturb you anymore."

  When Xu Shaojie left the branch secretary's office, he felt a little uncomfortable. It seemed that Zhang Shaocai was right, people all have weaknesses and preferences. In this world, there is no love without reason, no hate without reason. Relationships are the most important thing, even something as important as joining the party involves these factors.

  After Xu Shaojie left the office, the branch secretary looked at Xu Shaojie's back and a smile that was hard to fathom appeared on his face, it was unclear what he meant.

  When having dinner, Xu Shaojie accompanied the branch secretary to drink wine. The secretary told Xu Shaojie that party membership approval is usually done during the spring semester, so Xu Shaojie's application will be reviewed next semester. However, Xu Shaojie's current performance is not bad and has a good chance. In the near future, he needs to perform well, writing one letter of ideological thoughts every month and submitting it to the party branch office. Xu Shaojie nodded repeatedly, this is the truth, and Xu Shaojie also knows what to do.