Chapter 118: Interrogation (Part 1)

  For several days, Liang Sanping had been staying in the reception room. During these few days, Mu Shan only occasionally asked him for his opinions on some reports and didn't say much else to Liang Sanping. But from Mu Shan's increasingly ugly expression, Liang Sanping could tell that things were not going smoothly.

  During this time, Liao Bin and Li Tuanzhang also invited Liang Sanping to dinner twice. At the dinner table, Liao Bin repeatedly wanted to speak but stopped himself. As for Li Tuanzhang, he was silent as a cicada in winter.

  It's clear that Old Li and Liao Bin knew something, but neither of them told Liang Sanping. Perhaps they thought it would be a blow to him if they said anything.

  But even if they didn't say anything, Liang Sanping could still feel the change in things. Mu Shan's worsening complexion day by day and his increasing fatigue had already explained everything.

  "Sanping, come with me tomorrow...". Finally, Mushan found Liang Sanping. In Mushan's room, Liang Sanping saw this exhausted old man.

  "Uncle Mu, what's the situation now?!" Liang Sanping asked after a moment of silence. He knew that things had changed over the past few days and were heading in a bad direction. But he had no idea just how bad it was.

  Mushan forced a smile and asked the staff to bring Liang Sanping a cup of tea. He then said to Liang Sanping, "Some old comrades don't understand our methods, they insist on letting others intervene in road repairs, that's just letting capitalism infiltrate..."

  Li Sanping could only smile wryly upon hearing this. Although it was already 1980, such a way of thinking still existed among many people. Even in later generations, such a way of thinking still lingered. However, after the top leader's southern tour that year set the tone, everyone seemed to have come to a conclusion on this matter.

  But similar thoughts have always existed, stubbornly existing.

  "I asked you to go, actually it wasn't for you to give a report to the leaders. It was just for you to answer some questions from some comrades." Obviously, Mushan has been subjected to a lot of criticism and hardship lately.

  This can be seen from his deep exhaustion. But what he got in return was the opportunity for him and Liang Sanping to express their own ideas. At least they had the chance to speak face-to-face.

  Of course, meeting the top leaders is impossible. Even if it's a mountain, it's just an opportunity, and they can only answer questions for some old comrades who hold views.

  "Let's just do our best and leave the rest to fate......" Liang Sanping could only sigh, as the current debate is still quite intense. Although reforms have achieved some results, there are also many problems that have arisen.

  The dispute over the route has not subsided at this time. The views on Jiangkou are also different among all parties. The high-level has not made a final decision yet. Although most of the high-level is supportive of reform and willing to reform.

  However, people have different opinions on the intensity and approach of reform. The opinions cannot be completely unified, resulting in a certain degree of confusion. And more people choose to wait and see.

  The next day, Liang Sanping got up very early. He didn't disturb Muyu Shan for too long last night, he knew how much pressure and fatigue the old man had been under these past few days.

  So he bid farewell early and returned to his own room. Liang Sanping did not rest directly, but began to re-examine his report. Since it had to be done, then do it well.

  Early in the morning, Liang Sanping was waiting downstairs for Mu Shan to have breakfast together. The breakfast in the capital is very simple, especially at this time. It's just a bowl of bean juice and then fried dough sticks.

  The exhausted Mu Shan looked at Liang Sanping and smiled, then quietly dipped the fried dough sticks in soy milk together in the small canteen of the hostel. During this time, neither of them had the desire to speak.

  After a dull breakfast, a car came to pick up Mushan and Liang Sanping. It was a jeep with a special pass for entering a certain large courtyard. After Liang Sanping and Mushan got on the car, they remained silent.

  The car turned left and right on the road, and soon entered a large courtyard with a sign. It was obviously a departmental agency. There were soldiers standing guard at the gate, and a small parking lot in front of the yard.

  Next to the tall and majestic office building, there is a bicycle parking lot that belongs to this era. A row of bicycles are parked there. This can also be considered a characteristic of this era. Later on, you won't see any bicycles in such a big courtyard.

  After getting off the car, Mu Shan led Liang Sanping and the staff to walk towards the entrance of this office building. Of course, someone was leading them to a conference room.

  It was only 1980, and even the office buildings in Tokyo were quite simple. Climbing up the stairs to the third floor and turning left for about ten meters, a conference room came into view.

  As he walked into the conference room, Liang Sanping suddenly felt that this conference room was like a transformed interrogation room. Five old men in their sixties, dressed in Zhongshan suits, sat opposite him with several young people accompanying them.

  Across the round conference table, Liang Sanping and Mu Shan had only two seats in front of them. It was obvious that these old men were not here to listen to Liang Sanping's statement. Perhaps more were here to interrogate him.

  Liang Sanping looked at the exhausted Moshan and sighed inwardly. He knew that this might be Moshan's greatest effort, earning himself one last chance.

  "Are you Comrade Liang Sanping?! Come, come... please sit down with Comrade Mu Shan." Just then, the elderly man sitting in the middle spoke up, addressing Liang Sanping and Mu Shan: "Today, we've come to discuss with you about your proposal to raise funds for road repairs..."

  But several old men expressionlessly took out their notebooks, unscrewed the pen caps and looked at Liang Sanping and Mu Shan. Liang Sanping glanced at Mu Shan, saw the latter nodding slightly, then pulled out a chair to let Mu Shan sit down before sitting down himself.

  Li Sanping's small action, however, made the elderly people present nod their heads in secret. At least this young man did very well in terms of politeness. Moreover, facing his own peers, he could still be so calm and composed, which was truly rare.

  "Well... we can start now." The old man said to Liang Sanping, while opening his notebook.

  "Speak up, what's your idea?!" Liang Sanping saw the old man ask, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "Our original intention of building roads is for the economic development of Qiong Island. At the same time, it is also a way to explore reform with all one's heart."

  "A country needs to develop, and road construction has become a necessary task." Liang Sanping said solemnly to the old man: "I've already mentioned in my report that if roads are not connected, wealth cannot come in and treasures cannot go out. How can we get rich then?"

  Based on his own report, Liang Sanping began to state his views on the relationship between roads and wealth. Fortunately, during this period, he did not idle around, but instead continuously refined his report, and had several discussions with Mushan.

  So, the problems and views mentioned above are almost second nature to him. For Liang Sanping, speaking out like this is effortless. On the contrary, he can express many new and innovative ideas that were not mentioned in the report.

  "Comrade Liang Sanping, we agree with your views on the road. We also think it can be implemented, but we still have doubts about introducing foreign capital to build roads as you mentioned now. Please explain your views on this aspect."

  An old man sitting at the right end frowned slightly impatiently and asked Liang Sanping. Listening to the old man's words, Liang Sanping knew that this old man was roughly representing those who opposed his proposal.

  At this thought, Liang Sanping glanced at Mushan. The latter smiled wryly but didn't speak. Meanwhile, Liang Sanping turned his head and saw that the few people opposite him were also looking at him with some interest, clearly wanting to know what he was thinking.

  Nowadays, there is not much controversy about road construction. Nobody is foolish, and everyone can naturally see the benefits of road construction. Since the Republic of China, many roads have been built. Without roads, as Liang Sanping said, wealth cannot be transported in, and treasures cannot be transported out.

  The current focus of controversy is whether to introduce foreign capital for road repair. This is the biggest point of contention. Some people think it's absolutely impossible to let foreign capital enter the field of basic construction.

  Afraid of being controlled in this aspect, and suspected of selling out national interests. It was only during the Qing dynasty that they borrowed money to build roads! This borrowing of foreign capital to build roads makes one think of the situation during the Qing dynasty. The roads of their own country are being controlled by others.

  But another part of the people think that this can be implemented. However, the premise is that the road must have its own control and tolls for driving on it. The other party's investment can share dividends and hold shares. After reaching a certain number of years, the country will take it back.

  Or the country has the money and buys back shares at one time. These are all acceptable.

  The rest of the people think it is acceptable. They believe that it is no longer the Qing dynasty now, and road development must be put on the agenda. National development cannot leave behind road maintenance and construction, which can greatly promote economic growth.

  Different people have different opinions, and the debate is endless. Mu Shan, who was caught in the middle, was questioned several times with a wry smile before someone finally spoke up. Since it was Liang Sanping's suggestion, wouldn't it be better for him to clarify himself?!

  So, it was this time that Mu Shan brought Liang Sanping to the Ministry of Justice for questioning.

  "I'm not asking for unconditional acceptance of investment. On the contrary, I think our national security is more important than roads." Liang Sanping said calmly, looking at several people.

  "When we finance, we make it clear from the start. The other party can have a certain percentage of shares and participate in dividend distribution. However, ownership and management rights must be with us. Of course, they have supervisory power."

  However, Liang Sanping turned to the crowd and said: "Highway surveying is a highly sensitive matter after all, and they must not be allowed to participate. But they can invest, if they are willing to invest, we can accept it."

  "Do you think they'll invest if you make such demands?" An old man chuckled and asked Liang Sanping, "This isn't a small amount of money! With requirements so harsh, how can others possibly agree."

  "I think they will agree..." Liang Sanping paused, saying to the old man: "Capital is all about seeking profit. As long as there's enough profit, they'll be willing to accept such conditions!"