Volume Three: Ascending High and Looking Far 62. Taking Over as Chairman (Part 1)

Time waits for no man, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of 2012. Throughout the year, despite trying every possible method to adjust production, procurement, and sales, these remained mere adjustments. For instance, in terms of product structure, we were now producing several types of daily-use chemical raw materials, but their overall proportion remained quite low. Out of concern that Chairman Shi might harbor resentment toward me for secretly pursuing a different path after he had already rejected my proposal, I dared not further intensify the production of daily-use chemical raw materials. Although these products contributed somewhat to the company's profits, if I were to expand them further, my intentions and actions would become far too obvious.

According to the financial department's forecast of the company's year-end closing, the rate of decline in sales and profits had somewhat narrowed, but declines in both remained inevitable. This marked the fourth consecutive year of simultaneous drops in sales and profits. Seeing the statements submitted by the financial department filled me with burning anxiety. Yet I felt entirely helpless. The company now felt like a terminal cancer patient, beyond medical salvation, simply waiting out its remaining days.

Amidst such anxious days, another month or so passed, leaving just over ten days until the Spring Festival. I suddenly received a notice from the Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) stating that Yu Guozheng, the Secretary of the SASAC Party Committee and Director, wanted to have a talk with me. Receiving this notice came as a great shock. This was the first time Director Yu had ever summoned me for a talk. Previously, even after I assumed the role of general manager, the most I had experienced was a discussion with Director Zheng. I had no idea what Director Yu wanted to talk about. Running through the possibilities over and over in my mind, I guessed it must still be about business operations, given that the current operational situation of the company was exceptionally grim.

I arrived at the provincial SASAC ahead of the requested time, intending to first drop by Director Zheng's office to indirectly find out if he knew what Director Yu wanted to discuss with me. However, Director Zheng's office door was closed, so I had no choice but to go straight to the designated meeting room and wait.

After sitting in the meeting room for a while, a staff member came in and brewed a cup of tea for me. Shortly after, someone walked in who turned out to be Song Rentao, the head of the Personnel Division. He greeted me briefly and did not say much else. Song Rentao's arrival gave me a jolt; I distinctly felt that today's conversation had very little to do with business operations, otherwise the head of the Personnel Division would not have made an appearance. This made me even more puzzled about the content of the discussion.

A little while later, Director Zheng also arrived, and I proactively greeted him. Director Zheng appeared very stern, merely acknowledging me with a grunt without saying much.

As the agreed time drew near, Director Yu walked in. After sitting down, he exchanged a few brief pleasantries with me before getting straight to the point.

"Comrade Dongshan," Director Yu began, his tone carrying both gravity and a touch of warmth, "today we asked you here mainly because the Commission, after careful deliberation, has decided to adjust the primary leadership of your Oriental Chemical Company, and we are here to seek your opinion on this matter."

Hearing Director Yu's words, my mind went slightly blank. I had never anticipated that today's summons was to discuss this matter, and I was completely unprepared. Primary leadership adjustment? Was it me or Shi Guangsheng? The question flashed through my mind.

Fortunately, Director Yu maintained his usual concise and decisive conversational style without beating around the bush. I heard him continue: "Through the joint discussion of the Commission's Party Committee and the Director's Office meeting, our preliminary thought is to relieve Shi Guangsheng of his duties as Party Secretary and Chairman of the Board, and have you succeed him in those roles."

Hearing Director Yu's words, I experienced a brief void in my mind, but I quickly recovered and maintained a calm expression on my face. Succeeding Shi Guangsheng as Party Secretary and Chairman was something I had understood as a high probability once I took over as general manager, but I expected that to happen only after Shi Guangsheng's retirement. I never imagined I would be asked to take over two or three years ahead of schedule. My instinct was to wonder if this was related to my proposal at the People's Congress, which had drawn the attention of the Governor and Executive Vice Governor. At the same time, I wanted to know how Shi Guangsheng would be arranged.

As these thoughts raced through my mind, I heard Director Yu continue:

"The current business situation of Oriental Chemical Company is severe, and it has reached a point where reform is imperative. Earlier, Director Zheng shared your ideas on reform with me, and I am in full agreement. You have always been a cadre with daring and determination, and we feel entirely confident handing this heavy burden over to you."

"However," Director Yu's tone shifted, "this burden is still very heavy, so you must mentally prepare yourself." Director Yu's words instantly weighed down the slight joy I had felt just moments before.

"No reform is achieved overnight, so I hope you will advance the reforms step by step, paying particular attention to the issue of stability," Director Yu continued.

"Of course, you need not have any misgivings. The Commission will resolutely support your work. If you encounter any difficulties, you can consult Director Rengui, or come to me when necessary."

"Regarding the arrangement for Comrade Shi Guangsheng, the Commission has a preliminary idea, but we still want to consult your opinion." Director Yu finally brought up Shi Guangsheng's placement, which was precisely what I cared about most.

"The Commission's preliminary thought is to have Comrade Shi Guangsheng transition to become the convener of the board of supervisors, while Comrade Ruan Changqing steps back to the second line as a senior executive of the first tier. Comrade Guangsheng has made great contributions to the stability and development of Oriental Chemical Company. Moreover, he is upright in character and has always shown great concern and support for your work. He still has two or three years before retirement, so our initial thought is to have him serve as the convener of the board of supervisors. Of course, this also depends on your views." With that, Director Yu looked at me.

I knew I had to make my stance clear. From the bottom of my heart, since I was going to be the chairman and implement the reforms I envisioned, I naturally hoped for as little resistance as possible. As long as Chairman Shi remained in the plant—even in the changed role of board of supervisors convener—his roots ran deep and his influence was vast. After all, even I was promoted and nurtured by him single-handedly. If I wanted to carry out reforms fundamentally different from his, to say he wouldn't obstruct them would be optimistic; at the very least, he would lose face. Whether he would harbor negative views of me and whether it would affect our relationship was truly hard to say. From this perspective, I was not particularly willing to have Chairman Shi remain in the company.

Yet, Chairman Shi had been a benefactor to me, and I felt a deep sense of gratitude toward him. Furthermore, he was still two or three years away from retirement age, and transferring him elsewhere might be unsuitable, or perhaps something he himself would not wish for. If I expressed opposition to Chairman Shi staying at the plant, it would be unjustifiable both emotionally and morally, making it look as though my very character was flawed. Moreover, Director Yu and Director Zheng had undoubtedly considered all factors comprehensively and weighed them carefully before making such an arrangement. Therefore, refusing at this moment would clearly be inappropriate.

Having thought this through, I straightened up slightly and addressed Director Yu and Director Zheng with utmost seriousness:

"I am deeply grateful for the trust the Commission's Party Committee has placed in me. Director Yu and Director Zheng, putting such an important burden on my shoulders fills me with profound gratitude, alongside immense pressure and a heavy sense of responsibility, for fear of failing your trust and expectations. Given my limited abilities and insufficient experience, I feel that having an veteran comrade like Chairman Shi remain in the plant to continue guiding and assisting me can help me avoid many missteps. Therefore, I believe the arrangement for Chairman Shi has been thoughtfully considered, and I personally welcome it very much."

Upon hearing this, Director Yu clearly looked very satisfied. He said:

"Comrade Dongshan, I am deeply gratified that you can think this way. You need not have any other concerns. Comrade Shi Guangsheng is a person who takes the overall situation into account; he will certainly support your work. With this attitude of yours, we will also have a talk with him, during which we will communicate the expectation that he support your reform efforts."

"Additionally, to facilitate your work, your position as general manager will be temporarily retained. This will ensure efficient decision-making and reduce resistance to reform. In short, go ahead and work boldly and with an easy mind. Director Zheng and I will both be your strongest backing."

Hearing Director Yu's words deeply moved me, even evoking a feeling that "a knight will die for one who truly knows him."