The rules for merit assessment were changed in the end. Upon receiving the newly revised rules, Chen Ke smiled after reading just the opening rationale. He handed the document to Wu Xingchen, who was sitting beside him.

Chai Qingguo was somewhat surprised, "Chairman Chen, do you find any issues with it?"

Chen Ke replied, "No issues. I think it's written very well. It clarifies the relationship between Science and Democracy right from the start."

Such high praise surprised Chai Qingguo, "Then why don't you read the rest?"

"I didn't participate in the specific work, so reading the details would be in vain. If I started gesturing and making comments, I'd only be adding to the confusion. Specific management content like this takes a long time to perfect. After setting it this time, there will be new problems next time. It will need continued revision."

Chai Qingguo nodded slightly, "Indeed, it will need revision. There are many details I myself find unreasonable."

Wu Xingchen finished reading the draft quickly and passed it to the Director of the Political Department, Chen Tianhua. "Chairman Chen, does this mean all future merit assessments will be done this way?"

"Yes, exactly this way. Labor skills are the work of Science, while organization building is the work of Democracy. We must grasp both, and both hands must be firm. I particularly approve of the section that categorizes cadres at all levels into management posts. There is no distinction of high or low in labor, only differences in posts. Regardless of how things are outside, here, the only ones respected are Model Workers—respected by everyone for their personal character and ability. This has nothing to do with one's background or how much money they have. My ideal is to build a society consisting only of equal laborers."

"Pfft," Chen Tianhua chuckled. He put down the document in his hand and looked up, "This is also my ideal."

"I think so too," Wu Xingchen nodded repeatedly.

"I don't want to bully others, nor do I want others to bully me. I also can't stand those guys who bully others," Chai Qingguo said loudly. "After fighting and killing for so many years, I've seen enough of this crap. Now I just want to bury this old society."

Chen Ke did not echo the comrades' declarations. He tapped the table lightly, "This is a good opportunity. Let all comrades study the core points of this merit assessment standard. What is a New System? *This* is a New System."

"The problems that might arise in the middle..." Wu Xingchen was still a bit worried about this.

"Problems will definitely arise. It is precisely because problems will arise that the entire body must discuss this standard. The system is not just for the comrades below; it applies to us as well. If the comrades don't participate in the discussion and aren't allowed to speak, how will we know their demands and interests? Without debate, how can the comrades understand what this system really intends to do?" Speaking of this, Chen Ke suddenly smiled, "Don't be afraid of incidents. This matter has only just begun."

***

Chu Deli, the Commander of the 44063 Regiment and a key figure in triggering this storm, had been feeling somewhat apprehensive these past few days. His actions had directly caused the Division Commander and Commissar to lose to Gu Lu at the Party meeting. Although the Division Commander and Commissar didn't say anything, he felt very uncomfortable. However, the New Year was approaching, and the troops were to spend this year's Spring Festival at the construction site. The officers and soldiers of the unit were sending their rewards and accumulated subsidies home. The transportation and banking departments were busy. As a Regiment Commander, Chu Deli also urged the processing of these matters. If he didn't keep himself busy, he felt waves of emptiness in his heart.

When the organization's requirement to set aside two days specifically for the promotion of merit assessment standards came down, Chu Deli wanted to escape. However, the organization required commanders at all levels to personally discuss the merit standards with the soldiers. He had to participate in this discussion. It was impossible for the whole regiment of over two thousand men to discuss it together, so following the model of 'the Branch is built on the Company', each unit discussed it separately by company. Chu Deli went to the 3rd Company of the 2nd Battalion to participate.

The merit standard was divided into four parts. There were connections between the four parts, but not a relationship of subordination. They were: Labor Quantity, Labor Skills, Production Organization Construction, and Party Organization Construction.

Merit was divided into four parts. Labor Quantity was calculated based on the average labor amount. For any unit, regardless of size, as long as the average labor in ordinary work met the standard, there would be a corresponding grade assessment. Chu Deli knew that after Pang Zi raised the issue of the Cavalry Division having fewer people, the standard originally based on total work volume had to be modified.

On this point, both cadres and soldiers felt it was very appropriate. More pay for more work, less pay for less work—the comrades were very much in favor of this. After the collective reached a certain standard, everyone would receive a basic reward regardless of their job. Under the condition that comrades who excelled in their work received the most remuneration, this also passed everyone's discussion smoothly.

"The Engineering Company is responsible for repairing the carts and tools. Can you fix them better next time?"

"Sharpen the shovels more. They get dull after half a day's use."

"That's because you're using the shovel wrong. You can't just jab hard with the tip."

Some comrades who felt they hadn't completed enough labor quantity began to discuss the responsibility regarding tools.

"The comrades of the 4th Company are responsible for guarding the carts. It's freezing cold, and they can't sleep all night. They should get a share."

"Yeah. They even caught quite a few thieves."

"How were those thieves dealt with in the end?"

"The ringleaders seem to have been shot, right?"

There were also some comrades who were more concerned about the various accidents that had occurred.

Any discussion is like this; without guidance, it easily goes off-topic. The more people there are, the easier it is for the topic to diverge.

"Comrades, discuss those things later. Let's continue with Labor Skills," the Company Political Instructor, surnamed Wu, like the vast majority of cadres, was just over twenty years old this year. Seeing the discussion turning into a chat, Instructor Wu hurriedly interrupted these topics.

Labor Skills referred to technical content. It included not only how to work, but also how to rest, how to recover physical strength, and how to reduce industrial injuries. This was to teach everyone how to manage themselves. Chu Deli considered that his regiment had done quite well, but the comrades' thoughts seemed to differ somewhat from his.

"Instructor, does Labor Skills mean how to work both fast and well?" a comrade asked in confusion.

"Correct."

After receiving the Instructor's confirmation, a comrade immediately criticized: "I think you haven't explained enough to everyone."

"You just urge us to work. When we ask, your attitude isn't happy either."

"You should have explained these things from the start. As soon as we ask, you just say we'll know once we work more. I've done so much work, but I still haven't quite figured out why other comrades are always faster than me."

Hearing the comrades criticizing him right in front of the Regiment Commander, Instructor Wu was immediately a bit stunned. He hurriedly said, "Wasn't this supposed to be discussed within the squads? Was there no discussion?"

"We're tired like this. We go back, eat, and fall asleep. Discuss what?"

"Working dizzy every day, who has the mind to think about this stuff?"

"We haven't discussed it here."

Chu Deli had thought his regiment was doing well, but he didn't expect that on this link, it was not the case at all. The Instructor naturally knew the situation in the company. Hearing everyone complain, he fell silent. Chu Deli was already in a bad mood, and seeing this situation, he immediately pulled a long face and asked, "Instructor Wu, what is going on? What needs to be taught must be taught."

"This... there were indeed difficulties at the time," the Instructor replied.

The Instructor's explanation not only failed to calm Chu Deli's emotions but actually agitated him. He pointed at the Instructor and reprimanded, "What difficulties? With difficulties, you just don't do the work?"

The Instructor didn't expect Chu Deli to flare up so suddenly and was stunned for a moment.

This performance made Chu Deli even more annoyed, "As an Instructor, you are responsible for teaching comrades how to work. Otherwise, what are you doing wandering around the construction site all day?"

Instructor Wu was a young man in his twenties. Hearing Chu Deli reprimand him in front of the comrades for "wandering around the construction site all day," he felt a great grievance. Instantly, Instructor Wu's eyes turned red. "Regiment Commander Chu, I... besides arranging work every day, I do as much work as the comrades do. Your words are incorrect."

Facing Instructor Wu's resistance, a rush of anger shot straight to Chu Deli's forehead, "Bullshit! What is your job? It's to manage everyone well! What does it count for if you just work yourself? Go be a soldier then! If there is this regulation, you have to follow the regulation."

Instructor Wu was scolded to tears by Chu Deli. Seeing him like this, Chu Deli suddenly felt his mood improve considerably. Just as he was feeling he might have been too harsh, he heard Instructor Wu say with a sobbing tone, "Regiment Commander Chu, you are bullying people."

"I'm bullying people? How did I bully you?" Chu Deli asked angrily.

Instructor Wu choked back sobs for a moment, then finally suppressed his grief and said loudly, "This new assessment standard was only given to me yesterday. You are applying this to previous work; you are bullying people."

This was the truth. Instructor Wu had received the new standard yesterday, and the purpose of this discussion was to promote the new merit standard. But Chu Deli had personally participated in the formulation of this merit standard. He had completely forgotten the difference between himself and Instructor Wu regarding this matter. Hearing Instructor Wu say this, Chu Deli not only didn't calm down but flew into a rage, "Fuck off! You do what I tell you to do. You only know how to make excuses for yourself. You don't need to be this Instructor anymore. Reflect on your own mistakes first."

Under the pressure of Chu Deli's domineering attitude, Instructor Wu could almost speak no words. Finally, with a look of resistance, he squeezed out a sentence, "Swearing is not allowed in the troops!"

Chu Deli could bear it no longer. He stepped forward and grabbed Instructor Wu by the collar, "Not allowed to swear? I'm going to beat you too!"

The comrades in the company were originally watching the conflict between the Regiment Commander and the Instructor. Some were stunned, while others were watching the show. They didn't expect to see Regiment Commander Chu actually about to get physical with the Instructor. Some quick-witted ones were already thinking of going up to pull them apart. Chu Deli's guard was the closest and reacted the fastest. He hurriedly inserted himself between the two, "Regiment Commander Chu, beating and cursing are not allowed in the troops."

Seeing that even his own guard did not support him, Chu Deli was even more annoyed. He questioned loudly, "Who do you listen to?"

The guard was not scared by these words. He said, "Commander, what you are doing violates discipline."

Seeing the guard still stopping him, Chu Deli asked loudly, "Who on earth do you listen to? Do you listen to me, or do you listen to this Instructor?"

Forced into a corner by this question, the guard couldn't help but answer, "I listen to the Political Security Department."

"Get lost!" Chu Deli released Instructor Wu and shoved his guard violently.

The conflict between Chu Deli and the Company Instructor was soon reflected to the top through various channels. One of the basic disciplines of the Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army was the unity of officers and soldiers; warlord-style behaviors like beating and cursing subordinates were absolutely strictly prohibited. Let alone that one of the topics of study this time was Equality. And the issue between Chu Deli and his guard alarmed the Political Security Department even more. Guards at all levels were universally arranged by the Political Security Department. This was a death order issued by Chen Ke. Including Chen Ke's own guards, there were no exceptions. One of the jobs of the guards was to prevent cadres from making mistakes on major issues. In addition, there was a job that wasn't exactly a secret: if a cadre committed betrayal, the guard was to report it to the Political Security Department immediately. Therefore, while guards certainly had to protect the safety of cadres, they were absolutely not the private subordinates of the cadres. Chu Deli's actions made the Political Security Department extremely concerned about this matter. The Political Security Department reported directly to the Political Department, so Chen Tianhua was alarmed.

Incidents similar to Chu Deli's were not limited to just one or two cases. In this merit assessment discussion, the relationship between cadres and soldiers was far from the officer-soldier unity seen on the surface. Simply picking up tools and laboring with the comrades did not equate to officer-soldier unity or leading by example. Even if Chu Deli was wrong, Instructor Wu also had his own deficiencies. The number of cadres and political commissars similar to Instructor Wu was definitely not small.

Things turned out just as Chen Ke had said. Although the line struggle at the upper levels had been intense originally, there was at least a matter of self-restraint among mid-to-high-level cadres. When cadres faced soldiers, this self-restraint was plainly much weaker. It wasn't just weaker; many cadres were not qualified in their thinking. They truly believed: *I am the leader, so the people below should listen to me unconditionally.*

As the Director of the Political Department, Chen Tianhua felt he had lost face. He lamented, "How could the problem be this big this time?"

Chai Qingguo was quite happy in his heart, a rare smile appearing on his face. "The problems this time aren't limited to just these; there are many things. Besides being unscientific and undemocratic, there is warlord style, unfairness in promotions, and leading cadres' styles not being close to the soldiers. Of course, it's not entirely the cadres' fault. Many soldiers in the troops are squeamish when working and get cocky with a little achievement. They demand absolute equality in treatment; everything must be exactly the same. Everyone has problems."

Chen Tianhua had considerable work experience after all. Facing these problems, he quickly recovered his calm. "I will personally go down to grasp the work of the commissars. These problems indeed need rectification." After speaking, Chen Tianhua looked at Chen Ke, "Chairman Chen, do you have any opinions?"

Chen Ke was actually quite happy too. Lifting the lid is always a good thing. If these problems didn't have a chance to be exposed, they would only continue to rot. "Let's not just see the problems. Comrade Tianhua, since the problems have started to be exposed, we can precisely see many very excellent comrades among the ranks. Originally, we might not have had the chance to see them. Rectification is certainly one aspect, but picking out these excellent comrades and using them as the main force to build a stronger organizational core, I believe, is equally important. Revolution work, after all, is always about great waves washing away the sand."