The year 2008 was destined to be a remarkable year in the eyes of the Chinese

    people.

    This decision was made seven years ago. This significant decision was announced by an elderly man named Samaranch in Moscow, thousands of miles

    away.

    On the evening of July  13, 2001, what would have been an ordinarily unremarkable night took on extraordinary significance. The International Olympic Committee was set to decide the host city for the 29th  Summer Olympic Games on this very night. For China, a country with a century-old dream of hosting the Olympics, and for the 1.3 billion people who held fervent hopes for the Games, this decision held a special and unparalleled meaning.

    Starting from 9:30 AM Beijing time, the five candidate cities – Osaka, Paris, Toronto, Beijing, and Istanbul – each presented their bids. Following the presentations, 102 International Olympic Committee members participated in the first round of voting. Osaka from Japan faced elimination in the first round. Although Beijing didn’t secure victory in the initial vote, it wasn’t eliminated either, so hope still remained. Without a doubt, the atmosphere at the scene was tense. The hearts of every member of the Chinese delegation bidding for the Olympics were suspended in uncertainty. It wasn’t just the voting hall in Moscow; across 9.6 million square kilometers of land, countless cities and individuals were glued to their television screens, all anxiously awaiting the outcome.

    After the conclusion of the second round of voting, an almost  solidified  atmosphere prevailed, and an almost breathless anticipation set in. As the clock  pointed to 10:08 PM Beijing time, the beloved elderly figure known to the Chinese  people finally appeared on the stage. When he softly uttered the word “Beijing,” the members of the Chinese Olympic delegation erupted in jubilation, tears of joy  filling their eyes. Nearby international friends extended their hands in friendship,congratulating China and blessing Beijing. (Note: This passage describes the moment when Beijing was announced as the host city for the 2008 Summer Olympics, bringing immense joy and celebration to the Chinese delegation and their international counterparts.)

    Beijing won the right to host the 29th Summer Olympic Games in 2008!

    The entire nation rejoiced. Drums and gongs resounded, firecrackers echoed through the air. Lanterns lit up, and dragons and tigers leaped in jubilation. Amid the excitement at the Beijing Century Altar, national leaders delivered enthusiastic speeches. All of this was just a prelude to welcoming the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The more spectacular chapters were still to come.

    In this context, the Olympic torch relay opened the world’s eyes and drew attention to the ancient Eastern nation with a population of 1.3 billion. On March 25, 2008, the Olympic flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, marking the beginning of a global torch relay. The designers of the torch relay route truly went all out, spanning over 130 cities both within and outside the country, covering tens of thousands of kilometers, and lasting over a hundred days. Within China, the torch not only passed through all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and hundreds of cities but also reached the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, which stands at over 8,800 meters. Quite impressive, inadvertently claiming a “world’s first.” In the philosophy of today’s Chinese, being the “first” is good; beyond that, it’s hardly worth mentioning. When circumstances demand, if you can’t be the best “first,” then being the worst “first” is also acceptable. The saying “Better be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix” serves as evidence of this mindset.

    Sometimes, the words spoken by our ancestors should not betaken too literally. Isn’t there a saying, “Playing with fire will lead to self-destruction”?Applying this saying to the context of 2008 is not appropriate. In fact, it’s not only inappropriate but also incorrect. Since April, the Beijing Olympic flame had been relayed in cities like Almaty in Kazakhstan, Istanbul in Turkey, and St. Petersburg in Russia. In May, it would be carried through more than 110 cities within China. Not to mention its international journey, even the domestic leg of the relay, passing through the doorsteps of the Chinese people, was an exhilarating experience! A hundred years of anticipation, a century of dreams fulfilled. Even if the descendants of the Yellow Emperor were to showoff a bit, it wouldn’t be excessive. When the Olympic flame spreads across the north and south of the country, those 9.6 million square kilometers  will undoubtedly be set ablaze. This much is evident from the “dress rehearsals” conducted by the cities entrusted with the torch relay.

    It was precisely from the simulated Olympic torch relay event held in Moon City that Liu Yong gained inspiration and identified a business opportunity.

    The “Radiant Clouds Over Moon City” Olympic torch relay theme event swiftly unfolded in Moon City.

    As a political task, the Moon City Committee and City Government attached great importance to the event, issuing special notices to organize and mobilize people at all levels and from all walks of life throughout the city. They aimed to instill a strong sense of political responsibility, mission, pride, and honor, encouraging everyone to engage in the torch relay with the attitude of owners. Various levels and departments took actions, printing Olympic propaganda slogans and signs, organizing diverse activities to welcome the torch, distributing national flags, Olympic flags, and attire representing the Olympic spirit. The citizens of Moon City were elated, knowing that soon they would witness the grand spectacle of the Olympic torch relay right at their doorsteps, seeing the “Radiant Clouds” pass by their own homes and before their very eyes. A once-in-a-century event, isn’t that a stroke of incredible luck?

    Moreover, there were also some small benefits. Every household received national flags and Olympic flags, and resourceful housewives naturally had plans for the “future” of these flags. Of course, that had to wait until after the current activities were over. Otherwise, during organized gatherings where you were supposed to welcome the Olympic torch, while others proudly waved national and Olympic flags, full of excitement and fervor, you would be left empty-handed, dancing around without a flag in hand. Those in the know would understand that you were participating in the welcome, but those unaware might think you were acting abnormally.

    Both adult employees and students in schools were provided with a welcoming Olympic cultural shirt, made of good quality cotton and quite wearable. Nowadays, there’s more focus on practical matters at all levels of organizations. Since money has been spent, the items should have utility value and be usable. Otherwise, it’s like throwing money into the water. It wasn’t always like this in the past – there was more emphasis on pomp and show, and even more wasteful spending. A cultural shirt might be a small thing, but it signifies a significant change in the work style and attitude at all levels of society.

    For a while, the streets and alleys of Moon City were adorned with festive decorations, displaying national and Olympic flags. On a certain day in April, the simulated Olympic torch relay event took place in Moon City.

    The route for the Olympic torch relay in Moon City was meticulously studied and formulated by relevant departments in advance. After obtaining approval from the City Committee, City Government, and relevant higher authorities, it was officially confirmed. The torchbearers for the Olympic flame were selected openly from various industries and fields across the city, including outstanding individuals and role models. In recent years, Zhang Weiming, a national exemplary figure from Moon City, had emerged, and without a doubt, he became the first torchbearer, carrying the honor of being the number one torchbearer during Moon City’s torch relay.

    Even though the Olympic torch had not yet arrived and this event was just a simulation, the higher authorities demanded that it be treated with utmost seriousness. It was to be approached as if the actual Olympic torch relay had taken place, ensuring that the relay activities went off without a hitch and were safe and successful.

    As the Olympic torch passed through major thoroughfares in Moon City such as Moon City Avenue, Phoenix Road, and Drum Tower Road, these main traffic arteries were flooded with people, and colorful flags fluttered in the air. The resounding cheers echoed throughout the area. Organized citizens and students waved national and Olympic flags with both hands, chanting repeatedly:

    “Go Olympics ——”

    “Go China ——”

    “Go Beijing ——”

    “Go Beijing ——”

    “Go China ——”

    “Go Olympics ——”

    The first torchbearer, Zhang Weiming, dressed in distinctive Olympic-themed sportswear, energetically ran with agile steps. Cheers and shouts of excitement erupted from the crowd as he approached. A police escort vehicle led the way just ahead of Zhang Weiming, its flashing lights communicating a clear and inviolable message of sanctity. Following closely was the camera car from Moon City Television Station, equipped with multiple camera lenses. Some cameras remained focused on Zhang Weiming, while others captured the enthusiastic crowds cheering along the streets. The visual language of the cameras was evident, expressing pride and active cooperation. Behind them came a large promotional float adorned with the city’s renowned artists, each representing the city’s distinct talents. Some waved national and Olympic flags, while others waved colorful ribbons, all displaying a jubilant and festive demeanor. Subsequently, support vehicles followed, ready to respond to any emergency situations that might arise. These vehicles were also thoughtfully decorated to emphasize the Olympic theme.

    Zhang Weiming, running along the route, appeared somewhat comical as he ran with empty hands, without the “auspicious cloud” torch. Fortunately, he was a nationally recognized exemplary figure who had attended numerous important meetings and participated in various significant events. His adaptability was remarkable. He filled the empty-handed moments with smiles, waves, and brief pauses to shake hands with enthusiastic spectators along the roadside. While his impromptu stops and handshakes garnered warm responses from the public, the accompanying running guards gently criticized him for these actions. Such interactions were not officially allowed during the formal torch relay. Engaging in such activities could disrupt the overall rhythm and arrangement of the torch relay.

    On this day when the citizens of Moon City were joyful and enthusiastic, there were also some discordant notes. Due to the torch relay, road traffic control was deemed necessary. Some residents found it inconvenient to enter and exit their residential areas. Even though their homes were right in front of them, they had to take detours, which naturally led to feelings of displeasure. Although the torch had not actually arrived, the strict control measures made it feel as if the torch had already come, making things seem overly rigid. Couldn’t there be a bit more flexibility? Most frustrating were the security guards in some residential areas. While they used to greet and interact with people amiably, they now acted as if they had never seen you before. Even if you tried to ask for a small favor, like allowing you to enter the residential area, they would point to the nearby police cordon with a stern expression, instructing you to go around. They displayed an attitude of strictly following rules and being impartial, which not only irritated people but also seemed quite comical.

    “I want to go home, and I want to enter from here. What can you do to stop me? So what if there’s a torch relay? Does that mean I can’t go home? I haven’t committed any crime! Ridiculous.”

    Some defiant individuals tried to challenge the security cordon and confront the security personnel. But they were in for a surprise. The security personnel on duty were not the usual ones. They were different, well-prepared and resolute. Attempting to breach their line was out of the question. If you tried to breakthrough, well, you would be disrupting the Olympic torch relay! And that was no trivial matter; it was an important political task.

    “Laughable! The Olympic torch hasn’t even arrived for real yet, so what’s there to be afraid of?”

    This simulated relay is still a relay, and it must be treated just like the real Olympic torch relay. There can be no room for ambiguity. If you breach the security line and confront the Olympic torch security personnel, you’ll betaken to the police station to cool down and reflect.

    “You keep talking about putting people first, but it’s all fake. I’m a living person, and I don’t even have the right to enter my own home. Talking about putting people first? It seems to me you’re putting the torch first. Yes, that’s right, you’re putting the torch first! You’re a bunch of hypocrites with inconsistent words and actions!”

    Clearly, this dissatisfaction turned into annoyance, and annoyance turned into discontent,which further escalated into hatred. Emotions changed. Many situations arise from these changes in emotions, and if leaders fail to notice and address them in a timely manner, things can go wrong, leading to the escalation of events and causing significant trouble.

    “We don’t want the Olympics, we want to go home.” Some citizens who temporarily lost control of their emotions gathered together, forming a small wave of dissent.

    Wrapped in the wave of cheers, Liu Yong did not notice the discordant scene. Echoing in his ears were the sounds of cheers, blessings, and the exhilarating shouts of “Go Beijing! Go China! Go Olympics!”

    “Go Olympics!”

    “Go China!”

    “Go Beijing!”

    “Go Beijing!”

    “Go China!”

    “Go Olympics!”

    No matter how deafening and grand the shouts are, can Beijing hear them? More importantly, can the “high-level leader” in Beijing, who hails from the hometown, hear them? The answer to these questions for Liu Yong requires no more than a second of thought. Beijing cannot hear the deafening and grand shouts from Moon City, and the “high-level leader” living in Beijing cannot hear them either. So, how can Moon City make its deafening and grand shouts heard in Beijing? How can the “high-level leader” from the hometown, living in Beijing, also hear these deafening and grand shouts from Moon City?

    Liu Yong had an idea. “Let Beijing hear the blessings and cheers of the people of Moon City!” With this as the theme, he planned a large-scale concert to welcome the Olympics. It would surely be an unprecedented success, bringing both reputation and financial gains. Therefore, he thought of the Moon City Evening News, he thought of Qin Xiaoyue, and he thought of the first collaboration with Qin Xiaoyue and the Moon City Evening News.

    The Moon City Evening News is a newcomer in Moon City. When Moon City was upgraded to a “major city,” the Moon City Daily was established. By that time, Moon City already had two urban newspapers, the Yangtze Evening News and the Modern Express, which were familiar and recognized by the citizens. Although the Moon City Daily entered the sight of Moon City residents later than the Yangtze Evening News and the Modern Express, it had strong support from the city committee and city government, and didn’t need to penetrate ordinary households. Therefore,its reliance on the market factors was much smaller.

    However, the Moon City Evening News was different. As the first locally oriented urban newspaper targeting Moon City residents and the market, being a newcomer was a disadvantage. Furthermore, due to its underdeveloped state at birth, it naturally couldn’t compete with the well-established Yangtze Evening News and Modern Express, which had become deeply entrenched in Moon City. To attract its own readership, it was like “snatching from the tiger’s mouth,” as Qin Xiaoyue, the appointed editor-in-chief of the Moon City Evening News, put it when she took office.

    The concept of “snatching from the tiger’s mouth” is quite understandable. Those in the media industry know well that newspapers are no trivial matter. Even a slight mistake can lead to the dissatisfaction of tens of thousands of readers, so there’s no room for carelessness. If any fundamental or political issues are overlooked, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper may have to be replaced. Therefore, in the industry, it’s a consensus that newspapers are a “paper tiger.” For Qin Xiaoyue’s newly established Moon City Evening News to establish a foothold locally, it is inevitable that she must compete with the two established external newspapers that have already entered Moon City and vie for readership. “Snatching from the tiger’s mouth” is indeed the reality.

    The traditional path of media development is no longer viable; the market no longer allows a gradual growth from a small sapling into a large tree. Indeed, if this were the case, within a few years, the sapling would inevitably wither prematurely due to the inability to secure the sunlight and rain it needs to grow. Both the media survival environment and the market demand that new media emerge fully developed from the start, like a mature tree. Only in this way can there be opportunities for future growth. Otherwise, if you and others are not starting from the same line, how can you compete and engage with the market? People often say not to let children lose out at the starting line. The same goes for launching a newspaper; you also can’t lose at the starting line. However, coming full circle, as long as there is competition and the possibility of elimination, what kind of endeavor can truly be said to lose at the starting line? In other words, the idea here is that in a competitive environment, it’s not just about the starting point but also about how well an entity can adapt, evolve, and excel over time. (Note: The analogy of a sapling and a tree is used to illustrate the need for new media to establish themselves quickly and effectively, without the luxury of a slow and gradual development process.)

    After serving as the editor-in-chief of the Moon City Evening News for 5 years, Qin Xiaoyue felt the need to break with convention and find innovative ways and paths for the newspaper’s breakthrough development. She thought about expanding the circulation of the Moon City Evening News. Only by surpassing the circulation of external newspapers could the “Moon City Evening News” become a mainstream media outlet in Moon City and truly achieve the goal of being Moon City’s own evening news. Of course, the content of the newspaper was also crucial. “Content is king,” is a principle almost every journalist knows. However, achieving “content is king” requires a good team of reporters and editors. Building these two teams takes time and effort, not something that can be accomplished overnight. Circulation, on the other hand, is different. Today it’s 30,000 copies, tomorrow it could be 40,000, 50,000, or even 60,000, 70,000, or more. The key lies in having effective distribution methods and strategies. In essence, Qin Xiaoyue is recognizing the importance of both content quality and distribution strategies for the success of the newspaper. While quality journalism is essential for building readership and maintaining credibility, expanding the reach through increased circulation is a strategic approach to becoming a dominant presence in the local media landscape.

    Qin Xiaoyue came up with the idea of leveraging influential events to enhance the impact of the Moon City Evening News and capture readers’ attention. After studying numerous successful experiences of evening newspapers expanding their circulation, Qin Xiaoyue decided to organize a significant concert under the name of the Moon City Evening News. This concert would feature popular mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan stars to generate interest among the citizens of Moon City. Following the concert, they would implement a strategy of “Watch the Show, Get the Evening News,” thereby boosting the circulation of the newspaper. If the concert managed to attract an audience of 30,000, the circulation of the Moon City Evening News would instantly increase by the same number, surpassing any other urban newspaper in Moon City in terms of circulation. Just the thought of it excited Qin Xiaoyue. A single concert could potentially elevate her position to the top of Moon City’s urban media landscape. What reason could there be not to pursue such an opportunity with enthusiasm?

    Being a journalist herself, Qin Xiaoyue was certainly sharp-minded. The theme for the concert quickly emerged from her thoughts: “Celebrating the 17th  National Congress, Moon City Evening News’ Accompanies Your Journey.”

    That’s how in 2007, through collaboration with Liu Yong and his “Moon City  New Power Entertainment Company,” the “Joyful Journey through China · Enter  Moon City” large-scale concert came into being. Wasn’t Qin Xiaoyue’s original  plan to be “Celebrating the 17th National Congress, ‘Moon City Evening News ’ Accompanies Your Journey”? How did it turn into “Joyful Journey through China ·Enter Moon City”? As the saying goes, plans can’t keep up with changes. Organizing a large-scale concert, as Qin Xiaoyue intended, was far from easy. It can truly be described as full of unpredictability and endless changes.

    Because they were both operating in the Moon City market and were of similar age, Qian Tao and Liu Yong had become close friends a long time ago.

    In a small city like Moon City, if you know Zhang San, who knows Wang Wu, and Zhang San also knows Wang Wu, then it’s highly likely that you’ll end up knowing each other. In Moon City, getting to “know” each other usually happens either at a dining table, in a bathhouse, or in a private KTV room. Of course, this is generally speaking about common and prominent interactions. There are those “special” and “private” matters that aren’t openly discussed.

    Qian Tao and Liu Yong got to know each other, interacted, collaborated, and helped each other out in what you might call a “typical” situation, and they became good friends. When Qin Xiaoyue discussed with Qian Tao about planning a large- scale concert, without hesitation, he mentioned “Liu Yong.” In Moon City, when it comes to organizing major concerts, “New Power Entertainment” is undoubtedly the top brand, and no one can surpass Liu Yong in this field.

    When Qin Xiaoyue was presented with a beautifully designed hardcover proposal for the “Celebrating the 17th National Congress, ‘Moon City Evening News’ Accompanies Your Journey” large-scale concert, she couldn’t help but feel surprised. She hadn’t expected that a local entertainment company in Moon City could have such a high level of planning expertise. The proposal covered event positioning,objectives, partnering media and platforms, lineup of performers, event promotion, commercial marketing, ticket sales, risk assessment, and much more. The presentation was thorough, detailed, and insightful. Taking a closer look at the person who presented this proposal, “Manager Liu,” who was tall, handsome, and young, Qin Xiaoyue truly had to admire his capabilities.

    Naturally, Qin Xiaoyue was acquainted with Liu Yong. Moreover, he had a significant influence backing him. However, her acquaintance with Liu Yong was not the typical “knowing” that often happens among people in Moon City. She merely had a basic awareness of him, perhaps having crossed paths on certain occasions, and that was the extent of it.

    Things were different now. From the planning proposal provided by Liu Yong, Qin Xiaoyue gleaned numerous valuable insights. His idea to collaborate with the highly popular CCTV program “Joyful Journey through China” was bold and  creative in itself. It was said that no newspaper in the country had attempted such  a “cross-domain collaboration” or “asymmetrical media partnership” to date. His  suggestions for promotional concepts like “I host the concert, you choose the stars,” “You choose the stars, you request the songs,” and “Get up close with the stars” were  all innovative and attractive. His commitment not to offer any discounts or price  reductions for the concert tickets showed a keen understanding of the psychology  of Moon City residents who are eager to secure tickets. The proposal to bundle  ticket sales with newspaper advertising sponsorship created a synergy that instantly  expanded the marketing opportunities.

    In that moment, Qin Xiaoyue couldn’t help but notice the disparity between Qian Tao and Liu Yong. She found herself thinking how wonderful it would be if Liu Yong were under her leadership. She recognized talent and valued it. Interestingly, even the young and attractive Qin Xiaoyue felt a subtle shift within herself. Qin Xiaoyue expressed her willingness to collaborate more with “General Liu.” She was open to communicating, exchanging ideas, and mutually exploring opportunities with him. This approach aimed to leverage each other’s strengths, make up for weaknesses, and ultimately achieve a win-win situation. Her recognition of Liu Yong’s capabilities and her willingness to work closely with him demonstrated her strategic thinking and commitment to the success of the endeavor.

    Perhaps some people are not accustomed to the change from “Liu Yong” to “Liu Zong” as a title. In reality, Qin Xiaoyue is merely adapting to the current trend of using such appellations. Nowadays, the use of “Zong” (meaning “General” or “CEO”) seems to have become quite common. There’s a joke that tells of a construction worker at a certain construction site who accidentally threw a brick from the site over a fence, leading to a major incident as it hit four people outside. Among those hit, three were “l(fā)aoban” (a term often used to address business owners), and the other person was also a “l(fā)aoban.” (Note: This joke reflects the widespread use of the title “Zong” in modern society.)

    The planning proposal’s full approval by the “top leader” of the Moon City Evening News left Liu Yong pleasantly surprised. He was well aware of Qin Xiaoyue’s reputation as both a beautiful woman and a talented individual. He had long felt regretful about not having had a chance to become acquainted with her under more unique circumstances. After spending several years in Moon City, he had gathered some knowledge about the city’s upper echelons, and he understood that the editor-in-chief, who was known for both her beauty and talent, wasn’t exactly “hidden away from the world.” Furthermore, with her father keeping an eye on things, Liu Yong didn’t dare to be too bold or reckless in his actions, even though he had been mixing in Moon City for a few years now.

    With this opportunity at hand, Qin Xiaoyue took the initiative to “build a bridge,” and Liu Yong saw no reason not to take advantage of it. The premise, however, was that he had to work together with Qian Tao to ensure the success and completion of the “Celebrating the 17th  National Congress, ‘Moon City Evening News ’Accompanies Your Journey” large-scale concert, and deliver 30,000 copies of the Moon City Evening News into the hands of Moon City residents. Once this initial goal was achieved, everything would naturally fall into place and proceed smoothly.

    This era is truly an age of “heroes emerging one after another.” There are so many “heroes” that it’s not surprising that they often share similar perspectives.

    I understand. The “Celebrating the 17th  National Congress, ‘Moon City Evening  News ’ Accompanies Your Journey” large-scale concert planned by the “Moon City  Evening News,” under the “Joyful Journey through China” project, was recognized  by the Publicity Department of the Municipal Party Committee during their planning  and deployment meeting for the “17th National Congress” promotion. It was elevated  to a city-wide promotional event for the 17th National Congress and couldn’t be  considered solely as a newspaper marketing activity. The leadership’s perspective  is clear – how can you, Qin Xiaoyue, use the solemn theme of the “17th  National  Congress” to promote newspaper sales? The “17th  National Congress” is a matter of great significance. Utilizing a performance from the “Joyful Journey through China” program to express the joy of millions of Moon City residents in welcoming the 17th   National Congress is indeed appropriate. With the platform and strong influence of CCTV, this event could capture high attention and have significant impact. There’s a  chance that even your hometown “higher-ups” might inadvertently come across this  performance and witness the positive changes in Moon City over the years – that  would be an exceptional outcome. Thus, this concert has transformed into a platform  to report back to your hometown’s “higher-ups” and the entire nation. It has turned  into a showcase of Moon City’s recent achievements in promoting civility. The  significance of this concert is profound and carries immense importance.

    Therefore, an executive leadership group for the “Joyful Journey through China · Enter Moon City – Celebrating the 17th  National Congress” large-scale concert was established in the name of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government. The group was headed by a member of the Party Committee and Minister of the Propaganda Department, with two deputy mayors serving as vice- chairmen. Multiple departments, including those responsible for propaganda, culture, public security, and firefighting, were involved. As the original idea stemmed from the Moon City Evening News, Qin Xiaoyue, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, also participated in the group as a member. Qin Xiaoyue had to temporarily set aside her aspirations of making the Moon City Evening News the top newspaper in the city, and with a sense of honor and dedication, she fully embraced her role in undertaking this political task, even if it meant putting aside the distribution of those 30,000 copies of the newspaper.

    Just as the “Joyful Journey through China · Enter Moon City – Celebrating the 17th National Congress” large-scale concert leadership group was actively advancing its work, the key leaders of the city government returned from their overseas inspection trip.

    Readers familiar with the situation will undoubtedly recognize that the principal leader of the city government in question is none other than the amiable and affable Mayor Wen Lianggong. Upon his return, Mayor Wen noticed that two of his deputy mayors had been reassigned to new positions as deputy chairmen of the leadership group, and yet no one had bothered to inform him beforehand. This lack of communication left Mayor Wen, who was typically mild-mannered and easygoing, quite displeased. Mayor Wen, known for his gentle and approachable nature, wondered: despite my affable demeanor, shouldn’t there be at least a basic courtesy extended to me? Is it too much to ask for a simple notification when using my deputy mayors? Is there a deeper implication to this lack of communication? If things continue like this, how can I continue to function as the mayor? Do they think that just because I’ve served two terms, I can be easily replaced as the mayor?

    Since the unwritten rule of “two terms of 10 years” was established at higher levels, it had a cascading effect on local governments as well, leading them to adopt the “two terms of 10 years” practice.

    Mayor Wen’s displeasure led to a problem. The leadership group for the “Joyful Journey through China · Enter Moon City – Celebrating the 17th  National Congress” large-scale concert suddenly lost two deputy chairmen. The deputy mayors responsible for culture and public security, who were initially in charge, were explicitly instructed by Mayor Wen to no longer participate in this leadership group. Not only that, the “Joyful Journey through China  · Enter Moon City – Celebrating the 17th  National Congress” large-scale concert leadership group was also prohibited from assigning tasks to subordinate departments under the banner of the city government.

    Why does Mayor Wen seem like a completely different person after returning from overseas? Did he get a “brain transplant” while abroad? Isn’t it common for higher-level leaders to ask grassroots comrades to emancipate their minds and think differently? Has something similar happened to Mayor Wen? Otherwise, how could he be so uncooperative, uncoordinated, and unsupportive even towards the “Celebrating the 17th National Congress” event?

    Mayor Wen’s stance is quite clear. The government cannot lead in “chasing after  stars.” With such extravagant concerts that incur multimillion-dollar performance  costs, where would the city’s finances bear such an expense? Only when you’re  in charge do you truly understand the value of every bit. The budget for financial  resources may seem sizable, but when divided among various allocations, there’s  hardly any room left for maneuvering. Unless there are exceptional circumstances,  when the Secretary signs off on a substantial allocation, Mayor Wen, as the “steward,” only opens the coffers and disburses the funds. Money is meant to be spent wisely.  For the “Celebrating the 17th  National Congress” event, the directive is for it to be  grand yet simple, warm-hearted but not extravagant. Leave the organization of such  large-scale concerts to others. The municipal government should not be involved.

    With the “western” side taking such a strong stance, the situation on the  “eastern” side has become challenging. What some readers may not be aware of is  that both the Moon City Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government  work within the same building located on Phoenix Road in the Moon City New  District. The entire building has a layout resembling the Chinese character “  回 ” (meaning “return” or “l(fā)oop”). The eastern side houses the main departments of the Municipal Party Committee, such as the Organization Department, Discipline  Inspection Commission, and Propaganda Department. On the western side are the  main departments of the Municipal Government, including the Departments of Human Resources and Social Security, Economic and Information Technology,  Development and Reform, and Legal Affairs, among others. When people interact within the building, they often inquire about directions or destinations. Responses might be, “Go to the ‘eastern’ side” to find a certain leader or report to someone, or “Go to the ‘western’ side” to seek a signature from a particular leader or convey the spirit of the “eastern” side. Over time, these directions have evolved into nicknames for the respective institutions: “ 東邊 ” (eastern side) refers to the Municipal Party Committee, and “ 西邊 ” (western side) refers to the Municipal Government.

    Causing friction between the “eastern” and “western” sides over a concert is quite unlikely. Mayor Wen’s considerations are indeed comprehensive. Neither the Municipal Government nor the Municipal Party Committee can afford to “chase after stars.” As for the “Joyful Journey through China · Enter Moon City” concert, it seems that it was originally envisioned by the Moon City Evening News for market- oriented operations and was led by Comrade Qin Xiaoyue for market-oriented efforts. Relevant departments should prioritize security measures.

    This situation has left Qin Xiaoyue bewildered, caught between points “A” and “C.”