In 1983, Chen Shisan graduated from Heyang Normal College and was assigned to the Heyang County Land Management Bureau. As a new official, he distinguished himself in the land rights confirmation work with his solid professional knowledge and keen insight. From grassroots clerk to deputy mayor, to county party committee secretary and provincial department director, Chen Shisan has always adhered to his original intention of serving the people during the tide of reform and opening up, and has the courage to reform and innovate to promote local economic development.
The novel takes Chen Shisan's career promotion as the main line, showing the changes in China's grassroots officialdom during the forty years of reform and opening up. Through major events such as land rights confirmation, township enterprise restructuring, investment promotion, and state-owned enterprise reform, it depicts the growth and transformation of a grassroots civil servant in the tide of the times. Chen Shisan sticks to the bottom line in the game of power, stays awake before the temptation of interests, seeks breakthroughs in the pain of reform, and eventually grows into a provincial and ministerial leader who is pragmatic and courageous for the people.
The work deeply analyzes the ecology of officialdom, reveals the light and dark rules of power operation, and also demonstrates the wisdom and courage of reformers at different historical stages. Through Chen Shisan's emotional entanglements with four women, as well as the changes in his relationship with his family and friends, the novel depicts a panoramic view of Chinese society during the reform and opening up period.
Concept: Just the fantasy of grassroots civil servants