Right path to power

"That's right, I am a college student, but I just heard from Secretary Liu that Songmao Village hasn't produced a college student for several years. Those who can afford it not only send their children to study in the county, but also transfer their household registration there. Those who can't afford it all go out to work after junior high school, and many drop out of school. In other words, many people want to leave because they can't see any hope or future here, right?"

Lin Xiao used this incident to steer the conversation back to the main topic.

"Yes, we're all terrified of poverty. We can accept our own fate, but we can't let our children suffer the same way!"

Some villagers also began to echo this sentiment.

"You officials always love to ask why we're poor; it's all fate!"

"If you had any connections, who would want to stay in this place? Look at how many young people are left in the village now!"

"We have ideas, but most of this area is sandy soil, which is unsuitable for farming."

"Look at this road. It's barely passable for a tricycle or rickshaw, but it's very difficult for a car. When it rains, it's all muddy and impassable. It's normal that the leaders don't like to come here."

"Take medical treatment for example. It's normal to not have enough money, and the hospital is too far away. If you encounter an acute case, you might die before you even get to the hospital."

"Last year I raised eight or nine piglets, but some kind of infectious disease killed seven or eight of them at once. I was so scared that I quickly sold the rest. Not only did I not make any money, but I also lost several thousand. I don't know how long it will take to pay off this debt."

"Sigh, I have no knowledge or skills, so I can only stay here. Even if I squat in the field digging mud every day, I won't dig up any gold."

"Yes, I have no hope. I'll let him finish junior high school and then go out to work. That might be a little better."

"My ancestors made a living by digging for medicinal herbs, but the herbs on the mountain became fewer and fewer. After finally finding some, I broke my leg on the way down the mountain. This..."

"You officials sit in your offices all day drinking tea and reading newspapers, how could you possibly understand our difficulties?"

……

All the hardships and helplessness can be summarized in one point: the rural economy is developing poorly and the government is doing nothing, leading to a vicious cycle and making life difficult.

Lin Xiao wrote down what the villagers said. The more he remembered, the more upset he felt. This was the true face of rural areas in T, and he knew very little about it.

Liu Jianguo, who was standing to the side, didn't say much, only occasionally helping to explain. But he stayed by Lin Xiao's side the whole time, and as he watched Lin Xiao fill out more than half of the notebook, his expression became more and more serious.

Seeing the villagers leaving one by one, Lin Xiao turned around and asked, "Secretary Liu, it's obvious you're much more anxious than they are."

"They've gotten used to it, or maybe they've become numb to it, but they're really not slacking off. As for why they're still poor and backward, besides the fact that Songmao Village is located in a remote area and has few resources, so they can only rely on God's blessings, what is the real problem? Given the situation in Songmao Village, it's definitely not an isolated case."

In fact, the central government attaches great importance to issues related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, issuing a No. 1 document every year and introducing many good policies. However, few of these policies are actually implemented. Policies without implementation are all in vain, so the key lies in execution. But how many people at the city, county, and township levels truly dedicate their energy to rural development?

Leaders only care about big projects and large-scale engineering projects, while rural development not only requires large investments but also yields slow results. It can be said to be a thankless task with little benefit.

But ordinary people need to eat too! The news keeps saying how strong the country is, how prosperous life is, and how the whole country is thriving. But why don't we see that here? We can't eat meat, but at least we can have some soup!

Liu Jianguo became more and more agitated as he spoke, his face growing increasingly somber, as if all the grievances he had been holding in were finally being released.

Similarly, Lin Xiao's mood grew heavier as he listened. He knew that Liu Jianguo's obvious hostility towards him stemmed from Liu Jianguo's desire to promote the village's development but his inability to do so.

"Secretary Liu, the situations you described do exist. Previously, the county formulated a development strategy of 'establishing the county on agriculture and strengthening the county through industry,' which aimed to highlight the fundamental position of agriculture and rural areas in the county's economic development, and then drive rural development through industrial development. This is a systematic project."

After a brief thought, I realized that Songmao Village isn't without options. While most of the sandy soil isn't suitable for growing crops, it can be used to cultivate some Chinese medicinal herbs, as well as suitable fruits. It can also be used to raise local free-range chickens, ducks, cattle, and goats, among other things.

Of course, the key is to have someone organize, guide, and train them, develop sales channels, and even introduce relevant production lines to form an integrated industrial chain of breeding and processing. This will prevent a chaotic, scattered approach and avoid the disastrous losses some villagers have suffered as a result.

Liu Jianguo nodded and said, "Cadre Lin, what you said is all true, but who will organize and promote it? I'm just a small village party secretary, who can I ask for help? Besides, which township leader is willing to do such a thankless task? So, the ideal is very full, but the reality is very skinny."

"Secretary Liu, you are the backbone of the village. If you have no fighting spirit, how can you lead the villagers out of poverty and into prosperity?"

Of course I know that everything is difficult at the beginning. Don't worry, since I am the village cadre stationed in Songmao, I will do my best to help you. I will find an opportunity to see if I can suggest to the leaders that Songmao Village be regarded as a pilot village for rural industrialization development.

"That's wonderful! If the pilot program is held in Songmao, it would be a huge opportunity for us to turn things around. Thank you so much, Officer Lin, you're truly Songmao's savior!"

Liu Jianguo excitedly stepped forward and shook Lin Xiao's hand, expressing his gratitude repeatedly. In his opinion, Lin Xiao had been a secretary to the county magistrate and must have some connections. If he wanted to help, he would naturally find a way.

At this moment, He Saihua also finished her mediation and came in. As soon as she saw Liu Jianguo holding Lin Xiao's hand, she said loudly, "Old Liu, I didn't lie to you, did I? Although Xiao Lin is young, he is much more reliable than those old scoundrels. You can't go wrong by listening to him."

"Yes, yes, Director He is right. Whoever is doing practical work and helping us get out of poverty and become rich, we will listen to him and follow him. Therefore, we all trust Cadre Lin."

Let's work hard together!

Lin Xiao had originally planned to visit some villagers, but he received a call from the county government, asking him to return to the county as soon as possible.

So he asked Liu Jianguo about the area of ​​the vacant land, the nearby water source, and the labor force in the village.

He Saihua listened quietly to Lin Xiao, but there was a different feeling in her eyes.

"Well then, Secretary Liu, let's stop here for today. I've taken notes on the situation in the village, so you can rest assured."

"Thank you, Officer Lin. You've been busy all morning, and it's lunchtime. Come on, let's go to my house for lunch. Director He, you'll join us too."

"Next time, next time, Secretary Liu, thank you."

Subsequently, Liu Jianguo extended three invitations, and Lin Xiao had no choice but to accept.

The two followed Liu Jianguo to his home, ate a bowl of noodles with soybean paste and an egg pancake. Before leaving, Lin Xiao secretly slipped thirty yuan under the bowl and said goodbye. By the time Liu Jianguo noticed, the two had already ridden some distance away.

"There probably aren't many young people like him these days..."

Liu Jianguo watched the departing figure and couldn't help but sigh, while his expectations for Lin Xiao grew stronger.