Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"Top ten?" Gu Mingyuan's eyes lit up.

"If that's the case, then we're one step closer to becoming one of the top 100 counties."

"But Lao Liu, we need to be clear-headed. The top ten is just a phase; the top 100 counties is our goal."

"I understand, we will continue to work hard."

Liu Zhijun poured Gu Mingyuan another cup of tea and said solemnly, "Secretary Gu, isn't your goal of striving to become one of the top 100 counties a bit too ambitious?"

"According to the original plan, we were supposed to achieve the goal of becoming one of the top 100 counties in 1998, but now it has been brought forward to 1997, which means we only have one year left."

Gu Mingyuan picked up his teacup, and in the rising steam, his eyes were exceptionally firm: "Old Liu, I know time is tight and the task is heavy."

"But we have all seen the development momentum of Liping now - this year the growth rate is the highest in the province, and all indicators have been exceeded."

"The people's enthusiasm has been boosted, and the cadres' morale has also been lifted. This is the best opportunity."

He walked to the window and looked at the swirling snowflakes outside: "Moreover, the province and the city are so supportive of us. Governor Pei came to give us personal guidance, Secretary Chen praised us many times, and Secretary Liu Huanzhang has also been paying close attention."

"If we follow the established procedures step by step, it will certainly be safe, but we may also miss this golden period of development."

"Those who aim high will achieve something in the middle; when it's time to act, act decisively!"

Liu Zhijun pondered for a moment and nodded: "I understand the principle, but how do we set the specific indicators? The threshold for being among the top 100 counties is quite high."

"I've studied it." Gu Mingyuan returned to the table and opened his notebook.

"The evaluation system for the top 100 counties in China has several core indicators: GDP must reach over 4 billion yuan, fiscal revenue must reach over 400 million yuan, and per capita income of farmers must reach over 8000 yuan."

"We are still some distance from these goals, but if we maintain this year's growth rate, it is entirely possible to achieve them in 1997."

He wrote down a few numbers on a piece of paper: "This year our GDP is 22.5 billion. If it can grow by 80% next year, it will be 40.5 billion."

"Fiscal revenue is 2.3 million this year, and will grow by 75% next year, reaching 4 million."

"The average income of farmers is 3850 yuan this year, and it will double to 7700 yuan next year, which is close to the target of 8000 yuan."

Looking at these figures, Liu Zhijun frowned: "The growth rate requirement is too high. The reason we were able to achieve a 70% growth rate this year is because our base was low."

"With a larger base next year, maintaining or even increasing the growth rate will be extremely difficult."

"Difficult, but not impossible." Gu Mingyuan's eyes shone brightly.

We have several advantages:

First, the third phase of the industrial park will be put into operation in March next year, which can add 5 million yuan in output value.

Secondly, the tea processing plant's export orders have exceeded ten million, and this number is expected to quadruple next year.

Third, with the completion of the entire tourism highway, ecotourism can become a new growth point.

Fourth, the provincial and municipal governments will continue to support us.

He paused, then his tone became even more resolute: "Moreover, Lao Liu, we not only need to meet economic targets, but also achieve high-quality development."

"The top 100 counties are not just competing on numbers, but also on the quality of development."

"We must take the lead in green development, improving people's livelihoods, and social governance."

Liu Zhijun was moved by Gu Mingyuan's determination, and he stood up: "Secretary Gu, you are right."

"The reason why Liping has come this far is because we dare to think and act."

"Since you're so determined, I fully support you!"

"However, such a significant adjustment to the target requires full discussion and consensus at the Standing Committee meeting."

"That's natural." Gu Mingyuan nodded.

"We will hold a special meeting of the Standing Committee tomorrow to study this issue."

"But before that, we need to reach a consensus."

"You are the county head, the top official in the government, and your support is crucial."

Their hands were clasped tightly together.

Outside the window, the snow was still falling, but the lights in the county government compound were bright, illuminating this sleepless night.

On December 2, the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee held a special meeting to study the adjustment of the target for becoming one of the top 100 counties.

The meeting was tense from the very beginning.

Executive Deputy County Head Li Ming was the first to speak: "Secretary Gu, County Head Liu, I understand the urgency to accelerate development, but achieving the goal of becoming one of the top 100 counties in one year is too radical."

"Our Liping has a weak foundation and poor infrastructure. Although the growth rate is fast this year, it is growth on a low base."

"I'm worried that if we can maintain such a high growth rate next year, there will be problems."

Organization Minister Wang Jianjun also expressed his concerns: "Although the cadre team is highly motivated, their abilities vary greatly."

"With such a high-intensity push, I'm afraid some comrades won't be able to keep up, and might even resort to formalism or falsification in order to complete the task."

The propaganda minister said, "The media is paying a lot of attention to Liping now, which is a good thing, but also a pressure."

"If such a high goal is set and ultimately not achieved, it will damage the image of Liping."

Gu Mingyuan listened attentively to everyone's remarks, occasionally taking notes in his notebook.

After everyone had finished speaking, he slowly began, "Comrades, I understand and have considered your concerns. However, I would like to ask you to consider a few questions."

He stood up and walked to the map of Liping County: "First, can the people of Liping afford to wait?"

"If we spend an extra year, the people will have to wait an extra year to live a good life."

The meeting room fell silent.

"Secondly, can we afford to wait for the opportunity to develop?" Gu Mingyuan continued.

"Now the whole province is learning from Liping, and all regions are accelerating development."

"If we slow down, we will be overtaken."

"The province and city have given us so much support. If we don't live up to the organization's trust, how can we face them?"

"Third, can the enthusiasm of cadres and the masses wait?" He looked around the room.

"Look at the spirit and energy that everyone in Liping has shown now; it's something we haven't seen in many years."

"If we slow down because we are afraid of difficulties, this momentum may dissipate."

"One should press on with full force at the first attempt, but the momentum will wane at the second, and be exhausted at the third!"

He returned to his seat, his tone sincere: "I know it's difficult, I know there are risks."

"But it is precisely because it is difficult that we, as leading cadres, need to take the lead in tackling the challenges."

"If everything were perfectly stable, what would be the point of having us?"

Liu Zhijun chimed in, "I completely agree with Secretary Gu's opinion."

"Last night, Secretary Gu and I went over the accounts in detail. Although the goals are high, they are not castles in the air."

"We have the foundation, the conditions, and the support."

"The key is to come up with extraordinary measures and make extraordinary efforts."

He opened the folder in front of him: "I suggest that we immediately establish a command center for the year of striving to become one of the top 100 counties, with Secretary Gu as the commander-in-chief, myself as the executive deputy commander-in-chief, and each member of the Standing Committee as a deputy commander according to their assigned responsibilities."

"We have set up five special task forces: industrial development, project construction, investment promotion, improvement of people's livelihood, and supervision and assessment, to concentrate our efforts on tackling key challenges."

Gu Mingyuan nodded: "County Chief Liu's suggestion is excellent."