Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"I would also like to add that not only should a command center be established, but the strictest performance evaluation and accountability system should also be implemented."

"Huge rewards for completing the task, and severe penalties for failing to complete it."

"I hereby pledge: if Liping fails to enter the top 100 counties by the end of 1997, I will be the first to resign from my post!"

These words shocked the entire audience.

"Secretary Gu, this..." Li Ming wanted to say something.

Gu Mingyuan waved his hand: "I'm not acting impulsively, but rather expressing my determination."

"The 400,000 people of Liping are watching us, as are the provincial and municipal leaders. We have no way out; we can only succeed, we cannot fail!"

silence.

A long silence.

Then, Wang Jianjun was the first to raise his hand: "I support Secretary Gu. With such a responsible leader, our organization department will definitely cooperate fully to select and appoint outstanding cadres to provide organizational support for the county's sprint towards becoming one of the top 100 counties."

"I also support it," the propaganda minister said.

"The publicity department will strengthen public opinion guidance and create a strong atmosphere where everyone participates and strives to be the best."

"Count me in," Li Ming finally said.

"Although I found it difficult, Secretary Gu's determination inspired me."

"Difficulty is not the problem; what is the problem is not daring to face it head-on."

"The government will definitely do its utmost."

One by one, all the Standing Committee members raised their hands.

A flicker of emotion crossed Gu Mingyuan's eyes: "Thank you, comrades! With everyone's support, Liping will definitely succeed!"

The meeting adopted the "Decision on Adjusting the Development Goals of Liping County and Striving to Become One of the Top 100 Counties in China by 1997", established a command center for the year of striving to become one of the top 100 counties, and formulated a detailed implementation plan.

After the meeting, the news quickly spread throughout the county.

The response from cadres and the public was enthusiastic.

Upon hearing this, Grandpa Wang, a tea farmer from Yunwu Township, excitedly told his fellow villagers, "Secretary Gu said that next year, Liping will become one of the top 100 counties! We have to work harder and not hold back!"

Old Li, a large-scale livestock farmer in Qingshi Township, held a family meeting overnight: "Secretary Gu has made a solemn pledge, and we ordinary people must also make a vow—to double our livestock farming scale next year and contribute to the county's ranking among the top 100 counties!"

In the county government compound, young cadres were eager to get started: "Working under Secretary Gu is a promising future! No matter how hard or tiring it is, it's all worth it!"

From December 3rd to 10th, Liping entered an unprecedentedly busy period.

Gu Mingyuan works more than ten hours a day, visiting construction sites, enterprises, and farmers during the day, and holding meetings, researching, and making plans at night.

At the construction site of the third phase of the industrial park, he demanded: "The construction period must be brought forward again. Equipment installation must be completed before the Spring Festival, and trial production must begin on the eighth day of the first lunar month!"

At the tea processing plant, he instructed: "Export orders must not only be fulfilled, but exceeded."

"Are you confident that our target for next year is 30 million?"

"Yes!" the workers answered in unison.

Along the tourist highway, he held an on-site meeting: "This road is not only a transportation route, but also a scenic route and a road to prosperity."

"The scenery along the route needs to be improved, and the service facilities need to be perfected so that tourists don't want to leave once they arrive, and they want to come back again after they leave."

At the school hospital, he emphasized: "People's livelihood is fundamental. The faster we develop, the more we must safeguard people's livelihood."

"Before the winter break, all schools' heating equipment must be checked to ensure that no child gets cold."

"The hospital's emergency equipment must be fully equipped and ensure normal operation during the Spring Festival."

Every night when he returned to his office, Gu Mingyuan would review the day's work and plan for the next day.

Secretary Chen said with concern, "Secretary Gu, your health can't take this."

"You only ate two meals today, which took less than an hour in total."

Gu Mingyuan didn't even look up: "It's nothing, things will be fine after this busy period. Xiao Chen, wake me up at six o'clock tomorrow morning, we're going to Baiyan Township."

"But tomorrow is Sunday..."

"Striving to become one of the top 100 counties, there are no weekends."

On December 15th, preliminary data from the Provincial Bureau of Statistics was released: Liping County's GDP in 1996 actually reached 23.1 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 73.2%, ranking first among counties in the province in terms of growth rate!

Meanwhile, fiscal revenue reached 2.35 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 77.1%.

The per capita income of farmers reached 3900 yuan, an increase of 67.5% year-on-year.

The growth rates of all three major indicators ranked first in the province!

When the news arrived, everyone in Liping was overjoyed.

Gu Mingyuan personally wrote these numbers on the blackboard at the entrance of the county government building and said to the cadres and masses who had gathered around, "Comrades, this is the result of everyone's hard work over the past year!"

"But I want to remind everyone that this is just a new beginning!"

"In 1997, we will launch a full-scale offensive to become one of the top 100 counties! Does everyone have confidence?"

"Yes!" The resounding answer echoed throughout the county government building.

On December 20, the Pingzhou Municipal Party Committee held its annual work summary meeting.

At the conference, Party Secretary Chen Wenzhe highly praised Liping: "What was the biggest highlight of our city's county-level economic development in 1996?"

"That's the Liping speed!"

"Under the leadership of Comrade Gu Mingyuan, Liping County achieved a GDP growth rate of 73.2%, ranking first in the province!"

"This is the pride of Pingju, and a miracle of the Han River!"

He said emotionally, "I heard that Comrade Gu Mingyuan made a pledge to lead Liping to achieve the goal of becoming one of the top 100 counties in 1997."

"This sense of responsibility and this fighting spirit are worthy of emulation by all cadres in the city!"

"The municipal party committee fully supports Liping, and the entire city should cheer for Liping!"

The hall erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Sitting in the audience, Gu Mingyuan was filled with excitement, but even more so with a heavy sense of responsibility.

On December 25, news came from the General Office of the Provincial Party Committee: Gu Mingyuan was officially recommended as a candidate for the National Outstanding County Party Secretary, and was also selected as a candidate for the National Advanced Individual in Poverty Alleviation and the National Advanced Individual in Ecological Civilization Construction.

This is the first time in the history of Hanjiang Province that a person has received three national honors!

When the news reached Liping, the cadres and the masses were in an uproar.

In the county committee compound, many veteran comrades shed tears.

The retired county head held Gu Mingyuan's hand: "Mingyuan, we in Liping have been waiting for this day for so many years!"

"You are a hero of Liping, a benefactor of the people!"

Gu Mingyuan's eyes also welled up with tears: "Old County Chief, this is not my achievement alone, but the result of everyone's hard work."

In the tea gardens of Yunwu Township, tea farmers spontaneously organized a celebration.

Grandpa Wang, representing the villagers, called Gu Mingyuan: "Secretary Gu, we heard you're going to be named a National Outstanding County Party Secretary!"

"Our whole village is happy for you!"

"Don't worry, we'll definitely manage the tea garden even better and grow better tea leaves next year, so we won't let you down!"

Gu Mingyuan gripped the microphone, his voice trembling slightly, "Thank you, fellow villagers!"

"The honor belongs to everyone, and the credit belongs to everyone."

"Let's work together and make Liping one of the top 100 counties next year!"

On December 28th, Gu Mingyuan received a call from Pei Yihong.

"Mingyuan, three candidates for national honors, that's amazing!" Pei Yihong's voice was full of pride.