Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

January 23, 1997, the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.

The morning in Liping was shrouded in a thin mist, and the air was chilly.

Gu Mingyuan wrapped his coat tighter and strode into the county committee building.

Many officials were already busy in the hallway, and they all greeted him when they saw him.

Good morning, Secretary Gu!

"Secretary Gu, the commissioning report for Phase III of the industrial park is ready. I've put it on your desk."

Gu Mingyuan nodded in response and walked into the office.

The table was piled high with documents, the top of which was the commissioning report for the third phase of the industrial park—all equipment was operating normally, and production was a foregone conclusion on the eighth day of the first lunar month.

He opened the report and examined it carefully. His secretary, Xiao Chen, came in with hot tea: "Secretary Gu, this morning at nine o'clock, we held the first monthly coordination meeting for the year of striving to become one of the top 100 counties."

"At 10:30, the provincial joint support team will hear a report on our industrial plan."

"At 2 PM this afternoon, the Yunwu Township Tea Farmers Cooperative will be holding its year-end profit distribution meeting. Please attend."

"A symposium for retired cadres at 7 PM..."

Gu Mingyuan rubbed his temples: "Got it, Xiao Chen. Inform them that the scheduling meeting will be moved up to 8:30. I need to meet with County Chief Liu first."

8:30 a.m., County Party Committee Meeting Room.

More than twenty cadres sat upright, the atmosphere serious.

Gu Mingyuan and Liu Zhijun sat side by side in the main seats, with thick reports spread out in front of them.

"Comrades, today is the first monthly coordination meeting of the year to strive for the top 100 counties," Gu Mingyuan said, getting straight to the point.

"Two-thirds of January has passed, let's take a look at the progress."

The heads of each task force reported in turn.

Special Task Force for Industrial Development: "Secretary Gu, tea sales in January have exceeded 20 million yuan, representing an 80% year-on-year increase."

"The third phase of the industrial park has been completed and will be put into production on the eighth day of the first lunar month without any problems."

"But there's a problem—the supply of packaging materials can't keep up, and local companies don't have enough production capacity."

Gu Mingyuan noted: "This problem must be solved today."

"County Chief Liu, you take the lead in organizing local enterprises to expand their production capacity, and at the same time, introduce one or two enterprises from other places."

"Propose a solution within three days."

"Okay!" Liu Zhijun nodded.

Project construction team: "The second phase of the tourism highway project is 90% complete, and the entire line will be open to traffic before the Spring Festival."

"However, the Longquan Township section is facing frozen soil, which makes construction difficult and may delay the project."

"We can't delay," Gu Mingyuan said firmly.

"We've increased the number of machines, provided workers with warm clothing to keep them warm in the cold weather, and improved their food standards."

"The construction period must be guaranteed, and the quality must not be compromised."

Investment Promotion Task Force: "Five new companies signed agreements in January, with a total investment of 120 million yuan."

"However, land quotas are scarce, and two projects are facing difficulties in being implemented."

Gu Mingyuan pondered for a moment: "Promote pilot reforms of standardized land to improve land utilization."

"At the same time, we will give priority to projects with large investment intensity and strong driving force. I will personally coordinate this matter."

The meeting lasted two and a half hours and resolved seventeen specific issues.

After the meeting, Gu Mingyuan said to Liu Zhijun, "Old Liu, I think we need to establish a mechanism to clear up all problems."

"Identify problems daily, resolve those that can be resolved that day, and set clear deadlines for anything requiring coordination."

"That's a good idea, I'll implement it immediately."

At 10:30, the provincial joint support team held a briefing.

The experts from the eight departments listened attentively and asked detailed questions.

Gu Mingyuan personally reported on Liping's industrial plan, from tea to tourism, from aquaculture to processing, with a clear vision and detailed data.

An expert from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission remarked, "Secretary Gu, your plan is very well-developed, addressing both the present and the future."

"The idea of ​​industrializing ecology, in particular, is very forward-thinking."

"Thank you for your kind words, but we are still exploring," Gu Mingyuan said modestly.

"The issue of talent, in particular, remains a major bottleneck."

"The province can help with this," an expert from the Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security stated.

"We can organize universities and research institutes to establish industry-university-research cooperation with Liping."

"We can also organize special recruitment events to help you attract talent."

Thank you so much!

Two o'clock in the afternoon, at the tea garden in Yunwu Township.

Despite the cold winter, many tea farmers were still pruning tea trees and fertilizing the soil in the tea garden.

When they saw Gu Mingyuan arrive, everyone gathered around him.

"Secretary Gu, you've arrived!"

"Secretary Gu, I heard that Liping is aiming to become one of the top 100 counties?"

Gu Mingyuan nodded with a smile: "Yes, we'll be aiming for it next year. Does everyone have confidence?"

"Yes!" the tea farmers answered in unison.

Wang Dashan, the head of the cooperative, said excitedly, "Secretary Gu, the tea sold well this year, and the cooperative made a profit of more than three million yuan."

"Today's dividend distribution means each household will receive over five thousand!"

"Great!" Gu Mingyuan said with satisfaction.

"But everyone, remember, we can't just look at the present."

"Tea garden management must be meticulous, and quality must be improved."

"Our Liping Cloud and Mist Tea is now a geographical indication product. With the brand established, we should cherish it even more."

The profit-sharing meeting was held in the cooperative's courtyard.

More than a hundred tea farmers gathered together, all beaming with joy.

As Wang Dashan read out the names, the tea farmers stepped forward one by one to receive their dividends.

When Grandma Li, who was over sixty years old, received the money, her hands were trembling: "Five thousand eight... I've lived for over sixty years and I've never seen so much money..."

She took Gu Mingyuan's hand and said, "Secretary Gu, thank you!"

"Without you, our tea would still be considered mountain produce, and it wouldn't fetch a good price."

Gu Mingyuan helped her up: "Grandma Li, this is the result of your hard work."

"Take your money and have a good New Year."

"Next year, we'll manage the tea plantation even better and earn even more!"

"Yes! Definitely!"

The dividends continued until evening.

Looking at the smiling faces of the tea farmers, Gu Mingyuan felt a great sense of accomplishment.

At 7 p.m., a symposium for retired cadres will be held.

More than 20 retired cadres braved the freezing cold to come, the oldest of whom was 86 years old.

Gu Mingyuan personally poured tea for each of the veteran comrades and listened respectfully.

Former deputy county head Zhao said, "Mingyuan, we have seen the changes in Liping and are delighted."

"But I must remind you, the faster the development, the more you need to stabilize your position."

"We cannot slacken our efforts, especially in building up our cadre team."

"The old leader is right." Gu Mingyuan took careful notes.

"We are strengthening the education and training of our cadres to improve their capabilities and qualities."

"At the same time, we will improve the oversight mechanism to prevent problems from arising."

Former Education Bureau Director Lao Qian said, "Education is fundamental. It's good that you're offering free lunches and building new schools. But the development of the teaching staff must keep up, especially in terms of teachers' ethics and conduct; we can't let our guard down."

"We are carrying out a special campaign to rectify teachers' ethics and conduct, while also improving teachers' salaries and benefits, so that good teachers can stay and teach well."

The veteran comrades offered more than a dozen suggestions, which Gu Mingyuan responded to one by one with a sincere attitude.

The meeting lasted until 9 p.m.

After seeing off the veteran comrade, Gu Mingyuan returned to his office and continued reviewing documents.

At 11 p.m., the red telephone rang.