Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"Oh? How do you apply the brakes and clear the channels?" Pei Yihong became interested.

"Immediately suspend all controversial fundraising activities in Qinglin County, especially those projects that clearly exceed the public's ability to pay and are conducted in a brutal manner. This is to put on the brakes and prevent the conflict from escalating," Gu Mingyuan stated clearly.

"Then, we cleared the channels. First, we sent capable cadres to Qinglin County, especially to the townships where conflicts were most prominent, to listen to the opinions of the masses face-to-face, explain the policies, and soothe their emotions."

"Secondly, drawing on the experience of transportation fundraising currently being implemented in our city, we should formulate guiding opinions as soon as possible on regulating township enterprise fundraising, encouraging voluntary shareholding, clarifying rights, responsibilities and benefits, and strengthening fund supervision, so that Qinglin County and other counties and districts with similar situations have rules to follow, and do good things well, rather than turning them into bad things that cause widespread resentment."

He paused, then added, "In particular, we must emphasize the principles of voluntariness and transparent operation. The people are willing to support projects that are truly promising and can help them get rich. The key is to let them see the benefits and trust the process."

After listening, Pei Yihong's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought.

Gu Mingyuan's suggestion coincided with his own thoughts and provided a more specific and actionable path.

The phrases "applying the brakes" and "dredging the channels" are particularly vivid and accurate.

"Hmm." Pei Yihong nodded slowly.

"Your approach is spot on and hits the nail on the head. It seems that the methods you used in Jinshan will work just as well in Pingzhou, and may even be more effective."

He immediately picked up the phone and instructed the Secretary-General and relevant departments to adjust the working group's plan and response strategy in accordance with Gu Mingyuan's suggestion, and ordered the Policy Research Office to draft guidelines for regulating fundraising by township enterprises overnight.

Thanks to timely and appropriate measures, the potential turmoil in Qinglin County was quickly quelled.

The working group's intervention prevented the conflict from escalating, and its efforts to clear the channels pointed the way for the healthy and orderly development of township enterprises in the future.

This matter has been recognized by the provincial authorities.

Three days before the Spring Festival, the Pingzhou Municipal Party Committee held a Standing Committee meeting to summarize recent work.

At the meeting, Pei Yihong specifically mentioned the proper handling of the fundraising crisis of township enterprises in Qinglin County. Although he did not directly praise Gu Mingyuan by name, when introducing the response strategy, he clearly mentioned that some comrades had put forward suggestions to apply the brakes and clear the channels, which were very insightful and have proven to be effective in practice.

After the meeting, Pei Yihong called Gu Mingyuan to his office, a pleased smile on his face: "Mingyuan, you've done a great job in Qinglin County this time. It seems I made the right choice in choosing this secretary!"

He picked up a document and handed it to Gu Mingyuan: "After investigation by the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department and deliberation by the Standing Committee, you have been promoted to the rank of Chief Clerk, an exceptional promotion. The document has been issued."

Gu Mingyuan took the heavy appointment document and looked at the bright red seal on it, his heart filled with excitement.

He went from deputy section chief to section chief in Pingzhou in just over a month!

This was certainly due in part to Pei Yihong's strong support, but it was also a result of his own abilities being recognized.

"Thank you for your guidance, Secretary Pei!" Gu Mingyuan stood at attention, his voice slightly hoarse with excitement.

"You deserve this." Pei Yihong patted his shoulder.

"Work hard. I've set the stage for you. How well you perform is up to you. Go home for the New Year, spend some quality time with your family, and tell them the good news."

Filled with the joy of his promotion and the encouragement of Secretary Pei, Gu Mingyuan returned to his and Zhong Xiaoai's newly moved-in home—a two-bedroom apartment in the municipal party committee's residential compound. Although not large, it was clean and cozy, thanks to Pei Yihong's personal care.

He was about to tell his wife the good news when he saw Zhong Xiaoai blushing, her eyes filled with a mixture of shyness and immense joy, as she came to greet him.

"Mingyuan, I...I have good news to tell you." Zhong Xiaoai's voice trembled slightly.

"I also have good news." Gu Mingyuan smiled and waved the appointment document in his hand.

"Shall I go first?"

"No, let me speak first!" Zhong Xiaoai insisted, a rare occurrence. She took Gu Mingyuan's hand and gently placed it on her lower abdomen. Her voice was as soft as a feather, yet it struck Gu Mingyuan's heart heavily.

"I...I'm pregnant."

Gu Mingyuan was stunned, as if struck by immense happiness, unable to react for a moment. He looked at his wife's shy yet affirmative eyes, then at his still flat stomach, and a wave of overwhelming joy instantly engulfed him.

"Really...really?" His voice trembled with disbelief.

Zhong Xiaoai nodded vigorously: "Yes, I went to the hospital for a checkup. You're going to be a father soon."

"That's great! Xiao Ai! That's great!" Gu Mingyuan hugged his wife tightly, so excited that he was almost incoherent.

While career advancement is certainly gratifying, the birth of a new life represents the fruit of their love and the future of their family. This joy is incomparable to any promotion.

He then remembered his good news and quickly showed the appointment document to Zhong Xiaoai: "Xiaoai, look, I've also... Secretary Pei has promoted me to chief clerk!"

Looking at the appointment document, Zhong Xiaoai's eyes glistened with tears and pride: "I knew it! My man is the best!"

Career promotion and wife's pregnancy – double happiness!

The small room was filled with unprecedented happiness and joy.

Holding his wife, Gu Mingyuan felt like the happiest person in the world.

All the efforts and all the choices have yielded the best reward at this moment.

The next day was Lunar New Year's Eve.

Filled with joy and satisfaction, Gu Mingyuan and Zhong Xiaoai embarked on their journey back to their hometown of Lincheng.

This time, going home felt different from any other time before.

When Gu Mingyuan told his parents about his appointment as a section chief and the news that he was about to become a father, his honest and simple parents were so excited that they burst into tears.

Father Gu Yun stroked the document with trembling hands, murmuring, "Good, good, my son has made something of himself..."

The mother, Ling Fei, held Zhong Xiaoai's hand, showering her with concern and her wrinkles beamed with joy.

The news quickly spread throughout the small village.

The young man from the Gu family who walked out of the mountains wearing liberation shoes and carrying a canvas bag not only married a girl from Beijing, but also became a high-ranking official, and now he's going to be a father!

Throughout the Spring Festival, the Gu family was immersed in joy and celebration.

Villagers flocked to offer their congratulations, and the threshold was almost worn down by the crowds.

The village party secretary and township leaders also personally visited to extend New Year's greetings, their words filled with respect.

Gu Mingyuan showed no pride whatsoever. He remained humble as he offered New Year's greetings to his elders and chatted with his childhood friends, as if he were still the same boy who had come from the mountains.

Standing on the familiar hillside of his hometown, looking at the distant rolling mountains and the wisps of smoke rising from the village chimneys, Gu Mingyuan was filled with emotion.

From Handong University to Jinshan County, and then to Pingzhou City, every step he took was a testament to his hard work and dedication, and also inseparable from the help of benefactors and the support of his wife.

Now that his career is taking off and his family is happy, he knows this is just the beginning.

The road ahead is still long, and the complexities of grassroots work, the tests of power, and family responsibilities will all come one after another.