Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

Gu Mingyuan enjoyed the rare warmth of family, but deep down, his thoughts on his work in Pingzhou never ceased.

The major transportation strategy mentioned by Secretary Pei Yihong in his pre-holiday speech was like a seed planted in his heart, quietly taking root and sprouting during the holiday.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, before the festive atmosphere of the New Year had completely dissipated, Gu Mingyuan and Zhong Xiaoai bid farewell to their reluctant parents and embarked on their journey back to Pingzhou.

Zhong Xiaoai's pregnancy symptoms began to become more pronounced, but under Gu Mingyuan's careful care, she was in good spirits and full of gentle anticipation for the future.

Upon returning to Pingzhou, Gu Mingyuan immediately threw himself into his work.

He was well aware of the importance that Secretary Pei Yihong attached to transportation, which was not only a breakthrough for Pingzhou's economic development, but also a key tool for Pei Yihong to govern the region and seek greater achievements.

As a secretary, one cannot be content with merely handling routine matters; one must also anticipate the leader's thoughts and even anticipate their unthinking ideas, providing forward-looking and actionable decision-making references.

He began to consciously collect, organize, and study all policy documents, academic papers, and successful cases from other provinces and cities related to transportation infrastructure construction.

After get off work, he spent almost all his time in the municipal party committee's archives and at his desk at home, with the desk lamp often on until late at night.

"Mingyuan, don't overwork yourself, your health is important." Zhong Xiaoai carried a cup of hot milk into the study, looked at the large map of Hanjiang Province spread out on his desk and various documents covered with annotations, and advised him with heartache.

Gu Mingyuan took the milk, held his wife's hand, and although there was weariness in his eyes, there was more of a focused light: "Xiao Ai, Secretary Pei entrusted me with such an important responsibility, and I cannot let him down."

"Moreover, if this is accomplished, it will be of great significance to the future development of Pingzhou."

"I always feel that we may be facing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but it may also be fleeting."

Zhong Xiaoai nodded understandingly, gently massaging his temples: "I know. But you also need to be careful; you're not alone anymore."

She gently stroked her lower abdomen.

Gu Mingyuan felt a warmth in his heart and pulled his wife into his arms: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. For you and the child, I'll take care of myself."

As his research deepened, Gu Mingyuan's horizons broadened.

He examined Pingzhou within the broader context of the economic development of the entire Han River province and even the region.

A thought grew clearer and clearer in his mind—the airport!

In the early 1990s, the civil aviation industry in China was still in its infancy, and only a handful of cities had airports.

Those who can establish a strategic presence early will undoubtedly gain a commanding position in future regional competition.

His gaze fell upon Ningchuan City, which borders Pingzhou and is also an important economic city in Hanjiang Province.

Zhao Anbang, the Party Secretary of Ningchuan City, is a well-known reform pioneer in the Hanjiang political arena. He is highly capable, ambitious, and has always been a strong competitor of Pei Yihong in the province.

The rivalry between the two cities, from attracting investment to piloting policies, has never ceased.

Gu Mingyuan keenly realized that the airport could very well become the next crucial turning point.

He conducted an in-depth study of the early developments of China's civil aviation network plan and some internal drafts for comments, and discovered a key piece of information: based on airspace management and economic benefits, the possibility of building two large airports simultaneously in a certain region, especially in important cities that are relatively close to each other, such as Pingzhou and Ningchuan, is extremely low.

This means that whoever seizes the opportunity first and wins the airport project will be crucial.

We must be the first!

The Pingzhou Airport project must be implemented in Ningchuan, especially before Secretary Zhao Anbang realizes what's happening!

In the days that followed, he mobilized all available information and resources.

He took advantage of the opportunity to accompany Pei Yihong on a grassroots research trip to carefully observe the geographical environment and industrial layout of the counties and districts under the jurisdiction of Pingzhou.

He privately consulted transportation planning experts from the province and Beijing to subtly inquire about policy trends and technical feasibility.

He even kept an eye on Ningchuan's movements through some informal channels, confirming that the other side seemed to be still immersed in the planning of traditional industrial projects and port expansion, and had not yet taken any clear action on the airport.

With the evidence and ideas gradually becoming more complete, Gu Mingyuan began to write a detailed report of recommendations.

He not only had to demonstrate the necessity of building an airport, but also explain why now, why Pingzhou, and how to proceed.

He wrote this report with more care than any of his previous ones, with more detailed data, more rigorous arguments, and a more exciting outlook.

One afternoon in early March, Gu Mingyuan took advantage of a break when Pei Yihong finished reviewing documents and was taking a short rest. He took a deep breath, picked up the "Strategic Thinking and Preliminary Suggestions on Making Every Effort to Secure the Pingzhou Civil Airport Project," which represented more than a month of his hard work, and walked into the secretary's office.

"Secretary Pei, I've done some thinking about the major transportation strategy you mentioned earlier, and I've come up with a somewhat immature report. I'd like to ask for your criticism and corrections." Gu Mingyuan gently placed the report on Pei Yihong's desk, his tone respectful and composed.

Pei Yihong looked up in surprise. He had indeed been thinking about breakthroughs in transportation recently, but mainly focused on highways and railway hubs.

He picked up the report, glanced at the title, and his eyes instantly sharpened.

"Airport?" Pei Yihong murmured, quickly flipping through the pages.

The only sound in the office was the rustling of papers turning over.

Gu Mingyuan stood quietly to the side, feeling a little nervous, but he was confident in his judgment and the quality of his report.

Pei Yihong observed very carefully, sometimes frowning in deep thought, sometimes nodding slightly.

When he saw Gu Mingyuan's analysis of the competitive situation between Pingzhou and Ningchuan, and his assertion that "seizing the high ground at the airport first will secure the regional transportation hub status," a sharp glint suddenly flashed in his eyes.

As he looked at the potential policy basis cited in the report, the preliminary site selection comparison analysis, the economic benefit forecast, and the phased implementation strategy, his fingers unconsciously began to tap lightly on the table, a habitual action he took when deep in thought.

Twenty minutes later, Pei Yihong finally put down the report. Leaning back in his chair, he stared intently at Gu Mingyuan, his tone filled with undisguised admiration and excitement: "Mingyuan, Mingyuan! This report of yours, how is it immature? It's a bombshell!"

He stood up and paced excitedly around the office: "Well said! If Ningchuan is built, Pingzhou can't be built! Well said! It's urgent! You've hit the nail on the head, you've got it right!"

Pei Yihong walked to the window, looked at the outline of Pingzhou outside, and said in a firm voice: "Comrade Zhao Anbang and I have different views on many issues, and our development paths also have different focuses."

"But this time, you've hit the nail on the head! The airport is the next battlefield! Pingzhou must seize this high ground!"