Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

In late April 1993, spring was in full bloom in Pingzhou, with willows sprouting new green leaves.

The joy of the airport project's approval, like a gentle spring breeze, swept through the Pingzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government building. However, what followed was an even more complex and arduous task of implementation.

Once the blueprint is drawn up, the key is how to turn it into reality.

As the head of the comprehensive coordination group of the airport project leading group office, Gu Mingyuan was well aware of the heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

Project approval is only the first step in a long journey. Subsequent steps, such as site selection, land acquisition, fundraising, detailed design, bidding and construction, are all interconnected and have far-reaching consequences.

Secretary Pei Yihong's placement of him in this position is both a sign of trust and a test.

His desk was piled high with documents, and the phone rang incessantly.

The comprehensive coordination group, as the name suggests, needs to connect with superiors and subordinates, communicate with colleagues and colleagues, and link up with internal and external parties.

Upwards, progress should be reported to the leading group in a timely manner, and materials should be submitted to the provincial and national ministries.

Horizontally, it requires coordination with more than a dozen departments, including the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Finance Bureau, Planning Bureau, Land and Resources Bureau, Transportation Bureau, and Environmental Protection Bureau.

At the lower levels, guidance and supervision should be provided to the districts and counties involved in the project to carry out the work.

"Team Leader Mingyuan, the Planning Bureau has different opinions on the preliminary selection report of the three shortlisted sites, believing that our geological hazard risk assessment of Site No. 2 is insufficient."

"Team Leader Gu, the Finance Bureau has released a preliminary plan for raising project capital, but the shortfall is still significant, and further research is needed to broaden financing channels."

"Comrade Mingyuan, the Longkou District has reported that if the site is located there, it will involve land acquisition and demolition of three villages and nearly a thousand households. The compensation standards and resettlement plans need to be clarified as soon as possible to avoid triggering mass incidents."

A barrage of problems arose, and Gu Mingyuan was like a spinning top, his brain constantly alert and operating at high speed.

He was not overwhelmed by the complicated tasks, but quickly grasped several key points.

First, the site was finally determined, which was the foundation for all the work.

Secondly, there is the pooling of funds, which is the lifeblood of whether a project can be launched.

Thirdly, there is the land acquisition and demolition contingency plan, which is a prerequisite for ensuring social stability.

He organized and coordinated key members of the team, established several special working groups, assigned responsibilities, and focused on key areas.

He personally took charge of the two toughest challenges: site selection and fundraising.

Site selection involves many factors, including technology, economics, and society, and opinions from experts, departments, and local governments often differ.

Gu Mingyuan did not simply act as a middleman; instead, he thoroughly studied various survey reports and technical specifications, and personally led colleagues and experts from the planning, land, and environmental protection departments to conduct on-site investigations time and time again.

On a rainy day at the end of April, the roads were extremely muddy.

Gu Mingyuan walked unsteadily on the second preliminary selection site—a slope on the southern foothills of Longquan Mountain in the suburbs of the city.

The local township official accompanying him advised, "Team Leader Gu, the rain is too heavy and the roads are difficult to travel. Why don't we just look at the blueprints in the car?"

Gu Mingyuan shook his head, wiped the rain from his face, and said firmly, "No, blueprints are two-dimensional, while the site is three-dimensional. When it comes to geological disaster risks, we need to look not only at reports, but also at the mountain's orientation, soil structure, and catchment area. I won't feel at ease until I'm on-site."

He carefully examined the mountain slopes, inquired with local farmers about historical flash floods and landslides, and had geological experts conduct a simple survey using their personal instruments.

Ultimately, after considering all factors, he strongly supported the Planning Bureau's recommendation to exclude Site No. 2 at a subsequent coordination meeting, thus avoiding potential major engineering risks.

His pragmatic and professional approach has made even the most skeptical technical officials, who initially had doubts about him as a young cadre with a background in writing, begin to look at him with new respect.

The funding issue is even more thorny.

Although the central government has allocated some funds and the province has promised to provide matching funds, the capital that Pingzhou itself needs to bear is still an astronomical figure.

The city's finances are already stretched thin, and it is impossible for them to bear the entire burden.

Gu Mingyuan assisted the vice mayor in charge in seeking solutions extensively.

He reviewed numerous financing cases for infrastructure construction in coastal areas and proposed a multi-pronged approach:

First, we actively liaise with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, and the Civil Aviation Administration to strive for an increase in the subsidy ratio and amount.

Secondly, he explored the use of preferential foreign loans, and proactively contacted his university classmates who worked at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation to learn about relevant policies and procedures.

Third, he boldly proposed the idea of ​​introducing social capital, forming project companies, and carrying out market-oriented operations. Although this was a relatively cutting-edge concept at the time and faced considerable resistance, he insisted that it was the inevitable direction to solve the financing difficulties of large-scale infrastructure.

He personally drafted numerous well-reasoned funding application reports, accompanied city leaders to the provincial capital and Beijing, and repeatedly explained to relevant departments the strategic significance of Pingzhou Airport for regional development.

His calm demeanor and thorough preparation often yield unexpected results in crucial communications.

While Gu Mingyuan was working tirelessly on the airport project, his family life also underwent new changes.

At the end of April, his parents, Gu Yun and Ling Fei, came to Pingzhou from their hometown of Lincheng.

Upon first seeing their son's spacious and bright apartment in the municipal government's staff quarters, and his pregnant daughter-in-law, the elderly couple were both excited and flustered.

Although Zhong Xiaoai experienced discomfort during her pregnancy, she was extremely considerate and sensible, calling her parents "Mom and Dad" repeatedly, which warmed the hearts of the elderly couple.

Ling Fei took the initiative to do most of the housework and prepared a variety of nutritious meals for Zhong Xiaoai.

Gu Yun didn't talk much, but she was very capable. She kept the house in perfect order and went downstairs for a walk every day to familiarize herself with the surroundings. She would go to the vegetable market and chat with the vendors. Soon she was able to buy the freshest and cheapest vegetables in Mandarin with a heavy Lincheng accent.

The warmth of family greatly alleviated Gu Mingyuan's work fatigue.

When he returned home late at night, there was always a light on for him, and a pot of delicious food was always warming up.

Although his parents did not understand the specifics of his work, their unconditional support and love were his strongest backing.

With the care of her in-laws, Zhong Xiaoai's complexion improved significantly, which finally put Gu Mingyuan's mind at ease.

One evening in mid-May, Gu Mingyuan, unusually, did not work overtime and stayed home to watch TV with Zhong Xiaoai and his parents.

A personnel appointment and dismissal notice caught his attention:

"Recently, after deliberation by the Handong Provincial Party Committee, Comrade Gao Yuliang was appointed as a member of the CPC Luzhou Municipal Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission."

On the television screen, Gao Yuliang's familiar figure appeared. He was wearing a dark blue suit and tie, and his expression was solemn yet refined. He was making a statement at the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Luzhou City.

Gu Mingyuan sat up straight instantly, deeply shaken.