Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

He is no longer the young man who made a name for himself with just one report, but has become a core member who can stand on his own and drive the implementation of major projects.

As August arrived, the weather in Pingzhou remained hot, but the preliminary work on the airport project had been largely completed, and it had entered a relatively stable period of progress.

August 5th, a seemingly ordinary Thursday.

As usual, Gu Mingyuan arrived at the office early to organize his work for the day.

At nine o'clock in the morning, he received a call from Secretary Pei Yihong's secretary, asking him to go to the secretary's office.

Gu Mingyuan assumed it was a routine work report and went in with the prepared materials.

However, they discovered that in the office, besides Pei Yihong, there was also Zhou Wenming, the Minister of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee.

"Secretary Pei, Minister Zhou." Gu Mingyuan was slightly surprised, but his expression remained calm.

Pei Yihong smiled gently and gestured for him to sit down.

Minister Zhou Wenming took out a document, cleared his throat, and read it aloud in a solemn tone:

"After deliberation and decision by the Standing Committee of the Pingzhou Municipal Party Committee, and with the approval of the Organization Department of the Hanjiang Provincial Party Committee, Comrade Gu Mingyuan was appointed as Deputy Director of the Pingzhou Municipal Government Office (Deputy Division Chief level), and relieved of his post as Chief Staff Member of the Pingzhou Municipal Party Committee Office."

Gu Mingyuan was stunned and didn't react for a moment.

Deputy Director of the Municipal Government Office, at the deputy division level! This…

He was only twenty-five years old and had just started working a year ago. He went from a section chief to a deputy director. This was not just a simple promotion, but a meteoric rise!

Nationwide, they are probably extremely rare!

Pei Yihong smiled at his surprised expression: "What? Can't believe it?"

Gu Mingyuan snapped out of his daze and quickly stood up: "Secretary Pei, Minister Zhou, I... I'm too young and inexperienced, and I'm worried that I won't be able to handle such an important position..."

"Seniority isn't based on years of service, but on ability and contributions," Pei Yihong interrupted him, his tone becoming serious.

"Your performance in Jinshan County is evident to all. Your proposed airport strategic concept has given Pingzhou a head start in development. Your coordination ability, problem-solving skills, and pragmatic style demonstrated during the project's implementation have been seen by everyone."

"The deputy director of the municipal government office needs to coordinate and handle a large amount of government affairs. This position requires a cadre like you who can both look up at the stars and keep your feet on the ground. The municipal party committee believes that you are a suitable candidate."

Minister Zhou Wenming added, "Comrade Mingyuan, your promotion was the result of rigorous organizational review and thorough discussion by the Standing Committee. Although you are young, you have outstanding achievements, strong abilities, and a good foundation among the people. It can be said that you are the one who deserves everyone's support, so you shouldn't feel burdened."

A surge of warmth and a sense of responsibility welled up in Gu Mingyuan's heart.

He knew that this was both Secretary Pei Yihong's unreserved trust and cultivation of him, and the organization's great affirmation of his work over the past year.

He straightened his back and looked firmly at Pei Yihong and Zhou Wenming: "Thank you for the organization's trust and training! Thank you for Secretary Pei's guidance! I will adapt to my new role as soon as possible, perform my duties diligently, work hard, and never let down the organization's expectations and trust!"

Pei Yihong nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. When you get to the municipal government, continue to leverage your strengths, while also paying more attention to your working methods and learning from the veteran colleagues. You'll still need to handle the airport project for now to ensure a smooth transition."

"Yes! Please rest assured, Secretary Pei!"

The news that Gu Mingyuan had been promoted to deputy director level was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, quickly spreading throughout the political circles of Pingzhou.

The resulting tremors were greater than any before.

A 25-year-old deputy director!

He's still the deputy director of the municipal government office, a position with no real power!

Some envied, some marveled, and many probably felt a pang of jealousy.

But whoever it is, when discussing it in private, they all have to admit one thing: Gu Mingyuan's promotion, although it was like a rocket, was built on solid, impressive, and even outstanding achievements.

From making contributions in flood prevention to offering suggestions for road construction, and then to proposing and promoting the implementation of the airport project... each and every one of these achievements would be a significant asset for anyone to gain promotion.

And he accomplished all of that within a single year.

This kind of promotion leaves one speechless.

One can only marvel at Secretary Pei Yihong's boldness in choosing people, and Gu Mingyuan himself has indeed lived up to expectations.

When Gu Mingyuan got home from get off work, he told his family the news.

Zhong Xiaoai covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes glistening with proud tears.

She had always believed that her husband was extraordinary, but she never expected that he would progress so quickly.

Gu Yun and Ling Fei, the elderly couple, were so excited they didn't know what to do.

In their simple understanding, a section chief is already a very important official.

My son is only twenty-five years old and he has already become a department head. This is an extremely auspicious event, like the smoke rising from the ancestors' graves!

"Good! Good! My son is promising! He's very promising!" Gu Yun murmured repeatedly, her eyes moist.

Ling Fei held Zhong Xiaoai's hand, babbling, "Xiaoai, it's all thanks to you! You're the lucky star of our Gu family!"

The atmosphere at home was as festive as a holiday.

That night, Gu Mingyuan and Zhong Xiaoai lay in bed.

Nestled in her husband's arms, feeling his strong heartbeat, Zhong Xiaoai whispered, "Mingyuan, I'm so happy for you."

Gu Mingyuan hugged his wife tightly and kissed her hair: "Xiao Ai, without your support, I wouldn't be where I am today. Thank you."

"Do we need to thank each other?" Zhong Xiaoai looked up, her eyes sparkling in the darkness.

"I'm just a little worried that you have more responsibilities on your shoulders now."

"Yes, the burden is heavier now." Gu Mingyuan stared at the ceiling, his tone deep.

"With great power comes great responsibility. Teacher Gao warned me to uphold the bottom line, and Secretary Pei expects me to achieve even greater results. I cannot slack off in the slightest, much less become complacent."

He turned around, looking at his wife's soft silhouette in the hazy night, and solemnly said, "Xiao Ai, no matter how our positions change, I, Gu Mingyuan, am still the boy who came from the mountains of Lincheng, still the Gu Mingyuan who wants to do something practical for the people. That will never change."

Zhong Xiaoai nodded vigorously, pressing her face against his chest, feeling utterly at ease: "I know. I've always known."

Outside the window, the night sky over Pingzhou was ablaze with stars.

For Gu Mingyuan, August 1993 was a pivotal moment, a time of transition and growth.

As one of the youngest deputy division-level cadres in the country, he has stepped onto a new and broader platform.

The road ahead is still long and the challenges remain severe, but his heart is full of light and his steps are firm.

His ideals, his ambitions, and the future he and his wife envisioned together were all slowly unfolding on this land full of hope and challenges.

But the era that belongs to Gu Mingyuan has only just begun.