Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

December 31, 1994, meeting room of Liping County Committee.

Standing in front of the county map, Gu Mingyuan pointed to the winding mountains: "Comrades, today is the last day of the year, but our work cannot stop."

"The three-year action plan will be officially launched next January."

"I am considering establishing three special command centers for transportation construction, industrial development, and education and healthcare, led by the deputy county heads and with the participation of relevant departments."

"A detailed implementation plan must be developed before the Spring Festival."

Looking at the plan in his hand, Executive Deputy County Head Liu Zhijun hesitated and said, "County Head Gu, regarding the road construction part, isn't the goal of building 1,000 kilometers of rural roads in three years too high? Our county only built 80 kilometers last year."

"Not high," Gu Mingyuan said firmly.

"I've done the math. If we adopt a tiered fundraising approach and work-for-relief methods to mobilize the masses, we can definitely complete the 1,000-kilometer project."

"I used this method when I was working in Jinshan County, and it worked very well."

"Tiered fundraising?" The finance bureau chief looked up.

"How do you divide it?"

Gu Mingyuan opened his notebook: "Based on the family's economic situation, they are divided into four levels: wealthy households pay more, average households pay less, poor households can contribute labor to offset costs, and extremely poor households are exempt from all costs."

"At the same time, we encourage people from Liping who are working outside the area to donate money, and they can have a monument erected with their names inscribed on it."

"Tax incentives are granted for corporate sponsorships."

"This not only raised funds but also mobilized the enthusiasm of all parties."

Discussions arose in the conference room.

"This is a good idea, it's fair!"

"I'm afraid that the implementation will go awry, and that grassroots cadres will resort to coercion and orders in order to complete the tasks."

Gu Mingyuan nodded: "Director Zhang's concerns are valid."

"Therefore, we need to establish a supervisory group and invite representatives of the people to participate in the entire process of supervising the use of funds and the fundraising process."

"Any violations discovered will be dealt with seriously."

He looked around at everyone and said, "I know this plan is bold and challenging."

"But Liping can't wait any longer. If our current leadership team can't bring about fundamental changes in Liping during our term, we'll have failed in our duty and let down the 400,000 people of Liping!"

After he finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.

Secretary Zhou Haitao slowly began, "I support Comrade Mingyuan's opinion. Liping has been poor for too many years; it's time for a change. The county committee will fully support the government's work, and we will solve any difficulties together."

With the Party Secretary's support, the meeting successfully approved the implementation plan.

After the meeting, Gu Mingyuan returned to his office, and his secretary, Xiao Chen, followed him in: "County Chief Gu, these are the fundraising capacity assessment forms submitted by each township, as well as documents forwarded from the city."

"Put it on the table." Gu Mingyuan rubbed his temples.

"Xiao Chen, your hometown is Yunwu Township, right? What do you think the villagers' attitude will be towards raising funds for road construction?"

Xiao Chen thought for a moment: "County Chief, to be honest, the villagers have been hoping for road repairs for decades. As long as it's fair and just, everyone is willing to contribute money and effort. The only concern is..."

"What are you afraid of?"

"We're afraid that once we collect the money, the road won't be properly repaired. There have been cases like this before, where the funds were collected, the road was only half-finished, and then construction stopped, and the money disappeared."

Gu Mingyuan's expression was serious: "This time it won't be like that. Every penny of the funds raised will be publicly posted, and every kilometer of road will pass inspection. I, Gu Mingyuan, guarantee this with my integrity!"

Just then, the phone rang.

It was Zhong Xiaoai calling: "Mingyuan, are you coming home for dinner tonight? Mom sent some cured meat from Lincheng."

"I'll be back a little late. You guys eat first, don't wait for me."

"Pengpeng can walk today! He took three wobbly steps!" Zhong Xiaoai's voice was full of joy.

Gu Mingyuan's heart warmed: "Really? I'll definitely go home early tonight!"

He smiled after hanging up the phone.

Every step of his son's growth was the best comfort for him when he was tired.

Outside the window, the lights of Liping County were just coming on. Although

Though simple, the lights of countless homes exude a tenacious vitality.

On January 5, 1995, just after the New Year's Day holiday, a three-level cadre meeting was held in Liping County.

Nearly 500 people, including Party secretaries and mayors of all townships in the county, Party branch secretaries of all villages, and heads of all county departments, gathered in the county Party committee auditorium.

Gu Mingyuan stood on the platform, without a prepared speech, only a map of the entire county.

"Comrades, today's meeting has only one theme—how should Liping develop?" He got straight to the point.

"I've traveled to eighteen townships in the past few months, and what I've seen keeps me up at night."

He turned on the projector, and photos appeared on the screen: muddy mountain roads, dilapidated school buildings, children wearing patched clothes, and mud houses piled high with sweet potatoes...

The venue was completely silent.

"This is the current situation in Liping. Poverty is not terrible. What is terrible is getting used to poverty and not wanting to change it." Gu Mingyuan raised his voice.

"I hereby pledge: Within three years, every village in the county will have access to a road. Within three years, the average income of farmers will double. Within three years, Liping will be removed from the list of impoverished counties!"

Applause broke out, but it wasn't very enthusiastic.

Gu Mingyuan knew that everyone was still observing.

"Some people say this is just empty talk or grandstanding. Well, let me explain the specific methods now." He switched the screen to show a detailed plan for tiered fundraising.

"Where will the money come from to build roads? We'll use this method."

"The county has set up a command center, and I am the commander-in-chief."

"Every penny spent will be made public."

"The public will oversee how every kilometer of road is repaired."

He paused, then continued, "And then there's industry. Liping has beautiful mountains and clear waters, and high-quality agricultural products, so why can't we sell them? Because the roads are impassable, and because we lack brands. This year, we're going to build the Liping Mountain Delicacies brand and sell our tea, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and medicinal herbs throughout the province and the country!"

Some people in the audience started nodding.

"How exactly will this be done? One village, one product; one township, one industry. Yunwu Township focuses on developing high-mountain tea, Qingshi Township on under-forest breeding, and Longquan Township on developing rural tourism... The county has established an industry support fund to provide technical guidance and market access."

Gu Mingyuan spoke for an hour, without any empty talk or platitudes, only concrete measures.

Finally, he said, "I know many comrades have concerns: Will doing this cause problems? Will we bear the responsibility? I tell you all, as long as it's for the development of Liping and the well-being of the people, I, Gu Mingyuan, will be the first to take responsibility if anything goes wrong! But if anyone is inactive or acts recklessly, don't blame me for being impolite!"

After the meeting, the township officials gathered together to discuss the matter.

"It seems that County Chief Gu is serious about this."

"The idea is practical, but the question is whether it can be implemented."

"I heard he's only twenty-six years old; he's truly young and promising."

"Being young has its advantages; it gives you the drive and energy. That's exactly the kind of leader we need in Liping."

On January 10th, Gu Mingyuan, accompanied by officials from the Transportation Bureau and the Agriculture Bureau, visited Yunwu Township again.

Township Party Secretary Wang Dashan was waiting at the crossroads early in the morning: "County Chief Gu, as you instructed, we have held three mass meetings to explain the method of tiered fundraising clearly. This is the preliminary situation."

Gu Mingyuan took the form and examined it carefully.

Of the 12,000 people in the township, about 30% can contribute money, about 50% can contribute labor, and about 20% need to reduce or exempt fees.

"The proportions are reasonable." He nodded.

"Old Wang, take me to see your high-mountain tea plantation."

The group climbed up the hillside.