Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"Make a note of this, contact the Education Bureau to implement the student aid policy. Also contact the Women's Federation to see if there are any paired assistance programs available."

He turned to Xiaofang: "Child, you must study. Only through education can you change your destiny. Focus on your studies; the government will cover your tuition and living expenses."

Xiaofang cried, "Thank you, County Head! I will definitely study hard!"

When they left, the whole village came out to see them off.

Standing at the village entrance, Gu Mingyuan addressed the villagers, saying, "Fellow villagers, I know life is hard for you all. But I assure you, this hardship won't last long. Next year, the road will definitely be repaired. The year after, industries will definitely develop. We want to ensure that children in the mountains can go to school, that the elderly can see a doctor, and that young people can earn money right at their doorsteps!"

Applause echoed through the mountains.

On the way back to the county town, Gu Mingyuan remained silent for a long time.

Secretary Chen said softly, "County Chief, don't be too sad. There are still many impoverished households like this in Liping, and this cannot be changed overnight."

"That's precisely why we need to feel a greater sense of urgency," Gu Mingyuan said, gazing out the window.

"Behind every impoverished household lies a family's suffering. The sooner we act, the sooner they will escape their misery."

He took out his notebook and wrote down what he had seen and thought that day.

Outside the car window, the sun was setting, and the mountains looked like dark eyebrows.

On February 8th, the ninth day of the first lunar month, just after the Spring Festival holiday, the Liping County Transportation Construction Command was officially inaugurated.

At the unveiling ceremony, Gu Mingyuan announced: "Starting today, the major campaign for transportation construction in Liping officially begins! We will spend three years unlocking the full potential of Liping's development!"

The first batch of ten projects started simultaneously, involving five townships and a total distance of 120 kilometers.

At the construction site, red flags fluttered and machines roared.

The local people spontaneously organized construction teams and contributed their labor.

Gu Mingyuan visits several construction sites every day to check on progress and quality.

On February 15th, he arrived at the road construction site in Yunwu Township.

The people were working enthusiastically, and even 70-year-old Grandpa Wang came to help.

"Grandpa, you take a break, let the younger generation do the work."

"Not tired at all! The road is being repaired for ourselves, so it's only right that we contribute," Grandpa Wang said with a smile.

"County Head, you see, this section of road was contracted out to our village, we guarantee quality!"

Gu Mingyuan inspected the roadbed construction and found it to be indeed solid.

He nodded: "Thank you all for your hard work! Once the road is repaired, I'll treat you all to drinks!"

"Great!" Laughter erupted from the construction site.

Just then, my phone rang.

It was Chung Cheng-kuo calling.

"Dad, Happy Chinese New Year!"

"Mingyuan, what are you busy with?"

"At the road construction site. Liping has launched a major transportation construction campaign, and we're here today to check on the progress."

"Good, it's good to do practical things." Chung Cheng-kuo said with satisfaction.

"I heard your tiered fundraising method is working well?"

"Yes, the public is very supportive. The key is to be open and transparent, allowing the public to supervise."

"This method is creative; it solves the funding problem and also mobilizes the enthusiasm of the masses. I asked the colleagues in the policy research office to compile the materials and prepare to distribute them in an internal briefing for other regions to refer to."

"Thank you, Dad." Gu Mingyuan felt a warmth in his heart.

"You're welcome, it's because you did a good job." Chung Cheng-kuo changed the subject.

"However, Mingyuan, I also want to remind you that work in the county is complicated, so you must learn to unite with your colleagues. Especially the older colleagues, you must respect their experience. Sometimes, slow and steady wins the race."

"I understand. Secretary Zhou Haitao is very supportive of me, and other veteran comrades are also gradually changing their views."

"That's good. By the way, how are Xiao Ai and Peng Peng? Are they adjusting well to life in the county?"

"That's great. Xiao Ai works at the county's Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and Pengpeng can walk now, he's running around all day."

"Okay, okay. You go ahead with your work, take care of yourself. Call me anytime if anything comes up."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Mingyuan felt a warm feeling welling up inside him.

Although his father-in-law held a high position, he always cared about him, offering both support and reminders.

This kind of care is more precious than any resource.

On February 28, Gu Mingyuan presided over a county-wide meeting on spring agricultural production.

"Comrades, the year's plan starts in spring. This year is the first year of our three-year action plan, and the start is crucial." He turned on the projector.

"This is the plan made by the Agriculture Bureau: the county will develop 50,000 mu of high-altitude tea plantations, 30 million bags of edible fungi, 20,000 mu of medicinal herbs, and 1 million specialized livestock..."

Below the stage, leaders from various townships took careful notes.

"The key is to solve the sales problem." Gu Mingyuan switched the screen.

"I contacted several large supermarkets in the province, and they agreed to set up special counters for Liping mountain delicacies. At the same time, we set up an exhibition and sales center for Liping agricultural products in the provincial capital for centralized display and sales."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "There's one more thing. I plan to invite agricultural experts from the province to form a science and technology service team to provide long-term guidance in the county. Each township should select and assign agricultural technicians to deliver the technology directly to the fields."

After the meeting, Lao Zhao, the Party Secretary of Qingshi Township, approached Gu Mingyuan: "County Chief Gu, our township wants to start raising chickens under the forest canopy, but we lack technology, seedlings, and sales channels. What do you think..."

"These problems can all be solved." Gu Mingyuan took out his notebook.

"We'll have experts from the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences provide technical guidance, the county will centrally purchase the seedlings, and I'll help you connect with processing companies for sales. What you need to do is organize farmers, establish cooperatives, and standardize breeding practices."

"Great! I'll make it happen as soon as I get back!"

"Remember, quality is life. Our agricultural products must take the high-end route and win by quality."

"clear!"

On March 5, a team of experts from the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences arrived in Liping.

Gu Mingyuan personally received and accompanied the experts on their field trips to provide guidance.

In the tea gardens of Yunwu Township, tea experts carefully examined the growth of the tea trees: "The soil is good, the climate is suitable, and it is indeed a good place to grow tea. However, the management is extensive, the harvesting is not timely, and the processing technology is backward."

"Please provide expert guidance, and we will definitely make improvements," Wang Dashan said sincerely.

The expert team worked in Liping for a week, held ten training sessions, and trained more than 1,000 farmers.

Before leaving, Chief Expert Professor Zhang said to Gu Mingyuan, "County Chief Gu, Liping has excellent resources, and the cadres and people are very motivated. We have decided to set up an expert workstation here to provide long-term technical support."

"Thank you so much!" Gu Mingyuan shook Professor Zhang's hand.

"You've brought timely help to Liping!"

On March 15th, Gu Mingyuan took samples of agricultural products from Liping to the provincial capital.

The first stop was the Provincial Department of Commerce.

He was received by Li Jun, the deputy director of the department.

"County Chief Gu, Secretary Pei specifically instructed us to support Liping's development," Li Jun said, looking at the samples.

"Tea, mushrooms, bamboo shoots... the quality is indeed excellent. Our Department of Commerce can help you connect with large supermarkets in the province and hold special promotional events."

"Thank you, Director Li! We from Liping will definitely bring out our best products!"

The second stop was the provincial supply and marketing cooperative.