Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"Thank you, Professor Gao. If you need my help with Senior Brother Qi..."

"Not for now. Let him hone his skills. A piece of jade that isn't carved won't become a useful object."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Mingyuan had mixed feelings.

Qi Tongwei's experience made him cherish his current work platform even more.

Power is given by the people and must be used to serve the people, never to seek personal gain or vent personal grievances.

He thought of Liang Lu.

Using power to suppress someone because they cannot have them is a desecration of power.

"I must not become that kind of person," he resolved silently.

May 1st, Labor Day.

Without taking a break, Gu Mingyuan arrived at the opening ceremony of the newly completed Yunwu Township road.

This 20-kilometer-long highway connects five villages in Yunwu Township, ending the villagers' reliance on walking for transportation.

At the opening ceremony, drums and gongs resounded and colorful flags fluttered in the breeze.

The villagers spontaneously organized dragon and lion dances, which were even more lively than the Spring Festival.

Grandpa Wang grasped Gu Mingyuan's hand, tears streaming down his face: "County Magistrate, we've been waiting for this road for decades, and it's finally open today! On behalf of all the people in the township, thank you!"

"Grandpa, everyone built this road, so thank yourselves if you want to thank anyone," Gu Mingyuan said loudly.

"Fellow villagers, the road is open, but that's just the first step. Next, we need to fill your pockets, ensure children have access to education, and provide medical care for the elderly. Let's work together to build a better Liping!"

"Bravo!" Thunderous applause erupted.

After the road opened, the first bus drove into the mountain village.

The children excitedly circled the car, while the elderly touched the smooth pavement, beaming with joy.

Gu Mingyuan got into the car and experienced it for himself.

What used to be a four-hour mountain journey now only takes forty minutes.

The driver said, "County head, now that the road is open, I can make two trips a day, making it much easier for the villagers to get around!"

"Good! The ticket price must be reasonable, so that the public can afford to ride."

"Don't worry, we price our products at cost; we won't make money off the villagers!"

On May 10, Gu Mingyuan received a report from the Statistics Bureau: In the first quarter, Liping County's GDP increased by 35% year-on-year, and farmers' per capita income increased by 40%.

This data ranks among the top in both the city and the province.

But he did not become arrogant; instead, he became even more vigilant.

The faster the development, the more conflicts are likely to arise.

We must take preventative measures and resolve issues promptly.

He convened a risk assessment meeting: "Comrades, while we are seeing our achievements, we must also recognize the problems. I analyze that there may be several risks: First, the development of industries is uneven, with some townships developing faster than others; second, some people may develop a dependency mentality, waiting for handouts; and third, there may be impatience and a desire for quick results among the cadres..."

He deployed countermeasures: establishing an industry support mechanism, providing assistance to those who are slower to adapt.

Strengthen ideological education and stimulate intrinsic motivation.

The campaign to rectify the work style of cadres requires a pragmatic and down-to-earth approach.

On May 15th, Gu Mingyuan received a notification that he would be speaking at the provincial symposium on county-level economic development to be held in June.

This is an important opportunity to showcase Liping and to showcase ourselves.

He began to carefully prepare his speech materials.

Avoid empty talk and platitudes; focus on concrete actions and thoughtful considerations.

Seeing him staying up late writing, Zhong Xiaoai said with concern, "Mingyuan, don't overwork yourself. You've lost a lot of weight lately."

"It's alright, I'll take a couple of days to rest after this meeting is over," Gu Mingyuan said with a smile as he put his arm around his wife.

"Xiao Ai, thank you for your continued support. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far."

"Why say thank you between husband and wife?" Zhong Xiaoai leaned on his shoulder.

"As long as what you're doing is meaningful, I'll support you no matter how hard or tiring it is."

Just then, Pengpeng wobbled over and hugged Gu Mingyuan's leg: "Daddy, hug me!"

Gu Mingyuan picked up his son and kissed his little face: "Pengpeng, after Daddy's done with this busy period, I'll take you to the provincial capital, okay?"

Looking at his son's innocent smiling face, Gu Mingyuan felt an overwhelming tenderness in his heart.

His family is both the driving force behind his struggles and his haven of rest.

On May 20th, Pei Yihong visited Liping for the third time.

This time, he came to help Liping solve a problem: a funding gap.

In the county party committee meeting room, Pei Yihong said, "Mingyuan, your development momentum is very good, but you also face great financial pressure. I coordinated with the municipal finance bureau and the development and reform commission, and we have decided to allocate an additional 500 million yuan in special funds to Liping to support transportation and industrial development."

"Thank you so much, Secretary Pei!" Gu Mingyuan said excitedly.

"This money is a lifesaver!"

"The money has been given, so it must be used well. I have only one requirement: every penny must be spent wisely and effectively."

"I promise!"

Pei Yihong revealed another piece of information: "The provincial party committee's main leaders are paying attention to the development of Liping and may arrange to conduct research in the second half of the year. You need to be prepared and showcase the most authentic and outstanding aspects."

Gu Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat: "Yes! I will definitely prepare carefully!"

After seeing Pei Yihong off, he immediately convened a meeting to make arrangements for welcoming the research visit.

But he emphasized: "We must not engage in formalism or falsification. What we want to show is the real Liping, and the true spirit of our cadres and the masses."

On May 25, Gu Mingyuan completed his speech materials.

He revised it repeatedly, striving for conciseness and practicality.

After the materials were submitted to the municipal party committee for review, Pei Yihong commented: "The materials are very good. They demonstrate methods, thoughts, and insights. They can be printed and distributed throughout the city for study."

This evaluation greatly encouraged Gu Mingyuan.

But he knew that this was both an affirmation and a pressure.

To live up to expectations, we must do even better in our future work.

June 1st is Children's Day.

Gu Mingyuan visited the county's experimental primary school and celebrated the festival with the children.

Seeing the children's bright smiles, he was reminded of the children who had dropped out of school during his research.

During the celebration, he said, "Children, you are the future of Liping. The county party committee and government will definitely create better learning conditions for you. Study hard and build your hometown when you grow up!"

After the event, he received a report from the Education Bureau: This spring, the county's primary school enrollment rate reached 99 percent and the junior high school enrollment rate reached 95 percent, setting a new historical record.

"Good! But that's not enough. We need to reach 100%!" Gu Mingyuan instructed. "For those who drop out of school due to poverty, we need to develop a personalized plan for each child to ensure that every child can attend school."

On June 5th, Gu Mingyuan took his speech materials to the provincial capital.

On the bus, he gazed at the scenery rushing past the window, his heart surging with emotion.

Since taking office last October, eight months have passed, and significant changes have taken place in Liping: roads have been improved, industries have developed, people's incomes have increased, and cadres are in high spirits.

But this is not the end, but a new beginning.

The road ahead is still long, and the challenges remain severe.

But he was full of confidence. Because he had the trust of the organization, the support of his leaders, the cooperation of his colleagues, the companionship of his family, and the expectations of 400,000 people in Liping.

The provincial capital is getting closer.

A new stage is about to unfold.

Gu Mingyuan straightened his collar, his eyes gleaming with determination.

He wanted to represent Liping, and the cadres and people who were working hard in the mountains, to make Liping's voice heard and to show the changes in Liping.

This is just the beginning.

The future of Liping will surely be even brighter.

And he will continue to write a chapter of struggle on this land, a chapter belonging to this era and to the people.