Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

The work group stayed in Yunwu Township for two days.

They visit tea gardens and farmers during the day, and hold symposiums in the evening.

Sun Jianhua asked very detailed questions: How does the tea cooperative operate? How are profits distributed? How is technology promoted? How is the market developed?

On the third day, Sun Jianhua proposed to conduct random visits.

Halfway there, he pointed to a fork in the road: "Go to this village."

The accompanying township official's expression changed slightly: "Director Sun, that's Shiping Village, the most remote one, and the road hasn't been built yet."

"Let's go there."

The jeep bumped along the dirt road for forty minutes before finally seeing the village nestled in the valley.

Dozens of mud-brick houses were scattered around, and several children were playing barefoot in the mud.

Sun Jianhua entered a household.

The room was dimly lit, and an old woman was cooking sweet potato porridge.

"Grandpa, how many people are in your family?"

"It's just me. My son and daughter-in-law have gone out to work, and my grandson is studying in town." The old lady's eyesight wasn't very good, and she groped to pour water for the guest.

Gu Mingyuan took the kettle: "Auntie, I'm Gu Mingyuan, from the county."

"County Magistrate Gu?" the old lady exclaimed excitedly.

"I heard about you on the radio! They said you were going to build roads for us?"

"It's already under construction, and it will be able to reach the village next year."

"That's wonderful!" the old lady said, wiping away her tears.

"I'm old and can't walk anymore, so I just want the road to be repaired so my grandson can come home every week."

Sun Jianhua walked out of the house in silence.

At the village entrance, he asked Gu Mingyuan, "How many villages like this are there in Liping?"

"Thirty-seven of them, all in the most remote mountainous areas," Gu Mingyuan said in a heavy voice.

"We have already planned a second batch of highway projects, all of which will start construction next year. However, there is a large funding gap, and the county is trying to find a solution."

"What do you think?"

"First, we will continue to seek funding from higher levels of government; second, we will mobilize social donations; and third, we will explore resource exchange—for example, some villages have stone resources, which can be developed by enterprises, and resources can be exchanged for roads."

Sun Jianhua nodded and said nothing more.

Before the week-long investigation concluded, the working group held a feedback meeting in the county party committee conference room.

Sun Jianhua took off his glasses and slowly said, "In these seven days, I visited six townships, saw eight villages, and held eleven symposiums. To be honest, I had doubts before I came—could a 26-year-old county head really achieve so much in eight months? Is this just a vanity project?"

The meeting room was completely silent.

"Now I can say that the changes in Liping are real." Sun Jianhua opened his notebook.

"I randomly visited 56 households and asked them for their opinions on road construction and industrial development. 54 households said it was good, one household was unsure, and one household had complaints—because his family was extremely poor and did not contribute any money, but he felt unbalanced seeing that other households had contributed money."

He paused for a moment: "What does this show? It shows that your work has been recognized by the vast majority of the people. But what touched me even more was that the old man who had been complaining said one last thing—'Although my family didn't contribute any money, the road has been built, and my grandson is closer to school now, so I'm still grateful to the government.'"

Sun Jianhua looked at Gu Mingyuan: "County Chief Gu, the eyes of the people are discerning. What you have done for Liping is remembered by the people."

Gu Mingyuan's eyes welled up with tears: "Director Sun, we haven't done enough..."

"It's not enough, but the direction is right." Sun Jianhua closed his notebook.

"I will report the facts to the Provincial Party Committee. The experience of Liping, especially its practices of tiered fundraising, industrial poverty alleviation, and the unity of cadres and the masses, is worth summarizing and promoting."

After seeing the work group off, Gu Mingyuan returned to his office and leaned wearily against his chair.

Secretary Xiao Chen brought over tea: "County Head, Director Sun and the others seem quite satisfied."

"Satisfaction is temporary; work must continue." Gu Mingyuan rubbed his temples.

"Pass down the notice: we'll have a mid-year work summary meeting tomorrow. We need to discuss our achievements, but we also need to address the problems."

On July 5, Gu Mingyuan received a notice from the General Office of the Provincial Party Committee: Vice Governor Wu Tianming wanted to see him.

Returning to the provincial government compound, my state of mind was different.

Last time it was a report, this time it's a conversation.

The secretary led him into Wu Tianming's office.

The room was small, with bookshelves filled with books on agriculture and economics, and a calligraphy scroll hanging on the wall that read: "Seek truth from facts."

"Xiao Gu is here, have a seat." Wu Tianming looked up from the pile of documents and pointed to the sofa.

"What kind of tea would you like? I have Liping Yunwu tea here."

Gu Mingyuan smiled: "Thank you, Governor. We'll drink the tea produced by ourselves."

Wu Tianming personally brewed tea with practiced ease: "Sun Jianhua praised you a lot when he came back, saying that you've achieved great things in a small place. I've called you here today to hear your own thoughts—on Liping and on the future."

Gu Mingyuan sat up straight: "Governor, Liping is just getting started. Although some roads have been built and some industries have been developed, the foundation is still very weak. My idea is to spend another two years laying a solid foundation in three areas."

Which three?

"First, transportation infrastructure: ensuring paved roads connect every village and opening up rapid transit routes out of the county. Second, industrial infrastructure: developing tea, edible fungi, and traditional Chinese medicine into pillar industries and cultivating leading enterprises. Third, talent infrastructure: improving education, retaining young people, and cultivating local talent."

Wu Tianming nodded: "Your thinking is clear. But you need to understand, there are countless tasks at the county level. Can you manage to handle them all?"

"Therefore, we need a united leadership team and the support of the masses," Gu Mingyuan said sincerely.

"How many nails can I hammer if I'm all made of iron? The key is to motivate everyone. Every cadre in Liping has a designated area of ​​responsibility, and those who fail to complete their tasks will be held accountable."

"I heard you've dealt with a few officials?"

"Yes. A deputy township head was reported by the public for arbitrarily allocating funds equally during road repair fundraising. After investigation, he was given a warning and transferred from his post." Gu Mingyuan said solemnly.

"Rules must be enforced once they are established, otherwise they are just empty words."

Wu Tianming looked at him admiringly: "Principled and responsible. Xiao Gu, do you know why I'm paying attention to Liping?"

Gu Mingyuan shook his head.

"Because Liping represents the characteristics of most impoverished counties in the province—many mountains, little land, scattered population, and lack of money." Wu Tianming walked to the window.

"Over the years, we have invested a lot, but the results have been limited. Why? Because some places rely on others, waiting for money from higher authorities, depending on policy support, and demanding project funding. But you in Liping have been pioneering and innovative, forging your own path, setting an example, and creating valuable experience."

He turned to look at Gu Mingyuan: "The province needs role models like this. But being a role model isn't easy; the pressure will be immense. Are you ready?"

"I'm ready." Gu Mingyuan stood up. "As long as it can change the face of Liping and allow the people to live a better life, I will bear any pressure."

"Okay!" Wu Tianming patted him on the shoulder.

"The Provincial Party Committee supports you. Also, I have some news to share with you—Comrade Pei Yihong may be promoted before the end of the year."

Gu Mingyuan was startled.

If Pei Yihong is promoted, it will be a major event for Pingzhou and Liping.

"However, this is not a definitive conclusion; just know it for now." Wu Tianming returned to his seat.

"There's one more thing. At the poverty alleviation work conference, the province has decided that you will speak as a grassroots representative. You need to prepare your materials carefully, and you need to tell the truth about the situation at the grassroots level and express the expectations of the people."

"This was secured for you by Comrade Pei Yihong."

"Yes! I will prepare diligently!"

Leaving the provincial capital, Gu Mingyuan was unable to calm down for a long time.

Wu Tianming's remarks contained both affirmation and expectation.

The news of Pei Yihong's possible transfer made him realize that the political landscape of Pingzhou and even the entire province might be changing.

It was already late at night when we returned to Liping.