Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

Zhong Xiaoai had left the light on and was waiting for him.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I'll wait for you." Zhong Xiaoai took his briefcase.

"What did the provincial leaders want to see you about?"

Gu Mingyuan explained briefly, and Zhong Xiaoai's eyes lit up: "Speaking at a central meeting? That's a big deal!"

"Yes, the pressure is immense." Gu Mingyuan hugged his wife.

"Xiao Ai, if I get even busier in the future, will you blame me?"

"Why should I blame you? What you did was important, a serious matter." Zhong Xiaoai leaned on his shoulder.

"I'm only worried about your health. Look how haggard you look again."

"Things will get better once this busy period is over." Gu Mingyuan kissed her forehead.

"By the way, where's Pengpeng?"

"Going to sleep."

The couple chatted softly about everyday things, while outside the window, the town of Liping County was quiet and peaceful.

In the distance, there were still lights on the construction site—the night shift workers were working hard to finish the job.

In mid-July, Liping entered the rainy season.

Gu Mingyuan's worst fears came true—the newly built highway developed quality problems.

In the Qingshi Township section, after a rainstorm, 200 meters of roadbed subsided and the road surface cracked.

The public reacted strongly, calling it a shoddy construction project.

Gu Mingyuan rushed to the scene immediately.

The construction site was surrounded by people, who were indignant.

"County magistrate, look at this road! We contributed money and labor, and this is how it turned out?"

"The contractor must have cut corners!"

"We deserve an explanation!"

Gu Mingyuan squatted down and carefully examined the crack.

Then he stood up and said loudly, "Folks, I am Gu Mingyuan. I take full responsibility for the road problem. Please make way so that the technicians can inspect it."

After inspecting the road, the technician from the quality supervision station looked grim: "County Chief Gu, the drainage pipes under this section of road weren't connected properly, causing rainwater to seep into the roadbed and lead to settlement. It's a construction quality issue."

"Which company did the repairs?"

Jincheng Road and Bridge Company.

Gu Mingyuan immediately called the director of the Transportation Bureau: "Notify Jincheng Company that the person in charge arrives at the site within half an hour. At the same time, all construction projects in the county must be suspended for inspection."

Soon, the project manager from Jincheng Company arrived, sweating profusely: "County Chief Gu, this...this was an accident..."

"An accident?" Gu Mingyuan pointed to the crack.

"Was the improperly connected drain pipe an accident? How did the supervisor approve it? What were your company's quality inspectors doing?"

The project manager stammered.

Gu Mingyuan understood that this was a problem caused by layers of subcontracting and a lack of supervision.

He announced in front of the crowd: "First, this entire section of road will be reworked, and the cost will be borne by Jincheng Company. Second, Jincheng Company will be blacklisted from construction projects in Liping and will be prohibited from undertaking any projects in Liping for three years. Third, the director of the Transportation Bureau, the director of the Quality Supervision Station, and the head of the supervision unit will all be suspended from their duties for investigation."

The scene quieted down. An elderly man asked, "County head, what should we do about getting around during the return-to-work period?"

"We'll temporarily build a sidewalk to ensure everyone can pass. During the rework period, those who participated in the construction will still be paid their wages." Gu Mingyuan looked around at everyone.

"I assure everyone that every road built in Liping will stand the test of time. Anyone who damages the reputation of Liping's highways will lose their job!"

After dealing with the scene, Gu Mingyuan returned to the county party committee and immediately convened an emergency meeting.

"This incident today has exposed the loopholes in our work." He said sternly.

"Was there any foul play in the bidding process? Was there any leniency in the supervision process? Was the acceptance process just a formality? We must investigate thoroughly!"

Executive Deputy County Head Liu Zhijun said, "County Head, Jincheng Company was introduced by the city, isn't that...?"

"The city's recommendations need to be even stricter," Gu Mingyuan interrupted him.

"The quality of the project is a matter of public safety and the government's credibility; there is no room for leniency. County Chief Liu, please lead an investigation team and provide me with an investigation report within three days."

After the meeting, Gu Mingyuan sat alone in his office for a long time.

Zhong Xiaoai called and could tell he was in low spirits.

"Are you having some trouble?"

"Yes, there's a problem with the road," Gu Mingyuan explained the situation.

"Xiao Ai, do you think I was too hasty? Repairing 280 kilometers in seven months, that might really be too fast."

"Speed ​​isn't a problem; quality is the key," Zhong Xiaoai said softly.

"Mingyuan, discovering problems isn't scary; what's scary is not daring to face them. You're handling this very well now, and the people will understand."

"I hope so," Gu Mingyuan sighed.

"I just feel that grassroots work is too difficult. There are thousands of threads above and only one needle below. If any thread is not handled well, problems will arise."

"That's why we need cadres like you," Zhong Xiaoai encouraged him.

"Don't forget, most roads in Liping are good, and most people praise you. You can't negate the whole thing just because one section of road has a problem."

His wife's words made Gu Mingyuan feel a little better.

He recalled Wu Tianming's words: Being a model citizen is not easy; the pressure is immense.

Yes, the pressure is really coming.

The investigation results came out the next day: Jincheng Company won the bid through connections and then subcontracted the project to a small construction team. The supervision unit accepted bribes and turned a blind eye. Some officials in the Transportation Bureau also intervened.

Gu Mingyuan looked at the report, his anger burning.

But after calming down, he made a decision: the director of the transportation bureau was dismissed, the director of the quality supervision station was removed from his post, and the supervision unit was expelled from the Liping market.

The officials involved have been handed over to the discipline inspection commission for handling.

He said at the county party committee standing committee meeting: "Comrades, if Liping wants to develop, it must have a solid work style. Today we can forgive a problem with the quality of an engineering project, but tomorrow someone will dare to cause an even bigger problem. Strictness is love, leniency is harm; everyone must understand this principle."

Secretary Zhou Haitao expressed his support: "I agree with Comrade Mingyuan's opinion. Liping cannot afford to lose; it must be strictly managed."

The decision to take action has generated a strong reaction.

Most people applauded, but there were dissenting voices—some said Gu Mingyuan was too ruthless and offended too many people.

Gu Mingyuan didn't care.

He said at a cadre meeting: "I would rather hear curses than cries. If the roads are not repaired properly, the people will not be safe to travel, and that could lead to deaths. By then, it will be too late to cry."

After this incident, the awareness of quality in all projects in Liping has significantly improved.

Gu Mingyuan also introduced a system of public supervisors, hiring five local residents as supervisors for each project, who can report any problems they find directly to him.

In late July, the sections of road that had been reworked were repaved.

Gu Mingyuan returned to the site, and the locals spontaneously organized an inspection.

Grandpa Wang touched the smooth road surface and smiled: "Now I feel at ease. It can last for decades."

Gu Mingyuan smiled and said, "Grandpa, everyone should cherish the road. We'll need everyone's help to maintain it in the future."

"Don't worry, we built this road ourselves, so we'll take care of it!"

On the way back, Secretary Chen said, "County Chief, although this happened, I think it's a good thing. Now the whole county knows that quality is a red line, and whoever crosses it will be in trouble."

"Hopefully, he'll learn his lesson." Gu Mingyuan looked out the window. "Xiao Chen, that's how grassroots work is—constantly solving problems and moving forward. There's no such thing as a permanent solution; only perseverance."

In early August, Gao Yuliang led an inspection team from Lüzhou City to Liping.

The reunion of teachers and students was especially heartwarming.

Gao Yuliang held Gu Mingyuan's hand and examined him carefully: "You've gotten darker and thinner, but you look more energetic."