Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"Professor Gao, you are as charming as ever," Gu Mingyuan said with a smile.

"I heard you've done a great job in Luzhou."

"I can't compare to you. You're now a star county magistrate in Hanjiang Province." Gao Yuliang patted him on the shoulder.

"Come on, show us your Liping."

The delegation consisted of more than 20 people, and Gu Mingyuan personally gave them a tour.

At the tea garden in Yunwu Township, Gao Yuliang tasted the new tea and praised it highly: "It has a clear and mellow aroma and a sweet aftertaste; it is indeed a good tea."

"If Teacher Gao likes it, I'll bring you a few kilograms."

"No need, I'll buy it," Gao Yuliang said earnestly.

"Supporting the development of Liping starts with me."

In the evening, Gu Mingyuan hosted a banquet at the county party committee guesthouse.

After the meal, Gao Yuliang suggested that they take a walk alone.

The two walked on the main street of Liping County.

Although simple, it was clean and tidy, and the streetlights were bright.

"Mingyuan, you did even better than I expected," Gao Yuliang said slowly.

Gu Mingyuan said modestly, "It's all thanks to the excellent teaching of my teacher back then."

"The master leads you through the door, but the cultivation is up to you." Gao Yuliang stopped in his tracks.

The two walked to the riverbank, a gentle evening breeze blowing. Gao Yuliang suddenly asked, "Did you follow up on Qi Tongwei's matter afterward?"

"I've heard some things. Is he still at Lone Eagle Ridge?"

"Not only are they still around, but they've also made a name for themselves." Gao Yuliang's tone was complicated.

"He helps people with lawsuits, mediates disputes, and even cracked down on a group that illegally logged timber. Now the local people call him Qi Gongdao."

Gu Mingyuan exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that a good thing?"

"It's very good, but also very difficult," Gao Yuliang sighed.

"Secretary Liang Qunfeng had a prejudice against him, and I tried to transfer him away several times, but he refused each time."

"Senior Brother Qi has had a tough time."

"Yes, but he's very strong." Gao Yuliang looked at Gu Mingyuan.

"You two are my most promising students, but you've taken different paths. You've had a smooth journey, while he's faced many difficulties. But I believe you will both achieve great things."

Gu Mingyuan recalled Qi Tongwei from his university days, the spirited student council president.

Fate is truly unpredictable.

"Teacher, is there anything I can do to help Senior Brother Qi?"

"Sigh, there's nothing we can do to help. We can't change Secretary Liang Qunfeng's mind." Gao Yuliang patted him on the shoulder.

"But you need to seize the opportunity. October is crucial, so be well prepared."

After seeing Gao Yuliang off, Gu Mingyuan was filled with mixed emotions.

The teacher's reminder was timely; the leadership reshuffle in October would be a crucial juncture in his political career.

Seeing that he seemed preoccupied, Zhong Xiaoai asked softly, "What did Teacher Gao say?"

"We talked about some things in Handong Province," Gu Mingyuan said, putting his arm around his wife.

"Xiao Ai, if... if I really become the county party secretary, I'll be even busier and under even more pressure."

"I've been ready for a long time." Zhong Xiaoai leaned against him.

"From the day I decided to marry you, I knew you were no ordinary person. You are ambitious and capable, and you deserve to stand on a bigger stage. I will always support you."

"Thank you, Xiao Ai." Gu Mingyuan kissed her hair. "With you here, I'm not afraid of anything."

Outside the window, the summer night in Liping is peaceful and beautiful.

Gu Mingyuan knew that there were still more challenges ahead, but he was prepared.

In mid-August, Gu Mingyuan received a phone call from Zhong Zhengguo himself.

"Mingyuan, are the materials for the poverty alleviation work conference ready?"

"Preparations are underway; the first draft is complete."

"Send it to me." Zhong Zhengguo paused.

"Also, there's something I need to tell you—your name is now known in some ministries."

Gu Mingyuan asked in surprise, "Dad, what is this...?"

"Pei Yihong recommended you to the higher-ups, saying you are a model of being rooted in the grassroots and working diligently for the people," Zhong Zhengguo said calmly.

"This is certainly a good thing, but it also means you're coming into the spotlight. You'll need to be more careful with your words and actions from now on."

"I see."

"Also, there's news that Pei Yihong is being transferred," Zhong Zhengguo revealed.

"This is good for you; he's in the province, so he can give you more support."

"But you must remember, the more this is the case, the more you need to rely on yourself to achieve results."

"You can't go far by relying on connections; you can only last by relying on your abilities."

"I will always remember my father's teachings."

Zhong Zhengguo's tone softened: "Mingyuan, you've done an excellent job this year. I've read the materials from Liping and the provincial report. Your proposed methods—tiered fundraising, industrial poverty alleviation, and the unity of cadres and the masses—are very innovative. The higher-ups are paying close attention to grassroots innovation, so you need to perform well at this meeting."

I will definitely try my best.

"Also, I'd like to hear your thoughts on your personal development," Chung Cheng-kuo asked, a rare occurrence for him.

"If you had to choose, would you like to continue working in Liping, or go to a ministry? You've already spent three years honing your skills at the grassroots level. If you'd like to go to a ministry, I can make arrangements."

Gu Mingyuan answered almost without hesitation: "Dad, I want to continue working at the grassroots level. The work in Liping has just begun to take off, and I can't give up halfway. Besides... I feel that the grassroots level needs me more."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then Zhong Zhengguo's gratified laughter came through: "Good, that's ambitious. I knew I hadn't misjudged you. The grassroots level is a vast world with much to offer. Just do your best in Liping and make a name for yourself."

"Thank you for your support, Dad."

"Supporting you is one thing, but reminding you is another," Zhong Zhengguo said seriously.

"The county party secretary is different from the county head. The county head is the top leader, responsible for overall management, building the team, and setting the direction. You are young and inexperienced, so be prepared to face criticism. Remember, prestige isn't given by position, it's earned through action. As long as you can bring development to Liping and benefit the people, everyone will naturally respect you."

"I've got it."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Mingyuan was filled with emotion.

His father-in-law's affirmation was his greatest encouragement.

My father-in-law's advice was invaluable.

He wrote down Zhong Zhengguo's words in his notebook and pondered them repeatedly.

Yes, the county party secretary is the top leader, so the responsibility is greater and the requirements are higher.

He must complete the transition from executor to decision-maker as soon as possible.

In late August, Gu Mingyuan began to consciously adjust his work methods.

He no longer did everything himself, but delegated more power, allowing the deputy county heads to each take responsibility.

He spends more time thinking about strategic issues and planning for the long-term development of Liping.

At the same time, he strengthened communication with other members of the leadership team.

The Party Secretary holds a weekly meeting, the Standing Committee holds a bi-weekly meeting, and the central group holds a monthly study session.

His cooperation with Secretary Zhou Haitao has become even more seamless, and the two have fully communicated beforehand on many important decisions.

Zhou Haitao saw this and nodded to himself.

This young man is not only energetic, but also intelligent.

He knows when to charge and when to play it safe.

I trust Liping to him.

In September, autumn arrives early in Liping.

The leaves on the mountain trees were beginning to turn yellow, and the rice in the terraced fields was golden. Gu Mingyuan walked along the ridges of the fields, watching the farmers harvest, his heart filled with joy.

This year is a bumper harvest year.