Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

Pei Yihong's cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone: "Mingyuan, congratulations! Your official appointment has been approved. You are now the head of Liping."

Gu Mingyuan held the microphone, his back straightening unconsciously: "Secretary Pei, this is all thanks to your guidance."

"Without your trust and support, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"Hey, that's not right." Pei Yihong's tone became more serious.

"I, Pei Yihong, have always been clear about the distinction between public and private matters when employing people."

"You were able to rise from a clerk to the county party secretary in just three years, thanks to your own abilities and the results you achieved through hard work."

"The organization promoted you because you are indeed a capable and efficient cadre."

Gu Mingyuan felt a warmth in his heart: "Thank you for your affirmation, Secretary Pei. I will certainly live up to the trust of the organization and the expectations of the 400,000 people of Liping."

"Good, it's good that you have this determination." Pei Yihong changed the subject, lowering his voice.

"Mingyuan, there's something I need to tell you."

"There will be a major reshuffle in Hanjiang Province next year, and Comrade Zhao Anbang and I will probably both be going to the provincial government."

Although he had heard rumors before, Gu Mingyuan was still shocked to hear Pei Yihong say it in person.

He composed himself and said, "Secretary Pei, this is a good thing. Your arrival in the provincial capital will allow you to better plan for the province's development."

"With the higher the position comes the greater the responsibility," Pei Yihong remarked.

"But don't worry, no matter where I am, I will continue to support your work."

"Do a good job and make Liping a model for development in mountainous areas. That's the greatest support you can give me."

"Yes! I will definitely uphold the principle of serving the people and bring benefits to the people during my term of office," Gu Mingyuan solemnly promised.

"If an official doesn't serve the people, he might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes. I've always kept this saying in mind."

Pei Yihong smiled: "Good, good! I'm relieved to hear that."

"Mingyuan, you are still young, and you have a long way to go."

"Remember, no matter what position you hold, you must always keep the people in your heart and shoulder your responsibilities. This is the foundation of being an official."

"I will always remember your teachings."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Mingyuan stood by the window for a long time.

Outside the window, wisps of smoke rise from the chimneys of Liping County, while distant mountains appear as dark as ink.

He rose from a farmer's son to where he is today, and every step he took was the result of hard work and struggle.

Now that he has become the head of a county, the burden on his shoulders is even heavier.

"Mingyuan, what are you thinking about?" Zhong Xiaoai gently pushed the door open and came in, carrying a cup of hot tea.

Gu Mingyuan turned around and took the teacup: "It was Secretary Pei on the phone. He said he'll be going to the provincial capital next year."

Zhong Xiaoai's eyes lit up: "This is great news! Secretary Pei has always valued you highly. His position in the province will be more beneficial to your future development."

"Yes." Gu Mingyuan put his arm around his wife's shoulder.

"But I feel even more strongly that this is a heavy responsibility."

"Secretary Pei trusts me so much. If I don't do a good job, how can I face him and the people of Liping?"

"You can do it well," Zhong Xiaoai said gently but firmly.

"From Handong University to now, what haven't you done well? Flood control, road construction, airport, state-owned enterprise reform, and the changes in Liping this past year—what haven't you handled exceptionally well?"

Looking into his wife's trusting eyes, Gu Mingyuan felt a surge of warmth in his heart: "Xiao Ai, thank you for always believing in me."

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

"Oh, by the way, Dad called this afternoon and said he received the news that you've been appointed as the county party secretary."

He's pleased and wants you to stay humble and keep working hard.

"My father-in-law always reminds me so promptly," Gu Mingyuan said with a smile.

"I plan to start a comprehensive survey tomorrow. I want to visit all eighteen townships in Liping again."

"When you're a county head, you only see things from one perspective; when you become a county party secretary, you have to see the big picture."

Zhong Xiaoai nodded: "Of course, but you also need to take care of your health. You are the backbone of Liping now, so you can't overwork yourself."

As the couple were talking, there was a knock on the door.

Secretary Chen poked her head in: "Secretary Gu, Secretary Qiu Mu is here. He says he has a work report to give."

Gu Mingyuan frowned slightly.

Qiu Mu is the secretary of the county discipline inspection commission. Why is he here to report on his work at this time?

"Please come to the small conference room, Secretary Qiu. I'll be right there."

In the small conference room, Qiu Mu sat upright with a stack of materials in front of him.

Upon seeing Gu Mingyuan enter, he quickly stood up: "Secretary Gu, I'm sorry to bother you."

"Secretary Qiu, please sit down." Gu Mingyuan sat down in the main seat.

"What's the rush that you're here so late?"

Qiu Mu was in his early fifties, his hair was neatly combed, and he always had a gentle smile on his face.

He adjusted his glasses and pushed the materials forward: "Secretary Gu, these are some reports recently received by the Discipline Inspection Commission, involving cadres from several townships and county-level departments."

"I think I should report this to you."

Gu Mingyuan took the materials and quickly flipped through them.

The more I read, the gloomier I became—the problems reflected in the materials were shocking: the deputy head of Qingshi Township had falsely reported and embezzled funds in poverty alleviation projects; the engineering section of the county transportation bureau had accepted kickbacks in road construction; and the county agriculture bureau had shown favoritism in seed subsidies…

"Have these issues been verified?" Gu Mingyuan's voice turned cold.

"We've done some preliminary verification, and most of it is true," Qiu Mu said cautiously.

"But Secretary Gu, these situations... have existed in Liping for a long time. If we really want to investigate to the end, I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?" Gu Mingyuan looked up and stared at him.

Qiu Mu felt a little uneasy under his gaze, but still forced himself to say, "I'm afraid it involves too many people and could affect the stability of the cadre team."

"Moreover...and some of our comrades may have some minor issues, but they are still very capable at work."

"If we deal with them all, it will be difficult to find suitable replacements in a short period of time, which will affect the work."

Gu Mingyuan put down the materials, slowly stood up, and walked to the window.

After a long silence, he turned around, his gaze piercing: "Secretary Qiu, what kind of logic is this? You don't deal with cadres' problems just because they're capable? Just because they're involved in a wide range of issues? What kind of absurd theory is this!"

Qiu Mu was startled, not expecting Gu Mingyuan to react so strongly: "Secretary Gu, please don't be angry, I was only considering it from a work perspective..."

"Starting from work?" Gu Mingyuan interrupted him, his voice suddenly rising.

"What are you basing your actions on? Are you prioritizing the interests of those in power? Are you aiming for a 'good for everyone' approach? Comrade Qiu Mu, you are the secretary of the county discipline inspection commission. Your duty is to supervise, enforce discipline, and hold people accountable, not to compromise or be a 'nice guy'!"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Qiu Mu's forehead was covered in a fine sweat: "Secretary Gu, that's not what I meant."

"What I mean is that Liping's development has been slow in recent years, and the salaries of cadres are low, so some comrades are indeed experiencing financial difficulties, therefore..."

"So you can take advantage of people? So you can harm the interests of the masses?" Gu Mingyuan walked back to the table and tapped his fingers heavily on the documents.

"Look at these reports!"

"They dare to embezzle poverty alleviation funds and withhold seed subsidies. Is this something a human being would do?"