Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"dad."

"Mingyuan, congratulations!" Zhong Zhengguo's voice was filled with satisfaction.

"I've been keeping a close eye on the news from Liping."

"You did a great job! You truly deserve to be my son-in-law!"

"Dad, you flatter me."

"It's not an overstatement, it's the truth," Zhong Zhengguo said solemnly.

"Mingyuan, you've achieved results and proven your abilities. But I must remind you to stay grounded in the face of success."

"Lifting people out of poverty is only the first step; consolidating the achievements in poverty alleviation and preventing people from falling back into poverty are even more challenging tasks."

"I understand that the next step is to establish a long-term mechanism to ensure that people who have been lifted out of poverty do not fall back into it."

"Okay, it's good that you understand this." Zhong Zhengguo paused.

"Also, are you coming back for Chinese New Year? Your mom misses Pengpeng."

"I will go back, I will definitely go back."

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

On December 30, Liping County held a county-wide year-end summary and commendation conference.

The venue was brightly decorated and filled with a joyous atmosphere.

Nearly a thousand people, including county officials, representatives of the people, and representatives of enterprises, participated.

Gu Mingyuan walked onto the stage and looked at the familiar faces below the stage, feeling a surge of emotions.

"Comrades, fellow villagers, today is a good day." His voice echoed throughout the venue through the microphone.

"Our Liping has officially shed its label as an impoverished county!"

The applause was thunderous and lasted for a long time.

After the applause subsided, Gu Mingyuan continued, "This year has been very difficult for us."

"We have experienced the growing pains of the anti-corruption campaign, the hardships of development, and the challenges of doubt and pressure."

"But we persevered, and we made it through."

He flipped through the data in his hand: "Let me give you some figures: This year, the county's GDP increased by 45%, farmers' per capita income increased by 50%, and fiscal revenue increased by 60%."

"We have built 300 kilometers of roads, achieving paved road access to every township, and now we are moving towards road access to every village."

"We have developed distinctive industries such as tea, shiitake mushrooms, and traditional Chinese medicine, and the sales of agricultural products have exceeded 300 million yuan."

"We have built or renovated twenty schools, improved medical conditions, and increased the salaries of rural teachers."

"Behind these numbers are everyone's sweat and hard work."

Gu Mingyuan's voice choked with emotion: "I want to thank the cadres and people of Liping for your trust and support."

"Without you all, I can't do anything by myself."

Many people in the audience wiped away tears.

Yes, this year has been incredibly difficult.

Almost the entire county was mobilized to concentrate its efforts on this major undertaking!

"But—" Gu Mingyuan changed the subject.

"Removing the label is not the end, but a new beginning."

"We cannot be satisfied with this, we cannot stop here."

His gaze swept across the entire room, and he said, word by word, "I propose that Liping set a new goal: to become one of the top 100 counties in the country within two years!"

The meeting room erupted in uproar.

Top 100 Counties?

That's the highest honor for county-level economies nationwide.

Is it possible for Liping, a county that has just been removed from the list of impoverished counties?

Gu Mingyuan saw everyone's doubts, but he was full of confidence: "Comrades, I know this goal sounds very big and far away."

"But I want to ask everyone: A year ago, did anyone believe that Liping could be lifted out of poverty? Did anyone believe that our tea could sell for 120 yuan per kilogram? Did anyone believe that our roads could be built to every village?"

"At the time, many people didn't believe it, but we did it!"

"Today, I said we want to strive to be among the top 100 counties, and some people may not believe me. But I believe that as long as we work together, we can definitely do it!"

He elaborated on the path to achieving this: continue to improve infrastructure, build modern agricultural industrial parks, develop intensive processing of agricultural products, cultivate leading enterprises, and expand opening up to the outside world.

"We have ecological advantages, resource advantages, and the political advantage of the unity and struggle of cadres and the masses."

"As long as we find the right path, use the right methods, and work hard, we will definitely achieve our goal of becoming one of the top 100 counties!"

The room was silent for a few seconds, then erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Grandpa Wang from Yunwu Township stood up and said loudly, "Secretary Gu, we trust you! We'll do whatever you say!"

"Yes! We trust Secretary Gu!"

"With Secretary Gu's guidance, Liping will definitely become one of the top 100 counties!"

The trust of the people brought tears to Gu Mingyuan's eyes.

He bowed deeply: "Thank you everyone! I will certainly live up to your expectations and lead Liping to strive towards the goal of becoming one of the top 100 counties!"

After the meeting, Gu Mingyuan immediately convened a meeting of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee to specifically study the goal of becoming one of the top 100 counties.

Opinions differed at the Standing Committee meeting.

Executive Deputy County Head Li Ming said with concern, "Secretary Gu, isn't the goal of becoming one of the top 100 counties too ambitious? We've only just been removed from the list of counties with high poverty rates, and our foundation isn't solid yet. If we fail to achieve it, it will affect the confidence of our cadres and the masses."

"County Chief Li's concerns are valid," echoed Organization Minister Wang Jianjun.

"The competition among the top 100 counties is too fierce; the gap between us and developed regions is too large. In two years, I'm afraid..."

Gu Mingyuan listened carefully to everyone's opinions, and then said, "I understand your concerns. But we can't let difficulties stop us from thinking about or doing things."

He took out the prepared materials: "I have studied the evaluation system of the top 100 counties, which mainly includes several indicators: economic scale, development speed, industrial structure, improvement of people's livelihood, and ecological environment."

"Our Liping has a small economy, but it's developing rapidly. Our industrial structure is relatively simple, but it has distinctive characteristics. We also have a good ecological environment, which is our advantage."

"As long as we delve deeper into our areas of strength, it is entirely possible for us to achieve a leapfrog development."

He paused for a moment: "Of course, this can't be achieved just by shouting slogans. We need concrete plans, solid measures, and support from the city and province."

"I plan to report to Secretary Pei and seek the city's support. As long as everyone works together, this goal is achievable."

The Standing Committee held a meeting for three hours and finally reached a consensus: it agreed in principle with the goal of making the county one of the top 100 counties, but it should be implemented in stages and steadily.

The next day, Gu Mingyuan went to the Pingzhou Municipal Party Committee to give a special report to Pei Yihong.

After hearing Gu Mingyuan's idea, Pei Yihong was first surprised, and then fell into deep thought.

"Mingyuan, your idea is quite bold," Pei Yihong said, pacing back and forth in his office.

"There are only three or five counties in the entire province that are among the top 100. Does Liping, a county that has just been removed from the list of top 100 counties, have the confidence to be so confident?"

"Secretary Pei, I have confidence," Gu Mingyuan said firmly.

"Liping has great development potential, but it has not been tapped in the past."

"Now that we have a plan, a team, and the trust of the people, we are fully capable of making a big splash."

He gave a detailed report on the implementation path and safeguard measures.

Pei Yihong's eyes lit up after listening: "Great! You have ideas and measures, not just wishful thinking."

He patted Gu Mingyuan on the shoulder: "Mingyuan, I support you! If Liping really becomes one of the top 100 counties, it will not only be an honor for Liping, but also for Pingzhou and Hanjiang Province!"

But he immediately sighed and joked, "What a pity, I'm going to the provincial capital in March."

"If we could stay for another year or two, with a capable person like you, our political achievements could be further boosted."