Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

The main problem is the timing. Li Dakang is currently very enthusiastic about road construction. If I submit this report, which focuses on the problems and difficulties, it will not only be rejected, but may also make Li Dakang think that I am hindering development, thus losing his trust.

He was waiting for the right opportunity.

On October 21, County Magistrate Li Dakang personally presided over the meeting. He was dressed in a smart Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, and his voice was loud and clear.

At the meeting, he passionately conveyed the spirit of his superiors and profoundly expounded the great significance of "to get rich, build roads first".

It clearly sets forth the grand goal of mobilizing the entire county's resources and working arduously for three years to achieve paved roads to every township and highways to every village.

"Comrades!"

Li Dakang waved his hand forcefully, his words resolute.

"We stand with you in the face of difficulties, and there are no difficulties in the face of us."

"The root cause of Jinshan County's poverty and backwardness lies in its inconvenient transportation."

"Breaking through transportation bottlenecks is breaking the shackles of poverty."

"This is a responsibility bestowed upon us by history, and we cannot back down."

"Those who fail to complete their tasks will have their top leader resign voluntarily."

Li Dakang's words echoed in the meeting room, carrying an undeniable resolve.

Officials at all levels faced increased pressure and convened mobilization meetings to organize work teams to go to the countryside and visit households.

Just as Gu Mingyuan had predicted, the people were filled with resentment.

In some townships, in order to complete the task quickly, the quotas were distributed equally to each household without any regard for the circumstances, which aroused strong dissatisfaction among the people.

Some village officials use simplistic working methods, and news of them getting into arguments and conflicts with villagers is frequently reported.

Some truly impoverished families, faced with fundraising amounts of tens or hundreds of yuan, have resorted to the idea of ​​having their children drop out of school in order to raise the money.

Gu Mingyuan works in the county party committee office, where he receives information and complaints from all sides every day.

The opportunity he had been waiting for soon arrived.

In early November, he learned by chance from Deputy Director Zhao Dahai that Liu Chengfeng, Secretary of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee, would be going to Jinshan County next week to investigate the winter planting of agriculture and the development of mountainous areas. He would be accompanied by an inspection team from Pingzhou City, Hanjiang Province. The person leading the team was said to be a classmate of Liu Chengfeng and had a close personal relationship with him.

Gu Mingyuan's heart stirred.

With Secretary Liu's arrival, Li Dakang and Yi Xuexi will undoubtedly accompany him throughout the report. The current top priority of road construction fundraising and the resulting conflicts will likely be one of the key points of the report.

This is an excellent opportunity to bring the issue to a higher level and seek support.

The key is how to deliver the report to Secretary Liu without causing Li Dakang to misunderstand.

After careful consideration, Gu Mingyuan decided to take the risk.

On the eighth day of the eleventh month, Liu Chengfeng and his party arrived in Jinshan County.

As expected, after listening to Yi Xuexi and Li Dakang's reports on the county's work, especially the road construction plan, Liu Chengfeng expressed concern about the conflicts caused by the road construction and demanded that the county handle the matter properly.

During a short rest at noon, Liu Chengfeng and his old friend chatted over tea in the VIP room of the guesthouse.

Gu Mingyuan seized the opportunity, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door of the VIP room. He held the carefully prepared report, which was wrapped in a large envelope.

The person who opened the door was Liu Chengfeng's secretary, who looked at him warily: "Who are you?"

"Gu Mingyuan from the County Party Committee Office, I have some supplementary materials about our county's road construction work. I would like to ask Secretary Liu to review them." Gu Mingyuan's tone was calm, but his heart was racing.

The secretary frowned, about to refuse, when Liu Chengfeng inside heard the commotion: "Xiao Zhang, what is it?"

Gu Mingyuan spoke directly: "Secretary Liu, Secretary Pei, I am Gu Mingyuan from the Jinshan County Party Committee Office. I have an urgent report on the current county-wide fundraising for road repairs, and I would like to ask you two leaders to review it."

His voice caught the attention of Liu Chengfeng and his old friend.

Liu Chengfeng turned his head and saw a young man with a calm face and clear eyes, standing there neither humble nor arrogant.

He had a vague impression of Gu Mingyuan; he seemed to be the capable young cadre that Yi Xuexi had mentioned.

"Oh? An emergency report?" Liu Chengfeng frowned slightly, but still waved.

"Let me take a look."

Gu Mingyuan walked into the room and saw Liu Chengfeng sitting on the sofa, next to a middle-aged man with a refined demeanor.

He forced himself to remain calm and handed the envelope to Liu Chengfeng with both hands: "Secretary Liu, these are some immature thoughts I came up with after conducting research at the grassroots level. They may be helpful in solving the current predicament of raising funds for road construction."

Liu Chengfeng took the envelope, pulled out the report, quickly glanced at the title and outline, and his expression gradually became serious.

He looked quickly but carefully, nodding slightly from time to time.

The middle-aged man next to him also cast a curious glance.

"Old Pei, take a look too." Liu Chengfeng handed the report he had finished reading to his friend, then turned his gaze to Gu Mingyuan with scrutiny and a hint of surprise.

"Gu Mingyuan...you're the young man who was recently promoted for his meritorious service in flood control?"

"Yes, Secretary Liu," Gu Mingyuan replied respectfully.

"Your report... is very insightful!" Liu Chengfeng said in a heavy tone.

"The issues mentioned, especially the risks that may arise from forced allocation, are by no means alarmist. Your proposed method of tiered and categorized fundraising is very creative and feasible."

The middle-aged man beside him had also finished reading the report, his eyes gleaming with undisguised admiration and excitement. He extended his hand to Gu Mingyuan, saying, "Comrade Gu Mingyuan, I am Pei Yihong from Pingzhou City, Hanjiang Province."

"To be honest, Pingzhou is now facing almost the exact same problem as your Jinshan County."

"Your idea of ​​'suffering for the rich'—or rather, differentiated fundraising and honor-based incentives—is exactly what I'm looking for."

"It avoids the drawbacks of egalitarianism and embodies both fairness and efficiency!"

"Your report has really saved us from a dire situation."

Pei Yihong?

Secretary of the Pingzhou Municipal Committee of the Hanjiang Province?

Gu Mingyuan was taken aback and quickly shook hands with Pei Yihong: "Secretary Pei, you flatter me. I only did some research and thinking within my capabilities."

Pei Yihong's handshake was firm and warm, making Gu Mingyuan feel somewhat flattered.

Liu Chengfeng introduced with a smile: "Secretary Yi Hong is an old friend of mine. He's here to exchange experiences."

"I never expected to find such valuable knowledge here!"

He turned to Gu Mingyuan, his tone becoming serious.

"Comrade Mingyuan, the situation you reported is very important. This matter must be handled with utmost care."

Liu Chengfeng immediately decided to temporarily suspend the original research trip and convene an emergency meeting in the small conference room of the county party committee, bringing together key leaders of Jinshan County, including Yi Xuexi and Li Dakang.

At the meeting, Liu Chengfeng didn't beat around the bush and directly asked Gu Mingyuan to briefly report the core content of the report.

Gu Mingyuan spoke clearly and calmly, but the content of his speech caused the expressions of those present to change drastically.

Li Dakang quickly flipped through the report, his expression shifting constantly.

He was initially annoyed, feeling that Gu Mingyuan had gone over his head to report the matter, but as he looked at the vivid examples and accurate data listed in the report, as well as the huge risks it pointed out, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

He wasn't unaware of the difficulties at the grassroots level; he was simply too eager for development and selectively ignored certain risks.

Only when Gu Mingyuan pointed out the problem with detailed data and case studies did he realize the seriousness of the issue.

Pei Yihong also spoke at the meeting. As a leader from a brother province and city, he emphasized the importance of steadily advancing infrastructure construction and expressed his high approval of the plan proposed in Gu Mingyuan's report. He believed that this was not only a good solution to the problems in Jinshan County, but also of great reference value to Pingzhou City.

Liu Chengfeng finally made the decision: "Comrade Dakang, Comrade Xuexi, the direction of road construction is correct, but the methods must be improved."

"Road construction is a good thing, but if we turn a good thing into a bad thing that causes widespread resentment among the people, then it is a failure of our work."

"I think the plan proposed by Comrade Gu Mingyuan is very feasible."

"Jinshan County immediately adjusted its fundraising plan based on this idea and started it as a pilot project."

"We must ensure that no unreasonable burdens are added to farmers and that social stability is maintained."

"If the pilot program is successful, it should be rolled out citywide! If problems arise..."

Liu Chengfeng's gaze swept over Li Dakang and Yi Xuexi.

"I will hold you accountable!"