Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

Gu Mingyuan was taken aback: "You want to go back to Pingzhou? Or...?"

"No, it's in Liping." Zhong Xiaoai's voice was gentle but firm.

"I want to work at the county's Federation of Literary and Art Circles. The work there is relatively relaxed, allowing me to take care of my family while also giving full play to my abilities."

Gu Mingyuan felt a surge of guilt.

His wife gave up her own career to support his work.

Now that her children are older, it's only natural that she wants to go back to work.

"Xiao Ai, I've let you down," Gu Mingyuan said softly.

"I support your decision to join the Federation of Literary and Art Circles. However, while the Federation offers a relaxed work environment, it doesn't wield much power..."

"I don't care about power or anything like that," Zhong Xiaoai interrupted him.

"What I care about is having my own career and having my own value."

"Mingyuan, I don't want to just be Secretary Gu's wife, I also want to be Zhong Xiaoai herself."

Gu Mingyuan's eyes welled up with tears: "Okay, I support you. The county literary federation happens to be short of a vice chairman, I'll talk to the publicity department."

"No need to give me any prior notice, I'm applying normally," Zhong Xiaoai insisted.

"I want to rely on my own abilities."

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Gu Mingyuan smiled.

"Our Zhong Xiaoai is always the best."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Mingyuan stood by the hotel window, gazing at the myriad lights of the provincial capital.

The wife is going back to work, and the parents are taking care of the children, so the family is stable and harmonious.

This allows him to focus wholeheartedly on his work.

Harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things; the ancients were right.

In early May, Liping County welcomed a group of special guests—a delegation of Party and government officials from Lüzhou City, Handong Province.

The team was led by Zhang Yongzhi, Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of Luzhou City.

This time, he was entrusted by Gao Yuliang to lead a team to Liping for exchange and learning.

Gao Yuliang had his own agenda here. After all, Gu Mingyuan was indeed outstanding, and Li Dakang was eager to exchange ideas with him, so Gao Yuliang naturally couldn't settle down there.

Gao Yuliang originally planned to lead the team himself, but due to official business, he had to entrust the deputy secretary to do it on his behalf.

"Secretary Gu!" Zhang Yongzhi shook Gu Mingyuan's hand tightly, his face beaming.

"You're doing incredibly well in Liping; even our entire Handong province has heard about it!"

"Secretary Zhang, please just call me Mingyuan, it sounds more friendly," Gu Mingyuan said with a smile.

"It is our honor that you came to Liping to guide our work."

"What guidance? We're here to learn." Zhang Yongzhi looked around.

"Liping has changed so much! The roads, the buildings, the greenery—it's like two completely different places compared to when I first came here."

The delegation of more than 20 people stayed in Liping for three days.

Gu Mingyuan personally accompanied them to visit the industrial park, drive along the tourist highway, visit the tea plantation, and hold a symposium.

The officials from Lüzhou observed carefully and asked detailed questions.

They are all cadres from developed regions, with broad horizons, and the questions they raise are very professional, and the suggestions they give are also very valuable.

"Secretary Gu, your idea of ​​using a karst cave as a reservoir is brilliant, but have you considered the operation and maintenance costs?"

"We've considered it and done the math. Although the initial investment is large, in the long run, the savings on water bills and environmental fines will allow us to recoup our investment within ten years."

"The tunnel design along the tourist highway is great, but how will the lighting and ventilation be addressed?"

"We plan to use solar lighting and natural ventilation design, which is both energy-saving and environmentally friendly, and can create special light and shadow effects."

During the symposium, officials from both regions engaged in lively exchanges.

The cadres from Lüzhou shared their experiences in development zone construction, investment promotion, and urban management, which broadened the horizons of the cadres from Liping.

"So this is how you can attract investment..."

"Their one-stop service is really thorough."

"The management model of the development zone is worth learning from."

Gu Mingyuan listened attentively and filled a notebook with notes.

The advanced concepts and management methods of developed regions are exactly what Liping urgently needs.

On the third night, Gu Mingyuan hosted a private dinner for Zhang Yongzhi.

The two ate and chatted in a small private room at the county government guesthouse.

"Secretary Zhang, the development experience of Luzhou is invaluable to Liping." Gu Mingyuan toasted Zhang Yongzhi.

"Mingyuan, you're too kind." Zhang Yongzhi downed his drink in one gulp.

"To be honest, I was a little unconvinced before I came here—what could a poor county like yours possibly have to offer? But after seeing this for the past three days, I'm convinced."

He remarked with admiration, "Although your foundation in Liping is weak, you have innovative ideas and great enthusiasm."

"In particular, the morale and spirit of the cadres and the masses are even better than those of some developed counties and districts in our Lüzhou."

"This was all forced upon us," Gu Mingyuan said with a wry smile.

"When you're poor, you think of ways to change things."

"Only through change can we achieve progress."

"When you're poor, you think of ways to change things. Well said." Zhang Yongzhi put down his wine glass.

"Mingyuan, I'm actually here on someone's behalf."

"Professor Gao?"

"Yes, Secretary Yuliang asked me to tell you that you are welcome to lead a team to Luzhou for exchanges. He said that he has missed you very much since we last met and would like to have a good chat with you."

"Also, Secretary Yuliang was originally going to lead the team himself this time, but unfortunately something happened in the city, so he had to send me instead."

Gu Mingyuan's heart stirred: "I was just thinking of visiting Teacher Gao."

"Then it's settled. Next month, you'll lead a group to Luzhou, and we'll cover the expenses," Zhang Yongzhi said generously.

"Secretary Yuliang said that he should treat his prized student well."

"Our back-and-forth exchanges deepen our friendship."

In mid-May, Gu Mingyuan led a delegation of Party and government officials from Liping County to Luzhou.

This was the first time that cadres from Liping had gone out for a collective study trip. Gu Mingyuan carefully selected twenty key personnel—including township secretaries and department heads—all of whom were the backbone of the organization who wanted to do things and were capable of doing things.

The reception in Lüzhou was of a very high standard.

Gao Yuliang personally greeted them at the city gate, arranged for them to stay in the best hotel, visit the most advanced development zone, and hold the most pragmatic symposium.

Walking on the wide and clean streets of Luzhou, and looking at the rows of tall buildings, the cadres from Liping broadened their horizons.

"This is what a city should be like..."

"Their development zones are dozens of times larger than ours."

"Isn't that obvious? You're comparing our county to the city center."

"Look at the greenery and the supporting facilities, the difference is too great."

As Gu Mingyuan listened to the cadres' discussions, he felt both moved and determined.

The gap exists objectively, but it is precisely because of this gap that we have the motivation to catch up.

In the Luzhou Economic Development Zone, the director of the management committee gave a detailed introduction to the zone's operating model: the government provides the platform, enterprises take the lead, market-oriented operation, and professional services.

"Our development zone provides a 'nanny-style' service, handling all procedures for businesses from registration to production."

"Companies only need to focus on production and market expansion."

"For investment promotion, we adopt a supply chain approach, not just attracting individual companies, but attracting the entire supply chain."

"This creates a cluster effect, reduces costs, and enhances competitiveness."

The cadres from Liping listened attentively and took notes, asking one question after another.

How can the land issue be resolved?

"Where will the funding come from?"

How to avoid homogeneous competition?

The officials from Lüzhou answered all the questions without reservation.

Gu Mingyuan noticed that the cadres in Lüzhou possessed a certain quality—professionalism, confidence, and openness.

They are open-minded, generous, and happy to share their experiences.

This open-mindedness is precisely the source of confidence for developed regions.

However, Gu Mingyuan believes that Liping County will gradually gain the same confidence.

In the evening, Gao Yuliang hosted a banquet for the inspection team at the municipal party committee guesthouse.