Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

The county discipline inspection commission secretary reminded him: "Secretary Gu, how should we set the reception standards? When provincial leaders come down, some places are prone to exceeding the standards for receptions."

"We will strictly implement the Eight-Point Regulation." Gu Mingyuan's attitude was firm.

"Accommodation will be arranged at the county government guesthouse. No renovations or additions will be made, but it must be kept clean and tidy."

"Meals will be provided as working meals, consisting of four dishes and a soup, made with local ingredients."

"Vehicles will be arranged in minibuses, without police escorts or road closures."

"Isn't it too easy?" someone whispered.

"Simplicity is key," Gu Mingyuan said, raising his voice.

"Secretary Liu Huanzhang and Governor Qiu Long are both pragmatic people. They came to see the work, not to make a show of it."

"We're simple by nature, that's just our work style."

"Moreover, I personally abhor extravagance and waste."

The meeting lasted all morning and finally reached a resolution: to establish a preparatory work leading group, formulate a detailed plan, and mobilize the entire county to go all out, but must adhere to the principles of pragmatism and frugality.

After the meeting, Gu Mingyuan kept Li Ming, the executive deputy county head, behind.

"County Chief Li, the preparations are incredibly complex and demanding. You must be working very hard." Gu Mingyuan handed him a cup of tea.

"Secretary Gu, rest assured, I will do my best," Li Ming said solemnly.

"However, there's a practical problem—the county government guesthouse is indeed in very poor condition; shouldn't we do some simple renovations?"

Gu Mingyuan pondered for a moment: "In this way, we'll only do necessary maintenance to ensure safety and hygiene, but we won't do any renovations."

"The old furniture in the room can be repainted, but don't replace it."

"All bedding has been washed and disinfected, but it must be used; new bedding cannot be purchased."

"Isn't this... a bit too shabby?"

"Hey, this isn't about being stingy. We've always been this practical," Gu Mingyuan said with a smile.

"I believe the leaders can understand that we in Liping have spent all our money on development, not on appearances."

Li Ming suddenly realized: "I understand, I'll go make the arrangements now."

On July 2nd, preparations were fully launched.

Gu Mingyuan personally led the team, walking along the three designed inspection routes.

At a tea plantation in Yunwu Township, he asked Wang Dashan, the township's Party Secretary, "Old Wang, if provincial leaders came and asked you to give a briefing, what would you say?"

Wang Dashan said somewhat nervously, "I was just saying... the tea industry is developing well, and farmers' incomes are increasing..."

"Not enough." Gu Mingyuan shook his head.

"You need to provide specific data: how many acres of tea gardens are there in the whole township, how many households are involved, what was the total income last year, and what is the expected income this year."

"Another problem to mention: insufficient deep processing of tea and inadequate brand influence. What are the next steps?"

"What's the problem?" Wang Dashan hesitated.

"You absolutely must tell me," Gu Mingyuan said earnestly.

"Development is a dynamic process; problems are what make it real."

"Secretary Liu Huanzhang likes to hear the truth. If you tell the truth, he will be happy."

"We only speak the truth and only do practical things."

At the breeding base in Qingshi Township, Gu Mingyuan also instructed: "We must not only talk about expanding the scale and increasing farmers' income, but also about the pressure of epidemic prevention, market risks, and environmental protection requirements."

"We need to let the leaders see that industrial development is not always smooth sailing."

At the industrial park, he specifically instructed the company leaders: "When introducing the situation, focus on how the company helps farmers, how it applies new technologies, and how it expands the market."

"But we must also talk about the difficulties, such as talent shortages, difficulty in financing, and high logistics costs."

After walking around the area, Gu Mingyuan's voice was hoarse, but he insisted on visiting every point and explaining every requirement thoroughly.

Back at the county committee that evening, he convened a meeting of the preparatory group.

"Comrades, today I visited three townships and six locations, and I discovered a problem." Gu Mingyuan said with a serious expression.

"Grassroots cadres have concerns that speaking out about problems will damage their image; this mindset must be changed."

He stood up: "We want to send a clear signal—the provincial leaders are here to conduct research and provide guidance, not to listen to praises."

"Achievements should be discussed, problems should be discussed, and solutions should be discussed even more."

"That's what a responsible attitude is."

The publicity manager nodded: "Secretary Gu is right. I will organize training immediately so that the guides at each location can master the methods."

"Okay." Gu Mingyuan sat down.

"In addition, the security plan needs to be detailed, but attention should be paid to the method."

"No road closures, no clearing of areas, and no disruption to the normal lives of the public."

"We can increase traffic police to manage the flow, but we cannot block traffic."

The county public security bureau chief stated: "We have developed a plan to increase police presence on key road sections, but without setting up roadblocks or stopping vehicles, to ensure normal passage for the public."

"That's right," Gu Mingyuan said with satisfaction.

"We cannot disturb the public when we hold this event."

"We need to make the people feel that this will be a good thing that promotes development, not a bad thing that causes trouble."

Gu Mingyuan didn't finish the meeting until 11 p.m.

Back in the dormitory, Zhong Xiaoai was still waiting for him.

"It's so late again today." Zhong Xiaoai brought over some hot soup.

"Time is tight and the task is heavy." Gu Mingyuan took the soup and gave his wife a grateful look.

"Xiao Ai, thank you."

"Why say thank you between husband and wife?" Zhong Xiaoai sat down next to him.

"But Mingyuan, I heard you're going to organize training sessions for grassroots cadres to discuss their problems?"

How did you know?

"The Federation of Literary and Art Circles is having a meeting today, and everyone is talking about it," Zhong Xiaoai said softly.

"Some people are worried that talking about the issues might damage Liping's image."

Gu Mingyuan put down his soup bowl and said seriously, "Xiao Ai, what do you think constitutes an image? Is it whitewashing or being truthful?"

Zhong Xiaoai thought for a moment: "Of course, we should be realistic."

"Yes." Gu Mingyuan nodded.

"Liping's reputation wasn't built on hype, it was built on hard work."

"We have problems, but we're solving them—that's the best image we can project."

He paused for a moment: "I have always believed that everyone here is a cadre who dares to face problems head-on."

"I firmly believe that the more honest we are, the more respect we will earn."

"I understand." Zhong Xiaoai grasped his hand.

"However, you need to be careful with your approach. It's normal for grassroots cadres to have concerns, so you need to guide them patiently."

"I know." Gu Mingyuan grasped his wife's hand in return.

"Xiao Ai, we're leaving the family in your care for a while. Pengpeng is still young, and his parents are getting old..."

"Don't worry," Zhong Xiaoai smiled.

"I'll take care of things at home, so you can focus on your work. Just don't overwork yourself; your health is the foundation of everything."

On July 3, Gu Mingyuan received a call from Gao Yuliang.

"Mingyuan, I heard that Liping is going to hold a provincial on-site meeting?" Gao Yuliang's voice was filled with laughter.

"Professor Gao is really well-informed," Gu Mingyuan said with a smile.

"Handong and Hanjiang are neighboring provinces, so of course we know about this." Gao Yuliang paused.

"That's a very high-level event. Both Party Secretary Liu Huanzhang and Governor Qiu Long are attending?"

"Yes."

"Okay, okay," Gao Yuliang said twice.

"This is an affirmation of your abilities, but also a test."

"Mingyuan, I'll give you eight words: Be realistic and pragmatic, and neither humble nor arrogant."

"The student has taken note."

"Also, I have a suggestion," Gao Yuliang said.

"The on-site meeting should not only showcase achievements, but also prompt reflection."