Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

A simple welcome banner was displayed at the entrance of the county government compound, but there were no flowers or red carpet.

The staff members were all in their positions, but their expressions were natural and composed.

Gu Mingyuan arrived at the county party committee guesthouse early to check on the final preparations.

The guesthouse manager was a little nervous: "Secretary Gu, everything has been prepared according to your requirements, but isn't it a bit too simple?"

Gu Mingyuan looked around the room: the old furniture had been cleaned and freshly washed, but the traces of time were still visible.

The bedding was clean and tidy, and its style was simple.

The restroom contained ordinary disposable toiletries.

"That's good." Gu Mingyuan nodded.

"The leaders are here to work, not to enjoy themselves."

"Simple, clean, and safe are the best ways to receive guests."

At 9:00 a.m., attendees began to register.

More than 200 people, including leaders in charge from various cities and prefectures, county party secretaries and county heads, and heads of provincial departments, arrived one after another.

The reception was conducted in an orderly manner, without any formalities of welcoming or seeing off guests, only simple and efficient guidance.

At 10:30, Gu Mingyuan received a notification that the motorcade of Provincial Party Secretary Liu Huanzhang and Governor Qiu Long was about to arrive.

He straightened his white shirt—which Zhong Xiaoai had specially ironed for him, making it clean and neat.

At the entrance of the county party committee compound, Gu Mingyuan and his team members waited quietly.

A few minutes later, three minibuses slowly drove up, without police escorts or a convoy following.

The car door opened, and Liu Huanzhang got out first.

He was in his early sixties, with gray hair, but he was in good spirits and had sharp eyes.

Next was Qiu Long, who was in his fifties, slightly overweight, and had a smile on his face.

Pei Yihong followed behind and nodded slightly to Gu Mingyuan.

"Secretary Liu, Governor Qiu, Governor Pei, welcome to Liping!" Gu Mingyuan stepped forward, neither humble nor arrogant.

Liu Huanzhang grasped Gu Mingyuan's hand and carefully examined the young county party secretary: "Comrade Gu Mingyuan, you've worked hard."

"Comrade Zhou Ming reported to me on your preparatory work in Liping, which was very good."

"Thank you, Secretary Liu. This is what we should do."

Qiu Long also shook hands with Gu Mingyuan: "Comrade Mingyuan, I have been paying close attention to the development of Liping. You've done a great job."

"Governor Qiu, you flatter us. We still have many shortcomings."

Without any further pleasantries, the group went directly into the county committee meeting room.

The meeting room was simply furnished: there was only one long table on the stage with nameplates.

The room below was furnished with ordinary conference chairs, bottled water, boiled water, and teacups.

A map and planning map of Liping County are hanging on the wall, but there are no slogans or banners.

Liu Huanzhang looked at the meeting room setup and nodded in satisfaction: "That's good. A meeting should be a meeting, no need for all that fancy stuff."

The provincial on-site meeting on county-level economy officially began at 11:00 a.m.

The meeting was chaired by Governor Qiu Long.

He got straight to the point: "Comrades, today we have gathered in Liping to hold a provincial on-site meeting on county-level economic development."

"The purpose of this meeting is to summarize and exchange experiences and practices in county-level economic development, analyze existing problems, and study the next steps."

"I hope everyone will speak freely, tell the truth, and do practical things."

The first segment was a report from Liping County.

Gu Mingyuan walked onto the podium, without a script, only a few outline cards.

"Respected Secretary Liu, Governor Qiu, and other leaders, good afternoon."

"I am Gu Mingyuan, Secretary of the Liping County Party Committee. I will now report on the economic and social development of Liping County."

Instead of starting with the achievements, he addressed the problems: "Liping is a mountainous county with a poor foundation and weak resources."

"When I first took office in 1994, the county's GDP was only 600 million yuan, fiscal revenue was less than 50 million yuan, the per capita income of farmers was less than 1,000 yuan, and the poverty incidence rate was 25%."

The audience was quiet; everyone was listening attentively.

"Faced with this situation in the county, we determined a development strategy that prioritizes transportation, supports industry, and focuses on people's livelihood."

"Over the past two years, we have built 500 kilometers of roads, achieving paved roads connecting every township and hardened roads connecting every village."

"We have developed distinctive industries such as tea, shiitake mushrooms, and traditional Chinese medicine, with agricultural product sales exceeding 300 million yuan."

"Education and medical conditions have been improved, with 20 new or renovated schools built and all county and township hospitals upgraded and renovated."

He paused for a moment: "By the end of last year, Liping had been removed from the list of impoverished counties."

"In the first half of this year, the county's GDP increased by 60% year-on-year, fiscal revenue increased by 65%, and farmers' per capita income increased by 62%."

A murmur rippled through the room.

This growth rate is rare nationwide.

But Gu Mingyuan changed the subject: "Behind the achievements are the tremendous efforts of cadres and the masses, as well as the strong support from the provincial and municipal Party committees and governments."

"But we must be soberly aware that there are still many problems in the development of Liping."

"First, the industrial structure is too simple and the ability to resist risks is weak."

"Secondly, there is a severe shortage of talent, especially technical and managerial talent."

"Third, there are still shortcomings in infrastructure, and communication is not smooth in some remote mountain villages."

Fourth, there is significant pressure on ecological protection, and the contradiction between development and protection is prominent.

Each question is supported by specific data and case studies.

"We are taking measures to address these issues," Gu Mingyuan began, discussing the countermeasures.

"First, promote industrial upgrading, develop deep processing, and build brands."

"Second, we will implement a talent repatriation program to attract local talent to return to their hometowns and start businesses."

"Third, we should strive for provincial support to implement a project that covers the entire communications network."

Fourth, delineate ecological red lines and develop green industries.

At the end of his report, he said sincerely, "Liping's development has just begun, and there is still a long way to go."

"We earnestly request that all leaders offer their valuable suggestions to help us develop better."

After the presentation, the room was quiet for a few seconds, then erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Secretary Liu Huanzhang nodded slightly and said to Qiu Long beside him, "This young man is good. He is pragmatic and does not evade problems."

Qiu Long nodded: "Indeed, the report is very factual."

Next, other counties and districts will share their experiences and make presentations.

With Gu Mingyuan's example, everyone spoke more practically, discussing both achievements and problems, creating a pragmatic yet enthusiastic atmosphere at the meeting.

Lunch will be served at the county government canteen.

Four dishes and one soup: stewed chicken with mushrooms, stir-fried bamboo shoots, home-style tofu, seasonal greens, plus a mushroom soup.

All ingredients are local; simple yet delicious.

Liu Huanzhang ate with relish: "This free-range chicken tastes amazing, it must be from a free-range chicken, right?"

Gu Mingyuan replied, "Yes, Secretary Liu, they are free-range animals raised by farmers in Liping. They eat corn and insects."

"Okay, green and healthy." Liu Huanzhang nodded.

"It's better than the delicacies served in luxury hotels."

"Haha, that's great, I'll have to come again when I have time."

There was no main table set up for the meal; the leaders and attendees sat together, chatting and eating in a relaxed atmosphere.

The afternoon session consisted of group discussions.