Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"Now we will break down these opinions to the various departments and come up with a rectification plan within a week."

He instructed his secretary to distribute the list: "Each suggestion clearly identifies the responsible department and the deadline for completion."

"What I want to emphasize is that rectification is not just about writing a report; it requires genuine, practical, and thorough rectification."

"I will personally hear the report a week later to see the specific measures, the timetable, and the responsible persons."

The director of the transportation bureau looked at the item on the list—"Some remote mountain villages have poor communication"—and hesitated: "Secretary Gu, the investment in building communication base stations is huge, and our county's finances..."

"You'll also need to solve the money problem," Gu Mingyuan interrupted him.

"You can contact the Provincial Communications Administration; they will provide support."

"At the same time, you must develop a scientific plan, do a good job of engaging with the public, and ensure the smooth implementation of the project."

"Don't just talk about the difficulties, solve the problems."

"Yes!" The director of the transportation bureau immediately nodded in agreement.

The director of the Agriculture Bureau asked, "Secretary Gu, we plan to introduce several companies to address the problem of insufficient deep processing of agricultural products, but land quotas are tight."

"The land issue is quite sensitive, and County Head Liu and I personally coordinated it," Gu Mingyuan said.

"But you must remember that bringing in businesses is not the goal; the fundamental purpose is to increase farmers' income."

"Every company must commit to purchasing local agricultural products, to employing local workers, and to meeting environmental standards."

"These three are the bottom line, and they cannot be crossed."

"clear!"

The meeting lasted until 9 p.m.

After the meeting, Gu Mingyuan returned to his office and continued reviewing documents.

At 11 p.m., my phone rang. It was Zhong Xiaoai.

"Still not back?" His wife's voice was gentle, yet filled with concern.

"I have another document to review right away." Gu Mingyuan rubbed his temples.

"Is Pengpeng asleep?"

"She's asleep. Before falling asleep, she asked her dad why he wasn't coming home again," Zhong Xiaoai said softly.

"Mingyuan, the meeting was a success, you should take a break now."

"Dad called today and said he saw the report and told you to stay humble and not be arrogant."

"Father-in-law is right." Gu Mingyuan stood up and walked to the window.

"Xiao Ai, do you know?"

"Today alone, I received seven investment consultation calls, all from people who wanted to come to Liping for inspection after reading the reports."

"This is an opportunity, but also a test."

"If we can't handle it, it will be a flash in the pan."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Zhong Xiaoai's firm voice came through: "You can handle it. I believe in you."

Gu Mingyuan felt a warmth in his heart: "Thank you, Xiao Ai."

"Why would a husband and wife say thank you?" Zhong Xiaoai paused.

"By the way, the Federation of Literary and Art Circles is currently compiling a book called 'Stories of Liping,' which includes many accounts of changes made by ordinary people."

"I was deeply moved. The people are truly grateful to you."

"It's not me, it's us," Gu Mingyuan corrected.

"It's the result of everyone's joint efforts."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Mingyuan looked out the window at the night view of Liping.

The lights are more numerous and brighter than a year ago; this small town is changing at a visible pace.

On July 25, the day after the provincial conference on county-level economic development concluded, the phone lines in the Liping County Party Committee compound were ringing off the hook.

Starting at eight o'clock in the morning, the phone at the China Merchants Group kept ringing.

Companies from coastal areas, provincial capitals, and even foreign-invested enterprises have all become interested in Liping after seeing media reports.

"Secretary Gu, we've received twenty-three investment inquiries today!" The director of the investment promotion bureau rushed excitedly into Gu Mingyuan's office.

"There are food processing, tourism development, and new energy projects, with a total intended investment exceeding 500 million!"

Gu Mingyuan remained calm: "Register first, categorize, then screen."

"Remember, we don't need every investment."

"We must choose companies that align with Liping's industrial positioning, companies that are strong and reputable, and companies that can help increase the income of local residents."

"We don't want polluting companies, we don't want companies that grab land, and we don't want companies that seek short-term arbitrage."

"Understood!" The director of the investment promotion bureau wrote down the requirements.

"What about the reception arrangements..."

"We'll make a unified arrangement," Gu Mingyuan thought for a moment.

"In that case, we'll hold a Liping Investment Negotiation Week next week, inviting all interested companies to come for a concentrated inspection and negotiation."

"We provide good service, but we also make the rules clear."

"Great idea! I'll go prepare it right away!"

The investment promotion bureau chief had just left when the publicity minister arrived: "Secretary Gu, the provincial television station wants to do a series of reports, and reporters from other media outlets have also contacted us. What do you think of the reception plan…?"

"We will receive you truthfully and provide you with accurate information," Gu Mingyuan said.

"But there are a few principles: first, no fake scenes are allowed; second, no mass performances are allowed; and third, no exaggeration of achievements is allowed."

"Reporters can go wherever they want to see, and talk to whomever they want to talk to."

"We must be able to withstand scrutiny, but we also cannot allow reporters to disturb the public."

"But some areas are still under construction, so it's a bit messy..."

"Let it be chaotic, authenticity is the most important thing," Gu Mingyuan said firmly.

"We are in the process of development and construction, and there is nothing shameful about that. What is truly shameful is to whitewash the situation."

The propaganda minister understood immediately: "I get it, be realistic."

At noon, while Gu Mingyuan was eating in the canteen, several young cadres gathered around him.

"Secretary Gu, everyone outside is saying that Liping is about to take off!"

"Yes, my classmate works in the provincial capital and he called to ask me about Liping."

"Are we really going to become one of the top 100 counties?"

Gu Mingyuan put down his chopsticks and looked at these young faces: "Comrades, when others praise us, it's encouragement, not the truth."

"What is the truth?"

"Our per capita income is only a little over half of the provincial average, our education and healthcare still have a long way to go, and our industrial base is still very weak."

He paused for a moment, then said, "The event was a success, and the media paid attention, which is a good thing."

"But if we get carried away and think we're something special, then a good thing can turn into a bad thing."

"Everyone, remember that it is precisely at times like these that we must be down-to-earth and work diligently."

The young cadres seemed to be deep in thought.

In the afternoon, Gu Mingyuan presided over a meeting of all county cadres.

The county committee auditorium, which can accommodate 500 people, was packed to capacity, with people even standing in the aisles.

Gu Mingyuan walked onto the podium, without a script, only a map of Liping County.

"Comrades, there is only one theme for today's meeting—soberness." His voice echoed throughout the auditorium through the microphone.

"The meeting is over, the praise has been heard, and the reports have been seen. Now I ask everyone: Have we succeeded?"

The audience was silent.

"I'm telling you all, no!" Gu Mingyuan raised his voice.

"We're just getting started!"

What will the scene be like?

"It's a review, a reminder, and a new beginning!"

He walked to the map: "Look at our Liping, of the eighteen townships, six still lack a pillar industry."

"Of the 180 administrative villages, 30 still have poor road conditions."

"Of the 400,000 people, 50,000 have an annual income of less than 2,000 yuan."

"This is our current situation, and this is the problem we need to solve!"

The audience was silent.

"Some people might say, 'Secretary Gu, don't always dampen the spirits; everyone's having a good time,'" Gu Mingyuan said, changing the subject.

"Then I'll tell you, I'm going to pour cold water on this!"

"If we don't splash it now, it won't be cold water when we fall down, it'll be ice water!"