Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"The province is studying a cadre exchange program, and you may be under consideration."

"But I suggest you stay in Liping for a while longer and achieve the goal of becoming one of the top 100 counties before we talk about anything else."

"With this impressive achievement, there is even greater room for future development."

"Thank you for your guidance, Governor Pei. That's what I was thinking too."

"The work in Liping has just begun, and I cannot give up halfway."

"Good, that's ambitious," Pei Yihong praised.

"Keep up the good work, I'll be waiting to celebrate your success."

On July 29, Liping welcomed its first delegation of entrepreneurs for a concentrated inspection tour.

More than fifty companies and over one hundred people came from all over the country.

Gu Mingyuan personally received them and held a negotiation meeting in the county party committee conference room.

"Welcome to Liping, fellow entrepreneurs!" Gu Mingyuan said, getting straight to the point.

"I know you all came here after reading the reports, but I want to start by pouring some cold water on things—Liping is still an underdeveloped county with incomplete infrastructure, weak supporting capabilities, and insufficient talent reserves."

The entrepreneurs in the audience looked at each other in disbelief, having never seen a leader so self-deprecating.

"Why do I say this? Because I have a responsibility to everyone, and to the people of Liping," Gu Mingyuan said sincerely.

"I don't want companies to be disappointed after they come, and I especially don't want them to fail after they come."

"Therefore, we will lay out both the advantages and disadvantages so that everyone can make a rational choice."

He detailed Liping's resource endowments, industrial planning, and preferential policies, but also frankly listed the difficulties and challenges it faces.

"Our advantages are a good environment, favorable policies, and capable officials."

"Our disadvantages are weak infrastructure, poor supporting facilities, and a lack of talent."

"We are working to improve, but it will take time."

After the meeting, the entrepreneurs went on site visits in groups.

Gu Mingyuan's arrangements were very practical, considering both the highlights and the difficulties.

We not only listened to the officials' introductions, but also to the opinions of the masses.

By the end of the day, some companies had backed out, but many more were more determined to invest.

"Secretary Gu, your honesty makes us feel more at ease," said a food company owner from the south.

"We are not afraid of difficulties, but we are afraid of local leaders boasting."

"You've laid out the unpleasant aspects upfront, and we've fully considered the difficulties. Only in this way can our cooperation last."

Ultimately, 28 companies signed letters of intent for investment, with a total investment of 380 million yuan.

Gu Mingyuan said at the signing ceremony: "What we are signing today is not just a contract, but also a trust."

"We promise to provide the best service, but we also ask everyone to promise to increase people's income and protect the ecological environment."

"Let us join hands for mutual benefit and common development."

On the evening of July 30th, Gu Mingyuan dragged his tired body home.

Zhong Xiaoai had already prepared hot water and a change of clothes.

"You signed quite a few contracts today, didn't you?" Zhong Xiaoai asked while massaging his shoulders.

"Twenty-eight companies, 380 million." Gu Mingyuan said with his eyes closed.

"But Xiao Ai, I don't feel at ease."

"What's wrong?"

"It came too fast, too much." Gu Mingyuan opened his eyes.

"Think about it, just a month ago, we were worried about attracting businesses, but now companies are flocking to us."

"This is a good thing, but it could also be a bad thing."

"If we can't handle it or digest it, it's a waste of resources, and it might even cause problems."

Zhong Xiaoai understood her husband's concerns: "Then what do you want to do?"

"Control the pace and ensure quality." Gu Mingyuan sat up straight.

"We cannot accept any company just for the sake of political achievements, nor can we lower standards for the sake of speed."

"Starting tomorrow, I will raise the entry threshold; I would rather have none than have bad ones."

"I support you." Zhong Xiaoai grasped his hand.

"Dad called again today and said he read the report and he's very proud."

"But he said that development is like driving a car. If you go too fast, you're likely to overturn; if you go too slow, you won't reach your destination. The safest way is to go neither too fast nor too slow."

"My father-in-law is right," Gu Mingyuan nodded.

"Xiao Ai, it's so good to have you by my side."

"Every time I get a little carried away, you manage to pull me back."

"Husbands and wives should support each other," Zhong Xiaoai said with a smile.

"Oh, right, Pengpeng learned a new song today and said he wants to sing it for his dad. Wait a minute, I'll go get him."

Two-year-old Gu Pengyu toddled over and jumped into his father's arms: "Daddy, I'll sing a song!"

"Okay, what song will Pengpeng sing?"

"Our hometown is on the fields of hope..." A child's innocent voice rang out in the room.

Gu Mingyuan held his son, his heart overflowing with tenderness.

This is the meaning of his struggle—to enable every child to grow up happily in the fields of hope.

As night deepened, Gu Mingyuan stood on the balcony, gazing at the night view of Liping.

Construction was still underway at the distant site, with lights twinkling like stars fallen to earth.

He knew that Liping was at a critical juncture.

The event brought both opportunities and challenges.

Whether he can seize the opportunity and withstand the test depends on him and his team, and on the 400,000 people of Liping.

But he was confident.

Because the direction was right, the path was right, and the people were united.

August arrived quietly amidst this busyness and reflection.

In August, Liping was sweltering, but even hotter was the heat of development.

August 1st.

Gu Mingyuan got up early, first went to the county's People's Armed Forces Department to offer his condolences, and then went directly to the construction site of the second phase of the industrial park.

This is currently the largest construction project in Liping, with a planned area of ​​500 mu (approximately 33 hectares). It will include a cold chain logistics center, a research and development center, and supporting enterprises.

At the construction site, tower cranes stand tall, machines roar, and thousands of workers are engaged in construction.

Gu Mingyuan put on his safety helmet and walked into the construction site.

"Secretary Gu, you've arrived!" Project Manager Lao Zhang hurriedly came to greet him.

"How's the progress?" Gu Mingyuan asked.

"It's proceeding as planned, but there are two problems." Old Zhang handed over the construction drawings.

"Firstly, the recent heavy rainfall has affected earthwork construction."

"Secondly, the supply of building materials is somewhat tight, and the prices of cement and steel have risen."

Gu Mingyuan looked at the blueprints: "There's nothing we can do about the rain, but we need to have a contingency plan in place so we can rush the work on sunny days."

"The county government is coordinating the building materials issue. The county is building a centralized procurement platform for building materials to reduce costs through unified purchasing."

He walked into the cold chain warehouse under construction and carefully inspected the construction quality: "Old Zhang, quality is the lifeline, especially for cold chain facilities. Insulation and refrigeration are key, and we can't be careless at all."

"Rest assured, we supervise the entire process, and every step is documented."

"Okay." Gu Mingyuan nodded.

"In addition, the workers' livelihoods must be well protected."

"In this hot weather, we must take adequate measures to prevent heatstroke and cool down, ensure that there is plenty of water, and provide good meals."

"We need to meet the deadline, but not at the expense of the workers' health."

"Understood. We have prepared mung bean soup and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water. We will take a two-hour break during the hottest part of the day."

After leaving the industrial park, Gu Mingyuan headed to Yunwu Township.