Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

Gu Mingyuan picked up his son and kissed his little face: "Pengpeng, Dad has been busy lately and hasn't been able to spend much time with you. Once things settle down, I'll take you to the provincial capital."

"Okay! Daddy will give me a kiss!"

The family was enjoying a happy time together.

At that moment, Gu Mingyuan felt that all the hard work had been worthwhile.

On September 2, a county-wide cadre meeting was held in the county party committee auditorium.

Gu Mingyuan spoke very directly, even somewhat harshly.

"Comrades, I have recently heard some things and seen some phenomena that have made me very worried." He stood on the podium, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"Some comrades think that if the on-site meeting is successful, the media reports on it, and the leaders praise us, then we are remarkable."

"Some departments are slow in handling matters, some officials are arrogant, and some townships have started to engage in empty formalities."

The audience was silent.

"I'm going to throw cold water on things today!" Gu Mingyuan raised his voice.

"What's so great about us? Liping is still an underdeveloped county, with per capita income less than half the provincial average! What right do we have to be proud? What right do we have to be complacent?"

He walked to the front of the stage: "What is a live meeting? It's encouragement! What is media reporting? It's oversight! What is praise from leaders? It's expectations! If we treat these as sources of pride, we're making a huge mistake!"

"From now on, a campaign to rectify work style will be launched throughout the county."

"What are you regulating?"

"Rectify complacency, rectify procrastination, and rectify formalism."

"Every unit must conduct self-examination and self-correction, and every individual must reflect on and rectify their shortcomings."

He announced three ironclad rules:

"First, anyone who takes bribes or demands favors will be removed from their position!"

Second, whoever shirks responsibility and passes the buck will be removed from their position!

Third, anyone who engages in formalism will be punished!

The atmosphere in the room was heavy, but no one was dissatisfied.

As everyone knows, Secretary Gu is right; it's far from time for Liping to relax.

After the meeting, the cadres discussed the matter animatedly.

"Secretary Gu is right, we need to stay clear-headed."

"Yes, the whole province is watching now. It would be really embarrassing if we didn't do a good job."

"With Secretary Gu leading the way, let's work hard!"

From September 3rd to 10th, a thorough campaign to rectify work style was carried out.

Each unit identified more than 100 problems and implemented more than 200 rectification measures.

The county discipline inspection commission conducted both overt and covert investigations, disciplining three officials who were slow to act and issuing a public reprimand to two units that engaged in formalism.

The effect is immediate.

Businesses report that things are being done much faster.

The public reports that the attitude has improved.

Reports from grassroots levels indicate that meetings are becoming increasingly rare.

On September 11, Gu Mingyuan received good news—with the help of the Provincial Department of Commerce, Liping Mountain Delicacies successfully entered the Hong Kong market, with the first batch of orders worth one million yuan.

"Secretary Gu, our Hong Kong customers highly approve of our mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tea!" the Secretary for Commerce said excitedly.

"The other party is demanding increased supply and a long-term contract."

"Okay! But be careful, the quality requirements for exported products are higher, so we must strictly control the quality." Gu Mingyuan instructed.

"At the same time, we must protect the brand of Liping Mountain Delicacies and not lower our standards for short-term gains."

"Understood! We have already established export product standards and are monitoring the entire process from planting and processing to packaging."

On September 12th, another piece of good news arrived—Liping was selected as a national demonstration county for ecological civilization construction, the only county in the province to be selected.

The director of the provincial environmental protection department called personally: "Comrade Mingyuan, congratulations!"

"Your adherence to the path of prioritizing ecology and green development has been recognized by the state."

"We should carefully summarize our experiences and promote them nationwide."

Gu Mingyuan was excited, but also clear-headed: "Director, this is an affirmation of our work, and even more so, an encouragement."

"We will continue our efforts to protect our green mountains and clear waters."

When the news spread, the people of Liping were overjoyed.

Ecology is Liping's greatest advantage, and this honor is an affirmation of its development path.

On September 13th, Gu Mingyuan was studying the rural revitalization plan in his office when his secretary, Xiao Chen, rushed in: "Secretary Gu, there's a phone call for you. It's from Handong Province. They say they're Secretary Gao Yuliang's secretary."

Gu Mingyuan's heart tightened, and he answered the phone.

"Secretary Gu, I am Xiao Wang, Secretary Gao's secretary."

"Secretary Gao asked me to tell you that Comrade Qi Tongwei was shot three times during yesterday's anti-drug operation and is currently receiving emergency treatment in the hospital."

Gu Mingyuan asked with concern, "How is the situation?"

"He's still being treated; the doctor said it's very dangerous," Xiao Wang said in a low voice.

"Secretary Gao said that Comrade Tongwei is a hero. He led a team to raid a drug manufacturing plant and seized 50 kilograms of drugs, but they were ambushed."

"Before he fell, he also killed two drug dealers."

Gu Mingyuan remained silent for a long time: "Which hospital? What... what can I do?"

"At Yantai City People's Hospital."

"Secretary Gao said he knew you and Tongwei were classmates, and asked me to tell you."

"There's nothing to do now, just wait for news."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Mingyuan stood by the window, silent for a long time.

Qi Tongwei, the once spirited classmate, the frustrated judicial assistant at Guyingling, and the policeman who risked his life on the front line of drug enforcement, is now lying in the hospital, his fate unknown.

He recalled Qi Tongwei's speech at the graduation party during his university days: "Our generation is born at the right time and shoulders heavy responsibilities. No matter what position we hold in the future, we must uphold justice and serve the people..."

Qi Tongwei took a different path, but at least now, he has not betrayed the vow he made back then.

Gu Mingyuan picked up the phone and called Gao Yuliang.

"Teacher Gao, Qi Tongwei, he..."

"Mingyuan, I understand." Gao Yuliang's voice was tired and heavy.

"Tongwei is still being resuscitated; it's been ten hours."

"The doctor said he has a very strong will and a strong desire to live."

"Can I go take a look?"

"Not for now, the situation is unstable right now." Gao Yuliang paused.

"Mingyuan, I'm telling you this not to make you worry, but to let you know that we are all working hard in our own positions."

"Tongwei is risking his life on the front lines of drug enforcement, while you are fighting on the front lines of development. Although your paths are different, you are both pursuing your ideals."

"I understand, teacher," Gu Mingyuan said.

"Qi Tongwei is a hero, and I am proud of him."

"I'll tell you when he wakes up," Gao Yuliang said.

"Take care of yourself too, Liping needs you."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Mingyuan was unable to calm down for a long time.

On September 14, Gu Mingyuan told the team members about Qi Tongwei's deeds.

Everyone was deeply moved and shocked.

"Secretary Gu, Comrade Qi Tongwei is a hero, and we should learn from him," Liu Zhijun said.

"Yes, we must learn it," the propaganda minister suggested.

Gu Mingyuan thought for a moment: "We must not only learn, but also take action."

"While developing the economy, we must resolutely crack down on crime and purify the social environment."

"Especially drugs, there should be zero tolerance."

"The public security department should intensify its crackdown efforts, the publicity department should strengthen anti-drug education, and the whole society should participate together."

He immediately deployed a special campaign to combat drugs, demanding that the public security department crack down on any drug-related activities as soon as they emerge, that the education department start with children, and that the whole society and all citizens participate.

"Development is for the people to live a better life, but safety is the bottom line. Without safety, nothing else matters." Gu Mingyuan's words were resounding.

September 16th is the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The town of Liping was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.

Gu Mingyuan did not rest, but instead went to visit the cadres and staff who were sticking to their posts.