Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"But I always feel that I am still inexperienced and my work in Liping is only just beginning. This honor is too heavy for me."

"Qualifications are not a problem," Chen Wenzhe waved his hand.

"When we hire people, we look at their abilities and achievements, not seniority."

"Your work in Lipingqian over the past year has been more solid than some cadres' work over ten years."

"That's the reason for making an exception and recommending them."

He paused, then said earnestly, "But Mingyuan, I must remind you."

"When honor comes, we must remain sober."

"You're now the youngest county party secretary in the province, and you've achieved great things. The bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it."

"I need to be more cautious and work harder in the future."

"I will keep Secretary Chen's teachings in mind."

Chen Wenzhe took a sip of tea and suddenly changed the subject: "Mingyuan, I heard you like reading history, especially the history of the Ming Dynasty?"

Gu Mingyuan was taken aback, then nodded: "Yes, I read some in my spare time."

"I also enjoy reading history." A hint of a smile flashed in Chen Wenzhe's eyes.

"Studying history can enlighten us, and understanding the past can help us learn from the present."

"The reforms you implemented in Liping, such as the tiered fundraising for road construction and the industrial model of 'company + cooperative + farmer,' actually have similar ideas in history."

"It's good that you can start from reality and draw on historical wisdom."

"Secretary Chen, you flatter me. I was just exploring in practice and happened to find that my understanding coincided with the wisdom of the ancients."

"It's not a coincidence, it's a pattern." Chen Wenzhe stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and took down a copy of "Zizhi Tongjian" (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government).

"You see, Sima Guang wrote this book to draw lessons from the past and to provide guidance for governance."

"We must also draw wisdom from history when it comes to county-level governance."

He opened the book and pointed to a passage: "For example, here, Emperor Taizong of Tang said:"

A bronze mirror can be used to straighten one's clothes.

By learning from the past, we can understand the rise and fall of dynasties.

By taking others as a mirror, we can understand our own gains and losses.

"Now that you are the head of a county, you should also look in these three mirrors more often."

Gu Mingyuan listened attentively, filled with admiration.

Secretary Chen is not only politically astute, but also enjoys reading history; such a leader is rare.

"Secretary Chen, I work in Liping and often think about this question: what is most important for a place to develop?" Gu Mingyuan asked.

Chen Wenzhe thought for a moment and said, "The most important thing is people. First, the leadership team must be united and effective. Second, the cadre team must be responsible and proactive. Third, the people must trust and support us. All three are indispensable."

"You did it in Liping," he continued.

"A united leadership team, hardworking cadres, and popular support are the foundation of your success."

"Those reform measures are merely methods and means."

"Things are still done by people; the key lies in people."

Gu Mingyuan said with deep feeling: "Yes, when I first arrived in Liping, the cadre team was listless and the people lacked trust in the government."

"We started with anti-corruption efforts, rectified our work style, and reshaped our image."

"Now that the atmosphere is better and everyone is united, everything is easier to do."

"That's right," Chen Wenzhe praised.

"Only with clean and efficient governance can there be smooth administration and harmonious society."

"Zhang Juzheng's reforms in the Ming Dynasty were important, including the Single Whip Law, but even more important were his efforts to rectify officialdom, eliminate incompetent officials, and promote honest and upright officials."

"Without this premise, even the best policies cannot be implemented."

The two talked about history and reality, from governing the country to governing the county, and found themselves getting along very well.

Chen Wenzhe suddenly asked, "Mingyuan, what are your thoughts on future development?"

"Liping is doing very well right now, but what's the next step?"

Gu Mingyuan was prepared: "Secretary Chen, I believe Liping needs to address three issues next:

First, industrial upgrading, from selling raw materials to deep processing, from low-end to high-end.

Second, talent recruitment, especially technical and management talent.

Third, promote urban-rural integration, enabling coordinated development between cities and rural areas.

"How exactly do we do it?"

"We have already started industrial upgrading; tea processing plants and mushroom deep processing bases are under construction."

"The next step is to build a regional brand and increase added value."

"We are preparing to introduce more preferential policies for talent recruitment, build talent apartments, and solve problems such as children's schooling."

"Furthermore, we have implemented the 'Returning Geese Project' and established a talent pool of people from Liping. Currently, we have contacted more than 300 experts, entrepreneurs, and technicians from Liping who are working outside the area."

"Through the call of hometown sentiment, policy attraction, and platform construction, 47 people have returned to their hometowns to start businesses and find employment."

"For example, Liu Ming, the factory manager of the Yunwu Township Tea Processing Factory, graduated from the Food Engineering major of Hanjiang University. He used to be the technical director of a food company in the provincial capital. Last year, he returned to his hometown to start his own business."

"He brought not only capital and technology, but also advanced business concepts and market channels."

"At the same time, we should be more pragmatic in vigorously developing vocational education. Higher education is not something that a county can develop on its own, nor is it something we urgently need right now."

"Vocational education that can be immediately applied to production is more practical for our Liping County."

Gu Mingyuan laid out his thoughts in front of Chen Wenzhe, his tone calm and firm: "In terms of urban-rural integration, we plan to implement a three-tiered development model with county towns driving development, townships providing support, and villages following up."

He walked to the map of Pingzhou City hanging on the office wall and pointed to the location of Liping County: "Secretary Chen, you see, Liping has a special terrain, with its eighteen townships scattered among the mountains like pearls."

"In the past, these pearls were isolated due to inconvenient transportation."

"But things are different now." Gu Mingyuan's eyes gleamed.

"The tourism highway loop has been initially formed. The next step is to use the road as a chain to connect the beads into a chain."

"Develop distinctive industries in each township—tea in Yunwu Township, animal husbandry in Qingshi Township, tourism in Longquan Township, and traditional Chinese medicine in Baiyan Township..."

Chen Wenzhe listened intently, then stood up and walked to the map: "Your thinking is very clear, but Mingyuan, have you considered how to solve the funding problem for developing so many industries at the same time?"

"That's the second question I wanted to address." Gu Mingyuan returned to his seat and opened his notebook.

"In terms of funding, we are exploring diversified investment mechanisms."

First, we need to secure funding from higher levels of government. Liping is currently a provincial pilot county for county-level economic development, with 50 million yuan in special funds available annually.

Secondly, regarding investment promotion, 28 companies have already signed agreements after the on-site meeting.

Third, we are activating private capital. We are currently piloting the "three transformations" reform in rural areas—resources into assets, funds into shares, and farmers into shareholders.

Chen Wenzhe nodded repeatedly, his eyes showing approval: "The approach is very systematic, and the measures are very specific."

"But Mingyuan, I have another question—with so many reforms being implemented simultaneously, how can you ensure that nothing goes wrong?"

This question hits the nail on the head.

Gu Mingyuan pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Secretary Chen, I have come to realize in practice that reform is like prescribing traditional Chinese medicine; it requires careful consideration of the formula and dosage."