Official title: Refused to stay at the university, started his career in a rural town.

On December 13, 1997, the old locust tree in the courtyard of Qingping Township government had lost all its leaves.

Ding Guoxing pushed open the door to Yang Fan's office, clutching several reports in his hand, his face beaming with joy.

"Secretary, it's amazing! Our fruit-picking area is a sensation in Ningzhou!"

He spread the report on Yang Fan's desk, his fingers poking at the numbers on the paper, his knuckles as thick as old tree roots.

"We used to have five chartered buses, but now we have to make two round trips to the city center every day just to keep up. On weekends, we have to rent buses from the bus company in advance. The daily passenger flow has increased from over sixty to over four hundred—it's a constant stream!"

Yang Fan took the report and flipped through it from beginning to end.

Ding Guoxing stood to the side, his mouth never stopping: "Moreover, the growth data for Qingping Mountain delicacies, which was originally somewhat sluggish, has increased by an extra eight points this month. Eight points! We haven't done anything wrong, relying solely on those tourists going back and eating!"

He paused, lowered his voice, but couldn't hide his smugness: "Secretary, this fruit-picking area is another economic growth point for us."

Ding Guoxing, however, understood the situation clearly at this moment.

This 42-year-old township head had spent eight years in the Agriculture Bureau. Although he was brought in through protection, he also deserves credit for that protection!

What about the four great military achievements of ancient times? It's always the same: no achievement can surpass protecting the emperor!

After arriving and witnessing Yang Fan's methods, as well as the obedience of his subordinates and the respect of the common people, their resentment turned into acceptance, and acceptance into a sense of security, leading them to work diligently under Yang Fan's guidance.

What's in it for?

To put it bluntly—Qingping Township's GDP is growing rapidly, so he, as the township head in charge of the economy, naturally benefits from it. The threshold of deputy director level, which was previously insurmountable for ordinary people, now seems a bit thinner.

All Yang Fan had to do was say a few good words for him in front of the leaders when he left.

As long as I can get the position of Party Secretary of Qingping Township, the threshold for deputy director level will be completely gone, and I might even be able to enter the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

As for Yang Fan not being able to leave in the short term?

joke!

If Yang Fan can't get promoted, what reason do the other section chiefs have to get promoted? Don't even mention connections; no matter how strong the connections or how solid the channels, they can't stop Yang Fan's achievements from standing like a mountain over the heads of all the section chiefs.

Yang Fan looked up from the report.

Ding Guoxing stood there with his hands hanging at his sides, like a primary school student waiting for the teacher to grade his homework.

This person is honest, conscientious, low-key, and has strong execution skills.

After arriving in Qingping, he diligently carried out every task assigned by Yang Fan.

He doesn't steal credit, doesn't cause trouble, and doesn't engage in underhanded tactics. When asked to oversee service supervision in the picking area, he goes door-to-door; when asked to monitor the quality control of the mountain delicacies, he squats at the warehouse door, checking each box one by one.

"Old Ding, I've told you several times, come and sit down first." Yang Fan put the report on the table.

Ding Guoxing leaned forward slightly.

"The main pressure on a service-oriented government lies with you."

Ding Guoxing nodded.

"We need to mobilize all the resources of each department. We also need to understand the mental state of everyone," Yang Fan said, looking at him. "We absolutely must not allow any instances of a large company abusing its power."

Ding Guoxing's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

"If this happens even once—the development of Qingping Township will be completely ruined, do you understand?"

"Don't worry, Secretary." Ding Guoxing rubbed his hands together. "I'm not very bright. I definitely can't come up with any plans or detailed outlines."

"If you just point me in the right direction, I'll charge forward headfirst."

Yang Fan's lips twitched.

"In that case, I won't take up any more of your time, Lao Ding. You're busy and have a lot of tasks to do, so go ahead and arrange your work."

We must not extinguish even the slightest spark of his fighting spirit.

The more he does, the better the economy of Qingping Township will be, and the happier the villagers will be. Yang Fan understands this calculation perfectly.

Although it may seem like whipping a fast ox, if the fast ox performs well, it can be promoted, so it can't be called whipping!

Ding Guoxing turned and left, taking long strides as if he were going to a market.

After leaving the house, he turned back and waved to Yang Fan with a grin.

Yang Fan watched the figure disappear into the corridor, leaned back in his chair, and thought about the past three years in Qingping Township.

From Ma Liangchen changing his opinion of him and supporting him, to Li Chang'an willingly standing up for him, to Wu Xiang using himself as a shield to protect him from the wind and rain, and then to Ding Guoxing—this optimistic and action-oriented person, low-key and honest, with strong execution ability, who never challenged him after arriving.

These different teams are exceptionally well-suited.

Like a horse-drawn carriage equipped with a steam engine, it ran swiftly without any obstacles or hindrances, and without wasting any energy on internal strife.

Each of these people has their own shortcomings. Ma Liangchen smoothed out his rough edges in the beginning, Li Chang'an accepted his fate for so many years, Wu Xiang came here to gain experience, and Ding Guoxing is still working as a section chief at the age of forty-two. But these shortcomings combined make this machine run very fast.

This is the art of leadership: when assembling a team, it's not just about matching abilities, but also about matching personalities.

Yang Fan sat back down behind his desk.

I mentally reviewed Ding Guoxing's resume.

His twenty-year political career was half spent in various departments directly under the municipal party committee and government. It is said that he had some connections with municipal leaders. Then, the honest and law-abiding man was thrown into Qingping to "protect and support" him.

Is it really that naive?

Yang Fan chuckled softly.

He muttered to himself, "Whether it's real or fake, at least he did it."

"If I were to leave, this township head who only knows how to charge ahead headlong would probably be the only one the leaders would recommend when they ask for my opinion!"

At least he could follow the established rules and continue to let Qingping Township, like a steam-powered carriage, continue to gallop towards the distance, according to the plan he, Yang Fan, devised.

If he can't become the township party secretary, then whoever gets the position must have some powerful connections.

Especially since County Party Secretary Wu is about to retire, and there's no one in the county to replace him, all sorts of shady characters are rushing to this position to "gild their resumes," leave a mark, and then pat themselves on the back and get promoted.

Leaving behind a Qingping Township that has been completely renovated is not something he can accept!

After all, his roots are in Qingping!

Ring ring~

Just as Yang Fan was deep in thought, the landline on the table rang urgently.

"Hello, this is Yang Fan from Qingping! Who is this?"

Yang Fan asked as he answered the phone.

A hearty laugh came from the other side.

"I know it's you! Yang Fan from Qingping! Aren't you Yang Fan from Yangjiayu?!"