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

On July 22, 1998, the Ninghe County Administrative Service Center was officially established.

Firecracker debris covered the entrance with a layer of red. Liu Xiangdong stood on the steps, with a newly hung plaque behind him that read "Ninghe County Administrative Service Center" in black characters on a white background. The entrance was crowded with vendors and ordinary people who came to do business.

"Fellow villagers of Ninghe, distinguished business representatives," Liu Xiangdong pulled the microphone closer to his mouth, his voice booming from the loudspeaker, causing the people in the first row below the steps to lean back, "Today, the Ninghe County Administrative Service Center is officially inaugurated!"

"Here, the business registration, taxation, urban construction, and land departments—all the windows that deal with ordinary people and businesses—are lined up in a row." Liu Xiangdong pointed to the hall behind him. "Simple matters will be handled on the same day. Complex procedures will be answered within three working days, and must be completed within seven working days. If anyone obstructs or delays you, come find me. I am the leader on duty today, County Party Secretary Liu Xiangdong."

The crowd applauded, and there were scattered cheers.

Liu Xiangdong raised his hand and pointed to the next room.

"The petition office has also moved here. From now on, if anyone is upset or feels that things are not handled reasonably in the administrative center, they can go directly to the office next door to complain. If the county says it can't be handled, the petition office will take you to me, Liu Xiangdong."

Someone laughed, a soft, rustling laugh like the wind blowing through dry corn stalks.

"I won't say any more," Liu Xiangdong said, stepping aside to let the door open.

"I'm the supervisor on duty today. If you have any questions, feel free to come to the duty room on the second floor to find me."

The crowd surged forward, and two guides stood at the entrance, one holding a sign that read "Personal Services" and the other "Corporate Services," shouting to direct the flow of people. The guides, wearing red vests, weaved through the crowd, leading people carrying documents to the appropriate windows.

Liu Xiangdong turned and went into the building. The other members of the leadership team followed in single file.

The monitoring room on the second floor is not large, with six monitors hanging on the wall.

Liu Xiangdong stood in front of the screen, watching the crowd in the lobby on the first floor slowly move towards their respective windows under the guidance of two guides, forming several lines. Some people were carrying thick stacks of documents, while others were just clutching a crumpled piece of paper.

"County Chief Yang." Liu Xiangdong didn't turn around.

Yang Fan took a step forward.

"As the executive deputy county head, this administrative center is primarily under your jurisdiction. You need to ensure the service windows are stable and that the public and businesses feel comfortable and satisfied. Don't let any complaints arise after just two or three days of operation—you must keep a close eye on this."

Yang Fan took a step forward. "Don't worry, Secretary, I'll keep a close eye on it. This is the face of Ninghe County to the people; we won't let it get dusty."

Liu Xiangdong turned around and glanced at everyone present.

"The shift schedule for the Standing Committee members has been arranged, and the offices have been set up. Within a month, I will take one day, the county head will take one day, and the other Standing Committee members will take turns working on weekdays." He paused.

"No matter who it is, they're on duty here that day. If they really have work to do, they should contact the office in advance to arrange a shift change, so there won't be any vacancies. This is the new face of Ninghe County, and no one is allowed to tarnish it."

Everyone responded enthusiastically.

"It's my turn to be on duty alone today, so I won't keep you guys here," Liu Xiangdong said with a smile.

"Go back and do what you were doing. I'll stay here and keep an eye on things, take a look at the administrative center of Ninghe County."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next morning, Yang Fan was reviewing reports from various county-owned enterprises in his office when the phone rang.

"Yang County, this is Su Hangyu." The person on the other end of the phone was Su Hangyu, the director of the administrative center and deputy county head. "Director Wu from the petitions bureau just called me."

Yang Fan put the jar down. "Speak."

"Everything has gone smoothly since the administrative center opened, but the petition office has started receiving complaints."

Su Hangyu paused.

"There was a sole proprietor at the business registration window. Two years ago, the business registration bureau collected the money for the annual inspection of their business license, but they lost the receipt. Today, they came to the administrative center to handle new business, but the window couldn't find the annual inspection record and asked them to submit it again. The business owner was in a panic and didn't dare to approach the supervisor on duty. The window staff had no choice but to call back to the bureau for instructions. The bureau replied, 'Follow the procedure.' In the end, the business owner didn't dare to approach the supervisor on duty directly, so they went to the petition office to file a complaint."

There was a few seconds of silence on the phone.

"Follow the procedure." Yang Fan repeated.

"Yes, the Industry and Commerce Bureau also said that this is a normal procedure and there is no obstruction involved."

Yang Fan stood up, slamming the jar onto the table with a dull thud. "County Chief Su, notify Liu Dehai, the director of the Industry and Commerce Bureau, to come to the administrative center immediately. Director Wu of the Letters and Visits Bureau, please calm down the individual business owner and wait for my call."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Fan leaned back in his chair and stared at the forty-watt light bulb on the ceiling.

Since the last major meeting, when Xu Nian from the Transportation Bureau was dismissed by Liu Xiangdong for grumbling about the decentralization of power at the administrative center, some people have learned their lesson—they no longer object or obstruct.

Here's another trick: "follow the procedure." A vehicle inspection record has been delayed for two years, the documents are lost, and the people are left to take the blame. Is this what you call "following the procedure"? This is just treating the people like a ball, kicking them whichever window they're sent to.

The red banners at the administrative center were still hanging, and firecracker paper was scattered all over the floor. The festive atmosphere of the first day of opening hadn't even faded when someone tried to pry open the facade with soft nails.

Liu Xiangdong's statement, "It can't overturn the sky," was meant for everyone. But the kind of thing that's done by giving the cold shoulder isn't about overturning the sky—it's about wearing people down little by little until the people stop believing in you, and then your brand is finished.

"Secretary, County Head, it seems Xu Nian's lesson wasn't profound enough!"

In Liu Xiangdong's office, Yang Fan said while smoking a cigarette.

"Hmph, some people just can't shake off that bureaucratic mindset. We'll deal with them one by one now, and see who dares to challenge the county committee's authority!"

Su Shunda said angrily.

Having risen through the ranks himself, he was well aware of the problems inherent in the grassroots: people seem to feel compelled to use any power they have, otherwise they cannot demonstrate their authority.

I don't care about the money, but you have to give me face. I'll treat you to a meal, give you two packs of cigarettes, and help you with something that could normally be done normally.

This kind of thing is not unique to Ninghe County; it is common in economically underdeveloped areas.

"The county magistrate is right. Every case we discover will be dealt with severely. Officials who shirk responsibility and are incompetent don't deserve to be in this position!"

Liu Xiangdong nodded, his expression equally menacing.

In his eyes now, anyone who blocks the path of the administrative service center is blocking the path of Ninghe County's economic development, and is blocking his path to advancement. So, do you think the affairs of the administrative service center are insignificant to him?

This matter may have a very small impact, but it can affect the reputation of the administrative service center among businesses and the public!

"County Chief, I have a meeting in a bit and need to go to the city. Please represent our county committee and go to the administrative center to dismiss Liu Dehai on the spot! Then wait for me to return, and we'll hold a Standing Committee meeting to handle the matter further!"

"Yes, Secretary, I'll go right away!"

"There's one more thing. The 'request for updates' feature on the bookshelf isn't working well either. How should we handle it?"