One person said: The essence of Wuhou Qimen lies not in Qimen, but in Wuhou.

After offering incense, Zhuge Ming led the female classmate to sit on a stone bench under an ancient camphor tree outside the temple gate. He bent down and asked her about her family's situation in a gentle and patient tone—when her mother's illness was diagnosed, which hospital she was currently being treated at, the approximate monthly medical expenses, and whether she had applied for government medical assistance or poverty subsidies.

The female classmate recounted everything in detail, though she spoke haltingly, every single detail was genuine.

The family receives a minimum living allowance, and the school has waived tuition and fees, but the mother has cancer.

Chemotherapy, targeted drugs, and regular check-ups—each of these costs is astronomical. Cooperative medical insurance can reimburse a portion, but the out-of-pocket expenses are still an insurmountable mountain for this family consisting of only a mother and daughter.

Zhuge Ming remained silent for a long time after listening.

Looking at the young girl in front of him, who was about to take the college entrance exam next year, was working in a restaurant, had to take care of her seriously ill mother, and was being harassed by a scammer at a ticket booth, he felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

As a provincial leader, he wielded considerable power, but when faced with the word "cancer," no one could do anything about it.

He understood the saying that God only picks those who are destined for hardship, but even if he understood it, he still couldn't neglect his work.

He took out his phone and sent a voice message to an official from the Jiangxi Provincial Health Commission, briefly explaining the female student's family situation and inquiring about the availability of special assistance funds for patients with serious illnesses and consultation resources from provincial medical expert teams.

After he finished speaking, he patted the girl on the shoulder and said in a gentle but firm tone, "Study hard, classmate, and get into a good university next year."

"The government will help you with your family matters. You're not alone in this."

Then he beckoned to one of the soldiers accompanying him and gave him a few instructions—take this student down the mountain to the nearest mobile phone store to buy a smartphone, get a SIM card, register a WeChat account, and add her WeChat to his phone's contact list.

If you encounter any unfair or unjust issues in the future, please contact me at any time.

The soldier stood at attention, responded with a "Yes, sir," and led the little girl toward the mountain gate.

Before leaving, the little girl looked back at Zhuge Ming, and tears fell again—she had shed more tears today than in the entire past year combined, but these tears were not of grievance or anger, but of being seen and treated as a respectable and complete person, and all her strength was shattered in an instant by gentleness.

She bowed deeply to Zhuge Ming, then followed the soldiers down the stone steps.

Zhuge Ming watched the little girl's slender figure disappear at the end of the stone steps, and stood there in silence for a long time.

The mountain breeze rustled through the branches and leaves of the ancient camphor tree.

He silently thought of a sentence but didn't say it aloud: "Since the reform and opening up, the country has become rich, and there are no longer any absolutely poor families who have to worry about food and clothing."

But that's just how things are sometimes; misfortune seems to target the unfortunate, and accidents always seem to find the least prepared families first.

As a people's cadre, he cannot be absolutely fair, but he must show some favoritism and help such unfortunate people more.

This is not charity, nor is it a gift; it is human nature, the instinct that everyone who has the ability to help others should have.

……

Not long after, two figures walked quickly from the direction of the square.

Zhang Zhiwei walked ahead, with Director Li close behind. Both of them walked quickly, and their expressions had regained some composure and calmness.

They walked up to Zhuge Ming, stopped almost simultaneously, bowed slightly, and prepared to report on their work.

Director Li spoke first.

His tone was much calmer than when he was in the square, but every word still carried a deep sense of self-reflection and the solemnity of accepting criticism.

He clasped his hands in front of him and said in a formal tone, "Secretary Zhuge, today's incident has taught us a painful lesson."

After our on-site reflection and thorough self-examination, we have discovered a serious problem that requires us to submit a written apology to you.

In recent years, our Yingtan City cultural and tourism system has indeed made some achievements in promoting the integrated development of the tertiary industry and cultural tourism, but in doing so, it has neglected the simultaneous advancement of spiritual civilization construction.

Especially in national-level cultural and tourism landmark scenic spots like the Tianshi Mansion in Longhu Mountain, we have not set up a red flag platform and national flag raising facilities in accordance with relevant regulations.

This is not merely a lack of physical infrastructure; it also reflects a serious deficiency in our political awareness and work approach.

On behalf of all colleagues of the Yingtan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, I would like to offer a profound written and oral self-criticism to Secretary Zhuge.

This situation arose due to our negligence. We will learn from this experience, conduct a comprehensive overhaul, and ensure that nothing like this happens again.

Zhuge Ming listened quietly to Director Li's self-criticism and nodded slightly.

He looked at Director Li's face, which was repeatedly washed with sweat and guilt, and spoke in a calm but serious tone, as if he were making a conclusion or giving clear guidance.

He did not reject Director Li's self-criticism, but accepted it in a pragmatic and gentle manner, while giving directions for the next step: "Comrade Li, let bygones be bygones."

A person who can admit their mistakes and correct them is still a good comrade of our Party.

What we should learn and inherit is not just the material achievements brought about by economic development.

We must implement the spirit of the Party Central Committee—the red flag is our national flag and our faith.

No matter what profession we are in or what position we hold, we are all citizens of China and members of this country.

We must never forget that we were born under the red flag and grew up in the spring breeze.

We need to put this statement into practice, not just write it in documents and call it a day.

Director Li nodded vigorously, closed his notebook, and expressed his attitude with a solemn and resolute gesture.

Zhang Zhiwei also stepped forward and bowed slightly.

He had been holding back his anger at the foot of the mountain, and then he had been reprimanded and subtly criticized for a long time in the square. Now he was calm.

He looked directly at Zhuge Ming and said in a sincere and frank tone, "Secretary Zhuge, I am an old man and I have become forgetful over the years—but I, Zhang Zhiwei, have never forgotten that I am a Chinese and a citizen of this country."

As the Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion, I actually forgot to raise a red flag in the square. This is my responsibility and my dereliction of duty.

I want to learn from Director Li, and I also need to write a self-criticism, correct my attitude, and raise my ideological awareness. I absolutely cannot let the Party and the country down in my work at the Celestial Master's Mansion.

He abruptly changed his tone, switching from self-criticism to reporting, his voice now carrying a sharp and decisive edge.

His style was to get things done first before making any tough statements: "Secretary Zhuge, the fraudster has been caught."

They are currently being held by the Taoist priests of my Celestial Master's Mansion in an abandoned house at the foot of Shangqing Town. They have all confessed.

However, he has some special circumstances—requiring special departments to handle them.