Me! A high-ranking official!

At 9:00 AM sharp, accompanied by festive music, the exchange meeting and groundbreaking ceremony officially began.

The stage was set up in an open space outside the village committee compound, with a huge red backdrop with yellow lettering behind it that read "Opening Ceremony of Luojia Village Planting Base and On-site Experience Exchange Meeting for Village-based Cadres in the County".

Below the stage, two or three hundred men, women, and children from Luojia Village had already brought small stools and sat in neat square formations. The outer perimeter was filled with leaders from various towns across the county and the first secretaries stationed in each village. It was a dense, overwhelming scene.

Wang Yongchun wore a brand-new white shirt today, his hair neatly combed. He strode to the standing microphone, glanced around the audience, and his face was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"Respected Secretary Zhou, distinguished leaders, colleagues, and fellow villagers of Luojia Village, good morning!" Wang Yongchun's voice echoed through the open fields, full of vigor: "Today, we gather in Luojia Village to witness the implementation of a project that benefits the people, and to exchange valuable experiences in grassroots work. First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the town's Party Committee and government, to extend the warmest welcome and sincerest gratitude to the county leaders, representatives from Hotan Company, and colleagues from all towns in the county who are attending today's ceremony!"

The applause from the audience was thunderous. Although the villagers didn't quite understand the official jargon and platitudes, seeing the spectacle on stage, they also clapped their hands loudly.

Wang Yongchun gestured for them to stop, then continued, "Luojia Village has experienced many ups and downs in the past, but it is precisely through these ups and downs that it has been given the opportunity for a phoenix-like rebirth. This is inseparable from the foresight of the county party committee and government, the substantial investment from Hotan Company, and, most importantly, the tireless efforts of our village-based cadre, Comrade Zhao Jianguo, day and night. From being weak and disorganized to being so energetic today, Luojia Village has achieved an unprecedented pace of development in our town! Now, let us welcome Ms. Li Yuzhen, representative of Hotan Company, to the stage to deliver a speech with warm applause!"

Zhao Jianguo sat on the side of the stage, his gaze falling on Li Yuzhen. Today, Sister Zhen was wearing a dark gray business suit, her long hair was tied up, she wore frameless glasses, and she was holding a folder. She maneuvered her wheelchair to the microphone, looking every bit the capable female entrepreneur. If he hadn't already figured out her background, Zhao Jianguo would have almost been fooled by her demeanor.

Li Yuzhen adjusted the microphone: "Respected leaders and fellow villagers, good afternoon. I am Li Yuzhen, the person in charge of Hotan Company. Hotan Company has always been committed to the development and promotion of modern ecological agriculture. To be honest, in the early stages of project site selection, Luojia Village was not our only option. In fact, in terms of hardware conditions, it was not the best choice."

She paused, her gaze sweeping intentionally or unintentionally over Zhao Jianguo in the audience, before continuing, "However, what ultimately convinced us to invest millions here was the immense sincerity and determination shown by the cadres and villagers of Luojia Village. Secretary Zhao Jianguo contacted us multiple times, not only presenting a detailed and comprehensive land transfer plan but also showcasing a blueprint for rural development with great potential. While businesses seek profits, they value the business environment even more. The cadres of Luojia Village are responsible, and the villagers have high expectations. Therefore, our Hotan Company is confident in establishing itself here and transforming this land into a benchmark project for modern agriculture in the county and even the city. Thank you all."

His concise and efficient speech won a round of applause. The village cadres in the audience whispered among themselves, looking at Zhao Jianguo with a hint of inquiry and admiration. Being able to bring such a powerful enterprise into a poor village that had just gone through a storm was a remarkable skill in itself.

Subsequently, Deputy County Head Qi Linshan and Organization Minister Wang Dongqi also delivered speeches, mainly focusing on grassroots organization building and agricultural industrialization development. Their speeches affirmed the existing achievements of Luojia Village and encouraged the other cadres present.

The process proceeded step by step, and finally, Wang Yongchun raised his voice: "Next, let's give a warm round of applause to Secretary Zhou of the County Party Committee for his important speech!"

The entire room fell silent instantly, all eyes focused on the woman seated in the center. Zhou Qingyan, without a prepared statement, pulled the microphone closer and cleared her throat: "Comrades, fellow villagers, today's meeting is both impressive and necessary." Her gaze was fixed straight ahead, exuding an undeniable authority: "After listening to the speeches of the business representatives, I was deeply moved. Capital is profit-driven. What are businesses willing to invest their hard-earned money in our Luojia Village? They are attracted by our grassroots business environment. The county committee has consistently emphasized the need to attract businesses by creating favorable conditions, and to act as dedicated service providers. Luojia Village has delivered an excellent answer to this question."

She paused, then turned her gaze to Zhao Jianguo: "Here, I would like to make a special mention of Comrade Zhao Jianguo. In the past two days, the Organization Department received a very special complaint. The people called the county not to file a complaint, but to try to retain a village cadre who was about to be transferred. In all my years working at the grassroots level, this kind of complaint is extremely rare."

A few good-natured chuckles came from below the stage, and the villagers of Luojia Village straightened their backs, their faces full of pride.

Zhou Qingyan didn't smile; his expression remained solemn: "What does this incident demonstrate? It shows that no amount of praise, no matter how high, is as valuable as the people's praise! If you have the people in your heart, they will hold a place for you in theirs. Comrade Zhao Jianguo hasn't been in the village for long, but whether it's environmental improvement, resolving historical issues, or attracting and implementing industrial projects, he has done everything that resonates with the people. The county committee's attitude towards such capable, efficient, and reliable cadres is clear: we will resolutely support them and give them important positions!"

These words carried great weight. The town secretaries and village cadres in the audience quickly picked up their pens and jotted down notes, all pondering the political signal being released by the county party secretary.

"Comrades!" Zhou Qingyan's voice suddenly rose, revealing a sharp edge: "Today is not only a groundbreaking ceremony, but also an on-site exchange meeting. I demand that every village-based cadre present, including leaders from all levels and departments, take back what you see and hear today and study it carefully. Don't always complain about how difficult the work in the village is, don't always find objective reasons, but find the gaps in the experience of Luojia Village! From now on, there will only be one yardstick for evaluating cadres, and that is the satisfaction of the people! Only by treating the things that the people care about as our own family matters can we truly be worthy of the Party emblem on our chests!"

Thunderous applause erupted again and lasted for a long time.