Chapter 1

### Chapter 1: Xianhe Township

In the early morning of a gradually cooling September, the sky was just beginning to show a pale fish-belly white. In the courtyard of the Xianhe Township government, people were bustling about, hanging banners, pulling up slogans, and cleaning, making the entire courtyard exceptionally busy.

Behind the courtyard stood a simple two-story government office building. Wang Jian, his face streaked with sweat, was bent over, sweeping the floor in the building's hall with a mop.

Beside him, a young, slender girl with a ponytail and wearing a purple dress was also sweeping the floor, her head lowered. The two worked together, and before long, the entire hall was spotlessly clean.

"Wang Jian, why would a deputy provincial governor come to our township? The county magistrate doesn't even want to come here. What could he be doing here?" After finishing the cleaning, the young girl, standing tall and graceful, smiled and asked Wang Jian.

Hearing her voice, Wang Jian looked up and smiled, saying, "I heard from Director Feng that the provincial leaders are here for poverty alleviation. They can skip any other part of Dongting County, but they can't skip our township. Otherwise, how could we ask for funds from above?"

Xianhe Township was located in a remote area with poor roads, and leaders were reluctant to visit. It was one of the poorest townships in Dongting County, economically underdeveloped and financially strained. If the provincial leaders were to come for poverty alleviation, they would naturally want to see the impoverished and backward conditions here.

As they were talking, the township party office director, Feng Guoqiang, suddenly appeared and said urgently, "Wang Jian, Du Xiaobei, you two need to clean the second-floor meeting room thoroughly. The provincial leaders will be holding a meeting there soon. Prepare the tea and everything else!"

Seeing Feng Guoqiang's anxious expression, Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei hurriedly headed to a meeting room on the second floor.

After cleaning the meeting room, Du Xiaobei went downstairs, while Wang Jian stayed to wait for the provincial leaders, ready to serve them tea and water. As the provincial leaders had not yet arrived, he stood by the window, lips tightly closed, gazing at the courtyard outside. In front of the courtyard were some low brick houses, and in the middle of the road were two rows of towering French plane trees, their lush branches providing shade and adding a mysterious aura to the courtyard.

Wang Jian, a civil servant who had passed the exam to work in Xianhe Township, had been there for half a year. During this time, he had done a lot of work and got along well with his colleagues. However, the favorite in Feng Guoqiang's eyes was still Fang Zhiming, and the township secretary and township head had never given him a second glance!

These days, without connections or influence, even if one worked hard, the path to promotion was slow!

However, Wang Jian didn't think this was a big deal. Everything still depended on one's own efforts. Although he couldn't see much hope now, he firmly believed that gold would eventually shine!

With this resolve, Wang Jian worked even more diligently and meticulously. In his spare time, he also studied the situation of the entire township.

Xianhe Township was located in the northwest of Dongting County, covering an area of about 60 square kilometers with a population of 50,000. The township had no major industries, and many residents worked in economically developed areas to make a living. Hearing the stories of migrant workers, Wang Jian sometimes could only sigh, "It's not easy! When will our hometown develop so that they don't have to go out to make a living?"

After understanding the reasons for poverty and backwardness, Wang Jian did some deep thinking. However, no one was interested in his thoughts. Township Party Secretary Zhang Zeguang and Township Head Li Jiarong were always busy with something, and they didn't care about these issues. They probably had no solutions and were just getting by.

While the lower levels were getting by, the higher-ups were very concerned. The provincial leadership of Hedong Province placed great importance on the development of Simeng City, a poverty-stricken area. The provincial government had specially dispatched Deputy Governor Zhao Bingzhi and his team to Simeng City to research poverty alleviation. As a county under the jurisdiction of Simeng City, they came to Dongting County, and Xianhe Township was the last stop of their research.

When the provincial leaders were coming, the local officials were on high alert, doing everything possible to prepare. They wanted the leaders to see the poverty of the area to secure some funds, while also showing their work and ensuring that the poverty alleviation funds were not misused.

Around 10:00 AM, Zhao Bingzhi, accompanied by Simeng City Party Secretary Jiang Ming, Mayor Duan Huaimin, Dongting County Party Secretary Ren Pingyi, and County Magistrate Liu Qingshan, arrived in Xianhe Township. Zhang Zeguang and Li Jiarong stood at the intersection to welcome them.

The county and township leaders led the way, and Zhao Bingzhi and his team delved into various corners of Xianhe Township, understanding the industrial development, inspecting agricultural production, and talking with farmers to understand their thoughts.

After this inspection, Zhao Bingzhi frowned. He had thought Dongting County was already very poor, but the poorest place was still Xianhe Township. The roads were in disrepair, some villagers still lived in mud houses, and the living standards were very low, far exceeding his expectations.

In other parts of Dongting County, he saw the county's achievements, but here, he saw the county's poverty. This was the arrangement of the Dongting County leadership.

Seeing this, Zhao Bingzhi's frown deepened, and Jiang Ming and Duan Huaimin also felt embarrassed. However, Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan were secretly pleased, thinking that the provincial leaders would allocate more funds for poverty alleviation.

After the inspection, Zhao Bingzhi decided to hold a poverty alleviation seminar in the Xianhe Township meeting room.

When the leaders arrived at the second-floor meeting room, Wang Jian was waiting outside. Seeing the inspection team arrive, he quickly opened the door. Jiang Ming and Duan Huaimin, followed by Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan, entered the meeting room, with Zhang Zeguang and Li Jiarong entering last.

Jiang Ming presided over the meeting, and Zhao Bingzhi gave a key speech. He said, "This time, I came to Simeng City to research poverty alleviation. I am very heavy-hearted. Many people live in poor conditions, the roads are bad, income growth is slow, and their living standards are very low. It's very backward! ... Comrades, there are many reasons for backwardness, but I think the main issue is at the local level. Poverty alleviation can only provide temporary relief, not long-term development. To truly develop, we must stimulate local vitality. ... That's all I have to say. You, the county and township leaders, can share your opinions!"

After speaking, Zhao Bingzhi took a sip of water and looked at the people in the room, waiting for their opinions before returning to the provincial capital.

The room fell silent. By saying the main issue was at the local level, Zhao Bingzhi was essentially criticizing Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan. Jiang Ming and Duan Huaimin also looked uncomfortable, given that Simeng City was a poverty-stricken area.

After being criticized, Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan took some time to gather their thoughts and then proposed a few suggestions, all of which were about getting more support from the provincial government, essentially asking for more funds. After Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan spoke, Zhang Zeguang and Li Jiarong did not dare to speak, unsure of what to say. Even when Zhao Bingzhi asked again, no one spoke, and everyone prepared to end the seminar.

Wang Jian, who had been listening and serving tea, was now very nervous. He really wanted to share his thoughts. The provincial leaders were here to understand the situation, and if he spoke up, it would be a good opportunity. However, it was risky, as he had no right to speak in front of a deputy provincial governor. But his ambition made him bold, and as everyone was about to finish, he made up his mind.

"Governor Zhao, hello, can I offer a suggestion?" Seeing Zhao Bingzhi about to leave, Wang Jian suddenly raised his hand and said.

"Whoosh!" Everyone's eyes turned to Wang Jian, who was standing behind Jiang Ming. Zhao Bingzhi, sitting opposite, also saw him.

Zhang Zeguang and Li Jiarong were terrified, thinking, "What is Wang Jian doing, daring to speak out of turn in such a setting!"

"Xiao Wang, what are you doing? Get out!" Zhang Zeguang stood up and whispered.

Seeing Wang Jian standing there with determination, Zhao Bingzhi didn't think much of it. Instead, he found the young man interesting and thought he might have some good ideas. He sat back down and waved, saying, "Young man, what do you have to say? I'm here to understand the situation and hear your opinions. Speak freely, and don't let the county and township leaders intimidate you!"

Zhao Bingzhi's kind words warmed Wang Jian's heart. He calmed down and gathered his courage, saying, "Xianhe Township has historically been a granary, primarily agricultural. As the saying goes, without agriculture, there is no stability, and without industry, there is no prosperity. The development of industry forces us to seize opportunities and strive to catch up! ... To develop the economy and alleviate poverty, we must create a good development environment, nurture growth rather than exhaust resources. ... We should guide the people to develop and prosper, adjust the agricultural structure, and support initiatives like greenhouse vegetables. ... We should use the poverty alleviation funds well, focusing on infrastructure, as the saying goes, 'To get rich, build roads first,' and lay a solid foundation for development."

Wang Jian's words took everyone by surprise. Zhao Bingzhi listened carefully and took notes. When Wang Jian finished, he asked, "Young man, have you finished speaking?"

"I have finished," Wang Jian replied calmly.

Putting down his pen and looking at the others, Zhao Bingzhi said, "This young man spoke very well, and his words were practical. He seems to have a good understanding of the local situation and is very targeted. What do you think?"

Jiang Ming also looked at Wang Jian and asked, "Young man, what's your name?"

"My name is Wang Jian, and I work in the township party office," Wang Jian replied.

"Ah, good, good. It seems you think a lot about problems!" Jiang Ming said, then turned to Zhao Bingzhi, "Governor Zhao, I also think the young man spoke well. I didn't expect such a thoughtful young cadre in a small township like Xianhe. Our cause has a bright future, and Xianhe Township has hope. Don't you think so?"

"Secretary Jiang, that's your responsibility. Many good ideas need to be implemented. This young man spoke well, but after the direction is set, the cadres are the key. I can't control that! Ha ha!" Zhao Bingzhi laughed heartily.

"Ha ha, Governor Zhao, we understand your meaning. Please rest assured, we will value talent and accelerate development!" Jiang Ming also laughed and said.