154: Chapter 154 High-Level Attention

As a high-ranking official governing a region, he knew all too well the difficulties of grassroots work.

And for this obscure Guantian Township to achieve such a transformation in such a short time was by no means accidental.

Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun pressed the intercom button, his voice steady and forceful: "Old Dong, have you read this morning's Jiang Province Daily? That report on Guantian Township is quite worth reading."

On the other end of the line, Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee Dong Tianjie immediately understood: "Secretary Zhao, I was just about to report this to you."

"This report has already spread throughout the Provincial Party Committee compound, and many comrades are saying they want to go and learn from their experience."

Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun tapped his fingers gently on the desk: "In that case, arrange a time; I will go and see for myself."

"Remember, do not make a big fuss; take only the necessary people."

After hanging up the phone, Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun picked up the newspaper again and began to read.

Outside the window, a few sparrows hopped on the branches, their chirping faintly audible.

The high-ranking official suddenly felt that this spring morning seemed to herald some new possibilities.

Meanwhile, in another office in the Provincial Party Committee building, Governor Wen Haibo was wearing his reading glasses, carefully reading that day's Jiang Province Daily.

Unlike the solemn and respectful atmosphere of Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun's office, this one had several thriving green plants, with various work notebooks neatly arranged on the bookshelf, exuding an air of pragmatism everywhere.

Sunlight shone through the window, casting fine light and shadows onto Governor Wen Haibo's slightly greying temples.

When he flipped to the report titled "Guantian Township: A Small Town Shows Great Achievement," Governor Wen Haibo adjusted his glasses and leaned forward subconsciously.

The data in the report, precise to two decimal places, and the detailed descriptions that carried the scent of the soil, made the Governor—who had grown up step by step from a commune secretary—feel a deep sense of familiarity.

"What a Guantian Township."

Governor Wen Haibo whispered to himself.

As a leading figure among the local cadres of Jiang Province, he knew very well the weight behind these achievements; it was not a simple pile of numbers, but the result of solving countless specific problems.

Where did the funds come from?

How was the mass work done?

Governor Wen Haibo put down the newspaper, lines of gratification appearing at the corners of his eyes.

Having struggled and worked in the grassroots for over thirty years, Governor Wen Haibo understood better than anyone how much effort it took to revitalize a poverty-stricken township in such a short time.

Behind those seemingly simple numbers in the report were countless nights of burning the midnight oil, countless earnest mobilizations, and countless drops of sweat shed in the fields.

Governor Wen Haibo took off his glasses and rubbed his sore eyes; outside the window, the magnolias in the Provincial Party Committee compound were in full bloom.

He suddenly really wanted to meet that Township Party Committee Secretary named Li Dakang and hear how he managed to revitalize a poverty-stricken township in just over a year.

This thought surprised even Governor Wen Haibo himself; it had been a long time since any grassroots cadre had sparked such interest in him.

While immersed in his reflections, a vague thought suddenly flashed across his mind: "Guantian Township"—he seemed to have paid special attention to this name somewhere before?

Governor Wen Haibo frowned slightly; this feeling of familiarity made him press the call button.

"Governor, did you call me?"

Secretary Xiao Qu walked in quickly, carrying a stack of files waiting for approval. Seeing Governor Wen Haibo flipping through the newspaper, he immediately placed the files gently on the corner of the desk.

"Xiao Qu, take a look at this report."

Governor Wen Haibo pushed the newspaper over: "This Guantian Township, I keep feeling like I've heard of it somewhere."

Xiao Qu took the newspaper and his eyes quickly scanned the report.

As a secretary who had followed the Governor for many years, he knew the dynamics of every part of Jiang Province like the back of his hand.

After a moment of thought, Xiao Qu's eyes lit up: "Governor, do you remember the signing ceremony for that Taiwan-funded project that Executive Vice Governor Lu Xianan attended previously?"

"It was the 50-million electronic factory project invested in by the wealthy Taiwanese businessman Tie Qichang; the location was right in this Guantian Township."

As he spoke, Xiao Qu walked quickly to the filing cabinet and skillfully pulled out a blue folder: "This is the briefing from that time. Mr. Tie specifically mentioned wanting to give back to his hometown and placed the project in his home, Guantian Township."

Upon hearing this, a flash of realization crossed Governor Wen Haibo's eyes, and he tapped his forehead, laughing: "Look at my memory!"

He immediately turned to Xiao Qu: "Go and invite Executive Vice Governor Lu Xianan over."

Before long, Executive Vice Governor Lu Xianan walked hurriedly into the Governor's office, a hint of confusion between his brows.

Just as he sat down on the sofa in the reception area, Governor Wen Haibo spoke enthusiastically: "Old Lu, how is the progress of that electronic factory project in Guantian Township, Xinying City?"

"I read the special report in this morning's Jiang Province Daily, which says the local development momentum is very good. We must continue to pay attention to this model and provide key support."

Executive Vice Governor Lu Xianan smiled knowingly. As the "weather vane" of the Jiang Province party and government system, every important report in the Jiang Province Daily was "homework" that cadres at all levels had to read.

When he saw that in-depth report about Guantian Township, he was also surprised by the tremendous changes in the area over the past six months.

The bustling production scenes in the report and the beaming faces of the villagers reminded Executive Vice Governor Lu Xianan of that young Township Party Committee Secretary who spoke eloquently at the signing ceremony; his composure and boldness were truly impressive.