2: Chapter 2: The First Dawn

For nearly two years, apart from showing his face on the day he reported for duty, Li Dakang had almost never gone to work, yet he had already managed to become a chief section member, enjoying the benefits of a full section-level rank.

Such effortless promotion made Li Dakang recall the days and nights of toil at his workplace in his previous life, and he could not help but lament the vast difference in fate.

The original owner of this body had spent his days doing nothing but eating, drinking, and having fun.

After all, with such a powerful family backing him, as long as he did not cause any major trouble, he could live his life without a care.

Coupled with his height of 1.8 meters and handsome appearance, Li Dakang was quite famous in the capital; not only did socialites flock to him, but even many women from prominent families secretly set their hearts on him, hoping to marry into the Li family.

But ever since he transmigrated here, everything had quietly changed.

Although this parallel world was slightly different from his previous life, it was largely the same.

After adapting to his new identity, Li Dakang was determined to bid farewell to a life of idling away his time.

"A prime minister must start from the local government, and a fierce general must rise from the ranks of soldiers"; this ancient proverb held true in any era.

In his previous life, he had spent decades struggling at the grassroots level and was familiar with every aspect of township work; these experiences were his most precious wealth.

If he could rely on the Li family's background and his own experience in this era, perhaps he could truly accomplish something in his official career.

Once this thought arose, it grew wildly like a vine.

Li Dakang did not want to live his life in a daze like the original owner anymore, nor did he want to waste this chance to start over.

Li Hongji felt both gratified and reluctant regarding his son's ideas.

Although Li Dakang did not need to shoulder the heavy responsibility of family development, what father wouldn't hope for his son to have ambition?

In the past, seeing that Li Dakang didn't cause trouble, he had let him be. Now that he wanted to venture into an official career, Li Hongji naturally supported him fully. Even though he felt pained that his son would have to suffer, he understood the principle that "without grinding, a jade cannot be polished."

His grandfather, Elder Li, even personally selected a destination for Li Dakang—Jiang Province—and before he left, he made an exception to give him a piece of advice: "Do more practical things for the common people."

Thus, amidst his parents' exhortations and the confusion and surprise of his friends and relatives, Li Dakang, full of enthusiasm and ambition, embarked on his journey to Jiang Province.

At this moment, Li Dakang was filled with longing for the future.

He knew clearly that this grassroots experience would be an important turning point in his life, and he would welcome challenges and opportunities with a brand-new attitude.

While deep in thought, the plane slowly landed at Mingzhou Airport. Li Dakang walked out of the terminal with the crowd, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the best hotel in the area, the Mingzhou Hotel.

After checking in, he used the room phone to let his parents know he had arrived safely, then took a taxi to the Mingzhou Department Store.

After walking around the department store, Li Dakang purchased some high-end cigarettes, alcohol, and health supplements, spending eight hundred and fifty yuan.

In 1993, when the average monthly salary was less than one hundred yuan, this was almost the equivalent of an ordinary person's income for a year without eating or drinking.

After leaving the department store, Li Dakang turned into a fruit stand at the corner and picked a basket of plump peaches and a bunch of purple grapes.

The bamboo basket was heavy, exuding the unique fragrance of fresh fruit.

He lifted his wrist to check his watch; the hands were already pointing to ten-fifty. A sense of urgency welled up in his heart; he had an appointment with Elder Guo at eleven-thirty, and he could not be late.

When hailing a taxi, the driver's gaze carried a hint of scrutiny, as if sizing up an outsider.

When Li Dakang stated "Xingyuan Residential Quarter," he clearly noticed the driver's foot pause on the gas pedal; the faint, almost imperceptible disdain from just moments ago vanished instantly, replaced by a touch of caution.

"So you're going to Xingyuan."

The driver smacked his lips, his tone becoming a bit more respectful: "That place is no ordinary spot; those who live there are all officials."

Li Dakang did not respond, only gazing at the street scenery passing by outside the window.

The street scenery of Mingzhou carried a touch of the delicate beauty of a water town; the French plane trees along the road were lush with leaves, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dancing spots of light on the asphalt road.

The taxi slowly stopped at the entrance of Xingyuan Residential Quarter. On the gateposts made of red brick, the four gilded characters for "Xingyuan Residential Quarter," though covered in some dust of time, still exuded solemnity.

Under the plane tree by the guard post, several black sedans were parked, and the provincial government license plate numbers were particularly eye-catching.

Li Dakang paid the fare and stood still with the cigarette and alcohol gift box and the fruit basket. The wind of May came rushing toward him, carrying the scent of locust flowers, mixed with the unique, quiet atmosphere of an old residential area.

In the guard room, an old man with gray hair was leaning on the table, squinting as he listened to "The Legend of Yue Fei" on the radio, humming along.

Li Dakang tapped lightly on the glass window. The old man slowly raised his head, his reading glasses sliding to the tip of his nose. His gaze first fell on the gifts in his hand, then he looked up to size him up: "Young man, do you need something?"

"Hello, sir. I'm looking for Elder Guo in Unit 7, Building 6."

Li Dakang opened a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes and handed one over, his movements as natural as if he had done it a thousand times.

The old man's eyes lit up. He took the cigarette, rubbed it against the tip of his nose, and without lighting it, tucked it behind his ear: "Looking for Director Guo? You look very unfamiliar. Are you a relative?"

"I'm from the capital," Li Dakang said, his tone calm.

"My grandfather and Elder Guo are old comrades-in-arms. He specifically entrusted me to come and visit him; we had an appointment."