On the eve of New Year's Day, a vice president of the Provincial University of Technology personally led a team of several people to the development zone and held a grand signing ceremony with the Daxun Group to jointly establish an automotive transmission system R&D center.
As a representative of the county government, I witnessed this milestone moment. After the signing ceremony was successfully completed, I had lunch with the guests. After the banquet, I returned to the Development Zone Management Committee and walked into the office I hadn’t been to for a long time.
On weekdays, I seldom come here because of my busy county business. But Xiao Liu in the office is very considerate. He arranges for the cleaning lady to come and sweep every day, so that the windows and tables are always kept clean and spotless throughout the day.
Zhang Weiguo and Xiao Bobo, who had just taken up his post at the Development Zone Management Committee, attended the event together. The two of them followed me into the office, and the three of us sat around the sofa. Although we all had our own thoughts, we all remained polite on the surface, and our words were full of official courtesy.
Zhang Weiguo, with his signature harmless smile on his face and a shrewd gleam in his eyes, spoke first: "County Magistrate Guan, the establishment of a research and development center by Daxun Group and the Provincial University of Technology is a landmark event in the development history of the development zone! This not only lays a solid foundation for the development zone to be upgraded to an economic and technological development zone, but also is the result of your high attention to corporate technological research and development. Your foresight and strong promotion have made this cooperation possible, which is truly admirable!" Every word of his words was filled with just the right amount of compliments.
I waved my hand with a gentle smile on my face: "This is the result of everyone's concerted efforts, and the credit belongs to everyone."
I turned my gaze to Xiao Bo again and asked with concern, "Director Xiao, have you adapted to the work during your time in the development zone?"
Xiao Dongbo has always been arrogant. Relying on his relationship with Tong Yazhou, he usually doesn't show any displeasure to Zhang Weiguo. But in front of me at this moment, he immediately put away his edge, leaned forward slightly, and said respectfully: "County Magistrate Guan, although I have never been involved in development zone work before, I will speed up my learning progress and get into the role as soon as possible." There was a spirit of not admitting defeat in his eyes, and it was obvious that he did not want to show weakness in front of me.
I nodded in approval: "It's a good thing that young people are motivated and learn things quickly. The future of the development zone will ultimately depend on you, the fresh blood, to take over the baton."
As soon as these words fell, Zhang Weiguo's face suddenly became a little ugly. He subconsciously straightened his back and continued with a forced smile: "Young people are indeed hope, but they lack experience and need to take it slow. Right now, the work in the development zone has to rely on the old comrades brought by County Magistrate Guan to hold the scene." His words seemed to emphasize experience, but in fact they were secretly belittling Xiao Bo's ability.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Bo's mouth flashed with disdain, and he fought back without showing any weakness: "Director Zhang is right. Good steel needs a good whetstone. I am looking forward to taking on more important responsibilities and letting the leaders see whether young people can handle things." The two of them were at loggerheads, and there was a faint smell of gunpowder in the air.
Sensing that the atmosphere was not right, I coughed lightly and said slowly, "You two both have a point. However, the development zone has two top priorities right now—" I paused and turned my gaze to Zhang Weiguo, "The first is the upgrading of the development zone, which requires strong support from the city. Director Zhang has extensive connections and experience in the city, and I think this task is best suited for you. Go out more recently and try to get a result as soon as possible."
Zhang Weiguo's eyes lit up. Not only was this task important, it also implied that his network of relationships in the city was recognized. He immediately straightened his back and said firmly, "Don't worry, County Magistrate Guan, I will do my best!"
I turned to look at Xiao Bo again and said earnestly, "The second thing should not be underestimated. According to the 'empty cage and replace bird' plan, the diversion of workers from non-auto parts companies involves multiple towns and villages, which is difficult to coordinate. Director Xiao has many years of experience in government offices and is good at communication and coordination. This burden is handed over to you."
Xiao Bo immediately understood the trick - although the task was tedious, it was an excellent opportunity to make friends with township officials. His face was filled with joy, and he quickly agreed: "Please rest assured, County Magistrate Guan, I promise to get the job done!"
Watching the two of them taking on their respective tasks, I nodded secretly in my heart. After all, these two chess pieces are in the right position to play the greatest role.
After chatting with Zhang Weiguo and Xiao Bo for a while, I stood up and said goodbye, saying that I had urgent matters to attend to in the county.
Xiao Xiang had already started the car, turned on the air conditioner and was waiting for me at the door of the Management Committee. When he saw me coming, he immediately stepped forward and opened the car door. Amid the low roar of the engine, the car slowly drove out of the park and rushed towards the county town.
I rolled down the window as we passed through the new city area. The cold wind blew in my face, but it could not block the shock of the huge building in front of me - the main body of the new county government office building has been basically completed, and the gray-white reinforced concrete building is like a sharp sword, piercing the sky. The factory was silent at the moment due to the cold weather. The cranes and scaffolding cast mottled shadows in the sunlight, making the building look even colder and more majestic.
"The ancients said that the Northeast was bitterly cold, and that's true." I looked out the window and sighed, "It's in the south, and the workplace is probably bustling with people right now."
Xiao Xiang was concentrating on steering the wheel. He smiled and said, "County Magistrate Guan, I served in the army in Hubei. The climate there is really torturous. The summer is like a steamer, and the weather is damp and cold. Even the quilt is damp. It's nothing like our Northeast. No matter how cold it is outside, there is heating inside the house, and the whole body feels comfortable."
I couldn't help but smile, but my thoughts drifted to the distant future: "China has become the only ancient civilization in the world that has continued to this day, relying not only on historical heritage. The unique geographical conditions are also an indispensable factor. You see, the four ancient civilizations all originated from the basins of large rivers - the Ganges gave birth to ancient India, the Nile nourished ancient Egypt, and the Mesopotamian Basin supported ancient Babylon. In China, we have the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. But in terms of vast territory and strategic depth, the other three countries can't compare. This vast land is a natural carrier for the inheritance of civilization."
Xiao Xiang listened attentively and nodded frequently: "County Magistrate Guan, I learn a lot every time I listen to you speak, just like I have taken a history lesson!"
I waved my hand and continued, "In ancient China, most threats came from the north, so the capitals of Chang'an, Luoyang, and Beijing were built in the north to defend against nomadic peoples. The south, with its extensive water network and abundant resources, became the dynasty's granary and treasury. Hasn't this pattern of 'defending the north and helping the south' been the same since ancient times?" After saying that, I looked at the scenery rapidly receding outside the car window and fell into deep thought.
The cold wind hit the car window, as if telling the story of this land that has not changed for thousands of years.
Realizing that the topic was drifting further and further away, I changed the subject and looked at Xiao Xiang who was concentrating on driving: "I never asked you, where is your hometown?"
He paused while holding the steering wheel, and said with a somewhat shy tone: "County Magistrate Guan, you may not know that I am from Tongxiang Town."
This answer surprised me, and I couldn't help but ask, "Who else is at home?"
The car suddenly fell silent, with only the rustling sound of tires rolling over the road. After a while, Xiao Xiang's Adam's apple moved, and his voice became a little hoarse: "Now I am left with my sister-in-law and two nephews. My parents passed away early, and my brother raised me. When I was 17, I joined the army, and before I was discharged..." His voice gradually became lower, "My brother died when he was working in the coal mine, and he couldn't hold on."
My heart was shocked and my eyes fell on his straight back - those thin shoulders seemed to still be carrying the heavy weight of the past.
The shadows of the trees outside the window passed by one after another, casting alternating light and dark shadows on his face, reflecting the sadness in his eyes that flickered.
The car slowly drove into the county government compound. I looked at Xiao Xiang's profile in the rearview mirror as he focused on parking the car, and asked, "I heard from Director Xu that you are still a temporary worker?"
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