149: Chapter 149 Leveraging the Opportunity for Promotion

Li Dakang then rose to see them off, deliberately applying extra pressure to his grip as they shook hands: "I hope you two reporters can use your professional insight to help us review our work."

"If you have any suggestions, feel free to bring them up at any time; we will certainly accept them with an open mind."

His palm was warm and dry, his gaze open and frank, showing not the slightest trace of guilt.

A moment later, Zheng Shijun walked in. A glimmer of shrewdness flashed in Li Dakang's eyes as he immediately called him over and lowered his voice to instruct: "Xiao Zheng, you will personally accompany the two reporters from the Jiang Province Daily to the construction site. Ensure their interviews go smoothly."

He paused, then added meaningfully: "Remember, make sure they see the places they need to see, and don't let anyone who needs to be interviewed be left out."

After Zheng Shijun left to carry out the order, Li Dakang stood by the window, watching the backs of the two reporters as they walked away downstairs, the corners of his mouth lifting involuntarily.

He understood the importance of publicity all too well. While hard work by grassroots cadres was fundamental, without the ability to "sing one's own praises," even the best work would struggle to catch the eyes of the leadership.

As the official newspaper of the Provincial Party Committee, the Jiang Province Daily had an influence that reached directly onto the desks of provincial leaders; such a publicity platform was rare and invaluable.

"This is a golden signboard delivered right to our doorstep," Li Dakang whispered to himself, then turned and returned to his desk, quickly dialing several numbers.

He not only needed to ensure the reporters saw the bustling construction scenes but also to arrange for several articulate villagers to be interviewed.

Thinking of the chain reaction this report might trigger, he had even begun to conceive how to leverage this momentum to secure the next batch of project funding.

Next, Li Dakang called Township Head Mao Yungang.

A moment later, Township Head Mao Yungang arrived at the Party Secretary's office.

"Township Head Mao, sit down."

Li Dakang gestured for Township Head Mao Yungang to take a seat and handed him a freshly brewed cup of hot tea.

"Two reporters from the Jiang Province Daily just arrived, and Shijun is currently taking them to the construction site to interview them about the 'Village-to-Village Connectivity Project' road construction."

Township Head Mao Yungang's eyes lit up at the news, his teacup hovering in mid-air: "Reporters from the provincial newspaper? Party Secretary, this is a publicity opportunity fallen from the sky!"

His voice rose with excitement.

Li Dakang nodded slightly: "I was thinking, since we are going to publicize, we cannot just focus on one road."

He stood up and walked toward the township planning map on the wall, his fingertips tracing circles over several key areas: "Look, the renovation of dilapidated school buildings, the expansion of the Vegetable Base, the strong production and sales of the Bean Products Factory, and the poverty alleviation results of the livestock cooperative—these are all tangible achievements of our Guantian Township."

Township Head Mao Yungang understood immediately, putting down his teacup and standing up: "Brilliant insight, Party Secretary! I will go to the construction site to find them right now. After they finish interviewing about the road project, I will take them to see these highlight projects along the way."

"Good."

Li Dakang nodded with satisfaction.

"I will have Comrade Su Zhiguo prepare all the relevant project materials. Remember, let them see the true side, but also make sure they see the best side."

With the plan decided, the two immediately set off to act separately.

Township Head Mao Yungang walked quickly out of the office and happened to run into the liaison, Xiao Liu, in the corridor, immediately instructing: "Prepare the car immediately; I need to rush to Construction Site No. 3 right away!"

As he spoke, he adjusted his collar and hurried downstairs.

Meanwhile, Li Dakang called Director Su Zhiguo: "Comrade Su Zhiguo, there is an urgent task."

He briefly and concisely explained the situation regarding the visit from the provincial newspaper reporters: "Organize staff immediately to compile the materials for the township's current key projects, especially the detailed breakdown of fund usage and performance data; they must be accurate and detailed."

On the other end of the line, Director Su Zhiguo immediately grasped Li Dakang's intent.

As a veteran who had trained for many years in the position of Director of the Party and Government Office, he knew all too well how to handle such sudden publicity tasks.

"Don't worry, Party Secretary, I will arrange it right away."

Director Su Zhiguo's steady voice conveyed complete confidence.

After hanging up the phone, Li Dakang stood by the window, watching Township Head Mao Yungang's car speed away downstairs, a satisfied smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

He had already laid out the strategy for this sudden "publicity war."

In the distance, the broadcast station was playing "On the Fields of Hope." Amidst the melodious tune, Li Dakang seemed to already see the special report about Guantian Township in the provincial newspaper.

...

On the other side, Zheng Shijun led the two reporters through the winding country paths to the bustling construction site.

Before they even got close, the roar of bulldozers and the rhythmic chants of the workers could be heard one after another.

Amidst the swirling dust, hundreds of workers wearing safety helmets were working intensely; some were leveling the roadbed, while others were mixing concrete, presenting a scene of busy activity throughout the construction site.

Reporter Zhang Chen immediately took out his notebook and wove through the construction team.

He squatted down and began chatting with a construction worker whose hands were covered in calluses: "Master, how thick is this roadbed going to be? What is the concrete mixing ratio?"

The experienced worker wiped away his sweat and smiled honestly: "According to the blueprint requirements, it's a 20-centimeter-thick crushed stone cushion, and the cement grade is 425; we don't dare to be careless."

Not far away, the shutter sound of Photographer Wang Lu's camera never stopped.

She captured quite a few moving scenes.