152: Chapter 152 Prospering Enterprises and Enriching the People, Ensuring Smooth Governance and Har

Every scene exuded the vitality and energy of this breeding farm.

"We implement a 'collective + household' model."

Township Head Mao Yungang stood at the entrance of the cowshed, pointing to the dense herds of cattle and sheep on the distant hillside.

"The collective farm is responsible for breeding and technical guidance, while households raise the livestock individually, and finally, the township handles the unified sales."

...

After touring the breeding base, the motorcade drove along the newly paved village road toward Zhengjia Village.

From afar, a faint scent of beans drifted on the breeze, making one involuntarily take a deep breath.

"Ahead is the 'golden nugget' of our township, the Zhengjiacun Bean Products Factory."

Township Head Mao Yungang rolled down the car window and pointed to a complex of red-brick factory buildings ahead.

Several conspicuous tin chimneys stood atop the factory buildings, emitting wisps of white smoke, and the factory entrance was packed with trucks waiting to be loaded.

Walking into the factory area, the roar of machinery and the shouts of workers intertwined.

Township Head Mao Yungang introduced it as if it were his own treasure: "This factory is the lifeline of our township; last year, the taxes and profits turned over accounted for more than 70 percent of the entire township's fiscal revenue."

His voice was full of pride: "Now, we not only supply five surrounding prefecture-level cities but have also broken into major metropolises like Shanghai and Guangzhou, and even foreign merchants are placing orders!"

Upon entering the workshop of the Bean Products Factory, a rich aroma of beans rushed to greet them, mixed with billowing steam, forming a hazy halo under the sunlight.

In the workshop, over a dozen large iron pots were steaming, and workers in dark blue uniforms bustled about amidst the swirling vapor.

Factory Director Zheng Hongqi grabbed a handful of soaked soybeans and spread them out on his palm: "Look at these beans, each one plump and carefully selected."

His voice was exceptionally loud amidst the roar of the machines: "From bean selection and grinding to coagulation, every process is overseen by veteran masters."

Reporter Zhang Chen noticed a red slogan on the workshop wall reading "Quality Is Life." Several gray-haired elderly workers, wearing reading glasses, were carefully inspecting the freshly formed tofu, their movements skillful and focused, as if they were carving a work of art.

"Our secret lies in this mountain spring water."

Factory Director Zheng Hongqi scooped up a ladle of clear spring water, which shimmered with a crystal-like luster under the sunlight.

"Combined with our ancestral coagulation technique, the tofu we make is tender and smooth, and it won't go sour even after being left out for a day."

Photographer Wang Lu's camera captured one moving moment after another.

A veteran master gently lifted the surface of the soy milk with a wooden spoon, peeling off a perfect sheet of tofu skin;

A young female worker carefully placed the tofu into wooden crates, her movements as gentle as if she were caring for a baby;

Porters chanted work songs as they neatly stacked boards of tofu onto the trucks...

In the corner of the workshop, several resting workers were holding enamel mugs, drinking water.

Reporter Zhang Chen walked over to chat, and a wrinkled elderly worker smiled and said: "Working here is a bit tiring, but wages have never been delayed, and if you work well, there are bonuses!"

He pointed to a newly built two-story building not far away: "That's my family's new house, earned with these two hands."

When leaving the workshop, Reporter Zhang Chen wrote in his notebook: "Here, I have seen the most genuine spirit of craftsmanship, and I have also seen the hope that reform and opening up has brought to ordinary laborers."

...

The sun was setting, and the last stop of the interview was drawing to a close.

Reporter Zhang Chen closed his densely written notebook and said sincerely to Township Head Mao Yungang: "Township Head Mao, the development achievements of Guantian Township are astonishing."

"In just over a year, breakthroughs have been made in every field, from education to agriculture, and from infrastructure to industry."

Photographer Wang Lu added while checking the photos in her camera: "Especially seeing the heartfelt smiles on the villagers' faces, we truly felt the tangible benefits these changes have brought to the common people."

Township Head Mao Yungang rubbed his hands together and smiled honestly: "This is all achieved by Secretary Li leading us step by step."

"To tell you the truth, just last year, Guantian Township was still a place so poor it couldn't even afford a pot to cook in."

On the ride back, Reporter Zhang Chen looked thoughtfully at the fields passing by outside the window.

Every scene from today's interview was still vivid in his mind.

The sound of reading in the school, the abundant fruits in the vegetable greenhouses, the herds of livestock on the breeding farm, the busy scene at the Bean Products Factory...

And what impressed Reporter Zhang Chen the most was that everywhere they went, the villagers would unanimously mention the same name: Li Dakang.

"Zhang, did you notice?" Photographer Wang Lu suddenly spoke up.

"The villagers, workers, and teachers we interviewed today—almost everyone said, 'Thanks to Secretary Li' or 'It was Secretary Li who led us to do this.'"

"This Secretary Li really seems extraordinary."

Reporter Zhang Chen nodded and wrote heavily in his notebook: "A grassroots cadre who can make the people remember him so fondly must have endless stories behind him."

He looked toward the direction of the Township Government in the distance, secretly resolving to properly interview this mysterious Township Party Committee Secretary.

The car bumped along the country road, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the three of them through the car window.

Reporter Zhang Chen hesitated for a moment, then finally asked: "Township Head Mao, the words I heard most during today's interview were 'Secretary Li'."

"What kind of person is Secretary Li, really?"