64: Chapter 64 Year-End Summary

These rumors were so vivid and detailed that they stirred up the political landscape of Guantian Township for a time.

The area in front of Li Dakang's office became bustling; not only did the heads of the township's seven stations and eight offices come to report their work every few days, but even the heads of the township-stationed county-managed units, who usually acted aloof, came one after another to "pay their respects."

Even the offices of Chairman Shen Dawei and Deputy Secretary of the Township Party Committee Duan Yongping suddenly had many more visitors.

"Township Head Li, this is the year-end summary for the Agricultural Technology Station, please take a look."

The station chief of the Agricultural Technology Station respectfully handed over a beautifully bound report, his face full of smiles.

"Township Head Li, this is our work plan for next year for the Water Conservancy Station, I would like to ask for your guidance."

The station chief of the Water Conservancy Station rubbed his hands together, his tone carrying a clear note of sycophancy.

Li Dakang smiled and received them one by one, but he saw through everything clearly in his heart.

As the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire; among these rumors, only the one about him succeeding as the secretary was true, while the others were just hearsay.

A few days ago, County Party Secretary Yuan Kai had already spoken with Li Dakang, explicitly informing him that there would be a major reshuffle of the Guantian Township leadership after the New Year.

"Comrade Dakang, the development of Guantian Township is obvious to all."

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai sat behind his large desk: "The organization has decided that Secretary Sun Wei will be transferred to be the director of the County Education Bureau, and Chairman Shen Dawei and Deputy Secretary of the Township Party Committee Duan Yongping will also be given other appointments."

Li Dakang understood that this was to make room for the new favorites.

Today's Guantian Township was no longer what it used to be; anyone with a discerning eye could see that next year would surely see even greater development.

By then, all the incumbent township leaders would be able to easily secure a considerable amount of political achievements.

Such a lucrative position naturally had to be reserved for "one of our own."

Poor Chairman Shen Dawei and Deputy Secretary of the Township Party Committee Duan Yongping were still kept in the dark, running to the county town extra diligently recently, pulling strings and finding connections everywhere, dreaming the sweet dream of being promoted to Township Head.

Little did they know, their fates had already been arranged—they were to be transferred to some unit in the county to serve as deputies.

"Comrade Dakang, the incoming members of the Township Party Committee are all our own people, don't worry."

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai said meaningfully: "As for the candidate for Deputy Township Head, let your Township Party Committee decide, submit it, and I will approve it directly."

Li Dakang understood tacitly and took the opportunity to recommend Deputy Township Head He Tingting.

A flash of insight passed through County Party Secretary Yuan Kai's eyes; he immediately understood the intricacies involved and readily agreed.

A political deal was quietly concluded amidst laughter and conversation.

...

On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, the annual summary meeting of Guantian Township was held as scheduled.

Before dawn, the village cadres from each village set off with flashlights.

Unlike previous years, almost all village cadres came this year.

In addition to the village party secretaries and village heads, there were also accountants, directors of the women's federation, militia company commanders, etc., totaling more than fifty people.

"Old Wang, why did you come so early?"

The village party secretary of Lijia Village, wrapped in a cotton-padded jacket, asked while exhaling white mist.

"Hey, isn't it because I wanted to arrive early to report more of our work to the township leaders!"

The party secretary of Wangjiazhuang rubbed his hands, his eyes darting around.

In fact, everyone knew clearly that the township finances were flush this year, and the new subsidy policy for village cadres introduced by Li Dakang was truly tempting—two yuan per day for official business.

Coming to the meeting today meant not only getting two yuan but also having a good meal; why wouldn't they want to come?

In addition to the village cadres, invited representatives of aquaculture farmers and worker representatives from the Zhengjiacun Bean Products Factory also arrived.

In the courtyard of the Township Government, staff were busy setting up a temporary venue.

Because there were too many people, the meeting room couldn't hold them, so they had to place long benches in the courtyard and set up a simple rostrum.

The large red banner fluttered in the cold wind, with the large characters "Guantian Township 1993 Annual Work Summary and Commendation Conference" standing out prominently.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the meeting started on time.

Chairman Shen Dawei walked onto the rostrum with high spirits and cleared his throat: "Comrades, I now announce that the Guantian Township 1993 Annual Work Meeting has officially begun!"

According to the agenda, each township leader summarized their assigned work in turn.

Everyone kept it within five minutes, concise and to the point.

More than an hour later, it was Li Dakang's turn to give the government work summary.

Li Dakang walked onto the rostrum with steady steps, the sunlight shining on his young and determined face.

The audience immediately quieted down, and everyone's eyes focused on this young Township Head who had created the Guantian miracle.

"Comrades."

Li Dakang's voice was steady and powerful: "Although I have only been in Guantian for a little over half a year, in these past six months, we have witnessed the earth-shaking changes in Guantian together."

He looked around at the weather-beaten faces in the audience: "Our fiscal revenue has gone from failing to make ends meet to being affluent and abundant now; the Zhengjiacun Bean Products Factory has been built from scratch; the aquaculture industry is booming; and the roads are unobstructed..."

"The achievement of these results is inseparable from the hard work of everyone here!"

The village cadres in the audience straightened their backs involuntarily, their faces showing pride.

Yes, they were not only witnesses but also participants.

Those days of sweating while building roads, those times of working from early morning until late at night to develop aquaculture, had now turned into a bountiful harvest.