65: Chapter 65 Celebrating the Success and Concluding the Chapter

"Here, I want to extend my special gratitude to the various county-administered units stationed in the township for their strong cooperation, especially the strong support from the Township Credit Union."

Li Dakang's gaze swept across the heads of the various units stationed in the township sitting in the front row: "Without your help, Guantian Township would not have achieved today's results!"

Upon hearing this, Director Du Cheng of the Township Credit Union beamed with joy, and his back straightened unconsciously.

"Next year, we must continue our efforts and maintain the development momentum of Guantian!"

Li Dakang's voice rose sharply: "More projects are waiting for us to carry out, and more difficulties are waiting for us to overcome."

"But I believe that as long as we work together, the tomorrow of Guantian Township will surely be even better!"

Thunderous applause echoed throughout the courtyard, lasting for a long time.

The eyes of some older village cadres moistened; they had toiled on this barren land for most of their lives, and finally, they saw the dawn of hope.

Finally, Secretary Sun Wei, the Township Party Committee Secretary, gave a concluding speech.

Perhaps knowing that he was about to leave his post, his speech was exceptionally emotional: "...The achievements Guantian has today are the result of the joint efforts of all cadres and the masses."

"As the Township Party Committee Secretary, I want to specifically thank Township Head Li for his hard work..."

Warm applause erupted from the audience once again.

Although Secretary Sun Wei did not have major achievements during his tenure, at least he fully supported the work of Li Dakang and did not cause trouble or hold him back.

This breadth of mind and demeanor earned him everyone's respect.

After the meeting concluded, everyone moved to the Township Government canteen.

Today's lunch was the main event; Li Dakang had specifically instructed the canteen to start preparing a day in advance and even invited several chefs from the village who specialized in catering for weddings and funerals to help.

In the canteen, over a dozen large round tables were set up, packed full.

Braised pork belly, steamed fish, white-cut chicken, steamed pork with preserved mustard greens... the seven main dishes were fragrant and mouth-watering.

In the corner, several jars of locally brewed rice wine had been opened, and the mellow aroma of wine permeated the entire canteen.

"Township Head Li, I'd like to toast you a bowl!"

Aquaculture representative Zhao Dehan held a wine bowl, his dark face glowing with a flush: "If it weren't for you, my family would still be eating chaff and vegetables!"

"Township Head Li, I'd like to toast you too!"

A worker representative from the Bean Products Factory squeezed over: "My wife said that when the New Year comes, we must invite you to our home for a meal!"

Amidst the clinking of glasses, laughter and joy continued.

Li Dakang accepted every toast but only took small sips each time.

Looking at the sincere smiling faces before him, he was filled with deep emotion.

Half a year ago, this place was still a lifeless, impoverished township.

Now, the spark of hope had been ignited and was spreading like a prairie fire.

After several rounds of drinks and food.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow over the year-end feast.

Everyone was imagining the good prospects for next year, their eyes full of anticipation.

And Li Dakang knew that the story belonging to Guantian Township had only just begun.

...

The cold wind of the twelfth lunar month whistled across the threshing floor of Zhengjia Village, but it could not blow away the eagerness on the villagers' faces.

Li Dakang stood on the temporarily erected podium, looking at the dense crowd below, the corners of his mouth lifting unconsciously.

Today was the day for the year-end dividend distribution of the Zhengjiacun Bean Products Factory, and villagers from the entire Zhengjia Village and even surrounding villages had gathered here, looking forward to this exciting moment.

"Township Head Li, look at this turnout, it's even livelier than the New Year!"

Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian rubbed his hands, his face full of excitement.

As the factory director of the Bean Products Factory, he knew better than anyone how staggering the amount to be distributed today was.

Li Dakang looked around, his gaze sweeping over those familiar faces: the workers who had worked hard in the Bean Products Factory, the villagers who had gritted their teeth to invest in the beginning, and the fellow villagers who had just come to watch the excitement.

Everyone's eyes were shining with anticipation, as if they were waiting for a miracle.

"Party Branch Secretary Zheng, how is the progress of the new factory area planning?" Li Dakang asked in a low voice.

"The design drawings are already out!" Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian replied quickly.

"The municipal design institute says that the new factory area will cover more than sixty mu, right on that empty plot at the east end of the village. However, we have to excavate a small hillside to meet the area requirements."

Li Dakang nodded.

The current Bean Products Factory was still cramped in the old granary, with limited space and crowded equipment.

The new factory area would have modern production workshops, an impressive office building, and dedicated staff dormitories, which would completely change the face of the factory.

"Brother, it's about time." Director Du Cheng leaned over and whispered a reminder.

This Township Credit Union director had specially brought a few staff members today, carrying heavy money boxes in their hands, with excitement written all over his face.

Li Dakang looked at his watch, then looked at the growing crowd below the stage, and took a deep breath: "Let's begin!"

Village Party Secretary Zheng Yaoxian cleared his throat and walked to the microphone: "Everyone, quiet down! Township Head Li has something to say!"

The noisy threshing floor instantly quieted down, and even the sound of the wind seemed to stop.

Everyone's gaze focused on that young figure on the podium.

To the villagers of Zhengjia Village, Li Dakang was not just the township head; he was the guide who led them out of poverty.