Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

The fifth day of the Lunar New Year, in the auditorium of the Qingyun County Party Committee.

Logically, this was still within the statutory Spring Festival holiday. However, more than 800 people from the entire Qingyun County, from the county party secretary to the lowest-ranking township staff, packed the auditorium to capacity early in the morning. No one complained about working overtime; even the corridors were filled with young cadres who had brought small stools to listen in.

The air was filled with an atmosphere of extreme repression yet unusual excitement.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating it.

Because today, the legendary figure who emerged from here and has now reached the pinnacle of power will be here to teach them a lesson.

It was exactly 9:00 AM.

The heavy wooden doors of the auditorium were pushed open. There was no street clearing or lengthy welcoming speeches. Liu Ming, dressed in an ordinary dark blue jacket, walked briskly onto the stage, accompanied by the current county committee members.

The entire audience instantly rose to their feet. Thunderous applause instantly lifted the ceiling!

Liu Ming pressed her hands down, gesturing for everyone to sit down.

Instead of walking to the central podium adorned with flowers and designer brands, he picked up the microphone, walked to the front of the stage, and swept his gentle yet sharp gaze across the young faces below.

"Please sit down. We won't talk about national affairs or macro policies today. Since we've gone to all this trouble to bring you all here during the New Year, let's just treat this as a friendly chat among fellow villagers and have a heart-to-heart talk."

His relaxed and easygoing opening remarks instantly broke the tension in the audience caused by the disparity in their levels.

"I just looked around the audience, and there were mostly unfamiliar faces," Liu Ming smiled. "That's true, it's been ten years. The old buddies who used to stay up all night writing materials in the General Affairs Department and queue up in the cafeteria for twice-cooked pork with me have either retired or been transferred."

A soft, good-natured laugh rippled through the audience. Many of the younger cadres looked at Liu Ming with fervent admiration. This was their god! A legendary figure who rose from the bottom ranks, serving tea and water like them, to become a powerful leader!

"I know what you're thinking." Liu Ming keenly caught those gazes, and his expression gradually became serious. "You might think that I, Liu Ming, have gotten to where I am today because I'm ruthless enough, have a deep enough background, or that I'm lucky enough to have encountered a few once-in-a-century benefactors who helped me."

He paused, his tone becoming unusually calm, carrying a power that penetrates the soul.

"If you're going to try and get by within the system with this kind of mentality, then let me tell you, you won't go far. Sooner or later, you'll fall off this tightrope and be shattered to pieces!"

The temperature in the auditorium seemed to drop several degrees instantly, and it fell into complete silence.

"Ten years ago, I had just arrived in Qingyun County. At that time, Qingyun County was poor, chaotic, and dark. Li Yuankui was all-powerful, mine bosses treated human life like dirt, and thugs dared to rob people in broad daylight." Liu Ming's voice echoed in the empty auditorium, pulling everyone back to that dark and bloody era.

"Back then, I was just a deputy section chief, I didn't even have an official seal. Do you think I wasn't afraid when I was fighting Li Yuankui?"

"I'm scared," Liu Ming admitted frankly, which surprised the young people in the audience.

"I fear the truth about the mine disaster will be buried forever. I fear the wronged souls who died underground will come to haunt me at night. I fear even more that when ordinary people see us in uniforms, they will only see fear and despair, without a shred of trust!"

Liu Ming pointed to the audience, "Back then, there was an old man who was chased into the deep mountains by assassins in order to protect the blood and tears diary that recorded the truth about the mining disaster. I carried him on my back and ran through the mountains for three hours. My body was covered with large cuts from tree branches, and blood flowed all the way."

"Do you know what kept me running?"

Looking at this group of young cadres in the prime of their lives, Liu Ming felt an inextinguishable flame burning in his eyes.

"It's not some grand political ambition, nor is it for any promotion or advancement. It's just three damn words: I'm not resigned to it!"

"I refuse to accept that this country and this land have been ruined by these heartless beasts! I refuse to accept that ordinary people have worked hard all their lives, only to have nowhere to seek justice!"

These words, like the resounding toll of a bell, made everyone present's eardrums throb and their hearts pound wildly!

"Later, Li Yuankui fell, the compradors fell, and the big tigers fell too." Liu Ming's tone softened, carrying a sense of maturity born from experience. "I've reached this position today, wielding power ten thousand times greater than before. The temptations are also ten thousand times greater."

"Do you know how many eyes are watching me in the city, how many hands are trying to give me money, women, and shares? If I just nod my head, I can live the most extravagant life in the world for the rest of my life, and even for ten generations of my descendants."

A deathly silence fell over the audience; everyone held their breath. They knew that what Liu Ming said was absolutely not an exaggeration.

"But I didn't."

Liu Ming tilted her head slightly, looking at the bright chandelier on the dome of the auditorium.

"Because every time I close my eyes, what comes to mind are the people of Qingyun County who were displaced by forced demolitions ten years ago; the miners who died in the mine disaster with their eyes wide open; and the endless line of villagers with tears in their eyes who saw me off outside this auditorium back then!"

He looked back at the audience, his gaze sharp and intense.

"Power is a double-edged sword. If you use it as a tool for personal gain, it will sooner or later become the guillotine that severs your neck. Only if you use it as a powerful tool to serve the people can it become a monument to your standing in this world!"

"Comrades!"

Liu Ming's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable authority and earnest expectation.

"You are the future, the lifeblood of this land! No matter where you go in the future, whether you become a section chief, a county magistrate, or even a provincial governor!"

"Uphold the bottom line! Keep the people in your heart!"

"Don't forget the oath you took back then, don't forget why you chose to take this muddy job!"

"Never forget your original aspiration, and you will achieve your goal!"

The words fell.

After a brief, suffocating silence.

"Whoosh—!"

The entire auditorium erupted in thunderous applause!

This wasn't the kind of formulaic applause meant to appease superiors. This was a heartfelt, passionate resonance from over 800 grassroots cadres!

Many young staff members, their eyes red-rimmed, clapped frantically, oblivious to the fact that their hands were turning red from clapping. Looking at the figure on the stage—not tall, yet as imposing as a mountain—they felt their blood boiling!

Lei Tie sat in the first row, and this tough man quietly wiped away a tear. He turned his head and looked at the excited, trembling young faces around him, a relieved smile appearing on his lips.

He knew that the fire Liu Ming had planted today would burn in the hearts of these young people for a lifetime.

As long as this fire is not extinguished, the foundation of China will never fall!

The applause was thunderous and lasted for a long time.

Amidst thunderous applause, Liu Ming smiled and bowed deeply to the audience.