Ten kilometers south of Jinling County's heavy industrial district, the terrain was flat and open.
It had once been woodland, but the trees had all been cut down and the land plowed for crops. Now the good farmland was gone, replaced by a vast complex of buildings: smoking chimneys, boilers, enormous factory workshops, and rows upon rows of residential blocks.
Today, the place was bustling.
Everyone in the county with any authority had come. Villagers from nearby areas had gathered to watch the excitement. Some beat drums, some danced, some set off firecrackers. Reporters conducted interviews, while photographers documented the occasion.
It was a great day—the thermal power plant had been completed and connected to the grid. Everyone who mattered in the county had come to take part in the grid-connection ceremony.
"Once we solve the electricity problem, our county's development will be on the fast track." Secretary Xu stood to one side with Wang Yan, smoking as they watched the lively scene. He smiled and sighed. "It really can raise production capacity and create more jobs, right?"
"Leader, we've come this far. Why are you still lacking confidence?" Wang Yan said with a laugh. "The factory buildings are finished. The production equipment has all been renovated, upgraded, and installed. The only reason we can't fully start operations is that we don't have enough electricity, isn't it?
"The hiring lists were drawn up long ago, and the simple prefab housing has already been built. Once the grid-connection ceremony is over, we'll issue the notice and have the selected people move into the city. The veteran workers will lead them on the job. Within a month, output at every one of our factories will at least double.
"A countywide construction boom is about to begin, Leader. I already had people start