Chapter 1685: Attracting Attention

The deputy straightened his chest and responded firmly: "General, rest assured. We will surely go all out and contribute our strength to the prosperity of the border."

Gu Yi nodded with satisfaction, then frowned slightly, pondering for a moment before saying: "There is one more important thing, and that is education. We cannot just let this generation live a good life; we must let the future generations of the border have a future and become useful talents. Therefore, the construction of schools and the cultivation of teaching staff must also be put on the agenda."

The deputy said with emotion: "General, you are truly far-sighted. Education is the key to changing the future; I will personally handle this matter to ensure every child can receive a good education."

The two were deep in conversation when suddenly hurried footsteps came from outside the door. A messenger entered in a rush, knelt on one knee, and presented a secret letter with both hands: "General, urgent letter from the imperial court!"

Gu Yi took the letter and quickly opened it to read. His expression changed with the content of the letter, sometimes grave, sometimes relaxed. After reading, he let out a long breath and handed the letter to the deputy: "The imperial court has agreed to our request, not only providing funding support but also promising to send an agricultural technology team and several education experts to the border."

The deputy took the letter and read it carefully, joy appearing on his face: "This is truly great! With the support of the imperial court, our plans can be implemented even faster."

Gu Yi stood up, his gaze firm as he looked out the window: "There is no time to lose; we must act immediately. You are responsible for coordinating military and border defense construction, and I will personally handle the agricultural and education projects. We must let the border people see tangible changes and make them full of confidence in the future."

The deputy also stood up and responded powerfully: "Yes, General! I will surely not fail expectations and will build the border defense as solid as a rock."

In the days that followed, Gu Yi and the deputy worked in division and cooperation, each busy at their own posts. Gu Yi took agricultural experts deep into the fields to inspect the soil and introduce high-efficiency crops suitable for the border climate. He also organized farmer training to teach advanced planting techniques and increase agricultural production.

At the same time, under Gu Yi's coordination, education experts began to improve school conditions, compile textbooks suitable for border children, and train local teachers. Gu Yi also specially established scholarships to encourage children to study hard and contribute their strength to the border's development in the future.

A few months later, the border region underwent earth-shaking changes. In the fields, high-efficiency crops grew gratifyingly, and farmers' faces were filled with the joy of harvest; in the schools, the children's loud reading voices echoed in every corner of the campus, their eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge and longing for the future.

Gu Yi and the deputy stood on the mountaintop, overlooking this land they guarded with their lives and sweat. Gu Yi was filled with emotion: "Look at these changes; all the hard work is worth it. The future of the border will surely be even better."

The deputy also said with emotion: "Yes, General. All of this is the result of your wise leadership. Without you, there would be no today for the border."

Gu Yi gently patted the deputy's shoulder: "No, this is the achievement of all of us. It is the result of the joint efforts of every border person. Remember, true heroes are those who are unknown and selfless. They are the most solid cornerstone of the border."

The two smiled at each other, their eyes flickering with infinite expectation for the future. They knew that although the road ahead was still long and challenges were still many, as long as they worked hand in hand, nothing could stop the border's steps toward prosperity.

With the continuous development of the border, Gu Yi and the deputy also began to think about deeper issues. They realized that to truly integrate the border into the country's overall development, they still needed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other regions.

Thus, Gu Yi proposed holding a border culture festival, inviting cultural groups and artists from all over the country to the border for exchange performances, while also letting border culture go out and be shown to more people.

The deputy was very much in favor of this proposal: "This can not only enhance the understanding between the border and other regions but also enhance the border's cultural soft power, attracting more people to pay attention to and invest in the border."

Under the careful preparation of Gu Yi and the deputy, the border culture festival was held as scheduled. The event site was bustling with activity; artists from all over the country brought wonderful performances, and the border people also displayed their unique folk culture and handicrafts.

The culture festival not only let the border people feel the excitement of the outside world but also gave the outside world a brand-new understanding of the border. Many entrepreneurs and cultural figures established cooperative relationships with the border at the festival, injecting new vitality into the border's development.

Gu Yi stood at the opening ceremony of the culture festival, looking at the scene of laughter and joy on and off the stage, his heart filled with pride and gratification. He knew that all these efforts were for the tomorrow of the border, for those children to be able to grow up in a more open, inclusive, and prosperous environment. ===== CHAPTER 1686 =====