Wu Mingsong of Ganzhou Tobacco: Guided by a Great Mentor Early On

 Introduction: Confucius believed that "in a group of three, there must be a teacher for me"; Han Yu also criticized the trend of "being ashamed to learn from teachers." Wu Mingsong, an employee at the Ganzhou Tobacco Bureau in Jiangxi, encountered a great mentor early in his career. Here, he shares his story.

  According to the Heating Not Burning Information Network, in just two months, I went from being a stranger to being deeply impressed by Wu Mingsong, the head of a tobacco station in Huichang County, Ganzhou, Jiangxi. Behind his simple and straightforward language lies a wealth of knowledge and experience. Closing my eyes, memories flash by like a movie, and the lessons I learned about doing things and being a person are now clearer than ever.   First Lesson: Strategic Planning   Preparation before the acquisition is the foundation for the smooth progress of the entire acquisition process. Widely publicizing the favorable policies for tobacco leaf purchases and mobilizing farmers to harvest and dry their crops in a timely manner; requiring "three deliveries" personnel to go deep into farmers' homes to guide them in conducting proper pre-inspection of tobacco leaves; strictly enforcing the order of tobacco leaf purchases to eliminate favoritism; and decomposing work tasks according to the tobacco leaf purchase plan, setting up checkpoints, arranging personnel, and establishing a reporting hotline for public supervision, all contribute to creating a good purchasing environment. Wu Stationmaster's meticulous arrangements and guidance reflect his capabilities and strategic mindset, which is the demeanor expected of a stationmaster!   Second Lesson: Humble Learning   Confucius believed that "in a group of three, there must be a teacher for me"; Han Yu also criticized the trend of "being ashamed to learn from teachers." In today's competitive era, we should understand the importance of humility in learning. Grading is a crucial part of the acquisition process, and my ignorance about grading made me pay special attention and constantly learn about it. At the beginning of the acquisition, the stationmaster suddenly asked Master Zhu to check the grading of the tobacco leaves he had graded. The earnest and humble expression on the stationmaster's face while learning was so radiant. The stationmaster said that no matter how high one's grading level is, there are always grades that are difficult to identify, and one must always learn to improve daily. Upon hearing this, I felt compelled to work harder to catch up.   Third Lesson: Caution and Responsibility   Every exquisite and perfect beehive is completed by thousands of bees with a serious and meticulous attitude. Every clever dolphin swims in the vast ocean with its innate fine "sonar." Without a rigorous and responsible attitude, how can we create the intricate beehives that astonish scientists? How can we have the water sprites and ocean messengers that delight children? Thus, it is clear that being meticulous and responsible is an essential quality in work. Even small tasks can reflect the rarity of these qualities. Printing invoices is a very important task that must be error-free. This task was assigned to me by the stationmaster, who did not simply ask me to do it but personally demonstrated it for several days, repeating the key points that needed to be remembered. I observed this closely and deeply remembered it. I never expected that the plump stationmaster had such a meticulous and patient side; the inner shock was beyond words, and I could only express my admiration!   Fourth Lesson: Patience and Versatility   A tough man can also be tender; this is the best interpretation of the stationmaster. At the end of the month, all invoices need to be bound, and before binding, they must be neatly arranged for easy access. This task has always been done by the stationmaster himself. Every time I see him with a needle and thread, I can't help but feel a deep respect. Countless invoices and countless holes—without patience, how could this be accomplished? Who says men don't do needlework? These miracles are all created by the stationmaster, whom I admire.   Fifth Lesson: Leading by Example   The stationmaster leads by example, setting a standard for everyone to follow. Every morning and noon, the stationmaster wakes up early and shouts in the corridor: "Time to get up!" As someone who loves to sleep in, I finally couldn't help but ask him why he always gets up so early. The stationmaster replied: "I am the stationmaster, and I must set a good example. I believe in leading by virtue, and since I was a soldier, this has become a habit. I hope to pass this good habit on to everyone." I admire him, so I willingly follow his lead and wake up early.   Sixth Lesson: Leading by Virtue   The ancients said: "A gentleman loves others with virtue, while a petty person loves others with indulgence." (from the Book of Rites) This means that a gentleman educates others with virtue, aligning their behavior with moral standards. Only by leading with virtue can others willingly follow you. Once, while chatting with the stationmaster's son, Chunmin, he expressed pride in his father's impressive image. "My dad is amazing; many masters have worked with him for many years, and many farmers respect him. I really admire my dad..." His simple words and admiring expression conveyed much without needing further explanation, and the facts proved this to be true. The stationmaster leads by virtue, which is a rare principle in dealing with people.   In summary, I can only express my feelings about my first mentor in society with one phrase: I am deeply impressed. I am grateful to have encountered such an excellent mentor who has won my heartfelt admiration from the very beginning of my career. I will cherish every opportunity to learn from the stationmaster, ensuring that my future self does not disappoint and becomes even more outstanding!