Yan Jinchen is a farmer's son. The highest-ranking official in his family is his grandfather, the head of their village group. From the start, he is asked to write a five-year summary of grassroots work. Everyone else turns in a blank page, but he makes his lack of connections his greatest asset. While the others complain of poverty and exhaustion, he lays bare the wisdom of navigating the struggles in every inch of soil. His report stuns the room, launching his rise through the ranks on the strength of his own ability.
