With the reservoir ready, Peizhai villagers tore down their previous dilapidated houses to reclaim more than 40 hectares of farmland, on which they built greenhouses for green vegetables, flowers and aquaculture. A vegetable and flower cooperative was formed, with every household a shareholder. It sells high value-added vegetables, such as edible mushrooms, directly to markets.

In 2009, Pei Chunliang joined the CPC.

Responding to the Chinese government's new urbanization plan, which represents a move from land-centered urbanization to people-oriented urbanization, Pei Chunliang helped build a large rural community, including 11 villages, for more than 11,800 residents. Peizhai village served as its center.

He was then appointed secretary of the community's Party committee.

Peizhai village saw more earth-shaking changes, with new facilities such as a primary school, kindergarten, health center, sewage treatment facility, heating system and natural gas supply. "Now we have everything cities have. Bank, supermarket, hotel, you name it," Pei Chunliang said.