In July, 1951, Hua was transferred to Hsiang-t'an as county Party secretary. Although technicially not a promotion, this new assignment afforded Hua greater opportunities, because Hsiang-t'an county was larger, encompassed a large municipality for greater exposure and, most importantly, included Shao-shan, Mao's home town. During this one year assignment, Hua concentrated on organizing and implementing mutual aid teams (MATs) and monitoring the counties' efforts in the Anti-Locust Campaign.