Chapter 105

During the two days of intensive study, not a single person was absent, including the 18 cadres who were "eating empty salaries."

Township Party Secretary Lu Fan, Township Head Cui Mingliang, and Discipline Inspection Secretary Cheng Haohao took turns leading the study. The cadres took notes seriously; they knew that a new person brings a new atmosphere, and they also knew that the gun hits the bird that sticks its head out. The authority of the Township Party Secretary was unquestionable, even if he was only in his twenties.

The ignorant are fearless, but those who know are deeply afraid. This study session at least allowed all the township cadres to carefully study various rules and regulations, understanding what should be done and what should not be done.

During the study process, Lu Fan constantly emphasized that they must always keep Party discipline and rules in mind, consciously achieve awe in the face of rules and regulations, restraint in speech, and stopping in action, and constantly improve their Party spirit, discipline awareness, and rule awareness.

After the study, the mental outlook of the township government cadres was fundamentally reversed. At the very least, no one was late or left early, let alone "eating empty salaries." Those 18 people were living examples; they were waiting anxiously for the results of the County Discipline Inspection Commission's handling. Some had already asked for leave to go to the county to lobby. One must know that the Discipline Inspection Commission has case-handling quotas every year, and it is entirely possible they would use them to "fill the numbers."

2012 was about to end. Lu Fan did not come to Baishu Bay to "drift along" or "bide his time." He had lofty ambitions and naturally wanted to achieve some results.

Baishu Bay does not have the traffic advantages of Zhouchuan Town, the deep agricultural industrial foundation of southern Ningyang, or the oil resources of Zhongchuan. To find a path to prosperity for the people, one must take a different approach.

Building the largest "coffin shop" around Ningyang was a path Lu Fan had planned long ago, and he was confident he could do it because Baishu Bay had resource and technical advantages. Cypress is a well-known coffin "material" far and wide, and the handmade coffins are highly sought after by surrounding areas.

Relying on the mountains to eat from the mountains, relying on the water to eat from the water—if one doesn't make good use of this advantage, it is a waste of heaven's gifts, like begging for food while holding a golden bowl.

Developing the "coffin" industry requires loggers and carpenters, and it can also support a dozen trucks, solving the livelihood problems of dozens or even hundreds of households. The entire township only has 1,500 households.

Ningyang's greenhouse industry is famous throughout the province, but Baishu Bay's greenhouse area is the lowest in the county. This is a problem of concepts, technology, funds, sales channels, and efficiency. Once these problems are solved, industrial prosperity for the people will not be an empty phrase.

Baishu Bay has a forest area of 200 square kilometers, growing various medicinal plants such as plantain, licorice, rhubarb, angelica, codonopsis, and large amounts of natural wood ear, which is also a path to wealth.

Not to mention the mutton of Baishu Bay: the color is bright red, the texture is firm and fine, and because they graze on wild thyme for a long time, there is no mutton odor. It has high trace element content, low cholesterol content, and is beneficial to human health. The meat is organic and pollution-free. It became famous ten years ago, but production could not keep up, leading to market demand exceeding supply. Lu Fan's "pressure cooker" mutton from a few years ago was highly praised by leaders and was a "stepping stone" for various departments in Ningyang County to run projects at the city and provincial levels. This is a major industry that must be developed.

As the saying goes, without agriculture, there is no stability; without industry, there is no wealth. Industry makes the greatest contribution to finance and employment. Looking at the current Zhouchuan Town, one has to admire his teacher Wang Hongtao; it is truly full of factories and bustling with activity. Although Baishu Bay has no advantages, it must absolutely not give up on investment attraction; every bit counts.

Coffins, greenhouse planting, medicinal herb planting, sheep farming, and investment attraction—these are the five paths Lu Fan planned for Baishu Bay. Only with goals and direction can one see the road ahead clearly. Persistence and consistency are the cornerstones of success.

Things need to be done by people. Lu Fan cannot take on everything himself, covering every detail. He must let the Township Party Committee play the role of the "leader" and mobilize the work enthusiasm of the leadership team members. Only by unifying thinking can they reach a consensus, strengthen confidence, gather strength, and push the cause of Baishu Bay forward.

But human hearts are the most complex. On the surface, they look very "docile," but when it comes to work, they may not necessarily do their best. Not everyone has the consciousness of a public servant; most people won't get up early without profit. One must let them see hope, and this tests the wisdom of the top leader.

And most importantly, solving the conceptual problems of the people of Baishu Bay, letting them be willing to return to start businesses. Otherwise, relying only on the three or four thousand "old, weak, sick, and disabled" at home will not amount to anything.

The ideas are there, and the problems are in front of him. Next is to solve them one by one.

On December 15, after starting work, Lu Fan carried his water cup to the Township Head's office, intending to have a heart-to-heart talk with Cui Mingliang.

"Secretary, why did you come over? You should have called me over if you had something!"

"In terms of age, you are older than me; in terms of relationship, we are old friends; in terms of work experience, you are richer than me. There are some problems I want to discuss with you, and you must not hold anything back."

Cui Mingliang laughed, "Secretary, you are too polite. Your office has been brightly lit these past few nights; I guess you were brewing a big move. Our Baishu Bay really can't just drift along anymore."

"You're right, we really can't drift along. Without solid results, the organization won't even look at us straight. Being last every year, I can't afford to lose that face. As the saying goes, poverty leads to change. Our Baishu Bay is not without merit. These past few days, I've sorted things out and have a few ideas. Let's put our heads together and see if they are feasible. You must speak your mind; you must point out where things are inappropriate."

"Don't worry, Secretary. I will naturally do my best, speak everything I know, and not hold anything back!"

"People say Baishu Bay is a poor and remote place, but that's not true. We are guarding a treasure mountain without knowing it, begging for food while holding a golden bowl! I've looked up some materials and, combined with the township's situation, I feel that for Baishu Bay to develop, we must start from five aspects: the coffin industry, greenhouse planting, medicinal herb planting, sheep farming, and investment attraction..."

After speaking eloquently for nearly an hour, Cui Mingliang felt moved. The man had only been here for a few days and had already sorted out the ideas, and they weren't empty slogans or flashy but impractical; on the contrary, they were very feasible and operational. This attitude alone was worth affirming.

"Secretary, these ideas are very correct. If they can really be developed as hoped, Baishu Bay will surely undergo earth-shaking changes. I raise both hands in favor. But I have a few concerns:

First, to get rich, one must first build roads. The roads from Baishu Bay to Ningyang and Jingcheng are dilapidated and very unfavorable for transportation;

Second, the issue of funds. Supporting industrial development requires government investment; developing farming and planting requires farmer investment; engaging in the coffin industry requires enterprise investment. It's not something our township government can afford; it needs support from higher levels;

Third, the farmers' conceptual problems. To be honest, the people of Baishu Bay are very lazy, lack motivation, are used to 'waiting, relying, and asking,' and are better at gossiping and stirring up trouble than anyone else, but they don't do a damn thing when it comes to real work. 'Poverty alleviation starts with the spirit'; if the concept doesn't change, it's useless even if the Heavenly King comes;

Fourth, the village branches are weak and scattered, lack cohesion, and cannot play the role of fighting fortresses. There is a phenomenon of 'not reaching the well to get water' and being 'hands-off managers.' Many tasks are arranged but there is no echo. Letting them lead the villagers to prosperity is like blowing fire with a fart!

Fifth, there are also some petition problems. If they are not solved, no matter what we do, we will face heavy obstacles, and they will 100% come out to cause trouble."

Lu Fan said with relief, "Township Head, thank you for these heartfelt words. There are some problems I indeed didn't consider. I hope you can frequently check for omissions and fill gaps in future work. My thought is that there are always more solutions than difficulties. Regarding road construction, even if I run my legs off and wear out my mouth, I will get the roads in Baishu Bay repaired. I will go ask for the funds, but you must be responsible for the project. I want to focus my energy on industrial development."

Cui Mingliang wanted it very much in his heart, but he said calmly, "Secretary, I'm afraid that's not appropriate. I still understand that much of the rules!"

"It's settled. We will each perform our own duties, fulfill our own responsibilities, and cooperate closely to form a joint force to improve the work in Baishu Bay. Next Monday, I want to report these ideas to County Party Secretary Gao to seek support from the County Party Committee and County Government. You come with me; you can supplement where I miss or fail to think of something."

Cui Mingliang's enthusiasm was immediately mobilized, and he said with a full face of smiles, "Then I must study the Secretary's ideas carefully. If we do it this way, our Baishu Bay will surely have great prospects. I will absolutely cooperate with the Secretary's work in all aspects."

"Thank you! There's one more thing. Let's put our heads together. The township is still missing a Deputy Township Head. You are more familiar with the cadres; who do you think is suitable?"

People should have self-knowledge. Cui Mingliang said, "Recommending cadres is the responsibility of the Township Party Committee. I think it's better to choose from the heads of the stations and offices. This way, a deputy division-level position for a public institution will open up, which can mobilize the work enthusiasm of the cadres. After all, everyone wants to progress. The Secretary should consider this; I submit to the Township Party Committee's decision."

"Alright then, I'll consider it further."

To give is to receive. To mobilize the enthusiasm of these old hands, drawing big cakes is useless; one must provide something practical. Moreover, the Township Head is the most important deputy. Lu Fan didn't want to engage in internal strife and attrition, or play power games over those damn things; he just wanted to achieve results as soon as possible and increase the income of the more than 1,500 households in Baishu Bay.

The next one is the Chairman of the People's Congress, Meng Qingchi, who helped him and Du Wenlong solve the problem of joining the Party back then. Nearly five years have passed, and he is still "motionless" in this position. This is the norm for township cadres; some people can work in a deputy division-level position until retirement.

Besides conducting elections, the Township People's Congress Chairman is generally arranged to handle coordination and petitions. It is one of the three full division-level positions in the township, and the position is very important.

Lu Fan asked the document clerk to call Meng Qingchi to the office, personally brewed him a cup of tea, and smiled, "Old Meng, my Party introducer, we are working together again!"

Meng Qingchi laughed, "I'm ashamed. Congratulations to the Secretary for your steady promotion. I'm so happy you're back. If you have any instructions for work, just tell me at any time. I guarantee I won't drag my feet."

"With those words from you, I can rest easy. Many hands make light work; work has to be done by everyone."