Chapter 119

The two got along well, were similar in age, and chatted very happily.

"Hongpeng, where is your hometown?"

"From Xinjie Town."

Lu Fan asked, "Are you and District Chief Wang Hongtao from the same town?" Hearing the name, he wondered if they were relatives.

Wang Hongpeng said, "Secretary, that's my cousin. To be frank, this deer blood liquor is my brother's treasure, he made it himself, you dare not publicize it—many people want it, I secretly saved some 'private stash'!"

Seeing this inconspicuous plastic bag, Lu Fan immediately attached importance to it and hurriedly "hid" it in the cabinet.

"District Chief Hongtao used to be my teacher; I'll never forget his kindness! Hongpeng, if anything comes up in the township, feel free to find me anytime!"

"Secretary, no problem; if we need the police station to step in, we guarantee to be there at a moment's notice!"

Although the promotion and transfer of the police station chief and officers are entirely decided by the County Public Security Bureau, in reality the police station and township government have a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship; after all, you're on their turf, and a stalemate would certainly be bad. Moreover, Lu Fan became township secretary at such a young age, and Wang Hongpeng also intended to make connections.

The two chatted until past twelve, after which Wang Hongpeng returned to the police station.

The next day, upon starting work, Township Chief Cui Mingliang came in with a water cup and smiled, "Secretary, let me report: I've basically settled those two petition cases; these two days I'll go to the cooperative medical office and the civil affairs bureau to apply for some relief funds, and the civil affairs station will squeeze out a bit more."

Lu Fan nodded and said, "Most petition cases are due to the village two committees' inaction, or they're 'ghosts' stirred up by them; next year we need to strengthen supervision, have township-level cadres go down to the villages more often, and eliminate problems at the budding stage; the 'zero petitions' I spoke of at the meeting must be realized—this is also an honor, and Baishu Bay lacks honor the most."

"As long as we have the will, this isn't hard to achieve. Secretary, I'd like to discuss with you how to distribute this year's bonuses—New Year is coming up, and everyone is eagerly awaiting!"

"How was it last year?"

"Ah, last year we were the lowest among all townships in the county—first, we had no money; second, our evaluation ranked dead last! Should we still follow last year's standard this year?"

Lu Fan thought and said, "This year our development ideas are clear, but difficulties will inevitably be many. If everyone faces tasks and difficulties without initiative, without using their brains or hearts, without taking responsibility or acting, even if the ideas are correct, the policies good, and the conditions in place, it will still be hard to lead the whole township in completing all development tasks."

"Township Chief, to make a horse run fast you must let it eat its fill of grass. Mobilizing cadres' enthusiasm boils down to two aspects: first, let everyone see hope of progress; after the New Year the county will adjust personnel, and I've secured a quota for us—though the outcome can only be awaited; second, use money to motivate—this is the most direct and effective incentive, and it's something we can decide ourselves. My opinion is not to be the first to stick our neck out, given our evaluation ranking hasn't risen, but achieving second place in the county would be passable. Check how other townships distribute year-end bonuses; let ours be slightly below the first and slightly above the second, so everyone can celebrate the New Year happily and next year we can strike back."

Cui Mingliang laughed, "Once everyone hears this news, their confidence will surely double; our Baishu Bay has never been this prosperous!"

"So our task is to figure out how to make money; without the 2.6 million we recovered last time, we wouldn't dare to fight this prosperity battle. Also, I have good news: Secretary Gao has agreed to solve our 40-kilometer village road—it's the county's 'oil return sand' project; you're in charge, actively liaise with the Transportation Bureau, and this year we must find every way to solve Baishu Bay's road problems."

"Secretary, you really have the clout—I'll arrange the year-end bonuses this morning and head to the Transportation Bureau this afternoon; this is a great thing!"

When the accountant started making tables, sharp-eyed people noticed, and thus Baishu Bay's cadres erupted, all expressing admiration for Lu Fan.

"Old Zhang, have you heard? Bonuses are about to be issued—ordinary cadres can get 3,500 yuan!"

"Holy cow, the intensity is huge! Big boss is awesome!"

"Yes, our Baishu Bay has never been this prosperous—it's truly a case of new people, new atmosphere!"

"Looking at this momentum, there will be a big move tomorrow—maybe Baishu Bay will truly get a makeover!"

"The big boss is actually the secretary of the 'big big boss'; can he not be strong in support? Just wait—the next personnel adjustment will definitely bring surprises!"

"Hmm, look at the clerks and accountants—they're working their heads off; the secretary must have promised them something, though we don't know who will be chosen as clerk or accountant."

"Why don't you give it a shot?"

"You think I don't dare? We just lack a platform—I see the secretary as quite fair."

The leaders were also chatting privately; Deputy Secretary Lu Mingxiong came to the People's Congress chairman's office with a water cup and laughed, "Bonuses are about to be issued—this year is a big change, you three Zhengke-level officials are in the same tier."

"Have you seen it? How much can I get?"

"Double compared to last year!"

"That much? The intensity is real—Secretary Lu is really on the ball!"

"I didn't expect so much either—it seems just a bit less than Zhou Chuan's!"

Meng Qinchi laughed, "The secretary's ambitions are big—I see promise for next year."

"Better than stagnant water—next year we'll have plenty to do!"

"Being busy is good; only when busy do we have hope. To be honest, these past few years I've had zero motivation."

By the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month, Baishu Bay Township Government was full of joy, and the accountant began issuing year-end bonuses!

Adding the "13th month" salary, the lowest take-home is also 6,000 yuan, with higher amounts reaching over ten thousand—this is a first in Baishu Bay's history; cadres are filled with joy and pride, the unit's cohesion unprecedentedly high. Nowadays people are pragmatic—empty promises don't fill hunger; thick wads of cash are the most direct and effective incentive!

Baishu Bay's petition issues are all resolved, development ideas are in place, cadres' enthusiasm has been mobilized, the whole township's cadres and masses show a thriving scene, awaiting a big push next year!

After distributing the bonuses, Lu Fan seized every moment, convened the township Party committee, and, following the collective decision-making system for major matters, passed the detailed rules for outsourcing the township's 28 reservoirs and dams, and issued a notice throughout the township.

For a moment Baishu Bay boiled over; the township government saw a constant stream of visitors, bustling with activity, even people from other townships came to inquire.

Lu Fan only set the direction, delegated the reservoir-and-dam contracting work to Township Chief Cui Mingliang, requiring that contracts be all signed before the New Year if possible, leaving more time for contractors to plan and implement.

Dreams give people strength; struggle creates miracles. Civil Affairs Station Director Yang Xuezheng, having received Lu Fan's promise, saw his work enthusiasm surge unprecedentedly, exercising initiative, he went to the county civil affairs bureau, the union, and the support units, "softly lobbying and hard pressing," "exchanging gifts," and in fact raised this year's relief supplies quota to 300 portions, making Lu Fan overjoyed.

To distribute these 300 portions of rice, flour, and oil to the most needy families, Lu Fan specially convened an expanded Party committee meeting, assigning the task to 13 section-level leaders, requiring visits and condolences with "warmth," delivering warmth and relief supplies to the lowest-income residents facing the greatest hardship and highest need, so they feel the party and government's warmth, enabling needy families to receive material aid and spiritual encouragement.

As the Spring Festival approached and the festive atmosphere grew, at the turn of the year Baishu Bay Township Government mobilized all staff to carry out a vigorous "Winter Warmth Delivery" campaign.

For some low-income, special-difficulty households with mobility issues, township government staff personally visited homes, bringing deep concern, delivering relief supplies to residents' houses, while also conveying New Year blessings to those low-income special-difficulty households.

Sentence after sentence of warm words, visit after visit of thoughtful greetings made low-income and struggling family members feel deeply warm. Those who received the relief supplies all beamed with smiles, repeatedly thanking the staff, letting Baishu Bay feel waves of warmth in this cold season.

On the twenty-sixth of the twelfth lunar month, Baishu Bay Township Government finished its final work of the year; after collective evaluation and decision by the township Party committee, it signed contracting agreements with 18 contractors for the 28 reservoirs and dams—200 yuan per mu, all five-year contracts, with priority renewal upon expiration, contracting fees paid annually per year, instantly filling the township government's coffers.

After finishing these, Lu Fan finally wrapped up his work for the year and returned home in earnest to celebrate the New Year.

Returning to the county seat, naturally he went to see Gao Yuanfei and Bian Jide to brush up his presence, then went to the office of Organization Department Minister Hao Qiang, pushing Baishu Bay's personnel adjustments to the limit; Minister Hao's signal was clear, completely in line with Lu Fan's plans.

Time really is something that catches you off guard; in the blink of an eye a year ended like this, Lu Fan already has five years of service; this year's bitterness and hardship will be sealed away in memory along with the past; in this cold winter he endured life's most difficult tribulation—foresight, loss, growth—life always has too much left undone; those who wanted to cross the year together are gone, yet after many years she will still be there.

Only now do I understand that chicken feathers everywhere are the essence of life; the path heaven has laid out, you cannot think of escaping even a single step.

"Brother, Tianhui sister came to play at our house today—she got into graduate school at the Media University."

"Oh!"

"Brother, I've already applied to join the Party, participated in the student union; after graduation I'll take the civil service exam or go for the central selective recruitment—I've grown up, I can handle some things for you. A lifetime is long; you shouldn't bear all that—I want you to be happy!"

"Yaoyao, everything I do is only hoping that your experiences are all joyful, your path always smooth, the people you meet all good; may you be happily happy, joyfully joyful your whole life, with happiness accompanying you—whatever you want to do, Brother will support you."